The Gundog's Tale

Throughout the ages man and dog have worked together, each developing habits and customs which, over the years, have optimised the job and benefited the relationship. So it was that the custom to 'dock' some working dog's tails within 2 days of birth developed. The dogs were mostly those whose work necessitated running through dense woodlands, hedgerows and pastures where brambles, thorn and briar prevailed. In such undergrowth long tails were prone to scratching and tearing at best, catching fast and/or lacerating at worst. Far kinder to have only the shortest of tails, which was unlikely to get caught, than to suffer the inevitable pain with its accompanying risk of infection or, at worst, amputation.

Man and his short-tailed dogs worked and lived harmoniously for many years.

Until the 21st century when people in positions of power, and ignorant (one has to assume) of the facts, decided that docking was 'cruel' and made the practice illegal. All dogs must now sport a 'natural' tail. Exceptions can be made where it can be satisfactorily 'proven' that the pup will definitely be used for work in the field. It is virtually impossible to prove this within 2 days of birth, thus rendering such exception clauses useless.

The Bestest Gundog in all the World is the latest victim of this piece of misguided lunacy. Without fail, every day he 'works' the end of his tail becomes torn and bloodied within minutes. And, because the long tail whips from side to side, his flanks also become bloodied. The repeated scratching and tearing over the first month of his working life have resulted in an extremely sore tail. To the point where, though he works joyfully, between 'drives' he cringes and whines with a sore bloody tail.

In an effort to alleviate the problem the vet shaved the end of the tail. No more long hair to snag in the undergrowth. Good for airing and healing the wounds; bad for increasing exposure to more scratching and bleeding than previously. The result? More pain and soreness. And he was traumatised for several days by the 'missing bit'; after all, that's his main tool of communication. He had to be literally dragged out of the house on his lead to ensure he 'did what he had to do'!

The only remedy now is to 'rest' him until the end of the tail heals.

Then we have to find a way of protecting it from further damage.

If that proves impossible there are probably only two options: (a) retire him or (b) dock his tail at the end of the season.

So instead of the 'law' protecting the animal it has made his life a misery or a mockery. But do the do-gooders or those in positions-of-power care?

Mother's Pride

Ginger's done it again!

On a bright, cold, quiet Friday afternoon when just Linda was about, Ginger decided 'the time was right' and calmly delivered 9 piglets!

We'd been watching her closely for the past 10 days but, as ever, she gave no obvious signs. I arrived home at dusk from a day 'in the field' with - and without - the bestest Gundog in all the world (but that's a tale for another day) to find Linda positively bubbling with excitement. At feed time she was surprised - and slightly anxious - not to see Ginger waiting for her meal.

Hearing grunts and squeaks, she tiptoed quietly up to the ark and peered inside.

And it was better than being 3 years old and seeing the real Santa Claus:

there in the straw was a wet, slimey, wriggling mass of literally just-born piglets!

How she managed to count them, goodness only knows. But she did; and she was right!

Seven cream striped and 2 ginger striped.

What Joy! And what timing: on the coldest day of the year so far! So this afternoon we put lots more chunks of straw outside the ark and Ginger eagerly carried several inside for the little ones to snuggle up in.

Whilst taking these photos I was amazed to see them, one by one, going off into the corner for a brief sojourn - housetrained at such an early age: who'd have believed it???!

Home for the Winter

November signals the end of the Visitor 'season' at The Butterfly and Wildlife Park. So off we went to collect their porcine attractions - Curly, Duchess, Bubbles and Philip -and bring them home to Rectory Reserve for the winter.

We found them looking extremely woolly, healthy and inquisitive! Originally the plan had been to bring them back early in the New Year but they scuppered that. As seems to be the habit with our Curly Coats, they decided one day to trash their fence and go in search of adventure with the Water Buffalo, Llama and other residents! It was just a few days after the visitors stopped so maybe they were just a bit bored and went to find out where everyone had gone to! So that earned them an early ticket home before their nosiness led them into serious trouble.

Their 'Boss at Butterfly' was rather sad to see them go -as was the Water Buffalo who came over to watch their departure!

They'd been a great hit with their public; rushing to and fro to speak to as many visitors as possible, trashing their pen in true JCB fashion and charging so enthusiastically up to one of their 'volunteer helpers' that she was literally bowled over! Overpowered by a posse of pigs - what an adventure!! Such lively antics put them at No. 3 in the 'hit parade' - behind the Butterflies and the Birds of Prey! Next year's intake will be given flying lessons before they leave Rectory Reserve then we'll see who's No.1 !

Anyway, they were very good to load up into their limousine having taken a very keen interest in their 'B-at-B's attempts to raise a rampart! By the looks on their faces, they would have been only too delighted to lend a trotter or three......

Once in they settled quietly for the journey and, on arriving home, tucked into a healthy fruit and veg. supper!

(And we haven't managed to work out yet which of the 4 is the Camera-shy piggie - probably Philip!!!?)

Musical Pigs?

The whole of last week Rectory Reserve was submerged under a gloomy grey drizzly fog; which occasionally cleared to allow for some real rain, before the dismal fog returned. Friday morning was no different. Waking up to the sound of pouring rain we heaved a sigh!

Must we really move pigs today?

Yes, we must.

