Happy New Year

Hello,

Bruce wants you all to know that he is feeling much more himself now and that he should be able to write to you all again (God and epilepsy willing) very soon. In the meantime, we wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

with love,

Bruce and family xxx

Bruce Again

Hi everyone,

Well, Bruce had a fit free night (hooray!). We did up his dose of Epiphen slightly (vet permitted) which stopped the fits but didn't stop the pacing, or stop him from standing over me and panting in my face for aeons or circling the chair I had moved to so that he couldn't pant in my face...so I am exhausted.

This morning, Bruce had his morning cuddle (which he was too agitated to do yesterday). We had to go through the palaver of him sicking up the tabs and me getting them inside him again (I'll spare you the details) and he has gradually come back to himself during the day. When we got home from his walk HE WENT TO SLEEP so I did too (aaaaaaah! Bliss!) and when he woke up he rolled on his back and showed off his tummy and smiled a cheesy smile and I almost burst into tears because he had turned into my boy again.

regards,

Bruce's Mummy xxx

Healing Thoughts Needed

Please send calming and peaceful thoughts to Brucie - he fitted the night before last and has fitted 5 times today so far. Vet says that as Bruce has been sick a couple of times an hour after his tabs, his blood level may have dropped so we have given tabs and fed together. Also, Mike said he can have the dose put up if he doesn't settle but none of this want to do this as it would eb a very high dose and so sedating it would affect his quality of life (some of you may remember we tried this before and it was horrible for him - and us).

It's not fair, we take advice and do all the right things by him and it still happens - epilepsy is a b*gger, huh.....

thanks for letting me share....

Bruce's Mummy x

Happy Christmas!

Hello,

I would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to all my readers. I have had a lovely day - I saw Oscar on my walk, I had Uncle Ricky here to play with, I got presents and I stole the leftovers of the turkey (Mummy said it was lucky she had bought a boneless breast joint and not a whole bird) so I got roundly told off - it was delicious though (hee hee)!!!

I need to go to sleep now as I have a full tummy and My People are sleepy because they have drunk lots of wine.

I hope you have all had a peaceful and happy day,

speak to you soon,

Bruce xxx

Brrr...

Hello everyone,

It’s very cold at the moment and very foggy too. Mummy and I were up the woods at sunset the other day when the fog came down and the mist in the woods was all pink and purple and the fog made the outside world disappear like the wood was an island. Mummy said it was magical. When we came out, it was nearly dark so we had to go home slowly and carefully – Mummy says that she swears Uncle Benjamin was walking with us to keep us safe (he was the dog before me).

I had a fit the other night – My People say I was champing and I paddled so much I looked like I was running the Marathon. When I woke up, I wondered why the light was on (it was the middle of the night) and why they were staring at me…then I paced….and paced….and paced…then I settled. My People were very tired the next day, and so was I!

Today, Mummy had a day off because a repairman (The Bog Fixer!!!) was coming – we had a nice walk with Auntie Geri and Melody. It was cold and foggy and Mel didn’t like the cold, even though she had her coat on (I don’t need a coat because I am so furry). I like to jump in the water when it is really cold but I got told that I mustn’t do it.

I have cuddled my Mummy lots and lots today and I jumped in bed with Auntie Angie and all three of her children and cuddled them and now I am going to have a cuddle with my Auntie. Bruce like cuddles!

regards and lots of love,

Bruce xxx

Winter Days

Hello again

I have had a quiet week. I haven’t seen Melody at all. Though I did meet Emily yesterday. She was so pleased to see me that she was whimpering and she tried and tried to tell Troy to play with me but he still kept trying to bite my tail and I got cross and growled at him and after that all was chaos as he snapped and I wound him up and Mummy said I had to leave him (I wasn’t touching him, honest – just gong round him in circles – he HATES that!!! Tee hee) so Mummy said we had to go a different way which she was secretly pleased about because she wanted to listen to the radio anyway. Auntie Raye says we will definitely have a walk with just her and my Emily soon so I am looking forward to that.

Mummy was trying to have a peaceful night in last night – we already had one week alone together in the week when Auntie went out – and she saw the first part of The X Factor final and then wanted to go upstairs to play a computer game and I called her downstairs because there were fireworks and then Auntie Angie came round. She was all drunk and kept wanting to tell Mummy how great she is and that she loves her and kept giving her cuddles – so I joined in with all the cuddles and kissed Angie too.

Today, we had a lovely walk in the winter sunshine and when Mummy got home, Auntie said that Auntie Judy was coming over. Mummy wasn’t pleased. The visit went ok but Judy just gets on my People’s nerves…

The news of The Mother was mixed as usual – she might have to go into hospital, and one minute she can’t walk two feet and then she can walk down the road to a restaurant for Christmas Dinner. We don’t understand…

It’s difficult for My People at this time of year – it’s the same for Auntie Angie. When you have an ‘ordinary’ family, my Mummy says, you don’t realise how uncomfortable things can be for people whose families have come apart…but Mummy says she has me and Auntie and that’s all she needs (and Uncle Ricky of course!!)

Regards to all,

Bruce xxx

Smile...

Hello again

Not much to report. The weather is very strange – one day it is cold and clear, and the next day it is very very windy and rainy. Me and mummy have our walk anyway.

I have been meting various friends and dogs I don’t know so well and mostly I have been a good boy – Mummy tells me very firmly that I have to sit for her and so I do – I might say something rude as they pass me by, but at least I don’t move or pull her.

Family-wise, there is no news about The Mother, Uncle Rick is still in his job, Auntie Judy tried to apologise to Mummy for saying she was coming over the other week and then not turning up or letting us know she wasn’t coming and just aggravated Mummy some more by saying she had been put on the scrapheap because she wasn’t asked on Rick’s birthday lunch when she had previously said that she doesn’t like (a) going out with Rick and (b) spending time indoors in the daytime. Poor Mummy – two Saturday mornings running she has had her bath disturbed by phone calls and Judy has annoyed her….

The decision about Mummy’s work has been postponed again – they might have to wait until the New Year to see of they still have jobs or it might even be next Summer…Mummy is a stressed bunny so I am playing with her lots and lots and giving her lots of cuddles so she will smile.

Auntie has her own dramas but I can’t tell you about that without her permission….it’s about a boy……..

Regards to all,

Bruce xxx

Full Moon

Hello

I have been a bit of a naughty boy for the last few days - Mummy says I always am around the Full Moon - awooooooooo!

I met Loki the Husky Cross and mini Cooper the JRT who belong to Auntie Geri's daughter, Alex. Cooper gave Mummy a big toothy grin and showed me his tummy. Loki just kind of did his own thing but there was too much sharing of Mummy's attention for my liking so, half way through the walk, and after she had patted Loki twice, I started to chase him in the growly way I used to play with Emily - Mummy says that other dogs don't like this and I am not to do it. She made us turn around and walk a different way while Auntie Geri and Alex continued their walk - little did she know that she had played right into my paws as I was getting a longer walk and getting her to myself. Tee hee.

Today, we walked with Auntie Geri and Melody and I was good most of the time, apart from chewing on Melo's ears (which gets attention from both the People - which is good!). When we reached the road, I was pulling because I didn't like them being in front so Auntie Geri went off again so Mummy could "use this as a training opportunity" and Mummy wouldn't let me walk forward at all unless I walked nicely. Both of my people are starting to be really strict about that and Mummy says that I am getting to be all grown up now and therefore I need to learn to be 'at least a bit' sensible. Harrumph!

Mummy should hear about whether she gets to keep her job next week so please keep your fingers and paws crossed for her. She says that even though she gets fed up sometimes, she enjoys helping patients and anyway, it pays well for part-time work and I am used to the routine and she has lots of friends there so she does want to keep her job.

regards to all,

Bruce xxx

Proper Walks!!!!!!!!!

Hello

I am soooo happy to be allowed off the lead at last! Mike the vet took out the stitches (that I hadn’t managed to remove myself) on Monday and also took my blood test (Auntie says he phoned and my blood levels have dropped but are still within ranger – Mummy says she knew they had dropped because I am so much more lively - me, I am just enjoying life!). The weather has been lovely for the last two afternoons and Mummy and I have had lovely walks. It’s brilliant to be allowed in puddles again and today, I even got to go down to The Pit and have a paddle in the water – it was great!

I have soooo enjoyed having a fris with my Auntie in the mornings too.

