Oh Boy!

Uffa over the last couple of days has at last been slightly better when walking. I still have done no lead work, even letting him walk with his lesd in his mouth just to give him some confidence. We did go on a bus yesterday and as I expected no problems as you enter through an open door!
Today we did a street walk in the morning and a lovely woody walk in the afternoon. They are still quite short, maybe too short as Uffa didn't want to come in at the end and just sat down in the drive. I am going to sell tickets to the neighbours for this comedy show.
I used the extending lead this afternoon and even let him off for a while as he seldom left my side. I couldn't even practise 'come'. We didn't see anyone so that probably helped.
He has now settled down after his last meal so peace until bedtime.

Our First Wood Walk

Uffa 13 weeks

Our wee Uff is now allowed out so will this change his view on walks? NO. We have an open/woody area beside us so off we set. He was coaxed out the front with treats and toy and was pleased when he was allowed on the cut grass area. As we went through to the rough grass he was still enjoying a sniff but you certainly didn't need the extending lead. Once in the lovely wooded path uffa decided enough was enough and sat down with a cry and wouldn't move. I decided to not push him so we turned and went home but not the same way. No problem. How does he know he is returning home when he doesn't know where he is?

Yesterday he was out for his morning coffee with his Aunties and he could not have been better. When I sat down I asked him to go down which he did and stayed until it was time to go. Does this do Eric out of a job as he took Alec's coffee shop training very seriously!

Uffa also helped to sell Xmas cards at Woodhill House over lunchtime. Well he just was there to played with and that he was. He only was upset when Quaid(13 month and going to Forfar tomorrow) wouldn't play with him. Despite Tigger impressions Quaid ignored him except for trying to pinch his toy. Will Uffa really be that large in 10 months?

Today we have been in the garden as at last the rain has stopped and the sun is out. He is no help whatsoever and by the time we came in was as dirty as I have seen him. A good rummel in the towel soon sorted that.

Today Uffa is also getting meals cut from 4 to 3 so I was pleased that there was plenty going on to keep him busy as we passed the old 11.30 time. Lets hope we can pass the 4pm slot as easily.

Another Wet Weekend

Well did Uffa behave at the coffee morning or what? He lay down beside me and even stayed as another dog was walking by. We had a very nice and relaxed time.
After lunch we took Uffa out for a walk round a couple of streets and it seems he is better at going if there is two of us. We just got home as the heavens opened AGAIN. I was told it was time for a new Uffa video but I need some dry weather!
Sunday came and Uffa accepted the extra hour in his bed without a whimper. I had been listening for the hour just in case!
We decided to take him to the beach for an outing in the morning but just along the prom. Sand will be next time. He pottered along enjoying seeing lots of people, dogs, prams and joggers but after a short while he wanted a carry. He just sat like Lord Muck in my arms looking around as I slowly sank southwards at my knees.
And guess what? Yes, the rain came on again.
Woke up this morning (Monday) and lo and behold it is not only dry but a clear sky.Today is Uffa's release date when he can now safely meet other dogs and have a good doggy sniff around.
I have high hopes this might encourage him to leave the drive! Watch this space.

A wet week

Uffa has now had his injection so we just have 1 week to wait until it fully works. He was really good at the vet and didn't even notice when it was done.
As to the rest of the week. Well....
The biting is now under control after I started leaving the room for 10 secs every time he bit my clothes or me. On Tuesday I was out of the room more often than I was in and now it is just the occasional trip. Mostly he just cried until I returned (promising) but I couldn't keep the smile off my face when in an ultra high moment he just jumped on the settee and cuddled down as I left.
Jumping on the furniture is the new problem so I am hoping it will stop when he just gets hauled off each time. It keeps me fit!
The rain that lasted two days (I felt like I was staying with Graeme in Glasgow again) also caused a problem or two as Uffa didn't want to go out to the toilet. Neither did we but it seemed more essential to us than him! He ended up getting carried a few times as he backed away as soon as the door opened!
Today was Puppy Class so I tried to keep all our usual daily routine which would have meant Uffa would be both rested and EMPTY for the start of class at 10.30. Today Uffa decided not to have a post breakfast nap and not to empty as usual. It all went well but he is now shattered and I feel a peaceful afternoon in the offing.
Tomorrow is another fund raising coffee morning so lets hope the routine retuns by then.

Jaws- the shark or Uffa?

Uffa is definitely growing and getting stronger all the time. How do I know? Well he doesn't get carried so much now and he doesn't fit on my knees without hands keeping him on. As to stronger well he has decided I, and my clothes are well worth biting and I am finding it harder and harder to declamp the jaws. I must admit by evening I am getting increasingly frustrated at him as he keeps just going for me, my clothes and my slippers. I have tried continually replacing me with toys, saying NO or moving away but so far no lasting success. The odd thing is it is just me that is suffering. He just plays nicely with the rest of family and friends. Is this like kids when they always kept bad behavior for mum and behaved angelically for everyone else!
We had a really good trip to the supermarket yesterday when he walked round quite nicely, spoke to lots of people and lay down in the coffee shop while we had our coffee and danish.
He still prefers not to leave for a walk from the house and always heads to the car. I wonder if he will still feel this way when he realises that he has woods next door to play in!
He is fast asleep again so all is forgiven.

Weather Report

It is only today when it has rained virtually all day that I realise that the weather has been really good for the last month. Why? Today an umbrella would have been useful for the toilet trips especially when it takes a few minutes for 'big busy' to filter through Uffa's brain and down to his rear end! I am so glad the 'busy' is pretty immediate.

