The best visitor ever!!

I'm sorry I haven't had time to tell you all about our surprise visitor, but so much has happened in the last few days. The biggest excitement was on Christmas morning, when there was a funny jingling noise outside, and a knock on the door. When I opened it, in walked a bear with a huge white beard, a red suit and a huge sack of presents. For a few minutes there was total pandemonium as all the smaller animals rushed around getting wildly overexcited, but then Radish and another rabbit called Rachel got us all organised. All children had to form an orderly queue and wait to talk to Father Christmas (I expect you've guessed that's who it was). We let the babies go first as they can't really be orderly for very long. The amazing thing was that no matter how many children went to talk to him, Father Christmas never seemed to run out of presents. When it was my turn, I got a lovely aeroplane to play with, and I've been hurtling around with it ever since.

Happy Christmas to everyone, and I hope you had just as much fun as we did!

I've met Radish!

Well, I have finally met the celebrity bunny that everyone has been talking about for the last few days. Her name is Radish and she was the star of a famous book by a lady called Jacqueline something. Anyway, she came home on the day of our last Nativity Play performance with lots of her friends, including an even bigger bunny called Elizabeth.

As it was our "last night" (as us theatrical types call it) we decided to have a big party right there on the stage. There were party hats and pop and cakes and even some special party games. I was so excited that I didn't even take my costume off and we all had a wonderful time.

The strange thing is that everyone is still saying that there is another special visitor expected. I mean, I've met Radish and Elizabeth - who could possibly be more exciting than that?

Someone Special is Coming Soon!

When I got home after the Nativity Play yesterday, Mrs Squirrel had some very exciting news. Apparently someone very special is coming soon - a very famous literary rabbit. I don't know who she can mean, but apparently it is someone who has had even more adventures than me. On hearing this, we all went outside the front door to wait.

But then it started to rain. It's all right for squirrels, as they can shelter under their tails, but I tend to smell like a wet puppy when I get wet, so we all went back inside to wait. I do hope our special visitor comes soon!

It's Nativity Time

Well, I found out why Mrs Ewe was so interested in where she could borrow some sheep and a donkey! It was all for the school Nativity play. I didn't think I would get one of the main roles as I'm a new pup, but when I explained that one my relatives back home in Canada is a sheepdog, she said that I could be one of the shepherds. That's me on the right in my arab headdress. Dougie the donkey has been very well behaved - although that could be because there is a bale of hay hidden at the back of the stage for him to munch on. In fact, we only had two problems through the whole performance.

First of all there was the baby panda. He wouldn't stop crying until we let him have his puppy toy to cuddle in the crib with him. It's not very authentic, but Mrs Ewe said that we could pretend that one of the three Kings had brought it as a present along with the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

The other problem was that pesky flock again. They were very well behaved at first, but one lamb decided he wasn't getting enough attention and went to get a cuddle from Mrs Ewe. that would have been fine except Mrs Ewe was playing the piano for our song at the time. Two paws are more than enough for playing a piano - believe me, you don't need a lamb's nose as well!

Never mind, everything was all right in the end. All the Mummies and Daddies seemed to enjoy the show, anyway.

Back to School

Would you believe it? I finally find my perfect job and it's time to go back to school. My two week's work experience has finished and it's the classroom again for me. Still, it doesn't matter really, as the Donkey Sanctuary say I can go along any time I want to, and I have promised Dougie I'll go every day if I can.

School is very nice. Mrs Ewe, the teacher, is firm but nice, and all my friends are there as well, so I'm sure I will be happy. The best bit of the day is the end of the afternoon, when Mrs Ewe sits us all down and reads from her big story book. Some of the smaller animals tend to fall asleep at this point, but it has been a long day for them and nobody minds really.

Mrs Ewe said the strangest thing at going home time today. I was telling her about Dougie, and about how the sheep had invaded our football, and she just smiled and said "you knowing some sheep and donkeys might come in useful soon". What on earth can she mean?

My perfect job at last!

At last I have found something I am really good at. Not many people even know that the Sylvanian Village has a donkey sanctuary. Well I do, and now I am now officially the chief donkey groom! The first donkey I am taking care of is called Dougie, who is a lovely grey donkey. He is very patient and stands nicely while I brush his fur and make sure he looks clean and healthy. Of course, the fact that he knows I have got carrots for treats does help quite a lot!

I have been given a wheelbarrow, some brushes and a big sack of oats for the donkeys, and a nice pair of green wellies to keep my paws nice and dry. Mucking out can be quite messy work, you know.

I do love looking after Dougie. The nicest bit of all is when I'm brushing the fur around his neck, and he leans his head around and snuggles up to me. I think I'm the luckiest puppy in the world!

