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Post by Jules on Nov 19, 2010 19:24:59 GMT
Had the pleasure of meeting this little one today - and she is little! Whippet-sized. Dezzie is doing very well with Cath and Mike - she doesn't seem to be carrying any mental baggage at all and she's a quick and responsive learner. I reckon there's some terrier (bedlington?) in there somewhere, back a bit, and that gives her the more attentive, active mind-set they tend to have. She's a lovely colour - merle-on-brindle, sort of, and has the makings of a brilliant pet for a family who like to be out and doing stuff. I had the pleasure of witnessing her first roach! She met Sykes (outside in case of cats indoors!) and seemed fine with him. He, as usual, had no clue whatsoever but pretended the meeting wasn't happening. Cath has some brilliant photos of her which I hope she'll put up later but here's one of her exploring in the garden
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cathjavelin
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Post by cathjavelin on Nov 19, 2010 19:43:13 GMT
Dezzie met Jules today ( fabapocalypse) today and she was very very pleased to see her. Jules brought food, a harness and some leads from SLR so now we want for nothing. New estimates on Dezzie's age are about a year. So still quite puppy-ish but the mouthing is still being discouraged. She is SO bright. Would make a fantastic obedience or flyball dog (and she would love it!) She's in your face, bright as a button, full of energy and she just loves her tennis ball!!!
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Post by Romi on Nov 19, 2010 20:12:41 GMT
She looks like great fun - and so pretty with it. ;D
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cathjavelin
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Post by cathjavelin on Nov 19, 2010 20:14:33 GMT
She's just had a bath. Tolerated with good grace and now she smells and feels as pretty as she looks. She is going to make a stupendously rewarding pet!
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Post by sara w on Nov 20, 2010 0:38:08 GMT
I'll be so envious of whoever gets her but she really deserves a family - she's so outgoing and has her whole life in front of her. Great to see her having fun!
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cathjavelin
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Post by cathjavelin on Nov 20, 2010 12:17:58 GMT
All hell broke out this morning with Dezzie. She heard gunshots in the woods nearby, hurled herself upstairs, jumped on sleeping hubby and attempted to hide under the duvet. She scattered the cats, which Tilly decided to chase (although as soon as they reach safety, she loses interest).
She's recovered now and has eaten the breakfast she didn't want initially. She went out and played ball with Sam (my 16 year old son) and met a lolloping labrador who she really played with. She got bundled over by him, he got beaten to the ball every time. She's now asleep under my feet keeping out of Tilly's "I want to be alone" way!
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Post by normanandjudy on Nov 20, 2010 13:15:17 GMT
She is so beautiful and obviously coming on leaps and bounds under your care. Well done. She is very similar in colouring and markings to a lurcher that was found wandering in our lane a few months back.
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Post by vickiemily on Nov 20, 2010 15:13:04 GMT
glad she is settling well and enjoying life with you, she sounds very happy and cheerful ;D
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jane33
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Post by jane33 on Nov 20, 2010 15:17:20 GMT
Bless her - my Ed used to be like that but is so much braver now he has the others to reassure him the shots may be harming some other innocent critter, but wont harm him.
It looks like she has found a pal and protector in Mike - lovely photos x
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Post by Fran on Nov 20, 2010 17:08:24 GMT
Lovely pics of this stunning girl So pleased she's doing so well with you ;D ;D ;D
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cathjavelin
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Post by cathjavelin on Nov 20, 2010 22:42:02 GMT
Thought I would attempt to give some indication of Dezzie's "skills" as she is so settled now.
She is highly responsive to voice commands. For example, she just attempted to creep up the stairs. Her name said is a "what are you doing, madam" kind of voice made her stop and turn back round and come down.
We've just eaten a meal in front of the TV with the dogs uncaged. One command of "Leave it" and she went and laid down.
She is completely house-trained and will "hold on" if needed.
She is not a pig about her food. Eats at normal speed.
She is extremely quick on the uptake, likes all games. Met a strange dog this morning and played appropriately with him. She is friendly to other dogs but will try to play with them all.
There is no particular breed of human that she prefers or dislikes although she has not been tried out on young children yet.
