Kimba & Kofi - Tale of Two Springers

Agility is Great Fun

2009-02-17T14:46:00.003Z

Sorry it has been so long. I'm all grown up now. In fact I am going to be 2 next month and Kimba will be 3 in May.
I am a very busy little Springer. Today is Tuesday so I am very excited because on Tuesday's I go to my agility club. It is great fun particularly as Sally gives me treats when I do something good. I have been going to agility for almost a year but I had a break because we left my old club and now we have new club called Hartley Hounds so I am a Hartley Hound.
I am learning my left and my right. It is quite difficult but I like practising because I get lots of treats.

More Training!!

2008-02-29T23:03:00.003Z

Kimba here!

Last week Sally took me and Kofi to another training class... well I thought it was going to be another class but when we got there, we were the only two dogs and we were in a field with this nice chap called Alex. Apparently he is a gundog trainer... and me and Kofi are gundogs!!

I will tell you more about what we got up too soon but Sally says it is late and time for bed so I will be back sometime soon.

We are the Golden Boys!!

2008-01-08T12:46:00.000Z

Kofi here...

Saturday was a really big day for me because it was test day at our training class. I missed the last test day so I was not sure what was going to happen but I knew that something was because we have been working so hard for many weeks. Mostly I have been doing a lot of roadwalking where I have to walk without pulling or lunging.. and I have to take notice of Sally to see whether she is going fast or slow.

First of all I had to go in the hall with a lot of strange dogs because I missed the last testing session. This was apparently to do my Bronze test. I wondered where Phoebe was because me and Phoebe have sat next to each other in all the training sessions since I first started at Puppy School. A strange lady seemed to be in charge but I just did everything Sally said.. and after what seemed like a long time we had finished and Sally & I had to go and get my Bronze certificate & rosette! The assessor said I was very good for a 9-month-old Springer... and I thought you haven't seen anything yet cos I'm really super-duper!

Then all the strange dogs disappeared and Phoebe came in. There was only me and Phoebe doing our Silver Award. Apparently she did her Bronze when I was on my holidays at Nan & Grandads. We started by doing our roadwalk.. which I knew Sally had been worried about .. but I was relaxed... and stopped to "spend a penny" when I had to cross a little grassy bit! The rest of the Silver test was quite straightforward... except that Kimba was watching me which I found a bit offputting. Then it was time for another certificate and rosette.

But there was no time for rest. On we went. This time Kimba joined in because he was doing his Gold test too! I did everything quite well I thought.. and even got a round of applause for my "bed" exercise because I did my "really cute" act! Sally wasn't very happy with my free walk because I decided I wanted to lead the way.. and that wasn't the idea apparently so I started paying attention to Sally and all was fine.

At the end of the day me and Kimba both got a Gold rosette and certificate. Sally said she was really proud of us both (which I am not sure is fair.. surely she should be more proud of me because I got three awards!).

Sorry its been so long...

2007-12-31T15:59:00.000Z

Kimba here... sorry it has been so long but we have been really busy. First Sally went on holiday to see Auntie Kay in Florida. Me & Kofi stayed with Nan & Grandand... the cats stayed there too! We were all very good animals and Nan says we can come again anytime we like.. and we do like it lots because when we stay at Nan's we go to the Chase. Kofi and me like it there because we can chase and chase and chase through the trees ... that's why it is called the Chase!

Since Sally got back she has been busy rewriting her website... and taking us to training classes... oh and Kofi has got something called dermodex which is a sort of mange (I told him it makes him look funnier than he is already... I think I have told you before that I am the handsome one! Anyway it is getting better now.

And then just a couple of weeks ago when I went for a chase with Kofi in the Chase I cut on of my pads and then had to have a minor op to have a bit sliced off my pad cos it was so deep. I had a bandage on it for about 4 hours before I managed to get it off... but the next one I kept on until the nurse took it off. But that's almost better too now which is just as well cos I get grumpy when I am not allowed to go on walks!

On Saturday me and Kofi are doing some more tests. I am doing my Kennel Club Gold Award... and Kofi is doing his Bronze.. and if he passes he will do his Silver...and if he passes that as well he will do his Gold.. all on the same day. So fingers crossed that we will both pass all our tests!

These are some of my favourite pics from 2007

Sunday's Playday

2007-10-14T11:14:00.000+01:00

Kimba here. On Saturday Kofi and me go to our training classes in Burghfield Common. Sally's idea is that we show off what we have learnt in the week when we've been doing our practising. My idea is that is a good chance to play with my friends... and Kofi's idea is that he has been hired as a cleaner so he has to go round cleaning up all the scraps of treats left by the other dogs.

On Sunday we don't have to do any work. We just play. Here are some pictures of us playing this morning.

This is me playing quietly by myself

Now look who's trying to pinch my toy and my bed!

Here we are fighting over the toy (not sure where the toy is though!)

Now we are having a rest (Springer style)

Six Months Old

2007-09-30T11:24:00.000+01:00

Hi.. Kofi here. Just wanted you all to know that I was exactly six months old yesterday. To celebrate such a momentous day in the life of a young pup like me Sally took me back to training classes - now I am in the Bronze class (Kimba is in the Gold class). Sally said that I wasn't very good really.. and Phoebe's mum said that it was good to see that even I could have "off days". So Sally said we will have to work hard over the next week cos usually I am the best in the class.

On Friday I had adventures. We went to the meadows and I went off chasing Kimba - then I spotted what I thought was Sally going back to the car and that she was going without me. So I slipped under the gate and on to the lane where Sally's car was. But when I got out on to the lane she wasn't there so I ran around the lane looking for her. Then 2 people called me and put me on a lead and took me back inside the gate to find Sally. She had been calling for ages... and was very grateful to the people for catching me and bring me back because apparently it is very dangerous to be out and about on lanes. Now she says we will have to be more careful where Kimba & me are both allowed off the lead so we can't just run off chasing anymore! Hope you like my 6 month portrait pictures.

So pleased I've got a brother.. I think!

2007-09-22T22:43:00.000+01:00

Kimba here.. it has taken me a long time to recover from my exhausting holiday on the beach. I know I'm a Springer and I should be able to run and run but my little brother is a very good chaser and he's getting quite fast now. We had great fun on the beach together.

I'm really pleased Sally got me a little brother because most of the time we have great fun playing and chasing around. I do get a little bad tempered with him when he tries to sneak up and pinch my bed or nick the toys I have reserved to play with (i.e the toys I think I might play with.. or might not as the fancy takes me!!!!)

Here is a picture of Me and Kofi at our holiday home.

The Crow on the Beach

2007-09-16T15:54:00.000+01:00

Hi.. Kofi here!

I'm just back from my very first holiday... I am writing today because Kimba is too shattered to do anything but sleep. I am sure he will write more about the holiday when he has recovered in a few days.

I loved the beach. We went twice a day and had a great time... running after Jack's ball, playing with Kimba, paddling in the sea, and chasing the birds.

One day I had a great game with a crow... although Sally says she thinks it might be better put that the crow had a great game with me! I first saw it perched on a sand dune at the top of the beach. I thought I could catch it so I ran towards it as quickly as I could... but just as I had very nearly got there it flew up it the air. And it flew round and round in circles... so I went round and round in circles chasing it. It led me down to the sea... and back up to the sand dunes. Sometimes it swooped down low and I jumped really high to try and catch it... but every time I just missed it. The crow squawked at me... Sally & Nan thought it was laughing at me! Once it sat down on a rock and but again just as I nearly got there it flew up into the air again. I ran and ran and ran ... then I spotted a bit of fish which I thought would make a good snack.. but Sally said not and put me on my lead. And that was the end of the game when I very nearly caught a crow.

