First Day with Usher

Well having had Osborn, I knew what to expect this time, we had rehydration solution to give him as they can get quite stressed on the journey. This tastes quite sweet and is very attractive to the pups, so its little and often. Unfortunately what goes in, must come out, so there were lots of tiny puddles in the first few hours. He ate his first meal (half portion, just to avoid upset tummies) with great gusto and was introduced to my other dog Alfie, who is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Alfie is as laid back as you can get, so looked at me as if to say 'Oh another little black wriggly thing' and just carried on eating a chew! Usher has access to the kitchen and the lounge, so we spent a while exploring and finding the toy box. At one point Usher was completely in the toy box, trying to dig down to the bottom to find something, he ended up with a squeaky chicken toy, which we call 'Giblet', and this is still a bit of a favourite.

I kept taking Usher outside to the spending pen, he did a few wee's outside, as soon as he crouched, I said 'busy, busy'. He got loads of praise and tickles each time. He will soon get the idea that those words are connected to what he is doing. He seems to be used to going for a wee outside on the concrete already which is brilliant and obviously down to how he has been raised up to now.

Both of Usher's Brood Bitch Holders had put in their letters that they would really like to be contacted to make sure he had arrived safely, so I rang them and had a lovely chat on the telephone. It sounds as if Usher has been lavished with lots of love and attention and Sassy's family is set up very similar to mine, with an active busy household full of boys, so Usher is going to feel right at home. I think contacting the Brood Bitch Holder is very important if they want to be contacted, after all they've had six/seven long weeks of hard work to get the puppies this far. I will also be sending a letter to the Stud Dog Holder, with a photograph, so they can see what a gorgeous pup their dog has fathered.

The children absolutely adore him, both James and William are very dog aware and know that Usher will be feeling a bit unsettled. They each have a special toy for the pups to play with, and William was thrilled when Usher sidled up to him and laid his head on his lap.

Usher on first impressions, seems to be quite a calm pup, he has not gone mad for the squeaky toys or the fluffy ones as yet. He doesn't mind being stroked anywhere, and does not seem scared of things like the hoover or the washing machine. I'm wondering if he will be quite so calm on his first night!!!