Sirius Dog Blog

Cats and Springs ?

2010-05-02T21:29:00.000+01:00

Am pleased to say Sam had it wrong again and there were no cats with springs on at the fair

As well as being in charge of signage I also helped Sam and Mark raise enough money to vaccinate 15 cats or dogs. I don't know what they would do with out me !

Sam says we have to do our packing tomorrow , I have a new outfit that Sams Mum brought me :)

Sirius xxx

the day we caught the train

2010-04-30T23:41:00.000+01:00

finally Sam took me somewhere , sadly our first stop was her Mums house and Gracie Squirrel a monster that lives there lifted me out of Sam's Bag and tried to EAT ME

I played dead until Sam rescued me ( she took ages being useless as usual )

I got my own seat on the train , just as well as I was rather soggy after my run in with the beast at Sams Mums house

when we got to london I was in charge of everything and well we sort of ended up in Soho ( gosh Sam how did that happen ? )

Sam said it was all too rude ( does she not know I am a dog of the world ) and we went for a walk around Leicester Square instead. I tell you want if thats Priscillas shoe I don't want to meet her on a dark night down an alley ( okay it would have to be a flippin large alley but you get my drift )

I have no idea how Sam is getting us to Sri Lanka next week as I had to read the board to find us a train home

Tomorrow afternoon I am going to a Cats Protection Spring Fair , I like Fairs and I like Cats but I am not sure its right to put springs on them ( won't they bounce everywhere ? )

Love Sirius xxxxxx

Sam is useless but

2010-04-29T17:32:00.000+01:00

Sam still has not sorted out my previous blogs but I am going to forgive her because she tells me that next week we are both going to Sri Lanka for 3 weeks

just one thing

SAM WHERES MY PASSPORT ????

Dogstar Foundation - A little love in your heart

2010-04-03T16:26:00.002+01:00

Sams made a video about Dogstar and love ( sounds a but girly to me but her heart is in the right place )

Only problem is I cannot find me in there ? I need to have words ...... SAM !

Did I mention Sam is useless ?

2010-03-25T08:31:00.000Z

Did I mention Sam is useless , she still has not sorted out my Crufts blog for me so instead she said she would make me a wordcloud on Wordle. Word cloud I said what good is that , can you eat or drink it ? I rest my case

not only is it not edible or drinkable her name comes out as the thing I mention most in my blogs ( which just goes to show how useless she is )

any way if you click on it Sam says it gets bigger although I think her name is big enough thank you very much indeed

Sofa so good

2010-03-10T21:51:00.000Z

Sam says I am going to Crufts this weekend with my Auntie Dee and a Muppet ( not sure which one I was not listening but I like Fozzie bear ) I went to Crufts a few years ago but its all changed now as it has something to do with DFS Sofas. Remember I said Sam was a bit dim well she once brought a DFS Sofa at full price !

I decided not to take all my clothes as I worried I might lose them down the back off all the sofas but I wanted to impress Auntie Dee and wear something new so I had a look at all my clobber

ahhha I know what I will wear, I was playing strip poker ( don't tell Sam ) with a bear called Kings Cross or Marylebone or was it Charing Cross ? . Anyway I won the clothes off his little furry back and his bag and boots

Auntie Dee I will see you on Friday

Love Sirius xxxxx

The Press Pack

2010-03-10T13:48:00.001Z

Some bloke called Peter Hiscox BSc, BVSc, MRCVS volunteered with Dogstar last summer for a month( Sam called him Dr Pete because she is too thick to remember all those letters after his name ). Dr Pete wrote a article about his time working with Sam and Mo that has been published in the UK Veterinary Times

Click on the page to read it full size

Sam said it was fantastic and great press coverage for Dogstar , I think she has clearly forgotten Dogstar received some excellent press coverage last year when I was featured in Horse and Hound

Even Mark "boring as watching paint dry" Green had an article in his companies in house magazine so its just Sam that has never known the giddy heights of media fame and attention

Some of us can handle these things and some of us can't , Sam has her uses ( she answers my fanmail ) but she is not really a public facing figure like me :)

Whats that Sam ? I have an appointment this weekend at Crufts ? well don't just stand there then help me pack

Lots of love Sirius

Sam says if anyone wants more info about volunteering with Dogstar Foundation please email volunteer@dogstarfoundation.com or visit our website www.dogstarfoundation.com

Last Friday

2010-03-01T21:39:00.000Z

I went out to london for a drink , sadly Sam and Mark decided they wanted to come as well ( they really cramp my style those two )

The whole night was a bit of a haze , it started off like this

and ended like this

I am pretty sure Sam and Marit were talking about something very important inbetween , buggered if I can remember what though. I will ask Sam tommorow ( she is useful for somethings ) and update the blog again once I know

I think I have some more pictures of the night as well :)

Love Sirius xxxxx

Life on Dogstar

2010-02-25T11:25:00.000Z

My name is Sirius Dogstar. I had an great weekend away and I woke up back at Dogstar HQ. Am I mad, in a coma, or back in time? Whatever's happened, it's like I've landed on a different planet . Now, maybe if I can work out the reason, I can get back on the party circuit.

what would they do without me ?

2010-02-14T09:23:00.000Z

Christmas and New Year at the pub was great but then Abby made the mistake of sending me back to HQ where Mark "thick as 2 short planks" Green managed to forget to pack me with his bags when he went to Sri Lanka to visit Sam ( and after all the hassle I went to get a new passport )

I was forced to hold the fort here and I did a rather good job of it as well if I do say so myself ( and I will say so because NO ONE ESLE gives me any credit )

While Sam was away and I was in charge Dogstar Foundation became a registered UK Charity number 1133431. I had a look at the Charities Commission website here but could see no mention of me which was odd.

Then last week Dogstar became a WSPA Member Society, Mark said Sam had worked very hard with Mo and the team in Sri Lanka to achieve this. I suspect really what happened is WSPA saw photos of me in in my WSPA tee shirt when I was neutered last year and can see I lead by example ( actually Sam made me do it but don't tell WSPA that )

Sam is back from Sri Lanka now and tells me I have a another Wedding to attend his weekend which sounds more fun than running her Charity for her ( she does nothing I tell you nothing ) Sam has promised to get me to the Church in time ( about time she did something ) so I will hopefully update you soon on my adventures

Sirius

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-25T20:28:00.004Z

Chestnuuuuuts roasting on an open fiiiiiire....!

Welcome to my Merry Christmas, and I hope you are all having a lovely day! Despite the lack of snow we are all getting in the Christmas spirit over here in Wales. Look! I've made another new friend, and what a seasonal one he is.

A little bit of what you fancy is good for you, isn't it? And lots of people came to the pub today to have a little Christmas tipple.

Oh, hang on, well, it is a bit strong that stuff. Ermm....No, seriously, that's just me and the guys kidding around. We've had a lovely day. We've played pool.

We've hugged sheep (well, it is Wales you know).

And we all had a go at being the fairy on top of the tree.

Most of all, I just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Love, Sirius xx

p.s. Dear Wendy's Mum. Thank you so much for the fab Christmas hat! I hope you notice I am sporting it today. It is so good to have a good range of wardrobe options, a boy really can't go wrong with several hats to chose from. Thanks again, Sirius x

New friends...

2009-12-21T17:45:00.005Z

Well, I have been working hard this weekend selling raffle tickets for Dogstar, and reacquainting myself with the locals. I was heartily looking forward to tonight's planned social engagement of eating out at friends' but this has sadly been cancelled due to illness. Instead, Abby and Kev are threatening to leave me with their two hairies while they go out to eat curry (something about them being respectable people and not wanting to risk me misbehaving in the curry house! As if!). We are still in negotiations about this as I am all too aware that at least one of their hairies lusts after me a worrying amount.

In the meantime, I have been getting to know some new friends. Don't worry Sam, we're not playing for big money!

It's amazing how many bears there are round here! They're not so chatty, but company is company. The guy on the right reckons he's famous, but I think he's bigging himself up at bit. He's trying to be all mysterious and won't tell me his real name, just keeps saying "Call me Alan". Does he look like an Alan? I'm suspicious.

As for the other guy, well, he is in a sad state. I found him face down in a corner of the bar trying to hide from the resident hairies. Apparently they give him a really hard time. He showed me the wounds to prove it, too bad to show on here I'm afraid. I gave him my feather boa to cheer him up, and it seems to have worked! Says his name is Keith and that 'Alan' is full of high ideas and not to take any notice of him.

I'm missing my full wardrobe. I have decided I definitely need more jumpers. These folks don't seem to have heard of HEATING. It's alright when you're in front of a fire, but the upstairs of this place is Baltic! I reckon tonight I'm going to have to sleep in full clothing to keep warm. I'm certainly not taking up No 2 hairy beast's offer of a snuggle with him. No siree, I'm not stupid!

