Hide and seek

Hiya,

We’ve been playing hide and seek today! 
Amelia closed her eyes and started counting, 
and I had to find somewhere to hide...

I tried hiding on the ceiling lights, but it was really uncomfortable. 

I tried hiding in the fruit bowl, but I thought someone might think I was a very spotty fruit and eat me.

I tried hiding behind the glass in the bookcase, but it was too see-through.

I tried hiding in the lamp, but I was worried someone might come and switch me on.

I tried hiding behind the TV, but Peppa Pig was on soon and I thought I might get too tempted to watch it.

Eventually I found just the right place – up on a high shelf amongst some clothes. I had just climbed up there when I heard Amelia shout, “Coming, ready or not!” I held my breath as I heard her looking everywhere, but she couldn’t find me! I stayed there for ages, but it was very snug and I started to get sleepy... Suddenly I heard Amelia right below me – “FOUND YOU – I heard you snoring!!”

Love and spots,

Dottie

News from my friends

I have had some lovely emails and photos from some of you about how you are getting on with my litter-mates! I get so excited to hear from my new friends. My first ever email was from Megan P to tell me that she and her sister Tyler have called their puppy Amelia, after my owner Amelia. Thank you Megan and Tyler, my Amelia was so chuffed to have someone named after her!

I’ve also heard from Megan H who has named her puppy Rufus, and they have been having a wonderful time together! Megan has sent me these great photos. Here they are with Rufus’ official adoption certificate.

Once the certificate was filled in Rufus went straight out into the garden to practice a bit of football. He was soon saving goals like a pro!

But Rufus’ exciting weekend had only just begun. Megan and her family were going to a wedding the next day, and Rufus went along too! Megan put on her special clothes for the big day, and Rufus tried to look extra smart. Here they are looking very swish!

Everyone set off in the car. Rufus got his very own seat, safely strapped in between Megan and her brother Joe.

When they arrived at the church, Rufus found a place where he could get good view of the wedding. Before it started he read the service sheet and made sure he knew the words to all the hymns. 

Rufus loved watching the wedding, it was so romantic! The bride looked like a princess in her beautiful white dress.

After the service Rufus and Megan went to the reception. Rufus had a lovely long drink and also ate lots of goodies!

But the very best part was when Rufus went onto the dance floor and started busting some moves with Megan! They partied the night away!

Thank you so much Megan for your wonderful photos, and for giving Rufus such a great weekend.

I’ve also heard from some other friends, which made me very happy. I haven’t got space for everyone this time – but I will write to you about them soon!

  With woofs and dots     

  

 Dottie

Visit to The Deep

Hi there!

I hope you’ve been having lots of fun with my litter-mates and they have settled in well! I’d love to hear what you’ve called them.

Amelia and I have been having lots of fun. Today we visited The Deep in Hull. It's an aquarium (I like that word!) where lots of fish live. Amelia said I mustn't do any barking or growling because I might frighten the fish and sharks. I pointed out that the sharks might frighten me so I might need to give a little woof just to protect us. 

The first thing we saw was a fish tank bigger than a bath, bigger than a paddling pool, bigger than a pond - it was massive!   I sat down and watched all the lovely fish swimming past. They were so bright and colourful, just beautiful.

Amelia asked me to turn round and smile for a photo.  I didn't realise until afterwards that a stingray had swum right up behind me! It had a sting in its tail and was really big, so I felt very brave. 

We went into a tunnel where all the fish swim over your head. It felt like you were swimming up amongst them, only without getting wet. I saw some gigantic sharks but they didn't eat me up because they'd just had their tea.

I couldn’t believe my eyes – there was a man inside the tank with them! He was cleaning out the tank so that it stayed nice for all the fish and sharks. I have to admit he was probably even braver than me!

Then we went to look at some coral. There were lots of different types and colours of coral. They take thousands of years to grow and tiny fishes and insects live in them. I’m glad I didn’t have to wait for my home to grow! Can you see the beautiful golden fish swimming past? They were my favourite fish there, and I’m sure one of them looked like it was saying hello to me! 

On the way out we visited the shop. This was my chance to get up close to some sharks who weren’t likely to eat me! I didn’t want to stay too long though in case someone ended up buying me! 

With snuggles and spots, 

 Dottie

My new home

 Yesterday I woke up feeling like I had butterflies flying inside my stomach! I felt very excited and nervous all at once, because it was the big day when we were all to leave our Mum and Dad. We all had a very big group hug and said goodbye, but we promised we’d all keep in touch so it wasn’t so sad. Then we all set off in different directions to our new homes!

I arrived at Amelia’s doorstep and knocked, then sat on the doormat nervously. After a short wait Amelia answered the door and said hello with a massive smile and all my nerves vanished! 

Amelia showed me round my new home, and told me all about her family. They are a lot easier to tell apart than mine! Then we went out into the garden. I was going to walk round politely but then she suddenly gave me a tickle, and we ended up playing chase round and round until we both collapsed into fits of giggles!

Later Amelia showed me how to use the laptop so I could write letters to you. (I have to admit my Mum helped me with the last one!) There were lots of games on it and I nearly got distracted playing cards, but she showed me all the letter keys and today I was able to type this all myself!

After all that hard work we were both feeling very sleepy. Amelia tucked me into bed and read me a bedtime story. She was really good at doing all the different voices, but I was so snug next to her that I think I dropped off to sleep in the middle!

I haven’t got to the really exciting part yet though! As I said, all my litter-mates set off to their new homes too, and one of them is on their way to you! They are travelling in their own special packaging separate to this letter to keep them safe. Please give them a very big welcome hug when they arrive and look after them well!

With this letter is a certificate which shows that you have officially adopted my litter-mate.There’s a space for you to fill in their new name once you’ve chosen it.

I’d love to hear what you’ve called them, and if you’re able, to see photos of them with you, so I can put them in future letters! If you’d like to, you can write or email me at the addresses at the top of the page. Have fun together!

With woofs and dots,

 Dottie

Hello

My name’s Dottie and I'm a Dalmatian. 

When I was born two months ago my Mum had a very large litter, so I've got lots of brothers and sisters – not quite a hundred and one but not far off! We all look alike and even our Mum and Dad get us mixed up sometimes. They have to count our spots to tell us apart, and sometimes they lose count and have to start again!

We’re a lot bigger now and it’ll soon be time for us to leave our Mum and Dad and find new homes in the big wide world. I'm going to live with a girl called Amelia and her family. Amelia is 10 years old – double figures, wow, I’m only 2 months old! She lives in Weymouth, by the seaside in the south of England. I’m hoping that’ll mean I get to lick lots of ice cream!

I've also been told that Amelia has several friends who I’ll be able to visit and go on trips with. I can’t wait to start having adventures!

So I know where my new home will be – but what about all my brothers and sisters? Well, this is where you come in. You and your family have been specially chosen to take care of one of my litter-mates. They haven't got names of their own yet, so as well as looking after them you get the important job of choosing a name for them.

It won’t be long before one of my litter-mates finds its way to you. Please take special care of them and give them lots of extra cuddles. I'm going to miss them very much but I'll make sure I write to you often and tell you about my adventures. 

With love and spots,

Dottie