Easter sailing holibobs 2013

Woofings! Here in New Zealand we’ve been enjoying the driest, warmest, longest summer, since like, furever!

So at Easter we set sail once again to our favourite spot: Te Kouma, in the Coromandel Peninsula. (Yes, I’ve been here many times, including Summer 2012 and earlier this year too.)

OMD, there are moo-moos on the hills – and on my beach!

I was fascinated by the moo-moos on my beach! We kept a very respectful distance from each other. (I would have loved to say ‘woof day’ to them, but mum and dad kept me away. Spoil sports!)

As you can see in the photo, we had our kayak with us! I repawted to you recently that I am now a kayaking dog, and I did more kayaking these holibobs.

Mum takes me for a spin on the kayak. Look how flat calm the sea is, it’s pawsome!

Round the bay (and round the boat) we go… it’s so pawretty!

Dad took me for a paddle too.

So yes, we did lots of kayaking. But I digress. This blog post is about our Easter holibobs… and you’ll never guess what, the Easter Bunny came to see us in her little rowing boat!

The Easter Bunny brought chocolates for mum and dad! (This is the daughter of a friend of dad’s… they were also spending their Easter holibobs on their boat.)

Chocolate’s no good for dogs, but fear not, my furiends, I did not go hungry. Mum gave me a lovely big bone to nom on! *drools*

All too soon it was time to go home: holibobs are never long enough. Here I am on mum’s lap while she’s steering the boat. If you look carefully, I am so content that my eyes are closed and my tongue is poking out! I was like this for ages, I was totally blissed out!

Bye bye beautiful Coromandel, I’m sure we’ll be back again next summer!

So that was my Easter holibobs!

Good times, my furiend, good times…

Love ‘n’ licks,

Minnie x

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/easter-sailing-holibobs-2013

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

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Minnie The Westie: The Adventures Of A West Highland Terrier Cartoon Dog

Minnie The Westie: The Adventures Of A Cartoon West Highland Terrier Cartoon Dog is available in paperback format from most online bookstores, and it contains 85 charming westie cartoons.

Paperback cartoon dog book is on: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and The Book Depository and more.

Kindle eBook: from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de and other Amazon stores.

Go on, buy someone a smile today!

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April 11, 2013 Leave a Comment

Kayaking dog: Minnie the Westie goes kayaking!

It’s so exciting… Santa brought Mum a kayak for Christmas!!!

(There’s a bit of a story – in cartoon format – about that! You can see it here.)

It was impawtant to Mum that the kayak had enough room for me, so she wanted a sit-on-top one, with plenty of dog space. The kayak also has to be small, so that it fits on our small yacht (sailboat). She got a Viking Pacer kayak, which is made here in New Zealand.

The Viking Pacer kayak fits on the side deck of our Elliott 7.9m (26ft) yacht.

Before taking to the water, Mum read up about taking dogs kayaking, such as: http://dogscouts.org/training/activities-dogs/kayak-canoe-dog/

She also made sure we’d be safe out on the water: both her and I already have life jackets.

A life jacket is essential for kayaking dogs.

If you think that I’m pulling a funny face, you’re right. I hate wearing the life jacket. Orange is so not my colour! Mum says I look cute in it, but I don’t believe her. It’s pawful!

Mum and I on our very first kayak outing together.

Mum has a silly grin… me, I’m not so sure about this kayaking dog thing yet! I stay absolutely stock-still like a little furry statue… I don’t want to rock the boat!

I should add that Mum did kayak around a lot first, before taking me onto the water, and she only takes me when the water is flat calm. She is always safe and careful.

Mum also watched lots of kayaking safety and instructional videos on YouTube at home before the holibobs – her favourite videos are by Paddling TV.

One day Dad made us practice our safety manoeuvres. He made Mum capsize the kayak, and (a) got her to practice the “brace” motion to prevent the capsize; and (b) capsize the kayak properly – and then climb back on it. This was trickier, but she did it!

The next bit, I wasn’t so pleased with: while Mum was in the water near the kayak (and he was on the yacht), Dad put me into the water, while I was wearing my lifejacket, to check that I could swim in it OK. Since he was the one to put me in the water, it was obvious to me which parent I’d swim to for safety – Mum!

I could swim, but it is weird that dog lifejackets have most of their buoyancy on the back, but only neoprene underneath. I hate swimming, and a little more buoyancy would have been nice!

Thankfully no photos were taken of me at this point. I am very very pawleased about that!