Love, Sirius xx

p.s. In the first photo, I notice it looks like my pants are around my ankles. In fact, I am not wearing any pants and what you can see is hand of cards. Honest.

Welcoooooome to Waaaaaales!

2009-12-19T13:20:00.008Z

Snow! Yes, it has followed me across country to the far wilds of Wales! I am reporting direct from Tafarn Dwynant, my pub home from home, my Christmas hideaway, my New Year's knockout, my...what's that Abby? Get on with it. Okay!

Here I am reaquainting myself with Kev, who says he's in charge, though Abby said that too. Personally, I suspect Clive the Spaniel is in charge...

Arrived here last night, but we had a quiet night with just a few locals and a modest drinkiepoos. I am pacing myself since this whole Christmas New Year thing sounds like a long haul! Here I am this morning having coffee in preparation for a busy day. I have my own personal coffee cup donchaknow!

Had a busy day already, with a secret mission to the Post Office which I can't tell you about yet, and then some special fundraising preparation work. Take a few things you find lying about...

...add some rather scrumptious munchies....

and Ta! Da! A raffle prize fit for Dogstar!

But, hang on a minute....there's something missing. I know! That's better.

A nice bottle of wine in there as well.

Anyway, lots to do so I'll say bye for now. Hope you're not missing me too much at HQ Sam!

Love, Sirius xxx

New outfit , New passport and New Blog template

2009-12-18T21:11:00.002Z

Remember yesterday I said Sam had new clothes for me ?

Red is very much my colour , ooh whats that Sam , Trousers wow and they have a tail hole ( amazing how many trousers don't )

and a hat with holes for my ears , now thats fancy

can you tell who I am yet ?

Thats right I am Santa Paws

More good news is that my new passport has arrived at Dogstar HQ , I am a bit cross because today instead of being boring like normal Sam has been doing fun things with SNOW and I missed it :(

But I cheered up when I saw how fab my new blogger layout is and I have to a say a really big thank you to Kel at Design Bug who made it for me. She is really really lovely and nearly as talented as me so if you need a blog template designing talk to her first

love Sirius x x x

I'm a celebrity get me outta here

2009-12-17T22:54:00.001Z

okay so day 5 and no new passport but on the bright side I had recovered from my ( totally unnecessary ) bath and Sam said I had to pick a selection of my clothes ready to travel to Abbys Pub by something called Royal Mail Special Delivery

Once I had sorted out what clothes I wanted to take ( and Sam was no help yet again ) she started nagging saying I better pick out something to wear so Abby does not see my bear behind , she thought "bear behind" t was really funny by the way !

I love my Biggles outfit but no passport means no planes :(

As its Wales I did think about my dragon but I was saving that for new years

Sam said its too cold for just my WSPA tee shirt

even with my snowflake scarf

my blue hoody coat is nice but a bit thin

And Sam said my feather boa was just plain silly ( she is BORING )

my butlins red coat could work

love my easy jet top but it made me think of planes and my missing passport

Sam said I looked like a missing member of the Village people when I put my firedog outfit on

all these clothes and nothing to wear , hang on Sam whats that ? you have a new outfit for me ?

oooh thats nice maybe you are not totally useless after all ........

To be continued ............

The best of times, the worst of times

2009-12-16T08:30:00.001Z

Okay so its day 4 and no Passport but Sam says she has arranged a new one , I can only presume she finally stopped waffling about ebay and rang the British Bear Passport Office.

Really great news my friends Abby & Kev from the best pub in the world Tafarn Dwynant have invited me to stay over Christmas and New Year and as its in Wales I can go without my Passport

The bad news , the really really bad news is Sam said it was time a had a bath. Now I told her I one in November and she said I but did not count as it was November 2008 ( she really gets hung up on details that one )

Once she gets an idea in her head there is no flipping stopping her so before bed she made me get in the bath

it started off okay

but then Mark turned up the shower

and nearly flipping drown me

then they did my back

and my front

and I hung out with my duck pals

and then just hung out

Sooner I can dry out and get out of here the better

Passport Watch Day 3

2009-12-15T09:19:00.000Z

Sam tells me my passport is still missing and she is going to have to get me a new one

Now I thought my missing Passport had come from the British Bear Passport Office but I heard Sam muttering something about getting a new one on ebay ! . Between you and me I think being my PA has loosened her slender grip on reality

Anyway it appears she is making the arrangements for my new Passport so at least I will be able to travel overseas next year

Sirius

P.s image thinking the British Bear Passport Office does not exist , she will be telling me Santa is not real next

Star Spotting

2009-12-14T10:00:00.002Z

I got excited when I saw Sam was blogging all about Sirius the Dogstar and thought finally she is doing something fitting of a PA and promoting me

how ever it turns out she was writing about a star in the sky that is named after me ,

anyway to redress the balance and whilst I am waiting for Sam to sort out my eariler adventures I decided to show some Star Spotting Sirius Dogstar Style

here are some very lucky people having pictures taken with me

Joe Inglis

http://www.petskitchen.co.uk

Matt Baker

http://www.mattbaker.info/

Anthony Head

http://www.anthonyhead.org/

Am off to see if Sam has found my passport yet

Sirius

help

2009-12-13T19:28:00.000Z

Me again , sorrys its been so long my useless PA Sam has been busying doing something called a Charity Application form which sounds very boring , then she did take me and out ( hoorah ) but lost the camera cable so she could not download any photos ( sacked as soon as I get a replacement let me tell you )

anyway to break up the boredom of watching Sam fill in paperwork ( she needs to get a hobby that girl ) I decided to unpack my travelling box and its just as well I did because my flippin passport is missing !

Thats it in the photo , it was issued by the British Bear Passport office and its number is Dogstar 0001 , the other passport is Sams but thats not very important really BUT MINE IS as I want to go overseas in January

Mark who is slightly better at doing what I tell him than Sam has asked all the people I have visited if they can look for it. If not Sam says we have to get a replacement and I am worried that means I will get stuck here for even longer

If you have seen my missing passport or you know anyone that works at the British Bear Passport office can you let me know

Love Sirius x

P.s Sam says she has found the camera cable so hopefully she will get on with my blogging for me

T Touch at Tilley Farm

2009-11-23T16:29:00.003Z

Sorry its taken me so long to blog , Sam is still my PA and she went off to Sri Lanka to hob nob with elephants and run dog clinics so I am all behind with my blogging again.

Saturday morning Sam and Mark collected me from the PO Box at 7 am. I tried to pretend to be excited but I was still a bit hungover from the Irish Wedding I was at last week , I perked up when Sam said we were going to see a lady called Sarah Fisher at a place called Tilley Farm where Sam and Mark were going to learn about something called T Touch which sounded exciting

Mark and Noah learnt about body wraps

I was busy as well helping a very nice chap who popped in called Anthony Head by agreeing to pose with him. I think it might help his career to be photographed with a famous dog like me. I reckon he had heard I was in Horse and Hound in September and wanted to bask in my media glow

Anthony seemed very pleased but Sam told me afterwards I have an ego the size of a bus and I need to learn some humility ( hope its easier than those wraps Mark and Noah were doing )

There were lots of other dogs there but I think I was the best one because Sarah gave me a rosette and did some ear slides on me.

Sarah works with other famous dogs like Barney the new Blue Peter dog so I knew I was in good hands. She even has a Blue Peter Badge which I thought was pretty cool. I told Sarah I had a badge from when I went to Brownie Camp with the 7th Strood Brownies which I think she was secretly impressed about

Sam is trying to sort out my missing blogs at the moment , she is beyond useless and I had any sense I should have asked Sarah if she wanted to be my new PA and ditch Sam when I had the chance

Love Sirius xxxx

Create a Dogstar Foundation Tag line Competition

2009-10-18T17:29:00.003+01:00

nearly as exciting as me

Click here for Dogstar tagline comp

Flyball and Fotos

2009-10-16T15:49:00.003+01:00

In August I went to the National Flyball Championships with Alpha Dogz and Sunnyside Photography ( they kindly sponsor the Dogstar volunteer Tee shirts in Sri Lanka ) So Sam said I had to be reaaaaaally good and not show Dogstar up.

As if I WOULD !

Anyway Cathie who is not as boring as Sam said I could do some Flyball, help with the Photography and PARTY.

The flyball is a bit harder than it looks , its a flippin long way up to get the ball when you are only 7 inches tall and well I don't the point really because non of the dogs looked like they actually played Tennis ?

