It's Hot, Hot, Hot!!

Toby & 'Baby' Pip!

On Selsley Common

Well, summer seems to have finally arrived but now we are moaning it's far too hot! Miss Pip generally likes to lie in any patch of sun she can find, or failing that, in front of the fire but this week even she has surrendered to the heat and stays in the shade for most of the day. Poor Hugo is really feeling it, with his coat only half blown he is still wearing his winter woollies - albeit, gradually shedding them all over the carpets, beds, sofa's and generally anywhere he walks in a cloud of fur balls all round him! It is worst in the car when you drive along with the windows open as they become airborne and you get mouthfuls of the stuff - and that's without him in there. When he is in it it doubles the effect and combines with slobber drips down your neck - lovely!

Birds!!

Cows!!

We have really cut down on the walks this week as it is just too warm for them (and us) but Toby and I had a beautiful walk on Tuesday night when we took them up on to Selsley Common at 10 o'clock at night. The light was almost gone but it was wonderfully cool with not a soul in sight which made it even better as they were not pulling after other dogs. It was almost eerily quite - until one of the cows up there suddenly mooed which startled Pip and put Hugo in to stealth mode. As the herd were all lying down we managed to wind our way through them without too much disturbance, although Hugo still wanted to challenge them. Miss Pip was suddenly extremely well behaved and walked very closely to heel between Toby and me. She did, however, like the fact that the birds had settled on the ground for the night so she ALMOST managed to catch one.

Only Sainsbury's best will do!

Mmmm, Icecream!

Pip protecting Hugo from the big scarry fan!

Hugo and Pip have been keeping cool this week with doggie lollies - home-made chicken stock frozen in old plastic Chinese take-away cartons - and the remains of any ice-cream we have been eating. We have also been using the fans and the first time one was switched on saw Hugo bolt out the door in horror with the same reaction he has with hoovers and hair-dryers  Pip was unfazed and soon lay down in front of it and, fortunately, Hugo soon realised the benefits. After a bit of investigation (see the clip down the page) he now lies happily in front of the cool breeze, although whether it is coincidence or not,  Pip is usually between him and the fan!

Several nights this week we have left the back door open so Hugo and Pip can lie out on the patio until they want to come in - Pip normally comes straight up with us but Hugo will stay out there for an hour or so. He also likes to hang out the bedroom window, especially if Toby or Daniel are still out, and frightened us to death the other night when he suddenly barked very loudly and deeply at something, a cat we suspect, until I made him get down. He lay straight down but I was very much aware of dogs all down the road barking in response, ooops!

First encounter with the fan

Just another week.

Hugo looking decidedly grubby

We had a nice big roast chicken for tea the other night with plenty left over to have cold in sandwiches and I left it to cool before putting it in the fridge. Miss Pip had other ideas - a sudden bump in the kitchen gave her away, fortunately before she had managed to get any bones in her mouth!

Pip all nice and shiny

Now Pip has finished blowing, Hugo has started with a vengeance and we have acres of white fur floating around the house and garden. Unlike Pip who loves being brushed and all the attention that goes with it, Hugo will not stand still for more than a minute and disappears at the sight of the brush - the only one he likes is the soft,   gently baby brush which is absolutely no use at all on his coat. He looks filthy too, especially as Pip's coat is now soft and shiny and sparkling white!

It was really hot the other afternoon and Toby and I took Hugo and Pip up on to Selsley Common where even the usual cooling breeze up there was warm and humid. On the way back we needed a couple of things from Sainsbury's so we parked in the shadiest spot and I stayed with the dogs while Toby went in. He was only gone about 5 minutes but despite having all the windows open and also the doors where there was no fear of them escaping Hugo just stood and dripped all down my neck and back - lovely. Goes to show how bad it would have been if they had been left with only a crack of window open.

Hugo dripping in the car

Got home from work on Wednesday to find the electrical extension lead on Hugo and Pip's bed in the kitchen - only the winder had been chewed off so not too bad and at least it wasn't connected to the supply! My work boots now seem to live out in the garden and we found a mutilated glove out there too!

If you go down to the woods today.................

Yesterday, for the first time in months, Toby and I took Hugo and Pip up to Standish Woods where it was lovely and cool in the shade of all the trees. Despite the fact there were quite a lot of cars in the car park we only had a glimpse of one other person while we were walking so had a brilliant hour exploring in the undergrowth (Pip) and weeing up trees (Hugo). They were really excited to be there and it had changed so much since the last time we were there in the winter it was like a totally different place. Two very happy fur babies were exhausted for the rest of the day.

