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Post by little Sal on Jan 17, 2010 22:08:44 GMT
Val, thank you so much for coming today with the lovely Chloe and lovely Slim , turning up to meet a bunch of strangers with some ageing hounds, bless you. Slim is a credit to you and Audrey and please don't worry about the 'wagon' incident...as I said on the walk...had another of our regular walkers been there, Slim wouldn't have been alone in his circling. I do hope you weren't chastised in an unfriendly way . Tim says you handled yourself admirably. And you've mentioned, when the deer appeared, the rest of us didn't cover ourselves in glory, unlike Slim. Given the excitement of unfamiliar surroundings and so many new dogs meeting, we feel the walk went well. I think perhaps the exuberance of the younger ones maybe un-nerved a few of the stalwarts. Perhaps they haven't seen lurchers play 'chase' before, or for quite a while anyway. After all thats what sight hounds do for a living! Considering all that Slim has been through recently, he is a truly wonderful boy. Tim would have taken him home today if we had room Thank you again for coming and we look forward to seeing you again. Sal xx p.s. I'll get my pics uploaded tomorrow hopefully, got some lovely ones of Chloe.
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Post by whywalkalone on Jan 18, 2010 11:53:50 GMT
Sal. Heartfelt thanks. Blushing. X
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Post by whywalkalone on Jan 18, 2010 19:04:26 GMT
Slim has had another good day making progress with his basic training. Today's lesson was "you just call, and I'll be there." Armed with plenty of training treats, we decamped to a farmer's field nearby and let the dogs off for a run. With Chloe to show him the way, Slim gradually discovered that returning to us every so often when called yielded a nice bit of nosh, elegantly pushed through the front of his muzzle. After about half an hour of racing round at great speed, Slim didn't disappoint as he had returned for a reward at least 7 or 8 times. We followed this run with another hour's exercise on lead during which he met many dogs of many different breeds and sizes. He was friendly and calm with all comers, and won many new admirers. Everyone wanted to know about him so it took us quite a while to get round our usual walk! Flushed with success, I later introduced him to the chickens in the garden. He was on lead and muzzled and he stayed remarkably calm. He was a little more interested in them than I'd like, so more training treats were provided as a distraction. Eventually, in true Slim style, he was fixated on the treats not the chickens. Yay, way to go Slim. Today was also the first day when he seemed happy to spend time in rooms other than the room Bill or I were in. Up to now he has followed us everywhere, reluctant to let us out of his sight. And finally, today marks DAY THREE - NO PEE! Whisper it quietly, but I think he's housetrained. He asks to go out to the garden when he needs to. Quite right too, with Tia arriving on Thursday. A boy doesn't want a girl to know he still wets indoors, now does he? We also fitted new batteries to him today:
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Post by Karla on Jan 18, 2010 19:22:12 GMT
Brilliant update - way to go Slim!
Love the pictures xx
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indysmum
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Post by indysmum on Jan 18, 2010 19:38:09 GMT
Lovely update Val on the very handsome Slim - have a feeling he wont be around for long, he is soooooooo gorgeous Giving Tia a cuddle for you as we speak - she loves her new name, and is responding to it very well - see you thursday xx
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Post by whywalkalone on Jan 18, 2010 19:47:44 GMT
Thanks Kate. Can't wait for Thursday. We're off to buy another duvet and day bed for the lovely Tia. Slim is so impressed at having two girlfriends he has completed his potty training! X
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Post by aijee on Jan 18, 2010 20:32:14 GMT
What a lovely update Val It is just brilliant to hear that Slim is continuing to blossom, and I am really glad to know that his training is coming along so well - he is indeed a smart cookie! You, Bill and Chloe are doing such a brilliant job with him I am also pleased that he has had a few days to begin to 'find his paws' with you and lose his nappies before Tia arrives on Thursday; there is surely only so much humiliation such a handsome boy can handle in front of girls, not to mention chickens ;D
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Post by little Sal on Jan 19, 2010 11:17:51 GMT
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Post by whywalkalone on Jan 19, 2010 12:56:54 GMT
Sal, you're a marvellous photographer. What stunning pictures. Thank you.