I said I would be the box loader, I kept an eye out for any passing any famous Tennis players who might need some balls ( they have strawberries and cream and champagne at Tennis you know ) but no luck

I did have my own team kit which I thought was waaaay cooler than anyone elses

did I mention how cool Cathie is ? she has sweets but they are not normal boring sweets they have Vodka in them

I was really helpful and told Cathie I would look after them , honestly Cathie I have no idea why they were all gone when you came back *hic*

Then Cathie said I to do some work ( bum ) and my job was to raise money for Dogstar with a guess how sweeties in the jar competition. I think Cathie was a bit wise to me as none of the sweeties in the jar were vodka ones ( double bum )

I soldiered on and raised £116 pounds for Dogstar which Sam says will pay for 11 dogs to be sterilised and given important injections like anti Rabies

I helped John a lot with the photo editing as well , The winners were a team called Bassett Hotdogs , they were very good at the old tennis ball collecting lark but none of them had any Vodka Jellies so I reckon Alpha Dogz are a better bet for me

John is quite clever at taking photos but I thought I would offer him some of my top tips like "remember to take the lens cap off first", I think he was pleased but Sam says I still have to work on my "people skills" what ever they are ( sound boring )

I liked it a lot with Alpha Dogz and Sunnyside Photography and I hope I can visit them again next year

Love Sirius

P.s Sorry its taken so long to get these photos posted Sams a bit crap at the PA role

Horse and ( this ) Hound

2009-10-14T18:41:00.005+01:00

Remember I said I visited a really nice lady called Anna and helped her ride her horse well here is the proof From Horse and Hound ( a publication almost as famous as me )

Anna did really well with my help and she had a clear round , I did get excited when she mentioned rounds and thought there might be a drink or 2 in it but I found out it meant Anna and Black Rock did not make any mistakes of course I had whispered advice in Anna's ear and told the horse I would give him a sugar lump if he was a good boy

Love Sirius

Sirius would like to say Thank You to Jo Prestwich who took the photograph and Horse and Hound for their kind permission to reproduce this article

The cat is BACK

2009-10-08T11:30:00.000+01:00

Poosa is a world class hide and seek champion

has finally been found after hiding out a Royal Mail sorting office since July !

can't get the staff nowadays

2009-10-02T23:45:00.004+01:00

I am bit behind with my blogging , I blame Sam its not like she does much else for Dogstar and she has not got all my photos in from my previous trip. She is a shocking PA and to tell you the truth I am on the lookout for some more professional help

anyway I ended up back with Sam and Mark after a fab trip to help Anna ride her horse at a competition ( more about that soon I promise ) I also went to a fly ball competition and the Tour de France ( again more about that when Sam gets the photos)

Whilst I was back at HQ I have designed my very own 2010 calender , its great its got 12 pages of me in ! Sam is going to be selling it to raise money for Dogstar from next week and I will post details here of how to buy one

Poosa is missing (again ) so Sam has got all funny about security and now I have a new tag in case I get lost

Its actually really cool as it has the Dogstar Logo on the other side

So this morning Sam said I was going to see someone called Morag for a relaxing spa break, she giggled a bit when she said it ( I think she knows her days as my PA are numbered ) anyway she told me to get my gear packed

It took me a while

I have a lot of stuff you know

I have a passport in case I am going overseas

Business cards

my British Airlines Sky Flyers book

Once I got it all packed ( Sam was useless and NO HELP ) I decided to put on my Scottish outfit to impress Morag

I can't talk about whats under my kilt as that's a secret !

Any way I am very much looking forward to my spa break in York , I missed out on a trip to the wonderful Mrs B as I got "delayed in the post" so I am going to see her after York ( she needs my help rowing it appears ) and after that I am going to Ireland to a wedding , I don't think its my wedding but Sam was very vague on details ( useless I tell you )

Will blog again soon

Love Sirius

Happy Birthday Dogstar Foundation

2009-09-28T09:44:00.005+01:00

They are having an online party on the Dogstar Foundation Facebook Page HERE

I love a party , not sure how you drunk on a online party but I will give it a go :)

Calender Boy

2009-09-23T10:45:00.003+01:00

I am going to be the star of my very own 2010 calender , its going to have loads of photos of me in it so its going to be fantastic

Sam says

"if you have any photos you would like submit of the worlds most famous travelling ambassador can you please email the largest version you have to Sam@Dogstarfoundation.com"

Have you seen this cat ?

2009-09-22T18:56:00.004+01:00

Poosa who is meant to be my assistant has got lost again , she is useless and spends half her life getting lost or being late for assignments

This is like the 6798th time she is lost and Mark is trying to find her in something called the postal system , I got lost at the post office once for a month and it was dead boring sitting in my box at the sorting office waiting to be rescued

I have been really busy ( and not getting lost ) and I am going to do my updates this week

oooh and I have even been talking to the press

Love Sirius the not lost travelling ambassador

Sirius does Wales (or not!)

2009-08-06T13:15:00.014+01:00

Having just literally arrived in Wales I was told to not bother unpacking, as we were about to jump in the car heading for a weekend away in Oxfordshire. I didn’t have the heart to tell them I had just come from England and had hoped for somewhere a little more exotic this time.

After a two hour drive we arrived at a farm which I thought was a little strange. Amy explained to me that this was Cotswold View a camping and caravanning park. I was intrigued, as I had never been camping before. Much to me delight Sam had sent on ahead my very own tent and sleeping bag!!

After I quickly assembled my own tent I went about instructing Amy and Lynne on how to set up there’s. Honestly such a performance with such an easy task!! I just don’t know how they would have coped if I hadn’t been there.

Soon lots of other people started to arrive and I learned that this was infact the Oldies Club camping weekend. Oldies Club is a dog rescue, run solely by volunteers, that specialises in rescuing and rehoming older dogs - aged 7 years plus. I was thrilled to find out that lots of them were from The Refuge forum and that must mean they were all my fans!! I felt like a bit of a celebrity. I even had my own private form of transport courtesy of Louie so I didn’t have to get my paws dirty

After we had all set up and said our hellos we decided on going for a walk and stretching our legs. I agreed walking at this point was probably a good idea and Louie racing around would have been a bit of a bump ride. The park is 54 acres in size and had wonderful path to walk full of long grass and wonderful smells. I found a tree where I could get a great view.

The next day the fun began. We had a very early start courtesy of the local bird population. I was quite glad and this point I wasn’t hung-over. After having a lovely breakfast I learnt that we were bring and buy sale and fun agility to help raise funds. I was rather excited and got into organiser mode.

I kept an eye on the money whilst every perused the offerings. There were several tempting items but I hadn’t brought any pocket money with me

In the afternoon we had agility. There was a tunnel; jumps and a set of weave pools. There was a competition to see who could go through the course the quickest. Sadly only being a tiny dog I didn’t win a rosette but it was a lot of fun. All the dogs young and old enjoyed it. Here you can see Snoopy one of the Oldies Club sponsor dogs being bribed through the tunnel with a biscuit!!

In the evening after an enjoyable day we had a barbecue. Everyone gathered around the gazebo relaxing, eating and more importantly drinking!!! I will admit that I may have got slightly carried away.

In my haze I was sure that I met some celebrities. Thankfully Amy had her camera out so I have the proof that it was just drunken wonderment but true honest fact!! I may have thought told Wonder Woman I loved her, eek!!

Sunday morning is I admit a bit of a blur. I went to lie down in the back of the car whilst everyone packed up. I must have dozed off as when I woke up with a much clearer head I was back in Wales!! It was a really enjoyable camping trip and I wonder if they will invite me again.

Poosa's biker holiday, part 3

2009-07-19T17:45:00.024+01:00

on the way to france

It is 900 miles to france we are going to stay at a bikers hotel called route 66 they have a website if you type in google route66 bikers hotel france you can see it.

We arrived at the hotel early and I met uncle harry he is very nice we had a lazy day as we were tired as it turned out we had three lazy days only going out on the bikes once we had a bbq and I met some hells angel type bikers from Guernsey wherever that is and they let off some fireworks at the bbq I helped uncle harry fix his American car it’s a buick and its very nice but best of all I met a boyfriend he is a teddy bear called monsuir bear we had a holiday romance

on the steering wheel of unclr harrys buick

fixing the buick

in the buick

on the bumper of the buick

on uncle harrys harley Davidson

on the harley

in the bar of the hotel

on a my size motorbike

my boyfriend

my boyfriend again

uncle harry and me

on the back of uncle steves Suzuki

on uncle steves bike

We set off for Calais and the special train that goes under the sea it was 400 miles and we got there at 6:00pm and I had my picture taken by the sign before we got on the train.

at the eurotunnel station in france

in the van on the special train

in the van on the train again

last one on the train

We got back to England half an hour before we set off don’t know how we managed that the train must be really really fast from thjere we never stopped until we had dropped off uncle matthew and got all the way home to uncle steves at 01:30 am we were very tired and were soon in bed asleep I had a great time and uncle steve said ican go with him again on holiday I would like that very much

poosa

Poosa's biker holiday, part 2

2009-07-19T11:18:00.022+01:00

We had to get up early to get off the boat we got off at 8 in the morning and you know what we had to drive on the wrong side of the road, well it was a long day it was until 6 in the afternoon to get to uncle joes where it was very hot I was told I was now on the costa del sol.

