New Year's Eve

Nicole came to visit this afternoon so now there are three of us in the house. It's starting to feel a bit crowded. I like Nicole and Emily lots and lots but they keep eating my chews and playing with my toys and I really like to eat two chews at once but Ruth and Eric don't like me taking one out of Emily or Nicole's mouth so I can have two.

Ruth and Eric come home

Ruth and Eric came home today. I was so excited to see them. They kept saying how much I've grown - I am nearly the biggest Canine Partner puppy in the world now. I told them how Beryl had taken me for lots of walks with my friends Barney and Ronnie and how Beryl had given me lots of treats and cuddles. I liked staying with Beryl lots. But I am pleased Ruth and Eric are home. I think I would be good at skiing. Eric let me try on his special skiing hat.

Skiing

Ruth and Eric have gone somewhere called skiing so Beryl's come to stay in our house and is looking after me. I like having Beryl here but I think Ruth and Eric should have taking me skiing with them. I'd make a great ski dog. Fortunately they've left me lots and lots of chews so I shouldn't get to hungry while they're away. Hope Beryl remembers to give them to me otherwise I will have to help myself.

Presents

Ruth's mum and dad came for lunch. They brought Ruth lots of presents and they brought one for me all wrapped up in Christmas paper. I knew it was something exciting because I could hear a squeaking sound from inside it. It was hard biting the paper off but I managed and then I ran around with my new squeaky toy - it's shaped like a leg.

Ruth and Eric got me lots of cute Christmas toys. I love my toys and bring them in at night and sometimes put them away in my toy box.

In the evening of the St Bernard day

Eric brought me home a chew to help me feel better - it made me feel much much better.

St Bernard

Ruth took me to Priory Park and we went in the maze (I had to show Ruth the way out because she couldn't squeeze through the sides like me). Then Ruth let me play with a St Bernard dog - he was huge but friendly. But then the other St Bernard dog, there were two with the man, flipped me over and bit me on my chest. I cried and ran away. Ruth thought he'd just been a bit rough because she couldn't see I was bleeding because of all my fur. Later we saw Sharon and Ruth saw a bit of blood on my foot but she still didn't know that I was bleeding from my chest. Then Ronnie came round and the blood had seeped through my fur. Ruth bathed my wound and put some antiseptic on it. She told me I was a very brave boy - which I am. It does hurt a lot though. That dog had very big teeth. I thought he was going to eat me up for lunch.

We had to go to the vet and get some antibiotics and analgesic. The vet told me I was a very brave puppy boy too. My bite wound feels all scratchy but I'm not allowed to lick it. The vet cut off some of my fur so she could have a better look. She told Ruth there were actually two bite marks but luckily the second one didn't break the skin. Ouch ouch ouch!

Canine Partners Lunch

Today we went to somewhere called a pub because the Canine Partner people were having something called a Christmas Lunch. Before we went to Canine Partners Ruth took me for a walk in the frost so I'd be nice and tired - only I didn't feel tired afterwards, I felt excited. They were very noisy and kept laughing and eating turkey without giving me any. Ruth had to keep taking me outside so more of the coat oil could come out of my bottom. I played and played with Fraser - we were a bit naughty and the waitress couldn't get past us but it was lots of fun. We also played egg and spoon racing - I helped Ruth's team to win. Then we had pass the parcel with lots of dog treats inside the wrappers. Lorraine dressed up as Father Christmas - she looked very funny.

Funny Tummy

Today Ruth came down to a not very nice surprise on the kitchen floor - I tried to wait but I couldn't. She said it wasn't my fault because I had a funny tummy and must have eaten something that didn't agree with me. She made me some special chicken and rice which is delicious and good for poorly tummies.

After I'd eaten the chicken and rice I went out in the garden to have a chew of the new chew I'd found but Ruth took it away because my new chew was really a small plastic bottle of coat oil which had mistakenly ended up in the garden somehow. I'd bitten through it and gobbled up all the oil. It's really for rubbing on my fur but it tasted yummy. Ruth thinks the coat oil might have been the reason I got my funny tummy in the first place.

