RIP Heidi

Bruce will not be posting today as a mark of respect for his friend Heidi, who he has known since he was a puppy. Heidi was Bruce's first 'girlfriend' and was one of his favourite playmates.

Sadly, last Friday, the vets discovered that the reason Heidi kept being sick was that she had pancreatic cancer. Her owners, our friends Maureen and Gordon, did not want to put her through months of treatment and made the difficult decision to let her go.

Rest in peace, Heidi. We will miss you.

Bruce's Mummy and Auntie

I'm A Good Boy

Mummy is very pleased with me and so is Auntie and so is Auntie Angie because she has told them both what a very good boy I am…

I sulked a bit when Mummy went out this morning. She was confused because Tracy wasn’t supposed to be coming for her, but there was a car just like Tracy’s parked right outside the gate – it wasn’t hers. I was sick after my morning tablets but then I settled ok – so much so that when Auntie came home for lunch, I dozed next to her with my tummy up and a cheesy grin on my face.

I gave Mummy a big silly greeting – I waved my paws a lot at her, she likes that. I sit on the couch and lean on the back and sit right up and wave my front paws about. She thinks it’s funny. We had a nice walk – she called Auntie Geri to see if she wanted to come but I don’t think she was in. We went to the Big Wood and the metal bridge and had some lovely cuddles. When we came round Little Wood Corner, that Labrador from the other day was there. It came steaming up to me, tail high and woof woof woofing and its owner said "He’s frightened" – we didn’t think so. Mummy told me to stay still and just wait for her and I did so, then she gently took my collar and we walked past the dog – I didn’t growl or put my hackles up or anything and Mummy was so pleased with me, she told me I was a good boy lots of times and patted me and cuddled me and had a little party and gave me a Gravy Bone.

So that was worth it.

I have been kipping ever since and Mummy said I was snoring. When she popped upstairs I tried to phone her to tell her to come down and now I will have my tablets and snooze some more. They think they’re going to groom me but I might be all cute and sleepy and see if I can get out of it.

Regards to all my friends,

Hope you and Hugo the Elder are ok Sue B.

love Bruce xxx

Bank Holiday Weather

Deja vu - last time there was a Bank Holiday, I am sure I told you that it rained then it was sunny and then it rained – well, today was a Bank Holiday and it happened again. When it rained today, it really poured – at one point, I thought I heard thunder (I am scared of storms) but my Mummy reassured me so I was ok.

Auntie stayed home while Mummy and I went for our walk – not much to report, we didn’t meet anybody. It rained on us and we hid under a tree then it was sunny again and we got to go along the top path because the rape is nearly finished. I jumped in a smelly pond but couldn’t find any dead things or poo to roll in so Mummy was pleased.

For our afternoon walk, we went down the village and round the park but I did not like to poo down there so we went to the fields too and I got let off the lead so I had a good romp and that was better.

I am getting used to the higher level of tablets now (hooray!) so Mummy is ok to go back to work tomorrow (boo!). Yesterday, Auntie was in a mood about her job situation but today Mummy seems pretty tense so I must give her more cuddles and throw my tennis ball at her so please excuse me.

Regards to all

Brucie xxx

Lazy Days

We all overslept again. At least I have an excuse, but I think my people's excuse lies at the bottom of an Ouzo bottle. They have told me that they used to go to Greece (wherever that is) before they had me and that Uncles Benjamin and Barney could be left with someone else looking after them, but they won't go off and leave me because of my epilepsy. I am just glad they won't leave me as I wouldn't like that.

We all went for a nice walk in the sunshine. I am feeling more like myself today and I was bouncing about a bit and we met a man who had a Labrador with him who is called Jack (he tried to pick a fight with me when I was a baby) and a Collie called (I think) Max (who tried to pick a fight with me recently and ran halfway across a field to do it). Max was growling and showing his teeth and trying to get to me but I sat between my people and though I made sure I could see him the whole time, I didn't really pull them or growl very much and when my collar came open because Mummy hadn't done it up properly, I was pulling so little that I didn't even realise until she told me.

Auntie took me out on my afternoon stroll but my tablets are kicking in now and I am tired so I am off for a snooze.

My pic today shows me on an afternoon walk.

Regards

Bruce xxx

Zzzzzzzz

Hello my friends

I am afraid I don’t have much to tell you today because I have been asleep for a lot of the day after I was sick twice this morning and once last night.

Auntie got home safely and very late – she tried to tell Mummy about her evening but she was too sleepy to listen. Apparently the coach driver who let them down was not even sorry and the coach turned out to be a grotty little minibus so Auntie and Auntie Claire are going to complain.

It rained for most of today. Mummy didn’t want to take me far in it if I was feeling horrible. We did go out eventually and she made me sit when we saw an old man with his Labrador who we quite often see. She asked me to sit and I did so they could go round the corner but I did try to run after them and say hello and Mummy spoke very firmly to me and reminded me that she had asked me to sit so I ran back to her and cuddled her while I was sitting and made her all soggy. Hee hee.

