What a day!

When I woke up on Saturday morning I could never have guessed what an exciting day I was in for! As usual we all went to a shoot for the day. I really enjoy the shoots, I get to say hello to everyone and play with some of the other dogs, but when they go off to work, I get to have a nice cosy sleep in the car.

It seemed like just a normal shoot day, I 'socialised' before the start, at elevenses, and at lunchtime, but near the end of the day Mum came to get me and said I could sit on my first drive. How exciting is that when you're just 6 months old!!!

It seemed an age before the drive started so I just mooched about, but as soon as I heard the beaters start the drive, I thought I'd better copy Fergus. Fergus had been sitting still watching the wood the beaters were coming through for ages, so this is what I did too! There were some shots fired, but alas nothing for Fergus to retrieve. Fergus told me afterwards that he doesn't really like that drive as there is very rarely anything for him to retrieve, and this is probably why I was allowed to help. What a cheek! but I really enjoyed it anyway, I felt VERY grown up.

My bed and brothers have shrunk!

Things around me are getting smaller, including my brothers, and more importantly my bed! My bed used to be big enough for me and several toys, but now I can only just fit in it on my own!

Here are some photos to prove it....

Me in my bed in June

Me in my bed yesterday

Me (on the right) with Fergus and Duggie in July

Me (on the left) with Duggie and Fergus yesterday!

A Grand Day Out

On Friday Mum took Duggie and me out for the day. First we went to Newark where we met Aunty Sandra. We went for a walk around the town and castle. It was market day so it was quite busy, but I am pleased to report there is a pet stall on the market run by a very nice man who gave Duggie and me a piece of Schmacko each!

This is me on the castle ramparts

After our walk round Newark we went to Aunty Sandra's house to see Murphy and Merlin (and Uncle Michael too!) It was great to see them again and Merlin and I had a big play in the garden. 

Practicing our dog ballet moves

Then, after lunch we all went for a lovely walk around the fields. As this was somewhere I hadn't been before there were lots of exciting new sights and smells to explore. Merlin said he would take me for a longer walk around the fields another day, I will really look forward to that.

Back home there was just time for tea and then a BIG sleep. Mum said I did a lot of dreaming, but I was just re-living a grand day out!

What a busy fortnight!

I have been SO busy recently I just haven't had time to blog so here's a quick catch up....

In the last 2 weeks I have been to my first shoots, been caravanning in Cambridge, passed my Kennel Club Good Citizen Puppy Award, continued my gundog training, and if that isn't enough on Sunday I celebrated being 6 months old!

Sharing a 6th month old birthday drink with Duggie.

I'm on the left....... I'm nearly as big as Duggie now!

Getting used to the sights and smells of life on a shoot.

Fergus says I'll have to help him fetch these next year!

Practicing retrieving at home

Being presented with my first rosette and certificate.

I passed my KCGC Puppy Award with flying colours.

My First Swim

If you have been following my blog you will know I have progressed from cooling off in a paddling pool, to getting my feet wet in Rutland water and playing in the sea. Yesterday, Mum kept her promise to take me for my first actual swim.

It was a lovely warm sunny October (yes October!) day so off I went to our local fishing lakes with Mum, Dad and Fergus.

I was desperate to go in the water and retrieve the toy but Mum made me watch Fergus do it first. I had watched him do this at Rutland water so I knew exactly what to do - I just wanted my go!

At last it was my turn but Mum didn't throw the toy very far, I got it without having to take my feet off the bottom.



Then the big moment came, Mum threw the toy further in the lake, and I had my first swim

I swam straight out and brought the toy back to Mum. She was really pleased with me, she said I swam very nicely - I didn't splash at all.

Then it was Fergus' turn again, but I 'helped!'

After another couple of retrieves I just went for a swim on my own - I really enjoyed it, I can't wait to go again!

Visitor

We had a visitor over the weekend, Aunty Linda came to stay. I hadn't met her before but we made friends straight away. On Saturday morning I was quite worried, I thought she had stolen Mum. It turned out they had gone to Lincoln to do something called 'shopping.' I don't really know what 'shopping' is, but it must involve a LOT of walking because Aunty Linda always comes back with new shoes!

Saying "Hello" to Aunty Linda