Canine Partners Fete

Today Ruth took me round to Chris's house. I love Chris and ran straight in as soon as she opened the door. Then Chris took me to Happy Dogs where they were having a special Christmas fete. I helped by lying next to the stalls. Then in the afternoon I went home with Carole and Emily. I haven't been to Emily's house for ages. She was very pleased to have me visit especially as I had brought some tripe sticks for her to share. They had my crate at their house and I slept in it all night and was a very good boy.

In the morning I got to go back to my proper house and see Ruth and Eric - yahoo! I thought they might have got lost somewhere. I picked up the plastic shopping bag with my chews in it and carried it over to them in case they forgot to give me some. I love chews.

Seaside

This weekend we went to the seaside at Old Hunstanton. It was brilliant! Only I don't know why the sea tastes so salty - my river doesn't taste salty. Ruth and Eric kept telling me not drink the seawater but I had to keep checking to see if it had stopped being salty.

Whenever I crept up to the sea the waves chased me and I had to run away as fast as I could. I would have played with the sea all day but Ruth and eric got cold - they don't have nice warm fur like me - just baldy old skin - yuck.

We stayed in a special hotel that lets dogs visit - I got to sleep on the floor - lucky Ruth and Eric didn't snore so I got a good sleep. I like hotel breakfasts best - Ruth brought me back 2 sausages and some bacon from the restaurant.

Unicorn

Eric came home with a special new toy for me. It looks a bit like my friend horse but not quite the same. I love swinging my new toy round and round by his tail. Then we have to have a sleep because tail swinging is very tiring.

Chews and Toys

We should have gone to class this morning but Ruth was crying in the garden so we couldn't go. I tried to give her one of my chews but she said she wasn't hungry - so I had to eat it. Then I gave her one of my toys and I think it made her feel better because she gave me a big hug and told me I was the best puppy-boy in the world. She thinks I'm going to be a very good Canine Partner dog one day and I think so too - because I look so cute in my jacket.

My Toys

Ruth made my toys Cow and Sheep and Tiger swim round and round in the washing machine and then she hung them on the line. They didn't like it at all. I had to give them a big chew after they were dry to help them feel better.

Ruth's Mum and Dad

Today Ruth's mum and dad came to visit and they bought me some paddywack. I hope they come again soon and bring me something else nice to eat. I showed them my toys and Ruth's Dad played throwing my toys for ages - he wasn't very good at going to get them though so I had to keep bringing them back for him.

Fraser Again

Fraser and me went out with Ruth and Clare again. We got to play for hours but then we had to be tied up while Ruth and Clare drank coffee. Luckily they'd bought lots of treats for us to eat so we didn't mind too much.
Clare says I look like I'm laughing when I make this face.

My River

Nearly everyday Ruth takes me for a walk down my river. I like to see the ducks and swans. Usually I have a drink of river water - it's delicious. When I see another dog coming along I sit down and wait to see if he or she looks friendly and then I run over to them and wag my tail and have a play while Ruth chats with the dog's person. If I'm very lucky the dog person gives me a treat and if I'm really lucky it'll be a new treat that I've never tried before.

Canine Partners Trip

Today Chris came to collect me very early (I love Chris) and then I went on a minibus with all the other Canine Partner puppies. We went down to Sussex to the special Canine Partners centre where they do the final bit of our training. We watched the other more experienced dog do things like jump up on the bed so they can help their person out of bed in the morning. I was very good and didn't bark once even though we had to be tethered up for ages while we watched the demonstration. Then we came home - it was a very long drive - nearly five hours. I was very tired by the time I got back. Maybe I'll try jumping on the bed and seeing if I can help Ruth or Eric out of bed in the morning.

Fraser and Me

Clare and Ruth took me and Fraser to Priory Park. It has a big lake and Fraser was showing off and fell in. But he wasn't hurt. I told him it's best to check how deep the water is first before you jump in otherwise you can get a nasty surprise.

Visitors

Today we had lots of people visitors - who drank wine in my garden - and lots of dog visitors too - Emily and Harry came to play. I liked Emily and Harry coming to visit but they kept eating my chews. Emily gobbled up one that I'd been saving for a special occasion and Harry (he's only 10 weeks old so not very big) hid behind the shed to gobble up another of my chews and I was too big to get behind the shed and take it back.

Harry didn't want to come out from behind the shed when it was time for him to go home but Eric shouted 'Puppy chews!' and we all went running to him so he could give us something nice.

