IT’S unbelievable. How did our little black bundle of fur get to be three so quickly?
It doesn’t feel like three whole years since Teddy bounced into our lives – but what an impact he’s had in that time.
Back in 2023, it was the culmination of two years of searching and researching, of carefully assessing the best breed before excitedly welcoming a boisterous little labrador puppy into our home.
We were neither naïve nor unprepared, but the transition to dog ownership is a dramatic and sometimes demanding one.
Initially a little nervous after experiencing three homes since his birth, the new arrival soon blossomed into a lively, curious and bouncy little soul, eager to please but already a little old for those initial puppy-training classes that can help to develop good habits from the get-go.
From those early days it’s pretty clear that, like most puppies, Ted will always do the best he can with the training we’ve given him in the environment we’re expecting him to perform in – which means we’ve only got ourselves to blame if he’s not doing what we want him to do.
But while labradors are always eager for treats, which should make training easy, Teddy has always found it very hard to contain his enthusiasm – and that engrained belief that every stranger wants a big boisterous lab jumping up to meet them is a recipe for disaster.
Three years on, that’s still the biggest challenge. And although there are plenty of successes in tempting him away from other dogs, even in a busy park, we’re still not able to achieve that 100% obedience level that would make us totally confident about letting him off the lead when there are families and other temptations around.
Yes, there are places sufficiently remote to let him burn off that excess energy. And there’s nothing as exciting as snuffling around in the woods with your best friend.
Labrador owners understand the problem, though there are plenty more sedate, older or better trained labs happy to prove that the breed can be model citizens. Or those with gundog training who will demonstrate just how obedient they can be, instantly responsive to the faintest whistle, command or nod of the head.
As if to taunt us, they’ll wander up and lean against us gently looking for an ear scratch, or just flop down and wait for us to come close.
Thankfully there are enough long-suffering lab owners happy to confirm that the problem is not unique, or incurable. But they tend to be divided about exactly when the magic day will come when Ted will be miraculously calm and obedient.
Surely by three? Four? Six? Not that we’re wishing his youth away: his enthusiasm is as endearing as it is infectious. It would just be nice to be sure of him springing instantly to heel on command if we run into a family, horse or other hazard on our travels.
Despite that rebellious streak, it’s clear Teddy has won our hearts and minds. Life wouldn’t be the same without him, which becomes a whole lot clearer when it’s time to find someone to look after him when we have to go away.
Visits to local kennels have produced a visceral reaction in the past. However sweet the staff, it feels impossible to abandon him amid so much barking and canine anxiety. How could we explain that this is just a “holiday” and that we’re coming back?
We hear stories of dogs barking themselves hoarse during such stays. It’s not for us. But finding a proper home from home is harder than it sounds, especially for a larger and more energetic guest like Ted.
Step forward Melissa Embleton, whose local home boarding service in Burnham proves the ideal fit for Ted.
A lab owner herself, Melissa is no stranger to bouncy visitors, and it’s clear from our initial home visit that Teddy will have a great time here.
The day of the overnight stay starts in the morning to ensure he’s fully adjusted to their routine by bedtime. In the meantime, there are plenty of games to keep everyone amused and regular video updates to reassure us that all is well.
In the end, it’s clear that Ted is having a whale of a time. No worries there. But it’s us who seem to have the problem.
With Ted away for the day, the house is strangely quiet. No cheerful snuffle or bouncy welcome when we come home. No comforting snores or eager requests for kibble or a walk.
It’s only been a few hours, but we’re already suffering withdrawal symptoms. And by the time Melissa sends us videos of the evening walk down to the river, we’re feeling positively bereft.
Of course this will come as no surprise to any pet lover. For three years, this sociable little wolf has been a permanent fixture in our home and our lives: a constant presence on walks, an eager inspector of food preparation in the kitchen, a reassuring weight on our legs if he’s ever allowed up on the bed.
His brief absence is a vivid reminder of just how big a role he’s come to play in our lives, and of course about the many lessons that dogs can teach us humans too with their attentive eagerness, gratitude and zest for life.
In some ways, it’s a sobering thought too. When BBC Radio 1 Breakfast presenter Greg James shared his heartbreak following the death of his dog Barney, it opened the floodgates for other pet lovers to discuss their grief at the loss of a beloved pet.
It’s not hard to understand how devastating that can be, especially for elderly owners robbed of a long-term companion.
Thankfully, that’s not a bridge we need to cross just yet. A day or two without our bouncy friend is quite long enough, thank you – and the warmth of his welcome when we pick him up quite enough of a reminder of just what an important family member he’s become.
