Lydia was so excited to be on Jennyanydots for the first time. I got excited too but although I was rather more bouncy than usual mum was relieved I didn't knock anyone over into the water. When we had put all our bags on the boat and sorted out the food Annabel and mum took Lydia and me for a walk around the marina. We went to the shop and they bought ice creams. I didn't get one though! After that mum got out the barbecue and Annabel was in charge of cooking bacon and chicken fillets. At bedtime Lydia and Annabel slept in the bed and mum slept on the sofa. I spent the night swapping beds. It was really good fun and I kept waking mum up.

On Sunday afternoon Annabel was really helpful and loaded up the car. Mum got a bit cross with Lydia because she ate some dirty tea bags out of the coal bucket! Eventually we set off. At Bromley Heyes they left me in the car and went into a garden centre. A lady came with a stone fox and put it in the boot next to me. Annabel and Lydia chose it to make a memorial for the dog called Foxy who lived in our house before I moved in.

The photos in the blog before this one show some of the things we did during Lydia's first boat visit. We all had a lovely time but mum was very tired when we eventually got home.

October 9 and 10 2010

On Saturday morning mum loaded up the car and we went to Ormskirk. Dad and Toby stayed at home. Annabel and Lydia put their bags in the car and off we went. Poor mum and Lydia were feeling a bit shaky because mum had tripped over Lydia and they both went flying onto the pavement and both had grazed elbows, but at least it was nothing to do with me this time. Mum tripped over me the other day and I was so upset that Toby and I wouldn't let her get up and we kept licking her face to make her feel better!

Anyway, we stayed in the car for a while and then stopped at some motorway services so we could all stretch our legs. Annabel took me for a little walk and I was really good. I didn't pull the lead at all. Eventually we got to the marina. I'm a really good dog in the car now and I haven't been sick for ages. I just jump in and go to sleep right at the back of the boot.

23 September 2010

We arrived back at the marina yesterday. Toby and dad went home this morning and mum took me shopping to 'Dogsrus' to buy me a new collar and some toys. I've been really good. I sat and watched the geese and didn't try to chase them. I really like the taste of goose poo! I sat and watched the moorhens and only went to investigate after they went into the water. I've played fetch the ball a lot with mum and helped her paint the fire. It doesn't look rusty any more. I've even been as good as gold during a really long and loud thunderstorm. Mum said that if Foxy had been here she would have been a quivering heap in the bathroom. I think we are going to go home on Saturday so I guess this is the last blog until the next trip. Bye. Woofs and bounces until next time.

22 September 2010

This is the swan family that was knocking on Jennydots last night asking for bread. Look how huge that cygnet is!

September 2010

It was the end of a lovely, but long day all the way from Gailey when we moored up at Tixall Wide again. We saw a boat called Patricia Anne that used to be moored by Jennyanydots at Uplands Marina a long time ago. There was a hot air balloon in the sky and the resident swans with their two cygnets came and knocked on the side hatch for bread. Mum said she had never seen such a big cygnet before. It also got exciting when a duck flew in through the side hatch - it saw us and turned round and flew out again. The man on the boat behind knew of mum's uncle Michael and mum kept saying "what a small world". The best thing though was I made a new friend called Lassie. She and I just kept running around for ages making our mums and dads laugh a lot.

September 2010

Mum took these pictures of me and Toby at Tixall Lock because when we got to the lock going the other way there was nearly a disaster. I didn't understand about locks and had always been on the lead on the boat before but this time they let me get off with dad. Mum stayed at the bottom of the lock and held the rope while dad went and set the lock. When the lock was ready mum set off away from the bank and I suddenly thought she was going without me. I ran down from the lock and Jennyanydots was already quite a long way from the bank but I didn't think and I just leapt for the boat. It was almost too far and only my front legs managed to grab the boat. I was scared and mum was scared but I managed to scrabble on board. It's a good job they have that thick rubber matting on the counter. Anyway, although my legs still go in different directions I understand about locks and "on board" much better now and so on the way back I co-operated with sitting by the sign so mum could take my picture.

September 2010

On Monday I went with mum, dad and Toby for my very first pub lunch at the Fox and Anchor. I was incredibly good. We moored up for the night above Gailey Lock by a little wood and some big fields. Toby and I had a wonderful time playing in the field and in the woods. On Tuesday morning we set off and mum and dad were amazed to see a boat going backwards into one of the locks. We couldn't work out why!