We had a relaxing day and went to the shops and the beach and uncle steve bought me a new t shirt with espana on it

new t shirt at the beach

Uncle steve and uncle matthew had taken their motorbikes in the van and today we went for a ride to a place called ronda in the mountains I loved riding on the bike and had my picture taken outside the bullring with a bull

outside the bullring with a bull I was protesting about bullfighting being bad but I don’t think anyone was listening as I don’t speak spasnish

Today we are going on the motorbike to a place called gibralter which is a rock from Britain with monkeys

in spain with the rock of Gibraltar behind

outside burger king in Gibraltar

in st micheals cave Gibraltar

in the great siege tunnels Gibraltar

in a jug of sangria in Gibraltar

in bed in the queens hotel Gibraltar

While I was in Gibraltar I saw Africa across the straits of Gibraltar I went in a cave and saw some monkeys but I had to stay in the car so they didn’t kidnap me we were on a tour of Gibraltar in uncle charlies taxi he new everything about Gibraltar uncle steve bout me a nice pink waistcoat with Gibraltar written on it

Then we left gibralter to ride back to uncle joes on the bike but we went a long way round to have a ride on the bike we did 250 miles it was great

Then we went out on the bikes uncles matthew joe and steve and aunty janet we went very fast for a very long way after in the evening we visited a café in toremolinos which has a secret cave below it I had my picture taken

in the cave below the café

This is the very exciting bit of my holiday I am going to jerez de la frontera on the motorbike with everybody to watch someone called valentino rossi win a race it is called the moto gp and it is 150 miles away uncle steve said we were doing over 160 miles an hour am I the fastest ever cat on a bike

at the race with my air horn

at the race circuit

After we got home from the races we went out for a meal

at the meal with uncle joe and aunty janet (joe is the one with a moustache)

on the roof terrace at uncle joes

Poosa's biker holiday, part 1

2009-07-18T13:40:00.028+01:00

Today my new uncle steve took me to pick up my new uncle matthew from Barnsley it was 63 miles to uncle matthews and we went in the van it turned out I would be doing lots of miles in the van lots of miles on a boat more lots of miles very fast on a motorbike and some more miles on a train that goes under the sea, the plan was that on Saturday we were getting up very early to drive 250 miles to Portsmouth to get on a uge boat that would take us all the way to a place called bilbao which uncle steve said was in spain, we set off on the boat on Saturday night and would not be getting there until Monday morning bilbao must be a very long way, from bilbao we were driving 600 miles to stay in a place called benalmadena with a nuther new uncle called joe and aunty janet, uncle steve said I would be going to gibralter and to the motorbike races at jerez de la frontera I thought we would be going home then but it turns out after a week at uncle joes I was going to france to stay at uncle harrys he has a hotel in a place called brassiere poitreveine I think that’s how you spell it it is 900 miles from uncle joes after we have stayed there for a few days we are driving 400 miles to Calais and getting a train that goes under the sea to folkstone then its 300 miles home via uncle matthews house to drop him off I am really excited now, uncle matthew is very nice, I am going to enjoy my holiday

We set off to Portsmouth at 7:30 am and arrived there at dinner time our ferry wasn’t leaving until about 8 pm so uncles matthew and steve took me to see some things in Plymouth, see the pictures of my holiday

shows me at the spinacre tower in Portsmouth

being fired from a cannon at the navel dockyards

in front of hms victory

with lord nelson

hms victory again

as a sailor

in a boat

Then we went to the pub for tea mixed grill and a pint not exactly cat food but it was good, then we went to get on the boat it is very big and white.

me in my sleeping bag in the cabin on the boat

I made some friends in the duty free shop on the boat

I went to a talk in the boats cinema about whales and dolphins there are a lot of these in the sea on the way to spain

I played uncle steve at chess on the top deck of the boat
here I have him in check mate

in the childrens play room on the boat it was great fun

Now I don’t know how uncle steve managed it but he managed to get someone to take me onto the bridge of the ship and have a go at driving the boat here are the pics

in the captains chair

with the important peoples hats

driving the boat

being the lookout

It was great fun on the bridge I am very lucky!

Big Doggie Do Saturday 27- Sun 28 June

2009-06-29T17:06:00.005+01:00

This weekend I ran a Dogstar Stand at the Big Doggie Do in Milton Keynes

becasue it was such a big stand and it was over 2 days I roped in some helpers

Dogstars Mark and Sam plus thier dog Noah and Dogstar Supporter Wendy ( who sponsors Bumpy in Randeniya Temple ) and her dogs Sir H and Wiggle ( he has a blog here ) came to help me

can you spot the bottles of wine in the background , Sam donated them to raise money ( is she MAD giving away alochol )

Once I had finished I popped next door to tell Gina on the Oldies club how to run her stand

Then Sam came over and said I was a know it all ( she said that like it was a bad thing ) and gave me time out in a crate to do something called "thinking about my impact on others"

Lucky for me Noah was going into the ring to do have a go at agility with Angela from Dogs in Training and as I am of course an expert at agility I said I could come and in help him.

Here I am with Noah , Aisling , Wiggle and Wendy

we had to wait whilst the other dogs had a go first and Noah got bored

and he started to roll around

ouch Noah geddoff your squashing me

We watched Wiggle have a go , it was his first time and he was really good

and then Noah and I had a go ( Noah was really good as well )

After agility Noah , Sir H and I entered most Handsome male dog , we didn't win any prizes but Bob the Compere gave me a special mention :)

Sam counted up the money last night and said over 2 days they raised 260 pounds which would pay for 26 animals to be sterilised

now that's even more impressive than my performance in the agility Ring

My Ruff Guide part 2

2009-06-21T09:18:00.003+01:00

I am still working on my Ruff Guide and have done a map of the places I have been

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Find Cheap Flights at TripAdvisor

I am going to check the web later ( all of it ) to see if there is a Rough Guide to Huddersfield

I am telling you there is a real gap in the market here

My Morris Mates

2009-06-12T21:26:00.000+01:00

Last Sunday I went to the Bowood Show with Sam and Mark and I set up the stand ( they are useless with out me ) I think it was my best one yet

I left them to run the stall ( its not like they do much else really ) and I decided to try my hand at Morris dancing

Of course I was brilliant and they wanted me to join the team , I had to break it to them that Sam and Mark needed me to carry on my roving ambassador work

So they decided to audition

First my mates Wiggle and Minnie

But both Wiggle and Minnie are busy dogs with Blogs as well

Wiggles Blog

Minnies Blog

Next up was Minnie's dad Rob who was fantastic and the Morris Men are going to dance at Robs music festival next year ( how cool does that sound )

Sam says the chappie on the left seems to have his hand sign the wrong way round !

Love Sirius xxx

P.s Thank you Mary and Ange for letting me use your photos ( Sam was rubbish and her camera was not working )

Twitter

2009-06-11T10:21:00.002+01:00

As well as traveling the world and writing my ruff guides I have decided to join Twitter

http://twitter.com/Sirius_

Intoducing Sirius Ruff Guides to the world

2009-06-06T21:48:00.003+01:00

I travel around a lot and I have noticed books at the airport called Rough Guides that lots of my fellow travellers buy

I have had a look in them and well they seem a bit pants, full of advice on how much hotels , restaurants and taxis cost

I have travelled the world for nearly 2 years and its never cost me anything so how can they write whole books about made up stuff like bar bills ? ( the photos are nice mind )

Sooo I have decided that in between being a travelling Ambassador , Pilot , yoga master, Pencil expert and general all round clever clogs I would give this travel guide author stuff a go

Watch out for Sirius Ruff Guide to the world , coming soon to a blog near you

Sirius xxxx

My holiday in Barbados - Part 2

2009-06-04T20:27:00.017+01:00

Welcome back to my adventures in Barbados!

After sleeping off my excesses from the night before, we headed out for the day and went to the motor museum. I couldn't drive any of the cars so sat on the bonnets instead!

I tried out one of the old motorbikes but I seem to be facing the wrong way...

After all that motoring history, it was on to Rockley beach. Fabulous... more drinks! And some posing, beachside.

Nice beach, eh?!

In the bar, got caught up with another big fish - I was only trying to be friendly!

On Wednesday, we stopped for lunch at the Round House at Bathsheba. It was extremely windy and too risky for me to pose. There is a very big drop from the verandah!

In the afternoon, I spent some time playing on the beach by our apartment and found these sticky up things to sit on and admire the view across the beach. I think it used to be a jetty...

