Puppy

 Well, Fergus is growing up to be a real gem. He is still bitey, spikey, claw-y (no such word) and generally a little painful to be around, but very, very good in other ways - he sits, he waits for his food, he lies down, he stands up, he now likes going out for walks (he was very reluctant to begin with, and used to have to be dragged or carried from the back doorstep until he got into his stride) - also walks to heel pretty well.

He does sleep really well, though the first week was a little difficult, with him barking and yelping all night for the first three days/nights, missing his brothers and sisters - but all is fine now.

He eats an extraordinary amount, and poops nearly as much - don't know where he puts it because he's still only a skinny thing, but leggy, long and with enormous feet. His colour is lovely and his beard is coming on well, although it does provide a place for water to pour from when he drinks, drenching the kitchen, sitting room floor and often my sock-clad feet.

He likes to lie by the fire, and still sits on my lap, although he overlaps (interesting - that's obviously where the word comes from) on both sides now.

We've started puppy training with him, both normal stuff with the aptly named Barbara Pointer (yes really) and gundog stuff in Ashburnham just outside Battle every Saturday morning. This last weekend he was a triumph, being voted best dog in our group (about 10 puppies/young dogs) for his superb retrieval - so proud!!