The pictures are of Otherton Lock. If you look at the fence behind Jennyanydots you can see the M6 motorway,

Next we got to Penkridge and at the lock by the waterpoint and services, where the canal is really narrow the Kirby Family from Lancaster had moored their butty alongside the main boat opposite to the lock layby. This meant that when mum was there the canal was completely blocked. The Kirby family sell painted canal ware and mum had bought our little coffee table/magazine rack from them years ago. Anyway, there were boats behind us and boats in a queue to come up the lock. The Kirby people wouldn't move their butty into a space behind or in front of their boat so mum had to reverse back up the canal, past all the people who were waiting. She asked the lady if she could move her butty out of the way and the lady grumbled at her that it was Jennyanydots in the way stopping them from moving on. All the people on the towpath were saying how selfish of the Kirbys and mum said that she wasn't ever going to buy any more stuff from them. Eventually it all got sorted out like one of those puzzles where you move the squares round to make a picture or pattern.

The next exciting thing to happen was when I fell in at Parkgate Lock just over the place where the paddle lets the water into the lock. I scrambled out pretty fast I can tell you. I was trying to follow dad over the gate.

19 September 2010

I love it when the towpath is next to the side hatch. I really like standing outside and looking at what is going on inside. It's also good because I can have my dinner outside instead of having to defend my bowl from Toby when we both eat inside.

19 September 2010

All this fresh air makes us really tired. Mum took this picture of we three chaps all fast asleep and snoring.

19 September 2010

Dad went shopping at Brewood. Toby and I were so pleased to see him when he got back. I got so excited that dad had to smack me for biting Toby.

19 September 2010

We are on our way back now.

This morning we woke up in a place called Norbury Junction. When we arrived there yesterday it was pouring down and we were all soaking. Toby wouldn't stay inside the cabin with me and so he had to be rubbed dry with towels. This morning it was still raining so mum and dad waited until the weather brightened up a bit and then we set off. We turned round at the boatyard and then they stopped the boat. Toby and I were tied up on our leads while mum and dad went into the chandlery to buy a new coalbucket and some coal. You should have heard me howl. Toby escaped and went to look for them inside the cafe. We also had to wait for two men to come and "pump out" for us. It was very smelly.

Eventually we set off and it was really boring. We just kept going and all there was for me to do was go to sleep. Then, mum slowed the boat down and dad took us for a walk. I kept being really naughty bouncing Toby and biting his neck. It was just so good to be able to move around again for a while. We had to get back onto the boat until we got to Wheaton Aston Lock when I helped mum hold the boat by pulling at the rope. At tea time we stopped at the same place we were at the day before yesterday at Brewood. Mum found a boat selling tiller pins and while she was choosing some new cats (cats, I ask you!?) I played for ages with a new friend called Rocky. He was a cairn terrier and although I am much bigger he was definitely in charge. Toby was relieved because I left him alone for a while. Mum and and dad say that I have grown a lot and I'm now huge. taking up loads of space on the boat.

16 September 2010

We have done a lot of locks on this trip and today there has been a variety of different sorts. At lots of the locks Toby and I are allowed to get off and help,
Some of the locks are really pretty but today we have been up a staircase and mum didn't like it. We also went up three locks one after another at The Bratch. When we are in tricky locks Toby and I get put on our leads so we can't jump off - and it is so boring!

The pictures are just a few examples of the locks we have done.

16 September 2010

Well, all sorts have happened since I last wrote my blog.

I've fallen in twice. The first time was bedtime and dad had let me and Toby off the boat for a wee. I managed that bit fine but when I jumped back on board I slipped in the dark and fell off the back of the boat. Dad fished me out and mum rubbed me dry, but she had to use two towels I was so soggy. The second time was the next day when I was playing with a German Shepherd Dog and its dad wasn't doing anything to stop it bouncing me and it bounced me off the towpath into the water. My mum and dad were pulling the ropes on Jennyanydots to moor up and so the man pulled me out of the water. I was really excited and pleased with myself. I had a go at bouncing everyone who walked past the boat.

Mum and dad are pleased because I am now beginning to act a bit like a guard dog. If someone I don't like the look of comes near the boat I grumble, then I growl and sometimes I even bark. My bark is getting quite deep and loud now.

We have been as far as Kinver and the people from Wilson's of Kinver came and fixed the covers and dad bought some new furniture to be delivered next month.

We are on our way to a different canal now.