Anyway, here is another photo of me and mum kayaking – I’m looking a little more confident now as a kayaking dog!

I am getting more confident as a kayaking dog!

Mind you, I do keep nice and still on the kayak. Besides, it’s quite comfy sitting between Mum’s legs!

Mum takes me for longer paddles now that I’m getting more confident as a kayaking dog.

There are so many pawsome beaches and bays to explore…

We have the whole bay to ourselves at Ponui Island.

Dad joins Mum and I on the beach… he’s arriving in the dinghy.

I’m ready to go back to the yacht now!

Back at the mother ship… and I do believe it is dinner time now! *nom nom nom*

If you want to see more of my summer holibobs photos, here they are:

Summer holibobs 2013: Part 1 – on the boat

Summer holibobs 2013: Part 2 – adventures ashore

That’s all for now – till next time!

Love ‘n’ nose licks,

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/kayaking-dog-minnie-the-westie-goes-kayaking

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a book full of smiles!

Minnie The Westie: The Adventures Of A West Highland Terrier Cartoon Dog

Minnie The Westie: The Adventures Of A Cartoon West Highland Terrier Cartoon Dog is available in paperback format from most online bookstores, and it contains 85 charming westie cartoons.

Paperback cartoon dog book is on: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and The Book Depository and more.

Kindle eBook: from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de and other Amazon stores.

Go on, buy someone a smile today!

Please do this dog a favour and share this page with your friends. Thanks! *wag wag*

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Please do this dog a favour and share this page with your friends. Thanks! *wag wag*

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March 23, 2013 1 Comment

Birthday holibobs

Apawlogies for being so quiet on my blog recently. We are having the most pawsome summer in New Zealand (in fact, all of the North Island has been declared a drought zone… it’s sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine).

I’ve been spending most weekends cruising (sailing holibobs) with mum and dad on our yacht (sailboat). And that is where I (the real Minnie) celebrated my 7th birthday!

Minnie celebrates her 7th birthday in style on board her yacht!

It’s a dog’s life, eh!

I also got a bone – and 4 walks on the beach… as well as lots of cuddles, of course!

Love ‘n’ nose licks,

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/birthday-holibobs

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a book full of smiles!

Minnie The Westie: The Adventures Of A West Highland Terrier Cartoon Dog

Minnie The Westie: The Adventures Of A Cartoon West Highland Terrier Cartoon Dog is available in paperback format from most online bookstores, and it contains 85 charming westie cartoons.

Paperback cartoon dog book is on: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and The Book Depository and more.

Kindle eBook: from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.de and other Amazon stores.

Go on, buy someone a smile today!

Please do this dog a favour and share this page with your friends. Thanks! *wag wag*

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Please do this dog a favour and share this page with your friends. Thanks! *wag wag*

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March 16, 2013

Summer holibobs 2013: Part 2 – adventures ashore

Woofings and welcome back to my summer holibob photo album!

If you’ve not seen Part 1 yet, it’s here… it’s all about life on board my boat.

In fact, all of the photos in Part 1 were taken at Great Barrier Island (in New Zealand). The photos in Part 2 were all taken at Coromandel Peninsula (New Zealand).

Another day; another bay. I resume my fav position on the cabintop. It's cool, breezy, and has a great view!

Another day; another bay. I resume my fav position on the cabintop of my boat. It’s cool, breezy, and has a great view!

This bay is so pawretty that I have a big smile on my face!

There are lots of hills for me to run down near this bay… pawfect for a Westie!

Two smiley girls! Mum loves it here too.

A little while later, daddy gives me a cuddle and a belly rub! Gosh I love holibobs!

It’s a hot day, and I find a nice shady tree to sit under. This is the life!

A few days later, we check out another beach. I love the soft, white sand, it’s so nice under my paws!

Running on this pawretty beach makes me smile!

Phew, that was hot work! I find a nice shady spot where I can rest and cool down.

Finally, here’s how I get from boat to beach: on the Minnie-Mobile (which has a Minnie-Motor)! Mum and dad take me ashore several times a day. This evening trip ashore was pawticularly pawretty. We get to see lots of lovely sunsets on holibobs on the boat.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my holibob photos… there’s more to come!

To make sure you get all my latest updates, make sure you’re on the list for Minnie Mail! You’ll get my news and cartoon of the month each month… and it’s free! Get on the Minnie Mail list here.

Love ‘n’ licks,

Minnie x

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/summer-holibobs-2013-part-2

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February 2, 2013

Summer holibobs 2013: Part 1 – on the boat

Woofings!

