I'm not coming in.

I don't have to worry about the dogs going in the pool. Shula has never been interested and fortunately Sky isn't either.

Shula's Ball

Shula chasing after Sky to get her ball back.

Doggie Training

Decided to go to Calahonda Park to Gary's training session for small dogs and puppies. It was a bit of an off on decision all day. Whether it would benefit Sky and going out with the little dog and leaving Shula, especially as Ken isn't here. In the past I have never worried about leaving Shula but this time I was a bit concerned about her being jealous. I decided to give her a chewy, which is what I normally do when I go out. When I got back I found she hadn't touched the chew, so she was upset, won't do that again.

It was definitely worth taking Sky to the training, Gary sat on the grass and stroked her, then took her round the park on the lead. Although she had her eyes on me all the time he got her walking normally for a short while. Just before we came home he picked her up and held her and although she was not entirely happy she wasn't shaking. Gary said she was calm and her heart beat was normal, what a break through.

Coming home we walked back round the Avenida. I don't know if it was because Sky was tired, I certainly was but she just ignored the passing traffic and didn't do her usual panic when people walked by.


Calahonda Park is closed next Sunday which is Shula's normal training day but Gary is going to have a road walk so I will take both dogs.

Bathday

I decided to bath Sky today as she was starting to smell very doggie. I think this was a lot due to all the trauma she has gone through, changing homes, walking out on the lead, meeting new people. Anyway she was so good and loved being rubbed with a towel. Half way through I stopped to take these photos, as you can see I was soon forgiven, she is now all dry and brushed and smelling nice.

Waiting

I think the dogs are saying "never mind the photo shot just finish getting ready so we can go for a walk"

Calahonda Dog Show 2012

I went to the Calahonda dog show this morning and took Shula and Sky. I only stayed a couple of hours as it was Sky's first outing to this sort of thing and it was a lot for her to cope with. She did really well, she was very nervous and I would be lying if I said she enjoyed it because obviously she didn't, but as soon as we got out of the park she perked up, her tail went up and she was fine walking home. I think she was really pleased to be home, I am glad I took her because she does need socialising and if she does go out and meets people and finds nothing bad happens she will hopefully gain confidence.

Shula loved it, meeting up with a lot of her friends from our dog training classes. The photo is of one of Shula's friends Foxy who won 2nd place in Prettiest Bitch, 1st. in the Egg n Spoon Race and 3rd Best In Show. Well done Foxy. It was a shame we couldn't stay and enter Shula for something, maybe next year.

Tired

Tired after our walk. We had to go a bit early because I was out for the evening so it was quite hot, even walking in the shade.

What a good little dog

Sky sitting waiting for her lead to be put so we can go for a walk. She is getting a lot better as she doesn't actually run away now but she still will not come right up to me when I am standing up. Sitting on the sofa is a different matter, she comes straight up for a stroke.

Walking on the lead is also improved, she still panics a bit if someone walks towards us but I just ignore her and speed up a bit and she soon gets over it.

Cheese

When all else fails resort to bribery. I had a bit of a break through with Sky this afternoon when she showed interest in my cheese sandwich. I held out a bit of cheese and did not let her have it until she took it from my hand, that was it, she stayed by my side taking bits of cheese until it was all gone. I feel really pleased, although she is back to staying a couple of feet away I feel we are making progress, slowly, slowly.

Relaxing in the garden

Sky relaxing in the shade yesterday, I am still keeping a lead trailing as it makes it easier to get hold of her.

This morning we went for a walk and she is walking quite well on the lead except when people and cars pass, then we have a little panic which I am ignoring, but on the whole making progress.

Last night I put her in her bed but woke to find her on the end of my bed this morning, no problem as I didn't even know she was there, unlike Pippa who kept climbing on me. I am hoping that Pippa will soon get over this clingy behaviour she has been displaying since I got back.

Tich turned up. I think he must have been coming for his food at odd times but I expect he will soon get back in the rhythm.

Fluke - growing up

This is the latest photo of Fluke my friend Don's dog which he sent to me while I was in the UK.

He certainly is growing and looks beautiful.

Don says he is learning to come, also to sit and lie down. Like all Labrador types he is very into chewing things but hopefully he will soon grow out of that.

Don lives in a very beautiful part of France where there are lots of woodlands and places to walk a dog. I also think the French are more tolerant of dogs and there does not seem to be some of the silly rules we a being plagued with here in this part of Spain. I can't imagine anyone being fined for having a dog off the lead in a woodland area, which happened here recently.

Shula with her new friend

I am not sure what Shula makes of having Sky around, mostly she is patient. I think this little dog is going to be a real challenge, she wants to be friendly but just doesn't have the courage.

Yesterday I put the fence back temporarily as I am worried that if Sky panics she will go through the hedge.  

Mostly I keep a long lead trailing behind her when she is in the garden. This is because although she follows me about she stays just out of arms length, this is very frustrating when you want her to come in straight away.

I went round to see a friend early evening taking both dogs with me. We sat chatting in the garden and both dogs lay down and were good. My friend made a fuss of Shula but ignored Sky as she was a bit panicky to start with. I have decided to take her wherever I take Shula and just ask people to ignore her until she makes the first move.

This morning we went for a walk, she is getting better walking on the lead, yesterday it was a bit like walking a crab, all sideways with her belly glued to the floor. We only had a couple of panics, once when someone walked towards us and then when a car passed, but on the whole not too bad.

Later in the evening I watched television with Pippa, Shula and Sky on the sofa with me. When I went to bed they all came up. I made Shula and Sky go to their own beds but didn't have that luck with Pippa who spent the night glued to my side.

I haven't seen Tich since I got home and am a little worried about him.

Sky

This is Sky a little dog I am fostering; she is really timid and frightened of people. I am hoping I will be able to overcome this and give her the same confidence I managed with Shula, whether this is possible only time will tell.

I don’t really know anything about her background but think she was found on the campo with another dog. By the way she reacts I think she has been abused because she cringes if you try to stroke her. So far she has been following me around but just keeps out of reach. I have a long lead attached so I can get her if need be but am just ignoring her for the moment giving her time to settle. 

I took the garden fence down a while ago but think I will have to put it back up as she is small enough to go though the hedge. I don’t know what breed she is but she looks a bit like a wire haired Dachshund, Cairn terrier cross. Pat thinks she is about 18 months old, so hopefully young enough to adapt. 

Shula seems fine with the situation, she was really excited to see me when I went to pick her up from Pat, I think she is pleased to be home.

I am not sure what Pippa thinks, she spent yesterday following me around wailing and insisted on lying on top of me all night. Since the dogs have been home she has given up the wailing but is still following me about so I have three little shadows.

Back to the UK

I haven't written anything on my blog for ages. I went back to the UK with Ken 7th.May because he was due to have an angiogram on the 11th. result was he was kept in hospital and had a triple bypass operation. He is now recovering well and I am back in Spain.