Som ni kanske minns så har jag tidigare skrivit om att Sirius har känts väldigt otaggad i träningen. Han har gjort det han ska, men det har inte känts som att han tycker att det är kul. Det har inte varit någon glöd, inga lysande ögon, inget “Åååh, jag-gör-vad-du-vill-bara-jag-får-belöningen-NUUU!” Han är väldigt matglad, så jag har provat allt från rå bacon till kokt lever (blärk!), men inget har riktigt tänt gnistan eller hjälpt oss hitta den där känslan. Kamp är också skoj, men även det har han gjort liksom pliktskyldigt.

Men nu. Snubblade över dessa gudasända, gula underverk när jag var på jakt efter tuggrullar i storpack. Tennisbollar. Som piper. HALLELUJAH! Äntligen något som gör träningen rolig och värdefull för min blå älskling! :D

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You might remember that I’ve previousy written about how unmotivated Sirius has been during training lately. He’s done all that I’ve asked of him, but somehow I’ve had the feeling that he hasn’t enjoyed it. There has been no spark, no bright, semi-crazy eyes, no “I’ll-do-anything-you-want-just-give-me-the-reward-NOW!” attitude. Sirius loves food, so I’ve tried everything from raw bacon to boiled liver (yuck!), but nothing has helped us find that feeling. He loves playing tuggy as well, but that he’s only been doing that in a sort of dutiful way, as well.

But now. I stumbled across these godsend, yellow wonders when I was browsing for chews. Tennis balls. That squeak. HALLELUJAH! At last, something that makes training fun and worthwhile for my blue darling! :D

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This Friday, we had a visit from dear Märit, and this time she brought her beautiful cats. We had a lovely photo session in the woods, together with Anna who was also visiting. :) I took lots and lots of photos, but here are a few of my favourites.

Magnus

Louise

Stefan

Kerstin

Magnus

Louise

Stefan

Kerstin

Louise – alla katterna är så fina, men Louise var verkligen min favoritmodell för dagen!
Louise – all four cats are so beautiful, but Louise was definitely my favourite model for the day!

Sirius var en stjärna idag! Följsam och fin, och rätt så sugen på köttbullarna i min ficka, han som annars inte varit så imponerad av belöningar på senaste tiden. Är nästan nöjd över min egen prestation också; inget tunnelseende, yrsel eller illamående. Blev däremot helt snustorr i munnen och tyckte att det tog ungefär 20 sekunder att gå banan – så fort vi gått färdigt så frågade jag Erik ängsligt: “Vad fort det gick! Vi missade väl inte någon skylt?!” Men nejdå, vi hade hunnit med alla.

Eftersom det var så många ekipage efter oss så tog vi med oss hundarna och åkte en sväng för att äta lunch. När vi kom tillbaka hade Märit och hoffarna kommit till klubben, så vi delade på en ask jordgubbar medan vi väntade på att alla skulle bli klara och resultaten skulle läsas upp. Till sist så blev det prisutdelning i nybörjarklassen och när alla var samlade sa domaren: “Det blev en hundrapoängare idag, och det var… Anna och Sirius!” :O Trodde inte mina öron! Inte ett endaste litet fel! Hurra! :D Så stolt över min finaste, finaste Herr Blå! ♥

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This morning, we headed for the dog club in Karlstad for the first rally obedience competition of the season. (If you are not familiar with rally obedience, you can read more about it at the UK Kennel Club’s website, right here.) I was incredibly nervous as always, even though I know that we can do it, even though Sirius is such a good boy. But I do think I was a tiny bit less nervous than before the competitions last summer, so that’s something at least! There were so many of us in Level 1, about fifty dogs and handlers, that we had to be separated into three groups. Sirius and I started as number two in the second group, which was perfect for me as it didn’t give me a lot of time to stand outside the course and get myself riled up. ;)

Sirius was such a star today! Attentative and alert, and more than a little interested in the meatballs in my pocket, which I’m pleased about as he hasn’t been too interested in rewards lately. I’m pretty pleased with myself as well; no tunnel vision, dizziness or nausea. But my mouth got super dry, and it felt like it took us about 20 seconds to go through the course – as soon as we’d left the field, I anxiously asked Erik: “We were too fast! Did I miss any signs?!” But no, we had got them all today.

