he new addition -

aiting for Doggo

'Let's get a puppy' - in how many homes and how many times has that been said, mulled over, discarded and revived? Of course it's different when it's the second one, especially when you are blessed with what is euphemistically known as a 'rare breed' (sounds more like a cow than a dog).

When we got our first Bernese (not Burmese, please, that's a cat) Mountain Dog we thought we knew enough - but anyone can be wrong. As you find out more about your chosen breed, you realise just how dumb you really were. So, this time - although still relatively dumb - we have gone round in even more decreasing circles to find the 'line' which we think and hope will suit us. First of all, we contacted the Breeder of our choice last August, I think even she was surprised since we were talking about this Spring. We had a totally overwhelming visit - she has fourteen, in the house - and fell in love with 'Dad'; so laid back it wasn't true, and a real gorgeous hunk to boot.

We were told to ring back after Christmas, and counted the days. New Year came at last, we rang, a litter in February! Whoopee! Now, fingers crossed - will they all be bitches, because we want a dog?

Slow January, slower February, then a phone call. "Six bitches, one dog! Not the build you want, though, markings not too good - better to wait, another litter due in April."

Mid April, our fingers gnawed to the bone, we received a letter. Total tragedy! Seven pups, all dead. It was almost as if someone was trying to tell us something, but we were deaf to them and by this time totally determined. There would be another litter in May if we were interested, and we were.

At last the letter has come. On the 18th May eight pups made their way into the world - six bitches, two dogs. The Breeder describes them as 'lusty', this sounds overpoweringly lively to me, but we do get the choice of the two dogs....so much for being so previous, and will see them in about five weeks.

It has been a long haul, and one not without disappointments, but 'everything comes to he who waits', or so they say. Our son thinks we're barmy (what's new?). Our daughter suggests we visit with each one alternate weeks, as they take up too much space on the floor (ha! ha!).Well, she does have a medium sized house, and two dogs of her own, so she may have a point.

We are quite happy, though. The only one we have to convince now is our resident BMD, Bess - five years old and totally unimpressed by puppies - after all, her quiet world is about to be shattered too. As a birthday present she was given a bottle of 'Puppy Stop Chew' for her ears, by my daughter...who else?

Time, of course, will tell, but once he has settled in we shall undoubtedly forget all the upheaval and worry, and life will return to quiet routine once more....

WATCH THIS SPACE!!

May 1993

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