Stewartby Lake

Today Ronnie and Barney drove me and Ruth to Stewartby lake. Barney's been there lots of times before but it was my first visit. I liked it very much especially when we went in the mud - Ronnie told Barney off for leading me astray - but she wasn't cross really because she loves Barney. I love Barney too - although I don't love him quite so much when he tries to chew my face.

Me and Horse

I like to have a chat to my friend horse whenever we go down the river.

Football

This evening I had to wear my new football shirt because Eric said it'd help his team win - and it did. Eric didn't even need to shout at the TV like he usually does. I must be very lucky! I did think Eric should have got me a Wolves United shirt really instead because that team must have lots of big dogs like me in it.

Giant Chew

Ruth and Eric went out in the car and because I'm big now they let me stay home by myself. When they came home they'd bought me the most giant chew in the world - it was yummy!

Puppy Exam

Today I passed my first puppy exam. I had to let Ruth check my eyes and teeth and wait when she told me and come when she told me and play with a toy and give it back to her when she asked me and do lots of other very difficult things. Now I have a certificate and a rosette to say what a clever puppy I am.

Darcy

My friend Darcy who used to go to puppy classes with me has now gone to live over the road with Sharon. They came to visit on Friday. Darcy was very interested in my chew sticks and tried to eat them all so Ruth let me eat mine on the garden table. I like Darcy very much but he is really greedy (not like me!)

Oyster Festival

Today we went to Woburn for the oyster festival. I got to taste an oyster. It was quite nice but a bit slimy. I liked eating the prawns we got later much better. A man from the newspaper took a video of me eating some of Ruth's prawns. I was very well behaved and everyone said what a good dog I was. I did get a bit tired and had to have a rest in the shade of some of the classic cars. I also saw a goat for the first time - he was almost as interested in food as me.

Danish Camp

Today Ronnie and Ruth took me and my friend Barney to the Danish Camp. Barney got some thistles stuck in his long fur and had to have them pulled out - ouch! When we got back to Ronnie's house Ronnie gave me and Barney a chew. I thought I would have a little swim in Ronnie's pond to cool down but she didn't think it was a good idea and pulled me out.

Trains

Today we went to somewhere with great big things called trains that you sit inside and go very fast. I met Eden and Dora and Frasier at the station and we had to go up the stairs to get to our platform. Eden was really scared of the stairs and he tried to go very fast and had to be given lots of treats. I wasn’t scared at all. When we were on the train I was a very good puppy-boy and laid down nicely on the floor and ate my chew. Ruth picked me up and carried me on and off the train, though, because I didn’t like the big gaps between the train and the platform. The gaps were bigger than me and I didn’t want to fall down one.

I like going out with the other Canine Partner puppies. It’s fun.

Emily and Barney

In the afternoon we went to visit Emily at her house. Emily’s a big girl now and coming into something called a season – so she has to go the kennels for three weeks from tomorrow. I’ll miss Emily while she’s gone. We took her some tripe sticks to eat. She likes tripe sticks just as much as me. When we’d had a huge play it was time for us to go home.

In the evening Ruth and Eric left me at home for a little while and then they came back with Ronnie’s dog called Barney. Barney and me got to eat an ice lolly and sit on the garden bench. Barney jumped up all by himself so he could sit next to Ruth but I’m too little yet to jump so Ruth picked me up so I could sit on the bench too. There were lots of interesting smells because Ruth and Eric were having a mini barbecue. They had salmon on it and me and Barney got to have some salmon too. It was delicious. I like having Barney come to visit.

Chicken Wrap

While Ruth was doing some writing Eric took me for a walk down by the river. I was very good until I saw a boy with a chicken wrap. It smelt wonderful. I was so fast the boy didn’t even notice I’d taken it and eaten half of it before Eric managed to grab it off me. The girl who was with the boy said it lucky that I was so cute they didn’t mind. Eric didn’t take me for a very long walk after that. I wonder if there’ll be someone else eating a chicken wrap that they’d let me share when I go for another walk down by the river. I hope so.

Doggy-Do

Today we went to Milton Keynes Doggy-Do in the fast car. It was great - although I think Eric should have let me drive. I met some hearing for the deaf dogs - they were all a lot smaller than me and some guide dogs in training and some pets as therapy dogs - Ruth thinks I'd be good as a PAT dog as I like being stroked and sometimes people in hospitals feel much better when they have a cuddle with a nice dog like me.

