Wednesday 2 September 2020

Catching up on the Torridon news


Finally we're back again in Torridon and gosh, it seems there's a lot of news to catch up with. 

So a walk yesterday morning across to Inveralligin and back, which normally takes about 45 minutes, lasted well over two hours and it wasn't all due to me taking time to check out the peemail. 

First we met local crofter Donnie, who complained how the midges had been the worst ever this year. Which at least made Gail a bit less sorry we hadn't been able to spend much time here this summer. (I, Bertie, don't understand why humans make such a fuss about these wee insects - they don't bother me). 

Then there was neighbour Bridget, fairly dancing with glee because, after years and years of trying, she and her husband had finally obtained planning permission to build a new house on their land. Further on, Gail had to stop and check out the local produce, although I opted to steer well clear of the scary scarecrow.

But it was when we stopped by Glyn and Pete's place and heard the dramatic story of the accident which earlier this year befell Shannon, their five year old cocker spaniel, that for a while we forgot all about the passage of time.

If we hadn't caught a glimpse of Shannon happily scampering around in front of her house, we would have feared the worst when told how back in March, during a visit to St Abbs Head*, she had disappeared over a cliff. Pete called the coastguard but it wasn't until an hour and a half later that Shannon was located, severely injured and clinging to life by a thread, on a rock accessible only by sea. A dramatic lifeboat rescue ensued. Shannon's tail wagged on recognising her humans. Thanks to the outstanding care of the lifeboat men and the local vet, and then some high tech surgery in the 'Royal Dick' Hospital for Small Animals in Edinburgh, Shannon survived a broken pelvis, shoulder, ribs and jaw, and much internal bleeding. She was home in Torridon just before the lockdown. And now, quite incredibly, with the help of bits of metal holding bones together here and there, she's back to romping around the Torridon hills, almost as good as new.

Shannon, you are a star!

*You can see pictures of the steep cliffs of St Abbs head in my post from September last year. Gail says if we ever go there again, I'll definitely be on my lead...

17 comments:

  1. Oh nooo... that is such a horrible thing what happened to Shannon... but we are so glad for the happy end... thanks to her vet and the lifeboat crew...

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  2. Hari OM
    OMD - what an adventure of the not wholly desired kind... Poor Shannon... Poor Shannon's peeps!!! Yaaayyy for the life boats!!! (And vets, of course.)

    Meanwhile, glad you are back enjoying Torry and its environs. Hope ongoing projects on track and trouble free. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  3. OMD, poor Shannon! She was such a hero to survive for so long until those hero humans found her! We're glad she's doing okay now.

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  4. You sure had a lot of catching up to do at your cottage. Shannon sure is a lucky dog to have survived all she did this summer.

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  5. Oh, what a terrible thing to happen to poor Shannon, but we're so glad that she has recovered. Just make sure you keep well away from any cliff edge or high places, Bertie, we wouldn't like you to have a nasty fall.
    Good to know you're back in Torridon again - you have such beautiful scenery all around you.

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  6. We are very glad Shannon is doing well, what a harrowing experience that must have been!!

    Enjoy your Torridon Holiday!!

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  7. Poor Shannon, but also very lucky Shannon. We hope she continues to heal well. What a scary thing to have happen.

    Although it was a longer walk than expected, it seems like it was a very newsy one.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  8. That's awful about Shannon but thank doG he's alive and recovering nicely. That is one scary scarecrow, Bertie!

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  9. Bertie I join Gail in her dislike of insects. They all love me especially mosquitoes. I can be in a crowd of 87 people but the 'skeeters only have a taste for me. I'm told they are drawn to folks with 0+ blood...which is my type.

    Poor sweet Shannon...thank goodness to the men and women of St. Abb lifeboat. Yes please you and Gail both stay away from the edge. Heading to the link now
    Hugs Cecilia

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  10. Goodness Me Shannon had an angel on her shoulder as she waited to be rescued.

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  11. You did have loads of news to catch up on! So happy Shannon had a happy outcome. Poor Baby. What an experience for EVERYONE.
    Looks gorgeous at Torridon...love the pictures.

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  12. So much happened. We are grateful to hear about Shannon's recovery.

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  13. OH MY! So glads you took us along on the catch-up Bertie! WOWSA abouts Shannon! She sure is a super star!!! I am so glads she is recovered and the brave Lifeboat peeps and FABulous dogtors and her peeps helped her recover so well!
    Oh, and you are lookin' most handsome my furiend!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  14. Oh MY Goodness. I am so glad that Shannon survived and is playing again. I looked at your photos from last September, and those are huge cliffs. Wowzer!

    I love the background in the scarecrow photo What pretty hills behind the water. You live in such a spectacular place.

    I also just caught up on Bertie's medical news, and I am glad that the tests came back as "normal"!

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  15. Hi hi hi! Ojo here! That's lots to catch up on indeed! I am happy your friend is okay! Also I really like the looks of those Walks. You have the best Walks!

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  16. That was quite a walk, and quite a story about your friend Shannon, we are so glad it had a happy ending! Oh my, that is so scary...you take care on all the cliffs out there Bertie!

    Kiki and Rosie

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