Having a ripping time!

Sleeping bag down the hole!

Destruct-o-duo have been in action again and have succeeded in getting hold of an old sleeping bag (fortunately, already destined for the tip) and totally shredding it all over the garden, stolen a lunch box that was waiting to go in the dishwasher and eaten the remains of the contents along with part of the lid, taken work boots (mine) outside almost every day this week and removed the insoles which are getting smaller and smaller and dug HUGE holes in the lawn-that-was! We have also noticed teeth marks in the arms of the garden furniture - can't think who could have done that!

The funniest thing was when Toby and I got home from work the other day to find the remains of the sleeping bag down one of the holes - that's what called burying the evidence! My next door neighbour reports back to us every day what she has seen them doing and thinks it's hysterical - they don't make any noise but are constantly on the go. Not surprising that when we are home they are flat out, exhausted.

Exhausted from all that destruction!

Have never seen Hugo get in this position before!

Going to Pets at Home.

We needed to get some more dog food today so Martin and I took Hugo and Pip with us to Pets at Home. Pip has never been before and Hugo has only been once so it was a bit of an adventure for them. Pip kept up a constant, high pitched whining all the way round the shop and Hugo would get most upset if he lost sight of her and joined in the noise. He saw a Rotty down one of the isles and barked loudly at it we had to play hide and seek to make sure we didn't come face to face. Every time Hugo and Pip met up they greeted each other like they hadn't been together for months, jumping all over each other - very embarrassing ! They were, however, on their best behaviour and sat down when we got to the check out so the nice man would give them biscuits - they did jump up and look him in the eye but he gave them both a big hug and fuss. Everyone seemed to smile when they saw them and one woman in the queue even knew what they were which is very unusual. I did manage to get them both weighed and was really pleased that Pip has gained nearly 2kg since her operation and is now just over 28kg - I was a bit worried that she still seemed a bit skinny so it was a relief to find she had gained. Hugo sat himself down on the scales and he is just over 40kg so very much the same as he was six months ago which is good because we have been told not to let him get too heavy because of his hip dysplacia. At least they didn't have any accidents in the store and the rabbits and other small furries were asleep so they didn't spot them at all.

Pip rarely sits still long enough to have a photo taken so this one's a bonus

Pip has finally finished blowing and her coat is now shiny and getting silky soft again, Hugo has just started so we have another three weeks of hair everywhere - it was blowing around the car as we were driving along and kept getting in our mouths. The hoover is beginning to complain and has to be emptied every time you use it. The one bit of owning Akitas I don't like!

Duck Hunting by the River - an Ode to Hugo and Pip

The meadows full of buttercups

And clover scents the air

The cows are grazing quietly

They do not have a care

But their peace will soon be shattered

They really should beware

Two Akitas are out walking

Miss Pip and Hugo Bear

Miss Pip she leaps in to the air

At passing butterflies

And chases them across the field

Though rarely gets her prize

Hugo prefers to scramble down

The river banks and drink

He balances precariously

Until he starts to sink

Pip loves to skip along the field

And through the thistles too

She bounces through the tall, tall grass

Just like a kangaroo!

Hugo will stop and have a sniff

At every place he can

But suddenly he'll start to roll

The sewer-pipe overran!

A thrown stick will not entice them

Into the water deep

But fluffy little moor hen chicks

Will make them take that leap

A frantic dash, they make their move

Their curly tails held high

The reeds are flattened in their haste

The ducks take off and fly!

They come back wet but smiling

So proud of what they've done

Next time they might be lucky

But chasing is such fun

Hugo and Pip just love this walk

They want to come back soon

Go duck hunting by the river

On a sunny afternoon

Early Morning Wake Up Calls

Well, it's been almost a month since I last wrote on here for one reason and another so thought I ought to do a bit of catching up. So, in no particular order..................

This morning I was woken up at 6.15am by Hugo wondering round the bedroom, violently shaking his head every few steps, because he had SOMETHING in his ear! Funny thing was though, as soon as he knew I was awake and leaned over to give him a cuddle whatever it was seemed to disappear - hummmmmm!

The other morning we were, again, awoken earlier than necessary, this time with the sound of   crunch, crunch, crunch. Miss Pip had been down the bin in the bathroom and fished out the empty toothpaste tube. She and Hugo spent many happy hours crunching the plastic and licking out those left over remains in the bottom - at least they both had lovely minty fresh breath for a day or two which I suppose is better than when Madam insists on drinking out the toilet!

