It’s been a big month in Lucy’s world since my last post, and it feels like a whole new world has opened up for her since she became fully vaccinated on 19 October 2026 at just 12 weeks old.
We'd been expecting to wait until she was around 16 weeks before she could start exploring further afield, but advances in puppy vaccination protocols meant Lucy only needed two vaccinations, followed by a two-week wait after her second needle, before she was free to start adventuring!
For weeks we'd been sticking close to home, exploring the garden, perfecting our shark-avoidance techniques, and patiently waiting for the day she could safely experience a little more of the world. And so now, she's finally able to discover some of the places that make living on the south coast so special!
First Café Visit
Lucy's first café visit on 19 October was a great success!
We’d done lots of mat training with Lucy’s first her in anticipation of our first trip out in public, choosing La Botanic as our destination - a cute little café in Albany that makes the best bagels.
With so many new sights, sounds, smells and people, and the café being located right beside a quite busy road, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. But she loved it!
There were, of course, a few attempts to investigate chair and table legs and anything else within nose reach, and she wanted to say hello to every passer-by and fellow café customer she spotted - including having her first interaction with the local police!
Don't panic though! They'd been to the supermarket down the road and were only too happy to stop and give her some positive reinforcement, nd Lucy was equally happy to receive the attention! Overall, though, she seemed quite content to simply watch the world go by.
After finishing our drinks, we took her for a walk up Albany's main street, stopping at the newsagency where she was invited inside. There, she gracefully (or perhaps very enthusiastically!) accepted some treats and happily introduced herself to a few more admirers.
It was lovely seeing everyday things through her puppy eyes. What seems completely ordinary to us is brand new and fascinating to her. 💞
First Trip to the Beach
Living in Albany means we're surrounded by beautiful beaches, so Lucy's first visit on 20 October to one of our favourites, Mistaken Island, was something I'd been looking forward to for weeks!
She took walking on the sand completely in her stride and loved chasing bits of seaweed as they tumbled down the beach in the wind. Naturally, there was also plenty of digging involved, along with searching for shells and investigating anything else that caught her attention.
She was curious about the waves, but also a little unsure of them. In fact, the only time she actually got wet was when she became so engrossed in her digging that she didn't notice a rogue wave sneak up behind her. It washed right over her back end and promptly filled in the hole she'd been working so hard on!
Needless to say, she abandoned both the hole and her excavation project very quickly!
Next time we head down there, I think we'll have to be prepared to get our feet wet too and show her that the water isn't quite as scary as she thinks. After all, she's a Labrador, so surely it's only a matter of time before she discovers just how much fun the ocean can be!
First Bush Walk
On 29 October, for Lucy's first bush walk adventure, we headed out to Luke Pen Walk at Kalgan, on the banks of the beautiful Kalgan River.
First, we found a shady spot and enjoyed a picnic lunch, with Lucy very happily joining in and having her lunch there too. I think she was quite pleased with the arrangement!
The walk itself was a wonderful introduction to the bush for her. There were so many new smells to investigate, leaves to inspect, and sights to take in. Every few metres she'd stop to thoroughly sniff something interesting, and I was happy to let her take it all in. Then, when I said, "OK, walk on," she'd lift her head and happily continue along the trail with me. I was so proud of how well she listened, especially with so many exciting distractions around her.
The trail follows the Kalgan River through beautiful bushland, and it felt like the perfect place for Lucy to begin her bushwalking adventures. She seemed completely in her element, happy to be with her family, and taking everything in with that wonderful curiosity that puppies have!
By the end of the walk, we had one very content and very tired little Labrador! Between the picnic, the new smells, and all the exploring, I'd say Lucy's first bush walk was another great success!
During these little trips out, I wouldn't say I gathered a great deal of pattern inspiration, as I was far too busy watching Lucy discover her new world. But that's okay. Sometimes it's enough to simply enjoy the moment. Here's to many more adventures together, and all the creative inspiration that will no doubt come with them! 🐾💕
