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