Budapest - Visit to the Vizsla homeland

Slightly off the topic of two red dogs in Dorset - in September I travelled to Budapest to run the Nike half-marathon as part of a team organised by the company I work for in Germany. Great I thought - a chance to search out some Vizsla on their home turf!

I checked out some kennels but in the end landed on a sunny Saturday with no real plan other than to survive the run! Over three days I had fleeting and tantalising glimpses of red dogs in this large and ancient city straddling the Danube... It started with promise as my first sighting was from the plane as it came into land. On the wide grassed areas beside the runway there was a chap striding along with a Vizsla ranging out in front of him...shining in the bright sunlight. What they were doing I have no idea but they looked very much like they were working...scaring birds maybe? Second sighting was from the bus to the hotel - a "city boy" loping along on the promenade next to the Danube - just a glimpse again before the bus swept on.. I spotted my third V at the start of the race on Sunday, where there was a male "white face" milling around with his family, there to support a local runner. No time to test my Hungarian but great to see the Vizsla spirit alive and kicking in an older dog... I survived the race but saw no more V's that day... Last day on Monday and last chance for V spotting - it wasn't looking too promising - plenty of sights in the old city but no V's. But then! A flurry of red surging from the back of a car and disappearing in through the doors of an old office building - three boys, one older, battered and with the shortest tail on any V I've seen - surely an accident I think. Running up I startled the lady handling them as she was closing the large wrought iron and glass doors; she understood enough English I think to realise I was only admiring her Magyar Vizslas and perhaps like me is used to total strangers being interested in our Vs. Somewhat bemused she paused long enough for me to see the three dogs turn on the ornate stone stairs inside, one giving me that classic Vizsla look of curiosity, head up, ears hooked up, steady golden gaze...then the lady spoke and they were off up the stairs and gone - that lovely head sticking in my mind like an echo...

So not a great trip for Vizsla spotting but maybe slightly more than I'd see on an average day in downtown Bournemouth...and there's always the race next year - maybe I'll do a bit more research next time though...

Been a long time....

Radar - standing in the sky



Well it's been awhile since "Radar" posted... Maybe he just got bored, maybe his budgeoning interest in Vizzies of the opposite sex got the way or maybe he's just been too busy, what with his agility, prancy around in the showring, hospital visiting and general running around (lots of running around)...he hasn't told me why he hasn't posted anything but then he is a dog...granted one that gives every indication that he can talk sometimes.... The final straw in me taking over was the suspicion that the "R-dude" might be tempted use his internet access to plan a raid on the local brand of Pets at Home during the recent riots...I saved him from himself!

It's been a busy year for Radar, now a grown up 4, and his nephew Rio, 18 months and I'll be posting some updates soon, work and running around not withstanding...to start here's a couple images of the two of them having a high old time
in sunny Germany in July...

Rio concentrating on the next throw of the ring..

Radar with a Swedish MG TF (but more interested in the distribution of chicken wings going on behind me)

More later....

John

22nd March 2011 - carnage in Bournemouth!

When I looked outside this morning, I couldn't work out what the mess was on the back lawn (more mess than usual that is!!):

Feathers...!!

What I hadn't noticed at first was this Sparrowhawk eating his breakfast!!

Oh dear...poor Blackbird!

Rio soon saw the Sparrowhawk off & then worked on getting feathers up his nose!!

Monday 21st March 2011 - a walk in Ramsdown Forest

It was such a lovely day yesterday (REALLY spring like) that our afternoon walk just HAD to be in a forest. This time I chose Ramsdown which isn't too far from home so easy to get to. Here are a few photos & short videos for you to enjoy!

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What do I do with a turkey neck...?!

Lovely sunny day today so it was out in the garden with the lunchtime bones! For a change the boys had a turkey neck each...are they huge or what?!!! It was Rio's first time to sample this particular delight &, at first, he wasn't quite sure what to do with it so had to watch Radar for a while until he got the idea...

Ummm...what's this? It doesn't look or smell like a chicken wing or a lamb rib!

I'll just nip across & see what Radar's doing with his!

Can't quite see...let's get closer...

Out the way Radar...I could share yours now that you've got it started...!

Just some pictures...

Who's that sitting in the drivers seat...?!

Oh it's Radar...what a clever boy he is!!

Vizsla bookends...!!

The door Sphinx (aka Radar!) & his ceremonial rope!!

Sunday, 21st March 2011 - Radar's First Show!!

Guess what Radar did yesterday...after all this time I finally plucked up the courage to enter him in a dog show (why should Rio have all the fun!) - it was the Hungarian Vizsla Club Open Show.

Here's my boy "standing" so nicely!

My clever, precious boy did so well...he came 3rd in the Novice Class. I was so proud of him...he got lots of extra treats & cuddles!