Adventures of Barney & Flynn

photos of my 2 rescue border collies, out & about in the English countryside

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Barney & Flynn heading for home, one evening in August 2019.

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Barney & Dilly, quietly plotting mischief together while out on Castlemorton Common, August 2008.

(600 acres of rolling grassland, dotted with tangled patches of ferns & brambles, populated by a good number of bunnies & pheasants made for plenty of opportunities for them to get into mischief!)

Some more from adventures on Castlemorton. A rainy day in early July 2008

Sunnier fun, later the same month

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Apparently, it's International Cat Day, so here's my beautiful old kitty, Elsie (with Barney-dog in the background!). What a cat Elsie was! We got her from the RSPCA... a young, nameless stray. The last cat we were shown, we knew she was the one we wanted after about 30 seconds. She was quite feisty on 1st arriving home & also rather nery of a quickly raised hand, or being approached too directly but she soon settled down.

Elsie was with me during my final year at university. We lived with 3 other animal-loving girls (1 training to be a vet) & she'd go from room to room over the day, keeping each of us company for a while. I wrote a lot of my dissertation with a laptop on one knee & her on the other... Haha & I wondered why said laptop stopped working not long afterwards (its fan was full of cat fur, oops!!).

She & Barney-dog got on well, once he also joined the family... I was initially worried because I had no clue if Elsie had been dogs before, or if she might've had bad experiences with them but she decided (correctly!) he was a pushover & accepted him nicely. For his part, Barney was very respectful & only occasionally did something that warranted a smack on the nose! They'd team up at dinnertime & herd me round the house til I fed them. I miss them both a great deal.

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A peaceful summer evening out in the countryside with Barney & Flynn, late July 2018.

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Flynn would've been simultaneously pleased & annoyed with me this week. Flynn did NOT like hedgehogs. Their smell upset him, their sounds upset him. The sight of them upset him. Once or twice, he accidentally trod on one in the dark & that REALLY upset him (this is a dog who loathed stepping near thistles because they were too spiky). Flynn. Did. Not. Like. Hedgehogs. If Flynn spotted a healthy hedgehog outside somewhere, at night, snuffling along, doing hedgehog stuff… he was inclined to start yelling at it, to tell it to get lost! However, Flynn was a border collie & as such, he made & followed The Rules. Despite his own serious misgivings about the species, Flynn settled on The Hedgehog Rules. The Rules were: normal healthy hedgehogs, in normal places, at normal times could be told off for existing near Flynn... but if he spotted a small hedgehog &/or one out at an unusual time &/or in the wrong place &/or sick, it should be quietly & discretely pointed out to the accompanying weirdo human (me!), so I could abduct it & bring it home with us. Flynn didn't likely understand why I wanted these particular hedgehogs but evidently I did, so he'd always show them to me.

We'd be walking along, or in the garden & Flynn would stop & stare at something & then look at me & then back at the thing & I'd squint &… there'd be a hedgehog in need of help. Usually, it'd be a youngster, too small to survive hibernation. Flynn would watch while I captured the hoggie & shoved it in a cloth bag, or just held it (ouch!) & he'd calmly escort our new "guest" home. He never grumbled at House Hedgehogs. He wasn't happy they were there, stinking up the place (they really smell!) but he obeyed his own Rules & politely left them alone, without me needing to interfere. Then he'd spot a big, fat adult hedgehog outside the following week & he'd be back to yelling & looking cross when I told him to stop. Anyway, this past week, I've found not one but two sick adult hedgehogs, both with respiratory infections. We've had a difficult spring - extreme & very changeable weather & according to the vet I took the 1st hedgehog to, it's causing local wildlife & livestock to get sick with pneumonia at a higher rate than normal. 1st hedgehog was found Tues night & admitted Wed for antibiotics etc. 2nd hedgehog isn't as bad as the 1st… I found it Sat night & unfortunately have to keep it til Mon as vets are shut & friends who'd normally drive us to wildlife rescue couldn't today. Not ideal but hoggie has a load of hay to nest in, wet cat food, water & it's warm & in a quiet spot. (As wildlife goes, hedgehogs are relatively good at coping with temporary captivity & their numbers are declining so they need any help they can get!). Here's a bad pic of Hedgehog #2:

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Sadly, I was told today that the 1st hedgehog didn't make it, poor little thing was just too sick. However, thanks to a nice neighbour driving us, I got the 2nd one out to the local(ish) wildlife rescue today. They admitted her & she'll be treated for a chest infection. I've been given a case number, so I can check for an update in a couple of days. That's if I don't hear from them. I was told that Ms Hoggie is looking quite... large... & as she is a mature female, there's a suspicion she may be pregnant! If so, assuming her health allows it, I might be asked to go collect her earlier than otherwise, so she can have her hoglets in the "wild", rather than in rescue. I've ordered a hedgehog house for the garden - for Ms Hoggie, if she needs it, or another hedgehog if not.

