How three adults became the family that stand in the front garden at 11pm clapping a poo.

We have always been cat people in our family, purely because of the hours my parents worked and the fact that we have a relatively small back garden. Cats, being the independent little self-pleasers that they are fitted in perfectly with our family life. We’d had a few different cats when I was a toddler until Simba arrived when I was 8 years old. The most stubborn, self-serving mercurial little guy you have ever met. Everything was done on his terms and we bloody loved him hard for it. My brother and I had songs we used to sing to him (Gold Simba to the tune of Goldfinger to name but one) and he just used to look at us with pure indifference which only served to make us seek his approval even more. Eighteen brilliant, love filled years later and the time came for us to say goodbye, and that Sunday was probably one of the saddest days in our house. He is now resting in the back garden under his favourite tree, god rest his sassy soul.

Mum and dad had already said the next pet would be a dog. They’ve got their winter years on their mind and want to grow old with house companions who run to meet you at the end of the day like you’ve been gone for a millennium rather than a guy who’s murdered an entire family of shrews and scattered them up the garden path as a present for you (true Simba story right there for you!) Three years later, after a few false starts, we have brought home Baxter Bear. And I can honestly say nothing can unite three humans more than training an eight-week-old puppy. The majority of our conversations now revolve around how handsome he is, or how clever he is for managing to stick his arse on the floor for a treat and a fuss.

A few days after he arrived at his new home the three of us are stood in our front garden (on a main road) in our pyjamas at 11 o clock at night clapping and whooping at a poo Baxter had managed and I realised we are firmly a dog family now. All of his toys have names that he’s already learnt (Ducky and Sharky are favourites) and we all know that when he picks up Ducky, he wants to go out. I'm stood on the front lawn one morning asking him where Fishy could be because I can see Ducky and I’m sure we brought Fishy out too when I realise he’s grown bored and wandered back into the house and I'm talking to myself. A couple walking passed the house look on sympathetically and I don’t know whether that’s because they too have dogs and understand my struggle or they just think I'm plain mad.

Three weeks after he’s arrived and I go away for the weekend with friends, and by day three, I miss him. I genuinely wonder what he’s been up to and can’t wait to pick him up and blow raspberries on his spotted piggy belly (he likes it, I promise!) Luckily, a few of my friends have got puppies at the same time as us or I would truly be creeping some people out by now. We share training tips and celebrate each other’s successes like parents (Ralphs cocking his leg to pee like a big boy, we all think it’s amazing, Barley takes her first swim in the sea and I get a bit misty eyed.)

Since my degree I don’t think anything has given me a greater feeling of success than getting our boy to plant his butt on the floor and put his paw in my hand like we’re about to tango. And there’s more to come! We’ve only just mastered lie down, and then there’s roll over and stay and fetch and sweet lord he’s going to be obese if we keep treating him every time he nails a command because he’s a smart little bugger. And the dog community! What a fantastic bunch! I am categorically not a morning head but if a fellow dog walker wants to discuss what a great morning it is or the pros and cons of puppy dental chews at 7 am, hell, I'm now probably going to be the instigator of that conversation!

Clever boy has managed to work out that champion (from my dad), shilling (from my mum) and peach, baby puppy, pup-a-lup, Baxter baby and many more from me are also his names and answers accordingly. He can climb up on the sofa now without any assistance from me except cheering him on and congratulating him as if he’s been called to the bar each time he succeeds. He went all night without one wee or poo indoors this week and that was shared with me before “good morning” on the triumphant day after. And that is the biggest thing his waggy little tail has taught me over the last month. Take time out to celebrate the small stuff each and every damn time it happens and the rest of your life will benefit. He’s made us all happier and more positive people as a whole and it’s all I can do not to give up work and tickle his belly all day long to thank him for it!

#dog #puppy #cat #pet #springer #spaniel #ess