Abandoned

Rose came over. and we had a great day, but she just didn't leave. Can you believe it?  My pack didn't come home! I was glad she stayed around, but where the heck did they go?

Every day I'd wait at the door and Rose would come. She was great she selpt over, so I wasn't lonely and she taught me alot about soccer, I've got some great moves now, but I'd go inside and check their big room upstairs, nope, not there, then the computer room, nope not there, and their cars were in their spots so I was very confused.

Rose read me a couple of emails from them (like I couldn't read them if I could have sneaked past her to the computer) so I was hopeful they were coming back.

Rose was very good to me, and George and Whinnie came to visit so I wasn't lonely. Rose showed me what BACK meant as I was pulling forward in my walks. I like the way she explains things to me.

I heard a hundred "no's" from her the first week when I tried to get away with things. She wouldn't believe that I was allowed up on the couch, or on the big bed. I couldn't convince her it was OK for me to eat from the table, or sleep inside.  Drat.. they must have left her a list.

However one day I came out to see Rose and George, and sniffed and OH MY GOODNESS I smelt THEM.  They were home.  I thought my whole body would snap in half with my wagging!

I've hung around them fairly closely to make sure they don't sneak away again. I think it's something to do with those big containers they filled up before they went away. What that's about I'll never guess 'cause they brought them back and unpacked them again.  People, who can figure them out???

Registered

My people went and registered me.  Humans have such wierd ideas. They waited until I had been de sexed, and they had my puppy graduation certificate to register me, as that would give them a discounted rate. Go figure - the council didn't give a discount on passing obedience class, which we all thought was a sensible idea, they only give you a discount if you pass an Australian acreddited assistance dog program.  Oh well, it's still a savings of $60 a year with me being de sexed.

Now I have a lifetime registration tag so they took me shopping on Saturday. I got to go to this HUGE pet store, and we choose a new collar for me. I think I look rather handsome....

We thought the red was very complimentary to my colouring

Then we went to the Kingston Dog beach where I had ABSOLUTELY THE BEST TIME... there were 6 LABS there and we ran and played like CRAZY.  Graham would throw a stick into the ocean and we'd all run into the waves to get it.  Us Labs love our stick, and you could see us running down the beach, with 3 of us hanging onto one stick. We also share well.  

note the bones on my collar and the attractive bone shapped clasp.

Back home I had my warm bath, and shower (I love it when they use the watering can to shower me with warm water) then they lit a fire for me to lay beside as I snoozed my way to my silky smooth dry self. My pac is very thoughtful.

I was very tired from so much fun.  Well, Off for another nap now... woof arf, Elwood.

Finally - made it on the big bed

I really gave them a run for their money this weekend. I sneaked upstairs Saturday morning, and my Alpha Male Graham was still in their sleeping platform. I was really quiet, and snuck up and jumped up to see him. It's very bouncy and quite fun. I was really quick and didn't get into trouble, as I was up and down, and raced out of the room in a flash. This made me think I could do it again, so I raced back and jumped up again. I managed to do 5 circles up on the bed total before I got in trouble.

Then, when Julie was putting new sheets on it, I did it all over again. What a fun game this is!!  She finally shut the door so she could finish. Kill joy!

We've had 4 days of drizzle which is most unusual for us here. Julie took me to dog school on Sunday and parked over a big sloppy mud bank.  Her boots got sucked into the mud, and it was very slippery. Class was small and I was totally distracted, the field was filled with puddles, and all us dogs weren't keen on laying down in them. I wasn't the star performer I was last week with Graham.  However, I always like visiting with the other dogs, so it was fun for me.

Julie had mud up her pants to her knees, and I was filthy, so she gave me a warm bath when we got home, mopped the floor, and had to wash all her clothes. Then I got to dry out snoozing beside the fire. I thought it was great, but she was pooped. Graham went to Fire practice, so he missed all the fun.
arf arf... til next time.  Elwood.

More Reno's for me

Well, back to normal for me after the little operation. I actually quite like going to the vet as there are 3 or 4 young gals there who treat me like a king, and they give me treats too.

My pack says I've settled since the Op, I certainly seem to be more prone to go to them when they call now. I don't think it's because of that, but if that makes them happy.... I have to remind myself to grab their ugg boots and shoes every now and again for a chew to keep them on their toes.

I had what Julie called a 'play date' the other weekend. Some lady Graham works with brought her pack over, and Bronson - another chocolate lab who is 6 months older than me. It was terrific. They made food and stood around the pizza oven (slipping nibbles to us) and Bronson and I ran for 4 hours straight.  They were surprised we didn't break anything.  Now really,  me??

Since they finished the front area, Graham decided I needed a little reno out back. He took some laser light and put up a wall, so I have a dry court yard to hang out in. It's quite nice, keeps out the sun, the wind and the rruff raff. woof woof woof...a little canine humour...

I'll put a photo up when I can get my paws on the camera next.  Ghessh, sometimes I think they know what I get up to when they're at work and hide stuff.

