Canal walk

A new discovery!

   This evening we went for a new walk; we went along the canal. I saw so many people! There were so many joggers, walkers, runners and exercising people.

  It was a long walk but I enjoyed it because there were lots of new smells! I could smell some strange smell that seemed to be a lizard smell (a bit like we occasionally have in the apartment) but this was such a strong smell as if it was a really,really big lizard? Hmmm, maybe I need to go the canal again to investigate further. 

Day out at Botanic gardens

WOW! As you can see I'm really full of energy  but...

 We had another great day out today at the Botanic gardens.

I'm getting quite used to be chauffeur drive to places so when the taxi arrived I settled down quietly for a luxury drive to the park. We had lunch first (a yummy bacon treat) then we had a stroll around the park, plenty of trees and grass to smell. 

 Despite it raining, I enjoyed discovering those curious creatures called ducks. I'd like to get really close to one and just...but, I'm sure I will get in trouble if I did! Because it was raining I also got muddy paws and muddy legs which I was very happy to share with my master - all over his shirt on the return journey. :-)

Fun on the beach

Swimming sensation in Sentosa

Today I had my first swimming lesson! 

Now I know everyone thinks;"dogs can naturally swim', well, that's true but as a new swimmer, if you've never been in the sea before, you need to know you're in safe hands before taking a 'dip'. In my case, my master and I went into the sea together. He carried me into the water (21kg each time - hehe!) and slowly let me float and then swim back to shore! It was pretty easy, but a new experience is always a bit nervous first time. 

 My adventure began with a ride in my trainer's yellow dog van to the small beautiful island of Sentosa. There, we had the chance to meet lots of other dogs (and their masters). Almost all the other dogs were smaller than me, and so many different shapes and colours. I also discovered the fun of running on huge beach, and...eating sand! (although, I wouldn't suggest you do it, as later in the day you can get tummy trouble!). 

We dipped in and out of the sea about 4 times and it was fun to play with the other dogs, but soon it was time to have a shower and get back in the van, however, it was a great day out...when are we going again? :-)

Exploring apartments

Yesterday I visited another apartment. It was so different because it has white marble floors (which meant I could hide on it!). It also has 2 floors so this meant lots of stairs to climb. There were also lots and lots of places to run around in the apartment. So you can tell...I had great fun!

Charlie - Growing up

A lifting experience

Lift easy!

   It's all part of my normal daily routine, but I thought my readers would like to see me using the apartment lift as part of the journey to my daily walks area. When I first experienced this metal box I can tell you; I wasn't happy...at all! A metal box that mysteriously moves (and with an interior all mirrored!). Very scary! Especially with the movement - I thought I was in a time machine or a Saturn V rocket capsule heading off to the moon (Charlie - the first dog on the moon :-)). Anyway, now I just wait for the doors to open as my own Tardis transports me from my apartment to the outside world.

Laundry thief...caught in action!

I've been rumbled! 

My master spotted me taking a freshly washed towel from the washing machine!

It's a fair cop mate, I can only say; watch the video and admire my handywork :-)

Dogs and pants!

Other dogs...

Oh what an exhausting day! Today I went out on a very long car journey to visit some other dogs. The place I visited had 4 dogs living there. What made it so exhausting was that they all looked so strange. Every dog was a different size, colour or shape compared to me. They even spoke differently, so I made sure they could hear my nice loud Ozzie bark! One dog was very tall and grey, another was small and brown with a curly face! I think he had a brother (or sister) because one of the other dogs looked just like him (small and grey instead of small, brown and curly). There was even a real old timer of a dog - he looked about 140 years old!

There were so many sounds and smells and sights that by the time I got back in the car I was exhausted! Luckily, my master recognised this and made sure I went home for a lovely sleep in my favourite place:-) a cold kitchen floor.

Today I also pretended to not grab tissues  in front of my masters (it really makes them happy, and I can always grab a tissue when they're not looking- haha!)

Pants meal!

 My adult teeth are lovely and sharp now which means I can get through cotton as quick as tissue now! Yesterday I managed to grab a pair of underpants from the laundry bin and before anyone could say: 'HEY!' I'd managed to ventilate them with some nice big extra new holes - all part of my free service :-)

Bus encounter!

What is that?

Today I went for my morning stroll and encountered a huge creature called a 'bus'! It was very noisy, smelly and big. Luckily I stayed a safe distance so I could 'size it up'.

Morning stroll

so...cute, that's me now!

Wow! I  just checked the mirror and I've changed a lot.

This baby puppy is not such a baby now, and well, I'm not so

bad looking ..hehe!!

Big day out at Botanic gardens!

  Another exciting day out! This time we went to the Botanic gardens!

I travelled in luxury -  a taxi, and I decided to be as 'good as gold', so I sat beautifully during the journey (well, I did want  to look out the window ).

It was an exciting morning out because I had a chance to meet some more 'humans' but more importantly I was able to see lots of those strange creatures called;'birds'. This time I saw lots of birds in the water (I was told they are called; 'ducks'). 

After that, I also spotted some fish and turtles...lots of them!

We walked around the park for about an hour, and I was bursting to go the toilet, but since my toilet is at home, what is a well mannered dog supposed to do? Well, eventually there was no choice; I had to do a puddle in public on the grass! Strangely, everyone seemed so happy for me to do that?

Soon it was time to go home again and so it was another chance to go in a taxi. I quite like taxis now, they give me a chance to see the world passing by without all that paw power of walking.

Growing up

As you can see, I'm getting bigger!

Shower time!

