Gin & Ice would like to introduce you all to their new little brother “Twist” (not really any relation!).

Twist came to join the family in October as a tiny 8 week old puppy and he is a Jack Russell cross Miniature Poodle. He is very cute and mischievous but is starting to learn the basics. He has already been out and about with his big sisters visiting Shawbury Primary School and even helping Gin switch on Whitchurch Town Christmas lights whilst getting a cuddle from the Mayor. I am not sure the world is quite ready for this little dog but he will be well and truly out and about with Gin & Ice in the New Year, so look out! Read more here

As I mentioned in my last blog, Ice went back home to the farm in Yorkshire where she was born, to try her paws at sheep herding. We had great fun and under expert tuition Ice’s herding instincts came to the fore and after several short sessions she was able to control 6 sheep around the field.

Initially we practised in the round pen to give her the idea of flanking and the movement of the sheep. When she was a bit more experienced she was allowed out into the field. We did have one naughty sheep that kept turning around to face and challenge her but she was not phased but equally she did not chase the sheep either.

We also were privileged to watch Bess and Ben, Ice’s Mum and Dad show us how it is really done in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. We enjoyed it so much and Ice showed so much potential that we were invited back to practise further. This second time we had 12 sheep to practise with and Ice was able to do out runs and short drives and we did manage to pen the sheep too! It was marvellous to see the natural instincts of a Border collie released at the sight of sheep but undoubtedly what helped was that through training of other disciplines I have instant control of Ice by command even at a distance. Having had a taste of sheep herding I intend to take it further, with Ice and I maybe even entering a nursery trial some day.

Tonight Ice was glued to the TV watching One Man & His Dog so she is obviously keen to pick up as many tips as possible from the experts too. Gin at almost nine years old was not as keen on the sheep herding as Ice and this is hardly surprising as when she was young she was head butted by a large Wiltshire Horn ewe. Since then her natural herding instincts have been kept well hidden and on our Yorkshire trips she showed no enthusiasm to join in.

We had a great day at Discover Dogs Earls Court and did two displays in the YKC ring and met lots of great people and their dogs. Now we can’t wait until Cruft’s – no doubt we will see many of you there too.

We recently spent a very enjoyable evening in Brighton taking part in a charity show hosted by Alan Carr. Alan is a super person to work with and he has a great rapport with my dogs and I was thrilled to hear that he is going to have a puppy of his own in the New Year -an Irish Setter. Another Charity show done recently was a little closer to home at Crewe Lyceum where we had fun helping to raise money for Christies Hospital along with Jimmy Cricket and other stars. I was quite relieved that Gin did not run off with one of Jimmy’s wellies- that would have been a little embarrassing!

I hope your Christmas was good fun – I don’t know about you but I think that I spent more on presents for the dogs than for the rest of the family- whoops! I wrap everything even for the dogs because they love to tear off the paper on Christmas morning to eagerly get at the treats and toys inside. One word of caution though human chocolate is dangerous and often fatal to dogs so please make every effort to avoid them getting access to it. There are however canine versions of chocolates that are safe so you can treat your dog with these instead.

Wishing you and all your pets a very Happy New Year

Love Kate, Gin & Ice with a Twist xxxxxxxxx