It's a dog's lifeSavvy Chocolate Labrador's dogblog

I awoke from a little nap and we all set off for a walk.  There are so many new smells here; wild sage, many different wild herbs and aromatic flowers like Honeysuckle and Jasmine that seem to be everywhere. There are also animal smells; ones that I have not encountered before.  In an Olive grove just down the road there are goats with bells round their necks – some are quite big bells too – I am glad I don’t have to wear one it would drive me nuts clanging every time I moved.

A little further along the road and I can see sheep; I know what they are as we had them in the hills in Britain.  I do not bother with them anymore.  I used to want to chase them but I was told I might get shot, so decided not to risk it; anyway they always run off and don’t want to play so that’s a bit boring isn’t it?.  They too have bells around their necks.

Well, that was a fairly short walk but I don’t mind, so long as I am with them, I am happy.  So, back to the house and more investigating whilst they unpack.

Now, let’s see what they put where.  Important items, my food and treats, that all lives in that cupboard and it has a key, bother.  Their food goes in there and there, noted, no key.  There’s a fridge, now I have been known to get into one of those – well the door hadn’t shut properly and I managed to get my nose in and open in.  By the time they’d realised, I sampled the butter, opened the cheese packet and had a nibble or two at that, but it was the raw mince that took my fancy, unfortunately it was still defrosting and had its wrapper on.  Still, undefeated I ate the polystyrene and plastic before getting to the mince and I must say the middle bit was a bit frozen and crunchy, but it was OK although I do prefer cooked mince.  Needless to say they were not very pleased with me and mentioned the word v.e.t. (I can spell remember).  Thankfully I was not ill, so didn’t have to go.

They told me that uncle Offa, one Christmas (whilst they were out for about an hour), managed to empty what they thought was a secure bag of presents they’d left on a table, onto the floor and devoured all the contents of tin (yes a tin with a plastic lid wrapped in cellophane) of Harrod’s luxury drinking chocolate AND a box of Belgium chocolates (packaging included) and he didn’t have to go to the v.e.t.  In fact, uncle Offa pretended he had nothing to do with it at all and tried to not look guilty, even though he was surrounded by chewed bits of Christmas wrapping paper – and that was when he did have teeth by the way.

Now outside; no garden for me. Just a patio.  There’s a bit of garden behind the house with lemon and mandarin trees, and lots of flowers, but I won’t be allowed there as it is not fenced off.  But this patio is quite spacious with a wrought iron fence around most of it and a gate.  However there is a shared gate at the far end with the people at the back and below us and they tend to leave their gate open which is a potential escape route for me.

I’ve got a good view of the road in one direction so I can watch people go past and say hello to them, and the other way I can just about see the sea, and there are hills and mountains.  Very nice; suits me!

What, a rope?  Why do I have to go on a rope?  Anyone would think I would wander off.  Well I might but they won’t let me as I have no road sense whatsoever. They tried to train me to sit at the kerb and cross on command, but it didn’t work. I suppose it was because we didn’t walk near roads that often and I kept forgetting what I was supposed to do.  Anyway here, there is no footpath or kerb so that’s another reason for my rope in case I escape and for being on my lead when we are out.  Vehicles do pass by but not too many, some go very quickly which is not very good because there is a school nearby and small children walk up and down the road. I like children but I can’t eat a whole one.

So, here I am on my rope, which I’m getting used to a bit – I can go this far here, and to this part here.  Mmmm, now can I get off my rope?….time will tell.

Well as they are busy inside, unpacking and things like that, I’ve got time for a little nap in the sun, and then I’ll probably get another walk.

To be continued…