The News

** 01/05/04 **

Shocking events have unfolded- literally! Whilst casually mooching around the garden last week on a sunny evening Shuck decided that as I had taken my eye of him for ten seconds he would wonder out of the garden into the neighbouring field. And there he stood sniffing the ground whilst I called/shouted for him to come back to me. Then he looked up and his fate was sealed - he'd spotted the pigs.
So he casually sauntered up to them, slightly unsure as to why the pigs seemed so comfortable in his presence - why weren't they afraid of Big Black Shuck? Aaron and I knew why and were still urgently shouting for him to come back.
Shuck moved slowly forward in stalking mode and that when it happened. ZAPPP! Shucks ear touched the electric strand fence holding in the pigs and got a mains electric fed shock. He jumped forward in shock- into the fence. ZAP! ZAP! ZAP! ZAP! Electric fence line wrapped around Shucks legs, zapping him constantly as his screams and wails filled the still Suffolk sunset skies. ZAP, ZAP, ZAP, SNAP! Shuck struggled free, broke the electric fence and ran and hobbled around the field and into Aaron's arms for some well deserved cuddling. That'll teach him for ignoring our commands and has certainly quelled his interest in the pigs!

** 10/04/04 **

Black Shuck has been contained. Local villagers may now rest easy and no longer need to fear that they may be terrorised by Shuck for he is now safely contained behind our garden fence. Finally the fence around our place is up - it's a little temporary and not quite complete but it should at least prevent Shuck chasing cars and leaping upon pensioners and children in a fit of friendliness! It should also stop him forming closer relationships with the pigs next door which he has taking great interest in. It will surely be a lesson learnt when he runs into the electric fence holding them in.

The hotly anticipated chickens arrived a week ago. Photos are included of Aye (a White Star hen), Bea (a Black Rock hen) and Cee (a Calder Ranger Hen) in the gallery. Shuck has been bouncing up and down outside their pen since they arrived or should I say pouncing and barking. But the girls are unflinching - not even ruffling their feathers. This does not bode well should a fox roll-up and chance his arm for Chicken tonight!!

We thought Shuck should get the chicken interest out of his mind by dispelling the myth that they are worthy of barking at. We held Bea in front of his nose for a sniff but Shuck wasn't interesting in sniffing her. He went straight for chewing his new 'toy' to alleviate his teething pains. Quick reactions prevented Bea from becoming a meat bird rather than a layer and Aye was next to experience puppy power. Shuck had learnt not to chew chickens but hadn't been told he couldn't chase them! Another dose of quick reactions saved Aye from harm and then we decided that Cea had probably seen enough of Shucks playfulness so she was lucky enough to continue scratching around the pen.


** 25/03/04 **

A casual stroke and play with Shuck the other day had a most miraculous outcome. As I played roughly with him I pulled him towards me for a cuddle and as I released him I was left with a clump of grey fur in my hands. Panic ran through my mind that I had just created a bald patch on our perfect puppy. But then I thought, if I had just ripped Shucks fur out by the roots, why was he not making as much fuss as he normally does when you accidentally step on his tail or toes - a seemingly heinous crime that brings forth a multitude of strained whimperings and faked hobbling?
I investigated further by reaching out towards his thigh and tugged at his fur again, and another clump came out, and another and another. This continued for about ten minutes until there was a pile of grey fluff big enough to stuff a tog 20 duvet. It was curiously therapeutic and addictive - a bit like picking a scab or peeling off sunburnt skin! It was only when we bought a better brush that we realised just how much puppy fur was being held in Shucks coat and how glossy his proper coat was underneath. A new dog had entered our lives, reborn like a phoenix from the fur!!

But this new dog had developed a vicious streak. He now roams around the garden, carrying out merciless and unrelenting beheadings� of daffodils! This does not bode well for the border plants we plan to plant soon. Looks like we will have to Shuck-proof them as well as the standard rabbit, red deer and muntjac-proofing.

Shuck has developed an Achilles heel though. A certain little Collie Whippet cross bitch called Fern who is owned by Aarons parents. Shuck revealed a whole new side to his character - he was putty in her hands. He was a playmate when she wanted one, let her have first choice of his toys, allowed her to eat his food and drink his water and followed her around all weekend. When she left on Sunday he mooched around the house barely mustering a grunt before crashing out in the kitchen for 12 hours. I don't think Shuck could cope with a woman in his life all the time.

Future events to come�.
The arrival of the chickens gets closer and Shuck goes to puppy training!!

** 3/1/04 - 16/3/04 **

Hello Visitor - welcome to our site.

The idea of this page is to inform and entertain you by telling you about the strange and odd occurrences surrounding a young couple living in Suffolk with their German Shepherd puppy, Shuck.

We first met Shuck when he was Maradonar Caddo, a six week old pedigree pup who had just lost his intended owner due to silly aesthetic reasons. We phoned the breeder and met up with our potential new puppy the following weekend. He was bold, brash, fuzzy and naughty but so well natured - there was never any doubt that we wouldn't accept him there and then. We had to wait an agonizing three weeks before we could take him home because we were visiting relatives around the country until new year.

He had a long first journey home in the car - my tiny blue Citroen AX - but he did very well despite the maniacs on the A1 trying to run us off the road! But once we hit a few roundabouts Shuck lost his sea legs and christened the car with his breakfast, 5 times. He was still very chipper though which sums up his nature really - very easy going.

When he entered the house for the first time he wasn't afraid, didn't cower in the corner nervously or try to hide from his new owners. He continued just as normal without bashing an eyelid. Shuck was certainly a bold puppy.

However, his first walk outside on a local green showed a new side to Shuck - he was a big fraidy-cat. Nevermind trying to walk him, I was having trouble walking myself with him cowering between my legs! Then I was approached by a Policeman, "Well I've never seen a German Shepherd do that before!!" he said. That was followed by the comment that is most offered by people on their first sightings of Shuck - "His feet are huge! Thats gonna be one big dog."

The next installment will include Shucks first meeting with our new chickens and his response to the big changes in the garden.

Sarah