Well, doesn't time fly - Barney is now 7 months old. He has lost all of his puppy fur except for some tufts behind his ears which make him look just like 'Doc' from 'Back to the Future!!!!!  Barney now travels easily in the car.  He jumps in of his own accord, and has progressed from sitting on the back seats (with me), to the estate part of the car, with us sitting in the front - a great success. 

Barneys' '2-legged sister' had to return to the 'kennel' for some tlc. and to recuperate after an operation.  We were somewhat concerned as to whether Barney would be too boisterous with her - we shouldn't have worried - he seemed to sense that he had to be gentle and aided her recovery.  The weather was lovely and it was time to introduce Barney to the delights of the seaside, so off to Pevensey Bay we went.  After the initial shock at the expanse of beach and water, he soon got into the spirit and before long was frollicking along the sand joyfully meeting other people and dogs (not to mention the windsail surfers in very fetching wetsuits!!).

  Then off for an ice-cream and yes, Barney had one too and loved it!!!!

Barney has just met his first cat, out on the patio - he turned round and ran away!!!!

 Our little chap is now six months old and looking very grown-up.  He is somewhat lacking in the bravery department (on seeing some ducks in the garden, he hid behind the sofa!!) and has to be persuaded that the 'big wide world' outside his garden is really not that bad.  He goes for walks in the fields around us with great joy and confidence, but we were somewhat concerned that his 'big adventure' may have to be curtailed when he refused to go in the car.  Up until recently, we have been picking him up and putting him in a crate in the back of the car.  However, as he has outgrown the crate and is too heavy to pick up we thought it was time for him to start getting into the back of the car.  He was having none of it and obviously very unhappy about the prospect - so time to look in the 'expert' books (remember, I bought 5 of them before Barney arrived) to see what they suggested.  We started off with sitting on the tailgate with him in the back having a game and cuddle (positive re-enforcement the books said) - (barking mad said my neighbours on seeing me spending my afternoons in the back of the car!!!!).  We then progressed to having lunch (Barney that is) in the back of the car (he thought this was fun - not so sure I did), but as soon as we went to close the tailgate he was off like a scared rabbit. We began to fear that we would never get him to accept the car until a moment of inspiration, courtesy of 'Nanna Meow', 'try putting him on the back seat next to you'.  Yes! it worked - he was still unsure, but we took him out to Herstmonceux Castle for a lovely walk in celebration. Each day we go out in the car and he is now eager to go (though very much has to be helped in).  Although it is only April, it has been so warm and it's wonderful to walk over dry fields and in woods covered in bluebells - Barney loves these walks, but still stays close which is lovely.

It is now March and Barney is 5 months old.  He has changed from looking like a puppy to a little dog and continues to grow at an amazing rate.  He is still on 3 meals a day - together with a healthy helping of mud, twigs and any rubbish he finds in the garden!!  Glad to report that he is completely house-trained (no longer needing his newspaper 'to read' at night!!!) 

For the past few weeks it has been constantly raining so his walks (which have to be fairly short so as not to overstretch his legs during this period of rapid growth), have been primarily around the lanes of the village. As a consequence, Barney is now well known in the locality with everyone stopping to stroke him - problem is, he now thinks that this is normal and expects everyone (including postmen, builders and strangers) to say hello. We have continued with his socialisation and introduced him to horses (likes, especially the shetland ponies - more his size), sheep (surprised by the number of them in the field, but then ignored) and bicycles (pedal ok, but motor not sure of the noise). He is still rather scared of cars, but bearing in mind there are no pavements in our village (so we have to walk on the road), making it more difficult for him. 

 We have at last had some spring sunshine and the ground has started to dry out making it possible to take Barney into the fields.  After a couple of walks on the lead, it was the somewhat nerve-wracking time to try him off-lead.  As the clasp released him, my mind was taken back to the first time we let Dougal off-lead - he shot off into the distance chasing a rabbit (and he never, bless him, really changed!!).  Glad to say Barney just trotted along close by rarely straying more than a few feet away.  We have now had numerous, equally successful walks with him - we only hope that it continues (it is such a joy not to be running up and down fields chasing a dog!!). We continue to take him to obedience class - though having done the course (and somewhat failed before) I am keen to get it right, especially as Barney is an obviously intelligent dog who wants to please - long may it last (especially during adolescence!!)

The blog has been rather quiet what with Christmas and one thing and another.   Barney is now 14 weeks old, has had all his vaccinations, been micro-chipped and really started his 'big adventure'.  Our first hurdle to overcome was getting him used to the car.  We put his crate with his bedding in the back of the car, but he really didn't like it.  However, on the advice of the vet, we bought some DAP (dog appeasing pheramone to the uninitiated) which is meant to reproduce the scent of the mother dog and be very calming.  We sprayed his bedding and have to say he was much calmer after that and is now fairly relaxed about travelling in the car (we do wonder if there is a human equivalent!!).  We became a little concerned when we took him to 'puppy party' at the vets, only to find him hiding behind our legs or sat very shyly in the corner.  He soon gained his confidence and by the next week he was joining in with the rough and tumble.

