Regular readers of this blog will know that James and I have had at least one Norwich Terrier living with us in our house since before we were married. First there was Homily, who I loved dearly despite her (or because of her!) quirks, and then we got Gypsy – previously known as our ‘overlap dog’.
Gypsy will be turning 9 this year, and has definitely reached middle age as far as the lifespan of a Norwich Terrier is concerned. I have to admit, she had gotten lazy.
On walks around the local area she would ask to come home as soon as she had, let us say, ‘performed’ for us – and would habitually just dawdle along at my heel rather than having a run and getting some decent exercise as she did when she was younger. We noticed that when she walked with other dogs – we sometimes have one of my mother-in-law’s to stay for various reasons, or she stays with them – that she was much happier to run ahead and be part of a little pack of crazy terriers having fun.
We thought it would be a good idea to look into getting another dog to keep Gypsy company and liven her up a bit. Things worked out really well with timing as we mentioned it to James’s mum who mentioned it to a fellow friend & Norwich Terrier breeder and suddenly we were arranging to meet up with her at the Norwich Terrier Funday in the summer break, and if things went well we would be picking up Katie shortly afterwards – as a Christmas present from James’s mum, no less – which was very kind & generous of her. Needless to say, she didn’t find us terrible dog owners (despite the girls going a bit bonkers with so many Norwiches to play with!) and she agreed we would be able to adopt Katie.
We didn’t tell the girls what was going on at the funday or afterwards, and got all the way to the breeder’s house a few hours away in the car and into her back garden before they had any inkling of what was going on. We were introduced to Katie and as the girls were fussing her I asked them if they would like to take her home with us. To say they were enthusiastic at the idea is an understatement! We had a lovely chat and slice of cake and then said our goodbyes swiftly due to an abrupt rain shower.
Katie happily allowed herself to have a lead clipped on and followed us out to the car as if she had lived with us all of her life, which was slightly hilarious. She literally did not look back to the place and the people she had known all her life, but settled down into a dog cage in our boot quite cheerfully.
She has been with us now for almost six months and has settled into our family very well indeed. As hoped for, she livens Gypsy up on walks and the two of them get along well. It started with Gypsy mostly ignoring her adoptive little sister, but now they curl up together and are often found in the same room together.
Gypsy has always loved me and Lydia a bit more over James & Georgie, and Katie actually prefers James & Georgie over Lydie & I, so it works out really well. She can often be found curled up in James’s lap as he works, and she enjoys spending time in Georgie’s room with her fussing over her. The two of them travel together on the backseat of the car happily – in harnesses and seat belted in of course – and they both love going on car journeys and holidays with us. We have taken them to visit my parents in Wales a few times and Katie hasn’t disgraced herself too badly while staying!
Katie is a very happy and cuddly little dog – as Norwich Terriers almost always are – and is very bouncy and full of energy. She is about three and a half years old & has had some pups in the past, but we have now had her spayed – and she’s had her first haircut now too. Norwiches are typically hand stripped when caring for their coats, but Gypsy doesn’t like it being done, so it is easier to have them both clipped together. We had it done last week and Gypsy looks a bit small and scrawny but Katie just looks like a giant puppy.
I think that we will be a very happy two dog household for years to come, fingers crossed, and I am happy that the two girls get on so well together. We had James’s dad’s dog (Gypsy’s son!) staying for a few weeks in January, and he did cause Katie some upset as he is very attached to James which prevented Katie from cuddling up with her person as much, but other than that she has been very pleased with the family pet lifestyle, even when that consists of Georgie carrying her around like her favourite teddy bear.
Norwich Terriers are a vulnerable breed which is like the Kennel Club version of endangered species. In general they are friendly, happy, fun-loving little terriers. We say it a lot but they really are like the canine version of a teddy bear. If you want to know more about the breed, you can check out the official Norwich Terrier club website.
