Star chart

If Bert had a star chart, he would have added a lot to it today. Not only did he ace his lorry dog training, he also completed his Puppy Pre-School. What a clever boy.

I had to take a horse to the vets in Newmarket (not Buddy). Bert came along for the outing as we didn’t know how long it would take. He sat on my friend’s lap, watching the road go by, before crashing out on her.

He waited in the lorry while the investigations took place. He went for a nice walk round the grounds. And even sat patiently in the waiting room. Before sleeping most of the way home. He was a very good boy indeed.

Then tonight, he went to his final Puppy Pre-School session. It’s making the difference in from the first session to now. Though he was still running about like Superman with a hi viz cape on. Not quite the exercise. That was to desensitise him to having stuff on. Not sure he even noticed he was wearing it!

I had a chat with one of the ‘new puppy parents’. They took a lot of comfort from hearing Bert’s progression through the weeks. They’re in the ‘we seem to have gotten a piranha that never sleeps’ stage.

Bert starts Puppy School proper on Saturday. He’s got such a good brain on him… well when he’s not distracted or over stimulated. He’s such a darling, he really is.

Dark Destroyer

Someone was very pleased with himself. I swear he’s part-womble! He had a whale of a time ripping this box up. He was tearing round the house too.

I have now nicknamed him ‘The Dark Destroyer’. Judging by the way he was throwing himself about, he clearly sees a future as a WWE star. And now he has the name sorted…

Centre Paws

Bert and I headed over to Centre Paws today for coffee and cake with Michaela. First we went for a little walk. Bert got to meet lots of new dogs as they have a huge dog field. He also had his first ‘pupochino’. One of the other dogs didn’t like it. Bert definitely did!

Then I headed back to pop Buddy over a few jumps. All in all a good last day of 2024.

Medallion man

Bert got an early Christmas present today. A new collar and ID tag. He’s still so small I had to get the smallest tag going. God help anyone who needs to read the phone number – it’s a rather small.

He also got a Christmas bandana. He was so happy on our little walk.

I’m sad that I haven’t put my tree up. I honestly couldn’t face bringing it in this year. And with Bert, I wasn’t sure how he’d be with it all. Next year, he will be bigger and more used to stuff. I haven’t broken out the tinsel for Buddy either. What a grinch!

His little bandana is a little attempt at being a bit festive. I hope whatever you do tomorrow, you eat, drink and be merry.

Merry Christmas to you all from me, Buddy, Bert, Hugo and Dodo.

Party animal

Bert had a busy day today. After meeting the yard dog, he had a quick trip back to see his Mum, Dad and Brother. It was so touching seeing his Mum’s reaction. She was very happy to see him. But put him in his place too when he needed it. He had lots of zoomies with his brother too.

Tonight he had even more zoomies with his new friend Jester at his first Christmas Party. I wish I’d taken some video of them chasing each other round the dining room table. Hours of fun! He will sleep well tonight, that’s for sure.

He’s brought so much joy to my life already. And everyone else’s given the impact me made at the party tonight. It seems he’s quite the Party Animal.

Jester

Bert met Jester today. He’s by far the biggest dog that he’s met so far. And for the first time, I saw an overwhelmed Bert.

It didn’t last. Once Bert realised that as big as Jester is, he just wanted to play too, he was fair game. Jester was so gentle with him. Even when Bert was bouncing all over him. Though Bert was submissive too.

It was so cute. Definitely the start of a beautiful friendship…

Approval

Bert met the girls today. They’re two of the lovely dogs that I housesit for. It’s really good for him to start meeting other friendly dogs. Blimey he looked tiny compare to them. Even Flip who’s not the biggest. They were very sweet with him.

Afterwards, their owner, Jan and I popped to the garden centre while Bert had a nap. She secretly bought this sign for me. I was given a similar one for the cats many years ago. So seems guests will now have to be approved by us all!

First walkies

Another big day in Bert’s World. He went for his first walkies. Having been round the garden a few times on the lead, he was really easy to walk. He wasn’t phased by the cars. Or the train when it went past. But then he’s not bothered by that in the garden.

He was very keen to get out and about. He really is a confident little chap. Gold Star for Bert!

When Buddy met Bert

You’ve heard of ‘When Harry met Sally’, well today it was ‘When Buddy met Bert’.

It was a big day for Bert. First he got to run round the garden without the lead. I finished puppy-proofing the garden this morning for him. He was very happy to be ‘free’. Took the opportunity to start working on recall too.

Then this afternoon, he came to the yard with me for the first time. He stayed in the car while I mucked out and poo picked. He was such a good boy. Finally it was time to come out and meet his rather big brother.

Buddy was so gentle with him. Bert was his usual bold self and gave Buddy a good sniff. He wasn’t the least bit phased by the horses. He was so squirmy, I could barely hold him.

There are new members of the Bert Fan Club as everyone was cooing over him. He’s such a cutie!