Gosh it’s been a while since I last blogged: it’s summer here in New Zealand, and I’ve been enjoying the summer holibobs to the max! The weather has been hot and sunny, so I’ve been chilling out.

I went away on mum and dad’s yacht (sail boat) for 3 weeks, it was soooo relaxing, and I had lots of pawsome adventures!

In fact, I’ve got so many photos to share with you that I can’t fit them all into one blog post, so I’ll spread them out.

I hope you like them!

Ahoy! And welcome to my yacht! This is my favourite chillaxation spot when we’re at anchor: it’s nice ‘n’ shady, plus there’s a great view. The breeze gently wafts over me, and I get to sniff all the latest sniffs! Pawfect for a westie!

I can also stick my nose over the edge, and keep watch on what’s happening in the cockpit!

Naturally, my beach towel is pink. I look very snug and cosy eh!

This is another great spot: near the noms! Mum might think this is her spot, but hey, finders keepers!

I wuff to keep watch on what’s happening in the bay… mum calls me her Baywatch Babe! BOL!

Phew, that was hard work, I’d best have a nap!

Mum’s very good at relaxing on holiday too. Here we are chillaxing together! Mmmm, so comfy…

Whereas mum likes relaxing on holiday, dad is quite active. He had a few attempts at fishing, but the only person to get a fish for dinner was me! (He only managed to catch little bait fish… nommy for me!)

Phew, that was a big day! Lucky I have a nice comfy bunk in the cabin, and my teddy bear to use as a pillow. Zzzzzz….

The next day… Just as well that I have a big mug of coffee to help me wake up!

That’s just Part 1 of my holibob photo album: check out part 2, my adventures ashore!

Love ‘n’ licks,

Minnie x

PS. A final photo, just to show that it wasn’t sunny every day!

We did get one day of rain:

We did have one day of rain on holiday. It was still warm though, so I kept up my Baywatch guard dog duties!

PPS. I have sailing holibobs every year!

To see my entire holibob photo album, check out: http://www.minniethewestie.com/tag/holibobs

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/summer-holibobs-2013-part-1 ‎

Please do this dog a favour and share this page with your friends. Thanks! *wag wag*

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February 2, 2013

SPCA Medal

Mum and I regularly volunteer for Outreach Therapy Pets: we visit a care home, and brighten the residents’ day by letting them pat me. (Talk about a win-win: they love it, and I love it!)

Here in New Zealand this is organised as a joint venture between two charities: the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and St John (providers of ambulance and first aid services).

We recently got a letter from the SPCA which read as follows:

Dear Cornelia

As you will be aware new Zealand is joining other Nations in celebrating the remarkable service rendered to her subjects by Queen Elizabeth in this her Diamond Jubilee year. Many exciting events have already occurred, and the Royal New Zealand SPCA intends to play its part in recognising this celebration.

In preparedness for the Jubilee the Governor General released an emblem, approved by the Queen, that would become this country’s exclusive symbol marketing the 60 years of her reign. Designed by Phillip O’Shea, New Zealand’s Herald of Arms, it contains the Queen’s personal emblem and the Royal Cypher, a diamond shape representative of the occasion, and our own symbols include the koru and manuka flowers.

The SPCA has been given approval to use this emblem in an appropriate form and manner, and in determining its best use we were guided by the Queen’s Jubilee address to the British Parliament on 20th March 2012 when she stated that ‘volunteers are a source of vital support to the welfare of others, often unseen and overlooked’. What better way to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years of service than to recognise our own volunteers. As a result we have struck a gold medallion featuring the Jubilee emblem to present to 1000 selected SPCA volunteers throughout New Zealand in recognition of their meritorious service to the organisation, and to the animals.

I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected by your peers to be a recipient of this unique and exclusive medal and in so advising I send congratulations and thanks for the volunteer services you have provided.

These medallions will be presented at the Annual Blessing of the Animal Service which is being held in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Parnell, on Sunday October 14th, 2012, commencing at 1.00pm. A special reserved section in the Cathedral has been set aside for you and you will be ushered to your seats on arrival. Please bring this letter with you for identification purposes.

Once again please accept my personal congratulations for this well deserved recognition.

Sincerely,

Bob Kerridge, National President, Royal New Zealand SPCA

So off to the Cathedral we went for the Blessing of the Animals!

The cathedral! I refused to turn round and pose, I had to pull mum along to give her the hurry up. After all, there were lots of people and animals waiting for me!

