[Magdalen] New puppy

[Sally Davies]

Well, we have a new family member! We went "just to look" at an English
Cocker Spaniel puppy...as my sister said, "You didn't really think you were
going to look at a puppy and not come home with it?!"

I sort of did in fact, because we're away for a few days next week and I'd
decided to wait until we get back. And then we saw this little bundle of
jet black silky fur, bright eyes, dome shaped head and long floppy ears,
and that was it. He has just the faintest trace of white fur on his
chest..a pure bred English Cocker, raised in a good home and given a good
start with veterinary care, good food and lots of love.

He's eight weeks old and already bigger than I'd expected, will clearly be
quite a bit heavier than our previous spaniel-friend Bonny. Bonny was a
black and white/blue roan spaniel, and her mother, a black and white, was
very small. It's all to the good; we need a robust dog, not too big but
able to run on the beach. Apparently one of their puppies from last year's
litter goes surfing with his owner at Cape St Francis near here - that
sounds a bit risky but Evan would like to try it!

Introduction to the resident four footed family didn't go brilliantly well
though it could have been worse. For Milo it was love at first sight, but
by the time we got home it was late afternoon, the sun was down, and Milo
soon headed back to snuggle in his tangle of blankets. Chipo, being Chipo
proceeded to have a stressy anxiety attack. She doesn't know whether the
puppy is something to eat, something to fight, something to hunt or
something to befriend. Puppy handled her harassment beautifully - he's so
calm and simply didn't respond other than to let out an occasional squeak
if she nipped him too hard. He has thick fur and is probably used to nips
from his litter-mates.

But after about half an hour of this we felt it was too much and removed
him inside. We don't want to make too much fuss of him or give special
privileges, but she was being impossible. However, a few drops of
travel-sickness medicine (homeopathic stuff we used before when we moved
house) seemed to help and she settled down. If she carries on squealingm,
drooling all over the puppy, cornering him and nipping him in unfriendly
ways, we may have to ask our vet for some sedatives for her!!

I'd forgotten how cuddly baby spaniels are, completely loving and trusting
right from the start - Bonny was like that too, but she was by no means
calm. Evan wants to call him Gryffin as in Gryffindor.  Seems like a good
name....

Must try to take some photos and put them somewhere, maybe on FB.

Sally D