A new Member of the Family

[Nanto2girls]

Daisy, I think Eva is doing very well. She will get there in the end I'm sure.

[Gemini]

She definitely is making progress, well done to all of you!
I'm glad Eva enjoyed her first holiday

[Clover]

Glad the holiday was a success and Eva was a good girl.Your perseverance will pay off in the end.What an interesting mix of dogs you encounter at Dog training.

[Daisy]

Thank you ladies.

Clover - yes it is an interesting mix. There are a lot of Leonburgers because the trainer has two herself, so she gets a lot of referrals through the breed rescue organisation. One 'client' used to travel all the way from Stafford (to Southampton!) every week for her classes. The current 2 Beagles are owned by a mother and daughter. Mother has 4 dogs and is a dog groomer and daughter has just come back to live at home with her cheeky little rascal of a Beagle so they are working hard to integrate the two dog families. Most of the dogs are rescue dogs who have various problems. Many of them are dog or people aggressive or reactive, and it makes me so sad to see how human mistreatment has made them the way they are.

Eva is slightly unusual in that she's not aggressive and not always reactive, but she's like an overgrown puppy who sees everything as a great big party she wants to throw herself into. This is ok provided the other dog wants to party as well - but not all of them do.

[Gemini]

Eva has such a good attitude. If all dogs were like her, non aggressive and wanting to be friends and party, how wonderful it would be

[Daisy]

That's true, Gem, but the thought of half a dozen or so dogs like Eva in full party mode would be chaos! We do love her zest for life though.

Yesterday my neighbour called round. She slipped her lovely new furry boots off at the door and we went into the kitchen to sit and chat. I went to get something out of the living room and noticed Eva had picked up one of these beautiful boots and had it in the middle of the rug. She wasn't chewing it (thank goodness!) but I took it off her and explained it wasn't hers and gave her one of her favourite tennis balls. When the neighbour tried to put her boots back on she found another tennis ball in it! Eva must have dropped it in there and was trying to get it out.

We're learning that she always has a reason for what she does - we just have to work out what it is, bless her.

[Daisy]

This might not sound like much - but it is for me.

Yesterday OH and I took Eva for a run in the paddock which a friend kindly lets us use. We can safely let her off the lead and she tears round like a greyhound and eventually slows down a bit and we practise recall with her. We were there for ages yesterday, and then the friend came over and he walked round and round with us and Eva stayed close (after her mad gallop). She then sat quietly while we were chatting with friend and his wife. So pleased with her.

Then just before tea time I took her for a walk in the Forest. She walked really nicely on a loose lead for the whole walk, and for the first time ever I felt she was really 'with' me rather than me just being the pain at the other end of the lead who was stopping her doing what she wanted.

As I say, it doesn't sound much, but it was the best walk we've had with her in 10 months.

[Clover]

Aww she's getting there Daisy. Well done Eva.

[Gemini]

Onwards and upwards Eva ( and Daisy!)

[Plantaholic]

Well done Eva

[Daisy]

Thank you ladies. It doesn't sound much, but it was great to be walking with her and both of us relaxed and enjoying each other's company.


I took her back into the Forest today immediately after her run in the paddock - and it poured with rain. I had to rush back home to get changed ready to go and meet GD2 from playgroup.

[Daisy]

I mentioned elsewhere that OH has been staying at GS1's for the last 5 nights to help them with some DIY. The first night Eva waited at the bottom of the stairs for him to come home. Eventually I coaxed her into her basket and she was ok, but came up on the bed as soon as I woke up on Sunday morning. She'd been terrified by all the fireworks, so I wasn't surprised she wasn't quite herself. The same thing happened on Sunday, including lots of fireworks. On Monday and Tuesday I had to take her with me to look after the GDs, which was fine. But by Wednesday she was looking really sad and wasn't eating. I took her for a run in the paddock before dog training, but she wasn't her usual joyous self. She refused food again yesterday. OH arrived home about 8.30 and I wish I'd videoed the welcome she gave him. If there was any doubt what had been wrong with her, that confirmed it. This morning she gobbled her breakfast up - life is good again for her.

[Nanto2girls]

Oh bless her. Good to hear she is back to her normal self.

[Plantaholic]

True love, her master is back

[Gemini]

Awww! Next time Daddy goes away, he may have to take Eva with him