Teasel's Dog Blog

Eight Months Old

2009-04-05T23:54:00.004+01:00

Today is Teasel's eight month birthday - we went for a walk to Ashton Court. In the photo you can see her investigating one of the ponds.

The best news for her though is probably that she has finally lost her last puppy tooth. Her final puppy canine disappeared yesterday after hanging on for two months - the other three having come loose early in February. We had been worried that she would have to have a visit to the vet to get rid of it.

Six Months With Teasel

2009-03-25T23:45:00.009Z

Teasel's been with us six months now. The photo of her to the left was taken on her first day with us back in September 2008 when she was just seven weeks old.

Now she is seven months old (nearly eight months), and the photo on the right of her examining a log was taken last week during one of her long walks in Leigh Woods.

When we got her she weighed 1.2kg, she now weighs 6.2kg, but we think she is pretty much her full size now. She has also changed from a black ball of puppy fluff to a variety of shades of grey (but sometimes with brown feet after a muddy walk).

Longer Walks

2009-03-18T21:10:00.004Z

The fine weather has meant the local park has got a bit busy and so Teasel has been getting out further afield for longer walks.

On Saturday I took her for a two hour walk to Blaise Castle and Kingsweston Hill - where she indulged in one of her less appealing hobbies of barking at horses.

On Sunday we went to Westonbirt Arboretum and wandered around Silk Wood for a couple of hours taking photos.

And on Monday I took her for picnic to Ashton Court (where the photo, right, was taken). We'd been caught in a deluge there the previous week, and ended up sheltering under a bush before giving up and getting very wet - but this time the weather was great. I had a sandwich in one of the meadows while Teasel chewed a stick. Again we were out for 2 hours.

Then on Wednesday we managed a 90 minute walk in Leigh Woods.

She certainly doesn't seem to have any problems with stamina - I think she's coping better than I am with the longer walks.

I Can See Clearly Now...

2009-03-13T20:29:00.002Z

... the hair has gone.

Teasel is back from the groomers looking a lot less scruffy after 3 hours there.

I think she got off lightly compared to last time.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

2009-03-12T20:58:00.002Z

Teasel has an appointment at the dog groomers and will soon be a lot less hairy.

This is a "before" photo of her on the chair she likes to sit on to watch what is going on in the gardens.

Ball You Can Eat

2009-03-07T20:35:00.000Z

In the park today Teasel found an apple, and settled down to investigate and chew it. We brought it back with us so she could finish her investigation at home.

Ruby Wednesday

2009-03-04T23:06:00.002Z

Today we met three dogs called Ruby in the local park.

This morning we met Ruby #1 - a Vizsla - and Ruby #2 - a Border Terrier that was one of Teasel's classmates in her puppy class (photo).

This afternoon we met Ruby #3, but we didn't get a photo.

Weight: 6.0 kg.

Teasel Meets A Teasel

2009-03-01T21:10:00.002Z

According to the weather forecasters it is the first day of the Spring. And the weather certainly seems to have taken notice. We took Teasel for a walk in Ashton Court, where she met her namesake plant.

I Saw A Mouse

2009-02-26T20:51:00.001Z

While we were in the park today a small mouse ran out from under the bins. The West Highland Terrier we were with at the time was very excited, but Teasel didn't pay it any attention at all. And when I tried to flick it off my foot (photo) with the ball flinger she went for the flinger and ignored the mouse completely.

According to our book, the Miniature Schnauzer was "originally bred to hunt rats, then as a companion". Teasel seems to have chosen the companion option.

Westonbirt Dog Days

2009-02-22T22:54:00.003Z

This weekend we went to Dog Days at Westonbirt Arboretum.

On Saturday it was nice and sunny and Teasel enjoyed meeting all the other dogs (and she did try to meet them all) and dashing around Silk Wood so much that we became Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, so we could go again on the Sunday and do it all over again.

