The drama of our February weather has given way to dreary grey skies so far this month.
I paused to pose amid the ferns and mosses, although even these have lost their usual vibrant green just now.
So Gail and I were doing a wee circuit of the neighbourhood the other afternoon when we ran into our friends Martin and Freda.
Freda has been shielding and only now that she's had her vaccine is she starting to venture out and about. She and Gail had a long chat. A very long chat in fact, and to be honest most of it passed me by as I focussed on sniffing the base of a nearby lamppost.
But my flappy little ears did prick up when I heard Freda (who is a keen amateur artist) remarking on my extreme handsomeness and then saying she's been experimenting with drawing animals and she'd like to try a sketch of 'Bertie in repose'. She asked could Gail perhaps send her some photos as a starting point.
Freda said she'd requested the same of another friend and commented, with a note of surprise in her voice, how this friend had emailed her twelve images of her wee Jack Russell terrier Freddie.
Well I was surprised too. I mean twelve images seems scarcely enough, I would have thought. Why then did Gail reply thus? "Don't worry Freda, I won't send you that many".
Below are the six (yes, a mere half dozen) photos which Gail sent Freda.
I am hoping I get to see the final result of Freda's endeavours.
And of course, if none of the above images provides the necessary inspiration, we can always send her a few hundred more...
When you have a load of snow and then it all melts quite suddenly, your human might be tempted to venture out on her bicycle and leave you home alone.
In so many ways, this is never ever a good idea.
It has come to my notice that in these times of lockdown there is a good living to be had as a fitness trainer, and I am thinking that I might have something to offer in this expanding field.
Tell me, does your human ever struggle to keep up with you when out on walks?
Well I have an infallible method of incentivising mine to get the old cardiovascular system pumping away.
You race well ahead, making like you're chasing a deer or something. You feign deafness, and as your human's shouts become louder and more panic-stricken, you step on the gas.
For sure they will sooner or later be compelled to ignore all those things they learned in puppy school about never ever running after your dog while trying to recall them...
Of course it is important to judge things right so you provide your human with a good workout while not making them so cross that treats are not forthcoming.
Who's for PE with Bertie then? A full body workout - sprinting, frantic arm waving, exercising vocal chords too - guaranteed!
PS Photos taken last week. Our snow has mostly melted now.
...and I couldn't be happier!
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The week begins at dawn in Duthie Park |
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Tuesday sees a trip to Dunecht Estate |
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Where I roll in the snow |
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And yet more snow falls |
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I pause for a snack... |
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... while Gail warms up |
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Snow deepens as we reach Dunecht House |
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And I audition for Abominable Snowdog |
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Back home, this is the scene on our street |
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On Wednesday I meet a handsome friend in the park |
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Then pose by the frozen River Dee on Thursday |
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Ice is nice, right? |
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I end the week in a blur of joy! |