Well, better get off for now....  woof woof arf... Elwood.

"Nipped"

It appears I've been 'nipped'. I don't feel too different but they didn't want me to lick myself so the vet said I had to wear this big cone.

Bucket Head

It was very big 'cause of my long neck.  When they first put it on me, I just dropped my head to the floor in protest and dragged it around. When it became apparent they weren't going to let me not wear it, I thought I'd enjoy it and crashed and bashed my way around the house.  I managed to crack it and still I had to wear it again, after they taped it up. Hrumpppp.

It really was awkward, but thankfully they took it off me to eat, and when they were there to watch and make sure I didn't lick.  Graham even took the week off to look after me.

At the moment I'm still not allowed to run around and play. I can't wait for Friday when the stitches come out!!

Woof Arf Bark - Elwood.

Pergola

We had a couple of guys hanging around the house lately doing building stuff. I don't know why I can't assist them like I do Graham. Hmmph.

These guys put a roof over most of the front patio which my people seem to really like. They’ve spent a lot of time out there cooking in the pizza oven. Not only pizza, but they’ve been baking bread and today they slow cooked Moroccan lamb shanks. They like to sit outside in front of the fire, in between gazing at the stars on Graham’s big telescope at night.

People, who can figure them out?


I don’t mind what they do, ‘cause I always get a little “chase the laser pointer”, and “kong or squeaky toss” so I like it a lot. Sometimes I just lay around and chew on a bone or have a snooze. Although it’s nice to hang out with them outside, I often sneak in and have a little sleep in the warm. No sense all of us getting cold.

We seem to be back to our normal routine now, which I like. All this rushing around was very confusing. I’ve noticed now I’m more mature, they let me stay in the house more often, and I admit I LOVE to sleep in front of the fire.

I’m still in Basic obedience training. I get to hang out with a bunch of other puppies, which I really enjoy. I’ve got 2 weeks until I get ‘assessed’ so every time we go for our walks now, we go through the drills. Sit, stay, drop, and now something new… stand. Gheesh, what about running around and smelling the trees?!!

Drat… here they come again… got to run … woof woof bark.

Villa Reno & What I've been up to

Finally, a chance at the computer. he he he.....

My people have been changing things around here lately so I thought I would try my paw at some renovations too. I spent one whole night taking the wall down in my Villa so now it's an open plan suite.




I worked all night to take out the wall - now I have a batchelor suite.  Nice...


Boy were they surprised when they saw it.

I had my first ride since I was a little puppy in the cab of the truck. Normally when I go in the truck, they lift me onto the back, and I can go into my travel crate, where there is always a treat. They’ve spent a bit of time trying to get me to jump up myself. I’ve managed once, but I’m still a bit nervous.

So the other day they opened the cab door to the back seat and cajoled me into getting in. They had this blanket type of thing which hooked over the head rests of the back seat, and over the head rests of the front seats, kind of like a hammock, but it does rest on the seat. They told me it’s water proof and scratch resistant.

Although it was nice to be with my people, it sure is slippery. Mostly I just lay down and have a snooze, but I can sit up and look out the windows, and have a sniff at my pack.

I went into the City for the first time. They parked the truck, and when I got out, YIKES the noise!! It was overwhelming. A constant drone they called traffic. And where were the trees, and grass??
It was very un nerving but as long as I stayed close to my people I felt safe. And the smells. I couldn't seem to smell fast enough, there were so many things to sniff and pick up on the ground. They didn't want me to pick anything up though. We walked aroun, then I sat with Julie while Graham went into a big shop. Lots of people came and wanted to pet me. That was quite nice.

We wandered around a place with no cars which was really nice for my ears. (They called it a mall) Then I sat with Julie while Graham went into a building for a while, and lots of people stopped to pat me. That was nice, but it was really nice to go home to the peace and quiet of our neighbourhood

Where did my Pack go?

My people disappeared for a few days last weekend. Another pack looked after me though, the Greens - they've been to our house so I know them. Graham and Julie let me get into their car when they said come with us, which I thought was a great adventure!  It was fun for a while, but I kept waiting for Graham and Julie to come and join me. They didn't show up all day. Ali, Dave and Liam kept me entertained, walked me home fed me and I went to bed. They showed up the next morning and fed me and took me to their place again and we hung out together and so became the routine until my people came home. Frankly I was too tired from all the fun I'd been having with Dave, Ali and Liam to give my own pack much of a welcome. A tail wag, a lick and then back to sleep. I was pooped!!  However it's wonderful to have them back.
With my confidence up from my own renovations, I've been more involved helping Graham with his. I especially like the pizza oven. We're very proud of it. I'm sure Graham couldn't have done it without my help. Their way of showing me they like me helping is slipping me little nibbles of the things that come out of it.


Me and Graham infront of our Pizza Oven


We all hang around outside at night close to the warmth of the fire. I like that.  The photos for our pizza oven project are here.. Our Pizza Oven Project

Well, got to run.  Woof Woof Bark.