More relatives

A real test for Tommy today. We went round Aunt Mary’s. There were about 20 assorted relatives there of all ages, but mainly drunk! He played with the children quite happily till someone showed him his lead. He then got a bit too excited so I had to calm him down. He let everyone stroke him; the children were loving the way he rolls on his back for fuss! Again, the dog is almost bomb proof. But I suppose when you take your eye off the bomb it goes off…

Staffies

Met the man with the Arsenal staffies this morning. Tommy did have fun! I can remember when I first got Tommy and his bitey face play used to really worry me – it doesn’t anymore, I know it’s all in play, but sometimes I worry about the other dog owners. Most are ok and can see Tommy has no malice, and that their dogs do the same. Some people though you can see that they want me to put him back on lead. It’s a shame more people don’t understand dog language, and when it’s ok to step back and let them be dogs and when you should interfere because it is getting aggressive. I suppose, like everyone else, I am more worried about staffies, (I could watch two jacks all day with no problems), but I am more comfortable than what I was before I started to read the staffies website. Now, although I am wary, I will always look to the staffies owner for guidance on how their dog behaves around other dogs, rather than immediately assume that the staffies will attack. I feel better for it, and just hope that the owner is in control!

Coat condition

When we first got Tommy, his coat felt harsh and wasn’t nice to stroke (although I did, often). The fur on his neck, head and ears was silky smooth though, and I can remember thinking that I hoped the rest of his coat would feel the same. I realised today it does. I’m so happy

Keep on running

Took Tommy for his run tonight. As the nights are darker now, I don’t like running through the alleys’ to get to the bridge to double back along the seafront, so I go along some wide pavements round the office blocks and back along London Road. He’s great to run with past the offices but the London Road? Just too many take aways and chicken bones. It drives me nuts!

Training and Hockley Woods

Training at Rochford. He seems to be coming along well. I got a well done for my choice of grooming product and Tommy got a well done for rolling on his back for ages! Hockley woods after where we saw Masie (after we got lost of course!). A great run round with teeth and growling! They had fun and he slept for most of the evening with us, in his bed, in the front room.

West Wood

It was stormy weather today so not a great dog walking day. We went to West Wood so Tommy could have a run and a sniff. No other dogs were over there and no excitement really. Pet City afterwards for food and treats. He wee’d up the rabbit cages – that’s my boy!

Waggy Walking

‘He really doesn’t like the rain does he?’ says Emma, Tommy’s day care lady. ‘He only had two walks today, and he walked around like he’s shit himself’. So nicely put.

Southend Training

Southend dog training tonight. Completely different from the Rochford training. We done some lead work, off lead (!) work, sits, down-stays and weave work. Tommy is excellent at these exercises if there is some garlic sausage a few mm from his nose! The teacher is obsessed with dogs weaving between legs.

Poor Tommy

Oh my poor boy! Left Tommy for far too long today with only short walk lunchtime. Didn’t get in from work until 6:45 – FAR too long. I hope dad can take him out tomorrow; otherwise he will be impossible tomorrow night. Bless him.

Rochford Training

I made the commitment today and paid for 20 weeks training at Rochford. I do enjoy the training there and he is picking up on the exercises. He sat so well today for so long! I was bored, who only knows how Tommy felt!


We go over the woods after so Tommy can let off steam. A nice walk with friendly dog owners. Not too many fireworks tonight so Tommy almost relaxed. He managed to eat all his dinner for the first time in four nights.

Play time

Had a lovely walk today. Caught the train to Leigh and walked back along the cinder path and beach. Tommy was off lead when we got to Chalkwell and had a much needed ‘dash’ around the beach. He said hello to a Setter that couldn’t keep up, and a JRTx. His owner did not appreciate the mouthy / growly thing Tommy does (although the JRTx didn’t seem to mind!). Back on lead for another 50mtrs till Tommy has forgotten about that dog. We then saw a Newfoundland puppy. Big as a house and ready to play! Oh it’s so nice when owners let their dogs just have fun.

Fireworks...

I love rain! Especially on fireworks weekend. Not so bad tonight as the weather was so bad and after day care Tommy is pretty tired and ready to flop anyway. Tommy spent most the night under the table, but was happy to walk round the block at about 11:00. Luckily no fireworks went off on our way round.

Fireworks still

Bad night bless him! Tommy was fine when I first got in, excited to see me so I thought last night was all forgotten. We walked to the post box and he was fine. On the way back a few very feint fireworks went off and that was it. He was pulling so hard he made himself choke! When we got in he wanted to go in the garden so I went with him. After my cigarette he wouldn’t come back in. Under the fern behind the wormery is obviously the safest place to hide. I got him back in after about 15 minutes of coercion and blackmail. Then back to pacing. Up and down the flat with a slight pant. I decided to do my ironing (just act as if everything is normal) and opened the door to the bedroom to get the clothes. Whoosh! He was under that bed like a… well… scared JRT! Nothing was going to move him until b/f came in ½ hour later. ‘Hello Tommy, where did you appear from?’ ‘Shut the door’ I called out. ‘Why?’ ‘Just shut the bedroom door will you?’ Too late. Tommy had retreated back to the safe under the bed place. We made tea and made our way outside for a cigarette. Tommy came too and was happy enough in position 1 under the fern. We got him back in eventually, and managed to keep him out of the bedroom. He spent the rest of the night under the table in the front room. I took him for a quick walk at about 10:15 when it had all calmed down considerably. He wasn’t happy about it, but at least with his halter on he didn’t choke. Quick wee and in. Boyfriend and I decided to let him sleep under the table, as it was his safe place. Looks like I’ll be in over the weekend. Not that I’m that bothered to be honest. I’m not keen on fireworks either.

Fireworks

I hate this time of year! I hate kids, I hate fireworks and I hate the irresponsible shopkeepers that sell fireworks to kids! Thought I would take Tommy for a run tonight, as I didn’t want a repeat of last night’s restlessness. We got to the small park by the bridge and a few fireworks had gone off. Tommy seemed fine and was settling into a good run. Then from the park a firework went off. Angled over the road and hit the wall of the school! How dangerous and stupid kids are. It missed me by about 3 foot, but over the road there was a mom, child of about 5, one in a pram and grandma and it was only about 2 foot from them! The child started to scream and I could see the firework doing its stuff on the floor. Tommy decided flight would be the best option and my! Did he speed up. I managed to calm him down just the other side of the railway tracks and asked the first person I saw if they had a phone on them. They didn’t but I told them my tale and they assured me they would call the police when they got in. We carried on with our run and Tommy settled into a good pace. Another firework went off close by (who knows how – we were down the seafront by then!) so more flight. I wasn’t impressed. A very quick run and back home. He was so scared he didn’t eat his dinner until after his late night walk. Now we will have the joys of having a firework scared dog. And I thought it was all going so well.

Meeting the relatives

Big day for Tommy and I today. We went to visit b/f brother. Shouldn’t be a big deal, but I wanted Tommy to make a good impression. He had the runs in the morning so that obviously put me on edge, but it did seem to all clear up by lunchtime so after training we went round. As normal, he was good as gold and my fears were completely unfounded. When we walked in he headed straight for the stairs ‘no’ and he stopped. He sniffed around a bit but didn’t even attempt to get on the furniture. We let him in the garden and he started to run. I shouted ‘steady’ and he slowed immediately. Sniffed the chickens and then the rest of the garden. He’s such a good boy.