Everyone who has every had anything to do with Akitas will know that one of their traits is to have a hight prey drive - cats, small dogs, birds, in fact anything fury that moves is fair game to them. It is one of the reason's we always keep them on a lead when we walk them, one of their other characteristics being notoriously stubborn with the ability to turn a deaf ear to their owners frantic shouts if they have their mind set on catching something. However, at home in the garden they are free to wander and you regularly hear a scurry and scrabbling over the fence as some lucky cat, squirrel or bird makes their escape leaving two very frustrated, panting dogs behind. One poor blackbird was not so lucky the other week as we found Hugo and Pip playing with a rather limp specimen - we are still not so sure if they actually caught it themselves or if it flew in to the window as it did not have any marks on it but it seems to have intensified their desire to chase anything that flies and they spend hours sitting in the middle of the garden watching next door's racing pigeons fly round and round. They are certainly not amused when anything feathered lands on the roof, Pip in particular going rigid with tension as she goes in to stalk mode.

On 19th May Toby and I got up early so we could take Hugo and Pip for a walk on Selsley Common before setting off on a two-hour drive up to Stoke on Trent to meet with a group of other Akita owners for a pack walk around Wesport Lake. Two Akitas in the back of a Panda is a bit of a tight squeeze and we had to keep getting Hugo to lie down as he totally blocked the view out the rear window. Fortunately, after we had been on the motorway for a while he settled down and it was plain sailing. We had a lovely time and there were about 15 dogs there in total, including the honorary Akita, Marvin the Staffy (aka the Orange Dog). All of them were exceptionally well behaved and a credit to the breed. The walk was organised through the Akita Rescue and Welfare UK and was one of three taking place on the same day, the others being in Epping Forest and Blackpool. The weather was beautiful and the dogs enjoyed dipping in and out of the water, some even having ice creams to cool them down. Pip was more than excited to meet up again with her old foster parents Kim and Mike, and threw herself at them as soon as she saw them - a great tribute to the people who had shown her the first bit of kindness and love she had ever had when they took her in as a 12 week old puppy. We broke the journey on the way back home and called in at my parents in Stourbridge - Hugo and Pip were exhausted and so very well behaved, especially as Mum had got them some tasty bones as a treat. We didn't have to keep telling Hugo to lie down on the way home, he was flat out in the back of the car all the way back. Two very happy dogs.

Hugo likes the shade but Pip prefers the sun!

The holes in the lawn are getting bigger, despite us brushing the soil back in the holes every day! I watched Hugo the other day - he wondered over to one of the holes with a tennis ball in his mouth, looked around to see if anyone was looking, drop the ball in the hole and then proceeded to scrape it out with his feet - oh dear, the soil comes out too, but I was only getting my ball.

The garden is now very dry and dusty and, as Hugo and Pip spend much of their day rolling over and over play fighting, every time you pat one of them a huge cloud of dust rises off them. What with that and the fact Pip has been 'blowing' (moulting) for the last couple of weeks I give up with the housework (that's my excuse anyway!).

The week in pictures

Before - 9am Bank Holiday Monday - what a mess Hugo and Pip have been
having a lovely time in the garden. They love digging holes too!

After - 10am Bank Holiday Monday - all nice and tidy, lawn mown (what's left of it) and holes filled in.

3 days later. Oh dear! The garden is still reasonably tidy but the hole is back, even bigger and filling with rain water. Think Hugo and Pip want another pond!

Hugo having a good old wriggle on the carpet. He is most ungainly when he is on his back and seems to get stuck - Pip looks on laughing!

Pip squeezing under the decking - Hugo you don't stand a chance!

Pip, that is NOT helping me do my Bible Study!

We're not really fighting - much!

We'll do anything for a treat!

The great outdoors!

Enjoying the sunshine

Miss Pip has discovered a new game! She has found she can get under the decking and run around underneath, tormenting poor Hugo who doesn't stand a chance of getting his body under there. Funny thing is she has chosen the lowest point to get under which can't be more than about 6" high and she has to scrabble on her tummy to get in. Wonder if she's found any furry friends under there to keep her amused!

The guilty culprits!