I had rice and chicken for lunch and it has stayed down and now I have to have more yukky tablets so wish me luck.

My pic today is from the other day – it shows me with my Frisbee which is mine and you can’t have it ok…..

Regards to all

Bruce xxx

Reunited

Sleepy Brucie

You’ll never guess what?! I saw Emily!! And we had a play!!

Emily used to be my girlfriend and I thought maybe she had gone off me because she has a new companion who lives with her – he is called Troy and he is now six months old- he is a German Shepherd Dog cross Rottweiler. Now I discover that Emily does still like me so I am happy.



Raye and Emily

Mummy took me out for my morning walk and we met Raye and Troy and Emily at the start of the fields. Raye let Emily off. She bounced over to see me, then Troy joined in. We walked round two fields together while our people talked about Big Brother and how the nasty people on there bullied the one called Shahbaz. Troy would run and Emily would chase him, then I would run after them. I also chased Troy a bit and Mummy said I was good because when Troy didn’t want to play, I respected his decision and stopped. We had a stroll and a sniff together too so Mummy said he is my little mate, which made Raye laugh.

There were a few times when I did get too pushy and I put my head over Troy's shoulder or over Emily’s shoulder, but Mummy told me I had to be polite so I stopped it. We growl a bit when we play and Mummy made me keep that down too.

I was feeling rather sleepy so I kept trying to run and my legs weren’t going as fast as I wanted them to, but I still had fun.

Auntie stayed home today because she is going to a concert this evening. Mummy helped her to get ready and then Claire came to fetch her and she went, but only after some interesting phone calls from her workplace – there are all sorts of interesting things happening since the place went into Administration, but I will have to ask her if it’s alright before I can tell you.

Auntie phoned up a while ago to say that the coach to take her to Take That has not come. A lady (who is also going) got on the phone and told somebody off and now they are going all the way to London in a taxi – trust Auntie to travel in style! Mind you, I never go any other way as my people say I am too big and awkward to fit on a bus or coach because my bum gets in people’s way – bloomin’ cheek!

Mummy and I are going to chill out this evening and wait for Auntie to (God willing) return safely. We will be happy when she comes home.

Regards

Bruce xxx

p.s. Mummy wants this picture on here just because she is so proud of it. it is nice...



Evening Park

Lazing On a Sunny Afternoon

Hello

I started on my extra tablets today so I am feeling a bit sleeeepy…

I wasn’t too bad this morning. Mummy has taken some more leave so she can be with me in case I start crashing about but so far I haven’t really struggled. We had a lovely walk in the sunshine and I was a good boy. At one point, a man appeared round a corner and his young Labrador came rushing towards us so Mummy gently took my collar and told me that we were going round the corner the other way (it’s a T junction, Mummy says) and heading for the wood. The Labrador bounced up behind us and I wanted to turn round and warn it off but Mummy talked gently to me and guided me away so I went without a growl or any hackles up. She was pleased with me and gave me lots of praise.

We had a nice sit in the garden while she read and did a Sudoku. Mummy took some pictures of me – she has been snapping me all day which is booooring. On our afternoon walk, we saw Jet and then Mummy kept trying to get me to pose among the flowers and I kept putting my ears back and ruining the pictures (hee hee).

Auntie forgot to get Mummy a paper so we went down the village and I am a lucky boy because they took me in the park before we went to the shop. We sat by the pond and there were ducklings there, which my people said hasn’t happened for years. I don’t like it when they look at the creatures in the pond and not at me but I did settle after a little whinge.

Now I have had my evening tablets and I am tired so please excuse me I am off for a snooze.

Regards to all

Bruce xxx

Evening all,

Auntie here! I am going to babysit the neighbours kids soon so Mummy and Bruce are downstairs having a cuddle.

Brucie told me how he was a good boy on his walk today. He saw his old friend Jet this afternoon and apparently he was very polite to her, just as he should be to a lady! He also resisted muttering at a westie so I think he has done very well today!

Over the next few days we are going to have to put Bruce's epilepsy tablets up as his fits have become a little more regualar. He will be a dopey boy so we will have to see if he is well enough to write, if not Mummy or I will guest again.

Well, I had better go, its nearly time to babysit!

Take care,

Auntie xx

Funny Weather, Good Me (Nearly!)

It is sunny then it rains then it is sunny then it rains...

Mummy stayed home again today - she goes back tomorrow. I have enjoyed having her home and I will miss her. We had a lovely walk this morning - it was just the two of us: she had asked Auntie Geri if she minded if she went alone, as she needed some time with just her and me. I was a good boy and no trouble to her and the sun stayed out and we had a lovely walk. The one time that we did meet two other dogs, one of them being a stranger, Mummy didn't make a big deal of it, just walked me past them with her fingers in my collar and talked to me nicely - as she was so calm about it all and they didn't get too close, I didn't growl or put my hackles or anything up so Mummy was pleased with me.

