Introduction to Summer's life



Little Summer found herself in Stilesmeadow Dog Sanctuary in Bosley Cheshire at the young age of 9 weeks - it was probably the luckiest day of her life because from there she was sure to find a good home and begin a long and happy life. It was very important that a home was found for her as soon as possible as the first three months of a puppy's life are the most important in terms of socialisation and development of temperament - not that she was short of cuddles and company at Stiles, the volunteers scrambled to give her attention and affection. But still, nothing can beat a puppy growing up in a stable family environment where she can feel safe and learn to cope with all that life throws at her - protecting her family from postmen and paperboys (who keep coming back every day despite being told repeatedly to clear off and not come back), the family cat who is good fun to pounce on from behind the sofa, the beds to sleep on when mum and dad have gone out (they'll never know - the muddy paw prints could have been anyone) and a warm lap to curl up on after a hard day.

When we talk to friends of Stiles who have adopted puppies and young dogs they always tell us the same things - about the housetraining, the mischievousness, and the dreaded puppy teens! Summer was adopted in summer 2006 and her new owner has kindly volunteered to keep a puppy diary so that subsequent new puppy owners can read of her experiences, picking up tips and reassurance that they are not the only ones with those problems!