Leo the Legendary :)

Where do we start!?
Since our last post Leo has been a legend, pure and simple!
We spent 3 nights in Ipswich this week, staying at the new Travelodge (yes, some Travelodges take domestic pets for an extra £20 surcharge - bargain!). Obviously we set out on this trip with some trepidation. New family, new house, long car journey and holiday might not be such a great idea for a rescue pup. But we needn't have worried at all. Leo was the perfect hotel guest - much better than whoever was in the room above us who I suspect had brought their pet elephant...)
He settled straight into the swing of things,even telling us he needed outside, which was a major worry for us.
It turns out all the waitresses in Ipswich ADORE Leo! There wasn't a bar, cafe or restaurant that didn't make a fuss of him . Leo loves nothing more than a fuss. We think because he was on crate rest for all those weeks at the Dogs Trust, his volunteer visitors would come into his kennel and play with him in short spells to keep him as active as they could whilst his leg was healing, now he literally expects it of EVERYONE! Which is fortunate because most people seem quite willing to give him a tickle or two.

Leo smiling on the marina

Leo troubled by so many people on wheels. Pushchairs, bikes, skateboards and scooters baffled him for the first day!

We spent an afternoon at Jimmy's Farm which is just outside Ipswich. I can highly recommend this for anyone visiting the area. Absolutely idyllic setting and beautiful animals. Leo lapped it up. He was perfectly well behaved, even when a goat took a bit of a disliking to him. Poor love jumped a mile! Still, I'd rather he learnt through a wire fence that not all animals want to play with him lol!

He wasn't that fussed by the piglets at all, even though they did all run over to us. Great to know he doesn't seem to have much of a hunting drive.

Leo was impeccable when two little girls asked if he was nice, desperate for a stroke of that irresistible sleek fur. Leo just lay down and let them stroke him gently, we even put the lead down, he was so busy being spoilt rotten that he never noticed! The girls gave him a couple of treats for being so good while we chatted to their mum and dad (we find ourselves telling Leo's story quite often because people literally stop is in the street to admire him!) The only problem then was convincing him to stand up again when we were ready to walk on - I think he'd got quite comfy there :)

In fact Leo gets comfy pretty much anywhere as you can tell from this picture taken outside the restaurant at Jimmy's Farm.... believe it or not there was a peacock strutting around the courtyard while this was being taken and Leo couldn't have cared less. He was more than happy to take the weight off his paws whilst we enjoyed a coke with ice!

On the second day we drove up to Felixstowe. Turns out there's miles and miles of beach and dogs are allowed on some of it, so why not! Leo wasn't too convinced by the moving water... we're going to take him to some still water over the weekend as it might not be quite so overwhelming.

Leo decided he'd had enough halfway across the heathland by the Fort and just plonked himself down for a rest. This boy really loves a good lie down no matter how impractical...

The marina at Ipswich is set up a bit like Spain, with rows of cafes and bars on the front. All of which we were welcomed to sit outside. Isaacs On The Quay is the big one, with rows of picnic tables, parasols and patio heaters outside - lush!

Leo's unique sleeping position of either on the table or along the bench didn't put the waitresses and door staff making a fuss of him....quite the opposite in fact...!

Leo & Luigi

Joining in a game of fetch

Leo & Paola's foster girl Java

Leo & Sexy Stanley

On the way home we came via the beautiful Dunwich Heath to pay a flying visit to the lovely Paola and her pack of whippets. I'd recently "met" Paola on Facebook through her "iheartwhippets" page. She makes some lovely whippety based things which she sells to raise funds for Scruples Whippet Rescue. We stayed for a cup of tea (which I ended up wearing most of thanks to being caught in the middle of a whippety game of tag!) and a game. I think Leo was a little overwhelmed at first but he was soon holding his own and joining in the fun. Great to see him springing about like a proper dog. His big brother Blue missed out on so much fun like that because of his fear aggression. I don't want Leo to miss out on a single second of whippety fun!!

Since we got back we've had a "normal" day. We purposely left him at home alone while we did the food shop. If I'm honest I was dreading it - being away from home for 3 nights and with us constantly I was sure he'd rip the place apart. HOWEVER, Leo the Legendary was pretty much flawless. Ok... ok... we found a peg upstairs and the sticks from the air freshener were all over the place in the bedroom but that is pretty good going considering what I was expecting. To prove it wasn't a fluke we went out again a bit later for an hour. Phew, two in a row. To make things even better, next doors dogs appear to have been on a bit of a rampage this afternoon. While they'd been out Max & Roni had dragged leftover lasagne out of the bin all around the house. I overheard their mum on the phone saying "..... and there's cheese in the bed..." I couldn't help but chuckle. Keep it up Leo - you're doing me very proud :)
The worst part of "training" Leo is getting him used to being alone when he needs to - he's so marvellous that I want him with me all the time. In fact it's me that suffers seperation anxiety not him!

Still got a few days of holiday left.... I'm sure we can fit a couple more adventures in yet.... ;)