25th June

CBT: Compulsory Basic Training.  I am back to school. BOO! This morning we went on a short walk. Marie had my favourite treats and I was not allowed to walk past her. Each time I tried, I was reminded to walk close to her and did it for a few minutes. Then we would stop, I sat and had a reward.  Each time I was going too quickly, I was reminded to slow down, and wait, get back in position by Marie’s legs, walk a few minutes and I was rewarded again. I was strugling a bit the first 10 minutes but after, I got the message! The 20 minutes remaining were purr- fect. No more looking for cats, smelling rabbits in the grass, no more running away on my own, no more chasing birds in front of Marie. She had taken the lead but didn’t need it at all. Actually I enjoyed it this way just as much.  Marie said next time we would take a ball with us and chase it instead, and play together.

24th June

We went for a first 5 km run in the morning, where I got very hot. Marie stopped us in a shady area in tall grasses and we just waited there a few minutes. I was then filled up with energy again. I had a very enjoyable walk. In the evening, Marie took me for a bigger walk. At first I thought we wouldn’t go, Marie coming back late from work. But when I saw she had changed into walking garments I bounced of joy! I had 150% energy back from resting all day and I only wanted to run after everything, forgetting Marie was walking too. I got told of several times because of my selective hearing. I was then put on the lead but keep pulling Marie with me. She was not happy at all but I didn’t care, as long as I could spot rabbits, cats, birds... anything to run after! Without lead, I was always a good 100 meters in front and although was reminded many times to stay closer, I couldn’t care less. We went past the horses on Magpie green. I wanted to drink from the trough but the level of water was too low for me to reach. Marie helped me by giving water in her hands. On our way back I disappeared 5 minutes. I had followed my nose in the field ahead. As both Marie and I had spotted the young fox, I went to have a play with it. It was like playing with a young shy dog so I decided just to follow it in the beans,but scared it at the end, I suppose. Then, I was again, side-tracked by the smell of a munt jack and after playing in the beans like Marie would have done in a maize, I returned to our walk, still ignoring Marie. It was rather late when we watered Star and Kiri. Jan rang us tonight. Marie had put the loudspeaker on so I could hear Jan talk and all the dogs barking in the background. I wagged my tail with force and had such a big smile on! I could recognize my very own breeder! Marie told her how naughty I had been tonight and Jan seem to have given her a lot of advice...

23rd June

Mary wanted to show the garden to friends of hers today. So she arrived at 2:30. I loved it as she had prepared a bag full of treats such as cheese and biscuits just for me. I was the proud puppy seen as very well behaved (heeling nicely, giving paws, rolling over, etc...) but also very greedy indeed. Tonight I met new friends: Sky the Samoyed, Blue the Collie. Sky was such a fun dog! We chased each other (she chased me more than I chased her), bounced together in the grass, rolled on the footpath and I had to back off a little because she was being very tough on me. When she rolled over me she was ever so heavy! She also ran into me without breaks and we both ended covered with dust. As I had to follow David and Marie I had to say good bye to her. What a laugh! When Blue came along, I know he wanted to play but I was then on the lead on my way back home and we didn’t have the time to spare. Also I met him right on the road, which didn’t help getting boisterous.

22nd June

I picked a fight with an insect. (flying, black and...crunchy). He had no chance with me. Night butterflies are funny to chase too but harder to catch.

21st June

Amazingly we took Star with us today. Star is the grey mare. David was with us for the walk too. Whilst Marie was riding Star, David kept an eye on me. Went Star went faster I was just in front of her checking she was still behind me, cantering. It was very hard to run and look back in the same time and I didn’t know how fast to run too. On the way back Star was in the front this time and she just went! She left me behind in a blink of an eye. I caught up as Marie slowed her down a little and then just kept up with them. Wow! That was a run! I think I have never been so fast, what a sprint! I will call this lane the Star lane and will refer to it as and when. It is a beautiful stretch of 1 km long with very soft ground in a very beautiful countryside.

20th June

It’s my half birthday today and I got a brand new leather collar! (I am 6 months old!) I loved the collar so much I chewed it the first day. It was a bit long and once adjusted onto my neck the end part was just in the way of my ferocious teeth. So I have shortened it and it feels better. It’s all chewed and horrible at the end but it doesn’t bother me.

19th June

I didn’t want to go in the car but did I have a choice? So I spent the afternoon in the office, just doing the usual: sleep. Life for a puppy is not so bad. But because it was Friday, we didn’t stay long enough to get me bored. As soon as we arrived home, I was thrown back in the car. I wasn’t too chuffed about it, but it worked out nicely at the end because we went for a walk a bit further, leaving the car behind.

18th June

I thought I would do a disappearing act but was caught just on time. I had decided to check the neighbourhood on my own, just going down the green, on the road. I have to say that I was spotted and called back home, within seconds I had laid a foot on the road. Marie must have been spying on me.

17th June

My running skills are coming on, it’s my eye sight that is not very good. I don’t look around, I smell around. I would love to catch a bunny one of these days. I really got so close this morning! Actually two hares were peacefully eating in the tall grass. One of them ran for shelter and I spotted it then. He took me quite a distance away, but I had to give up the chase because Marie was calling. As I came back, the second hare bumped into me (our noses touched each other’s) I can’t say at this very moment who scared who and we both jumped back of surprise. Realizing what had happened, I started chasing it too...no success, I was too slow - again. Chris took me tonight at the rabbit’s run. It was very enjoyable.

16th June

I regularly have 2 walks a day (weather permitting) for a total of 2 hours to 2 hours thirty. On both occasions we enjoy looking for things to chase. Looking is not really the right word for me as my nose does it all. Almost. My nose has become a terrific tool to detect all sorts of odours. Unfortunately when I am spot on,  on the smell...the animal is already gone. I could smell a deer had slept in the grass, leaving pressed grass in a shape of a circle. I could smell rabbits had grazed on the edge of the bank, there were fresh droppings. I could smell a pheasant or partridge had sheltered in the wheat, in fact noise indicated I was getting closer...But the strongest of all smells has to be fox. Marie saw it (smaller than me, a little redder, with a fluffy tail just like mine) but I didn’t. I could frantically smell its presence in the bean field. I disappeared for a few minutes, but never caught up with it. Later, David and Marie kept on waving in a direction “a deer, a deer, run! Fetch!” but with my nose on ground level, It never crossed my mind to look up.

David carried me over his shoulders, but I had no idea what it was for. After putting me down, I knew there was something I had to find and I went in every direction, in circles, the tension becoming greater. Marie started running across the abandoned, crop less field and something in the distance moved. At last I was out of my misery I had found what had left such a distinct smell. I had the sprint of my life! I would like to believe the deer too. I chased him for a very long minute, until I was out of sight of both deer and wavers. I came back to heel as quickly as I had gone, quite out of breath. Wonderful!

15th June

Kiri is my friend.

This morning we paused our lives together, in the field, just enjoying each other’s company. Coming back from the rabbits’ run a cat was basking in the sun in the flower beds.

I sent it up a tree and barked at him for a fee minutes trying to figure out how to get closer.

I had to stop teasing the cat, Marie said.

After the excellent sunny weather of the week end Marie became browner. You have to pay for an extremely good weather in this country. Showers and storm followed: no walkies tonight! Lightning and thunder weren’t enough to scare me though.

14th June

David took me to the rabbits’ run this morning.

When it became hotter I was struggling to keep cool.

As more people visited (open gardens' day) I couldn’t care less what was happening unless kids were about. A few times I could just hear them laugh and that got me on my foot very quickly to chase balls.

One little girl was very proud of herself when she commanded me to sit, and got a result. I then gave both my paws as she commanded me to do so. Open gardens or not, all these people really came to see me.

They said I was a lovely specimen, a family attraction, an all year around interest, with attractive features and colours that would possibly change over the seasons. They also said I was very well rooted here and suited the garden perfectly. I also heard about my grotesque bark (well,  you know I am a growing puppy - with the most handsome manners, mind you). I seem to be very adaptable on any soil, (although with the kind of coat I have, I am not the one to thrive in full sun, on the contrary, sheltered, shady areas are best for me). They believed I could be an interesting challenge for wildlife. (I can understand that  l don’t attract bees, birds and butterflies, but scare rabbits, cats and ducks - apart from Syd, Nancy and the 8 ducklings). I also heard that manure-wise, I am the kind that needs feeding (yet again, this is correct, I like manure, I eat it, I particularly enjoy cats’, although horses’ is very tasty too). David also mentioned I need not be watered too much (ah, yes, he’s right, otherwise my bladder becomes uncontrollable). I love open gardens' day, it’s all and only about me... Later, in the cooler evening, after snorkels on the barby, David took me for a walk, but he was on a funny wheelie thing: a bicycle. This made the walk quite relaxing (because he keeps up with me and I don’t have to go backwards and forwards to meet him).

What a fantastic day!

13th June

David and Marie are opening the garden today. I haven’t a clue what this means, we will see.

It’s a wonderful weather, and our morning walk is great as both David and Marie join me for a long walk to the rabbits’ run. On the green, I learn to follow the direction Marie points out regularly (to run after rabbits) I try to understand but I don’t get it right all the time. I also learn new words, like “go left, go right, over the bridge, this way...” Marie said it would help on the agility course.

A few people came to visit. They made a fuss of me. I barked as they approached, then smiled, sneered, and accepted some caresses before going back to my shady spot. Then more people came. Again, fuss, caresses, smiles, wag my tail, a few sits and heel and down...And again, more people came to see me, and more and more and more. At the end I couldn’t bother greeting them anymore. I was asleep, just lifting my head to check what was going on from time to time. David and Marie never mentioned anything about me being a guard dog...

I

Got the ball at last!

12th June

Coming back from our walk I noticed a bird was struggling in the grass. I picked it up in my mouth an shook the life out of it. Marie told me off and took the lifeless chick away. It was a baby bird that had fallen from the bird box just above us. After a while of examining it, Marie believed it had been pushed out the nest for some abnormalities was crippling it.

These are sheep we saw on our walk tonight.

11th June

Marie waters the green house every morning. But it has been so hot that she leaves the doors open, even in the night. Well, this morning I had a surprise guest that deserved being chased out of the greenhouse, and out of my garden. The black cat had made himself comfy amongst the garden gloves gathered in a crate. The poor devil was as chocked to find me as I was to find him. I now know what a "cat" is and can get wined up easily just with the word.

The following pictures is me in the twilight, having my moment of mad max.

10th June

If the question is "do nettles sting dogs?" The answer is most definitely! I was chasing rabbits and those had sheltered in a bush of nettles. I followed them in there and when I came back I kept rubbing my itchy nose on the cool grass. Then I tried to ease the itch by rubbing my nose with my paws too. It didn’t work. After a while though, I couldn’t feel the itch any more. With the thick coat I have, nettles never hurt other parts of my skin.

Other rabbits disappeared in the ditch. I wanted to go in there, but wasn’t so sure about it. I sat and looked at the thistles and said to the rabbits “come on you bastards, come out and fight!” Nothing happened.

9th June

Two very heavy retrievers chased me and scared me. I had to ask Marie’s help to get rid of them . I wasn’t hurt, but very surprised at the encounter. I only wanted us to be friends.

