Assumptions

After days of hearing chainsaws from next door, it was a nice quiet day. Well till they started ripping the fences down to replace them. This involved clearing a lot of Ivy and such on my side of the fence line. More distraction.

So when I got a message from a friend asking if I was free for an arena hire with Buddy, I jumped at the chance to get out of the house.

The jumps were still out from Saturday’s clinic, so I foolishly assumed that Buddy would be happy to jump them. I was wrong. Again. Came into a fence he’d jumped beautifully on Saturday, only for him to slam on the brakes! He hasn’t done that for a long time. Bit of a regroup and he was soon jumping again nicely. Very odd. But not overthinking it. Well maybe a little bit.

Got back home to find 3/4 fence up. But a rather large gap between my fence and the new one that could leads onto the railway tracks. Not ideal with Bert and the kittens.

There was also a lot of debris and trampled plants. I needed to vent so wrote a long ranty message to another friend. Pressed send and then heard more fence ripping so went to investigate. The workmen were ripping out the two fence panels that are mine. I must have looked rather shocked and perplexed at this. They explained that the new owners had ask them to replace them as the same time. And they’d cover the cost. How wonderful is that?! Another job off my rather long list of house jobs.

Of course, I instantly felt bad for assuming, venting and complaining. The workmen offered to fix the gap too. I felt like a right arse. Well I guess that happens when you assume…

Settle

Bert has his first trip to the roses place today. I met up with a couple of friends for a late lunch. I hadn’t realised that dogs were allowed. Guess I hadn’t needed to before.

They had dog rules. One of which was that all 4 paws had to be on the floor. Bert broke that one by jumping on my chair while I went to order. Whoops!

He’s becoming quite the pro at ‘settle’. I brought a ‘body part’ with me. That helped. He happily chomped away on it while we chatted.

Keep learning

Today has been all about learning. First up, Bert graduated from Puppy School. He’s grown so much in those 6 weeks. He’s learned so much too. He got a certificate and rosette. Admittedly, he tried to eat the rosette.

His education will continue next Saturday. As I’ve enrolled him in Puppy College. He really does enjoy it. He drags me in each week.

Then it was Buddy’s turn as we headed over to Mousehold Farm for a lesson with Simon Grieve. It was our first lesson of 2025. Buddy was almost as energetic as Bert had been in his session. Even in the cold conditions. Who ordered snow?! Buddy felt amazing to jump. Seems the time out last year, really has helped him. He feels stronger than ever.

Bert came to his first clinic too. He slept in the cab while I had my lesson. Can’t say I blame him. Though he did get lots of cuddles. He was quite the hit.

It was a very educational day all round…

Roses are red

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I realised I have 4 boys in my life and I didn’t get a single card… I’m sure they love me (and not just cause I feed them).

I was peopling this morning. The other receptionist had bought these beautiful roses to brighten the clinic. I put on a ‘timeless romantic songs’ playlist. Gosh there were some classics on there. And lots I hadn’t heard for a while.

I did get some ‘presents’. Buddy gave me an exceptionally filthy stable to muck out. Bert brought me an old piece of rope on our walk. And the kittens left a trail of muddy paw prints all over my bed. Who says romance is dead?!

Poster boy

Bert is fast becoming a huge hit at Black Barn Farm. He was there twice on Friday and we were back again today. When we arrived, they brought out a water bowl and treats for him. The owner came to say hello. As did a few of the stall holders. And most of the staff.

They all said they’d seen him on Friday and wanted to say how handsome he is. And how well behaved he is. The lady who runs the Quirky Art stall asked if she could take photos of him before we left. She wanted to draw him and add him to her card collection. What an honour!

When we left there, we popped into the vets to get him weighted and pick up his wormer. He practically dragged me in! We saw the vet nurse who got to know him when he was attending the Puppy Pre-School. She definitely has a soft spot for him. She asked if she could borrow him and took him round to meet all the other staff.

I said he needed to be the poster boy for their Pre-School. Bert loves going to the vets, out for coffee and lunch. He such a social butterfly.

Vineyard

I took Bert out for a little bit of a longer walk this morning. We took the footpath that runs through the vineyard behind where I live. I watched them planting it and it’s been interesting watching the vines grow.

You can volunteer there to help keep the vines weed free, pick the grapes when they’re ready and other jobs. They reward you with wine. Not that they’ve produced any yet. I really wish them well. Wonder what Norfolk wine will be like?!

The footpath then heads across a field. What I hadn’t realised was that it had been freshly muck spread! Bert LOVED the cow muck. A little bit too much if I’m honest. He definitely needed a shower when we got home!!

He’s teething, having a growth spurt and awash with hormones. 18 weeks is tough for him. And my hands as the land shark is back. It’s really hard as I can see he’s uncomfortable. Doing what I can to help him. Lots of cuddles, frozen carrots and extra food. Maybe I need to start volunteering at the vineyard….

Sports fan

Bert is getting the hang of sports. He was most interested in the rugby and football. He wasn’t so keen on me shouting, cheering and jumping around. He’s with the kittens on that one! They tend to leave the room.

In my defence, there was a lot of that going on!

First we watched England beat France in the rugby. That was a very tense match with England coming from behind. And off the back of a rather awful performance last time out.

Then we watched Brighton beat Chelsea in the FA Cup. Again, they came from behind. And off the back of a 7-0 defeat last match out.

I say we, Bert slept through most of the second half. Seems he’s more of a rugby fan.

There were similarities in both my teams. Today the underdogs won. I love an underdog. So that makes me very happy. Wonder who Brighton will get next…

Frostbite

My goodness the wind has some bite to it today. I couldn’t feel my face by the time we’d finished our walk. Bert was on top form! He was having a blast chasing the leaves as they swirled about.

He really does make me laugh. He been in full Spaniel-mode the past few days on our walks. It’s wonderful to see his exuberance.

He got a few more admirers today. We had two trips to the same venue. First for breakfast, then back again later for coffee. He was introduced to sausages. Let’s just say he’s a big fan! Well there has to be perks to going out. Thankfully, Spaniel-mode is switched off when we’re out. Well for the most part…

Zoomies

As Bert has been doing so well with his recall, we’ve been experimenting with him being more free-range on his walks. Just for a few minutes to test the water. As a spaniel, he’s driven by his nose, so loves a good sniff. So this way he can sniff without getting caught round a tree!

Today he was in full zoomies mode. He made me laugh as he was tearing back and forth. His ears were flapping so much, he could have taken off!

Just call him Bert the Blur!

As well as he’s doing now, I’m preparing myself for the next phase when he forgets everything he’s learnt…

Returns

The Dark Destroyer strikes again! I bought Bert a new car bed as he’s starting to outgrow the car crate. This is one of those fluffy ones that goes on the seat and they clip into it.

This is what is left of the box it came in. He had so much fun destroying it! Let’s hope I don’t need to return it…

And he doesn’t destroy the new bed! We’ll road test it tomorrow. Wish me luck!