So much has happened! We went up to the kennels above Merthyr on Saturday. It was great to see Sue, and she was very happy to see Andy looking so happy and healthy. She also thanked us for the photos we had sent - they like to see the happy endings. Anyway, out bounced the prettiest, daintiest little cute greyhound bitch. She danced out of the yard and sniffed Andy. He sniffed vigorously back and they did all the doggy getting to know you routine. We had a nice chat with Sue about her history while patting her, then Sue reappeared with her paperwork and said "Well, it's nice to see she's found a good forever home - she'll have a good life with you." So, without any further ado, here we are, now with two hounds.

She is much smaller than Andy, with a very dainty, pretty little head. Very chilled, very friendly. Hopped straight in the car without any problem and has made herself completely at home in the house. Good on the lead. She is seven years old, and has previously been used for breeding and is a bounce from a previous home as apparently she chased a sheep. On returning back home, we took them for a walk over at Tredegar House, and gave her a bath as she had that kennel smell. Her coat is lovely, very soft and silky and now she is a lovely clean girl. So far I've referred to her as she - her name is either Beauty or Bootsie - we've compromised on Booty (as in Shake your>...!!). I had hoped to change it to Buddug perhaps but having met her that is so unsuitable as she is clearly such a girly girl.

Last night we left them together in the house while we went out for a meal down the Bay. Tried Garcon, the new brasserie run by the same people who run Le Gallois which is one of our fave restaurants. This was well up to standard. We were lucky enough to have an outside table looking out at the thronged area below and the water, and it was a truly beautiful evening. Had a vol au vent au fruits de mer - yes the 70s icon is back and judging by that performance it's welcome. A delicate basket of puff pastry enclosing a mountain of delicious seafood, scallops, mussels, salmon etcc.... yum.... Wonderful French waiting staff and a really good wine list which we got stuck into. Afterwards, went for a romantic stroll and returned home to sit in the garden in the twilight, dogs nearby, bats swooping, stars emerging, water gurgling, fantastic......... just what you want on a summer evening.

This morning took them over Tredegar House again before it got too hot. Called in at Pets at home for a collar tag and another bowl for her. Went to Tesco for our weekly shop and did some purchasing this afternoon via the net. Ordered some beautiful custom made hound collars from "Around the Hound" - check out their website if you like lovely dog collars. Also had fun measuring them while Andy attempted to run off with the string, then ordered them some hound coats, a lightweight rain coat and a fleece lined winter coat for each of them. While at P at H, also bought some squeaky toys. Booty not interested at all, Andy has already desqueaked one and is busy with another, having a whale of a time.

I attach some photos of Booty and Andy, and the young master out the garden earlier, eating some crevettes with garlic mayo. Needless to say, watched with great interest by four beautiful brown eyes.