Here are some pictures of me on the beach and one of me having a rest afterwards.

What a clever chap I am!

2007-08-30T08:04:00.000+01:00

Kimba here again! I just wanted to tell you how clever I have been... and Sally says she is very proud of me. On Saturday I did some tests.. I did the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze Award and Silver Award tests.

On the Saturday before we had done a dress rehearsal with me going to both the Bronze and the Silver classes. Unfortunately I didn't do as well as Sally had hoped I might. I was far more interested in meeting all the dogs in the Bronze class that I didn't know. So when Sally took my collar and lead off I tried to make a dash for it...and left Sally sprawled all over the floor trying to catch me. And then I jumped up at the lady Sally was supposed to be having a conversation with.. not once but twice... and then we did loose lead walking.. but I just wanted to play with the other dogs.. so my lead was not really loose!

But when it came to the proper tests I knew I was meant to behave properly because Sally had baked my favourite liver cake, and she only does that when I have to be really good. So I didn't put a foot wrong all afternoon and ended up with two lovely certificates and two rosettes.

Nan & Grandad's Golden Wedding Day

2007-08-30T07:42:00.000+01:00

Hi...tis Kimba here!

Sorry we've not been around for awhile but Sally's camera is broken.. it is probably going to have to go off for repair! Never mind Sally has borrowed Grandad's camera to get this blog up to date.

First of all I wanted to tell you about a very special day. On Friday 10 August Nan & Grandad celebrated their Golden Wedding. Me, Sally & Kofi all went to Nan & Grandads on Friday morning for a very special day (Pippin & Willow were not invited for some reason). Rob & Maria were already there... and at lunchtime Tony, Karen, my special friend Carl & Leigh arrived. All the humans had a buffet lunch which looked and smelt lovely... Kofi was shut in his crate because he has no food manners yet.. he would think nothing of climbing on to the table and gobbling up all the yummy food. Me and Jack would like to do that too... but we have manners and know it is not an "allowed activity".

In the afternoon we all gathered round that box with moving pictures. Sally told me that Rob had made a DVD of Nan & Grandad's fifty years. I had a good time to because Leigh made a big fuss of me, and Kofi settled on Sally's knee.

Then we went for a walk.. and silly little Kofi had what he said was a frightening encounter with some giant ferns. All I know was that he went missing for five minutes and Sally was worried that instead of everyone having a lovely family dinner at The Carnarvon Arms that evening, everyone would have to come down to the Chase to look for Kofi! However he came back in a bit of panic after five minutes, and was very subdued for the rest of the walk. And that meant everyone could go out and have their lovely dinner. What a wonderful day. Here is picture of Nan & Grandad cutting their Golden Wedding cake.

Puppy School is over!

2007-07-22T21:22:00.000+01:00

Kofi here! I finished at Puppy School yesterday so now I think I am a fully qualified puppy. Yesterday as it was the last session we had a party which I thoroughly enjoyed but Sally says was exhausting! (I keep telling her she'll have to get fitter to keep up with me!). I won the musical sits and the musical statues... the sister Springers (Daisy & Lottie) won the musical downs. We had lots of other games too like the egg and spoon race (funny though I could have sworn the eggs looked just like Jack's ball).

I am sorry Puppy School is over because I had such great fun and I liked all the other pups in the class - especially Jackson (except I did find him rather rude as he kept barking while the instructor Kris was trying to speak ... but Sally said he was just wanted to remind everyone he was about .. and that he reminded her of her black lab called Heidi). The other pups were Stanley & Raffles (liver & white springers like me.. but bigger) and Plum, Phoebe & Tia.

At the end I got a frilly thing called a rosette which Sally made me put on for this photo ... Sally thought it would have looked nicer if my ears had been neat and tidy but I like wearing my ears like this!

I also got a certificate which Sally won't let me eat... but the very best thing was my party bag which was full of yummy things to eat.

Our New Friend

2007-07-17T16:15:00.000+01:00

Hi this is Kimba here..

Haven't been around for a little while because everything is so busy with little Kofi living here too. We have both been very good lads and working hard at our training (leg weaving is my favourite thing at the moment.. I will do that for a long while even if I don't get lots of treats).

Me, Kofi & Jack have a new friend. He appeared in Nan's garden the other week with Sally's sister in law. He is a German Shepherd puppy who is 7 months and already about 100 times bigger than me (and I'm 14 months old now!). I don't know how he got to 7 months cos I've never seen him before anywhere - perhaps he had just been living in their flat. His name is Aldo apparently.

He is good fun to play with. Kofi thinks so too. Kofi runs under a chair whenever he wants a rest.. then he just taunts both me and Aldo from under the chair until he is ready to start playing again.

I said earlier that we were both being very good.. well to be absolutely honest I am being very good.. but Kofi is doing something Sally calls "testing the boundaries". But what she means is jumping on to the chairs and then walking on top of the kitchen table! I did try jumping on to the kitchen table once when Sally was eating her tea. As I am a Springer it was not a problem to land on top of the table on my four paws. Sally was very surprised and quite cross. So I never tried it again.

Here is a picture of me with Sally, Jack, Aldo & Kofi. And another one of just me with Kofi.

A Day Out at the Seaside

2007-06-30T17:55:00.000+01:00

Kofi here.. we went to the seaside on Thursday and had a great time. Kimba and I played on the beach.. he went in the water but as I am a sensible little dog I thought it would be too deep for me so I just watched him chase the seagulls.

We went with Nan, Grandad and Jack. I had lots of admirers. I do try and say hello to as many people as possible because I know everyone in the world wants to meet me. Here are some pictures of our lovely day out. (The weather was really nice.. which is a great change as it rains most days where I live).

Off to Puppy School

2007-06-18T20:42:00.000+01:00

Kofi here… I went to my first puppy class on Saturday morning and had a great time! There were nine puppies in the class including me.. and four of the others were liver and white Springers like me... except that they were all at least twice my size even though three of them were only about a week older than me!! Sally says I musn’t get a complex about it..cos Kimba was just the same as me and I am a very special type of small Springer.

The trainer (Kris) said I must have had an excellent breeder cos I am a confident little chap and I am very happy about being handled (that means being picked up and hugged which is one of the things I like best).

We did like paying attention when our name is called, and towelling down without playing with the towel, and picking up, and play-biting (how not to do it!) and we did some recalls and playing. I’ve got some homework to do before next week.. it was all great fun.

Kimba said to say that he went to a new class as well. He had the same trainer as me. It was much better than his old class cos there were 12 dogs and 2 trainers. They had to do recalls when there were lots of other dogs around and loose lead walking between other dogs. They also did spins and bows and he said he had great fun. Here are a couple of pics that Sally took of me on Friday on the patio.

Me and My Brother

2007-06-10T21:42:00.001+01:00

Hi .. Kimba here. I' m writing this because my little brother Kofi has just crawled on to Sally's knee and gone to sleep... but he won't there for much longer because he is getting too big. I can see he is about to slip off any moment. He is my new best friend.. like any brother he can be very annoying .. specially when I want to sleep and he is full of beans but Sally gives my "my own space" so I don't get too cross.

But most of the time he is great fun and we love playing with toys that we can both get hold off. We run round and round the garden with them or just have a good old fashioned game of tag. He still is too little to go out for walks.. but Sally says he can go out in 10 days time. On Saturday he starts at puppy school. I'm going to a new class too - for improvers. Here are some pictures that we have had taken this week.

Hi.. I'm Kofi and I'm new around here!

