Buddy is gorgeous!
| One muddy dog! Click photo for larger image and details |
The other day we returned from a walk in the dark, and I hurriedly let the dogs out of the car and in to the house. Then I was distracted by another task – possibly shutting the ducks in for the night, bringing in something from the car, or most important task of all putting the coffee on! Anyway, it meant that by the time I made it into the lounge both dogs were settled on the couch.
It's Buddy's birthday today. He is six years old, and I can't believe that the tiny black bundle we brought home, it seems like not so long ago, is definitely all grown up. Well, physically anyway, at heart he is still a mischievous puppy, and is still full of energy, and I wouldn’t have him any other way!
In the last year he has tried many things for the first time – agility, heelwork to music, and obedience classes and competitions, and taken them all in his stride. He has also passed his Bronze, Silver, and Gold Kennel Club Good Citizen awards.
Hooray – it’s December! Deck the halls and all that! We’ve put our Christmas tree up, and explained to Buddy and Star that they mustn’t pee on it or try to eat it. They are actually outraged that our local pet store has sold out of dog treat advent calendars, and until more stocks arrive they have to make do with watching the smaller pets in the house receive their advent calendar treats, which isn’t quite the same thing at all!
Buddy as a puppy playing tug of war with a rag toy. When he first arrived, he didn't have much idea what toys were for, but it didn't take him long to work out that they were fun. Even when he was this little he could still give a strong tug with those sharp little baby teeth!
As you can see, playing with a puppu can have unexpected consequences, but never mind, it's all part of the fun. And before you know it, they're all grown up. But still very playful in Buddy's case!
We had just brought Buddy home, and this was the first meal he ate at home. Then he had a sniff around and a drink, and it was time to be vigilant and get to grips with toilet training!
He was such a cute puppy, so friendly and cuddly, and that soft puppy coat was beautiful. I can't believe he was so little then, and he's grown so big now. At the time it seemed like such hard work, but looking back, it passed so quickly. Great to have photos and video to look back on.
This is Buddy as a young puppy playing with a treat ball. He can smell the treats inside the ball, but he can't quite get the hang of how to get to them. It didn't take him long to learn that if he rolled the ball along, the treats fell out and he got to eat them. To begin with though we had to show him - sweet!
He was almost eight weeks old here and just so cute. I can't believe how fast he grew up into the gorgeous adult he is now. Lovely to look back.
Buddy as a tiny pupppy, having eaten his first meal at home. He was so sweet, and there is something so touching when he stops in front of the person, and presents a sit! We had just brought him home from the breeders, and he was probably missing his siblings and mum terribly, but he looks cheerful enough.
He was so small then - I can't believe how big he is now, at the grand old age of almost six! Seeing the video brings back such wonderful memories of his puppyhood.
Buddy, my Labrador takes part in a fun timed retrieve game at the Cold Wet Nose Show. This required him to run down the enclosure, pick up a ball, and then race back. As you can see he wasn't that bothered about how fast he went, and so we didn't win. We did have fun though, which was what the whole day was about, so that was okay.
In this video, you can see dogs taking part in Kong Alley at the Cold Wet Nose Show. This involves dogs being recalled from one end of the alley, and having to run to their owner while resisting the temptation of kongs filled with tasty treats which litter their route.
As you can see, some dogs manage this with more ease than others! Star (Bichon) eventually makes it to her owner, while Buddy (black Labrador) almost reaches his owner before running back up the course to find more kongs!