Predictably for a Sprocker Little Nell has boundless energy and is now proving to be wonderful company on our walks around the fields and, off the lead for most of the time unless we are on the lane, she never strays far from our side. We had almost forgotten the joy of a puppy that is not being trained to work and though she is taking up hours and hours of time she is giving us a huge amount of pleasure, as well as limited wardrobe options...it is never worth wearing anything remotely smart at the moment.
These rules of possession are actually those of the toddler, and always cause much mirth and head nodding in the health visitor workplace, but it occurred to me that with a bit of tweaking they currently also apply to a five month-old puppy, probably a toddler already in dog years.
The toddler's puppy's rules of possession:
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand paw it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building chewing something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something using something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
11. If it's broken, but you are having fun playing with the pieces, it's mine again.
12. If there is ANY doubt, it's mine.
The one that we always add to the toddler list for added amusement is
13. If it's broccoli it's yours.
I would change that very slightly because there is nothing this puppy won't eat so...
14. If it's dead it's mine....and just you try and get it off me.
Currently everything must still be chewed to within an inch of existence, and Nell's most favoured item??
The equivalant of the puppy's treasure basket... a pair of Bookhound's very old work trousers that she took a shine to whilst his legs were still in them. Eventually she had gnawed her way through and around half a leg so he surrendered them to their fate, and these are now known as the Teething Trews
Biscuits hidden inside the velcroed pockets, close them and fling the trousers her way.
Guaranteed hours of peace and quiet as she figures it out..
Barks at the trousers...
Chews the trousers...
Gets very cross with the trousers...
Chews the trousers...
Makes friends with the trousers again...
Chews the trousers...
Throws the trousers around the kitchen...
Watches the trousers carefully in case they move...
Kills the trousers... until eventually out pops a biscuit onto the floor and we all cheer.
And it starts all over again as she looks for the next one.
Pet shops should sell these....I really should take this to the Dragons Den
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