London Lulu

It’s been a month since I arrived in this big city. Everyone had welcomed me with hugs galore. At first, I wasn’t sure what hugs were. I would be nervous and looked at Mum, making sure she was in sight.

But I soon learnt it was a form of affection. And I no longer shiver in fear though I still have my eyes on Mum whenever someone holds me in their arms.

I have learnt to walk on the lead and learnt to do steps which is essential when walking the city pavement. I am quite good at going up, and still hesitates when going down.

My short legs mean I can’t jump up on sofas and beds, and I definitely can’t jump down. Mum puts me up there when she wants to keep me at bay. But one day, Mum was rather surprised to find me on the bedroom floor! LOL! I figured I could jump onto the bedside table and then jump down. It was still a long way but I hadn’t realised that when I did it. Since then I have done it again.

I’ve been told I am very well behaved in restaurants. I sit quietly under the table. Mum must have taken me to at least five restaurants and even had my first very English tradition of Afternoon Tea to celebrate George’s Gotcha Day.

Mum has taken me shopping, went to her hairdresser and also had my own grooming. She took me to an art exhibition of Big Dogs. I have come to realise that in this new life, there’s a lot of posing for photos, and even for portraits. I was also in a filming for a product commercial.

We’ve travelled around the city on buses, in taxis, cars and this weekend I will travel by train. No jitters at all. In fact, I was showing George that he needn’t be anxious in cars.

And I do know my name now. I don’t necessarily respond when called. I need a reason why – like treats.

I have learnt to sit. The next is learning to wait. I think there’s a reason for that. Mum promised me I don’t have to learn to do tricks. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks, she said. I am not THAT old, but that suits me fine.

Mum also found out that I am very greedy. We had a little incident last Monday when I stealthily stole a raisin scone from a garbage bag. I ran to my bed, trying to hide and eat it but nosey Daisy wanted to see what I was chomping at. I growled at her which then got everyone’s attention. Mum found me with the scone. Off to the vet late at night, and they made me throw up until there was nothing left in me. Sure enough there was one little raisin that come out – thankfully, still in tact.

As for my new brother, George. He originally set boundaries the first 24 hours. But since then we eat together, travel together and he has let me have my way. When he is sitting in one of our two beds and if I decided I wanted that bed, I would squish myself next to him. He would look at Mum – what just happened? And he would vacate it and let me have it. He is so tolerant! He’s been kind to me and even when I might be a bit pushy, bossy, entitled?

Then one day he wanted to play and I am not sure yet what to do about that!

We’ve been busy – and it seems like I have been here a lot longer than a month. Life is varied in the city – there are busy days and then there are quiet days. I love both. I love being at home as much as I am curious about the world.

May’s comment: It is hard to believe that it has only been a month since she arrived at our home that very early morning on the 21st August. She feels like she has been her so much longer.

Lulu has come out of her shell, no longer timid but she remains calm and tolerant. She does stand up for herself if needed – she has growled at a couple of other dogs. She hardly barks which sounds like a quack when she does. She’s “Darcy” greedy and a very loud snorer. Extremely snuggly in bed and because she has George, she can be left at home – which is such a relief.

After keeping her in a crate overnight for a week, by the next Sunday she was on my bed. On the first night when she slept with me, she grunted and snorted like a happy pig and wriggled in my arms. The next morning I woke up to her head on my neck, snoring!

I was told to keep her on Chappie for awhile to slowly transition over to Honey’s Raw and James & Ella freeze dried which we use when we travel. But she kept going for George’s food so the transition happened within a week.

She had maybe ten peeing accidents in total – always on the rug. I was warned about that – because they are not familiar with rugs in China so they might think that’s like grass and the place to wee. I think she has mostly got the hang of it i.e. toilet needs are all outside of the home. Or maybe I am much more aware of her needs. She can go all night, around 12 hours without having to pee so it wasn’t so much a need but rather she felt like it.

She has assimilated into our lives with the greatest of ease. Yes, I do get tangled up all over again walking two dogs on lead. That’s actually George’s fault because he lunges and he spins while walking.

I take her out sometimes without George because I am getting her used to the city sounds. Amazingly, nothing bothers her. She does not react to loud noises. She sits under the chair in restaurants quietly. She does not bark at other dogs. I have been so incredibly lucky with her. And I know why.

She was Darcy-sent. Darcy knew what I needed and she delivered.

P.S. I know I need to give George more one-on-one time.