Christmas

I may have said already, but, my humans constantly said "no, its furniture" during the first month, I moved in. Even the grandparents said it. Every time I even motioned to chew a wire, pull at a cushion or tug at a sofa. When Christmas came I knew that the big pretend tree, was furniture. It's certainly not a real one!  Boxes appeared and sparkling things were taken out, the house became cluttered with extra stuff, but I was good, its furniture.

This time became extra special because the coal fire is on more. The house smells of turkey and we get more stuff.  My humans are consumed with eating and sharing things I haven't seen before. I get new things, this year I got a girlie coat.

This year, we had lots of visitors. I love it. They are all coming to see me and my Humans. Al came with beautifully perfumed ham smelling hands. Katie and Olivia gave me little tickles and kind strokes and Akane shared my home for a few days, playing and eating together.

Soon the extra furniture will be packed away and the days will start to grow longer. Until next Christmas when we do it all again.

TV

The TV is a strange affair, bright lights flicker and random noises come our way.

It's not like the little box of noise they call the radio. Well, sometimes its a nice noise from the little box. I especially like a bit of those bold masculine voices and don't care for that electrical generated booms and wahs.

Getting back to the TV, I know it called this because it sometimes excites me. The first time it got my attention I thought we had Barn Owls in our living room, what a horrendous thought. I soon told it where to go and My Susan had to persuade me it wasn't real. Then raccoons really got my attention, they were cheeky little devils. Meerkats and Pine martins are interesting too.

Tonight, it's been especially interesting, the pheasant have come indoors, or so I thought at first from down the farm track. That would be a fine game. (But oh no, they were on Yorkshire in the wild). Followed by a full session of cat-a-walling, with the VET, not my VET, another one and someone called Jo. How do cats get that much TV attention, I ask, and why interrupt my cosy time in front of the fire.

TV is a strange thing, thank goodness its not on all the time, a constant noise, not as fun as the radio and sometimes quite a tease of wildlife.

Who said dogs don't have a sense of humour?

Not clever enough, they say! Another white coat but not called VET. Scientist, phoey, not sure, never met one, just hear the stories. (Something about bell and food).  The concept of humour, is beyond me, well all dogs in general, they say. I have definitely mastered sarcasm. Maybe scientist haven't spotted that comedy in us.

Sarcasm equals the tilt of my head and point one ear to the sky.  Both My Humans know this look, in Human speak it's "are you having a giraffe".

Take for example running back in house past My Susan, if I just knock behind her knee, it's a tease, then she'll turn to me. I give her a smile and it might just encourage play.

Or when I tap My Windy nose, just before an invite for a little tussle raised eyebrow. If you're not getting the sign a bit of Chinese accent does the trick "nyang, nyang, nee, nan".

Then there is the times when I pull my toy slowly out of reach from My Humans and look all innocent. A hand reaches in and I do it again, just coincidence you know.

My Windy favourite is my reverse park. Chew in mouth ready to settle for the night. I saunter over to the sofa. My Windy already cosy on the sofa. Instead of doing a couple of circles, to find a comfy spot, I actually reverse my botty right next to him. Do a full head roll with chew and make sure it lands on My Windy's lap. Certainly not OTT or over acting, no.

But mostly I think my ears, tail and smile, have expression. That's because I'm a happy dog, who shows how I feel.

Humour, no, dumb mutts. P-leaeese. (Said with that ear pointing right to the sky and eyebrow raised).

At the VET again

I had what My Susan called a milkspot on my lip and got infected. They said I had an Elvis lip, ah-ha-ha-ha and wasn't getting any better. Just a day later I was booked to see the VET. Being small, My Humans were more concerned about infection spreading than my looks.

Off we went. I made sure I pooed and had a wee right outside the entrance this time. My Windy was bag at the ready but muttered something whilst doing...something about my timing.

Yes My Susan was at work again, My Windy was my companion. He was as brave as me.

I'd played too rough at tug-o-war and agrivated a sore which became infected. Prick, pang, an injection of antibiotic and a course of 8 tablets.

Let the tablet tango begin. First two tablets went down eventually with a chew,  next two had to be hidden inside a mashed up chew. Next came with the remains of beef dinner. 6th became a chore, the beef from the day before didn't work and neither did a chew.