My People say that I have got a bit ‘tudy because they have spoiled me too much and I have not been coming right away when mummy calls me and have growled a bit when told what to do so they have been making me do lots of recalls and sits and downs and traingingy bits so that I will remember, they say, that they are in charge and not me – I know that, I just felt like rebelling, that’s all…I might get my act together soon (I have apologised to Auntie)…I will have to see how I feel!

Regards to all,

Bruce, xxx

At Last!

I am a proud Mummy. Bruce was a very good boy at the vets today and walked nicely into the back to have his stitches out and his blood taken and he has been behaving well at the vets while we have been going backwards and forwards getting his wound checked and bandages redone. Now, I am proud to report that his leg is all better and he can go off the lead and run and play once again – HOORAY!!!

Bruce's Ma xxx

Get Better Soon...Please!!!!

Hello everyone, my Mummy has done a good job of keeping you all up with my news, I hope.

I went to the vets on Thursday night. I am so full of energy that I don’t know what to do as all these lead walks aren’t suiting me, and me and Mel squabble when she comes with us and we are both on the lead and then Mummy gets cross with us both, and I charged at the taxi and got the wrong door and bounced into the vet and Mummy was embarrassed but I JUST NEED A GOOD RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike was pleased with my wound. Mummy had trimmed my bandage because having it on my foot was impossible – I couldn’t go to loo without getting it wet – and also my claws had come through the end and fluffy stuff was escaping. When we got there, there was a Labrador who had a bandage like mine with the foot still on and his was filthy like mine had been and Mummy said that made her feel better and both the Mummies were laughing about the nightmare of having a bandage on their dogs’ feet.

Mike put a new bandage on which I thought was beyond a joke. I started picking at it on the way home and got told off, and I tried to pick at it in the evening and got told off. Mummy said that I would have that away when she was at work on Friday and she was right – I shredded it and left it all over the floor. My People got me some new bandage themselves but I keep pulling that off now so they are making me keep dry (which meant two short short walks today) but so long as I don’t pull out the stitches (I did try!), they are letting me leave it without a bandage. Hooray!

I can get the stitches out on Monday and then I can be off the lead and sniff and run and bundle through hedges and pee on tuskets all I like. I can’t wait!

Well, I am off to throw toys at my Auntie now.

Regards to all my friends,

Bruce xxx

Fed Up Brucie

Bruce's Ma here again...Bruce now has a fetching purple bandage on after pouncing on a conker on Monday and getting his leg re-bandaged. He had to do road walks for the last couple of days - luckily, Mel and Auntie Geri came with us yesterday so that cheered him up a bit, but today it was raining hard so he didn't walk at all - when I took him out to toilet, the bag I had put on the sore leg was burst by his claws, which have bust through the bandage. Bruce kept me company while I did some housework (I would much prefer to be out walking - same as him!) but when he tried to play, he fell over so he was even more fed up and he ended up climbing on my lap and going to sleep.

Bless...

We are off to the vet again tomorrow so hopefully he can have a smaller bandage with his foot free.

Bruce sends his regards and says a special hello to Wendy and thanks for your kind thoughts,

Bruce's Ma x

a quick note

to say that Bruce now has a bandage all over his typing leg but I will try to update you tomorrow...he is ok though and he sends his love

Bruce's Ma

On the mend!

Hi all,

Auntie here. Bruce's typing toe is still getting better so I said I would post for him tonight.

Bruce has had to have lead walks because of his sore toe and becuase of this he has a little but too much energy! After getting his leg nicly bandaged up by the nice nurse he managed to stick his leg in a puddle the next day! Luckily he didn't get his sore toe wet and the vet said we could leave the bandage off, he did give us a fright though.

Bruce has had to share his walks for the last few days with his friend Melody as Melody's mum is on a course. This was ok to start with but after three days of sharing his Mummy Bruce is not too happy. Today on our walk he decided enough was enough and when I tried to take his lead and Mummy took Melody's he decided to take action! He towed me across to Mummy and firmly planted himself between Mummy and Melody! I can see where he is coming from, sharing your Mummy is never a nice thing but still!!! We had a few words and in the end he decided walking with Auntie was an ok thing to do but this was only after Mummy had put him straight!!!! Big ol baby!

I have left Bruce and Mummy playing "Squeeky catos" downstairs so all is right with the worlld!

We are off to the vets with young sir tomorrow evening for a check up so we will let you know how he gets on.

Take care,

Auntie xx

Sore Leg!

Brucie can't post today because his typing leg has been injured so it's Mummy here!





On Wednesday morning, Auntie took Bruce out to play Frisbee and when they got home, Bruce's leg was quivering. There was blood but Auntie couldn't see a cut on his paw so she figured it was just a nick and went to work. When I got home, I rolled Bruce on his back and the pad on one one of his legs was split in two. I booked him in at the vet, thinking we would just get it bandaged, and bless him, Mike stayed late to see Bruce especially, but he said that Bruce would have to come in on Thursday to get his pad stitched up properly.





Yesterday, I put Bruce in the doggy ambulance and wept as he went off down the road, all bewildered because he was not in the seat and I was not going with him. We had a horrible day without him and collected him at 6, when he was all doped up with Valium and wooing away and didn't like me at all!





Half way through the evening, he remembered that he loves his Mummy and today he is at home, still wooing, with his Auntie.





Let's hope he gets better soon!





Brucie sends regards





Bruce's Ma xxx

Something To Show You

On the first day of creation, God created the dog.

On the second day, God created man to serve the dog.

On the third day, God created all the animals of the Earth to serve as potential food for the dog.

On the fourth day, God created honest toil so that man could labor for the good of the dog.

On the fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that the dog might or might not retrieve it.

On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog healthy and the man broke.

On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but He had to walk the dog.

Today I Am Mostly Being...Good

Hello

Well, the fireworks calmed down during the week but they have been quite bad over the weekend. We were lucky on Friday night, because they had just got started and then it tipped down with rain so they stopped. Saturday was quite bad but there was lots of good telly so Mummy didn’t mind me being on her lap all evening (though she gets cross if I keep shuffling about and pushing my paws into her) and she organised their meal early so that she could sit with me (good ol’ Mummy). Last night was also bad for a while and then the cats from two houses away were yowling in my garden in the night so I had to bark at them (it’s my duty) so Mummy’s sleep was disturbed and she’s not happy…

On Saturday, we met Melo on the way back from her walk and then Mummy and Auntie Geri stood outside the new bungalow for aaages talking - so I whinged and poked Mummy with my nose because I was bored and I wanted my lunch! Mummy says I am rude sometimes and have bad manners.

We saw a dog that looks just like my friend Oscar and even though she was a new dog to us, I did not pull or lunge or growl so Mummy was pleased with me. Then we met the Little Brown Thing who belongs to That Weird Woman. The Little Brown Thing ran up to me full pelt and That Weird Woman was nowhere in sight. This makes Mummy cross as she says that letting your dog off the lead is one thing but being unable to see your dog is another thing entirely – she uses words like irresponsible and ‘just plain dumb’!

That Weird Woman is called Weird because she always wears a skirt and tights over the fields, whatever the weather, and she forgets she has met you before and asks stupid questions and also because she has a stupid voice (all this according to Mummy). Mummy doesn’t like her and I don’t like her dog who hasn’t been socialised and says rude things to me. Mummy gave us the chance to make friends but let’s just say that it didn’t work out so I chased him away. Mummy was pleased with me when she called me and I came straight back to her – That Weird Woman met us and said to Mummy that her dog is friendly and 'Just Wants To Play' but that’s not the impression I got! Mummy told her that I just don’t like her dog (true!) in the hope that she might keep her dog away from me.

Uncle Rick didn’t get that job so he is upset. There is still no news about The Mother. Auntie Judy keeps changing her story and apparently didn’t even know what sort of doctor was treating The Mother (she thought he was a Cardiologist but he’s ”just” a Geriatrician) so now she wants her to see a heart doctor. My People think she should be left in peace if her health is that bad, but Judy won’t listen to that…

Today I walked with Auntie Geri and Melo for part of my walk again. Before that, I met the cute Basset puppy and sat nicely but muttered at her and I could sense Mummy's disappointment, and so when I met a brand new Spaniel who kept woofing at me, I sat good as gold and said nothing and Mummy was very pleased with me indeed and made a huge fuss of me so that was lovely!!

I hope you are all well,

Regards to all

Bruce xxx

Sssshhhh...

