Meeting Mia the German Shepherd.

My Extremely Beautiful Daughter Jodie came with me when I went to meet my prospective new canine friend. I was so grateful for her company because my sense of direction is non existent and even the shortest journey can become an odyssey. So with EBD Jodie at my side and also bolstered by my new Sat Nav we only got lost three times, and arrived at our destination only 20 minutes late. Marvellous things these Sat Navs.

It was love at first sight when first I met Mia the German Shepherd. She is truly beautiful. Here is a picture. What do you think?

She likes this chair

She likes this chair too

And she likes my bed

Mia is a big girl. Bigger than Sadie. She is one year and two weeks old. Indoors she has been behaving very well, but outside she is a bit of a nightmare to be honest. I think she has been taught some commands. She will sit if she is asked enough times, and EHS George who arrived home for the Christmas holidays yesterday, discovered that she will shake hands. She does not appear to have any idea about how to walk properly on the lead (my arms are almost out of their sockets). She barks at any other dogs she sees, in fact she barks at most things and even seems to bark at nothing on occasions. She is desperately in need of being taught some good manners. She also jumps up at people in greeting. Some things have to be nipped in the bud straightaway.

She barks at Bonnie the Ginger Cat. In fact Bonnie is very reluctant to come indoors now and I suspect it is the loudness of Mia's barking that is putting her off. She has been in a couple of times for a quick snack, but soon scarpers off again. I have had to put a temporary door in place to keep Mia from her. But eventually Bonnie will get brave enough and hopefully all will be well.

Due to my foolishness Mia chased the hens. She caught one, but was so surprised that she didn't know what to do next and dropped it. I think I shall keep her on a lead until she gets used to the fact that the hens are part of life around here.

Mia has been brought up in a town and lived in a flat. She knows nothing of the countryside at all. It must be quite overwhelming for her to see all these large spaces and I must constantly bear this in mind.

Her temperament with people is very sweet. She seems to be very affectionate. When we first met she greeted me like a long lost friend. Already I have noticed that she becomes stressed if I go out of her sight. Even in this little wagon if I walk into another room she wants to be near me. I am dealing with her neediness by going outside and leaving her alone for a few minutes at a time. Most of the time I shall have her with me, but sometimes she will have to be left on her own and she has to learn to deal with that.

She is good in the campervan and was no trouble on the way back yesterday. Actually I think she quite likes the van. We drove to the shops today and I left her in it while I shopped. She was quite relaxed about that.

She was no trouble last night, but she will not sleep in the bed I made her. She is either in a chair or on the hard floor. She woke me this morning at 4.48. I told her to go back to sleep and she did. Eventually I got up at seven thirty.

It is early days of course. She has only been with me for 36 hours. I think we will do OK. I have lots of time to give her.

I must get to bed now. It is past midnight. I have to be up early. I have got a dog to take care of.

Oh I nearly forgot. On the way back from collecting her, and with the aid of my marvellous Sat Nav we only got lost four times!