An evening in front of the fire

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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

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

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

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!