10 things the books don't tell you!

[Maisiesmum]

So we've had Maisie for 12 weeks now and 'my' training is coming along nicely  but I was thinking the other day about all the research I did about breeds, before deciding a sodding spaniel......sorry Cocker Spaniel  was the ideal choice. We knew he/she would be our last dog after 40 years of having dogs and I wanted the perfect choice 
These are my 10 things I wish I had found out beforehand..

Thieves! If it's hers, it's hers. If it's mine, it's hers. If it's anybodies, it's hers!! Considering a name change to Gollum or Leave It

How the phone calls from my husband could change from 'what's for tea' to ' how's Maisie'

I would get severe top knot envy!

My phone camera would run out of memory

Mud....can't wait for Winter 

I would get the best snuggles ever 

Water....can't wait for Winter 

Inability to walk more than 5 yards without someone stopping us to stroke her 

They snore....loudly!

How much I would love this little scrap of exasperation and cuddles!

[bizzylizzy]

The books also don't tell you that you lose your heart to them!!! After (also) 40 years, Humphrey will also be our last dog but, with no disrespect to my others, whom I loved dearly, we reckoned we've saved the best til last! (and you feel just the same, don't you!
We wouldn't be without him! 

[Maisiesmum]

Spot on!!!

Did I mention the garden....the poor, poor garden....

[lescef]

My two are likely to be our last...... (but then maybe I could squeeze one more in!) Lol
I have only ever loved cocker spaniels and have never considered another breed. After 35 years I'm still besotted!

[Patp]

You made no mention of wine, Chocolate and an inability to get ready for a night out without being intensely stared at ensuring you clock watch all night.

[Panda]

And that they would love my bed more than their own and take up more room than me and hubby.

[Mandymlc]

Or that they chew your ears and burp in your face 

[JeffD]

And try to give you a snog just after they have finished a large bowl of tripe

[MIN]

Or that
 your life as you knew it will be no more  (but better  )

[Ben's mum]

I think you'll find there are other things the books don't tell you about cockers
1 you'll never go to the loo on your own again, you will have a constant shadow
2 they have a canny ability to find something disgusting to roll in no matter where you go
3 actually perhaps we should leave some 'surprises'  in store for you to find out as Maisie grows 


Welcome to the wonderful world of cockers 

[Blueberry]

And that you just. Cant. Get. Anything. Done.
Showers are squeezed into the 20 seconds it takes him to eat his food, laundry piles up for weeks and is finally sorted after he's gone to bed and before you fall, exhausted, into yours  Everything is planned around walkies, feeding and toilet times.  You can't put on a shoe or a sock, or anything else for that matter, without hindrance assistance from your new Cocker bestie!

[BobnDot]

They understand every word you say….even though they pretend not to.

They have a built in "Stealth" mode and can suddenly appear alongside you with no warning.

They can read your mind and some of them have developed this ability into full mind control.

They can "security check" the largest shopping bag in seconds and isolate any item that requires further examination or confiscation.

They can go into "Teenager mode" towards the end of their first year. Bulk buy chocolate and cases of your favourite alcoholic beverage.

They have the ability to convert the most lovingly tended garden into a well cratered building site.

They can also completely take over your life and love you to bits       Perfect.

Bob.

[waggytails]

You could have saved money by NOT buying a dish washer.

[assumpta]

Being obsessed with poop and getting family members to describe in great detail of said poop and finally scoring out of 5. Lots more I could add but have poop control to see to

[Maisiesmum]

Hehe...I recognise so many of those and can't wait for what's to come