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Post by aijee on Jan 19, 2010 15:59:03 GMT
Oh wow Sally the photos are wonderful! Thanks so much for posting them Young Slimbo truly is a handsome fellow I know that I'm always banging on about this but he really is isn't he? Val, Chloe is such a beautiful girl, those eyes speak volumes + she looks like she'll be a gentle and calming presence for Slim Very much looking forward to seeing photos when Tia arrives on Thursday
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Post by whywalkalone on Jan 19, 2010 20:02:47 GMT
Hiya everybodypeeps, Slim here.
I wanted to let you know I am as handsome as my photos. I've been housetrained for four days now and my new auntie seems quite impressed with me. I also spent some time in Chloe's bedroom today [because there are two beds in there] but auntie doesn't think I should say it quite like that.
She says I have to see Louisa the vet soon so I can share Chloe's bedroom properly, especially when Tia arrives too, but I don't know what that means, either.
I am a bit more willing to spend time in rooms where I can't see auntie or uncle Bill because I think I know where I am now. They don't leave me on my own for more than a half hour yet because I can howl for Dorset at Olympic standard if I become worried about where everybody's gone. However, I also sleep to a fair professional standard and can be left then for a little while.
Every morning we go to a safe enclosed field where I can run and run as fast as I can. It's a bit tiring for me though, because I have to keep on running back to auntie Val to get some more tuna and Parmesan oatcake to keep my energy levels up. I know when the tuna and Parmesan treat is ready for me because I can hear a high-pitched whistle and my name being called. Auntie is silly because she does seem ridiculously pleased to see me, even though I'm only about 10 acres away from where she's standing.
She was at work today, so Chloe and I had to help uncle Bill drive the car to pick her up. She had lots of shopping for Tia but I couldn't find her anywhere yet so I only had to share the kitchen with Chloe tonight while auntie cooked dinner.
Auntie says you don't need any more pictures of me tonight because Sal has taken such beautiful shots of me you'll all swoon if you see too many in just one day. Goodnight. Love from Slim. X
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Post by sallyrolf on Jan 19, 2010 20:45:26 GMT
Thanks for the dogs-eye-view Slim!
Sally x
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Post by Karla on Jan 19, 2010 20:58:22 GMT
What an ace update - well written Slim xx
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Post by little Sal on Jan 19, 2010 21:14:45 GMT
Hey Slim, you've mastered the keyboard as well as Jack! Something else you have in common with him....howling to Olympic standard, but he only does it when he sees a cat then the whole village knows about it . Great to know how you're getting along and there can never be too many piccies of you, but thank you for liking the ones I took...its all to do with the excellent subject really Sweet dreams to you and Chloe and Auntie and Uncle. xx
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Post by wee_island on Jan 19, 2010 21:17:44 GMT
What a handsome young many you are Master Slim I don't think you'll be waiting very long for your forever sofa to come along!
