DIY with Dad

Another day another job to do. I don't know whether I mentioned it, but we moved to this house just after mum & dad got me in September 2006. As I was still a youngish pup then, they left some of the Do-It-Youself jobs to spend time playing with me & getting me settled, what great parents! However, they (read mum) REALLY hated the carpets that were downstairs in the house. Despite getting them cleaned when we moved in, they were still really stained (as you can see in the photo below) & had lots of cigarette burns on them. Nice! And no, the stains on the floor weren't to do with me!

Mum & dad worked hard to paint when we moved in as it was really grotty with yellowing glosswork & lots of marks on the tasteful peach walls. Well, OK I can't exactly see colour, but I certainly heard mum moaning about them enough. Dad knew how much mum hated the carpets, so they went to the sales after Christmas to buy the new floor. A big improvement I think you'll agree, and great fun for sliding around on!

I helped dad lots when he was laying the floor - picking up bits of offcuts of wood from the floor, running around with the dustpan & brush, burrowing around in his toolbox. Us Airedales are just so helpful. It took us 3 days to do the whole floor. Here I am posing after it was all done.

Well this weekend it was all go again. Mum hated the kitchen lino nearly as much as the carpets, & once the wood floor was done she said the kitchen looked even worse. Dad agreed it made sense to get this floor done at the same time so it could all be finished. Either that or he was scared of mum nagging lots!

This is what the old lino was like. It was pretty dirty & old fashioned looking. Did somebody say "Doofus face"?

Dad ripped up all the old lino. It was really brittle from being laid for so long. I am helping by sitting on the pile of lino to squash it all together. Note my lop-sided sitting position which I do most of the time. I noticed Lillie was doing it on her latest photo, so maybe it is an Airedale thing. Is that right Sunshade, Maggie, Bogart & Faya?

After lots of fiddling around with the new lino, making sure it was all lined up & fit neatly under all the counters, we were done. How much better does that look? It's like a whole new kitchen! Mum & dad even got special non-slip stuff so my bowls would stay put. You guys!

Showing off my hard work.

Later that evening...all that DIY is hard work for a little guy. Plus mum & dad let me have the lampshade off for a couple of hours & it was so good to relax. I am still a bit swollen from my op, but healing very nicely.

Dad also laid new lino in the bathroom as there was stinky dark blue carpet in there. He's such a clever dad.

There was just one aspect of the DIY jobs that I didn't like - Dad's scawy drill. I hate that thing. I think I need to spend less time with Flakes, as if you listen to my bark, it sounds suspiciously like a "meow" at the end, eek!

So that was my busy weekend, phew!

Licks,

Oscar x

My Christmas Presents

Hello,

Well between eating socks, washing up sponges & having operations, I still hadn't had the chance to show you all my Christmas presents. I actually got quite a lot despite mum & dad's earlier threats to tell Santa Paws not to bring me so many after the bundle I got from my Puppy Class Christmas Party. Good old Santa Paws, I knew he'd realise what a good boy I'd been & bring me some.

This stocking was from Aunty Clare, mum's little sister. The rawhide shoe lasted a few seconds! Mum took the other treats to Kim & Charlie's dogs as most treats give me a bad tummy. Not fair!

Ooh, some shiny packages, all for meeeeeeeeeeeeee!

And some more. What a lucky boy! Mum has got some videos of me opening some presents, but she can't get onto Video Egg from dad's laptop so we'll have to show you those another day. Even though I had never opened any presents before I got the hang of it really quickly!

I got this cool squeaky Santa Paws ball from Aunty Kim & Uncle Charlie. They have 3 poodles. Mum & dad went to their house for Christmas lunch but I stayed at home as I was poorly from sock eating, plus their poodle puppy really doesn't like me for some reason. How could he not love me?

These cool bouncy balls were from Aunty Lucy & Uncle Simon. Mum & dad have hidden two of them for when I've destructed the first one. These balls are great for playing the bouncy game from my video the other day!

This toy was also from Aunty Kim & Uncle Charlie. Hopefully if I chew this mum won't try to brush my teeth as I hate it!

This is a cool frisbee toy from mum & dad. True to form, it now has no eyes, ears or horns! The squeaky in it does still work though!

Here's the reindeer which mum & dad bought to replace humpy horse. As you can see, his eyes were gone within seconds! I didn't even have chance to say goodbye to horsey. He mysteriously disappeared while I was making reindeer's acquaintance. Mum said he's gone to the glue factory. Poor horsey!

