My name is Martha. I am a nine-year-old Old English Sheepdog who lives in South Wales. This year I moved house for the first time; I no longer live my grandparents and I miss them quite a lot. I have a heart murmur and a crumbling spine so I have to take lots of tablets, which make me feel young again.

I have a Mummy who is a bit silly, an Auntie Ysabel who helps me make this site, a Cousin Sweepie who's a Pug, and, an Uncle Ray who I hope to marry one day.

I spend my days looking out of the front window watching people walk by, playing with plastic bottles, and teaching Sweepie about life. I love going down the beach and long walks when the weather's cool enough. I hate being brushed and I think I have my own unique style.

Click a picture to view it in larger form:

I started this blog in December 2004 but had a break from it at the end of 2006. This was because my life had changed a lot after Madge, my Pug cousin, had babies and I helped her to raise them. I didn't think I'd want to blog again but now I want to share my new grown-up life, in my new home.

December 2004
January 2005
February 2005
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
December 2005
January 2006
February 2006
April 2006
September 2006
November 2006
July 2007
August 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
June 2008
July 2008
August 2008

Thanks to my Auntie Ysabel who made me this website and who helps me to write in it. Blogger that helps manage the site. Photobucket that hosts any additional photos posted.

Today, while I was out walking, I met a dog. Mummy had just let me off the lead (she keeps me on the lead when we're walking to the path even though I know how to walk properly without a lead; I'm not a baby, am I?). I went up to the dog to say hello and it bit my nose!

That's the last time I'm nice to anyone. How nasty was he? I was only being friendly. Sweepie shouted at him for me. She's good at shouting.

Then when we got home Mummy and Auntie Ysabel chased me out of the house because they were cleaning. Oh I just don't know what to do with them both. It's too hot. I'm very grumpy. And Mr Giraffe has a broken neck! And Mummy - Mummy - says she's going to sew it back together. I don't think I'll see my Mr Giraffe again.

Labels: auntie ysabel, giraffe, mummy, sweepie, walks

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It's my birthday this month. I am ten years old. As an early present Mummy bought me a cushion so that I can sit on it in the living-room so I can be comfortable. I wasn't that keen on it to start with but after Uncle Ray showed me that there weren't monsters living in it (I don't trust my Mummy), I decided to try it out.



It is very comfortable. I like to sit and watch people walk past the window, or just lie down on it and go to sleep. Sometimes I let Sweepie sleep on it, if Auntie Ysabel has been nasty to her and won't let her have a cuddle on the sofa. It cheers Sweepie up. A lot of the time I have to let Giraffe sleep on it. Giraffe is my baby. I carry him everywhere with me. Sometimes he's naughty and has to sleep outside as punishment but usually I let him have the cushion and I sleep on the floor. I am his mother; I have to put his needs first. Unlike my own Mummy...

Labels: auntie ysabel, birthday, giraffe, mummy, photos, sweepie, uncle ray

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This weekend I went out for a really long walk with Mummy, Sweepie, Auntie Ysabel & Uncle Ray. First of all they all sat on a blanket and ate food. They wouldn't give me any so I was a bit bored, especially because Mummy kept calling me back if I went even a few feet away from her. In the end Auntie Ysabel made me and Sweepie sit and do tricks for pieces of cheese. They were lovely but I wanted more and she wouldn't give me any.

Then we went down the beach. It was strange and misty down there. I couldn't find the sea to start with! But when I did it was really boggy and Mummy was furious when she saw the state on my legs. She whined at me all the way home; I thought it was so funny. At home, Uncle Ray put me in the bath for a wash. He held me while Mummy and Auntie Ysabel washed me. I enjoyed it a lot.

Labels: auntie ysabel, bath, beach, mummy, sweepie, uncle ray, walks

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It's raining now. If it keeps on raining Mummy won't take me for a walk tomorrow. I bet she won't take me. But she did get up to feed me this morning. Usually she just stays upstairs and Auntie Ysabel gives me and Sweepie our food. My mother is so lazy.

