Saw This And Thought You Might Enjoy...

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Its rained pretty much constantly since i woke up this morning! Looks like i won't be going any big walks until it dries out a little...

But that gives me some time to fill you in on my adventures during my little break. Where do i start? Well, i am getting really good at going for runs in the car, and will even sit quietly and wait while mum goes into the shops - sometimes she even brings me a treat back! A couple of weeks ago i was taken to a car boot sale, which was really exciting! Lots of people wanted to talk to me, and one of the stall holders even gave me a couple of rubber balls to play with (you can never have enough of these - and i have quite a collection now!).

On the way back from the car boot sale, we went to a huge country park, where we found a quiet area with long grass for me to run about in and play fetch with my new balls. It was really hot though, and we couldn't do it for long and eventually had to head back to the car for a drink.

I have also been for a huge walk along the old railway walkway while Paul took some pictures. That was fun, but i was a little scared of a big bull that we saw in a field. I think i showed it who is boss with a growl and a woof though! Maybe when it dries up a bit we can go for a big walk again. Here's hoping!

Katie. x

Hello Puppy Fans!

Did you miss me? Go on, i bet you did!

Sorry its been a while, but i have been growing so much and having all sorts of big adventures that i just haven't found the time to write everything down. But i am back again now, so here is a quick run-down of everything that has been happening.

I have grown out of my puppy coat, and i am now looking very smart in my glossy adult coat, if i do say so myself. I am still growing, but everyone says that i am very tall and have lovely long legs (all the better to run fast with...). Even my ears have calmed are pointing in the same direction. Well, most of the time anyway!

Mum bought me a paddling pool, but unfortunately i have only been able to play in it once because it has been raining so much. Its brilliant fun though! All by balls and toys go in to it and i get to play at lifting them all out again, and if someone splashes the water for me, i love to dive in and splash too.

This week, i had the biggest adventure so far. I went back to the vets, which isn't a big deal normally, because the vet is my friend and gives me biscuits. But this time, instead of going back home after saying hello, my family went away and left me there. I then had an operation (so that i won't have puppies when i get bigger), and i was really, really brave. When i woke up again, the vet took me back through to reception where my family were waiting for me to take me home again. I am supposed to be taking things easy for a week or so, but hey, its me we are talking about...i don't do 'taking it easy'...!

Well, that's all for the moment, but i will be back with more news over the weekend. Promise!

Katie. xx

A Hop, A Skip And A Jump!

It has been an exciting (and energetic) few days for me!

Yesterday, i was walking down the path in the garden when i saw the strangest thing. At first glance i thought it might have been a stone, then i thought it might have been a giant slug (it was a bit slimy). It turns out, after giving it a sniff and a lick then asking mum, that it is something called a Frog, and it lives in the pond with the fish. Strange creature! I wonder why it is allowed to play in the pond and i'm not...

I have been learning new things to help me burn off some of my puppy energy too. I have started to 'Doggy Dance' with mum to the sound of a mobile phone ringtone. It is brilliant fun and i get to jump up and sing and walk on my hind legs. Another new game is my agility course in the garden. I am learning how to weave between garden canes and to jump over hurdles made of plant pots and bits of wood. It is really good fun, and tires me out after a while. All we need now is a tunnel, a see-saw and a ramp...

Katie.

The Wheels On The Bus Go Round And Round...

This week, I have faced one of my big fears - Buses!

I went a big walk , where most of it was next to a road, to get more used to the sounds of traffic. When we reached the end of the walk we had to sit on a bench and wait, although i wasn't really sure why. After a while, a big double decker bus arrived and i was taken over to it. I noticed some people were getting off the bus, and others were getting on, so it can't really be that bad, can it? Well, we got on the bus too and it took us back home. Buses aren't really as bad as i thought - they are just like big cars! OK, they are still big and noisy, but i don't feel that i need to hide when i see one now.

I have been making lots of new friends this week too. First there is a springer spaniel puppy that goes to the Dog Classes and i have now discovered that he lives near me too). There is also Lara, a collie, who comes to visit my neighbours now and again, and i have met lots of other dogs and people when i have been out on my travels.

I would also like to thank all my new friends who have come to visit "Katie's Progress". People from all over the world have come to read about my adventures, and i always love to hear your comments.

Katie. x

Growing Up Fast!

It seems like no time since i was just a little bundle of fur!

Now i am a big girl though! At last night's Dog Classes mum bought me a new collar. Not a little puppy collar like i used to have, but a real leather fancy collar for big grown up dogs! It is really nice and matches my eyes and coat very well. It makes me feel really big, and i like to show it off when i go walks.

I got a parcel delivered today with some nice treats from Trophy Pet Foods. It was really nice of them to send me some samples of their foods and i am sure i will enjoy them as much as i enjoyed pulling the envelope apart!

