Actually mum says I should say ‘I am famous’ but I prefer ‘is’ it’s more Tex stylee. So why am I famous?
Well my picture appeared in the local press last week following my appearance at the Holme Grange Spring Event in support of Thames Valley Guide Dogs Branch. Holme Grange Craft Village are big Guide Dogs supporters and we always get a good welcome at their events. It just so happened that I was there when the photographer came along and hence I is famous. 
If you look carefully you can see my lead heading off to the left of the picture and mum is there, but she was never in the picture. To get in the papers you needed to be cute (or have done something embarrassing). In my case I think being a dog (and oh so cute) swung it.
I should say my Holme Grange visit is not the only work I have done over the last few weeks. Right at the start of May I also attended to Wokingham May Fayre. Here I am by the stall…
AND…then last week I went with mum to see the Winnersh Guides. They were a very attentive audience and to thank me for my time they gave mum a cheque (no…not for my Bonio fund but as a donation to Guide Dogs) So as you can see I have been working hard these last few weeks.
But all work and no play would make Tex a very dull boy (which for sure I am not). So what else have I been up to? Well when the weather finally got better we were able to get my boat out and go for a cruise. As we are Shepperton based at the moment we took the opportunity to head down river and moor outside the historic royal palace of Hampton Court. I was keen to drop mum and dad off in the middle of the maze but apparently that’s not allowed, so after a cut through the palace grounds we headed to Bushy Park.
Here we are on the way to the palace
And here is me and mum in the grounds
Bushy Park was very nice and offered lots of walking potential so we had a bit of an explore (flipin long explore – we were shattered by the end of it!). Anyway here I am framed by an avenue of historic trees
and here I am chasing my tennis ball J
I also found a new friend in the park.
Apparently it’s a deer and not a dog. Now, convinced it was a dog, I thought I would invite it to play…
…sadly the deer had a slightly different idea and believe me I wasn’t going to argue with this particular cervid (woo hoo – check out my Latin ). This was clearly a very dog savvy, urban animal. Having shouted ‘venison burgers’ at it, I took the line of least resistance and ran away (straight into the edge of a muddy SMELLY pond – I did love it and oh my parents did love me (not)).
Anyway we all made up by the time we reached the Ice Cream van (oh yes…) and my walk ended well. Here is the photographic evidence
The anticipation…
The ‘moment’
And— it’s gone but boy did I enjoy it 
So that is a sum up of all my hard work and all my hard play so I’ll finish there.
Oh…why was we famous (well WE weren’t – obviously). So close, as mum also had her photo taken for a local (Surrey) paper with a man (unknown) from the RNLI. Obviously mum didn’t meet the cute (or it seems interesting) criteria so got left on the local paper equivalent of the cutting room floor…hey ho, if you’ve got it flaunt it. That’s what I say.
So on that note I will leave you dear reader. Hope you had a good week or two.
Love
Tex
So after my holidays things are getting back to normal – well what passes for normal in this house J But we have had some news on some of my mates which I thought I’d share with you.
Firstly remember this kid? Yes it is the lovely Daisy dog. When we got back from our holidays this was waiting for us.
It’s Daisy’s official ‘graduation’ photo. Of course we knew she had qualified but it is always good to get the official picture to put on the shelf (it’s up next to mine – oh yes I have one too J ) Little Daisy has some challenges in her day to day work – like a few ducks following her down the road when she is trying to be a good guide!! But she’s getting used to Quakers and friends and news is she is working well. So the photo marks the end of an era for me and Daisy as I probably won’t see her again but we all send her lots of love and orange sauce (for the ducks!)
