I have been obedience training with Polly in my favourite park today. The trees were beginning to turn red and gold, sun shone through the early morning mist, dew glistened on the grass ... and my beautiful girl was in fine fettle!

Although at four and a half, Polly is now a well mannered girl, we thoroughly enjoy obedience work, so continue to attend 'Real Life' classes regularly. We have worked hard to overcome the typical golden retriever stubborn streak, to build focus and most importantly of all, to create a close bond between us.  I don't mind saying, I am very proud of all Polly has achieved since we first began training together four years ago.

If you would like to know more about the trials and tribulations of training a dog, particularly a golden retriever, please take a moment to read our earlier posts and take a wander through this blog - there is plenty of information, a list of books I found helpful and many very honest accounts of the challenges Polly and I faced along the road to obedience.

I hope you can 'paws-a-while' to enjoy the read and if you are a new goldie owner, I really hope this blog helps you meet any challenges that may come your way and give you encouragement to persevere with your training. Golden Retrievers are such fabulous dogs when they trust you and are given positive, fun and enthusiastic training.

:-)

My sweet girl

Hard to believe it has been two years since our Betty first made her way into the world, but on Monday, we celebrated her 2nd birthday.

Seven weeks old

Our Betty Boo is the sweetest natured and most gentle of girls, always so full of fun ... in fact she loves nothing more than to entertain everyone around her with daft antics!

One year old

When we first decided to adopt a second pup, we were under no illusions and knew it would be extremely hard work. The first year of training and organising routines took time, determination and much effort, often leaving me plain worn out! That said, the work has all been so worthwhile as Betty has since grown into a delightful young lady, eager to learn, even more eager to please and an absolute joy to share my days with. 

Our Betty Boo, now aged two!

So Happy Birthday to you my sweet little Betty Boo. 

There is never a day goes by that you don't make me smile and think how lucky I am to have you in my life!

:-)

Birthday Girl!

I am so very grateful for the past four fabulous years of very special friendship with this big, beautiful, golden girl ...

Happy Birthday to my Polly. 

Best dog in the whole wide world.

:-)

Snow dogs!

It's been a good few months since I last posted on this blog, so I thought it was time I popped in to let you know Polly and Betty are both doing well and are busy enjoying life. I still obedience train daily with my girls (it's a way of life these days!) and take regular 'Real Life' training classes ... as a result, my girls are great fun to be out and about with and have grown into super family dogs, especially with my two year old grandson.

So, if you were wondering why we have been so quiet, there's no real reason, we've just been busy living life, working hard and making the most of our time together!

We have snow here in Kent today, so I took the girls onto our local field earlier (sadly it's soon to be developed into a housing estate - grrr!) and they had a high ol' time running around. It was Betty's first taste of snow and she loved it!

By the way, for the fashionistas among you, today Betty is modelling her Hurrta Slush Combat Suit, which is fab for keeping muddy slush at bay! Polly grew too porky for hers since last winter (!) so she is waiting for a new one in a larger size to arrive.  In the meantime, Poll is modelling a very smart tartan Outhwaite padded underbelly coat ... it's not quite as effective against mud and goldie rough 'n tumblin' as an all-in-one combat suit would be, but it is very good in heavy rain or snow!

:-)