I bet she's not going to take me for a walk tomorrow...

Labels: auntie ysabel, mummy, sweepie, walks

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I wasn't able to write sooner because my Auntie Ysabel was ill. She told me to stop bothering her until she was feeling better. Grumpy cow.

I met a knew man today. He lives down the road and stopped to talk to us when we were on our way back from the walk. He kept asking about Sweepie so I gave his wife a slap with my foot and that soon got their attention back on me. Fancy being more impressed by a Pug! Pugs can't do anything clever like I can. I have to tell Sweepie what to do otherwise she doesn't know how to act. Stupid people just don't understand how it works.

Labels: auntie ysabel, sweepie, walks

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I'm so stressed out today. It's been a really stressful day.

First, I went for a walk and two dog chased me! One chased me while I was going to the toilet! I had to stop what I was doing and run as fast as I could. That's when the second dog came after me from the other direction. I ran around the corner and left Sweepie to deal with it.

Because of that I'm feeling a bit frightened so every time I hear a bump outside I get scared that someone's coming to door so I bark and bark to warn Mummy that someone's coming. But she just keeps telling me off! She says I'm being silly but I can't help being nervous, can I?

Labels: mummy, sweepie, walks

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I haven't posted in over a month! I told Auntie Ysabel that if she made me a new layout I'd post more often. She said I had to try posting more often now and then she'd think about making me a new layout. Stupid Auntie Ysabel.

I'm not friends with her or Mummy today, because they haven't taken me for a walk. And last night Sweepie got to go out with Auntie Ysabel and Uncle Ray in Uncle Ray's car - and I had to stay here with Mummy, how boring. Sweepie said she went to the vets but that she was given lots of biscuits for being brave. Well, I was brave, too. I had to look after Mummy, didn't I? I even had to howl at her to tell her to answer the phone!

Can I have a new layout now please, Auntie Ysabel?

Labels: auntie ysabel, blog, mummy, sweepie, uncle ray, vets

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I shouldn't admit to this because Mummy won't let me hear the end of it, but I quite like the tablets I'm taking. I don't like how they taste but they make me feel really good. I've been running around and around playing with Sweepie and Uncle Ray. And when Wednesday came over to visit I played with her, as well. I love going for a walk and running around the grassy banks. I just need to persuade Mummy to turn away long enough for me to jump in the pond with the ducks!

This morning I was so cheeky. Because I wanted my breakfast early and Auntie Ysabel wouldn't give it to me, I threw up in the backroom. I thought she'd have to clean it up but when she found it she woke my mother up and she had to clean it instead. She's so stupid sometimes, though, because she thinks I might be poorly even though there's nothing wrong with me. Ahh, my Mummy is so gullible.

Labels: auntie ysabel, ill, mummy, sweepie, uncle ray, walks, water, wednesday

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I spent Valentines Day in the vets. Mummy sent me off with Grandma and Sweepie in the morning. I had no idea where I was going. I didn't want to get in the car in case it was something bad, but Mummy made me go.

I was right to be scared.

At the vets, Grandma gave me an injection and I got really sleepy. The next thing I knew I was awake and had very sore ears and a stupid new hair-cut on my nose. Apparently Grandma had cut the matts out of my hair that the groomers hadn't done properly. And then I got some bad news.

I have DDD - a crumbling spine and a heart murmur. Obviously I was very upset by the news and had to eat every piece of food I could find to help to steady my nerves. I came home with a bag full of pills that I now have to take for the rest of my life. I have told Mummy it must be her fault, although I think Grandma might have had something to do with it too.

Sweepie has been ill, too, but I don't think she's as bad as I am. At least she'll feel better in a few days whereas I have to live with having diseases. I haven't been able to have a proper walk in days! And today I had to go to the groomers. I told them all about what's wrong with me. I think they blame Mummy too.