Somebody has been helping with the garden and we now have several large holes in the lawn-that-was - the largest one we frequently refill only to go back a few minutes later to find it freshly dug again, usually with something like a rugby ball or the remains of a teddy bear sticking out of it. Unfortunately, it is right behind where I hang the washing on the line and on several occasions I have almost stepped back in it. Hugo and Pip look so innocent too but I have managed to take photographic evidence of work in hand.

Pip waiting for butterflies!

Hugo eyeing up the distant cows!

Hugo just loves to be able to lean out of our bedroom window watching the world go by - he really is the most nosey dog going. As soon as we wake up in the morning I have to draw the curtains and throw the window open for him to have a look - never mind there is a gale blowing in. I'm always a bit worried that our neighbours opposite might get a bit paranoid about being watched but all the children call up to him when they pass by and everyone seems very amused by him. He is particularly interested in the dustbin men who normally start on our road at 6.30am. This week, however, they were late and so Martin was out walking Hugo and Pip when they came round. The bin men made a huge fuss of them because they had always seen Hugo watching them and recognised him straight away so Hugo

Paddling in the river

was very pleased with himself when he came back in.

Had to laugh this afternoon when a fly dared come in to the house. Pip and Hugo were
so different in how they reacted - Miss Pip was after it, leaping and crashing in to the front door trying to catch it whereas Hugo came quivering in to the front room hiding himself as close to us as he could get - what a big brave bear he is!

It has been a beautiful weekend here and, this afternoon, Toby and I took Hugo and Pip out for a lovely walk. For the first time this year the ground was dry enough to go through the meadows by the River Frome and, surprisingly, there was hardly a soul in sight. Hugo and Pip thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine, dipping their toes and drinking out the river. Pip was captivated by butterflies and was leaping in the air trying to catch them as they fluttered past her. Hugo, on the other hand, had his sights set on the herd of cows that were behaving a very frisky fashion - think he wanted to join them.

A lover not a fighter!

Enjoying the warmer weather

Pip is now pretty much over her operation, apart from still being naked underneath - we did notice this morning that the hair is just starting to grow back. Toby took her back to the vet last week for her last post op. check up and they were really pleased with her - Toby even managed to get her to lie down and roll over for the nice lady vet to look at her scar! She still howled and barked while she was waiting though. I asked for her to be weighed again as I felt she had lost some weight and was quite lethargic - in the few days since her operation she had gone down from 27kg to 26.1kg which rather concerned us. However, this week has seen a marked improvement and she has been gambolling round the garden, jumping over the top of Hugo who seems quite bemused by her antics. The patio outside our back door is a couple of steps down from the lawn-that-used-to-be and the other evening she was hurtling up the garden, round the decking and charged back down where I was standing, taking a flying leap at me, skidding to a halt - not much wrong with her I think!!

The other evening Daniel and I took Hugo and Pip along the canal but I took Pip back home with me so Hugo could benefit from a longer walk. Daniel wanted Hugo to meet his friends new rescue dog called Bret who is one year old and something like a greyhound cross bull terrier - they knew from his history that he was a hunting dog and had killed several foxes but wanted to see what he was like with other dogs. Unfortunately, Hugo is the same colour as a fox and, well, with that tail, what was Bret to think - he leapt straight for Hugo's throat! Fortunately, Daniel managed to grab Bret before any damage was done and they were kept apart for the remainder of the visit. We were actually very pleased by Hugo's reaction because normally, when Pip is around, he will give a warning growl if another dog comes near and we did not know how he would react if one attacked him and this is the first one that has. Hugo did not bite back and actually went and hid behind Daniel's friend so think he's a lover rather than a fighter- perhaps it would have been different if 

Hugo, you're not allowed up there!

Pip had been there to defend.

This morning Hugo once more proved his love of the ladies. Martin took him and Pip for their usual walk and had to stop and talk to Pepsi, a lovely Boxer, who lives a few doors away from us - Hugo and Pip love her and drag whoever is walking them over to Pepsi's garden if she is out there. While they were there both the Postman and a man from Network Rail walked by and Pepsi started barking at them. Straight away Hugo put himself between the men and his ladies, as if to protect them - what a gentleman (actually, more likely that he thought he would get any treats going first!)

Pip enjoying the sunshine and chasing a beetle on the lawn-that-used-to-be.

Taking it Easy

We love each other now!