On our afternoon walk, she was throwing my frisbee for me. She kept throwing it into the long stuff so I had to sniff it out and I wagged my tail a lot because I like that game. We met Jet and I did a silly growl so Mummy told me to be polite and I shut up, pronto, then I put my frisbee on the ground near Jet in case she wanted to play with it. She just gave me a funny look. I don't think Jet plays.

Mummy talked to Mike the vet about me this evening. I have to have more tablets for my epilepsy because I went six months without a fit, then two, then two, then one so it is more often than before and Mike doesn't feel happy with this (neither do I. Fits aren't nice and I always feel horrible before and after). Starting from tomorrow, I have to have a 'loading dose' of an extra two Epilease (Potassium Bromide) per day, for a week, and then go down to one extra tablet a day. Last time I had a loading dose, I was really sleepy so I am not looking forward to this. Also the Epilease make me sick sometimes so this is going to be fun...

Today's pic is another from when I was a teenager as Mummy likes these.

regards

Brucie xxx

My Frisbee...Not Fair

Here is another picture of me when I was younger - only 7 months old and already a big boy!

Today, it still rained a lot. Auntie went off early this morning but Mummy stayed home with me. I helped her with her breakfast and then she phoned Auntie Geri and we went for a walk. We didn't meet any other dogs and I helped Mummy to climb through the slippery ditches so I was good.

Auntie Geri was talking about my behaviour around other dogs. She said I will get a bad name, which is true, and that she thinks I am a bully, which Mummy does not think is true after seeing me with Buster this afternoon.

On our second walk, Buster nicked my Frisbee and he kept teasing me by running and jumping in front of me with it, then running off because he knows I can’t catch him. I didn’t growl at him or anything and when he challenged me for the Frisbee, I let him have it. Mummy says this proves that I am not a bully, I am just a big scaredy dog who shows fear aggression (whatever that means) and that I need to (a) build up my confidence in other dogs (b) build up my self-confidence, and (c) trust in her always that she won’t let other dogs hurt me and therefore I am safe and don’t need to put on a big hackly growly display.

I will try…

Anyway, never mind all that, it wasn't fair. He is half my size (he's a collie type) and Mummy said he looked really funny with his ears at half-mast and a goofy smile on his face, waiting for me to try to grab my frisbee then snatching it and running off with it again. That's the thing I do to my people, nobody is supposed to do it to ME!! Humph!!!!!

Auntie is feeling very stressed this evening and so is Mummy so I am off to throw my squeaky strawberry at them both to cheer them up.

Regards to all my friends

Bruce xxx

It's Raining again

Last night, my people watched Eurovision and I slept at their feet until Mummy started yelling at the screen because she said the world has gone crazy because the Finnish men in rubber masks won.

This morning, we all overslept but we did manage to get up before Auntie Judy arrived. It was raining and raining so they didn’t go out like they had planned. They just took me for a walk – nobody else was about as they didn’t want to go out in the rain. I didn’t really want to be out in it myself but I had some energy to get rid of so I went.

Auntie Judy hung around for a while and annoyed Mummy, I think, plus Mummy was feeling ill today, then Auntie Judy went home and we have been relaxing and playing with my three new tennis balls.

Here is a picture of me when I was young.

Regards to all

Bruce xxx

Provocation

I do try to be good and I am trying to do what Mummy asks me but sometimes you can push a dog too far. We saw the Scottish Twerp's Spaniel in the distance at the beginning of our walk and it was miles in front of him. He didn't call it back so Mummy said I had better go on lead, but she didn't make a big deal of it and told me to leave him. And I did try. I was a bit tense because of the signals he was giving me but I might have got past him ok except the Scottish Twerp suddenly said the little git's name and he sprung up and ran right at me - so I ran forward and roared at him. I didn't really really pull because I respect my Mummy and I know i shouldn't have done it but you should have heard what he said to me!

A few minutes later we met Cassie the Collie and a Labrador who is called, I think, Bonnie and I was very polite to them so Mummy was pleased with me.

Auntie has returned in one piece from her traumatic visit and Mummy, who has been very tense all day, seems to be more relaxed now. We are going to watch Eurovision tonight and they are going to drink silly drinks and eat pizza, which I will help them with.

Aunti Judy is coming over tomorrow.

Right, off to watch telly, thank you Auntie Claire for guesting last night (and proper Auntie)

I'm off (as in the picture :)

Brucie xxx

Provocation

I do try to be good and I am trying to do what Mummy asks me but sometimes you can push a dog too far. We saw the Scottish Twerp's Spaniel in the distance at the beginning of our walk and it was miles in front of him. He didn't call it back so Mummy said I had better go on lead, but she didn't make a big deal of it and told me to leave him. And I did try. I was a bit tense because of the signals he was giving me but I might have got past him ok except the Scottish Twerp suddenly said the little git's name and he sprung up and ran right at me - so I ran forward and roared at him. I didn't really really pull because I respect my Mummy and I know i shouldn't have done it but you should have heard what he said to me!

