Pixel Diaries: Settling In

We've finally finished unpacking and we are all settling into the house. Pixel and I have done some exploration and worked out the easiest way into the fields and where most of the public footpaths are.

Pixel has already completed his quest to sleep in every room, but he is particularly fond of all the sun we get, so that he can bath in it.

Keeping this short still as I'm still without proper Internet, just be ready for tomorrow and the surprise!

Pixel Diaries: Going Offline

Well the day has come and we are moving house. I haven't worked up a backlog of posts so there won't be a huge amount of written content. However we started a picture project yesterday, where we will be posting a picture every single day. Sometimes I'll include a little write up about what's happening, sometimes it'll just be pictures. I'm sure the series will evolve over time as we see what works.

We will miss our readers while we are gone but it will only be for a week and I am determined to get at least keep the Diary posts on track.

See you all soon!

Pixel Diaries: Two Days Left

Yeah, I know it's Wordless Wednesday but I decided to pop a post up today.

Two days left before the move and Pixel is grumpy because we've packed his toys and treat box. With the move so close I am sure he will forgive us once he has a whole house to sleep in.

Speaking of sleeping, we are all tired and stressed. Pixel has been jumping on the bed early in the morning and cuddling up cause he is feeling insecure.

Anyway, two days to the move, and nine days to our surprise.

Pixel Diaries: Four More Days

This is coming to you a little late but I'm sure you'll forgive me given the circumstance.

Well here we are, four days from the move. Things are getting stressful and chaotic, things are packed and ready to go, and Pixel is beginning to feel a little clingy. Isn't it always the way, once you packed something you realise that you want it again.

Keeping things short this week as Pixel and I are both tired. We should have some reviews coming up, and there are definitely some things in the post making their way to Pixel HQ.

There is also something coming up in the next few weeks that we are very excited about. I don't want to talk about it too much yet, but stay tuned.

Pixel Diaries: The two week countdown

Just a short update this week! The countdown to moving house has just tipped under the two week mark and the stress is really ramping up. A load of our white goods turned up today and we've been slowly collecting other furniture. Moving house might just be the most stressful thing I've ever done. Pixel has been wonderful, giving us cuddles and affection, and keeping us calm. I'm excited to be in the new house with so many places to walk and explore with him.

Spring is rolling on and it is nice to walk Pixel in the morning with a little light. Hopefully the weather will catch up soon and it won't be so painfully bitter.

I'm walking on a few things behind the scenes but I'm thinking that the output my be a little slow for a while, while we try and some control on life, pack, and generally try and stay calm in general.

So, apologies for such a short post but we are all so exhausted.

Poorly Hoomans & Packmate Poppy!: The Pixel Diaries

Hello hoomans! It might not have escaped your notice that we have been quiet over the last few days, this is in part because my packmate Poppy came to visit, and in part because my humans have been unwell. You'll have to forgive them for posting this on Thursday, instead of Sunday, but they have both been working and resting...

The week was quiet. My lovely coat kept me warm in the little spring cold snap that we have been having. I am still completely in love with my coat, I wear it almost every night so I don't get cold! My human has promised that a full review of the AK Creations House Coat will be coming in the future.



This weekend my packmate Poppy came to visit me from Somerset. She is my human's old dog who lives with his parents. She can be a little off with other dogs but has mostly been okay with me. We've spent plenty of time together since August, and every time we meet, we become better friends. I am always really excited to see Poppy, although I think she is not always excited to see me. At Christmas we were really close to playing inside the house, but we didn't really have an opportunity to play like that this weekend. We did have a lovely time running and playing out in the fields, and I am excited to see her again so we can run together. On the Saturday evening I even managed to cuddle up to Poppy. I hope she will let me cuddle her more when we live together.

Pixel loves his rabbit friends (sort of): The Pixel Diaries

Hello Hoomans! When my humans brought me home I tried to let them know that I really wanted to have some friends. Back in the kennels they would bring cats out to meet me, and I bow and spin and let the people know that I liked the cats, I wouldn't mind having one around. So when my humans brought me home, I was excited to smell that they had some rabbits too!

For the first few weeks of being in my new home, I could hear and smell the rabbits, but I wasn't allowed to see them. They were in another room, behind a gate with a blanket hung over it, so that I was not able to see them. Whenever my humans when into the room to feed them, I would catch a glimpse of them.

After a week or two they uncovered the gate so that I could see the bunnies. They were awesome, there was Moonpig a rotund looking French Lop, and Button, a tan and white Harlequin (he looks like me in rabbit form). At first I liked to stare at them, they were interesting to look at, but then I realised they were my friends and didn't bother after that.

After a month and a bit, my humans brought the rabbits into the front room and I got to meet them through the bars. Moonpig didn't seem to like me, but Button and I became friends, and regularly touched our noses together to say hello. Then the rabbits started to come out of the crate in the front room. At first I had to wear my lead, which was tough cause all I wanted to do with play with the rabbits. I would cry and grumble about the fact that they could walk about freely but I had to be on lead. My humans would walk me over to the rabbits so I could meet them. I liked my friends and was excited to play with them.

