What a night!

Oh my woof, what a night! Last night my new friend Amanda from Happy Buddies came and we started our training. She is really clever and knows lots and lots about dogs. She was explaining to Richard and Alex all about how when I bark I am usually just ‘attention seeking’ rather than actually worried about anything (I’m not sure I like that remark, but still, she is right I suppose). She explained all sorts of things about my mannerisms and my needs. Richard and Alex gave her the long list of things that they would like her to teach me to do and she seemed very happy with that.

When we started the actual training Amanda wanted to see if I would sit on command – I do! She was very impressed! Then she wanted to see if I would lie down. Now come on … one thing at a time! Anyway, she showed me how to do it and then I was fine. What I hadn’t realised is that there are different levels of treats ranging from boring biscuits right up to sausage and chicken. On a scale of biscuit to sausage she knew her stuff! She gave me sausage so that made her wishes almost irresistible! I was putty in her hands. Then she got Richard and Alex doing the same things – sitting, lying down, standing up (actually standing up is quite difficult because I want to run off and that isn’t what I’m supposed to do). They were OK at it, but not as good as Amanda. They need more practice which is handy because I get more sausage that way! Oh what a night!

Talking of scales, there are some amongst you who will be aware of the ‘Gifi Scale’. This is a scale from one to ten where bottom burps are rated according to the intensity of the smell. The benchmark is a ten when even the staff of a shop called Gifi were trying to get out! I won’t say who started the scale, but it wasn’t Alex or Richard. That said, Alex says that I can do a bottom burp – I prefer the term ‘doggy trump’ – that is off the scale! I’m not sure that Alex thinks that is good, but surely greater than a ten must be better than just scoring a ten. I don’t really understand the Gifi scale, but I’m obviously good at it!

And I hate to say this, but talking of smells, I have another slight confession. Up until now I have been confining my poo to the garden where Richard and Alex can collect it and dispose of it. This morning though, on a wonderful walk where we met lots of people including Fran and Iain (more later), when we had left everyone I felt the call of nature somewhat more urgently. I produced an epic poo that required two full bags to collect and I’m afraid that the smell will probably linger in Church Lane for at least a week! Alex did rather suffer as it was quite a way before he could dispose of the bags in a doggy bin.

Back to our walk this morning, it was brilliant! I was so excited! Fran sent Alex a text and said she was walking the dogs that they walk for other people. So, after a quick game of ‘put the harness on’, we went off to see if we could find them. We walked down to the White Hart Barn and then up the path by Bay Pond – this was a new route for me, so very exciting! We met Angela on the way who always puts out bowls of water for passing dogs. She is very nice and made a fuss of me which was luuuvely! Being a new route, I felt compelled to stop and sniff absolutely everything, so it was quite a while before we met up with Fran and her two dogs.

It wasn’t just Fran though, we met loads of dogs and their human friends! It was really good fun. Alex thought that I was pulling way too hard on my lead (I was being particularly strong this morning) but I thought it was all far too good fun not to pull! We walked all the way up to the church and around the church yard (it is soooo pretty at the moment with all the daffodils that Alex won’t let me eat) and then just Alex and I walked off along Church Lane and down Green Lane (Iain taught us both that the track is called Green Lane). That was when I did my epic poo, but enough of that. After our walk I think Alex was pretty tired with all my pulling. Anyway, he had work to do so, I pushed out a few Zs for a while.

Would you believe it, having already had such an exciting day, Mrs P and Liz knocked on the door and came in for a coffee. So I have now met Mrs P – she is really nice. I think I managed to impress her with my good looks and charm. She said that she would dog sit or walk me at any time which is fabulous. I had a lovely time being stroked and spoilt. Talking of Mrs P, wasn’t it lovely that I got all those comments yesterday! I even had one from Charlie who I know is going to be a really good friend in France. He’s another dog and he’s handsome too, although Alex can’t remember what his actual breed is, but who cares, I’m not doggist!

Alex had to go to London this afternoon to something called Data Centre World – I have no idea what that is or what it means, but apparently it was important. He says he speaks at these places, but I don’t understand what that means because he speaks to me and he doesn’t have to go anywhere. Anyway that meant a whole afternoon with Zena and Simon. It was absolutely brilliant … we went to a pub! They had a drink and I watched all the people and the cars – the lady from the pub brought me out a drink too, so it was fantastic. The weather was all sunny and lovely, so it was a really good afternoon and I didn’t really miss Alex and Richard at all, although I am always excited to see them, particularly when Richard comes home from work!

This evening I had another surprise – I met Jake. Jake is Zena and Simon’s son and he’s pawsome! He came and met me and then he played lots of games with me. I had a really good time and I really like Jake. I hope he comes back soon. Richard has had to go out this evening to a Gardeners’ Club Committee meeting. Alex would normally go too, but he is staying with me. Frankly, I don’t think I’ll get much out of him because he looks completely zonked, so I think I shall spend a bit of quality time pushing out a few Zs and dreaming of doggy treats and adventures yet to come. But for now, must paws …