A few minutes later we met Cassie the Collie and a Labrador who is called, I think, Bonnie and I was very polite to them so Mummy was pleased with me.

Auntie has returned in one piece from her traumatic visit and Mummy, who has been very tense all day, seems to be more relaxed now. We are going to watch Eurovision tonight and they are going to drink silly drinks and eat pizza, which I will help them with.

Aunti Judy is coming over tomorrow.

Right, off to watch telly, thank you Auntie Claire for guesting last night (and proper Auntie)

I'm off (as in the picture :)

Brucie xxx

Bruce is Sulking!

Evening all,

Bruce is sulking downstairs because Mummy has gone out for the evening to a friends leaving do so we are guesting this evening (its Auntie and Auntie Claire here!)

Mummy told me before she went that her and Bruce were learning a new command today. Because Bruce is a bit of a scaredy-dog Mummy wants to teach Bruce to stand behind her. Apparently a friend has taught her dog to do this when he is frightened and it has really helped. Bruce showed me how good he has got already when I came home for my lunch break and I must say I am very impressed!!!

Auntie Claire here, thought I'd say Bruce got his hug today!! He was a bit upset the other day because I didn't say goodbye! Bless him.

Anyhow its tablet time , Bruce's favourite time of day!!

So best be off,

ttfn

xxx

People Problems

Well, I can't write much tonight because my people need me. Auntie's company has gone bust and she will lose her job very soon unless someone buys it and Mummy's bank account has been frozen because she has spent too much money so they are not happy people tonight and they need my cuddles and to have honky melon thrown at them lots and lots...or honky strawberry, he honks really well.

Today I played nicely with Heidi and when Mummy told me not to mutter at her, I stopped. I growled a bit at a new Springer but I didn't pull her much at all and kept walking so she praised me and I spoke to Oscar and Leo the Pointers very politely indeed and Mummy was really pleased with me.

Have to go now, speak to you all again tomorrow before my Mummy goes out for the evening and Claire comes round (and pats me, I hope)

love

Brucie xxx

ps pic of me in snow cos Mummy likes it

Lost In Translation

Honestly, I wish I could get a person/dog dictionary. I try really hard to understand what they want from me, but sometimes I don't think I am getting what they are trying to say. This 'other dog' problem, for example. Look at it from my end. There we are, tootling along on a walk, me off the lead, Mummy chatting to Auntie Geri or proper Auntie/listening to her radio, when another dog comes onto the horizon. Mummy stops and squints at it, assessing whether or not there is a problem, which tells me there may be a threat.

I look to her for guidance while she stands and decides what to do. Depending on who it is, she will often call me to her. Now I know that there is a problem as we usually potter about independently. Maybe there is something to be afraid of. Maybe she is afraid. I come to her and she puts my lead on and tells me to sit or lie down. The other dog must be scary if we need to stop and wait for it, but this goes against my instincts as the other dog can now approach me and I can't give him any doggy signals as to how I feel about it.

Nine times out of ten, the other dog doesn't know what to make of me because I can't tell him via body language what I'm thinking so he steams towards me, giving off "I'm hard, me" language because I am so big, he thinks I am someone to be afraid of. This gets up my nose so I put my hackles up to tell him off for being Mr Big on my patch and then I'm the one who gets in trouble. How unfair is that!

I have been getting more and more cheesed off and my Mummy knows that and has been asking people's advice about what to do - where can I get advice as to how to fix her, I ask you?! But today, we had a breakthrough - Mummy told me what she wants me to do when we see another dog (I didn't have a clue before - she said sit, or down, which left me feeling very vulnerable, but then what...) but today, after I had roared at Monty from a sit, she asked Monty's Mummy to stand still with him and she told me I had to leave him and just walk past him. Oh.......

That made sense. I still muttered a little but as I knew what was required - walk past the dog, walk to heel, leave him - I did it. I wish she had told me that in the first place!

Other than that it has been a nice day and we got round our walk just before it rained.

I'll see you tomorrow (God willing) but I shan't write much as we're all going to watch the Eurovision Semi-final.

regards to all

Bruce xxx

I'm Being Trained - If I Like It Or Not...

Hello again

Mummy is really cheesed off with me growling at other dogs and is trying very hard to understand why I do it. I wish I could make her understand, but it's hard.

