Sirius Dog Blog: 02/01/2008

A day at Duxford

20:48 | Posted by guest blogger

Aeroplanes! I like planes! I have, as I'm sure you know, a background in aviation (see my earlier blogs).

Matt likes planes, too, so we went off to Duxford, the Imperial War Museum, where they have lots and lots of planes. Matt knew a lot less about the exhibits than me, but was grateful to learn from my experience and wisdom in all things aeronautical.

I got to try out lots of things:

An ejector seat (but I was a bit small for it)

A combustion chamber

A wind tunnel!!! Look at my ears fly!

I had a rest on this comfy thing until Claire pointed out it was a missile. Eeek.

I was, of course, the role model for Biggles

And, as such, I earned my place in the hero's gallery. This plinth is reserved for my bronze bust, just as soon as they've finished it. I'm told they're having problems modelling my ears. No idea why, I have quite normal ears. For a Wing Commanding Dog.

I tried a few of the weapons

And did a bit of communicating

Defended our beaches

And posed for my fans

Then it was back to the cottage to catch up with the days news and to have a swift drink.

This was my last day with Matt and Claire.... the following day I met up with Sue (in the pub, of course) and my adventures will continue with her.

(more...)

Read Users' Comments (0)

A short break and a visit to the seaside

20:27 | Posted by guest blogger

Claire and Matt took me on a short break to a village in Suffolk. We stayed in a lovely converted Pump House in the middle of nowhere. You can see more about the Pump House here: http://www.grovecottages.co.uk/pumphouse.htm

On the second day I was told we were going to the seaside to visit some people called Laura and Mark. They have dogs. One is a special dog called Benji, who Claire used to look after before he found his forever home with Laura, Mark and the other dogs.

After a lovely dinner, we went down to the beach with Benji and a couple of the other dogs. It was very cold.

We then said our goodbyes and drove to Lowestoft, the most Easterly town in England.

Unfortunately Lowestoft appeared to be closed for the day, so I warmed up under the sand until it was time to go back to the holiday cottage via the local pub.

(more...)

Read Users' Comments (0)

A day as an Industrial Chemist

18:05 | Posted by guest blogger

Last week Claire drove North to visit Matt at his house. He lives in a place called Liversedge - I thought this was something to do with liver or soss-sedge but I was to be disappointed, it's just a place in West Yorkshire.

Matt works as a chemist in a place that makes paint. It was decided I should spend a day doing work experience with him, so off I went. It was bigger than I expected and a bit scary.

I went to the laboratory to see some paint that Matt made. I was going to do some painting but the tin was very big and I thought I might fall in. I didn't realise Matt had his name on the cans but he does. And he IS very durable....

Matt then let me have a go on one of the machines that he uses, I nearly got my paw trapped in it! I'm told the machine tests how runny the paint is?!

We then went down to the filling lines and I helped to put lids on the tins of paint we made for someone called Wilko. The lines go very fast and I got very tired. I think I need longer arms for this job.

Matt also looks at the different colours he makes, apparently this one is too yellow, although I can't see it myself.

I was so tired and stressed after my busy day I wandered off to find a much needed drink. This bottle looked about the right size for me........

...but it wasn't very nice! Fortunately I only drank a drop but it made me feel very ill. I got into trouble with Matt who told me he'd have to spend hours filling in the accident report book.

By the evening I was forgiven and I joined some of Matts colleagues for a curry and a beer. Quite a lot of beer. So much beer, in fact, that I ended up slumped in a corner with a condom on my head. No idea how it got there....

(more...)

Read Users' Comments (0)

Sirius joins Sian (Rileyroo) in Heavenly, California.

21:03 | Posted by ingipops

As you know I am spending some time with Claire and the hounds just now so I have allowed Sian to update my blog and tell you about our adventures in the USA. I hope you enjoy it!

Our holiday started early in the morning, and once we'd checked in Sirius demanded some breakfast. Orange juice and twiglets apparently being what a globe trotting hound prefers before a flight

Once breakfast was over he settled down for a snooze in the lounge

We didn't hear a peep out of him then until we arrived in San Fransisco - where we had to chose our rental car for the drive up to Lake Tahoe

Sirius chose the red one (a duff choice as it later turned out - no 4 wheel drive meant an emergency purchase of snow chains, but that's a whole other story). Anyway, we eventually arrived in Heavenly, 24 horus after we left London and crashed out for the night.

The next morning Sirius was keen to get started mingling with the locals. He hitched a ride (note his matching ski jacket)

and headed for the nearest bar. He was soon getting into the swing of things.

Later he was very disappointed to discover that Milky Way Bowl (0930) was full of snow, not chocolate

but was very happy when the sun came out as we crossed the border from Nevada to California at 9000ft.

He celebrated with pizza for lunch.

He was a bit scared on the Gondola back down to the village and would only face up the mountain with his back to the fantastic views ahead of him

He calmed his nerves at the bottom with a frozen margarita.

He was soon feeling up to some food, and made a good selection to be cooked on the mongolian barbeque.

Not too sure about the salad though

He was feeling so good later that he thought he could do better than the chefs, and started to make a few suggestions. You can see their reactions to that!

Eventually he decides to show them how it should be done

- but ended up with a very warm bottom as a result.

Luckily there was a friendly snowman to help cool him down

Much of the rest of the skiing holiday was too cold for Sirius to venture out of my pocket outside, but he did make some more alcohol discoveries

and by the end of the trip was brave enough to admire the view from the Gondola

A good dose of ice cream at the bottom calmed any fears he might have had

All too soon it was time to go home - Sirius giving directions via the Tomtom back to San Fran . Luckily no need for snow chain this time.

At the San Fran hotel, Sirius was quick to discover the mini bar

but luckily the lack of opposable thumbs prevented him from doing any real damage to the bar bill!

Time for the flight home, and his flying jumper.Sadly we couldn't get his passport stamped - US Immigration not being famous for its sense of humour...