Sunday

Yesterday afternoon mum and dad were having a snooze after their lunch at the pub when there was a huge bang and the boat shuddered. They ran up on the deck to see a very long yellow Viking Afloat boat right next to us. The people didn't know how to steer it or how to slow down near to moored boats and they had banged into us. Mum wasn't pleased because some paint had been chipped off the back bit.

Today has been a lovely day. We set off about 7.30 a.m. when most of the other boats were still asleep. Only an Anglo Welsh boat had gone past us and we followed them all through the Narrows and past the junction for the Shropshire Union Canal. We had to stop at the bottom of the Wolverhampton Flight because their boat was across the canal. Their people had been asking directions from people on the towpath and they asked us as well. They were trying to get to Bunbury on the Langollen Canal by going up to Wolverhampton. Dad gave them directions to turn back to the Shroppie and we went on our way. We did loads of locks and Toby and I ran around all the time. Eventually mum put us on our leads and we went down three really strange locks at Bratch. We sailed straight from one lock into the next and the nice BW man who was helping us told us all about the history. It used to be a staircase but now has water fed into each lock from a really pretty pond at the side so each lock is separate. We moored up at the bottom of the locks for the afternoon. Mum lit the fire because it was a bit chilly and I found an apple tree. I've enjoyed eating apples and picking blackberries today.

Saturday

I think I have got the hang of locks now. I can get on and off the boat without getting anxious and I know exactly what "on board" means although when there are exciting things happening I don't always do it first time.

Yesterday Toby and I had a wonderful day running up and down between the boat and the locks. When we moored up above Bogg's Lock we were so tired we just flopped down asleep. When we woke up this morning there was someone running past the boat and so I tried a bit of guarding for the first time and barked at them. Later I was put on my lead for the locks because there were other dogs around and then a busy road at Gailey. I'm trying really hard not to bounce people but there are so many people around to be friends with. Today we haven't gone very far and are moored near the Fox and Anchor at Cross Green. Mum and dad went for their lunch and left us alone on the boat. I've never been left on the boat before so I howled for a while but then they came back and everything was fine.

Thursday

I couldn't sleep on the bed last night because there wasn't enough room for us all. I was a bit fed up because I always sleep next to mum and I couldn't do that so I slept in the bathroom on the nice warm cork bathmat. Toby slept on the settee.

I've really enjoyed today. Mum's let me sit on the counter on the back of the boat and I now know that when we stop she says "stay" and I have to wait until it is safe for me to jump off.

There was a problem at Colwich lock first thing this morning and a BW man was helping clear out a log which had trapped a boat in the lock. Once it was fixed we waited our turn and then mum took the boat into the lock and it filled with water. I wasn't scared this time. We stopped at Great Haywood so dad could go shopping and find out about taxis to take him back to the marina so he can go home if necessary and then we went up the next lock. It was such a beautiful day they decided to stop at Tixall Wide again. Mum sanded down and painted the boat poles and we just pottered about then dad took me for a walk up to Tixall Lock. Mum and dad kept telling Toby he was a pain because he wouldn't stay near Jennyanydots. I think he was just showing off. I've stayed near mum and dad all day like a very good dog.

September 2010

Toby, mum and I arrrived at the marina on Monday afternoon. I travelled all the way from home to the boat without being sick. Mum was really pleased with me. She wasn't quite so pleased when she plugged in the electric cable and nothing would work. She couldn't remember which way the cut out switch should be and couldn't work out what to do do. Peter from Asterix rescued us again. He found the problem very quickly. "Somebody" had chewed threw the cable to the light and this had blown everything. Well, I didn't know that the black wire by the toy box wasn't a toy and last time we were all on the boat I'd been giving the basket and everything a really good chew!

Although it had been a long time since I was last onboard Jennyanydots I soon remembered where I was and I loved running round the grassy areas. On Monday night mum said Toby and I could sleep with her on the bed. We all really enjoyed cuddling up to each other.

On Tuesday we got up really early and mum started to scrape at the rust on the floor in the deckwell. Then she got out a sanding machine and got rid of piles of rust until we could see the steel again. Then she put rust remover on and Toby and I had to stay away. When all that was done and cleaned she painted it all shiny black and made a fence so that we couldn't get our paws covered in paint. By bedtime I had discovered how to jump up onto the bed all by myself.

On Wednesday dad arrived at lunchtime. After lunch we set off and after a couple of hours moored up at Wolseley Bridge.

