Monday 18 June 2018

On and off piste in Glen Tanar



Shall I let you into a wee secret?

It seems that when Gail was looking for a small to medium sized terrier to replace her beloved Hamish the Westie, one key criterion was that the new dog should have legs long enough to enable him to yomp over our heather-clad Scottish hills without difficulty. Apparently on a couple of occasions Gail tried taking Hamish across the upland moors on paths less trodden and ended up carrying all 22 lb of wriggling white fluffiness for much longer than she would have wished.

Little did she know that the bouncy wee puppy she selected to follow Hamish would grow into a strapping fox terrier, tall enough to exceed the official breed standard height to a degree that would disqualify him from Crufts.

In truth we rarely venture off piste on our walks, but yesterday Gail decided on a cross country route which she claimed would be just fine, given all our recent dry weather, and would avoid a long walk through a boring stretch of pine plantation.

Have you any idea how hard work it is, traversing lumpy tussocks of moss and heather, in between which one's paws can sink suddenly and unpredictably into squelchy boggy gullies?

Not to mention that these places are tick heaven.

Frankly I was most relieved when we finally regained the 'boring' forest track.

And happier still when we ended the walk on a nicely soft, smooth and paw-soothing grassy path.

Irrespective of leg length, I am thinking Hamish had the right idea insisting at times on being carried.

Oh and please note that despite my height, I actually weigh a couple of pounds less than Hamish did.

16 comments:

  1. a whft is a fabulous companion for outdoor activities... and the size is perfect for all occasions... they are big enough to jump on and over things and they are small enough to grab them when trouble is on the way and you have to run ;O)))

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  2. Hari om
    Bertie lad, methinks your extra bounce would have served you well! Hugs and wags from Suffolk, YAM-aunty xxx

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  3. Watch out fur those grass seed thingys Bertie...I, wiv my short legs, should stay clear of 'squelchy boggy gullies' butt would most likely dive straight in, my peeps aren't sure if its stupidity or fearlessness!?!?
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  4. It’s not the legs that make the dog but the dog that makes the legs. Or something like that

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  5. Dear Bertie mom totally remembers Hammish as being a bit vertically challenged well unless he was trying to sample a Scone from HG lovely table setting...then Hammish became a Clydesdale.
    You do have one fine set of long WFT legs but alas your Bouncing Tail always catches this Kit Kat's eye.
    I love the scenery you have on your walks
    Hugs Madi your bfff

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    1. Well remembered Madi. But Hamish cheated. He used a chair as a stepping stone!

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  6. So is that why you are called Bouncing Bertie? BOL.

    We wonder if you get lots of "stuff" stuck in your furs when you go across all that moss and heather. We are hoping it doesn't mean bathtime when you get home.

    Have a fun week, Bertie.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  7. Well, Gail probably meant as an exciting walk for you both, Bertie. It sure beats the boring one that I have twice a day round the neighbourhood. It's getting that we shall have to get up really early to avoid the heat - over 30º by 9 a.m. this morning! Back to getting up at 6 a.m. to make the most of the early morning cool.

    Hope your paws are still OK after all that yomping !

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  8. We can just imagine the amount of 'stuff' Hamish would have collected and brought home on his undercarriage...requiring lots of work to untangle it!

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  9. She better take care of the Master, Bertie and those precious feets
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  10. looks like quite the hike! I think you are right Bertie. Agility is really fun and Rally is fun but yes Obedience is rather boring
    hugs
    Mabel

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  11. What a great job Bertie! The ticks are starting to become a problem on our hike too!
    xoxo,
    Rosy, Jakey & Arty

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  12. Hi hi hi! Ojo here! That sounds FABULOUS! I LOVE off piste! (Although I did not know it was called that fancy word. I just call it bouncing through the grass and bushes.) Long legs are the BEST - do yours run fast like mine do?

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    1. In my mind I am fast, but Gail says compared to my collie and spaniel friends I am actually rather slow...

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  13. Bertie - When traversing a gorse covered moor height is an advantage.

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  14. A clear and convincing argument for being carried!

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