We met several other Miniature Schnauzers, including a black one called Charlie, and an 11-week old puppy called Colin. We also met Rafferty (now 10 months), who was the puppy we met that led to us acquiring Teasel.

Of course, now we are Friends, we will be going to Westonbirt a lot more during the year.

Four Walks

2009-02-20T22:43:00.002Z

Teasel usually manages to get two or three walks each day, but today she managed to clock up four walks today. Caroline took her out for a short walk this morning and later on I took her out for an hour long walk in Ashton Court.

Later on in the afternoon Caroline was going out and as she went to the door, Teasel sprang out of her bed wanting to go along too, so she got her third walk of the day.

Now Teasel is sleeping upstairs I try to take her out in the evening so that she can make it through the night without needing to relieve herself, and so this evening she went out on her fourth walk of the day.

Free Again

2009-02-16T23:59:00.003Z

I took Teasel to Ashton Court this morning. Over the weekend - while we have been walking on The Downs - Teasel doesn't seem to have been attracting the interest of other dogs, so it seems like she has finished being on heat. I let her off the lead once we were clear of the car park, and none of the other dogs seemed to be taking an unusual interest in her, so things seemed to be back to normal.

She only has one puppy canine left to get rid of now.

Weight: 5.8 kg (still).

More Snow

2009-02-05T23:46:00.006Z

It's Teasel's 6 month birthday today, and there was 2-3" of fresh snow this morning. I put my salopettes and walking boots on (but I decided that putting gaiters on would be over the top - ba-bum!) and took Teasel over to The Downs, where there was a good covering of snow.

Teasel enjoyed herself playing in the snow, but her legs were balling up quite badly. I cleaned them off several times and then we came home because even though she was wearing her jacket I was a bit worried that she might be getting cold.

The news is reporting that this is the most snow there has been in Bristol for 25 years (which is before I moved here).

Weight: 5.8 kg.

Snow

2009-02-02T23:39:00.006Z

This morning there was a sprinking of snow. I took Teasel for a walk on The Downs at Westbury Park. Oddly the snow seemed to follow us around. I decided that this was because what little snow there was had fallen down the gaps between the blades of grass, so apart from the snow immediately around us the rest was hidden from view. I let Teasel off the lead and we played with the ball for a bit, until another dog came along and I had to put Teasel back on the lead.

This afternoon it started snowing properly. Teasel watched it with her paws on the window ledge, and then went out to investigate the snow that had fallen on the ice in her outside water bowl (photo).

We took Teasel out to play in the snow at Lovers Walk and Cotham Gardens and she seemed to really enjoy chasing snowballs. After an hour we brought her home reluctantly.

Losing Teeth

2009-02-01T23:38:00.003Z

Teasel has had both her puppy and adult canines for a while now, and this evening I noticed that one of the puppy canines is coming loose. I hope this means that they will all come out naturally over the next few weeks.

Earlier today we went to The Downs again. There was ice on some of the puddles, which Teasel had to investigate. I also found that if I didn't throw her spongy ball too far (or if I was prepared to run after her) we could play fetch while she was still on the retractable lead.

Weight: 5.4 kg.

The Downs

2009-01-30T23:35:00.002Z

Continuing with investigating new places to walk Teasel on the lead I walked over to The Downs with her.

We walked on Durdham Down by the Water Tower and the bits of The Downs adjacent to Westbury Road.

Earlier in the day, while I had been emptying the compost bin at the bottom of the garden I noticed a furry face next to me watching intently. Teasel had jumped the fence that is meant to be keeping her on the upper patio until we reduce the options for escaping from the rest of the garden.

Walking on the Lead

2009-01-29T23:25:00.003Z

Being on heat means I can explore some of the places that I haven't taken Teasel because of the proximity of roads. Today I took Teasel out for a long walk on the lead to Horfield Common. We managed to string together a route that let Teasel be "loose" on the retractable lead for a considerable amount of the time. It was a bit squidgy in places, and I think Teasel missed the ability to run free, but it gave her some good exercise.