After six months of slow introductions, my humans finally decided to let the rabbits out while I was off lead. At first I thought it would be awesome, I could play with Button! But then I realised that without my humans to back me up, the rabbits are scary. On my first off-lead interaction with the rabbits I ran away and hid with my mummy in the bed, while the rabbits had free fun of the front room.

Eventually my dad came and got me, he said he wouldn't have a Lurcher that was scared of rabbits. He brought me back into the room, and I made mummy come with me for moral support. I realised that the rabbits weren't as scary as I thought. Moonpig ignored me mostly, but Button was binking and it made me excited and I bowed to him and spun about him! It was fun to play with the rabbit (although I am still a little scared of them, especially when they thump).

I always look forward to the next time that I can play with them.

Notes from Christopher: When we were looking to get a dog, we contacted a local Lurcher rescue centre and they said that they wouldn't even consider homing any of their dogs in a household with rabbits, and I respect that decision. I've owned Lurchers who hunt, I know what they are like and the safety of my rabbits has been at the forefront of my mind when picking a dog.

That being said, I am a firm believer in getting my dogs to do what I want them to do. We selected Pixel because he had aced every cat test that the kennels but him through. We slowly introduced him to the rabbits over a 6 month period, allowing him to get used to their presence. I observed Pixel's behaviour while outside, he did chase rabbits and other small animals, but whenever he caught up with them he tried to play. Over time I realised that he had an abnormally low prey-drive, especially for a whippet cross.

The safety of my rabbit and my dog was always at the front of my mind when we made introductions. I am glad that I did introduce them. Pixel loves his rabbit friends, and is excited to play with them (always supervised) and the rabbits enjoy finding ways to be naughty in the presence of a dog who watches on. I am extremely happy with how everything turned out, and I know we are lucky to have a dog who likes rabbits. Not every Lurcher or Sighthound can be bonded with rabbits, but if they can, they make the most loyal of friends to them.

New Coats and New Homes: The Pixel Diaries

Hello Hoomans! I am excited to announce that my humans and I will be moving to Somerset in the summer. This makes me very happy because I am going to spend a lot more time with my friend Poppy. I think Poppy is my friend, she tries to play with me and then when I get excited and spins she just runs away, but she is silly like that. Because we are moving, my humans have started packing up, and this makes me uncomfortable, I know they will not leave me on purpose, but I worry they might forget me by accident. To make sure this doesn't happen I am staying really close to them, they can't forget me if I am right under their feet, can they?

My humans have been getting rid of some of their stuff, thankfully, none of mine though. So we seem to spend lots of time just waiting for people come and pick up their stuff. But we still managed to squeeze in lots of lovely walks, and it has been warmer in the days so I have had plenty of time to sun myself. I don't mind sleeping most of the day, I quite like it actually.

On Monday my humans left me, and I got a little nervous and barked at the door when they were out, I must have knocked one of the locks somehow as I locked out my mummy. She didn't like that and found it very stressful. I told her I was sorry, and she eventually forgave me.

This weekend my final birthday present arrived. I love my brand new housecoat, it is so snug and warm. I don't need it during the days at the moment, but I love sleeping in it, it keeps me nice and toasty. I have also spent some more time with my rabbit friends, but they still scare me... But I don't mind, I like them anyways, and I am slowly getting more confident!

Pixel locks us out: The Pixel Diaries

If you cuddle your dog more, they won't lock you out

Yesterday started out like any normal Monday, I took the dog out for a walk early in the morning, before coming home to do a little bit of housework. It coming up for my time to leave, I take the dog down to the garden, bring him back up, leave him with a couple of treats and then I am off to work.

Our front door has a couple of extra bolts, one at the top, and one at the bottom. Our neighbours have warned us about using these as they are temperamental and prone to sticking, they even told us that someone needed to call the fire brigade when one of their locks stuck. It is with one of these bolts that Pixel locked us out. At some point in the day, Pixel had gone to bark at someone outside the door and knocked the bolt's handle enough to move it across and prevent us from opening the door.

When Ruthie got home after work, she unlocked the door and went to open it. It didn't budge. For a moment she cursed me for leaving the door unlocked, she must have just locked it instead. She tries again. No luck. That's when she realises something was wrong. She pushes against the door, maybe something just fell over and could be moved with a little force. Nope. The bloody mutt had somehow managed to lock us out of our home. All the while, Pixel was crying and barking at the door. He knew Ruthie was there but couldn't work out why she wasn't coming in.

Eventually, with the help of a neighbour, they were managed to jimmy open the door, and human and dog were reunited once more, and the door didn't need to be broken down.

The moral of the story? Give your dogs more cuddles or they'll lock you out of your own house.

A Busy Week and a Homemade Snood: The Pixel Diaries

This week has been very busy, and as such we haven't been able to spend as much time as we would have liked with Pixel.

