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On Saturday night I made a mistake, this was traumatic for dad and me,
my mum went to bed very early, as she was not feeling to good,
my dad stayed up late watching TV and later he made tea. I run up the stairs and jumped on
the bed,
waking mum up.
My dad followed me up and ordered me off the bed in a gruff voice,
he had never used a gruff voice to me before and I was scared and did not obey,
he reached out to me.
I dashed backwards and forwards from the top to the bottom of the bed in a blind panic looking for escape.
My dad asked mum to order me off and I jumped off and ran down the stairs into the hall.
As my master approached I started going round slowly in circles crouching
as close to the floor as I could, he kneeled down beside me
and stretched his hand towards me and I started to freeze then to tremble as his hand
touched my head.
He gently stroked me and I began to calm down, there was compassion in his eyes
as he soothed and caressed me, repeating "Good Girl"
over and over again.
I followed my dad into the living room and sat looking at him as he spoke kindly to me.
"You did nothing wrong Daisy, you thought it was morning
and you were only doing what I have been trying to teach
you"
He told me never to be frightened, nobody will beat or hit you here.
You have had too much of that already in your life.
My dad said that
DAWGS had told him that I had a troubled past, he knew that I
did not like my rear quarters touched, nor did I like to be
lifted and had had a horrible experience with a groomer.
Since I arrived, he found that I do not like toys and wouldn't
play at all, in the house.
He said it was up to him and mum to try and rid me of my fears.
I jumped up onto the couch and cuddled into his leg.
I guess we will have a lot to learn between the three of us.
Monday morning it
was bath time, I was very wary but not too frightened, my dad
lifted me into the bath. I was learning to trust them lifting
me.
Mum washed and rinsed me, making sure there was no soap left in
my coat, as this makes me itch. Then she applied conditioner and
rinsed this off as well.
My dad wrapped me in a towel and carried me downstairs, placing
me on the couch.
I was quite happy
to let mum blow dry and brush me. In fact I lay there and really
enjoyed it. This surprised them both, so I had really pleased
them and they praised me constantly.
My coat is looking
much better now, what with the bath and the cod liver oil
capsules that I have taken in my food. Mum brushes me every day
and more if we are going somewhere. I have a nice new Tartan
collar and a silver Tibetan name tag mum bought from Argos.
Then my next
visit that day was a trip to see the vet Mr.Ken Davison of
Inglis
Veterinary Centre Dunfermline
My dad was a bit
anxious as to how I would react to other dogs in the practice,
as I stand on my hind legs and growl at big dogs.
This usually makes them aware of me and to treat me with
caution. I start to wag my tail if they stand still and
move eye contact away from me.
After all I am a
Lhasa Apso the little lion dog from the Temples of Tibet.
All I'm saying to them is "Hey! big doggie, I am just as
big as you and you don't frighten me, but if you would like to
play I'll be real friendly".
However my dad did not want to risk it, in case I caused mayhem,
so he carried me in, then sat on a chair holding me while mum
was at the counter. I tried to get down to join the
other doggies, but dad held me firm and wouldn't let me.
Mr. Davison called
and we entered his surgery. My dad placed me on the
table and I started to panic.
When my examination started I totally freaked out and tried to
bite the vet at every touch, my dad had to hold me in a head lock,
so that I couldn't get at him. I was then vaccinated and it
was all over.
My dad said I should have been called Mrs. Rambo.
Oh! I was
glad to be back home. I was subdued all evening. My dad
thought I may have confused the vet with a groomer, as my
panic started when he first placed me on the table.
Wednesday was a
great day Tony my owner's grandson arrived and he made a
fuss of me and tried to teach me a trick.
Tony also has a rescue dog from Bandeath near Stirling, a Labrador cross he calls
"Angel" whom I've still to meet.
After a walk we
visited the pub early as it was Guy Fawkes night, so that I
could introduce myself to Aggie, I couldn't see her over the
bar, so my mum lifted me up. Tony is sitting in the corner behind mum.
Fireworks Night
I've made the Fireworks below silent, so I don't frighten my
animal friends.
Fireworks
night is a disturbing time for all animals including we doggies.
Some doggies are so scared that we continually bark or hide and
they really scare us so much we tremble and shake in fear.
You can help them by closing all the windows, draw the curtains
and have the Radio or Television on a little louder than normal.
Don't caress or pet us, as this just makes us more anxious and
we think something is wrong. Just act normal and we will feel
more secure.
My owner's were
amazed that Fireworks did not bother me at all, in fact I get
more of a fright if my mum or dad drops the TV Remote, even if I
am at the other side of the room.
Their last dog "Kizzie" used to get into a terrible
state at the sound of fireworks.
Well that is my first week in my new home and I am becoming
quite settled with my new masters Bunny and Robbie.
I prefer Bunny, she is so soft and gentle and I can play her up
no end. I am becoming quite used to them handling me. Of course
it will still take me some time to feel really secure.
My bed is my sanctuary, no one disturbs me when I go into my bed
at anytime of the day I choose.
Robbie on the
other hand is different, he does not let me have my own way, He
has taught me to walk smartly on the lead, giving it a quick
half a second snatch, to draw my attention and saying "Come
on Daisy there's more exciting stuff further up the road".
Then when he thinks fit, I have a long lingering stroll sniffing
all over the place.
Training is now
fun, he tries to think like a dog, sometimes outsmarting me !!!!, a
Lhasa Apso.
He said he learned this, listening to Bruce
Fogle the vet
on BBC Radio 2 and reading some of his books,
many of which are available
in local libraries.
Robbie tries to
make it a game, if I get it right I am showered with praise and
sometimes a treat. If I get it wrong, there is no bawling,
roaring, screaming or shouting, just gentle encouragement, it is still part of the game, but I do
not receive praise, we just try again. These games outside last
ten to fifteen minutes, twice or three times a day.
Oh! I have been
registered with Pet
Planet. This is a mail order warehouse that stocks
thousands of pet goodies and food. Their website contains info
on breeds, health and many other subjects.
Bunny and Robbie
would like to thank DAWGS for allowing them both, to share in my
life.
Me too! for finding me a loving caring home.
Click
on the Banner Above For More Dogs
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(Copies signed by the author, and including a personal message should you wish,
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Safe Driving All the Best Regards Robbie 
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