Getting our puppy

When we were looking for a puppy we had to be quite specific at which breeds we looked at because I'm allergic to dogs.  I did have a dog growing up - a gorgeous red setter called Max.  Unfortunately, the loss of him was too great for my parents and we didn't get another.  My husband, otoh, grew up with Westies until he left home at 18yo.  It was only after an allergic reaction to something unknown, that I was tested as an adult, and found to be allergic.

DD2 loves animals, and has been begging for a pet - any pet at all - since she was very young.  As my husband and I are dog-people, it would always be a dog, but I wasn't keen on having one whilst the girls were small.  To try and help the girls realise the level of responsibility that comes with owning a pet, I had said that we wouldn't get one until they had shown they are responsibly by keeping their bedrooms tidy for 6 months in a row.  That kept them appeased for a few years, as I kept saying that I would have a dog, but needed them to be tidier so the dog wouldn't get hurt.  Meanwhile, however, I had been thinking about getting a dog.

Ideally I would have wanted to get a rescue dog, however, because I'm limited to which breeds I am looking for, dogs that are suitable for our family are few and far between - the ones that are available specify that they need experienced owners, or no children, or both.  Then about a month ago, on Dog's Trust website, there were a pair of poodles - 4 years old - but they had to be homed together.  They were gorgeous!  Unfortunately (though fortunately for them), I saw the advert late at night, and when I phoned the following day, they had closed applications for them.  Going from no pets, to 2 potential pets, to no pets within 24hours made me realise how much I do want a dog.

So, I had been looking at adverts on as many websites as possible, and reading up about what to look for in a pet and a breeder etc.  There is also a lot of information about puppy farms.  Whilst I know they exist, I didn't realise quite how prevalent they are.  The old adage of "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" seems highly accurate when looking for a pet.  There were loads of adverts that I didn't even click on, some that I spotted and managed to contact the website owner to get taken down, and one that I didn't realise was a puppy farm until I contacted them, and someone with a different name, with a different email and phone number, and a different location, offered "just for me" £250 off the advertised price, plus he'll deliver it to me.  I feel sad for the pups, but I don't want to give my money to people like that, no thank you.

The breeder we found is fairly local, and as soon as I contacted her, she replied asking me a load of questions about why I wanted one of her pups, whether the pup would be left at home during the day, etc etc.  I had visited a few other puppies (because I refused to make a decision there and then, they were often sold by the following day), but she was the first to ask me anything, before she agreed for me to view the pups, and that made me have confidence in her.  

Due to covid, we had to have masks on, and meet in her garden, but the pups were gorgeous.  I thought it would be hard choosing between them, but luckily I didn't have to choose - she chose me!  We now have an agonising wait before we can bring her home to join us, with a couple of visits in between, but we are very glad to have made this decision.  Not only are we getting a new family member, it has prompted the girls to tidy and get rid of excess (I have said that any toys or clothes they sell, they can keep the money for), so our house is looking great!

Weekly Update Y2 w39

 This is my big news of this week: 

Unfortunately, I still haven't hit my target of getting below 90kg by the start of September, but I have finally hit it - yey!

My daily weight is still very bobbly, as you can see, but hopefully (barring today) it is bobbly around the low 90s, so soon it should dip below.

I am drinking plenty of water - easily 3litres a day - which I think has helped a lot, and we changed our veg box from British to Quick Cook, which has meant, even when tired, between my husband and I we can rustle up something veggie based to eat.

This past weekend, I took part in the 2020 Race For Life, and surprised myself by how much I was able to jog.  I had intended to walk the 5K briskly, but when I was out, I challenged myself every now and again by running (jogging) a minimum of 3 lampposts.  And I raised a total of £125 for Cancer Research, which given my initial target of £50, I'm very happy with.  (And one final plug: Sponsor Me Here).

Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy by Steve Mann

If you don't follow me on Facebook (and if not, why not?!) you may not have seen the news that we have put down a deposit on a puppy.  We can't bring her home for another fortnight, but we are in love with her already.

So, as is my way, I have immediately bought and read a load of books about dogs.  Oh, maybe not a load, but I have bought two for myself and two for my girls.  And yes, I have read them all already.

The first of these is Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy and it contains a wealth of information.

The blurb says:

My name's Steve Mann and I've been a professional dog trainer and behaviourist for over 30 years. As founder of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, I've helped transform the lives of over 100,000 dogs and their families - and now I want to help you, too!

Whether you're living with a brand-new puppy, an adult dog or rescue dog, my methods will give you everything you need to know. Using simple, proven, science-based and ethical techniques, I'll show you how to have the best relationship with your pup, as well as teaching you how to get:

super-fast recalls, great loose lead walking, perfect manners and much, MUCH more...

