Paolos Blog

PAOLOS BLOG – FEBRUARY 2008

So much has happened this month, I don't know where the time goes.  Dog days pass so quickly.  I do so much in one day, its exhausting!!  I eat, play, walk, love everyone, train and get to go to so many different places.  Best of all I get to sleep.  I have heard everyone say, I look so lovely and peaceful when I am asleep.  Little do they know, I am planning my next waking adventure.  I hear them all breathing a big sigh of relief when I am quiet.  This is all an act on my part.  Got to keep them busy!

This month, for the first time I was taken to the seaside.  My brother Alberto was so excited and I now know why.  Such fun we had together, running on the beach. 

When we got to Hunstanton, Andrew my daddy led the way.  Mummy wasn't impressed I could tell, as he was taking us through deep sand.  Daddy had Alberto in his arms and mummy carried me.  Poor mummy, she didn't have the right type of shoes on and I was just so excited, I was wriggling about in her arms, I desperately wanted to get down.  Mummy thought she would drop me, I was that excited. 

When she put me down on the beach what a feeling.  My paws loved the sand and it tasted so good.  I kept on running round and round.  I could see my paws in the sand.  I didn't know what to put in my mouth first.  One minute it was sea weed, wood, sand and stones.  Why didn't they give us bigger mouths, that's what I say.  Mum and dad were trying to get me to drop and leave everything but how could I - it was great.  I went upto the waters edge but that was too cold and reminded me of having a bath.  Although I'm sure I could have done the doggy paddle and swam for miles - that would have caused some excitement!

Now I know we are a white dog but sometimes its good to change colour and why not all other dog pals will say.  Alberto and I turned yellow with black paws.  Sand was everywhere.  I wanted to take some home with me.

Mummy said I had selective hearing that day.  I couldn't hear because the wind was blowing in my ears.  I'm sure I could have been the first dog to fly like those big birds.  Now did I mention they were good to chase!!  I had a sore throat from all the talking and barking I did that day.

I even tried some seaside fish, lovely!

Can't remember the journey home though, Alberto and I were so tired.  The backseat and us, were covered in sand and dirt but we thought it would give our parents something to do when they got home!

I dreamed for weeks about that trip, next time I might try some doggy fishing or even go on the fun fair.

I am a lucky boy because I have a large garden to play in.  My mum and dad made it dog proof for Alberto and it has always been nice and secure.  I love exploring and I like to get me nose into everything.  Normally they only see my bum when I've found somewhere to put my head!  Everything smells and tastes so nice. 
I now have another nickname, the great escape artist.  Last year, a man came to do the hedges and unknown to the humans he had forgot to put a section of the fence back.  I therefore felt it was my dog duty to let my parents know this fact.  How else could I do it, without escaping!  I didn't plan it, it just happened.  We are never left on our own in the garden, mum or dad are always with us but they don't always watch our every move.  When they weren't looking through the hedge I went and yes I found myself in a new garden.  It was like a secret garden.  How interesting I thought to myself, I must explore.  I could hear mummy calling but I decided not to bark back.  I was too busy.  Mummy eventually saw me and then the fun really began!! Why or why don't humans learn.  When they chase after us, its one of the best games out there.  Love it.  Mummy came closer, I ran off, brilliant.  Mummy then caught me out, she turned away and started walking away - leaving me alone in a strange place.  She was also chewing something that looked rather tasty.  I just had to follow.  Then she caught me.  Crafty these humans!!  Daddy had to then fix the fence.  I thought it was important he had yet another job to do!

Alberto and I have helped mum and dad buy a new car this month.  It was important that we tried it out.  Mum made sure it had air conditioning for us.  Unfortunately, I was a little naughty.  Well to tell the truth it was mum and dads fault.  I am only a puppy with a small bladder!  Poor daddy he got wet trousers, I couldn't hold myself.  Now very interesting, mum and dad didn't buy a car from that garage and they didn't go back, can't understand why!

I have been busy losing teeth.  Mummy gets so excited when she finds them.  She is keeping them.  She has lots of Alberto's and when I have finished losing my teeth she is going to have a piece of jewellery made with our teeth in.  As I said, strange these humans.

Now I like to give lots of love and pleasure to my parents and I certainly make them laugh and at times cry!

I was laying on the bed with Alberto and silly mummy left a bag on the bed.  I wanted to know what was in it.  Perhaps it was food or maybe something to play with.  Daddy was sitting on the edge of the bed, mummy standing talking away.  I thought it was therefore my job on behalf of all dog detectives to investigate this bag.  It was so noisy and wonderful to shake about.  Daddy should have left me alone.  He leaned over to try and grab it from me and what happens .... he fell straight off the bed onto the floor.  Mummy nearly wet herself laughing.  I am such a good boy to bring them such happiness!