Back to surfside for more drinks and lunch. And a few more drinks! Very good!

Recovered enough to meet nice man selling jewellery on the beach. Chose on for Wendy. Hope she likes it.. (she does, thank you Sirius!!)

The next day, back at the apartment I was showing off but got my leg stuck. Ooops! Had to be rescued. Will definitely stop drinking...... Soon....

Back at rockley beach

I found treasure!

Well, perhaps not treasure, but actually a spade. I decided it was good for leaning on.

Fell off the wall and helped up by David.... Thank you!

.... Note to self: must stop drinking.

Oops!

After all that excitement, I needed food!

Some monkeys vistied the apartment but they weren't keen to chat. How rude!!

We went visiting on Thursday evening and I made some new friends. Obviously, being such a handsome little chap, the ladies LOVED me!! And wanted to squeeze me. Ouch!

I didn't know why Peachy was laughing at Norma for being so smitten with me.....

All too soon my holiday was nearing the end. I did fit in a bit more R&R at the pool after finding a convenient pair of legs to lounge on while I dried out from a dip in the pool:

Just to make sure my tan was even, I rearranged myself on the lounger and had a little nap.....

All too soon it was time to go back to the airport and catch our plane back to England. Thank you John & Sally, David & Nadean and everyone I met in Barbados who made my holiday so fab. If a little drunken......!

Sirius xx

PS, Anyone want to get me checked in at The Priory??

My Holiday in Barbados - Part 1

2009-06-03T20:14:00.021+01:00

I arrived in Wiltshire with my travelling companions, John and Sally, to find that I'd been knitted some shorts! I'd also been knitted a man-bag and a Rasta hat, complete with detachable dreadlocks.

I had a feeling this little trip could turn out to be VERY exciting!

And sure enough, after getting up ever so early on Saturday morning, Wendy collected us all and drove us to Gatwick. We were heading for Barbados!!!

The inflight refreshments were to my liking, so I settled down for the long flight:

I *may* have got a little too settled. Or had a lunchtime drink. Then another little drink. Maybe too many drinks! Hic!

After all that, I needed a nap:

David and Nadean collected us from the airport. Boy it was hot!!

After freshening up, there was nothing for it but to head out for dinner and a few little drinkies to a beach bar called Zacchio's

The next day, I was sunbathing at the poolside.

Found a ginormous bottle of rum!

Then the rum found me!

Not very friendly cat back again but I'm not sharing the rum.

Back on the sunlounger to top up the tan

Ooops!

Monday we headed down to Surfside beach bar, a few more drinks!

I took some time out and sheltered under a palm tree for a rest....

After resting, it was back to the beach for another quick drink. You'll notice how I am adaptable to any environment and dress like a local!

Next I found a lamppost to swing off. Unfortunately got stuck and had to be rescued. It was fun though!

Found a bottle of local beer... it's good!

I noticed the sign that said they have Happy Hour here - the way this trip is going, it'll be happy hour all the way!

Then it was time for lunch of fishcakes and fries. Yummy.

Monday evening we went to the Ragamuffin for dinner. I didn't think I would be dinner when the Marlin found me. YIKES!

Back to the apartment to recover.....

I WILL NEVER DRINK AGAIN.

Well, maybe until next time....

And talking of next time, I'll be back tomorrow with the next installment - I had such a busy time in Barbados that I have to blog in stages!!

Two pints of lager and a packet bonio's please...

2009-05-31T20:00:00.026+01:00

Well, I had a word with Abby, the woman who seems to be in charge here, and she has promised to take me sightseeing today. That’s more like it. First off on our day trip was this weird sounding place called CAT. I got a little excited when I heard that but apparently it stands for Centre of Alternative Technology and is just down the road from the pub.

They treated me fantastically well, and laid on a tour guide and a professional photographer! I decided not to mention that I was actually a retired ambassador, just in case they toned down the VIP treatment. We had a wonderful time learning all about stuff like energy, and recycling and plants and buildings. And Sam! They had the most enormous crane! I wanted a photo for you but it was just too big to fit in.

Here’s a few snaps:

Me and my photographer

No! This is not my empties pile…they make buildings out of all kinds of things here at CAT!

Here I am pondering the fate of the planet, on the photovoltaic panels

I was talked into having a ‘look’ inside the wind tunnel. And of course some joker had to turn it on and blah, blah, blah…you get the picture. Personally, I’m not sure they weren’t all laughing at me, but being a fit and healthy young hound I had no problems resisting this powerful force of nature!

It was a great visit and I couldn’t wait to get to the next fun place on our tour. Abby was being a bit coy by now and after quite a drive…

…we got to Aberystwyth University. Turns out Abby was doing a talk to some students about a different charity – the Oldies Club. Now I am more than happy to help other great charities, but boy these were a hard crowd! But after a few winning smiles from me, and some corker jokes, they all relaxed and I think Abby was very glad I was there to break the ice.

As a reward for my helping out, Abby said she was taking me to a Very Special Place. When we arrived at this big warehouse called ‘Bookers’ I really didn’t think much of it and thought I’d have preferred a tool along the seafront, but we had to stay. Abby, it seemed, had come shopping.

Me and some boring drink called ‘Water’

But then…boy oh boy! You could have knocked me down with a feather. I have never, ever, seen that much alcohol! Retirement rocks! Can you spot me?

Sigh…such happy days.

Shopping for pub supplies is hard work!

Thursday 7 May

Today I have woken up in a thoughtful mood. My visit to CAT yesterday seems to have left a lasting impression on me. I learnt that there is this thing called a ‘Carbon Footprint’ and even dogs with paws can have one, especially jet setting hounds like myself.

A Carbon Footprint can be good or bad, and mine is almost certainly dodgy, what with all the international travel I do. I was up half the night thinking what I could do about this. It’s tricky as we have to travel to do Dogstar work. But I think I have come up with a nice little plan. This morning I had a quiet word with Abby and she agreed to make a small purchase on my behalf.

Here I am buying two plants that will help soak up all that nasty carbon that planes put in the air when I fly around.

Today I am a sober(ish) hound, doing my bit for the planet.

Friday 8 May

I’m beginning to suspect that this is not, after all, retirement. I have been all around pub the last few days talking to people about Dogstar and the place is buzzing with talk of the work we do. My day trip (my one and only day trip!) was nice, but suspiciously full of Dogstar talk. Hmm. I hope I haven’t made a horrible mistake.

Still, I’ve been having fun with the gang. Today I listened to cool jazz with Betty and Ray:

I did some very important bar work for Kev, the man in charge – broaching new casks of ale!

And I then sampled said ale and, possibly, got a bit carried away with some high jinx with my new friend Redrock…

Saturday 9 May

Okay, so I am now 85% sure this is not retirement. Or if it is, Sam! Get me outta here! Running a pub turns out to be long hours and hard work. Despite helping out loads behind the bar with the beer, they’ve also had me polishing glasses:

and clearing dirty plates! Yuck!

But then Abby said I could have some down time, so it was off to the piano for some tunes:

I snaffled some bar snacks:

Hung out with some of the darts team guys:

And generally just did my best to fit in!

Sunday 10 May

Today was an important day! At the close of the pub, we drew the all important Dogstar Foundation Grand Raffle! I‘ve been working hard all week to sell the tickets and am very pleased with how it went. The raffle was drawn by a member of the darts team, mysteriously called ‘Puggy’, but a very nice chap despite the name.

Here’s me and Puggy after drawing the winning tickets:

First prize was a meal at the pub, won by a young buck named Mikey. Second prize of a bottle of wine went to my old pal Redrock. We raised £24 for Dogstar and I was really pleased. Thanks to the pub customers!

Monday 11 May

My last day at Tafarn Dwynant! I am at peace now with the idea that this is not my retirement but merely yet another interesting pause in my jaunt around the world. But I didn’t feel like I had really seen much of the countryside round here, so while Abby was off in Birmingham for the day, me and Kev took the hairy mutts off up a nearby mountain to be manly.

We had a great yomp up and down the hills. Here I am having a well earned rest. What a view!

All in all it has been a wonderful visit, despite them actually working me rather hard and that silly little misunderstanding about retirement. I’ve had some brilliant experiences, though I don’t think I will forget that very near miss with the darts any time soon!

So, the time has come for me to move on. I feel I will return to this hilly place. I hope so. Goodbye Wales!

This is Sirius, Dogstar Ambassador, signing off.

Postcard to Dogstar HQ

2009-05-27T13:29:00.004+01:00

I am having a fantastic time in Barbados but being the good little travelling ambassador that I am I remembered to send Sam and Mark a postcard

Love Sirius xxx

Sirius's adventures with Mary

2009-05-23T12:59:00.067+01:00

So bags packed we checked in and went to the departure gate where the nice Singapore staff were serving champagne in celebration of their 1 millionth customer on the airbus A380.

