Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Sunday, December 06, 2009
DAFT HOUND!
You know there's trouble when hours after supper you can suddenly smell toast again - Pudding stole the extra slice and is so daft that she brought it to eat under my chair!
Monday, November 16, 2009
WHAT A DAY
I had an important day at work, being observed for my classroom management - it went well, in fact the whole school day was enjoyable and successful. As I got home I knew something had happened - I saw what remained of the fish tank in the garage, uh oh!
They'd definitely had a dramatic day without me at home! Pudding had knocked over and smashed the fish tank, the Ever-Magnificent-T managed to catch one fish (Rusty) in her hands, but struggled to find the other 3 (found under the sideboard) - ironically Rusty was the fish that seemed most traumatised by it! By the time I got home the playroom carpet had been washed (thank heavens I bought a carpet cleaner this summer) and had begun to dry, the fish were temporarily rehoused in the fish bowl and Pud had kept well out of the way!
The first fish tank lasted exactly a month, almost to the hour! It was a 30 litre tank. Originally Alice was given 2 Sarasa Somethings, one mostly goldfish coloured (called Gold) and a motley white and gold one (called Silver), a couple of weeks later I added 2 Shubumpkins (Copper and Rusty - though Alice sometimes calls Rusty 'Tank'!) After I'd bought the tank I realised I could have bought a lovely spherical one with a bubble tube - far more modern and stylish in appearance. On Tuesday I went out to replace the tank, so we now have a spherical one, this time a 60 litre one (that's 16 gallons!) and now we have 2 apple snails as well (Bumpy and Slugsy - like Fifi!) Hopefully the snails will keep the tank cleaner, this style is supposed to be more efficient at self cleaning (it can't be worse than the last one!) Having bought a larger tank I think we might have just one more fish, hopefully a Yellow Comet, maybe 2!
Meanwhile the playroom furniture has been rearranged - I was already planning a turn around and it was needed to accommodate a Christmas tree (no, not yet, but planned!) and the carpet, only 18 months old but despite 2 cleanings it still smells and I think we need the professionals!
They'd definitely had a dramatic day without me at home! Pudding had knocked over and smashed the fish tank, the Ever-Magnificent-T managed to catch one fish (Rusty) in her hands, but struggled to find the other 3 (found under the sideboard) - ironically Rusty was the fish that seemed most traumatised by it! By the time I got home the playroom carpet had been washed (thank heavens I bought a carpet cleaner this summer) and had begun to dry, the fish were temporarily rehoused in the fish bowl and Pud had kept well out of the way!
The first fish tank lasted exactly a month, almost to the hour! It was a 30 litre tank. Originally Alice was given 2 Sarasa Somethings, one mostly goldfish coloured (called Gold) and a motley white and gold one (called Silver), a couple of weeks later I added 2 Shubumpkins (Copper and Rusty - though Alice sometimes calls Rusty 'Tank'!) After I'd bought the tank I realised I could have bought a lovely spherical one with a bubble tube - far more modern and stylish in appearance. On Tuesday I went out to replace the tank, so we now have a spherical one, this time a 60 litre one (that's 16 gallons!) and now we have 2 apple snails as well (Bumpy and Slugsy - like Fifi!) Hopefully the snails will keep the tank cleaner, this style is supposed to be more efficient at self cleaning (it can't be worse than the last one!) Having bought a larger tank I think we might have just one more fish, hopefully a Yellow Comet, maybe 2!
Meanwhile the playroom furniture has been rearranged - I was already planning a turn around and it was needed to accommodate a Christmas tree (no, not yet, but planned!) and the carpet, only 18 months old but despite 2 cleanings it still smells and I think we need the professionals!
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
MIXED EMOTIONS
Sad. Sad that the weather is already autumnal, despite not really having much warm or sunny weather this summer. Sad that the summer holidays are over. Sad that Alice was still asleep when I left for work this morning. Sad that I got to spend less than 2 hours with my baby today.
Worried. Worried about Alice's new beginnings this week, worried how she'll cope, if she'll cry, how she'll manage a packed lunch. Worried about new situations. Worried about Little Sis, will it happen, will she have to wait long for us to hold her? Always worried.
