Braddy Park

Minions took me for an exploration trip to Bradgate Park, this time to Old John instead of Cropston Reservoir. There were lots of other dogs to play with and I enjoyed running up and down the hills. There was a big scary dog that chased me though and gave me the shock of my life till I howled and cried. Note to self, when chasing a small black dog, pay attention to any big red dogs who might be running up behind.

When I got home there was a treat for me.. a little lamb bone (about 1/3 the size of the last one I had, but much better for picking up and dragging round the house). The Minions were a bit upset and had to febreze everywhere because it smelt like lamb. I managed to get the knuckle off and suck the marrow out of the middle. Minion Grace said it looked like I was smoking a big fat cigar.

Let Sleeping Puppies Lie

I found a nice pile of towels to have an afternoon nap at GM Mum & Dad's. (Luckily they woke me up before they put them into the washing machine)

Up North

Today I got to have a nice long nap in the car again. The Minions took me to visit GM Mum & Dad this time (Minion John's parents). There were lots of those cat things there. Dee Dee was nasty and scratched Minion John... oo I'll do more than bark at her next time she picks on my Minions.

I met Baby Liam. He was very playful, but a little scary and kept chasing me around. And he wanted to play with my toys and eat my chewy bones... luckily I wanted to play with his toys so we came to an amicable agreement.

White Fluffy Stuff

Woke up this morning and the house was soooo cold. It's nice to be home. The Minions woke me up and made me go outside first thing as usual. Something was not quite right though.... my paws felt cold and wet and it wasn't raining. There was white fluffy stuff everywhere - coming down from the sky, all over the grass and getting stuck in my hair. I ate some of it and it tasted nice. Minion John made a snow ball and threw it at me (boo hoo). I picked it up to throw it back and it fell apart. It really frustrated me so I growled at it and batted it with my paws.


Here I am sitting in the garden. Good thing I'm not white all over or I would blend in.

What is this thing called "Cat"?

Today we went to Poh Poh and See Ee's for Boxing Day lunch. No turkey in sight though. When we arrived at the house there was a furry creature in the alley next to the house. It ran further into the alley and was trapped. At first I ran towards it, but it didn't smell like doggy. I howled and howled at the Minions and ran behind Minion Grace's legs because I was so scared. The creature ran away and I barked at it to stay away. The Minions explained that this creature is called a "Cat" they laughed at me and said doggies should not be scared of cats - how was I supposed to know what it was.

After lunch the Minions and I went back home to Loughborough. I spent the entire journey asleep on Minion Grace's lap... it was so comfy and warm.

My First Christmas

I woke up at just past midnight. I was alone in a strange kitchen and I could hear jingly bells oustide. At first I thought someone had stolen my jingly ball, then I realised it was coming from somewhere on the roof. I cried really loud until Minion Grace came to me. She explained that the noise must have been Santa and his reindeer. Then I went back to sleep.

I realised when I woke up properly later that Minion Grace was right as Santa had filled the front room with presents. The Minions woke up very early (it was still dark) and they took an enormous turkey out of the fridge (...mmm turkey). It went into the oven (the oven was at Minion height so I couldn't see it anymore - but boy could I smell it). All the Minions and the extended family of Minions went out and left me in the kitchen with the wonderful cooking turkey smells.

At lunchtime all the Minions came back, and more family arrived. I was so excited. There were two very small Minions (James and Toby) to play with. I don't think Toby liked me though as he cried much louder than me. The family had lunch. I got to sit under the table and eat anything that fell off. James dropped an entire bowl of little green ball shaped vegetables on the floor- joy- millions of little balls for me to bat about and play with. The Minions weren't impressed when I scattered the balls everywhere. I even got to eat one before they got confiscated. After lunch I got a whole doggy bowl full of gnarly chewy bits of turkey. Yum yum.

Here's my personal "puppy thankyous":
- Doggy stocking from Santa
- Furry squeaky ball from the Minions
- Doggy picture frame from See Ee
- Waterproof coat from Poh Poh
- New glow in the dark extenda lead from Aunty Chec & Uncle Phil
- Stuffed rope toy from Uncle Jeremy

Grand Minions

Today I met the Grand Minions (GMs) Mummy & Daddy. I was very scared of GM Mummy and I did my SAS submissive crawl towards her. GM Daddy was much more fun and played with me with my jingly ball lots. I was having a nap in the lounge half chewing my rawhide bone when I woke up and suddenly GM Mummy was right behind me. It gave me such a shock I howled and howled. GM Mummy got a shock too (hee hee). She must have liked me howling at her as later she gave me lots of tidbits of chicken. She told me not to tell anyone though (oops).

I am getting a bit of a complex though as everyone keeps referring to me as him/he. I'm pretty sure I look like a little girl. So insulting.

Knackered Puppy

The Minions took me for another walk today. We went up to Beacon Hill today. My poor little paws are so tired from walking up and down steep hills. I was trying to persuade the Minions to carry me but they're so mean they ignored my pleas. All I did was try to catch a lift on the back of their legs and give them a little cuddle. Not my fault that they ended up with muddy pawprints on their trousers... what do they expect when they make me walk on muddy paths?