8th June

7th June

Today is Sunday. It’s raining. We aren’t going for a walk this morning, we aren’t going exploring. It’s just dull and cold. I enjoy being cosy in my basket. Marie baked a cake. I watched and then cleaned the dish. I love cake mix! David was very jealous of me, he wanted some cake mix too. Later he got me a pig’s ear. It kept me quiet or some time. When Gran arrived later she gaves me a big fuss. I jumped on her lap and gave her a makeover. I enjoyed the gravy left from the Sunday roast. I got to lick plates too. I played with the oxo box.

6th June

David and Marie are getting the garden ready for the open garden’s day on the 13^th and 14^th June. Do you like my garden?

We don’t have much time for a long walk but I definitely get enough exercise all day.

I am getting better at catching the ball. Often I bounce too soon or too late. A few times I catch it just in time, in the bounce.  That makes David very happy. With Chris and David, I played doggy in the middle. Even though I do catch the ball sometime, I always have to stay in the middle. I jump  very high now! We had a cup of tea with biscuits on the lawn. I had my share too, with a weaker colder tea, but still very enjoyable. I particularly love the biscuits. I felt exhausted after a day’s gardening and running around, jumping and bouncing...without any sleep at all! We had a barby tonight. I said we, because I had a sausage (after everyone had finished their meal)! It cooled down before I ate it, but still the warmth of it was a bit odd. After that, I literally fell in my basket and slept very well indeed.

5th June

I am getting really good at smelling rabbits and deer on my walk. I surprised a few partridges and some pigeons surprised me. I stalked pheasants again. I caught a more hen chick. I shocked it a little, it looked dizzy but then it was able to run away from me and swim. The ducklings are growing very fast too. Out of thirteen, only eight remain. I swear, I didn’t chew the missing ones. The ducklings eat in Marie’s hand now. They get a bit weary when I am around, but the call for food is greater. Marie gave me a ride in her car to the garden center. I was left in the car for the first time on my own. It was only 10 minutes or so, and I didn’t panic, just stayed peacefully waiting for her to come back.

David put the sparkler on again.

I loved catching the water and playing with the hose,

until it got a bit cold.

What is it the end of the game?

Again Marie didn’t want to give me a loving. I wonder why.

4th June

I saw it, I saw it, It saw it. I saw the deer this time and I chased it across the wheat field. He was bouncing in the field and I tried the same, but being far smaller I could only see it from time to time. It was amazing being in the wheat, it was almost like swimming, every stroke pushing me higher and further away.

At the end I had to give it up. It was a lot of fun though. Only 5 minutes later another (smaller) deer rushed out of the bean field, just in front of me. I chased it for a few 100 meters, then it disappeared in the ditch, like by magic. I tried to ask Marie for some help, for a clue where it had gone, but Marie didn’t know. She said that it would be here again tomorrow. We’ll just have to wait and see. When we came back from that walk, I went in my basket, looked at Marie and said with my eyes, “it’s ok, you can go to work, I’ll be just fine, I’ve got some sleeping and growing to do”. And she left me in my basket.

I think I might be in love. Is it too soon? I went to see our neighbour’s dog whilst David was mowing the lawn. I like to say hello, but she always seems so frightened. I’d like to play with her. Jackie and Penny (mother and daughter) often walk their dogs on my walk. When we meet it’s nice to catch up with dog news. A couple of golden retrievers also use my walk. Their owners always comment on my growth. I am getting really bigger.

3rd June

I had been difficult with dog food. In the beginning I had biscuits mixed with tin food. That was nice. After, the tin food was dropped and I had to accept the dried biscuits. I didn’t enjoy them, so they were soaked in water, but I preferred when they were soaked in milk. Whilst I was teething I didn’t have much appetite. David was worried that I didn’t like my food, and was already blaming the bad choice of food on the vet (Marie). I have to admit that I also had plenty of bones, chews, biscuits, cheese, crisps, titbits, pigs ears... really I have never been starving! Now that all my teeth are out, sharp and strong, I really scoff more than I should. It looks like I am hungrier than before, or at least growing even faster than before.  Marie has been talking about changing my food, but to be honest, I love it. I just don’t enjoy eating 3 or 4 times a day. Just once is fine. No dog is a gourmet and can live with the same food every day of its life. Cross my heart!

2nd June

On my early walk, I chased a rabbit and two pheasants. Marie saw a deer but I didn’t know where to look (again),so I missed out on that one. We practised the “stop and go”, “sit stay and come” too but not for long. David took me for a walk too and I caught a magpie chick. I had it gently in my mouth, but had to let go, according to David. So I did. The blooming bird stayed on his back for a while, then flew badly into the brambles. (only because he was learning to fly, not because he was hurt - he wasn’t-). When we came back David showed me a terrific game. It’s called the sprinkler. The garden hose had a whole so water was leaking with a lot of pressure though it. I tried to catch the water at first by putting my paws on the whole. That didn’t work so I tried to catch the water with my mouth. That got me wet. Then I tried to catch the water coming out from the sprinkler. That got me very wet. When Marie came back from work I had only one thing in mind: jump on her and show her how much I loved her. I hadn’t planned to be soaking wet, but I had expected her to show as much love as I towards her. Instead she pushed me away with disgust. She wasn’t upset because she played tug-o-war with me with the towel. I suppose she was trying to dry me.

1st June

We didn’t go for a walk this time, but I helped making a new paddock for the horses. I watched Marie put the electric fence up, jumped in and out of the car several times as we drove - and  stopped - around the field. Then the dogs from the neighbourhood went for a walk and decided to join in. Marie wasn’t watching when I left, but I got caught when one of the other dogs barked so loudly, terrified I would harm her. All the “comes and heels “  I was taught were forgotten for a laps of time, which got Marie very cross. My last adult canines are growing very fast. In just one day they have pushed out incredibly high. The sensation of canineless dog only lasts 2 or 3 days. Yesterday the new canines were merely visible though the gum, and tonight they are almost as out as the front teeth. I am now a 42 teeth dog.

30th May 31st May

David and Marie leaft me for the week end. I spent a lot of time in Chris’ car, being driven around and dropped at Gran’s. That’s where I lost my last two (bottom) canines. Act 1 scene 1: I was watching the trees, at the front of the house, being trimmed. Scene 2: When Gran came to see too she had her knitting with her. I thought I would play with the wool hanging from her arm, it was calling me...scene 3: so I caught the piece with my teeth and when I ran away with my trophee. Act 2, scene 1: the piece of wool got caught in my wobbly teeth. Scene 2: running away with tied teeth pulls them out. Ouch that hurts! Scene 3: Gran finds out that my gums are bleeding and she wipes them with a tissue. Act 3, scene 1: David and Marie are back to pick me up. Scene 2: I greet them  with joy, happiness and saliva shampoo. Marie notices my holy gums and declares with excitement that I have lost my last puppies’teeth. Scene 3: a guilty Gran confesses that she has pulled them out by accident. Scene 4: three humans are kneeling on the grass to find the precious ivory, for the teeth box. Without success.

29th May

Third day on the trot I am out of bed early for a morning walk. I surely am having some exercise to keep me dosing during the day. And it works. I lost two top canines today. I left them in my basket and Marie took them away in my teeth box. I am closer to being a dog with two new canines peeping through, a deeper bark and a few more centimetres.  I measure 49 cm and weigh 11.6 kg. I still wee like a girly though.

28th May

I think I can remember Marie saying she was going at some “Suffolk show” for the second day, so I didn’t get to see her much as she came back quite late. It was my bed time and although I gave her a little bit of Mad Max time, I soon retired in my basket. I can’t say anything exciting happened during the day, I just kept growing.

27th May

I was picked up by Gran and spent the day at hers. I ate a lot of cheese and biscuits, played on the lawn tug-o-war and was picked up later by David.

26th May

David is away. I think they are taking it in turns to stay with me. I had a feeling this morning the day would be different. We started with a wet morning walk and fed the horses. Then I was dried and fed too. When Marie left, she gave me a jumbo chew. It’s never a good sign (it means I mustn’t get bored), but it’s lovely. Early afternoon I was thrown out for merely two minutes and thrown back in. Marie is a magician, she disappears almost instantly and I am left again on my only until late afternoon. I thought then I wouldn’t have anything else of interest to put in my diary, but no, I was wrong. The day only started then. When Marie came back, off we went for re-inventing the longest day. I ran in the country side for a good two hours, learning, playing, listening and chasing. I loved it really! I don’t like thistle nor bramble so I always find an alternate way. Marie went from one field to the other by going down carefully a ditch. I was too scared to follow so she came back and carried me over. I then pretended I wasn’t ever scared. I don’t mind nettles, but I love playing hide and seek in the beans. Now and again Marie asked me to heel and I very generously heeled resulting in a jump first. The bit I love when I heel is leaning on her right leg (specially my head) and standing on her feet. We went very far, far enough to have play times and work times. I learnt “stop” and “go”, “stop” and “sit”, first close to Marie, and slowly further away. It was then easy to understand the “sit” at a distance. Before, in the distance, if I was to sit, I would automatically come back first. I also learnt the word “closer” and managed it very well. In fact now that I know “closer” I don’t pull on the lead anymore. Each time that I have been too fast on the lead to the point of pulling, Marie said “no”, “closer”... and it worked. I enjoy just walking by her shoes. She had tried to teach me “heel” meaning “come here, stop, sit at my right and lean on my leg” but I didn’t get it when she kept on walking. I much prefer the “closer”. I do it so well that we practised without the lead too. I was proud and Marie very happy. To break the order and “set me free” she either says “go” to walk away or “run” to run ahead. We went into a field where dozens of rabbits invited me to chase them. So I did. I looked at Marie first so as to get her approval. “go on” she said, that meant it all! The devils run so fast, I couldn’t catch up with any, but I could smell them all everywhere! I had never seen sheep before so I ran without thinking straight into the electric netting. That made me jump and scared me a lot as my medal was stuck in the netting. I yield and cried and as soon as I was free, ran back head first again in the netting. I yelped and was in total confusion as my head was stuck, then my legs and I was caught like a fish without being able to move an inch. The worst was the electric shock I had in pulses and there was nothing I could do. Marie untangled me bravely as she too was shocked by the electric fence. I got that lesson. Don’t run in the netting! I would have been on my own it would have been a disaster. It won’t happen again, cross my heart! When we came back the same way, I was VERY careful not to touch the thing and I watched with great attention the lambs grazing 2 feet away from me. Some of them even jumped together and I would have enjoyed joining in. The result was that after having slept ALL day, here I was suddenly in the lounge dreaming and counting rabbits. That’s what it take to make me happy, a two hour walk , can we do it again tomorrow?

25th May

David, Marie and Chris had a game of croquet. I wasn't allowed to join in. Later we went walking in the rain. I was in a terrible state after that. Marie shouted something about a deer, but I haven't seen anything. David was on the phone and that drove me mad! I  Played with Tia the Rott. The only way I could escape her heavy paws was running ahead of her. She's quite bulky and doesn't move fast at all!

24th May

Ickworth family day out. Had a long walk in the countryside. I couldn’t walk in the thistle so David picked me up and carried me through. I played football, had ice cream, tea and met loads of new people. David almost picked a fight with a women because I was called a miniature Alsatian! Ronny was with us and enjoyed the day as much as I did.