Wondering. Wondering how this term will progress. Wondering how Alice will adapt. Wondering about Little Sis.
Relieved. Relieved that the first day of term is over. Relieved that introductions are complete. Relieved that plans have been made.
Grateful. Grateful to have someone so special that every moment apart is a moment missed. Grateful to hear, 'I love my Mummy!' and small feet running towards me (unprompted) as I close the front door coming home. Grateful for squeezy hugs and sloppy kisses. Grateful to have found such a welcoming environment for Alice's education. Grateful for my 4 legged friends love and devotion (and for keeping my feet warm!) Grateful to have a job in tough times. Grateful to have the opportunity to adopt again.
Worried. Worried about Alice's new beginnings this week, worried how she'll cope, if she'll cry, how she'll manage a packed lunch. Worried about new situations. Worried about Little Sis, will it happen, will she have to wait long for us to hold her? Always worried.
Wondering. Wondering how this term will progress. Wondering how Alice will adapt. Wondering about Little Sis.
Relieved. Relieved that the first day of term is over. Relieved that introductions are complete. Relieved that plans have been made.
Grateful. Grateful to have someone so special that every moment apart is a moment missed. Grateful to hear, 'I love my Mummy!' and small feet running towards me (unprompted) as I close the front door coming home. Grateful for squeezy hugs and sloppy kisses. Grateful to have found such a welcoming environment for Alice's education. Grateful for my 4 legged friends love and devotion (and for keeping my feet warm!) Grateful to have a job in tough times. Grateful to have the opportunity to adopt again.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
ALWAYS THERE
Today we had an early change of plans that tipped the whole weekend on its head. I was going to have a working day but that's now been changed to Monday. We had a quietish morning, Alice had time to play and use her 'puter' connected to the TV.
This afternoon we met D and A for a swim and a play, they were already in the water when we got there, unfortunately A doesn't like to swim for as long as Alice, which led to tears when we got out. Alice continued to be grumpy when changing and during a snack in the cafe - she's definitely tired at the moment but I'm also hoping that it's a stage she's going through rather than a new character trait! After the grumpies we went out to the playground and the girls enjoyed some playtime, especially singing together as they swung!
Shortly after we got home C brought Smokey round, Alice was sad that it was only a short bare-back ride round the drive and she would have loved to ride for longer (she has a remarkable attention span for things she enjoys, well over an hour!) Later on we curled up together to watch one of her new favourite TV progs - Scoo*by Doo (at the moment the other favourites are Fifi and the Flower*tots and Tom and Jerry), and it struck me that, yet again, we were all together - Alice and I cuddling with the little dogs tucked up further along the sofa with Pudding up close to the sofa on the floor. We've been away for a few days and the dogs have been a constant comfort since we've been home.
Coming soon - a post about recent days!
This afternoon we met D and A for a swim and a play, they were already in the water when we got there, unfortunately A doesn't like to swim for as long as Alice, which led to tears when we got out. Alice continued to be grumpy when changing and during a snack in the cafe - she's definitely tired at the moment but I'm also hoping that it's a stage she's going through rather than a new character trait! After the grumpies we went out to the playground and the girls enjoyed some playtime, especially singing together as they swung!
Shortly after we got home C brought Smokey round, Alice was sad that it was only a short bare-back ride round the drive and she would have loved to ride for longer (she has a remarkable attention span for things she enjoys, well over an hour!) Later on we curled up together to watch one of her new favourite TV progs - Scoo*by Doo (at the moment the other favourites are Fifi and the Flower*tots and Tom and Jerry), and it struck me that, yet again, we were all together - Alice and I cuddling with the little dogs tucked up further along the sofa with Pudding up close to the sofa on the floor. We've been away for a few days and the dogs have been a constant comfort since we've been home.