The Heat Is On

2009-01-28T21:56:00.005Z

Yesterday there was a dog showing an unusual amount of interest in Teasel's rear end. Today there are unmistakable signs that she is on heat for the first time. It's just over a week until her 6 month birthday, so it's a little sooner than we were expecting. We will be avoiding the local park for the next couple of weeks and looking for less popular walks.

Fortunately, on Monday, I walked over to the Pets at Home store in Eastville with Teasel and we bought a 5m retractable lead, so she will be able to have a limited amount of freedom whilst still being on the lead.

Dismembered Monkey

2009-01-23T21:33:00.003Z

Teasel has managed to pull the arm off her favourite toy - the monkey she got on her first visit to the vet.

Caroline had previously patched it up to stop the stuffing coming out (photo), but it looks like it's going to need some more surgery.

Weight: 5.2 kg.

Camera Shopping

2009-01-22T21:30:00.005Z

We took Teasel one stop on the train from Redland to Clifton Down. Now she is a seasoned rail traveller she even managed to jump down off the train when we arrived at Clifton Down.

We looked in the camera shops on Whiteladies Road for a camera that Caroline is interested in (Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1), and the nice people at Jessops let us bring Teasel in while Caroline looked at the camera. Fortunately Teasel was quite well behaved in the shop - I walked her around it so that she was happy to wait quietly because it had been explored.

Outside the shop we met a Border Terrier and a Wire Haired Fox Terrier that Teasel was keen to say hello to. We also had someone come up to us to meet Teasel - they have a Miniature Schnauzer of their own called Tess, but they didn't have her with them. Teasel is obviously becoming something of a celebrity - being recognised in the street.

We caught the train back - again Teasel jumped onto the train at Clifton Down - and went two stops to Montpelier, where the gap between the train and the platform was a bit daunting so I lifted Teasel down and took her to the park for a run around.

Bitten In The Park

2009-01-13T21:00:00.003Z

When we got to the park today Teasel ran off to play with some bigger dogs while I was looking at the remains of the big cedar tree that has recently been cut down. I heard Teasel give a squeal and I called her back to me. Later we noticed there was a drop of blood on her muzzle.

When I got back home I washed Teasel's muzzle with a damp cloth dipped in warm water (which she licked). There was more blood that I expected, but it was a bit hard to see what damage there was.

The Howling (Part II)

2009-01-10T23:33:00.007Z

Since we found that Teasel will howl if you hit the right note we have the occasional howl together. Caroline took this video of Teasel howling today.

Ashton Court in the Frost

2009-01-09T20:50:00.004Z

I took Teasel to Ashton Court again - this time it was -3°C when we arrived, but it was nice and sunny and everything was covered in a wonderful frost. Teasel enjoyed running around in the frosted grass and investigating the frozen puddles.

In A Flap

2009-01-08T20:15:00.002Z

We bought a cat flap - "For Large Cats & Small Dogs" - (or a Katzenklappe if you're German) from the pet shop yesterday, and while Caroline was out at the park with Teasel this morning I fitted it to the back door.

We managed to persuade Teasel in and out of it a few times if we held it open and used treats, but I'm not sure she has really got the hang of it yet.

New Year at Ashton Court

2009-01-02T20:21:00.005Z

I took Teasel for another walk in Ashton Court. It was icy again and Teasel wore her coat. She investigated the ice on the frozen dew pond (see photo - I couldn't persuade her to bring the golf ball back).

Later on in the walk she ran through a hollow log and emerged from the other end looking pleased with herself.

Football Crazy

2008-12-28T16:45:00.002Z

Teasel has shown an increasing interest in joining in with people playing with footballs in the park, so yesterday we bought her her own football from the toy shop for £2.

But when we took it to the park today for her to play with, before she even got near it a big black labrador (possibly called Harvey) came up, bit the football - puncturing it - and went off, leaving us with a rapidly deflating ball.

