Hattie the Beagle

3 September 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 05:51:00 +0000

Well, guys, this is my last blog from Lucies Farm. On Saturday they took me for a final weigh-in. And, yippee, I had lost some more weight. Here I am waiting for my treat for being such a good girl.
And here is a picture of my final weight. Everyone, including me, was so happy.
And here is a picture of my medical chart done my Dr Richard and his colleagues. They really took great care of me. Not the usual holiday photo I know but it shows my progress of which I am very proud.
And then it was to the final day of filming. Victoria was very, very pleased. And I think that the cosmos was happy too. It rained all day Saturday but the sun came out on Sunday for my farewell. Here is a picture of me with the gang at the end of filming. Don't I look relaxed.

Then it was time to say goodbye. I will miss the folks at Lucies Farm and I think they will miss me. I am sure I saw a tear in Auntie Marjorie's eye as she said goodbye.

I was really happy to see Mom and them and they were happy to see me. I had a good time at Lucies Farm and they took really good care of me but there is nowhere quite like home.

Hope y'all catch my 15 minutes of fame.

Love Hattie xxxxx

Tuesday 29 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 06:40:00 +0000

Look how good I've gotten at this swimming lark. There's Zbigniew keeping an eye on me but I'm all grown up now and go swimming by myself sort of. I'm feeling soooooo fit.
And this is to show you just how big this pool is to a little girl like me and I cruise round here like I'm a duck.

And talking of "little" girl. I had another weigh-in this week and got below the 24kg barrier. I now weigh 23.8kg which is a loss of another 700g in a week. Since I'd done so well in 5 days I was a little disappointed that I hadn't managed to lose another 100-200g. Must have been all the cookie tidbits I had while Cathy was filming me.

Still, I'll carry on with my regime and hope that I can astound you by next Sunday. Yep, that's the day my holiday is over and I get to go home. Had a good time but am looking forward to a cuddle from my family.

See you soon. Love Hattie.

Thursday 24 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 07:56:00 +0000

I know, I know, it's not Monday but I had such an exciting day yesterday that I just had to tell you all about it.

The day started as usual; walk, breakfast etc. Then about 2 o'clock I saw Cathy so I knew something was up. I got an extra run in the garden as Cathy followed me with the camera and I got all sorts of cookie tidbits so that I would perform for the camera. I'm such a ham!

Then we did me arriving at Lucies Farm all by myself. I felt quite grown up but I have to admit that it was the sight of a cookie that really motivated me! We then filmed me taking up residence in my cubbie but no matter how much Cathy cajoled I just couldn't look sad. I was having way too much fun and you know me, I show my feelings.

Then it was off to the swimming pool. I didn't really feel like swimming. Something told me that it was too early and I was having so much fun running around. But I still can't move fast enough so I did my performing seal bit for Cathy.

After being dried, they took me to the car; yippee. Oh, but wait a minute. We ended up at Dr Richard's. Hey, don't I get weighed on Mondays?! But I felt like such a star. I kept a whole waiting room full waiting to see Dr Richard while I did my thing. I finally sat on the scales long enough for Cathy to get a good shot.

AND GUESS WHAT............... I've lost another 500g since Monday. What's that I hear - cheers?

I have now lost almost 3 kg in three and a half weeks. I'm cooking with gas!!

I did my leaping into the car for Cathy and then I thought we were headed home but nope, we went on a really scenic drive up to the Malvern Hills. You should really smell the smells up there. They are really great. I looked at the view, did a lot of sniffing and had a really cool time.

Then it was time to go back. I went back to my cubbie and I thought that was that. And then ecstasy - food arrived. It was a bit early but hey, I'm not one to turn my nose up at food. So I duly licked my bowl clean for Cathy.

And then it really was over. But what a cool, exciting day. And then joy of joys, Auntie Marjorie arrived with some more food at the usual time for dinner. It was only a small serving but you know me, I'm grateful for any food.

Speak to you all on Monday when we will have the weigh-in update.

