That’s actually the title of Gwen Bailey’s book, which is a kind of bible for anyone who has a new puppy in the house. So when I went to visit a pal recently, I was delighted to see the book lying on a table and there, beneath the table, the Perfect Puppy was lying quietly chewing a toy beefburger that someone had judiciously de-squeaked.
She was totally adorable; eleven weeks old’s worth of wobbly-tailed, working labrador puppy. The second smallest of a litter of twelve. She has a soft mouth, a quiet and sweet nature and, I think, plenty of working instinct.
I hadn’t seen this particular pal for some time – probably 18 months at least – but you know how it is with friends… once you’re back together, the time apart fades to nothing and it’s just lovely to see each other again, realise afresh how much you have in common and catch up with news.
She had a labrador bitch for sixteen years and when she died, the house was just too quiet for too long. I know that feeling.
Now it’s evident there is a baby in the house. Toys and chewy things in the kitchen and living room, a bed in the kitchen, a stairgate at the bottom of the stairs and a good supply of puppy pads.
So many puppy cuddles were had and a bit of training. She already sits and lies down when she’s told and it was loads of fun to throw her ‘ragger’ across the room and see her gallumphing joyfully after it. She brought it back too, without any encouragement and wanted to do it again… and again. My pal looked very happy indeed. They’re going to have loads of fun together.
Photographing black dogs is an art I don’t possess, but here are a few anyway. Shame I can’t include a scratch and sniff panel because she is so beautifully, fragrantly essence of puppy!
Janh1: Mainly fair with occasional rain. 
what a beauty!
She was indeed gorgeous. I have threatened to visit again quite soon 🙂
Doing pretty well with photographing black dogs, your next trick: a black cat in a coal cellar. He looks great, but all the better when the mess and hassle is someone else’s!
Hi D. Ha, you didn’t see the blurry, blobby rejects… 😀 It’s a she. She’s a little bitch, in the nicest possible sense….
Good job of photographing the pup I think. You know every time you have a post with puppy in the title I think you have got one. I love black labradors. My Tessa-Superdog was a black lab and failed gun dog. This little one looks focused, intelligent and playful. She’s obviously responsive so I am even more glad she is in a home where she get lots of interaction and stimulation. Lovely puppies only grow up to be lovely dogs if their needs are met. I’ll get off my soapbox now :).
Give her cuddle from me when you see her next, please.
It’ll be my pleasure Isobel 🙂
I just can’t have a dog while I work full time. If only I could get another job with twice the pay and half the hours, I’d have a puppy like a *shot*!! When the cats were young, I thought how great it would be to add a puppy to the mix so they could grow up together.
Have you ever blogged about Tessa? I know a doc who had a black lab called Tess who he totally adored. Her portrait i still up at work!
I’m excited for my friend because this puppy is the beginning of a journey which will be interesting and fun for both and keep my pal active as she gets older. She is like you and I Isobel, the kind of person where the dog is brought up with manners so she’s part of the family and able to be taken anywhere. (Actually, what am I saying? Rolls was a v naughty boy at times but i put it down to his epilepsy meds…!! 😀 )
those eyes…..
I know!!! She’s calmer than any gundog puppy I’ve known, that’s for sure. I’d *love* to help train her but I know my pal will do a sterling job.
Awwwwwwwww. All my vocabulary skills have deserted me. Just – awwwwwwwww…..
That’s just natural sometimes… 😀