Mia (2005 - present)

After the sudden and very sad demise of Georgie Girl in 2004, we were never ever, ever going to have another dog. Losing a much loved, four legged member of the family is just too hard to bear. We also told ourselves that the house would be free of slobber and hair. We would be free of the responsibilities that all pets bring with them and we could travel whenever and wherever we liked. We told ourselves this for almost two whole years.

The house was spotlessly clean...but so empty. There also seemed to be a rash of doggy programmes on tv. I watched them all. I began to leap on every unsuspecting dog who came close enough for a stroke and a kiss.

Finally in June 2006, Hector found a copy of Victoria Stilwell's book on dog training stashed under a cushion,. He finally admitted defeat...and off we went to the local animal rescue shelter where we found a 12 month old boxer girl called Mia.

And that's where her story with us begins...


Mia absolutely idolises children and happily plays for hours with our grandson, Little Hector.

I'm afraid she is rather a daddy's girl. When Hector is home, I don't get a look in.

Mia loves her teddies and sleeps with them every night. Sometimes she can get quite rough with them though, and teddies have been flung high into air, often landing on top of cupboards. Gawd knows how she would treat real puppies!

The bane of every dog's life. Bathtime.