JUST HAD A CHAT WITH THE POSTMAN

I do actually feel a little bit sorry for our postman. He isn't easy for him to get through the gate with the puppies playing around outside. I try to watch out for him, but don't always see him coming up the drive, and I found him this morning looking a little bemused about whether or not to open the gate as the puppies were frantically greeting him by jumping up against it.
So, we had a chat about it and I suggested that we might get a letter box to fit on the wall outside the front door, but just on the other side of the fence. He thought this was a great idea, because he admitted to being afraid of letting the pups out by mistake. In fact he looked really relieved by the suggestion.
I must admit that getting through the gate is a bit of a problem now - and not just for the postman. ANYONE coming to the gate has to negotiate the pups and their toys so needs to proceed with extreme caution.
Visitors also need to consider the matter of suitable clothing to wear around puppies. Christina has absolutely NO IDEA about this. James does SLIGHTLY better than his sister, but hasn't grasped the concept of wearing something 'old and scruffy' when he comes to visit. (Actually it's probably more a case that he doesn't actually POSSESS anything that's old and scruffy) I tend to spend all my time worrying that people's clothes are going to end up in tatters, but, with a bit of forward planning, this could be avoided.
Favourite clothes for puppies (and therefore ones best avoided) are: frayed jeans, shoes with laces, fur trims on anything, buttons, ribbons, open toe sandals, long skirts and baggy jumpers. Tugging on earrings and  necklaces is a particular joy for the pups, so jewellery is better left at home. They LOVE being fussed and will immediately put their front paws up so wearing pretty pastel colours, or your best white shirt, is probably not the best idea.
Actually, reading back through this, I'm aware that all I'm actually likely to do is to put anybody off coming to see us at all. THAT IS NOT MY INTENTION. I just don't want to have to worry about anyone's best designer clothing being ruined by our little monsters. So, please DO come and see us - BUT WEAR YOUR SCRUFFS!!!