Penultimate Visit

On Sunday we went over to visit him for the last time before picking him up on Friday. We were excited as we'd not seen him since before Easter and wondered how he'd have changed. He was much more active and had far more of a personality, darting back and forth in the garden, nose to the ground hoovering up all the exciting new smells. The family we are getting him from have been using his name and he was sort of responding to it but there was so much excitement around that he wasn't really able to concentrate. We put his collar back on him and he tolerated it very well, not seeming to bother him in the slightest. He's fine being handled but is full of puppy energy, wanting to be everywhere at once. We tried getting some photos but he was a bit of a moving target. Here are our best efforts.

Paddy Proofing

Saturday was spent trying to make the garden as 'Paddy-proof' as possible. To prevent him getting behind the 'bungalow' I made two panels covered in green garden mesh. Not incredibly robust but should slow him down long enough for us to notice he's trying to get through them! One fence panel had rotted at the bottom so, with the assistance of a neighbour, we swapped it for a better one from elsewhere in the garden. As we were explaining why we were doing this, he mentioned he had an old kennel that his dog has used before they moved and asked us if we wanted it. We thought it'd be good to let Paddy have somewhere he could shelter in the garden if he wanted so we jumped at the offer. It needs the roof re-felting but other than that it's perfect. The next outdoor project is to build him a sandpit so he can have somewhere he can dig to his heart's content (along with buried toys for him to find).

Indoors we put his crate up, complete with his bed and, at the moment, a Fimble that we've been sleeping with to give it our scent. The Fimble was non-cooperative, hence him being locked in there for the time being. We also put up the dog gate that will keep him out of the study. Below you can see it being tested by Paddy's softer and smaller stand-in.

More Photos

Another visit to see Paddy. Seems like an age until we get him, so we are trying to go and see him every weekend to help get him used to us. We tried a collar on him for the first time and he wasn't bothered by it at all which was good. He's getting more mobile and inquisitive and has a little more character but he's still very young. His crate, bedding, first lead and a dog gate to keep some stuff unchewed has all arrived so it's feeling more and more real by the week. The next few weekends will involve lots of dog-proofing the house and garden and rearranging things for the easiest life.

Here are the latest photos. The last one is his sister who has longer hair, more like her mum. She's still available, so let me know if you're interested.

Another visit to see Paddy yesterday. He's still so small, a handful of dog. He's getting a bit more curious and there was a greater sense of interaction. He's still black with barely a trace of the colour to come. It seems like an age until he'll be with us, but luckily we've got a lot going on between now and that that should help to pass the time.

Here are a few photos of Paddy, slightly covered in his dinner, but still gorgeous. The last one is Jess, his mum to give an idea of his potential size.

What's in a name?

We've wracked our brains to come up with a name we both liked. Most proper names reminded us of particular people, not all in a good way and a lot of the abstract names seem to associate themselves with a particular type of dog. Suddenly, just before falling asleep, it hit Michelle. Paddy. Two syllables so it's good for calling in the park, not a name you'd feel daft shouting and if he turns out looking like his dad as he's supposed to, it'll suit him.

It Starts Here

Well, the die is cast, the Rubicon has been crossed, etc. Yesterday we chose a dog. He's a Fell Terrier. Mum is a Patterdale and Dad is a Lakeland. He's going to be ready to come home to us at the back end of April. It feels strange having made the decision but we are looking forward to it too.

Met both Mum and Dad yesterday too. Both have a lovely temperament, especially considering they are working dogs. The puppy is currently black with a white patch on his chest but he should go red/brindle like his Dad as he gets older.

Going back to see him again next week when we'll get photos. The journey starts here!