Since there were so many competitiors after us, we took the dogs with us and drove off to have lunch. Once we returned, our friend Märit and her three Hovawarts were there as well, so we split a punnet of strawberries while waiting for everyone to finish the course and for the results to be announced. At last, it was time, and we all gathered around the judge who said: “There was only one dog and handler with the full hundred points today, and that was… Anna and Sirius!” :O I couldn’t believe it! Not a single mistake! Hurray! :D SO proud of my precious Mr Blue! ♥

Dagens bana! / Today’s course!

Jag går runt Sirius… / Me, walking around Sirius…

…och Sirius går runt mig! / …and Sirius, walking around me!

Duktig kille! / Clever boy!

1 – 2 – 3 steg bakåt. / 1 – 2 – 3 steps backwards.

Spiral, vänster. / Spiral, left.

Skakar hand med domaren efter vår vinst. / Shaking the judge’s hand after winning.

Tyvärr delades det inte ut några rosetter, vilket jag tycker är lite tråkigt.
Men Sirius fick välja själv från prisbordet och blev väldigt kär i sin kvackande anka. :)
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Sadly, there were no rosettes given out in this competition.
But Sirius got to pick his own prize from the prize table, and is completely in love with his quacking duckie. :)

Lycklig hund och lycklig matte! / Happy dog and happy mum!

Särskilt tack till vår älskade husse Erik – chaufför, fotograf och tävlingsterapeut för nervösa Annor. ;)

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A special thanks to our beloved Erik – driver, photographer, and therapist for nervous Annas. ;)

On the train to London – enjoying some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans that Sarah bought at the Harry Potter set tour.
Erik was brave enough to try a soap flavoured one, but we left the vomit and bogey ones in the box!

We entered the NHS from the back exit and rode the escalator up into the earth itself!

Wall decorations the Earth Hall.

Sulfur minerals on display in the Earth Hall.

Goofing about in the minerals section.

Seeing the Dodo always makes me a little sad. ♥

After lunch, it was time for the butterfly farm! Generously equipped with Catherine’s macro lens, I was in heaven!

Butterfly enjoying over-ripened pineapple. The smell was… interesting…

Semi-rotten orange, yuuum… :)

This one wanted to come home with us!

Having tea outside after spending about an hour and a half with the butterflies.

Back inside, through the front entrance this time. Saying hello to the Diplodocus, affectionally known as “Dippy”.

We explored The Vault, which has the museum’s most expensive treasures. How about this diamond butterfly pin?!

I just love opals – I could stand and look at their gorgeous colours for hours.

Erik, Catherine, Kirsty, and Sarah, saying goodbye to Charles Darwin. Thank you for a wonderful, wonderful day out, Catherine & Co!

Where’s your dinner again, Graham? ;)

Everyone, including Horace of course, having a good look at the tempting menu.

“Just order the sausages already!”

Being spoiled with the excellent food service at Mastamariner kennel, Horace found the wait for our food a little tiresome.
To cheer him up, Graham gave him the owl he’d got for Horace in the Harry Potter gift shop. It made a great pillow.

Then, the owl started moving about!

Naturally, Horace had to put a stop to that kind of rowdy behaviour. We were in a respectable establishment, after all!

And then the yummy, yummy starters arrived!

Well, yes, of course Horace had a taste – why else would you bring your dog to dinner at the pub? :)

Below are just 18 photos from our fabulous day. If you want to see more, I’ve put up another 176 (!) photos in a public Facebook album that you can access by clicking HERE.

I want to thank Graham and Catherine as well for this amazing experience; I had the time of my life, and my inner Harry Potter fangirl was moved to tears several times during the day. :) If you like Harry Potter at all and have the chance to go, don’t hesitate!

Sarah and Erik outside the studios by the giant chess pieces from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Before starting the tour, we had a quick look in the magnificent gift shop.

The first part of the tour – the Great Hall!

Costumes for Professors McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Snape before the teachers’ table.

Onwards on the tour – the Gryffindor boys’ dormitory and Harry Potter’s bed.

The Gryffindor common room!

Professor Dumbledore’s awesome office.

Prop detail – the actual Philosopher’s Stone used in the first movie!

Possibly my favourite set – the Weasley family’s kitchen

Statue from the Ministry of Magic during Voldemort’s reign – inscribed with the words “Magic is Might”.

Cheers! Lunch time, including some refreshing Butterbeers. The studio tour is one of only two places in the world where the official Butterbeer is sold.

