Marcel has had a little holiday here with us, he went to the beach to meet his sister Maddie and her companion Shea the Newfoundland. He went to the park and jumped in the lake. He went out with our daughter and her school friends and had them all smitten. He munched on bones in the garden, and re-acquainted himself with our chickens Then today he had a good brush in readiness for his going home, but we went to our local little lake at teatime, where he and Mirabelle both went in for a splash and a swim, so he had a late bath to make him smell nice again, before his Mum came to collect him. Well, what a wiggly welcome she received, it was so lovely to see his excitement, it reinforces that you know he went to a fantastic home. I would love to see him when he gets home, the children have been missing him and they will be over the moon. Marcel is such a loving barbet, I can't wait to meet up with him again soon.
Madeleine (Maddie) is a fantastic water dog, she has swam weekly with Newfoundlands since she was tiny. She passed recently her Level 1 Water test in the sea. The test is one devised for Newfoundlands, and as she is an honorary member of the Newfoundland Club, she was the very first barbet to ever take the test. She passed with flying colours. When we met she showed us how much pleasure she takes in swimming, Mirabelle and Marcel stood and watched in awe at her ability in the sea. She swims like an otter, and just doesn't seem to tire, she has wonderful owners who have given her great confidence in all the activities she takes part in. Again, I can't wait to meet up again soon.