A Visit From Uffa

On return from Singapore I obviously had 'phone Uffa' as high on the list of things to do. Maureen said Uf was doing fine and offered to come in and let me see him. I didn't need asking twice!

Maureen took him in and he was rather excited but was really good. It was wonderful to see him and get a play, especially with his lovely soft ears. It was hard to see him go especially as he looked out of the car all the way down the road.

I decided I would visit puppy class today and see everybody and of course Uffa. It was strange just watching but it was also very funny as Uffa kept looking across and if he caught my eye the tail would have a wee wag. Why it is easier to leave him now I don't know but I know he is settling well with Maureen. I have now started to tidy away my 'dog' stuff but only to the attic as who knows when we will be back and I can take up this wonderful task with a new puppy again.

Big Brave Uffa

Uffa has improved daily until yesterday when he was 'over improved'. Basically Uffa had a bit much bounce and a couple of times just went mental round the house.

Today was stitches out and Uffa just stood while they nipped them out. No more lampshade and tomorrow a short free run.

Tomorrow we pick Eric up at the airport which will be fun as we haven't seen him since February.I am pretty sure Uffa will not be a good guide dog and might well jump a little bit! Sunday is my really bad day, with Uffa going in the morning to live with Maureen. I think I will just leave Eric to do the deed. I just wish I could explain to him what is happening and why.

We leave for Singapore on Monday so at least I will be busy on Sunday afternoon as so far I have prepared nothing. If it was just a holiday I would have done more, never mind it will all work out-I hope.

Thank you to all who have read about Uffa's first months. I have thoroughly enjoyed having him and will miss him terribly. There is nothing like an Uffa cuddle. I will try to let you know how he progresses and if he finally makes it as a guide dog.

Progress Report

Uffa has made good progress during the last week and we (the royal we,Uf and I) would just like a nice walk and a decent sniff(Uf only). He has been a really patient patient and other than permanently having his toys all over the floor he has been no problem. He only wears his lampshade at night which means constant vigilance during the day but I think it is worth it. He rarely heads for the stitches which is a bonus.

He has his "ice lolly' which takes a while to eat each day(bone filled with dog food and frozen) and is playing with toys he hasn't looked at for a while. The toy box itself is turning out to be great fun.

Still roll on Friday.

Pictures today are Uf with his lolly and Uf with his snazzy new headgear.

Uffa Update

Uffa is doing fine now and we are managing to remove the 'lampshade' for a good part of the day. It means constant watching, if he goes for a drink so do I, but he really is not bothering about his surgery. We have been out for a short walk round the block which he must have enjoyed as he didn't want to come home. All being well the stitches will come out on Friday.

Uffa's Op

Poor Uffa had his operation on Tuesday which at first went well but the next morning had some bleeding. This meant a trip back to the vet who then kept him for the day and when I phoned decided to keep him overnight as well. Luckily when I phoned this morning I was told he could come home. He has been quite quiet all day just wanting petted and not his usual self, which was good for his recovery. Since tea he has brightened up and wants to play. Any suggestions what to play that doesn't involve bouncing, tugging or running?

For all those worried about him I hope todays picture will put your minds at rest.

Got to go as the invalid is attention seeking again-another cuddle.

Uffa's First Shower

Uffa was out in the woods again this weekend. When I say woods I think I should say 'ditches'. Saturday was a cleaner walk with a finishing clean stream. Sunday,well, Uffa found not only a muddy ditch but a stinky muddy ditch which turned his lower half orange right at the end of his walk! A decision was made to just take him home and stick him in the shower rather than rub forever. Uffa loved his shower (undercarriage only) especially getting his legs shampooed and rinsed. He watched the foul coloured water disappear as he became all clean and sweet smelling again. Uffa was then taken out and given a good dry, sadly not before he had a good shake in the middle of the bathroom. How far can a dog shake water? Further than you think! Next problem-see the colour of my jumper-bad choice. I should have known better and taken it off but hey I never learn. Thank goodness for washing machines!

Camera shy

We have had a busy week with even a night at Grandma's in the middle. Training at the moment is on a bit of a plateau, some days Uffa is the perfect guide dog and then..... I am convinced he knows what he should do but sometimes he just can't really be bothered. He loves his free runs but I am still struggling to recall if he is playing with another dog. I have started putting on his lead if I have to get him and I think it may be working.