Hello all!

Well, thank goodness the fireworks seem to be going quiet now – but I rather like climbing onto Mummy’s lap for a cuddle so I still keep doing it!

I have been doing better at being polite to other dogs. I still mutter things under my breath, which Mummy says is rude, but I don’t lunge at them and pull her off her feet any more. I like it when she says “Look at me” in that silly voice, and I like getting a treat for being good. She has been playing with me lots too on our walks, and that is fun.

Yesterday, Mel met us halfway round our walk. Auntie Geri has a date for her move and Mummy is going to bring Mel with us on our walks that weekend so I am looking forward to that.

We are waiting to hear about The Mother who had more tests today. Mummy’s friend Carol’s Mum is in hospital poorly and Mummy offered to look after her dog Molly but that Mother is doing better now so it doesn’t look like she will need us just yet (God willing, Mummy says).

Mummy had an asthma attack at work today and she is very tired (though I got a nice cuddle). Auntie is going to play with me soon though – I was playing Fetch on my walk but I still have energy to burn. I have to go as she might want my Squeaky Cattos and it is MY Squeaky Cattos! I like to pretend she is going to be allowed to have it and then rush past her so she has to chase me for it. That’s a good game!

Regards to all

Bruce xxx

I Hate Fireworks!

Hello everyone

I am sorry to have gone quiet on you but I have spent most evenings this week on my Mummy's lap because there are so many fireworks crashing and banging and I HATE them!

Poor Mel cut her foot last week so she has to stay on the lead - by midweek, she was going crazy so Mummy suggested to Auntie G that Mel would hurt it more by kangarooing around the house than she would by having an on-lead plod so Auntie G brought her out. I kept menacing her because (a) I wanted her to come off the lead and play and (b) Mummy doesn't pay me much attention when Mel and Auntie G are there and if I am naughty, then she speaks to me. Mummy started doing little bits of training with me as we were walking along, like she does when it is just the two of us, and I liked that so I behaved myself a bit better.

Apparently the family funeral went OK and The Mother got there at the right time. She nearly behaved - her and Auntie J had a bit of a squabble in the middle of the service but it sounds like that is more J's fault than The Mother's.

Mummy has been reading about other dogs who like to lunge at new dogs (and some dogs they know) and now she keeps making me do things when a dog passes by. She keeps making me sit and lie down and sit again, which I like because I get a reward, or she makes me watch her - she kept saying "Watch me" and I didn't like that so now she goes "Look at me..." in a funny voice like the lady on Kath And Kim and then I look at her and she is pleased. She was most pleased with me, though, on the day of the sunset: Mummy wanted to watch a beautiful sunset and she had classical music on her radio and she told me that I wasn't to ruin her sunset. A strange Spaniel was approaching but Mummy had me on the lead and in a sit and she had her back to it and clearly wasn't bothered, and when I moved she told me firmly to sit and stop mucking about so I just gave a little rumble but hardly pulled her. Then Max went past us (he was with his Master and not his stupid Mistress who says "He doesn't like walking past him" and makes me walk past him, which Mummy says is out of order when she is the one with the young strong dog to do battle with (blooming cheek) and all that woman has to do is coax her ancient bag of bones along). Anyway, as you know, I hate Max (so does Mummy because he used to beat up Uncle Benjamin when he was old - Mummy says the fact that Uncle Benjamin used to beat up Max when he was younger is irrelevant as Max always started it and anyway, Uncle Benjamin never started a fight but he sure could finish one), but Mummy wasn't for moving so I had to sit nicely and just mutter under my breath so she could look at the sunset - so I did so, I was good, and she was very pleased with me.

Uncle Rick had an interview for a new job after all and it is a better job in a better place for more money so we all hope that he gets it. He also got a decent amount out of the insurance people for his stolen bike so he is pleased.

Mummy went to a fireworks display yesterday with Uncle Rick and Auntie Judy and she came home a bit stressed - I had been sitting with my Auntie so I was OK but I was glad that Mummy's lap came home and climbed aboard!

Well, I have to go as it is getting dark and the whizzbangs will start soon.

regards to all,

Bruce xxx

Well, today it was Mummy's asthma bothering her - I think she is stressed so I will give her lots of opportunities to play with my squeakies and that will make her feel better.





I met two lovely 7 month old girl Cocker Spaniel puppies today - one of them has hip dysplasia and isn't allowed to walk much so she goes up to the school in a pushchair! I had a snuffle and a flirt with both of them and Mummy said I am a cradle snatcher...





We saw Carol, who is Maisie's Mummy, and I tried to climb in her car and then ran in her house and fetched Maisie out, and then we walked around a field together. After that, me and Mummy went for our proper walk and it was getting dark when we got home and it was only 5 p.m.





No fireworks so far...paws crossed...





regards to all





Bruce xxx

Slow Recovery

My Mummy is slowly getting better but she still isn’t right so I have not liked to ask her to come upstairs and do my piccies for me this week, and I don’t like to post without a piccy so I have kept quiet…

Have you missed me?

At the start of the week, I had not seen many of my friends for ages and I had disgraced myself when I saw Max. I have had a much better week this week. It started much the same – Mummy was still going to work feeling horrible and dragging herself around our walks, it rained a bit and we weren’t having that much fun. Mummy was worried for The Mother when we heard that her Auntie Peggy has died. Judy didn’t want to take The Mother to the funeral but Mummy said that she should as Mummy was very close to Auntie Peggy so Judy reluctantly agreed. My People arranged to send flowers as per Auntie Judy’s instructions, which was fine until Mummy saw the local paper and came home ranting to me about how stupid Auntie Judy is because she had got it all wrong – the flowers were going to the wrong place at the wrong time and more importantly, she would have got The Mother there half an hour late and missed the funeral!!! My People sorted it all out so that should smooth things for The Mother – who is now, apparently, saying that she doesn’t want to go…which Mummy says is typical and that you can’t help some people!

Poor Uncle Rick rang up on Tuesday night all upset because somebody has stolen his motorbike. Auntie had coffee with him yesterday and she said that it is funny how things work out because his workmates have all been really nice to him about it and now he is feeling happier in his work and might stay in the job after all…

On Wednesday, it was rainy and horrible. I dived through a hedge and caught a rabbit and Mummy shouted and shouted at me so that I wouldn’t eat it…and I REALLY wanted to. I would walk away a few inches from it and try to go to her, and then feel myself pulled back - then she’d holler again. In the end, I knew that she wasn’t going to let me have it so I reluctantly walked away. After that, she kept tormenting me by saying I had been acting like a real wolf dog and saying “I’m a real boy” in what she said was a Pinocchio voice. I didn’t think it was funny…

On Thursday, Mummy and I were about to go for our walk when her phone buzzed and she had a message from Auntie Geri. She and Melody came for a walk - it was brilliant to see Melody again and I ran and ran after her to try to round her up and was too tired even to be too scared of the fireworks in the evening! On Friday, Mummy scheduled an Annual Leave day to rest because she is so bored of being poorly. She slept really late – I tried to wake her but she cuddled me and settled down again so I cuddled her right back and snoozed too. When we did emerge, we met Auntie Raye and Emily and Troy. The People sat on the log and talked for ages so I mostly hung out with my Emily while Auntie Raye held on to Troy. It was lovely to see her again and I didn’t even mind when Emily gave my Mummy a kiss and cuddle – Mummy told me later that she had a kiss off Troy as well, but luckily for all concerned, I missed that because I was being with my Emily, who I love.

After another snooze, we went for an afternoon walk, and we saw Melody and Auntie Geri again – poor Melody had cut her foot while chasing a rabbit but she was still in good spirits. Auntie Geri is going to move into a bungalow that is just behind her old house – we are pleased because we were afraid that she would have to leave the village to find a new home. We had a nosy around the outside of the new place (she hasn’t got the key yet) and the lady from next door stuck her head out to see what we were doing. She ended up letting us into the back garden so while The People talked about gardens and decorating and boring things like that, me and Mel had a good sniff and a run around and decided that we can live with being there. I was a bit worried in case me and Mummy were moving there as usually if we go to an empty place, it’s a The Holiday place, but it was ok, we got to go home afterwards.

I don’t like all the fireworks that keep going off. Last night, Auntie was babysitting so it was just me and Mummy but she spoke kindly to me and I was brave.

