Bless them! I've had 2 lodgers staying with me for last few days. My ex volunteered me for the job with a lady we both sort of know. Of course I was fine with it - I love dogs! We have had a lovely time together.
The boys are a spaniel and a dachshund. Monty and Louis. I have to say that I am absolutely smitten with the dachshund. He is so dinky but with such a big personality. That said they are mismatched on walks as Monty walks 10 feet in front and Louis 10 feet behind. Louis is slow and Monty fast and boisterous. Quite funny.
I wasnt too sure how quickly they would settle with me when they arrived but my flat is calm and quiet with a nice vibe, after a few mins of nosing around (kitchen being favourite place lol!) they settled down. After 15 mins I was just tinkering around on the PC and realised Monty was not around. He was fast asleep in the middle of my bed!!
OK I thought - he loves home comforts!
That first night I put them both in the kitchen and went to bed. After 2 minutes Monty had escaped the kitchen and was up on my bed. He settled down quickly and I soon dozed off. After a few mins there was some whimpering down on the floor next to the bed. Little Louis! So I fussed him for a few mins and then turned over to sleep. He carried on whimpering - it did not take long for me to realise he wanted to be in the bed too! Obviously his legs are so tiny at about 2 inches that he could not jump up. He seemed thoroughly delighted that I understood him and went straight to sleep snuggled on my duvet. He did not move till 6am when Monty started bouncing around and I was woken with a large spaniel paw on my cheek - hmmmmm!!!
All good and I did smile and got up and gave them breakfast and an early walk. That has been the pattern for this last week. Monty did steal half a bar of chocolate when I popped out but seemingly with no ill effects.
Little Louis has a genetic condition which means he is going blind at just 6 years old. Very sad. He is so gorgeous. He is very reliant on voice and smell. I just love his personality.
Day 2 and I thought I will just sit down on the sofa for a couple of mins and put my feet up. Immediately I was joined by Monty who leapt up next to me. Louis not wanting to be left out dashed over whimpered and raised his paws - he was too little to jump up! Bless him. So he got lifted up on the sofa and the pair of them laid across my legs so I felt compelled to stay there for half an hour so as not to disturb them, now I know why dog owners are more chilled out!!
We've had so many sofa moments since then!! These guys have forced me to slow down. I've also had a smile on my face all week. Two dogs lying that close to you fast asleep and you can feel their warmth and heart beat - how special is that.
Of course they are into everything. I have a small built in wardrobe at the flat and every so often I sort it out as its a bit of dumping ground. Out came shoes, boots, handbags etc in a big pile. Little did I know this was an ideal dog playground. The job took 3 times as long with them getting in and out the wardrobe and clambering over everything. They are so nosy!!! No sooner had they been banished that they were back and insistent on getting back in the wardrobe - I just sat there and laughed in the end!
The one thing I had not expected was 2 dogs wanting to sleep on the bed - hmmmm Michelle never mentioned that..!! But I will miss their company.
Little Louis is just the cutest thing ever, he has very short fur like finest velvet - so silky. He burrows completely under the covers till he is laying full length next to me and then doesnt move all night. Nothing prepared me for this level of adoration and attention!
Nothing also prepared me for being closely shadowed for the entire time. I live on my own and so usually just take a shower with the door open. OK so I pull back the shower curtain and there they are sitting there waiting for me, two pairs of eyes looking over the side of the bath. They follow me when I go hang the washing out, they follow me around the kitchen like limpets, they even follow me when I want to have a wee - I mean somethings guys really should be private!!!
I'll post some photos on here. They are funny. Louis does stuff like sleeping along the top of the scatter cushions on the sofa. He is so dinky they hold his weight. The pair of them the other day became fascinated with a large laundry bag containing all my Ebay stock. Seemingly this made an ideal perch to view the world/dog climing frame and then to go to sleep on. I mean surely there are more comfortable places!!!
They go home tomorrow but its been a hugely fun week. What lovely boys. Im not allowed to own a dog at the flat but I think I now have the bug and when I can I will get one.
I think i will remember this week for a long time to come. The place will seem rather empty when they go and I am back on my own again. I will miss them loads but hopefully they can come and stay again! its been fun!!
