It's not the dog, it's the owner....

The mistress of my favourite canine emailed me yesterday.... along with some work stuff, she also mentioned that she'd been enjoying my blogs recently.... she's remaining nameless in this blog post, because I want to do a little hymn of praise to the fabulous bubble of joy that is Newton the black labrador to balance out the rant I'm going to have a bit further on....So.... Newton.... Ahhhh, Newton..... he is everything a dog should be and more.... he wags not just his tail, but his entire back end to really emphasise just how overjoyed he is to see you .... Newton's greetings are like an oscillating black furry Chanel logo on fast forward.... beautiful big brown soulful eyes of a poet.... inside the doggie brain, he's certainly composing simple, perfect Haiku (mostly about squirrels, sticks, swimming and the park.... but read between the lines, there's the fundamental music of the universe twined into his fido verse.... it's a whole new Zen).... while you are in his realm, you are the sole object of his affection (as is everyone else who happens to be in the house.... he could teach Peter Mandelson a thing or two).... five minutes with Newton is better for your soul than chicken soup, hot bubble baths and aromatherapy candles everyday for a week.... He is, with no question, the World's Best Dog.....So.... from one extreme to the other....It saddened me to hear recently that not only are children and pets falling victim to so-called 'weapon dogs', but so are the nation's trees..... Apparently, to keep your weapon dog at peak performance, so it can really savage properly and not just do an average job, it's de rigeur to have it hang from a tree to strengthen its jaws.... hence bark damage followed by tree demise..... I thought this sounded a bit bonkers, so I did some 'research' and find there is some evidence.... See the Trees for Cities campaign 'Bark for Bark' on this link: Bark for Bark.What kind of person gets entertainment from hanging a dog from a tree in a park on a Saturday afternoon?... It just can't be that interesting a thing to watch.... What's wrong with television? Or video games? Or drinking and gambling, for that matter? And surely it has to be painful for or potentially damaging to the dog?.... Can you just imagine what Christmas is like in the house of someone who gets their dog to hang from a tree... 'Chihuahuas near the top on the smaller branches, please, Elizabeth.... James, if you could hang the mid-size terriers towards the middle..... oops, the lights have shorted again.... someone needs walkies.....'I just despair........ thank heaven for Newton..... if only he could telepathically communicate to all his doggie brethren: 'Jaws relax, branch free..... Run, roll, play, shake, wag.... A biscuit, good boy'
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Alistair Copley updated their profile
19 hours ago
robert pryor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I have a 6ft pair of Niwakis, wish i’d had them years before I did. I initially got the 8fts and immediately realised they would be a pain for the majority of hedges I used to cut. I think they are brilliant just make sure they are seated properly.…"
19 hours ago
Samuel Beresford-Foster is now a member of Landscape Juice Network
yesterday
Adam Woods replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I wouldn't cut a hedge without one. Anything over 6' you should get with 3 adjustable legs, otherwise they can be unstable if you lean - but positioned correctly they are the only way. 
Befrore retirement I had an 8' and a 4; . The 4' went in the…"
yesterday
John F replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Yes had that scenario where you can't reach a fiddly bit no matter what ladder and have to balance on the apex of a shed roof or do best job painstakingly with a long reach pole pruner . "
Sunday
PGM replied to PGM's discussion Grass Cutting 2026 Season
"We've just finished our second week, so that's a full round of all customers now, and didn't have a single one we couldn't do. It's been a really good start here in the north west and now with nice sunny weather coming up this week it's a great time…"
Sunday
Duncan Neville replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I'm very wary of these tripod ladders, I took a life changing fall from the top of a 12ft tripod. Now I only use them myself with great care. The issue is that they are very unstable at the top if you lean to either side, and they go with no…"
Sunday
Billybop replied to PGM's discussion Grass Cutting 2026 Season
"Done a couple of second cuts already this last week would you believe. It's almost as if the grass has a memory of last year's drought and is making up for it now plenty of moisture available"
Sunday
Billybop replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"the tripods are good but in some scenarios the wide base and the fact the 3rd leg has to be placed some distance away from the step part for stability makes this large foot print impractical eg when cutting hedge behind a shed or greenhouse with…"
Sunday
Graham Taylor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Never tried these but always thought they look a bit of a pain to cart about. Looking at the picture, seems you're quite away from the hedge so you have to reach out more?   I just use ordinary aluminium extension ladders that you can easily adjust…"
Saturday
Sam Bainbridge replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Tripods are better than any other ladder that's a fact. You can cut hedges that are lower than the ladder but it is more awkward, I have a 6ft amd a 12 foot been using both for the last 15yrs and haven't come stuck yet. Believe me once you've had…"
Saturday
Intelligent Landscapes replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I agree with HB. 12 foot Henchman with 3 adjustable legs are fantastic and we use them all the time."
Saturday
Joseph Taylor and The Stonemart Ltd are now friends
Friday
Honey Badger replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"You won't regret it, they are most comfortable ladders to use. Worth every penny."
Friday
matt replied to Julian chambers's discussion Price increases
"Increase prices every year, costs go up every year both on business and at home so otherwise your taking a pay cut, i dont get greedy i make small increases annually but as I do it every year and customers have learned thats part and parcel of it,…"
Friday
matt replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"i have two sizes and couldnt be without them, as use the smaller set for lower hedges so ladders never in the way and ive never bothered with the platform ladders"
Friday
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8 Replies · Reply by PGM on Thursday
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