Love Hattie xxxxx

Monday 21 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 10:24:00 +0000

Hi guys. Well another busy week here; outings, swimming, walking and other goings-on. We had to give up the pool to the pigs last week as Animal Planet spent the day here filming them. And they talk about a dog's life!

Anyway, back to me. And time for my weekly weigh-in but before I give you the news here is a shot of me arriving at the vet's:

As usual we had to wait to see Dr Richard as he was looking at a puddy cat. Poor cats. They have to be transported in cages. That's no fun. No smells. So, I adopted my usual pose. Flat on the floor to have my tummy scratched.

But Auntie Marjorie didn't think it very lady-like to be exposing all my undercarriage so she popped me on her lap for a more decorous pose.

Then it was our turn. I popped myself on the scales and waited with bated breath for the verdict. Great news. I had lost 800g; my biggest loss to date. I now weigh 24.5kg. I am so proud of myself.

But then they wanted to check out my ear. So more poking and prodding but Dr Richard pronounced it all healthy and clean so that is another problem resolved. And I got a small treat.

You should see my energy levels now. Time to go back and I just got into the back of the car in one leap. Check this out:

I could join Cirque de Soleil!!

Back at the ranch I had my swimming session upped to 20 minutes as I am getting much fitter.

Well another busy week ahead. Am looking forward to the film crew coming on Thursday so I can show off my new svelte figure. And I will be sure to wear my new collar.

Lots of love Hattie

Monday 14 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:31:00 +0000

Wow, guys, I can't believe it is 7 whole days since I last blogged. It's been crazy here and the time is just flying by.

So I guess I'd better just give you the week's update.

After the really hot days of July the weather hasn't been up to much but that hasn't stopped me swimming. Oh no! If it is too cold for the outdoor pool then I go in the indoor pool. I swim at least twice a day and can now swim for 15 minutes non-stop. Hey, betya proud of me.

Today we went to see Dr Richard. I know the drill so I was really relaxed.

If truth be told, if I was any more relaxed I would have been asleep!

I know what is expected of me so I popped myself on the scales and sat their quietly while they all peered at the LCD. Much jubilation; I've lost another 700g. I now weigh 25.3kg. And before you all go "Hattie, you haven't lost as much weight as last week" let me put you straight now. My weigh-in last week was after 8 days of the new regime and I lost 800g. Today's weigh-in was after 7 days. So I have consistently lost 100g per day. Good eh!

So I got my treat. But then Dr Richard noticed I was scratching my left ear. So I was hoisted onto the table and he stuck this pointy thing down my ear. I didn't like that much. He diagnosed an infection. So then, being a doctor, he had do the same thing to my right ear but pronounced that clean and healthy. So then he put another pointy thing in my left ear and dropped something wet and cold in there. Brrrrr. And I have to have this for TEN days!!

Anyway, they gave me another treat. But then, they started complaining about me smelling. Not the way I smell with MY nose but how I smelled to THEIR noses. Honestly, anyone would think that I wasn't in the same room! And then, while my back was turned Dr Richard was doing something indescribable to my nether region. I ask you. Does a girl have no privacy?! Then they were all wrinkling their noses. I think that my anal glands must have been a bit full. You'd think that they'd find a more genteel way of cleaning them wouldn't you.

After seeing Dr Richard we made a pit stop on the way home. Auntie Marjorie left the car so I assumed control; to keep her seat warm and to make sure Uncle Craig behaved himself.

Then it was back to camp for a swim.

Anyway, they are so proud of me here at Lucies Farm that after my second swim I had a lovely warm shower followed by a lovely warm hair drier and then they gave me a new collar as a present for my good behaviour. I like it here.

Don't you think I look pretty.

Hope y'all are having a good time like me.

Love and kisses, Hattie

Monday 7 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 17:08:00 +0000

Drizzly cool start to today but the sun came out and we have had another lovely warm day.

A departure from the usual routine. Auntie Marjorie put me in the car and took me for a drive. She took me to see the nice man that weighed me when I arrived. I had great fun exploring the surgery but then I couldn't put off the evil moment any longer. I was a really good girl. I got onto the scales and sat there quietly. And guess what! I've lost 800g. That's almost 1kg. Way to go girl. I'm really proud of myself. The scales actually said 25.95kg but Dr Richard said that we had to round up to 26kg.

