Two days after arriving, Merlin was racing round the garden and slipped over on some concrete slabs, somehow he managed to brake a bone in his foot. To this day I don't know how he did it because the leg he injured was not the one underneath him when he fell. However, he was the perfect patient and made the most of being fussed over.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/bad leg 05.jpg)
Luckily he was soon on the mend and it didn't slow him down for very long.![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/merlin 0106 033.jpg)
Merlin just loves to run and run and run. He will bring his ball or toy back again and again to be thrown but most of all he loves to run after Evie, unfortunately he is not quite fast enough to catch her, even if he waits in ambush.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/merlin 0206 002.jpg)
Whereas Merlin is far happier playing chase with his toys, Evie would rather be off hunting down anything that moves in the garden. I don't think he has realised yet that she is creeping up on him!
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/august 2007 015.jpg)
Unfortunately for poor Merlin, he always seems to be the subject of Evie's attention.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/playtime.jpg)
It wasn't me - she started it.![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/not me.jpg)
Oh I am sorry, I thought this was my bed.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/m5.jpg)
Merlin at SKC in May 2008
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/jean and merl.jpg)
Trying to ambush Evie, but he is not quite so devious and she was ready for him, then she was off!
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/120708 027.jpg)
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/120708 029.jpg)
and time to rest....................
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/120708 028.jpg)
Merlin feeling the heat at Leeds in July with his new friends, Lucy and Charlie. Merlin was placed 3rd in Limit Dog.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/merlin lucy charlie.jpg)
I don't know what Merlin is thinking, but he looks like he is wondering how to climb the tree.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/sun november 2008 008.jpg)
Merlin is looking slightly wary, probably heard a rustle and expecting Evie to come bounding out from behind a tree and ambush him.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/sun november 2008 011.jpg)
Laura wants to have a go at showing the dogs, this means lots to take in for her. Merlin and Laura practising for the big ring.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/apr09 005.jpg)
Getting there, slowly but surely.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/apr09 008.jpg)
Getting better and better each time, Laura that is. After all the practising below are some pictures of Merlin and Laura in the ring at Hound Association of Scotland's show, held in Kelso on 11th April 2009.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/has 0409 003.jpg)
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/has 0409 002.jpg)
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/has 0409 004.jpg)
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/has 0409 005.jpg)
Laura and Merlin in the showring at Leeds 2009.
![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3.spanglefish.com/s/3403/pictures/big/april 2009 012.jpg)