Made with Xara

Week 39 -  What a poser....... 13^th May 2007 Aren't I a handsome boy then? Well I think I am anyway. Mum took this one when I was in a melancholy mood - I went and chewed up one of her pot plants later, so it didn't last long! This week has been a fairly normal guide dog puppy one - training walks with Dad, and fun walks with Mum. She took me for a walk by the river but forgot that it had been raining the day before, so the ground was all wet and muddy. After I had jumped in the water a few times, it was even muddier. It is raining today too, but we still had a good walk with Chelsea - who just LOVES rolling in the mud. I think Mum & Dad thought I would do it too, but I stuck to jumping in and out of puddles - much more fun! On Monday, we went to a street fair where I live and all my friends came along too. We were the centre of attention for all the wet people - yes it was raining again then too. If I get caught in the rain much more, I will shrink. At the last weigh in I was 37kgs, so I will be even bigger when I am fully grown (unless it keeps raining!). Yesterday I went to see Ivan in his home, we had a great time in the garden. I handed down to him, all the guide dog puppy secrets of how to have fun in your own garden - things like, breaking branches off big shrubs and tearing round the garden with them, and lifting your leg on a prized flower specimen! I didn't need to show him digging as he already learnt that when he stayed with me last week. Well, I have done my best, the rest is up to him now. I suggested that he starts in the vegetable patch as that looks like it will be most fun, and get most response from his Mum & Dad! While I was with Ivan, I met a little kitten called Lily - we were made for each other Pickle & Lily - do you get it? She was not scared of me at all - but I was a teensy bit scared of her as I just thought she was a toy that moved at first! Well, that is my update for this week, I am a bit tired, so I am going for a snooze now. I need to keep up my strength as Ivan is coming to stay for the afternoon on Wednesday and I need to take him through his courses of - Intermediate Digging (he has to start his own hole, not just continue with one of mine) and Beginnners Pot Plant Destruction (he has to select a suitable pot and decide how to get the plant out). I will let you know next week if he has passed. Love Pickle xx

Week 40 - Little & Large   20^th May 2007 As you can see, Ivan came to stay for a day this week. He needed to be taken through his paces with digging and depotting, as I mentioned in last weeks posting. He did alright, but I would say A for effort but C for achievement. He probably needs to be a little bit bigger before he gets onto the serious stuff. He was very cheeky and every time I told him what he needed to do, he just laughed at me and jumped on my head. I kept asking Mum to help me out, but she just chuckled as she thought it was funny - thanks Mum! Earlier in the week, I saw my mate Harry. I don't have to be so careful when I play with him as he can give as good as he gets (and often does). We decided to play a prank on Harrys' Mum and when she went to the toilet we charged in the bathroom and stole 3 toilet rolls. Harry took the lead, but I was close behind and we ran around until Mum got them off us. If you come to our house now, you might find some strange holes in the toilet paper when you come to use it - tee hee! Yesterday, I went round to Herbie's Mum & Dad's house - Ivan was there. I also met a Goldendoodle called Fizzy (I call her 'fuzzy fizzy' as she has lots of hair), we had a good romp around the garden - and it was not my fault that Ivan stood underneath me when I had to go the toilet, he got a bit wet - ssshh don't tell his Mum & Dad. Today, Mum and I went for a walk by the river, and this is me showing how brave I am crossing the bridge. I wanted to get back in the water for a paddle, so that is why I was hurrying on ahead. Mum is such a slow coach when there is so much to do and so many smells to investigate......... This last picture is of me after Ivan left the other day, I definitely needed a nap! Next week is very exciting, I am seeing my supervisor to be assessed on my progress, and my Gran from the Isle of Wight is coming to stay for a few days..now what can I put in her bed to make her jump! Love Pickle xx

Week 41 - Harry is getting old.... 27^th May 2007 This week's update is dedicated to Harry as he was one year old last week. I notice I didn't get an invite to the party, so I have made up a nice Happy Birthday tune for him, so here goes! Happy Birthday to you I shall send you a chew Cos your fluffs in disguise Bring tears to the eyes And your Mum can have a few too Hope you like it Harry! We have had a couple of romps this week and I thought you would like this picture of us. I had just told Harry I was going to make up a tune for him and you can see what he thought of that! Apparently Ivan deserves his diploma in digging now as he has been practicing hard, and his Dad says he now has a garden like a minefield. That's my boy! I saw my supervisor this week and he brought with him a new coat that I have to wear when I am training. This is so that kind people who want to stroke me all the time, realise that I am training and should not be distracted - perhaps if I get used to it, Mum can knit me one in different colours depending on what colour I feel like wearing that day (somehow I think not). I expect Harry likes his, it takes him back to the days when he was wearing a t-shirt. The picture is of me, the first time I tried it on, don't look too happy do I. However, the next day, we went off to a shopping centre where there was a guide dog collection being held. Harry had his on too, and we cut quite a dashing picture walking through the crowds. Mum says I walked with a swagger and looked proud to be wearing it. Later in the morning, Ivan popped along for a few minutes, so we set about him - it was only fun, we know he is only a baby! My Gran from the Isle of Wight has been staying with us for a few days, so Mum & Dad had to train her on what to do and not do with me. I wish they would stop interfering, I don't mind if she feeds me treats all day. I haven't run off with anything of hers yet, but give me time....... Love Pickle xx