Final puppy class party and video!

Not boasting or anything but I totally cleaned up at the puppy class graduation party last Thursday night!

Yes, I won prizes for games of musical chairs and pass the parcel, and, paired with team mate Baxter the Cockerpoo, also the relay races which involved weaving round the poles with and without potato and spoon (which was held by the humans, obviously..... ) It maybe helped that Gail was once, back in the day, a 100 meters runner! Or so she tells me.

Here am I with Baxter and his mum, celebrating our two victories. Which were no less meaningful for the fact that the competing team consisted of Daisy Dachshund and Freddie Lhasa Apso.

It just so happens that the only time I didn't win was when we played the 'sit when the music stops' game. Which of course is the only one that we videoed*.

*Big thanks to Marie-Therese, film director and fellow member of the victorious relay team.

In defence of my record at puppy class...

It has come to my attention that Gail has been going around saying some very unfair things about my behaviour in puppy class.

Now is the time to set the record straight! Let me make clear the following points:

1. Unlike EVERY SINGLE OTHER DOG IN THE CLASS I have never pee'd or poo'd on the floor of the scout hut where we meet every Thursday evening.

2. I am really quite co-operative at doing stupid exercises like weaving between poles, despite the fact that, being of superior intelligence, and unlike certain other dogs present, I fully recognise that these things are totally pointless.

3. Provided that my mouth is continually crammed full of tasty treats, so that I have no teeth free to bite at other dogs or their handlers, I behave impeccably.

4. That Daisy Dachshund needs to learn that some dogs find her very irritating and I think I am providing her with valuable life lessons, at no extra charge.

5. It is my understanding that teachers like kids who will speak up in class, and I am SO MUCH BETTER at doing this than the other puppies.

6. Obviously, I am the favourite of Mr and Mrs Munro, who run the class. Why else would I, more than any other pup, be so often singled out for their special attention, scooped up and cuddled very tightly in their arms, etc. etc.

7. Last but not least, taking me to puppy class has surely given Gail (who, I believe, was herself a bit of a goody two-shoes at school), new insight into a different approach to the learning process...

And all this despite still no black pudding.

PS Why oh why oh why did I ever allow myself to be persuaded to support the ENGLAND football team...........??

Black pudding, an explanation

It seems I have mystified some of my non-British readers with reference in my previous post to 'black pudding', one of our great national delicacies, and Gail says I owe you an explanation. The first thing to know is that, in the same way that 'spotted dick' is not a....... (oh, perhaps we won't go there, google it if you must!), well anyway, I was going to say, black pudding is not a dessert. It's a sort of breakfast sausage, and the main ingredient is pig's blood. It's really really yummy. I guess my wise Aunties Martha and Bailey must be correct when they say that it would make a mess if placed inside a trouser pocket, although have they not heard of polythene bags?

Gail also says that I don't have long on the computer today as we had a very busy weekend and now she has lots of work to do, but she has allowed me to upload a couple of pictures from Saturday of me playing nicely (it can happen) with my neighbour Jockie.

PS from Gail: I want certain doggies out there (I think you know who you are) to be aware that I am very worried about your comments regarding Bertie's behaviour at puppy class. I feel you are being a 'bad influence' and I have told Bertie that I may have to ban him from blogging unless he finds some cyber-friends who will encourage a more serious and constructive approach to his education!

Puppy class (where was the black pudding?)

Uncle Eric, you promised. You ABSOLUTELY promised! You promised, you promised, you promised, promised, PROMISED! Yes you did. Did, did, did, DID, DID!!

Did.

You said there'd be black pudding at puppy class.

Gail says I have to learn that life is full of disappointments.

Well you can say that again. (Oh. She did).

I am thinking that I might take after my Scottie friend Bonnie, and be too independent minded for all this formal education business.

I tried to tell everyone. Loudly, repeatedly and persistently. That I wanted black pudding. Where was the black pudding? I wanted it and I wanted it NOW! And by the way, what was all this guff about 'sit', 'down', and walking on a loose lead? I thought I'd made it quite clear I was expecting a quantum electrodynamics lecture, at the very least!

I have to say that all the other puppies listened to me quietly and patiently throughout. I can't imagine why Gail seemed to find this situation stressful and embarrassing, as the other dog Mum and Dads looked on with ever so slightly smug expressions.....

Some of my classmates are a bit of a pushover, you know. Although with Daisy the dachshund, it's hard to tell if you've pushed her over or if she's still standing.

And I quite like cockerpoo Baxter. I mean, he's not as feisty as me, but, well, he can be pretty lively.

Oh and everyone seems to think Lhasa Apso Freddie is just too cute for words. Teacher's pet, I say! And that's not a compliment...

Beagle Murdo seems a bit wary of me. I can't imagine why.

Well outside at the end, I sort of got a chance to 'socialise' with my new pals, and began to see that it might not all be bad, despite the lack of black pudding.

And anyway I live in hope for next week....