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Week 20 - Waltzing Matilda...... 7^th January 2007 G'day everyone, look at the hat they made me wear! This happened at Nans house yesterday when I saw lots of people and a dog called George. He is a Labrador, but is not a guide dog, he is 5 years old and we got on rather well I think. This week, Dad & I have been back in training as Mum was at work again. The training is very difficult, it involves going over a field with Harry and having a good run around, then going and sitting quietly while the people have a coffee.....great fun! I did have an incident this week though, it was all Harry's fault (of course). He egged me on to chase him and I ran into his Mum, but I didn't know it would knock her over. She laughed though as she hadn't hurt herself, so that's alright. Dad didn't tell her that she had got really muddy, so when they went for a coffee, she didn't know but everyone else did!! I have also this week, been on my holidays, only for one night though. I went to stay with the nice people who had me before for the day, I was very tired though as that was the same day I had had a run with Harry. So, I was very well behaved, apart from trying to run off with a pair of socks and slippers at the same time! I have some more pictures, but I will put them on next weeks diary as I don't have time to do them today. This picture is of me all relaxed and clean.....however a couple of hours earlier I had been for a romp around a muddy garden with a puppy called Misty. We had a great time and she showed me all the best ways of getting as muddy as possible in a short space of time. Mum was a bit upset when she saw me as we were supposed to be going to Nans in an hour. She wiped me down with a few wet wipes, but I was still a bit of a mess when I got there. Funnily enough by the time I left, I was looking clean again. It must have all come off on Nans carpet! I'd better not go round there for a few days in case she is cross with me. Love Pickle xx

Week 21 - Getting older.................... 14^th January 2007 I will be 6 months old this week, which I have worked out is 3.5 in human years. Does that mean I should be grown up now, or can I still be a puppy! I hope it means I can still be a puppy as I don't feel like growing up and being sensible yet. I promised you a photo from last week, when I went on my sleepover, as you can see I was impeccably behaved! Well, those socks and slippers were just toooooo tempting. I am going back there again next weekend, so they had better hide them well, or I will find them again!! It has been a week of free runs (that is what they call it when I am allowed off the lead, and to run around like a lunatic) and training walks where I have to behave as I am on the lead and learning about not being distracted. The smells are just so interesting though, it is really hard to concentrate. Mum & Dad have been trying to decide on a new carpet this week, so we have had lots of visitors with tape measures and stuff. I keep telling them not to bother as I WILL get it muddy, but they don't listen. Oh well, I did my bit when they asked me to try out all the samples for comfort, they were all jolly good, better than the hard floor I've been used to since I arrived! So, the latest is that the new carpet will be here in about 10 days - that will be a fun day I am sure. Ooh, nearly forgot to tell you, Dad had fun this week as all the fences in the garden blew down in a particularly strong gust of wind. I offered to help him put some new ones back up, but he decided to do it without me, and sent me off to Nans for the afternoon, where I woke her up from a nap with a great big kiss. She loved it!

Today, we have been for a lovely (muddy) walk in the countryside, wow you wouldn't believe the smells there. Here is a picture to show you what it was like. I am hoping that I get a chance to get some sleep later, but I have heard mention of going to Nan & Grandads for a game of cards, it's a hard life being a guide dog puppy......... Love Pickle xX

Comments:- Hi Pickle, Great blog again this week, I see I didn’t get a mentioned, but then again who am I, I am your best friend that’s who, I think this blog thing has gone to your a head a bit personally, we all know I am the best looking best behaved puppy. Any way I thought I would let you know my terrific news. This weekend I had a couple of sleep overs with Nanna Lynne, and guess what she took me to see my REAL Mummy, Can you believe that my very REAL Mummy, I knew who she was straight away I haven’t seen her for a long time but I remembered her straight away, she really is gorgeous as all Mummy’s are, of course she didn’t know who I was at first as I have grown so much. Aren't I a lucky boy, Nana Lynne said that Nunky Pete who is Mummy’s adapted Dad thought I was gorgeous too and very pleased to see me, I was on my best behaviour of course. Can't wait to see you this week and I can tell you all about it. See you soon. Harry xxxxx

Week 22 - Getting Colder........  21^st January 2007 This is me in cheeky mood, Mum didn't want me to add this picture, but I thought it was important that you all saw all aspects of Guide Dog puppy development! The weather is getting a bit chillier now, so I am glad I have my nice warm bed to snuggle into at night. The fences that Dad replaced last week have managed to stay up, so that is something (even though we have had even stronger winds than last time). I keep giving them a little nudge with my nose, but they are holding up so far. My next plan is to dig a tunnel underneath. I have started the excavations, but I must be careful not to let Mum & Dad see, so I have to dig another hole in the garden to bury the evidence. So far, we have 1 (partly dug) tunnel and about 50 holes! This picture is me trying to divert attention, I pretended I was stuck in the bush..... I have been along to a train station this week and was allowed on the platform to watch the trains and the people coming and going. It was very interesting, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - Dad says we can go back in a couple of weeks time. Yesterday, Mum took me for a walk to Nans house, the way we walked was through muddy fields. Mum texted ahead to suggest a towel might be a good idea when we got there. Grandad was waiting with a postage stamp sized towel - it just about wiped one of my paws, so reinforcements were called for, and after a good rub down, I was allowed in. This weekend, Mum & Dad went to a Guide Dogs charity dinner, and so I went to stay with Herbie's Mum & Dad again. Before I left though, I needed to check that Mum had packed all my belongings, I didn't want to be left without any essentials like food, bed, toys, treats (and poo bags Mum says!). I had a really nice time, went to the pub, went for a walk, had my tea, went for another walk. When I came home, Mum says I slept for about 4 hours, which is just as well as I think Dad was overtired too, he had very red eyes. He says he had a late night - and Mum says a lot of something called whiskey. I haven't mentioned my mate Harry for a couple of weeks - he has been out of communication for some reason! I expect to see him tomorrow when we are both seeing our supervisor so he will be able to tell me all his news, and we can have a roll around on the floor and embarrass Dad and Harry's Mum! Love Pickle xx