This squeaky bone was in the stocking from Aunty Clare. It's REALLY, REALLY squeaky, & therefore great for running around the house with when mum & dad are trying to watch their favourite TV programme

My card from Miss Sunshade arrived just in time for Christmas. Like Faya, even though I wasn't in the Christmas Card Exchange, they wanted to send me a card anyway. What sweet girls!

What an amazing card. It must have taken Sunshade & her mum ages to make all those cards. I had to have a nibble on the fur on the hat as I could smell her lovely Airedale scent. Mmmmmm.

She also sent me this great sign. That should warn people off my pawperty.

Trying to look cool & composed with my card & gift

Last but not least, I went to the vet today for my check up. He took my plaster off & said it was all healing well & that I don't have to go back again - yay! He said I should still wear the lampshade for another few days, but mum & dad have let me take it off for a few hours this evening to see how well I behave. So far so good, but they said I have to put it back on at bedtime - boo!

Licks,

Oscar x

On the Mend

Hello,

Yep, as Boo predicted, 2 days post op & I'm feeling much better. I still need lots of love & sympathy from mum & dad though (obviously), especially as it's their fault I had to have the stoopid operation in the first place. At least they have stopped calling me "Sponge Bob" today since I've pooped the washing up sponge which I ate the night before my op!

I am making the most of being "ill" though by sitting on the sofa when I think no-one's looking. Oops, caught in the act.

I have been trying quite hard to get the stoopid "lampshade" off. You might be able to see the biting on the picture below. I had chewed quite a big section at the front but mum cut it off. Spoilsport! Bussie, I don't know if you can see, but my collar is called "Buster"!

More biting of the stoopid thing.

Aha, mum's distraction techniques include tempting me with a marrowbone chewy. OK, I'll behave (until you're not looking mum).

Stupid face as I have the whole marrowbone chew in my mouth. I normally hold it in my paws and chew away, but I can't manage to do that with the lampshade. What do you think of the new floor mum & dad laid over the Christmas holidays? I think it looks smart, if a bit slippy!

Last but not least a few videos of the anti-chew distraction techniques!

I'm back to see Emma the vet tomorrow morning so hopefully all is OK. Hopefully she might say I can have slightly longer walks as the 2-3 minutes I've been getting the past couple of days is REALLY not fun.

Licks,

Oscar x

Bye-Bye Boy Bits

Hey everyone,

Thank you for your thoughts & good wishes. I've now had my operation & I'm feeling OK. A little bit sore, but mum & dad say I'll soon be feeling fine.

Yesterday started off OK. We got up & went out for our usual walk & I met a few of my friends & we had our usual bottom sniffs. When we got home however, there was no breakfast as usual. I kept sitting by the food cupboard but mum said I couldn't have any food because of the operation. I was less than impressed with this & had a bit of a sulk on the sofa. Well, as I'm not actually allowed on the sofa, I just kind of threw myself on it & tried to look hungry & pathetic. It didn't work though, grr.



Mum & dad put me in my crate while they got ready as mum said she didn't want me getting into any mischief before we set off. Me? Mischief? How rude! Just because I ate another washing up sponge last night in the vague hope of getting out of my operation. It didn't work though. Mum called the vet last night & they said it should pass through me fine & they'd check me over when I came in. Damn it!

Soon it was time for the "Journey of Doom". Can you see the fear in my eyes? The only bonus was that dad said I didn't have to wear my car harness as the vet is literally at the end of the road.

When we arrived I got weighed. I'm now 18 kilos, still a bit on the skinny side, but the vet said she'd rather that than be too fat. The vet (Emma) & mum & dad talked lots about me eating the sponge (& other stuff I have eaten) & the vet said it's probably just attention seeking behaviour & that I'll grow out of it. Hmph! See mum & dad, pay me more attention!!! She had a poke at my tummy & said it seemed OK & she was still happy to do my operation, and would see if she could see any signs of the sponge at my bottom end while I was asleep, nice! Mum signed some forms & then I trotted off with Emma as I could see her Red Setter down the corridor & I really like playing with him. I think mum & dad were a bit upset that I wasn't more worried about leaving them, but I was just trying to be a big brave boy so they wouldn't be worried about me.

Emma put me in a cage & gave me a sweetie that made me feel really calm & sleepy. A little later on they came & got me & took me to another room. They poked me in the leg with something sharp, then everything went really woozy. I woke up later back in the cage feeling a bit groggy & sore. There was a big white thing covering where my bits were. The nurse was saying I was a good boy & that mum & dad would be here soon.

