Choosing the right breed of human

Fellow pups, I have been giving much thought this week to an oft overlooked matter, namely the importance of selecting the right breed of owner, with suitable characteristics compatible with one's own lifestyle.

You see, I have come to realise that in the case of my human, it is very important for her mental stability and overall well-being that she is given energetic exercise at least once a day.

As you know I am normally very diligent in carrying out this duty, being a lively little chap myself (yes Gail, 'lively' is the word I meant to use, not 'hyper'). But this week, on top of all else that is going on here in Nottingham, I have had a very sore paw, and although I try not to make a fuss it really has not been possible to give Gail the exercise she needs and as a result she has become fractious.

Worse, last night, Gail managed to open the front door when she was not attached to my lead, and took herself for a walk ON HER OWN. Well of course I was frantic with worry, especially as I was unable to go and search for her. I am so relieved that she returned safe and sound an hour later, just before it got properly dark.

I might also note that Gail needs feeding at regular intervals, as if the blood sugar drops below a critical level, then her normally sunny disposition clouds over faster than you can say emergency Mars Bar.

It is clear from my observations over the past three years that this requirement for lots of exercise and frequent feeding is a breed trait common to all Gail's family.

Perfect for me of course.

I wonder what kind of humans my canine friends live with, and would be most interested to know, for scientific purposes you understand, if they too have noticed any unique and interesting breed characteristics?


PS from Gail: Bertie has picked up a paw infection, presumably through a cut in in his right rear pad, and it is news to me that he has 'not been making a fuss'....After a visit yesterday to a local vet, he is being treated with antibiotics.

Keeping your human in order

Us pups are creatures of habit, right?

We know exactly what should happen when, and find it most disturbing when our humans forget the rules.

Take my morning walk, for example.

I know the drill, every step of the way.

Gail gets out of bed, has a shower, comes down to the kitchen, stops by my bed to say hello and give me a wee tummy tickle, then consumes her bowl of muesli and precisely and one and a half mugs of tea. After which she puts on her coat (and hat, and scarf and gloves, at this time of year), clips on my lead, and we're out the front door. Turn left and five minutes later we reach the park entrance and only then I am allowed off my lead and we complete our anti-clockwise circuit round the park, pausing now and then to greet all the other early morning regulars.

But sometimes Gail gets things terribly wrong.

Yesterday morning for example. We were only about half way to the park and Gail dropped hold of my lead. Incredible. It was as if she didn't realise where we were.

Well I can tell you, I stopped dead in my tracks and looked up at her, to let her know that she had made a serious error, and that she was still supposed to be attached to me at this point, whatever was she thinking of?

I am pleased to report that, on recognising her mistake, Gail immediately picked up my lead and from then on things proceeded according to plan.

I do hope nothing irregular happens today.