Gosh, I haven't written anything for ages. So here's what I remember.
On about the Tuesday 6th November, Steve phoned the Devon vet (the one used by the breeder) about the jabs. Apparently, it's always the procedure that the pups have 2 single jabs the first time, then 2 weeks later booster jabs of those two and also single jabs of some other stuff. They can then go out a week after. Steve then phoned another vet in our area who said the same as our own vet - boosters of all jabs are needed, then a 10-day wait. Doesn't seem quite fair that if we lived in Devon Brody would be out and about, whereas we have to wait another 3 weeks. Anyway, this other local vet agreed that the window of opportunity for socialising Brody and getting him used to different surroundings is shrinking and said we could take him out places where we know lots of dogs aren't taken to limit the risk.
So on Monday Steve took Brody out early to the beach as the tide was going out and stayed on the newly wet sand. Brody was a bit nervous, but seemed to love it. He stayed on the lead and remained right by Steve's side. Steve took him out the next morning too, this time with Megan in tow, but it seemed it hadn't registered in Steve's mind after reading the tide table that it was a New Moon and the tide was at its highest. Therefore, not much room to manoevre especially when a big wave comes in - which it did. Not too bad if you're a grown man with wellies accompanied by a big dog. But here we have a grown man with walking shoes with a tiny pup off the lead. That plus big wave equals soaking wet trousers, shoes and socks, and a half-drowned puppy, now a nervous wreck and scared stiff of the sea.
When they get home, poor Brody was stinking. Straight in the shower - not keen. Tries to escape. Not that keen on being rubbed down with a towel either. Damp dog for next hour - not a good smell. He was starting to shiver, but I covered him with his blanket and he was as snug as a bug in a rug.
Steve took Brody for another social visit to Olly the spaniel. Another full-on play/fight session. But that evening, Brody can't stop licking and biting all his paws. I look it up on the internet (not always a good idea for ailments). Apparently it could either be a)he's stepped on stinging nettles; b) he's allergic to something in the friend's garden - grasses, plants, etc; c)stress; d)sore paws after playing. We keep an eye on him for the rest of the evening. It's really troubling him - he even whines when he's licking or biting which makes us think there's a cut there somewhere. But the next day he has improved considerably. Panic over.
His training is coming along well. He can 'say hello' by touching your hand with his nose, answer to 'paw' and doesn't jump up when we give him his dinner bowl. The two things we have to master are 'leave' and 'down' when jumping up at the table.
He had his third set of jabs, so we only have to wait now until next weekend. I hope it's not too late.
I took him to meet Poppy, a spaniel cross bitch, 2 years old. The meeting didn't go well. At first sight of Brody (in my arms), Poppy starts to growl, and when I put him down with Poppy's mum holding on to her collar she starts to sound even angrier, so we go into her kitchen for Brody to have a sniff around while Poppy remains shut outside with her nose to the glass back door, snarling and showing her teeth at Brody. Oh dear, not a good introduction to the female of the species for Brody!
Megan and I were getting into the car today with Brody on Megan's lap in the front passenger seat, ready to take Megan to school. Suddenly Brody did his manic excitable jump to the face with mouth open to Megan, causing tears, a split lip and a nose bleed. Luckily Steve was hanging around by the car, so he took Brody back into the house and got tissues to block the nosebleed. Poor Megan, not a good start to the school day. By the time we get to school she's calmed down (but a little quiet) and the bleeding has stopped. Of course, Brody doesn't realise he has done anything wrong, he's still only a jumpy puppy, and he won't understand that he's instilled a bit of sadness and wariness of him into Megan. I hope she understands. Steve and I decide it might be time to put him in the back of the car for journeys.
Today it was sensory overload for Brody. It was near lunchtime, I was preparing tonight's tea, while at the same time stripping a cooked chicken carcass for my sandwich, and also trying to make Brody's lunch. He was going mental yelping and barking and jumping at the table. I had to lure him outside and shut the door while I finished everything - I felt a bit bad as he was crying and pawing the back door, but needs must.
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