Me and Erik outside number 4, Privet Drive. Sorry if we got dog hair on your doorstep, Petunia!

Next up was the special effects exhibition – here’s Luna Lovegood’s roaring lion hat!

Ickle Hungarian Horntail dragon. O.o

Thankfully, the Dementor was only about half of its actual size, so it wasn’t as frightening as it might have been att full size.

Diagon Alley! So many cool details and things to look at!

And the grand finale – a perfect scale model of the entire Hogwarts castle. Photos can’t do it justice, but my mind was completely blown.
The light kept changing to illustrate different times of the day, and all the while the Hogwarts Hymn was playing. So beautiful.

Back at home; Sarah enjoyed her huge, solid chocolate frog. :)

Spåret fick ligga i ca 1½ timme innan vi gav oss iväg. Och ja, vad ska man säga? Lilla guldtrollet, det är så ROLIGT att spåra med honom! När han går i spårkärnan så är nosen verkligen klistrad mot marken, så det är oftast lätt att läsa av. Visst går det fortfarande lite snabbt ibland, men det går fint att bromsa upp honom lite så att han koncentrerar sig ännu mer. Det blev ett par tapp, men det löste han så fint, trots att det bitvis var både blött och blåsigt. Första apporten plockade han klockrent och levererade i handen på mig, verkligen ett “hallelujah moment”. Den andra låg på krönet till ett kalhygge där det blåste rätt mycket, så den gick han förbi. Tack och lov så gick han ändå precis i spårkärnan, så skarpsynta matte hittade pinnen och påkallade Tins uppmärksamhet. Han såg verkligen häpen ut, som att han undrade hur i hela friden han kunde ha missat den! *fniss* Han tog då glatt upp den och gav den till mig. Sen bar det vidare, och lite konditionsträning för matte blev det allt då spåret gick uppför en brant slänt, puh! Sista sträckan av spåret gick in i en dunge där jag och hundarna gick igår eftermiddag, något som husse inte visste om. Det blev märkbart svårare för Tin med alla störande dofter, men han spårade i alla fall upp sin älskade tennisboll och blev så lycklig!

När vi gått spåret kikade Erik på sin mobil, och det visade sig att spåret blev cirka 850 meter långt och tog ungefär en kvart att gå. Inte undra på att Tintin blev lite slut. :) Framöver ska jag nog satsa på lite kortare spår men med stor noggrannhet.

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I woke up with lots of energy today, already at 7:30 am, and that was in spite of having fallen asleep at about 2 am. Quite remarkable for someone who usually sleeps very well in the morning. I suspect the sunlight and the warmth has something to do with it. :) Straight after breakfast, Erik went to the woods and laid down a track for Tintin. It would be my first time tracking with Tin when someone else had put down the track, so very exciting!

We left the track to settle for about an hour and a half, before setting off. And, what can I say? Tintin, it’s SO MUCH FUN tracking with you! When he works at the core of the track, his nose is positively glued to the ground, so he’s usually very easy to read. Yes, he still rushes sometimes, but he responds well and concentrate better when I hold the line to slow him down. He got confused a couple of times, but he solved the situations really well, despite a very wet ground and a strong breeze. The first marker was a bit of a “Hallelujah Moment” – he found it, picked it up, and delivered it straight into my hand! The second one was on the ridge of a windy cut-over area, so he passed by it. Thankfully, though, he had still kept to the core of the track, so his eagle-eyed mum spotted the marker and called him back to it. He looked so surprised, as if wondering how on earth he could have missed it! *giggle* Once he saw it, he was very happy to retrieve it and give it to me. And onwards we went, and the track even included some fitness training for me as it went up a steep hill, phew! The last leg of the track went through a part of the woods where the dogs and I had walked yesterday, which Erik had not known when putting down the track. It was clear that Tin found the work more difficult with the interfering tracks, but he still tracked all the way to his beloved tennis ball, and was SO happy when he found it!

After finishing the track, Erik looked at his mobile and saw that it had been about 850 meters long, and it took about fifteen minutes to work through. No wonder that Tin was a bit tired. :) In the next couple of weeks, I think we’ll aim for shorter tracks and try to keep Tin even more focused on the job.

Påselning! / Putting on the tracking harness!

“Vassego, mamma!” / “Here you go, mum!”

Spårslut – lycklig trollunge! / The end of the track – happy puppy!

