Groom Room

A few weeks ago the lovely pet people at Pets At Home sent Klaus a grooming pack and invited him for a trip to the Groom Room at our local store. We use the vets at Pets at Home and Klaus had his nails done at the Groom Room when he was a puppy, but he's never had the full treatment.  We arranged an appointment on a Sunday so that we could take him together as a family. The last time he went to the store he was having his stomach pumped so we weren't sure how he'd take it. 

He insisted on Jamie cuddling him before we handed him over to the lovely team of ladies:

As it's a drop off service, we decided to leave him to it rather than peer through the windows as we didn't want him to see us and think he was being picked up. While we waited, Molly and I looked at the fish (everytime we drive past Pets at Home she asks to look at the fish!):

And then we did the food shop (aka buy Molly stickers and some snacks):

Klaus had the full VIP Treatment, and my god did he smell incredible. As part of this he got a little Halloween themed bandana!! We've always wondered if Klausey would be a bandana dog, but he's so fiesty had never bothered, but he responded quite well so we may get him another and maybe even try out a jumper this winter.

When we left him with the ladies we were a bit anxious as to how he would handle the experience having not been left at a groomers as a puppy, but when we picked him up he was in a really chipper mood! And before anyone says, of course he would be as we've just picked him up- he was really depressed and anxious after his doctors visit. I think he really enjoyed the clean because he was so relaxed and happy! I would definitely recommend the treatment, and we'll take him again as a special treat after Christmas, though I must say I really didn't want to walk him afterwards because I didn't want him to get smelly again!

After:

As for the at home kit, so far he barks at the conditioner spray (we already knew that as we bought another fragrance in this range when we first got him as a puppy) but I am in love with it, we spray his bed with it regularly too. The shampoo has a BONE on the lid, and the Pet Head conditioner smells amazing so that's a big thumbs up from me. He LOVES the cleaning wipes, he just lies contently there while Jamie wipes him down. The towel is also a hit as Jamie walks him at 6.30am every morning and most of the time they come home damp and cold so it's perfect to give him a rub down before he makes the living room smell of wet dog. We haven't tried the clippers yet as he's only just had them done, but they're one of those dog essentials I've always meant to pick up. 

All in all, he's a very happy clean pup. Thank you Pets at Home!

*This post is not sponsored but we were gifted the Groom Room visit and the at home grooming kit. As always all opinions are my, or in this case Klaus' own.

Reflections of a dog owner// Klaus at 21 Months

I haven't mentioned Klaus much really in the past year? Other than the dog bed palava. We just got him a beautiful new one that he's managed to eat.. anyway. 

Liking my dog has taken me a long time. I mean I loved him from the moment he squeaked at me at the breeders house, he was the runt of the litter what wasn't there to love!? (I'm definitely a bit of a runt/underdog-lover). But we just didn't gel. Maybe it was the weeing, or the lovely things he insisted on chewing, or maybe the fact that our personalities weren't matched (I am a cat person through and through) but the bond really took its time to form. 

I took him for walks, fussed him, kissed him and was a good pet owner, but I just didn't get the connection "dog mama's" seem to have. It was nothing like my bond with Molly, though I never expected it to be, but still I thought I'd at least you know, like him. Anyway a year went by and many of my things got chewed, and I was on my knees a lot cleaning up smelly dog wee when I felt I should be making Molly's breakfast and my morning brew. Then suddenly he stopped weeing at night, and the cloud lifted. He calmed down, I mean I still have to put him in the kitchen when my Nain and Taid come to visit but when family members he sees regularly come over there's no fear of him stressing them out or having to clean up his protest wees from the kitchen.

I think you really have to give it time. To be honest, stubborness is what made me so insitent that I wouldn't get rid of him. I mean it would have broken Molly and Jamie's hearts but as I was at home with him 5 days a week and it was me who was finding it hardest; a few times Jamie did half-heartedly offer to let me give him up for adoption. But what stopped me was the saying 'dogs are for life' and if I couldn't put up with him, who else would have our terrible dog!? And I am SO glad I stuck by him. He may have taken his time potty training, but he has a heart of gold and he is so so gentle with Molly. Their bond is incredible to watch. And I think Jamie loves him more than me.. so there's that.

AND... I love my dog!! I mean I always loved him but he quite often made me cry, but now, now I LIKE him! And I haven't cried in frustration in a good six months! Whoo. I don't know how it happened, or when it happened, or why. But I fell in love with him. And now we're best buds. 

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that being a dog owner is not all photo ops, despite my pet pinterest boards. It's a nightmare for the first few weeks in between dog naps and to be honest with you I'm not always sure how I got through the first year, but it is so SO worth it. He's our family dog, our second baby. He'll be two in October and I must say watching him get out of the puppy stage has been a pleasure. If you do get a dog, remember that he/she will be an absolute terror while they're a puppy. No one tells you this. For some reason I think it's the biggest kept secret.. like why wouldn't people warn others!! I went through a small phase of thinking everyone must hate their dogs but are saving face because puppies are an absolute nightmare. 

