Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

...and their masters too.

Fashion

“A designer is only as good as the star who wears her clothes.”

Birthday BBQ

After the making the shameful mistake of thinking Samuel's birthday to be a week later than it actually was, a celebration was in order as a means of apologising. Though the weather wasn't perfect, the sight of Samuel and his party hat more than made up for the lack of sunshine.

The (welcomed) American Invasion

Family, friends, guests, visitors and landlords. Whatever their guise, Samuel loves anyone who walks through the door. So accepting is he of strangers, he'll lick your face before you've even taken your coat off. When we knew we'd be having house guests for the best part of a week, towels and sheets weren't the only things on our mind. We were also mentally preparing for Samuel's reaction.

And what a reaction it was.

Not as bad as we first thought, the love Samuel showed his new American associates proved what a sweet, albeit mischievous, pug pooch he really is. There was no limit to his care free nature; falling asleep on laps and legs, casting glances with saucer-sized eyes whenever food was brought to the table, and waiting anxiously at the foot of the stairs whenever anyone went up them.

As well as a holiday for our guests, Samuel too enjoyed partaking in the activities we had laid on, especially the long walks to Llandaff Cathedral and around Hay-on-Wye, and is looking forward to our next house guests. Who knows, perhaps he might accompany us back to California and solidify his status as an honorary Ameripug!

Many thanks to Stacey for the photograph.

A Birthday Blunder

Having spent the days before Samuel's first birthday with growing excitement, the occasion was made all the more memorable by a most embarrassing of blunders.

The night before the 26th March, Samuel's date of birth, I nostalgically took a glance at his Kennel Club documents. Imagine my horror then when I saw that his birthday wasn't the 26th at all, but the week before, on the 19th. The 26th was the date of registration. His birthday had passed by without murmur or merriment! The guilt was overwhelming.

What terrible pug parents!

Samuel, thankfully, knew no better and proceeded to open his cards with all the vigour of the one-year old he now was. We knew we had a lot of making up to do!

Flower Friends

Samuel introduces himself to the daffodils in Thompson Park.

Playmates

Innocent looking at first, each is as naughty as the other!

Kill Count

With the hair problem somewhat under control, attention turned to toys.

Despite not having the powerful canines of a Rottweiler or the brute strength of a Great Dane, Samuel takes no prisoners when it comes to playthings. In the eight-odd months he's been with us, the victims of his single-handed attack have been steadily mounting, and it was time to bury the corpses.

Garishly displayed, with tears, holes and missing parts, Samuel eyed his collective cull, wanting nothing more than to sink his teeth into them all one last time.

Watch out new toys; filling will fly!

The Post Pug

With the vacuum cleaner working wonders, it was time to tackle the source. A stickler for online reviews, I'd read a lot about a new grooming tool from Kong called the 'Zoom Groom'; a rubber brush reputed to remove more dead hair than the average bristled type. Considering it the perfect ally to the new Miele, I swiftly added one to my virtual shopping basket.

"Oh, you opened it," I said to Barri a few days later, noticing the Zoom Groom atop the piano.

"I didn't," he replied, reaching for the camera.

A Hairy Situation

All those moons ago, when Samuel was a mere glint in our eye, we never gave much thought to how much a pug sheds. In all other areas of research we were meticulous and poured over books and websites, thirsty for pug philosophy.

We knew about face fold maintenance and how it's best to keep on top of it, for your nose's sake if nothing else. We learnt that pugs and heat don't mix, and were fearful of a vampire-esque combustion should Samuel step into the sun. We were clued up on weight issues and had a list of famous pug owners as long as our arm.

But the shedding evaded us.

Like a pesky hair, the issue seemed to dig itself right into the carpet and stubbornly refused to budge. When our old vacuum cleaner packed in, and the blue carpet on the stairs was fast-turning fawn, something had to be done.

With our old model consigned to the scrapheap, we set about doing what we did best; researching. After reading countless cleaner reviews, one vacuum kept on rearing its dust-destroying head; the Miele Cat and Dog Turbo 5000. With a name like a cyborg, we were intrigued, and decided to put it to the test.

Though not cheap, I can honesty say a more worthy pound was never spent. Despite Samuel being more interested in the puppy on the box, this is the best vacuum cleaner ever! With such weaponry in our arsenal, we not only won the war against pug hair, but reclaimed the kingdom too, which now has blue carpet again.

A Boot of One's Own

With the acquisition of a new shoe-shaped toy, Samuel was free to indulge his destructive urges without any fear of repercussion.

