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!