I was a bit naughty on my morning walk because I kept pulling Auntie so I could sniff so she told me off. On my afternoon walk, Auntie Geri joined us part way in. We had met a little spaniel and Mummy made me lie down and when the other dog ran up to me, I wasn't happy about being down there so I got up very quickly and growled at the other dog so it wouldn't attack me. Mummy made me lie down again and I grumbled at her to tell her I wasn't happy down there - I didn't show my teeth or anything, just muttered about it. I think she understood because when we met the next dog, she asked me to sit instead and gave me treats if I stayed sitting. She wanted me to look at her but I needed to keep an eye on him but I did sit nicely and not growl at all and got fed for doing so, which was great!

Later we met Oscar and Leo the Pointers and Auntie Geri just kept walking so I followed her and didn't speak to them and I got told I was a good boy because I didn't growl. Later we say Heidi and to show that I am getting the message, I stood still and let her come up to me. Ok, I spoiled it by giving one little growl but I have to show my independence!

Mummy says that I have to learn my manners and not be a rude dog.

regards to all my friends

Bruce the naughty boy :)

xxx

Big Strong Mummy

We have all been feeling a bit flat today. Mummy says we need to recover from yesterday, and she is worried about a visit Auntie is planning to make at the weekend. Still, we had a lovely cuddle before she went off with Tracy and Auntie and I had a good game of Frisbee over the fields.

When Mummy came home, she looked very tired - she said her asthma is playing up today. I gave her an extra long cuddle and grabbed her arm with my leg when she tried to move so that she would stay a bit longer. I was happy today because she said that Auntie Geri was coming with us. I was being a bit quiet and so was Mummy but she and Auntie Geri soon started nattering. Towards the end of the walk, Auntie Geri talked Mummy into letting me dip in the pit - Mummy is a bit afraid of the pony with the stripe on its nose since it chased us last week, but Auntie Geri insists that it is just being friendly. She talked to the pony while we went past and I had a lovely paddle - we all know how to behave when there are fishermen and I paddled calmly and then got out.

We met an old friend of Mummy's called Tilly and she has a new dog called Monty who used to belong to her neighbours but they took no notice of him so Tilly asked if she could have him and they just gave him away! I am lucky that I have people who love me and want me. I put my hackles up and growled at Monty so he would know I am boss (and not bite me) and Mummy said that I had to lie down quietly and be polite. I didn't like that much and I grumbled a bit and had a moan at Auntie Geri but it was nice to get the attention and to have my Mummy being all strong and dominant after she seemed so tired and defeated yesterday so I was much happier after that and put my tail up happily and walked up on my toes.

It's getting late now and I want my supper

regards to all my friends

Bruce xxx

Interrupted Sunday

I slept outside for part of last night because it was hot, but at 4, my mummy made me come in because I kept barking at cats. I hate cats....

We had a lie-in this morning. We all slept 'till gone 11, and my people weren't even dressed or breakfasted when Judy turned up (even though she wasn't supposed to arrive until 1). They all took me for a short walk, which was annoying because a short morning walk at the weekend means they are leaving me, then they all cleared off and left me at home (told you!) which isn't fair. Still, when they came back they had bought me a new big Nylabone and a new squeaky ball so I was pleased about that. We had a proper walk then and now I am tired because Judy is very tiring...but it's worse for the budgies, she won't leave them alone!

I am a little nonplussed because my new squeaky ball glows in the dark which is unnatural - you shouldn't be able to see things in the dark.

I'm tired now so I'm off for some grub then off to bed...

regards

Brucie xxx

More Like it

It's Mummy who is in a bad mood today so I'll keep this short but sweet.

Last night didn't work out. I started badly by chasing Geri's cat which she wasn't happy about . Then Geri said she didn't want to come out because she had a sore foot and Ben's Mummy didn't want to come bacause she was tired so Mummy ended up taking the two of us on her own - and then Ben ran back to Geri's as soon as she let him off the lead and his Mummy said she thought he might do that so Mummy was annoyed and I was pretty upset because I had tried to stop him.

The two of them came out after that and Ben and I went back to our normal behaviour -his Mummy hadn't seen it before and she didn't like it. She's also not really up on country etiquette and upset the fishermen, and she kept hanging about, where my people like to get on with our walk. I was still cross with Ben and didn't trust him to stay with us so I kept trying to keep him with us and round him up, and then I got in trouble for doing so, which left me troubled and confused. Auntie Geri has commented to Mummy that I bounced Ben more than normal but who can blame me after I had tried to stop him and he legged it! My people and I are quite pleased I won't be walking with him again. None of my other friends disappear over the horizon...

Today, Mummy and I had a sleep in while Auntie went to town. She met up with sister Judy and she was really annoying - she had already annoyed Mummy down the phone and then she annoyed Auntie in person. She is coming over tomorrow - she always over-excites me and annoys my people so that will be fun...

I helped Mummy to do some gardening by peering over the hedge as she was cutting it, jumping into next door's garden and laughing at her and then attacking the broom when she was sweeping up. I also attacked the hoover when she was cleaning up indoors. On my afternoon walk, I saw Heidi and Bloss and Tucker who gave me a headache as usual, but it was nice to see them.

