Poppy has acquired a number of special new powers over the last couple of weeks. She’s managed to jump onto the sofa, she’s humped a well-stuffed squeaky duck, and she’s demonstrated an uncanny ability to mimic Robert Plant. The last one happened one morning when we were engrossed in DIY, laying a new laminate floor in the lounge. An old Led Zeppelin track was playing on the radio at just the same time as Poppy decided she’d been in her crate a little too long, and as Mr Plant started to wail at the top of his voice, so did Poppy. It was remarkably difficult to tell them apart, I couldn’t help wondering if the next copyright lawsuit to be brought against Led Zeppelin could be filed by a Beagle.

In between exploring her new found powers, Poppy’s been learning commands (she’s now got sit, down, wait, leave and giving a paw) and enjoying her walks with Beanie & Biggles. Both members of the A-Team have grown used to having Poppy with them on walks now, and the three of them are really looking like a pack. Poppy often ends up trotting along between them, and sometimes I think she has an extra swagger to her, like the child of a mafia boss flanked with two gun toting heavies.

Prior to getting Poppy we assumed that most friction would occur with Beanie, as two females in a pack often seems to be the trickier combo. As things have turned out, a bond seems to be growing between Beanie & Poppy, and it’s Biggles who’s having the hardest time accepting the youngster. He’s fine with her on walks and in the garden, but we still have to be very careful if she’s loose in the house. That said, Poppy has joined The Bigglet on a couple of important woofing missions recently (sorting out the neighbors’ dogs through the fence, rebuking delivery guys) and he seemed to enjoy having the backup, so I think there’s scope for improvement in the near future.

We’re still amazed by how affectionate Poppy is; Beanie & Biggles were never such cuddle monsters!