massie lodge - dog city

Me and My Girl, Bessie Merle

2009-07-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

taken a few years ago (my hair's not that long anymore!)

Matilda..

2009-07-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

In her favourite spot to catch the sun...

The Massie Lodge Gang

2009-07-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

This is definitely one of my most favourite photos with Pikey, Bessie Merle, Matilda, Lancey and of course Millie.

Pikey - 2006

2009-07-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

A very young Pikey man on his arrival at Massie Lodge in 2006. He's come such a long way since then.

Bessie Merle and Her Babies

2009-07-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

Mills, Bessie Merle and Lancey

2009-07-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

Aust Champ Miamba Allue C.D

2009-07-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

Or otherwise known as my best pal, Jack. Occasionally a special friend comes along that walks beside you through thick and thin. This was my boy Jack.

I had occasion to be going through some old photo cds the other week and came across these photos of my boy - from when he was at his very best (pictured above at the Delta Dog Christmas Party) to a few days before he was laid to rest.

Never a day goes by when I dont think about him and about how much he meant to me.

Evan and Ruby

2009-07-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

Pikey and Ruby

2009-07-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

Am I seeing Double?

2009-07-03T20:31:00.000-07:00

No, its just Bessie Merle and her daughter, Ruby

Bessie Merle... Fashun Eeycon

2009-07-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

Where Does One Find Bessie Merle in Winter?

2009-07-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

in front of the fire of course!

Could This Be The New Face of Weatherbeeta?

2009-07-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

I entered Pikey in a competition to be the new face of Weatherbeeta coats. What do you think? lol

Bessie Merle

2009-02-07T22:22:00.001-08:00

Which colour do you think suits the best... Black or Brown?

Pikey with the Girls

2009-01-18T03:21:00.000-08:00

Bessie Merle and Pikey

2009-01-18T03:18:00.000-08:00

Doc

2009-01-18T03:13:00.000-08:00

The Massie Lodge Canines .. 01.01.09

2008-12-31T23:15:00.000-08:00

(with Matilda in the front!)

Scardy Pike ... Prt II

2008-12-31T22:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Pikey...

SCARDY (I dont like storms) PIKEY !

Bessie Merle - Style Queen

2008-12-28T04:06:00.000-08:00

Bessie Merle

2008-12-15T03:23:00.000-08:00

Special Girl, Bessie Merle.

Being Doc

2008-12-06T23:48:00.000-08:00

Doc

Some days you're the dog,
and some days you're the hydrant.

Unknown

Bessie Merle

2008-12-05T23:43:00.000-08:00

Indoor Chic ....

Outdoor Adventurer

Scardy Pike

2008-12-05T23:40:00.000-08:00

During the storm

If a dog will not come to you after
having looked you in the face,
you should go home and examine your conscience.

Woodrow Wilson

Da Pikey-Man

2008-11-15T23:06:00.000-08:00

A dog is a one-of-a-kind work of art
that's precious and priceless.

unknown

2008-11-08T21:48:00.000-08:00

He is your friend, your partner, your defender - your dog.
You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

- Unknown

Being Doc

2008-11-07T23:52:00.000-08:00

The Massie Lodge Canines

2008-11-07T23:45:00.000-08:00

Being Bessie Merle

2008-11-07T23:42:00.000-08:00

My beautiful girl, Bessie Merle.

At The Dam

2008-10-12T02:51:00.000-07:00

Doc

Um, Matilda ... to the left! lol

Miss Ruby

2008-10-12T02:47:00.000-07:00

2008-10-12T02:44:00.000-07:00

When a dog wags his tail and barks at the same time, how do you know which end to believe?

- Anonymous

Dogs Just Want to Have Fun ...

2008-10-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

Doc and Ruby.. A work in progress

2008-10-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

The Dogs ... In Black and White

2008-09-28T00:09:00.000-07:00

Da Pikey-Man

2008-09-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

a four-legged friend

"Boing ..." Up he goes

Matilda ...

2008-09-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Age shall not weary her (but she still needs to take shade out of the sun)

The (not-so-little anymore) Curly Coated Retriever Puppies: Ruby and Doc

2008-09-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

Doc

Ruby

Busy canines...

2008-08-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

The Massie Lodge Canines in the back of the ute, down the back paddock.

Being Doc.

Winter ..

2008-08-10T00:57:00.000-07:00

Is still here at Massie Lodge and the Massie Lodge canines are keeping nice and warm.

Not just like the Pikey-man who has a tartan scarf to keep him warm but most of the dogs dont venture too far away from the fire. Notwithstanding that there is a bed in front of the fire for them, or they have their own doona on the lounge that they can snuggle down into.

Spoilt? Yes, absolutely!

Bessie Merle has certainly had a quiet weekend after challenging Matilda for the top spot on Friday night. I dont know what started it, we're thinking that it could of been a row over a bone, but Bessie Merle being the broodbitch certainly thinks that the time is right and that she should be the leader of the pack.