Today, we had a lovely walk and I played with a great big Tree – there are a couple of video links here:

http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k214/bexmana/?action=view&current=P1270069.flv

http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k214/bexmana/?action=view&current=P1100214.flv

one of them is me playing with My Tree so I hope it works.

I hope you are all well,

Regards to all my friends,

Bruce xxx

Croak

Me in The Wood

Hello

Mummy is feeling a little better but her voice doesn't work so I don't want to keep her long.

Our week went like this - Mummy kept missing the bus and coming home late but I coped and didn't make a fuss. We have been having nice walks and it has been sunny up until today, when it rained. One day, we mat Max the ancient Labrador. Mummy said I had to walk past him nicely but me and Max don't like each other (Mummy says he used to beat up Uncle Benjamin when he was an old dog)


Uncle Benjamin when he was old


and I was walking past him nicely but then I got cross and I jumped at him and tried to nip his neck. Mummy was very very firm with me and she made me back off and then lie down and spoke very sternly to me. she says that I can't behave like that, no matter if I am provoked. i didn't like that but she IS the boss...sigh....

We met Oscar the Pointer yesterday and I showed Mummy how I can be a perfect gentleman and she was pleased with me and praised me all the way home...that's better...

Family news - The Mother sent a horrible birthday message to Auntie and she was upset. Otherwise, Auntie enjoyed her birthday and liked her presents - I sent her a tiara and earrings set which she keeps wearing in the house. Unce Ricky and Mummy took her out for a meal yesterday and my people came home stuffed. He hasn't found a new job yet, Auntie is alright at hers but fancies one of her colleagues and talks and talks and talks about him (and talks and talks...), and Mummy's workplace has announced that they have to find another 250 redundancies (or 1 in 10) so Mummy is a bit anxious about that.

And I am unhappy about the fireworks that have already started around here...

regards to all

Bruce xxx

Would You Believe...

....they are STILL poorly. Also there have been fireworks tonight so I am in a sulk. Me and Mummy will try to talk to you all properly tomorrow.





regards





Bruce xxx





yes, very funny Mummy, putting an embarrassing puppy picture up. Harrumph...

Mummy Is Still Suffering...

...but at least Auntie is on the mend. Mummy is a bit better but she says her friend at work is still suffering and sleeping extra too so she is not the only one.

I am a lucky boy because Mummy always takes me out, even if she is ill. I have been meeting Juno over the fields and have walked nicely with her and have tried to listen to Mummy if I have got a bit bumptious and she has said that I will have to go on the lead if I cannot be nice. I also have a nice new collar now to go with my new lead so I am a lucky boy.

I still can't bring myself to behave well around Troy though.

My people are feeling very stressed right now. Poor Uncle Rick is unhappy in his new job and thinks that he will have to leave, Mummy heard today that she and her colleagues may have to reapply for their jobs as their workplace may be 'restructuring' (Mummy says they are doing this so that they will not have to pay for redundancies when everybody knows that they need to find 200 redundancies). Mummy is worried because her sickness record was bad last summer when some building work at The Work kept aggravating her asthma and she has been disciplined this year for her sickness record so she thinks that they will get rid of her. She already has a big overdraft so she is worried.

Also, The Mother is more ill than ever with fluid in her abdomen which Mummy says is a Bad Sign...

I keep cuddling my people and offering them my Squeaky Cattos and other toys to cheer them up.

Mummy and Auntie say that we will be alright whatever happens because we have each other...

I love my people.

regards to all

Bruce xxx

And They Are Still Poorly People...

They are still poorly people. Bless Mummy, she is still giving me my walks but she draags herself round as she is getting so tired. At least it is the weekend now so we can be together and she can rest in between bouts of being with me.

We keep dancing to the Scissor Sisters song - I DO feel like dancing if there's a fuss and a reward in it for me :)

regards to all

Bruce xxx

Still Poorly People And Dead Bunny

I am only writing a little bit tonight as my people are both poorly and they need me.

I killed a bunny earlier. Mummy wasn't too impressed and I don't understand why she wouldn't let me stay and eat it. I was drooling and everything - I was having a 'real dog' moment! - but she made me leave it and walk away. I must admit that I snuck back a couple of times but she was very firm with me - I didn't touch it again, I just stood over it (it was MINE!!!)but she said I had to 'come along' and when I did, she led me away on my nice new lead.

Harrumph...

I hope you are all well,

regards,

Bruce xxx

Poorly People

Hello all

Thank you to Mummy for filling in for me. I am not going to write much tonight as she needs my cuddles as she is feeling very grotty and so is Auntie. I had my buzzy head at the weekend and was rather rude to Troy (I don't dislike him, it's just that he lives with my Emily and doesn't seem to understand that she is MY Emily), which Mummy said was a shame as we started off being polite together. I don't know what gets into me sometimes, I get a buzzy head and I get all moody and then misbehave. Mummy says she will have to just keep me away from other dogs when I am like it because I clearly can't help myself.

Yesterday, I met my friends Buster and Little Bruce over the fields. Mummy and their Person stood talking for ages and I played well with them and wasn't naughty at all so Mummy was pleased with me. Even when Buster snapped at me, which he sometimes does, I did not snap back, and when the two of them play-fought, I just bundled in between them to try to break up the fight as it was worrying me (I do this if my People are having a tickle fight). Little Bruce the Staffy is funny because he keeps barking at me - he even gave me some kissies before we parted! Bless...

Apparently his Man Bits cross over and he might need to have an operation...doesn't bear thinking about.....

On the way home, we met Juno and her Daddy. At the weekend, I was rude to her and Mummy made me walk on the lead but apart from mugging her when I greeted her (and getting told off for it!), I walked nicely with her and our People chatted. Juno is looking good on her new diet (she's a black Labrador) and we got on so well, walking and sniffing together, that I might have to re-instate her as my girlfriend.

Do you think it is greedy to have three girls on the go at one time? My heart belongs to Emily but I do like a flirt with my other 'birds' (Mummmy says 'no hanky panky, but I wouldn't dream of it and anyway, they have had something done to them so they are not that sort of girls, she says. That stuff is off the menu. I'm not like that, anyway - Bunny was the only lover for me!!! In those days, I was Mr 7 Times A night!!!).

Poor Mummy and Auntie are still going to work even though they have horrible cold/flu type bugs. Mummy is still walking me too - we had a long walk today because the farmer kept getting in the way so Mummy is shattered now.

I hope you are all well.

Regards,

Bruce xxx

Quickie

Just a quick note (sneaking at work) to tell you all that Bruce is back to his usual self - not aggressive at all, he played with two boy dogs who kept play-fighting and was all waggy tail and talking but no nastiness and he even walked nicely with Juno instead of beating her up like he sometimes does so I am feeling much better about him. He was sick twice last night but hey, he is always puking, nothing new there, he probably picked up something skanky that he shouldn't have - he still ate his supper!

Bruce didn't write last night because I am a bit poorly and was too tired to help him - he was very sad as he wanted to tell you all about Little Bruce and Buster and Juno - hopefully I can find the energy to help him tonight (atchoo!sniff!cough!) and remember to take the camera on our walk and get some nice autumn pics.

regards to all

Bruce's Mummy

Another Fit

Hello

Bruce's Mummy here again

Bruce is not himself today so I am writing this for him. He had another fit in the early hours of this morning. He was an irritable boy yesterday - we met Emily and Troy, and Bruce started off ok but then he really bullied young Troy and even muttered at me when I took him away from him. He was not right all day - he didn't want his morning cuddle to end, which was lovely, but concerning, he was picky about his snacks, he was good about giving his Frisbee back to me when he usually plays silly beggars and tries to make me chase him, he was extra sleepy...he just wasn't Bruce.

In the early hours of this morning, he tried to climb on top of me and then keeled over and hit the ground with a bang and started fitting. It was only a brief fit, thank God, but still too soon after the last one for our liking.

I have a feeling that the phenobarbitone levels have dropped in his bloodstream. When Bruce was a puppy, he was a very fussy eater, but phenobarb has a side effect of making dogs extra hungry and thirsty and Bruce has been a greedy so and so since he went on them. Lately, he is eating less and begging less. He also seems less sedated - he is more lively and more naughty, which again is lovely (apart from he also hints at being aggressive and needs reminding how to behave rather more than he did before) but isn't, I accept, necessarily a good sign in terms of his sedation level...and sadly, he needs the sedation to control his fits.