Teasel played with the punctured ball a bit, and a couple of other dogs played with it too. By the time we left the park it was completely shredded so we dropped it in a bin before we went home.

Christmas

2008-12-25T20:47:00.004Z

We have both been ill over Christmas, but managed to alternate walking Teasel, so she still got out twice a day.

Teasel got several presents - Colin and Kate had given her a wrapped present, which she had managed to retrieve from under the Christmas tree a few days ago and have a go at, but today she got to have a proper go at it (see photo). Although once she had managed to get the present out of the wrapping she went off with the bow, so I think she was a bit confused about what the real present was. She also got a soft polar bear - which she played with - and a Humunga Tongue (which I'd bought before we got her) - which she didn't - and a cloth frisbee.

Probably the present she liked least was the dose of flea treatment we gave her, although we did wait until she was asleep.

New Teeth Coming

2008-12-12T20:32:00.003Z

Teasel's adult teeth are beginning to come through.

Castlemorton Common

2008-12-07T20:27:00.003Z

We took Teasel on her longest car journey so far. To meet up with my brother and his family at Castlemorton Common near Malvern. Before we set off we gave Teasel a quick run in the local park (photo).

Teasel was good in the car until we were only a few miles away from our target - The Marlbank Inn - where we were to rendezvous and eat before heading out for the walk. Teasel's third pub in a week.

The pub was very welcoming and Teasel got a dog biscuit on arrival - although she was a bit fidgety and wanting to be getting on with the walk while we were eating.

The walk on Castlemorton Common was quite muddy, and most of the puddles were frozen over - although Teasel broke through the ice on one puddle and got a bit damp. There were cows and horses that she had a little bark at. When the sun went down it got quite cold and Teasel started shivering. We dried her off with a towel and headed home.

Weight: 4.0 kg.

Going on the Train

2008-12-04T20:21:00.004Z

Today Teasel went on the train for the first time. We walked over to Redland Station and caught the 11:26 train to Sea Mills. (Which is also the first time I've been along the Avon Gorge on the Severn Beach Line). Teasel was a bit concerned in the long tunnel under The Downs, but behaved herself well.

At Sea Mills we got off the train and walked along part of the Sea Mills Circular Walk, following the River Trym (which Teasel had so bravely crossed last week in Badocks Wood) to the road bridge at The Dingle and back to catch the 12:42 train back home.

Teasel was off the lead most of the time, apart from when we had to cross roads and near the railway station.

Weight: 3.8 kg.

Celebrations

2008-12-02T20:18:00.005Z

Today is our 8th Wedding Anniversary, and Teasel's 17 week birthday. To celebrate we decided to go out for lunch to a dog friendly pub somewhere near Cirencester. I did some poking around on the web and found The Tunnel House Inn near Coates, their web-site said "And don't forget to bring the dog", so it sounded like a good bet. The pub itself is about quarter of a mile off a minor road up a dirt track, and was very welcoming to Teasel and provided us with a celebration lunch.

After eating we walked a little way along the disused canal from the southern tunnel entrance, although Caroline was a bit concerned that Teasel would dash down the steep banks and end up in the remains of canal, which had a thin covering of ice.

Afterwards I took Teasel for a short walk around the Cotswold Water Park before we headed home.

Ice At Ashton Court

2008-12-01T22:15:00.004Z

I took Teasel to Ashton Court today. When we got there it was 1°C and there was frost on the ground so I made her wear her jacket. Once she was running around off the lead she didn't seem to care about her jacket.

Teasel was quite intrigued by the ice on puddles in the path and tried digging at it and skidding around on it.

Teasel finished her six week puppy class this evening, and graduated with a certificate and a rosette.

First Pub

2008-11-30T20:12:00.006Z

We took Teasel up to Cheltenham to meet Caroline's sister's family, and their 10 month old dog, Sam. Sam is quite a big dog, and when they played Teasel's favourite game seemed to be trying to fit her head inside Sam's mouth.

