Bill Oddie

I'm turning into a twitcher - no not the nervous type, the Bill Oddie type.  The birds here are more colourful than the ones back home, and bigger.  Today I saw a Turkey Vulture - I think it was that anyway.  It was huge and looked just like the one in the photo left (not taken by us though).  My favourites are the black birds with the red bits on their wings.  They look so cool when they fly away - and no it's not because I chase them, it's far too hot for running around like a silly puppy.  

On my walk yesterday morning a rock slid down the banking onto the footpath in front of me and started walking towards the lake.  I went over to investigate and it's legs and head disappeared inside it's shell.  Turns out it wasn't a rock at all, it was a turtle, and quiet a big one as well - about the size of a dinner plate in diameter.  

I'm still struggling with the heat.  Tonight I managed 10 minutes round the block before flaking out back in the apartment.  We are going out when the sun goes down although it's still much warmer than back home.  It's nice not to have to be washed down with a bucket of water in the garden after every walk though - I haven't had muddy paws since leaving the UK.

New friend

I made a new friend today, George he's a Beagle and he's 8 just like me.  His human is called James and he talked to my human for ages.  I got bored waiting so had a little nap.  He told us all the great places to go and which vet George uses.  He seems really nice and friendly.  I wonder if it's my English bark that attracts them or are all American dog owners really friendly?

I'm having second thoughts about living in a wooden house.  We were just coming back from our walk and there was an awful lot of noise - sirens and horns, then all these huge fire engines came past and parked up outside the block next to our apartment.  It was very exciting but a little bit frightening as well.  I've never seen so many fireman in one place.  It took all my strength to drag my human away - what's the attraction of men in uniform?   

She started work today so I was on my own for the first time since we got here.  Nothing to it really.  Just like being at home but warmer and no Terry Wogan!  I wonder of we'll see George tomorrow.     

Music to my ears

Just across the street from us is a sort of town square where live bands play at the weekend.  We went across last night to see what was going on.  They were really good, a bit noisy for my sensitive ears but good 60's music: better than the blues band the night before.  And what a great way to get some attention.  It must be my youthful good looks that attracts the humans.  They just love my English woof.  

I saw my first fire fly ever.  I didn't know what it was at first.  This little bug came floating by then just lit up.  It was brilliant. This one was green but apparently they come in a range of colours.  I'm going to be on the look out for their babies - glow worms because they are worms... that glow.  Cool!

Settling in

I've been here a few days now and met a few native dogs.  Most of them are really friendly, just the one grumpy little dog but that's normal with the little ones.  We've found where all the dogs hang out - down by the lakes.  It's a few minutes walk from where we are staying.  I have to stay on the lead which isn't too bad as I still haven't gotten used to the humidity here.  

Here are some photo's of where I've been walking.  

My human went to the vet today to see if she could get hold of some more drugs for me.  I'm still pretty freaked out with all the changes and the thunder.  Anyone who knows me knows I hate thunder and we've had storms every day since we got here.  I'm now on restricted walks thanks to the vet.  She said I had to be really careful of heat stroke because of the humidity.  I'm allowed 20 minutes at the most, which to be honest is about all I can cope with at the moment.  I'm soooo tired.

Still not getting on with the stairs - they are really scary - I can see right through them which is seriously unnerving...

The doggie has landed

I made it and without too much trauma.  Ok, so it wasn't the best journey of my life but I survived which is the important thing.  My new home is very nice.  It seems bigger than my UK home but that's probably because I don't have so many toys here.   It's nice that all the rooms are on the same floor and the balcony is brilliant.  I've never been so high - well except on the plane that is.  

First impressions: It's just like home - but hotter and wetter!  It rained really hard last night and this morning but it's sunny now.  I can't believe how hot it is though.  Not very suitable for someone with black fur!  

I had my first wee against a fire hydrant this morning - how American is that?  

Departure Day

Did you know they do business class travel for dogs?  It must be business class from the way my human was crying when she handed over the money for my flight this morning.

