Easter!

Happy Easter everyone from a now cone-free Jasper!
Yep, that's right; on Thursday, I returned to the hospital to have my thirty-something staples and cone of shame removed. The past two weeks have been so undignified but now I could happily stroll about the town- if I were allowed on walks... Although the vet has said that I'm allowed to be driven to the park, I have to remain on a lead at all times which, the humans found out, is torture for a Springer! All I wanted to do was sniff and run, and sniff and run again! Therefore, no walkies at the park for me- grrr...
However, today is Easter Sunday so all is well! Sadly, chocolate is very bad for us doggies so no Lindt bunnies for me but I've got my paws crossed that I get sneaked a few pieces of meat under the table whilst the humans eat their roast...!
Have a brilliant day and eat lots everybody!
Talk soon, Jasper x

  The best photo the humans could get of me this morning...! 

On the Road to Recovery...

After spending two at the hospital, the humans came to pick me up. They'd had an awful weekend, sitting in the same spot for what seemed like hours, staring down at their lukewarm tea. I, on the other hand, although in pain, was doing fine, unbeknown to my humans. In my hospital 'bedroom', I was being attended to regularly, and even had my own TV to watch... I was basically having a weekend away! However, I did have to slight issue of having a pretty useless leg...

When the humans came to pick me up, I think they must've been expecting the worst: a drowsy, whimpering Jasper. Well, they were completely wrong. Stood anxiously in the waiting room, they suddenly heard the sound of scraping doggie paws. Turning around, they saw my little head poking out around the door. Man, I was pulling on my lead in true Jasper style! To be honest, I think they're still in disbelief that they found me tugging away with a broken leg. "How is that even possible?!" They kept saying. They definitely underestimated Spaniel abilities.

A week later and I'm making rapid improvements. Although it truly does suck being unable to move as easily as I'd like to, the humans are just pleased to have me home (and I'm happy to be with them!). I'm being monitored by the humans very regularly (no parties for them!) and have to be carried to go outside. On Thursday, I'm having my staples removed and that means the cone of shame is removed- woooohoo! No more public embarrassment for me! Unfortunately, I still have at least six weeks until I can start going on walks again so, for now, I'm just going to have to stay shuffling my towel around in my crate every. Other. Minute.

Hope you're all enjoying the sun! Talk soon, Jasper x 

Accident at the Park

Last night, when I was on my last walk of the day with my humans, something happened that shocked us all. My human had just thrown a tennis ball for me to chase after (you know how much I love doing that) when I started screaming out in the pain. I could not move from where I was and it was obvious that I was very distressed. My humans dashed over and got me to lie flat on my side and then one of them ran to the nearest house and instantly called the vets to describe what had happened. I continued to stretch one of legs out so my humans guessed that I had damaged my leg which is why the vets told them to bring me in, even though it was out of hours at this point.
Later, the vet checked the mobility of each of my legs and found my left one to be abnormally free- I had broken it. The humans knew what this meant: surgery. I was in a lot of discomfort and the vet said I was being very brave; much braver than the humans would've been if they'd done the same! Very upset, the humans said goodbye as I went to be x-rayed and given pain relief. It was going to be a long night.

This morning, after a restless night for everyone, the vets gave my humans a call to let them know that they had booked me in for surgery. My family then came to collect me and the vet carefully put me into my favourite place: the crate in the boot of Mum's car. I slept the entire journey to the hospital and, when I got there, I was pretty reluctant to leave the comfort of my crate! However, I gave in and the humans carried me into the centre where yet more vets examined me. We were astonished to be told that my entire left elbow needed to be reconstructed and that the operation was going to be complex. 

Within a couple of hours, my 4 hour operation had started thanks to the efficient vets. My humans received a relieving call saying that it all went well and that I was now resting. Apparently, I tried to make a break for it half-way through the op! I now need to spend 2 nights at the hospital so will be going home to my humans on Monday. They are missing me lots and lots and can't wait to give me snuggles. We're all hoping for a quick recovery. 

Thank you for all your lovely messages; they really do mean a lot. I will endeavour to keep you all updated with my progress. Talk soon, Jasper x

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mums out there!
This morning, my humum (see what I did there...!) went for a swim at the local pool. Sadly, that pool doesn't allow doggies to go swimming with their humans- I have no idea why- so the other humans decided to organise meeting her at a cafe nearby. It was a very exciting experience. So much to sniff, so much to (try to) eat... Lots of doggies strolled past us while we sat outside so more than once I lunged out for them, nearly knocking over the table, the chairs and the humans... Woops!
Later on, after managing to swallow down some toast that fell on the floor, we all went home for a sunbathe. One of the humans treated me to a spot in the no.1 sunbathing destination in her room- upstairs. Man, those humans were feeling pretty generous today!
How did you and your humans celebrate Mother's Day?
Talk soon, Jasper x

P.S Sorry about the pretty rubbish picture... Let's just say I wasn't in the mood for posing for very long...! 

