4th January 2000
Malcolm was on holiday today, so took me back to see Uncle Greg.. he doesn't think we should try the thiaside yet - but rather they have to count my respiration rate whilst I'm sleeping... its kind of wierd when I wake up and see them staring at their watches counting...
8th January 2000
Today we went to see Grandma and Malcolm and Becky abandoned me... I'm glad they leave me with Grandma, although she told me I was bad when I marked the floor upstairs... guess Uncle Timmy doesn't want me to own his room... I got treats after so they couldn't have been too mad :-)
7th February 2000
Yesterday, Malcolm and Becky took me to see Barney again... we had a lot of fun, but its very tiring keeping these young whipper snappers in their place. They had to go and visit Malcolm's Dad who's having to stay at the people's vets. Becky said he's on similar drugs to me. Today Malcolm spoke to Uncle Greg about the redness in my eye, they think its bleeding - but as I can't see from it anyway and it doesn't hurt we'll not worry about it. Malcolm also asked about me sometimes being sick when I come home from a walk... and I think they are planning to ration my water - they seem to be worried I'm drowning in it...
25th April 2000
Sorry its been so long since I've written, but I've been very well, and Malcolm has been very busy... I've spent some days with Grandma Jacobs, and we've just had a long weekend, and we went for lots of walkies. Unfortunately, I've got a bit of a limp now, and they think its just a sprained ankle. That's OK for them to say, it hurts, and whats worse is that I've got more pills, and Uncle Greg is away, so we saw another vet - he said no walkies for five days. Malcolm isn't too sad about that as its raining all the time.
16th May 2000
A couple of hectic weeks... I've been to see Grandma Jacobs again while Becky and Malcolm went to Oxford. They brought me back some milkshake which was very good. We also went to see Prof. Bedford last week. He is nice, I get Schmacko's when we see him, and he said my bad eye is dying, which is what he expected, and there is no pressure, and no pain. Now the weather is very hot, so we have to go walkies in the shade during the day - its a good thing we have the forest.
12th/13th June 2000
Malcolm and Becky are on holiday this week, so we went to the pub for lunch which was very nice. Malcolm's chicken bits fell off the table right to me... I'm sure that wasn't a mistake...
17th/18th June 2000
At class today, Baby Max tried to fight Vinnie, who was right next to me, but I didn't join in. Malcolm said I was very good.
And the next day it was very hot, but we had to go to Eastbourne to see Barney, and Malcolm's parents, and there was this very strange, grey haired, yeti like creature - described as James, Malcolm's brother - who had come home. Everyone was very friendly and we went for dinner and walkies.
29th July 2000
At class today, Aunty Pat's sister Karen was in charge. She's the one I tried to bite when she was judging the dog with the biggest balls contest ! We were good, but then she said we have to practise as we have to do an exam !!! (September 3rd)
9th August 2000
Malcolm and Becky got a new cooker today, so the front door was open, but I couldn't get past all the boxes. When Malcolm was filling up the car to get rid of the old one I was sitting at the door watching, when the wind blew, so I went outside. Malcolm told me to go back in, but the door was closing (which was why I had moved), and it squashed my foot. He said he was sorry, and that I was good for doing what I was told.
I found a new friend in the garden today, but he didn't want to play. He was very bouncy, Malcolm called him a frog, and said I should go inside. I did, but now my friend has gone away :-(
10th August 2000
Today we went to the field, as the gypsies had gone. Loads of rubbish and smells, but I wasn't allowed to go near as Malcolm said it was dangerous. We met a nice digger truck driver who was trying to clean up - he'll be busy for weeks !
11th August 2000
Having not seen one for ages and ages, I found a spikey ball today, but when I pikced it up, Malcolm said I was bad, and I had to lie down while he checked it was OK
12th August 2000
We went to class today as normal, and Aunty Pat's sister Karen was there again. She explained the exam, and then we did some new things. A stand on recall, which she said the top class have trouble with... all of us (5 doggies) did it first time... the owners were very proud, and Karen was almost in tears.
And even better, when we got home, Grandma and Uncle Timmy had come to visit, so that was fun, and I had lots of fuss and after dinner I had a lamb bone which was very nice.
14th August 2000
Malcolm was away most of yesterday, and I'm having alot of trouble trying to pass the bone... its gone all hard and got stuck. I tried really hard on our walks in the morning and at lunchtime, and Malcolm tried to help too, but with no luck, so we went to the Vets.
We saw Uncle Greg's wife Kathryn, and she could see what the problem was... basically Malcolm and Becky shouldn't give me bones (I don't blame them though as I like them alot). She had a poke around which felt really nasty, and then gave me a mini-enema, and Malcolm and I had to go for a walk for 30 minutes.