23rd May

Another great sunny day. Marie is back! I thought I knew the meaning of a bursting heart. Well believe me nothing compared to seeing Marie again. Larger head, larger nose and 42 teeth!

22nd May

Cool. Even though it’s Friday, David has a day off for me and his guest I suppose. The ducklings on the pond are fascinating and I love watching them endlessly. Of course David doesn’t particularly enjoy me going for a swim and getting my paws dirty, but I think it’s fun. All day long David fulfils the needs of a puppy like me, very energetic and demanding. Tug o war, catch, fetch, run, pick a boo, and football are the best ingredients for a delicious dog mix. Ronny joins in and declares, after seeing my skills at tackling, that I should be signed for the Chelsea team. Out of interest why? I questioned. I have heard David cheer Man U so many times, If I want to stay his best mate, I don’t want to go to Chelsea, bones are not that expensive. Still no sign of Marie. Sometimes I am away with the ferries and David believes I miss her. Well I do. I miss the exercises, the agility training, the massages, the English vocabulary lessons and the treats I get for good answers and behaviour. Africa is a long time.

21st May

Gran collected me today. I was on the back seat, perfect size to let me lean over and nibble her hair. It was a shame that I was told to stop, the competition had already been and Gran didn’t need a second hair set. As soon as we arrived, I was treated with a cuppa, and other treats. (my favourite is the cheese). I had a chew which I soon put paid to. Later I decided to have a fight with the fluffy small rug which was put down for me to lie on, but was more fun to pinch it up in my teeth and try to shake the life out of it. The afternoon turned out lovely and sunny. I played fetch with Gran (I was the one fetching...) I nibbled on my bone too while Gran sat on the patio sipping tea. (I had some too) and then desperately tried to find a hide for it in the garden. I wandered around in the garden several times, but decided the best hides would be indoors. I tried to sneak into the house with my bone, but you know who, must have eyes in the back of her head because I kept being spotted and had to give up. My bone was hidden behind the dustbin, but that’s a secret. When I came back home, I met Ronny, David’s godfather, or something like that. Still no sign of Marie, except a phone call that made me Mad Max around the lounge. I did a 100 mile/h run around the settee, bouncing on it now and again. I thought my heart was going to burst!

20th May

Have come to visit Gran again and I met a young man cutting her lawn. Christian was a good sport and we had a few games. I had a small football which I could get my teeth into. Christian tried to catch me and get it off me but I’m too quick. I was out of breath and had to shelter under the bench for a breather. I also met Claire and we played for a bit too. After this exhausting afternnon, back inside I jumped in my favourite manner onto Gran’s lap and tried all my tricks. Back at her feet I could lick her toes, peeping out of her sandals, and make her squeal. I found a small rug by her chair and we had a wonderful tug o war! In no time, I was on her lap again. I had to inspect the sofa again as I swore I could smell the presence of David. All this got me quite tired and my nap ended when Chris came and took me home.

!9th May

Chris overslept and Gran came to fetch me. I was lucky as she came just on time to let me out into the garden. I was bursting to have a wee. Then I was put into Gran’s car and taken to her house. That was a mini adventure that got m really excited. As soon as we arrived, Gran sat down in her chair and I jumped onto her lap and tried to eat her ears. When she stopped me, I tried out my new teeth on her cardigan sleeves. I had fun pinching one of the letters the postman had bought but Gran chased me so I only had managed to chew a corner. Next I was let out into the garden. We had a good game . I was running rings around Gran while she tried to get a ball off me. After that, Gran retired puffed out, so I went and dug up my bone. I took it into the house when I was told “out”! As I am a well behaved dog, I did as I was told. Gran didn’t want a very dirty bone in her nice clean house, what a shame, I was going to enjoy that! I was out enjoying a chew on my bone when I heard Gran come into the kitchen. (the back door to the garden is in the kitchen). The thought that came into my mind was “food”, but no such luck she was making herself a cup’o’tea. Well lucky me, Gran made me a dish of very weak milky tea. Now I love that and I lapped every last drop. Back to my bone, but every now & again I pop into the lounge and pounce on Gran to get another cuddle and my ears rubbed. I had another go t pinching the tissue up her sleeve, without luck. Just after my nap David came to pick me up and took me back home where Marie was still not to be seen.

18th May

Marie woke me at 5:00 am and I had to go out for a piddle. She was dressed and ready with coat on and shoes. She was obviously going somewhere. I decided to lean on her right leg, sit on her right foot and even lie on her toes. I had this kind of look that said “if you are going anywhere, take me with you”. She answered that Africa was not a place for me, it’ too hot. So I had to let her go and I still didn’t understand what Africa was. Later that morning Chris drove me three miles to his Gran’s.

I as a bit apprehensive as he has only passed his diving test, but I need not have been as he drove OK. As Gran was out when we arrived, Chris took me for a walk. I got quite excited when Gran came back and I nearly knocked her over in my excitement at seeing her.  I did try to chew her toes when she went to change from her shoes to her slippers. Later we went into the lounge. I was very puzzled, I sniffed all around the sofa, found the scent of David and Marie but where were they? I looked round the back of the sofa to see if they were hiding. I could swear I would find them, but no, so I poked my nose under the cushions. No luck. Oh well! I gave up and decided to go and jump onto Gran’s lap. She gave my ears a goods rub, which I like. Gran keeps a tissue just up her sleeve and no matter how many times I try to pinch it, she will not let me, spoil sport. Oh goodie, Gran has given me a lovely big juicy bone, so I I took it out into the garden and was just going to start on it when it started to rain. Gran came and took my bone back into the kitchen but then I pinched it back and took it out again. Luckily it stopped raining and I was left in peace to enjoy my bone.

17th May

Farted so badly that I decided to leave the lounge. David didn’t insist on me coming back, on the contrary, I was banned to share the lounge for the rest of the evening. Gran was with us and I heard her say that breaking wind like this was terrible. I can’t remember breaking anything.

16th May

When I get close to Kiri, she puts her ears back and lifts gently one of her back legs, as a warning. That soppy mare doesn’t want to play with me. Star is more fun because she lets me jump at her nose and steel her carrots.

15th May

If I said to you that I was left from 9:00 am to 4:00pm alone, without a mess, you wouldn’t believe me. It was very exceptional that I was left so long on my own, Marie must have been very busy indeed. Luckily as soon as David was back from work he made up for it and we went for a fantastic walk together.  I kept running up and down the lane, David couldn’t or didn’t want o keep up with me, so I felt a huge sense of freedom, stalking smells like I had never done before. I’ve never found anything thing yet. Sometimes the sudden flight of a birds out of a tree makes me jump and I watch with much interest. David yield “rabbits” but I haven’t a clue what he was on about.

14th May

Whenever I am in the kitchen I can’t resist grabbing the hanging tea towels and just leave them on the floor. I suppose it’s a game. The tea towels can be on the table, close to the edge or on a chair, on the work top, on a hook or on the heater... it’s my job to put them on the floor. I’ve known this kitchen for almost two months now and I still can’t get over the fact a dog like me is still in the oven. I barked at it again today. A good thing about the kitchen is the dish washer. If I pay attention, I manage to do a bit of the prewash. I was alert when Marie opened the dish washer. Unfortunately I wasn’t lucky this time as everything was already clean.

I saw another frog today. It was slow and ugly. Marie said it was a toad.

My instinct of rounding animals is creeping on me. The field begs for sheep, but failing that, horses will do. I tried rounding them, clumsily.

13th May

First important thing to do this morning is to go in the lounge. Unfortunately the door is closed, so I have to find a way to open it. Maybe if I stay in front of it Marie will notice me. Bingo. Now she has opened the door and I go straight for my treasure – only to take it to another safe place outside. When we went to feed the horses, I had enough confidence to bark at them, inviting them to play with me. Despite my efforts to stimulate them, they didn’t want to play catch, so instead I chose to eat horse droppings. Nice! Heel work is going nicely too (sitting and touching Marie’s right leg). I like that command, it’s fairly easy to do. I get confused when I have to “heel” whilst Marie is walking, I hope we have another word for that. I lost another two back teeth, well, not lost for everybody, Marie put them in her box. I felt very bored in the office. I emptied the paper bin, I stole some documents that to MY point of view needed shredding and I made a mess in the warehouse. I am house trained but NOT warehouse trained. I knew I had done something wrong so decided to hide before being caught. I thought between pallets would offer me the view and the safety in the same time. I wasn’t very proud and apprehended the telling off. Moly, from next door unit, never wants to play with me but today she sort of wanted but was ever so shy. If I came to her she was telling me not to rush into things and ran to safety: her bedding, but as soon as I ran away she came back begging to play. Females! I’m not sure she knew what she really wanted herself! It rained during our walk so we didn’t go very far. But I loved running in the long wet grass. As I did so, I was getting wetter and tried to catch the water with my tongue. The faster I ran, the wetter I got! Back home, Marie had to dry me. “Max, left paw. Max, right paw now” I don’t care about that nonsense, I want to play with the towel and drag it out in the rain. My towel is wet and smelly now but not as much as me. Marie found one of the thirteen ducklings beheaded on the lawn. CSI: I had an alibi as I was in the office all afternoon. Tonight though, when I saw Nancy and her 12 ducklings, I came closer and Nancy attacked me... that’s a bit of a giveaway. Can’t trust a bird.

12th May

I watched the ducklings eat crumbs. They were fascinating. Later I was naughty trying to catch them. Got one, but had to let go of it, Marie was not happy. I didn’t hurt him (this time). David has been away for a few days now. I miss him. I look for him. In the evening I heard ringing. Each time the same ring is heard; Marie gets very excited and takes something to her face. I can understand her excitement because she put the thing close to me and I could hear David too. That is the most bizarre thing: David could talk to me but wasn’t to be seen. When Marie put the thing down she explained it was a phone call, and the box was a phone. I’m not sure I understand, but here we go, I’m only a puppy. You should have seen my face and my astonishment! (hey, big word for a puppy!) The walk today was very long and enjoyable. Didn’t met anybody, it was sooo windy. I was given a chew for the evening but didn’t want it so I tried to hide it in the lounge. After checking several hiding possibilities, I chose to push it behind the television stand and leave it there for the night.

3rd May

We went to Gran’s and I had cheese and biscuits.

2nd May

I hadn’t realized there was another car at home. One I had never been introduced to. Now it’s done. Weird car as it didn’t have a roof when the journey started, but then it had a roof later. No room for a dog either, I stayed all the time on Marie’s lap. It was VERY breezy! I was promised a “picnic” (I haven’t a clue what it is). Marie had taken my ball, my tug o war rubber ring and MY towel. After a long drive we arrived at a place with loads of pebbles, and the sea. Marie and David wanted me to go in it, but it was cold and I didn’t like the waves. Actually, I wasn’t over impressed by the whole thing, wet, salty noisy, moving...I went a bit and clearly showed I wasn’t frightened, but not interested. They wanted me to play ball and catch, but I wasn’t in the mood either. By the look of it, this day out wasn’t going to float my boat at all. Luckily things changed and I was given a surprise treat that got me occupied for over an hour: a pig’s ear. Excellent idea! I love picnics!!!

