The First Day

Two days before Osborn arrived I had my puppy placement visit.  I was given a development folder, which is a bit like a training bible, it goes through everything you could possibly ever want to know, from how to teach ‘sit’ to where to sit on the bus with your puppy to ensure their safety and of course you always have your Supervisor to show you with your own pup first.  It was suggested that you just dip in and out of it as needed, well I read it from cover to cover (it had to be done!! )  She also checked my ‘Spending Pen’ in the garden, made by a good friend of mine (bribed with lasagne) it’s a 6ft x 6ft wooden picket fence with little gate, and I think that it’s going to be a place where I’m going to be spending a lot of time..little bladders and all that!

Well Osborn has landed!!  His Mum (Black Labrador) is called Yalena and his Dad (Golden Retriever) Otis.  He was born on the 1st September 2009 which makes him 7 weeks old. He went into The Tollgate Guide Dog Centre a week ago, and has already had his first jab, been wormed and microchipped and been checked over at the guide dog vets. Osborn was certified fit to travel, so he was collected by my Supervisor and brought to my house.  Did I stand by the window waiting for her car to arrive, could I not eat lunch I was that excited? Of course!!..... such a big day for our family.  I had already spoken at length to the children about things that Osborn was not going to be allowed to do as a guide dog, like go on the furniture or sleep on their beds, and take tidbits from the table.  But as they are the same rules that we have for our own dog, it was not such a shock to them. They understand that Osborn is not their pet and although he will leave our family next year, they know what a special job he will be doing for someone else who will love him just as much as we will.  They have each got a special puppy walking toy to play with Osborn, that only comes out when they play with him, although I'm pretty sure that the 6ft long orange and blue crinkly snake that my eldest son chose might be for much bigger dogs than little Osborn at the moment.

According to his health notes, which stay with him throughout his training, Osborn weighs in at 3.86kg (8.5lbs) today.  He's eating four times a day at the moment, but for the first few hours after arrival they might not be hungry, so he has got to drink small amounts of a rehydration solution.  Well I need not have worried, by the time teatime came around he could quite happily have eaten the bowl too!

Osborn is quite small and at the moment could fit inside an adults shoe box and has that twinkle in his liquid black eyes that means pure mischief.  The first thing he did on arrival in my kitchen was walk straight over and try and gnaw at the thermostat on the end of my radiator, not very scared at being in a new house then. Note to self, get some anti chew spray as soon as possible.  He was introduced to Alfie, my other dog, and proceeded to jump all over him and 'assert his male-ness' ahem.  Not shy then either. Alfie soon had enough of that and barked in dog speak, I know you are little, but my ears and fur are not for chewing.

After tea and a bit of a play and a cuddle, (and did I mention the odd wee on the floor oops, but I was quick enough to catch a few in the pen) it was time for bed.  The dog crate is all set up in the kitchen, I’ll let you know how we get on.

Here are some pictures of Osborn taken in the lovely autumn colours of my garden.