Unfortunately my teeth are still bothering me a bit, but everyone is doing so much to keep my mind off it, and mum has promised that it won't be too long before i am back to my usual ways!

Bye, Bye Puppy Teeth!

Does the tooth fairy come to dogs? I hope so!

I am growing up so fast and now my little baby puppy teeth have started to fall out. I have only lost a couple so far, but mum says it wont be too long before i have my 'grown-up' teeth. Fortunately this hasn't spoiled my good looks, and doesn't stop me eating dinner and stuff! I got a new toy that is supposed to help me while i am teething, but so far, i prefer to chew at my other toys

I am getting to go bigger walks too now that i have big long legs. I even get off my lead when we are walking, or when we go to the park where i get to play games of 'fetch' with the tennis ball. Its great fun to get a good run around.

All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go...

Hello! I was really looking forward to today, but things didn't quite go to plan. Oh well, its a dog's life, so they say!

It was supposed to be the Puppy Party at the vets today, but when i turned up i discovered that no other puppies could make it. I was hoping to have a run around with other dogs of my age, but i will have to wait until the next party is arranged.

It wasn't a complete disaster though, as i got to meet the vet again and she gave me cuddles and a goody bag, which had a new ball in it, as well as some treats, and other gifts. They must really like me at the Vets.

In the evening i went to the dog classes again - just to watch and meet new friends. I really enjoy the classes because all the other dogs are having so much fun sitting their exams and meeting their friends

Time For A Paddle

I had such a great day today! I discovered how much fun it is to play in the water.

I was taken a HUGE walk to a place where there is a river and some waterfalls and pools. On the way there i saw more sheep - i was really good and tried my best to ignore them. When the sheep moved away, i got to go down to the pools to explore which was great fun.

At first i just watched the water, but before long i decided to paddle a little at the edge, then started to fetch some stones that were thrown for me. I also did a little bit of rock climbing (which i am good at) before we headed off on another walk.

Later, we went to another part of the river, and i was allowed off my lead. I walk very well off-lead, and i feel like such a big dog too! At this part of the river, i went for another paddle and accidentally walked into a deep part of the river. I wasn't scared though and got my first (fleeting) experience of swimming! I think i am going to enjoy playing in the water.

Katie. x

A Chip On My Shoulder!

Hello friends! Guess what i have been up to this week...

I had a visit today from a woman who is a dog warden. She was nice to me and had a big box of toys (or at least, i think they were toys), and she said that i was a clever dog. She came to put something called a microchip in me, so that if i ever got lost, people would be able to trace where i am from and help me get back home.

Once she had gone, i got to go a walk with Florrie. We walked for what seemed like miles, and i watched Florrie all the way so that i can learn to be just as good as her at walking. Walks are really great fun, but i am still a little nervous around traffic and if i hear other dogs barking.

During one of my walks the other day i got to watch a football match. It was really exciting and i only wish that i could have been off my lead so that i could play too. We went walking in another place too where there was lots of other dogs and people, and i got a lot of attention.

I also attended a Dog Class this week - well, i went to watch anyway. They teach you obedience and agility and probably lots of tricks too. The dogs that were there were sitting their exams and had to do things like 'Sit' and 'Stay'. It all looks great fun, but i will need to get more practice before my class starts properly.

Later this week i am going to the puppy party at the vets. I am really looking forward to that! I will let you all know how i got on soon!

Katie. x

These Boots Were Made For Walking...

The time has come and i can finally get out and explore the world outside my garden!

Mum puts my lead on me and we go for lots of walks. For my first walk, we went for a ride in the car to a place in the hills where there was lots of new smells and things to discover. I even saw a cloud with legs, which was really interesting. I have later found out that these clouds are called 'Sheep'.

For another walk, we went to a big pond that had really big white birds in it. I got a bit worried when they came close, and i was going to bark at it, but mum took me away before it got too close.

Walks are so much fun, but a little frightening too. I don't really like being near the road with all the noisy cars and buses going past, but its worth it when we get somewhere quiet with lots of places to sniff around. Maybe, if i am good, Florrie can come for a walk with us one day - i am sure she would enjoy that!

Meet Sebastian...

Hiya puppy fans!

This is one of my other friends - a Kakariki called Sebastian. He can sometimes be very noisy, but i like to sit and watch him in his cage (in fact, Sebastian's cage is almost like mine, only a bit smaller. Sebastian has lots of toys too and sometimes when he isn't looking i steal one of the pegs on his cage, or have a chew at one of the branches in his cage (i don't think he minds).