They even had some special doggy paddling pools for dogs to get cool there.

After Milton Keynes we went back to Kempston so I could go to the Kempston Fun Day with some of the other Canine Partner puppies but by then I was a bit too tired to walk around and had to be carried - I still let people stroke me though.

When we got home I fell fast asleep on the cool wooden floor.

My Mum

This afternoon Ruth took me to see my Mum and my brother Raffy at their house. Raffy didn't get to go to new people like all the other puppies did - he stayed with my mum. I liked playing with my mum a lot. Her name's Summer and people say I'm a lot like her. First of all Raffy was a bit cross that his mum kept playing with me instead of him but then he joined in too and then Raffy and I had a contest to see who was the top dog. Neither of us won because we didn't get to finish the contest - but I bet I would have won if we had been allowed to finish it.

Puppy Class

This morning we went to puppy class. There’s a little Labrador called Happy there who’s training to be a dog for the disabled. I showed everyone how I can sit and wait while Ruth goes right across the other side of the room and not be distracted by the other dogs and then run as fast as I can to Ruth when she calls me. I can also stay – in sit or down – for a long while (it gets a bit boring but Ruth always gives me a treat at the end). Then I had to run after Ruth when she ran in and out of some cones. I did it without being on my lead and I didn’t run off like some of the other puppies did.

Ruth said I was a very good puppy-boy.

River

Nicole is crazy about water. She kept diving in the river at the back of our house. I swam a little bit too. But she’s more like an otter than a dog. She likes jumping in after sticks and then swimming back with them. She can swim a long way much further than I can. I wonder if I’ll be able to swim as well as her when I’m 10 years old.

Nicole

Clare’s black Labrador Nicole came to visit us today. It was Nicole’s tenth birthday so Clare gave her lots of treats and said I could share them. I don’t really like sharing. I like it better when I can have everything myself! Nicole had a big knuckle bone that I tried to eat in Nicole’s bed. Nicole had a very comfy bed but she kept crying at night so Ruth and Eric had her in their bedroom with them. I don't cry at night because I'm a big puppy-boy now.

This is a photo of me in Nicole's bed with her tasty bone.

Blackberries

Today we went out to Ampthill park with Ronnie and her dog, Barney. He’s a white golden retriever like me. We had a great time. Ruth and Ronnie picked blackberries off the bushes with their hands. Ruth gave me some they were yummy. Barney showed me how to pick the blackberries off the bush with my mouth and then I got to have lots of blackberries. I’d like to go blackberry picking again.

Canine Partners Class

At Canine Partners class I kept barking and barking when I was supposed to be being quiet so Lorraine put the bark collar on me. It makes a funny – yuck – smell when I bark. I didn’t like it. Ruth asked if she could take it off when I stopped and Lorraine said yes. I was very pleased when it was gone. So pleased I made a happy face and Clare said ‘Look at Foster – he’s smiling!’ and then everybody was smiling too.

Damaris

Today Ruth took me to Royston to meet up with her friends Jenny, Gordon and Damaris. They've come all the way from Ecuador to see me. Damaris gave me some tasty treats. I hope they come back again with more treats.

Middle of the Night

I was having a very nice sleep when Eric woke me up. It was 2 o’clock in the morning. His work wanted him to sort some things out on the computer. They kept phoning him all night When Eric’s awake I can’t go back to sleep in case he makes himself a tasty snack that he might give me some of – so I stayed awake too and then got a bit too tired to remember to use my bark area to go to the toilet on and went in the house instead.

Tunnel and Tent

Eric bought me a little tent and a green tunnel to play in. I'm a bit scared of them at the moment but I keep going over and giving them a sniff now and then. I wonder if they'd let me sleep outside in my tent one night I get very hot indoors. Ruth and Eric could sleep outside too. I bet they'd like it.

Lead

Today I picked up my lead and brought it over to Ruth and she told me what a good boy I was and took me for a walk! I'm going to bring her my lead again. We went for a walk up to the shops and back. Lots of people stopped us so they could say hello to me and give me a stroke. One lady had very long nails and when she stroked my tummy it felt funny but very nice.