3rd January, was a big day for Barney - his first walk on the lead outside the garden.  We set off out of the driveway only for Barney to put the 'anchors on' and lay down, refusing to budge.  No amount of gentle coaxing could persuade him that this was fun.  So we tried tasty treats (I just happened to have on my person, some freshly cooked chicken - doesn't everyone!!!) - forget it, this was a dog completely 'thrown' by the outside world.  Over the next couple of days we went out every few hours still with very little success.  Then our ingenious daughter came up with the idea of using an extending lead.  We started walking down the lane and when he put the 'anchors on' and laid down, we just carried on walking.  It wasn't long before he realised that we were going away from him and off he trotted to catch up.  Before you knew it we had made it up to the pub (about 500 yards) and as the saying goes 'one small walk for mankind, but a huge leap for canine kind'.  He now walks with a joyful spring in his step having worked out that this is fun - at last.  Our little 'fella' is growing at the most amazing rate - not surprising considering what he eats.  He is on three meals a day now and cleans his bowl up every time.  He is particularly partial to the puppy chicken sauce we bought, to cheer up his kibble.  One day his legs  seem to have grown, then his body catches up - he still has a way to go before he grows into his ears and feet, however!  He is doing well with the housetraining, though apparently my dulcett tones  saying 'Barney be quick' and '0h good boy Barney' can be heard clearly - much to the amusement of the neighbours!

Well, yesterday was 'B day' and time to collect our new furry friend.  Mrs. M. (the breeder) had just bathed the puppies, so they looked unbelievably fluffy.  We could see how much of a wrench it was for her to let them go, but we promised to keep in touch.  On the journey home, Barney kept whimpering, which was heartbreaking.  However, once back and in the garden, his little tail started wagging and we haven't looked back.  He took to his puppy crate instantly - we left the door open and he trots in when he wants a rest.  He is an immensely hungry boy (true to breed!!) and lets you know it, almost doing somersaults as you prepare his food!!!!  He has been incredibly good about going outside for the 'necessary'. 

His 'first night' proved to be a lot better than we had feared.  After a couple of minutes protest at having the cage door shut for the first time, he settled down and slept until just after 4.00am.  He was snuffling around in the cage, so I quickly went outside with him.  We were both back in our respective beds - mission accomplished - in under 2 minutes!!!!!  He settled immediately and slept until 7.00 (a respectable hour I felt) time for another quick dash outside, then back ready for breakfast. The rest of the day has been spent playing in the garden (he is very fond of chasing leaves - kind of handy at this time of year!), naps and eating (he is still on 4 meals a day - wow!!).  The one thing I have learnt from today - how much I had forgotten what it is like to have a puppy - it's more fun and harder work!!!! 

It's Tuesday, 14th November, and we have just been for another visit to see Barney.  He has grown so much and is now playing and running around with his brothers and sisters.  The breeder of the puppies has now allocated the names that they will be registered with at the Kennel Club.  Barney is 'Brodene (family title) Baby Bear'.  How cute and appropriate is that!!!!  It has been pouring with rain today, but the puppies were not daunted by this and tumbled (literally) outside, as we opened the conservatory door.Having towelled him down, time for a cuddle.  Oh my, is he a cuddley one - he just gazed into our faces and snuggled up.  Jonathans' shoe laces proved a great hit with the puppies, once Barney had shown them the way (note: very difficult to move when puppies have found the new game of shoelace undoing!). The puppy crate arrived yesterday.  It is blue mesh (fashionably matches the kitchen floor!), with soft bedding in the base.  We hope he will find it cosy and comfortable.  The decision as to where Barney is sleeping to start off with has been made, and yes, it's with us!!!  Having now read 5 (yes, I do have too much time) books on the subject of raising a puppy, the general concensus seems to be that this is the way to go.  All the puppies are now reserved.  I have to say I am not surprised, though I did think that it might be fun to have another boy as well as Barney.  We could call it Fred (Fred and Barney - Flintstones!!!!) ha ha.  After a wonderful time playing with him, it was even harder to bid our little chap farewell - we really are counting down the time until he comes home!!

ONLY 11 DAYS TO GO!!

Well here we are again. It is 29th October and Barney and his brothers and sisters are just over three weeks old.  Barney is the second light coloured puppy at the front of the basket, up against his sister with the pink dot.  All the puppies are equally adorable, but Barney left the others sleeping to stumble over to us (they have only just started moving around).  I would like to say that he chose us - the fact that his mother had just gone out the door had nothing to do with it!!!!He seemed very relaxed to be with us, taking in our voices and cuddling up.  I can tell that we are going to get very little done when he comes home.  Talking of which, November 26th is 'Barney Day' - 4 weeks to wait.  In the meantime, we have been doing lots of reading as to the best way to look after a new puppy. Times and ideas change - problem is, there is so much conflicting advice.  With regard to puppys' first night home - many (including Victoria Stilwell of 'Its me or the dog' fame), say that puppy should sleep in a dog crate in your bedroom, so that he knows you are there, hopefully reducing the trauma of separation - he can also be easily taken out in the night for his 'bathroom stop' (this is going to be fun at 3.00 am in December!!).  On the other hand, other experts say that the puppy should sleep where you intend him to sleep and he will soon 'get over' the separation, and that if you let him sleep in your bedroom you are creating a problem!!! Both make sense. Looking at the expression on Jonathans' face, I think you can gather that his hardline rule of dogs not being allowed to sleep in the bedroom, has just flown out the window!!!!!  Watch this space as to the sleeping arrangements! We are going to go back to see Barney in a couple of weeks time - just for another cuddle. Really difficult to leave him, but he has a bit more growing to do before he starts his 'big adventure'.