Smiling dog owners

When I lived in London, everybody rushed everywhere.  People on the tube and streets avoided eye contact and scurried about; myself included.The pace of peoples lives is slower here in Margate but people have still avoided eye contact, until now.  These days there is a group of people who not only smile as they pass but also stop to chat. Who are these people?  Dog owners.  I feel I now belong to a club of sorts.  A happy club made up from a diverse section of Margate’s population.  I am quite an anti social person, as a rule but I find myself smiling back, giving and receiving doggie compliments and reassurances.  Mission accomplished…Wendell is making me human again.

“Is Nothing Sacred?” asks Wendell

Beach Bum

The day arrived and young master Wendell set foot, out into the wide yonder.  Terry and I took him for a walk to the beach and back.  What a bundle of pent up energy he was.  His tail did not stop wagging.  He met two bulldogs and a lovely Doberman puppy.  He picked up and tossed seaweed,  ran from the tide and sniffed the salty sea spray with great enthusiasm.  He also bounded up his first set of stairs, which connect the beach with the cliff top.  We carried him on the way down, for fear of him tripping.  He is back home, fast asleep in his basket now, after devouring a huge meal.We only took a few photos because the day was so dull.  See ya, Pen.

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Stuffed Hoof[vegetarians beware]

Terry and I were browsing in the pet shop yesterday [as you do] when we spotted these stuffed hooves.  Naturally we could not resist buying Wendell one.  Well, you cannot imagine the hysterical reception it got.  I thought it might last Wendell a few days at least but no, after two hours of gnawing, hiding and retrieving it and jealously guarding it from the cats, the thing was emptied of its now foul smelling stuffing.  I don’t know what they put in these things but the smell is awful, the puppy gets covered in sticky grease and the poo… best not to dwell on that. Wendell had his third bath today and he looks fluffy and gorgeous; in fine contrast to the little oil slick of last night.  Maybe I shall stick to leather chews in future.

Brave little soldier

Well my brave little soldier had 2 jabs and had a microchip inserted today.  I felt a stab through my heart when the vet dabbed a drop of blood from the little chaps neck but Wendell’s tail was still wagging in trust and excitement.  His weight has doubled in 2 weeks and he is a handful to hold now.  We have only 1 more week to go, before he can go walkies.  I think it will be a relief for both of us as well as a source of great fun.  His claws are like razors , at present and he will need some road work to get them smoother.  After all, life is not all running on the beach and sniffing trees.  Puppy party starts in 2 weeks, when he will be meeting people and other puppies and doing some basic training.  We both have much to look forward to, Pen.

Next stage

Little Wendell is off to the vets in two days, for his next set of jabs.  One week after that, he will be allowed out in the wide world.  Already we are practicing lead work but I feel once Wendell gets a whiff of all those exciting smells and sights, I may find my training sabotaged.  We shall see what happens.  I hope the rain has cleared up by then.  He had a bit of a naughty day, yesterday, with much manic behaviour, nipping and jumping up.  It is difficult finding the correct level of censure.  I know he must be corrected, but he is a feisty little fellow and I don’t want to be telling him off all the time.  He is a lot calmer today, so maybe some lessons have been learned by both parties.  Once we are out, walking, he will get a chance to burn off his excess energy. At the moment, he does crazy circuits of the sitting room and kitchen, with no regard for his own safety.  I guess that is the terrier in him.  The cats just sit by with bemused expressions.  My biggest training success to date, has been teaching Wendell not to chase cats.  Porter helped by boxing Wendell’s ears a couple of times.  He is fast asleep as I type, bless.  See ya, Pen.

Best Behaviour

I had family round for Sunday lunch yesterday.  There were concerns that Wendell might blot his copy book by pooping on the kitchen floor whilst lunch was in full swing.  I need not have worried.  The little chap was on his best behaviour and, after an initial hysterical greeting, he settled down in his basket and slept through the proceedings.  After lunch, he slipped into the kitchen to do his business on his newspaper and then returned triumphantly, to entertain all with his high jinx.  Then he returned to his basket whilst we watched a movie.  When my brother and my future sister in law readied for departure, Wendell did the cute little puppy thing; tail wagging, dropping toys at their feet and much licking of hands with a few nibbles thrown in for good measure.  All in all he charmed our guests and earned hundreds of brownie points for good behaviour.  Not one bark!  Not bad for a little terrier, Pen.