My new friend Scottie and I had thought we’d best help the rest of them by partaking in this celebration.

First stop was Bangkok where I made a new friend with a lucky Soi (street) dog . Lucky as she was rescued as a pup and now lives a fabulous life with her owners Tim and David.

When in Bangkok, you have to visit Temples so off we went to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, known as Wat Pho. He looked quite a distinguished chap!!

And the Buddha was huge…………….

I rode a fierce looking dragon-y type thing

And tried to hide in the ornate building

here I am

We then took a ride in a Tuk Tuk ride with a crazy driver so I had to be held tightly so I didn’t fall out. Debbie and Mary just had to balance well as we flew round corners.

All packed up again we travelled on an overnight train where a lady magically turns the seats into beds!

I had to sleep on the top bunk as the bottom bunks were all taken, and I had to share with Mary, but there was enough space for us both!

Here is my friend Debbie in her bunk

In Northern Thailand we went trekking, I had to carry the camera as Mary was a lightweight!

Once we’d recovered from all that walking we moved onto Chiang Mai where we stayed at the Green Tulip so that we could be collected to go to the Elephant Foundation.

After a short-ish bus ride we arrived at the Elephant Foundation, where it was all go and we got to see some elephants (strangely, being that it’s an Elephant Foundation)

Including the naughty little baby one they have at the Foundation who manages to cause chaos when he wants to!

We then headed off to our luxurious accommodation to make friends with the local inhabitants, do a little elephant spotting on the veranda and have some well deserved rest!

The following morning we managed to get some shopping of hand carved elephants

and some bags. Very important for a dog to have these things!!!

Then it was back to Bangkok and to start the next part of the trip in Borneo.

The first couple of night we stayed in the lovely Hotel Shangri-La, what a come-up in the world, Scottie thought he’d relax without the need for a change of the silk sleeping sack for protection!

Whilst I explored

and finally found a suitable chair to relax in

That evening I watched a beautiful sunset with some new friends

Which was followed by a huge breakfast the next morning

Some playing of musical instruements, quite tuneful I’ll have you know

and meeting one of the hotel staff who does a tribal dance when guests arrive, I’m not sure if it’s to welcome them or scare them away!

Before we left, as Debbie’s camera got stolen I took her to the police station to get a crime report for insurance purposes, I think she just wanted to see some men in uniform!!

Then it was time to check out and start the Tour of Borneo, this kind man gave me a lift back to reception, it was a long way when you’ve got short legs!

Mount Kinabalu
Mary had mentioned something about climbing a mountain, easy I thought and then we arrived at the lodge and we looked at the map. Oh my goodness and for some strange reason Mary had chosen the longer route…madness I tell you madness.

So the morning of the climb and off we went, up and up we went….until we finally reached the lodge where we slept (or tried to, really Scotch and I were planning how to make sure Mary reached the summit the following day!)
Luckily our planning paid off and we all reached the summit were we had our photos taken!! What you can’t see there is that Low’s Peak (strange name) is 4095.2 m high…that’s a long way to go with legs as short as mine!!!

After the long tiring walk what we needed was to return to the Shangri-La for a hotel shower and good food, instead we headed to the Jungle…where Scottie and I shared a meal of vegetables and rice (don’t holiday with a veggie!) with coffee…I ask you…where was the wine and hot food…oh didn’t I mention the veggies and rice were cold!!!

Luckily on the cold wet day that it was, we ended the meal with some nice water melon!!!

I thought I’d try a tree to sleep in a tree

but settled for sharing Mary’s hammock (with Scotch as well – a tight squeeze for us all…)

The next morning we were each left on a section of the path way to see what we could see in the quiet…well I saw a leech on Mary’s fleece and some mushrooms (not even edible I don’t think) not really what we were expecting!!!

Anyway after breakfast we headed off for the final jungle walk, I held tightly onto Mary

So as not to get my feet dirty…it was ick muddy…

Finally out of the Jungle we were allocated our *homestay*. This is where we got to stay the night with a local family!! Well Debbie and Mary were allocated Mina, so I went along with them!!!

First Mary took me for a shower…oh my word….

Then we had lunch in the kitchen

And we were shown our bedroom

Where Mary had to hide me from the naughty grandson who tried to borrow everything in sight!!

That night they had a cultural evening, but they didn’t make me a costume so I just took photos!

The following morning after tea and red bean buns we headed off again!!

We also went to Turtle Island, where I sunbathed (I know in jeans and jumper…blame Mary) whilst the others played in the water

After visiting the orang-utans and monkeys the end of holiday arrived, and with my new t-shirt to remind me of my trip we had to start heading home

more email from the pub

2009-05-05T14:26:00.003+01:00

My Dearest Sam

I am keeping very busy hanging out with the locals. They seem very friendly and were very impressed I came prepared with my Welsh Rugby kit. I have a few concerns about my new abode - there is one resident hound who seems to look at me with a lacivious expression and also the staff here seem most distracted with 'running the pub' and haven't yet fully rolled out my retirement leisure programme - but I am sure these are teething problems and all with settle down soon.

Please do let all my supporters on my blog and facebook know how I am getting on.

Here I am hanging with my new gang

Here I am getting to grips with the beer delivery system

Love Sirius

x x x

Dear Dogstar Team

2009-05-04T18:32:00.003+01:00

My dear Sam, Ingipops & Mark

What can I say? How can I express my gratitude to you for arranging such a wonderful, wonderful retirement plan for me? Words fail me, they really do.

It came as a complete surprise when I arrived here in Wales, but as soon as I realised where I was I knew I had either died and gone to heaven, or you had decided it was time for me to have a well earned retirement in a fitting environment.

I shall of course miss my travelling life and will whenever possible continue to spread the word of Dogstar from my personal bar stool here at Tafarn Dwynant.

I love you all, I miss you all.

Yours, with everlasting affection,

Sirius

p.s. I shall have to have a word with the staff here. Apparently there was a party here last night with a karaoke machine, and I was not invited! I had to listen from my travelling case. It was torture. How good at 'I was born under a wandering star' would I have been? Disgraceful. Still, I have plenty of time to whip them into shape. mwaw mwaw darlings

My Work experance at Derwent Pencils ( part 2 )

2009-04-28T21:43:00.006+01:00

Later in the week I earned my white coat status and was allowed to do QA inspections on the pencils. Here I am posing on the line between inspections.

Once I’d cracked the inspection side, they let me be a fully fledged lab technician. And that was fun. I did all sorts, played with scientific things & looked into microscopes and everything.

While I was a lab technician I met some really cool dudes. Although they were a bit quiet. Photo 20 shows a particularly quiet chap.

But in 21 I kind of clicked with this bear called Acco. So much so that I stayed at work all might & wouldn’t go home with Ruby. Got into trouble for that as I was supposed to be measured for a new suit that night.

On my last day I did some really exciting things. Tony let me help fix the computer server, although I have heard it’s not working quite so well after I had my paws in the wiring.

After all that effort it was only fair that I had some fun, so Ruby took me to the pencil Museum in Keswick where I played in the graphite mine and posed with the giant pencil.

I also had a go at colouring & sharpening my own pencil. And I even managed to blag a pencil with my name on it.

After such an exhausting week all I could do this weekend was sleep. I found a Sirius sized bed in this house

and pinched a newspaper from the man downstairs
Comfy!

I had such a fantastic time at Derwent Pencils and with all my new pals in the lake District, if you want me to come and help you at your work email Sam@dogstarfoundation.com

Love Sirius x x x

Sirius the dogstar

2009-04-24T16:52:00.003+01:00

Steph from corruptkitty designs made this for me , how clever is she ( and how cool do I look )

I am still sorting out more photos from my trip to the Lake District and Thailand and will blog again soon

Love Sirus

My Work experance at Derwent Pencils ( part 1 )

2009-04-21T15:14:00.004+01:00

I arrived in Keswick to find that I had to dress in a shirt & tie plus a white coat. Told that if I’m serious about working at the pencil factory for the week, then I have to look the part.

We set off in the car to drive to the factory at Workington. I got my photo taken outside the factory – looking a bit nervous about the work that I’m about to do. It was a bit windy so I had to lean back in those bushes!

Anyway, I started off by making the ‘leads’. They call them strips here though – I’ve got the jargon sorted out now. I got to press the button to dispense the clay into the mixer.

Then I had to watch the pressure gauges on the mixers to make sure everything was OK.

The worst bit of my week came next as I had to clean out the mixer ready for the next colour. Took me ages.

The coloured pencil mix looks like green plasticine to me – hope it writes OK.

