Dear Mum, It has been 3 weeks now since I began my holiday by the seaside and I am really enjoying myself with my four new pets. The biggest pet is the one who thinks he's the boss and we have lots of fun with tummy-tickles and "fetch". However he is still unintelligible sometimes and keeps saying things I don't understand - like NO!, or Wee and Poo are OUTSIDE!, or NOT on the carpet. But I think he will get to understand me sometimes. My Paula-pet is funny. She mostly feeds me and stays with me all day and fins it hard to get cross. Her feet are also great to play with as she is always trying to hide them - but I get them eventually. The two smaller Phillip and Emily pets are not here at the moment as they must have been naughty and have been sent away to boarding-school-kennel. That leaves me in charge of the house which I look after when everyone is out. I have also seen a very nice man called "Vet" who says I am beautiful and has given me more stuff to stop me from getting pets of my own. He says I will be able to go for my first walks soon, although I like going for rides in my own special Volvo-kennel-on-wheels. I have my own space at the back, although I do like exploring the rest of the car while Martin-pet is driving. He gets very excited - so I must be pleasing him. What fun! I have attached some portraits of me at home, mostly doing my duty - sleeping whilst on guard. Lots of love Lucy

UPDATED 2ND OCTOBER Hi Mum, It is true - I have just been shopping with the pets and I have discovered that I am the center of the known universe! EVERYONE wants to to be my pet! I am not quite sure whether my real name is Lucy or Gorgeous - but I'll settle for both. I am going on lots of walks and when Martin-pet came back from his ship we found something called "The Pub" which is a nice place to stop in the middle so he can get his breath back (or at least that's what he tells Paula!!). I have met some other dogs who all have nice smelling bottoms. I am only occasionally wee-ing in the house and the big grassy area across the road is now my loo. I have learned to SIT! which means that I stand still and someone pushes my bum down on the ground - which is c-c-c-c-c-cold! The beach is nice as well, although there is some cold and wet stuff called "sea" which I have not tried yet. We are waiting for some electronic photos of me to come in the post, but I have attached a picture of me taken today (Sunday 02 Oct) to show you how big I'm getting. Having a great time. Love Lucy

UPDATED 4TH DECEMBER Hello Mum, Martin-Pet has got a digital camera and here is the first of probably many photos - cos I seem to be the only one they take pictures of. As you can see, I am growing big and strong, and I am getting to know all the other dogs in the neighbourhood - we have "dog-club" on Southsea Common every day and it is like Crufts - whatever that is!! I have also been on holiday to Plymouth a couple of times and I have all of the back of my car to stretch out in and go to sleep! Martin-pet becomes my taxi-driver. So now I have two entire towns that think my name is "Gorgeous!" I have stopped poo-ing and pee-ing in the house and I even went to somebody called "the Mother-in-Laws" for the weekend and even she loves me! There are also two English Mastiffs around, Ringo and Hogan - and we get all the attention. Anyway - got to go now. Hope you like the picture. There are some puppy photos that I promised but the CD from the people who took them has yet to arrive. Lots of love LUCY CLICK HERE TO SEE LUCY'S SISTER ANNIE

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY XXXXXXXXX JULY 4TH 2006

Dear Mum, I MADE IT TO ONE! Happy birthday to me! And Paula-pet has not sent me back yet - RESULT!! Been in a kennel for the past two weeks as Paula and Martin have been on a Cruise around the Mediterranean - so holidays for all of us - although I would rather be at home - more carpet to chew! As promised here are some photos of me - including a photo of a photo (x 2) that we had taken as a family. My favourite other one is the one with all the drool - I had just taken a big drink of water - don't much like this hot weather. I am currently gnawing my way through a big Birthday Bone (no cake coz it will make me fat - but isn't that what I'm supposed to be?). Anyway - got to go now. Will pass more photos again soon. Love Lucy.

LUCY AND HER FAMILY XXX

THANK YOU XX BEST WISHES JOE XXX