Well, as I let you know previously I've been so busy recently I've hardly had time to get paw to keyboard. However, now that I'm here I must tell you about 'Shower time'. About every 2 weeks I have a lovely shower.  I heard that some dogs don't like it, but for me it's very relaxing. As you probably know retrievers love water and lots of TLC, and shower time is both! I get a free shower, shampoo and massage followed by a good rub down with towels (but they never let me play with these towels :-().  It's interesting that they only shower me when I 'm just starting to get a really strong doggy smell?

latest news on the socks...I think they are all hiding in side a big box called a wardrobe...Must investigate when they think I'm sleeping, and they've left the gate open ;-)

Room change

It's been quiet while since I last blogged, but that's because I've been having so much fun!

Where to start? Well, the big news is that I no longer live in 'the cage'. Officially on Saturday the cage walls were taken down and I am now the proud owner of a comfortable open space bed! (see photo). My owners have given me more freedom now - I have full access to the lounge area simply because I do 'my business' on an allocated space in the lounge known as the 'pee area'. It's not such a big deal. I just do the act, and then they clear it all away!

My latest interest is fresh clothes from the washing machine. I've discovered where the entry to the machine is and although it's not big enough for me to get in (so please don't worry or panic) I can just pop my head in and grab a lovely range of warm socks, towels, and underwear (the socks are the best) to then hide away from my owners. I've also discovered that they have another room where they sleep, and I'm certain there are so many socks in there (just got to figure out where they are all hiding!). I'll keep you posted when I find the secret stash!

My training is going really well, I can show my owners how easy it is to sit, stay and walk nicely.

Very soon I can go outside although I'm not sure I want to, but my owners keep talking about how much fun it will be. I must admit I'm getting curious especially now that I'm allowed to look through the entrance gate.

Settling in

Another week, and I'm really settling in. It's nice such a bad place, meals regularly, yummy puppy food, milk, and tasty snacks. 

I've decided my new target is to explore more of my apartment. They keep shutting the doors, but they're just too slow for me! I also like to grab some of those expensive cushions I saw on their sofa - they look much more tasty than the cloth toys. 

But...reader, beware the pup devil, otherwise known as the clattering coke can! Every time I want to explore somewhere new that I know I'm not supposed to, the pup devil is there waiting for me! And the noise it makes....Yoooowwwwl! I hate it!  I can't even chew it because it tastes so tinny!

Also, this week I had a lovely pedicure and paw trim and home-groom. As I said before; not such a bad place to be. :-)

Home, sweet home.

I'm really starting to enjoy my new home, but my owners thought it would be a good idea to move my home AWAY from its pleasant spot near the air-con, to a much more disagreeable place - lights, warm, and far away from them. So what's a dog to do about that?-Yes, you guessed it - howl like crazy! I made sure they were not going to get any sleep until things were put back in place. I may be a sweet angel, but when it comes to disagreements I'll let the neighbourhood know! So, my home was placed back in its rightful place and it was a sweet sleep after that. A real home sweet home.
Also, yesterday, I received a lovely new present from people I've never even met! They sent me a flat cup (I'm not sure what use is that for me?) and a super yellow chewy toy that smells...Delightful!
Thank you so much.

1st training session...

8 am start is early but then I do have my delicious breakfast at 6:00. Today I had my first training session for my owners. I really enjoyed it because every time my owners say 'come'  I just run over to them, sit down and...They give me a yummy treat! These owners are so easily pleased. I've very quickly managed to train them to give me a yummy snack every time they say 'come' and I go to them. 

Football Fan!

Today I discovered football, a most interesting sport, especially watching it. After having ran around the lounge for my 5 minute workout, it was great to suddenly spot a new interest. On the large moving picture box (they call it the TV) I spied a most curious game (see photos) Apparently, it's called football, but it looks very similar to the game of run and chase that I love to play with my soft toys and sponge ball. I think I picked up a few tips (not ticks!) from watching this for my next mad five minute runaround.

week 1 intro...Charlie's tale begins

What a first week!

Well, here we are, it's Saturday and I've been here for just over a week. After arriving last Thursday night I've had quite a few adventures already! 

Just in case you are wondering, this is  Charlie. Now that I've arrived I can officially take over the running, editorial and postings of this blog, as I want to give you my view on life for a dog in Singapore.

 So, after my incredible long journey from Oz, I finally arrived in Singapore late last Thursday. I was so tired, but my new owners were so kind, they introduced me to my new home, my new bed, my new food and water bowl...And my new toys!

Charlie has arrived ! Welcome to your new home!

Charlie has arrived!

Finally, after such a long and tiring journey, Charlie has arrived at this new home.

He is such a sweet angel! He slept really well for his first night (without crying) and he is already learning his name! He loves his new home and toys, and he is so curious!

big day tomorrow!

   It's Wednesday night and everything is ready for the arrival of our new family member! The floors have been de-waxed, the milk and food is ready and Charlie's home is all setup. All the paper work has been double checked and the taxi booked. We're both thinking of Charlie now, he's already on his way. He's left his birth home and is on his way, from Sydney to adelaide and then onto Singapore. We pick him up tomorrow evening. I hope all will be well. Tonight it's a very quiet evening. Not even any sound from the pool outside. But tomorrow it might be a noisy night, or perhaps he'll be too sleepy?

Have a safe and sound journey Charlie :-)

countdown to arrival!

Only 1 week to go, and Charlie will be here! We have his home ready now, and we've tried to make our home as puppy proof as possible for Charlie's curiosity!

The weather at the moment is really hot, especially at night, so we're concerned that he might get too uncomfortable...do we need a fan or air-con on?

Today we bought a super soft football for him, but not for me!... As I tried to do a 'bend it like Beckham' test shot across the lounge that nearly knocked over a treasured fruit bowl! And this is before Charlie arrives!

Welcome!

Welcome to the first posting...

This is Charlie's blog - A dog's tale...But Charlie's not here yet!

However, here's his first picture.