Labels: grandma, groomers, ill, mummy, sweepie

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Mummy told me that we're moving house. That me and Sweepie are going with her and Auntie Ysabel - and Uncle Ray. Uncle Ray can't live with us! Where would Grandma and Granddad sleep? There wouldn't be enough room in the house! I think Mummy is just being silly. But Sweepie told me that her mother told her the same thing - that her father is going to live with us. Maybe he's just moving into this house and Mummy has got confused.

I'm not moving anywhere. I've told Mummy I'm staying here. She doesn't believe me, though.

Labels: auntie ysabel, moving, mummy, sweepie, uncle ray

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Mummy and Auntie Ysabel were in very silly moods yesterday when we went for the walk.

First, Mummy walked Sweepie on the lead! Then she put me on the lead to walk me and gave Sweepie back to Auntie Ysabel, as it usually is. And then Mummy gave me to Auntie Ysabel! So Auntie Ysabel was walking both me and Sweepie!

I don't know what silly games they were playing. In the end Mummy let me off the lead again and I left them to their silliness. Poor Sweepie always has to walk on the lead with them; at least I get to run around by myself.

Labels: auntie ysabel, mummy, sweepie, walks

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I'm funny. I am. I've been making everyone laugh today.

Also we went for a new walk. Well, it's a walk I used to do all the time when I was younger. Down the road to the post box. My friend wasn't in his garden. He's an old man who has a lovely black dog. I think Mummy should marry him. Sweepie was frightened of the traffic on the main road. I don't know why. I think Madge told her that cars are nasty. They're not, though. When they stop I run up to them and ask them what they want.

Because I'm funny. And everyone thinks it.

Labels: mummy, sweepie, walks

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I used to play a fun game.

When I came upstairs I'd run through the middle of the bedroom and pull out the wires that connected the controllers to the xbox. It was a very funny game because everyone would shout, "Oh no, Martha," in a voice that always makes me laugh.

About a month ago the wires disappeared. So I had to find a new game.

Now I have two games.

The first I only play when Auntie Ysabel is in the room. I stomp through the middle of the room, swinging my tail and try to knock things off her desk. It's so funny cos she always tells Mummy off for it, even though I'm the one being naughty.

My second game I play whenever I can. Sweepie has a new Nyla bone and I want it. So when no one's looking I take it and eat as much of it as I can. Well, Sweepie is just wasting it because her teeth are too small. So I tell her to give it to me because I will get more use out of it. She always gives it to me.

Labels: auntie ysabel, mummy, sweepie, toys, xbox

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Mummy is just getting worse and worse as the time goes by.

This weekend she tried to make Uncle Ray walk me when we went up the road. All because Mummy has to walk Fall Out Boy. I don't why she likes him so much at the moment. So I just acted up until Mummy had enough and put me on the lead and walked me herself, as my mother she should have been doing that already.

Then, to make up for going out all day Saturday, she bought me a guilt present. I knew she only got it for me because she was feeling bad about ignoring me so much, so I taught her a lesson and destroyed it. Sweepie had a new Nyla bone - I didn't - why not? And she got a present off her daddy. Auntie Ysabel won't let me play with them, too; she's almost as bad as my mother.

I can't wait for Grandma to come home so things can get back to normal again.

Labels: auntie ysabel, grandma, mummy, presents, routine, sweepie, uncle ray, walks

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Grandma isn't here - she's gone somewhere with Granddad, which I think is very selfish of her. She's left my Mummy in charge of all of us dogs... Well, I know how to handle Mummy but the Pugs don't.

She's changed all the routines, which I hate because I like my routine.

Fall Out Boy now goes for walks with me and Sweepie. He is strange on the walk. He's frightened of everything. And it's Mummy who has to walk him on his lead because Auntie Ysabel is walking Sweepie. But I think Auntie Ysabel should walk both Pugs because Mummy is mine.

