Friday 18 February 2011

A letter to my breeders on my first birthday

To: Calum and Mairi Grant
Grandddach Kennels
near Turriff
Aberdeenshire
Scotland.

18th February 2011

Dear Calum and Mairi,

Gail has suggested that I could demonstrate what a well brought up pup I am by writing to you on my First Birthday and saying thank you for starting me off in life so well, and to let you know how I am getting on.

She also thought you might like to see some recent photos. I am a bit worried that you might think my coat looks rather shaggy. All I can say is that it does get brushed almost every day, but we are waiting for warmer weather before the hand-stripping starts again in earnest!




As you can see, I have grown to be a fairly tall and slender laddie, and the patch on my back is distinctive in shape and still quite black. I weighed 15 lb at Christmas, but I think I have put on a bit since then.  When we are out and about in Aberdeen, lots of people stop Gail to say what a handsome chap I am, with such fine markings.

I am a quick learner and it took no time at all for me to figure out that the toilet is outdoors. I easily mastered all that 'sit' 'stay' and 'come' stuff (did you know I won the 'longest sit' competition at puppy class?)  OK I admit it took me a little while longer to comprehend the meaning of 'NO' although the introduction of a 'sin bin' - otherwise the downstairs cloakroom - hastened the learning process. I do still love chewing things, but I have more or less got over my obsession with human feet. I'm afraid Gail has still not quite forgiven me for the cashmere sweater incident....

Good job that you got me used to travelling in the car when I was a very wee pup. I love going on trips with Gail and I have never ever been car sick. In fact, touch wood (that's what humans say, isn't it?) I haven't ever been sick at all; my only trips to the vets have been for vaccinations and a microchip.

I'm so glad that I went to live in a home with a fit and active human who likes taking me for lengthy walks in all sorts of interesting places where I can run free. You have no idea how much energy I have! (Oh, you do, apparently...)

Right from the start, I've always been adventurous and bold and not easily intimidated, although I have now learned that there are just a few very grumpy dogs around, and it is wise to steer clear of them. Gail sometimes tells me off for bullying tiny dogs, but, between you and me, I think the problem is she has difficulty telling the difference between exuberance and aggression!

So anyway, I think that's enough news from me. I have presents to open!  Oh, and Gail has baked me - or rather herself, I suspect - a special birthday cake* (see below).

I do hope all my terrier friends and relatives back at Granddach Kennels are doing well, and wish Oscar the best of luck at Crufts later this year!

Lots of love,
Granddach Beinn Alligin (aka Bertie).

*Thank you too to the Mama of my American sweetheart Katie, for sending Gail the cake instructions. She (Gail) did her best!


PS I believe there is some sort of a birthday party going on this weekend! To find out more, visit Asta or Lacie...

34 comments:

  1. Bertie - Heart congratulations. I expect you'll be going for a long, slow walk on the beach this afternoon to soak up the sunshine.

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  2. Happy, happy Birthday, Bertie. We think your breeders are soooooo proud of you. We know Gail is--even with the cashmere sweater and ID incidents. We've certainly enjoyed the year with you.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

    Surely you will get a taste of cake.

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  3. Happy Birthday Bertie. We are sure your breeder will be most impressed when receiving such a lovely letter.

    Enjoy your cake and see you at teh party................

    Molly, Taffy and Monty

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  4. Hello there, Bertie's breeder Mairi here, I am very touched by your lovely letter Bertie and it is so great and encouraging to hear you are doing so well,you really are a handsome chappie and your mum Gail is doing the most fantastic job with you as well as keeping up this wonderful blog, we get so many comments about your blog, it is a good way for people to see what life is like being owned by a fox terrier!!!
    I am very impressed with your cake, I see your mu is really quite multi-talented! I'm afraid my baking skills are not the best although cooking I can do(just as well with 5 kids and a hungry hubby)
    well I will go for now, thank you for your lovely coments and I hope you can come by see us again soon and bring Gail for a cuppa, we enjoyed your last visit and a chance to steal a wee cuddle whilst pretending to groom you!!!take care and love to both,xxx

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  5. ps- keep your paws crossed for Oscar at Crufts this year!!!!! xx

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  6. Happy first birthday to you little Bertie.
    How very handsome you look in your birthday pics.
    Yes your breeders have done well but can they explain why you have two basset Aunties?
    We rather like the your shaggy look ourselves!
    love
    Your Adoring Aunties xxx
    ps we are also sending some slobber to Gail cos we know this is a bittersweet day, much love xxx

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  7. Happy birthday, Bertie! What a beautiful cake! We hope you get to dig into it soon!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  8. Happy Birthday Dear Bertie - we hope you get a bit of that wonderful cake!!

