Puppy Power

Well here I am , two weeks on and sporting my very special ID disc that says I am one of the Guide Dog pack. How cool is that?

Have settled in here at my new home and am keeping my new Mum and Dad on their toes. Well, heh a girl has got to chew and explore hasn't she? So far I have investigated rugs, curtains, telephone cable ( do people still have landlines then??) Mum's handbag, Dad's shoes and all the plants in the garden. Mum has been putting some horrid smelling stuff called Olbas Oil on everything which makes me sneeze. I particularly like to rip up Dad's lawn, but I get told off for that , spoilsports!

I have been out and about this week and went on my very first bus trip yesterday. Only two stops mind, but I have to start somewhere don't I?. Then Mum and Dad tried to make me walk back but that was far too far for my little legs so I just sat down en route and had to get a carry home. Mum says I am a heavy lump for something so small, must be all that food I am wolfing down.

Have also visited the Botanic Gardens , Tesco and my very favourite shop B and Q. All the staff love me there and even big burly men who are buying wood and cement and stuff bend down and give my head a little ruffle which is nice. Sometimes I lick them but usually I have a little nibble of their hands - I get told off for that too! Went to the cafe with Mum and Dad today but decided I was bored and started barking until a nice man came over from the counter and talked to me and then another man who worked there came over and soon we had quite a crowd and I wasn't bored anymore ;)

Sometimes I am good and sometimes I am naughty and Mum says that the next time somone called Maria Carey comes to sing and asks for puppies for her dressing room, she is going to send me and that would teach her!

Tia Bell - VIP

Very important puppy that is. As well as being the most gorgeous thing on four little fat legs, Tia is destined to become a Guide Dog. How cool is she?? Of course she does have a little way to go given that she is only 7 weeks old and spends her days running around chewing at anything that faintly stirs let alone moves and of course peeing which seems to take up an inordinate amount of her time.
She is confident and sassy and I think she will be quick to learn - she certainly needs something to occupy her .
As you can see Peter has really put his foot down about where she should sleep and I think she may be going to be a "daddy's girl".

So many people say when we tell them that we are going to help train a guide Dog puppy and then have to give her up "I don't know how you could do that". Not all that helpful really as we thought long and hard about it before deciding , and we know how hard it is going to be. But if sassy little Tia can give a blind person an independent life and also be a best friend to them, then there is some satisfaction in that. (You just know don't you that that is my head talking and not my heart which will be breaking!!)

However, we have about 12 months to train and enjoy her so watch this space to see how she progresses.