Sketanöjd! ^_^ / So pleased with himself! ^_^

Sketanöjd matte också, för den delen. ♥ / And mum was very, very pleased, too. ♥

Spårkarta – början vid den röda pilen. / Map of the track – it began at the red arrow.

Alla bilder på mig & Tin är såklart fotade av husse. :) / All photos of me and Tin were taken by Erik, of course. :)

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There were many reasons as to why I wanted to visit England in May, and the beautiful bluebells were undoubtedly one of them. When they are in full bloom, the forest floor looks like a purple sea of flowers; I can’t really imagine anything more beautiful. So, on our second day in England, I dragged Erik and the Goldies Peugeot, Flax, and Tiber out on a bluebell hunt! Sadly, we were a bit early and the flowers were not as magnificent as they can be, but it was still beautiful. :)

England har ingen allemansrätt, men däremot finns det gott om “footpaths” och “bridleways” där man får promenera.
England has not got the extensive right of public access that Swedes are spoiled with, but there are plenty of footpaths where one can walk.

Peugeot.

Tiber & Flax.

Bluuueeebell! :D

My very patient companions – I bet they’re wondering how anyone can need so many photos of bluebells… ;)

Flaxy-waxy.

Flax again – pretty girl!

Peugeot looking particularly dashing.

Mr P.

Mud! :)

På tisdagseftermiddagen blev det massor av hundmys. Det var ett och ett halvt år sedan jag senast träffade hundgänget, så jag fick göra några nya bekantskaper. Två av dem var kullbröderna Biff och Roo, strax över åtta veckor gamla. Biff flyttade sedan hemifrån på lördagen, medan Roo har fått träffa sina nya ägare den här veckan.

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On Tuesday, May 7, we headed off for England – at last! The trip was a Christmas present from Erik’s amazing parents, Carina and Kenth, but we had decided to save it for the spring as travelling is so much nicer when it’s a bit warmer. I was so looking forward getting to share my English home with Erik, and to meet all the people and dogs at Mastamariner again.

In the afternoon after our arrival, we spent a lot of time cuddling dogs. I hadn’t been to visit for about eighteen months, so there were several new faces for me as well. Two of them were litter brothers Biff and Roo, just over eight weeks old. Biff moved to his new home five days later, while Roo has met his new family this week.

Biff & Roo. Never leave your slippers unattended! ;)

Ska bara smaka lite… / Just a tiny taste… (Kirsty, if you see this – I’m sorry about the toes!)

Roo and The Highly Suspicious Kumquat…

Grrr…

“Huh?”

Framåt kvällen blev det dags för hundkurs! Min “kennelpappa” Graham har ett hundträningsföretag som jobbar mot den engelska kennelklubbens Good Citizen Tests och agility som aktivering. Vi tog med oss några hundar och hängde med kenneltjejerna Sarah och Kirsty på en promenad till grannbyn där kurserna hålls. Jag kursade lite, först med BC-flickan Miriam och sedan med goldenfröken Pickle. Härliga hundar som gärna jobbade för godbitarna i min ficka trots att vi bara träffats några timmar tidigare. :) Hade så fullt upp att det inte blev några bilder under själva kursen, men hade i alla fall kameran framme på promenaden dit. Södra England i maj är bara för ljuvligt!

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In the evening, it was time for some dog training! My “kennel dad” Graham runs a dog training company, where the general classes work towards the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Tests. We took some dogs with us and joined kennel girls Sara and Kirsty to the neighbour village where the training grounds are. I participated in two classes, first with Miriam the young Border Collie lady, and then with Pickle the Goldie girl. They are both lovely dogs who worked well for me (or the treats in my pockets, at least!) even though we’d only met a few hours earlier. :) I was so busy that I didn’t take any pictures during the classes, but at least I had the camera with me when we walked there. May in southern England is just gorgeous!

Tor, one of my favourite Border Collies. ♥

Pagan and Tor, chilling along the way.

Bertie Boy. ♥

Pagan (who found a nice, muddy puddle…), Tiber, Tor, and Bertie on a gorgeous Hampshire bridleway.

