This morning Alex did not bound out of bed in his usual manner. In fact he was a little slow to be perfectly honest but I suppose it is Saturday. Anyway, by 7.30am he was downstairs and I had been out in the garden for my morning constitutional. Richard got up and pretty much went straight out shopping – he had some things to get and wanted to get to the shops early so that it was still quiet. When he came back Alex was very pleased to see he had brought back some crumpets – I don’t know what that is and since I got nothing out of it I am not going to dwell on it further. I pointed out that I wanted to go out for a walk (I do this by constantly taking a shoe to them until they finally get the message) and so we departed on our ‘short route’ along Salisbury Road, through Dewlands and Court Road, back onto the High Street and home.
I don’t mind the ‘short route’ but I have a preference for a walk that is a little longer than this. That said, I wasn’t aware at this point that they were plotting something. A little later on Alex had to ‘nip out’ because he needed to buy a ‘short lead’. I hadn’t clicked at this juncture that a ‘short lead’ had something to do with me. I soon did. When he returned there seemed to be a lot of ‘stuff’ going on. Alex was taking things out of his car and putting them in Richard’s (I couldn’t see what they were because I was looking at him through the frosted glass window in the porch), then there was preparation of treats (for me, so I didn’t mind that bit), then there was filling of a water bowl (which I know is mine, so I started to suspect something was going on), checks on my harness, coats, hats, all sorts of things.
Next thing I knew I was being bundled into Richard’s car. Now … I know I have mentioned this before, but you have to be barking mad to like cars. However, once again we were not off to the vets. As soon as we were off, I calmed down and just lay down on the back seat. From time to time I did look up to take in the scenery but since I wasn’t going to be able to walk and sniff it, I wasn’t that interested. Eventually we arrived at a place called Sheffield Park. Richard and Alex had special cards that they showed the lady and they didn’t have to pay to get in which was good. Then, before we set off they had a quick chat to the owner of a much younger dog than me – she was just 15 weeks old, also a Golden Retriever but almost white in colour.
Then we were off. Oh my woof – what a place! It is huuuuuuge. I was so excited we set off at about 90 miles an hour! I dragged Richard along the path and got even more excited when we came across some young boys who were laughing and shouting and climbing trees. I wanted to play too, but Richard said I had to stay on my lead. It turns out that the ‘short lead’ was specifically for this trip because dogs have to be on a short lead (no more than 70cm) to go into the gardens. Anyway, it was all great fun. We came across loads of ducks and geese. They don’t scare me anymore and it was good fun watching them waddle around!
We walked for miles and miles I think. (Actually it was about 2 miles according to Alex, but it felt like more because I was pulling so hard on the lead!) After a while Richard passed my lead to Alex and that gave me a new opportunity to pull. I pulled and pulled with all my might but he wouldn’t let me go faster and he wouldn’t let me go where I shouldn’t! After a really good walk we got back to the entrance and Richard went off to find out where the tea room was. I am not sure what a tea room is, but I know I got lots of treats when we got there!
We found the tea rooms and Richard went off to get a cup of tea whilst I stayed with Alex. It turns out that I could have gone inside in a special room, but I was quite happy outside. Alex played with me a bit and we practiced sitting (I’m pretty good at that now and do it without needing a treat, although Alex gave me some anyway) and lying down (I’m still working on that … I can usually do it to a point, but I definitely need a treat!). Richard came back with the tea and took hold of my lead whilst Alex washed his hands. (He accused me of slobbering – please, how dare he!) Richard kept me entertained whilst they both drank their tea and then we returned to the car park.
I’m not stupid – I worked out where we were and what that meant. As Alex tried to temp me with a treat (it nearly worked, but not quite) I remembered my strategy that works so well. I planted myself firmly on the ground about 20 feet away from the car. (They should have been pleased – after all, they are trying to teach me to lie down and I did it without them asking!) After 5 minutes of attempts to coax me towards the car, Richard gave up – he bent down, picked me up (rather unceremoniously if you don’t mind) and carried me to the car, where Alex already had the door open. This really won’t do. Everyone we bumped into at Sheffield Park remarked on how handsome I am – it is not good for my image to be man handled into the car. I am really going to have to work on this.
I pushed out a few Zs on the way back in the car and in no time at all we were home. I have to be honest, I think I could probably push out a few more Zs before we go out to Fran and Iain’s this evening! Oh well, for now, must paws …