Hmmmm my human brains we're smoking. Eureka, get the butter out, just like children with jam on a spoon, I had a butter covered tablet, finishing the course with the same ploy. I don't mind. No fat lip and no Elvis impersonating.

It's not the cat that got the cream, it is the dog that got the sock

You cannot kid me! I know it's there.

My windy has a liking for tuna and cucumber sandwiches...and so do l. I usually get a small portion without the bread.

The best food to share, is from the slow cooker. A glorious little pot that a huge gigantic chunk of lip smacking meat goes in.  Slow cookers are an absolute tease. 6hrs of cooking meat to shear loveliness​ is 6hrs of mouthwatering aroma.  Dinner is then served, and the pot is left wafting that loveliness more. I'm no fool, I wont miss out but it drives me crazy waiting. I know that cute attentive look that persuades my humans that seconds are an absolute bonus. However I haven't learned that smells can linger. Sometimes My Susan picks me up after washing up to show me round the kitchen tops that there is nothing left. Crazy I here you say, but if My Susan doesn't do this I will spend all evening going back to where I think the meat is. 

At t'pub

Mornings

Mornings, what are they! I try to ignore them. I've heard most dogs are up at the crack of dawn wanting a wee and breakfast. Fools, I say. I do move from the bedroom to the lounge, in my own time of course and we check on the chickens. But mornings are for lazing and dreaming.

Mornings are so so cold, the world hasn't warmed up, well not in Yorkshire anyway. Any chance of snuggling into something and getting comfy. My Susan and My Windy are sports and leave me. I'm not rude though, visitors and leavers get the usual warm fuss.

On the Allotment

Call me crazy but at first I got bored in the allotment.  My Human, Susan, spends most of her time there whilst I stay with my Windy in the house.  My Susan was keen to encourage me to enjoy the allotment, because the space is bigger than the back garden and I can run around more freely off my lead as I'm not off my lead when we go for walks.  I would already happily wander over with My Susan to check and feed the chickens on a morning, obviously making sure I scent my territory.

My Susan, posted for ideas in an Allotment Facebook group and lots of suggestions came in.  Guess what, yes that's right the happiness in the allotment regime started.  We took a special trip to Pets at Home and bought a tug toy, a new bed and small training treats.  Its not that I don't like the allotment I just used to get bored over there, I feel like whilst I'm in the allotment, who is protecting our home. So I only enjoyed being there for about 30mins top. 

Well My Susan took all the new bits and bobs over with us the next visit.  She kept calling me back from where I was to have a treat. We sat down together and had a bit of love, I went and sniffed the boarders whilst My Susan walked round with me, we played with the toys. But most of all we played tag (something we've always know how to do, once we make eye contact after the chase we swap to chase the other way), its really tiring, but massive fun.

We persevered together, as My Susan loves gardening and soon we stated spending an hour or two together.  In hot weather I can do about a little more.  We don't take the treats over now to keep me attentive and I explore by myself so much more. 

I feel I have my own doggies jobs to do over there now too.  I continue to terrorise the chicken and they ignore me. I hunt out any bees; field mice, butterflied, rats scents, rabbit holes, pheasant feathers, fox poo and falling leaves.  I chase the wheelbarrow, bark at the lawnmower because its a relative to the vacuum cleaner and I dig when My Susan asks for help. 

Infernal Water

Take it from me, not all dogs like water. I don't!

When I was little, someone told my Windy and my Susan if they used a wet flannel to wipe me clean regularly, it would me like my mother washing me down.  Seeing how I was so young when we met.  So this is what they did every couple of day, this I don't mind. Now I absolutely love being brushed too, I sit proud and wait for my coat to be teased.  I've learned that  towel is dogs best tool, when coming in from the cold and wet.  I happily sit in the arms of my Susan and Windy to clean up, I'll help too, I try to clean the towel and my paws too when they get mucky, with my humans but I'm asked to stop wriggling and lets concentrate on the job.

Water on the other hand, well let me tell you.  My humans have tried to bathe me twice.  Once I really needed it but it was horrid, we got caught in the rain up the field and I kept getting stuck in the mud.  that great big white thing with water, its like a holding pen for mucky animals.  The second time, they thought if Susan got in the bath with her swimming costume on then it would prove that it was okay, they put a couple of toys in there and really tried to show it was fun, but...o...no.  Not for me, definitely not.

