No one told me I had to wag me tail !!!

Wow, what a week I’ve had! Saturday was a pretty normal day for me, but on Sunday after Mum and I had been for a walk we got in the car and went over to Eric & Pat’s. Mum and Dad were having lunch there. I really like going to see Eric & Pat – Eric is one of my all time favourite people, perhaps because I’ve known him since he came to see me when I was still in the RSPCA home. I’m certain he really, really likes me too. He always spoils me and gives me lots of pats and things. After all the humans had eaten we went out for a walk. There is a nice area with a pond near their flat and I was allowed off the lead once we got there. So I got to poke about in the reeds and generally explore, which is something I like doing a lot. Mum had taken a ball for us to play with, but I decided that it was far too hot to run around chasing a ball so I sat in the shade and chewed it instead. There wasn’t much of it left once I’d finished. Once again I don’t have any photos for you, cos Mum forgot to take the camera. I’m going to have to find a way to remind her.

Then on Tuesday Mum took me to Hamworthy and I got to play on the beach. It was really good. I met 2 really nice retrievers and I played fetch in the sea with them for ages. Then a little collie puppy came along, but she was really scared of us and kept making high pitched yelping noises even though we were only being friendly. I went off to see her on my own after a while though, and she was happy playing with just me. She was only 6 months old, so we had a good game. Mum took me back to the car via the lake there, so I got to wash all the salt water and sand off in the nice clean water.

Wednesday was the best day though. I knew something was going on when we got all got in the best car as we only use that when we’re going somewhere special. Anyway, we went to something called the New Forest Show. It was so exciting. There were so many people – I’ve never seen so many in my life before. And lots of them had taken their dogs as well, so there were so many new people and dogs for me to meet. There seemed to be lots of sort of shop places, and sometimes we’d go into a big tent (but they were a bit hot for me). Even some of the shop places had dogs for me to play with…



Mum and Dad said they were taking me to see the cows, and I was really pleased as I like cows. But they were in a big tent, where there were lots and lots of people. And some of the cows were just HUGE – and I got scared, even though Dad was with me. And then a cow started making a horrible loud bellowing noise, and I didn’t like that at all. So Dad took me outside where I felt a lot safer. No way was I going back in there!

Mum and Dad then went to the beer tent, which was ok cos it was nice and big and cool inside. Dad offered me some of his beer but I’m far too young to drink alcohol!



After the beer tent we went to see some ducks (which I couldn’t reach), and then we went to see some sheep and goats. I’ve never seen sheep close up before, so I was really pleased to be able to go over and say hello. This is me with the sheep…





And this was just the tiniest little goat…



Mum says it was a Pygmy Goat, which I think means that it is a very small goat, but I could have told them that without them having to give it a fancy name!

We also went into a really nice wooded area which was nice and cool for me. I found a horse there to say hello to…



And some dogs…



After that we went back into the showground and stopped in front of a sort of stage area. That was good as there were quite a few dogs there so I got to play with some of them…



The owners were taking all their dogs up onto the stage, and eventually Mum took me up…



I wasn’t too sure what was going on, so as you can see I was a bit nervous and kept my tail firmly between my legs. Turns out it was a waggy tail contest! Well, someone might have told me!! How embarrassing is that! I can wag my tail for England, and the one time I get the chance to impress someone, I keep it between my legs. Mind you, it could have been worse. That boxer was only 6 months old, and when his owner took him up onto the stage he was so scared he threw up!!!
We kept walking on round and it was very hot. I kept trying to find bits of shade and when I did Mum would let me lie down and cool off a bit. Sometimes you had to be pretty inventive to find somewhere to cool down though…



At the end of the afternoon we ended up at a small arena where Mum and Dad watched a display by police sniffer dogs. I was so tired by then that I just flopped down on the grass (making sure that there were some nice people close enough to sit and stoke me) and dozed. I woke up when there was a display of birds of prey though, as I really like chasing birds. These were bigger than any birds I’ve even seen before though. One of them was an eagle and it was enormous with a great big beak and huge claws. I’m not sure that I’d want to tangle with him!

After that we came home – well we’d been there nearly all day. I was worn out! Dad had taken some nice photos of me while we were there though...





That’s about it really. Oh, apart from the fact that yesterday I found some of my favourite fishy smelling poo to roll in, and managed to smear it nicely round my neck – until we got home and Mum washed it off! I had to endure the hose again, only this time she used shampoo too!!! Personally I thought I smelt better with the poo.

It’s now Friday afternoon and I’m at home with Mum. Dad’s not here – Mum says he’s gone away for the week-end, so me and her are having a girlie week-end (whatever one of those is).