Sunday 21 April 2013

Seafront Walks


 
It's been a long time since I last wrote because mummy Lucy was in hospital and really not well so couldn't type this for me. She won't get better unfortunately, but we hope this will prevent the problems she was having with her Ileostomy stoma. She's trying hard to get out with me when she can, which is great. I love walks with Lucy as I can sit on her lap! She calls me her navigator as she says my ears stick out like indicators.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yesterday we went to the seafront at Chalkwell and met some lovely people who thought I am very cute (of course!). Mummy Lucy was really happy because they talked to her, as if the wheelchair wasn't there. I had to walk some of the way which I didn't like, I kept dragging mummy Kate back to Lucy's wheelchair. Lots of people kept saying "aww, puppy!" at me. It was quite windy so we were cold walking one way, but when we turned around we were with the wind so it was much warmer. Mummy Lucy and mummy Kate stopped to have a drink on the way back, and I found some crisps on the floor by the cafe which were yummy. Mummy Lucy kept trying to stop me eating them but I'd sneak them when she wasn't looking. There were only a few, surely they can't hurt?
I met some children too, one of whom kept letting me kiss her head and giggled. Her name was Erin, and I think I made a friend in her. She didn't offer me her dummy though.
 


When we got home I went straight into the garden and did a wee. I'm getting the hang of that, but I often forget myself and go in the house. I do go in the bathroom when I can, everyone else goes in there, so why can't I?

This morning I helped mummy Kate weed the garden; it was great fun. She said I was a pleasure today as I didn't go mad first thing this morning, I was a good girl. I really enjoyed it, even if I did get a bit carried away at times.


In the afternoon we went for a walk along the cliffs and I walked the furthest I ever have. I kept chasing Lucy still, trying to get back on her lap, but she didn't cave in every time today. She says I have to walk some of the time. We met a Springer Spaniel, also called Molly. She was brown and white, and beautiful. I kept trying to play with her, jumping and dancing around her. She didn't play back though. Her owner and her daughter gave me lots of fuss and said how beautiful I am.

 
 
 
Then we met a lady with a black show Cocker Spaniel called Miley. I tried even harder to play with her! I kept pawing and prancing and standing on my back legs, anything to get her to play, but she just barked at me. The lady was really nice and said I was so cute. Lucy was really happy because she asked why Lucy was in a wheelchair; Lucy always says she loves it when people ask because it opens their eyes and its good for awareness of her conditions.

I didn't go to the toilet at all while we were out, I don't like going in public. So I held on till we got home and went in the garden. It's too exciting to wee!


I'm now falling asleep on mummy's wheelchair, my second favourite place to sleep (my favourite is Lucy's bed).

So that's my update for today. I hope everyone got to enjoy the sun. Well done to everyone who ran in the London marathon.

Molly Mischief xxx

Sunday 7 April 2013

Beside the Seaside

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside……



Hasn't the weather been nice these past two days?

Saturday 6th April

 
We went to the beach today, at Chalkwell/Southend-on-Sea. I didn't like walking, so I rode on mummy's lap much of the time. They kept putting me down and getting me to walk; I mean, what's the point in that when there's a lap going free? So many people said I am cute, adorable, pretty etc. which of course I know I am. I, for the first time, got to properly meet some dogs, and mummy said I was such a good girl. I also saw bicycles and motorbikes for the first time; the motorbikes don't half make a lot of noise. I saw seagulls too. There were children playing on the beach, and I wanted to join them, but mummy said I wasn't allowed because I try to eat everything, and because there weren't any ramps down into the beach where we were walking. I even got to taste a bit of ice cream as mummy Kate had some. It was a bit overwhelming at times though, and I tried to hide myself under the blanket on mummy's lap and I shook a lot. And at other times the wind was really cold so they wrapped me in the blanket to keep me warm. People kept pointing and aweing at me, which I thought was really funny. I got so many strokes and fusses. Some even said I was spoilt! 



 
 
I have also acquired a new skill: I ask to go into the garden to do my business. I am so proud of myself. Though I did forget myself this morning and went in the bathroom - people go in there so why shouldn't I? Everyone else had been for a wee and I needed to go too.
 