Coming soon - a post about recent days!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
ALICE'S BLANKET
After the visitors left this morning Alice declined to get dressed, so we had a lazy day in our PJs!After supper Alice wanted to curl up on the sofa and watch some TV, as soo
n as she got on the sofa she demanded her blanket (the blanket that was finished on the day she was born), then she curled up with Bear and Fuss joined her - they lay like that for over 30 
minutes.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
AND IN THE AFTERNOON
. . . we spent more time in the garden, it's lovely now that the weather is warming up, unfortunately the forecast isn't looking too good for the next few days!Alice continues to love playing in the water, she is really enjoying filling up buckets for the dogs to drink from, especially Fu'dot (Fusspot!)
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
ALICE'S EASTER BONNET
At 9:30 this morning, on the way into A'g, I remembered that 30 minutes later and 20 minutes drive away (which was already part of the contingency plan) we were supposed to be at T*ick T*ock wearing Easter Bonnets (the bit I'd forgotten). I dashed into a card shop and picked up a bargain pale pink bonnet and some ribbon for £1.98!
The bonnet was pathetic (as I knew it would be) compared to the creations of the more organised mothers. Just as we were leaving the presenter remembered that we were supposed to go and visit the OAPs who attend a Day Centre in the same building. We went along willingly. The OAPs were delighted to see the children (the oldest was not yet 3!) Alice enjoyed saying, 'Happy Easter Lady!' It reminded me of my Granny.
When we got home I spent over an hour forming bows and sewing bows and eggs onto the bonnet - too late for the parade but at least Alice would have an Easter Bonnet! Alice found it half complete after her nap and she was delighted with it and much happier to wear it more decorated (though it still needed more).
Can you tell where this is going yet?
This evening Pudding found and partly demolished Alice's nearly lovely bonnet. I'm not sure Alice is destined to wear a pale pink Easter Bonnet this year!
The bonnet was pathetic (as I knew it would be) compared to the creations of the more organised mothers. Just as we were leaving the presenter remembered that we were supposed to go and visit the OAPs who attend a Day Centre in the same building. We went along willingly. The OAPs were delighted to see the children (the oldest was not yet 3!) Alice enjoyed saying, 'Happy Easter Lady!' It reminded me of my Granny.
When we got home I spent over an hour forming bows and sewing bows and eggs onto the bonnet - too late for the parade but at least Alice would have an Easter Bonnet! Alice found it half complete after her nap and she was delighted with it and much happier to wear it more decorated (though it still needed more).
Can you tell where this is going yet?
This evening Pudding found and partly demolished Alice's nearly lovely bonnet. I'm not sure Alice is destined to wear a pale pink Easter Bonnet this year!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
BUSY AGAIN!
Monday - popped to the neighbours, then the supermarket and we were at soft play by 10:30am - that's quite an achievement for us! Home for lunch, took Alice upstairs and then decided to reorganise my wardrobe while we were up there. Then a neighbour brought her new baby over for coffee and a chat before Nana arrived to look after Alice while I went to school for Parents' Evening. I didn't get home until after 7pm and then later in the evening GFW and AJ came over for coffee. I didn't stop all day but the bits that should have been were great fun!
We had a very quiet day on Tuesday.
Wednesday - we went to nursery for an open session first thing in the morning, I'd prepared Alice for it but she cried nearly the whole time and didn't really want to play. I had a quick look in her 'Splash Book' before we left early for T*ick T*ock. Time seemed to slip through our fingers when we got home - I caught up on some laundry and phonecalls and later on Nana popped in for some photocopying. With Nana in the house Alice wasn't going to bed without a struggle so she stayed up. Later in the afternoon we had to pop out, when I asked Alice to put on her shoes because we were going out she responded, 'Not today Mummy!' Unfortunately Mummy over-ruled, 5 minutes each way in the car but she was still asleep before we were halfway home!
Today was another busy, busy day. Alice declared in the car on the way this morning, 'No like ***' she knows how to press my buttons and did so repeatedly all the way there. I was asked last week to swap my days this week, so I worked today instead of tomorrow. Usually there are 2 teachers in my class but today I was solo, I did half a day's playground duty and then followed the school day with more parents' consultations before collecting Alice from nursery (she was happily playing the drum to 'Tommy Thumb' when I got there and she said that she'd had a good day - playing with A and playing outside.) Meanwhile Pud has been raiding the laundry piles and has been wicked this evening too.
