Been a quiet few days….. Weather not very “inspirational” Mum says…. I’m with her… I don’t like rain…… But still get my ball chucks when the ground isn’t too boggy.

It reminds Mum of when she first brought me home (it’s almost our anniversary, 24th November! ) She took me out for a walk and a ball chuck, when she got back my human brother opened the door, took one look at all the mud splattered up Mum’s front and asked “Did you fall over?!”

Nothing wrong with my brakes!!! I can skid to a halt just as well as the next dog!

Yesterday Mum and I walked to our local Post Office, it’s quite a way for Mum so I walk slowly for her! There’s benches on the way, so we get to sit for a couple of minutes too. She’s found it easier to walk slower since she’s had me, she used to try to walk as fast as she used to when she was nursing, just wanting to get where she was going, but her legs just don’t “like it” now… But with me she feels she can take her time and doesn’t force herself to go faster. I don’t mind, it means we’re out for longer.

Mum and I met up with my human brother today and went to town, into the bank, and then went to a pub/ hotel for lunch.

Mum asked for a cheese and onion pastie, but when it came it was almost an empty shell with only onion in it! She decided to have ham and egg instead, no hidden surprises! My brother had a mountain of a burger! It was nice to meet up with him.

When we got home Mum chucked my ball for me, but I got hot so headed straight into my favourite muddy puddle! It was lovely!

When Mum tried to towel me off she found that the mud was far too “muddy”, no matter how much she rubbed, it kept coming off! So, she said there was no option…… Wrapped me up in the towel and took me to the shower! What a shock!

I don’t mind really… She lays a towel in the bath so I don’t slip, and then makes sure the shower is set to cool before making me wet all over. Then she mixes some dog shampoo with water in a jug, and pours it over my back. She says it works better that way. A good rub all over to get frothy, and then rinse off.. I really don’t mind it much, and stay where she says. I used to move to the far end of the bath! But have got used to it now.

The best bit is the rub down with the towel after. And then she dries me off more with her hair dryer, and then I get a Jumbone for being so good! Life isn’t “so” bad you know! Now I can “air off” in the warm sitting room this evening, I won’t want to go for another walk, it’s raining!

I hope you have a dry weekend!

I visited the v.e.t the other day. I like Sharon, she’s nice. I always go straight onto the scales first, no one has to tell me I know the routine!

I’m a tiny bit over my ideal weight, so Mum’s got to chuck the ball more!! She seems to have cut down my breakfast and dinner portions too….. But I know once she can feel my ribs a little more she will be happy. I’m so lucky, I don’t have trouble losing the odd gram here and there when I need to.

Sharon was happy that I’m not “too” itchy now the weather is colder, she couldn’t find any fleas or evidence of them, and feels once those carpets are gone it might be even better for me. We’re just waiting for some wet weather, as then Grandad won’t be able to work on the outside of his house and will then come and fit the laminate for us. He works really hard…. But insists on doing this for us….

She declared me fit, and filled out my report book for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. They like to keep tabs on my wellbeing.   Mum also has to record when I have my worm tablets and flea treatment, as well as recording my weight every month or so (we use the scales in a local Pets At Home store… They don’t mind. )

I have two health checks a year. In April I have one, and also my yearly vaccinations. Then in October/ November I have just a check up. She listens to my heart, and feels my tummy and checks me over to make sure my teeth and skin are good.

I always jump straight onto the examination table as soon as I’ve been weighed. At my end of year check up Mum also collects four worm tablets, so she can give me one every 3 months.

All this care is why I have a little card from the Health and Safety people which says I am allowed to go into public places like shops and restaurents, we have to be fit and healthy to do this. I love meeting people, so I don’t mind.

It’s not been very nice weather today, but yesterday was lovely and sunny. But chilly. Mum loves it like that, and so do I!

Bye for now.

Wow! We got up this morning and saw a huge bright moon. It was amazing! And now it’s bright and sunny, but brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I don’t mind, that rain yesterday made my muddy puddle twice as deep! Mum’s really happy!!!!

Mum’s had a box delivered, it’s all bits of shaped wood… She’s opened it and has decided that’s as far as she’s going at the moment… Said something about ”I love flat packs” but even though her mouth said that her face said something different!

She’s asked Grandad to help. She said that once it’s up (whatever it is ) she wants it to “stay” up!

I hope you have got sunshine today…

Despite my love of muddy puddles I do “NOT” like rain!