Everything is such a game to me.  I love to wear the knickers and socks from the airier.  That's what they are designed for.  Mum has tried to put them up higher but I am clever.  I stand on my paws and reach up to get them.  Sometimes I have got in a muddle when they have slipped over my eyes!

Unfortunately, I went to the vets this month.  I love running around the reception area and the staff all love me.  It smells great.  Alberto is always reluctant why I thought to myself now I know.  What you don't want to happen is going into any of the back rooms.  Because of my escape trick, mum and dad decided to have my tagged.  Microchipped I heard it called.  Poor mummy she was in a worse state than me.  I was very brave and like daddy I have to be brave because I am a man!  Good job I didn't see what was coming.  I cried mummy jumped, daddy held onto me tightly!  No long lasting side effects.  In fact because I was so brave, the vet gave me a nice treat.  Perhaps you go in the rooms for food! 

I've now started going with mummy to her salon.  When she is upstairs I stay in the antique shop with my grandparents and Alberto.  Although I have sneaked upstairs into the salon, when no one is looking.  Another new place to explore.  All mummy's clients love me and why not I ask myself I am after all so handsome.  Before you know it I will be having a manicure and facial! 

I heard mummy telling one of her clients about an Andrex puppy.  Who could this be I asked myself.  I decided to do some doggy research to find out about this cousin of ours.  I learnt alot and decided the best place to put my findings into action was at the beauty salon.  Someone had forgotten to close the bathroom door, therefore it was not my fault.  I saw that lovely white soft paper.  Do you know, when you got hold of the end it went on and on forever.  I threw it around and thought I better taste it.  Soft and gentle it was!  I made it into lots of tiny pieces and left it so mummy could see all my hard work.  What could she say, she is lovely, she just laughed.  I tried to help her clear it up but I made it a little worse.  It was like snow flakes everywhere!!

I've been going to ringcraft classes to show off.  Its really more of a social event for me, I get to met all my friends and cause havoc.  I do try my hardest but its so much more fun chewing my lead and barking and biting everyones fingers, if they are foolish enough to put their fingers in my mouth.  Maybe I will be a champion but to mum and dad I already am.  I can only do my best and mum just wants me to enjoy myself and have fun.  I do look good though.  Watch this space because my first show is Easter Saturday.

Its hungry work paw typing and I can smell my lunch so I will say woof woof till next month

 

PAOLOS BOG- JANUARY 2008

Both Andrew and I  would like to thank Caroline for letting us bring Paolo into our home and lifes.  We are very lucky to already have another Bolognese, Alberto, who is 3 years old.  Alberto was kindly allowed to live with us by another wonderful breeder Janice Evendon.

Andrew and I both agree that the Bolognese is a wonder dog to love and own.  They are loving, gentle, clever and fun little white balls of fluff!  Be careful though, they will wrap you around their little paws!

Grooming is important and I like to groom them everyday.  It not definitely every other day.  It helps to keep them clean and prevents matts forming.  Its a great way to bond with your dogs, who love it.  They know they will get a treat at the end!

Paolo may only be puppy but both he and Alberto are a whizz at paw typing on the computer!  Paolo with the help of Alberto have decided to keep a diary of exciting adventures that they get upto!  We all hope you enjoy.

I was sorry to leave my first home and family but I do love my new family, even though I cause them lots of extra hard work.  I am keeping them all fit by having to ran after me.  When I am quiet for some unknown reason they think I am upto no good!!

I was a good boy on the way to my new home.  I think my parents thought I would settled down and sleep on the way home.  I did not!  This was a warning to them that I would be a bundle of endless energy and fun!  I was so interested in looking out of the window and seeing where we were going.  I love the car.

My new home is so exciting, lots to chew and get into!  I have lots of new toys, my favourite is a lovely yellow squeaky ball and a soft reindeer.  I love to chase after these.  My mummy is teaching me to fetch, come, leave and stand.  Sometimes I do these well, other things, well you guessed, I please myself.  They have recently got me some Highlife, white chew strips.  These are really good.  Good for my teeth and it helps me stop chewing things I shouldn't.  Although the forbidden things are the best but don't tell them that!

I have a wonderful bed, that is besides my parents bed.  My big brother Alberto lays the other side of the chair.  I have a lovely crate that is so warm and cosy.  I go to sleep when my mum does but I tend to wake up slightly earlier than her.  I have got better, I don't get up at 5 am now, 6 am is now my style!  I am in a lovely routine, I go outside to the toilet.  My mum gets so excited when I do my business.  She stands there saying 'be quick' and when I have done everything I am told what a good boy I am.  I know I'm good.  Funny what makes people happy.  Then I decided to ran around the garden getting all dirty.  Then I'm no longer a white dog!  Mum cleans me up, then I go back to my bed, whilst she gets herself ready.  My dad is sometimes still asleep can't have this can we.  I decide the best thing to do is cry and bark to get attention!!  It rattles them more than me but they have got wise to this now so I am ignored - cheek of it!  I quickly now settle down.  When mum is ready she feeds me my breakfast, lovely.  I do love to eat and really enjoy my food!!  I will even finish Alberto's off, if he has left some.  They don't feed us together, Alberto first then me.  I think this is because I would eat his food and I know he wouldn't like this.