And, because I hadn't had any breakfast Dr Richard gave me a small treat.

Back to camp and straight into one of my swimming sessions.

Then it got really exciting. They were moving piggies to another field and took me along for the ride. It was fun watching all the piggies greet the new arrivals and I think that the boy pig looked happy. They've told me that if I'm good I can go when the go feed the piggies.

Then it was time for my second swimming session.

I'm glad that in the evening I get to go on a walk and sniff all the smells along the way.

Enjoyed my dinner tonight. Am looking forward to tomorrow.

Sunday 6 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 17:00:00 +0000

A lovely warm, sunny day today so pawfect for swimming. It's not my favourite form of exercise so Zbigniew holds me so that I swim in place. Otherwise I'm a little tinker and will swim to the edge looking for a way out. And they can't let me anywhere near the Skamper ramp. If I get a pawhold on that, I'm out!!

Swimming is easy; it's just that it's hard work!

Anyway, another lovely day.

Saturday 5 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 13:05:00 +0000

Well, one week today. I've been here a week! And it's gone really quickly. It was quiet here today. All my usual walks and dinner but some of the humans had gone to The Wag and Bone Show to check in with Victoria and the gang. Wish I had gone knowing all the food that was there but probably too many doggies for me and I'm not sure how good I would have been at the 1,000 doggie sit-in.

A bit overcast and drizzly today but still warm. Am looking forward to tomorrow; more swimming.

'til then, love Hattie

Friday 4 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 11:42:00 +0000

Hi guys. Been a bit busy for writing the last couple of days. It's all go here. Still loving my food but I'm being really good and not actively looking for it.

I've got a couple of piccies for ya of me in the garden

I hope that I look like I'm having a good time 'cos I am. Do I look like I've lost weight?

Hope y'all having as good a holiday as me.

Love Hattie

Thursday 3 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 04:10:00 +0000

Had a yummy breakfast this morning; toast and milk. I like it better than the cereal and I was ready for it after my hour long walk this morning.

Not a lot of news from this end. I've had all of my regular walks and in between I either snooze or watch all the activity around the farm. I'm quite nosy really.

Enjoyed my dinner and after my last walk of the day settled down for the night. I'll try to send you some more photos so that you can see how I'm doing.

Wednesday August 2 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 05:35:00 +0000

Hi Mom and them. Another fun filled day. Cool but no rain so that was good. Zbigniew took me swimming.

Do you like my impression of a whale?

And here I am taking a breather.

And then after my swim I went for a stroll around the grounds.

I was ready for my dinner. I'm enjoying my holiday. Hope you're having a good time too.

Tuesday 1 August 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 05:17:00 +0000

I had a bit of a lie-in this morning, lucky me. The hotel is full so I went on a later walk. Suited me just fine. And what service; my breakfast was waiting for me when I got back. But, you know what. I wasn't really hungry. Do you think this is working?

Had a fun morning watching all the goings-on; doggies coming and going. We have two new residents. One of them looks like a bigger version of me.

Was ready for my mid-day walk. Well I should say run really. I got to run all around the garden. There's lots of yummy smells about. And I was really good. When Sylwia called my name I came running.

It's a lot cooler now which suits me fine. And it rained quite a lot yesterday. Not raining today but windy and cloudy. Isn't this summer? Where'd the sun go?

More of the same stuff; another walk and then my dinner. I was in a funny mood. I didn't think I wanted my dinner but when Auntie Marjorie came to get my bowl I decided that I wanted it if she held the bowl. Mmmm, it was yummy so I kept going until the bowl was clean.

Another walk and then bed time. No photos today as the weather hasn't been very good. Maybe I'll be on a photo shoot tomorrow. Love ya.

Monday 31 July 2006

marjorie@hmdp.com (Hattie) — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:04:00 +0000

Another early morning. I swear we get up before the birds!! A cooler day today and slightly damp but that's much better for me than all the heat we've been having.