So much for there being reserved seating: the cathedral was packed! We stood at the edge (which was actually a very sociable place to be!)

Here I am chilling out with some new furiends. The cat in the hat is called 'Lady' and I was absolutely fascinated by her!

Here I am giving 'Lady', the cat in the hat, a good sniff. She didn't mind at all!

OMD, the whole day was so much fun! There were so many dogs in that church!

I think I saw one other cat – and also a gecko!

Once I got home again, I put my posing face on…

Mum and I with our medal.

Pretty exciting, huh! I am very proud of my medal, even though the volunteer work I do is easy-peasy!

Love ‘n’ nose licks,

To link to this post use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/spca-medal

Please do this dog a favour and share this page with your friends. Thanks! *wag wag*

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October 21, 2012

Winter beach break

Earlier this winter I had a short holibobs with mum and dad on Waiheke Island.

We stayed near this pawretty beach: I got wuffly long walks every day, and met lots of new furiends at the beach!

Here are my holibob photos…

This is where we went: Onetangi Beach on Waiheke Island (New Zealand)... it's very pawretty!

Yay, I love the beach!

Meeting some wuffly new furiends on the beach.

Time for a photo oppawtunity with mum. As you can tell from her clothes, it was quite a cold winter's day!

It was just a short break, but just what this doggy needed! It was so much pawsome fun!

Love ‘n’ licks,

Minnie x

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/winter-beach-break

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August 20, 2012

Weekdays versus Weekends

Both mum and dad work from home, so I have company all the time, plus I get two walks every day.

Nonetheless, there is a huuuuge difference between weekdays and weekends…

Weekdays are boring

Weekdays are hard work!

Sometimes mum and dad take me for car rides, plus I make care home visits with mum every couple of weeks.

But most of the time mum and dad are just plain ol’ boring when they work.

Weekdays are not my favourite!

Finally, the weekend arrives…

Pleeeeaaaaase can we go out somewhere? I have cabin fever!

Ahhh, that's better... chillaxing with my mum on the boat. (Dad is doing some maintenance work on the boat.)

I heart sunbathing! And napping! So sunbathing plus napping equals doggy bliss!

It's a beautiful day at Westhaven Marina in Auckland.

All this sunbathing is making me hungry... have you got any noms?

Back at home, I find another sun puddle! (Notice that the sun puddle is in my en-suite bathroom, how very convenient!)

All too soon it’s Monday again…

I know it's Monday out there. And I REFUSE to get out of bed!

Yeah yeah, I can see you looking out me. That doesn't mean I'm going to take any notice of you!

Of course, Monday wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. There were plenty more sun puddles to enjoy; two walks, lots of noms, and lots of cuddles. (But weekends are just so much better!)

I hope you have a pawsome week!

Love ‘n’ licks,

Minnie x

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/weekdays-versus-weekends

Please do this dog a favour and share this page with your friends. Thanks! *wag wag*

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June 11, 2012

Westie Walk May 2012

Woofings, here are some photos from today’s Westie Walk (organised by the Westie Club NZ)… thought I’d share them with you before I go for a snooze on the couch!

We had a wuffly walk round Cornwall Park in Auckland, there were so many amazing sniffs.

Mum carried my noms and water bottle for me in her Minnie The Westie tote bag! It is nice and big, lots of room for noms in that.

Mum carries my water and noms in her Minnie The Westie tote bag. (You can get a bag like this too, it's available from my Minnie Merchandise store.)

Lots of people commented on mum’s cool bag, which is available from my Minnie Merchandise Store. Here’s the link to the bag: http://www.cafepress.com/minniethewestie.577018993

After the walk we hung out in the sunshine for a bit longer: the humans chatted amongst themselves, leaving us doggies to do dog things!

After the walk, us doggies have a drink and mingle.

I check out the butts of my new Westie furiends!

... And when I'm not looking, one of my new furiends checks out my butt! I don't mind, 'cos I've spotted a human with noms!

I wonder if I can score some noms off this stranger? She looks very nice!

Om nom nom! Thank you very much for the yummy snack, nice lady!

What a pawsome day it was! Furiends, a nice walk, and even some noms.

That’s all for now… I need a snooze now after all that excitement!

Love ‘n’ licks,

Minnie x

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/westie-walk-may-2012

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May 20, 2012

I love visiting the care home!

If you’ve read my book, you’ll have noticed that some of the cartoons relate to me visiting a care home.