7 August 2010

We only went for a little way and then moored up again in a lovely place called Tixall Wide. After the rain stopped mum took me and Toby for a walk and we had a lovely time until ...! Toby went to the edge of the towpath to have a drink and I followed him. There was a lovely white feather just out of reach so I put my paws on the grey stuff and suddenly got soaking wet. My head and everything went right under the water and for a few seconds I was really scared until I realised I could scramble out again. I sat down and then had a good shake and ran round and round Toby until I had calmed down. Mum said she was glad I had fallen in from the towpath and not off the boat because now I know what it feels like I might be more careful. I don't think I liked it very much but I did enjoy running around afterwards.

7 August 2010

This morning when we woke up it was raining. Mum and dad decided to move the boat up above Great Haywood Lock so that dad could go shopping for a paper and mum could get rid of the rubbish and fill up the water bottle. This time when we got near the lock dad jumped off and mum drove the boat into the lock when he opened the gates. Then she did something really strange. She got off the boat too and left me and Toby in charge. She hadn't put me on my lead because I had been really good and I didn't know what to do, so I just lay down small and whimpered. Toby didn't didn't seem at all bothered. Mum and dad closed the gates and while mum held a rope to keep the boat still dad filled the lock with water. I was so relieved when the boat came up and I could see mum. She told me to stay so I didn't jump off and she was very pleased with me. Then we moored up again and I was very excited. I forgot the rules and just jumped off and onto the next boat. Mum was very cross.

When dad got back from shopping they had lunch and then mum, Toby and I went for a walk to take the rubbish. I met a lovely collie dog and played with him but forgot about mum. She had to put me on my lead but to make up for being naughty I walked to heel for her very sensibly.

Then we set off again, but it poured with rain and mum was driving the boat holding an umbrella.

7 August 2010

When we woke up yesterday mum and and dad were talking about things called locks and what they should do about me. I wasn't too sure about getting on and off the boat again but mum got a windlass and took me and Toby and we walked up to a very muddy track and then to the lock. They called it "Cowshit Lock" but its proper name is Colwich Lock. She pushed the gates open and dad drove the boat into the lock. Mum closed the gates and then filled the lock with water and the boat came up to my level. Mum said "on board" but I was frightened so she had to pick me up. We then set off again.

After quite a long time we stopped near Shugborough Hall and moored up. It started to rain. I practised getting on and off and soon got very good at it. I had a go at getting on the next boat too, but the people didn't mind. They said I was a nice puppy. Eventually mum got quite cross with me because I wasn't following the rules. Apparently dogs have to sit and stay on the deck at the back of the boat and wait until they are told they can get off. Mum made me get back on and practise staying. We stayed here for the night.

7 August 2010

Toby was right to be excited about being a Boat Dog! It is such good fun.

I was a bit sick in the car on the way down to Lichfield on Thursday but being on the boat was different to my previous trips. Mum and dad emptied all the things out of the car and dad put the car in the car park. They switched on the boat engine, untied the ropes and then, guess what, the boat began to move. I didn't like it very much at first and mum fastened a lead onto my special harness so that I couldn't try to jump off. When the boat stopped they tied up the ropes again and then undid my lead. I wasn't a bit sure about jumping on and off at first because I didn't know where I was but I soon got used to the idea. Getting back on was a bit of a problem but I soon discovered that I could scrabble onto the front more easily. Mum and dad let me and Toby play on the towpath and we had a really good time running about and exploring.

4 August 2010

Mum keeps saying to Toby and me "we're going to be boat dogs tomorrow." Toby is getting really excited but I'm not really sure what they are all going on about.

This evening mum has been on the phone talking to my dog mum's mum. I've been sick on and off today and mum rang the vet this morning but I stopped being sick then and started again this evening. I think something I ate on our bedtime walk last night has given me a tummy upset. My dog mum's mum says it is nothing to worry about but that I shouldn't eat anything for 24 hours. They talked for ages about my black splodges and I think I am going to go and visit the farm next week to play with my brother Jack. Annabel and Lydia will be so excited to see where I was born.

24 July 2010

People seem to do really strange things. It started to rain but we still had a barbeque. Annabel cooked loads of stuff like bacon and sausages but no one gave me anything. Never mind, the duck poo and lumps of cut grass were probably much more tasty!

23 July 2010

It's been a busy week. I've been to dog training classes and the trainers told mum how good I am. I can do things like sit and stay better than some of the older dogs who have been going for a few weeks. The downside has been that I've had a couple of accidents on mum's new carpet but it was because it was raining so much and I didn't want to go outside.