Alberto is a good brother.  It is hard for him because he has been on his own for 3 years.  It is taking time for him to get to love me, like I love him.  I don't make it easy for him unfortunately, I love to play and I do jump on his face.  Very naughty!  He will growl and bark at me.  He turns away and leaves me.  I am learning.  If I'm gentle he stays with me longer.

I think he thinks I am mad and wonders when I will be leaving.  We are getting better and when I am a little older, I hope we will sleep together and be great friends.

My parents are trying to house train me.  I'm not too bad, I still have a few little accidents.  I think I am getting better.  They might not agree.  They have worked out my little dance routines, which I like to do before I go to the toilet.  I think I could have been on Top of the Dogs, if it still showed on the TV!  If they are not quick enough, I have some mats down by the front door and in the bathroom.  Instead of using them to do my business, I love to chew them up and ran around the house!  I'm too quick for them.

I've been to see my new vets, they were very kind.  Everyone loved me.  Only to be expected, I am so cute and cuddly!  I was allowed to ran around, smelling everything.  I stood really nicely on the vets table.  He was gentle and said I was in tip top dog condition.  Of course, I was given such a good start in life.

My mum thank goodness decided not to have me micro-chipped straight away.  The vet agreed that it would not be fair to me on my first visit.  Woof woof I agreed big time with that!

I don't think I will get away with this for long.

My parents have decided to show me.  Yes I know I am a handsome chap and I should win everything.  The judges might not agree but my parents know they have the best and will be taking the best home. They've taken me to something called ringcraft classes.  It's a great way to meet lots of other dogs, who I might say are a lot bigger than me.  Not as cute though!  I don't see it as a class though, its another opportunity to cause chaos!  I've not mastered what they call the lead yet.  I love to chew it instead of having it around my neck!  Jumping around with it in my mouth is my thing.  I should imagine these is a class for this somewhere!  I do like standing though not keen on other people touching me all over, what a cheek, who do they think they are!!  I have to walk in and out of the other dogs without playing with them.  Why not play I say, I'm sure they would love to play too.  I think with time I should get better.  My dad was watching mum and I and I saw him laughing.  When my mum asked why he said everyone else was nice and calm and quiet but not us two.  Mum was telling me I was a good boy, he said singing it out and I was having a ball jumping around.  Dad said we lowered the tone of the whole class.  They shouldn't take it so seriously I say.

My mum owns a beauty salon, which is above my grandparents antique shop.  This is where Alberto and I everyday.  We stay downstairs, whilst our mum is working.  My poor grandfather.  I know how to keep him busy.  Alberto sleeps on his posh chair and my grandfather has to play with me.  I love to chew all the boxes and things.  Mum has caught us at the end of the afternoon asleep.  Granddad in his chair with me on his lap.  He says he is not sleeping, just resting his eyes.  Not me, I am sleeping.  Alberto, grandad and I, seem to sleep well!!

Last week, my mum and dad called in a dog listener, called Susan, who works with the famous Jan Fennell.  She came to help them with Alberto.  My big brother is lovely and gentle but he is a little anxious when one of my parents leaves.  Its called separation anxiety.  She is helping them with other things as well.  This will help me as well.  They have been doing Amichien Bonding with us both.  They play with me alot because its important for my bonding!  Its working well and I know its been hard for them to ignore Alberto completely for the last week.  Bless him, he took on the role of Alpha male not liking it when part of his pack left.  I am another pack member to look after and it is too stressful for him.  He is definitely more relaxed and he has come back into the pack this weekend.  There are 4 golden rules to understand:

After separation, we are ignored for 5 minutes and then called into their space for love and greeting.  Its lovely.  I don't have to wait so long.  We are trying to be calm during this time to show that we are good boys!

When we go outside, or upstairs, through a doorway etc they go first and we follow.  I am quick so I try and run between their legs!  Instead of us looking for signs of danger and protecting our parents, they are looking out for us.  Makes us more relaxed and we don't have to worry about things.  They are there to protect us.

When we go for a walk, they take us not the other way around.  They are leading us.  We don't need to pull or walk ahead, side by side.

When its eatting time they make our food and would you believe eat from our bowl for a minute before we eat.  Can't say I blame them our food is delicious!  Mummy would like to say something here - we are not eating their food but a piece of fruit!!

All the above work in harmony together and have to be repeated daily so that we understand.  All we need to do is sit back and lead a comfortable and enjoyable life!!  What a life we say. 

I hope you like my adventure so far, there is going to be so much more.  I will of course keep you informed. 

Lots of love, woof woof and hugs and kisses, Paolo and Alberto xxxxx