Once the mix is extruded into ‘strips’ these are rolled in cans to dry them. I had to dance a bit on the top of the rolling cans to keep my feet.

I couldn’t go into the woodwork department to see the strips being put into wood as it is really noisy and there were no ear defenders small enough for me. BUT I did get my photo taken on top of a batch of newly made pencils.

Next I helped to paint the pencils, although I did almost get thrown out with the scrap as I inadvertently rested in a scrap box for a while.

I was helping to ‘dip’ colours on the ends of the pencils, but the smell of the paint was a bit strong & I had to have a rest on the trolley. Fell asleep for a short while – almost got the sack.

After that they decided I should go into the packing department. Boy that was hard work. Look at the mountains of tins I packed.

I did so much more I need another blog entry to fit it all in later

Sirius x

Sirius and Poosa

2009-04-12T20:04:00.002+01:00

have both been travelling the world the last few months and will be blogging their adventures shortly

sorry for the delay but trust me its worth it

Sam

Sheps amazing Journey

2009-03-02T07:11:00.003Z

Sheps amazing Journey

Sirius gets the chop

2009-02-24T08:24:00.007Z

They say every dog has his day and Saturday 24th of January 2009 appeared to be mine

I arrived at the Dogstar Clinic in Rambukkana and was booked in

Sam said before I could have any thing done I had to have a check up with the Vet , I was a tad worried ( I think it shows in this photo )

Then I met my surgeon Doctor Dangolla , cripes what is he going to do with those gloves *gulp*

never mind the gloves what the heck are all those sharp things

Then he gave me an injection

and I was out for the count

I am so glad I was sleeping for this bit

and this bit

and very glad I was sleeping when he started sewing me back up !!!!

Faithful readers will be pleased to hear that I have recovered from my ordeal but I am telling you it left me needing a drink .........

Poosa in Sri Lanka ( Part 2 )

2009-01-30T08:57:00.005Z

After my exciting journey I was even more excited when I found out I was working with Elephants at the Millennium Elephant Foundation ( MEF ) a Charity in Sri Lanka that looks after unwanted and sick elephants

They get a bath every day , I am glad I am not an elephant as I am not that keen on baths myself. This is my with Laskhmi and her Mahout Jaya

They didn't have any sponges ( how odd ) instead they used coconut shells, ooh well when in Rome ( or Sri Lanka as the case may be )

Then I got to say Hello to A Menike who is very old and has poorly legs and walks very S L O W but she is very friendly and likes cats

A Menike also brings a snack with her to the river ( my kinda girl )

I also helped with making dough balls , inside Sam and the other volunteers hide the elephants medicine but don't tell the elephants as its a secret

after the daily vet check up Rani gave me little ride, she is 9 foot tall so I had to hold on very tight

I decided to see if I could find any animals more my size, this is Stumpy ( he has 3 legs ) and he lives at MEF , Dogstar ensure he gets all his vaccinations so he is happy and healthy

Stumpy has a few Friends living with him at MEF, this is Colin and if I am honest he is a bit dim ( but lovely ) we did some roaching together in the sun

But it was all to much for Colin and he had to have a sleep

for my last few days I went to a Beach near the airport , it was very posh and they even had fishes on the breakfast plates. Sadly they were made of wood :(

I decided that the Captain could dine alone as I didn't fancy lumpy rice and lumpy curry !

So I hit the town and had a drink

or 2

then I found Sri Lankas poshest loos

and maybe rudest as well ( I thought it was the ladys but well ooh eer missus )

If anyone else is going on holiday in 2009 and fancies a little pal to help them check out the local loos then please email ingi@dogstarfoundation.com

Love Poosa x x x x

oh Balls

2009-01-15T10:43:00.001Z

Hi Blog Fans

Sirius Dogstar here.

As you may be aware I am heading off to Sri Lanka this month with Di to spend a few weeks helping out at Dogstar Foundation clinics. Where I will be assisting Sam, Di and the vets to continue the magnificent work being carried out by the Dogstar Foundation. I'm a hardworking little dog and am looking forward to this wonderful opportunity, or at least I WAS looking forward to it until I had a bombshell dropped on me today

It would appear my 'time' has come

I've now been a roving ambassador for a year and a half and as I'm no longer a puppy the "kind" folks at Dogstar have decided to do the responsible thing it's time for me to get the chop ... i.e get NEUTERED !!!!!!!!

I have (very bravely agreed to have my operation and recuperation photographed.... and I will post the pictures on The Refuge and in my blog in return for a small donation to the Dogstar Foundation.

The donations will pay for the treatment and neutering of many many animals who are in need of our help.

I'd also be obliged if you would send me 'please don't hurt' thoughts on the actual day of my op

Thanks in advance

Sirius

P.s donations can be made via Paypal@dogstarfoundation.com
or email Marlk@dogstarfoundation.com for bank details

Poosa in Sri Lanka ( Part 1 )

2009-01-12T09:14:00.006Z

This Christmas I went to stay at Sam and Marks house (Dogstar HQ) I thought that was pretty exciting but on Christmas morning we got up at silly O’clock (6 am) and drove to Heathrow Airport because Sam said we were going to Sri Lanka

We checked in and I got my own tag :)

Because Sam is a frequent flyer we checked in at First Class, I got very excited until Sam said were still flying Economy

To cheer me up she took me to have breakfast at Garfunkels

Then once we went past all the security bits we got to Sirius favorite part of the Airport Duty Free. Sirius is flying out to Sri Lanka in a few weeks with Di ( I like Di she took me to Egypt last year ) Sirius asked me to check out the booze for him

I think this is very Sirius :)

I found a sign for babycare but could not see anything for Poosacare ? So I decided to ask around

The Paddington tribe had no idea but they did share a Marmalade sandwich with me

The Borders bookshop Bear had no idea either

And the cat at Harrods had clearly been on the sauce and was no use at all

We had a look around for books to read on the plane

This one did not make it into our basket! ( poor Grandma )

It was nearly time to get on the plane and I had to have a wash (flipping Marmalade made my paws sticky) I even had a quick blow dry

I got very excited when I saw our plane ( I knew it was ours as it had the same name on it as my tag )

We had to change planes at somewhere called Dubai , we had a few Hours to spare so Aisling ( Sams kitten ) took me for an mini explore

It was a long way to the other plane so I hitched a ride

On the next plane I had a cat nap and Sam said when I woke up we would be there

To be continued……

The Italian Connection

2009-01-10T14:14:00.011Z

I always have such a lovely time with Marge, she's such a good host! Here's what she says about the fabulous trip we took to Italy.

Late in December 2008 Sirius set off once more on a great adventure to the Calabria region of southern Italy. to be honest he was a little jaded from all his Christmas excesses and was looking for some quality time "on the piste"

.After a memorable flight with a rookie pilot and an even more memorable landing during which the plane almost barrel rolled in every direction possible, then bounced on the runway, Sirius was more than ready to chill out.

First stop was the lower slopes and checking out the skihire hut.

After deciding this was not for him, Sirius found something he did enjoy...... Sledging.

Oh what "fun" he had hurtling at supersonic speeds towards both trees and spectators alike.! Only the shouts of of Pisto (Or as he liked to say, Pesto!) made them run for cover.

Next was the wonderfully peaceful ascent on the bucket lift, gliding over the treetops to the to the top of Monte Botte Donato where the snow was deeper.

Sirus was so excited to see the huge gleaming snowplough that he tripped and fell head first into it's path. Luckily no damage to the brave chap.

Next, a lovely time was had making tracks in the snow and then onto making a snow bear. (Well he's too little to make a man).

With just enough time to sit on the top of the well (Yes he did nearly fall in!)

then grab a quick pizza in the bar, it was time to bid a fond farewell to the mountain and get ready for the evening's new year party.

The Brillo pub is set by the lakeside and gave us a warm welcome to see in 2009. At midnight champagne and fireworks were in plentiful supply, and Sirius took full advantage of the hospitality.

He enjoyed the Italian cake, as well as the good company and joind in several congas round the bar.

A good time was had by all!
Sirius was happy to get on the plane home, but not before he was frisked at the airport by a security guard (complete with guns!) who checked him thoroughly for any hidden contraband. Needless to say,there wasn't any!He is so looking forward to his next (warm) trip. "

Thanks so much to Marge for being a fantastic host to Sirius yet again!

Please contact Ingi should you wish to book either a Sirius or Poosa visit in 2009! ( ingipops@dogstarfoundation.com )

Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T00:52:00.003Z

Seasons Greetings from Sirius and Poosa

Coming soon to a blog near you.......

2008-12-19T19:00:00.001Z

Dogtor Who Tooooooooo

2008-12-18T16:15:00.001Z

Recap of yesterdays exciting adventure here

There was a knock at the door, and The Doctor was promptly arrested!

He was taken away and placed in the stocks for several hours!!