På söndagen vinkade vi av storasyster Jessica och systerdotter Stella när de tog tåget hem till Stockholm, och sen bar det av hem till Eriks föräldrar Carina och Kenth där vi blev bjudna på lunch hela bunten. Jag är så glad att jag har en så fin “svärmor” som lagar så fantastiskt god mat, för om jag hade stått vid spisen hade det inte blivit lika festligt… ;) Vädret var på vår sida och vi kunde sitta ute i solskenet och äta efterrätt. Mamma, pappa och lillasyster Ida for sedan vidare mot Hudiksvall medan vi fick med oss farmor och farfar hem en stund till. Det blev te och scones och lite kortspel på kvällen – det hör liksom till när vi umgås. På måndag morgon for farmor och farfar hemåt, medan jag satte igång att packa inför englandsresan.

Känner mig verkligen tacksam över att jag har en så härlig och varmhjärtad familj. Det bästa med helgen var utan tvekan att få ha er här. ♥

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We had planned to go to my little hometown, Hudiksvall, for my birthday, because so many of my relatives there have birthdays close to mine. But my grandmother suggested that they should come and visit us here in Värmland instead, to see what our new little home looks like. And it turned out to be a great idea! My grandparents, parents, sisters, and niece all appeared around midday Saturday, and I was SO spoiled with the most wonderful gifts you can imagine. We had some yummy birthday cake and chatted the afternoon away. In the evening, we were joined by Erik’s parents and had dinner at a nice place in Sunne. The food was lovely and I really, really enjoyed sharing a table with so many of my most beloved, favourite people. ♥

On the Sunday, we waved goodbye to my big sister Jessica and her daughter Stella as they hopped on the train to take them back home to Stockholm. Then, we headed to Erik’s parents Carina and Kenth, where they treated us to a delicious lunch. I’m so glad that I have a fabulous “mother in law” who cooks such tasty food, because if it had been me at the stove it wouldn’t have been as festive… ;) The weather was glorious, too, and we were able to sit outside and have pudding. My parents and little sister then travelled on to Hudiksvall, while my grandparents came back home with us for the evening. We made some scones and tea and played some cards – card games have always been a part of our time together. On Monday morning, grandma and granddad started driving home, while I started packing for our trip to England.

I’m so grateful for my wonderful, loving family. The best part of the weekend was the fact that I got to share it with you. ♥

Farmor, storasyster, lillasyster, mamma och systerdotter – mina finaste “tjejer”!
Grandma, big sister, little sister, mum, and niece – my darling “girls”!

När vi får stora paket som inte går att slå in, så brukar vi få ett snöre att följa till presenten istället. Spännande!
When we receive big gifts that can’t be wrapped, we get a string or rope to follow to the present instead. Exciting!

Grattiskram från världens bästa farfar! / A birthday hug from the world’s best granddad!

Den totalt oväntade presenten – skåpet! Jag blev minst sagt mållös! :D / The totally unexpected present – the cupboard! I was speechless! :D

Så lycklig! / So happy!

Och en grattiskram från farmor, såklart! / And a birthday hug from grandma, of course!

Tillsammans med skåpet fick jag ett födelsedagsplakat med fina ord, minnen och släktklenoder som jag väresätter mycket högt. ♥
With the cupboard, I got a birhtday placard with words, memories, and family heirlooms that I’m very grateful for. ♥

Paketöppning med Ruth! / Present opening, assisted by Ruth!

MYCKET lycklig Anna som fått sina önskekoppar av allra bästa systrarna. :D
A VERY happy Anna who just got her dream teacups from her darling sisters. :D

Och som om det inte vore nog – en matchande tekanna! Lite lätt extasvarning på tenörden! :)
And as if that wasn’t more than enough – a matching teapot as well! A bit of extacy going on here with the tea nerd! :)

Älskade farfar bredvid det vackra skåpet när det kommit på plats i vardagsrummet.
My beloved granddad, next to the beautiful cupboard once it had moved into the livingroom.

Tintin passade på att hånglas lite med farfar på söndagskvällen – farmor och farfars schnauzer Molly såg inte så imponerad ut. ;)
Tintin took his chance to snog granddad a bit on Sunday evening – my grandparents’ Schnauzer Molly wasn’t too impressed. ;)

Och som grädden på födelsedagsmoset – på måndagen kom den här fantastiskt vackra och väldoftande grattisbuketten från våra Sundsvallsbästisar,
Elaine och guldhundarna! ♥ / And as the cherry on top – on the Monday, this amazingly beautiful and fragrant birthday bouquet arrived from our
best friends in Sundsvall, Elaine and the golden girls! ♥

Alla bilder som jag är med i är fotograferade av Erik, tack finaste du! :)
All the photos with me in them were taken by Erik, thank you dearest! :)