Well, what a six months it has been. Many of you may know of my exploits with the cakes at Christmas and the delicious smelling loaf that Mum made and Dad very kindly left out for me on the work-top and of course the eclair that Dad left on the arm of his sofa. (I wasn't actually sure that the eclair was for me so I just licked it - I was right it wasn't for me as I got a "Bah"!)
Anyway, about three or four weeks ago Mum decided that she needed help to train me over the last hurdle (as she describes it) as she didn't like me howling and pulling on the lead when I saw another dog for some reason. She had already trained me to ignore horses, sheep, cats, rabbits, people, leaves, birds etc which I had always greeted in the same noisy and pully way but could not train me to ignore other dogs. She had managed to stop me howling but not to ignore them so I still made some noise and did circles on the lead.
A nice man called Richard came to see us and Mum and him talked for a long time before taking me out and I heard Mum telling Richard that I have always been a very good dog in the house and that she could not fault me (apart from the food episodes) so I was pleased about that because I do love my mum and I do try to be good for her all the time but when I saw another dog I just got too excited to remember what Mum had taught me. To cut a long story short, Mum has learnt to talk "dog" and if I do something wrong she says "Bah" and then I know that I shouldn't do it again. Training is a very wet affair as a lot of water is involved! Occasionally I forget what I am supposed to do but I am getting better and this morning I could tell that I had done really, really well on our walk and so couldn't wait for my lead to be taken off so that I could have a HUGE fuss with Mum. I just knew that she was soooo pleased with me, I could hear the smile in her voice when she was telling me what a good boy I was.
Richard came back this week and he told Mum that I was among the two most difficult dogs that he had come across to train as I am so confident and that the secret was to keep me happy and confident but to manage my personality so that on the lead I do what Mum wants me to do not what I want to do. Richard brought one of his own dogs with him to help train me not to get too excited when I see another dog. I was very tired after our two hour session but I think I learned a lot.
I am very happy in my new life. I have a nice big garden to run around in and play football or fetch with Mum and Dad (and they don't shout when I go on the flower borders), I have a field to have a really big romp around in, I go for two walks/training sessions a day, Mum has found some really tasty food for me and I have a lovely basket to sleep in or to sit in while Mum is cooking, Mum brushes me regularly which makes my skin feel really nice and she cleans my ears twice a week (don't like the drops but I love the wet earwipes). From time to time other people come to visit me and I love everyone and show them by wagging my tail until it's worn out. My favourite time is in the evening when both Mum and Dad are sitting down watching tv and I settle down on the floor in between them or in front of the fire (sometimes with the biggest chewy bone in the world) and with a full tummy and knowing that Mum and Dad love me to bits.
Rescue team, remember my little story. It isn't as dramatic as some of the other dogs' stories but probably typical of the many dogs that you rehome and perhaps don't hear how they are getting on. You find us really good homes where we are loved, secure, happy and well cared for. Thank you from us all.
)
Oh Bob what a star you are!!! I think me and you would get on great guns if we lived closer to each other 
and think the rescue is great as without it you would not be with your Mum and Dad and neither would I. 
Lots of love to you and your Mum and Dad as she sounds like fun also!!!!
a fellow rescue dog!!!