Thankfully for The Doctor, his friends the Wizard & the Dragon realised he was in trouble and sent a distraction....
and while the guards were looking the other way, he was able to use his scarf to escape...

The guards were chased away by a scarey panther....

The Doctor took the opportunity to head back to the TARDIS and safety....

The Doctor took the opportunity to head back to the TARDIS and safety....

And wished he hadn't!

BIG TROUBLE NOW!!!!

To be continued..........

Dogtor Who ?

2008-12-17T20:54:00.010Z

While at Wiccs, the latest incarnation of the Doctor was revealed to us - and he was strangely familiar....

He turned up in his normal mode of transport.

With his lovely assistants... Miss Millie Dread

And Martha Jones...

His adventures started...
The Doctor met a Wizard known as the Guardian of the Magical Birdbath who insisted he looked in the water to see his future in there.....

he Doctor could see a magical creature that needed his help...... what was going to happen?
He could hear noises, so he went to investigate.......
and found a poor dragon being terrorised by a naughty Knight of the slightly not round table.

Using the power of his super scarf and sonic screwdriver, The Doctor managed to scare the guard away...

And he was able to comfort the poor scared Dragon, who was very happy to have a friend.

The Doctor carried on exploring and found an interesting statue, and did a bit more sight-seeing...

Then he decided to pop back to the TARDIS for tea......
Unfortunately, he was followed! The guard from earlier had gone for reinforcements!

tune in tommorow for the next exciting installment

Sirius Goes to the Lake District, with Wiggle & Sir H

2008-12-01T22:15:00.030Z

Friday morning, Sirius was up bright and early for our long drive from Wiltshire to the Lake District. We had a good journey but when we got to Windermere, it started to snow! Sirius was once again, navigator and co-pilot, admiring the view as we drove.

However, after our long journey, Sirius was very pleased to see that the thoughtful cottage owners had left essential supplies!

But first, Sirius warmed himself by the fire

After getting warm, it was time to get comfy in PJ's and have a glass of wine...

Next morning, Sirius was keen to see where we were, so still in his pyjama's, he was up early and admiring the view

After breakfast and changing into his warm jumper and scarf, Sirius and Wiggle went for a walk at Ennerdale Water. Sirius thought Wiggle was slightly mad to be going in the cold water, so watched from the shore

Stopping to admire the view:

With Wiggle:

While Wiggle was busy with his stick, Sirius enjoyed the view some more

After walking alongside the lake, we drove on to see the sea - at St Bees.

After all that sea air, it was time to warm up in the sun with a latte

We went back to the cottage and all three boys went exploring, although it was possibly a little cold sitting on the frosty ground!

The next day, we woke up to more frosty but sunny weather so drove over to the very beautiful Wast Water.

Sirius was keen to explore and take in the view

Being a keen climber, Sirius joined Wiggle and scaled some rocks

As any intrepid Fell walker will know, its essential to stop for Kendal Mint Cake breaks

Sirius was disappointed to find that Kendal Mint Cake was alcohol free so insised that I took him to the pub for lunch. However, when we got there, Sirius got very excited to see that the RAF were in attendance!

Sirius being rather interested in things that fly, was keen to take the controls

When asked if we wanted to stay and watch the helicoptor take off, I did as Sirius asked and waited in the cold. Sirius was ready to wave to his new friends....

... and was very excited to see the helicopter take off!

Until the downdraft knocked him over!

After such an exciting day, Sirius went back to the cottage and relaxed in front of the fire for a while.

But the excitement of the helicopter had put Sirius in a silly mood - so he decided to put on his dinosaur outfit. Wiggle was unimpressed by such frivolity

And thought Sirius would be make better use of his time by acting as a pillow!

Finding himself overcome with tiredness, Sirius decided that Wiggle did in fact have the best idea, so snuggled up with his friend for a nap...

Poosa's African Adventure with Sherlock Bones

2008-12-01T18:42:00.004Z

I am such a lucky cat, I have been on the most amazing adventure, I hope you enjoy sharing it with me!

Firstly, I was whisked to this place called Livingstone. It's in a country far far away, called Zambia. On the first night, we had beds. In posh tents!!

We sat by the River Zambezi, and we saw in the distance a lot of water spray - that was apparently something called Victoria Falls. Behind that spray is somewhere called Zimbabwe.

The next day, oh my goodness!! Elephant riding - right by the River Zambezi - and we saw a crocodile and a hippo in the river! That's me up there, held on by Sherlock Bones and her friend Paulo and the nice elephant jockey.

Then me and Sherlock Bones sat on the elephant's knee and we gave him dinner!

That evening, me and Sherlock Bones and her friend Helen (who came with me all the way on our trek!) went to Victoria Falls. (I took this photo, that's why I'm not in it!).

After that, we had to travel a very long way into a country called Botswana. When we got there we went on an evening cruise down the Chobe river to look for animals.

Crocodiles!!!

Buffalo!!!

Hippo!!

More Elephants!!

Then we watched the sunset go down before going back to camp for a campfire.

That's how we ate every night, round the campfire. My friends Annette,Sam and Paulo are digging into their dinner there.

Then we had to travel a very very long way and go and sail down the river in a log. OK it was a canoe but believe me it was more like a log, it was called a Mokoro. A man used a pole to push us along and we went right through the river and down the Okavango Delta. It took well over an hour to get there through the swamps where hippos live. It was scary because if we wobbled we might fall in!!

For two nights we camped in the Delta and learnt how the locals lived - we had nothing, not even toilets and elephants were all around us!!

That footprint is from a hippo. Hippos! Camping!! Eeek!

When we got back to dry land we went in a little plane. We flew over the Okavango Delta to see how it looks from the air. Don't tell anyone I told you Sherlock Bones was very sick in the little plane.

Next we went to stay with Bushmen in a proper bush hut - how cool is that!!

Then it was off to yet another country, called Namibia. There is Etosha National Park where we looked for more animals on a safari. Gosh did we see lots!!

Giraffe are my favourite, i think. we were really lucky to see so many.

From Etosha, we went to a place called Spitzkoppe. That's where there are lots of knobbly big rocks, where there are cavemen paintings!! The cavemen used to be hunted years ago by the people that went to Namibia from Europe - they used to offer money in return for shooting a caveman because they said that they were animals because they lived amongst them. How horrid is that?

We watched the sun go down over Spitzkoppe and camped out by the knobbly rocks and avoided snakes and spiders cos they are creepy and dangerous there. You can see the truck we all travelled in - the truck was called Chobe after the River in Botswana.

We went to Cape Point on the Skeleton Coast, where the Portugese first landed in Namibia.

There was a smelly smelly smelly (much worse than Sirius!) smelly seal colony there.

You couldn't see the sea for the seals. Did I mention it smelt?

Then. gosh. then.... Sherlock and told me we were going to throw ourselves out of a plane over the Namib Desert. I was a bit scared but Sherlock Bones promised I was to be strapped to her very carefully!

Sirius would never be brave enough to do this you know! (don't tell him but at this point I was verrrrrrry verrrrrrrry scared!)

....and it this point I was completely petrified!

wooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

That was completely amazing! Poosa Dogstar.... ADRENALINE JUNKIE!!!!

After the excitement of all that, we retired for the night to watch the sunset over Swakopmund Pier.

Oh and we passed through the Tropic of Capricorn.... whatever that is!

Finally in Soussesvlei, we went sandboarding! Ha yes honestly...And we climbed that big sanddune. And guess what! Prince Harry climbed over us!! (Sherlock got tired climbing it and was in his way. Oh the indignity!!). We weren't allowed pictures of that, I'm sorry :(

Fish River Canyon was our last stop in Namibia. It's the second largest canyon after the Grand one!!

We stayed there to see sunset - isn't it amazing?

by that time the inside of Chobe the truck was minging. Look at it!!!
We drank lots of south african wine to keep us happy.
Finally, we travelled over the border into South Africa and a long long journey down to Cape Town. It rained on Table Mountain
but we made it!!! Look at poor me and Helen at the top!!! It was worth the trip!We had an amazing time, not many people had seen a Poosa in Africa before and everyone loved me. I carried my nice new Tshirt and explained to everyone that I met what the Dogstar Foundation was about. They thought it was amazing and I met friends not just from England but from Australia, New Zealand and even Lichtenstein. I bet noone else has ever met anyone from Lichtenstein!!!

I had such an adventure! If you'd like to take either myself or my colleague Sirius on an adventure (OR EVEN A QUIET FEW DAYS CHILLING OUT!) please contact out P.A. ingipops@dogstarfoundation.com

Love Poosa x

Dog Blog Word Cloud

2008-11-30T13:00:00.001Z

Personally I think its broken , I am sure Sirius talks about booze more than anything else

Sam