And thinking about my mates and end of era’s my big curly friend Kai retired from being a guide dog at the start of this month. He decided that he really didn’t feel confident enough to take his mum around safely anymore, that it was time to hand over the harness to a younger dog and for him to put his paws up. The difficult part for him and his mum is that he also had to move home but I hear his new pad is great. So it’s an end of another era because Kai probably won’t be visiting for his holidays anymore and my regular readers can probably guess that Kai has always been a special visitor to the Saunders household, but things change and as long as he’s happy we’re happy – good luck lovely, curly Kai J
This is Kai when we first met him back in 2007 (long prior to my arrival - I was only a few months old when this was taken)
Me and Kai last summer
Kai on our boat trip in April
So some friends we won’t be seeing anymore but then I reacquainted myself with an old friend at the weekend, one only I knew. We were out walking when I decided to meet and greet a lady walking her dog. When mum called me on I was reluctant to leave the lady, who was tickling me. Then she asked if I had been a guide dog as she recognised the name. (No she hadn’t discovered my musings on the internet!). It turned out that this lady looked after me when I was back in training, working on my stubborn streak, (just prior to my leaving the Guide Dog programme!!) Anyway it turns out I lived with her for a few weeks and she remembered me as being a really lovely boy. I knew she had taste. That was just before I became the Tex Saunders I am today J
So there you go, it’s sad to think there are some doggy friends who perhaps won’t come to stay again but then you never know who you might meet on the path on day (oh I am so philosophical)
That’s about it for the week. I have been quite busy with a few events and a small run in with a rather ‘urban’ deer, but maybe I’ll save my write up of those for my next blog. Best for you to have something to look forward to J
Have a good week dear reader
Love
Tex
That’s where I have been and, as you know, I share little about what happens on my holiday. But I returned safe and sound and rather shattered. What happened while I was away? Well mum and dad took the opportunity to go away themselves. Their destination…London by boat (heard this before you’re thinking!). I don’t think much to their choice of timing. The weather was somewhat less than clement! However, it wasn’t entirely their fault. They went on the trip with friends from the Bray Cruiser Club, hence the choice of timing wasn’t really down to them.
The cruise was timed to coincide with the London Marathon and as mum and dad had some friends running this year it was an ideal opportunity to cheer them on. The boat was to be moored in West India Dock right in the heart of docklands so she was well placed for a bit of marathon watching.
I mentioned that the weather wasn’t great and true to form it confirmed mum and dad’s theory that it always rains in locks. Having cruised down to Teddington Lock in lovely sunshine this was the picture at the time the lock was booked.
Having made it through London, again in quite pleasant weather, this was the picture by the time the group reached West India Dock.
(and yes that is just a lock – not the whole mooring!)
However, the weekend was not too bad and for all those mad marathon runners the temperature was pretty good (and it didn’t rain). Mum and Dad were cheering a few people along. Sadly, amongst the masses they weren’t able to spot one friend. However another was quite distinctive.
This is ‘Alfie Guide Dog’ running just after mile 15. The lady in the suit is Wendy Shaw and, running as Alfie, her objective was to break the world record for the fastest female running the marathon as a mascot (she already holds the record from last year). Alfie was quite easy to spot amongst the crowds who were doing it the easy way and running in shorts and a tee shirt! You’ll be pleased to know that Alfie smashed the record by running the course in just over 4 hours. Of course I wasn’t there to add my barks but Alfie would have been my favourite. I say “Go dog go” from one hound to another! (if anyone wanted to sponsor Alfie for this amazing feat go to http://www.justgiving.com/AlfieGuideDog )
Also in the marathon was dad’s friend from work, Kingsley, who was running in memory of a friend. She wasn’t quite as fast but nevertheless she completed the course and raised over £3,000 for a Pancreatic Cancer charity so that is pretty fantastic too. Here she is around mile 18, still smiling.
So, mum and dad, exhausted from watching all those runners, recuperated by going out for a meal with other club members! (A similar pattern to the previous night I hear!!).
They did see some other sights whilst they were there including a trip down to Greenwich to see the Cutty Sark (well the outside it wasn’t quite open). They also encountered these beasties…
…right in the east end of London (in the attractively named Mudchute Park). Very friendly they were too and cute enough to consider some rustling but mum and dad felt that they wouldn’t be quite so at home on the boat so they left them on the grass!
Monday it was time for them to leave West India Dock and make a short trip back up river to Limehouse. At this point Juneau parted from the other club members who were headed for home but mum and dad were staying on. Here is a picture of Juneau on the river making the journey (taken by friends on Heaven Spent).
Again you can see it wasn’t glorious sunshine! Anyway mum and dad spent a nice few days in London getting some culture, seeing some shows and eating some nice meals, sounds OK really. However their journey reconfirmed that I am not about to make a tidal trip. Apparently a boat bouncing through central London in the choppy water is no place for a large, rather cautious dog. So my holidays will remain above Teddington Lock. It’s fine by me – I had a lovely time.