It was quite a nice walk, but I still couldn't go, so when we got back Aunty Kathryn called Uncle Greg in, as he has longer fingers (ouch!!!), and they think its a combination of the bone, and an enlarged prostate, so we went home, and Malcolm had a bag of drugs. Liquid Paraffin, a laxative liquid and some bran tablets. I hate them all, and I feel rotten. It doesn't help that Becky is away.
15th August 2000
We went out in the morning as normal, and I still couldn't go... I barked at the postman and dustbinmen though. At 11am we went back to see Uncle Greg, and after a long wait where Malcolm was very upset (whats wrong with him, its my bum that hurts) we went in, and Uncle Greg said something about a full enema, so I layed down. He's not sticking his finger up my bum again.
Then we went into another room, and they wanted me to get in this cage... I didn't want to, but when Malcolm went in first, and left a favourite jumper, I felt better, as I was sure he'd come back.
A little later (6 long hours actually), I was awake again, but feeling really drowsy, and my bum really hurt, but Malcolm was there to see me, and when we got home Becky had come home too, so we were a family again. I had some nice chicken and fish for dinner, but all I really wanted to do was sleep.
2nd September 2000
Class was really strange today. We had to sit outside, and then go in one at a time, and then Aunty Pat and Karen told us what to do. It seemed very serious, but Malcolm wasn't clear on his instructions, and I couldn't see him, so we lost 22.5 marks overall. We came fourth out of seven, but Malcolm seemed happy with the green rosette. I don't care about them, but I'd have like the munchy chews the winner got. Maybe next time !!!
4th September 2000
Sometimes Malcolm really confuses me... today the doorbell rang, and it was a man with a parcel, and I'm not supposed to bark. Then, seconds later, there are some ladies at the door. Malcolm called them Jehovas, and said it was OK to bark at them. How am I supposed to tell ? Until he opens the door and they offer their little book he doesn't know, so what am I supposed to do ?
11th September 2000
Having great fun eating Daddy Long Legs.... they tickle a bit, but the chase is fun
18th October 2000
Went to see Uncle Greg today, no panic, just my routine jabs. All was OK, but he is leaving the practise, so we'll have to find someone else to terrorise :-). My heart rate was 115, and I weigh about 30kg, and Uncle Greg thinks I have a hole in the heart, as opposed to a leaky valve. Which would explain why I'm still here... and I thought it was all down to the love I get from Becky and Malcolm...
3rd November 2000
We had a visit from Barney and Malcolm's Mum, Dad and brother today. Malcolm said that Barney and I were both very good. No cross words, and we didn't even make a mess coming in and out of the garden :-)
4th November 2000
Becky and her Mum went away really early this morning, and at class we had a nasty shock. We were just sitting at the side of the hall after doing a long recall, and Toby came over and attacked me. I didn't do anything and I did scream a lot. It was mainly panic, as I wasn't hurt, just shocked, although Malcolm was alot more upset than I was.
11th November 2000
We went to class today, and Aunty Pat made sure we didn't have any problems. Toby was good - Malcolm thinks he was just confused. I'm still a little wary of him though.
24th November 2000
Today we went to see Professor Bedford (the optomologist), and he told us that my eye is now in a stable condition, and we don't need to use the eye drops anymore. This is good news, and now all I have to do is to avoid damaging my bad eye.
29th December 2000
This last month has been very odd. Malcolm's Dad died, so we have had to visit Eastbourne quite a few times, and everyone said that Barney and I were very good - there were lots of visitors, and it was all very strange as everybody was very sad. I don't really understand, but I hope I don't have to.
This last week has been Christmas - seems like an excuse to sit around and just eat, but Barney came to stay and that was very odd, but it was nice too. When Becky and Malcolm didn't wake up, I was able to ask Malcolm's Mum if she would let me out - and she did. She said I asked very nicely.
We went to Grandma Jacobs house on Christmas day - that was fun - there were loads of people - even more food, and by the afternoon Barney and I were just sleepy.
The next day, Malcolm took Barney and Grandma Preen home, whilst I had to stay with Becky, and guard the house. Malcolm timed it well, as he was back just in time to take me for a walk and give me my pills.
Yesterday, it was very odd. Something happened overnight which has turned the garden all white and cold, and when we go out for walks Malcolm now knows where the cats have been without even having to sniff - and he knows where the other dogs have marked too. Either he's very clever, or I'm missing out on a trick or two. We met a few odd people today, they were all white and cold, and had carrots for noses. Don't these humans realise that carrots are for eating.
As well as being cold, its also very slippy, expecially on the roads, and Malcolm keeps telling me to go slow - so we don't "Do a Bambi". I don't know what that is, but apparently we haven't done it yet !