Also what's different is that Mummy won't get up as early as Grandma does. So I have to wait another hour or two than normal to get my breakfast. And Mummy shouts a lot. I'm not allowed to be cheeky in the mornings and go outside barking with the Pugs - we all have a row if we do that.

It isn't fair! I miss Grandma.

Labels: auntie ysabel, falls, granddad, grandma, mummy, routine, sweepie, walks

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I went down the beach on Saturday night. I had to ride in the back of Ray's little car - I think even I'm bigger than the car! But the beach was fun. It was very misty. I ran straight down to the water and didn't get out for ages. I kept barking at Mummy to throw my toy but she was too busy swimming so I had to get Auntie Ysabel or Uncle Ray to play instead. But Uncle Ray kept playing with Sweepie who is too small to play in the sea. She's no fun. She doesn't come in very deep and then runs away when the waves come. She kept shaking and shivering, sometimes she's such a pug it's embarrassing.

Then, when I fell asleep on the car ride home, Mummy woke me up! I don't know why. Silly Mummy.

I want to go down the beach again but I'm still a bit tired after it so I'm not allowed to go again for a while.

Labels: auntie ysabel, beach, mummy, sweepie, uncle ray

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I went for a walk with just Mummy this weekend; we went down My Road! I texted Auntie Ysabel to let her know how much fun I was having:

SENDER: martha
SENT: 12-Aug-07 12:40pm
MESSAGE: Oh my god i love this walk, i just luv it aunty ysabel. i keep ignornin mummy heehee! + sweepie wanted 2 come but she couldnnt. it was so funny! Luv Martha x

SENDER: martha
SENT: 12-Aug-07 12:51pm
MESSAGE: Theres horses. i'm not scared of them or nothin. i just dont like them. + mummy keeps making it hot+cold x

Now Mummy is trying to pretend I'm scared of horses. Obviously it was Mummy who was afraid.

I loved my walk!

Labels: auntie ysabel, horses, mummy, My Road, sweepie, text messages, walks

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I went for two walks yesterday. I was very spoilt.

The first time I went at about 11am with Sweepie. It was very hot but I didn't care; I just love walks. Two huge tractors went past. One of them nearly ran over my tail!

Then, in the evening, me and Mummy went for the Hour Walk, which is my second-favourite walk ever (the first being My Road). Even more tractors went past again. I don't know what they're all doing but they're getting on my nerves now - I am trying to enjoy my walk. I don't like having to stop every five minutes. Plus Mummy whines at me that I need to get in even further and even though I tell her I know that the tractor won't hit me she still whines. Silly Mummy.

I'm trying to make friends with Auntie Ysabel now who isn't friends with me because I said nasty things about her on the blog. I tried giving her a kiss last night and that seemed to work a little but I think she's still pouting. She'll cave in soon. I am too adorable to resist.

Labels: auntie ysabel, Hour Walk, mummy, My Road, sweepie, walks

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Sweepie was ill last night.

Early evening Sweepie was naughty and ate some of the cat food; Auntie Ysabel caught her and told her off. I don't think anyone should discipline the babies except me so I put Sweepie in my basket and stood in front of it so that Auntie Ysabel couldn't shout at Sweepie.

But then later in the night when Sweepie went outside to the back garden she ran around and around with her brother and then passed out. Grandma had to carry her back inside and then Sweepie spent the rest of the evening having cuddles of my Mummy. Because Auntie Ysabel had gone out with Uncle Ray.

I think Auntie Ysabel made Sweepie ill by shouting at her about the cat food. So I'm not friends with her.

Labels: auntie ysabel, grandma, mummy, sweepie, uncle ray

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I'm not frightened of cows. I don't know why Mummy and Auntie Ysabel tell people that I am. They even say that I told Sweepie to be frightened of them, which I didn't. Sweepie doesn't like cows all on her own. Just because I don't like cows doesn't mean I'm frightened of them. And I didn't tell Sweepie to bark at them, either.