Baking Day Upset

Another day, another job to try. Today I had the chance to help out at the Sylvanian bakery, making cakes and bread for all the animals. It all started quite well with Miss Suzette and Grandma Rabbit helping me to make the pastry and dough. I did get a bit messy with all the flour and sugar and stuff, but that was mainly because the table is so high, and I was a bit wobbly standing on a chair. Eventually they gave me a little low table to work at, and everything went much better. Until, that is, it came to the time to take everything out of the oven. There wasn't much space to put everything down, and I thought that the safest place to put a plate of pies and croissants was on top of a small metal round thing.

I didn't know about pedal bins, or what happens when someone's paw accidentally steps on the pedal. Miss Suzette was very nice about it, and helped me clean it all up. Somehow, I don't think they'll be asking me back, though. I do hope I find a job I like soon - it's all getting a bit upsetting now.

All the Work and no Play...

... makes Bobby a dull pup, so they say. I've been working hard all week, so we decided that Saturday is the day for a bit of a break. I love football, and so do lots of my new friends. We split into two teams (four animals on each side) and went down to the football pitch at Princess Elizabeth Park.



As if from nowhere, a whole flock of sheep appeared. Typical sheep, they decided that our grass was the best in the whole park, and they marched onto the pitch and started to graze. Well I don't know if you've ever tried to play football around a flock of sheep, but, believe me, it's not easy. They may not be fierce or aggressive, but they won't move out of the way, and they are very single minded when comes to munching the grass. Plus, they have no understanding at all of the offside rule.



After about 10 minutes we finally managed to persuade them to move to the sidelines and got the game underway at last. I think it helped that we've got a lamb on our team, so they decided to support us. Before long we were having a fantastic game, and guess what? I scored the winning goal!

I'm forever blowing bubbles - worse luck

Maybe it's a little bit harder than I thought to bath four babies. It was going OK at first - I got the soap and bubble bath ready in a little basket, and I got some nice warm towels ready. I borrowed a nice pinny so as to keep my clothes dry. I was just about to ask the little ones to get undressed when I realised that Roly and Lutra had already done so and were climbing in on their own.

Well, I started to get rather worried - what if they couldn't swim? I mean, I know the water wasn't very deep, but you can't be too sure. So I tried to reach in and grab them. You would not believe how wriggly and slippery a damp baby otter can be! That's when I lost my footing and ended up head first in the bath myself. Meanwhile the two little scamps had already climbed out, and Roly was making off with sponge is mouth.

They seemed to think it was highly hilarious. So did the animal's parents when I took them back. Apparently baby otters are very good swimmers - who would have thought that? And Roly is apparently about as likely to sink as a balloon.

I think baby sitting is more difficult than I expected. I'm going to leave it to grown ups from now on.

This looks much easier!

At last I think I've found a job that's right up my street, and really easy as well. I've been asked to be a babysitter for four little animals. There's little LiLi the Panda, Hazel the Squirrel, Lutra the Otter and last but not least Roland the puppy. He's a chap after my own heart, as he loves playing with models just like me. He is especially fond of his little seaplane model. Because it's a seaplane he says he can play with it in the bath as well as on the floor. Now I didn't realise that I was supposed to give the babies a bath as well, but Roly (that's his nickname) assures me that they always have a bath together, so I suppose it must be all right. Anyway, how difficult can it be? I have a bath quite often myself (puppies aren't usually that keen you know) so I know all the basics already. With four other little animals to help, what can possibly go wrong?

Oh Dear, I'm a Silly Billy...

Or should I say Silly Bobby? After I'd been painting for about an hour, Mr and Mrs Squirrel came to see how I was getting on. That's when I found out that they didn't want me to do a painting of the stable - they wanted me to paint the shed itself. I did feel a silly pup. To make matters worse, the shed suddenly seemed enormous when I realised I had to paint every inch of it myself. Luckily some of my new friends heard about my problem and came to help. We haven't really got enough proper big paint brushes to go round but everyone is using whatever they can get their paws on, and I'm sure we will get it finished in no time.

I have decided that I don't want to be this sort of painter as a career. I'm going to try something different tomorrow. I wonder if anyone needs a bone-taster?

A new challenge for Bobby

I’m starting a new work experience job today. Mr and Mrs Squirrel said that I can try being a painter. I’m sure this will suit me much better than being a post pup, as I have always been quite artistic. I borrowed some paints and an easel from a nice mouse called Angelina. Her favourite thing is ballet, but she likes to relax with her watercolours. Mr Squirrel said I should start by painting the stable. I’m not sure why he was so specific, especially as there are far more attractive subjects in the village, but perhaps it has sentimental importance. Anyway, as you can see, I’ve made quite a good start. I hope the Squirrels like it when it’s finished.

