If you read my blogs or follow me anywhere on social media you will know that we have added to the family. After years of asking we finally decided that the time was right to introduce a puppy into the Bradley Family. I spent a good few weeks researching the best breed for us, I read lots about getting a puppy to make sure that I was getting it from a reputable breeder. I joined a fabulous cavachon Facebook group to learn more about their traits before parting with my money.
We decided on a cavachon which is a king charles cav and bichon. They have a reputation as being child friendly, pretty much hypoallegnic and relatively low maintenance. We then set about looking for a breeder and ended up travelling about 90 mins away to meet a puppy. Erin has asthma so we needed to ensure it would not affect her chest.
After our holiday we travelled back up the motorway to bring her home. The first week was a baptism of fire and I honestly questioned whether we had made a mistake as I wrote 9 Unexpected things I learnt in the first week of having a puppy. However as we all got to know each other we settled into having our Lilly. She still wakes up too early for my liking but I have even got used to that now! I am hopeful that it will soon pass and she will sleep in longer!
Now we have a daily routine and all is going well. Each morning Lilly walks with us on the way to school and we then continue our walk by heading to the fields. I work (from home) during the day and Lilly generally potters around or sits at my feet. Once Erin is home it is playtime.
After dinner I head out for a walk, often Erin joins us but sometimes it is just me. Lilly has made sure that I get my 1000 steps a day in and I know she is helping me with my mission to tone up and get more active.
However the weather is changing and as the leaves fall from the branches I have begining too consider that I need proper dog walking outdoor wear. Thankfully Millets have come to my rescue. They invited me to get dressed appropiately for winter. I knew I needed warm waterproof jacket and opted for the Technicals chill down jacket. It is so warm as it is filled with duck down. The jacket has a detachable hood which is going to be mush needed with the wind and rain.
In addition to a coat it is also important to have good walking boots. I quite like wearing wellies at the moment as the grass is wet in the mornings. However I knew I needed some boots especially as I am now wanting to take Lilly on futher walks that could be muddy and slippery. I knew I needed something that was more suited to proper walking. Again Millets had a great range of women’s footwear and I selected a country master walking boot from Brasher. Having never owned anything like these before I wasn’t sure of their fit. Once I put them on I could not believe the difference in a really good fitting pair of walking boots. they were really supportive, which is important for me as I have flat feet. They were super comfy and also looked the part when I was wrapping up for the weather.
Getting a puppy has been lovely and already we are so used to planning our weekends and days around her. Watching the children develop bond with her is also really interesting. Whilst Erin is the one that plays with her the most the older two both love her too. Chloe tends to sit with her in the evenings and snuggles with her. Dyl is much less likely to have her on his lap, yet he walks her. He also is often spotted petting her when no one else is looking. My husband Lee is the same. He claims he is not bothered with her, yet I catch him stroking her or fusiing her when no-one else is looking!
Lilly has definately ensured that both Erin and I are more active and now thanks to Millets I am dressed for the occasion too!
