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Ken , Simon, Hugh and my beautiful dog Tina

Came home yesterday, Pippa as usual was waiting for us, wailing as we arrived.

I rang Pat and arranged to pick up Shula. When we got there she was so excited to see us. Pat said she had been very good, I am sure she was. Gone are the days when she chewed everything and was nervous, now she is confident and well behaved. I think she was pleased to be coming home.

Pat is fostering two little puppies for www.f-a-m-a.net They are, I think, a GSD / Husky cross . Sweet little dogs, I would like a friend for Shula but Ken is adamant only one dog. Who knows one day, but I don't think a puppy is the answer. If something is meant, it will be.

Had a great time in the UK, went to see Ken's auntie Rosie, 101 and still with us. How good is that?

I also caught up with Hugh, a blast from the past. Hugh is now married to a nice lady Claire and they have a little five year old daughter Hannah. Loads of news to exchange. Nice to know after all these years we are not all that far apart from where we were then - thinking that is.

Leaving Shula

Ken and I took Shula to Pat's this morning. When we let her out of the car she ran in to join all her little doggy friends. After awhile she was looking in at the window and whining, then off again with the other dogs.

She was watching us when we left her which is always hard for me. I just wish I could explain to her why we were leaving and that we will be back. I know that leaving her with Pat is the best I could ever do. Whatever, while I am away Pat will look after her as I would, she is not just another dog in kennels. Pat doesn't have kennels, every dog is looked after as part of the family, she only takes a couple at a time. I am so lucky to have found her, but think in future I will have to book well in advance because everyone thinks the same, and like me, they recommend her.

Keep quiet in future Georgie. No; any dog left for whatever reason deserves a Pat in their life.

Clean and Beautiful

Shula, bathed ready for her holiday home on Sunday. Tomorrow we will frontline her so she will go all clean and nice to Pats. Still got to wash her quilt cover.

It is ages since I was in the UK so am looking forward to it, well, not the weather, not leaving Shula and the cats, but seeing what Andy has done to our front garden. Also plan to see Rosie, at 101 she is our inspiration and has always been important in our life. Loads planned for the ten days we will be there. I will miss the dog and cats but know that I have the best people looking after them. I am so lucky with Pat looking after Shula and Carmen who has taken care of my cats for years.

Great Party

Photograph by Patricia Gonzalez Larsen

I think when Shula was sick in the early hours of Saturday morning and puked up all Saturday night I panicked imagining all sorts of things. Although she was fine Sunday morning I could not risk going to the party in case there was a problem. She has been fine since so I think it can only be something she ate, unfortunately she still picks up anything she can when you are not looking. I really wish I could stop her. She is so good, if I see her and say drop it, she does, but if I don't see, she eats whatever. I have resisted a muzzle for her but maybe it may be the only answer. I really wish you could communicate everything, but you can't. I am so in touch with Shula she knows all the commands, she is the best dog I could ever want. She is also the little dog I adopted that was born to a little wild dog, she wants to eat what she sees. Anyway she is now fine.

Enjoying the party

Photograph by Gary Joynson

I think everyone was enjoying the party, except Shula, and me, but only because we weren't there.

Calahonda Pet Dog Club 1st. Birthday

Photograph by Gary Joynson

Special day but Shula and I couldn't make it. Big disappointment, Gary had made a people cake and a doggy cake Poor old Shula had a very poorly night being sick. She seemed fine in the morning but I just couldn't risk the party in case she is ill. I think it will be a visit to the vet tomorrow, although she has been fine all day, no sign of her being sick or anything else. How worrying is that, with my trip to the UK planed for a week tomorrow it is all up in the air, we will just have to see what the night brings.

Ladies Pool Party

Last evening I missed dog training because I went to a Pool Party. It was the first time I have ever played and I was useless. I did pot one ball and managed to hit a couple of others, the rest were misses.

I did win however!!

The girl I played against was brilliant, she put this down to misspent time at university. She quickly potted all her balls but managed to put the black hovering over the pocket. Her next attempt potted the black quickly followed by the cue ball.

I did concede, however, which saved me from the embarrassment of another game. That might be the first and last time I play pool.

I have to say that a very pleasant evening was had by all.

Pippin

Photograph by Gary Joynson

What a beauty. This little dog comes to our dog training classes and is a little angel. He didn't actually look quite like this when we finished the class last Sunday as he got filthy, luckily his owner had already booked a dog groomer for today.

Shula's feet were muddy and had to be hosed down when we got home. When we let all the dogs off for a run at the end of the lesson she headed down to the pond which hasn't got water in it, just mud. Fortunately the dog that went with her had the sense to stay out of it.

The class was very good as Gary invited David the dog man to give a talk, he is retired now but was a well known dog behaviourist on the coast. The talk was interesting and he answered a few peoples questions afterwards. He also made a good point why dogs should be castrated and spayed which I totally agree with. I am not sure the people he aimed the comment at were convinced. This is always an emotive subject, I don't know why but I think it is mainly men who identify with their dogs. What I don't understand is, most of them will quite happily have their cats done but think dogs are different. In my view it makes dogs easier to deal with and stops bitches producing unwanted puppies. I really think that unless you are a licensed breeder everyone should have to have their dogs neutered.