2007-06-04T12:08:00.000+01:00

Hello there. I'm Kofi and I am nine and half weeks old. I am Kimba's "sort of" brother not sure what "sort of" means but I think of him as my big brother

I moved here about a week ago from my first home where I lived with a lovely family of humans and my doggie mum who is called Holly and my four sisters and two brothers. But when Sally came to steal me away there were only two of the girls left (Roxy & Tally) - the others had already been taken to their new homes.

I have had such fun here in my new home. I play lots of the time with Kimba although Sally puts me in my crate when she thinks I'm bugging him! I like my crate because the green blanket in it smells of my doggie mum and littermates.

In the last week I have met lots of new family and friends... and Sally has carried me to the park, and round the local roads, and to the shopping cente to see how many people we can meet. I like everyone because they make a great fuss of me. Oh and I forgot I went to the vets - he looked me all over and poked and prodded and stabbed me with a metal stick... and I didn't mind at all! Here are some pictures of me and Kimba.

My Visit to a Grand Old Lady

2007-05-27T13:05:00.000+01:00

While we were on our holidays we went to see Auntie Edna. She is Sally's great aunt and almost 99 years old. On Monday we checked it was alright to go and see her and it was although she hadn't been too well recently. On Tuesday morning while we were having breakfast we got a message to say she was "failing fast". I'm not sure what that meant but I know that it was decided that although Sally & Nan could see her it was thought that it would no me a good idea for me to see her! That was a big disappointment for me - but I was allowed to go in the car and we left almost straight away. When we got there I stayed in the car while Nan & Sally went to see Auntie Edna. They came back after a while and we went to have lunch. After lunch I had a great surprise - I was taken to see Auntie Edna as she was brighter than before. Auntie Edna was in bed so Sally sat on a stool and put me on her knee. Auntie Edna had a great big grin for me and Sally said her face lit up! She stroked me and kept trying to get closer to me. She was very very nice. She made a great fuss of me which is what I like best. We stayed until Auntie Edna fell asleep and then we said our goodbyes.

Very sadly when we were out walking on Thursday we got a message to say that Auntie Edna had passed away. I'm not sure what that means but I am sad because Sally said I won't be able to see her again - she was a grand old lady! Here is a picture we took of me and Auntie Edna when we went to visit in November.

A holiday in the Peak District

2007-05-27T12:43:00.000+01:00

I have just had a lovely holiday in the Peak District. I went with Sally, Nan, Grandad & Jack. We did lots of lovely walks in the warm sunshine. We had a lovely little house to stay in which was airy and bright and had great views from the windows. I liked looking out of the windows. There was a nice orchard where we walked in the mornings and the evenings.

I saw lots of lovely countryside and cows, sheep, deer & ponies! I saw rabbits and birds too - but I wasn't allowed to chase them. Now I am a big boy we didn't have to take my crate. I slept on my duvet (from home) in Sally's bedroom and was ever so good because I didn't even try to get on the bed. Our favourite walk was Lathkill Dale because of the very pretty river.

When we were walking through a field of cows on this walk one of them was very rude! It made it quite clear that we were not welcome! It followed us all the way up the path to make sure we left straight away! I wasn't very happy about that!

Here are some pictures of the view from our window, the bossy cow and Nan & Jack by the pretty river.

My Birthday Present

2007-05-17T21:20:00.000+01:00

Last week I was one year old!!!! Sally sang Happy Birthday to me but I didn't like that it was a very peculiar sound. It worried me a lot. She got me some special chews for my birthday but I decided to save them for another day.

Then I found my own birthday present. I saw it in the garden when Sally was doing some watering. Then when she went upstairs to do some work I went and collected from the garden. I tossed it all around the kitchen. It was great fun. Then as it was one of my special treasures I put it in my bed beside me and my teddy and went to sleep.

When Sally came down she said "What are you doing with that Clematis plant?" I rather gathered from the tone of her voice that it wasn't meant to be my birthday present. This is a picture of me in my bed with the Clematis plant.

My New Bed

2007-05-02T20:14:00.000+01:00

Big news... I have got a new bed. It is absolutely fantastic. I loved my old crate as it made me feel very safe and secure. But my new bed is so soft and comfy I get into to it to have a sleep whenever I get the chance. It was a surprise. One day I came in from the garden to find my old crate had moved to under the TV and in its normal place was a great big bed with a great big soft duvet in it. I jumped straight in without any hesitation and snuggled down into the duvet.

That night I was not quite sure at bedtime whether I was meant to go into my old crate or into the nice new bed. But Sally said I should go in my new bed. I didn't need telling twice!!! I have worked out why I have got a new bed.. it must be so my little brother can have the crate (he is arriving in 3.5 weeks time!). That is fine by me. But the bed is really big enough for two so perhaps one day we'll share (that's if I like him of course).

Here is a picture of me in my new bed and other one that Sally took of me lying on the garden table.

I have decided to drop "recalls" and "getting into the car"

2007-04-19T21:23:00.000+01:00

Training.. training and more training. Sally has stepped up my training recently.. most of it is great fun but I have decided I don't like recalls... and I don't like getting into the car any more. I have heard that human children can "drop" subjects at school if they are big enough and don't like them.. well I am big enough and I don't like them. So I am dropping "recalls" and "getting into the car". I have only recently taken a dislike to getting into the car but I know I don't like it now.. so its dropped. I haven't told Sally about this yet but I know how to get around her.. and anyhow I've made up my mind and that's it.

These are some pics from Easter day in the Chase.

My Brother

2007-04-13T20:53:00.000+01:00

Sorry I haven't written for a while but today I have got the most exciting news for you. On Tuesday Sally decided it was nearly time for me to have a dog to come and live here so she emailed my breeder (that is my doggie mum's owner) to ask if she knew of any Springer puppies. And she got an email back to say that my half-sister (Holly who is exactly 3 years older than me and my brothers and sisters) had pups just 2 weeks ago and what is more these new pups have the same Dad as me. So the pups are my half-nieces and half-nephews on my Mum's side... and my half-brothers and half-sisters on my Dad's side.

So today Sally went to see the little puppies (I went to but couldn't go inside because they are far too little to see big dogs like me!). Sally has chosen one (there were 3 boys and four girls). Sally has called the little boy coming to live with us - Kofi.
Here are some pictures of Kofi and his Mum and brothers and sisters.

Pictures from Today's Walk...(or Run)

2007-03-01T22:00:00.000Z

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Most days me and Sally go for a walk in a lovely place that she calls the Meadows. Well to be more precise Sally walks and I run! In fact I normally run and run and run and run! It is such great fun... and there are lots of smells and birds! I do chase the birds.. but I haven't caught one yet .. they go up high into the sky where I can't get them. Its just not fair... but I am sure that one day I will find out how to fly in the sky with them. But come to think of it I haven't seen any other dogs in the sky.. not even Springers. Oh well.. maybe not! Here are some pictures from the walk. Mostly taken when I am not running because Sally says I run so fast that I am just a blur on a picture!

Me surveying the land (and showing off my lovely tail)

Me going into a hedge (I love hedges!!)

Me running through the middle of a hedge!

Me coming out of a hedge!

The World Turned White Today!

2007-02-08T18:57:00.000Z

When I went out this morning I got a big shock! Everywhere was covered in this stuff which was cold and white and wet! When I walked on it my feet sank into it and I left holes wherever I walked. I tried eating it but it didn't taste of anything much. Then I ran around in it - that was good fun. When Sally & I went out for our walk this morning I found that it was everywhere not just in our garden. In the field there were very big lumps of it - nearly as tall as Sally. I wondered what this were.. and whether they had fallen out of the sky (because the rest of this white stuff did... I saw small bits coming down). Then I saw some children rolling one of these big bits of snow.. and as they rolled it .. it got bigger and bigger...

