Evolutionary theory and the WFT beard...

I woke up all worried early yesterday morning, concerned I didn't yet have anything sorted out for this week's Nature Friday. 

Gail seemed uncharacteristically reluctant to rouse herself, so I asked to be let out into the back garden.

Can you believe that when I came back inside and jumped on her bed a few minutes later, sporting the perfect Nature Friday material about my person, my owner seemed unimpressed...

Until, that is, I reminded her how Charles Darwin had long ago recognised that animals and birds carrying seeds in their furs and feathers were an important means by which different plant species are dispersed around the globe, and these ideas on species distribution formed a key building block in Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. I can only surmise that the great man omitted to cite the particular case of wire-haired fox terrier beards introducing plant seeds into new environments (such as human bedding) due to his need to publish 'The Origin of Species' ahead of his rival evolutionary theorist, Alfred Russel Wallace.

Happy Nature Friday friends! And huge thanks once again to our dear friends Rosy, Arty, Jakey and Sunny, for hosting our favourite blog hop.

A tale of five houses in England

So I've been away in England for a few days with Gail, visiting various friends and relatives.

First stop was Gail's friends in Cumbria, where we were warned that Dora, their Jack Russell terrier rescue dog, might need putting in her place.

I duly obliged by marking my territory in the kitchen of this rather grand country establishment immediately upon arrival, and all went relatively well thereafter.

Then it was further south to Derbyshire, to the lovely farmhouse where Gail's brother and sister-in-law live, along, of course, with Coco my standard poodle cousin (who is thankfully not as bossy as her late brother Percy). 

I'm pleased to report we had time for a brief diversion to inspect Gail's nephew's recently purchased and very pleasant new home. No animals here (as yet?) but an ever expanding collection of cars which Gail's brother somehow omitted from his photos of nephew and aunt. He also omitted my legs and the lower half of my body, not that I'm being critical of his camera skills or anything...

Onwards  to Nottingham, where I couldn't wait to enter our friend Janet's modest terraced house, as I just knew there would be the warmest of welcomes along with loving attention and plentiful belly rubs. 

I'd have happily stayed longer, but after three days of blissful existence with Janet, Gail said we had one more visit to make, to her friends from prehistoric times university days, who live in Pocklington, a pretty market town in Yorkshire.

Two cats, Jack and Jess, also reside here, one is apparently rather neurotic and it goes without saying that both are very annoying. Although Gail seemed to think it a good thing that I'd tired myself out trying to chase Jess (the non-neurotic one) round the garden, as I subsequently slept soundly all through the night and for the duration of the long drive back to Aberdeen. 

Gail and I are now safely home after six days Down South, both tired but happy to have re-established contact with friends and family, and (maybe) their pets.

Bertie demonstrates the WFT beard swirl

Gail tells me that we are about to set off for England for a few days, to see friends and relatives for the first time in over 16 months. Apparently there is a heat wave Down South and I am supposed to be grateful she just spent an arm and a leg getting the A/C in her car finally fixed, especially for me.

I think I'm worth it, don't you?

Blog service may be interrupted over the next week,

A rarely-reported side effect of the Astra Zeneca jab?

On Saturday morning Gail shut the new glass door in the cottage firmly in my face, ignoring my plaintive look while announcing "I'm just off to see a new neighbour Bertie, I'll be back soon".

Half an hour later she returned and showed me some pictures.

So it seems that my Irish terrier friend Dooley has acquired a new baby brother, also an Irish terrier, eight weeks old and yet to be named.

At this point I think I'm supposed to look delighted and say: "Isn't he a cute puppy. Lucky Dooley". 

Dooley is the same age as me, eleven years old, and he is apparently uncertain about the new arrival.

Gosh I totally understand. I like being the only dog in the house and have always hoped Gail is aware of this.

Well the good news is that apparently Gail does realise that I might not welcome a pesky little sibling. 

But you could have knocked me down with a feather when she revealed something she'd hitherto been keeping secret! Back in March, the day after her first Covid shot, Gail got wind of a new litter of Lakeland terriers and drove 30 miles, deep into the Aberdeenshire hills, to see these wee pups. She even took a couple of photos.

She says the pups were totally adorable, that the owners were responsible breeders etc. etc. and she was very, very tempted. But after sleeping on the matter, and with great reluctance, she decided not to risk my disapproval with an addition to the household.

And now, when people ask Gail if she experienced any side effects after her Covid vaccination, she replies thus:

"Yes, I very nearly bought a puppy!"