After Mum had finished cleaning the kitchen she decided to take me out… I got all excited, expecting her to get my ball. But she put my walk harness on..

“That’s ok” I thought. “I like a walk….”.

She opened the front door and I saw it….. tipping down outside!

I looked up at her and said “Are you ’sure’ about this?!” Well, she knew I “needed” to go out, so out we went!

Once the job was over… (forgive the pun!) and Mum had cleared up, I looked up at her. She said “Shall we go home?” My ears pricked right up and I turned as fast as I could and we headed home top speed!

We’re indoors now, drying off! And Mum is trying to get enthusiastic about cleaning the sitting room!

I hope your weekend isn’t too damp!

Had a good run this morning, chasing and catching my ball. (Keeps Mum fit! ) Got a bit warm so decided to settle in this lovely puddle and cool off.

Ooh cool.................

All cooled, now time to play again!

Mum keeps a huge plastic milk container to hand, filled with water. When I’ve finished playing she tips it onto the muddy bits (up under my belly too!) and cleans off all the mud, before I’m allowed to go indoors…..  Not keen on this bit… But things look up when she grabs my towel, I love being snuggled!

Bye for now.

Mum and I popped into one of our local Hospice Shops, yesterday. They are really friendly.  Every time I go in they offer me dog biscuits! I’ll make sure we go there again……soon! http://www.pilgrimshospice.org/

Mum’s getting ready to have laminate flooring laid in our bedroom. She thinks it will help with my itchy problem. Only one bite from a flea sets me off, and changing the old carpets to laminate should help. Even though she only finds the odd flea indoors she worries in case there are eggs lying dormant from the cats that used to live here….. I like rubbing my belly on the carpet, and it has got sore, so she thinks I may be allergic to the carpet too… Will be easier for her to clean too. Grandad hopes to fit it next week.

Frontline does poison fleas on contact when they land on me, and Mum’s been using it 3 weekly as recommended by my vet to ensure it keeps potent, but if they bite me first before they die it sets up this itch… So, fingers crossed, I’ll be more comfortable soon.

There has been some fireworks the past week, only a couple in the evenings…. But it does make me nervous. Mum plugged some DAP in a couple of weeks ago to help me cope with the stress. But the other night, no sooner had the fireworks stopped a storm set off! More bangs and flashes! I got on to Mum’s bed first thing at night, but after a couple of hours I was OK, it didn’t bother me so much. But Sis hardly slept! Doesn’t bother Mum, once she unplugs her sound processors (special hearing aids) she doesn’t hear a thing! Nanny looked pretty wrecked too, when we went round the next morning! Mum thinks she may have had more of the storm over her all night..

Mum and I hope there won’t be many fireworks over the next few weeks……………………………………..

Not much more news…. Sis is home on school holiday for a week…

Mum told me about this special dog, Darcy. She is a search and rescue dog who helps Essex Fire and Rescue people search out people who are lost in fallen buildings and things… Well, she’s come back from helping overseas where something bad happened and now she has been locked up for 6 months! I’d hate to be seperated from Mum for that long! (Bad enough when she nips out for 5 minutes!! )

She was always with her handler, working or not, while over there. She isn’t likely to have picked up any “lurgy”! Please read about her here.  At the bottom of the page there are links. http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/pages/index.asp?area=4&id=381

Please help get her released so she can help more lost and hurt people.

My friend Glen has extra special needs from his assistance dog. We were very sad when we heard about Hearing Dog Milly But it is such great news that Geri is continuing her work for Glen.

Mum and I know of a handful of Guide/ Hearing Dogs, and now Geri is the first Canine Partner/ Hearing Dog. Fantastic! Way to go Geri!  :)

http://www.caninepartners.co.uk/_webapp_2157783/Another_Dual_Assistance_Dog_Trained

Mum knew something was “up”, but when Nan and Grandad took us all to a pub we’d never been to before Mum was really bemused… (So was I to be honest!)

But, when we walked inside we couldn’t believe our eyes! Sitting round a table with my big brother and his girlfriend were friends of Mum’s, also a friend of mine was there, Harry, and a new friend, Roly. They are Hearing Dogs for Carole and William.

They had been planning this for months! Mum is still in shock!

We had a fantastic evening with them, she said it was such a special thing for them to have done for her and she felt “overwhelmed” she said.. Mind you, at first she didn’t say much at all! First time I’ve known Mum be stumped for words!

Everyone. I'm at the back next to Grandad's feet.