Martin with Hugo

Pip had to go back to the vet for a post op. check up yesterday so we took Hugo along too as she is less nervous when he is around. As we sat in the waiting room, once again, every time anyone came or went through there wearing a uniform Pip barked loudly at them and in between times, just for a bit of variety, she howled at the top of her voice. Very embarrassing! As I knew Pip would not be happy about the vet looking at her (even though it was the nice, young, Portuguese one) I had taken photographs of her scar for him to see and he was very pleased with her progress, although she continued to bark at him throughout the appointment. She didn't need much encouragement to leave there and was out and up the steps in a flash. One more check up to go next Friday and then she should be free - let's hope she doesn't have to go back for a long time.

Pip challenging the swans!

Over the last month or two Hugo and Pip have stopped the constant play-fighting and are actually beginning to lie down and sleep next to each other. Now, when I get up in the night, I have to manoeuvre my way over two sleeping bears who take up the entire width of the floor at the bottom of the bed. 

Hugo gets bored waiting when Dad talks to a neighbour!

Today was glorious sunshine and we made the most of it by spending several hours out in the garden enjoying the little bit of warmth in the sheltered spots. Hugo lay down in the shade whereas Miss Pip found the hottest bit of sunshine she could and revelled in it - think she is trying to suntan her bare bits to make them blend in with the rest of her!

Martin and I took Hugo and Pip a short walk along the canal this afternoon - we couldn't go too far as Pip is meant to be convalescing but you wouldn't have know it from the way she was jumping around and scrabbling up and down the banks. Apart from the extensive bikini wax she seems to be very much back to normal so really pleased how well she has come through the operation.

Pip's Day at the V.E.T.S

Hugo waiting for Pip to come home.

Today was the day for Pip to be spayed so all food had to be taken away as from 6pm last night - unfortunately, Hugo had to suffer this as well but I gave them both a huge meal of roast chicken mixed with their food so I don't think they were going to starve, although they did look a bit disgruntled they couldn't have their usual bedtime snack.

Duck hunting!

I left Hugo with Toby and got Pip in the car and off we went for our 8.10am check-in time. As soon as we turned in to the drive to the vets Pip started crying and when I tried to get her to walk down the steps to the surgery door she stood her ground and tried to get back to the car. I managed to fool her by walking the long way round and using the disabled ramp which approaches from a different direction. She obviously had not forgotten her previous visits here. The nice nurse tried to take her down the stairs to the hospital part of the vets but Pip was having none of it and I had to go ahead of her and call her down. She looked back at me through the glass panel of the door and I felt so guilty - it was worse than leaving your child on their first day of school.

Pip feels a bit cold

Pip sleeping it off

When I got home Hugo was very clingy all morning so I took him for a nice long walk this afternoon and he brightened up duck hunting along the canal. I let him lead the way for a change and he totally surprised me by taking me the circular route I always use but completely in reverse - he certainly knew which way he was going so perhaps he was hinting we should do it his way every now and again. When we were almost home we met one of our neighbours walking her husky and they were both very well behaved towards each other with a lot of paw waving at each other - perhaps it's when Hugo is with Pip that he gets a bit dominant towards other male dogs.


We went back to the vet this evening to pick up Pip and we could hear her coming back up the stairs at top speed with the nurse being dragged behind saying 'Wait for me!' Martin took her outside while I was sorting out medication and appointments and she was out of there in a flash and jumped in the back of the car without hesitation. I was in the surgery for a little while and got back to the car to find Martin standing outside it with the back door open and Pip howling inside. When she saw me the noise intensified and she continued to yowl the whole way home. Don't know whether it was the affects of the anaesthetic or she was just making us well aware of what a horrible day she had had but she certainly made herself heard!


While we were out Daniel took Hugo off to his friend's house to give Pip a chance to settle before they see each other. She ate the remains of the chicken from last night and is now sleeping on the sofa, although she did feel a bit cold so I put her blanket over her to warm her up a bit. She seems quite content now but I think she will be feeling the cold when she goes outside as she has a huge naked patch where they shaved her - the scar is only about 3 inches long and looks very neat so hopefully it will not cause her any problems. So far we haven't had to use the 'cone of shame' but only time will tell on that one. Just waiting for the reunion when Hugo comes home - I expect there will be a lot more howling to come.

Food for thought!

Hugo enjoying his stag's horn

Pip has made a start on her stag's horn

Hugo stealing Pip's stag's horn - he has his foot on it!

Hugo got a bit close to the camera!