Gah, also, I've now found an injured wood pigeon, literally hours after returning from the rescue centre. Think it had been attacked by a cat - possibly multiple. So the pigeon is in the carrier Ms Hoggie had just vacated. I am... not terribly hopeful about its chances to be honest but if it passes, at least it'll do so without further injury, somewhere dry & warm & if it does make it overnight, my lovely neighbour has said she'll take it to the wildlife place too!!

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Sadly, the wood pigeon had passed away when I checked on it in the morning. Poor birdie.

Better news on the 2nd hedgehog I found though. I messaged the wildlife rescue yesterday & had an email back today. Her health has apparently already improved enough for her to be moved outside, to stay in their special hedgehog "pre release" area! Hurray for Ms Hoggie! Rescue said I can contact them again in a couple of weeks for another update... but yes, sounds like she's doing well & on the road to recovery!

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A day or so after I last updated this post I found a THIRD hedgehog in my garden, with breathing problems & in need of help. I got him to the wildlife rescue just over a month ago (in late June).

A few days ago, I was given updates... Good news & bad news.

Bad news is that Ms Hoggie, the 2nd I found & the one in the pic above, sadly didn't make it. On further examination, they found that as well as respiratory issues, she actually had a broken elbow, which wasn't fixable. Hedgehogs can do fine with an amputated back leg but not a front leg, sadly & so to avoid further suffering she was put down.

The good news is that the 3rd hedgehog, an adult male, recovered & is ready to be released into the "wild"! The wild in this case being my small back garden & the surrounding housing estate! We picked him up earlier this evening & then left him shut in a cat carrier in the garden, until it got dark. I just went out & opened his door. He's free to go! No pics because honestly hedgehog releases are slooow & obviously it's also dark! I'll just stay out the way & let him go on his way in his own time. I hope he stays healthy & happy.

I'm so sad the 2 other hedgehogs I found didn't make it but it makes me very thankful to get the 3rd one back, healthy again & I'm pleased he's been released into a hopefully still familiar home environment. Haha, although he'll have to negotiate time shares with the 2 new little (seemingly fit & healthy) juvenile hedgehogs who've appeared in our garden every night recently. It's even possible they're his offspring, who knows! I'll be putting extra food & water out for them all.

Keep an eye out for your local wildlife, guys... They need all the help they can get!

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Bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy!

Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!

Flynn, who possibly should've been called Tigger, having fun boinging about in the fields over the years!

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what cameras do you have? or did you have? all your pictures are so lovely!!

Hi, thanks for the ask & I'm so glad you like my photos! The vast majority of them were taken with a Canon Eos 1100D, which is now pretty ancient & even at the time I got it, back in 2012, was a basic/entry level DSLR. I only ever used a standard, 18-55mm kit lens. It obviously had limitations compared to more modern &/or higher end cameras/lenses but worked really well for what I was photographing (dogs! countryside!).

Haha, also, I will say, I am impressed by its hardiness! Canon make tough cameras - even their cheaper ranges - because while I had to replace the lens a couple of times over the years, I used that same camera every single week without fail, in all weathers, from 2012 to 2026. It frequently got muddy & wet (& very rarely had more than a cursory wipe off to clean it)... & it not infrequently got smacked by dog noses, paws, dog toys too, plus the occasional gate post, tree etc... & still kept on taking pictures!

Anyway, yes, my set up for dog pics was pretty basic! Occasionally I'd wish for better quality gear but mostly, I've enjoyed the challenge of seeing what I can get out of a camera. 1st camera I had was an old digital "point & shoot". It had 4 megapixels 🤣 & was so unbelievably slow, I had to learn to press the shutter 1/2 a second "early" when attempting to take action shots, or I'd just get an empty frame!! Still got some pics I love with that!

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A young & leggy Flynn, having fun at the quarry, July 21st 2015. He'd have been just over 2 years old here. Look at that face! Flynn was a mighty serious young man. He grew into his sense of humour as he aged. It used to make me laugh to see how grave he'd sometimes look, while doing things which clearly delighted & entertained him. For Flynn, fun = work, work = fun...

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Chance!

Back in July of 2015, I looked after Chance while my dad & his SO went on holiday. It was a fun if chaotic fortnight with 4 border collies in the house (my 2 boys, Chance & her elder "sister" Lyra), my cat, hamster & some chickens in the back garden.

Tomorrow, 2nd July, I'm heading up to my dad's house & will be pet sitting for a week starting Friday. I'll have Chance to look after once again - obviously she's now an older girlie, though still very opinionated & quite cheeky, bless her- & SIX cats, an aquarium & I think a couple of foster rabbits, unless they've been rehomed by now. Haha, I love cats but 6 seems like quite a lot in a fairly small house, wish me luck!