I have tried many times lately to get a new picture but Uffa has become camera shy. He either won't stay put and comes towards me or just goes the wrong way. You don't really want his rear end disappearing in the distance-do you? I will keep trying.

Two Steps Forward One Step Back

Uffa this week has taken to jumping up on me especially on our first outing to the toilet in the morning. When I say Off it starts a jumping puppy turn which at over 36kg is rather dangerous. When he calms down he just trots to the toilet as normal.

Today was our last puppy class together but I didn't know as I learned at the end the next one is cancelled. We were out for a walk today which included a trip to the local Tesco metro. You can hardly believe that 10 dogs (between 6 months and a year) could go out together and behave but they did-well almost. Uffa did quite well although he pulled too much towards the others when we were stopped. He just loves ALL the other dogs. He came home absolutely shattered and slept for over 2 hours. He is now chomping on a nylabone.

Yesterday I took him into the city centre on the bus for pigeon and shop training. We only found two pigeons and Uffa has the usual male characteristics when shopping-when I stopped to look at anything he just lay down uninterested. I'll never know if I should get the stone or navy trousers!

I went and tried on walking shoes and he was so good until I was leaving when he decided he didn't want to shop anymore and wouldn't get up. What would I do without 'biscuits'.On the whole it was a good outing which showed good progress.

Uffa is home

Uffa is home again. I got him back on Monday at 1pm. I am glad to report both Uffa and I managed to cope with our weekend apart. He was pleased to see me but had obviously bonded with Maureen which makes me feel happier about what I am about to do to him.

After we got home we went out for a bounce in the fields and he fell fast asleep soon as we returned. He got pushed across the floor out of the way when I made the tea and had to be woken to get his! He played for a short while and then out for the count again. Maureen must have had a very active boy.

Today we had a lovely walk in some nearby woods and since Hilary and I wanted our coffee out this week(Uf got too dirty to be taken anywhere last week)he got his lead on in the muddy parts.

This worked really well but just before we got to the car he jumped into the burn and suddenly realised water was fun so got soaked-too wet and stinky for any establishment! Oh Uffa!!

PS Uffa is lovely and clean and so fluffy after a dip in the lovely soft water. Who needs conditioner?

Uffa's Visit

Tomorrow Uffa is off for a weekend visit to what might be his new home. He is going out to Maureen in Ellon until Monday to see if they want him. It is going to be a long weekend so luckily I had planned to be away to mum's. I promise not to make her walk out in front or busy in the garden!!

Roll on Monday.

Football

Saturday was to be football training or to be more precise NOT football training. Auntie Anne asked along to one of her son Stuart's games which was played alongside some others. Uffa was quite excited with all the activity and was rather too eager to join in when we arrived. As time went on he got calmer but it was too much to ignore when the ball rolled up to his nose. It might be worth another visit.

Sunday was a short trip to Crathes castle for a lovely walk. Although it is only 20 mins in the car we ended up with snow and ice again which was a bit of a surprise. Uffa had a few rows especially when he pinched a boys stick from his hand! He is so much bolder than even a couple of weeks ago. We (Auntie Hil) did extra recall until we wondered if he ran on just to be recalled for a fine piece! We finished with a good rub down and some coffee shop training which he is rather good at.

Beach Bash

Today we had a lovely walk along the beach. Uffa decided the front door was just a bounce too far!

Puppy Playmate

Uffa is still playing up about going to the toilet. He will pee no problem but just doesn't want to poo. He ended up in the border after spending half an hour in his area doing nothing!

Other than that little hiccup he is progressing well. We went to Asda the other day and I took a trolley and walked around, asked him to sit and down, hid round a shelf unit and he coped really well. It is a very expensive training exercise as who can walk round Asda without buying anything despite needing nothing on arrival!!

We were at a hockey game yesterday and although the game didn't interest him too much the children playing at the side with sticks and balls proved very tempting. It took a good few tugs to stop him. Who needs to pay for a gym?

He has started a new game with us in the garden. Get a toy and putt us with it and then run away. It is quite funny when you turn your back and he immediately nudges you to get chased.

Guide Dogs should charge us for their keep fit classes.

Brunch

Normally mornings have a very similar routine. Down for Uffa just after 7, give him a cuddle and then take him out to busy followed closely by second trip to big busy. Then he gets breakfast. This is the only time in the day that Uffa beats me back inside!

