Made with Xara

Week 33 - Helping in the garden....... 1^st April 2007 I helped Mum to dig a hole to plant a shrub this week, I know that she didn't necessarily want the hole there, but I am rather proud of my efforts and keep going out and redigging around the edges every couple of days. Harry and I met up with our supervisor this week at a big shopping centre. There was a fire alarm while we were there and everyone thought we would be scared, but we just took it in our stride. We had to walk up some slippery stairs, along the top of the shopping mall and then down in a glass lift - no problem! Then, it was so hard, we had to lay down quietly while they all had a coffee. That was fine until Whisp came along too, she wanted to play, so we obliged (well I did - Harry was a goody two shoes!). I went for a free run with all my mates again later in the week, it was sad that Spencer was not there - but at least I didn't get beaten up for a change! Don't ask Chelsea what she was up to on the run - I think she was inventing her own form of mud bath, I think it took her Mum quite a few hours to hose her down and make her look pretty again. Today, we went for another of Dad's rambles (7 miles!) and he took lots of pictures of me again. I discovered a new type of treat - they are bigger than the pellets last week and Dad says they come from something that goes baaaaa. These animals must be very dangerous as every time some were near Dad had to put me on the lead for my own protection! I am very tired now, so only a short diary entry this week - all I want is my tea and my bed. Love Pickle xx

Week 34 -  One of my new friends....... 8^th April 2007 This is Misty, she came to stay with us for a few hours this week as her Mum & Dad have gone on holiday and she is going to stay with Herbie's Mum & Dad for a few weeks. She is a cross between a labrador and a collie, and she didn't stop wanting to play for four hours, I was exhausted when she went and had to have a lie down. As you can see from the next picture, the tranquility of the first scene did not last for long! I did my best to let her win all the mock battles, well she is a girl after all. I have had a great time seeing Harry this week, we went along to the usual spot for a run around and then on for a coffee. I practiced my new skill at pelican crossings. I have to be able to locate the button to press for my blind owner in the future. Dad starts by putting a treat low down on the pole, then he takes it higher each time (lots of treats involved - yum yum!) until eventually I am on my hind legs at the button. Eventually, I will do this without treats, but for now I am making the most of it. Later in the week, we met Harry again and went to a place where there was a river. I think it took about 1 minute before Harry shouted - "last one in is a chicken" so we both dive bombed in. I think Harry won that one, with me landing on his head. Dad threw a stick in the water and I was plucking up the courage to swim out to it - but I decided instead to wait for it to float to me - I am not daft you know! Later on, Harry kept getting in the water and trying to get back out under my paw....Mum says she thinks I was trying to hold him under the water, but would I do such a thing :) On Saturday, Dad took me for a long training walk as he thought I needed to get in a bit more practice - we went all around a big D.I.Y. shop and then to a railway station. Dad came home and told Mum I was very good - see I know what I am doing. Today, we have done the usual and been for a long walk (well not too long this week as it has been quite warm), and I did my usual and pinched a satsuma from a family who were having a picnic, they laughed though, so I think Mum & Dad were relieved. At Nan & Grandads I decided to hide under a bush and have a quiet few minutes munching on a stick. As you can see though, Mum found me and took a picture - I ask you what has a boy got to do to get some privacy these days!! Love Pickle xx

Week 35 - Who's a chicken............ 15^th April 2007 It has been very nice weather this week, so Harry and I have made the most of it and been for a nice long run. I think we upset Mum though.....Harry and I were in the middle of a game of chase and we didn't look where we were going and knocked Mum off her feet and sprained her ankle (she does it all the time though). We were very sorry for about 30 seconds, then ran off and started a new game! I think Mum was more upset with Dad though, he just filmed her on the ground with the video recorder (and laughed!). At least Harry's Mum was kind and concerned for her welfare!  After the run, we went into the shopping centre and met the chicken you can see. I also had a run with Chelsea and Misty (Pixie came too) and we heard that Spencers Mum has a new puppy, called Anka. I can't wait to meet her, she will be sooooo cute! Dad seems to be doing videos of everyone now, so don't expect to see any of his pictures on here this week. Maybe one day, Mum will work out how to put a video clip on my diary. Oh, before I forget, guess what...Mum & Dad had a letter from Jasper's new owner, they were so pleased. Jasper is the big puppy that was still here when I arrived - I have added another picture of him in case you forgot what he looked like. On Saturday, Mum and I went fund raising for Guide Dogs and met lots of nice people on their way home from Easter holidays in Cornwall. I think we did very well - Harry was there with me too. I think I got more strokes than he did, tee hee. Dad says to tell you that Harry also knocked over my water bowl and made me lie in it so I got all wet and dusty! We were both very well behaved I think (apart from the water bowl incident)  . Today, Dad has gone out so Mum took me for a walk by the river. It was fun, I started off in the clean water and then progressed to the mud. By the time I had finished I was no longer a golden colour but more of a mud black - and smelly too! Mum put me in the car and when we got home, she made me stay in the garden, but as the mud did not come off, she gave me a .......... bath! So now I have run riot around the house shaking off water everywhere and barking - that will teach them! I am going to be 9 months old this week, so in about 2 - 3 months time, my supervisor will be deciding when I go in for my training - can't wait to see Spencer again if he is still there. Of course, as Harry is older than me, he will most likely already be there too - I hope we get to share a dorm together. Love Pickle xx

Comment:- Spencer & Chelsea said... Hi Pickle Just a quick note as I am about to do my hair .. Mum heard from our Spencer's trainer today, he has a temporary boader, a man who like Jaspers owner, lives on his own. Apparently he is getting on really well. He didnt listen to me on ways to get out of this job lark .. oh well. Baby Anka has settled in, sleeps all night and has been dry overnight for the last two, but she snores .. some lady ! See you soon love Chelsea x