We went with a friend to the Winter Gardens (greenhouses) for a walk and some new experiences out of the rain. Nothing worried him and the large goldfish were boring. I was holding tight just on case! He did manage to snaffle a bit of a leaf a couple of times but otherwise was well behaved.

The rest of the afternoon was slept away but after tea he made up for it. Twenty toilet trips, well it felt like it, a couple of demented turns, and if it was bad he tried it. Yes, he can now leap onto the settee and my slippers are lucky to be still in one piece. Luckily he is now fast asleep again so one look at him an d all his sins are forgiven.

The days until his injection at 12 weeks are now on a countdown!

Uffa Puffa

We have been fairy busy since the last Uffa news. The list of achievements grows daily although we are still having one wee problem.
This week we have been to the train station (hence the title-sorry!) where he got plenty of attention and a trip on to the platform. He showed no fear with either the noise of the train or the edge of the platform. In fact he wanted to go on the train! We sat on the platform and just watched everyone go by and of course there was the entertainment laid on by a couple of pigeons. Even the platform barriers didn't make him think twice. A successful outing.
After that we went visiting before going home. This meant the next objective of the day was easier to achieve, as he was getting very tired. I was leaving him in his cage for an hour over lunch while I went out for mine. Eric was working from home just on case of problems. There were none and he slept the whole time.
Despite growing like a weed he is still not getting much bolder about going for his walk round the block. He loves being out in the garden, the station and various shops but does not like going out the front. He will head to the car rear before wanting to leave the drive. The block is not very long but the going home leg is done rather faster than the leaving one!
On the whole he is doing well. Accidents are rare inside with us now counting success only when he now uses his toilet. He loves his food and yes, my slippers. He is getting much cheekier now and biting is getting much harder. Roll on his adult teeth.
Grandma came to visit today so here is today's picture.

A Special Day

Yesterday was a day I have been eagerly awaiting since Alec left in June. The Visit.

Uffa was being kindly looked after by Hilary for the afternoon, during which he managed to have his first real puppy moment(A 100mph race around the house which you wonder how he never hurts himself) and then be sick. Amazingly he was invited back.

Now please let me tell you about Alec.

We went to Forfar, and our first view of Alec was to walk well behind and see him with his harness on. It was all very impressive until 'oor Alec' had to gutter himself. Some things never change. After his walk we came up to him at the side of the van and with a soft 'Alec' he looked up and realised who was there. There was no doubting he remembered us as he gave us both a fantastic welcome-it is a wonder we both stayed standing as he is even larger than before. We all then went to the park and he got to run around. For those who knew him well you can guess what he went straight for. Yes,the largest stick around. I had forgotten the body swerve you needed with Alec around! We then went back to the Guide Dog Centre for more cuddles before leaving for home. It was a fantastic visit which I would never have missed. I managed not to cry but it wasn't easy. As this was so important to me I thought you might like to see some pictures of the day. I'm sure Uffa won't mind .

More Firsts

Saturday was the Guide Dog Coffee morning so off we went with 'dog leaking kit' ,toys and of course Uffa. Well, Uffa didn't get a buttery but he did enjoy all the attention from everybody. If he didn't think he was the best dog ever before he went he does now. He deserved much of the praise as he not only behaved pretty well we didn't need the 'kit'.
After lunch and a nap we next tried him in the boot of the car(estate not 4 door!). We went to get petrol but when passing the vet nipped in to get the growing lad weighed. Another 1kg this week so he is now 7.6kg. You can see why we are trying to get him to run to the toilet now as the carrying days are numbered.
Sunday was his first big outing with us. A 1 hour drive north to visit granparents. He was a model passenger and slept most of the way there and back. It is just like having a baby again timing journeys between feeds and when ready to settle!
He, again was pretty well behaved , just very sniffy.
Picture this-His 'toilet' at mum's is on the gravel at the end of the house. The house overlooks the sea .It was still VERY windy. Poor Uffa stood weeing with lugs flapping and me standing well to the side. I am glad his legs are still pretty short! I am also glad he now 'busies' on command quickly now as the wind was not warm.
Today he has been busy helping with the hoovering. He moves to where the hoover next has to go to make sure I don't miss anywhere! He also has helped in the garden NOT collecting the leaves. And Eric wonders why little gets done.
Just as well I am not too houseproud.

Mount Everest

This week has seen Uffa expand his boundaries daily.

On Wednesday he eventually plucked up the courage to try the stairs. This was mainly because he could see David at the top. It was quite an effort but with me behind he went right up. It was obviously an achievement in his head as well as he was very excited running around. The big problem was every time he looked down he was scared witless. So, yes, you've guessed it he got carried down and as the day went on he got carried down and carried down and carried down....

Good exercise for me.

Thursday and any chance to nip up the stairs(well nip is a bit of an exaggeration) he took it. So it was time to encourage the descent. It took a treat and encouragement but he made it very cautiously. Now he has tried it a couple of times. But technique is lacking with a belly slide often incorporated along with a leap at the bottom of sheer relief!

Going to our first real Guide Dog Puppy Class this morning so lets hope he enjoys it as much as Alec did. Speaking of Alec, we are going to visit him next week before he moves on from Forfar to further training. He will be matched with someone at the end of this month. I am rather exited as I haven't seen him since June and have missed him so much.