I've been out in the garden lots to play, but everything looks good enough to eat; so I try and eat it! Then mummy Kate comes over and takes the stuff out of my mouth, it's so unfair. How can humans not see that sticks, stones, mud, grass and flowers are appetising?
 



Mummy has been trying to teach me something called "down". She makes me sit and then puts her hand on the floor and won't give the treat to me until I do something - I don't understand what she wants, but mummy says I'll learn in time. I'm a pro at sitting, I do come when they call me most of the time and I will leave things unless it's really good, exciting and/or interesting.

 
I still don't like it when mummy goes back to sleep in the mornings so I barge her door down and ask to go back on her bed. And I know that one short ring on the house phone means she's awake so I bound down the hall to her room, racing whoever is here. It's great fun!

 
Sunday 7th April

When we woke up today and realised the weather was nice, mummy Lucy said we should go to Leigh beach this time, where the roads is cobbled and you can sit and look out to see from the seating outside the pubs and restaurants. When we got there all the bikers were there with their scary, loud motorbikes. I was really frightened. We saw some old friends of mummy Kate, so we sat and chatted to them for a while. Lucy and I got mobbed; everyone wanted to come and see me and stroke me. Lucy was so pleased that people didn't treat her differently because of her wheelchair, and she proudly showed me off to them. We walked (well, mummy Kate walked, Lucy and I drove) along the cobbled street until we reached the beach, then walked back to the pub area. By then I wasn't bothered much by the bikes anymore and was being a brave girl with all the other noises and hustle and bustle. Mummy said I was an amazing little girl and that I did well considering that I'm only 11 weeks and this was a lot of stimulation for me. After all, a lot of it is new to me.
 



They tried to get me to walk a few times, and at one point Lucy drove on ahead - apparently to encourage me to walk - and I panicked as I couldn't see her anymore. I didn't know what to do with myself and got in a bit of a state. Mummy Kate had to try and stop me spinning round so she could pick me up and take me to Lucy, and I was so happy once I got back to Lucy and sat on her lap. I was back in my comfort zone, under my blanket. They tried to get me to walk a second time, but I was so focused on getting back onto Lucy's lap that they gave up. I like it when I get my own way.

At the seating area Mummy Kate and Lucy sat at a table and had a small drink, and I went to sleep on Lucy's lap. A few times they introduced me to other dogs, but I wasn't impressed. I'm above all that! Once they had finished their drinks we walked back to the car and came home. I slept all the way.
 




As soon as we got home they took me into the garden and I went to the toilet on command. Then we had a bit of a play and a mini training session; mummy Lucy again tried to get me to go "down" but I still don't understand what she means. I did do many good recalls, running and sitting down next to Lucy's chair when she called "Molly come". I got lots of treats and had a great time, even if it only lasted 20 minutes at the most.
 








I'm now one tired puppy, with two tired humans. But we're all happy, and the effort was worth it.

Licks and woofs,

Molly Mischief x



Wednesday 3 April 2013

First of many

Mummy Kate and I
Today was ace; I wore my new collar and I went out for a walk for the first time! It was so exciting. All those smells and things to eat that my mummy wouldn't let me consume. Mummy Lucy drove ahead at one point to take photos and I chased after her - great fun. It was really, really cold though. I was shivering so much. We only went to the corner and back, we were out for less than 5 minutes (just as well, as my mummy said). I walked to the corner and got to ride back on mummy's wheelchair so she could wrap me in a blanket. I love helping her steer the wheelchair by chewing the controls, and I like turning on the hazard lights and indicators. Her wheelchair is like an adventure playground. I love it!
 


