New found freedom - and responsibilities

A lot has been on since I last blogged, but I know many of you keep up to date on my Facebook page. I have grown up a lot, have some new found freedom, and more responsibility. Plus I've started puppy training classes. I'm four and a half months old now, longer legged, more mature, less crazy and loving all the new things I am able to do. Oh, and mummy Lucy's got a new camera, and guess who's the best and favourite model

 

 

 

 

New experiences

I've been experiencing lots of new things; meeting ducks, chickens, goats, sheep and a pony; going to a dog show; hearing gunshots; going into shops; dog training and much more. I've ignored the animals, not interested in them (might be different if they moved fast though) and didn't bat an eyelid at the gunshot. At the show I loved watching the dogs doing flyball and the fast moving dog display. I'm maturing also which shows in my responses to different things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My new found freedom

I have started being let off my lead. What a joy it is to run and play without anything attached to you. I have met so many new friends who I have been able to play with properly, and I love it. I was first let off in Hylands Park, then we've been to Hockley Woods a few times. I've never been happier. My recall is perfect; except when there's another dog around, then it takes a lot to get me back again. I am already getting better though, courtesy of cheese as my reward!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New found responsibility

 

I have a lot more responsibility now. For the first time in over five and a half years, Lucy went out without mummy Kate or a carer - all thanks to me. That's the difference I have made to Lucy's life. I know I have to behave when we're out alone and I do as I am told, walk carefully to heel, and make sure mummy is ok; if she feels unwell and needs to stop, then I just sit at her side until she recovers. Sometimes I get to sit on her lap too, although I know not to ask or beg anymore. Lucy is so proud of me and really hopes the assistance dog charities (Dog A.I.D. and Support Dogs) reopen their books so I could be trained as an assistance dog for her. What a difference a dog makes!

 

 

Off out by ourselves

 

Training

 

I've started dog training classes now, I've been to two already. The first one was a bit overwhleming, but the second one was great. It is a bit confusing sometimes as there is a Wolfhound puppy called Molly in my class too! I can sit, stay, heel, come, leave, wait, watch me (make eye contact), up, off, and probably other's I'm forgetting. I'm learning paw at home and down at dog training, but I'm no good at the down. I just cannot get the hang of down being associated with actually laying down, no matter how many times I hear it. But Lucy is proud of me all the same and I'm learning fast. When I'm offlead, I will come back when called and sit in the heel position without being asked.

 

Practising sit and watch me

Practising stay

 

Sit and stay

 

I've been living with Lucy and Kate (and Vicky) for 10 weeks today. What a 10 weeks it's been.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Molly x

 



 

Lots of outings

It’s been a while since I last ‘blogged’, I apologise for that. I’ve just been so busy and Lucy hasn’t been all that well so I have been looking after her.

 

 

I am now 15 weeks old and I weigh 6kg; maybe a little thin, but it’s better than being fat! I don’t always eat very well. The vet is very happy with me. I don’t much like having my ears cleaned but Lucy do them, and my eyes regularly; it’s very important to avoid infections. I’ve had a few baths too, which I really do not appreciate.

My training is coming along. I am good with leave, most of the time; I can fetch; in the garden I will come when called; I am learning paw, heel, wait and watch me (when I must look at Lucy/whoever asks so they have my full attention) but I’m still hopeless with down. I start puppy training classes at Billericay Dog Training School on Monday 13^th May. I have also learnt to bark when Lucy is awake and her door is shut to let mum/the carers know to go in there, even before she rings on the house phone once (which I wait all morning for). I tell them off too if they don’t open her door quick enough!

I’ve been helping mummy Kate out in the garden too, although I don’t think she appreciated my help. I have helped her weed, plant and sweep – although I don’t like the broom, I think it’s an imposter.

We’ve been on lots of walks. We go to Thundersley Common a lot, and I’ve met so many new friends. We’ve been to Pets at Home too, the sea wall on Canvey Island and Priory Park. I’m having so much fun. I love long grass; it makes me want to run and jump and play. At Priory Park I heard a band play in the band stand; I was scared at first but soon got used to it. They played a James Morrison song and a Michael Jackson one too. Unfortunately I got scared by a man who kept pulling me by my legs, but that was soon forgotten.

I’ll try and update you with some of the funny stories and adventures. I’m still living up to my name!

Please visit my facebook page for photos, I'm having trouble with blogger and uploading my photos :( (of which there are hundeds!)

https://www.facebook.com/MollyDogWithABlog?ref=hl

Love and woofs,

Molly Mischief x

Beside the Seaside

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside……

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

Saturday 6^th 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 7^th 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