Cats - well, it depends on the cat really. We have 2. One is a confident, sit still and stare it down kind of girl. Although Dezzie is aware of the cat, she is immediately distracted by saying her name or a "watch me" command. So, basically this cat is ignored. It sits on the window sill or worktop and is very much in charge. There is no obsesssive "let me at it" behaviour at all. The other cat is of the Alan Carr school of life. It comes through the cat flap, gets in a fluster, yells "chase me, chase me" from every hair on her body and the dogs (even Charlie!!!!) oblige. Frankly, I'd chase Mabel if I were a dog! Personally, I think Mabel is asking for it. As Mabel always runs out of the cat flap I cannot honestly say what would happen if Dezzie actually caught up with her. As soon as the cat is out of sight, she loses interest!
Dezzie doesn't like gun shots but other loud sudden noises don't seem to have the same effect. The smoke alarm went off today and she ran to have a look at what was making the noise. She whines occasionally when she is left alone in her crate and she can't see anyone but this is becoming less. She is not a barker - not heard this from her at all.
She likes a lot of cuddles and fuss, has no qualms about stairs and jumping on the bed but is quick to understand what's not wanted and to avoid repeating it. She can be a bit pushy and demanding when she wants a fuss, pushing her head under your hand (not amusing when that hand has a cup of tea in it!) but again will be told "enough." When she thinks that something interesting might be happening (this can simply be one of us going and putting the kettle on) she'll follow us around and is keen to answer the door, greet visitors, watch us cook... basically she wants to be where the action is!
She is going to need at least an hour of stimulating play and entertainment every day (such as training, ball throwing, clicker training etc) to ensure she has the mental stimulation required. However, when she gets that, she is easy to settle and will sleep at your feet peacefully. Without this, she could become bored and start making her own entertainment.
Basically, she's just your average, every day PERFECT dog.
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Post by Jules on Nov 21, 2010 14:31:08 GMT
Dezzie's great. And doing really well with you. Looking forward to more photos!
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cathjavelin
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Post by cathjavelin on Nov 21, 2010 15:17:54 GMT
We took Dezzie and Tilly to watch Sam play rugby today. Lots of dogs, people, cars and bizarrely enough about 400 people doing a fun run round and round the area where we were.
Dezzie's lead walking is improving and much better with the harness (thanks Jules!) but she is here, there and everywhere! If there is a post she will wrap herself and her extendable lead around it (and round it and round it at one point which had Mike and I in stitches). She was cheerful with everyone. Not OTT with other dogs and not jumping up at all.
She stood on the base of a traffic cone which made a funny noise and that scared her but 400 runners, shouting from the rugby pitch, loads of cars passing in close proximity did not phase her. We passed seagulls, swans and cows, all of which were of interest but nothing manic or uncontrollable.
She knackered now!
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Post by sara w on Nov 22, 2010 0:06:06 GMT
Great news she is coming on so well. I fell in love with her in 2 mins, who wouldn't! And thanks a million for the great updates
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cathjavelin
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Post by cathjavelin on Nov 22, 2010 18:32:10 GMT
Dezzie is crated every night or when we have to go out of the house (for example when Mike took me to the train station this morning). She stays in there quite nicely but there is a bit of a gap in the "extension" that with a bit of shoving and wriggling, she can get out of. She never attempts this UNTIL she hears Mike and I getting up. Fortunately, I generally get up first and go and put the kettle on before going to open the crate to let Tilly out. I only have to let Tilly out because before I can get there, Dezzie is out of the gap, up the stairs and leaps full tilt onto Mike who is usually still pretending to be asleep. There then follows (depending on Dezzie's landing position) anguished cries or drowning sounds (I'll leave that to your imagination. Mike probably thinks we should do something about the gap in the crate but I've never had so much help in the morning with the kids.
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Post by Mimsmum on Nov 22, 2010 18:59:59 GMT
I love your updates. ;D
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cathjavelin
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Post by cathjavelin on Nov 23, 2010 14:21:46 GMT
Dezzie was sent upstairs to wake Sarah up this morning - we'll be doing that again. Works like a treat A few photos of Dezzie playing ball. Mike's bought one of those ball hurler things which means the ball goes further much to Dezzie's delight.
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Post by normanandjudy on Nov 23, 2010 15:37:54 GMT
Lovely photos. Our Alice is a ball fanatic. Keeps her focused on us though! Sounds like she's coming on a treat.
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Post by sara w on Nov 23, 2010 19:44:46 GMT
Great stuff!! lovely pics - happy memories
Balls save so much running about! My Mina was a ball fanatic, esp if it involved jumping anything - she broke my nose once doing leaping a sheep fence (we had a sheep farm at the time). She'd run six hours a day no problem (collie cross) so a supply of balls were very necessary. I'll put a pic of her as my avatar and maybe on the 'introduce yourself' thread.
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