Dogs

[Squirrel]

How are you both doing today?

[Lily]

I've just been speaking to a friend of mine who is dog-mad and it took her a good month to bond with her current one, which I didn't know. This is all making me feel SO much better. Cerise, how are you feeling about the kittens?

Thank you for asking Squizz. I felt sick with anxiety again this morning, but we strode off for a magical morning walk in my local nature reserve which did us both good. He ignores other dogs and people in general although his tail does wag when he sees people. The vet visit went well, too. She thinks he has a parasite infection and has had one for some time as his skin has thickened and he is covered in scabs :( so we have antibiotics, flea & worm tablets and Hibiscrub to soothe the soreness. I signed up to their monthly d/d which has saved me about £60 and he also had a steroid injection to reduce the itch. She did like Stinky Stuff and I have ordered some to keep his skin top notch but hopefully these medications will sort him out.

I'm WFH today and he is content just to sit in the garden in the sun for hours. My parents came to visit and he was very relaxed with them. I am feeling a bit more confident with him now, and ready to look at insurance. My mum said that you couldn't get a more perfect dog for me and actually she's right.

Last night he slept in the sitting room rather than in my room and I got a much better's night's sleep!

I am holding onto little moments like this when I am proud of him for being so good or those little heart leaps you get when you see him being happy because I know that I'm going to have wobbles again.

[Little My]

He sounds like an absolute dream, Lily. Congrats on your new little buddy!

Honestly, it probably took me about 5 months before I felt I had any bond with my demon puppy. I do love her now.

[Cerise]

Sounds like good progress, Lily.

I feel much better now, thank you. I had terrible guilt about Ziggy and the difference between going from having one cat who mostly slept to two kittens who need a lot of attention was a bit daunting. They are so affectionate though and we can give them a great home.

[Offtopic]

Oh this is lovely. You are very lucky that he sleeps in his own bed. I woke up this morning to Rosie actually spooning me, with a complete lack of regard for personal space.

It takes time. I felt like this with R, I wasn't sure if I'd made the right decision, although I felt sorry for her. And at one point I completely forgot we had a dog and when she ambled into the room I really really screamed as I thought there was a giant rat in the hallway. :)) We've had her 3 years now. And we love love love love her and she does us. And you will get this too.

Ruby, the 'with care, comes love' bit has made me well up a bit. That's so true.

[Toast]

How are you getting on, Lily? He looks like a lovely boy

[Lily]

I'm glad you're feeling better, Cerise. This has been a real culture shock for me and I imagine it was likewise for you - those little black glossies are just too gorgeous and getting affection from an animal is such a joy. Bertie isn't affectionate, and I'm not sure he ever will be, but he seems content and I'll take that.

Rosie :lol: I am getting very strict about him not coming in my bedroom and I have to put furniture on the sofa & armchairs so he doesn't sleep on them. I would be less strict if he were smaller; I think it's different with littler dogs for some reason.

We had a good day today thank you, Toast! I decided not to take him into work today but to give him another day to get used to his new home; I was needed in the office so we had an early morning walk (which I really enjoy). An hour or so later my old neighbour (who he met yesterday) took him for a couple of hours and they had great fun. Then in the afternoon my mum came in to see and walk him. I had a camera on him and he simply slept for all of his alone time - but he was ready for another walk when I came home! I put my foot down and said I had to work out first (as I missed out on Sunday's workout because he wanted a walk) so he came and watched me but made me feel very guilty. :ella:

[Squirrel]

He’s got such a lovely face! How is he getting on with the medication?

[sally maclennane]

He's lovely!

[Little My]

He's definitely got the puppy dog eyes going on.

[Tabitha]

Aw, he’s got such an expressive face. He’s lovely

I’m really late to this - sorry if you’ve already said - but do you know how old he is?

[Margo]

Aaw, you’re already talking to him!

[Lily]

I yabber on to him all the time, but I'm not convinced he can hear anything. He is in work with me today and my boss instantly said "He's deaf as a post".

He's so good at taking his meds! He just swallows them down with the rest of his food. His itching is already getting less. I have got a scratchmitt for him to wear when he scratches his poorly ear.

Tabs, the charity think he's 7 but he is probably older. I need to sort insurance today.

[bramblerose]

He does have a lovely face

[H1ppychick]

He's got Maggie Concerned Face.

[Wiggle]

Lily the updates are lovely and he is a very lucky dog having you in his life. He has such an adorable face

[Lily]

Coming into the office was clearly hard work.

He also showed his first signs of excitement last night as a fox crossed our path during the walk. He started whining and pulling and barking; it was like he'd found his voice.

[Luna]

Oh bless him. I think he is settling in really well.

[Duophonic]

He's finding his voice.

That looks a ridiculously comfy bed.

[Florin]

Hello - and he is gorgeous Lily.

We got a dog earlier this year and it was so hard for the first couple of weeks, but she is now very much part of the family & just part of our routine & brings so much to our life. Having a dog is the best