    XOXO
    Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

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  9. Dearest Bertie,

    Congratulations sweet buddy! A whole year! I can't believe it.
    You have a very talented mom to have baked such a wonderful birthday cake - our mouths are watering.
    Also thank you for the fun recap of your first year. You have grown beautifully and both Gail and your Breeders should be very proud - although I think Gail should get the most credit!

    Enjoy the celebrations.
    With lotsaluv from us all,
    TOBY, TAMMY, TOFFEE AND MAXMOM IN SA

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  10. Happy Birthday, Bertie!!! That first birthday is indeed very special and you were so thoughtful to write a letter to your breeder to thank her for giving you such a good start.

    We know this is a happy/sad day for Gail too -- so please tell her how much you -- and we -- care for her!!! And thank her for sharing you with us!!

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  11. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BERTIE
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
    Did you hear Archie on his accordion?? He has been practicing playing and tap dancing at the same time for the party.. Listen that is a really nice note there and we are very proud of you. Listen she doesn't have to everything right? hee hee although being a breeder of wft's I think she DOES know everything.. The thing we are most surprised about is FIFTEEN POUNDS?????OMG I think we are mutants.. well maybe just me.. well maybe mutant is the wrong word maybe a wee bit plump...well not plump but... IT HAS BEEN WINTER YOU KNOW NOT AS MUCH EXERCISE LEAVE ME ALONE. love Aggie and her brother

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  12. Happy Birthday Bertie!!!!! The girls here all think you are a very handsome chap. I'll see you at the party thanks to Asta. It sounds like a blast. Asta & Lacie really know how to throw parties. ~Fenris

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  13. Happy Birthday, Bertie! Your breeder and Gail have taught you well.

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  14. Hi bertie you dont know me but im the proud owner of a wire hair fox terrier like yourself and i love your blog i must say you are a very handsome dog and hope toby thats our wee foxy can live up to you im sure he will all our family in kirkcaldy wish you a very happy birthday lol the hiltons xx

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  15. Happy Birthday Birtie!! Your mom did a wonderful job on your birthday cake..it is cute and it looks yummy!!
    It sounds like you are a very happy pup and you have a wonderful life.
    Hugs and wags, Mistaya, Maggie and Gail

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  16. Happy 1st Birthday Bertie, you've grow into a hansome wirey fox terrier, Gail's done a great job of your cake, hope you get some, and its not just for all her friends! See Yea George xxx

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  17. Happy 1st Barkday, Bertie!

    Wow has it really been a year? We can still remember seeing your puppy photos!

    The cake really looks yummy! You got a pawesome and thoughtful mom.

    Have a wonderful time celebrating your special day!

    Love,
    Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie

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  18. Happee Birthday dear beautiful Bertie.
    Benny & Lily

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  19. Bertie. And Gail. You realize, don't you, that if we lived closer we'd be making sure to be taking LOTS and LOTS of car trips so that we could run the trails and hills with you. And your cousin Eric. And my GF Sally. And ... surely ... we'd have to go visit Martha and Bailey, too. Sigh. We're glad, since a big pond seems to separate us, that at least we can party together.

    Happy Birthday, young chap. Keep makin' your Gail proud! See ya at Camelot!

    xxoo
    Jake and Fergi

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  20. Oh, yeah. We also would be stopping by Molly and Taffy and Monty's home ... and George. Oh my. What a good lot of four-leggeds you get to share your big island with. (Can ya tell we just sit around and daydream about being there?)

