Diary

This month got off to a bit of an unpleasant start with two of my most treasured personal possessions being removed at the vets - I think you understand what I mean. The operation left me a little groggy but I managed to jump in and out of the car OK. When Sarah came home that evening I was struggling to stay awake but I managed to drag myself to the door to welcome her home before going back to my bed. I looked a little pitiful and I got lots of attention but I was feeling too tired to take much notice. After a good nights sleep I was back to my usual self and I was very hungry.

Things improved when we went on holiday to the New Forest. We stayed at a holiday park called Sandy Balls which welcomes well behaved dogs (like me). We stayed in a forest lodge which was very nice. There were lots of squirrels around the park, I liked the look of them but strangely was not allowed to play with them.

There was an enclosed field just for dogs and I was allowed to play off lead. I have never been off lead before except in the garden so I didn't know what to do. I decided to just stay close to Nigel but he seemed to want me to play. Sarah waited at one end of the field while we walked down to the other end. After a bit of encouragement I ran back to Sarah ran right round her and back down the field to Nigel. It was great. We did this every morning while we were away.

Another good thing about going on holiday was that I got a new coat, this time with a hood that covered the back of my neck. Every day after breakfast we would go for a long walk. We went to a place in the New Forest one day that was very muddy. The ground had been churned up by the wild ponies and I don't like getting my feet muddy. While Sarah and Nigel picked their way through the mud, I walked on the side of a banking at a weird angle to avoid the mud. I didn't see any ponies up close but from a distance I though they were other dogs, when we started to get nearer I realised my mistake and was grateful when we avoided going too near.

At the end of the month we had visitors. Sarahs mum came to stay along with two other ladies. I was quite shy but they were friendly (if a little loud). After the first day Nigel and I went away to Nigels mums. Nigels mum has two lovely young dogs ( both girls) who had taken a shine to me on a previous visit and were very happy to see me. It had been a long drive and Nigel and I were both tired so I went to sleep on my bed at the bottom of the stairs. I was a little worried during the night and cried a bit but Nigel came and sat with me until I felt better.

Next morning we went for a long walk by the canal and I had a good run. All of us pooches were exhausted when we got back and slept for the rest of the day. Next day Nigel went out with his mum leaving me on my bed. I decided to use this opportunity to try a new skill - stair climbing - I have never done it at home but the other dogs here made it look a doddle. When Nigel came back I was upstairs and he didn't know where I was. When he found me I showed him how clever I was by walking back downstairs.

So November was quite eventful - lets hope things quiten down in December!

... Nobby.