It was a cold day. We went for short walks at Daisybank and at Cleve Hill - where there was a spectacular hoar frost. Teasel was quite happy to run around wearing her fleecy coat, but it was too cold for some of the humans so we set off to get some lunch.

And so we took Teasel to her first pub - The Royal Oak at Andoversford. Once Teasel had been around the pub to see what was there she settled down and sat while we ate, with occasional forays out to the car park to give her the opportunity to relieve herself.

Weight: 3.6 kg.

Badocks Wood

2008-11-28T20:09:00.003Z

We took Teasel to Badocks Wood, which was recommended to us by the owner of Ruby, a Border Terrier in Teasel's puppy class.

Teasel successfully crossed the stream, which is actually the River Trym on it's way to the Blaise Castle Estate.

The First Cut

2008-11-26T19:59:00.005Z

Teasel had her first visit to the groomers today.

While she was there it was the first time we've had some time to ourselves without Teasel since she arrived. It felt a bit strange to be in the house with no dog.

When we dropped her off she had been a ball of puppy fluff, but when we picked her up she was a tiny little dog.

Although as you can see from the picture, she looks a bit displeased with the whole experience.

Visiting Chalford

2008-11-23T23:47:00.005Z

We took Teasel to meet some friends who live in Chalford, near Stroud.

After we got there Teasel was happy exploring the kitchen and sitting on Phoenix's lap chewing her Kong, and sleeping in her crate while we ate.

After the meal we went for a little walk. Teasel was particular interested in watching a flock of doves that circled around above us, and less interested in the horses and sheep in the fields.

We took a short cut through a muddy wood to a muddy path and several stream crossings (actually crossing the same stream three times). The first two times she looked like she was trying to find a place to cross, but couldn't manage it, so had to be lifted over, but at the third crossing she leapt straight over the stream.

Ashton Court Deer Park

2008-11-19T23:42:00.005Z

I took Teasel to Ashton Court again. We started from the Bower Ashton car park and set off towards the Deer Park. I let Teasel off the lead once we were out of the car park. There was wire around the fence of the Deer Park that meant Teasel couldn't get in, but while I was taking photos of the deer she slipped under the gate and was investigating some deer poo. I shook the dry treat container and she came back without taking any interest in the deer.

We walked up through the woods to the quarry and through the meadow where the Ashton Court Festival used to take place. Then back across the golf course and through the woods to the car park. She seemed quite happy to trot alongside me and didn't wander off much.

The walk took just over an hour. When I got back I measured the walk we'd done using Google Earth and it came out at 2.8 miles (4.5 km).

A Grand Day Out

2008-11-12T23:31:00.005Z

We decided to take Teasel to see the sea today. So we took her to Clevedon. We walked along the sea front and met some other dogs, and then picked our way over the boulders to the beach. Teasel was interested in the pebbles and the sand, but most interested in the seaweed that was there.

We walked to the Marine Lake and look-out at the end of the beach and then back along the sea front. I let Teasel off the lead, but she went to investigate an amusement arcade and I had to go in and fetch her back.

We drove over to Cadbury Garden Centre to get some food, as dogs are allowed inside. We met an 8-month old Giant Schnauzer there, and Caroline managed to get a photo of it with Teasel. In the pet section there we got Teasel a larger dog bed.

However I can't recommend the food at Cadbury Garden centre. I passed on the soup, because what little there was left looked as though it had been stewing away for a long time. So I ended up with a quite expensive option of vegetable lasagne and chips. Only to be struck down a few hours later with an extremely upset stomach.

Untied We Stand

2008-11-11T23:24:00.005Z

Teasel managed to remove the piece of 2mm climbing cord that has been tied around my right ankle since 1994. I climbed at Paviland then, and was intrigued by the many bits of protection that consisted of 2mm cord threaded through holes in the rock. I wondered how resilient this form of protection was, so I tied a loop of 2mm cord around my ankle to see how it survived.

