Happy Birthday to me!

...So the plan for mum and I to write on here three times a week isn't going so great at the moment, but she does have a reasonable excuse - she was getting stuff ready for my Birthday!  Having been rescued, no-one really knows when my real birthday is so back when Mum first got me she picked this date - which means I'm officially four today! 

I didn't know anything about it until she came down this morning and sang Happy Birthday to me when I came to greet her as usual. I could tell a 'birthday' was a special occasion as she seemed quite excited, and when I went into the lounge I realised why.  Hidden behind the cushions on the sofa, I could smell something doggy like. When Mum encouraged me to take a look, I knew it must be a present!  I snuffled around, front paws on the sofa and found not one, but TWO new squeaky toys to play with (one from Mum, one from Auntie J - thanks both!)!!! 

I was soooo excited, I ran round the house wagging my tail, and I wouldn't stay still long enough for Mum to get a clear photo of me to put on here.  All the pictures she got are blurry - well, what does she expect?!  New toys ARE one of the most exciting things EVER!

I did have to go to work with her for the morning but Nanny and Gramps rescued me at lunchtime and I spent the rest of the afternoon with my 2 best mates, Bo Bo and Bear.  Bo Bo's a two year old labradoodle and we spend most of our time together playing.  Bear's a nine year old retriever so he takes a bit more persuading to join in, but he did today - so all in all I love this Birthday lark.

Mum says I have to wait a whole year for my next one... I'm counting down already!

Plunging snout first into the Blogosphere!

Wow, my first blog!  Mum decided we should write something to record how I’m progressing and thought it’d be nice to share it with others as well, so here we are – blogging novices attempting to learn the ropes together!

My story starts just under a year ago when I arrived at the Rescue Centre, under-nourished and very scared.  I don’t remember much about back then but I do remember how lovely all the staff were.  They would stay with me while I ate whenever they could as it was the only time I really felt safe enough to eat something. There was lots of noise around me and other dogs barking – I just didn’t know what was going on.

Looking back, I think my lack of appetite was mainly down to nerves.  Although I’m still not the world’s greatest eater, I will now pester Mum if I’m too late being fed, so that’s a definite improvement on when we met!   

Talking of which, I’ll never forget the day Mum came into my life.  She was quite a way from home and only in the area with Nanny to see old friends.  She wasn’t supposed to be stopping into the Rescue Centre at all.  But she had been to all her local animal shelters and hadn’t found a suitable dog, so Nanny convinced her to try one they’d seen on the internet.

Apparently they walked along all the kennels but I was hiding in the closed, back section of mine as usual so they couldn’t see me.   They read the card on the fence that said I was a 3 year old German Shepherd Female, and called my name a few times to try to entice me out.  I wasn’t having any of it though!  In the end, Mum went back to the reception to ask if I was around, and the lady said yes, that I’d just be hiding but they could bring me out so Mum could see me if she wanted.  Amazingly, she said yes! 

I knew then that she might be the one for me.  After all, how many people would read a card on a kennel fence and follow it up without seeing the animal?  I could have been the invisible dog for all she knew but she was willing to take a chance...

So, out the staff came with me on a harness and lead, and after completing some paperwork Mum was allowed to take me for a walk around the paddock.  On our way there, Nanny kept scaring me – well actually her rustling coat did! - so she decided to wait at the end of the walk to see if Mum and I would bond.  By midway along the first side of the field, Mum had won my trust.  To prove it, when we stopped I licked her hand, and that’s the moment I totally won her heart. 

At the end of the walk Mum sat down on the ground to discuss me with Nanny.  Just to make sure she didn’t change her mind, while they were chatting I sat by Mum’s side and kissed her on the face, then I laid down and protectively put both my front paws across her leg.  She had such a kind air about her there was no chance I was going to let her go!

I did panic for a minute when she handed my lead, and me, back to the Centre staff.  Then I saw a tear in her eye because she was having to leave me, and heard her say “see you soon” as I was walking away.  I knew she’d be back for me.

Well, I think I’d better stop now – I may have got a bit carried away!  Hopefully you’ll forgive me.  Next time I’ll tell you about the day Mum came to collect me...

In the meantime, I hope you’ve enjoyed my first hello – please feel free to leave comments!