Living Between the Lines,  Puptales,  Uncategorized

A Step too Far

The trials and tribulations of Charlie Brown

The world is a strange and scary place for a pup sometimes. Charlie Brown is almost 6 months old … “a big dog in a small body” to paraphrase those who know the breed well.

Charlie Brown
Here I am!

In the house, he is indeed a pocket rocket, living up to his pedigree title. As we relax after a hard day’s work, he zips from room to room, ball in mouth, only stopping to attempt to tease Flossie into playing as he passes.

Charlie brown
Pause for breath…

Sometimes she obliges. Sometimes she ignores him.

Charlie and Flossie
Want to play?

Should I scold Charlie, Flossie is quick to distract him from whatever he has done to annoy me. She will find a toy and lure him away. Her mothering skills are amazing. In fact, Flossie has really come into her own since Charlie arrived. She is definitely the grown up.

Flossie and Charlie Brown
Under control Boss

There was a time when Charlie would not venture far into the garden on his own. Now, he scoots out the door and forages in the bushes for hours, if left. He barks at the dog next door, though Poppy is hidden from view. He barks at the neighbour’s children on the other side, though they too are just sounds behind a six-foot fence. I seem to spend my time calling,
“Charlie, quiet!” “Charlie, come here!”
He comes of course, tail wagging his body in excitement.

He is brilliant with all the grandchildren but does have a special playmate at the moment…

Playing cars
Arthur Bear and Charlie Brown playing cars

Yesterday, I heard a strange crunching coming from the living room. What had he got now? Generally very good, he sticks to chewing his toys but he is not without an opportunistic streak. The sound was very like that of shattering glass.
I left my computer and peered round the corner of the study into the living room. There he was, crunching a DVD – blue ray no less and my eldest son’s copy of “The Hobbit” that he had leant us a while ago. Shards of DVD lay all around and Charlie was happily munching on the remains.
I managed to retrieve the DVD but it was beyond repair. I pieced it together to find out which one it was and groaned. I have ordered a replacement.
Charlie was none the worse for his misdeed, thankfully, and turned his attentions to a child’s plastic watering can in the garden – with which he raced round and round the garden until he tired of that game too.

Today, I thought he was asleep in some far-flung corner of the house with Flossie. Then I heard a muted bark. I checked the living room. I checked the kitchen. I checked all the rooms downstairs and even the garden though I didn’t remember letting him out. Flossie was lying at the foot of the stairs – alone.
I looked up. There was Charlie, peering round the bannisters. This was the first time he had discovered upstairs. Alas, it was evident that having discovered how to get up the stairs, he was unable to come down again.
I carried him down.
He did this twice more and each time had to be carried down. Perhaps it would put him off I thought.
I underestimated him. I have just spotted him on the landing and as I took this photo…

Charlie Brown
That looks steep…

…he legged it down the stairs.
Charlie Brown
Watch out – coming down!

Maybe it is time to put the stair gate up…

I am an Author, wife to one, mother to five and grandmother to six. I live in the English countryside in Hampshire, UK, with my husband and two dogs and am a non exec Director for Glow www.theglowstudio.com.

5 Comments

  • patricia60

    I saved this post to read to my daughter who has Lorax, the Border Terrier and she kept saying, ” Yes, that is what this breed does.” She wishes her pup was more child friendly and I love that he is such a good buddy for her. At 2.5 years he has stopped destroying his pillowy bed and the bathmat! and is so busy he is quite amazing. The pictures are so fun. Our stairs have no carpeting, for Zip it was 20 times up and then carry down until I put up a barrier; still sometimes today he gets to excited he misses on his trip up and down.

    Thanks for keeping us updated and what a very cute baby play mate to share the car rug with!

    How are the walks going?

  • hilarymb

    Hi Debbie – lovely story line – gorgeous photo of Charlie Brown and Arthur Bear enjoying their car game. a DVD diet? – not good. Still good choice to try. Both will grow soon and reach Flossie’s maturity?!! Too soon I suspect … cheers and enjoy Spring as it approaches – Hilary

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