Introducing Cassie Chloe Graham

Cassie was born in a wee village in Northern Ireland called Swatragh on 13 May 2012. After many unsuccessful attempts at adopting, we were finally blessed with Cassie. She is 10 weeks old and has turned the Graham household upside down. But we are so inlove with her.

She is a cross between a collie and a black lab and has the sweetest nature, and is very playful. She is still not used to being alone, and to be honest I think she sufferes from a bit of separation anxiety sometimes. She is always under our feet. 

Cassie sleeps in one of the outhouses in the garden, and cried ALL NIGHT LONG on the first night AND on the second night, AND on the third night. Its so confusing. Didint know whether to let her cry and get used to it, or to bring her inside. But after a lot of googling and a lot of advice from friends and family, I need to just endure her cries until she gets used to it. This is what she did to the door in attempt to get out...

Last night I sat in the milkhouse with her for half an hour until she fell asleep. Apparently I also need to help her to associate the milkhouse with positive experiences, so I played with her in there and feed her in there now too. When she was fast asleep in her bed, her daddy brought her a hot water bottle, a clock wrapped in the t-shirt I wore that day, her blankie, a treat, and her fluffy toy, Fluffy :) 

Cassie & Fluffy

I also left the radio on all night. She was quiet for 15 mins after I slipped away, and then she cried for 2 hours, but after that she was quiet. When I let her out to play this morning she was still fast asleep. So we may be making some progress.

finally asleep

Pups are hard work, and we are pretty exhausted, even after a 4 day weekend, but it is worth it AND it gives us a reason to exercise. 

Cassie's first day at the beach

Cassie is probably the most spoilt dog in the Glens and we have already spent a small fortune on her. Tomorrow I'm taking her to the vet for her shots and to be dewormed. Not looking forward to it at all, but you have to be cruel to be kind.

I don't want to be one of those people that ONLY EVER TALK ABOUT THEIR PETS,so on another note... today is my last day of work. I have been interning in Belfast for long enough. I feel that I have been taken advantage of for too long. There are currently 2 big projects at the office, and ONLY I have the skills and knowledge of the software package that they need for it. They complain that they don't have cash, but have purchased a £300 chair for a colleague with a bad back, and want to get 2 big flat screens in the office for the Olympics. If they can afford to do that, then they can pay me a little more too. It costs me more money to get to work than I am actually paid, AND the roundtrip from home to Belfast everyday is 3HOURS! I know its good to get out of the house and socialise with people, but not at my own expense. I'm also doing this as a step of faith. I have applied for a really good job in the prison service here. Its similar to the role I had in Namibia, and its the first job i have seen here which can be a career, not just a job. I should know shortly if I have an interview, please keep me in your prayers.

My MOM ARRIVES ON THURSDAY! She will be here for about 9 weeks, and I'm  looking forward to spending quality time with her (and of course enjoying her cooking and baking!) My MIL has arranged SO many outings for my mom, she is gonna be exhausted at the end of it. We have a few wee trips lined up for her too :) 

I just called home to see how Cassie was doing (yes, I miss her terribly already!) and my FIl says she is under his feet while he works, but that she is happy enough. Can't wait to get home and play with my favourite puppy. 

PS. I'm SO gonna be one of those nauseating pet people! Who woulda thought :)