When you are a puppy you are pretty busy discovering the world. New impressions, odeurs, encounters with humans and animals. For Floris too. He now lives three weeks with us, fully integrated in the pack. Not a day was the same. Of course there are rituals. Eating is a very significant one of them. In the meantime Floris is able to tell the time just like the rest of the pack. At the end of the aftrernoon 5 Drents expectantly look at the clock: Did you see that master? The hands of the clock are at our favourite time again.
Next to these rituals every day we go out. Is actually also called a ritual, but the surprise is of course where we’re going. To the field, forest or visiting another pack. Last week visited grandma Nienkes Pack. A suprise for Floris but not for the rest of the pack as they stood up in the car to walk around as soon as we took the exit from the highway to Raamsdonk. Can Drents read road signs or is it the smell of the environment? The first would be fantastic, the second more realistic.
What fun it was again! Floris was immediately introduced to grandmother Nienke, Indy, Rose and Rintje. The ladies were readily charmed by Floris and he was sniffed and kissed by them. Rintje found it interesting to meet another male, but kept it’s distance. He wanted to know whether Geoff would approve. After some glances Rintje got “green light’ to get acquainted to Floris. It was a wonderful afternoon with 9 Drents which strolled through the garden together. A pleasure to watch!
But sometimes you also have to make some serious visits like going to the vet. Such a visit was this weeks calendar for Floris. Fortunately nothing serious, but a second vaccination. Geoff went along for pleasant and moral support. It is wonderful to see how vigilant Geoff is when Floris is nearby. In the waiting area the two men were waiting quietly on the ground on their turn, but Geoff kept everything very good in view. Nice to see. Even the vet noticed.
Floris was examined well and we can be proud of such a healthy Drent! Geoff also passed his annual checkup gloriously. Both have also been on the scale. Floris weighed more than 19 kilos. A nice weight for a puppy of 4,5 months! And Geoff, he weighed 5 years more…
A great visit which undoubtedly will become a ritual; This week came Joost to visit.(also Floris owner and owner of the father of Floris: Floris Sr.) A nice renewed acquaintance! Not only with Floris, but also with the rest of the pack. A new visit is planned again. Floris has little knowledge of it, but he’s a Drent with multiple owners. Rather chic ..
Now most of the Floris teeth already have been substituted for ‘big Drenthe’ teeth, we started hunting training Floris again. Following, with or without a leash he mananges quite right. To stay at one place he already understands. But retreiving a dummy he still likes best. Soon we will start with some small game. Very curious how much he likes it.
Little puppies become bigger so they should also know to stand on their own feet without the support of a pack. Floris has also (re) learned that this week when he was alone on a walk with us. During this walk in the woods, he encountered a Labrador retreiver which was very pushy and almost pushed Floris into the ditch.. Since we thought it not a good idea if Floris will ever would have fear of water we have helped him a little to send away the Labrador retriever.
The Labrador was accompanied by two King Poodles who remained at a distance. Very neat. Floris looked at them and you could see him thinking, “To which hairdresser are you going?” Further down the field, we met a pack of Picardy shepherds which came running all together to Floris. Floris startled but recovered well and wanted to play with them. A very educational walk for Floris. Who started to process it at homecoming while being into a deep sleep …