Last Friday I treated Hugo and Pip to a stag horn each - although they were quite expensive I think they will be worth it as one week later they have only made a small dent in the end of them despite constant chewing. I wanted to get them something that didn't splinter and shatter like bones do in case the problem Pip had might have been caused by a tiny bit getting stuck between her teeth. She now seems to be quite recovered so hope it was something as simply as that.I have a pair of bootee-type slippers that have a couple of pompoms hanging from each one and have, until now, managed to keep them from mischievous mouths. However, I was in the living room the other morning when I spotted a blue pompom in the middle of the floor (the slippers were upstairs) - perhaps it just fell off, you may ask, until I tell you that when I picked it up it was soggy and covered in dog slobber! Still don't know which one did it though although I rather suspect Hugo - every time I wear them I can feel him right behind me trying to catch them as I walk.

Friday night is Chinese take away night in our household and last night was no exception. Toby had tried the Pork Satay but, not being keen on the peppers, onions and chillies, had picked out the bits he did like and left the rest in the container. As the dishwasher was full a few bits, including the Chinese take away containers, were left on the top ready to go in this morning. We went up to bed and Hugo settled down on his duvet at the end of our bed while Miss Pip stayed downstairs having a drink of water. We suddenly heard a noise and knew instantly what it was! We called for Pip to come up and in she came up, all wriggling and excited and jumped up on the bed between us rolling over, trying to lick us - absolutely no question as to what she had eaten as she was huff-huffing her Pork Satay breath all over us! Not a scrap of anything was left so hope the onions and chillies don't have an adverse effect - so far so good so think all is OK!

Croaking Frogs and Fishy Kongs

Hugo and Pip with Toby and me at Crufts

After two days of doing nothing but sleep, Hugo and Pip are beginning to get back to their normal lively selves after their day up at Crufts. I have never seen them so tired before and they haven't even bothered with their usual nightly romp when the rest of us are winding down. We were really proud of all our dogs on Friday and hope they raise the profile of the breed.

Gorgeous Anouk with Teresa & Kirsty

On Saturday my parents came down for the day which is only the second time they had met Pip. When they came the last time my dad did something which made her bark - she had not forgotten and as soon as she saw him she started shouting at him and then ran upstairs out the way until I called her down again. Fortunately, he was well prepared and had some tasty treats in his pocket for her and Hugo which she devoured. Hopefully, next time they meet she will have forgiven him.

Hugo and Pip went charging out the back door when I let them out the other night before we went to bed but they suddenly came screeching to a standstill, both 'pointing' at the pond. For a horrible moment I thought someone was in the garden but then realised what the problem was - a frog was croaking loudly in the pond! I don't think either of them had heard one before as they weren't with us this time last year and they certainly couldn't make the noise out at all.

The beautiful Kiri posing at Crufts

When we were up at Crufts we bought a goodie bag of Fish4dogs food which contained, amongst other things, a couple of sachets of salmon mousse and some tiny biscuits. Toby filled the Kongs with a combination of both these and Hugo and Pip have spent a happy hour or so licking it all out - only one problem, the house has a decided fishy smell to it now!

Obi wowing the crowds!

For the last week or so Pip has been periodically pawing at the side of her mouth but, however much we looked, we could not see anything wrong. As she was not off her food and it was only every now and again we had hoped it would sort itself out. Today, though, Toby spotted a sore patch just below her mouth which has probably been caused by her rubbing her mouth. The inevitable trip to the vet was arranged for this afternoon and, as Pip is nervous at the surgery, we took Hugo along to keep her company. We were the only patients in the waiting room but every time one of the nurses or staff went in and out of a door Pip would bark loudly at them, just like she was guarding the place. Unfortunately, the lady on the reception could not hear on the telephone and had to transfer her call to another room! Every time Pip barked Hugo would do a high pitched whine - not very manly - and wanted to sit on one of the chairs alongside us. I wouldn't mind but he isn't the one who normally gets on the furniture at home. At last they called us in to the surgery and Pip had to be pulled through the door whereas Hugo strolled in quite happily and wondered round the room while first the nurse and then the vet examined her. Toby lifted her on the table which weighed her at 27kg so she has gained about 1.5kg since December. Because she was nervous Pip was panting which actually made it much easier for the vet to have a good look in her mouth and, fortunately, could find nothing untoward which was a bit of a relief. Instead they gave us some antibiotic/steroidal cream to put on twice a day and we left £45 worse off! Have got to go back in a weeks time and have also booked Pip in for the week after Easter to be spayed - dread to think how the pair of them will be if they have to be separated for the day.