The beginning is the most important part of the work.

A beautiful cloud free morning.The sound of the cuckoos in the valley echoing up the hill. Time to load-up the pups and head down to the little market town to meet the beer and absinthe crowd. A parking space opposite the cafe under the arcades magically appears. The cars tailgate opened so that Bob and Sophie can look out. The man on the motability scooter sees them and waves. The waitress brings two coffees out to us at the car. '' Would the puppies like half a croissant each ? ". We thank her but explain their stomachs aren't up to rich food -  Yet. Bob looks up at the waitress with his best '' I think I'm going to love you " look.

The greengrocers wife wanders over to the back of the car and makes a strange half trilling , half gargling noise. Bob turns his head and listens , Sophie dives under him and tries to become invisible. Then it's the turn of the lady in the blue dressing gown, green hairnet and red pompom slippers to be introduced. She raises her pre-breakfast glass of Pelforth , laughs and toasts their arrival. Sophie licks her finger.

So it is that the ' PON's ' discover that there's a whole wide world of adventure outside the front gate.

Day 4. House training going well. We've almost got it down pat. The nipping habit proving to be more difficult to deal with . The first training session. An hour spent teaching stay and sit. They get sit. The concept of stay altogether more problematic. Why stay when you can go ? Sophie to our surprise climbs the outside stairs to the terrace. Bob watches.

They are absorbing information like a sponge soaks up water.