Going to the beach I stay on sand, down at the river I am more interested in what's going on along the shoreline.

I'm a dry land girl and that's the way I like it.

Having my lady bits removed

The VET is a very important person, I however, wish I don't have to visit. VET as I have said before tries to feed me a biscuit, when really its a serious time and I am contented to be attentive to the conversation, no time for food.  I'm sure they know what they are doing, but really its not time for eating.  My Humans Susan and Windy decided from the outset that I would have one season, then go for "the OP". Having read lots of info, having babies was not part of the decision.  My Humans were more concerned with me having too much attention from a larger dog and the chances of getting cancer greatly reduce. 

My lady time came and went and I was booked in for "the OP".  The VET was quite specific, that "the OP" is large for such a little lady. If we are going to chip me - sounds like a sporting term, the needle is rather large too and its advisable to do this at the same time under sedation. Whoopee for me, not! A double whammy, I didn't get the option "the OP" was coming and it including being chipped. Well I  say, no-one chips their children , do they. Even when they become teenagers!

"the OP" day came, yet again Windy was in charge, Susan at work. Windy was very anxious and had lots of coffee/fags - the best combination for a grave situation.  Led into the VET, next minute a sharp prick and I'm waking up with fuzzy head.  Windy, wanting only the best for me bought a blow- up collar to stop me tampering with my stitches.  Here I am, feeling very sorry for myself.

The VET suggested a few very lazy days. Ha! what did VET think I was going to do offer to be a sea buoy in the south of France? Not likely. 

After a few days I was still a bit under the weather.  We went back to the VET, I had got an infections and given some tablets.  I was very good and listened to VET, eating all my antibiotics I then started to recover.  "the OP" was daunting for all of us, but time passed and I was so very young that my scar is hardly noticeable.  I don't fear the rubber ring and the VET is not a horrible place to visit.

The biggest thing that came out of this is the care I got throughout "the OP".  We now do Mouse Sandwich,  my Susan and Windy hug and I am in the middle of both.  I really love Mouse Sandwich, group hugs are the best. Mouse Sandwiches are hard to photograph, so we rarely get one of us 3 together.  Windy had to unhug to manage the selfie, where is a passing local to take a photo when you need one.  Mouse Sandwiches, spread the word, its great fun and a lot of love.

Walking with my Humans

So my humans get regular exercise and I tag along for fun. I really like smelling stuff and there are a couple of things that really entertain me.

The main one is finding perfume! This makes me the most pretty smelling dog around. When my Windy is in charge, I have to do this quickly, he doesn't allow it at all.  My Susan on the other hand has the "Two Rubs" rule, I try to go in for a third but that's me just being cheeky. I am surprised that my humans don't do this, but they've got poor smelling skills. Most recently I've favoured the smell of dried up worms, but when I get to find fox poo is my all time favourite.

"Walk on" and "Ha-way" - these are the hurry up you're boring me comments that come from My humans when I start to dally.  It takes time to survey the land and take everything in, gees.

Walking ahead, there is nothing better than being at the front of the pack. I love to be ahead, I am the scout.

Snow - yeah I know, it doesn't come down like it used to, my Humans tell me. I can jump around in it and catch big flakes, nuzzle into it, its fantastic, its a bit like chasing dry leaves but it doesn't seem to stop moving.

Being in the fresh air with the ones I love, that's the best of all.

Apparently I am to be socialised!

A couple of weeks in and I felt at home, my Susan works 9 to 5 and my Windy rocks about random hours.  I had my injections and was ready to meet the world

At first, trips into the garden were my opportunities to stand my ground, bark and generally sniff everywhere.  Then I was introduced to the lead, hmm. For about 2 days we went out the back door, out the gate, round the house and back in the front door, but this got tedious for my human and I didn't know anything more, this was fab for me anyway.  But hey, the next trip was down the lane, whoosh my nose got a treat, everything from sheep and fox poo to birds flying about.  This was going to be amazing, and i'd only gone 200 yards.  As the days went on we went further and further.  My world is sooooo big and smelly, yeah great man.