I had to work Monday and Tuesday, so Pixel spent most of these days asleep in the spare room. On Tuesday night we all bundled into the car for a flying visit to the west country. Unfortunately the journey wasn't as straight forward as we are used to and Pixel got a little travel sick and threw in the cup holder by the back seat.

Despite not getting in until a little before 1am, Pixel and I were up at 6am to go for a walk with Poppy. Every time Pixel and Poppy spend to time together they grow even closer, and this time was no exception. After a couple of hours together, Poppy was trying to play with Pixel but continually chickened out after Pixel got a little over-excited and started spinning on the spot. They were, however, very comfortable with sharing toys, neither growing jealous if the other picked up a toy that they had been recently playing with.

Our stay in the West Country was brief, and we all clambered back into the car for the journey back to Kent on Wednesday afternoon. Pixel, looking a little green around the gills, was unable to help himself and threw up once more. Next time we travel, we are going to talk to the Vets about Pet Travel Sickness tablets, hopefully these will make it a little easier for all of us.

Thursday, Pixel spent the day recuperating from his little adventure, as Ruthie and I both had to work again. I accidentally left our bedroom door open and came home to find my pillow pushed off of the bed, and our travel bag thoroughly rooted through.

Not looking to slow down this week, Pixel and I jumped on a bus on Friday and headed down to Ashford to spend some time with family. As we traveled down on the bus, we didn't a bed with us, so poor Pixel was subjected to having to sleep on the bed with us, which I am sure he absolutely hated.

I was working this Saturday so Pixel and Ruthie headed over to a friends for an afternoon of crafts. Ruthie knitted Pixel a rather fetching Snood to keep his neck warm, and we also discovered Pixel's love of napping in armchairs. Luck for Pixel then, that we should be getting an armchair in the next few months. I am also pretty sure that Pixel's Snood collection might be expanding again in the near future.

So we finally roll round to Sunday and all of us here and Smooth Pixelater have taken the opportunity to rest. As I type this, Pixel is happily snoozing on the front room bed wearing his nice new Snood.

Pixel Diaries: 15/02/2015

Out for a walk in the field

It has been a quiet week for Pixel and I, not much of note happened which I guess is both good and bad.

On Tuesday I decide to shake things up a little with our walks. While we still kept the two walks a day routine, for the morning walks we would do roughly 5 miles (with Pixel doing the better part of 3 miles off lead). This meant that our second walk of the day was little more than a amble to let the dog have a wee. I found this had led to a much more relaxed dog during the day, as well as a sleepy dog.

On Wednesday I realized that Pixel struggled to settle while I worked at the Breakfast bar so I was forced to bring in a bed for him to sleep in which he certain enjoyed. He happily naps there most of the day while I work. It does seem to have made Pixel more clingy, with him following me from room to room but he quickly settles in whatever room I go to so I am not too concerned for the moment.

Asleep on his kitchen bed

This week marks the second week of Pixel being on Brown's Pet Range dog food, which we buy from a local pet shop. Other than possibly causing an upset stomach in the first week, Pixel does seem to have improved on this food. He is less hyper-active in the house and his coat is looking much better. I also found out on Friday that Brown's also make Fish Skin, and Kelp treats so I will be picking some of those up soon. I would expect a review of Brown's Pet Range food in the near future.

Finally in the coming week Ruthie will be off of school. Hopefully we will be able to take Pixel out on lots of fun walks and maybe visit somewhere new.

The Pixel Diaries: 08/02/2015

One poorly doggit

Pixel started off this week with an upset stomach. This means that for the majority of the week we've had a clingy dog who has been feeling very sorry for himself. Luckily by the middle of the week he was feeling better and back to his normal self.

On Friday Pixel and I decided to go for a long walk (roughly five miles). We went around the nearby fields as well as along the creek. We met a couple of dogs on the walk and I was struck by just how far Pixel has developed since we brought him home. He is getting better at meeting dogs and if he does start barking, he is getting over it faster. I hope that given more work he will develop further and become even better with dogs.

To round the week off, Pixel and I went for a four and a half hour walk. On this walk he met a lovely Staffie-cross called Muttley who he had a great time playing with. When we got home Pixel was absolutely caked in mud and had to have a bath. As usual, the weekend results in a very sleepy doggit.

The Pixel Diaries: 01/02/2015

Pixel gets a new toy

This has been a quite week for Pixel and I, the cold winds and rains have buffeted us on our walks and left us both chilled to the bone. That being said, now that my ankle has finally stopped causing my grief (I tripped on the stairs in September and gave myself a rather nasty sprain), we've started to push up the distance we walk every day from 4 mile to 5.

This week we continued to work on obedience, specifically we worked on his heelwork and getting him to sit and wait before going through doors.

On Friday we saw a toy in the local pet store that I thought Pixel would love. This soft flannel-like orange dog was promptly thrown around the flat with Pixel chasing after it happily. Pixel seems particularly interested in trying to pull the poor dog's nose off, only time will tell if he will be successful.

Sunday evening nap