Juneau is now tucked up tightly on her mooring. All the rain we’ve had means it’s not safe to go out on the river so we’re all staying home hoping the reservoirs are filling up and that it will stop raining sooooooon please.
So that was what happened on the latest holiday. For me I will just say I had a good time it involved eating, sleeping and a lot of tennis balls. What more could a dog ask for? And just so I can get a picture in this here blog, this is me home safe, sound and re-bonding with Tiddles and my meerkat J
Love
Tex
Oh and a PS – for all my readers who are on Facebook…the Thames Valley Guide Dogs Fundraising Branch now has its very own Facebook page (and mum is in charge of it). The address is www.facebook.com/tvbranch . So I’d be very grateful if you would consider ‘liking’ the page and helping to spread the word, especially if you live in the Thames Valley area, as we’d like lots of followers please J
Gosh it’s been a while since I last updated my blog. I thought I’d better get on with it as I know everyone is desperate to keep up to date with my hectic schedule
My first holidays of 2012 occurred Easter weekend and of course we had a trip away on the newly fixed and (seemingly) well running Juneau. We went away with a group from the Bray Cruiser Club and our cruise took us to Henley and Sonning. It was a lovely trip out but it was a bit cold. This meant we spent quite a bit of time inside the boat with the heating on! Mum and dad went out with the other humans for a pub meal (but I had to stay home 
)Overall the trip was good but we came home a bit early as the forecast for Easter Monday was not great so we decided to spend it relaxing at home rather than on the riverbank.
Dad took me out for a nice long walk on the Saturday afternoon, although he did find a bit of a challenging route for us to follow. There were lots of narrow bridges along the path and (as you know) the Elf and Safety part of me does not really like narrow planks of wood straddling water! However with Dad’s encouragement I did make the crossing (it would have been quite a short walk otherwise) and I was an old hand at them by the time we made the return journey. Dad took some pictures of me which I am displaying so you can see my bravery.
He did also take a bit of video on his phone. Sadly he didn’t realise you can’t video in a portrait orientation. As a result I’m not going to load it up here because it is a bit odd having to watch me with your head sideways!!
So that was our first overnight trip of 2012. I enjoyed it. I particularly liked the fact that I sleep just a few feet away from mum and dad (in my boat bed of course). The advantage of this is that they have to wake up when I wake up!! Hee hee. I can determine my breakfast time…and I did
With our short trips at Easter I got my river legs back so I was very well prepared for last weekend. We moved the boat from Wargrave to Shepperton. It took us best part of two days to make the trip but now Juneau is ready and poised for some trips into London (I will be staying at my country residence in Winnersh, I don’t do tidal waters!). We spent Saturday night at Windsor which is a very pleasant place to be. The boat attracted the attention of some Windsor visitors who asked if they could take a picture of her. We said yes but then it turned out that they actually wanted to be on her for the picture! Mum and Dad were a little surprised as they climbed aboard and seemed quite settled, especially as we didn’t know them from adam! However I did play a significant role in shifting them as it seems the lady visitor was not very keen on dogs (how were we to know – we didn’t know them!). So when I made an appearance starboard side (right) she exited rather hastily to port (left) – thankfully that was the side the bank was on, otherwise there would have been a loud splash and some wet visitors in Windsor that (pretty cold) day!! I was somewhat bemused that the lady retreated from me so quickly and even more bemused that mum and dad gave me lots of praise for this! Seems I do have my uses 
So all in all our trip was successful. It was a bit chilly but at least it didn’t rain on us!
We got home on Sunday evening and I was reunited with my cat. Remember I got a new toy for my two year anniversary? I was told I had to wait until Kai went home before we really made our acquaintance. Well Kai is back home with his mum and dad now so me and the cat have been bonding. I like my cat very much. So much so I like to bash him around a bit when I initiate our play sessions. After that I settled down to suck his head. It’s a symbiotic relationship – cats like cuddles don’t they? Anyway I will leave you with some pictures of me with my new toy who dad has christened Tiddles
I hope you have had a good couple of weeks dear reader.