1st May

Pub rimes with mud. We had a walk a very different way and it ended at the Dolphin. Across a very busy road, through great green and along the dwarf irises fields. Met Gavin and later Lizy. David and Marie had a drink in the beer garden. Back home I was left a few minutes without supervision so I explored the pond, I went in it. Went David called I pretended I had done nothing wrong, unfortunately my filthy legs said otherwise. I don’t know why, but when I wanted to jump on David’s trousers, he started playing alien invading the garden and rejecting it. I was the alien. I was treated to a shower with the hose, to make me look decent again.

30th April

On my own, I am left more often to wander in the kitchen in addition to the utility room. It was an exploring moment that revealed interesting. When the landlords came back, I had collected in my basket the tea towels, the hand towel, a bit of dried bread, my own dish, a bit of the washing from the basket, Marie’s wellingtons’, a very clean yoghurt pot (rescued from the bin) ...and the chopping board.

11th May

I always say how great my day has been. Today was boring. Lunch time we didn’t have a rehearsal  of my agility skills, playing, jumping and running around the garden.  Today was leash work...and heel. First we had a game of “give the right paw, or give the left paw” I didn’t realise each paw had a different name! I should remember these particular names because Marie puts her right or left hand up as she commands. Otherwise I wouldn’t know my right from my left. Annnnyway. So, I was short on the lead and not allowed to go faster than Marie’s right ankle. She really made me stick to the side of her boot, going either left (easy), straight or right (harder). I was stuck between Marie on my left and the borders on my right, as we walked anti-clockwise around the garden. My path was on the stepping stones, which made the lesson easier I suppose. As we walked Marie insisted on the word heel and if I went too fast, I was gently reminded with a little pull of the lead. If I had the correct pace, I was praised. From time to time I was left to “stay” whilst Marie was going away a few meters, until I was called to “heel”. I came, sat anywhere, but was reminded that I should be sitting by her right boot, with an obvious short and precise movement first of my body towards that boot and second of Marie sticking me onto the boot and holding me there, insisting on the new word “heel”. As a recreation we played football in between exercises. The end of the hour lesson means it’s either time for my basket or for the office. Office this time and I was really bored. Found my old bones, played for a while and hid them again. Stayed most of the time on the settees, watching and sleeping. I can illustrate the meaning of couch potatoe. It was very late when we came back home.  David is away so Marie took me for a walk this time, a different way. When we were back, it was dark.

4th May

Monday bank holiday.

David took me to the horses and tied me to one of the posts while he brushed Star. Marie turned up in the car (that was lazy of her because the horses are just 200 meters away!). Then she started unloading loads of stuff from the boot and dressed the grey horse in leathers. I looked astonished at what came next: she was ON the long legged thing! I wanted to join but was still tied so I kept watching bemused. Star went very fast in large circles in the field while Kiri was watching. Later, she too was groomed and got ready for circling too. Marie seemed to have a lot of fun. This time I forced my tie and loosen myself to join in the fun... Didn’t go far though. David caught me in no time.

Then we played in some hay. There was a big pile in one of the fields that needed to be moved to the other. Again, I showed a great sense of help by rolling in the hay that David tried to load on the wheelbarrow with his fork. After that we played “jump in the car” and for the first time I didn’t make a few steps backwards, nor hid under the car, nor ran away from it. For the first time I was willing to go in the car without fear. When Marie said “In the car”, I stepped forward for the first time. That was it. I was invited to go in and accepted the invitation first because all doors were open (and for the first time the front doors were too) and second it was a great game:  coming in one side and going out the other, chasing each other through the car. Marie started it and I was meant to follow and catch her.

I’ll tell you a secret now: for the first time I was invited to jump in the car, not in the boot, not on the back seat, not on the passenger’s seat, but the driver’s seat. It looked like I always wanted Marie’s own seat.

I had always dreamt of having the steering wheel! To be fair why would I go in the boot when Marie has the best seat? Why would I eat dog food and water when Marie has steak for lunch and scones with cream and milky tea? Why would I have a Vetbed when Marie has a sofa? Why would I go bare foot when David has shoes? I want what they have and everything I can collect from the human world is a new trophy in my dog world, even the privilege of the front seat! What ever belongs to them, should belong to me too.

From now on I will go in the car, if I can go in from the front right door.

5th May

At the office today and pleased to say I was very obedient and quiet. A lorry turned up and I had to stay away from the shutter and let him load a lot of pallets. I stayed out of his way by sleeping under a table for a while and then watched him pull away. On the estate, across the drive, Mark gave me a big fuss, as usual, and Marie got the picture! I like having greasy paws and hang around with the guys, like a grown up. Moly and Rolo didn’t want to play. They have noticed I am a bigger dog too.

6th May

A beam is on the ground.  My agility program is getting fuller, Marie is adding new obstacles and challenges every day. Marie hasn’t bought anything for it but is just using the natural obstacles and garden features around the house. There is a butterfly bush branch growing low and horizontally and I love jumping over it.  The walls, the steps, the benches, the tiles, even a metallic square drain tile has got a usage. Each time I jump from the sleeper next to it, I have to sit a few seconds before I carry on to the next sleeper. We have added “under” to my vocabulary and it is now part of the program around the garden.

Under the table, under the bench, under the tree... I love it and I give Marie 150% of my attention. I wish she didn’t get tired before me. To show off,  I have to show David some of my moves each time we go past some obstacles, and get his praises at my performances.

7th May

We’ve been feeding Syd and Nancy. I like shredding the bread. I always spit it out ‘cause it’s duck food. Nancy is quite cheeky because she comes tapping on my door to get crumbs.  I have to watch out, I bet she’s got her mind on my bone too. I’ve been chewing this bone for over a week now. It’s always with me, in the garden, in the greenhouse, in my basket, in the kitchen... the only place I’m not allowed to take it is in the lounge. The barn where I live has got an upstairs but I have never been invited up. So I decided to invite myself. Nobody is watching so it’s the ideal time to explore. Half way up the steps Marie’s flip flops are calling me “come to us, take us, chew us!” I can’t resist it. Half a flip flop shredded later Marie gives me a proper telling of. Time to pull faces again, to hide in my basket, to flatten myself invisible and sneer and blame it on my newly sharpen teeth. A few minutes later I decide to take revenge on a cheap and old T Shirt. Marie’s lucky; it could have been her favourite designer shirt. I like steeling the freshly dried laundry, and next I take some pretty lace knickers into my bed. That’s another trophy until I am found out!

8th May

I keep on growing. Today I am 9.6kg, 48 cm at the shoulders even though I am not as hungry as I used to be. I only nibble from time to time and eat each day half of what I was used to two weeks ago. My coat is growing very thick and dense. My nose is longer and my ears don’t touch anymore as my head has grown wider too. All my front adult teeth have come out. In a few weeks I will be losing my canines to swap them for the proper real fang ones. As a puppy I only have 32 teeth, but when I grow to a full adult, I will have 42 teeth. David took me for a long walk today. We met Sarah again and she was amazed at how grown I was. The first time I saw her, it was 6 weeks ago and in within that time I doubled my weight. David and Chris carried a sleeper across the ditch at the bottom of the garden. I had practised to walk on it whilst it was on the ground, so when it was hanging over the ditch I already knew how to stay on it.

It seems I am been prepared for the Olympic Games. I can only walk on the beam. No somersaults yet. The dark horse is no longer in that field. Instead Star and Kiri graze peacefully.

9th May

I don’t know how I can manage to write anything today, I am shattered! I am such a tired little puppy, it can only be short. I spent the entire day running around, gardening, visiting the market, meeting people, playing with the horses. Tonight, when David spilled his beer, I had to try it and it tasted very nice. Maybe this is putting me to sleep earlier than I had anticipated. I have been trying to go under the chair in the pool room, but I don’t fit anymore. I have to relax ON it now.

When we went to Gran’s earlier, she gave me Bovril on biscuits...very nice and an English cup of tea with milk. That was lovely too.

10th May

David and Marie officially declared I was house trained as I have been very good for a few days in a row (at home). At 20 weeks and a bit I am capable of keeping my legs crossed indoors 9 hours by night and 6 hours in the day. The trick for the night is not to leave water to hand for the night. Of course Marie makes sure I have plenty to drink in the day. I have learned a new word: “drink”. I lost one of my back molar teeth today. I couldn’t chew my meal, so Marie soaked it in a bit of water. I know Marie kept the tooth in a little box.

When I went in the paddock, Kiri came towards me. I went towards her too.

Then we sniffed at each other, nose against nose and said hello. Kiri’s breath through her nostrils was quite a warm draft.  

Star wasn’t as adventurous and stayed away. Nancy (the duck) had 13 ducklings!

Syd the proud father was swimming with them all lunch time.

I weigh 10kg now and measure 48cm.

29th April

Marie made me sit in the doorway while David was reversing to get out of the drive and go. Usually when she asks for my paw her hand is here to receive it. But this time as I waved my paw without Marie’s hand to take it, it looked like I was doing something funny or weird because David and Marie laughed: only they knew why, and I remained puzzled. I didn’t lose sleep over it. I stayed the day at home with Chris and when he wasn’t looking I had my own mini adventure in the field at the back. I found a way to go in that field, eat horse droppings and get closer to horses. I like the darker horse in there; I’m not scared although I don’t go too close. In the front, on my own, I don’t go far either. I just like staring at the ducks, sometimes I chase them a bit but don’t tell.

Tonight I was given a bigger chew (the twisters only last 15 minutes), but when Marie wanted to take it away from me, she probably thought I had had enough, I decide I would swallow it instead. That was huge to swallow and I felt very uncomfortable for a few minutes. It was stuck in my throat, then it didn’t go down well and I tried to rub my chest on the grass whilst eating some too and had a drink. I didn’t want to play. The worst was as soon as I swallowed the dam thing, I started looking for it everywhere in my basket. I hadn’t realized I had swallowed so swiftly something I had planned to enjoy several hours. I had to accept the fact and start digesting it. Luckily the enzymes of my stomach are very powerful and can digest without a problem something harder/bigger than that.

Tonight I went absolutely mental : Super Mad Max running crazily in the garden and in the house, jumping and bouncing on the sofa, biting every and anything. It’s my HYPER time of the day, just before dropping to sleep for the night.

27th April

I’ve got two new friends today. The first one is the lorry driver. He gave me a real fuss this morning. The second is Jenny. She gave me some Eukanuba biscuit treats this afternoon. As you will have guessed I spent the day at the office. I took my bone with me hoping I would get more of the marrow out. My tongue is not long enough so Marie helped a bit. In my spare time (I am usually quite busy) I just fall asleep and grow.

Mari e had a container to unload. A huge lorry backed up to the doors of the warehouse wide open and I was very good at staying inside out of the way. We’ve got an old sofa in there so I stayed on it watching the driver unloading. Sometimes I came closer.

Marie made a “quick call” to Jan. Marie was parked by the post office for ever.  I think women witter a lot. I was on the back seat waiting desperately to go home.

I weigh 8kg still. Jenny, the rep from Eukanuba, said it was normal to have kept the same weight as last week as Eukanuba feeds is all about early calcium intake rather than fat and weight. It’s a joint protection thing. She explained that when a puppy grows, it (he) needs to build bones first. When he becomes more of a junior, he will then eat to build his muscles. If he eats too much, he will put fat on. If a puppy eats too much in the start, he will put fat before his bones can carry him and that would lead to joint disorders. We don’t want that.

So back home I wasn’t hungry anymore.