Off now...

best wishes

Brucie xxx

Not Talking

I don't have much to say to you tonight because I am in a sulk. I will tell you about it tomorrow. Mummy and I had some quality time together this evening after abandoning our 'company' halfway through the walk (having been abandoned by him before that!) and we want to huddle together downstairs so I hope nobody will mind if I keep this short and return to my sulking.

all the best to all my friends

Bruce xxx

Tired Boy Now

Yawwwn! I am a tired boy now....

I was a restless boy last night and I paced a bit but Mummy just turned her back on me and went back to sleep - how mean is that! I figured if she wasn't bothered, I might as well settle down so I went back to sleep as well.

This morning, she charged out at three minutes past seven, all anxious that she was late for Tracy, and Tracy wasn't even there so she came back in and gave me and Auntie another cuddle and then she went to catch the bus. She came home at one of her normal times today and gave me a lolly from the fridge that was all melted so then she spent time rifling through a drawer full of papers and talking to people on the phone and muttering about all the meat being spoiled. She says the freezer has gone wrong. The man is coming tomorrow to fix it.

I expected her to take me for a walk as usual but she didn't. She went upstairs and had a shower then she came down and had her lunch outside (she shared her sandwiches with me, which was kind)and then she still didn't make a move. Now, this was a bit much so I hopped over the hedge and went out of the neighbour's gate and out to the path on my own. Mummy called me back so I laughed at her and ran round to the back garden. She said she would go without me then, and yelled "Bye, Bruce!" and started off up the hill so I ran back to her. She suggested that we get my lead and all the things we take on our walk so we went indoors and organized ourselves properly.

We did our usual walk and I jumped in a pond but when we got to the place where we usually turn for home, we kept going. We walked all the way to town and then we sat down for a while and Auntie got off a bus and then we went to the vets, where I met a nice new vet called Ruth. I did get to say hello to Mike the vet, who has grown a beard and Mummy says he looks quite handsome, but he didn't treat me today. I got weighed and I am now 45.1 kilos so I am a big boy! There was a funny water feeder thing there that whirred but it said 'cat' on it and I didn't like the whirr so I refused to drink from it. The ladies brought me out a proper ceramic bowl that said 'dog' on it and I had a drink from that.



Mike the Vet without his beard

And we walked home! Auntie bought me a lolly (a proper, frozen one)and her and Mummy had lollies and they had a can of beer each which made them go all silly. They sat down for a while and I jumped in some mud so I could splatter them but they got up before I could get them - not fair!

Now we are home and I have had my tablets and then I puked and now I am tiiiired so I am going to have some food and then go to sleep.

all the best

Brucie xxx

Log In Problems

Hello my friends

Our Blogger access has been giving us problems tonight so Bruce has given up. I think I have fixed it now by emptying our cache, but the connection keeps going down so it's all very irritating...

Bruce is now playing bouncy ball with Auntie and we are soon all going to watch the final of The Apprentice (The Badger to win!! Though I think Sir Alan will pick the pretty faced ‘I’ve had a tough life’ girl instead).

We didn’t get to the vet today – I was late home and it was hot and I didn’t want to have to stop Bruce from getting wet (taxi drivers don’t like soggy doggies) so we changed the appointment to tomorrow – hopefully the weather won’t be so hot or I won’t be so late home.

Bruce sends his love and God willing will be back tomorrow. He sends his love to all of his dps friends.

Bruce’s Mummy x

Honky Banana!

I forgot to tell you about the mean ponies, didn't I! We didn't go the pit today because they were in the field. I resent that - as you can see from my pic, I like going in the pit! When we were over there on Friday (before my leg went wrong), one of the brown ponies chased us along the bank and round the corner and we had to go back to where Jet and her Mummy were. Well, yesterday, despite the fact that we have walked through the middle of that group of ponies lots of times, the brown one decided to hassle us again. It was following us so Mummy put me on the lead, but it got too close so I whirled round and growled at it. Mummy said this wasn't a good idea.

I was frightened but I trusted her to look after me. However, one of the other ponies - the other brown one - came over and told the bad pony to leave us alone! It neighed at the naughty one, then the naughty one neighed at the boss one and then the naughty one gave a snort and left us alone. Phew! Mummy said she wouldn't have let it hurt me, she would have sent me running on to go through the fence, but I think she was a little frightened really.

Today Mummy is sad because it is 30 years since her brother died so I have been giving her my toys to play with. We went out in the garden and she chased me and I honked and honked and honked my banana and then she laughed. Job done!



We didn't get to see Ben today after all, but we had a lovely time together so that's ok. Hopefully, I will see Auntie Geri on Friday.

Best wishes to all my friends, I'm off to have my dinner now.

