Poor puppy, not getting too much attention

Rodders was in the garden barking so I went out to see why and he was talking to Bob and Pat next door over the fence. They had been away for the night and were just getting back and tell me the roads are very slippy.

Once Rodders came in we went upstairs so that I could get washed and dressed and then we went straight out for a walk. This is the first time that Rodders has been on the rugby field in days and he loved it! As usual I swapped to the extendable lead while we were on the field as it gives him some freedom to run and play. He loves to lag behind and them come running past me but I also made sure that he would actually come back to me, rather than keep on running and I got him to wait for me to catch up with him a couple of times. He kindly pooped near the bin which was handy! We also had two short flurries of snow so it really is flipping cold!

After we left the rugby field OH rang to check how we were and I was still chatting to him when I spotted Nicky & John from across the road. They wanted to say hello to Rodders so I hung up on OH so that I could stop and chat. They have spotted Roders and I leaving home a few times and think that he is walking beautifully on the lead and they also think that he has grown a lot in the last few weeks. We parted company and Rodders and I carried on home to get in the warm.

Back inside Rodders ate some more of his chicken and rice while I made a cuppa. I then got ready for the last of the Christmas wrapping marathon. Rodders wasn't too impressed when he saw what I was doing and he has mooched about playing with his toys or in the garden on his own most of the time. He did take offence to one of the gift bags and was trying to bite it and he has tried getting rubbish out the bin. When he has done this I have stopped to play fetch for a little while to try and alleviate his boredom. The next thing he tried to chew was on of OH's presents, luckily I caught him before he did any damage.

Just as I was on the final few bits one of my friends rang to check that I was going to do my traditional visit on Christmas Eve which I am. They have invited me for lunch and know that Rodders will be coming too. It will be good to catch up and see their children, especially the youngest as she is my goddaughter!

As soon as I finished wrapping I came and sat on the sofa so that I could watch the Show Jumping from Olympia. My bestest friend and I used to go every year until she moved to America. We started off in the cheap seats for one performance and ended up taking the week off work and going to every performance with members tickets!

Rodders is very happy that I have sat down at last and he is snuggled up beside me. Must think about something to eat soon, haven't had anything yet although I did spot that Rodders has cleared his bowl.

Getting better

Over the course of the day Rodders was improving and I found him sitting in his toy box at one point! The length of time he was playing was getting longer and the sleeping was getting shorter so it is obvious that he is feeling better. A combination of the treatment by the vet, chicken and rice and drinking probably.

My only concerning moment was when he dragged his teddy across the floor and then whimpered as he let him go. He just sat there and looked at me so I called him over and brought him up on to my lap. As soon as he fell asleep I popped him back on his bed pad.

One of my friends called in for a cuppa and to drop some goodies off for me. When the doorbell went Rodders didn't move off the bed pad. She came in and crouched down on the floor and miraculously Rodders got up and crept towards her and let her fuss him. As I made a cuppa for us both he was quite happy wandering between us and when we settled down for a natter he just wanted to chew her shoe laces! I managed to distract him with some toys for a while but then he went back to the laces so we had to try again with another toy, this was a bit more successful.

All too soon it was time for her to go and Rodders came to the door to say goodbye.

A friend comes to see us

I got up and came downstairs as OH went up for a shower. While he was in the bathroom we both heard a strange noise and shot to the stairs. Rodders has taken to standing at the top and throwing one of his toys down, he then runs down to collect it and starts again! He does the same with slippers too but they don't make quite the same noise.

Once OH was showered and dressed he was ready to go off to work. Rodders went out to the gate with him but came running back when I called him.

He was happy to lie on his bed pad for a snooze while I was on the computer and he came upstairs with me when I went to get washed and dressed.

My bestest friend is here from America and we were expecting a visit. As she pulled up outside the postie was there too and Rodders was barking hello. I put him down as I went to the door and he decided to be shy and backed away as she came in. She was excited to see him as she had brought him a present - an amazing present! A whole turkey dinner on a plate but all soft toys and buggy type things! We took the plastic dome covering off it and left it on the floor. One by one he came and took each item: A turkey, a baked potato, a sweetcorn, some bread and some greens. He absolutely loves it!

She and I sat about gossiping and drinking tea for a while but, although he was happy to take gifts from her, Rodders was  keeping his distance. She needed to do a bit of shopping so Rodders got put in his crate for a while so that we could go out.

Once back he was a little better with her and she managed to give him some treats while I cooked lunch. As we ate Rodders sat on snuggle fleece at my feet until he asked to go out in to the garden. While he was out there a hail storm started and he came running back in. Once it was over he asked to go back out and had a great time eating the build up of ice on the door step. I also spotted that he has been digging in the stones to the left of the door so he now realises that the stones go round three sides of the patio!

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to her. Just before she left Rodders did approach her and allowed her to fuss him. I am so pleased, this is one person we don't get to see very often but she is a very special friend and it is important that Rodders likes her too!