They love a bit of him (Podlife)

[HangingOver]

Hello my fabulous Podsquad, here is Podcast Thread III.

For anyone that is new to this thread, it's about my rescue dog, known as Pod.

Here is thread No. 2 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5197068-the-pod-cast?page=39&reply=141216881

And thread No 1 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5177112-oh-my-giddy-god?page=1

for if anyone would like to go back and see how astonishingly naïve and traumatised I was by taking on a fully grown, teenaged pointy dog who seemed determined to destroy me and everything I love.

Theatrics over, here is the Pod in question (obviously I've edited the lead out - I'm not mental).

If anyone doesn't have is Insta handle and wants it, just DM me. A video of me and Pod doing yoga together will appear at some point soon.

Well that’s progress, Pod’s not the worst behaved in the class any more, lol.

I think todays tweaking of the plan is a very good idea... you're acing this now!

Twat 😁

Hehehe, but what a gloriously bat-eared ginger-edged twat!

Pod currently sleep-running next to me - it's SO cute.

Infinitely cuter than the sleep running that our whippet does-there's often a fart involved!

Bill was so bad at adolescent school on Sunday that it was gently suggested we leave early - he spent a good five minutes shouting at a cat in the next door field that turned out to be a poo bag, and the rest of the time with his head in a hole. You're doing fine x

Haha well mine was bad too at his training class on Tuesday. The puppies all took turns at walking round the room nicely ignoring distractions. Mine found the bin in the corner of the room, stuck his head in it and refused to pull it out again for ages. Then emerged triumphant with a snotty tissue in his mouth.

Oh you lot do cheer me up 😁

I've also just cancelled dog school

But now we'll never know if NB is allowed back after monching instructor! It's like cancelling Eastenders half way through the Christmas scene with Den and Angie!

Poor NB has been reassigned to 1-2-1s. I dropped his Mammy a line in case she's dying of despair like I would have been.

Hah, we have to go early next week so he can lose his shit without the other dogs watching. Still, at least we're allowed back. I did have to email to check.

This is my dread … hasn’t happened so far but the head in bin was not a good look.

Trainer was absolutely fine about it.... Poor NB was being shouted at from all sides and he'd just ripped his claw, I would have lashed out too. Absolutely gorgeous boy, I patted him respectfully from afar with my eyes.

This morning Pod took me for a walk on the headland and I was thinking about things I wish I could explain to him. Some I think I can explain a bit, some you can't:

• I am coming back (just keep coming back)
• I love you (gentle words, kindness and quality time)
• Gravity (No chance. Surprises him every time)
• Being late for stuff (ditto)
• Paths (he does know what they are but he's a rebel boy)
• I cannot turn the rain off (maybe just time?)
• Unlimited food isn't good for you (???)

And then what I really started thinking about what what POD wishes I could understand and how I could learn it - and I was wondering and wondering, what is it Pod wants me to know. I don't know 😔 But my mission from now on is to look at his body language more. For example, I'm noticing some mornings he doesn't want you to touch him. MY instinct is to go over to him first thing and pat him and give him a kiss and a belly scratch, and he does like this sometimes, but sometimes he basically ignores me when I come down. So I'm thinking about where my hands are and distance from him - looking if he's reaching out to me to come and pet him or if he's turning his head away etc. Basically just trying to check myself and look at what he's telling me not what I want.

What do you wish your dog could understand, and what do you think they would want you to know?

Alsoso, is anyone else watching Crufts? Pod loves it. I'm determined to get Pod's picture shown on screen, how could they resist?

Thoughts so far:

• Pod would love flyball
• I'm really glad Ellie Simmons has moved into presenting with such confidence given she used to be really shy
• I still really dislike the person that I used to work with who is one of the presenters
• Petite bassets hounds are GORGEOUS

Peebs are LOUD (vs Grands, which is what the LWH is)...

Hilarious Crufts memory - I ran Radzi over the last year I was there. Silly twit was doing a piece to camera walking backwards through a pretty busy aisle, and he basically sat in my lap as I was moving forward. Can only assume they were filming pretty tight to his face and so no one spotted me but if you're doing that, WHY BLOODY WALK, just stand still ffs!

Gutted that bit never aired. He did apologise in the press lounge later, but he was no where near as friendly as Ricky Tomlinson who was mysteriously also there (you never know WHO you will meet in the press lounge!)

I don't do Crufts any more, its too knackering without staying in a hotel on site and I can't afford the nice hotels a reasonable distance from the NEC unless someones paying me to go and no one has for a bit!

I wish more people thought about what dogs actually want. I reckon they want to understand the world around them, ie whats happening now/next, and for the only surprises to be really nice ones. And to know that they can start a conversation with their person and be heard. And LWH says extra dinners, second lunches and third breakfasts, and to live in bed all day between meals. StickDog would like the radiator to always be on, even in summer.

Alsoso, is anyone else watching Crufts?

Not watching but had some pop up on FB.

Our whippet looks very like Miuccia.

@HangingOver that's such a lovely thing to ask.

I would like Doggo to know that it's my job and not hers to keep the house safe from strangers. And that when I try to get regular urine samples from her it's not some strange form of torture, it's because I want her to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

I think her wishes are much like Widdlin's LWH. With the addition of a cosy blanket to snuggle under at all times.

I forgot to tell you... It's Pods first night at the Kennels where he had his daycare tomorrow. I really really hope he'll be okay. Our first night away in almost six months! because DP is going to propose

Good luck with kennels and the main event!

Best of luck!

Hope you'll have lots to celebrate!

Ooh @HangingOver !

Hope you have a fantastic time & Pod settles quickly.

Oh….hope all three of you had a great night!!