My other worry is that part of his pre-fit 'aura' does seem to be this bullying, borderline aggressive streak - it's nothing major, no teeth-baring or snarling or anything, my last two dogs could be much meaner if they were minded to (Beauty with anyone who tried to take her bone and The Old Fella particularly with my brother, who still enjoys telling the tale of the day Benj killed a bunny and he tried to take it from him. However, this behaviour is just not Bruce - he has always been a bit of a playground bully, but that's more a socialisation thing - unfortunately there wasn't a bigger, older dog around to put him in his place at the stage in his adolescence when he needed it! But any aggression in a dog this size needs to be controlled, I know - yet how do you train it out of a dog who's only doing it because - and crucially when - he is sick?

Anyway, I just thought that I would let you know that Bruce is ok - he has been pacing a lot but has settled down now, he has seen Emily and Troy several times in the last few days and has had requests from both of his girlfriend's owners for a walk sometime soon, he saw Juno and was polite to her so all is reasonably well.

Of course, he might just be reacting to Auntie and I being stressed while we await the results of all the tests being done on The Mother. Whatever the result, it won't be good news because she hates her life now she is old and in a Home, but obviously we don't relish the thought of her dying or particularly want her to die - and we don't exactly look forward to having to visit her on her deathbed. So we are stressed ladies, and this is probably affecting our Brucie...

I hope that Bruce will feel well enough to write for you all soon. We will call Mike the Vet tomorrow and tell him about the fit and see if he wants to see Bruce - the six monthly blood test that checks his blood drug levels is due in November anyway so he may bring that forward, or he may say to wait until then and hope that Bruce settles down. Either way, we will keep you posted.

Bruce sends regards

Bruce's Mummy

p.s. I can hear him barking at a cat - obviously he's feeling better :)

Tired Puppy

Hi all,

I do have things to tell you but I am really tired tonight so I will fill you all in soon. just wanted you to know that I am ok...

regards to all

Bruce xxx

Toooormenty Dog...and Mummy!

Tee hee

I have been a tormenty dog today.

We have had a quiet few days. Mummy has been a bit under the weather and I have been in a sulk because it kept storming at the weekend. Mummy wasn’t best pleased with me on Sunday because it thundered and I bolted so she had to let go of the lead and I ran down to the pit and got my lead all tangled in the thorny hedges. Luckily, a local boy called Gary came along and he crawled under the hedges and untangled me, just as Mummy was heading down to the water’s edge to wade out to me as she only had a strappy top on and didn’t want to get cut to shreds. Some people think that Gary is a lout and a rough boy but Mummy has advised him about his GSD’s fits and has been nice to him so he is always nice to her (and makes a fuss of me!). Mummy says that you get from people what you give…

Today, Mummy took my fris on my walk and she kept throwing it for me, apart from when we were by my favourite ditch as she didn’t trust me not to drown it. I found a new way to annoy her though – I kept drowning it in ditches instead so she had to use a stick to fish it out. Mummy started to torment me by hooking my fris out of my mouth with the stick and then we would play tug of war with it which Mummy thought must be safe from the end of her stick so I can’t bite her by mistake like I did before… Mummy kept hooking the fris and holding it up really high so I couldn’t get it so she was a tormenty Mummy!

I hope you are all well

Regards

Bruce xxx

I Hate Storms

My poor Mummy has been struggling to sleep this week. on Thursday night, after she went out (when I was good boy and settled nicely for my Auntie, by the way, the friend who brought her home, a lady called Kathy, came in to meet me – I thought she was very nice and gave her a cuddle then lay down and chewed on my chew while the people talked – Kathy was a bit surprised by how big I am. After she went, Mummy couldn’t get to sleep and not long after she did go to sleep there was a big storm. I was so scared that I climbed in the cupboard behind the ironing board and garden chair and coats and Mummy pulled me out because she was afraid that I would knock things down and they would fall on me. I sat by her for ages and the storm was very loud so neither of us could sleep through that. Mummy did not look her best the next morning!

Before she went out, Mummy was waiting for news about The Mother, who had been to the heart doctor. When the news came, it didn’t really tell her anything as The Mother is having tests so they will know more after that.

Yesterday was quieter – no big rain, no storms. Mummy still gave me a decent walk even though she was so tired. The day before, we met Juno and I played too rough and had to walk home on the lead but me and Juno were very good dogs once we were on the lead and didn’t pull or grumble or anything. Mummy says she really wishes she could train me out of growling at other dogs when I play and she doesn’t know why I do it – trouble is, I don’t really know either, it’s just a kind of habit…

This morning, there was another loud rumble of thunder but it went quiet after that and has been a lovely day. My people went to a movie called The Devil Wears Prada. Mummy read the book a while ago so she was looking forward to it and she really enjoyed the movie. After that, my people took me for a fris (Auntie Geri’s birthday card got popped in on the way – happy birthday for yesterday, Auntie Geri!) and this evening, we are mostly watching The X Factor and I have been attacking Henry the hoover while Mummy was trying to vac.

Regards to all

Bruce xxx

Quickie

Hi

Just a quick one to let you all know that I am doing OK at the moment. I have been playing in the pit and tormenting my Mummy by pretending to eat horse manure then running away when she tried to stop me, and by shaking myself all over her when I am wet. She hasn't let me back in the dodgy ditch and I no longer have a red belly.

I met a new Staffy puppy girl today and I rrred at her which annoyed Mummy but the puppy took no notice of me. Mummy says my manners have slipped again and I need to sharpen up my act.

Oops.

That's it for today, I am sulking because Mummy is going out tomorrow night so I have barmed my slobbery tennis ball all up her arm to remind her just whose person she is.

regards

Bruce xxx

Good To Be Back

Hello! I am back! I am still a little weary and also a little wary because a big roll of thunder rumbled an hour ago (just the one – unusual) and I don’t trust that sky not to do it again – in fact, I have only just stopped cuddling my people.

I woke up feeling much more myself today. I had a lovely cuddle with my people and, once I had waved off Mummy, I asked my Auntie to take me for a Fris. I was fine while Mummy was at work and we were very lucky because it had been raining all day but it stopped when she got home.

I was pretty cheesed off with Mummy when she made all these phone calls when she got home and I wanted to get going on my walk, so I kept signalling at the door with my eyes. I showed her my tummy (she usually can’t resist that) and she spotted this red stuff that I have all round my man bits (Mummy thought about showing a picture of it to you but said she hadn’t better, it would look like doggy porn!!!). Mummy thinks that there were chemicals in my favourite ditch when I jumped in it yesterday and that this might be the reason why I fitted so she won’t let me in my favourite ditch for now – NOT FAIR!!!

It was very muddy and slippery over the fields today - for the first time in ages. When we got to the wood, Mummy managed to climb down onto the bridge going in, but she couldn’t get up the other side because she kept sliding back again! I tried to help her by letting her hold my collar but it didn’t work, and she forgot to reward me – she is very tired today as she hardly slept last night for worrying about me.

After a bunch more phone calls, she eventually got to talk to Mike the vet. She congratulated him through gritted teeth on his recent marriage (she had this dream that he might marry Auntie) and they talked about me. He reminded Mummy that I have had a couple of fits like this before and then settled down again and they agreed to wait and see how I go. Mummy floated the idea that the red stuff was to blame but Mike wasn’t convinced. My people are just pleased that I don’t have to go in. Mummy didn’t know how she would manage me on her own, as Auntie gets home so much later now and she would have to get me into a taxi on her own unless Auntie came home early. I tend to hurl myself into a car so Mummy didn’t know how she could fit a blanket and get ahead of me. As we don’t have a car, she says, she hasn’t had a chance to train me properly with car etiquette and I LOVE cars so I get over excited and misbehave…

That’s all for now. We are going to watch the final of Britain’s Next Top Model tonight. We want Abby to win.

Regards to all, and a special hello to Wendy. Thanks for the kind message!

Brucie xxx

Out Of Action

Poor Brucie can't post tonight because he just had a big fit. He has been in a funny mood all day and growled at a couple of dogs on his walk so I knew something wasn't wrong. His Auntie said "I hope he doesn't have a fit" but he did...I have left him downstairs with her as he always finds her calming. I will post a happy picture and hopefully, Bruce will feel able to post again tomorrow - if we're not at the vets, as we will have to ring them in the morning.

I hope Mike doesn't want to put Bruce's dosage up again as that was a nightmare. I also hope the fits don't start getting more frequent.

