Mya the Dalmatian

My name is Mya. I’m a black and white Dalmatian and I’ve just had my second birthday. I’ve only ever known one house, and I live where I was born.  My first recollection of my life was running around in the house with my Mum.  I couldn’t run around for too long at a time then, so I just went to sleep where I was, but I never understood how I always seemed to wake up in my bed!

Mum has always taken good care of me and shown me all the good places to put my blue tug rope, (not the red one though, as my friend Sassy who is also a Dalmatian always tries to make out it’s hers!)

I love the walks around my house. If  my Mum isn’t quick enough I let myself out of the house, and if I want I let myself back in as well. The fields are huge and the birds love to be chased. They only fly to the other side of the field so I can chase them again so I know the birds enjoy the game. I usually go with Sassy - but I can run the fastest.  I have trained my owners to give me treats at strategic places, just to keep them interested in what I’m doing.  If they don’t give them to me I do a ‘Mary Ray’ heel command until they do, (I won’t do it any other time though).

In summer I went to something called a ‘Fun Day’, and WOW!  I got to chase a teddy bear (although they thought they had fooled me by calling it a hare).  It was great fun, and I’ve enclosed a picture of ME on the day!

When we go into the lounge in the evenings I have to share my sofa. Mostly I like to lie on top of my mum, especially if she has taken the place where I wanted to be! It’s surprising how well I can balance on top of her.  I can stay there for ages, but mum usually moves down the sofa after a while. I don’t really mind though because I get the warm bit!  Every so often I have to get off the sofa to go and comfort my humans. I’m sure they couldn’t survive if I didn’t give them sloppy wet kisses every night.  Sometimes their clothes look a little bit strange, so when I go and see them I also try to make sure some of my hair stays with them.

I have a very active social life and my humans take me to shows most weeks.  I’m very friendly and I play with all of the other dogs, even the ones that pretend they don’t want to.  I just won’t leave them until they say hello to me nicely!  I like to lean on all the people who give me strokes and cuddles, and I can stand like that for ages. How about this - I had my picture on the front page of the Times when Crufts was last held.  I didn’t know it was being taken but people just think I’m beautiful.

I’m going to Discover Dogs soon and my bag is already packed.  This will be my second year in a row.  I love meeting all the people, especially the children who come to my stand and tell me how lovely I am (My Mum too of course).  We try to show how well behaved and obedient we are, but this year I’m very excited.  I have to run across to the main ring after my session, as I’ve qualified through to the semi-finals of the Junior Warrant contest.  I feel very important as only 64 of the best young dogs in the country can be chosen for this day.

If you want my advice on what best to look for in new owners you can’t go far wrong with show people, but first of all you need to carry out a few tests on them.  The first one is to see if you can make them go ooh or ahh when they see you for the first time, then see how they react when you chew their laces and snag their clothes and let a few hairs go on them.  If you have done all this and they are still interested in you, you can be pretty sure that you are going to be safe. After you have been in the new house for a few months you can test them a little further by chewing a new dog run through the settee, although this can be risky, what with the springs and other bits and pieces.  Luckily, I’m much loved, very fit and a good weight, if I just look out of sorts I’m down to my doctor getting a health check.

I have a shiny new passport and last week we went to France and stayed in a lovely hotel.  I didn’t like the elevator much so I took the stairs instead, but if Sassy had told me there was a mirror in that box I would have definitely given it a go.

My posh name is Dalkereve Dark N Divine but my nickname is MEME.  Personally I don’t get it, but I’m told it’s because I’m demanding!   I have three names now, so I know I’m special.

See you soon,
Woofs and Paws,
Mya

P.s   I’ve sent a picture of ME between my Mum and best friend Sassy.  Check out the new coats!