Meet Bailey and Max

For the last year or so the kids, especially Kate, have been asking for a dog. I think Kates obsession has come slightly from her love of the "famous five" novels, she has a soft toy dog named Timmy and she insists she is a tomboy like George! 

A few months ago I was watching her with some other dogs and wondered hmmmmm maybe. And then we went to "paws in the park" - an event for dogs, and spent an hour just sitting with a family of dogs, soooo happy. And I started looking on trade me at options. Of course, biggest hurdle was daddy - he said firmly "it's me or a dog"! And then a few weeks of negotiations later he said "definitly not this year anyway". I assured him I would now only bring it up again if an amazing opportunity came up. 

And one did only a few days later. 

Max (age 5) and Bailey (age 16monrhs) were lovely poodle X bichon dogs who needed rehoming. They were free, they had been registered, vaccinated and came with all we needed. And they were in Hastings.  Oh puhlease can we just have a look at them and see if one would suit us? 

We went to visit them...and they were perfect. The kids loved them and they were extremely gentle and quiet with the kids. Max just cuddles up and stares adoringly at you, Bailey loves to play  fetch and have cuddles. And Marty caved - on both of them!!!!! Softie said that we couldn't split them up. So the next day we picked up our new boys and brought them home. 

Bailey spent day one staring at the Guinea pigs and trying to get into their hutch. And once they discovered the cats it was crazy - all barking and chasing and growls and not listening to a word of obedience. What had I done?! That night the cats refused to enter the house. The dogs kept barking at cat noises under the house and I was in a bit of panic! These dogs do come when called, but not when chasing. And they  don't know any command words. Oh boy. Best bit of night though was laughing at Marty who had both dogs lying all over him that evening lol. 

But we did get them settled for the night (apparently they like to be tied to their bed with a lead) and the cats snuck into our room (their safe end of house) eventually. I was shocked  when Marty took them for a walk in the rain at 6:30am by yay for that!!! 

I woke determined to put some boundaries on these dudes and figure this thing out. We played fetch in the morning - Bailey had to sit first though each time. I pulled out the treats and they soon learnt to sit when I asked them to. Lots of cuddles and praise has helped and they both seem to be responding to me better already.  They even managed to look at the cat in the lounge through the gate without too much of a bark. (And the cat put her claws back in - yay!). One cat slept on Kates bed all day, the other under our bed - but at least they were inside.  I'm positive with time and effort we can all live together happily. And the kids are over the moon!!!!