Most of the time, living with an epileptic dog isn't so hard, but sometimes it's a little worrying. I have been tense today because of ongoing worries with The Mother and friend and work aggro and now I am worried that I have passed on my stress and that's why he fitted. Oh, I don't know...

I just wish that I could fix him...

Poor Brucie....

regards

Bruce's Mummy x

Funny Weather

Yesterday, it rained and rained and rained. Mummy took me for a decent walk anyway and she was alone so she was looking forward to having her play on, and to listening to Mark Kermode - then the play was one she had heard before and didn't like, and Kermode wasn't on so she wasn't pleased.

It stopped raining five minutes before we got home, and then stayed dry all evening so she was cross about that too! Auntie Judy came round and she wanted some reassurance from Mummy that maybe The Mother will not die, but of course she couldn't do that, but she did tell Judy that she is coping better than she thought she would have so Judy was comforted by that.

Today, it was sunny and we had a lovely walk. The radio shows were tosh, Mummy said, but she didn't care as we were having a lovely time. There was a big event going on at the Big House on the edge of our village so we watched the posh people arrive in their big cars for a time and listened to the jazz band playing in the huge marquee - I didn't know tents could be that big! Do you think people were sleeping in it?

When we sat in the garden, Auntie Angie came out and apologised to Mummy a lot so I snuck in her house while they were talking, but there was no food about so I came out again and got my first cuddle from her in a long time. She says she may be moving to a big town. Mummy thinks it might be for the best...

On our second walk, we went towrds the village and met Auntie, who had been out with Auntie Claire, and we saw Auntie Maureen and Blossom and my people cuddled Blossom. I went in her house too, and she told me off, then me and Bloss both cuddled Mummy at the same time, which was nice....

...and Auntie bought me TWO new frisbees so I am happy.

regards to all,

Bruce xxx

Another Summer Night

Hello again

I have been a good boy and have adapted well to Auntie’s new routine as it is just like when she used to go to Northampton. It sucks that she is out and I am alone for a bit longer but so long as Mummy comes home at her usual time and I get my afternoon walk, I am ok.

Auntie seems to be enjoying her new job. She comes home late and talks a lot when she is meant to be cuddling me and also talks over my morning cuddle, which I don’t put up with so I sigh and glare at her until she stops. My morning cuddle is sacred!

Poor Mummy is having a time of it with her friends. First, Auntie Geri told her she was rude because she commented when I glared at Linda for stroking Melody and not me and she said Mummy always talks like I am the only dog who deserves any attention and like I am the best dog in the world. Mummy couldn’t be bothered to get into that conversation so she just told Geri that I AM the best dog in the world and I DO deserve all the attention so she doesn’t care! After that, she dropped hints that Geri might want to turn around and go home as she had said she didn’t want to be out long and Mummy wasn’t exactly feeling a relaxed ambience on her walk. We had a nice time when she went and they parted friends – Mummy wished her a nice holiday and birthday and they exchanged texts in the evening so hopefully I will still be able to see Melody.

Now Angie keeps texting her to say sorry for upsetting her all that time ago and Mummy would rather be left in peace but she has accepted her apology. Mummy says she is too old to change and if people don’t like her for who she is, that’s their problem…

It has been very hot today so I had a nice swim before my walk. We sat in the garden in the shade waiting for Auntie. Emily and Troy and Auntie Raye went past twice. Troy growled at me so I woofed at him as I won’t be growled at at my own gate (Mummy told me to stay back and settle though, which sucked).

It is supposed to be very windy here tomorrow and Auntie Judy is coming over. The Mother is the same, apparently, and Mummy talked to her boss and found out that she will be able to have compassionate leave when The Mother dies so she is relieved.

Regards to all

Bruce xxx

Back Where I Belong

On the Friday, my people didn’t want me over-excited because I had a fit during the night. It was only a short fit, but I paced a lot so none of us had a lot of sleep.

When we went to our beach at the other end of The Holiday, the tide was very high indeed. Even at the end of The Holiday, the beach was very small indeed – I forgot to tell you yesterday how the water came up and wet my people’s things and their clothes (tee hee) so on this day, they put their things up on the sea wall. The water was so high and so rough that I was frightened and my people decided that I wasn’t to go in so we just played on the beach. Even Mummy, who is a strong swimmer, was frightened and only went in a little way. We soon decided to go and sit on the grass behind the sea wall and watch the waves for a time – as you can see from my picture, I was still a bit nervous even from a safe distance!

We had a nice walk up to the ends of the cliffs and we were out for a very long time. In the evening, we went down town to get some food and the local gang of teenagers were all looking at me and one of them said that he expected me to talk to him – well, I would if he spoke my language, my people understand me!

As the weather was so beautiful and because I had had that fit and they didn’t want me to have to travel right away, Auntie arranged for us to stay an extra night so Mummy was pleased. That meant that we were there to see the very high tide and the extra barriers that the council had put up to keep the sea from flooding The Holiday and also the special wooden barriers that people had put on the fronts of their Beach Huts. We had a very very long walk that day and my people took a packed lunch with them, which I helped them to eat, plus some goodies for me. We were out for six whole hours and we were all very tired in the evening.

When I went out for my last wee, the flares went up for the Lifeboat and frightened me so much that I bolted. Mummy was getting dragged along behind me and she wouldn’t let go of my lead because we on top of a cliff so Auntie had to grab her hand to stop the two of us.

Sorry, Mummy…..

On the Sunday morning, Mummy took me down to the beach for a last play and she was very sad to be leaving. She thought that I was sad too, but she found out the truth when we got back to the flat. She was talking to Auntie when I made a lunge for the door because I had seen who had arrived through the net curtain – outside the flats stood the taxi driver from last year’s Holiday and that meant we were going home! I couldn’t wait to jump in the car! I was a very good boy on the way home but I did sniff a lot and wanted to get out of the car when we got to my fields and my walk!

When we got home, we went the field way to the shop and we saw Emily and Troy and then we talked to a little Jack Russell called Bonnie who was showing me her tummy and it was really nice to be home!

So that is it, the tale of this year’s Holiday. I hope you have enjoyed it.

Today, my routine all changed. Auntie was here in the morning and she took me for a walk with Auntie Geri and Melody and then she went out and she and Mummy didn’t come home until mid-afternoon. Auntie was pleased because the doctor man agreed to do an operation on her eye that she has been wanting so that her eye won’t be wonky any more. We had a little walk all together and now we are all home together, which is how I like it….

Regards to all,

Bruce xxx

p.s. edited by Mummy to say Blogger won't let her load the pic tonight so she will put it on tomorrow.

On the Thursday, we all had a bit of a lie in. The tide was very high that day so we had to walk up to the other end of The Holiday to find any beach at all. When we got there, we had a nice swim and a play. After that, we went off to the benches by the tower, but first we stood on an outcrop where the cliffs all crumble and looked at where they have been collapsing, but Auntie was scared so we didn't do that for long.

At the top of the steps, by the Tower, I had a Mini Milk and then we set off into the countryside for a walk, where I sniffed and sniffed and sniffed. We went to the end of the cliffs and there was hardly any beach even there but we found a little place to sit, but then two men came along with tents and fishing equipment and walked up and down behind us, then stood behind us, then stood on a high bit over us and Mummy was really annoyed – and so was I. Mummy asked me what was wrong and I gestured towards the men with my head to tell her I was fed up with them and she thought that was very funny but also agreed with me so we left.

That night, we went for an evening stroll and then Mummy and Auntie settled in the window seats to look at the moon on the sea. Mummy was already a bit freaked out because when she had a bath, the door kept opening and it wasn’t me, it was doing it by itself. Then, when they looked at the moon, there was a bit missing! Mummy called Uncle Ricky on the phone and he laughed and then called her back once he had discovered that there was supposed to be an eclipse that night and it wasn’t aliens or a bit of the moon missing as Mummy had thought…..

Then a third strange thing happened. Our accommodation was on a private track which narrowed to a footpath just to the right of our door, but as Mummy and Auntie were looking out at the eclipse, an armoured vehicle went past, all painted in camouflage paint and with a man in a camouflaged uniform driving it! Mummy called Ricky again and he said that they had been drinking but Mummy had only just started her second beer so she was sober – and the man was really there! We found the answer when we went out for my last wee as the big garden gates of our accommodation were open so the vehicle must have come from there, but Mummy had said things were getting very surreal for a while there.

