I remember the first day that my new Mommy and Daddy came to fetch me. They’d spotted me amongst my brothers and sisters, and the little boy who was with them picked me up and let me lick his face. I think that’s the time we all fell in love. They gave me a few minutes to say goodbye to my real Mom, play with my siblings, and then bundled me into the car to take me on an adventure to my new home.

I won’t lie, the car trip was not the best experience, and I really hoped I’d never have to endure it again, but it was all worthwhile when we reached our destination, which was my new home, and where I met my new friend and helper - the other family pet!

It wasn’t the easiest thing trying to figure out exactly what they expected from me. I couldn’t speak their language, and they couldn’t understand me either. My friend tried to help me as much as he could, but there’s only so much patience you can have with a stubborn puppy like me. Then one day they took me to this big hospital. They said I had to have my “jabs” – It really does sound scarier than what it actually is – And I was very nervous when they took me into the consultation room. I think I messed a little, but they didn’t get mad at me and were actually very nice about it!

When they were paying for my injections, the very nice girl behind the counter asked them if they were interested in puppy classes. And that was it – I was signed up!

When the first class came around, I wasn’t allowed to go with. They said something about no puppies being allowed for distractions as they were going to be receiving information that was vital? I didn’t care. That meant I got to stay home alone and chew on that leather thing that they always sat on in the sitting room, and dig in the garden, and wee in my favorite spot on the thing they slept on. I was in heaven!

When they got home, they had a new spray that stopped me from chewing on the couch – It tasted so disgusting! And then they made a spot for me to dig in – And I got a treat every time I dug there! And they also had this spray that smelled so yucky that I couldn’t wee on the bed anymore. I wasn’t too happy with what was going on, but I decided for the sake of this relationship that I would play along with everything, and my friend also told me it would be for the best.

When the second class came around I did NOT want to go in the car again. Every time I got in the car it meant that they would be taking me to get more jabs! So I wasn’t a happy camper… Until we walked into the hospital and there were lots of OTHER puppies running around and playing! Were they bringing me to a play group? How exciting! FRIENDS!

In that class my Mommy and Daddy learned how to talk to me so that I understood them. And they got me to sit! I finally knew what they wanted from me! They were also trying to teach me how to lie down, but I only wanted to play with my new friends, so they let me do my thing and took homework back with them. We also got some free food for me to try out, which was delicious!

We practiced sitting and lying down that whole week, and when the next class came around, I was so excited to get into the car, because that meant seeing all of my new friends again and showing off the new tricks that I’d learned!

In the class that night we had a lady come in and talk to us about what horrible ticks and fleas can do to a puppy like me – I was very scared! But my Mommy and Daddy listened to her and made sure that I was protected against them by getting me the best tick and flea treatment. We also learned about microchips, of which I am proud to say I am the new owner of – Now they can never lose me! And to top it all off, I learned how to stay and come when called. This made my Mommy so proud! And after class I got to play with all of my friends again. I was really enjoying this!

Our fourth class was the best! We had to practice our new tricks all week so that in our next class we could do an obstacle course! We all got to show off our awesome new skills, and we had to climb ramps, and weave through cones, and sit and stay – And it really taught us how to understand our Mommy and Daddy’s wishes. I had to try twice though, because the first time I was so excited that I wasn’t concentrating properly and I was trying to show off for my friends, but the lady who was helping on the course was so understanding that she didn’t get mad at me for having to do it over!

And then our last class came along. In this class they played really crazy sounds for us that scared some of us a little, but I was very brave. This class was also our graduation class. We got toys and biscuits and I even got a certificate that says I completed the course! I think my Mommy and Daddy were very proud of me. And I got to play one last time with my new friends.

It’s now six months since I completed the course at Valley Farm Animal Hospital, and you’ll be happy to know that I still listen to my Mommy and Daddy when they ask me to do something. We still do the practicing every day, and then when we’re done, they play with me for a while.

And even though I don’t really like getting my jabs, I’m still very excited to go back to the hospital to see some of my friends again. They treat me like a king whenever I’m there, and always have a biscuit and a cuddle for me… I think I was their favorite pupil!

Thank you Valley Farm Animal Hospital and all of the nice ladies who teach pups like me how to behave themselves! My Mommy and Daddy love me more because they can take me anywhere and I won’t embarrass them! You helped us become a happy little family!

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