We have a quiet life with not many neighbours, (humans and dogs) so apparently I had to be socialised.  This is when human's get together over coffee, talk loads and bring along another D.O.G.  So I met 2 D.O.Gs in my early years. Molly, a young Jack Russell, about 6months older than me. She was really keen to meet me, but I am still little, so we took it easy. The coffee was flowing and we socialised.

As you can see there was Molly was ever the lady, but just a bit tall.

So the next D.O.G to meet was the most handsome man I'm going to ever have the opportunity to socialise with, Hurricane the Chihuahua, what a looker! If I could have rolled in wild stallion poo before hand I would have done just to make me smell great.  I was a little older this time so we were able to walk together down the lane, for me it was puppy love.  Once again Coffee flowed.

The Humans Claire and Sarah were very lovely too, they seemed to use leads out of the house.  This made me more happier, because I started thinking it keeps our small pack together, Susan, Windy and me that is.

Learning Human

Why are humans so intent on trying to teach us how to behave? Sit, down, stay, paw.  Well here are the words that I had to learn to understand my Humans Susan and Windy, not just those daft do it words.

Firstly Chickens, they are the silly birds over in the allotment bigger than me, I try to herd them but really they are far too stupid to listen, sometimes they just look at me dumbfounded.  If Windy or Susan shout Chickens its to go over and see to them so off we pootle to the allotment and check them out. Esme and Edna are the girls, sometimes if I'm really good, I'm allowed one of their eggs, scrambled, yummy, absolute heaven.

Swap! its when I pick up something I shouldn't, like the plastic that peels off the top of the milk carton, or the smallest of wood shaving, a bra that's only been worn once, you know the type.  I've figured out this is bounty and will be swapped for a chew. I'm not daft!

Coal, there is a house outside that holds this marvellous stuff. It is my duty to

guard Windy and Susan when filling the coal scuttle from the house, because somehow when it is put inside the hole in the wall it makes amazing heat to laze in front of. I need to inspect the coal scuttle at all times and any small pieces of coal that that end on the wool rug are mine to play with. I know the word hot too and understand that anywhere near the hearth is too hot for me to be.  I am much more clever that just sit or stay.

The word I really don't want to know and will not learn is tidy, why would humans put toys back in a box away, when they are to play with?

The Grandparents!

About a month after arriving at our home. Windy volunteered to help all week at a local festival.  The Grandparents were in charge! These are my favourite humans, Granny Jean and Grandpa Howard.  Granny Jean kicked her slippers off in the house and I thought it was a game, so from then on I will quite happily have any shoes, slippers, bras, knickers and tights that find their way in reaching distance.  I think its wonderful, nice smelly clothes that have already been worn, Susan and Windy don't seem quite as chuffed - come on humans get with the scents.

This was the week I first met Christine, she had bought tickets for the festival where Windy was volunteering. My first visitor to stay, it was exciting.  We took loads of photos, I was told I was a cutey too. We had late nights and lots of music, I like people. I started getting interested in what was beyond our house and garden.  I've not had all my jabs so I'm restricted to the house and garden but I cannot wait to see the world. Especially if other people are like Christine and the Grandparents.

As I've grown older, Granny Jean and Grandpa Howard, have a special place in my heart.  Grandpa Howard takes me to the betting shop and around the town at every possible moment.  Granny Jean has just the right sized lap for any amount of sleep time.  Once in a while they take me along the river, the three of us are usually tired when we get back and need a sleep. 

I've learned a couple of bad habits from the Grandparents (like not walking on the path). Shhhh, its a secret, don't tell my Humans Susan and Windy.

I cannot decide what that it!

Getting about the house

So given that I was no taller than the steps of our stairs, my Susan and Windy were keen for me to start doing things for myself.  I was just too small to do things, or so I thought. 

We started with the stairs, this was very scary. Boosting up the internet, they searched for a way of teaching me to climb and descend the stairs.  Boy was I not impressed, they'd found a page that suggested teaching small dogs and puppies to manage the stairs by going in zig-zigs.  Apparently reason being if I fell, I was more likely to roll then roly-poly.  They were persistent.  Susan two steps ahead Windy two steps behind, plonking me right slap bang in the middle of the stairs.  Eventually we got good at zig-zagging down the stairs but I was still a little small to climb the stairs, we'd work on that in the future.  It was tiring and it was a long way down but I enjoyed the praise of my achievements.