I promise, it really is easy peasy and every tip, trick and lesson will bring you and your puppy closer together.

I'll see you on the other side.

This is a really well written book. It is casual enough that you feel like you are having a conversation with Steve, yet it is full of solid advice, ways to approach your pet, tips and tricks (though in reality, there is no trick, other than starting training your dog right and don't use violence or aggression to them).

I'm not going to go into what the book teaches too much, because this is a book that I think is worth you buying, but I now have a list of key words stuck to my fridge, and I feel more confident looking after a new member of the family.

If you have a puppy, or want one, read this book, and if you have an older dog, you may be interested to know that Steve Mann has a book aimed at older dogs too.

On Her Own Two Wheels by Stacy Xavier

 On Her Own Two Wheels is my X in my list - nearly finished now!

It is about a woman called Cassie who decides that her life is a bit same-old, same-old.  In an argument with her boyfriend she says she might want to learn to ride a motorbike, and he dismisses her.  However, as the days go on, the idea takes hold, and she decides to take an intensive motorcycle course, with or without her boyfriend's permission.

The blurb says:

Just three years out of college and Cassie Wright has hit a dead end. Still living at home with her mom and dad and dating the same writer masked as a waiter, Devon, for just as long, she knows she wants more out of life. Motorcycle lessons seem like a fun idea and the perfect escape. Cassie soon finds herself breaking away from her dull life and starts on a journey to self-confidence as she learns how to make each day extraordinary.

While driving home from visiting her grandmother in Wisconsin, she drags a reluctant Devon to a local biker event at a motorcycle dealership. From there, she becomes inspired to take riding lessons for some much needed fun and adventure. In time, she meets Marcus, the part-time riding instructor and full-time college administrator. He is drawn to Cassie’s ambition and adventurous spirit, and a romance quickly blossoms, forcing Cassie to realize she deserves better than what Devon chooses to give.

Becoming more confident in her everyday life through her riding, Cassie quits the electronics shop to become the motorcycle dealership’s new marketing director, opening herself up to an entirely new set of professional and personal obstacles. Cassie must learn to approach her issues in a whole new way while striving to be the type of woman she herself would want to emulate.

An inspirational coming-of-age novel for any woman who has ever settled for less, romantically or professionally, On Her Own Two Wheels tells the moving tale of a young woman finding the courage to challenge herself, break the mold, seek adventure, and make the ordinary in her life extraordinary as she truly comes into her own.

This is an easy to read book that I finished in a couple of days. I thought the first part of the story (where she is learning to ride and changing her life) was really gripping, and I think it could have ended there and be published as a novella.  The book did continue, but I wasn't as hooked by it, though I can't really put my finger on exactly why that is the case? It wasn't bad at all, I just... I don't know.  Maybe I simply thought the first bit was so good, that it was hard to maintain the pace.  I don't know.

Overall, however, I would say that it is a light, enjoyable read. 

You've Got a Friend In Me - The Collective Virtual Choir

If you haven't read about The Collective before, why haven't you read this post or this one? Eh? Eh!

Anyway, here is the final video for You've Got a Friend in Me:

I am in here somewhere!  And no, I haven't found me yet, lol.  So if you see someone with fading purple hair and and a cowboy hat, let me know!

And if you think you're likely to want to join in, firstly, why haven't you joined in already? But more importantly, there is a new song starting soon, so if you did want to join in now is the perfect time. It's Sting's Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.

Actually Factually by Guy Campbell

I don't know why this book was in my list of books to read - I can only assume that my husband got it for the children, thinking they would like it.  However, I do like tidbits of information, so I chose this as my next non-fiction book to read.

This book is a collection of oft-quoted sayings followed by a discussion about whether they are true or not, and covers a wide range of topics.

The blurb says:

A fascinating collection of misunderstandings, mistakes and misconceptions, "Actually Factually" reveals the reality behind just a few of the myths that get mixed up with truth. If you really thought that Christopher Columbus discovered America or that Henry VIII definitely had six wives this book will bring you right back to Earth with a bump.

Full of fantastic facts to wow your teachers, friends and family, the entries include: your hair and nails continue to grow after you die; a goldfish has a memory of about three seconds; water goes down the plughole the other way in Australia; ship's Captains can perform marriage ceremonies and more.

As an adult, there was nothing new in her, but for a child I can imagine it being quite interesting.  Each chapter is only a few pages long, and though there are scientific discussions, nothing is too heavy for a 8+ year old to understand.

Weekly Update Y2 w37

Gah! I've put on weight this week. It's not a surprise - I haven't eaten great.  I haven't prepped any meals for a while, and exercise hasn't been top of my list either.  Hands up, it's my fault.

I did get closer - 90.2 kilos, but now weigh more than that again. Hmpf.
And this is why I've been record keeping for over 18months now...