Can you see me? Mum says this photo reminds her of a Snipe, camouflaged in a reedbed (she used to be a bit of a twitcher). My colouring is quite autumnal I suppose: Dad noticed how I was blending in with the fallen leaves and took this with his new phone. The leaves are from London Plane trees, as you probably noticed. They are a nuisance if they are outside your house, but we thought it was a great backdrop. I think we are going to use this pic on my site as well.

Tags: dogs, weblog, pets,diary, dog foodMuswell Hill,

I went to Alexandra Park, which was full of dogs enjoying a Sunday walk after a long thunderstorm. We met Ralph, a Guide Dog puppy in training. He had been bitten last week in Highgate Woods, and had to have stitches in the wound. His Mum told us the dog owner had said her dog was safe – tell that to poor Ralph!

We all went to the Alexandra Palace Garden Centre, which is dog friendly. Mum says she is much happier when we can shop together. If one of Them has to stay outside with me, they feel rushed. If I am outside barking, they feel stressed. So we were all looking at Christmas Decorations when we met a massive cat. I never take any notice of cats, ‘Live and let Live’ is my motto. But they often arch their backs and hiss at me. This cat, known as Tyson, apparently took up residence at the Garden Centre and now defends his territory against intruders – like me. We decided discretion is the better part of valour, and the cost of any damages would be huge. Imagine the headlines in the Muswell Hill Journal- ‘Kevin the Collie Brawling Among the Baubles’

Tags: dogs, weblog,pets,diary,dog food, alexandra palace, dog friendly

We often come across a few minor soap stars round here, cos we are only a few miles from town and also quite close to the BBC Elstree studios. Usually we play it very cool and pretend we don’t recognise them, we don’t want to boost their egos. But it is different when we meet their dogs. We ran into Maureen Lipman’s dog, Diva, a Basenji: also known as the Barkless Dog of Africa. Maureen Lipman was not walking her in person, the PA had the job! Diva is a nice dog, a bit smaller than me and very nice natured. Mum and Dad made all the expected remarks – how nice it would be if I made less noise, etc. Especially after I started barking outside the baker’s today. Well, I just wanted to make sure they got a cake that I liked.
Tags:dogs,celebrity dogs, stars dogsweblog pets,diary, dog food muswell hill,

Yesterday we met a lovely tricolour collie called Carina, who looks just like me – we might have been separated at birth. We had a nice walk together in Alexandra Park, and Mum noticed that Carina had some bare patches in her fur – worse than me. Apparently Carina suffers from the same allergy problem as me, we have both been really itchy this week and her vet has not cured her either. They think it is an allergy to seeds and dust and they are trying the same solutions as us. When I am scratching, I sometimes wear a t-shirt to distract me. Later Mum went to Lucky the Jack Russell‘s house and noticed he was happily chewing a wine cork: when she got home, she tried to persuade me to chew a cork. No, thanks – I am a Collie and I only chew bones (or Denta Stix). Luckily Dad had some leftover ribs for me, which I chewed this morning. Next time I see Carina I will find out whether she would chew a cork. And if Lucky likes them so much, that will be a cheap Christmas present sorted!
Tags: dogs, muswell hill,christmas,weblog pets,diary,dog food

I am in the doghouse – excuse the pun. I have been barking a lot under stress, for example when I wait at a shop or when I am left in the car. In the shops some people think a barking dog means a dangerous dog – no!! Barking is just a part of a dog’s body language, and they can see that my tail is wagging. Today I blotted my copybook cos Mum left me at home for an hour and I barked constantly. I am a rescue dog, so separation anxiety is my excuse! Mum and Dad do not want to use crate training, (not very popular over here). Instead they leave the radio on and give me some treats: then they leave the house quietly and come back in without making a fuss. They think it is strange as I don’t really make a lot of noise most of the time.

Yesterday I was very well behaved when Mum took me to a residents’ meeting and I slept under the table. But when we got up to leave, she started chatting to people, so I had to bark to remind her to leave. I will keep you updated, I think they are serious about this training.

Tags:dogs,barking dog,stop barkingweblog pets,diary, dogs barking

This is a photo of Ariel, a dear departed Tricolour Collie pet who belonged to Ham, the author of one of our favourite London Blogs. He recently featured a picture of another Collie, so I just had to leave a comment. Ham then dropped me a line to tell me about Ariel. Nice how bloggers are so friendly – perhaps one day my picture will be on his blog – I am a famous London dog!
Tags:dogs, london,weblog pets,diary,dog food