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!