Bruce xxx

Rainy Day

My leg is much better now. I have been a playful boy today. It rained a lot in the morning but when Mummy was here to walk me, it wasn't raining much. She came home in a bit of a dark mood so I cuddled her for ages. I think I managed to make her feel better.

On our walk, we went into the wood. The leaves are growing fast now, and it gets darker every day in there. We got very soggy indeed. Mummy was complaining because all they talked about on the radio was the football. She says she is sick of the World cup already and it hasn't even started yet!

On the way home, we saw my two Pointer friends and I was very polite to them - well, I was, until the puppy jumped up in my face. I rrred at him a little to tell him to get down because he is getting a big boy now so I don't have to put up with that sort of behaviour. Mummy says I am a fine one to talk - I don't know what she means!

My people are trying to teach me to guard the house. Now, in my mind, that is Mummy's job - though I would never let anybody hurt her, she is in charge around here so she decides who can come in and who can't. I would guard her if anybody tried to hurt her though. I already guard her and Auntie when they are playing - I don't like rough stuff so if they have a tickle fight, I jump between them. I just don't woof at the door or things like that. Mummy would like me too.

Maybe I will do it to please her, but I won't mean it...

I hear a rumour that Ben is in the village tomorrow. I wonder if I shall get to see him...

Best regards to all my friends and I have a message for Claire - you didn't come and pat my head, s'not fair.....

Brucie xxx

Alive And Kicking

Hello everyone. I am feeling much better today and I have been having a lovely time tormenting my people by throwing my tennis ball and squeaky ball at them.

I'm not really sure what happened to my leg. Friday afternoon was really hot so we walked round the pit, went up to the wood then went back to the pit instead of going for a long walk. I did lots of jumping in the water and Mummy took pictures of me and the geese and swans - she took one of the swans' nest which I am sure she will put up for you another day. I saw Jet as well and we also saw a courting couple so Mummy wouldn't let me go to the water where they were until they had a chance to move away. I shook myself all over Mummy lots, which was really funny, and I found a stinky dead fish which Mummy wouldn't let me roll in or eat (booooo).

Then we went home. I climbed up on the couch while Mummy did my dinner and when I climbed off, my leg hurt so much that I fell over and I lost my appetite. I was so upset that my people sat with me all evening and Auntie kindly wrote on here for me. They kept doing gentle stretches on my leg which helped it afterwards but hurt at the time. I was good and only moaned under my breath, but I blotted my copybook last night when Mummy was brushing my trouser area and I tried to stop her with my mouth - only gently but I know I'm not supposed to do it.

Yesterday I was still hobbling and my people felt bad because they had left me for a while in the daytime so they sat with me again in the evening, but they also said they knew I was on the mend because I chased that tortoiseshell cat up a tree again on my afternoon walk.

And today I feel much better. We walked as far as the wood and I did some running and I have been playing with my people on and off all day and I have eaten proper food and now I am writing to you so it's all good.

I hope you like my picture from Friday - it shows me enjoying a good shake.

regards

Brucie xxx

Brucie is on the mend!

Hi there,

Auntie here again. Bruce is feeling better today but not enough to post himself and he still requires Mummy's cuddling services so I have been asked to guest again!

Bruce is sulking at us a little because we went out to see Mission Impossible 3 this morning. Bruce thinks that was very mean of us to leave him, but if we give him enough cuddles I am sure he will forgive us!

As I say, young Bruce is feeling better today. His leg is no longer in spasm and he even had a little walk this afternoon. It was good to see he had enough spirit to chase a cat up a tree (it did give him some attitude!) but he did limp a little after. I think he figured the pain was worth it! He is eating well again which is a relief, we hate it when he turns food away as things must be bad for him to do so.

Hopefully we will be able to give him more of a walk tomorrow and get some nice pics but, in the meantime, here's another one from Brucie's walk with Mummy on Friday.

Take care, Auntie xxxxx

Poor Bubby Part 2

Hello everyone,

This is Brucies Auntie here. Mummy and Brucie are downstairs having a cuddle at the moment because Bruce is not a happy boy so they have asked me to write today's post.

Earlier this afternoon, Bruce stepped off of the couch wrong and one of his back legs has gone into spasm. He is in pain, poor boy, he is not at all impressed and he didn't even want his dinner, which can't be good.

I called the Vet and the Nurse said to rest him this evening and to gently stretch his leg if he would let us. We have tried some stretches which have helped to bring him out of spasm a little but it still hurts, bless him. We can't even give him any pain relief as it would mess up his epilepsy medication. We don't want him fitting again so we will just have to comfort him and help him with stretches when he is willing.

Hopefully Brucie will be back tomorrow to fill you in on his day, if not either Mummy or I will be back with an update.

Today's picture shows Brucie on his walk looking for bunnies this afternoon before he got a sore leg.

Take care, Auntie xxxx

Poor Bubby

Bruce's Mummy here. He is resting with his Auntie. He had us up in the night because he had a fit - probably explains all that naughty behaviour lately, as he was as good as gold today (post fit), even when he saw Juno (who he usually beats up).