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Post by aijee on Jan 20, 2010 3:11:20 GMT
Not only handsome but computer literate - wow Slim you are some impressive fellow! ;D Sounds like lots of exciting new experiences on the horizon (just keep an eye on those scissors my boy! ) Will be thinking of you getting prepared for Tia's imminent arrival Val; I guess you're baking up a storm of tuna and Parmesan treats?! What a transition from one dog to three in less than a week - your, Bill's and Chloe's eyes must be rolling ... not to mention the chickens'! You are true stars to provide young Slim with the space and time that he needs to find his paws before moving on to his forever sofa. Hugs and ear ruffles all round
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Post by Absolutely Barking on Jan 20, 2010 20:57:00 GMT
:)Not only are you handsome Slim, but very eloquent ;D Don't let all this praise go to your head mate, stay cool dude Nick
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Post by whywalkalone on Jan 20, 2010 21:47:25 GMT
Another first for Slim. He slept all night without a fuss in Chloe's bedroom. Yep. No crate for Slim anymore! We've been busy picking up a bit of extra doggie equipment ready for Tia's arrival tomorrow and we had to buy a new whistle because I've already managed to lose the first one. Chloe and Slim had a great time first thing this morning having a run in an enclosed field adjoining the park and woods where we walk. Slim is a bit too boisterous for Chloe's tastes, so he has to wear his muzzle (laughing gear, we call it) to make sure he doesn't bully her. He likes to play hardball when he's running and really needs another lurcher to match his speed and energy. Tia will sort him out, I'm sure. No work for me tomorrow, so the dogs will have a slightly longer walk/run and then we're off to pick up Tia from Kate's at 11 am. More walks when we first get home and then Tia will be introduced to the house. Slim has been making excellent progress with his introduction to our three free range garden chickens. He is now able to go out into the garden on lead while they're about because he stays calm and doesn't pay them very much attention. I've noticed when we walk along the roadside that he isn't particularly interested in any cats he sees in driveways, either. He looks, but stays calm and doesn't bark or pull on the lead to chase them. He does not appear to have the highest level of prey instinct for a lurcher. In the evenings he can become excited at home when I return from work and sometimes mouths and gets above himself. We distract him by giving him a toy he can play with but if he tries to bully Chloe too we put him on the lead so he has to follow one of us around the house until he's calm. He is still very puppyish in his behaviour at times. His housetraining seems very good, and he has been clean now since Saturday 16 January. His recall is still a work-in-progress and we will persevere with it every day. At present, we do not let him run free in an unenclosed area, nor would we let him run with non-lurchers or small dogs in case he plays hardball with them. However, once he's on the lead again he walks politely in a gentle leader by our side and is extremely calm and friendly to all kinds of dogs, large and small, that we meet along our route. He walks at least twice a day, for a minimum of one hour in the morning and three quarters to one hour in the afternoon. He has high energy and needs plenty of exercise and discipline, on and off the lead. He is extremely affectionate and beautiful and is predominantly calm in the house as long as he has plenty of exercise. Like tonight:
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Post by whywalkalone on Jan 21, 2010 20:20:16 GMT
Hi everybody Today was special, because Tia arrived to join our pack. We have had a very energetic and memorable time. We picked Tia up from Kate (thanks, girl, eat the chocolate; don't cry). Then we drove straight back to Verwood's Potterne Park and let the dogs off in an enclosed field for a run. About 40 minutes later, Slim was sooooooooo tired he lay down on the wet grass and let Tia run round him. Hey, but this girl knows how to show a boy a good time. Chloe loved being able to tell Tia what to do, and enjoyed quite a run too but then we caught them up and went on a one hour walk on lead to show everyone around and make sure our new pack had bonded properly. About 1.30 pm we arrived back home and showed Tia round her new pad. Kate had thoughtfully given us Tia's bed and favourite toy, and she was soooooo excited to look round everything. We had another walk on lead at 4pm - just round the block - and all three dogs were very, very together as a pack. Slim has been hyper-excited at having another girl in his life but quite surprised to find this one will tell him off in no uncertain terms if he oversteps the mark! Supper was mainly chicken carcass and chicken wings with some sprats. All three ate together in the kitchen, supervised by Bill and me, with no problems whatsoever. Tia makes it clear what's hers, and Chloe and Slim accept that. Playtime has been rather extended today, but it's after 8 pm now so Bill and I have insisted the two youngsters calm down and settle on their beds. Tia thought that was a cool idea. Slim, exhausted earlier, thought otherwise. Val explained it to him and he gets it now. Have a look: Individually, we have Chloe: And Tia: And Slim: More stuff tomorrow, fans. Keep reading our thread. Slim is sooooo cheeky!
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gilly73
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Post by gilly73 on Jan 21, 2010 20:30:15 GMT
Congratulations Val and Bill, what a perfect family you all make. One of our highlights is your daily updates Love Gilly and Jim x x
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