Love
Tex
Hello world, well it’s now 731 days since I was kidnapped from the Guide Dog centre and brought to this prison. My life is hell, only a few walks a day, just the one bed to sleep in (well sometimes there are a few more), a single solitary toy box which is only just full and, and STILL only two meals a day (plus a few treats but I don’t count those). When oh when will someone rescue me and find me a proper home?
Ha ha of course I jest. I just wanted to wind mum and dad up a bit . But really, I have just passed my 2 year anniversary of being a Saunders. Time so flies when you are having fun.
As it was a special date mum said she’d get me a new toy, something large and cuddly which I could wrap my paws round (as I do like to snuggle of an evening). So I was looking forward to seeing what she’d got for me when the doorbell rang with a special delivery. As you can imagine I wasn’t really expecting this as my special present!!
Anyway as it turned out Kai wasn’t my special present, he has come for a short stay and the timing of his arrival was a bit of a coincidence. No my actual present was a cat! (this gets more and more weird doesn’t it?!). Not of course a real cat, that would have scared the heebie-jeebies out of both Kai and me! No a stuffed cat. Here he is.
At the moment me and Cat haven’t had a chance to bond, we’re saving that until after Kai goes home. In the meantime I’ll just have to cuddle Kai (that’s not going to happen) 
So, what did I do on my special day? Mum made me go out and work! I didn’t mind really, I love to meet my public and if they are contributing to the bucket then I love them all the more. We were at a local garden centre and it was a lovely sunny day. Across the day Thames Valley Branch raised £280 which was a great amount. A bit down on last year but times is hard don’t you know? Anyway here is a picture of me with my bucket.
After that me and Kai went out for a run and then on Sunday we supervised mum doing the gardening. It was nice to be out in the sun (even if mum keeps muttering it’s too warm for March). I don’t mind
So there you go, two years down and counting. It could be worse
Hope you had a good week dear reader.
Love
Tex
I’ve been reflecting on the subject of gravity lately (as you do), that’s gravity not gravy! As a result of my musings I’ve decided that gravity can lead to great fun or to great trouble! And I’ll tell you why…
Starting with the fun. The trigger for my musings, tennis balls – what else.
My main thought on gravity and tennis balls is that the phenomenon generally only exists in the presence of water (well mum says that’s the only place I’ve noticed it). But I find it hugely fascinating that in some areas, if I drop the ball, it stays still (mum says – because it’s FLAT). And then in other areas it rolls away (mum says – because it SLOPES!) and when I’m at Health Lake (providing the required water) I can have endless fun working out where gravity actually works (mum says – DOH).
To test this my scientific methodology is to walk along the edge of the lake testing the gravity. Will it stay or will it roll or will I have to ‘nose’ it? The only downside of this is that the ball sometimes ends up in the water and well that is a challenge for me. Either I have to get my paws wet to retrieve it or I have to give mum my best big brown eye look and get her to retrieve it instead (works every time). To explain in full I have made a short video of my scientific testing of the principle of gravity – enjoy.
So when we go to Heath Lake I always check to make sure that gravity is still working there and I’m pleased to say it does.
Now on the downside of gravity.
One recent morning I was wagging my tail when I saw dad for the first time that day (you can tell I’m setting this up not to be my fault can’t you!). In the wagging process I managed to knock an envelope (designed to accommodate the nice window cleaner’s payment) off the table. As I understand it gravity was the culprit responsible for pulling said envelope to the ground. Once it was there (whilst no one was looking) I, well, I ate it! Mum was not impressed to find the remnants of an envelope on the floor and I was in trouble! But you see it wasn’t really my fault – gravity was to blame!!
I did get out of the dog house soon after but I sulked all morning anyway just to make mum guilty for telling me off – ha! Paw, human, wrapped – oh yes I so think so.
Anyway there you go, my first foray into the sciences. Dad bought me a book called ‘Physics for Dogs’ so I have plenty of material to work with (once I have learned to read) whilst I am broadening my mind and furthering my education.
My parting message is dear reader, if you need any gravity – go to Health Lake (home of the tennis ball fairy and the dog eating grass snake) there’s plenty there . And if you find out where the gravy is please let me know
Love
Tex
It’s like one of those reality TV shows here. You have to keep showing yourself to your best to make sure you don’t get voted off! Like the dog equivalent of Big Brother J Anyway at the end of it all there was just one winner…ME!