Canine Partners Class

This morning we went to Canine Partners Class. I was very very good and waited for the non-furries as us puppies call our people to drink tea and eat biscuits and talk about us. Then they took us for a long walk in Clapham and we had to practice not getting distracted by other dogs or interesting smells. All of us did very well but I was exhausted and fell asleep on the floor when we got back. It's because I'm the youngest still but in a few weeks there'll be some new puppies.

It was Diesel's last visit to our class because he's going to do his advanced training down in Heyshott now.

Emily

Emily came to visit from Saturday night till Monday afternoon. It was great! We all went to Sainsbury's and then we went to Marston Moretaine to the nature reserve and I got to splash in a big puddle with Emily. Eric wasn't too pleased about having to carry me back as I was all muddy and made his t-shirt all muddy. But I'm only allowed to go on little walks at the moment so I have to be carried sometimes. Then we went to the retail park so Eric could buy me and Emily some tripe sticks and paddywack and Ruth got hungry waiting in the car and so the three of us had some butter chicken slices that were going to go in Eric's sandwiches (lucky there was 2 packets so he could still have some.) Me and Emily and Ruth love eating butter chicken in the car.
I hope Ruth gets hungry in the car again so I can have some more butter chicken.

Tidy Puppy

Ruth and Eric are very pleased with me because I am such a tidy puppy-boy. I like to collect all my toys together and put them in a special round furry bed that's in the garden and when I've finished playing with my toys I carry them over and put them in there. I've got lots of toys. I especially like my pirate ball and my cow that goes moo.

Food

Today I finally managed to get into my full sack of food and gobble up as much as I could before Ruth caught me. She put pegs on the bag after that. But I managed to pull off the pegs. Now she’s put the food out of my reach. It’s not fair. I think I’m big enough to get my own meals when I feel hungry.

Oakley Carnival

Today we went to Oakley carnival and I got to say hello to lots of people who wanted to stroke me. They had a dog show and I went in for the ‘Best Puppy Under 1 Year Old.’ I didn’t win – Diesel did – he’s a Canine Partner dog too but much bigger than me. He also won the Best in Show rosette. I didn’t come second – Dora did. She’s a Canine Partner puppy too! But I did come third. Ruth and Eric were very proud of me and gave me lots of hugs and a lick of ice cream. Ice cream’s delicious. I hope I can be in some more shows and get some more ice cream licks.

Emily Comes to Visit Again

Ruth was very pleased with me last night because as soon as I'd done my business in my crate (which I'm not supposed to do) I made a little sound so she could come down and clean it up before I lay in it. Still had to have a shower in the morning though because I had a number one accident just before Eric came downstairs to give me my breakfast.

Emily came to visit us again today and I had my first taste of a tripe stick. Emily loves them so Ruth bought some for her and she gave a bit of one to me. I liked it very much. I hope Emily comes again so I get to have another taste of a tripe stick. She also introduced me to eating bits of bush branch (in the photo) that Ruth had left on the ground when she'd been gardening.

I played and played with Emily but then I got a bit grouchy and tired and fell asleep. Emily doesn't need as much sleep as me because she's bigger. Emily ate up one of my rawhide chews whie I was asleep. But I forgave her because I like her. I've dug out a hollow place to sleep in the middle of the flowers. It's nice and cool there on sunny days.

Canine Partners Class

Went to Canine Partners Class this morning. I though it was going to be fun but Lorraine made me stay in a little crate for ages - she said Canine Partners Puppies must learn not to do their business in crates and not to make a HUGE fuss when they're asked to go in their crates. I only did number ones in Lorraine's crate.
At the end of the class they let us practice the demonstration we're doing at Oakley show - I liked that bit of the class.
When I came home I was so tired I fell asleep in the garden. The garden is one of my favourite places to sleep - no crates out there.
Ruth says I mustn't worry because although some things seem hard for me to do now they'll get much easier very soon and I'm still her very good puppy boy - I've just got in a bit of a muddle about toilet training.

Trolley

Ruth took me to the big shop again today but this time I got to sit in a trolley and ride around the shop. It was great. I sat very still like Ruth told me to and let lots of people stroke me and say what a good boy I was. I got a bit sleepy in the trolley. It’s very restful being pushed around. I could see all the different foods for sale really well and looked after the food Ruth put in the trolley.