I discovered a great new game the other day. I lie to call it 'Slides'. I accidentally spilled some water from my bowl in the kitchen, which my mum had to clean up for me (i tried to help, but i think she can do it better than me). When she had finished mopping up the water, i had great fun running onto the slippy bit of floor and sliding into the cabinets. It was really exciting and a good laugh too!

Yesterday, people all over Scotland were voting in something called an Election. What ever that is, i hope it means more toys and treats for dogs!

Katie. x

Funtime With Florrie!

This afternoon my best friend Florrie came to play.

She is so much fun and has just as much energy as me! We played ball, we ran crazy round the garden, and we gave cuddles and kisses. Florrie is a lurcher, so she is much bigger than me, but she is really gentle too. When i grow up i want to be a good girl like Florrie.

Tonight i am hoping Belle and Sebastian will maybe let me play with them too, but i might need to have a rest first!

What Katie Did Next...

Well, what haven't i done!?!

It has been a while since i last signed in to let you all know about my adventures, but i have been so busy growing and learning new things. I have been going for rides in the car to get used to it all. I am getting better at it, but i just wish i could play in the car without my harness - maybe i could even change the gears!

At home, i have discovered a new thing. It's green/brown, slimy, and lives in the pond - they are called frogs! Every time i go outside, i have to have a search around the pond to see if i can find any. Mum was a spoil-sport and has put a fence around it now - just because i dug up the waterfall - its just not fair!

I have also out-grown my bed, but i have a new one now which is MUCH bigger (and very comfortable too!). I am becoming such a big dog now, and i am getting better at my commands. I can now sit, lie down, roll over, stay, give paws (and 'high fives') and can even 'come to heel'. Most of the time i can do it easily, but sometimes a little persuasion with a treat helps! I am trying to get to grips with 'fetch', but as far as i am concerned, if you throw it - you fetch it!

My picture has been entered into a competition for pets. I am in the 'Best Newcomer' category. Well, surely with looks like mine i should win it! Fingers (and paws) crossed. x

A Trip To The V-E-T - The Sequel (Sometimes They Come Back)

Its time for visit #2 to the vets!

I just love going to the vet. I was really excited to see my new friend Maureen (the Vet) again, in fact, maybe a little too excited. When she picked me up to cuddle me i had a little accident and wee'd down her tunic - Oops! Well, i think she still loves me just as much.

Now that i have had my second set of shots (and my worming tablet too) it means that it wont be too long before i can get to go walks and meet lots of other dogs and people. I am really looking forward to that!

Maureen has invited me to a Puppy Party at the Vets soon! I am just waiting for my invitation to arrive and as soon as i am ready i can go. I really hope they have cake there. Yummy!

A Trip To The V - E - T!

Well, what a day today has been!

Today i had a new experience. Mum put a harness on me, which fits onto the seatbelt in the car so that i am safe and i don't fall over when we go round corners, and we went for a trip.

When we got out of the car we went to a place where there was lots of other animals and people. There was one dog there that i really wanted to run around with, but we weren't allowed. A nice woman called Vet then shouted my name and we went into a room with a table. The woman was really nice and she really liked me. She gave me lots of cuddles and treats and was doing something behind my neck (something called 'Jags'), but it didn't bother me. I have to go and see her again in two weeks - i hope she has more treats for me!

When we got back home i had lunch and played for a while before dinner, but then there was an accident (no, not by me!). Belle was playing upstairs with Gail when something fell and hit her wing and she was bleeding, so she had to go and see the nice woman called Vet too (i wonder if she got treats?)! Belle is now having a quiet night recovering from her ordeal, and i have promised to be nice to her. Sebastian must feel really left out, as he didn't get to see the vet.

Everybody Loves Katie!

I have been really busy over the last couple of days learning new tricks and commands, which is why i haven't had time to keep everyone up to date with my progress. I am getting very good at 'Sit' and 'Lie' and have even added 'Sitting Back Up' to my routine - I'm not just a pretty face you know!

Someone called Kevin delivered a new toy for me to play with. I haven't met him yet as he was busy with his own dogs, but i will be sure to thank him when i can. Gail got me a little cuddly squeaky toy to cuddle up with, Mum got me some little balls to throw around, and Paul got me a chewy slipper, which is a toy that you can eat - amazing! Everyone must really love me!

Oh, and thanks to Jessica, Alice and Florrie for their kind comments - you are my bestest friends! x

Who's A Clever Girl?

Hiya folks!

After my antics yesterday, i decided it might be best if i calmed down a little today (just a tiny little bit though!). After my puppy porridge breakfast and a power-nap, i was full of energy again, but today i decided to use my energy for good things.

I learned a new command - 'Lie Down'. Its just like sitting, only i get to fall down and get praised for it. Its really quite easy when you get the hang of it, and good fun too. I really am a clever girl when i set my mind to it. I also tried some new food too - banana! I wasn't really sure what i was supposed to do with it at first, but once i realised you can eat it, it all made sense. Its actually quite yummy.

