Maybe not so grown-up...

I gave M and G a scare this afternoon. I didn't mean to but apparently my experimentation with drugs freaked them out. I was really just chewing on the nice metallic plastic I wasn't really interested in the chalky white things in them. I spat them out I promise! !

All grown up

People keep saying to me "oh Steve, how much you've grown" - this is very boring but after looking through photos today I take their point. Today I am nine months and ten days old: I have all my adult teeth and I weigh 7kgs; I have had all my puppy shots and a certain operation; I can sit and stay; fetch and catch a ball; I sleep by myself at night and can be left on my own during the day; and I feel safe and loved by family and friends. In the photo I am just a little over 6 weeks old and this is the first night I spent with M and G. They seemed to want me there but I was not so sure about them. G went out and came back with a straw basket for me to sleep in, a rope to chew on, and a snake to play with. Of course I also had Monkey – she was the only thing to come with me from my former home. That first night I found myself shivering – away from the warmth of the moving scrum that was my brother and sisters – I was cold; perhaps just scared, and maybe a little excited as well. So much was new it was overwhelming but thrilling at the same time. Just one example was being taken out into the garden to go to the toilet where I encountered grass for the first time, having previously been confined to a concrete courtyard this was foreign new ground – I even shivered and paused before I took my tentative first step. 

Later that night M and G put my new basket on their bed and when they thought I was asleep they put me on the floor beside them. In reality I don’t think I slept at all that night – but I bit into monkey’s bum and kept my whimpering at bay. But as the long night progressed I noticed M peering down from the bed at me when I rolled over, or sighed, and she would smile encouragingly at me. And the next morning G greeted me with games and laughs, and we rumbled and played. 

Now it seems difficult to really remember what any of that felt like – it is more like telling a story that might have happened to somebody else. But when I look into the eyes of the puppy in this photograph I can remember the uncertainty but I also see the openness and hopeful optimism. And it is the latter that I hope to take with me into my adult life.

Winter Fashion - prequel

For those who are interested here is the only photo of me in my sock-jumper when I was only about 3 months old. Finding this photo has truly made me reflect on just how much I have grown ... in oh so many varied ways ... actually I think this is a topic that deserves a post all of its own...

Winter fashion

Now I have brought up the topic of dog clothes before - my lack of enthusiasm has been noted. When I was a little puppy M made me a jumper out of one G's socks - that was ok except everyone thought it looked like a muscle top and laughed at me. But I have to say that M and G have won me over this time! I love my new driza-bone coat - I think I look pretty spunky and I feel warm and dry! Now I will consider going out in the rain and cold and to strut my stuff. G also has a drizabone and I think all eyes will be turning towards us next time we walk out together. We were chick-magnets before but now...!! The only potential downside is that G is obsessed with working out what will go in my pockets  - I am happy to carry some load - maybe a few poo bags - but only as long as it doesn't ruin the line of my coat - I don't want to look fat or bulky!! You would think that G would understand such things - I think he is a pretty snappy dresser but then again M thinks he always has mis-shapen pockets - in his jeans and jackets. Perhaps I will have a few sartorial lessons to teach him. I think M is on my side and G just needs to learn that pockets can just be about decoration they don't always need to be used. In a similar vein I also reject doggy backpacks. And note to M - don't think that jut because I agree with you on the pockets means that I will be getting into one of those lime knitted jumper things any time soon!

Surviving Winter

I have a new love - it is grey and short but it blows hot hair and lying in front of it is almost as good as sleeping in the sun. I have heard something from M. about the green house effect but so what if I now live in front of 'heater', using up large quantities of fossil fuels!!! It's winter people, and as its the first one that I've ever lived through so I need something to mitigate the effects of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) - damm valvaldi and damm his 4 seasons. Sure I could try and stay active but because it has been so wet it is not all that fun outside and there is only so much I can get up to in the lounge room. Sure we go out for walks and to play in the park but I must say my current favorite pastime is curling up with my love! 

PS - I make sure monkey is warm as well BUT when are they going to fix monkey's arm