Tonight I'm very excited about a special weekend. I'm not organised and I'm concerned that expectation will spoil the event.
We had a very quiet day on Tuesday.
Wednesday - we went to nursery for an open session first thing in the morning, I'd prepared Alice for it but she cried nearly the whole time and didn't really want to play. I had a quick look in her 'Splash Book' before we left early for T*ick T*ock. Time seemed to slip through our fingers when we got home - I caught up on some laundry and phonecalls and later on Nana popped in for some photocopying. With Nana in the house Alice wasn't going to bed without a struggle so she stayed up. Later in the afternoon we had to pop out, when I asked Alice to put on her shoes because we were going out she responded, 'Not today Mummy!' Unfortunately Mummy over-ruled, 5 minutes each way in the car but she was still asleep before we were halfway home!
Today was another busy, busy day. Alice declared in the car on the way this morning, 'No like ***' she knows how to press my buttons and did so repeatedly all the way there. I was asked last week to swap my days this week, so I worked today instead of tomorrow. Usually there are 2 teachers in my class but today I was solo, I did half a day's playground duty and then followed the school day with more parents' consultations before collecting Alice from nursery (she was happily playing the drum to 'Tommy Thumb' when I got there and she said that she'd had a good day - playing with A and playing outside.) Meanwhile Pud has been raiding the laundry piles and has been wicked this evening too.
Tonight I'm very excited about a special weekend. I'm not organised and I'm concerned that expectation will spoil the event.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
WAVY!
Not the best photo - but it does show the wavy patch down the middle of Pud's back, you can also see the colour difference between her ears/head and the rest of her bod
y!The second photo shows Pud's favourite resting place in the playroom, Alice's trampoline, but I'm not sure how much longer it will be big enough to be comfy!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
HOUSE TRAINING
. . . but I'm not sure who!
We've had Cavaliers since I was 4, Sophie was our first. But Jolly was my first Cavalier who was mine from the beginning in my own home (it feels wrong to type that without qualifying that before her I'd had Busy who was loyally and completely mine - bought to be mine, arriving home the day after I'd returned to school for my A level term). Jolly was a nightmare as a puppy, she was such a trial over her first 2 years that Mum and I discussed therapy sessions, rehoming or even putting her to sleep. Eventually she was a wonderful dog who lived between my house and Mum's, undoubtedly she was one of Mum's favourites (Mum even worried that Jol would pine for her when she was away in France a few weeks before she died, luckily Jol was a typical Cav and completely sidetracked by food!!) One of the things that Jol taught me was the success of 'elimination triggering' (not sure if that's the right terminology) - when house training a dog you use a trigger word as they begin to 'go' and eventually use of the trigger word will prompt them to 'go'. This method of training is more time consuming than usual house training, but it was so useful, especially as Jol had kidney failure and in her last months I needed many samples that were obtained via the trigger word!
I've tried this trigger word training with Boo and Fuss but it wasn't nearly so successful and I'm still not sure why. This time round, with Pud, I was determined to try again and with a 'more intelligent' (the jury's close to a decision) dog and with a child to consider as well I am more committed to this than before. The trigger I've always used is P*iddle, repeated over and over again as it happens. For Alice's safety and my sanity, I've tended to stay on the doorstep (with Alice inside and Pud outside), using the trigger at the appropriate times.
But I'm no longer sure who I'm training - as this afternoon Alice stood on the doorstep and shouted outside, ' Good girl Puddy, piggle, piggle, piggle!'
Oh well, let's hope it will help with potty training!!