28th April

I am 44 cm tall at the shoulders. I grow by the minute. My teeth too. If I count well, I have lost, so far 11 teeth. The baby teeth are not as white and sharp as the new ones. I went for a walk with David when he came back from ...work, I suppose. We did quite a big one, from the back along fields, and then a bit on the road. We went past the tennis court where people were chasing balls. Then we went by the cricket field where more people were chasing more balls. I was curious but not really envious. I’ve got my own football to chase. It’s a lovely red ball that I can only just hold in my jaws. I can play with it, on my own, forever. But it is even more fun to chase it with Chris.

Alongside the house, on the driveway from the cart lodge to the pond some railway sleepers are set like a very, very long beam adapted to the slope of the ground in steps. I love going from the lowest, stepping gradually to the highest and jump down. I do it walking, trotting and running too. I never fall, neither on the driveway, nor in the borders.

26th April

As I wake up, I have only one thing in mind: my bone. Find it, peel it, lick it, suck it, play with it, carry it around, hide it, find it, and worship it. It keeps me quiet virtually all day. Gran is coming around and I decide to leave it for a bit. Gran always has a few treats for me. I sit on her lap and eat cheese and crisps... I love them. They are salty though, so I drink water from the pond. David has taken the protection of the pond and I notice these red things moving around. That’s fun so I decide to try and catch them. So here I am now in the pond, soaking wet and jumping and splashing around until I get caught ad told of.

I have been de-wormed today and de-fleaed. Over the week-end I lost another 3 teeth. Marie showed me a pill box with two of them. Why would she keep them? She said something about a fairy, but I don’t believe in fairies, I only believe in bones.

Today we also prepared a new field for the horses Kiri and Star. I was allowed to come and go in the field making sure the electric fence was properly setup. When a car was heard I sat until it went away. I was left on the back seat of the car, which I hate, but with the door left open. I was ordered to stay. I am a good dog so I accepted the challenge. I came back home with David on foot and with no lead. As I am writing these few lines, I am falling asleep at Marie’s feet, in a rather peculiar position.  It’s now obviously time for bed and that’s just what I’ll do. What a day!

25th April

A  bone is the best thing on earth. We started the day going in David’s car (I never thought that was going to be possible), I was half on the floor of the front seat and half on Marie’s lap. David drove into a noisy place where I saw buses, many cars, motorbikes and pushbikes. Thousands of people and other dogs gathered for St Georges’day, with a magic show, a juggler, lots of kids and other attractions. To be fair I was the main attraction there and loads of people came to say hello and said how cute I was. I told you I was a celebrity. I met Dawn at the post office too. I was great on the lead and enjoyed when David and Marie stopped at the coffee shop by the mere. I was more hidden, just as well ‘cause I can get a little crowd shy. I didn’t want to go but glad we did. Marie had queued at the butchers’ while David was waiting outside with me. Back home I was given my first bone. Although I was a very tired little puppy, I enjoyed my bone for a few hours. When my jaws got stif, I decided to put my bone away under some bushes, for later’on. Ron was soon to come, just after a nap. As dark came I had to put my bone away again. Tia Maria, the Rottweiler, came in the garden to be nosey. She had disobeyed and was running away from a young lad. She’s got no brains. Are all girls like this? I had to bark loudly to let her know she was on my land. David was with me and could back me up if anything went wrong. I also had a bone hidden somewhere I didn’t want to share.

24th April

I was very naughty today: I did 3 “poohs” indoors. David was not happy at all. I don’t know what happened. I just forgot my manners.

I had a great day with David, the weather was beautiful. I noticed a new horse in the field at the back of the garden. I stared intensively at the dark beast and muttered a little bark. When the dogs from next door started barking too, I made sure David was close to me so that I could join in the barking safely and let them know who’s the boss.

Tonight Marie found one of my baby front teeth on the sofa. Actually it’s not the first one to fall, and she should have noticed that I was chewing hard on cardboard recently to soften the gums. I already lost several.

I played a lot and practised my jumping and my “stay”. Tonight Marie taught me a new exercise. Very easy really. I had to jump on a very low concrete sort of table, and lie down and stay for a minute or two before I could jump down. I got the hang of it now.

The first ducklings are around. I saw them on the pond chasing insects. Sid is my duck friend and I love seeing Marie feed him bread. I always take a little piece to nibble too.

23rd April

Despite hating the car, Marie dragged me to the office all day. I didn’t have breakfast at home as Marie thought she would avoid me being sick in the car. She got it wrong as before we got in the car I went to chew some grass that tickled my throat in the car! I said hello to Mathieu, Marc, Paul and many more (for the record, as far as I know, there is no Luc nor John on the estate). Marc said he would puppy-sit me if needed. That’s fine with me as we get along very well. I also spent a lot of time watching Mat working on his cars. I can see myself as a mechanics’ assistant. I can clean his ears whilst he is on his back, on the floor checking the exhaust, or on his knees changing a tyre. Rollo and Molly were not around today, but I briefly saw Cassie.

The estate is really good for getting used to cars. There are loads of them and most of them are broken down so no big risk to be run over. The ones that are been driven around are carefully driven and go slowly between units. But anyway, as soon as an engine is heard I go straight inside MY unit. The estate is good for getting used to noises.  A neighbour was using a powerful water hose to clean Lorries, whilst another neighbour was using a power pressure machine to make bolts I think. Don’t ask me what those are, I have no idea, I am only repeating what I was told by Marie. In the warehouse I did a lot of cobweb cleaning (my nose was covered) as I looked in each corner for chews and treasures. I also shredded cardboard boxes and left a mess in Marie’s office. It was a good day indeed.

15th April

Some normal day. Ate, slept, played, watched the ducks, followed bumble bees, rehearsed tricks, drank at the pond without falling in, noticed a cat and wanted to follow but wasn't as swift as him.

Been digging holes and chewing sticks. Love basking in the greenhouse. Stole some empty pots from the greenhouse and tasted compost. Tasted the duck's bread too. Nancy is no longer coming so often. Sid is still around every day, and seem to be on his own. When Nancy arrived a bit later today she was very uppity, Marie said she was in a hurry to eat something as she is probably sitting on a few eggs. It looks like I'll have new friends soon. I hope I can play with these ones. The parents, Sid and Nancy are so boring.

16th April

Marie woke me at 5 am this morning. She came to say "mornin darlin max, good buy sweety, be good, and see you on sunday". What does that mean? I can't figure it out so early  the morning so I go back to sleep after a little pee in the garden. Later, David wakes me up and gives me breakfast. I wonder where Marie is.

I spent the whole day with Chris. It was fun and when the evening came, still no Marie. David said she was at the British Open Show Jumping in Birmingham, but again I haven't a clue what this means.

We spent, David, Chris and I, a boyish evening messing around, rolling on the grass, playing tough dog and I then watched them play some games of pool. David took me for a walk. I met some new dogs from the neighbourhood, and I promised them I would bark at them when I grow a bit more. When David sat on a public bench, I jumped on his lap to have a go at barking at a bigger dog. On my own, I wouldn't have had the same confidence.

17th April

I met Tara today. She arrived early afternoon and loved me straight away. She came with some strange coloured sticks and made me jump over those, but really it is easier to go around them.

She's been telling me she's got a dog too, a sopy Safie. A Cavalier King Charles. I don't know what this is, but with such a name, it MUST be lovely.

18th April

Marie is still away. I was told she would be away for 4 days but I have no idea what this means. I spend all my time with Tara. SHE is LOVELY! She stroke and caressed me for hours and that was absolutely relaxing.

We went to granny's (in Chris' car) and  I enjoyed the fuss Gran gave me as much as the cheese loaf!

20th April

I am 16 weeks today, weigh 8,2kg and 41cm tall at the shoulder. My legs are longer, my body is longer head to tail and I am having more trouble getting under chairs and benches, where I like to be. I am growing.

19th April

Sunday and a lovely day. We played and run with Tara. I exercised on the agility jumps (a pencil hight). A long day to be fair.

Marie came back. I was happy of course but the car was back too...boo! I know which is David's car and which is Marie's. I never go in David's car, it only has two doors, so I am safe. But when the King cab is around, it is never a good sign. This is why I had mixed feelings. Once inside the house I can practice my ear licking and hair dressing. Marie loves it but if she wanted I could do a facial too, I would be quite good at it.

Marie was back with a collar tag. It makes a reflection with the light that I like chasing. I am not used to having a dangling jewelry on my neck and find it sometimes irritating. I'll get over it.

21st APRIL 

I still don't like going in the car, but this time I accepted trying the back seat. Windows were open a little and I could feel the air running on my nose and making me close my eyes. I think I enjoyed it.

Anyway, Marie took me to work again and I enjoyed thouroughly playing with Moly, Rolo, Cassie and Sadie. Cassie is a huge 10 year old german sherpherd and Sadie is only 8 weeks. She is gorgeous! This is my first girl friend. For my 16th week birthday I got a girlfriend. How cool is that? I grabbed her between my front legs, making sure I was not at the wrong end of her and for some reason started a rythmic motion that Marie immediatly stopped me doing. Gary (Sadie's daddy) suggested that we had only just met and if I was a handsome dog, I would go on a date first before anything of that kind. So we played. I shared a chew with Rolo and hid my bit in Marie's warehouse, behind some pallets. I'm the only one how can squeeze in between so the chew is very safe.

We spent the rest of the afternoon trying to train me to go and stay in the boot with other dogs not bothering about it. I know we'll have to do it often.

Had a very nice walk round the back of the garden and wasn't tired enough after that so I played "crazy dog" for a bit. David said it wasn't "crazy dog" game but MAD MAX game. I LOVE IT!

At last I crushed ONTO the settie in the lounge and slept in very funny positions. I had to open an eye when the flash went!

22nd APRIL

Hurray! it is my first night without any big or small accident. It doesn't mean I am perfectly well house trained, but getting there! Marie was ever so pleased!

Chris stayed with me all day. I guess I am a lucky dog not to be left on my own during the day. We waved David good bye at the door, making sure I was sat in the doorway whilst the car was reversing out of the drive. I understand I won't be seing him tonight as I had such a big fuss.

In the afternoon Marie prepared an agility jump with Tara's agility equipment. I also am regularly challenged to sit, stay and only move when I hear the "come". But today Marie went at the far end of the garden before I could run to her. I was wondering what was happening. Marie also has been playing hide and seek whilst I was told to "stay". It was only when hearing "come" that I could search her. Well I have to say the game is fun.

10^th April

Good Friday is called Saint Friday in France (I’m clever!) does this make a Good Dog like me a Saint Dog? Considering that I listen, I behave, I play joyfully and am pretty clean now, the title would suit me, except when I steel David’s chews – sorry – shoes, Marie’s washing ,and Chris’ socks, more so when deliciously smelly.

The weather was glorious, and the activities around the garden fabulous. I played a lot, gardened, dug holes, ran and practiced my little tricks.

I have also spotted some pigeons at the bottom of the garden, they make me bark. I met a new friend: Edward. He stayed for diner.

Comes the evening, I still prefer my quiet basket to the lounge, to settle down and get ready for the night.

