Horse and Hound

It has been said of the Border Terrier that he can run alongside horses without tiring for many miles. I don't think that is true of Harry because at nine years old - after a couple of ligament injuries - he would tire of running alongside the horse after the first hundred yards. He is very well behaved round horses - possibly because he came from a farm. But more likely it is because he only really has concerns for: people, some dogs, all cats, all squirrels and all rabbits.

Other species are off his little radar.

Ball Thrower - just 90p

On our way out for our afternoon walk we met Tiny, and he had just been bought a ball thrower from the 9TP shop for just 90p. Sounded good value to me so in I went and got one for Harry.
Looked fine at first. Harry was very keen, and went scampering across the field to get the ball..
Only problem was he didn't want to give it back. So he only got one throw.

A Boxer Dog

Harry is pictured here near the punt roller in the University Parks in Oxford. He looks OK but...

Last week Harry was involved in a rather nasty fight. It happened when my wife was walking him. There was a boxer dog coming his way on a narrow path. Being a terrier, Harry did not give ground when there was a confrontation, and ended up coming off worse with his head stuck in the boxer dog's mouth. My wife was screaming....

They were pulled apart, and except for a cut on his eyelid Harry was fine. But it was a salutary lesson... when it comes to boxer dogs Harry should not lead with the head.

Harry on Blewburton Hill

On this walk Harry seemed haunted by the different smells. There were mutton and rabbit up on Blewburton Hill.

(This weekend's pictures should have been Harry with a low microphone performing at Abingdon's Got talent, but then I went and lost the camera while playing chase the stick in the Abbey Meadows. So if anybody finds a Canon Powershot with a picture of Harry just drop it off at our house. £5 reward.)

Close up

Harry has just been in the water which is why he has a wet muzzle.

A South Parks Carnival Reject

The security men at the gates of South Parks, in Oxford, would not allow Dogs into The Carnival. This led to many arguments and protests by dog owners who expected it to be a doggy event. Not only were dogs not allowed in, but also some people dressed up like gollys got thrown out by security.

Harry was disappointed at first, but in the end he enjoyed a run round at Warneford Meadow.

Pre Season Rugby Training

It look like Harry is getting in some pre-season Rugby training . He is seen here practising the line out.

Harry and Froo Froo

I sometimes meet another dog who knows Harry's blog and try to get Harry to sit nicely next to the other dog for a photograph. In most cases this fails. This is about the closest these two got.

Abingdon dog

With Wet Paint

Caught in The Act

Harry does like his beer. He may well claim to be 63 in doggy years, but that is only 9 in human years. Doggy years won't get him an ID card. No wonder he is looking so guilty!

Looking for somewhere to Go

Harry is looking for some grass so that he can Go, but that grass was not for real.

Harry Likes Butter

He likes bread even more. He eats more of the bread thrown into the river than the ducks.

London Bus

We are having one of those giddy moments when we are no longer sure where we are and what year it is. We thought this was Abingdon in 2009, but we have just seen a 159 London Bus saying it his headed to Trafalgar Square, outside St Helen's Church.

Ready for a Skirmish

The blue plaque says that on this site there was a civil war skirmish in 1645. Harry is all ready for a skirmish with his stick.

15 minutes of fame over

Back in January the Harry Dog Blog was featured in the Oxford Mail. The Oxford Mail photographer was there taking pictures of the Euro Bands playing in the park. But this time when Harry got close, the photographer didn't want the dog in the picture.

Looks like Harry's 15 minutes of fame are over.

See the water fly

Harry needs a jolly good shake when he is back on dry land. Press the image to see a larger image, and watch the water fly.

Retriever

Harry doing another gun dog impression. The warm weather has arrived and Harry now goes further into the water.

Harry in a Hole

Harry has dropped his ball down the hole and is going after it. I only hope he does not meet Badger down there.

Easter Egg Hunt

The easter eggs are just too high up for Harry.

A Big Yawn

After yawning Harry got up and went to explore a plain patch of grass some way away, turning once or twice as he sniffed about. That done, he came back about the half the distance and lay in the sun again, but far enough away from the camera so it did not bother him again.

Harry - the little monkey

A lady, with a smart looking labrador, seemed to be looking down her nose at Harry. Not only was he very damp and very scruffy, he was also very sooty. First, he went for a swim...
and then, the little monkey, rolled in an old bonfire to get dry.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

As you can see Harry was full of the Joys of spring today - so much so that he looks like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang taking off at the end of the film. In Harry's case he circled over Gees Farm in Cumnor - before coming down in a cloud of dust. It gave the birds a scare.