But when we went out this afternoon it had nearly all gone.. where I don't know.. perhaps someone had come and swept it all up (Sally sweeps up bits from the kitchen floor so I know about sweeping). Here are some pictures of me in the snow.. and a flower in the snow.

This first picture is of me wondering what on earth had happened!

This is a picture of me looking for the grass which is normally in the garden!

Carl's Pictures

2007-02-03T16:08:00.001Z

Today Carl came over to see me and Sally. He took some pictures of me. Here they are.

An evening in front of the fire

2007-01-27T17:36:00.000Z

I am not going to say much this time because I think these pictures speak for themselves. They are of me and my friend Pippin. On the question of friends I have some very good news. Sally is going to get me a Springer pup to come and live here and be my best friend - but not until the Summer. Maybe she will get me the puppy for my birthday.. although Sally says that is a bit early... I will ONE in May. Sally says she would let to get another Springer who is just as nice as me!!!!

A Trip to the Vets!!

2007-01-19T16:54:00.000Z

Last week I had a trip to the vets.. well actually two trips in the space of one hour. It was because I had eaten one of my "hoof" chews. Sally brought them back from America for me but apparently I wasn't supposed to swallow them. It would have helped if someone had told me!! I swalloed it on Tuesday evening ... I was sick on Wednesday morning and Thursday morning but as it hadn't "come up" Sally said I better go and see the vet.

The first trip was very nice because I met the vet and some other nice people. The vet said I was at a "willowy" stage - this didn't seem to be a bad thing but everyone was surprised when I weighed as much as 14.4Kg. We didn't stay long and when I got home I had a meal.. great I thought .. an extra meal. Then we had a walk and went back the vets. This trip wasn't so good. The vet gave me an injection and then I was sick.. and sick again.. and again... and again. Sally and the vet were just beginning to think the chew wasn't coming up when it did!!! I was sick about ten times. And then we went home and I had a sleep. Sally was very pleased because if I had not brought the chew up then I would have needed and x-ray and an operation!!

I'm not allowed those chews any more! This is picture of me and Jack taken at Christmas. We're quite good friends now.

New Year's Day Walk

2007-01-04T16:58:00.000Z

On New Years Day (that was the day after the fireworks night... but I wasn't at all bothered by those) I went for a walk with Sally, Nan, Carl & Jack. We went to Greenham Common. I had great fun going into the little lakes. Jack doesn't like the water though.. he prefers to run after his ball.. I just think that so boring.. but he goes on and on and on...I think he would be very happy to chase his ball all day.

Carl & Sally both took some pictures of me.

My First Christmas

2007-01-02T12:21:00.000Z

Sally and me (and the cats) have just got home from our Christmas holidays. We had a great time.. although it was a shame cos Sally woke up with a cold on Christmas day and she's still got it. We spent our Christmas holiday at Nan & Grandads. My biggest adventure was on the day we arrived. We got there quite late so it was nearly dark when we got out for our walk. On the way in the car I heard Sally telling Nan that she thought it would be best if I stayed on my lead because I like going off exploring. So the minute the boot was opened I slithered through Sally's hands (my coat was all shiny and slippery cos I had had a bath the day before)... and off I went into the woods all by myself! It was so much fun... I did hear Nan & Sally calling vaguely.. but I was having far too much fun to take any notice. I kept an eye on them and they went round some paths and then onto the field. I stayed quite close really but out of reach. But just as it was getting dark I got confused because Nan set off back to the car and Sally stayed in the field. I just thought I would go and up close to Sally to see what was going on. Then she offered me a treat.. and I got all confused.. I really didn't mean to get caught because I had only just exploring but that was the end of that.

Here is a picture of me that Carl took on Christmas Eve!

What I know about Heidi

2006-12-15T20:49:00.000Z

Heidi lived in this house with Sally before me. I am going to write what I know about her today because it is exactly six months since she left Sally and went to Rainbow Bridge.

Heidi was a very handsome labrador bitch (I am a pretty dog... but I have heard that Heidi was 'handsome'). She had a lot of Crufts champions in her family tree (or pedigree if you want to use the posh word). She could have been one too but she came to live with Sally instead. Sally says that she was very clever (particularly if there was any chance of getting a morsel of food). She did a bow every morning when Sally came downstairs to say good morning (I prefer to stay in my bed). She could do 'twirls', 'arounds' and even 'put in the box' - I haven't a clue what any of these are but clearly she was very very clever. I've told you before about her playing rugby for England... she was also just a little bossy (Jack told me that!) and she was very adventurous .. she would also be first out of the car when there was a new place to explore whereas Jack prefers to stay in the boot when he's not sure where he is. I think I'm more like Jack than Heidi.

I know Sally loved Heidi and misses her lots.. she was a very loving and lively dog who loved being with people and other dogs and it is such as shame I never got to meet her because I just know we would have been good friends. This is a picture of Heidi with Nan.. it was supposed to be just Nan.. but as humans say 'there is no show without punch or Heidi'

Black Thursday

2006-12-04T16:00:00.000Z

So much has happened since I last wrote including me meeting my long lost brother Louie. He really did look just like me and had a really nice family. Unfortunately Sally forgot her camera so I will have to write more about him when we next meet.

Last Thursday was a really bad day for my walks. In the morning Sally and I went to the green which is where we often go in the morning. When we got there we saw a dog that I had played with a few days before - but he didn't play nicely so Sally and me decided that I should stay on my lead and we would walk on the other side of the green. But before we had hardly started he arrived and attacked me very viciously. Luckily he didn't bite me as I wriggled a lot but it was very scary. He owner tried to call him but it didn't work. Eventually the owner came up and took me away.. he mumbled something like 'sorry about that'!!

Well in the afternoon Sally thought it best to go to the hill where there are lots of nice dogs to play with. That was a good idea because I met Ellie who is also a Springer and just 2 months older than me. We had a great time but then I decided to go exploring - I found a great scent to follow and it took me to the hedges by the motorway - I managed to get through the first fence. I did hear Sally and the other people calling but I was busy following the scent. I couldn't get through the next fence which I thought at first was a shame but then I saw all the noisy cars rushing along the motorway. I tried to get back to Sally but I couldn't find the whole in the fence again.. and those cars really weren't very far away! Luckily Sally found another hole and pulled me through - she was very happy because she thought I had got down onto the motorway. I've hardly been allowed off my lead since .. but I am allowed on my long long lead and we do lots of 'comes' with Sally's new whistle!

Here are two pics of me. The first is of me relaxing in my favourite chair after my morning walk.. and the other is when I had recovered enough to play with Pippin!

Carl's photos

2006-11-25T16:09:00.000Z

Today Carl and Nan came across to visit me and Sally. Carl had a list of photos that he thought he would like to take of me. He had thought of these before he came. Here are some of the photos. Not all of the photos worked very well because it is a rainy day and there is not much light.

The first photo is of Carl giving me a treat. I like treats a lot but I was very good and didn't grab it from Carl. He said "gentle" and I was. So we were both very good.

The next one is of me on the front door mat. Carl is by my side. The last picture is of me playing with my white hedgehog ball - Carl got me this ball - I like it very much because it has a loud squeak and so I can make lots and lots of noise. (Sally doesn't always like it as much!)

A Walk at the Chase & Some Exciting News

2006-11-19T21:13:00.000Z

Today I went for a walk in the Chase with Carl, Nan & Sally. It was great fun. I met Tilly the labrador again. She is the dog who is my brother Louie's friend. Today we had exciting news that not only is Louie my brother but he is my twin. When we were little puppies it was very difficult to tell us apart but I had black patches on my right side and he had them on his left side- so he was called Louie Lefty. And Louie's family think it would be great for us to meet up so Sally is going to call and arrange it! How exciting! Our walk is the Chase was very nice as it was a sunny day. Here is a picture that Carl took of me.

