This post is all about Boola. Readers will recall that we've been doing our Kennel Club classes. After successfully doing our Bronze, Caroline our lovely tutor invited us back to do the Silver Award. The classes have been going very well, although we had to miss one when we were away in Cornwall. Anyway, last night was the moment of truth - the examination. I was nervous although Boola of course was his usual relaxed self and prepared by getting in some nap time after we came back from our morning walk. Unusually for a Tuesday night, Andrew was here so he waved us off when the time came. I hate being late for important appointments (well I just hate being late) so left in very good time. As is usually the way, this meant that every single traffic light was on green and we got there in record time! Of course, when time is against you, you can guarantee that's when the lights will all be on red and the traffic will be a nightmare.

As well as the examination, it was an opportunity for me to return a book to Caroline that she had lent me the previous week, a textbook on dog welfare that she had found useful and thought I would enjoy. I did, and am now ordering it from Amazon.

We went through the various elements of the test, starting with the two minute Stay. Boola of course always comes to class with his own sheepskin rug which makes this part of the test a dream once he is nicely settled. Like most greyhounds, he gets down on to his rug and stretches out and is then relaxed for ages. Several other people have found that a blanket or coat on the floor really helps with the Stay - I can't blame the dogs, it must be a lot more comfortable and inviting than a cold, hard church hall floor.

The hour simply flew by, especially as we had to do outside elements as well, including a demonstration of getting into a car and our road walk where dogs show that they can be walked in an urban environment full of interesting distractions. Suddenly it was over, and Caroline was dashing about with certificates and rosettes - Boola had passed. The hour had over-run slightly and another class (the Bronzes) were waiting to come in. So without further ado, it was time to go home, pausing only to give Caroline a thank you card and gift on the way out.

Home, and Andrew had baked a couple of pizzas I had made earlier in the day and opened a bottle of wine. Boola had some roast chicken and promptly fell asleep. I sat there contentedly munching my pizza and admiring his new rosette. The certificate will be framed and will join his Bronze one in the downstairs loo. Caroline will be running some Gold classes so I will have to decide if we want to do those - the syllabus looks pretty tough. She also mentioned training as an award assessor - something else to consider.

I was shattered last night and slept like a log. We woke early this morning and got the dogs over to Tredegar for a lovely early walk. The sun was rising as we were travelling over there and gave everything that wonderful rose gold glow you get at this time of the year - trees looked as though they were on fire. The park was quiet and Boola enjoyed running around sniffing everything although we didn't see any squirrels, much to Andy's disappointment. As a special treat for Boola, we served their favourite breakfast when we got home - I fried two packs of liver and served this with their kibble. After that the entire pack has spent the morning in a state of deep relaxation on various sofas - greyhound happiness exemplified.