My breakfast duly arrived and I was quite interested in it but didn't manage to eat it all. I wonder if it is all the exercise or all the excitement or both.

Great excitement at mid-day. I got to go in the truck. I was lucky enough to ride in the back seat with Grzegorz while Max, another doggie guest, had to go in the way back. Still he's much bigger than me being a German Shepherd so fair dos I say.

After a while we arrived at a white house. There were all sorts of interesting smells in there and loads and loads of food. It was really interesting 'cept they kept me on a short leash if I got within sniffing distance of the food. But then they took me into a small room where there was a man in a white coat. And the indignity of it all - they hoisted me onto a table. Still, the man had nice warm hands which he rubbed all over me which was kinda nice especially since boys of my own kind aren't very keen on me. He then took this rubber thingy which he stuck in his ears - funny guy - and patted me all over with the other end. I just lay down and let him get on with it.

But then he wanted to hold my leg and he had a scary thing with two pointed spikes. I wasn't having any of that. They had to get a nice nurse to cuddle me and Auntie Marjorie whispering all sorts of things in my ear before I let him near me. And do you know what he did? He cut my hair that's what. And they kept talking. This was scarier than "The Blair Witch Project" I tell ya.

Then they got the cookies out. Now I know I'm not supposed to have anything like that and I was a good girl. I wouldn't take a cookie. I mean, I know it was a bribe so that they could do something to me. I'm no pushover. I wasn't gonna lay down and take it quietly. Uncle Craig obviously decided that this was too scary for me so with a nurse and Auntie Marjorie cuddling me he covered my eyes. A girl can get used to all this attention. And I knew I shouldn't have succumbed. What was that sharp thing he was poking in my leg? Anyway, it was soon over. Apparently they needed some blood just to make sure everything is OK. They then offered me another cookie. Well, I figured "I've earned this" so I took it! Mind you it was on the small side darn it.

Then they dragged me off to those wretched scale things again. I know the drill now. No knowing my weight unless there's a cookie in it for me! They caved in and so did I. So, now the hard work starts and I really will do my best for Mom and them.

Then it was back to the holiday camp where I was looking forward to having a well earned snooze. Ho, none of that. The lead was back on and off I went on my mid-day walk.

I've had a good look round and can't find any cupboards or hidden stashes of food. So there was nothing for it but to have an afternoon nap.

Then, 4 o'clock and another walk. They're as regular as clockwork here.

A lot of coming and going as all the other doggie guests go on their walks and then wayhay, it's dinner time. I was ready for mine and licked my bowl clean. I was ready for more so was really hopeful when Auntie Marjorie appeared with more bowls but when I looked they were empty 'cept for a small one with...... oh, no, the dreaded chopped apple. I'm still thinking about it.

Well, it's bed time now. I'm being really good Mom. You'd be proud of me. I send you all my love and will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Photos of Hattie's First Day at Lucies Farm

Craig Walsh — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 00:05:00 +0000

Cathy from "It's Me Or The Dog" filming Marjorie, Lou, and Hattie (the one on the floor) as Marjorie explains what Hattie will be eating during her stay at Lucies Farm.

Hattie in the outdoor lanai of her suite. That's Jasper in the next suite, and then Bali and India in the suite after that. They've all come outside to see the new arrival.

Hattie's first full day at Lucies Farm --- Sunday, July 30 --- was a warm and sunny day. After she had a nice long walk, we thought she'd enjoy a brief dip in the swimming pool with Zbigniew. Lou told me that Hattie had been swimming before. She didn't like the first couple of minutes in the pool, but gradually relaxed. We didn't want to over-do the experience.

Mysterious Olympus Battery

Craig Walsh — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 00:34:00 +0000

Zbig found a small rectangular black battery in the stable yard this afternoon. He's sure it hasn't been there long. It was near where Lou's car was parked.

It says Olympus on it, Model LI-108.

Please let me know if you recognise it --- and, if so, where you'd like us to send it. Thanks!