Toby checking in

Hello again, everyone.
Bet you wondered where I’d got to as you haven’t heard from me for so long, but actually, I have been working very hard learning to be a good dog, and believe me, it’s a lot harder than you’d think!
For one thing, I’ve had to improve on my toilet habits. Yep, and that means remembering to ask to go outside when I need to do something. I think Jenny said something about it being a good time to go to the toilet when we’re out walking, especially in the field, but I still haven’t quite cottoned on to that yet. On the whole, though, although I slip up occasionally, I am a lot better at remembering and when I don’t - then I just hide under the dining table for a while.
Next thing I had to work on was eating. Pretty easy, you’d think, right? Wrong! Apparently, I eat far too quickly. In fact, I’ve finished my food in the time it takes Jenny to put the measuring cup away. Now I thought that was a clever thing to do, but Jenny didn’t agree, especially when I was sick a couple of times, so she bought me a new feeding bowl. It’s a bit of a strange one, actually, because it has three raised bits in it and, guess what? It means I have to chase the food around the raised bits so it takes longer to eat it. What is it with these adults? They can never leave a dog in peace!
When we go out for a walk, that can be a bit tricky too. I get a bit nervous and sometimes I bark at people and other dogs. I don’t mean any harm but Jenny isn’t impressed. She thinks it’s bad manners. Anyway, these days, when we are getting near other people and their dogs, she takes a small treat out of her pocket and, before you know it, I’m concentrating on how soon I can get that and not bothering at all about who else is around. If I walk past without barking, I get the treat. Clever, eh? (Think I might try and carry on with that one!)
And then there’s Paddy, my bestest friend of all. I try and stay near him all the time. If we go out in the garden, I stick to him like glue, if he is lying around in his bed, I bring him toys so that he will play with me, but he seems to get more tired than I do and sometimes, he gets really fed up and gives a bit of a growl. Still, I think he likes having me around, really… usually…
So that’s me, folks, just over six months old and growing fast.
And if you asked Keith, Jenny or Paddy, they would tell you how wonderful I am - well, I think they would… maybe … possibly...

10 comments:

Dale said...

I think you're a delightful wee pup, Toby. I'd love to meet you one day. Percy's birthday is just round the corner. He'll be ONE year old on the 24th. My how time flies!

Jennytc said...

One already, Dale! Bet you don't know how you ever did without him. ;)

Helsie said...

Glad to see you're settling in and growing up. I know just how tiring a puppy can be as we are babysitting our daughter's Border Collie pup for a month. Very early mornings !!!

Cro Magnon said...

I wonder if they make those dog bowls with 20 'raised bits'; our Monty eats like a whirlwind.

Flighty said...

I'm sure that they make allowances as you're still a puppy but they, and you, will be a lot happier when you become a good dog. Flighty xx

Jennytc said...

Jenny has forgotten what a lie in is, Helsie!

Jennytc said...

Only three, I'm afraid, Cro. Could you make him one yourself?

Jennytc said...

Good advice, Flighty. ;)

Butch said...

Dear Toby,
You are very literate for a six month old dog! Good heavens - your use of English suggests you are probably a genius. I am also a dog. I am called Butch and I live in Sheffield. To me life is about having fun. A couple of suggestions for you. 1) Get in the habit of hiding Keith's slippers - chew them to bits if you want to. 2) Bark like crazy whenever Jenny is watching her favourite daytime TV - "The Jeremy Kyle Show" - even though I know she only watches it to update her counselling skills.
Best wishes,
Butch

Jennytc said...

Jeremy Kyle show??? Get real, Butch. When Jenny does watch daytime TV it's to catch up on those weird Scandinavian dramas. She likes to listen to the foreign stuff that the characters speak and read the subtitles at the same time. Keith doesn't like them so she watches them when he is out. I have had a go at his slippers but not got very far with them yet. When I get my grown up teeth though... !

Plaster board and dust

So, we're still no further forward on the British Gas smart meter front and I've given up making non-existent appointments with them...