Flatties - Men in Black & Mini Me

Last week the Finnish army took over our forest but still we went for walks and try to avoid them. Sometimes even the goats joined the walks.

One day we actually passed them too close. I noticed the army tent too late and needless to say that the flatties were already inside the tent by then.

I whistled them back and when running back Eddie had something in his mouth. I quickly took it and left it by a tree. Two solders came out of the tent and they had fun when when they saw me with two flatties and one goat (only Lumikki was with me during that time). Unfortunately I was not allowed to take any photos.

Today a week later we went close by where Eddie’s “stealing” took place and Eddie brought the packet he took from the tent to me. It was something called Näkkileipä.
Photo>>

So if you want to have a clever dog who can even bluff an army, choose a flat coated retriever. A dog that even army cannot stop.

On Wednesday when I came back home from horse riding I found the chocolate Christmas calendar on the floor and all the days were opened.

I wonder if my flatties already spent the Xmas?

So certainly have had an early start for winter.

First time it was snowing on the 13th of October.

And tonight we have had more snow than last time and it is still snowing.

This is actually very nice. It is more beautiful when there is snow, and it does not seem to be so dark.

Alfie’s spot is gone. Just a small reminder that it was once there but other than that, he is “spotless”.

On October 21st I notices “growth” in Alfie’s muzzle.

I wrote about it in my Finnish blog and through FaceBook (my feeds are published there too) I got so many replies to my concern (thank you all). Many said it is just a teenage spot and also a vet commented about it saying it could be that or something called “histiosytooma” in Finnish. She asked me to follow up.

Finally today I notice it is vanishing. I’m so glad.

As flatties are so sensitive to have a cancer, I am very worried about the extra growths. Even I have had flatties since 1988 this was the first time I learned about teenage spots in dogs. My girls never had those.

Today’s walk was in Pamber Heath.  A piece of common land on the North Hampshire border.  The milky sunlight & the autumnal colours were lovely.  At 14 degrees centigrade the weather mild. 

With the clocks changing our chances of getting a good run in the forest are diminishing.  These walks are becoming fewer & are therefore a big treat.