Matilda, aka Her Majesty, still rules the roost here at Massie Lodge and came out of the scrap with her dignity and her leadership in tack. Bessie Merle, unfortunately suffered from some lesions to her inner ear - thankfully not serious however we called Monika in on Saturday to give her the once over, clean her ear and to put her on some antibiotics.

Matilda is one tough cookie and even at 10 with a bit of athritis to her joints is still Queen of all she Surveys.

The Secret Life of Us

2008-08-03T00:50:00.001-07:00

Ever wondered where the Massie Lodge Dogs sleep? Dont be surprised, dont be shocked ... they sleep with us down by the side of our bed. Pikey, Doc, Ruby and Bessie Merle on my side and Madam Matilda has her own bed on Evan's side.

Yes, they have their own Doona and Blanket - and no, they're not spoilt!! (not much anyway!)

Careful Evan...

2008-07-23T02:50:00.000-07:00

Somebody is watching you having a cuddle on the lounge with the little (hah!) puppies ... see below to the left.

Pikey and the "little" puppies

2008-07-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

Pikey, his string of sausages (favourite toy of the moment), with Ruby and Doc. The reflection of the flash of their eyes makes them look almost goulish!

Pikey - Man

2008-07-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

A man and his ute should never be parted.

Matilda....

2008-07-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

You would think that a dog of my age and stature would be allowed to nap on the lounge without the interference of some human and their stupid camera?

SSShhh....

2008-07-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

Dont tell my dad and mum where my (Doc) most favourite place is in the mornings when the sun shines through their bedroom window....

Monika's New Vet Assistant

2008-06-30T04:06:00.000-07:00

Jessie

Bessie Merle

2008-06-08T03:27:00.000-07:00

would do anything for us ... today she wore her white crocheted beanie out into the wind to protect her ears... she is such a funny girl.. see the look on her face...

The family

2008-06-08T03:10:00.000-07:00

Its amazing how time flies, how time has flown and the puppies have grown up. Evan is above with Bessie Merle.

With Ruby..

With Ruby, Doc (in front) and Bessie Merle

... with the Pikey man.

Helen with Bess and da Pikey man.

Muvver's Day

2008-05-10T23:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Muvver's Day Mum

Love from your Ruby xxx

The Little Puppies

2008-05-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

One of the things that we have had to do is get the little puppies up in the back of the ute and teach them to stay - one of the things the Massie Lodge canines enjoy the most is to be loaded up in the back of the ute while Evan drives around the property.

Still it doesnt come naturally ... and Ruby doesnt like it at all ... preferring to ride in the cabin.

Doc, however (pictured above) loves it already. He is becoming the spit of his mum (especially that nose!).

As you will see, Matilda is NOT impressed. lol

Pikey (and Shoe) get Their Cuddle

2008-04-06T02:59:00.000-07:00

The Little Puppies ... a photo update

2008-04-06T02:52:00.000-07:00

Ruby

Doc

Bessie Merle and Ruby

Being Ruby

2008-03-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

Ruby (pictured above with Evan), is a cuddlepot. There is nothing more to say about her. If there is a lap to sit on she'll be there within a nano second. I think they think they are in doggie heaven.

Doc

2008-03-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

This boy is growing at a rate of knots! In fact he is growing so quickly that he is catching up to his mum!! With this in mind I had to change over his puppy biscuits from what I normally use, Bonnie Puppy - to Hill's Science Diet which really has made a huge difference with this little boy and he is really coming together nicely.

He really is just sweet.

Easter Dogs

2008-03-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

You can see by the look on both Bessie Merle and Pikey's face how much they enjoyed posing for their Easter photo! NOT!

Still, they would do anything I asked of them.

Dog Showing...

2008-03-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

Not for the feint hearted! I dont know how Jack put up with it ... trapsing from show to show, all the washing and primping, the mousse and the anti-frizz serum to get his curls to set. But we managed to get his Australian Championship and after that, packed away the umbrella tent; put away the dog trailer and hung up our showing leads!

Ah! the stories I could tell !!!!!!

Puppy Update

2008-03-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

Not very often that I put a photo on the blog of myself... so here Iam most reluctantly posting a photo of myself with the lovely Miss Ruby who loves to have a cuddle on your lap. Iam not sure what's going to happen when Ruby fully grows ... lol .... maybe we will give the lap a miss!!

Both puppies have really come along. They are now out of their crush at night and are sleeping with Bessie Merle and Pikey. Matilda likes to have her own space, so they know that that's a no go zone during the night!

Ruby is very confident and outgoing and always is the instigator of trouble; where Doc is very laid back and is happy to be led wherever Miss Ruby wants to take him!

They have both settled into the pack now and Matilda begrudgingly accepts them, however, its on her terms and when she feels like it.