A bit later I heard mum & dad's voices but I couldn't see them so I was crying & whimpering. Shortly after, Emma came to get me & there were mum & dad in her office. I was so excited but Emma said "no jumping up!" so I just gave them lots of licks & wagged my tail like mad. Emma told them everything was fine but that I can only have 2 - 3 minute walks for 10 days & have to be on the lead, and that I was to have a bland diet that evening (more rice, goody!). She said I should be OK to go to puppy class next week (have to miss it tonight, boo hoo) as long as I stay on my lead & don't race about. That's going to be tough as I haven't seen my friends since the party before Christmas! Before we left Emma said we have to go back on Saturday for a check up & put this stoopid collar thing on me to stop me fiddling with my stiches. How silly do I look? Boo didn't have to wear one of those did he? Not fair!

I keep walking into the door frames, the table, mum & dad...well everything basically. Not impressed.

When we got home I had my rice & a big drink. Then mum showed me a lovely new red Kong she had bought me for being a brave boy. I can get stuff out of my puppy Kong in a few seconds now as my jaw is getting strong. It's a lot tougher with this new one & I was whinging a bit in frustration as I couldn't get the bits of biscuit out easily at all. Still, it did take my mind off my sore bits & the stoopid collar. Mummy is going to give my puppy Kong to someone at work who has just got an 8 week old Scots Terrier puppy. She's called Molly same as my girlfriend at puppy class. Mum said she saw some pictures & she's really cute so at least my Kong is going to a good home.

I had an early night & a good sleep. I think I'll just be taking it easy over the next few days. As long as I can eat lots that's fine by me!

Licks,

Oscar x

My favourite games

Hi,

Thought I'd show you a couple of my favourite games. The first one involves a placemat that I stole from fat Flakes the cat hehe. The game is to push & pull it around the garden with your front paws & flick it around. Great fun! See how I carefully side step the poo poo I'd just done, phew! In the back corner you can see where I've been digging the stones, how naughty (but so much fun!).



Now for this game you have to find yourself a hooman. Get them to bounce a ball off the wall while you try to catch it. It's really exciting. Every so often the hooman misjudges & you get to grab the ball & run around showing it off! Mum & dad fitted new wood flooring over Christmas, so this games going to be a bit trickier from now on as it's a bit slippery!




Anyway, I can't stay long this morning as I am off to the vets for my op, gulp! I have such a hungry tummy from having no food. I'll let you know how I get on later if I'm not too woozy. If not, I'll catch up with you all tomorrow.

Licks,

Oscar x

New Year Resolutions

I've been tagged by Faya. The game is to list 5 new year's resolutions and then tag 5 more friends.

My resolutions for 2007 are:

1. Not to eat any more socks, plastic bags, bottle tops, bits of my toys, washing up sponges or any of the other things I am prone to eating

2. Try not to hump any more dogs once I have had my operation later today so that I can have more friends.

3. Gain my Silver & Gold awards at puppy class & start agility training, yay!

4. Try to behave when getting washed or groomed (going to be soo hard)

5. Keep in contact with all my lovely blogging buddies & make some new pals

I am struggling to find anyone I know who hasn't already been tagged though!!!

Licks,
Oscar x

I'm back!

Well hello everyone, I'm back. Thank you for all your messages on my chat box. Sorry if you've been worrying about me.

First of all, Happy 2007 to you all. I hope you all had a good Christmas & got some nice presents & food. I will check out your blogs shortly to catch up with all your news.

I have had a good Christmas, but I have been a bit poorly too. I think I told you before about my sock fetish. Well...it culminated in me eating in one of dad's socks. Now mum thought I had eaten it, but dad said there was no way I could have done, so mum kind of put it to the back of her mind. Then a day or two later I ate some onion & I was really poorly, so I was on the boiled rice diet over Christmas (yum yum - not) but still wasn't very well. On the first working day after the Christmas holidays, mum was going to take me to the vet, but I was sick, & there was the sock, oops! Anyway, I'm now feeling sooooooooo much better, so I think I'd better try really hard not to eat more socks!

So, I was saved from an operation for sock removal, but apparently I am off to the vet's on Wednesday for boy bits removal, gulp!

I got some cool Christmas presents. I'll post some pictures of them later. I have already demolished quite a few of them. The reindeer mum & dad bought me to replace humpy horse has received the same treatment, so he is now eyeless & missing one antler! I think mum & dad are hopeful that after my op I might be less keen to hump my toys & every dog I meet, but I'm not so sure, he he.

Anyway, off to read up on your Christmas adventures. I'll post some pics & tell you more about my Christmas tomorrow.

Licks,
Oscar x