Interestingly Teasel has managed to remove the cord, not by chewing through it (although she had chewed through the tails of the knot some time ago), but by actually untying the knot.

So my advice to anyone climbing at Paviland would be not to take any puppies on the route with them.

Walking In The Rain

2008-11-09T23:21:00.004Z

Teasel doesn't like getting wet, and she also doesn't like wearing the posh waterproof coat we got for her. She tends to plant her feet with her head down and refuse to move. This makes taking her out for a walk in the rain a tricky affair.

Weight: 3.0kg

Encounters with Ponds

2008-11-07T20:57:00.004Z

Caroline had been taking Teasel out for a walk and came back with a very damp dog. On the way back from St. Andrews Park, they had been invited in by a neighbour. Teasel had been running around in the garden and suddenly disappeared into the pond. We dried her off and she had a sleep.

Then, as I was preparing to take Teasel out for a walk to Redland Green - our second closest park - I heard Caroline calling from the garden. Teasel had fallen into our pond. She came out covered in duck weed, which necessitated another dunking in the sink.

After three immersions in a day, perhaps she'll be a bit more careful.

Blaise Castle

2008-11-03T20:46:00.007Z

We drove over to the Coombe Dingle end of Blaise Castle to introduce Teasel to a stream.

Teasel was quite athletic along the path, jumping up onto and running along a slippery log. She was also quite adventurous on the steep banks of the river, and when we got to the bridge she rushed up to the edge and looked over the 15ft drop to the stream below - much to Caroline's unease.

I found a place where the river was accessible and Teasel came down and had a sniff and a drink and a little paddle in the water.

Eastville Park

2008-11-02T20:45:00.001Z

Today we took Teasel to Eastville Park. I'd been there before on a walk with Colin and Jack (the dalmatian) before we got Teasel.

Today we just walked around the lake, and Teasel was very interested in the various waterfowl in there, as well as the water itself. But she doesn't like getting wet, so fortunately didn't show any signs of jumping in.

We also met a Basenji during the walk (although we didn't hear it yodel).

Off The Lead in Ashton Court

2008-10-28T22:34:00.003Z

At the puppy class last night the trainer said puppies don't tend to stray to far when let off the lead, so we took Teasel to Ashton Court and let her off the lead to see what would happen.

I was a bit worried she would head for the horizon and we would never see her again. But she was OK - providing there wasn't too much to distract her. However she was a bit too interested in a group of children, so we had to put her back on the lead until there were fewer distractions around.

The long grass was wet and Teasel, having low ground clearance, got quite wet.

We put Teasel on the lead and walked her through a field with cows in. She was a bit wary of them, but didn't seem unduly concerned.

After we left Ashton Court the sky went very dark and started raining. After we got home the rain got harder and it turned into a hail storm. There was a bit of lightning and thunder, but it didn't seem to upset Teasel. We were glad we'd got back to the car just in time.

First Day At School

2008-10-27T22:08:00.002Z

This morning in the park Teasel met a year old Miniature Schnauzer called Reg. He's quite a bit bigger than Teasel.

This evening she started puppy classes in Clifton. There are a couple of Border Terriers in the class that are the same size as Teasel - she doesn't often meet dogs as small as herself.

Favourite Toy: Leaves.

Recall Training at Blaise Castle

2008-10-25T17:55:00.003+01:00

We arranged for Teasel to meet my climbing buddy, Dave (who shares his birthday with Caroline), and his two children at Blaise Castle.

It was a little bit drizzly, but we tested Teasel's recall by calling her between us, and she was very good and didn't run off.

Then we took her for a walk to The Folly and along the top of The Gorge.

Official First Walk

2008-10-24T21:52:00.001+01:00

For Teasel's Official First Walk we took her, in the car, to Leigh Woods. She had a great time.

We haven't let her off the lead yet, but I did run some parts of the walk and she bounded along alongside me.

Favourite Toy: Blueberries.