Another holiday!

2006-11-19T12:46:00.000Z

I have just been on another holiday! I had only been back home for a few days when Sally said we were off to visit Rob & Maria in Manchester and Nan was coming too. Jack was staying at home with Grandad and the cats because he doesn't like long journeys in a tin box on wheels. Sally said I had to be very good and be very careful not to put my muddy paws on Maria's lovely cream carpet. We took lots of towels to keep my paws clean.

Unfortunately on the very first night Sally took me into the garden where I got my paws very muddy and then she was so tired that she forgot all about the cream carpet so I put my muddy paws all over it. Sally was something called 'mortified'... that means very sad and very sorry. But it was her fault and not mine. Sally and me had our own room.. cos Sally was worried about me waking Nan.

I loved spending time with Rob & Maria particularly Maria because she made a big fuss of me. Fusses are one of my favourite things... along with my food and my walks! We went to visit Maria's Mum and her dog called Rosie. I was very good there and so was Rosie but she didn't want to play so she sat on Maria's knee.

I also went to visit Auntie Edna who lives in a nursing home. Well actually she is Sally's great aunt and she is 98 which is a grand old age. When we arrived the lady at the desk said that Auntie Edna was feeling very sad (although she hadn't put muddy marks on Maria's carpet so I don't know why she was sad). But I soon brought a smile to her face and she laughed a lot and made lots of fuss of me. Here is a picture of me with Auntie Edna.

My holiday with Nan & Grandad

2006-11-19T12:28:00.000Z

Sorry I have not written recently but I have been away on my holidays. I went to stay with Nan, Grandad & Jack while Sally went to see someone called Auntie Kay who lives in Florida. Not at all sure where that is but Sally said that is was too far for me as she had to go on plane. That was a shame because I really wanted to meet Cody & Crystal. They are Auntie Kay's lovely Siberian Huskies. What fun we could all have had!

But I had great fun anyway staying with Nan & Grandad because we had lots and lots of walks and I met lots and lots of different dogs to play with. One day we met a dog called Tilly who was a labrador pup. Her owner said I looked just like her friend Louie. Funny that because when Nan asked about Louie she found out that he has the same birthday as me.. and was born in the same area as me (Wallingford).. and has a full tail like me.. and had a mother who was mostly black like me... So we think Louie is probably my brother! Hopefully we will meet up some day because that would be such a lot of fun!

I was mostly very good when I stayed with Nan & Grandads but I did hear Nan telling someone that I had my moments.. whatever that might mean... can't be anything to do with jumping all over the furniture and grabbing the cushions I suppose .. or chewing that lovely antique table (antiques have a very special taste I find!). Perhaps it is just as well I am home again now!

Here is a picture of me when I got back home. Pippin and I both like the middle step on the stairs.. so we have agreed to share!

A Lovely Autumn Walk with Springer friends

2006-10-29T18:28:00.000Z

Today I went on a lovely walk with lots of Springers... and a few other dogs too! The springers were like me - except that I was the only black and white springer... that was odd because I know there are other black and white springers around... I've seen them on my other walks - but we are obviously specially rare. My best friend on the walk was called Jesta. She is just a couple of weeks or so older than me and we had great fun playing together.

I also liked playing with little Jade. Jade is only a little puppy (I am a big puppy now!). She is only 12 weeks old. She is not a real Springer... she is a Sprocker (that's a Springer/Cocker cross). She wasn't afraid of the other dogs and was great fun to play with. Other dogs I met today included Pickles, Daisy, Trixie, Jerry, Holly, Buddy and lots more! It was really good fun and Sally says that we can go for a walk with them again sometime.

I am not going to be able to write any posts for a couple of weeks because Sally is going away on holiday. You will be relieved to hear that I am not going to be left alone. I am going to stay with Nan, Grandad & Jack... and the cats are coming too.

Sally took some photos. The one at the top is me playing with my new friends... then there is one of me running .. and then there is one of little Jade.

Here is a link to see a short video of our walk. Remember to look out for the black and white Springer.. cos its me!

My New Relations

2006-10-24T15:50:00.000+01:00

Sorry I haven't written much recently but Sally has been quite busy as she is going on holiday soon. I'm not sure what is happening to me but I don't think I am going too because she says she will miss me! I hope I won't be left here on my own because I still haven't worked out how I can reach my food. I guess I could try asking the cats for help but Pippin is a pig and would just eat it himself and Willow still pretends I don't exist.

On Sunday we went to Nan and Grandads so I could meet Sally's brother and sister-in-law who were down for a few days. They live in a place called Manchester. I behaved myself very well. I didn't steal any shoes or nibble at any feet and I only jumped on the sofa once.. that was when I had just come back from a wet and muddy walk. Sorry about that!! I had two lovely walks in The Chase on Sunday - and in the afternoon it just poured with rain all the time. We all got very wet but that was nice because I like being towelled down!

Here a couple of pictures - one with me with Rob & Maria. They are tickling my tummy which is one of my favourite things in the world. I ask everyone I meet if they will tickle my tummy but Sally thinks it is more polite if I sit up properly to say hello. She has some very funny ideas! The other picture is me trying to look sweet! I think I did very well.

Carl's Visit

2006-10-14T15:52:00.000+01:00

Today my friend Carl came for tea. And I thought I would show him how I do my blog. So we have taken some pictures. But first Carl had tea with Nan & Sally. They had chocolate cake and I wanted some too. I asked nicely at first and then not so nicely but I still didn't get any cake but Nan did give me a treat.

Then we took some pictures. There is one of me in my crate. Then Carl took one of me by the fire but this is not on the blog because the fire so bright that you can't really see me. My favourite is the one of me and Carl. Carl is sitting on the sofa holding my lead.

I have been a mostly very good boy this week but unfortunately Sally seems to think it is best that I walk on my lead. This is great shame because I really like to chase the birds. When I get into a field I look for birds to chase and then I run and run and run. Unfortunately it is not possible for me to hear Sally when I am running. So she can't get me back. That is why I am walking on my lead while Sally trains me not to chase the birds. What a spoil sport she is.

A Sad Day

2006-10-05T16:09:00.000+01:00

Today is a sad day because we found out that my friend Marley has died. He was only just over a year old. Me and Marley used to play together when we met "on the hill" back in the Summer. He was a black labrador and very bouncy but he was gentle with me when I was little. We haven't seen him for a few weeks now.

This morning when we went to the hill we went to the bit near the road cos I was on my lead (I've had a tummy upset and Sally didn't want me eating all the nice things I find up there). Then we saw a bunch of roses tied to a tree near the road and we went to look at the note which was with it. It had a picture of my friend Marley and Sally told me it said "In memory of Marley, August 2005 - September 2006, so much love, so short a time".

We think Marley must have gone through the gap near the tree on to the busy road. Sally says he has gone to Rainbow Bridge where he will be able to play with all the other dogs (like Heidi who used to live with Sally). I think it is very sad because I won't be able to play with him any more.

The Surrey Country Fair... and a New Friend!

2006-09-29T16:49:00.000+01:00

On Sunday Sally took me to the Surrey Country Fair with Nan and Jack. We had a great day. We saw gundogs (like me but they were very good at sitting on the whistle and doing other clever things). We also saw lots of dogs jumping over "pretend" fences and going through tunnels (like mine except mine is really for cats and now it is too small for me cos I keep getting stuck!). But apparently I'm still too little to have a go myself! I love being a puppy but sometimes I wish I could be big. We also had a chat with a man called the doglistener. Sally wanted to know how to stop me pulling on a lead (fat chance!!) but he was on my side. He said I should just enjoy being a puppy and not to try and lead-train me for another month. What a nice chap he was!

