The all clear, and her first proper walk

11 September 2026

Annie trotting towards the camera down a mown path through long grass, her owner crouched behind her holding the red lead — Big open space, big field, big grass.

On Thursday night we let her roam around the garden with a lead on, which she was absolutely baffled by. Very excitable, but lots of sniffs and lots of exposure to grass, twigs and everything else you'd find out there. She had a great time. We kept it short and sweet, ten minutes for her little brain to take it all in, and as soon as she came back in she was straight asleep. Definitely worthwhile.

Annie on the red lead on the grass in the garden, tongue out, in front of a wicker-fenced flower bed — Absolutely baffled by the garden.

On Friday she got the all clear from the vaccinations.

So we took her on her first proper walk. We went to the park, and she got to see a big open space, a big field, all that grass, and all the new smells and sounds that come with it. Which meant she was very tired.

Annie walking straight at the camera on the red lead through a grassy field — All the new smells and sounds.

One thing I'm really keen on throughout this is to set her up for success and teach her good manners on the lead while she's a puppy, so the good habits are there early. I don't want to teach her to pull, or to try and lead the walk, because that's dangerous for her and not a pleasant experience for anyone.

Lots to do in there, but she got lots of cute pictures.

Annie curled up in her fluffy bed with her lead still on, looking at the camera — Which meant she was very tired.

Alisha holding Annie up on a hillside, with the Malvern Hills and a village spread out below them — One of her first walks on the Malvern Hills.