We've had Cavaliers since I was 4, Sophie was our first. But Jolly was my first Cavalier who was mine from the beginning in my own home (it feels wrong to type that without qualifying that before her I'd had Busy who was loyally and completely mine - bought to be mine, arriving home the day after I'd returned to school for my A level term). Jolly was a nightmare as a puppy, she was such a trial over her first 2 years that Mum and I discussed therapy sessions, rehoming or even putting her to sleep. Eventually she was a wonderful dog who lived between my house and Mum's, undoubtedly she was one of Mum's favourites (Mum even worried that Jol would pine for her when she was away in France a few weeks before she died, luckily Jol was a typical Cav and completely sidetracked by food!!) One of the things that Jol taught me was the success of 'elimination triggering' (not sure if that's the right terminology) - when house training a dog you use a trigger word as they begin to 'go' and eventually use of the trigger word will prompt them to 'go'. This method of training is more time consuming than usual house training, but it was so useful, especially as Jol had kidney failure and in her last months I needed many samples that were obtained via the trigger word!
I've tried this trigger word training with Boo and Fuss but it wasn't nearly so successful and I'm still not sure why. This time round, with Pud, I was determined to try again and with a 'more intelligent' (the jury's close to a decision) dog and with a child to consider as well I am more committed to this than before. The trigger I've always used is P*iddle, repeated over and over again as it happens. For Alice's safety and my sanity, I've tended to stay on the doorstep (with Alice inside and Pud outside), using the trigger at the appropriate times.
But I'm no longer sure who I'm training - as this afternoon Alice stood on the doorstep and shouted outside, ' Good girl Puddy, piggle, piggle, piggle!'
Oh well, let's hope it will help with potty training!!
Monday, February 23, 2009
YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN TROUBLE WHEN . . .
. . . you realise that the Labrador has learnt to PAUSE the washing machine!
Yup! Pudding (not yet 4 months old) has paused the washing machine twice today - the first time she paused it in the first minute and I doubted myself, second time round, no doubt, we're in trouble!!
Yup! Pudding (not yet 4 months old) has paused the washing machine twice today - the first time she paused it in the first minute and I doubted myself, second time round, no doubt, we're in trouble!!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
LOYALTY IS . . .
Pudding!Fuss fusses during Alice's meals, so she frequently ends up in the dog room (with or without the others). Most recently when Fuss was removed Pud wouldn't move away from the dog gate, that's serious loyalty from a Labrador when there's food around the other end of the kitchen!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
DOGS IN THE SNOW
Playtime in the blizzard, it looks vicious but Fuss could have stopped it at anytime. All the dogs enjoyed being outside in the snow, taking longer to womble round the garden. It was fun to watch Pud shake the snow off her nose whilst trotting towards the kitchen door!
Monday, February 02, 2009
SNOW AND PUD
'The worst snow in 18 years!'
Not round here, we had much more 2 years ago (when they'd just taken out the windows to replace the frames and put in)!
We woke to a dusting of snow this morning, enough to see but not enough to completely cover the lawn. Dusty flakes were swirling and seemed to go up as much as down. I showed Alice the view of the garden from my bedroom window, she was interested and she kept returning to the window saying 'Snow!'
We were due to go to Cardiff this morning with D and A. D and I decided that it wasn't sensible to drive that far given the forecast and the warnings on TV. For me it was a doubly good decision - as Pud still had diarrhoea and I wanted to take her to the vets. She's had diarrhoea since Friday night and this morning she didn't want her breakfast - that's when I really began to worry. I was brave and decided to take Alice with us. Pud was fine but Alice was challenging and eventually one of the receptionists offered to distract her (by that time she'd tried to go into the other surgery and gone back into reception too). Pud now has some clay based gunk and an orange pill, both to be taken 3 times per day. The vet wasn't too worried as she hadn't vomited. We came home and Pud took the first doses easily. She was sleepy as usual. Then at around 4pm she vomited - that made me worry even more, I put her to bed (uninterrupted sleep).
Meanwhile the snow got more serious, by 3pm we couldn't see the trees at the bottom of the far field, I cancelled my afternoon appointment and then the blizzard cleared! The snow's continued to fall, the flakes are fat sometimes and now the lawn is truly covered. According to GFN we're due to have significant snow between 7pm and the early hours, but the Welsh news say that it'll all be gone by tomorrow evening! Perhaps GFN was trying to make be feel better about all the provisions that I bought in a panic after he first mentioned snow just after Christmas!