I also wanted to tell you about my new girlfriend - Tess. Tess is a yellow labrador puppy who is 4 weeks younger than me. Her Dad is the postman. He brought her round to see me on Monday. Sally chatted to her Mum & Dad while we got to know each other. Unfortunately I haven't seen her since. On Wednesday when Sally went to answer the door I heard her talking to the postman but I was trapped in the office. I whimpered and Sally let me out. I dashed downstairs to the front door.. but it was shut. I tried to get round the back but that door was shut. I am sure I missed Tess but when I saw the postman this morning he didn't have Tess with him. Maybe she has got lost somewhere!

Here is a picture of me with my new toy.

Jack has moved in with us!

2006-09-21T19:08:00.000+01:00

I have very exciting news this week. Jack has moved in with us. Now there is Sally, and two cats and two dogs (that's me and Jack). I wasn't sure at first because I thought maybe he had just come for a sleepover like he did before but he has been here for days so he must have come to live with us. I don't know where he sleeps because he doesn't sleep in the kitchen with me because the "moon" sometimes comes into the kitchen at night. I overheard Sally telling someone that he barks at the moon to try and get it to go away. I think that is very silly of him - even I know that there is no point in barking at the moon!

One very good thing has happened since Jack moved in. He has started to play chase games with me when we go for a walk. At long last - I have asked and asked him to play for the last 11 weeks - ever since I came to live with Sally. I've tried running round him in circles... jumping over him.. and even jumping on top over him. I've tried barking in his ear and under his chin...but too no avail he just put his head in the air (all snooty like) and ignored me. Even now he will only play when he feels with it but that is a lot better than not at all.

Here is a picture of Jack that Sally took when we were on our holidays.

My First Holiday!

2006-09-11T12:00:00.000+01:00

I'm just back from my very first holiday. Me, Sally, Nan, Grandad & Jack all went to a place called Aberdovey on the West coast of Wales. We went in the car - I was very good and hardly bothered Jack at all. We lived in a small house with no upstairs (called a bugalow or something like that). I was very good almost all of the time. My crate came on holiday too which was nice because I could go to sleep in a place I knew.

We had a little excitement on the first day when Jack got a little over-excited and I overheard Nan and Sally saying he was lucky not to get drowneded (not sure what that is but I think it is something very bad). He went chasing after a kite-surfer and swam out into the sea trying to catch him. He didn't listen to anyone who was calling him. I couldn't see the point in chasing it as it was even I could see it wasn't a bird (I liked chasing birds on the beach on my holidays but Sally wasn't very pleased as I can't hear her call me when I'm chasing them!).

We had lots of lovely walks on the beach - and across the hills - and one day we went walking in the Hafren Forest alongside the River Severn. That was the only day which was wet - I got very wet so Sally had to dry me out with a towel.

One of my favourite days was the day we took the train to Portmadog. I went on Sally's knee because there wasn't enough room under the table which is where Jack went! In the afternoon Sally, Nan & Jack went for a walk - but I stayed with Grandad because Sally said I had done enough walking. I had lots of admirers but I am getting used to that.

Here are some pictures of my holiday - the first one is me and Jack in the car - - then one of me and Sally in the Forest on a wet day - and then one of me reading the business news on the train to Portmadog!

My busy week

2006-09-01T20:42:00.000+01:00

Sorry I haven't written for awhile. I've been very busy getting ready for my first holiday. Sally, me, Nan, Grandad & Jack are off to Aberdovey in Wales tomorrow. We are going for a week and I am very excited because Sally says it is near another "end of the world"

I have had a busy week. On Saturday I went to the Chase with Jack and his friend Dylan and we met lots of other dogs. On Tuesday I went to dog training with the big dogs... and they were very big.. particularly Kaiser who was a very barky GSD and Zimber who was a very laid back yellow lab who doesn't like men. But I was very pleased to see Rufus who is a Tibetan Terrier who was in my puppy class a few weeks ago.

On Wednesday we went back to the end of the world... to a place called Hengistbury Head. We had a lovely walk in the morning. I loved playing in the purple heather. Everyone said I behaved just like a Springer Spaniel.. which is just as well as I am one. I read the "Springer Spaniel" manual very carefully so I know just what to do! In the afternoon we met another Springer puppy who had marking just like mine but he was much bigger than me - nearly twice the size! So imagine my surprise when Sally told me that we were nearly born on the same day - he was just two days older than me!

Yesterday when I was out walking I saw my friend Sherlock again - he is a collie cross (not a cross collie like Jack). He is only 6 months old so he is still a puppy too. We had a good play. Today I have been helping Sally pack for the holidays - I made sure she is taking plenty of chews and toys. I' ll tell you all about it when we get back.

Here is a picture of me and Jack getting a treat from Grandad. You can see how big I'm getting!

My First Award

2006-08-24T11:41:00.000+01:00

I have great news! Yesterday when I went to puppy class I completed my Kennel Club Foundation Assessment. Next week I will be getting my very first certificate. To get my certificate I had to do a sit, down and stand. Then I had to walk "in a controlled manner" which apparently means not pulling or dashing off to see my puppy friends. I have also done the "socialisation" things and my 10 second stay. Last night Sally also did the "taking something out of my mouth" - it was just as well the toy she tried to take was a ball I didn't feel like playing with because "drop" isn't my best thing at the moment!

Next week I am going to the "big dogs" class. It is sad to leave my friends in the puppy class but I am now 15 weeks old and some of them are just babies. Although this week there was very big baby in the class called Indy. She is a Newfoundland puppy and was the youngest puppy there but also the biggest.

Here is a recent photo of me that I got Sally to take to show you how big I am now! (I am just trying to see how hard I have to pull to get the curtain down... so I can get a better view of the road outside).

My new best friend - Pippin

2006-08-17T20:01:00.000+01:00

You will be pleased to know that my new best friend is Pippin - he is our black cat. When I first arrived he was not very friendly but now we are great friends. We love playing together. We have chase games, wrestling games and batting games (that is where he sits on a chair or something else high up and bats at me with his paw).

I did try and play with our other cat today - Willow - but she just ran off and I got told off by Sally for chasing her! She is a 'fraidy cat and a big spoilsport.

Here is a picture of Pippin sitting on the catbox and me ready for a game!

Ball Playing at Lepe

2006-08-15T21:45:00.000+01:00

Today we went to another edge of the world.. well I thought it was an edge because it was like the one we went to last week except when I looked over the Sea there was another bit of the world. Sally said it was called the Isle of Wight. It is all very confusing. We were at a place called Lepe.

We had a lovely day out and I played ball with Jack. I had some good ideas for ball-playing when you are only a little puppy (although I am quite a big puppy now as I will be 14 weeks old on Thursday). You can play by yourself or with your Mum but with another dog is the best fun. Today I played with Jack. I am not very good yet and he took great delight in telling me how good Heidi used to be. Heidi was the black lab who lived here before me.

I heard that she played rugby for England (I'm not sure I got that right but I think so). Heidi was very good at marking. She danced around the other dogs when the ball was being thrown, and then tried to put them off when they were running for the ball. When they got the ball she would try and stop them getting it back to their owner.

