Made with Xara

Week 10 - Nearly 4 months old now Hello again, I am writing my diary tonight while there are lots of bangs and flashes going on outside, I don't know what it is all about, but apparently the date is significant - 5th November? I would be really scared if Mum & Dad hadn't shown me there is nothing to be scared of, but other dogs might not be as brave as me. Isn't that a great picture of me with my pals this week... we went for a free run around a huge park. At one time there was at least 10 of us charging around - they were all bigger than me, so for a while I was a bit wary, but I soon joined in. As you can imagine, we would not all be sitting still if there was not a treat involved! That is me waiting patiently at the back. I will tell you a little bit about what training I have been doing this week, but first I have a very special mention to make. Mum & Dad have told me that there are some children from Littleborough Community Primary School - classes 5 and 6, who are following my progress in my diary. I am really pleased, and hope that they will be able to see how one day I will become one of those really clever dogs that help blind people to walk along the pavement with confidence (Mum says, not unless I pull my socks up - what does she mean!). So, the training that I have been doing this week has been official and unofficial. The official training is that I am learning what 'forward' and 'steady' mean when I am walking along. 'Forward' means that from a stand still, I should start walking. 'Steady' means I am going too fast and need to slow down a bit (I think Dad just needs to walk faster personally!). The unofficial training is the compulsory chasing of leaves when walking along the pavement, oh and bits of paper, plus anything else that flutters or is shiny. Also, I have decided that I like my bedding to be in the living room, so each evening I painstakingly bring each blanket in, only for Mum to put it back in the kitchen and I have to start again! She is such a spoilsport. Anyway, I am looking forward to next week as I am going to see some Brownies to show them how cute I am and Dad is going to tell them all about Guide Dogs. My mate Harry is also going along, so there could be trouble, I will try to behave, but can't guarantee it. I am now going to go and look out of the window at all the pretty colours of the fireworks, and wait patiently for my dinner.......... Love Pickle xx

Week 11 - All I want for Christmas is ..my two front teeth! I am woofing with a lithp at the moment as my teeth have started falling out. No-one told me that was going to happen! I can't beat Dad with a tug of war now as everything slips out of my mouth. Just wait till I get my new ones, then I will sort him out. I am a little late with my diary this week as we have been out for a long day walking on the beach, as you can see from the picture. It was greeeeat fun, much better than the builders sand in the front garden that I have been used to previously. I have had a very busy week again, the hardest bit is remembering it all. Oh yes, on Monday we went to see the Brownies and Dad gave a talk about Guide Dogs. Harry (I am going to call him H from now on) was there as well, and I am sorry but I was a little bit naughty as I was bored because Mum was trying to make me sit still and quiet. Then on Tuesday, Dad took me for a walk with 'H' and his Mum and I beat him up - he is bigger than me, but I don't care. On Thursday, Mum and Dad were invited to a puppy walkers information day. I was allowed to go along too, as long as I was in a creche. While Mum and Dad were hearing all about Guide Dogs breeding programmes and training, I was being looked after by my Supervisor, so it wasn't so bad, and I was taken for a couple of nice walks. On Friday, the kind lady who is sponsoring my training left her big dog Pixie with Dad for the day. We got on really well and she likes getting as muddy as I do in the garden, so Dad had two of us to clean up. Then, as if that wasn't fun enough, I went to stay with H for the day. He lives with two other big dogs, so we had a real rough and tumble (for quite a few hours his Mum said!). Next week, H is coming for a sleepover, now where are those creepy crawlies for me to put in his bed.......... Love Pickle xx

To My Mate Pickle, When you came to visit us, I shared with you my Toys, Poor Mummy Lesley & Nunky Jeff Put up with all your noise, But when I came to stay with you, I had to search my Bed, To look for Creepy Crawlies, In case the bit my Leg, I waited til the dead of night, When you were fast asleep, Then I took all those Creepy Crawlies, And put them on your Head !!!! OOWWWZAAAT Pickle ?? Much Love, Harry xxxx

Week 12 - Another week in the life Well, I have H over for a sleepover and look how he takes advantage! He is sitting on Dads lap and being groomed with MY brush! We had good fun and only a few scraps (with no injuries). While Dad wasn't looking H showed me how easy it was to get stuff off the kitchen worktops. The only thing on there at the time though was H's breakfast - so we had that - at 8pm. Dad thought it was funny but pretended to H's Mum that he was shocked. Anyway, I am now practising the art of worktop scavenging, I'll let you know if I find anything interesting up there. I have been doing some more training this week, and Dad says I am getting much better at walking in a straight line. On Friday we went along to an art exhibition where there were 3 other big dogs. We were there to show where the money for Guide Dogs go, and I was very well behaved. Only one or two barks - and not my loudest by any means. Yesterday I had a new experience, I met some little people. I think they call them toddlers, they were great fun, but they did cry a lot when I ran off with their comforter blanket, or their socks or their shoes! Mum and Dad were very pleased with me as I was very gentle and only gave them a lick. Mum wants to know when the rest of my teeth are going to fall out, she keeps examining them and wiggling them a bit. The toddlers also had their sister with them who is a bit older, we had lots of pictures taken together and she said she loves me! Next week, I am having Pixie to stay for a long sleepover, she is staying for a week. I can't wait, we will have such a lot of fun. No creepy crawlies for her bed, she is older than me (by a long way) and could get me back a lot worse. Love Pickle xx

Comments:- Hello Pickle, Just read your blog and don’t I look cute !! Well it is easy to see I am the best behaved, the best looking and a lot brainier than you, Look whose sitting comfy ME haha.  Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday so we can catch up on all your news. See ya Squirt !! Harry XXX