hello again...

Well its been a while since i was last here, so thought i would update with some photo's.

Haven't been out on the bike much recently as i lost a load of confidence when i dropped the bike last August, and the last ride out i went on was the one down to Devils something or other... with the GM lot... due to lack of confidence i really didn't enjoy myself that much. So i took the winter off from riding and concentrated on training up Lupo and raced at rallies nearly every weekend, when not racing we are training up at Swinley Forest. We run any distance from 2.5 miles up to about 4 depending on how hot it is. We are hoping to increase this over the summer by running him along the canal as we can run for miles and stop to dunk the dogs when they get hot. I want him to be able to run 10 miles easily by the start of the next working season now he is old enough to put some serious training in, there is no reason why he shouldn't be able to do this.

The working season is now coming to a close, we have 2 races left and these are just for fun, one in Wiltshire somewhere and another near Thetford. We also have Lupo's first weight pull event as he will have just turned 18 months up at Banham zoo at the end of March. Really looking forward to it.

Lupo did well in his first racing season and we are so proud of him as he took 7th place overall in his class (which is made up of 1 dog and 2 dog teams) and out of the 1 dog teams he came 2nd! and he isn't even 18 months yet! Also over the summer we are hoping to get Lupo's working pack dog tittle (WPD) where we have to complete a 30 mile walk over 2 days with Lupo carrying 30% of his body weight (considering he weighs 45KG thats quite a lot of weight for him!). It also means we also have to carry our own equipment as there is an overnight camp involved.

Once the working season is over, it will officially be biking season and i'm hoping to get out there this year a lot more. Build up my confidence slowly so looking for some of the slower ride outs as confidence builders. I have a great bike to get used to riding and no real excuse not to ride it.

Anyway here are a few pictures from the last 3 or 4 months since i last posted anything on here...

Racing the dogs...








Some of my boy...






We also fostered a 5/6 month old malamute girl for a while to see how she was in a home environment and also to see how Lupo accepted another dog... luckily he was fantastic with her and they got on great... unfortunately she had a condition called Cerebal Dysplasia which meant she was very uncoordinated, had learning disabilities and walking problems. She was in a lot of pain and it was decided best for her to be put to sleep as she was only going to get heavier... although it was hoped that the interaction with another dog would help build her muscles and help develop her brain... anyway here she is, such a pretty thing.






I have also done a lot of portrait work and my photography business is really taking off, www.samnooshka.com. I am hoping either this week or next to get down to one of the bike show rooms as i have been given permission to take pictures of the bikes to build up my portfolio. And of course is plenty of practice for the bike calender which i will start when we have some nicer weather!!

Anyway... enough of me boring you all.... Hope to catch up with some of you soon!!

Sammy

[SoulKiss]

Good to see you on here again Sam

Hello stranger!

I like the photo of Lupo baring his fangs, a tad scary though! Nice to see you back

Thanks both

Yes that was taken when he and Mia were playing on the rug, managed to grab the camera and get some shots of them.

[Supervox]

Hiya Sammy !!



The old place hasn't been the same without you !!

Originally Posted by Law

. . . I like the photo of Lupo baring his fangs, a tad scary though . . .

You should try seeing them from a distance of 4 inches (in anger) !!

Wow !! NOT an experience I'd like to repeat !!

Originally Posted by Supervox

Hiya Sammy !!



The old place hasn't been the same without you !!





You should try seeing them from a distance of 4 inches (in anger) !!

Wow !! NOT an experience I'd like to repeat !!

Mr. Lupo is not the dog he used to be we worked hard with him after spending a load of cash on behaviorists etc. but then that incident was our fault for feeding him there and giving him his favourite toy lets just say, a lot has changed We also wouldn't have taken on a 2nd dog had he still been the same as he was. I can take anything off him now.

[Shellywoozle]

Hi Sam,

Nice to see you back on here along with Lupo. Sad story about little female pup but sounds like you gave her a good chance

Hope you get back on the bike and regain your confidence, I am in the same position as you, after my off I am going to be scared to death but sure you will feel better when the sun is shining and your bike calls your name.

Nice photos too, you have a talent for sure.

Shell xx

'ello bootiful photos Sorry to hear about Mia I didn't realise things were that serious but you were willing to give her a proper shot at life when most people wouldn't have bothered.

Are they all your dogs racing? That third pic is just lovely

No not all mine, i just have the one at the moment... although the next one is being erm... brewed up as we speak LOL!! we will hopefully be bringing her home in July, if all goes to plan so fingers crossed.

I will have my pack one day!! If Rigor lets me LOL!!

It was a shame about Mia, she was such a pretty little thing, and for everything she had been through she was so forgiving... she was attacked from her mother form day 1, but the breeder being a puppy farmer kept her alive and sold her to some stupid people who left her in the garden with another dog that bullied her and they only fed her when they felt like it. She was in rescue by 4 months old, and she was skin and bone. But for all that she was so friendly, she loved her cuddles. Lupo was an angel with her though and was so gentle, he seemed to know there was something wrong and they spent a lot of time curled up in the garden together.

Originally Posted by Samnooshka

No not all mine, i just have the one at the moment... although the next one is being erm... brewed up as we speak LOL!! we will hopefully be bringing her home in July, if all goes to plan so fingers crossed.

I will have my pack one day!! If Rigor lets me LOL!!

It was a shame about Mia, she was such a pretty little thing, and for everything she had been through she was so forgiving... she was attacked from her mother form day 1, but the breeder being a puppy farmer kept her alive and sold her to some stupid people who left her in the garden with another dog that bullied her and they only fed her when they felt like it. She was in rescue by 4 months old, and she was skin and bone. But for all that she was so friendly, she loved her cuddles. Lupo was an angel with her though and was so gentle, he seemed to know there was something wrong and they spent a lot of time curled up in the garden together.

It amazes me how some animals can be so badly mistreated and yet still have all that love to give when you'd think they'd hate humans full stop. The fact that Lupo accepted her so easily probably helped a lot though

Cool avatar btw