Next Susan and Windy were keen for me to keep learning to venture. So they decided to makeshift steps up to the sofa, to sit on a blanket to sleep, rather being in the way of feet, where I might be stood on.  Also they strongly believed just because I little I wasn't going to get away with being picked up all the time to do things.  This is what they came up with, two footstools.

I soon was up and down off the floor, the stairs took a few week. As I grew, braver and taller, I was allowed to attempt the stairs unsupervised and one of the footstools was moved being able to get onto the sofa with only 2 jumps not 3.

I felt like this was the start of growing up and having adventures.

The VET

The very next day, Windy and Susan decided I needed a check over.  Susan went to work, Windy was left with the job of taking me to the VET.  Apparently worms aren't good for you and they though I may have them, having such a big belly, off to the VET we go.  Some very clean smelling place that every one looks down on you and every time the door opens people turn and stare. Not going to be my favourite place.

Yes I have worms, so VET said and we cannot find out how old I am till I'm fully grown and we'll work backwards, and yes I'm young.  Tell me something I don't know! 

VET was maybe okay but why give you a treat when you have been poked about?  From this day I decided only to take treats from people Susan and Windy say are okay

Here's me with Tiger, my first toy.  I'm being a little unfair about VET, Windy was very chatty with the VET seemed they had a lot to talk about (about me). But I just heard loads of noises and it was all a bit much.

We'd promised a visit to Susan's work so all the ladies could coo.  Armed with a newspaper (in case of wee, which I did, hehe) I was given loads of love by work, it also meant Windy could give us the low down on VET.

Apparently this was going to be the first visit of a few to VET.

During the first few weeks I slept loads and looked for the right place to pee, but didn't necessarily get there in time.  I enjoyed my food and started sleeping through the night.

The worming tablets worked and I really started to enjoy my Humans and Home

Here is me reading with My Windy, a couple of weeks later.

I have a name and a family

I first met my Humans - Susan and Windy in a second floor flat in Manchester.  Driving for two hours they went through various names. Windy spitted on his hand a couple of times, sick of the deliberation, hoping the woman of the house was going to make her mind up. 

Finally, (remember they hadn't seen me now), Mouse was mentioned.  Susan thinking of the character played by Matthew Broderick in Ladyhawke and Windy remembering an old school mate that he said was a good fellow.  Susan was made to spit on it too, yuk.  Mouse it is, my name is Mouse Hudson.  I belong somewhere, with people, I have a family.

Through the door of the flat they come, my Humans.  Cooing and petting, hugging and tickling.  

Saying goodbye to Aunty Alison and Uncle Drew, we went on our travels, taking a short detour to Morrisons, thank goodness for late opening, we got provisions.

Two hours travelling home, I sat on Susan's knee the whole way. We stopped off for a wee at Wetherby Services. A bunch of biker gents cooed over me, the first of many lovely human strangers who just like to compliment me and give me a bit of random affection. 

We got to my new home, it was late.  My Susan and Windy had a cuppa tea, we went to bed, all in the same room.  I woke up every two hours, it was a very sleepless night, but Susan and Windy were there to settle me back down each time.

Welcome to my World

I am Mouse Hudson, born on a travellers commune, who sold me to my first human at 5 weeks old. My first human was allergic to me, so I was passed on to her mother. Her mother had already been given a cat a year earlier, because she was allergic to that too.

Bang Whoosh, the cat doesn't like me, that horrid feline was put upstairs out of the way, and my second human started looking for me a new home. In the meantime the cat is upstairs causing madness, tearing down the wallpaper and generally letting it known that I'm not welcome.  Human number 2 was very kind to me but its not a permanent home.

Here steps in my soon to be Aunty Alison, in talking to Human number 2 she's says, let me try my sister Susan, they don't have any pets. After a bit of debate Susan and Windy decide let's do it, for 5 years they've been offered dogs, cats, fish and other random pets.   This is the Tuesday.

Thursday I am delivered to Aunty Alison and Uncle Drew, waiting for My Humans Susan and Windy to travel from Richmond, North Yorkshire after work to come and collect me, having never seen a picture of me, never knowing my name or really how old I am.

These human are so big, I cried when they started to crowd me, little tears were starting to collect and I couldn't keep brave.  My Windy wiped a tear away and I knew this was the start of something great.