Of course I am very much joking there never was a competition for who should stay, the others were just guests and I was, am and will remain Tex Saunders, resident dog
So last Monday saw Daisy leave for her new home. It was sad to see her go and in honour of the occasion I gave her a small kiss (two small kisses in fact, very continental style – one on each cheek). I’m not really given to kissing other dogs but I felt the occasion warranted it. And with our fond farewells Daisy took her bed (sadly) and her pink bag of belongings and moved home. I’m pleased to report we did get a little update later that day to say that she had settled in well, that her owner was thrilled to bits, that her owner’s husband had fallen in love with her but that the three resident cats were somewhat suspicious. Sounds just fine (and she’ll win the cats round eventually).
So that’s it we’re back to normal (well what counts for normal in this house). Now I have a bit more time (as I don’t have to entertain Daisy with play) I have reinstated some of my favourite routines. Vigorous games of spudge with the humans, spreading of soft toys (previously limited to upstairs) all over the house and generally availing myself of all tickles possible. It’s all very relaxed around here.
We had a quiet week and didn’t do a great deal but then at the weekend we decided it was time to get out on my boat. Remember that?!?! Thankfully for mum and dad, I remembered it too and made no fuss at all about getting back on board.
Juneau has been in the ‘garage’ for most of the winter having various parts of her engine replaced and fixed. We’re almost there (not quite but almost) so we decided it was a good time to take her out for a bit of a gentle river trial. Digging all the basics of boating out of our brains mum, dad and me took her up to Henley on Thames on Saturday afternoon. It was a lovely afternoon (well when we set off it was), no one on the river besides a few ducks (which is good ‘cos I like watching ducks). We got the one and only free mooring in Henley and in reality it will probably be the last time we’re able to get on there again this season (it’s very popular). Whilst we were there the sky darkened and the heavens opened. It didn’t matter because we were sheltered so we waited it out and then cruised home again when the rain had stopped. Can’t complain really – it was the 3rd of March!
It was good we chose Saturday to go out because it rained all day Sunday (which is also good because we need the rain to fill the river up). Mum took me out for a woods walk but I decided that I really wasn’t too bothered and set a straight course for the gate and the path home, so it wasn’t a very long walk! Well it was raining and I was getting very wet!
There you go just a quick round up of the week here. I’ll leave you with a few pictures of our boat trip out.
Hope you had a good week dear reader.
Love
Tex
1 – Back in the old life jacket again
2 – Henley Approaches
3 – Dark skies over Henley
4. Quite an impressive double rainbow left by the rain
A short story written by Tex Saunders
Once upon a time, in a land far away, (well Warwickshire) a little dog called Daisy was born. She was made up of half a golden retriever and half a labrador. But Daisy was no ordinary dog…oh no… she and her brothers and sisters were destined for great things. Daisy knew from an early age that she should study hard to become a guide dog.
To become a guide dog Daisy needed to roam far and wide to acquire the specialist knowledge. So at the tender age of six weeks she set off on her journey first heading east. A trendsetter, ahead of her time, Daisy realised TOWIE, that’s Essex to the un-informed amongst you! And as I know that’s where all the good guide dogs come from – well in my case just dog – but then I am ‘Tex’.
Daisy spent quite a while over in the east. Whilst there she learned all things a nice, well brought up, girly, dog should (sadly she didn’t quite get the message about not weeing on the carpet occasionally but hey we’ll gloss over that!) – accidents aside Daisy was developing the best dog manners, no jumping up, no counter-surfing, learning to sit before meals and (rather importantly) to come back when asked. Oh yes indeed Daisy was becoming a nice young lady. (We’d also like to believe she also learned how to darn a sock, bake light & fluffy cakes and to ride a cheeky chubby pony while she was there – we have absolutely no evidence of these facts, but we’re sure they’re true)
Her time in Essex complete it was time for Daisy to attend college. She did apply to Cheltenham Ladies College but unfortunately was not accepted (dog discrimination I reckon). However there is somewhere for everyone and Daisy was offered a place at ‘Redbridge’ one of the top four dog colleges in the country – think ‘Ox-Bridge’ . Redbridge is a college which runs a world renowned guide dog training foundation course. Our girl was on her way…
Daisy excelled at Redbridge, learning the basic skills, impressing her tutor and generally executing her duties well. Giving no consideration to her ever increasing student loan Daisy was dedicated in her studies. After all, at the end of all this, she would be a working girl and would be well placed to repay her somewhat growing debt.