Pud slept until suppertime when she began to cry from her puppy pen, getting the second doses into her was trickier than before. She inhaled her food with head down serious attitude and a wagging tail and now she's sleeping at my feet.
Not round here, we had much more 2 years ago (when they'd just taken out the windows to replace the frames and put in)!
We woke to a dusting of snow this morning, enough to see but not enough to completely cover the lawn. Dusty flakes were swirling and seemed to go up as much as down. I showed Alice the view of the garden from my bedroom window, she was interested and she kept returning to the window saying 'Snow!'
We were due to go to Cardiff this morning with D and A. D and I decided that it wasn't sensible to drive that far given the forecast and the warnings on TV. For me it was a doubly good decision - as Pud still had diarrhoea and I wanted to take her to the vets. She's had diarrhoea since Friday night and this morning she didn't want her breakfast - that's when I really began to worry. I was brave and decided to take Alice with us. Pud was fine but Alice was challenging and eventually one of the receptionists offered to distract her (by that time she'd tried to go into the other surgery and gone back into reception too). Pud now has some clay based gunk and an orange pill, both to be taken 3 times per day. The vet wasn't too worried as she hadn't vomited. We came home and Pud took the first doses easily. She was sleepy as usual. Then at around 4pm she vomited - that made me worry even more, I put her to bed (uninterrupted sleep).
Meanwhile the snow got more serious, by 3pm we couldn't see the trees at the bottom of the far field, I cancelled my afternoon appointment and then the blizzard cleared! The snow's continued to fall, the flakes are fat sometimes and now the lawn is truly covered. According to GFN we're due to have significant snow between 7pm and the early hours, but the Welsh news say that it'll all be gone by tomorrow evening! Perhaps GFN was trying to make be feel better about all the provisions that I bought in a panic after he first mentioned snow just after Christmas!
Pud slept until suppertime when she began to cry from her puppy pen, getting the second doses into her was trickier than before. She inhaled her food with head down serious attitude and a wagging tail and now she's sleeping at my feet.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
PUD
I've been having wireless issues - the link has been dropping and the speed's been through the floor. This afternoon the link dropped over 5 times in less than 4 minutes - I couldn't even open Google to get a helpline number!! Neither could I send or receive email, in desperation I rang the operator and got put through.
As part of the help desk process I had to connect the laptop directly to the hub via Ethernet cable (a challenge to find rather than connect!) Pud was asleep when I started the call but I soon regretted leaving her snoozing in the playroom when she woke (she's had a very runny tummy since Friday and I'd begun to worry about my carpets!) So I'm sitting on the flags in the hall leaning against a radiator (and very quickly got a cold bum and a warm back), Pud wandered into the study (yes, THAT shortsighted, I forgot to shut the down when I retrieved the Ethernet cable) and eventually came to settle against the baby gate that was separating us! That's yet another reason why I love having a Labrador - and tonight my feet are warm, guess where Pud is?!
As part of the help desk process I had to connect the laptop directly to the hub via Ethernet cable (a challenge to find rather than connect!) Pud was asleep when I started the call but I soon regretted leaving her snoozing in the playroom when she woke (she's had a very runny tummy since Friday and I'd begun to worry about my carpets!) So I'm sitting on the flags in the hall leaning against a radiator (and very quickly got a cold bum and a warm back), Pud wandered into the study (yes, THAT shortsighted, I forgot to shut the down when I retrieved the Ethernet cable) and eventually came to settle against the baby gate that was separating us! That's yet another reason why I love having a Labrador - and tonight my feet are warm, guess where Pud is?!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
NEW MILESTONE!
My freedom is being curtailed - Alice is finally consistently managing to open doors, only the baby gates can contain her now! (But Boo can open the one between the kitchen and the playroom, usually she's quick enough that it still keeps the others in the kitchen).
The challenge is now trying to keep doors shut where I want to control Pud's movements - luckily Alice is capable of understanding why, but she does need lots of reminders, to keep the doors shut.
The challenge is now trying to keep doors shut where I want to control Pud's movements - luckily Alice is capable of understanding why, but she does need lots of reminders, to keep the doors shut.
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