Friday 28 November 2014

FFHT: The forty year wait (a true story)


It's Murphy and Stanley's FFHT time again.

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Once upon a time, there was a little girl, born one foggy November night in Nottingham a long long time ago (1958, to be precise).

From a very early age, this little girl disliked dolls, finding their plastic faces creepy, but she loved her furry animal toys very much. She loved Mr and Mrs Teddy, and Uncle Edward the Elephant. But best of all, she loved her Airedale wheelie dog, even though she cannot now recall his name.


As she grew older she wished more than anything that she could have a real live dog. She would spend hours perusing her 'Observers' Book of Dogs' published in 1961, trying to decide, in her imaginary world, which type of dog she would choose. The entry for the wire-haired fox terrier stated that this was the most popular terrier breed.

Sadly, neither her parents nor her granny nor her brother, all of whom lived in the same house, shared her desire for a pup, and her only childhood pets were Goldie the goldfish (won by her brother at Goose Fair) and Arthur the guinea pig, whose lifespan of eight years may yet be a world record.

Fast forward to 1999, and the little girl is forty years old. After living in London almost all her adult life, a company relocation takes her to Northeast Scotland. She now has a house with a garden, friendly neighbours and a five minute commute to the office.

One evening, she circles a small ad in the Aberdeen Evening Express. "Three year old male Westie needs a new home". She phones the number. A farmer from near Fraserburgh answers. She is too embarrassed to tell him that she only understands one word in five of his strong Doric accent. The story seems to be that the farmer wanted to use the Westie for breeding but then realised the dog was too closely related to the intended bitch. An appointment is made to view the dog. His name is Hamish.

For Gail, things would never be the same after this phone call.

(It was only later it occurred to Gail that farmer's story never made any sense!)

20 comments:

  1. The Story of Hamish. We're so happy her company sent her to Northeast Scotland so her dreams could come true, and continue to come true with you, Bertie!

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  2. Luv dat pic of Hamish in da snow. Nuffin makes a westie look less white dan fresh snow, BOL!

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  3. Goose Fair, Mum remembers it well.
    That Hamish sure was a cutie but them I luffs Bertie as well !
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  4. Crikey ..... what a great story .... and now I know how big those boots were that you had to fill, aye, Bertie. That Hamish bloke sure was good lookin'!! But then ..... your not too bad in the good lookin' stakes yourself!!

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  5. Hari Om
    Dreams DO come true!!! Just think Bertie lad, if Hamish hadn't broken Gail in, we may never have met... always honour the ancestors I say. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

    (pee-ess, mine is on the TOO blog this month again; but from next month it will be on the regular page.)

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  6. Bertie that's a wonderful story. And I'm glad your Gail made the phonecall what changed her life and the life of Hamish. I understand that your Gail disliked dolls as she was a puppy, my mom loved her plushfriends much more too than Barbie and her skinny doofus-friends.
    Easy Rider

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  7. How funny - my Mom was born in Nottingham too but two years later than your mom - but she was lucky enough to have pups in her life from the age of 5.

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  8. Oh my goodness Gail (and Bertie) what a wonderful true story of how Hamish came to be!! Truth be told I bet the farmer was re homing Hamish because he found out Hamish had a fierce loving for Scones!!! MOL MOL MOL
    Lots of hugs and thank you for this story!
    madi and mom

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  9. Hamish is such a beauty! I'm so glad that the girl got her dog. He's adorable.
    www.dogtreatweb.com

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  10. Yes Bertie Dreams do come true.

    Look again!!!!
    I just didn't see you
    hiding in the snow.

    xo Cinnamon

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  11. Hamish was a very special fellow. Just like Bertie.

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  12. Ohh..is this an installment story? We hope so

    gus n teka

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  13. That is such a sweet story. It sounds like a perfect match. ☺

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  14. Oh yeah, things NEVER are the same once there are paw prints on the heart! Well done!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  15. Aaaaawwwww....what a most wonderful story!!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  16. Wonderful story Mr. Bertie! It is neverer too late to make dreams come true.
    There was a wheely Foxterrier with our mom, he had a very special name, Foxy....
    For your scientific research, our ancient guinea pig sister Lenchen was close to 12, the vet did not believe, and brother Lümmel was nine years old.
    Greetings from Luna and Luigi!

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  17. What a great story and a great wheelie. My mom spent hours looking at the dog pictures in the encyclopedia.
    Wyatt

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  18. Howdy Bertie. We loved hearing about your Gail and how she found Hamish. It's always easier being the second or subsequent pup cause the peeps have already been broken in and are easier to train :-)
    No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  19. Thank you for the card . The two clues brought it here quickly and safely !

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