Doc

Dam!

2008-03-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that one of the best ways that I like to relax on the weekend when I finally get some time to myself is to take the dogs down to one of the dams and let them run riot. I get so much enjoyment from it - just sitting there and watching them swim and run and jump and hoping to get that one photo that shows just how much they enjoy it is proving to be a real source of enjoyment for me too.

It's a Dogs Life...

2008-03-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, so where do all the humans sit?

Pikey

2008-03-05T01:20:00.000-08:00

My friend.

Swimming 101

2008-03-05T01:10:00.001-08:00

I think that I had as much fun as they did just watching them!

Bessie Merle teaching the pups "Swimming 101"

Doc

2008-03-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

Doc

Doc and his mum, Bessie Merle

Bessie still likes to be with the pups ... as long as she gets to have her own time with us.

Ruby

2008-03-04T23:53:00.000-08:00

Being Ruby

"What are you doing Pikey?" Asks Ruby

"Aw I see... Im just not tall enough to reach.."

Let's Start at the Beginning

2008-03-04T23:10:00.000-08:00

The Past...

People who are involved with Massie Lodge through the Equine world also know that both Evan and I are big dog lovers. Way, way back in our history when Evan and I first met, Evan had his dog Matilda and I had a motley crew of Jack, Lance and Millie. Its a bit like the Brady Bunch I guess... (Here's the story of a man named .... lol ). Matilda is a Cattle dog cross and both Lance and Jack were Curly Coated Retrievers - Millie was an unspecified breed, however just as lovable as the purebreds.

So, when we decided to pack up all our goods and chattels and move on up to Warwick - the canines came with us (not to mention the Peachface Parrots!).

Both Evan and I will never forget the day we arrived here at Massie Lodge only to find that the previous owners had left a few chickens.

After letting the dogs out of the trailer and to give them a first run about the place, Lance soon returned home with one of the chickens live in his mouth....only for it to die in a shaking spasm in my hands once removed from Lance's gentle jowls.

Jack unfortunately was living on borrowed time by the time we got up here and only lasted a year and a half (he was 12 which is a good age for a purebred dog). He died in my arms in August of 2004 - something I will never forget.

To say that the city dogs were living the life of Riley in the country was an understatement. They would all spend hours down at the dam, frolicking and swimming. They soon forgot city living and all adapted very quickly to life at Massie Lodge.

Bessie Merle was soon to join us and arrived by plane at Brisbane Airport from Albury at 8 weeks of age. She fitted in well with the others and certainly adapted to life here with us.

The Present..

(To everything has a season.)

I wish I could say that all are still with us. My dear brown dog, Lance succumbed to a snake bite and not long after he left, Millie passed on at the great age of 14 from what I believe was a broken heart.

Its funny how people find their way to you in the course of your lifetime and in saying that, I believe that dogs - or any animals - are destined to make their way into your life as well.

About a year and a half ago, while doing some work for Gallopers Bloodstock, I came across a lady who was needing a home for her German Wired Hair Pointer dog, Pikey and I knew when I saw him that he would be heading our way.

Pikey, not only a rescue dog from his current home; also had two previous owners - so he had never known what it was like to have a stable, loving home - although I know he thinks he hit pay dirt when he came to us.

A dog with issues, Pikey is sometimes a very strange dog, however, in saying that, he has lapped up all the love and attention that he gets with us like a sponge. He is my constant companion, my friend and my confidant and I sometimes think that Jack sent him to me for this reason.

So, here we are at Massie Lodge at this point with a dog count of 3.

I always wanted another Curly Coated Retriever male and this came in the guise of Bailey.

Bailey was with us for over 8 months and we were finding that with him being an aggressive dog, life in the Robinson household did get tense at times between Pikey and Bailey.

We decided that we couldnt cope with the 2 males and needed to find a new home for Bailey.

But not before Bessie Merle had a season...

The good news is that Bailey found a beautiful family on the NSW North Coast where he is a dog amongst two bitches... no more needs to be said!!

3 Months Later...

And after a horrendous maiden birth, Bessie Merle delivers a boy and a girl. Enter: Doc and Ruby.

To say that our life hasnt changed since the birth of the two puppies would be a lie. They really have become a joy and are both of the sweetest temperaments.

Head Count at Massie Lodge 2008: 5 dogs

5 dogs = Dog City!!!

I decided that I wanted to give the dogs their own blog because they are all such exceptional animals. I get such enjoyment being with them and love watching them interact. If I said I didnt like taking photos of them I would be lying!

So, here it is, the Massie Lodge Canines own Blog. I hope you enjoy !

Helen.

Bessie Merle (Ringlord Smoke Alarm), Lance and Millie

Lance (Cobby Curl Jacksbestboy) and Jack (Aust. Champion Miamba Allue). My two dogs that started it all.