Wanderings

Inspired by his recent viewing of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Samuel set off on his own quest in deepest Ogmore-by-Sea. While there wasn't the burden of a cursed ring of power, there was an unfortunate sighting of a dead goose, which Samuel thankfully ignored.

The First Noel

Like almost every other day, Samuel was up before the sun on December 25th, quickly followed by myself, whose excitement and enthusiasm for the holiday could not be outdone, even by a sackful of Santa's Elves.

For his first Christmas, Samuel had amassed quite a number of gifts, though it took him a while to get the hang of unwrapping them. The alluring scent of the meaty treats beneath the paper made the task much more appealing, and he was soon the owner of a new bag of kibble, a smorgasbord of treats, and several new toys, including a squeaky cracker and a replacement for the chicken he destroyed a few months earlier.

It was then off to Barry for food and Wii Fit fun. More presents were opened as Samuel entertained himself with his newly acquired stuffed turkey. He greedily eyed the real turkey as we prepared the dinner. We were accompanied at the table by his doe-like eyes, telling a tale of woeful neglect. His shameful attempts at begging worked and he was soon reward by a smattering of meat.

Fit to bursting, everyone set about firing virtual bows and arrows and engaging in sword fights in an attempt to work off some of the pudding. Even Samuel joined in, insisting on standing in front of the TV every time we tried to bowl.

Fowl Play.

With the idea of Christmas better understood, a visit to The Museum of Welsh Life brought Samuel face to face with the season's second most famous star; the turkey. Three of the birds held their ground as they were eyed by this plucky pug, no doubt picking out the one most suited to the Christmas table. Samuel sniffed the air cautiously as the turkeys advanced a few paces. Then, with a defiant call to arms, they wobbled forward with military precision and chased us out of the clearing.

Though turkey might be the festive meat of choice, after this close encounter Samuel would do well to stick to kibble.

A Thing Called Christmas

Since the living room took on the scent of an alpine forest, Samuel sensed things were afoot. The room he knew every nook and cranny of was now awash with twinkling lights and little red socks. The fat pine tree nestled in the corner hadn't been there before either. In the kitchen, trays came hot from the oven, loaded with small spiced pies that were savoured with cream and tea.

The white stuff of a few days ago had been strange enough. But this? Some investigating was called for.

Bringing the Outside in

Samuel didn't quiet know what to make of the new festive arrival.

What's This? There's White Things in the Air

Late November saw the UK assaulted from all fronts by an Arctic blast that swept the country into the the season's first big chill. Temperatures plummeted to below freezing and Samuel began to appreciate the comforts of his newly knitted jumper. Though Wales didn't see the drifts of snow that blanketed parts of Scotland and North-East England, enough settled to show that winter had well and truly arrived.

Your first experience of snow must, in all probability, be a strange one. Though I don't remember mine, the camera was charged and ready to document the dog's. After a surprisingly uneventful drive, with none of the slipping and sliding I'd prepared myself for, we arrived in Crymych for a stay with the parent's in law. Snow had settled here the day before, and the night's sub zero temperatures had morphed it into an icy crust that coated the grass. Despite feeling it as he pattered across the lawn, Samuel would have to wait until morning to truly see snow.

And when he did he was clearly confused. After attempting to eat it, as well as dig it, he allowed himself to simply enjoy it, and ran around the garden with all the excitement that only snow can incite.

An afternoon walk saw him gliding ungracefully across frozen puddles in an expanse of land we festively named "Winter Wonderland". When the ice unexpectedly cracked beneath him, he realised things weren't always as they appeared to be, and scampered off through the "white stuff" in a scene that echoed Jack Skellington's arrival in Christmas Town.

Halloween Happenings

All Hallows' Eve passed without a trick. Treats were aplenty however, and included fancy dress, walks around the lake and running off with the jack o' lantern's lid.

Power Struggle

The fight to be 'Top Dog' continues...

Knitted by Nana

Can you smell that? Autumn is here. There are conkers and colourful leaves. The park, once green and vibrant, is now carpeted in rich reds and browns. Hearty soups and stews are replacing the fresh salads of summer, and hot chocolate is back on the menu.

Yet one thing signals the onset of crisper weather more nostalgically than all others; the knitted jumper. In this tradition, Samuel was not to be left out. Though a tad too big, the warmth afforded by his first item of clothing was not to be shunned and he took to it enthusiastically. This first addition to Samuel's winter wardrobe was lovingly knitted by his Nana, and was accompanied by a woolen chicken which has since lost its beak...and feet...and eyes...and comb...and...well, you get the picture.