In the afternoon, we went out into the garden (which I have been staring at through the door for days, I couldn't wait to get out there). I ran and ran and ran, in between trying to eat moss, grass and twigs and being chased around by mummy Kate as she tried to get them out of my mouth. It was great fun. I didn't quite understand the decking at first, though. I fell off it and ran into it a few times, but then I got the hang of getting on and off it. Mummy said I'll be a great agility dog.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Then, once Mummy Kate had got Lucy out of her wheelchair and into bed, it was time for food. Mummy has been giving me chicken as a treat as I'm not eating enough - life's too exciting to stand and eat! Mummy Kate had buried it under all of the biscuits, but I soon dug it out (I made a bit of a mess with the biscuits in the process though. Oops. Sorry mum). I did eat some biscuits, but the meanie cat Patch walked past and so I had to try and get him to play. I barked and I jumped and I ran around; nothing. I can't understand why he won't play. He's so boring. I know hes old and I know hes tired but come on, how much does it take just to give a good chase?
 
Patch and I
I’m really getting the hang of the commands mummy is teaching me – when I want to. Mummy says I’m very clever but also stubborn. (Me? Stubborn?). I can sit, come and leave, I know I have to give Lucy my toys so she can throw them for me as she can’t reach them on the floor, and I know that one ring on the house phone means Lucy is awake when she naps during the day. I don’t like the fact that her door gets shut during the day when she sleeps, and I can barge the door down and get to her. I don’t know why she has to shut the door, or why I can’t sleep in bed when she sleeps (something about safety), but I know barging the door will wake her up and then I get a cuddle, and when that phone rings I race mummy Kate (or the carer) to see who can get to Lucy’s door first.
 

After my exhausting day, I am resting. I'm in bed with mummy Lucy, stretched out on her feet, on her belly or above her head as usual. I've had some good dreams, chasing rabbits and cats. I'm even too tired to play with my toys or have a stuffed puppy Kong.
 
Nighty night,
Molly Mischief 
 

Monday 1 April 2013

Introductions


My name is Molly, and I am a Working Cocker Spaniel. My official name is Steyr Scout (a very expensive gun, so my mum was told). I was born on the 18th January 2013 and I am now 10 weeks old. I am currently black and white but will eventually be blue roan; I'm getting more and more black spots in my white coat. My mum says I have the cutest face in the world, and I do think I'm rather beautiful.



When my new family came to meet me and my litter mates, I chose my new mummy Lucy. I was put on her lap and I walked straight up her chest and gave her lots of kisses. They nearly bought one of my brothers, but my hard work paid off. A week later, on the 20th March, they brought me home. I settled in really quickly and I love it here, except the cats who are really boring and won't play with me. I mean, how rude is that?! My new family also found out I'm terrified of the hoover; I think it's going to swallow me up.


I am a companion to a seriously ill and disabled young lady called Lucy. She is in a wheelchair but spends a lot of time in bed, and so do I. I keep her company, make her feel better, give her kisses and snuggle up and we also play together. When Lucy gets in her wheelchair I get to sit on her lap; how cool is that? I have tried to steer it a few times too and I like putting on the hazard lights and indicators. It's great fun!


Lucy is my mummy and she is the one in charge of training me. When I get old enough and have all the basic obedience mastered Lucy hopes to train me as an assistance dog. I already know I have to take my toys to her when we're playing otherwise she can't throw them for me, so I drop them at her feet or let her take it out of my mouth. I always get praised for that, usually I get a treat too. I also sit calmly on her lap while she drives her wheelchair. Mummy thinks I will be easy to train, and I'm so desperate to make her happy that I will do what she asks of me - especially if there is food involved! I love being called a good girl. I can sit really well, I will come when asked, and I can leave things (such as the cats) alone some of the time. Leave is a hard one though. I also sleep through the night in my puppy pen and try hard to go to the toilet on the puppy pads by the back door - I get it right most of the time!


I really do love my family and I can't wait till we can all go out on walks. I know mummy Lucy and mummy Kate (aka Grandma) are looking forward to it. Kate especially, as I go mad in the mornings and I can be mischievous, but I'm good as gold when visitors are round and when Lucy is awake. How can anyone doubt the poor me look that I have been perfecting? Kate thinks being able to walk me first thing in the morning will calm me down a bit. I'm so excited. I only have to wait until Wednesday!



I hope you will enjoy reading about my adventures, mishaps and all the stories from my journey through this life.

Licks, love and woofs
Molly Mischief