We were up not so bright but very early this morning because I had to check in 4 hours before the flight.  Our driver let me sit on the seat next to my human all the way to the doggie check-in desk where we were met by a lovely lady from Virgin Atlantic cargo who gave me a good old pat and said she'd take care of me.  Yes, Sir Richard, if you are reading this your service has been excellent so far.  

I've cleared customs and am now waiting in my prison ready for my flight.  What strange questions they ask - am I carrying any liquids or explosives?  Well I went to the loo this morning but it's quite stressful so goodness knows how 'explosive' I might be after 8 hours on a plane! 

Think I'll have a little nap now before the flight.  Air travel is sooooo tiring!

Oh yeah, get this, I got a leather holder for my passport - how cool am I?

Trippin'

I have no idea what my human put in my tea last night but boy was it good, I slept like a puppy all night! I'm guessing it was the drugs she plans to give me before I get on the plane. I'm a really nervous traveller so a little bit of something to help me out will be most appreciated.

Only 3 more days before we jet off to America. I'm quite excited about it - what an adventure. Still not looking forward to the flight but am looking forward to seeing my new home. I wonder what a balconly is? My new place has one of those and a pool but I'm not allowed in that - can't see why not, I'm an excellent swimmer.

I'm getting on a bit better with my prison. It now has carpet in it so I don't slip and slide all over the place. I even been in it without being pushed.

I give in

Or should that be I got in?  That's me in prison.  I didn't give in without a fight.  Fresh sausages had to be cooked on the BBQ and placed in the prison before she could get me anywhere near it.  I pushed my nose in and wham, she pushed me and before I knew it the door was locked and she's taking photo's of me.  Sneaky woman.  Still I did get some rather nice sausages out of it.

I'm not a happy doggie!

Missing You

I miss my human! She's in America looking for somewhere for me and her to live. I hope she finds somewhere with plenty of trees and lamp posts! I've just found out they have snakes over there that slither along in long grass and bite you when you frighten them. I hope she doesn't expect me to go running about in the grass like I do at home. I've never met a snake but they don't sound very nice.

On the plus side I'm staying with Brandy again. We went to the beach at the weekend which was ace. I had a splash around in the sea and then we had a BBQ - mmmmm sausages!

T minus 1 month

Yeah that's it - only a month until I go to the land of the free - although the amount of money my human seems to be forking out to US officials it's not so free. 

I need to put a list together of the things I want to take.  How many toys will I need?  I hope she gets a place where I can lie on the sofa - I don't want to compromise my lifestyle.

Still no idea where I'm going to live - I hope it's somewhere where I can run around - it's so boring being on a lead all the time.

I'm trying not to think about all the dogs and people I'll miss.  At times it doesn't seem like such a good idea to leave my comfort zone but it's a good opportunity for my human and it's only 6 months which will fly by.

We still need to work out the issue with my prison cell.  I think she thinks I've forgotten about it as my toys aren't being thrown in any more but it's still there and I guess if I want to go with her I'll have to get used to it

Sleepover

My human had to go to London really early the other day so I had a sleepover next door.  It was brilliant.  Don't tell my human but I get spoilt so much when I stay there.  I got to sleep on the sofa all night and more walks than my little legs are used to.  Don't get me wrong I love going for walks but I need my beauty sleep as well.  I think I've caught up on my sleep now.  

We went to the park and then to town.  It was market day and the butcher was there.  It's cruel putting all the meat within sniffing distance.  I just about managed to resist jumping up and snaffling a rather large fillet steak that was balanced on the edge of the table.  

I'm really going to miss them when I go to America.   Do they have custard creams in America?

Holiday

I went on holiday last week.  We went in a big plastic box that follows her car - I think it's called a caravan.  I know lots of people laugh about them but I love it.  I get a bed all to myself and best of all the humans have BBQ's every evening which means SAUSAGES!  

We stayed at one of my favourite places in the woods where I can run around without being on a lead.  There were loads of other dogs there and my best mate Brandy was there all week as well.  I had such a good time.   It was really sad though because I don't think I'll be seeing Brandy again this year.  I hope he doesn't forget me.