What a fab month we've had seeing life as it is for our wonderful hairy beast. We've learnt so much and we have so much more to learn.

What we've learnt about Misty:
1. Food - When we first met her she wouldn't take any biscuits and we thought she wasn't motivated by food. How wrong were we!!!! She goes in to a bit of a frenzy every time we eat especially if we're having toasted cheese, square sausage, chinese chicken or crisps. So we can tell the diet of the old man who used to be her owner!

2. Food contd! - she is a complete carnivore and apart from the above,the old man has obviously fed her well. She didn't love chum etc, she wasn't keen on any dried food but after doing a lot of reading and after her attempting to chow in to a dead bird during her walk, we decided to try her on raw feeding. The reaction was fab. Really gimme gimme gimme, it takes her longer to eat it, she licks her lips for ages afterwards and she's very contented. It has also made a huge difference to her temperament (much more chilled with other dogs) and her hair (yay, the bald patches are growing back and we're convinced it is to do with improved diets). We did try her on fruit and veg as well as suggested by House Lurcher but the look of disgust was clear on her face. I'm getting really excited at seeing the results and I'm a vegetarian. Now I know some people don't agree with this method but it is working for us so please don't give me a hard time (just had a bit of zeal from the guy at Discount Pet Supplies on the subject - we had to agree to disagree).

3. Comfort! When we first got her, Misty didn't know how to get up on the sofa or the bed. We'd decided that we were okay with this as she didn't seem that interested. But I might have known that Mr Mac would break first. I came back from a night out and there they both were pleased as punch sitting on the sofa. Now Misty sits on my seat whenever I'm out but at least gives it up with a good grace when I get back. Plus she then comes back up and gives me a lovely cuddle.


4. Cold - She doesn't like the cold outside but prefers it inside! Before we got her her super green GAL coat, she would race for home as she was too cold/wet outside. Now she loves her coat and pokes her nose through her snood and wags her tail throughout. We think that she looks like a nun and have christened her Sister Misty of the Immaculate Canines. However at home it's a different matter. She can only take the comfort of the sofa or her nice comfy bed so long and then she likes to lie on the cold wooden floor.

5. The beach! She won't free run anywhere else but she loves the beach - oh the sand, the sea, the seaweed, a bunch of rocks, so much to see and do! We've let her off the lead at Croy beach and she was ecstatic. She was doing a horse trot and her tail was way up high. Her recall was fantastic which given all her excitement is very encouraging.


What we've still to learn about Misty
This is where you guys come in. I'm hoping that you can give some advice on the following

1. Photos - first and foremost, how do I upload photos on to this. I have a lovely picture of Sister Misty and various others. Have had a look at the how-to and guidelines but am not sure how to do this.

2. Free running - We've taken her to the dog park a few times and she won't free run even though we've given her the 'on you go' and ignored her and walked away. The only time she will free run is on the beach and we don't live close enough to make this an everyday. She just sticks very close by us. She will run between the two of us but of course there won't always be two walking her. Any advice? Is this just because she's unsure or is there something we can do to encourage her?

3. Toys/playing - Misty shows absolutely no interest in any toy whatsoever. I've tried her on squeaky toys, balls, the Buster Food Cube etc and she just looks at them, wags her tail and then turns away. I feel like a bad mum because I don't know if she's being stimulated enough but she just doesn't seem interested. Any thoughts?

4. To muzzle or not to muzzle - we're hoping that Misty will be off lead regularly soon. We've bought a muzzle but I'm swithering as to whether to use it. My concern was small dogs and cats but she doesn't show any prey instincts at all and she adores small dogs. Cats she tends to ignore. However I think it is a plan to keep her on muzzle for at least the first while until we're sure of her in all situations. Any thoughts?

On the narky with dogs thing, as I said, she seems to have improved a lot with this. She is even ignoring a Labrador that runs barking and snarling at her some mornings (don't worry, we've had a rant at the owner about her responsibilities under the Dangerous Dogs Act). We're taking her to see Viv Silverstein next week just so that we can make sure we're doing everything right for her. Will let you know how it goes!

Thanks for listening!

D