Daisy was focussed on her efforts and now the challenge was really on – could she graduate and get picked for one of the premier Advanced Training locations in the country. Somewhere where she could complete her studies and fulfil her destiny? The time came, reports were written, the cards were on the table, she had strutted her stuff at her interview and yay she got picked. She was on her way to…Reading (well Wokingham to be precise)
And wasn’t she lucky she got digs with a lovely family (my humans to be precise). Not only would she be chauffeured to and from University every day (in MY Tex mobile – it’s mum’s Tex mobile when it needs two new tyres though 
) she would also be fed and watered at regular intervals (not regular enough in her opinion – but she was too polite to mention that).
Necessities aside, the main benefit of her accommodation was that she would get to spend three months living with ME, MOI, Tex…what more could a girl ask for? (the answer is nothing of course and Daisy agreed – but then she does have a dominant politeness gene 
).
So the epic story continues, Daisy now had her next target to reach. She needed to learn this advanced stuff and it was tricky. Now she had to find crossing poles, judge gaps, look for kerbs and stairs and ad-boards and parked cars and overhanging bushes and all the other things that she needed to carefully guide someone around.
She now had to make the important decisions – what shops to go in, would her owner look good in that particular hat, what they should have for tea, when would they like to stop for coffee etc etc, boy was it tough! (Sorry that was just poetic licence on my part, she doesn’t really have to decide what they’re going to have for tea or do those other things)
No the serious stuff was serious and she took it all seriously. She needed to get matched, she needed to find her forever home (she needed a job after all she still has that student loan and the interest is mounting!)
Then the day came, she was to meet her match (in a good way that is). This was it, she would pull out all the stops. Having requested an additional grooming session so she looked her best, she set off on her visit. Of course she’d do the working bit but she’d also put on her best appealing face, deliver nice but not pushy cuddles and most of all not disgrace herself by jumping in their pond the minute she saw it.
It was tricky but she was up for it and our determined Daisy was successful. She got her target home, she was on her way. So with a position secured she could relax and spend some time brushing up those all-important skills ready for her first day at work.
And so now as that day is getting ever nearer (D day being 27th Feb) Daisy felt that, with all the help from Instructor Jackie, her skills were pretty much there. However, now she should cast around for some advice from those who know what this job is really all about. Adamant she didn’t need guiding advice, she was only prepared to take hints and tips on the social side of things (which is good really or I’d have to keep quiet – it’s in my contract!) So who should she turn to for these pearls of wisdom?
Well right on hand is Irvin, her close friend and training partner. Here he is showing off his skills
Irvin is a Labrador and is rather fond of his food and so his hint was – Think twice before you snaffle left overs off the counter – my attempt at this showed me that this really don’t endear you to anyone (I decided, overall, it was better not to do that!)
And then of course there was our recent visitor and guide-wise dog Kai. What was his hint?
Sleeeeeep as much as you possibly can.
And then there is me…well what would my advice be…
It would be …To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day. Hamlet Act 1, scene 3 – Hah you didn’t expect Shakespeare did you? 
No really it would be – Just be you Daisy, for you truly are delightful.
And so as the end of February approaches Daisy reaches the end of her adventure and the story from my perspective is mostly complete. Our girl will go on to get her job, fulfil her destiny, reach her target and most importantly will be a lovely companion for her owner.
All the luck in the world Daisy. Will miss you babe.
Love
Tex
THE END
It’s curly Kai who has come to stay for a short holiday. So for one week only we are a three dog household! It’s good to see Kai, he’s come in and made himself totally at home and doesn’t seem fazed to see Daisy and me. Happily for mum we are all getting along nicely (although our indoor playtimes have been restricted somewhat out of consideration for the furniture). So all in all it’s good to have him to stay.
Mum is much amused to have us all here as she has several ‘stages’ of guide dogs under one roof. So she put together this picture to show how it works.
I know I shouldn’t say it but I think I’ve got it right!!
