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

Just to mention my toys, I know them all by name and usually bring the one I have been asked for.  For some reason only known to others, I am not allowed those that squeak.  I have a green toy, it used to squeak but I’ve had it since I was a puppy and the squeak went a long time ago, it’s a long dog holding a little bone.

Then there’s my tugger toy, a flat rubber figure of eight and I am supposed to hold one end and someone else hold the other and we tug – I want both ends though and often hold it in the middle so the principle of its function doesn’t work with me.

Then I have a large blue flat rubber ring, not one of my favourites but it comes out now and again, I tend to try and use this one as a tugger-toy but I think they are supposed to throw it and then I bring it back.

I also have a large red rubber bone which I try to eat; it’s apparently good for my teeth and makes my breath smell nice.

But my very very favourite is Kong.  It used to belong to my uncle Offa (Chocolate Labrador 1989 – 2004) but when he had to have all his teeth out, he couldn’t play with it any more.  Kong is brilliant, it was invented by Doctor Mumford (a doggie expert) – when it is thrown, because it is hard rubber and has a bumpy conical shape it never goes the way I expect it to and it bounces well so that is great fun, but best of all it is hollow with a little hole through which biscuits are put and I have to get them out and this can be quite difficult so I have to exercise my jaw and try and squash it in order to crunch the biscuits inside so they will fall out.  Kong comes out on a very regular basis, especially when I feel like a snack.  They are really pleased if I place it nicely on their knee and usually fill it up for me; they are not keen if I try and get them to chase me for it, well I have to tease them and pretend to give it them then move away so they can’t quite get it.

Kong can be filled with all sorts of food and titbits; it can be put in the fridge and is dishwasher proof (I don’t like it when it’s clean; I like to savour its history of good smells).

I also go through a lot of tennis balls; some get lost at sea, some I leave behind because I lose them, others I destroy by pulling all the green material off and biting holes in them – they are the only toys I destroy, perhaps because my others are supposedly indestructible.

Anyway, all toys aboard.  As we set off, it is time for me to whinge as I always do because I know I am going somewhere, but not exactly where, although it is usually good.  So, detour to the beach – nearest place – and I run along the sand chasing a tennis ball.  As it starts to rain I’m hauled back to the car but I’m happy now and can settle down, well probably.  Now, what did I do with that tennis ball?

To be continued…/