Emily

A very nice dog called Emily came to visit us today. She used to live with Ruth and Eric before I came along but now she's big she lives with Carole and Gareth and Abi and Jamie.
Emily and me played and played together and then we had chews to eat and then I got tired and had to have a little sleep. First I slept on the grass but then I snuggled up next to Emily and slept on her cushion.
I hope I get to play with Emily again soon.

Puppy Class

Went to puppy class this morning. Ruth thought I was only going to watch but Lorraine said I could join in.
I showed the other puppies how I could run behind Ruth when she ran in and out of some cones and then I had to sit and then we ran in and out of more cones and then I had to sit and wait until Ruth called me and then I had to run to her as fast as I could and sat down and she gave me a cuddle and told me I was very very clever and gave me a treat.
I was so tired when we got home I had to sleep for most of the afternoon. Ruth and Eric’s shoes make very nice pillows.

Canine Partners Class

Today I went to my first Canine Partners class. All the people thought I was very cute and the other dogs were mainly nice. Although I wasn’t sure about Willow because she gave me a funny look – like she was feeling a bit hungry.

I had to sit quietly with the other dogs while the people drank tea and talked and talked. I was very good. Ruth came over and gave me a treat every now and again and said how good I was. After the talking we had to practice for a show in Oakley on the 14 July. Lorraine didn’t think I’d be able to do a sit and stay and then a recall – but I could I did it perfectly. And then when Ruth went in and out of the cones I followed right behind her just like I was supposed to – and I wasn’t even on my lead.

Diesel wasn’t feeling very well because he’d been to the vet for the snip. Not sure what the snip is but I hope I don’t have to have it.

Better Go Now

At last! A full night’s sleep in my crate next to Ruth in the bedroom. Only had to get up once, at 4 o’clock in the morning, to do my business. Ruth keeps saying ‘better go now’ when I’m on the bark area but I’d rather go on the grass or the paving stones.

Chewing

I’m really really tired today. Every time I lie down I fall asleep. I like sleeping with my head on Ruth’s foot best – it makes a nice pillow. Luckily I still have enough energy to eat my food and drink my goat’s milk.

I don’t know why I’m not allowed to chew some things called computer wires – maybe they’ll let me chew them when I’m bigger.

Ruth keeps putting my food and treats in my crate. I don’t know why.

Went to visit Clare’s daughter Emily this morning. Emily and her sister Rebecca gave me lots and lots of cuddles. Even when I was trying to sleep they wanted to cuddle me! I do like cuddles a lot so I didn’t mind too much but I had to have a big sleep when I got home.

Not Sleeping

Eric and Ruth wanted me to sleep downstairs in my crate because the vet told them that was what I was supposed to be doing. But I didn’t want to sleep downstairs in my crate so I barked and cried and whined and did poos and wees in my crate all night. I got hardly any sleep because Ruth and Eric wouldn’t let me sleep where I wanted to. They are silly sometimes.

Bromham Show

A big Labrador called Eden came to visit us today. He’s 6 months old and about four times as big as me. I still managed to tell him this is my house and ate some of his food when he wasn’t looking.

In the afternoon we all went to Bromham show where Canine Partners were doing a display. I went in a soft special puppy bag with a space for my head to poke out. I’m not allowed on the ground yet as I haven’t had my vaccinations yet and one of the other dogs at the show could make me sick. Eric showed me to lots of people and they all went ‘aaaaah’. The bag was so comfy I fell asleep in it and someone asked if I was a stuffed toy dog – huh!

Settling In

Eric taught me to do something called ‘horsey foot.’ He tried to teach it to their other Canine Partner dog whose name was Emily – but she couldn’t do it – but I can – sort of. I can also do sit and I try to sit still and not bite the brush when they groom me.
They tried to put me in my crate at night but I cried and did poos on myself and they had to give me a shower and then Ruth slept on the sofa and I had a nice sleep on the floor next to her.

My New House

Today I went to Eric and Ruth’s house. I met Eric first because Ruth was out buying me some toys and treats. Eric is very nice and played with me and let me nibble his ears and his nose. Then Ruth came home and she gave me a cuddle and some food – I love food. I think I’m going to like it here.