Harry and the Red Nose

I could not get Harry to wear a red nose on red nose day so stuck it on the end of his stick The nose is not made for dogs.

Saint Helen's Woof

It is good if Harry can learn the right name for things. On the far bank can be seen St Helen's Wharf. For Harry's sake we generally say 'Saint Helen's Woof'

"No Dogs" sign gone

The "No Dogs" signs have been removed from both entrances of the Abbey Gardens, and so Harry could go in and have a sniff around. Up to now he has been barred. He thinks that if he, and other doggies, behave themselves then this privilege could continue.

He told himself 'No barking at the squirrels!" But that was easier said than done! Lets hope nobody noticed.

After Glow

It was a mistake to give Harry the left over Ready Brek.

After the snow the floods.

GOVERNMENT VETERINARY HEALTH WARNING: SMOKING CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH

King of the Castle

There are not that many hills in Abingdon. Harry is on a small mound called the Motte - once the site of a small Motte and Bailey castle and the property of of a medieaval knight.

Dogs in snow

Harry loves dashing about in the snow. Sometimes alone...
and sometimes with another dog. This one has a red bandanna and a lovely smile.
There were a lot of snow men, and so Harry is just checking whether this is a snow dog.
This big dog doesn't like the snow very much, but has got an interesting walk which Harry is trying to copy. Harry is far more interested in big dogs than in little dogs like himself.
Finally a scent-post on a snowy morning.

Harry sniffs out Methane

We were jolly excited when we heard that Scientists have found Methane Gas on Mars. Harry has also sniffed out methane in Abingdon. It is sometimes just about noticeable near these curved posts in Southern Town Park.

Harry in Church

Harry got into church when nobody was looking, and was spotted near the children's activity table in the welcome area.

Harry keeps his feet on the ground

The slogan is Spring into Action... Not Harry! He seems more grounded today, after the sudden media interest in his blog.

Page 3

Harry has now appeared on Page 3 of the Oxford Mail - sticking his tongue out. I hate to think what he will be up to next.

As Featured on BBC Radio Oxford

Harry was featured on BBC Radio Oxford with Malcolm Boyden this morning. I only hope Harry's head stops growing soon or he won't be able to get out the door to go 'walkies'.

Blue Monday

The gloomiest day of the year is how the BBC described today.

On today's doggy walk a big dog knocked Harry's mum over in the mud. Getting near home she could not find Harry's lead or the front door keys. It was cold, and it took three hours and many requests to find help. Poor Harry! He was really shivering, and blue.

Harry's new bowl

Harry's bowl got broken in an accident last night. He has had that same bowl since he was a puppy. Today I took Harry to our local pet shop to look at new bowls. There were a wide range, but in the end he got a brown one - like the old one.

Mother and Child 'and Dog'

This statue of 'Mother and Child' near Abingdon library is by Franta Belsky, and dedicated "In Memory of Margaret Belsky". Harry cannot understand why he is not going anywhere.

In Memorium

This bench at Otmoor has a very large plaque to say to whom it is dedicated. When Harry is gone we hope to dedicate a town centre water trough for dogs in his memory. It will say "For all the thirsty dogs of Abingdon irrespective of breeding or lack of it - from Harry."

That won't be for a long time I hope.

Happy New Year from Harry

Harry says a Happy New Year to all doggies out there.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day and Harry has just opened his present, a little Santa Claus. When he tried to give it a squeeze, it started to play a little tune, and then to sing "I wish you a Merry Christmas." After that Harry went back to playing with his golf ball.

Harry Back on Ice

I've just been reading a pets advice blog on keeping your pet safe during the Winter Holidays. It says "Older dogs may not be as sure-footed on ice... If an older dog slips on the ice, he can actually tear ligaments between its legs and cause very severe problems..."

Harry did tear a ligament when he was much younger while trying to catch a frisbee and landing awkwardly.

Harry, Red, and Angus

Here are Harry, Red, and Angus, taking it in turns to leave a mark on the Albert Monument.

Angus, like Harry, is a Border Terrier, and a few months younger. We used to meet Red out with his owner when Harry was a puppy, and they were contemplating getting a Border.

Harry has seen Angus on and off for many years. And although I say excitedly 'Harry there's Angus!' they barely acknowledge each other.

Its a doggy mystery why dogs get excited to meet some dogs and ignore others.

Wolfy Talk

I'm not sure Harry is the same dog after meeting Martin Clunes. All that wolfy wolfy talk has gone to his head.