Socialisation boot camp

Gail has pointed out that my recent tour  'down south' amounted to an eleven day socialisation boot camp. I clocked up a long list of notable 'firsts' - see below for a list of the top ten - and am pleased (and Gail is mightily relieved) to report that I graduated with flying colours and a self-awarded grade of 90% Nice Nobby*.

First nights in a hotel (Buccleuch Arms in Moffat and later the Dalesgate near Ilkley)

First time in England (as far south as Leicestershire)

First nights staying with Gail's friends (Janet, then YAM-Aunty)

First time in a cafe with another dog present (several cafés actually)

First train journey (seven minutes, Beeston to Nottingham)

First meetings with Gail's relatives (Gail's brother, sister-in-law, niece and cousin)

First male lap to sit on (Janet's friend Steve in Nottingham)

First visit to a pub (The Roebuck, Utley)

First time on a car ferry (Gourock to Hunter's Quay, Dunoon)

First visit to a church to check out the water-driven organ (St Mun's Church in Kilmun: https://youtube.com/shorts/EQ9vB7VVpKw?feature=share)

*Self-assessment is the order of the day, right? Gail says 90% smacks of grade inflation. I will admit that the Ilkley Moor bog affair was a misstep..

Socialisation programme going great guns

Well it's a good thing that Gail has me around to tidy up the kitchen floor (see Friday's post) as we've had a series of visitors over the past few days, all eager to make my acquaintance. 

According to a rather intimidating chart* Gail was given when she took me to the vet for my first set of vaccinations last week (I was a Good Boy, by the way), I am supposed to develop my social skills by meeting the following types of people over the next few weeks.

I asked Gail to tick the relevant boxes for those whom I've now met, but she says some of her friends might read this blog and get upset about how they were classified.  (Middle aged? Elderly?)

One of the friends took these pictures of Gail and me. I totally wasn't showing off. I am Nice Nobby, always! 

Oh and I'm told my readers will know whom to blame for the bags under Gail's eyes...

*Gail says: this chart actually has thirteen categories of experiences Nobby is supposed to encounter as part of his 'Weekly Socialisation Programme', of which 'meetings with people' is just one. (Although, given that this is 2022, I find it a serious omission that the chart neglects to list 'developing a social media presence'!)