In real life, I do visit a care home every fortnight: I visit the lovely residents at Anne Maree Court in Northcote. They always give me such lovely pats and chin rubs (as do the staff!). I love it!

I visit the care home with my mum: we’ve been volunteering for Outreach Therapy Pets for about 2 years now. I had to pass a behaviour test, and mum had to attend some training. We both wear matching uniforms which is very cool.

Mum keeps our uniforms in a special bag at home: I know that we’re going to Anne Maree Court as soon as mum gets the bag out! I do a big happy dance when mum opens the bag. I can’t wait to get brushed and wear my bowdanna. Then I leap into the car, and am raring to go!

Here are some photos of mum and I visiting Anne Maree Court visit last week. Thank you very much to Cherry for letting me use the photos – and for the lovely pats you gave me!

This lady always gives me a nice pat. She does seem to think that I’m a “pussy cat”, but I don’t mind so long as she keeps patting me!

This gentleman usually gives me a pat. He always likes to have a chat with mum.

Now this lady is very special! One time she switched seats in the common room, just so that she’d get two turns at patting me!

This lady always tells me I’m beautiful. I believe her.

This lady doesn’t always pat me… but when she does, they are very good pats indeed. This time, she got just the right spot for a chin rub. Bliss!

Ann Maree Court is a pet-friendly care home. That means that there are some cats around… and that is why mum holds me. If I see the cats, I do just want to chase them. And mum is worried that I might scratch the care home residents so she keeps hold of me. Spoil sport!

I don’t mind too much though, as mum usually has some treats in her pocket.

I am already looking forward to my next Outreach Therapy Pets visit at Anne Maree Court!

Love ‘n’ licks,

Minnie x

To link to this post, use: http://www.minniethewestie.com/i-love-visiting-the-care-home

About Minnie The Westie:

Minnie The Westie is the star of the dog cartoon book, Minnie The Westie: The Adventures Of A Cartoon West Highland Terrier Cartoon Dog. It’s available as a Paperback book from online bookstores, and Kindle eBook from Amazon. It contains 85 black-and-white Minnie The Westie cartoons.

Shop for Minnie The Westie’s book at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and The Book Depository (with free shipping worldwide).

Please do this dog a favour and share this page with your friends. Thanks! *wag wag*

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April 18, 2012

Easter sailing holibobs 2013

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a book full of smiles!

Kayaking dog: Minnie the Westie goes kayaking!

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a book full of smiles!

Birthday holibobs

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a book full of smiles!

Summer holibobs 2013: Part 2 – adventures ashore

Summer holibobs 2013: Part 1 – on the boat

PS. A final photo, just to show that it wasn’t sunny every day!

PPS. I have sailing holibobs every year!

SPCA Medal

So off to the Cathedral we went for the Blessing of the Animals!

Winter beach break

Weekdays versus Weekends

Weekdays are boring

Finally, the weekend arrives…

All too soon it’s Monday again…

Westie Walk May 2012

I love visiting the care home!

About Minnie The Westie:

Featured Dog Gift…

Minnie The Westie paperback book…

Recent news

Blog archive

Officially Pawsome!

Add a personal touch to your compawter!

Minnie’s cartoon book is available!

Anything bugging you?

Minnie Merchandise

Easter sailing holibobs 2013

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a book full of smiles!

Kayaking dog: Minnie the Westie goes kayaking!

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a book full of smiles!

Birthday holibobs

Do you enjoy Minnie the Westie cartoons?

Treat yourself (or a loved one) to a book full of smiles!

Summer holibobs 2013: Part 2 – adventures ashore

Summer holibobs 2013: Part 1 – on the boat

PS. A final photo, just to show that it wasn’t sunny every day!

PPS. I have sailing holibobs every year!

SPCA Medal

So off to the Cathedral we went for the Blessing of the Animals!

Winter beach break

Weekdays versus Weekends

Weekdays are boring

Finally, the weekend arrives…

All too soon it’s Monday again…

Westie Walk May 2012

I love visiting the care home!

About Minnie The Westie:

FOLLOW THE DOG... Woof! I'm a very sociable dog and I'd love to connect with you! *wag wag*

Featured Dog Gift…

Minnie The Westie paperback book…

Recent news

Blog tag cloud

Blog archive

Officially Pawsome!

Add a personal touch to your compawter!

Minnie’s cartoon book is available!

Anything bugging you?

Minnie Merchandise

FOLLOW THE DOG... Woof! I'm a very sociable dog and I'd love to connect with you! wag wag