Comfy?

I literally was 5 minutes making a hot drink and when I came back!!

All sizes | Purdy RIP aged 13 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I forgot we had a Flickr Account. I had to post this. This is Purdy, she was such a very important dog. She was with us all as the children grew up and so very much loved. She shared my kids school years and was pushed, pulled, sat on, dressed up in jeans and more and she was there for all the ups and downs of family life. Her mood never changed. She died in early 2008 at the age of 13. Purdy went "missing" every week and could always be found at the local nursing home or primary school. If she was at the school, the head would call us at 2.30pm and say "you have half an hour to get here", if she was at the nursing home we would have to call them and ask what time would they like us to call! Memories are so precious.

Visit to the Vets

Alba had a six monthly checkup today. All is well. She is perfect and all "things" are in working order. However, the vet did say she was a little overweight at 26kg. I had to bite my tongue and not mention anything about her figure! You decide. These were taken just after our visit.

Stewart's Birthday

Cali and Alba will do ANYTHING for a dog biscuit but will not sit still if they smell one!

Well, just once!!!!!!!!!!!

This was only once, don't let it happen to you!

Just a dog

“From time to time, people tell me, “Lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or “That’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or costs involved for “Just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “Just a dog.” Many hours have passed with my only company being “Just a dog,” and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were brought about by “Just a dog.” In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “Just a dog” provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.

If you, too, think its “Just a dog,” you will probably understand phrases like “Just a friend,” “Just a sunrise,” or “Just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure, unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of “Just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future.

For me and folks like me, it’s not “Just a dog.” It’s an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand it’s not “Just a dog.” It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “Just a man or woman.”

So the next time you hear the phrase “Just a dog,” smile, because they “Just don’t understand.”

Summer October 2010

Summer at home. White carpets???????????????????? How brave is that!

Oscar October 2010

Oscar being Oscar

Thank you

Thank you for emailing us and letting us know how the puppies are getting on. It's been so so nice reading about them and looking at photographs. We miss them as much as you love them! I have asked the other mum's and dad's if they would send me a picture so I can post on here. I will always ask if I can upload one and you have all said yes. Thank you for that. If ever I get a little down I have thought I'd write and tell you all that we are having a product recall. That way I'd have all nine again! However, that's not fair or honest. Thank you again for permission to publish the photographs and please keep them coming. Please think about posting your dog's photograph on this link. Even though the Kennel Club make me cross this is great for the kids.
http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/

Hetty September 2010

Hetty in Scotland having a ball!

Orlando October 2010

Orlando with his "stash" of stolen goods!

My last words were "don't cuddle him on the furniture, he wont be a puppy for long" Orlando pushes people off HIS seat!

Tilly October 2010

Tilly out in the forest!

Chester October 2010

Chester looking kewl!

Cali and Alba

Could be UFO's but you'll have to take my word for it. This is Cali and Alba at 8pm on a late walk. Scares the kids who use the sports ground to have a secret fag. Spookey!

It's Sunday!!!!!

It's Sunday and Cali and Alba know that after Stewart gets back from Church it's bone time!. We went to see Poppy yesterday over in Maidenhead and had a long walk. Bizarre, it was so hard to tell the difference between Poppy and Alba, they looked amazing running beside each other. I can't wait to see how the other puppies are getting on.

Don't put all your dogs into one basket

The time has definitely come for Alba's own bed.

Heel number 2

Alba is so very proud of this (so am I)

Play

Cali and Alba love to romp and it's even better on a football pitch!

Heel

Alba loves to copy Cali, here is her heel. She loves class and like her brothers and sister, loves to go to class.

Errrrrrrr

"Cali and Alba are worried about the economy because Arden Grange is up to £45.00 a bag. That's £315.00 in dog money."
~ Joe Weinstein

At last!

Cali gets her bed back after weeks and weeks!

However!

We have Cali and Alba and they are the best of Pals. I miss the puppies more than I ever thought.

Vacant

Monday 6th September and all the puppies have gone. We are lost!

Chester

Chester has time with a knuckle! We all went over to Jennifer's Mum's today. Had a great time. Chester and Alba are tired and very very sleepy.

You have mail

Alba gets a cuddle in the study!

FREE TO ROAM

Both Chester and Alba went "SOLO" last night and enjoyed the water in Hughenden Park, Both pooped when we got home!

Together

Alba (left) and Chester having a snooze. Chester is having a great time and is a real sweetie. Funny how they are growing up and getting "lanky". It's a joy to lay on the floor and get licked silly by both puppies! Heaven!

Washing Day

Washing day and Chester (left) and Alba decide to help out. Why socks?

Holidays!

Welcome back Chester! This lad is with us for a couple of weeks. What a good boy he is. As if he's never been away!

And then there was one!

It had to happen and it's happened today. Alba and Oscar had become very close over the last two weeks. Oscar left yesterday with his new family so that leaves Alba on her own. Just for a few hours, Chester is coming today for a couple of weeks, so Alba will have company. The happy/jolly expression is a result of the weekly weigh in!

Last night with Oscar

We'll, what a roller coaster we have had over the last weeks. This in my last cuddle with Oscar. Every single last cuddle with each puppy has been special, very special. You can only imagine what this was like with Oscar who left us on Friday 20th August.

We like this!

Oscar (blue lead) and Alba adore a walk. If we stop for any reason Oscar looks at you and seems to say "come on, we have a walk to do and I like it" We are on a busy road and the puppies are not fused by the cars, buses and the noise that goes with them. It's a joy to walk two puppies.

Visiting Poppy

Today we went to see Poppy in her new home in Maidenhead. Poppy is a very happy girl and has a huge garden to play in. Cali thought she'd play mum and take Poppy's chew. Think again Cali!

Guess what we've been doing!

Just home and discovered Oscar and Alba have had a ball in the garden! That's it, crazy paving is now on order!

After Play

Pooped, after a manic session of "chase" in and around the dining room table. Oscar (front) and Alba take it easy!

And then there were two!

Oscar (left) and Alba, looking totally miffed. Orlando has gone and that's one brother less to play with. Too wet for a walk last night so we'll make space for a street walk tonight.

Our first walk

Well, not exactly a "walk" more of a tug of war. This looks worse than it is. However, both Orlando (on the left) and Oscar did very well indeed when they got over the shock of being OUTSIDE. Orlando, Oscar and Alba had their 2nd "shot" yesterday and the vet tell's us they can go walks on the pavement. Just stay clear of water for a couple of weeks. I only went a hundred yards down the road and most of the cars slowed down to have a look at TWO puppies on a walk! FAB

Last long cuddle with Orlando!

Another sad evening for us. BUT, a new life ahead for Orlando. He's off to his new home in Northamptonshire. Cali, Jennifer and I have been so so fortunate in that the puppies have gone/going to incredibly loving families. That said, it doesn't make the last night with Orlando any easier than the last night with Hetty. Cali is having a short holiday with Dylan and Jennifer's Mum in Great Missenden.

Memories

10 weeks ago. Where has the time gone?

Following the leader

Tug of war - Dylan, Cali and Alba

Some photos from today in the garden

We still like.....

digging....

chewing stone....

playing with socks.

Cuddles!

Digging? Who us? Never!

Orlando does some tree surgery

Playing indoors

Now that we only have three puppies, they can play indoors too. They like playing under the table and are getting quite 'chatty'.

We love socks!

It has not taken the puppies long to gain a liking for socks. They make the best toys. Cheap and a good way to make use of all those odd socks.

Big babies!

These big babies still like to sneak a drink from mum occasionally and she seems happy to let them.

More time in the garden

In the garden