Never did get an explanation for the bathroom door’s behaviour though…



We had a quiet walk today, just me and Mummy, and it was nice.

Regards to all

Bruce xxx

Yet More Holiday...and Troy and Emily!

On the Tuesday, Mummy and I went for a long walk and Auntie stayed back at The Flat. We made some nice friends - we met a 7 month old Labrador puppy called Jack whose people got from the Dogs’ Trust as he had been thrown out on the streets and they had taken him in. Imagine being separated from your people…horrible…

We met a venerable old lady GSD called Abby, who was 9. She was like a short-haired version of me and I thought she was very beautiful. Her person said that she can be grumpy with other dogs and people but she was fine with us. He said she is an ASBO dog because he is supposed to keep her leashed and muzzled (How awful!!! Some dogs have terrible lives!!!). He said that he was out with her on the lead and a couple of Boxers came up to her and started a fight and she defended herself but because she hurt them more than they hurt her, their owners told the police and he is the one who got in trouble. That said, Abby was on the lead but she didn’t have a muzzle on…..

Further on, we met a couple of ladies who had five dogs between them – they had three German Shepherds like me (one short-haired) and a Golden Retriever and a Westie. I enjoyed trotting around with them and we showed the ladies how to get to the beach and then turned around and headed back and left them to their picnic. Mummy said it was nice to see me getting on so well with other dogs but that it was hard sometimes to tell which one was me!

On the way back to The Holiday, we walked along the edge of the sea and then we met Auntie, who was sitting on the sea wall. Mummy was laughing because I kept trying to take her to The Caravan Park, especially on the way back when I was getting tired, and also because I kept saving my poos until we reached the field near The Caravan Park, which is where I always used to poo last year. She was also pleased with me because I usually poo really near to the poo bin so she doesn’t have to carry my poo far.

I’m glad I don’t have to carry her poo about. I would eat it if she would let me though….mmm…human poo…..

We went back to The Flat for a rest and then we went back down to My Beach, where we found a new Frisbee that flies a very long way so I enjoyed chasing that. Another baby Labrador appeared, called Dolly, and she nicked my Frisbee and ran off with it but then she gave it back and we played for a while. I was pretty tired so we all went back and rested again and then I had yet another game of Frisbee and then went to sleep with a nice full tummy after I had had my supper.




On the Wednesday of The Holiday, we got up at Tablet Time. The tide was in but we found a bit of beach and all went in the sea. I was a bit frightened of the waves but Mummy and Auntie stood a few feet apart and I swam between them.

There were strange piles of rubble on the beach in various places. My people were speculating as to why they were there. They thought it must be something to do with the extra high tides that were forecast for the weekend of the equinox (Mummy said the tides were already higher and lower than usual). Halfway along our walk, Auntie bought me a new football that was covered in tennis ball material. Mummy said that it would take me five seconds to burst it but she was wrong – it took four! I enjoyed playing with it anyway so it didn’t matter. We sat on the beach at the other end of The Holiday for quite a while and kept going in the sea so I didn’t ask my people for a longer walk as I was tired. We played on My Beach later and a little girl called Millie joined us. She was staying at The Flats place next to ours and her people were not at the beach with her, which worried my people so they let her play with me and then walked her back to The Flats. On the beach, she kept trying to do training with me and my people kept giving me signals so that I would take notice of her, but I had already decided that I would be kind to her and take notice of her (though I kept telling Mummy with my eyes that I wished she would go away or that we could go back to The Flats) so Millie decided to teach Mummy all about how to train dogs, which Mummy found amusing. We were all very patient and polite to her though.

In the evening, my Mummy went out and left me and Auntie in The Flat but she returned with chips and a sausage for me so I forgave her.

I will tell you about Thursday and Friday on The Holiday tomorrow.












For now, I must tell you that I saw my Emily and Troy today and it went ok…sort of. Me and Troy only growled at each other for part of the two fields we walked round and for some of the time, we walked along ok. I wish he would realise that all because he lives with Emily now, that doesn’t make her ‘his’ and it doesn’t make him top dog. I’m the older man here and she’s my bird, right….

Poor Emily gets a bit torn and doesn’t know which one of us to walk with and which one to defend, but she got it right today and walked with ME and had a cuddle with my Mummy, which I allowed (as it was her). Later, I helped Mummy in the garden by shouting at the rake, which always makes her giggle. We had had a very long walk earlier (Mummy has forgiven me, I think, for finding a human poo and eating some of it on our walk. I didn’t come away when she called me until she stomped after me and waved her handbag at me in a threatening manner so she was a bit annoyed and called me a horrible dog!!! Tee hee!!!)

Auntie took me for my short walk while Mummy cleaned the bathroom, and then herself. The I had some lunch and a kip…

Well, I’m off to see who wins the Maria show.

Regards to all my friends

Brucie xxx

More Holiday...And Back To Reality

On the Monday, it was a hot day. We decided to go for a long walk as Mummy said I could always jump in the sea if I got too hot so it would be alright. I was happy with this walk as there were trees and hedges and long grass and other dogs and lots of things for me to sniff and tiddle on. I had explained to Mummy and Auntie the previous day that a play and a trip to the shops is NOT a walk and I was happy to confirm (by cuddling them and grinning at them a lot) that when you walk somewhere with grass and sniffs and stuff, and then turn round and walk back, that is, indeed, a walk – especially if we get to stop and have a Mini Milk on the way (and a bit of their Cornetto if I’m lucky!)…

After what happened the day before to my Frisbee, Mummy bought me a new plastic one that floats. I like that sort as I can put lots of tooth marks in it. It is pink with a smiley face and it is mine.

Mummy was amazed at me because I was getting thirsty so I indicated to her and Auntie where I could get a drink – they kindly bring my bowl with them on walks at The Holiday (people at The Holiday place do leave bowls out for dogs to drink from but I prefer fresh water in my own bowl as the other dogs leave the shared bowls all salty with seawater and sand from their tongues). I knew that my people could go in the toilets at the ice cream café to get me a drink so I asked them to do so.

At the café place, we sat outside and a nice lady came over and was a fussing me and she said that I am booful, which my people thought was funny ‘cos that’s what they call me (the real word is beautiful, you know – like Mummy’s first dog, Beauty, but longer).

The tide was quite high. At The Holiday, you can either walk below the cliffs when the tide is out or on top of the cliffs when it is in – one time last year, Mummy got it wrong and we nearly got cut off and had to wade through the water to the steps to get to safety so she is more cautious now. We walked along the cliff top where all the green stuff is and then when we got to the end and found the beach again, I found some lovely stinky brackish water and ran in and Mummy was cross with me. Tee hee.

Mummy wanted us all to keep going as she could see corn fields and open countryside ahead. Me and Auntie were tired and hot though so we told her we wanted to turn round and go back and get more drinks and more ice cream.

We all went back to the flat and had a rest, and Mummy and Auntie played Duke Nukem on the laptop they brought with them (Mummy said she brought it so she could help me to keep notes for my blog so I would remember everything I have to tell you all, but her and Auntie kept playing on it as well). Later, we all went down to my beach and had a little swim and a paddle and when I got tired, I put the Frisbee away with my people’s pile of bags so that they would know I had had enough and they said I was clever and sweet! Which I am!!!

Mummy gave me extra tripe for dinner because I had done so much that day and then we all rested….

I forgot to tell you yesterday about Millionaires’ Row which was near our flat – Mummy was so impressed by these big posh houses which didn’t used to be there. She wants to win the Lottery and move there, but me and Auntie like it at home so now she says if we win the Lottery, we will have houses in both places and get the best of both worlds….

By the way, if anybody is wondering what has been happening this week, here is an update. We came home on Sunday and saw Emily and Troy. Troy was acting a bit funny so we didn’t walk together. I also got chatted up by a little Jack Russell called Bonnie who showed me her belly because she fancies me, and her owners were telling my people about their garden which is falling into a stream. On Monday, Mummy had the day off work. We walked with Mel and Auntie Geri and I was really pleased to see Mel and told her off if she went too far away, but then she vanished for a good few minutes Auntie Geri was getting worried. I knew that Mel wasn’t that far away and tried to tell Auntie Geri. I tracked Mel as best as I could and when she came back, I scolded her (my people say that us dogs should be praised for coming back but I prefer to tell off for going away).