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My mistake, there aren't 6 cats, there are 7 of them 😂 We've all survived the 1st 24 hours together though! Some of the cats are shy & fairly horrified to have a Strange Human in their space but hopefully over the week, they'll calm down!

One kitty, usually called The Kitten was a bottle baby & she is naughty, a proper cheeky little madam! She has an outdoor enclosure & did NOT want to come in last night but I eventually herded her & gave her some wet food as compensation, so I think I'm forgiven for now. Here she is:

Egon (named because as a kitten, they were always asking "where's he gone?"). He's on meds for thyroid problems, he's a sweet old skinny man

I *think* this is Ken... She's one of 2 Siamese & one of the cats who've been hiding away, however yesterday evening, I was having a snack when I started feeling like I was being watched...

A foster bunny:

And here's lovely Chance! It's so good having a dog about again. She's so much tinier than my old boys were though, a permanent puppy border collie!

Chance's "little brother" Morgi (Welsh for shark) has gone with Dad, so I'm not looking after him but he's cute do here he is:

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Well, I'm now most of the way through my pet sitting & so far everyone has been pretty good! I've befriended most of the kitties. Here's The Kitten playing with me while out in her enclosure the other day

Even the nervy Siamese are showing themselves more frequently! I asked him if he'd play me a tune... He would not! But just him sitting in the room with me is significant progress!

Chance & I have been going for little walks by the local canal each evening (it's very hot & she's a very fluffy, senior dog so we don't go far!). I have no particularly good photos as I've only got my phone & also Chance has no concept of posing for a picture, or indeed staying in a sit at any distance from someone! I have found she'll sometimes do a down stay! She's such a sweetie, ha albeit quite noisy - especially when we set off & if she sees other dogs - but really just a very good, happy girl.

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well, I've been back home for a few days now. I was honoured on my final night away because one of the shy Siamese actually came & gave me a cuddle. She'd barely let me touch her all week but finally, curiosity got the better of Ken & she lay on my lap & purred & enjoyed a fuss ❤️ I didn't get a pic of that moment but here's Ken & behind her, the giant cat wheel she LOVES to run in!!

Sad to say goodbye to both the cats & collies. I do miss having a dog about the house. Here's little Chance on her last canal walk with me, before my Dad & his SO came back.

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Flynn, clearing a fence, July 10th 2018.

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Chance!

Back in July of 2015, I looked after Chance while my dad & his SO went on holiday. It was a fun if chaotic fortnight with 4 border collies in the house (my 2 boys, Chance & her elder "sister" Lyra), my cat, hamster & some chickens in the back garden.

Tomorrow, 2nd July, I'm heading up to my dad's house & will be pet sitting for a week starting Friday. I'll have Chance to look after once again - obviously she's now an older girlie, though still very opinionated & quite cheeky, bless her- & SIX cats, an aquarium & I think a couple of foster rabbits, unless they've been rehomed by now. Haha, I love cats but 6 seems like quite a lot in a fairly small house, wish me luck!

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My mistake, there aren't 6 cats, there are 7 of them 😂 We've all survived the 1st 24 hours together though! Some of the cats are shy & fairly horrified to have a Strange Human in their space but hopefully over the week, they'll calm down!

One kitty, usually called The Kitten was a bottle baby & she is naughty, a proper cheeky little madam! She has an outdoor enclosure & did NOT want to come in last night but I eventually herded her & gave her some wet food as compensation, so I think I'm forgiven for now. Here she is:

Egon (named because as a kitten, they were always asking "where's he gone?"). He's on meds for thyroid problems, he's a sweet old skinny man

I *think* this is Ken... She's one of 2 Siamese & one of the cats who've been hiding away, however yesterday evening, I was having a snack when I started feeling like I was being watched...

A foster bunny:

And here's lovely Chance! It's so good having a dog about again. She's so much tinier than my old boys were though, a permanent puppy border collie!

Chance's "little brother" Morgi (Welsh for shark) has gone with Dad, so I'm not looking after him but he's cute do here he is:

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Well, I'm now most of the way through my pet sitting & so far everyone has been pretty good! I've befriended most of the kitties. Here's The Kitten playing with me while out in her enclosure the other day

Even the nervy Siamese are showing themselves more frequently! I asked him if he'd play me a tune... He would not! But just him sitting in the room with me is significant progress!

Chance & I have been going for little walks by the local canal each evening (it's very hot & she's a very fluffy, senior dog so we don't go far!). I have no particularly good photos as I've only got my phone & also Chance has no concept of posing for a picture, or indeed staying in a sit at any distance from someone! I have found she'll sometimes do a down stay! She's such a sweetie, ha albeit quite noisy - especially when we set off & if she sees other dogs - but really just a very good, happy girl.