He had been panting a lot last night, which I tried to tell myself was because it's hot here at the moment but as his tongue was darker than usual, I knew something wasn't right. At 5.20 we were woken by his guttural Hound of the Baskervilles howl and we ran into the kitchen to make the area safe. He wasn't too near the wall, fortunately, but he was right by his water bowls so he did get a soggy bum because he 'paddles' a lot with his legs when he fits. We talked to him gently and he soon came out of it. He is always disorientated and a bit frightened so we reassure him that he is ok and we are here, then he suddenly smiles and we know he's back with us - God willing (please), this is always how it will go.

Bruce paced for ages, and we just about settled down again when it was time for me to get up. Auntie thought about staying home but Bruce was ok on his morning walk and he settled down in his run so we left him. He had been funny about his morning cuddle, but by the time I returned he was his normal cuddly self and we had a nice walk and now he is very tired - and so are we!

Bruce is seeing Mike the Vet next week to get his Epiphen levels checked and we have notified them by phone that he fitted (it goes in his records). Hopefully, all will be well now for a while and Bruce will be back to talk to you tomorrow.

Best regards to all of Bruce's friends

Bruce's Mummy x

Not Bad Today...Too hot!!

I don't have much to tell you today because I have mostly been a good boy. Mummy was late home but Auntie had a late lunch so that was ok, then me and Mummy went for our walk. I had a good swim in the pit and shook myself all over her - it was really hot today for the time of year and Mummy had her shorts on - I like to shake myself right next to her and make her legs all mud-splattered. She calls me a horrible dog - I like that (hee hee).

We saw Jet, who is a Labrador cross and (Mummy says), very much like Aunty Beauty. I have spent my whole life trying to get her to play with me and she has spent my whole life ignoring me. I chewed on a bit of horse's hoof while our Mummies were talking. When that didn't work, i.e. Mummy failed to stop talking to Linda and tell me off and therefore give me her attention, I dropped the piece of hoof and put it under my chin and had a sulk. That did the trick - I did the 'big eyes' thing and they were soon looking at me, which is how it should be.

We had a nice walk, with not too many bangs and Mummy was breathing ok even though the horrible yellow stuff is in full flower now - as you can see from the pic below.



Auntie called Mummy on her mobile before we got home and told her that our old neighbour has died. I didn't know her but Mummy says it's sad because she was only Aunty Judy's age, about 50. They were amazed how fast the gossip had spread - the lady only died at lunchtime today but already the people at Auntie's workplace know and so did a man Mummy spoke to over the fields (but he's another old neighbour so that's fair enough. His wife apparently tried to help).

My people said that this is typical of this village - nothing happens here without the whole village finding out about it.

I leave you with a couple of nature pictures - bullas blossom and some bluebells.

Bullas Blossom



Bluebells


all the best

Brucie xxx

It Was Only A little Sniff...

Today I have mostly been a better boy. I had a lovely Frisbee session with my Auntie and then I kipped all morning and then I helped auntie eat her lunch and then Mummy came home and I tried to be good, I really did, I only slipped up once. You see I really wanted to speak to Rosie the Springer and I know I should have gone back to mummy when she called me but Rosie smelled interesting and…I got moaned at and I had to do lots of boring obedience stuff on and off during the walk to prove that I can listen.

I yawned at Mummy to tell her she was boring. She said she didn’t like my attitude.

Mummy coughs a lot because of her asthma and now one of our budgies has learned to cough back which I think is really funny. Mummy says does she have to get attitude from all of the pets?

Hee hee

Not much to say today otherwise. Tablet time! By the way, Mummy says she is sorry for the picture quailty, she took this picture with her mobile phone, but she wants you to see how naughty I am. I chased a cat up a tree and I wouldn't let it come down!

Hee hee again.


Brucie xx

A Quiet Bank Holiday

Not much to report today. Auntie went out with Claire for a large part of the day (she is back from honeymoon) so it was just me and Mummy. Last night, Auntie wasn't well and she is better today - but today, Mummy is feeling grotty and has gone all quiet. Hopefully, she will be better tomorrow too.

We had a nice walk. It rained overnight and made the mud all slippery. I asked Mummy if we could go round the outside of the wood, which meant climbing through a ditch. I had to help her through because she kept sliding back down the bank into the ditch! We had some lovely cuddles in the wood and I wasn't naughty today at all.

On our second walk, we saw Buster and the other Bruce and their people said that I smell better today. I also chased a cat up a tree. Mummy should have told me off, but she was laughing! Naughty Mummy! She is supposed to teach me to know better!

My people have been watching Antonio Banderas again, this time in 'The Mask Of Zorro' on tv. They played with me as well though so I don't mind.

Right, I am off to give poor Mummy a cuddle cos she feels grotty.

Bruce xxx