14th April

Puppyhood can sometimes be difficult. So far I got used to the pool room, the greenhouse (Marie put a new vetbed for me) and now the lounge. I can go in and out the boot of the car, but there is no way I can accept being locked in. As soon as Marie starts to shut the snug top on me, I get very scared and tense: if anyone has a tip, they are welcome to share it. It is so far my greatest and only fear. Help. Marie wanted to try something new for me to overcome my fear, but it didn’t work. Instead I get suspicious now when she gets new ideas... When she came back from work tonight I was still sulking and showing her how much I loved David more. She ignored me for a while then we became best of friends again.

13th April

Today I am 15 weeks, weigh 7kg5 and measure 40cm high. I am growing by the hour! Marie is marking my weekly growth on the inside of a door. I find it quite weird. I have lost a bit of my fluff and I get sometimes a very serious look. I started practicing my barking too. I haven’t lost my puppy manners when gran is around, as I always enjoy staying on her lap. We went for a big walk today, across fields, bridges, and a long bit on the road. Met new dogs, new pigeons and new horses. On the lead for tricky parts, and close behind David or a little ahead otherwise. David says “a walk without a dog is a waste of a good dog”. On the road it is difficult to stay on the inside, and the leash is shorter. When a car is heard I automatically have to sit to get used to it before I can carry on.

I like leaning on this kitchen cupboard. Dunno why...

I love running and ...running

and...gardening

12th April

Easter Sunday is great because you have the treat hunt. Whilst David prepared the egg hunt for Chris and granny, Marie prepared my treat hunt. I only found out because I could smell Shmackos everywhere. I can smell something, it MUST be on the table. On a mission to get it!

Tada!!!!got it!

I noticed a little bit here and there, and more over there. Then I was on a mission to find shmackos in all the hides. I inspected MY hides first and then followed my nose to the others. I had finished the hunt before Marie even said “go”. She put some more mini treats later in the afternoon for me to find. But I’ve got an excellent nose, so it was all done very quickly.

I also met my second frog, Marie being my first. It was leaping and making funny noises, and I tried to take it in my mouth, but Marie said “no” so I didn’t. It disappeared in the pond.

Easter is also great for its gravy. Fortunately I got a share of it with my diner.

The utility outside door is left open all day so that I can come and go as I please, I wonder on my own but never go very far.

David has definitely retrieved the newspaper off the floor during the day. I understand why when I comfortably ease myself to an urgent matter on the tiles of the room, I am suddenly picked up by the scruff of the neck to finish my business outside. Bad dog!

11th April

It’s Saturday and Edward is still around. I am over the moon to see him again. I can tell he fancies me too! Later, I get a real good play with David and Marie.

Early afternoon we went to the ling, only 2 miles away, to have a “socialisation session”. In the boot of the car I am clutched to marie for a while before I can relax. Once set free, I am on the lead from time to time (when I’m about to meet a new friend), then released as I make friends. In the woods I can search for twigs and dig more holes. There are lots of smells everywhere.

A fallen tree over a ditch is a perfect spot to train my confidence and sharpen my steady legs. David was on one side, Chris on the other and Marie encouraged me to go from one to the other (with some treats). I believe Marie has some strong views on my agility career.

I also met some west Highland white terriers, a Labrador, a Springer, some cairn terriers and a very friendly Lucy. When we reach the road again I sit on command and accept to be put on the lead to go “over” across the road, and get released again.

7th APRIL

I had a fantastic day with David having taken a day off again. Playing, visiting, making friends, inspecting, running and messing around, digging.

Later in the evening I was playing catch with Chris until, in the excitement of the game, I got tread on my right paw. I was such a poor little soldier. It is the first time I experience pain and I was in a lot of pain. David picked me up to comfort me and Marie checked all my joints and bones and inspected my leg for a good few minutes. Then I was put on the lawn to be tested on my walk. I was holding my paw up and went for my basket to safety, sulking. I'm OK, after 5 minutes I was running around again like a happy puppy.

Then we all went for a game or two of pool and I made the mistake to stay in reaching distance of Marie's cue - that I took on my nose - Ouch again. It's not my day today! The safetiest place in this room is under the chair. This is were you will find me if you come for a game!

8th APRIL

I hate the car, I hate the sight of it, I hate the thought of it. "That is going to change" declared Marie. I'm scared. It's going to be a tough lesson today!

I love cheese and I know the word very well. I adore chews too. And I love my food given at regular times. 3 things very useful when one wants to take advantage of a little puppy like me.

So this is how my lesson began. It was time to be fed and it wasn't done, I was a little hungry. Instead, cheese and chews were waved at me, which got me interested. Then I saw we were getting closer to the car and this made me think. I didn't want to go through that again. But, no car, no chews, no cheese, no food. The only place I feel good is in my basket. Each time I need to run for safety, I go to my basket, but then I allow one to pick me up. So Marie picked me up and took me in the boot. I was shaking like mad! I don't like to be blocked, I don't like the hight and I don't like not to have options.

Then Marie understanding my concern put some steps on the lawn and showed me how to get up and down. So I did. New words: "Up" "Down". It became harder but amusing AND rewarding (chew and cheese) when the comande became "up the car" "down the car" you get the picture. And that was it: I was running in and out of that boot with a million dolup of confidence.

The trouble was when I got so pleased with myself that I missed (sliped) the lower step once (getting down) and sumersaulted on my head and bit my tongue (ouch).

I was no longer to use the lower step again to go down. So I jumped happily from the highest step to get out.

It was so amusing get in the car and out in a loop, that I forgot to be careful and sat on the highest step without noticing that there was nothing to sit on as I was at the end of the step. Drama. Fell over. That wasn't nice. I still loved to get up the steps into the boot, but was left with a problem as I was now scared to go down. So I decided not to use any step at all and, as I was going to jump from the boot Chris shouted at me so loud (to be fair he got scared I was going to hurt myself), I thought I had done something terribly wrong and was devastated and completely lost not knowing what to do. In no time I was in Marie's arms shaking, shocked and terrified. As soon as I was able to run, I went for my basket. Safe.

3rd APRIL

Usual week day: up at 7am, breakfast, 1h30 minutes play on the lawn, then “in the basket, be good”.  Marie leaves me to my morning nap. I haven’t seen David for 3 days now. Marie told me he was at a vet congress of some sort in Birmingham. Marie also said she would be going too and would look for chews for me. It’ alright, Chris will look after me. Marie prepared  3 meals for him to give me, I watched her prepare those this morning. One for lunch, one for diner and one for tomorrow’s breakfast. I now have 3 meals a day. I am having biscuit puppy meal with tin food mixed with it. I used to have my biscuits soaked in a bit of water. I have these dry now: I have very sharp little teeth and I love using them.

Chris respects my puppy sleep and leaves me alone longer than I had anticipated. I discover that shredding newspaper is quite fun and chewing my bowl too. Marie always takes my bowl out of reach even if I haven’t finished my portion. She says it’s better not to nibble between meals. But Chris didn’t realize it was important so I practised my chewing skills on the bowl...and David’s garden shoes laces.

In the afternoon granny comes to visit and play with me. She is very gentle with me and carries me like a baby. I’m growing fast, so it won’t be for long!

9th APRIL

Here is a photo of Syd the duck and me:

Today I have been rehersing getting in the boot of the car (and getting out! that was the hard bit). I got really scared. But Marie's constant encouragments gave me the strength to overcome this fear. I can go in the boot very easily getting up the steps Marie made for me (although a bit slippy), but it's getting down...I winged and cryed. I was trying to reach the step without actually jumping on it from the boot. My chest was flat on the floor of the boot and my leg couldn't reach...Luckily Marie saw that the surface of the steps were slippy and I didn't like the feel of it. So she put the car's rubber mats on the steps and that was much better. I trusted Marie saying "you can do it, Max, you can do it" and Yeah! First step down, then second and I was the KING, wiggling my tail on one side and my head on the other, I am the brilliant, fantastic, extraordinary, most clever little puppy in the village! Marie hurrayed me and I felt very proud. So I did it again without hesitating that much, and again, and again. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. But the lesson wasn't finished. Marie and I stayed inside the closed boot for while, (I think she was working, or at least making phone calls I believe), and ignored me completely. But that was ok, I was shaking in the begining of being locked inside that boot, but then realised it wasn't a big deal, I stayed glued to Marie, and soon I was exploring the place keeping an eye on her.

More than getting in and out the car, I am learning 2 most important things:  first Marie will not put me in trouble and she will always encourage me if she knows I can do it. I am learning to trust her. Second, if I am scared, I am easily calmed down by her presence and soft voice and caresses. I am learning to rely on her.

That's important because she is giving me the boundaries that I need to grow into a well balanced dog. (I hope)

Later, a huge bumble bee came buzzing by me. I was going to chase it and take it in my mouth. When Marie said "no" without shouting, I understood it was going to be indeed a bad idea.

Good Friday is called Saint Friday in France (I’m clever!) does this make a Good Dog like me a Saint Dog? Considering that I listen, I behave, I play joyfully and am pretty clean now, the title would suit me, except when I steel David’s chews – sorry – shoes, Marie’s washing ,and Chris’ socks, more so when deliciously smelly.

The weather was glorious, and the activities around the garden fabulous. I played a lot, gardened, dug holes, ran and practiced my little tricks.

I have also spotted some pigeons at the bottom of the garden, they make me bark. I met a new friend: Edward. He stayed for diner.

When comes the evening I still prefer my quiet basket to the lounge, to settle down and get ready for the night.

MARCH    

20/03  21/03  22/03  23/03  24/03  25/03  26/03  27/03  28/03  29/03  30/03  31/03

APRIL

01/04 02/04 03/04 04/04 05/04 06/04 07/04 08/04 09/04 10/04 11/04 12/04 13/04 14/04 15/04 16/04 17/04 18/04 19/04 20/04 21/04 22/04 23/04 24/04 25/04 26/04 27/04 28/04 29/04 30/04

MAY

01/05 02/05 03/05 04/05 05/05 06/05 07/05 08/05 09/05 10/05 11/05 12/05 13/05 14/05 15/05 16/05 17/05 18/05 19/05 20/05 21/05 22/05 23/05 24/05 25/05 26/05 27/05 28/05 29/05 30/05 31/05

JUNE

01/06 02/06 03/06 04/06 05/06 06/06 07/06 08/06 09/06 10/06 11/06 12/06 13/06 14/06 15/06 16/06 17/06 18/06 19/06 20/06 21/06 22/06 23/06 24/06 25/06 26/06 27/06 28/06 29/06 30/06

JULY

21th March

This morning I am meeting granny, coming over for a morning coffee. I must admit that I am very shy, but enjoy a fuss anyway. Later I discover the garden. Huge! I have to snif eveywhere and taste evey single plant. This in my way of learning what's around. Here is a fish pond. I try to drink from it but I'm not allowed. It doesn't matter when nobody looks, I'll manage.

Marie has given me a stick. Although I already have a few toys, I don't really understand what to do with this one and decide to drop it. Forget about it. David insists that I should like it, so I take it back in my jaws. I must admit, this stick is getting towards pleasant, but I soon drop it again as my attention is drawn to a dead leaf blown accross the lawn. It's fun chasing it and there are loads others to chase.

I'm getting tired but enjoy thoroughly the company. As I run from one end of the garden to the other, I chase some flying things. I think David called them Sid and Nancy the ducks. Actually, I am trying to get closer to play, but they keep on flying away. I'll settle for this type of game.

Apparently I left the "stick" in a border, so I am given it again. After a few minutes  of chewing that thing  I discover how lovely it is and chewing keeps me busy for a good half hour.