Today Annabel came and we got in the car with mum and set off to come back to the boat. Mum has been giving me glucose in a drink before travelling and I haven't been sick in the car at all this week. We had a good journey down to the marina and arrived at lunchtime. Mum's been a bit anxious all day because Annabel's dad got taken into hospital last night and has had his appendix out this afternoon. Everything seems to be OK though now.

Annabel decided she didn't want to go out for a trip so we have stayed on the marina. Annabel and I have played all sorts of training games and I have watched while she fed the ducks and the moorhens. I've been very bouncy so it was nice to cuddle up on Annabel's knee and have a nap. I think bedtime will be interesting because Annabel and I both want to sleep in mum's bed with her!

17 July 2010

We've come back home now.

Mum and I had another lie in this morning and then we finished tidying up the boat. We changed the bedding. I really enjoyed that, pulling the duvets and climbing and rolling through the things on the floor. When mum started putting everything in the car I wasn't happy. I wasn't happy either when she said, very sadly "Oh Zac, you naughty dog." I hadn't realised that the knobs on the drawers weren't put there especially for me to chew!

The car journey was horrible. Even though mum hadn't given me any breakfast and sprayed that nice smelling DAP stuff everywhere I was very sick. We stopped at Sandbach and mum threw all the horrid smelly newspapers away and put a lot more down for me. Despite everything I was sick again.

We stopped in Parbold to visit Grandma Rosie. I've not been to her big house before. I had a good bounce when we met for the first time and then I lay down quietly.

It was wonderful arriving back home and seeing Toby and dad again. Toby and I bounced all round and played tug-of-war for ages and ages. I think I won. I enjoyed it when Ivan came home again as well. It's good when all my people are together.

I don't know when we will be going back to Jennyanydots. Mum has been to chemist and bought some special glucose powder to try to stop me being sick next time.

Woofs and bounces until next time.

This evening mum and I were sitting on the deck at the front. The wind had dropped and she had taken the covers off. She was drinking red stuff and I was chasing my tail round and round when a load of ducks and geese came and swam round in front of us. Mum said "I think these are the geese and the goslings that Annabel liked when she came to the boat. The gosling have grown really big." Now, I know Toby gets all excited when ducks swim around the boat but I can't see what all the fuss is about.

Mum says that we are going to have to go home tomorrow because she has run out of pills, so this is our last night for the time being. I've just been playing a lovely game with a bottle of fruit shoot. I squeezed it hard and all this liquid dripped out of it. I thought mum would be cross but she just laughed and we played trust and paid for with some special puppy sausages. I did it perfectly. She was so pleased with me.

16 July 2010

I've been much more confident today and haven't always waited until mum says I can get off the boat. Mum saw me on the other side of the pontoon. She called "Za-ac" come here, so I sat down and waited for her to come and play. Then I got naughty and mum couldn't catch me while I ran and bounced at her and then ran off again. Eventually she grabbed my collar and made me come back on board. When she had shut the doors mum got a chew and said "trust". This time I waited until she said "paid for" before I jumped on my treat and ate it. I've learnt so much this week. Mum hopes I can remember it all when we get home.

16 July 2010

This morning mum and I didn't get up until very late. Once mum had drunk her coffee we then played a really fun game. She threw all the mats and rugs out of the hatch and brushed the floor. I 'helped' by hanging onto the brush and scattering all the contents of the dustpan back onto the floor. After that we went out to play.

I am much better at chuck it now and usually bring the ball back to mum so she can throw it again. I've also discovered how tasty goose poo is but mum gets cross with me when I start to eat it.

We went round to the shed to empty the bucket again and I met loads of other dogs. I wasn't so scared this time. Maybe these dogs want to play with me?

15 July 2010

It's raining now and cold and miserable but mum and I have just been out playing chuck-it before it gets too dark. Every time mum says " do a wee" today I empty my bladder but I think it is because she is recognising when I am going to go. If it makes her happy and tell me what a good dog I am and strokes my ears I shall keep obliging.



We've not done much today. Guess what? Last night I slept with mum on the bed and we didn't wake up until eight o'clock. After we had been out we went back to bed and didn't get up for ages. Mum had a shower and I helped her clean out the shower but she told me stop it.



The sun was out so mum took the covers off the front and we sat outside for ages drinking coffee (well, mum did) and watching the ducks and their ducklings, the swans and their cygnets and the moorhens and their babies. Mum doesn't know what they are called. I've been very good and not tried to chase anything except the chuck-it ball. Later on we walked round to the Elsan with the bucket. I thought this was a very strange thing and you should have heard me howl when she tied my up and left me to go into the shed. On the way back we met a collie dog and her people. She was on a lead so I got all brave and bounced around her. I still don't like all the big dogs though and run between mum's legs when I see them so she can protect me.