Crufts 2014!

Yesterday, my humans left me at home (meanies...) to go to the biggest dog show in the world, Crufts! The show seems to get better and better every year and this year it did not disappoint.

The humans started their brilliant day in the Main Arena where they caught the end of an agility competition and then a show they watch every year: the international Heelwork to Music Freestyle competition!

Agility...

And Heelwork to Music!

One of the impressive routines was performed to the Indiana Jones theme time- very entertaining, as you can imagine!

It was lovely to see a variety of breeds taking part in the doggie dancing competition. No Springers though...

Those concentration skills!

Lots of elaborate costumes, worn by both canines and humans!

Without doubt, the smallest competitor in the competition, dancing to Tom & Jerry!

This routine was done to a medley including music from Toy Story!

And the winner of the competition... Richard Curtis and his gorgeous doggie, representing England!

Following the Heelwork to Music, the humans watched a RAF Display which showed how they train and use the dogs to help them carry out their services. 

The humans watched the semi-final and final of the Flyball competition and spotted quite a few crazy spaniels taking part!

A snoozing Great Dane in the Discover Dogs section...

Some of you readers may have learnt over the years that my humans have a serious love for the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team... Yep, they saw them perform AGAIN and the performance was fantastic!

After hours and hours of shopping, the humans had a quick bite to eat before heading back to the Main Arena for the final few competitions of the day. Firstly, they watched another international competition but this time it was an agility one. As you can see from the photos, the dogs (and humans!) ran so quickly that they were a blur!

 The final competitions were arguably the most prestigious ones of the day: 'Best in Group' for the Toy and Utility breeds. Unfortunately, the humans were only able to watch one of the groups as they had a long drive home ahead of them but were thrilled to watch a STUNNING Standard Poodle claim the title of 'Best in Utility Group'. Look at that mane!

Last night, the whole family and I settled down to watch the final competition of Crufts 2014, 'Best in Show'. After a tough decision, the judge chose that very Poodle to win 'Best in Show'. A very deserving winner. 

The humans had yet another amazing time at Crufts and cannot wait until next year. We're all really hoping for an English Springer to take home the title next year... Come on you Spannas! 

Talk soon, Jasper x

It's That Time of Year Again...

Crufts is back!

Today, the biggest -and best- dog show in the world comes to the NEC,
Birmingham, until Sunday. Thousands of humans and gorgeous doggies will be flocking in to compete in many exciting competitions, such as agility, flyball and heelwork to music.

Once again, my humans will be going up for what promises to be a brilliant day. Sadly, my humans are not taking me... As you can imagine, I am very upset. 

However, they've promised to buy me lots and lots of doggie toys and treats so I'll forgive them a bit. Fortunately, I chose this week to tear my dog bed to shreds so I'll also be receiving a brand-new one of those too! 

If you can't make it to Crufts you can watch it on the livestream on YouTube or on TV on More4 and Channel 4 like I will be! 

I hope you have a great time everyone, whether at home or at the place itself! 

Talk soon, Jasper x

Doggie Sleepover!

Last week, my humans informed me that they were going to be meanies and leave me with some other humans while they went away for the weekend. Understandably, I was very annoyed. I knew that some of the humans were going to have the week off so why weren't they spending it all with me?! I just couldn't understand it.

Right up until that Saturday when they were leaving, I was worrying about it.

But I needn't have worried: I was going to spend the weekend with my pal Dasher and her lovely humans! Those of you who follow me on Twitter will have probably seen pictures of Dasher before so will know that I meet up with her regularly. She's a gorgeous black Dachshund x Spaniel with a very waggy tail. When the humans bid me goodbye, I felt a little sad but was excited for the weekend to come as I knew we were going to be going to lots of trips to a HUGE nearby park that has a HUGE lake; I think it's fair to say this park is one of my favourites.

Over the weekend, my humans missed all my snuggles and my happy self (who doesn't?) and were continually texting the humans for updates on how I was. On Sunday, they were VERY pleased to have been sent a photo of me and Dasher. 

On. The. Sofa.

Yep, you read that right: we were allowed on the sofa and the humans never- not even once- told us off. Boy, was I treated that weekend or was I treated that weekend? And that wasn't even the best bit.

I slept in a HUMAN bed!

Thank you very much to the lovely humans for taking great care of me and to Dasher for letting me receive half of your usual attention. I had a fantastic weekend!

Talk soon, Jasper x