Walking In The Park

2008-10-21T21:10:00.004+01:00

We took Teasel to St. Andrews Park again. This time she was more lively and bounding around - but we're not letting her off the lead yet.

She met a few other dogs, including a 16 week old Tibetan Terrier called Oscar.

She is proving to be quite popular with school children (mostly girls) who want to stop and pet her or take photos of her on their phones.

Favourite Toy: biting my trousers :-(

Visit To The Park

2008-10-20T20:42:00.003+01:00

Teasel's first visit to our local park - St. Andrews Park.

It was a bit drizzly, and it was quite a while before we got there, so we couldn't stay long.

She was also a bit apprehensive when two bigger dogs rushed over to greet her.

The Howling

2008-10-18T20:24:00.003+01:00

My cousin Helen - who plays the French and Baroque Horn - came to stay last night.

While she was demonstrating the baroque horn we found that Teasel would join in when she reached a certain note (B♭ above middle C).

We did another little walk with Teasel - this time we went round the block the other way, and I remembered to take some poo bags with me (which were needed).

Teasel is now allowed upstairs to join us watching TV. Although she seems to like running around the room behind the back of the sofa more.

First Walk

2008-10-17T20:18:00.004+01:00

Teasel had her first walk out of the house today.

This morning we put her collar and lead on and walked along the street to the lamppost about four houses down and back. She is a bit apprehensive of cars going by in the street.

This afternoon I took her for a little trot around the block, and I learned the importance of having poo bags with you at all times when you have a dog. Fortunately there are lots of leaves around at this time of the year.

Weight: 1.9kg. Favourite Toy: string.

Birthday Present

2008-10-13T20:08:00.004+01:00

It's Caroline's Birthday today, and her present is... Teasel.

I made this card of Teasel not looking too pleased with her new red harness.

We've been doing some lead walking around the house to prepare for when she is allowed outside.

Going To The Vet

2008-10-10T19:40:00.002+01:00

We took Teasel to the vet today for the first time.

She now weighs 1.7kg. She had her second set of vaccinations (which she didn't seem to mind at all), and was implanted with bio-thermo id chip (which she did mind).

We also got her a monkey toy to play with, which she likes a lot.

Outside

2008-10-02T19:04:00.000+01:00

We got some fencing from Canine Concepts and I constructed a ramp to make it easier for her to negotiate the steps outside the back door, so now Teasel can get out onto the patio at the back.

While I was out I got a call from Caroline, who had locked herself and Teasel out of the house in the back garden for 3 hours. So I came home and rescued them.

Teasel has now been with us a week.

Current favourite activity is chewing the cardboard tube from the inside of a toilet roll.

Carrot Hunting

2008-09-28T22:54:00.000+01:00

I gave Teasel some little bits of carrot. At first she didn't show any interest, but then when one started rolling she chased it around pouncing on it, shaking it and eventually cornered it under my leg and ate it.

Teasel's had her first visitor - Zoë from next door - who she was very excited to meet.

She is also getting the hang of come and sit commands.

First Full Day

2008-09-26T22:27:00.000+01:00

Teasel's first full day in her new home.

We managed to persuade her onto some kitchen scales and weighed her 1.22kg.

She spent most of the day playing for around half an hour, and then sleeping. Mostly on top of one of us.

Her favourite toy at the moment is the loop of 2mm climbing cord tied round my ankle, that has been there since 1993.

Welcome Home

2008-09-25T21:55:00.002+01:00

We brought Teasel home today - in her new canvas crate - and she slept all the way home in the back of the car.

She has the run of the basement, and seems to have settled in quite well.

Current favourite activities are playing with the rope bone and climbing on the beanbag.

First Contact

2008-09-15T21:37:00.002+01:00

We drove over to Blakeney and met some Miniature Schnauzer puppies born on 5th August. We spent about an hour there and Caroline chose this black and silver bitch.

She is going to be called Teasel and should be joining us in a couple of weeks.