Aside from being tired I am really enjoying this walking off the lead business. Here's my pros and cons for walking with no lead:

Pros
1. Freedom and equality for all puppies
2. Can run back and forth
3. Can play with other dogs and their humans
4. Can hide in piles of leaves
5. Don't get dragged around

Cons
1. Can't tie Minions legs up with lead
2. Get shouted at more
3. Have to keep and eye on where the Minions are going
4. Get left behind
5. Can't force the Minions to go where I want

Social Puppy

Today the Minions took me for a walk to Stonebow Wetlands and Booth Wood. There were a lot of ducks and those evil geese variety again. Luckily for me they were all in the water today. We walked up a big muddy hill, went to look at a big obelisk. It was a bit eerily quiet round there. Then we went to play in the woods. I think the Minions were a bit lost though - had to save them by leading them the right way.

I'm such a polite puppy. I insist on stopping and saying "hello" to everyone we meet along the way. Humans are so antisocial - going about their daily business never greeting anyone else.

I got my first invite to a proper party tonight. I had lots of fun playing with everyone there and showing off my tricks (sitting, chasing my own tail, running along with my jingly bell). I also helped myself to food off people's plates when they weren't looking. Not my fault they leave it lying around is it?

Happy 4 Month Birthday to Me

I am four months old today and thanks to my Minions I am still alive. Minion Grace brought me a solid rawhide bone - muchos chewiness. It's just the right size and weight for carrying around the house and throwing about. Also it makes a good substitute hammer for hitting the Minions' toes with (mwa ha ha).

Bradgate Park

The Minions took me to Bradgate Park today. At first I didn't want to get out of the car as I was having such a nice nap. They put me on the extender lead so I got to tie their legs up again. Once we were further into the park I was set free. There were so many other doggies around (none as cute as me I note) and although I was a little scared at first I later enjoyed chasing round with them. Bradgate Park is wonderful and very large with rolling fields to run around. The Minions took me for a little jog - unfortunately I fell into a little ditch and they couldn't find me. The ditch was about a foot deep and 20cms wide, I cried and cried and stretched my tail up high so they could find me. Luckily for me they dragged me out and gave me a cuddle and a Markie to make up for it. I met some other Shih Tsus and a Lhasa/Cavalier. They were much bigger than me and also looked like someone had squashed their noses flat. I do hope my nose doesn't end up like that or else I might have to consider doggy rhinoplasty!!!

Growing Pup

I have progressed onto 2 main meals a day. I don't want to spoil my beautiful supermodel figure - but I must admit that I have been supplementing my diet with a number of goodies I found round the house. Here's a list of my favourite self selected "treats" from around the house:

- used socks
- shoelaces (in fact any footwear I guess)
- lumps of coal
- crunchy leaves
- carpet underlay
- pencils and biros
- potatoes
- cables (especially the connectors)

Santa - if you happen to be looking at my blog, I HAVE been a very good girl this year (well since August at least) and I wouldn't mind finding any of these in my Christmas stocking ;)

O Christmas Tree

A large green, spiky tree type object appeared in the house today. It's very springy and pounceable. Lots of wires and strings of beads about for me to hang off and lots of baubles to fall off and chase around the floor. I am a very hygienic dog and used the bristley branches to floss my teeth.

I Feel Like Chicken Tonight

The Minions had a roast chicken for dinner tonight. I got a whole bowl full of chicken. All the best tasty, gnarly bits for me. I swallowed it down as fast as I could just in case Minion John changed his mind. I suspect that I was tricked as I quite definitely munched down on doggy kibble towards the bottom. The Minions have been feeding me rather well lately - I do hope that I'm not the turkey replacement for Christmas.

Superfast Internet Fun

The Minions got a new internet connection today. It's 2MB (much better than the old 300K) and it means that I can use the webcam to talk to all my friends without it being jerky.

Got told off this morning when I came in from the garden. I found some large black lumps of chewy crunchy stuff (think doggy biscuits much 10x bigger). Minion John was not impressed when I left black paw prints everywhere. Why do they not appreciate my interior design skills?

Minion Grace cut my hair again today. This time cutting my whole body. I am feeling instantly lighter (no need for drastic diets for me). I think that it wasn't too bad for a first attempt, however it's a bit short. Minion John laughs at me and says I look like a sausage dog (not sure what one of them is, but it sounds tasty).

Flying Superpup

Since I made it over the barrier earlier this week, I can now climb. Last week I was finding it hard to get up each step at a time, having to scramble my back legs up - this week I am flying up the stairs. I'm so fast the Minions can't stop me. In fact I can overtake the Minions AND knock them over on the way up the steps. I'm a bit out of control going down the steps though, I'm OK till about 1/2 way down but then I am going too fast and skid down the last few steps only just about avoiding crashing nose first into the front door.

It's been very cold and wet outside this week. It's most peculiar as the ground is all crunchy (a bad kind of crunchy that doesn't taste like biscuits or bones).