The most exciting things today were the man cutting the reeds back at the edge of the pontoon and the man who was working on Millie, the boat next to us. While mum was washing up after lunch I got off the boat all by myself to help the man cutting the reeds. I thought this was really good fun and when mum realised I had got off and came to find me. I played a really fun game of catch me if you can. When she eventually caught me I decided to go on board Millie and explore. The man on board said I was very nice but had very sharp puppy teeth. Mum pulled me off and told me to get back on board Jennyanydots. I was so excited that I slipped! I hadn't realised that stuff under the boat was so wet but mum caught me and only my back legs and tummy got wet. She pulled me back on board our boat. I didn't want to get off again later. I must remember to be much more careful in future.



We have done a lot of sleeping and a fair amount of crochet today. I've helped mum by pulling loads of the thread but she didn't really seem to mind. We've also played a lot of trust and paid for. I know what she wants me to do but I get so excited that I can't sit still for very long. I was much more controlled at tea time though and waited until mum said I could I have my food.



Mum's put the radiator on for a while now because it has gone chilly. We are also using one of the new lights. It is much better than the old ones.



I don't know what we will be doing tomorrow.

July 14 2010

After lunch Toby and dad got into dad's car and drove away. Mum said they were going back home. When dad rang up to say they had got there safely he told mum it was thundering and lightnening and Toby was frightened. "Typical" explained mum "the day after BW announces the closure of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal because of a water shortage it absolutely buckets down". The weather here has been ok. There has even been some sunshine and only a little bit of rain.

Mum was really pleased to get a message from Rag's mum. I'm looking forward to meeting Rags and his people sometime.

It is really strange without Toby. I've bounced around trying to find someone to play with. For the first time mum got really cross with me. I've never tried to share her food before. I didn't realise I wasn't allowed to take things off her plate but the Brie cheese smelt really tempting. I've also discovered that if I climb up the cushions of the settee I can wrap myself around her neck. It's a pity she doesn't like me chewing her hands. I didn't mean to make her hand bleed. I think she still loves me though.

Mum and I have been playing chuck-it. This is much easier without Toby who always takes the ball from me. I can chase the ball and bring it back now although I am not always good at dropping the ball when mum says "drop it". Mum is also extremely pleased with me because I have discovered I don't need my convenient place to go to the loo, I can go outside anywhere when I need to and she cleans up after me. Every time she takes me out she says "do a wee" and I think I know what she wants me to do. She keeps telling me what a good dog I am! We have also been trying to do Trust and Paid For but I get too excited to sit and wait. I'm not really sure what she wants me to do.

I wonder what is going to happen at bedtime?

14 July 2010

Mum has been really pleased with herself today and I have been really pleased with myself. I stayed on board the boat all night and didn't need to get off for a wee when dad got up at 5.00 a.m. Mum was so pleased with me for being such a good dog. During today mum has put up a new shelf over the table and tried to wire up the new lights she bought yesterday. Eventually she went and asked Peter next boat but one for help and he fixed the lights. The man at Shobnall was right about there only being two wires but wrong because there was nowhere to wire them up to easily. Jennyanydots now has two really bright LED lights to help mum and dad read when it gets dark.

14 July 2010

This is a picture of me and Toby when we went out to play last night. When mum takes me and Toby out at night before we all go to bed she puts strange collars on us. These collars flash so that she can see where we are. I think we frightened Bingo the collie dog's dad last night because when he saw these red flashing lights he got out a powerful search light to see what the strange phenomenon was. Mum reassured him and we went back to Jennyanydots and went to bed.

I've discovered a really good new game this evening. It's called `let's bounce on people`. Dad was sitting reading his book and playing with his blackberry. Now I can get up on the settee it's dead easy just to climb across to the chairs. I enjoyed this game but mum kept telling dad and me to be careful. "Stop messing about" she kept saying "you are going to knock my bouquet of flowers over". Grandma Rosie's friend Barry gave mum the flowers on Thursday after she had done a BBQ for them both. The flowers were so nice that mum decided to bring them to the boat rather than leave them at home.

Although it has poured with rain again today I have had another nice day. Each day I learn new things and today I have managed to sit and stay, just for a few seconds.