    Again, happy happy birthday. And tell Gail ... it's the range of emotions that make this Life a better thing. We're thinkin' of her.

    xx
    Fergi and Jake

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  21. That was such a nice letter Bertie!! and that cake is to die fur!! So ENJOY and have a very
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

    wags
    Jazzi

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  22. DEew Young Bewtie
    You awe making not only youw Beedews, but especially Gail pwoud. She has taught you well and made suwe you leawned to be a pawfect young tewwiew..so polite, so handsome and fit. Bweeding tells, but having a home wif a loving and smawt Gail has made you the wondewful tewwiew that you awe.
    I'm so happy to be youw fweind and hewe to toast youw good health and a Vewy Happy Biwfday!!!
    Aftew you shawe that bootiful cake wif Gail, huwwy back to the pawty. Youw Katievewe is missing you
    smoochie kisses
    ASTa

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  23. w00fs, Happy Barkday Bertie, what a hansome boy u iz...have fun at ur pawty, that Katie is sure a looker..

    b safe,
    rocky

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  24. Happy Barkday dear nephew. Top of the class for you with your letter to your breeders Bertie! Perfectly wagging dear boy how you managed to control your wired side.They'll never know.

    Paws crossed you had a super smashing day? And ate that scrumptious square cake in one sitting with a nice cuppa after bagging a Munro or two with Gail!

    Wiry love n kisses Uncle Eric xxx

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  25. Happy First Birthday darling Bertie!! We believe you are one of the best behaved WFTs that we know! Your cake is lovely...hope that it tastes as yummy as it looks!! We love you!!!!
    Smooches from pooches,
    BabyRocketDog and Hootie

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  26. Happy 1st Birthday Bertie!

    We think you cake is absolutely fabulous. Yummy!

    Have a great birthday weekend.

    Big Nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

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  27. Happy Birthday Bertie! Wishin you a fun filled time with lots of special treats! Great cake your Mom made! Looks a lot like you! Wonderin how that might affect your psyche eatin a slice of yourself and all ;)

    Waggin at ya,
    Roo

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  28. Happy, Happy Birthday Bertie! What a wonderful letter that was. Your mom has to gets lots of credit too.
    We instructed our mum to come over to wish you Happy Birthday since we are having ever so much fun at your wonderful pawty!
    We must say, you are quite the ladie's man!! Why you and Katie are such a cute couple.
    Enjoy your second year dear boy.
    All the Texas Sundogs hope for your first munro soon.
    Oh one more thing, our mum coud never bake like that. never....quite a cake so good on your mum!

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  29. Happy Bert-day little nephew! Sorry I'm off by a day but I was busy being an amateur therapy dog a la Clive yesterday! I must agree with the Aunties, I saw no mention of either Basset Hounds or Cairn Terriers in your pedigree. I guess we are just your "family of choice!" Enjoy a leftover slice of cake for me!

    Your proud as punch Uncle Petey

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  30. Happy birthday Bertie! You has grown up to be quite the thoughtful chap huh? You is very handsome indeed and very bold too and that a good thing to be. Give Gail some extra birthday kisses and cuddles today ok? See you at your pawty!
    ~lickies, Ludo

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  31. I am sure your breeders are quite pleased with how you turned out. Your furs look great. I love a terrier that is a bit fuzzy.

    Happy Birthday!

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  32. Bertie ... the day is coming to a close in Colorado. It's already the new day across the pond. We hope it all was the most wonderful day for you. We sure enjoyed it ... and we even imagined sneaking a nibble of that scrumptious looking cake. Did you have any room for it after all the food at Camelot? Or was your appetite a low priority? If so ... we're sure there'll be time for more celebrating at home. With Gail. And friends. Just as it should be.

    Happy birthday, once again!
    Love
    Jake and Fergi

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  33. Bewtie
    My lips awe sealed!!!
    Get some good west my deew cousin
    Smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  34. Fowgot to mention that I do not thing you should be in chawge of ouw "hiking" next time, hehehhe
    did you see yestewday the vewy dangewous towew of fuwwfwiends twying to get up that cliff?
    sheeesh
    Just happy no one got huwt
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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