Paws In The Sand

We are putting up our Christmas tree today. I love putting the tree up and decorating it  with all the tree decorations we have used for years and added to throughout our married life as well.  Of course when we had Goldie he thought this was a great cause for excitement!  His face said it all - why was a TREE - that looked like a TREE but didn't smell like a TREE coming in the house ! There was a lot of sniffing and tail wagging !  Have to admit we had some qualms about it the first year as well, without going into too much detail, he was a male dog and trees were his fave choice to errr relieve himself !!  Anyway I recall that first year when he was just over a year old we had a little talk and told him that this Tree was a special tree,  unlike any other and not to be peed on. ....  Well you know what.... he never did. What a good boy he was.  He did love to "help" us with the decorations though and his tail wagged so fast w...

Goldie did not like car travel. After we had him for a few days we were alone and I thought it would be a great idea to take him on one for the real countryside walks about a 30 min drive from us. My other dog had always been fine in the car so I really didn't even think Goldie would object.  He was excited to have his lead on and did the little Golden two step as he waited  a seemingly endless time for me to get my coat on, keys etc.... He so loved his walks. Then we were off!  However as I stopped at the car and opened the door, I saw a worried look creep across his previously happy face...."Come on boy" I said cheerfully expecting him to jump in.  No Way!! He dug his heels in like nothing I had seen before. He was Not going in that car! After some perseverance and persuasion on my part I realised that this was not just him being stubborn, but  was a serious issue for him. I abandoned the idea and we went for a nice local walk.  However this issue...