13 July 2010

"Zac is an incredibly good little dog" said mum to dad this morning. I slept really well last night and when dad wanted me to go out for a wee at 5.00 a.m I didn't really want to go but at proper getting up time I was happy to get off the boat by myself without being lifted down and I quickly found my convenient place.

Mum and dad talked about taking the boat out of the marina but the weather forecast was saying rain for later on. In the event they decided to have an early lunch and then go by car to Shobnall Marina at Burton on Trent to get the lights mum had ordered. We all got in the car and I managed to get to B&Q in Burton without being sick. Mum bought a shelf and then we drove round the corner to the boat place. Toby and I got out of the car and we went inside the chandlery. Mum bought two new lights and the man there showed her how to wire them up. He said "It's the easiest thing. There are two wires and if you connect them the wrong way the lights won't work so just do it the other way". Mum was a bit dubious. The man gave me and Toby a Markie each and after we had eaten them we got back in the car.

The Markie was a mistake. I was sick again!

By the time we arrived back at Jennyanydots it was pouring with rain again.

Mum found her screwdrivers and undid one of the lights in the boat so that she could put the new one in its place. The man at Shobnall was right, there were two wires but mum couldn't see how to connect the new ones or fasten the light to the ceiling. She put the old one back!

Playing out

Toby has taught me all sorts of interesting things, but sometimes I think he is a bit naughty and I don't want to play. "Come and chase the ducks at the end of this pontoon" encouraged Toby. "N0-o-o" shouted mum and I decided not to go.

One really good thing is that at last I have found a convenient convenience to replace my garden. Mum is really pleased because it is between the boat and the dog poo bin and is not on the path. Toby just seems to go wherever and whenever he fancies but I like to know what I am doing and where to do it.

Another really good thing is that I decided not to worry about jumping on and off the boat or about the pontoons. As long as I stay in the middle of the pontoon the water underneath doesn't bother me now. My legs are long enough to just step onto the back of the boat and to leap onto the rug at the front of the boat. I've got off by myself a few times this afternoon without mum being there. The trouble is there are quite a few other dogs around and most of them seem really big and I don't like being bounced. The best thing is just to stay near mum. I've also decided that every time there is a car around it's better to run to mum and just sit down. She seems really pleased with me when I do that.

When it stopped raining mum took us out for a walk. We walked right around the marina. She's got a stick thing and I can't quite work out how not to get us all tripped up. The only bit of the walk I didn't like was when mum tied Toby and me up together outside her convenient convenience. She seemed to be gone inside for ages and I was so pleased to see her when she came back outside.

They seem to have thought of everything to entertain a lively puppy inside the boat. There is a brilliant toybox with all sorts of bones and bits of toys and different sorts of bones. The best thing though is the basket of sticks. Fancy keeping a basket of my favourite things to play with specially for me? Dad keeps sweeping up all the bits and putting them inside the black box thing with glass doors.

I think like being on the boat and I really like being able to play out.

12 July 2010

It has poured with rain most of the day. In all of my eleven weeks I don't remember seeing so much rain. Mum and dad said we were goint to a place called Tixall Wide but then mum found out that the canal was blocked by a fallen tree at Rugeley so we just stayed on the marina. They were a bit fed up but it meant that I could learn all sorts of useful things about the boat and the marina.

Last night was good fun. When I'm at home they won't let me climb onto the furniture although Toby is allowed to sit on the settee. When I thought no one was looking I climbed up onto the settee. I was really surprised when no one told me to get down. Toby and I spent part of the night cuddled up to mum. I really, really liked that.

When it was still dark dad put his warm fleece on top of his pyjamas and mum pushed me out of the side hatch. I didn't like that very much, but Toby got off the boat too and I found a place to wee - what a relief! I duscovered how to jump back on the front of the boat last night so was really pleased with myself when I took myself back on board while dad and Toby were still outside.

In the morning mum kept saying what a good boy I am because there were no wet puddles or dirty mistakes inside the boat. I like it when she says "good dog" and tickles my ears.

11 July 2010

What a strange day I have had. I thought something odd was going on last night when mum and dad were packing bags. "We're going to be boat dogs" said mum, and Toby got all excited but I couldn't fathom out what all the fuss was for. This morning I woke up at 4.30 and called for mum or dad to come and get me out of my yard. Mum came but she wasn't pleased to see me like she usually is. She took me inside and put me on my lead (the chain one that I can't chew through) and made me lie still in my bed for hours.