Grandma and Granddad have built a new shed in the garden. I think it's a shed for me really. It's nice and spacious and lets in just the right amount of air to keep me cool. I really like it. I think once Granddad has painted it I might move in. I think it's only fair been as the chicken is allowed to go in there whenever she wants. I'm older than the chicken and am much nicer than her. It'll be somewhere quiet for me to have some peace and quiet from everyone here.

Labels: auntie ysabel, chicken, cows, granddad, grandma, mummy, shed, sweepie

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Thanks so much for the comments on my first blog entry :) And to those who read but didn't comment - Uncle Ray - I will be biting your bottoms off when I next see you!

It was really, really hot yesterday. I'm not sure why Mummy does this. For weeks on end she makes it rain when she knows how I hate to walk in the rain; then, she has to be very silly and make it too hot when she knows I can't stand too much heat because of my hair! Sometimes I think she does it because she can't be bothered to take me for a walk. But yesterday her plan backfired because when Grandma came home from work, she, Auntie Ysabel, and all us dogs went up the road. Mummy had to come with us then. She said I was "showing off" in front of the other dogs - which I wasn't - and wouldn't let me run around like usual - I had to go on the lead like a baby! Like Sweepie! Sometimes Mummy embarrasses me so much in front of my friends. And Mister Gullfud went past in his car and she knows how much I love Mister Gullfud.

I did get my own back on her, though. She knocked rabbit food onto the floor in the shed and did a very bad job of cleaning it away (she just hid it under a plantpot), so I went in after her to clean in up properly. All night my farts smelt of rabbit food. Mummy always tells me off when I fart but I just found the whole thing really, really funny.

Labels: auntie ysabel, comments, farts, grandma, mister gullfud, mummy, rabbit food, sweepie, uncle ray

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Welcome back to my blog. If you're new you can read about what happened to the old blog and why I've started again by reading the blurb in the column on the right >>>

I wanted to start my new blog by saying that it's taken me a very long time to realise that I am not the only Old English Sheepdog. For a long time I thought I was because all I ever saw was dogs that looked nothing like me. I remember my mother and my brothers and sisters but since I came to live with Mummy I didn't see another dog that looked like me. I started to believe I was the only one left in the entire world.

But, while I went to live in another house with Mummy, Auntie Ysabel, Uncle Ray and Sweepie, I met another Old English Sheepdog while we were out walking. She was smaller than me and had lots more hair than me but at least I knew I wasn't alone. Then, Mummy showed me a new website and I found eight other OES who live in Britain. So I am not the only one.

In a way that makes me a bit sad.

On Saturday I went for a walk down the pub with Mummy, Auntie Ysabel, Uncle Ray and Sweepie. Sweepie made such a fuss when walking along the main road, because she doesn't like cars very much. I'm not sure why; probably because she's a Pug and a baby. Once we got to the pub I was allowed to have a drink of water and then Mummy tied me to table and I smiled at all the cars that went by.

Of course, Mummy had to get silly and stuck silly things to my head that Uncle Ray gave to her from a book Auntie Ysabel was playing with. I let her do it because she's silly and you have to humour her sometimes other wise she gets naughty because she wants attention. Sweepie and I were then allowed to have some Cheesy Biscuits and - best of all - Uncle Ray let me eat some of his peanuts and because Sweepie didn't like them I got even more than her! I love peanuts so much.

Here are some pictures:



After a while we walked home, and Sweepie made just as much of a fuss as she did on the way down. Then, when we were almost home, Grandma pooped the car behind us. So because it was raining Mummy put me into the cage in the back of Grandma's car (which I don't like) with Sweepie and we rode home the rest of the way in the car.

Now I hope it stays sunny so that I can have a walk today. I hate walking in the rain.

Labels: auntie ysabel, car, grandma, mummy, old english sheepdogs, peanuts, photos, pub, sweepie, uncle ray, walks

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