*Guest Post* Nina the English Bull Terrier chats about her trip to Europe

Hi everyone, my human companion Emma asked me to contribute to her blog about our travels around Europe, and share what it's like from a dog's point of view, so here goes....

The three of us on our travels

Firstly, this has been the longest walk ever! Me, Emma and Nick all got into the vehicle, after much to-ing and fro-ing back in September, like we usually do when going out for walk; only this vehicle, the bus, is much bigger than the old one, and we have been and in out of it ever since, and still not been back to the building we used to spend most of the time in. Not that I mind, walks are my favourite thing, alongside chasing cats and finding unusual things to eat. I enjoy being in the bus, I find it easy to fall asleep as we rumble along, and I get fed meals in here, when we stop moving. I have a special room of my own, with a comfy mat, which I can't get out of easily, though I have managed to, once or twice. I can see through the door and it's nice having my own space which no one else comes in.

my room on the bus

Before, when we were mostly in the building, I used to get grumpy when I was tired, if people came too near my bed, which was in a big room; I even had to grumble and make out I would nip at an ankle if someone got too close or was noisy passing me by. I still have the odd whinge, but it's mainly to get attention now, and if I persist long enough sometimes I get a biscuit or a tummy rub.

It was weird when we first started the walk because the bus went inside the belly of a much bigger vehicle and I was left alone in the dark for what seemed liked ages. It was quite noisy and I was swaying about, it made me feel rather sick and I was relieved when eventually we were rolling along like normal. In the new place things are different from before - it's warmer, the smells are different and the other dogs behave differently, some are quite wild while others seem very prim and proper walking alongside their humans unattached, unlike poor me who's usually attached, unless we are somewhere where they say 'it's safe to let her off'. A couple of times apparently it wasn't 'safe' after all, and on those occasions I went off and had loads of fun on my own, chasing cats, following smells, stumbling across super tasty things to eat. Those times, when I was back with Emma and Nick, they appeared both pleased and angry. I don't know, they are hard to work out, humans.

One of many lakes

A few things are a bit unfair, like, loads of dogs are allowed to roam around on their own, some hang about in cool gangs, but I'm not allowed to join them. They can pretty much do what they want, such as explore the bins around town and gather at restaurants gleaning snacks. Some of them look a bit sad and unhealthy though and don't get to enjoy the fun games or get the belly rubs Emma and Nick give me. I also miss Gabriel the young human who used to live in the building with us, it didn't take much to persuade him to let me on his bed regularly and his room was a haven for finding left over Doritos, pizza crusts and such like.

Before we started the long walk I had to go to see the Vet; I like the Vets, you get fed lots of dog bickies and they make a fuss of you. They gave Emma some tablets which I get one and a half of a day, usually in a bit of banana or something nice. It's actually a bit embarrassing - the tablets are to prevent me accidentally weeing, and they work a treat, but as a result I smell to other dogs like I'm, you know, 'on heat'. The upshot is I am getting tons of attention, some of it is a bit full on and sometimes Emma and Nick have to chase dogs away from hanging around the bus or following us on walks. One time I was tied up outside when we were visiting friends and the unimaginable nearly happened, this huge dog called Marley took a bit too much of a shine to me, he was much bigger than me and I managed to crawl under a caravan, which he couldn't squeeze under (thank goodness), and he couldn't get to me - we didn't stay THERE very long!

Making new friends

For a while on the walk, the bus didn't move a lot and Em & Nick got up very early and went out, coming back later then going off again. One day I could hear other dogs playing outside and wanted to join them so I managed to climb out of my room and push open a window by the seat where Nick sits when we move. I got out alright and had great fun that day running around loads of fields, but avoided the areas where I saw people picking things, that I'm told dogs are allowed to eat. The other dogs were very boring and wouldn't join me, instead staying close to their owner's vehicles all day - where's the fun in that?! I couldn't work out how to get back in the bus though, and tried to style it out when I saw Em and Nick coming back, by walking up to them wagging my tail furiously - they were not best pleased, let's put it that way. I managed to get out using the same method a few days later, but after that Nick did something with his tools so I can't get out so easily now.

At the vineyard

Another time, I got told off was when a really tasty aroma wafted past my nose on a walk and I went to check it out. Apparently I was gone for too long and 'can't be trusted'; now I'm only let off the lead if we are on a sea shore or in a wide open space. When I am allowed off, I've devised this game where Nick throws something for me, usually in to a bush, and I go and chase it and bark at the bush. It's great fun and seems to keep us interested and amused - if I'm playing interactive games, there's less chance to get distracted and venture off in search of cats, sheep, goats etc.

There have been a couple of other minor mishaps but nothing we haven't been able to deal with. Where we are currently there are so many cats to chase, the excitement is almost too much bare. A while back I just had to go and explore and since I hadn't been tied up properly outside the shop, I thought what the heck... only the town layout was a bit confusing and after a while I wasn't sure how to get back to the bus; eventually a kind gentleman stopped me and offered me a place lie down in his courtyard, I was thankful for the rest, it was tiring trying to find my way around this new place. When it was dark, much later, Nick came and got me and began shouting joyously; I had a real fuss made of me that night. Like I said before, funny things, humans.

Me and Emma

Well, the walk is still going on and who am I to complain. I'd definitely recommended it to other dogs - most days are different and interesting. I've made new friends and picked up a few scavenging tips from those streetwise dogs 'in the know'.

I hope you've enjoyed hearing my side; I must be going now, its time for walkies.

Nina xx