Puppy Parenting: False Start

Monday May 7th

Bank Holiday Monday brought typical Bank Holiday weather. Vicky had managed to find space for 4 visitors to sleep over, with the plan that we would all be up early and out for a ramble Monday morning. The weather was wet and very windy, and the prospect of walking in it was most unappealing. Instead we settled down to watch the snooker (or in my case, to read a book).
Lunch took some discussion, but eventually we reached a consensus - to go and eat at The Globe pub, known to serve most excellent food. We weren't disappointed. By the time we had finished and driven back to Vicky's, Dave & Jacky were home from Weymouth so came to join us for an hour, then we had the drive home. Fortunately although the traffic was heavy, it was free-flowing and we made good time. Excitement when I checked my emails - it appeared I would be bringing a dog home from puppy class tomorrow!


Tuesday May 8th

It's a 35 mile trip to Heyshott where the charity has its headquarters, but last time the journey took much longer than anticipated due to roadworks, so this week I left at 8.15 am, and arrived in good time at 9.25 with the first class not due to start until 10 am.

There were two 8 week old labrador pups in the first class, plus an 18 week old blond German Shepherd who was extremely well-behaved and intelligent.

Besides myself, there were three other prospective puppy parents watching. We compared notes - two were at the same stage as me, having had home visits and having been told yesterday to be prepared to bring a dog home today. One of these ladies seemed to have a lot of reservations. Her own dog had died not long ago, and I formed the impression she had perhaps rushed into this puppy parenting business and was beginning to have second thoughts.

The dogs were led in - four golden retrievers: three bitches and one dog, all with names beginning with 'B'. I was assigned to Buffy and given a bum-bag full of chicken treats, and invited to put her through some simple paces. Buffy was obedient to 'sit' and 'down' commands, but her tail was almost between her legs and it was entirely apparent she is not a very happy dog at the moment, unlike the other three. Apparently she has been trained at one of the satellite training centres, and has come back with hip dysplasia. She is undergoing a course of treatment and as I'm so far away, it was decided to keep her local until she has finished her current treatment with the local Vet. As she had worked well for me, I've been approved to take her but not until next Tuesday. Meanwhile I'm to try and find a local Veterinary hyrdrotherapy unit, so that she can build some muscle around the joint to support it.