My Second 'Gotcha' Day

Today is my second 'gotcha' day. Two years ago, 'Her Indoors' got a phone call to say my owner, Sandra, had been rushed into hospital and I was alone and in need of looking after. She agreed to have me to stay, but there was deep snow and 'Her Indoors' couldn't get off the drive in her Mini, so a friend of Sandra's drove me over in her four-wheel drive and 'Her Indoors' collected me from the village hall car park. And what a sad and disorientated dog I was.
          Two years on and I'm a different fur. Much has happened in that time and both me and 'Them Indoors' have learnt a few things:

I have learnt

• That change doesn't always mean bad, just different.
• That you don't have to just love one, special person, you can have a whole family of special people and particular friends, affectionately referred to as 'team Teddy', who are there for you and will help look after you.
• That men, particularly 'Him Indoors' and 'Junior Him', are nothing to be scared of and are actually great.
• To eat my food like another dog (namely the Boss!) is going to steal it given half a chance!
• That other, unknown furs, can be tolerated, at a distance, sometimes, without the need  for me to dangle off the end of the lead giving it some with the vocals.
• It's not okay to bark at horses, men, children, bicycles.....
• How to be an office dog and literary fur. It involves a lot of sleeping....
• That having my photo taken, particularly for my magazine column, involves treats, and that the appearance of the camera is to be welcomed.
• That motorhomes are the best. Just me and 'Them Indoors' in a very small room. Perfect!
• That a suspended dog seat, in a Mini convertible, with the roof down on a sunny day, is the ideal way to travel.
• It's okay to be a bit naughty sometimes.
• That I have particular talents in toy spinning and sleeping.
• To never give up on my claim for the big bed. I was allowed on it before I came to 'Them Indoors', so their ban is obviously completely unreasonable and will be overturned if I persist.
• That it is occasionally, very occasionally, safe to let 'Her Indoors' out of my sight for a minute or two, without getting distressed.
• That big, fluffy woofy Leonburgers next door need constant vigilence and stern talking to.
• That dog social media is the best!

'Them Indoor' have learnt

• That rehoming a dog takes lots of patience, love, understanding and hard work.
• That we will repay the above in bucket-loads.
• You can teach an older dog new tricks.
• That every dog, even those of the same breed, is very different. They each have their own distinct personality and writerly voice.
• That sad, unhappy dogs, still need firm boundaries.
• That some Border Terriers are so furry they need professional grooming.
• Not all dogs are scared of fireworks.
• That there is space in the human heart to love two dogs at once, without detriment to the first dog.
• That dogs, living together, learn to love it each other too and will grieve when one is lost.
• One dog cannot replace another, but having a second dog, does help.
• That dogs cannot have too much stroking, fussing, and loving.
• That each dog has his own particular talents, like walking on their back legs and toy spinning.
• To never be afraid to ask for help or advice.
• To acknowledge that some dogs will never be entirely happy when left on their own.
• That dogs can be incredibly persistent!

So me and 'Them Indoors' were clearly meant to find each other and my 'gotcha day', although sad in some respects, is also a celebration of surviving difficult times and making a new life with new people. Here's to many more happy years!