Today 7 came and went, 7.30 came and went. I ate my breakfast then 8 came and went. I decided to shower and dress so 8.30 also passed into history and still no POO. By 9 and after many trips to his toilet I gave in and gave him his breakfast hoping this would get him going but no. By now I was just beginning to get slightly concerned.

It was a beautiful morning so by 10.45 I decided we would head to the woods. Tried for a last time to empty Uffa but only got a pee before heading off. He got out of the car and within 50m he was squatting. Is his toilet no longer good enough? Is the vegetation not green enough? Or am I just being had???

PS Karolina can't get email to you so here is my email- elovie@btinternet.com

Stinky

Please don't rub anymore!

Uffa has had a lovely weekend which started off with a free run on the beach. Everything was lovely(even the weather) until Uf decided to roll. I did the 50m dash and was almost sick with the smell of a very stinky,fleshy jaw bone, probably from a dolphin or similar. We then stayed a few paces away from wee Uf,

A good rub down with a soapy cloth did help but the rest of the day he got gently patted on the head and no big cuddles.

Sunday, due to necessity, we went to Tesco. Uffa was really good until the last 2 aisles when he lay down and decided enough was enough. We did finish with a little bribery. In the afternoon Eric took him to the woods where he decided not to follow the lurcher round the boggy bit but go straight through. You can see the result after a good towelling!!

At least Uffa doesn't seem to mind that he is both stinky and muddy.

Evil Uffa

Teenage Hormones!!

Uffa, until now, has been the nicest,most obedient and loving dog any puppy walker could ever wish for. What has changed I hear you ask? Well I think his teenage hormones are acting up and having 2 sons and a previous male puppy I hope they settle down again soon. He is still a lovely cuddly dog but 'sit' and 'down' are only quickly achieved if a biscuit is on offer. 'Come' is now achieved after 'I have had a bit more play, sniff or dig'. As for the poor female of the species Uffa has to be watched as he is now being tempted a bit more by their rears!

To be honest he is still pretty good, he has just lulled us into a false sense of security over the last few months.

This morning we have had a lovely free run along the beach so he is now fast asleep so all sins are totally forgiven.

Snow,snow and more snow

What a help!

It's not cold mum!

We are still in snow. We have had more snow this year than in the last 5 put together-and Uf loves it. I can't say I mind as Uffa comes back lovely and clean from all his walks!

New Bed

Uffa has now spent a few nights in his new bed. Going to bed is no problem as he is always so sleepy at bedtime but I do hear him about 7am just before I normally go down to him. So far he has had a nose at the shoes and removed a trainer only for greeting purposes.(Uffa needs something in his mouth when he gets excited seeing you) The hand towel also appeared on the floor but absolutely no chewing. He even got left for a half hour on Friday while I went to pick up my computer which, with a new hard drive should be fully fixed.

We are back covered in snow which Uffa just loves. He now cries at the door just to go and play. It took courage at first not to take him out but I am toughening up. I have realised that every time he cries I speak to him so I am only encouraging him.

I took Uffa to be weighed at 6 months and he is now over 24kg, and still on the thin side. Another big dog. The not so good news is two of his baby teeth(at the top) have not come out as the big ones have come in so he will need an op. The vet says it can be done with the castration. Sore fore and aft!!!

News on Alec. He is now paired with a lady and starts his last part of training. He is such a softie that getting the confidence has been slow but they say he is now doing really well. He seems to be a dog that everybody falls for-not just me!! I am so proud of him.

Far too long since last blog!

Apologies about the long gap since the last blog. Uffa is doing really well - much better than my computer which at the moment won't switch on!

Uffa has been on holiday with his Auntie Hilary for the last two weeks as Eric and I were away to Singapore looking for a new place to stay.

Yes, Eric has a new job and we are away to live in Singapore which is very exciting but I am pretty upset about having to leave my not so little Uffa. I am not leaving until the end of March so I still have a little time left.

Uffa, I am assured was a good boy on his holidays and behaved well. It was funny coming back as he wasn't sure whether to follow Hil or me. It makes me feel good knowing how settled he felt.

Uffa is now so big his cage is on the small side so in the next couple of days I am going to let him have his "big boy" bed. I hope the shoe rack will be safe as he ignores it during the day now.

I am on a different computer so sorry no new photo, maybe next time.