However when you are only a puppy you get tired very quickly so you can't do all of that - so I just did the running bit. When I got tired I found the best thing to do is sit and wait while they chase the ball and then tackle them (a fancy way of saying jump at them) when they are on their way back. This is sure to annoy them but it is great fun. Here is a picture of me running to tackle Jack.. and another of me, Nan and Jack sitting on a bench (Jack is on the ground!).

My Puppy Class

2006-08-11T11:45:00.000+01:00

On Wednesday evening I go to puppy class. I go to catch up with my puppy friends but we're not allowed to run around and play - we do some playing but we also learn to be good dogs. This week I was very good (well mostly).
We did something called "puppy recalls". I thought I had worked out a quick way of getting my treat for this. What normally happens is... Sally lets me off the lead.. then I can go and see my friends .. then Sally calls me and I run back for my treat. But this week when Sally let me off the lead I decided I might as well stay where I was. Surely that would be the quickest way to get it. But no treat! Then the trainer called me ... so I ran to him but he hadn't got a treat. Then Sally called me.. you have never seen a puppy run so fast I did... and I got my treat at last!

I also so did some very good walking on the lead - everyone was very impressed. But my "downstay" went wrong.. it wasn't my fault you understand.. one of my friends - Daisy the Border Collie - moved. I just got up in case she wanted to tell me something. But I did my 10 seconds at the second time of asking... and so I did get my treat.

If you are puppy - or have one - I would recommend puppy classes because I have made a lot of puppy friends and got a lot of extra treats!

My Trip to the Edge of the World

2006-08-08T22:14:00.000+01:00

Today I went to the edge of the world where you cannot go any further. It is blue water and called The Sea. It must be the end of the world because there is nothing after the blue water. I went with Jack, Nan & Sally. It was at a place called Mudeford, near Christchurch.

I am sorry to have to tell you that Jack was a real pain on the journey down there. We were both in the back of the car where there is a lot of space for playing. So I thought Jack and me would be able to play. So I barked, and ran round him... and barked and jumped on top of him... and barked and pulled his ear... but he did absolutely nothing. I went on and on for about 10 minutes. He just lay there. Boring is what I call it - so I went to sleep.

I liked the beach and The Sea very much. I tried to catch the waves but I didn't catch any today. Sally says we will go again soon so I am sure I can catch some next time. After a little while I got so tired I just had to go to sleep. We had a really lovely day. This is a picture of me with Nan. I am looking at the edge of the world.

The Wag and Bone Show

2006-08-06T09:10:00.000+01:00

It was my most exciting day yet! Me, Sally, Nan & Jack went to the Wag and Bone Show for the day. Nearly all the dogs in the world were there. I said hello to as many of them as I could - its called networking you know! There were some dogs who were busy working - we watched some "hearing dogs for the deaf" and then we went to listen to a talk by a very nice chap - Roger Mugford - who thought that people if they wanted to have dogs should have more than one. I'd really like another dog to live with me and Sally but Sally says not until I am a bigger.

There was lots to see and do but it was a very warm day so after lunch I had a rest in the shade with Sally. Jack was very good - he did the "Super Sit" where you have to sit or lie down for two minutes with lots of other dogs without getting up. Sally said I was too little to join in but I could have slept for two minutes if that would have been alright.

Then Nan and Jack did the "Have-A-Go-Agility-Course" - he was brilliant and the woman with them said he was a "natural" and should go to classes. I think Jack would like that. I couldn't do it because I was too little (again!). So I'm really looking forward to next year when I will do everything.

Here is picture of Jack doing the agility course and another one of me and Jack having a rest.

Eight New Things I did on Friday

2006-08-06T08:37:00.000+01:00

What an exciting world this is.. I've been out and about on my own feet for a week now and just as I thought I'd seen most things in this world I had a whole lot of new experiences.

On Friday lunchtime Sally took me to Eastrop park. I have been lots of times before and I really like it because we always meet people who want to make a fuss of me and tell me how cute I am. But when we got to the fountains at the end of the park instead of going back we went through the underpass and into town!

The first new thing I did was walk along a road in town which was quite busy with some big vans .. then we crossed a metal suspension bridge which felt very funny under my feet because it was metal grid and I could see and hear lots of cars going underneath. Then we went through some sliding shiny metal doors into a dark box. There was just me and Sally in it. I didn't much care for the floor which was very slippy. Then all of sudden it started going down.. and then the doors opened and we walked out into a place where there were lots of buses and people getting on and off the buses. Apparently it is called a bus station.

Then we walked through a big outdoor cafe by the cinema before getting back to the park. When we got back to the park I sat on Sally's knee and had a good sleep. Then I was woken up by some very loud screeching sounds - when I opened my eyes I saw some boys whizzing along with wheels under their feet (skateboards I'm told!).

In the evening we went to another park to something called "Balloons over Basingstoke" where I saw big balloons with fire underneath them going up into the sky - never to be seen again! I met some people with bright yellow jackets in the park who made a big fuss of me. Then we went to the funfair but that was very noisy and I really didn't like it so we went home. Now I really must have seen everything in the world!

The New Forest, Training & Thatcham Lakes

2006-08-03T21:42:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we went to the New Forest and we had a lovely day except for one thing - I nearly died (of starvation). All was well as we were driving down there - at one point my ears pricked up as I heard Sally say she would feed me as soon as we arrived. But then when we did arrive there was panic..Sally had left my bag at home... with all my food in it! Help.. I was going to starve to death. I waited anxiously with Grandad while Sally & Nan went to find a petshop but apparently it was closed! I was doomed.... but then my luck turned... cos Sally got me some very nice roast chicken from the grocery store and mixed it with the kibble she had in her pocket...what a feast! (But no photos because Sally's camera was in the bag!)

When we got back we only had a little rest before it was time for puppy class. There was one new dog in the class called Alfie. He is very long and has very very short legs but is a friendly chap (Sally says he is a dachshund). Some of my other friends had gone up to the big dogs class but Milly the chocolate lab, Molly the Jack Russell, Marble the whippet and Daisy the Border Collie were all there, so it was great fun.

Today I went to Thatcham Lakes with Sally, Nan, Carl and of course Jack. I very much enjoyed watching the ducks and swans. Here is a picture of me watching the swans, and another one just of the swans and their cygnet.

My favourite toys

2006-08-01T18:41:00.000+01:00

Today I thought I would tell you about my favourite toys. I have several sorts of toys. I like "moving" toys very much - like Sally's feet or the cat's tail but it Sally does not seem to like me playing with these which is a shame.

But it doesn't really matter because I have lots of other toys which I am allowed to play with. Here is a picture of me with my sausages! I like running around with them and tossing them in the air. Sometimes me and Sally play fetch with them.. and sometimes we play tug. I like tug games because sometimes Sally says "drop" - then if I let go of my sausages really fast I get a treat! Then we can start again.

My next favourite toy is my dog (it is in the picture in my profile). It gets me very excited because it woofs and pants just like a real grown-up dog!

Tomorrow we are going out to somewhere called the New Forest for the day. It sounds great fun and I am pleased to say my friend Jack is coming too! That is good because I'm much happier meeting other dogs if I've got him to look after me.

Newbury welcomes me!

2006-07-30T21:09:00.000+01:00

It has been such an exciting weekend... yesterday I went for my first walk with Jack. His friend Dylan came along too. We went to some woods on Greenham Common. I was allowed off the lead which was really good fun. I came everytime I was called...except once when I was still saying hello to some new people friends.. manners must come first.

Today I went to Victoria Park in Newbury.. and it seemed everyone in Newbury had turned out to welcome me! There were stalls, children's rides, bands and donkeys... and everywhere I looked there were people (and other dogs) who wanted to say hello to me! Someone said it was the Newbury Waterways Festival but I think that is just another name for the "Welcome Kimba Party". There were people of all ages, one very nice lady with what I believe is called a Zimmer frame was very friendly and I made special friends with two girls from the Czech Republic. I also met men with beards, people with hats, and people in funny dress (called uniforms I'm told). One lady even said it would be very good for my socialisation whatever that is!