A sweet ending after all

Everything turned out fine after all. When I sat down to rest my eyes, Mr Rabbit saw how sleepy I was. When I nodded off he decided to leave me on the comfortable grassy bank, and finish the deliveries himself. Of course, I didn’t know about this, so when I was woken up by my new woolly chum, I was in a bit of a panic.

Anyway, when I found Mr Rabbit, and he saw what a state I was in, he decided that the best thing for all us to calm down with something nice to eat (all Sylvanians like a little something to calm the tummy). So off we went to the village sweetshop, where Mr Rabbit treated me to an enormous lolly. I’m still sucking it now, so if this post is a bit sticky, I’m sorry.

We have decided that perhaps doing the letter delivery is a bit tiring for me and my small paws, so tomorrow I’m going to try a new job.

Oh Dear!!

Oh No. I hope I'm not in trouble! I was helping Mr Rabbit to do the deliveries and we stopped to have a little something to eat. What with being tired from doing the round, and having a full tummy, I felt a bit sleepy. So Mr Rabbit and I sat down for a rest. I must have fallen asleep, because I've just been woken up by a goat snuffling my nose, and now I can't find the bag of letters. Or Mr Rabbit. I hope they haven't been stolen! What am I to do?

My first day at work

Today I'm starting my work experience. I'm going to be a Postpup! I'm helping the village Postmaster, Mr Rabbit. During the morning I helped in the Post Office, doing important things like helping people stick stamps on the letters (it's very useful having a damp nose, you know). But what I've really been looking forward to is this afternoon. Mrs Rabbit will look after the shop and Mr Rabbit and I are going out to deliver the letters to everyone. I could probably do it on my own, but Mr Rabbit says, that as I am so small, he will come with me. I'm sure I could manage, but I suppose he's the boss. I'll let you know later how I get on.

I've Arrived!

When we arrived at the Sylvanian village it seemed like everyone had come to meet me. there were bears and pandas, cats and squirrels and lots of rabbits. But the funniest thing is that the village is named after someone who isn't here at the moment. Apparently, she goes away for a bit every now and again, and some of the animals go with her. I can't wait to meet her.

Anyway, it's been arranged that I should stay with a lovely family of squirrels who live in a beautiful, old fashioned cottage in the middle of the village. This picture shows all the family welcoming me to their house. Later on I went upstairs with the Squirrel Children and we all watched a video. (Can you guess what we watched - I think the Otters would have enjoyed it!).

Tomorrow, I'm going start my work experience. I won't spoil it for you by telling you what I'm going to be doing. You'll just have to wait!

Nearly There

It was quite a surprise to find out

that I would have to sleep on the boat, but it was very cozy. There were little bunks for both of the otter children and a spare one for me. As I was the guest, they let me have top bunk. Of course the otters just wanted to talk, so we ended up telling each other stories most of the night. I'm very sleepy this morning, but I'm told we'll be at our destination very soon, so I'm going off now to have a wash and comb my fur, so I look my best.

My Transport of Delight

I'm almost exploding with excitement now! My mysterious lift arrived and it is a canal boat. Mr and Mrs Otter and their family picked me up in the most beautiful boat I've ever seen. It's called the Rose of Sylvania, and it's got a little kitchen, a place to sit and eat and even a toilet! Best of all, it turns out that it will take more than a day to get to our destination, so I will be sleeping on board tonight.

Before settling down for the night, the otters laid on a brilliant tea. They were a bit surprised that I don't really like fish very much. Mrs Otter was worried that I was poorly, but I explained that dogs prefer meat to fish. The children just looked pleased that they didn't have to share. Anyway, everybody loves cake and there was plenty of that to go around. In the picture you can see me, Ebb and Flo (that's the children's names) and Mrs Otter all tucking into cakes, sweets and pop. Now that's what I call a balanced diet!

The reason you can't see Mr Otter in the tea time picture is that he has to steer the boat. He looks very stern and important as he holds the tiller, but he's really very friendly. Don't worry about him going hungry though - Mrs Otter put a plate of pilchards on the roof of the cabin for him (that's a kind of fish and they're his favourites).

It's a Mystery!

It's all a bit mysterious. I have been told to get off the bus and wait here for someone to pick me up. Apparently I can't go all the way to the Sylvanian Village by bus. I hope I don't have to walk all the way - my paws are tired already, and my bundle feels quite heavy.

Anyway, at least it's quite a nice place to wait. It's by a canal and I can feed the ducks while I wait. I wonder how I'm going to get there?

Hello Everybody!

My name is Bobby, and I come from a far off land called Labrador. I am very excited because I am going on an exchange visit to a Sylvanian Village in England. Read my blog to find out what adventures I have.

Love Bobby