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Flynn on Tinker's Hill, 5th July 2020

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Chance!

Back in July of 2015, I looked after Chance while my dad & his SO went on holiday. It was a fun if chaotic fortnight with 4 border collies in the house (my 2 boys, Chance & her elder "sister" Lyra), my cat, hamster & some chickens in the back garden.

Tomorrow, 2nd July, I'm heading up to my dad's house & will be pet sitting for a week starting Friday. I'll have Chance to look after once again - obviously she's now an older girlie, though still very opinionated & quite cheeky, bless her- & SIX cats, an aquarium & I think a couple of foster rabbits, unless they've been rehomed by now. Haha, I love cats but 6 seems like quite a lot in a fairly small house, wish me luck!

[megpricephotography]

My mistake, there aren't 6 cats, there are 7 of them 😂 We've all survived the 1st 24 hours together though! Some of the cats are shy & fairly horrified to have a Strange Human in their space but hopefully over the week, they'll calm down!

One kitty, usually called The Kitten was a bottle baby & she is naughty, a proper cheeky little madam! She has an outdoor enclosure & did NOT want to come in last night but I eventually herded her & gave her some wet food as compensation, so I think I'm forgiven for now. Here she is:

Egon (named because as a kitten, they were always asking "where's he gone?"). He's on meds for thyroid problems, he's a sweet old skinny man

I *think* this is Ken... She's one of 2 Siamese & one of the cats who've been hiding away, however yesterday evening, I was having a snack when I started feeling like I was being watched...

A foster bunny:

And here's lovely Chance! It's so good having a dog about again. She's so much tinier than my old boys were though, a permanent puppy border collie!

Chance's "little brother" Morgi (Welsh for shark) has gone with Dad, so I'm not looking after him but he's cute do here he is:

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Chance!

Back in July of 2015, I looked after Chance while my dad & his SO went on holiday. It was a fun if chaotic fortnight with 4 border collies in the house (my 2 boys, Chance & her elder "sister" Lyra), my cat, hamster & some chickens in the back garden.

Tomorrow, 2nd July, I'm heading up to my dad's house & will be pet sitting for a week starting Friday. I'll have Chance to look after once again - obviously she's now an older girlie, though still very opinionated & quite cheeky, bless her- & SIX cats, an aquarium & I think a couple of foster rabbits, unless they've been rehomed by now. Haha, I love cats but 6 seems like quite a lot in a fairly small house, wish me luck!

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Flynn on the cobbles, June 30th 2018

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It's outrageously hot & humid in England at the moment, as I know it is in many other places too. It's so hot here, the local high school has shut - some upper floor classrooms were hitting about 45C (113f) or something stupid (at a point it was due to keep getting warmer & they don't have air con), so they sent everyone home til next week. That is not normal. Especially not normal for June - early summer. We broke May's record high temp last month & today, we broke June's high as well. I think it's going to be hotter tomorrow. I truly worry about what the future has in store for this planet.

I've been putting water bowls out locally, for any thirsty wildlife but it feels very strange for me not to be fretting about dog care right now. My old Barney had long, mostly black fur but his undercoat was actually quite thin & he did surprisingly well in the heat. When he was young, I had to actively stop him from running around too much & accidentally overheating on hotter days. He also seemed to enjoy cooking himself & if not watched, would go in the garden, sprawl out in direct sun & stay there until his fur was painfully hot to the touch & he was huffing & puffing. I'd have to go shoo him back inside & he'd actually like I was being mean!

Flynn, on the other hand, loathed heatwaves. He'd get up, potty, eat breakfast & then indicate very clearly that he wished to be left alone to swoon in peace. He'd flop down dramatically on his bed & stay there, staring at the walls, til near sunset. Just coaxing him up & out into the garden for potty breaks every 6 hours or so was a struggle! On walks - taken very late, or very early, he'd generally not want to play with me much, if at all (extremely unusual!) & just sulk along slowly. I always worried for Flynn because he only had 1 kidney & getting dehydrated was extra risky for him. I sometimes worried his refusal to move meant he didn't drink enough when it was hot but in many ways I was relieved Flynn paced himself (unlike Barney!) but it did make *me* feel oddly... unemployed! Normally Flynn was an incredibly interactive dog & if I didn't do Activities with him, he'd start yelling complaints & literally pinging off walls... & yet once the temps got above 29-30C (~86f+), my Border Collie Entertainment Services were no longer required!

Anyway, if it's much too hot where you are currently... I hope you & your pets are all managing stay reasonably cool! Take care of yourselves.

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Barney, running wild on Raggedstone Hill, on or around the summer solstice of 2013.