So there was some snow left on Saturday when Kai arrived and we were allowed out for a bit of a play. Dad took some photo’s which I thought you’d like to see.
1 – Fun in the snow with our guest
2 – Which way is up? The eagle eyed amongst you will spot two paws
3 – What a nice shot of mr curls
With three dogs all on slightly different routines we have all been marshalled for various operations such as feeding and bed times! However one thing we have in common is a free run and we have had some good times together on those. Kai may be a bit older but he does like his runs!
Then today mum and dad went out to see Daisy doing her stuff as a guide dog. It’s not long now until she will leave us and go to the person for whom she’ll be an amazing guide dog companion. We’re glad she is going to be a guide dog but we are really going to miss delightful Daisy L
Our girl did good on her walk but she did get a bit distracted by the fact that mum and dad were following her so they got lots of pictures of her looking at the camera. That’s nice but she should really be looking where she’s going! Anyway it’s mum and dads fault for distracting her, normally she gets very good reports from her Instructor, so we’ll forgive her on this occasion. Just to confuse the poor girl even more dad got to have a go at working with her. Here are a few of pictures of little Daisy in harness.
Mum then got so taken by the idea that she followed two more trainee guide dogs around town. I’m surprised no one arrested her for stalking!
So that’s about the week really. My time has been taken up with
- making sure my guest is happy (not that I need to do too much on that front, so long as he has his bed and a few tickles he’s content)
- testing Daisy on the finer points of guiding so she’s ready for her next big step (testing only – I’m not passing on any tips – honest!)
- keeping my humans on their toes
I hope you have had a good week dear reader.
Love
Tex
So I did say we hadn’t had any of the white stuff YET but that there was still time. Was I right, was I, of course I was Sunday morning was snow time. So I will tell you about that but I have had other activities to report on first.
Most of the week passed off as usual but then Friday and Saturday things hotted up a bit! It was always in the diary that mum and I would do a spot of Guide Dogs fundraising at a local Tesco’s with members of the Thames Valley branch. However on Thursday afternoon we got a request to do a ‘last minute’ talk at a local school (last minute meaning 24 hours later!) – am I Supa-dog or what?. So Friday had a schedule and ran like a military operation
1) take Daisy to school
2) take me for free run
3) go to Tesco
4) go home for lunch (human’s only )
5) take me out for short walk
6) go to school for talk
7) have a cup of tea (human’s only!)
8) get Daisy from school
9) have dinner and glass of wine (you guessed it – humans only!!!)
Phew – now I know many people have hectic days but I have to say that mum and me just ain’t used to it! Anyway it all went to plan and everyone finished up in the right place. The school talk went well and the children were very well behaved. As was I, mainly because I was shattered by the time we got there.
Saturday came but it was all a bit more relaxed. We had a second collection day but I had the time off and stayed home with dad whilst Daisy went along instead. Reports are she did really well (but then she is delightful Daisy so we would expect no less). It just so happens that she’s not the only Daisy around at the moment. The branch also has the support of little puppy Daisy as well. So mum took the opportunity to take a picture of the (small) bunch of Daisy’s gracing Tesco this weekend. Here they are. What a pretty pair of flowers they make
That was our collecting done for this weekend. It was a pretty cold time to be out and about but it was worth it because the branch raised £873.00 over the two days so a really good start to the year for the branch and all the doggy supporters.
So Saturday night we settled down in front of the log fire (well Daisy and I vie for position in front of it!) and whilst we toasted our paws it turned out that it started to snow. Yippee. Now I know some of you humans aren’t so keen but us dogs, well, we love it and we could not wait to get out in it. We had lots of fun chasing around and trying to catch snowballs. Daisy did her best to nose plough the snow in her spending run and I did my best just to mess the snow up as much as possible. We didn’t want to come in, so it was even better when we went to the woods for a second run around in it later that day.
Mum was pleased we got snow because she wanted some ‘Daisy in the snow’ pictures for the family album so dad had to get the camera out to make sure we got some good shots. So as the snow melts and we head into another week I’ll leave you with some of the pictures taken this weekend and the hint that I think that maybe next week’s blog may have a bit of a frazzled nature to it!!
Hope you had a good snowy week dear reader.
Love
Tex