Tips for keeping your dog and keeping you sane in the process:
- My biggest piece of advice in hindsight would be to let go of the toilet training. It will take time with some breeds and that's that. Keep using puppy pads if its not an easy surface to clean (buy in bulk). It won't magically happen in a month, or even in 12 ;)
- Buy a pretty dog bed, it's much nicer to look at a pretty bed being ripped apart than an ugly one :P
- Lots of dog toys and chewable treats, they teethe for two years, and although it won't stop them from eating your favourite hand knitted blankets it does help.
- Oh yeah, hide the nice blankets for two years..
- Good pet insurance, vets bills are insane. We have had platinum cover since we got Klaus.*
- Regular walks, I'm talking twice a day if you can while they are a puppy, we went about a week once not giving Klaus a long walk due to business and it was a week of hell. Always find the time and if you can't don't get a dog or get yourself a dog walker which is what we will be doing once I am working full time.
- Scented candles, dog shampoo and conditioner. A lifesaver in the winter!!

*This post was sponsored. All opinions are my own. We have in fact been using and paying for Argos Pet Insurance since we brought Klausey home so I thought this was an ideal endorsement. 

Dog in a turtle kneck.

I had a feeling Klaus was feeling a little left out on the blogging side of things, I mean look how much he's grown!!! I can't believe her was ever this little! Aand who doesn't love a little Klaus in a chunky knit ;)

This weekend was wonderful, our dear friends got married under a thick blanket of snow (at least it wasn't melty rubbish snow!) and we made our first snow man with Molly, we didn't get around to it last time.. photo's and a film will follow. Though I must admit I kinda feel like I need another weekend to recover from the late nights.

I'm feeling surprisingly calm as we move from one chapter of our lives onto the next, we've been a long way since I first began my tumblr after living with Jamie for five months, and I'm feeling exited, inspired and full of love for the next many years I hope we can grow together as a family. For now, back to work. I hope you have a wonderful week dear friends.

On hangovers and dog walking,,

These are Klaus' 'my first walk' photos that we took some weeks ago. He has now been on a few walks but today I took him out with Molly all on my own. I know that's not really an achievement but considering toddler Molly's defiant mood swings of late and Klaus' fear of everything it was really quite brave of me to take them both out together ha! HE DID ANOTHER OUTSIDE POO!! Progress. I'm also feeling rather worse for wear- I went out for the first time since my birthday (in October) last night. While Hermione was dropping so low she needed assistance getting back up again I thought, yeeah I really need to do this more often. THEN Molly woke up at half six and I remembered why I don't. I have a million things to do today and I've accomplished none. But yes, I think I may need to arrange a night out at least once a month if not twice from now on. It's important to work hard and enjoy your home, but it's important to dance your feet off once in a while too. I cant believe I've only got four months left with my girls. So emotional <3

Dog On Cooking Scales,,

Remember these??? How different did Molly look!? Well,, Klaus had his turn on the scales just before his first set of jabs back in December. Look how tiny he was!! Well today while I was sat reading upstairs (so many books) I heard him yelp and rushed downstairs, I had visions of a dog burglar man-handling him. Apparently there's been a spate of small dog thefts. Anyway it turned out he'd pulled the telephone onto himself. Dogs are a menace. We're taking him for training soon I cannot wait! Cute as they are puppies are hard work. Any tips? The girls on twitter have been amazing, especially in encouraging me to be firm, Jamie gets far to sympathetic more so than with Molly, so thank you ladies! We've also had to have our carpet cleaned once already, and I had to take away our persian rug until he is trained. I cannot stand the.smell. It's not all bad, he's kind of like a hoover for Molly's snack messes. And he is very sweet. Sometimes though it seems a whole lot of work for an occasional 'awwh'.. don't tell Jamie ;) I love you really dogger, but let's get you trained so I can love you even more!

Merry Kissmass..

I just took the decorations off the tree and cleared out the clutter off my mantle piece, so this is my last Christmas themed post I promise! The past two years I've aimed to get a classic Christmas Card picture shot. Last year I took Molly to get some 'professionaly' done (inverted commas due to the awful quality of the dingy place I went to on Market street!). This year Jamie begged me not to do it again, so instead I took these on Christmas Day. NEXT year, I WILL do it at the beginning of the month so we can, ya know, get them printed and hand them out to, well, everyone! I have named this years theme Merry Kissmas ;)

I will be framing this one <3

A week and a half of Klaus,,

The dog, seems to be settling well. Toilet training is getting better and we all seem to be adjusting to the maddness that is having another responsibility. Klausman decided for a while his toilet was under the christmas tree.. regular spayings of Fabreeze seems to of got that notion out of his head for now. However I won't be risking any presents under there in case Klausey decided to add another of his own to the pile ;)

On babies and dogs. As 'dawgiies' are Molly's favourite things in the world, maybe seconded to Peppa 'Giggy' Pig, I didn't even consider sibling jealousy. If you have a toddler and are thinking of getting a dog it might be an idea to bare this in mind. I've been doing little things like making sure when people come to see the dog they make a special fuss of Molly first, which can be difficult since the dog is SO SMALL! Making sure that Klaus knows his place by feeding Molly first and giving her first choice to sit on my lap. We're getting there and Molly is getting better at not kicking him.. One thing to add is that they are NEVER, EVER in a room alone. Klaus isn't much bigger than her feet so I'm not so worried about him hurting her as the other way around but to be fair to them both as they are both children, it's just as well not to give them the opportunity to do themselves a mischief. It just wouldn't be fair. It has however encouraged Molly's speech, I think as a way of taking attention away from the pup, but all speech is good speech and she is now making her first 3 word sentences such as 'where doggy gone?' I am very proud. 

SO, what about Klaus' jumper ;) 

..He says thanks Grandma!