David and Marie came back this afternoon with a basket. I don't like it. The vetbed I slept on last night has been put inside, but I prefer to pull it out. Later I am left on my own to have my growing sleep. I do need it and feel really tired but there is no way I will sleep in that basket. I cry, feel distressed. I feel lost and now completely alone. Will anybody hear me? I have calmed down and fallen asleep on the floor. My mistress doesn't visit me when I am in such a state but I have a visit now that I have calmed down.  Also my mistress never hangs around behind the door when I am left to sleep. It would exasperate me to know somebody is close but ignores me. My environment is quiet.

I was terrified of that basket. Marie put me back in and I was shaking and I wanted to get out as quick as possible.  After two attempts of keeping me in that blumin basket Marie understands that it's not going to happen. Unless...she goes in first. I can't believe it. My mistress is now in MY basket.

She's been in there a long time now and I wonder how it's like to sleep with her.  Well, you know, after all that basket is not so bad. In fact it is my room where I can put all my collectables and trophees. 

By the end of the day, my basket is filled with david's left shoe, some dead leaves, twigs, conkers, the kitchen roll, empty tea cardboard boxe, hand towel,

David's fleece, a tennis ball, my tug of war rope,  You magazine and ...my chew.

24th March

I went to get my chew, had a bit of fun chewing it down and decided to hide it back for ron. So I did. It's the same hide under the decking and the dead leaves. I'm having second thoughts though. The ducks saw me put the chew in there so I'd better go and get it, and find another hide just in case the ducks decided to have it for themselves. You know, you really need to keep an eye on those, they keep on watching me. They must be up to something.

I think, by now, I have tasted all the plants of the garden. I regularly go round the borders and taste this, that and the other. I'm not REALLY eating anything, I just touch with my mouth, my teeth and learn from it. I delicatly try to catch the dafodiles, the tulips, the laylandies, the acers, and the grass, the lavender, the lupin, the poppies  and the hydrangeas, the corean fur, the spanish fur, the libaneese fur, and the spirea, and lemon grass, raspberry bush, strawberry bush, blueberry bush and the figue tree, the olive tree, the christmas tree, the red hot poker, the white daisies, the pinks and the red onions, the leeks, and the artichokes... I'll have quite a job in the summer if there are more plants to check upon.

Marie loves gardening - I can tell - and I'm not so bad myself. Last sunday WE have tidied the lavender bushes from the old dried flower stems and I helped pulling. Marie raked the oak's dead leaves and I enjoyed making a mess of it. Marie planted some viola and I carryed the empty plastic pot around.

Thinking about it, David mowed the lawn last sunday, which wasn't frightening at all. The best part was tasting the cut grass on the compost hill.

"NO" is a word I know very well . No when I grab clothes, no when I pull hair, no when I pierce ears, no when I try to grab shoes. In the evening I was indoors, tasting the house plants. David said "no" when I tried the palm in the lounge, so I went in the hall to try the miniature banana tree. There was another "no", so I went in the dining room to try the cyclamen. Another "no" came from nowhere.  So I went for the ficus. David looked at me, insisting with his "no" and I looked back at him and said with my inquisitive eyes " you mean no to all of them?" Then we went for another game of pool. Luckily I had my chew, my treasure. David tryed to take it from me so I snarled, growled, showed my teeth and  and flatened my ears. I was in a state of shock when he growled louder at me. Just in case we needed clarification, I know now that he is the boss and next time he can have the chew he wants. Marie tried the same trick. I wasn't going to let go of my rank in the pack so decided to protect my chew by initiating to bite her. I soon found out that she could growl too and really se intimidated me too. Upon this experience I know accept  being taken my chews and accept my rank as last of the pack. At least if there was any doubts before, we've got that matter sorted. What a day!

30th March

I think it is fair today to say that I have some brains in my small head. With a few treats and a little bit of patience (it didn’t take long really), today I learnt to roll over. It made Marie very happy and me very proud. Of course when David arrived from work I was very excited to show him I could roll and I gave him a really big welcome home, which made him happy too and then he played with me in the garden chasing me around.

They are really rotten to me: I found some really tasty stuff that I started swallowing until Marie took it out from my mouth. Then David put some pepper so I couldn't pick it up again.  I got his point then, but I’ll find another cat poo later.

Today I started running after the ducks, but they didn’t move. They kept a little distant but are getting used to me. I didn’t feel the urge to make them fly today.

I am pretty good now at being clean. It is the third time in three days that I ask for the door to relieve myself. The first time I asked THEY didn’t understand so I had an accident... but they didn’t tell me off.  I am not very good yet at keeping my legs crossed a complete night though, but I know how to use the newspaper on the floor. In the beginning the floor was covered with paper! Now I only need a small area protected.

I had my DHPPiL second injection too. I was very brave and didn’t yelp at all. I recognized the noise of the syringe tearing through the blister pack and when I was put on the table I was well behaved.  

I am 6 kg now.

I had to wait for my stools to be firmer to get my jab. I suppose I didn’t put weight on the first week because of adapting to my new world. I think I have been growing up rather than filling up.  Now I have my routine and am settled in every way.

27th March Friday

Second day with good stools. I think my little episode is over.

David stayed with me all day. Is it what we call the week end then?

The ducks Sid and Nancy are useless at playing. They keep on flying away from me. Will I learn to fly when I grow?

Marie's back ...and with a new toy: a tug rubber ring. GRReat!  

I don't like going in a new room, I don't like the boot of the car, I don't like going for a walk (to see the horses) - on a lead. 

I like cheese, I like wrapping paper, I like watching Marie cook steak chips and peas. I hope bits are going to fall, but I won't hold my breath.

Since I've been here, no tit-bits, no sharing food with David, Chris, Granny or Marie and no begging whilst they have their meal. To be fair, I'm quite lucky to be fed before them considering I am the last member of the pack. BUT, I can only have my food if I am quiet, sat and wait for a "OK" signal that allows me to get up to get closer to my bowl and eat. I MUST behave othewise MY bowl is taken away from me. So the sooner I want to eat, the quicker I "freeze". I got that lesson right very quickly! 

One other lesson I will practice tomorrow is the "come". I don't always behave, and sometimes I prefer to ignore the command when I am on a far more interesting track away from David's sight. I enjoy the ducks' pond, I wish I could swim. I also enjoy chasing pheasants. They make such a noise!

31st March

My second name is Good Dog.

I am very well mannered, handsome, dynamic and learn very quickly, all of which is a suitable combination to have high hopes for a career. I want to be a movie star. I’ll settle for advertising campaigns. I can picture myself casting for chews, food, beddings or baskets.

Now that I know the meaning of yes, no, sit, stay, cheese, down, don’t jump, clean and good dog, (and since yesterday roll over) I had a little trip in the car (booo..) to visit Virbac’s Head office. I was a SUPER STAR! I was patted by everybody and had a fuss in each office.

Lots of vets over there!

I also looked around (just in case) for potential chew hides and trophies’ to grab. David was very confident I would behave. And I did. Although I heard the following comment “max, with such a big name, you really are mini”...Am I bothered? I’ve got a maxi personality and anyway was given a jumbo sort of bone. It was so heavy I couldn’t pick it up! Yeah, I can see myself becoming famous.

I am already getting used to Marie the Paparazzi. It’s about time she showed you some photos! Maybe I’m already famous, I’ve got a dog blog after all!

20th March

My name is puppy. I am 12 weeks old and we've been in the field today. It has been such a lovely sunny day! We ran, and ate grass and mud, it was great fun.

Jan has a visitor today. I didn't quite catch her name, but she's been looking at the girls next door for hours! The Malinois. At last she's coming towards me.

I'm hungry and follow with great attention the bowl of food that none of us lose sight of.

I am the different one, the light coloured one, the one that doesn't mix with the others. I am the cheeky one. I am the clown, the monkey, the happy puppy, the lucky one today.  I know it's going to be my day, if only behind the chicken wire she could look at me. I am gentle, and lick her fingers, at last,  with much love and devotion.

And now it's the parade: Dad Bruine, Mum Goya... and Me! Puppy. I am handsome, spirited, adventurous and curious. I am brushed, brought into the house with my brother. I decide to sit on her feet. Never mind if she can't make up her mind, I have made mine up.

I chose her.

Time to go. I am reluctantly put in the boot of a truck and decide to keep a quiet low profile as long as possible. I don't cry though I am a bit weary. Newspaper and bedding make my bed in the huge dark boot and off we go.  What a long journey. I am very shy and when the boot opens, some giant man picks me up and cuddles me for a while. I feel puzzled, tired but somehow reasured that it's going to be fine.

Then I am in the kitchen. Suddenly my twin is in the oven. I don't understand what is behind the glass door, anyway the other seems as surprised as I am and is not willing to play.

I am max. I now live in a kitchen with another boring puppy in the oven. David and Marie are my new friends.

23rd March Monday

I don't understand why I don't get as much attention this morning, only 2 hours of play then bed time, and again 2 hours  solid running around and bed time...and again. David is not on his knees before diner time today. It's a shame I would have liked to play with this hanging thing around his neck, I think it's called a tie.

Marie gave me quality time, big fuss and excitement first, then calming down time, but still on a monday it is very different than a saturday and sunday.  I had a new chew, but I found another hide for it, for ron, later on.

We fed the ducks and I watched. Sid and Nancy came as close as 3 feet from me. I wish we could play. I stole a bit of bread from them. I put it in my basket.  I made a mess in the utility room. I'm getting better at being house trained, but still I need to progess. As I wanted to help cleaning, I stole the kitchen roll...and put it in my basket. 

I am getting super-dog though at sit, stay, down and clean. All these words make my mistress so happy and I aim to please. I also love being called good dog. Marie made a new toy for me. I watched with great anticipation of the fun I would have afterwards. She ran a ribbon through the tennis ball. I can now pick up the ribbon at the ball will follow. I can hold onto the ribbon and shake my head to make the ball bounce on my head and between my legs! I can try and catch the ball whilst it's getting pulled away from me. Grrrrrrrreat fun!

2nd April

I am a clean puppy when it comes to poo. But lunch time, out of the blue, I decided it was fine to have a pee in the middle of the kitchen. Suddenly there was thunder and lightning coming from Marie and I thought to myself oops, I believe I’ve done something wrong. I stopped immediately before the sky fell on me and carried on my business outside to Marie’s overwhelmed delight. I think I got the message.

It was time for her to leave me for the afternoon, but she decided otherwise. She looked at me, looked at the car and looked at me again. No, I am not going in that car I told her with my begging eyes. But I was lifted up and put in the boot. I didn’t try to escape as I usually do though. I was willing to give it a go.

We went at her office this time. It was great as I met new friends. Mat, Mark, and the dogs Dolly and ...can’t remember. I enjoyed it thoroughly barking,  yelping, sneering and inviting the other dogs to play.

Then I stayed in the warehouse with Paul. He had a bit of handy work to do while I was inspecting the place. I love particularly squeezing between pallets, going behind cartons and watching Paul do all the work. I hope I’ll be coming back, I enjoy a bit of company during the week days.

6th APRIL

It’s Monday and David is on holiday.  I am blessed with all the attention I get. I fed the ducks with Marie first thing, then watched Marie water the plants in the green house. I played with plastic pots in the meantime. Chewing them.