These are some pictures - the first one is me having a rest while my friend Carl is looking after me... next is me saying hello to one of the donkeys... and finally a picture of me having my tummy tickled by some of my fans.

World .. here I come!

2006-07-28T21:38:00.000+01:00

Are you ready? If not... too bad! I launched myself on the world today.... and what a big world it is. I've been for a walk round the local roads... to the town park.. and this evening I'm going out to "the hill" to play with other dogs. You should understand it is not that I haven't been to these places before.. but today I went out on my own four feet! I did get a bit excited to start off with .. I just couldn't decide which side of Sally I wanted to walk on ... so I kept get my lead wrapped around Sally's legs.. but I soon realised that we weren't getting anywhere and there are so many places to see.

You get a totally different perspective from down here near the ground... and then of course there are the smells... and all those interesting things lying about. One of my favourite things today was a plastic drinks bottle I found.. but unfortunately I couldn't quite get my mouth around it. People laughed at me when I kept trying to get hold of it. But I am growing... so perhaps next time.

I met lots of people today... I'm very popular you know. I still look very cute and people who appear to be "in the know" say I have lovely markings. I like all sorts of people - wobbly little ones (better known as toddlers I believe) to old wrinkly ones (sorry I'm forgetting my manners - senior citizens). I am very patient with all of them.

My Friend Carl

2006-07-28T21:02:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I went with Sally to Nan & Grandads. I had a good time playing in the garden with my toys. Then Sally got the hose out which I didn't think I liked very much. But I watched Jack and he liked it very much so I thought I would give it a go - and its really not so bad. Sally thinks this is good news because she says she will want to hose me down when I get really dirty on walks.

The reason I went to Nan & Grandads was to see my friend Carl. He is Sally's nephew (I can't work out what relation he is to me). He came to our house the other day which I thought was good fun because he has a wheelchair and I kept get underneath the wheels! I like to sleep on Carl's knee and when I am not sleepy he sometimes holds my lead. Here is a picture of me asleep on Carl's knee.

p.s my training is still going well - I did a 45 second downstay today... and Sally is now training me to touch the end of a long black spoon - I can't imagine what use it will be!

Escape into the Jungle

2006-07-26T15:52:00.000+01:00

Great news... I have worked out how to get out into the jungle. It has been a problem ever since Sally had the the really bad idea of opening up the playpen and placing it across the bottom of the patio.. that I meant I couldn't get out into the jungle unless Sally was with me (and I really would prefer to explore on my own!). She was very pleased with her idea I could tell.. it meant that I could potter around on the patio to my heart's content while she was reading or working at the table.

But this morning when Sally went down the garden to look for Pippin and left me on the patio.. it suddenly came to me. The little fence was made for climbing.. and in no time at all I was out into the jungle (and the nice basket of yellow flowers made an excellent step down on the other side). Now I can get out whenever I feel like going exploring.

My Own Den!

2006-07-25T19:58:00.000+01:00

Today it has been very hot and I have slept a lot of the day because it is just too tiring to run around and play for very long but this evening Sally gave me some ice cubes to play with and that was great fun - every time I thought I had caught one it slipped away!

I want today to introduce you to my own den which was waiting for me when I got to my new home. I like it very much because when I am inside I can still see everything that is going on - in the kitchen and outside on the patio - but feel very safe in it. I sleep in it at night and go in it when Sally goes out .. but Sally also leaves the door open so I can go in and out as I like.

In my den I have newspaper (which is quite cool to lie on) and two blankets. In the picture you can see my special blue blanket which I brought with me from my first home. It very nice cos it is very smelly and reminds me of my Mum Saffron. You can also see "Softie" which was a present from Sally when I got here. In the picture I am drinking from my water bowl which is in my den - it hangs on the side which is a great shame because I like to tip water bowls upside down!

In the second picture you can see I am rearranging the blankets. Sally thought she would tidy the den before taking the pictures but no self-respecting dog (and I am of course nearly 11 weeks now) would lie on neat blankets - they are much more comfortable in a heap!

The Clicker Game

2006-07-24T19:50:00.000+01:00

Today I thought I would tell you all about the clicker game which is the best game in the world because you get lots of treats... I wag my tail lots and lots everytime Sally gets the clicker out!. The clicker is a little yellow box and everytime it clicks I get a treat! So the game is to work out what you have to do to make it click. I've learnt how to touch the clicker with my nose... and how to do a "down" .. and now I'm learning how to walk properly on a lead. I'm learning that because Friday is my big day when I am allowed to walk outside on the pavement. At the moment I have to be carried which is getting just a little frustrating... there are so many lovely smells to explore.. and today when we went to the duckpond I saw another dog which I just know wanted to play with me. So roll on Friday!

Back to the training .. I arrived knowing how to sit.. at my first house I was very quick to learn that sitting nicely was the way to get picked up... and I also arrived knowing my name (Kimba in case you've forgotten - everybody thinks its a very nice name too!). I am quite good at coming when I'm called unless I'm playing with Pippin (our cat) or otherwise engaged. I can do a downstay for precisely 18 seconds ... and next I'm going to learn "stand" - not sure I understand the point of this as I learnt how to stand when I was very little! This is a picture of me doing a very nice "down".

Me and Jack

2006-07-24T08:43:00.000+01:00

On Sundays we go to visit Sally's Mum & Dad... I reckon that makes them my Nan & Grandad.. anyhow they have a dog called Jack who is I believe what people call a collie cross.. but I call him a cross collie! I first met Jack the day after I came to live with Sally. I was so pleased to see him because in my first home I had all my brothers and sisters to play with and my Mum to look after me. I thought Jack looked a bit like my Mum "Saffron". So I bounced up to him to say "Hello" but he just looked at me.. then growled very quietly and ran off. I was very puzzled but I have since discovered the Jack is a grown-up dog who is very busy with his own affairs - he has the garden to look after - the pigeons to scare off - and his ball to chase - all of which are a very serious business and he certainly does not have any time to play with me!

I have seen him lots of times in the last couple of weeks and although I couldn't yet say he is happy to see me, he is not as anything like as cross and even lets me lick his face sometimes. I'm sure we're going to be very good friends! This is a picture of me and Jack getting a treat from Nan.

My New Home

2006-07-22T20:31:00.000+01:00

I am 10 weeks and 2 days... and weigh 4.1 kilos. At this precocious age I have decided to write a diary of my life. Here is my picture. I am told that I am an English Springer Spaniel and I know that I am very cute because everyone I meet says so. I have big black ears and a very soft silky coat and a long tail! I now live with my owner - Sally and two cats. Well I think there are two cats... there is certainly a big black cat who seems to be called Pippin. He was very rude when I first got here a couple of weeks ago - he just sat staring at me and then he looked down his nose at me when I tried to say hello. You see I came from a very nice home in Benson, Oxfordshire where I learnt some good manners - but more about that some other time. Anyway back to the cats... there is another one called Willow who I think must be ours because I've seen her eating out of the cat bowl on the patio table, but she keeps herself to herself and I think she is much more scared of me than I am of her. She lives mainly in the garden and I know she was very upset when I found her hiding place the other day. I was just charging through the jungle (apparently better known as a flower border) when I suddenly came across her. She screeched and fled. I promise I didn't touch her - she is just a scaredy cat! Not much fun at all!

I have much to tell you about my life in my new home but that will wait until another day.