Shopping

There should always be lots of food in the house for the dog, so we visited my favourite shop today.

This Year's Christmas Toy

It did not take me long to tear this one up. Good fun.

Christmas Fun

I pinched the Santa hat.

A present for me!

We are having a very white Christmas this year.

Christmas again?

I am a dog who loves Christmas presents. It made me very happy to see this "tree" had re-appeared in the living room, and I went straight to it, wagging my tail exitedly, because I knew there would be something for me under it. I was not disappointed, there was a treat, wrapped in paper for me to tear.  I will look  for one every day.

Yummy treat.

Yes, that is my tongue. This sometimes happens when I am a sleep and dreaming of a nice dinner.

I'm so Pretty ...

Going grey? Not me!

Stop using that flash in my face!

I'll bite you!

Dog toys are not what they used to be. When I was young I would have been able to shred that in minutes.

Me, on my sofa. It has been a good day.

Who barked at Santa?

Well, it was me. What was he doing in our street, anyway, wish all those "elves" running around collecting money from us and our neighbours?

Sunday Outing

We went for a drive and a walk, where we used to go often when I was younger. My walk was a little shorter now, and I did not jump into the stream or pinch any balls from other dogs there, but it was great fun anyway.

This is me wagging my tail and barking with joy.

A tired dog on her way home for a rest.

Greetings!

Hello to all my friends out there.  I am just back from a walk and now I am waiting for my dinner. I know that a big helping of chicken legs has been boiled today, especially for me, and is waiting to be de-boned. I do enjoy my food.

Happy Days

Yesterday, in the sun  My wound has now healed and I feel great. I have them well trained now, so I get anything I ask for. I am their miracle dog.

This morning

I am just back from my little morning walk.  While I was not feeling good, I was reluctant to walk, and had to be tempted with treats. I have now learned to use this in my favour. I stop and refuse to move until the bag appears. I need one to leave the house, another to go out the gate, and one to start walking. I get one for doing my business, and one more for turning back to go home. Sometimes I stop and refuse to move, preferably in the middle of crossing the street. Then I must have one at the gate and another to cross the threshold to go back inside.  If they had not started using tiny weight control dog food morsels, I would be a very fat dog now.

Last year

This picture was in mom's old camera, and was taken almost exactly a year ago. I miss swimming.

What is that lovely smell?

Breathe deep, enjoy the delicious aroma in the air. Where are we? Just down from the bakery? That explains it.

Pyjama Dog

When we grow old things will start to go wrong, and I seem to have developed a bit of a tumour in one of my mammaries. Unfortunately this has now burst through the skin, and the vet told them I was not to lick it. They have tried everything. First, an old t-shirt. I got that off very fast. Then mom bought a blue size 10 tank top, and sewed straps on it to tie around my neck.

This is me, just after they put me into it. Five minutes later I was free. I just rolled on my back and wiggled like a worm. I wonder what they will try next!

The Vet

I have been to see the vet a lot lately, which I do not like at all. Mom and dad look worried, and I get a little pills wrapped in cheese twice a day. I love cheese more than anything. Fortunately worry is something we dogs never do.

McDog

Super day. We were doing errands, first the RSPB shop to buy food for the birds (mini walk for me included), then the DIY shop - (another mini walk for me behind the car park) - and then guess what! McDonalds. We all had burgers and chips and ate them in the car. Me too!!! I love it!

Grr grrr wooof wooof!!!!!!!

Barking at shadows? Me? No, I saw something move in the garden. Six am? So what. GRRRRRRRRR WOOOOOOF WOOOOOF!!!!!

Here I am, Again

We have had a few strange weeks. First I got sick, and for three days I needed to go outside every three minutes or so. They took me to see the vet, and I got jabs and pills, and everybody was very worried about me for a while. When I got better it was "mom´s" turn. She started spending a lot of time lying down, and then she disappeared. I missed her a lot, and kept "dad" on his toes, some mornings even demanding my morning walk and breakfast at 6am. She has now reappeared, smelling of disinfectant. She is getting stronger now, "dad" still takes me for all my walks, but hopefully things will be back to normal soon.

In My Dreams

My running days are over. Just walking is hard for me now. But when I sleep I can run. I chase cats and squirrels and I fetch sticks and balls. I bark and I yelp and I play puppy games. Mom and dad smile when they watch their old dog asleep, barking in a low voice with her legs kicking and twitching and her tail wagging. They know there is a good dream going on.

Tess Two-Dinners

Yesterday mom gave me my dinner, and then went upstairs for a rest. Dad did not know she had fed me, so he also gave me a dinner. I enjoyed that very much, but now they call me "Tess Two-Dinners."

Still going strong

A year ago today I was in the animal hospital, having an operation. I do not remember it, but mom and dad do. They never dared hope that I would still be around today. But here I am, out for a stroll this afternoon.