It's all because of those who turned out not to be pregnant! Can't breed Precious back to her father, so a 'new man' has been secured for her. Which meant transporting her to his place at that nice Mr Barclay's who took her sister, Polly. She is to be mated to Tang, the Blonde boar who has hopefully put Polly in an 'interesting' condition - as well as a Gloucester Old Spot! And probably a few others along the way.

As we all know, Precious does not think too much of limousines: she was the one who refused to go to the show earlier this year. In fact, she never goes anywhere she doesn't want to. And when it's raining, she's even more stubborn.

So there we were at the crack of daybreak on Friday, in the pouring rain, trying to cajole the sweet little thing into the limo; Linda-who-loves-pigs patiently teased her with tasty apples and the odd morsel of 'real' food and gently got her as far as the ramp; several times. Each time, dear little Precious swivelled round on her heels, barged through Con-the-handyman and made off back towards her pen. After half an hour of that we decided "no more Mr Nice Guy" and followed her forcefully - where L-w-l-ps led - with a hurdle up her backside. So, in she went and off she went to her temporary home.

By which time the rain had eased! And everyone was soaked. It could only get better.

Which it did. Gunner and I left for our 'day in the field'. (During which, incidentally, he 'picked up' at 6 or 7 big cock pheasants, including one which had fallen into a stream. Clever boy!)

We returned at dusk to find our colleagues looking even muddier and more tired than we did!

In our absence they had moved Delila and Scratchy from the field to Precious's pen in the woods. Ginger was transported from her woodland haven to her old home up near Mangal.

Samson, Three and Five were transported from the quarantine stalls to the paddock vacated by D and S.

And Mangal and Lily were moved to Mangal's original quarters alongside the Paddock.

In the intervals between movements, all the Arks had to be swept clean and new bedding put down, all the water containers scrubbed and refilled and - in view of the mud underfoot - clean hay put down in the pens...... Luckily the rain had stopped and the sun shone from mid-morning.

Which helped everyone's mood enormously. Lily's included. Being the inquisitive Miss Pig that she is, she decided to leg it over the fence to meet the three boars snout-to-snout. So, for a while there were 4 blonde pigs in the paddock. But, having satisfied her curiosity, and doubtless realised that the young chaps were still far too young she legged it back over the fence to Mangal. And Con-the-handyman reinforced the height of the fence. So, no more of those antics young lady!

By the next morning, all were happily tucked up in their new quarters. So much so, in the case of Delila and Scratchy, that they were 'tucked up indoors' almost the whole day.

No doubt enjoying the luxury of their 'new' large ark.

What a life, hey!

The penny drops

October has been a truly amazing month!

It might seem certifiable to enjoy traipsing uphill and down dale, through bramble and briar, stumbling through kale, maze, beet and other cover crops, in fine weather and foul. But, surrounded by glorious scenery and with The Bestest Gundog in All the World as close companion, it is the closest thing to a perfect way to spend time. The Gods have clearly enjoyed the spectacle too for they have blessed us with 7 'days' of almost perfect weather. And even though we had some rain and sleet at the start of last Friday, the sun came out during the first drive and a glorious rainbow formed itself directly over the line of 'Guns'. Life really couldn't be any better!

What of The BGiAtW?

Well, he hasn't yet learned to bluff his way through the labrador's boundless enthusiasm but in all other ways he has, in the words of our eminent Gamekeeper, "Gone from strength to strength with each passing week". He has truly amazed!

The penny dropped with a resounding Thud! after his first day. He's still the same lovable, laid back character but when he is 'in the field' it's as if someone's switched the light on: he absolutely loves it. Then he gets back into the Beater Bus (towed by the red tractor)and switches off, "almost appearing to meditate" as one of our companions put it - till the next drive. The moment his feet hit the ground again he starts to quiver. With up to 8 drives a day, that's a lot of switching on and off!

Meanwhile, the accolades continue to rain down on him. Bob, in the photo with him, keeps up-ing the price he's prepared to pay - he started with a fiver and is up to £75 now! cheeky blighter! -and the Keeper and one of the other beater's are conspiring behind our backs to mate him with the latter's prize young bitch. Pretty she may be, but "Dream on" I say....

The biggest test for the young dog was his third day out - not that he knew it. We 'got the call' to beat on the same shoot as Rory-the-trainer! Talk about being under the spotlight....

It was a very strenuous day with some difficult hilly and overgrown terrain. But Gunner put not a single foot wrong. Even Rory had to admit at the end of it - particularly with everyone singing the BGiAtW's praises - that he never thought that "He'd turn into such a good dog". Praise indeed! And we've been invited back which is better than any number of compliments.

The third shoot we've worked has no other dogs 'beating' so Gunner had the whole field to himself - and that really boosted his confidence. Again he was the subject of admiration and has been invited back.

One of the Guns at our regular shoot has also asked us to beat elsewhere.

So we have no shortage of 'work' for the young dog; much as he loves it, though, we don't want an over-worked dog so he's restricted to a maximum of 2 outings a week. He's got alot of learning and growing still to do - don't want to wear him out in his first season.......

And being the laid back, contemplative character that he is - he needs plenty of me-time after his outings to sleep, dream, re-live and learn from his day. Aaaaaaahhhhh!