When David took over the puppy watch I decided to experiment the bamboo grid over the pond protecting the fish from being eaten by the heron. It was very skilful of me to walk over this grid without falling in the water, well at least in the beginning, until I broke it and fell through. I was half wet and David had to rescue me. . . Marie wasn’t here to take the picture.

After this mini adventure David took me for another mini adventure: meeting Jackie and Paul, opposite. They’ve got a jack Russell I got on really well with. A tiny dog, not very challenging.. Then we met a bigger dog “Red” a huge one, behind a fence eating grass... with a coat on. As I barked, he neighed, he wasn’t a dog after all.

Still on the lead – and I am getting better at it -  we went to say hello to Audrey and Brian. I barked too until I realized we had met before and I had been given a biscuit.

David is teaching me to sit before crossing the road. The command to cross is “over”. It’s a new word for me.

Marie comes back from work, I suppose, and I have so much to say that I am really really excited to see her. I attempt to jump on her but a raised index finger clearly stops me and I sit waiting for her to come down to me and cuddle me. I am an expert in licking ears, as I am given a lot of training opportunities.

Chris chases me around in the garden, and then in the kitchen until I get dizzy!

For clarification, the next photo is me, MAD MAX:

5th APRIL

Lawn mowing -day but also lesson-day.

I learn hot and cold. Hot is when I burn my nose on the mug of coffee and cold is when I pick up a frozen pea fallen on the floor. It sticks to the tongue at first.

I also learn dry and wet. Wet is when I attempt to drink from the pond and my back leg slips and I lose balance and fall into the water. Luckily the pond is shaped with a step going into shallow waters. So I get out of the pond very easily and bask in the sun to dry.

I also learn high and low. High is when I have to stretch to get hold of the pompom of the table runner and low is when I have to kneel so low to get a drink from that pond that.... well you know what happened next!

David has been cutting the edge of the lawn with two different coloured pairs of gloves. A red one and a blue one. He keeps on taking them off to have a better grip on the small weeds.  And I keep on hiding them. A red glove in my mouth... a blue glove in my mouth, and the red one again! Catch me if you can.

You know how I loathe the car? Well so much that I won’t follow Marie to the front of the house where the cars are parked. She tricks me to follow her with the aid of a chew and gives me a lot of my favourite treats in the boot of the car. She throws them further into the boot. I managed to get over my panic and then accept to have a few minutes nap – with her, in the boot. Luckily we didn’t go anywhere this time.

I also have the lead on, but just dangling on the ground. I quickly get used to it and accept the gentle nudges’ David or Marie give me. I am more confident and accept a little better this lead. Before, David would ignore that I didn’t like the lead and would just pull me towards him, wherever. So each of us was pulling his own way. Quite incomfortable! Now the tactic has changed and I am more in a cooperative mood as he doesn’t give me the opportunity to pull against him anymore. I am always encouraged in the movement forward, even if it’s it not the initial direction I was meant to take. And if I feel stressed with something unusual, it’s ok, we have the time to stop, think about it and move on again, stress free. Sometimes I prefer being carried too!

4th APRIL

Saturday: Hurray! David and Marie are back and we have a lovely time in the garden chasing balls, Frisbees, and ropes. David has got a new game for me: it’s a white Frisbee from the congress. The other one I have is shaped as a ring so I can pick it up easily in my mouth, and even get my legs caught in it. This one is plain and if on the ground on the wrong side, I can’t work out how to pick it up. After a few trials, I get the hand of it. (sorry the paw of it – I’m a dog).

Again it is a lovely day for gardening and Marie is getting the garden prepared for the open gardens’ day in June. I’ll ask her to lend me a few photos of the garden for my diary. I have learnt to respect the borders. If I get adventurous in the borders, I have to “get off the garden” so I do.

The only hole I have been digging is right on the edge of the lawn. I don’t know why I love digging, I just do.

There is a time to play and a time to sleep. I also fancy a time to play crazy dog again in the lounge. Although Marie found it very funny the first time, she won’t let me play this game again. But I always get so HYPER at 7pm! I am put to bed to calm down, and after an hour I am aloud in the lounge again. It worked, as I am very relaxed and ready to go to bed. The film David & Marie are watching  is a bit noisy and the noise the cow makes is bit stressful and I can’t really go to sleep on the Vetbed, so I go to the door and ask in my own way to go back in MY basket for the rest of the night. 

22nd March

Third day.

We've been to visit granny and on the patio I fought vigorously, jumping and attacking with both front paws...an ant. I've got good eye sight!

So far I have learned not to jump on Marie's knees and clothes, not to beg for food, not to steel any object at my mercy. Actually I haven't learnt that last bit, I just know it's wrong, but it's fun too. I  think it will be some time before I get that. I've learnt to sit, to go down, to stay, well again, that last bit I can stay only a short second, but Marie is confident that I will hold more than that.

Today I went over with David to meet our next door neighbours Audrey and Brian. Nice people, they gave me a biscuit after I showed I was handsome young puppy with manners: I sat.

Today was also great meeting Chris. Boy! this one is tall! 2 foot 4 to look up to! But he's great fun. We do like to play war and attack . I'm killer puppy! 

Although my teeth are sharp if I play with Marie "killer puppy" I can nible her nose and ears, and pull her hair. When Marie winges, I know when to stop as my mummy Goyah has often taught me to.

Oh I almost forgot that: Marie was on her knees and playing war with me and suddenly she made a move on me so sudden, I got frightened! I went behind the door for shelter and protection. I yelped. When she laughed I understood it was for play, then I had a cuddle.

David gave me a chew this morning but I didn't want to miss on playing time. I went round the garden with it in my mouth looking desperatly for something. Well I'm not going to tell you, it's my secret.  Inspecting the decking, the borders, a few bushes and the green house. Finally there it was, the perfect hide! I put my chew there and frantically pushed dead leaves on it with my little nose. Marie saw me, but it's Ok, she won't take it. I know David said somethig like he''ll never find it again. He is WRONG.  When the evening came, I was invited for the first time in the pool room. I always get suspicious with things and I questioned the fact I had to join. After being unsure 3 times, I finally accepted the new room. Whilst the boys were having a game of pool, it was only normal for me to have something to do. At the first opportunity of being out in the garden (the pool room is a converted summer shed), I went straight for my hidden chew which didn't have a chance between my paws and jaws.

25th March

David is away today. In my play time I carry on listing plants in the garden and running after dead leaves.

5kg 400 grams is my weight.

I am given a wormer and a fontline spot on.

I've done a mess in the utility room. Although I am getting good at using newspaper, I had an accident and  Marie has to mop. The phone rings and I am left to do the cleaning up. It's time to be mischievous and run away with the mop.

It's so big that I am dragging it on the lawn I have to hold my head very high not to tread on it. Unfortunatly, this happens several times and I plunge head forwards rolling onto my back. As I am discovered, I soon have to surrender.

In the evening I am starting to have some diarrhea. Although it is very smelly and violent, I am still joyfull, playfull and have kept my apetite.  I do not vomit and am not dehydrated. I suppose - I hope - it won't last. That night I am checked on at 4am and the utility room has a complete wash... But I still feel Ok, a little sleepy as I have been waken up, but pleased the place is fresher.

28th March Saturday Week end !!!

Very wet and cold we didn’t hang around in the garden. I now have my own blue towel for my wet paws. It’s OK, I like being massaged on my paws.

We played a great game in the kitchen. Marie is very good at finding new games for me. I particularly like cardboard boxes. You know I had a rubber tug ring, but I don’t like it that much I much prefer the bisto box. I love shredding it. David also found a new game. He tied two of his holy socks together and they make a wonderful tug game. God help him if I find new socks!

In the afternoon all three boys –David, Chris and Max – fell asleep in the lounge while Marie started spring cleaning. Well, I also chewed what I had hidden under the rug the day before.

Although it was raining, it didn’t put me off my regular outdoor patrol for hidden chews . All in order, can relax.

1st APRIL

I was sitting on Marie’s knees basking in the sun on the bench of the patio. It was very nice.

I also received a relaxing massage. The neck, the shoulders, down the back to the tail, then down each leg and in between each finger of my paws. Then the bouquet final was the tummy. I preferred ...hum...everything.

I really was totally relaxed until Chris appeared and called in the distance. He was in a play mood and I was ready for it too. So I jumped from Marie’s knees and hadn’t realised 1- how much I was relaxed, 2 - the height from which I was, so the landing was best described as “crash landing”. I picked myself up, put myself together and ran for Chris and his games.

Tonight I am aloud in the lounge. I go straight under the vetbed where I left a chew last time. This keeps me quiet for 30 minutes. Then I leave it under the bedding again, for ron.

As it is fools day today, I have a brand new game for Marie, it’s called “be a crazy dog”. The aim is to be as crazy as possible, pull silly faces, spring, run, jump, roll, fall, loose all coordination and sense of order, snear and bark. It started in the lounge, up, down, across and all over the sofa. It carried on in the kitchen, completely hyper, then outside - the grass was wet - and ended in the utility room. Storming in the utility room with wet paws and trying to stir in corners, I only ended up slipping and wearing the wall, pulling more silly faces.

I also “smile” when I am having a lesson, when the treats don’t come quickly enough. Today, I learnt to give my paw. I am left handed. Well, I should say left pawed. I'm a dog after all.

26th March

Hurray! I feel much better now. I have new good stools today.

Marie is away and I am looked after by granny. I love the fuss over me and enjoy thoroughly her quiet company.

Granny is starting a puzzle on the dining table. I just wish I could join. David is back at last. Marie is still not showing. 

I found a very very dead half frog. It was incredibly tasty but David took it away from me. He's not fun. Tonight again we went in the pool room. I made a mess and I was grounded. Chin down and eyes looking up I came back to say I'm sorry. He ignored me. So I sulked, went in a corner and ...fell asleep.

When I woke up I decided to do a full check of the room. Taste everything, list, study and check things are in order.

I'm a  good helper for house work because in the pool room I look for spiders, flies and any other dead or living insect. I hoover them out of each corner. I find them tasty and crunchy.

29th March

What a beautiful Sunday! It started very well at 6h30 when Marie came to take me out, play with me and feed me. It wasn’t so nice when she left me to sleep another 2 hours or so, but I guess I enjoy a Sunday lie in too.

Then Chris took me – with the lead – to the horses Kiri and Star. I much prefer coming back than going. But David and Chris made up for it by teaching me to catch the Frisbee. I had a real good game with the pair of them. I couldn't run easily with my front legs stuck in the center of the frisbee ring whilst holding it in my jaws, but I managed hopping and stumbling.

I also ran around all by myself chasing bees and butterflies whilst Marie and David were gardening. I tried to take part in sorting the greenhouse, but my idea of sorting was not Marie’s. A few times I ran away with treasures from the greenhouse and Marie had to chase me to get them back.

David was edging with a vengeance and I was trying to catch his tool. Then I ran after dead leaves.

When Marie put the washing to dry on the line, I found a hankerchief (forgive my spelling, I am only a puppy) in the washing basket and ran away with it. And then I ran after pigeons. And ran for the ball. And ran again. Suddenly I felt the urge to fall asleep in my basket, and at this stage nothing would get me up for a few hours! My legs were dead and my head was so heavy! What a lovely day it has been.