When everyone finally got up something really strange happened. Mum put me on my lead again (this time the stretchy one) and we went out of the front door and out of the front gate. I was so excited that I got us all tangled up around the first tree. Eventually we got going but it took me a while to work out that I shouldn't try to put my feet exactly where mum was trying to put hers. People kept stopping us to talk about me. They all said I was beautiful and asked how old I am and what my name is. We met a huge black labradog in the pub car park but he made me feel scared and I tried to hide under mum's legs. I wasn't that keen on the cars going past either. When we got back home Toby was so pleased to see me and mum told everyone I was a very good dog.

So far so good but then mum got upset. She had all the things ready to put in the car but then Ivan said there was a nail in her tyre. She kept going on about things always stopping her from going to the boat. This is a bad thing but I thought maybe I wouldn't have to go in that car again so I wasn't really bothered. Eventually all the bags got loaded into the car. Toby and dad got into dad's car and went to see Grandma Rosie while Ivan, mum and I got into the other car. Mum had a new trick up her sleeve. She sprayed lovely smelling stuff all over my bed and the back of the car and then put me on a very short lead so that I couldn't jump about. We drove to a garage place to get the tyre fixed but the man said we had to wait in a queue for an hour or so. Mum was really fed up and decided that we should leave the car and walk to Annabel and Lydia's house to wait until the car was ready. I was pleased because it meant I wouldn't have to sit in the car and be sick.

I had a lovely time walking along. There were so many different smells and different things to look at. The cars didn't seem so scary this time. Annabel and Katie played with me for ages until Adam drove us back to the garage to get the car. It was lunchtime by now. Mum put me back in the car and we drove for ages and ages until the car stopped at Sandbach and we got out for a sniff around. I didn't feel too bad and I hadn't been sick but I really needed to go the loo in my own garden. I couldn't find anywhere suitable to go! When we got back in the car I was sick!

Eventually we arrived at the marina and there, waiting for us, were dad and Toby. We were all so pleased to see each other. Mum let me walk around without a lead and I was a really good dog just staying near to her. Actually, I was a bit nervous of the other dogs and I still couldn't find my own loo. The afternoon was very warm and we all went to sleep. When we woke up mum gave me my tea and then we went out for another walk. I really needed to go and mum was so pleased with me when I did what I had to on the grass.

The boat is all right really although I don't like the pontoons. When you walk on them they wobble and you can see the water underneath. I yelped a bit when mum tried to make me get off the boat and jumped back inside through the side hatch. Mum and dad both laughed. The next time I went back to the boat I tried to be really brave and I walked to the front and watched what Toby did to get back on board and then copied him.

Dad is sitting watching something called the World Cup on the television and mum is sitting outside with her crochet and the computer. I think I am going back to sleep because so much has happened to me today. I have spent all the other days so far just playing in the garden or rolling round the floor inside the house. I never knew there was so much outside the front gate. I wonder where I will go to sleep tonight because I can't see my kennel anywhere and my bed is all wet from when mum washed it and is now on the roof of the boat dripping.

Learning about ducks

After I had played with loads of the brilliant stuff in the dog's toy box, Toby took me outside to the pointy end of the boat. He explained to me all about the ducks and how I must bark and get really excited when they come swimming round us.

I couldn't really see what all the fuss was about. Me and my brothers and sisters never bothered about the chickens, or even the goats, in the farm paddock where I was born. Neither does Toby make a fuss each morning when we dash up the steps to say "hello" to the hens in our garden at home. Oh well, I'm sure I will get the hang of this boating stuff eventually.

We didn't stay for a second night on the boat. Dad carried me back to the car and we bumped our way back home again. Yes ... I was sick again!

First time afloat

24 June 2010

I was very confused. They put me in a car and we bumped along for ages. After I had been very sick we eventually stopped and they carried me onto NB Jennyanydots. I wasn't allowed to walk by myself because my injections hadn't been finished and they didn't want me to catch anything nasty from other dogs.

My little big step-brother Toby tried to explain what was going on but it didn't make much sense.

At bed time it was even more puzzling. They usually put me outside in my kennel when it gets dark but this time I didn't even get to go outside at all. They went to bed and I chose where I went to sleep. I bounced around for a while and then bounced onto mum's face before I cuddled up and went to sleep. When I woke up the big big problem was that I didn't know where to do you-know-what, so I just did it but felt so upset my ears dropped round my chin and I tried to make myself small so no-one would notice. "Oh dear. Never mind." said mum and she just cleaned it up but I wasn't happy.