Mum got the camcorder out today, so i might be a famous doggy film star one day - you never know! For fun, i chased bubbles and barked at my tins of dog food. The world doesn't seem quite as scary now that i have found my voice!

You Can't Be Good All The Time!

I have been a naughty girl today. I have just had too much energy to burn up and too many boundaries to push.

When i got up i had great fun playing in the garden and in the house, and i even tried a new game called 'Fetch'. After a while i wanted to play differnt things, like 'chewing stones', 'eating soil' and playing under the sofa. Mum says that little dogs aren't allowed to play these games. Spoil sport!

Our neighbours visited for a little while and it was great fun getting lots of attention, but i had to stay on my lead because i was too full of energy and i was jumping up too much.

I found one of Sebastian's toys today - a little bell - and i have decided that its my toy now. I hope he doesn't mind, but he has plenty of other bells to ring anyway.

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Today has been great fun! I have been helping in the garden. First i helped mum wash and tidy the greenhouse, then i was introduced to the outdoor tap and watering can. I am not sure if i completely understand it yet, but i think i know where water comes from now! I also re-arranged mum's flower beds for her - she didn't ask me to, but i thought it would be a nice surprise to pull up some of the plants and chew off some flower heads!

In the afternoon, Florrie came in to visit. We had a mad dash around the garden for a while and jumped around a lot. I think Florrie and I will be best friends. I found a new toy too - the bottom half of a plastic bottle. Its great fun carrying it around and you can even throw it too! After all that fun and running around, i got tired again and went for a little snooze while mum went to the shops.

I also got to try out my lead today too. It matches my collar! Mum says it is for when i go walkies, but i think its much better to play with it and chew on it. After dinner, i was allowed to play while the TV was on. I wanted to play with Belle and Sebastian, but Belle flew away and Sebastian came and pecked me on the nose! Maybe it will take me a little longer to get used to birds.

Phew! What A Day!

It has been a very hot day today, and i am all worn out from playing and learning new things!

When i got up i had some breakfast (puppy porridge) which was great, then i got to play out in the garden for a little while. When mummy got up i tried to get her to play too, but she was busy playing with boxes and i couldn't play that game so my new friends Jessica and Alice came to play instead.

After a while, mum left me on my own while she went to the shop. I didn't like that and had a little cry to myself, but before i knew it she was back and it was time for lunch.

In the afternoon i played in the the garden, and mum tried to teach me a new word - 'Down!'. Its not as easy as 'Sit!', but i am sure i will get the hang of it eventually. It then got too hot to play, so i had a sleep in the shade while mum read a book - its good fun outside! Well, its good outside untill you meet slimy horrible monsters with horns - they are scary and don't taste very nice. Mum told me that they are called slugs. Yuck!!!

My First Day!

Good Morning!

I had a good sleep last night and i was a brave girl and didn't cry - honest! Now I'm wide awake and ready to explore my new home.

I have lots of toys, a big cage to sleep in just like Belle and Sebastian and a nice cosy bed too! I am getting lots of attention from everybody (if you looked as cute me, you would too!).

I have explored my garden (some people might say i trashed it, but i think 'explored' sounds better), and there are lots for flowers and things to smell and chew on when mum isn't watching!

I met the hoover today too. I was brave and didn't run away from it, but instead helped mum with the housework. She gave me some treats when i was good, and every time she gives me a treat i hear a 'click' too - hmmm, there may be a connection there!

This afternoon i learned a new trick. Every time mum says 'Sit!', and i do it, there is a 'click', she gives me a treat and calls me a good girl. Its great fun and so easy to do! Maybe tomorrow i will see what else i can learn. I am such a clever puppy.

I made some new friends today too. They are called Jessica, Alice and Florrie and they came to my garden to play ball with me. It was great fun and i got tickles on my tummy too! After a while though i needed to have another nap before dinner time.

After dinner i had a relaxing evening watching TV and thinking about what tomorrow will bring...

Woof Woof!

Hello!

I am Katie the Dog, and i have just said goodbye to my mum and brother's and sisters (and the cows and sheep too!) to come and live with a new family. Its all really exciting and a lot for a wee puppy like me to take in.

First we went in a car, which was fun at first, but i soon got bored of the new smells and sounds and nodded off to sleep. When we arrived at my new house i was introduced to my new friends - Belle and Sebastian. Not sure what they are yet, but they are noisy and covered in feathers! After that i explored my new garden and met the neighbours (they have a big dog too) before getting some dinner - Yummy!

Well, now i have a full tummy and I'm getting sleepy, so i am off to dream about chasing cats!

See you in the morning!