On Tuesday, we walked with them again but I was in a mood because Mummy had been back to work. I have been showing off for attention and jumping in smelly ditches then shaking myself all over Mummy since we came home – it was great fun at first, because she would go “Urgh! You horrible dog!” but now she is ignoring me when I do it which is booooooring.

Yesterday, Auntie Judy came home from Greece and brought presents. She came and met us over the fields and I was pleased to see her. Mummy forgot to give her the present for The Mother so Auntie Judy is coming back tomorrow to collect it. She rang this evening to explain that The Mother’s health has got worse again and Mummy and Auntie talked in serous low voices and had Coke with the stuff in a bottle from Greece in it so things must be serious but I am always here to give them cuddles if they need me….

I will tell you more about The Holiday tomorrow,

Regards to all my friends…did you miss me?

Bruce xxx

Second Day

On the first proper day of The Holiday, I was a little sick at the start of the day. The smoke alarm kept quiet overnight (thank goodness) but as soon as Mummy stumbled into the kitchen and put the kettle on, it started to peep frantically. It would peep and peep and peep and then go quiet for a bit and then peep even faster, especially if anyone walked under it. Mummy said it was haunted or had a personality or something as she thought it was being sarcastic!

Auntie was dressed already so she went and got the lady while Mummy stayed with me. The lady came round but she couldn’t shut the stupid thing up either. She offered to stay up the step ladder and hold it until her husband was due back (in a couple of hours!) but my people said that was silly so the lady suggested that they should take me out because the nose was hurting my ears. Mummy took me down to the beach and we had a bit of a play and a bit of a cuddle and a bit of a sunbathe and it was nice. I drowned my Frisbee in the sea and Mummy was cross with me. We got bored after that and went back but it was still peeping. Mummy offered to swap with Auntie but she said that I wanted my Mummy and would pull her (I do pull her) so Mummy and I went out again. This time, the tide had gone out some more and the sea had very kindly returned my Frisbee so we played with it some more, and Mummy was pleased.

A nice lady was sitting on the sea wall and Mummy was standing on the sand looking up at her when Auntie appeared and I stood on my hind legs to see her and tried to see if I could jump up the wall and almost fell over backwards and frightened Mummy. Auntie thought it was funny that my Frisbee had returned and we played with it a while, then had an ice cream and then went to the shop.

I made it plain to my people that a long play on the beach is NOT a walk and I expected proper walk too so, in the evening, we walked along the top of the cliff to the next village and mummy told Auntie stories of the dogs before me and how they would behave when she brought them there. I met a pretty German Shepherd Girl who I quite fancied but she growled when I got a bit familiar so that was me told…

Auntie was laughing because I couldn’t wait to find some grass and mud to walk on because that is what I am used to – I’m a country boy! I couldn’t understand why the water was on top of the beach, where I wanted to play, and Mummy started to teach me that I must not go down the steps to the beach when the water is there and there is no beach.

And then I was tired and went to sleep….

Home and Away

Hello everyone - I am going to have to tell you about my holiday in episodes and then I will tell you about this week. Today's entry is about The Day We Went on Holiday.

Saturday – on our first day, the weather was horrible. I managed to have a walk with my Mummy before the taxi came and we didn’t get too wet – we hid under trees when it really rained. Then we got the taxi to The Holiday. The driver was a lady called Val who Auntie said was rough (tee hee). She was going on about the Pie and Mash shop which sells suet and meat pies with mash and liquor which is gravy made from jellied eels. I thought it sounded delicious but my people were going green! She also said that the best chips are fried in dripping but Mummy doesn’t think they do this since Mad Cow Disease.

I was a good boy on the journey down but I was a bit puzzled when we didn’t go to the Caravan Place where we went before. This year, we stayed in a flat which was above a beach where last year, I would not have been allowed, but now it is dog friendly.

Mummy took me to the beach while Auntie did some unpacking and I ran and ran in circles because I was excited and it was windy and I was pleased to be back on a beach. Auntie joined us and then we went and got some fish and chips and Auntie bought me a sausage and I also helped her to eat her fish. Yum yum! Mummy was all itchy and had bites around her knickers and she thought I had a flea so she flea-treated me before we went down there and then we were all itchy for a couple of days so she may have been right. I found it hard to settle anyway as it was a new place but I felt better when my big red pad thing went down and I had my toys. The flat was much bigger than a caravan and I found some nice places to lie down, especially Mummy’s bed, which she said was naughty.

The stupid fire alarm kept peeping if my people used the kettle or the microwave but luckily it shut up overnight, as we were all very tired. Then we went to sleep.....

Safe And Sound

Just a brief post to let you know that we have arrived home safely and that we will write a great big post and tell you all about it as soon as I can tear Mummy away from the washing machine to do the pictures for me.

regards to all

Bruce xxx

We Are Going On Holiday

Hello

We are going down to the coast for a week tomorrow so I won't be able to write for you for a while, but hopefully I will have lots of stories for you when I come home.

I wish you all good health and fortune while I am away.

Oo, I'm getting excited....

Bruce xxx

p.s. My leg is much better today and I have been a boingy boy and cuddled my Mummy so hard that I pushed her over on her bottom! Whoops!!!!

Boooring

I still have a sore leg. Mummy is making me do steady walks and not see my friends or play boisterous games in the evening (and I love my evening play) so that I will be better for my holiday on Saturday - which is all well and good but I am boooooooored!

Poor me.

regards to all

Bruce xxx

Got Another Sooore leg

I don't know what I have done, I have hurt my other foreleg now and it huuurts and Mummy made me have two tiny tiny walks even when I pretended I needed to go so I could get over there again - not fair!

Judy was over today but she was ok and now her birds have come to stay.

I saw Blossom and told her about my soore leg.

Auntie has gone out for the night so me and Mummy are chillin' to the max, man.....

I'd Sure Like To Teach You A Lesson

I protest! I would like to make it known that my Mummy is MY Mummy and I don’t like sharing her!

Yesterday, Melody came on our walk. Auntie Geri was out for the day and Mummy had offered to take her with us. She didn’t consult me – harrumph! When we headed down the hill to Geri’s, I was very happy but my happiness turned to confusion when I realised that Auntie Geri was not at home. Melody danced all over the place when we went in (after Mummy called out to warn Cleo the cat that we were coming in). Eventually, Mummy got her to stand still long enough to get her collar on (by giving her some of MY Schmacko!!!) and we set off. I had to walk on one side of Mummy (the wrong side – which is the right) with Melody on MY side, which I didn’t think much of. Once we got over the fields, Mummy let me off the lead but she kept hold of Melody. Mel was really annoying her because she kept pushing against her leg or walking bang in front of her (she hates that) so she kept trying to tell Mel where she should be so I didn’t get much attention. It’s not Mummy’s fault, she did try and she gave me extra cuddles (she said my cuddles were the best) and she even gave me some of Mel’s kibble (which I ate – I normally refuse it when Auntie Geri gives it to me) to make up for giving Mel my Schmacko (I sniffed at her mouth angrily every time she got some). Mummy thought it was funny because when she asked Mel to sit for kibble, Mel said “Greyhounds don’t sit” but when she offered her Schmacko, she couldn’t sit fast enough!

Towards the end of the walk, Mel really shouted at Leo the Pointer while Oscar Pointer and I were talking nicely and playing ‘let’s pretend to stalk each other’ and then Mel went mad at a bunny and nearly pulled Mummy off her feet. She is amazingly strong for a bony dog! I was pretty fed up by now with her getting so much attention so I was happy to leave her at her house and go home and I barely left Mummy’s side for the whole evening.

Today I was left alone for a long time as Auntie had her last trip to Northampton (that job has ended now) and I decided to punish Mummy for yesterday. First I jumped in a muddy smelly ditch and shook myself all over her, then I ignored her when she called me, got buddies all in my fur on purpose and mumbled at her when she held my collar when a new dog passed by. I finished the walk by jumping back in the stinky ditch and getting filthy and smelly and then jumping on the couch TWICE – once at either end. Tee hee.

Now I have had lots of attention and cuddled Mummy for a long, long time, I am feeling better and I might think about being a good boy again. Mummy called me a rude name earlier so I think I have pushed my luck!

Tee hee.

My Mummy is home for two weeks now and we are going on holiday next week.

Hooray!

Regards to all my friends

Bruce the soggy doggy xxx

p.s. Mummy says the pictures aren't uploading tonight so she will try again tomorrow