Treats

When I was a pup and being toilet trained, treats were given to me when I performed. Later mom stopped taking treats in her pocket on walks, because she said I forgot all about walking and only thought about the treats. Now, with me getting old and reluctant to go for walks, she has started taking treats with her again. And I remember my puppyhood. Every time I "go to the toilet" I run up to her for my reward.

Hi everyone!

This is me, in the garden. The sun feels good, and if it gets too hot, I find a place in the shade. I also like rainy days, because then I get rubbed with my towel when we get in from our walk. I just LOVE being rubbed.

The DIY store carpark

There are interesting smells everywhere. I can smell a rat.

Better get myself back to our car.

This is it. This is our car.

Let me in!

I get lifted into the car these days. My jumping days are over.

Friday July 17, 2009

I wake up early, and moan until mom gives up and gets dressed. I want my breakfast and my little walk. So what is it is only 5am. This photo was taken 15 min ago. Mom used her mobile phone camera, and transferred the photo to her wireless laptop via bluetooth. She may be getting a little old and worn out, but she still loves her gadgets.

July 16, 2009

This is me today. Sitting in the sun and waiting for my next meal. Food is extremely important to me.

Message from Tess

Hello everyone. I am still around. Not getting any younger, but enjoying life. I still get my three (mini) walks every day, and really like accompanying mom and dad when they go somewhere in the car, even if it is only to the shops. There are interesting smells everywhere. The summer is a nice, warm one, which is good for my sore joints, and I spend a lot of time in the garden. When it is very hot I move into the shade under a shrub. There will be new pictures soon.

Why are my teeth so big???

Scary?

It is me - upside down!

Like this. Not scary at all. Mom just turned the photo around for fun.

In the Wood

Today was a warm day and I felt very hot sitting in our garden. In the afternoon we went for a little walk in the wood, where it is nice and cool.

In the Car

I understand a lot of the noises they make. I know that "cat" means there is chasing and barking to be done (although I am not allowed to do that any more) and "car" means that we are going somewhere, and that makes me very happy so I wag my tail wildly. I just love going for an outing in the car. I have the back seat to myself and I always get let out for a sniff or a little walk, even if it is only in the supermarket car park. The world is full of exciting smells. I do not jump in and out of the car any more. I get lifted because my joints are not what they used to be.

Good morning!

Sunday

Swimming in a river of gold.

We went to the woods and the river yesterday, but we did not walk there like we used to. We went in the car. I thing they are getting old.

That Collie

I have no respect for collies. You see them on dog shows, doing all sorts of stupid tricks, even dancing. They doggedly herd sheep, following their masters´ every order. No mind of their own.
When I was a lot younger I had a problem with a certain collie dog that passed our garden every day. With the fence between us we would bark, growl and snarl at each other. Once we met face to face on the path, and as the collie was accompanied by two of its packmates, there was a bit of a fight, and I got accused of having bitten the collie's ear - which I have never admitted to. See: http://tessblogs.blogspot.com/2006/09/collies.html

I have not seen that dog for years now, but this morning, walking peacefully on my lead on the pavement, guess whom we met! Just as frisky and menacing as ever. We both had to be restrained.

This morning

Look what someone left on the grassy area next to my path. I decided to retrieve it, but "mom" bribed me with a promise of a biscuit to leave it. I will try again tomorrow, and get another biscuit.

Photo taken this morning with mobile phone.

Waiting for Food

Whenever there is action in the kitchen - a meal preparation of some sort - this is where I wait. I can see what is going on, have a good view of my bowl, and be ready as soon as something gets put in it. Sometimes I get stuck, and chairs have to be moved to help me out.

Housework

I do not like it at all when they decide to clean our house. There is nowhere for a dog to sit while it is all going on - all the rugs get lifted, and there are strong, unnatural smells of detergents and furniture polish. And the noise from the vacuum cleaner is irritating. This time they even washed all my blankets and my bedding. This is not how a house should smell. It should smell of dog. Of me.

Outside

I saw the sun was out today and wanted to sit outside, but it was not nice and warm, it was cold. I only stayed a little while.

Birthday Cake

Faster that it took the camera to focus and the flash to go off went Tess' piece of birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Tess!

It is my birthday! I am eleven years old. I have had a fine day, there was a bit of cheese sprinked on my breakfast, and I know for a fact that a large chicken has been bought for the whole family for dinner. Unfortunately the weather today is not good enough for a birthday outing, but it can wait a few days.

The Pet Shop

Long before we get there I know. I sit up straight, and look out of the car window and I start making little noises. We are going to that place where all the dog food comes from. Great!!!

Dogs are allowed in the shop, and I love to browse. Sometimes I find little nuggets on the floor. I eat everything. Some of it may be meant for cats - or even hamsters, but I don't mind. It is free.

These bones are big. They must be for very big dogs.

Pigs ears, beef jerky, tripe. That sure smells delicious. Let's get some!