A sad week for Duthie Park dogs

Oh dear Gail, it has been a sad week hasn't it? First, on the train back to Aberdeen last Monday, you had the text from Yvonne saying how flat-coated retriever Jake had been put to sleep, his cancer having become too bad to treat or bear. And then yesterday morning we saw Sheila in the park and she beckoned us over to tell us that her wee schnauzer Sadie had died of a stroke two days ago.

Yes, our morning walks in the park won't be quite the same without those two 'regulars', will they Bertie?

You know Gail, I don't feel so bad about Sadie, 'cos she was very old, and had been blind through diabetes for at least a year hadn't she? So one understood that her life would soon come to an end. But poor Jakey. He was only two years my senior, and a few months ago he was still rampaging around with the energy of a pup. It seems all wrong that he's no longer with us.

(Gail pauses a moment before replying).

Bertie, you're right. Of course Sheila will miss Sadie a lot. She's not been so well herself - remember how we walked Sadie last year when Sheila was in hospital -  and she lives alone. I think Sadie gave her a reason to go out for a walk everyday and talk to all the other dog owners. But do you remember what Human Granny said when HGD died? That his life had run it's full course. So it was with Sadie. It's much harder to accept when someone close dies too young. 

Oh dear Gail, you are looking sad now. Are you thinking of your friend Kate? Let me come and sit on your lap and give you a lick.

Bertie, you are such a comfort. Oh I do hope you are blessed with a long terrier life. 

Caring for Jake

It is confirmed that my flat-coated retriever neighbour (and erstwhile foe) Jake has a horrid cancer in his leg and shoulder. He is receiving something called 'palliative' care. That means he needs lots of pals to care for him, right?

I saw him in the park today and gave him a goodwill sniff.

I think he appreciated it, but he also indicated he wanted to be left alone, which is OK, 'cos there's a whole world out there to sniff, isn't there pups?

P.S. You still have plenty of time (well, a few days anyway) to submit your entry for the 'Darwin-lite Award' competition. Closing date 30th June. For details, click here.

Reconciliation…

Historic handshake between Prince Charles and Gerry Adams 19 May 2015 

Do you remember that incident last September when my neighbour, flat-coated retriever Jake, took a chunk out of my left side?

It was so scary, but you know what? Almost before Gail had time to say thank goodness he's insured, my shoulder had healed up and I was back to my usual bouncy self.

I see Jake quite often (he lives nearly opposite after all, and we both take morning constitutionals in Duthie Park) and he has been friendly enough, although I am of course a little wary around him still.

But just lately I have noticed that Jake, who is only two years older than me, has been limping and seems rather listless.

This morning Gail and I learned that he has a tumour on his leg. His humans don't know much more at the moment but it is such a worrying time for them.

Oh poor Jake, I do hope he will be OK. If Prince Charles and Gerry Adams can forgive and move on, then surely Jake and I can settle our differences too?

I would like to bounce across to Jake's house right now and give him some soothing licks, but Gail says bless your dear little terrier heart Bertie only perhaps it's best if you hold back for the moment and let me take charge of administering the hugs and cuddles.


PS Gail wonders if Prince Charles ever heard about Gerry Adams' favourite dog-related hobby? In serious times, our humans can be so trivial...

Reconciliation

I know I’m a bit late with this, but did you watch the Queen’s Christmas Day message? 

No, me neither, but I gather the theme this year was ‘reconciliation’.

So being a loyal subject (and still, Your Maj, hoping for that invite to spend the weekend at Balmoral with the corgis...) I am going to tell you about my own personal efforts at reconciliation, which took place a few days ago, on New Year’s Eve and were, by and large, successful.

We were back in Scotland, but not at home in Aberdeen. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t quite sure where we were heading, as Gail drove up the A9 then through Inverness and several miles beyond.

I must say it all looked rather promising when I saw this sign through the car windscreen and Gail said, “Nearly there Bertie".

We finally arrived at an unfamiliar house, but the moment I set paw on the front doorstep I picked up an all too familiar scent.

Imagine my horror when who should come galloping down the drive but my nemesis, flat-coated retriever Jake. Yes, he who inflicted those horrid wounds on my shoulder last September.

Jake’s master Neil quickly grabbed him by the collar and I nervously edged past them and into the house.

It turned out we were staying the night and celebrating the New Year with our Aberdeen neighbours Neil and Yvonne at their Highland retreat in the woods near Kiltarlity.

I have to say I was feeling a little tense at first, and stayed close to Gail. I noticed that Neil was keeping his hand near Jake’s collar, which was reassuring.

As the evening progressed, the humans relaxed as they emptied a bottle of Prosecco, then a bottle of Merlot, and then, as midnight approached, the Glenmorangie appeared. Jake and I caught the increasingly mellow mood, and when Gail suggested Yvonne take a group photo I only growled a little at being made to stand closer to Jake than I would have preferred.

(I fear Gail is looking just a teeny wee bit squiffy here….)

Next morning, we all went for a walk in the woods, Jake and I both off the lead, without incident.

So, not exactly best buddies yet, but there was at least some sort of a rapprochement.

Addi and Bertie's Halloween revenge on Jake

Oh I was so thrilled to learn that my sweetheart Addi was coming over to join me on a Halloween adventure again this year.

Now I'm sure my readers will remember how I got hurt by my flat-coated retriever neighbour Jake back in September?

And I'm equally sure you will agree with me that he needed teaching a lesson, big time.

Of course, my wonderful best girl was keen to back me up.

When our humans first heard of our plan, they suggested Addi and I wear masks and frighten Jake that way. And just to humour them we agreed to try them on.



However, as some of you will already be aware, Addi and I have at our disposal a weapon far scarier than pathetic little face masks.

Yes, we have The Tank.

It was all guns blazing as we set off in search of Jake.


We had received special intelligence that Jake (the coward), on hearing Addi was in town to help me out, had barricaded himself up inside what he mistakenly imagined was a safe house.


It didn't take Addi and I long to sniff him out...




Oh and isn't Addi looking gorgeous! I think she even might have added some muscle since I last saw her. So magnificent in every respect. I could have stood there all day admiring her big boned perfection. But we had work to do.

To find out what happened next, you need to click here to go to Addi's blog.

Traumatic end to my Saturday walk

Oh dear, oh dear, I do hope Gail will forgive me and understand I didn't mean it.

You know, I like my blog posts to be honest, and to give my readers a true picture of what's been going on in my life, but I can scarcely bear to write about this.

I feel so very very badly.

And it had been such a lovely walk, along the River Dee with neighbour Yvonne and her flat-coated retriever Jake. Jake and I are not exactly best pals, but we generally rub along together quite happily. And it was such a pretty afternoon, although you'll have to take my word for it as Gail forgot her camera.

In retrospect I'm wondering if Jake was envious 'cos I was allowed in the front of Yvonne's car with Gail while Jake was confined to the boot.

Anyway, it was all peace and goodwill until we arrived back in our street and got out of the car.

Really I don't know quite how it happened or what I did to make Jake so cross.

All I know is that Gail and Yvonne were standing in the street nattering on as usual, then all of a sudden Jake had me by the scruff of the neck and was shaking me quite hard. I shrieked and squealed and Gail tried to prize me from his jaws but he wouldn't let go and in my utter panic I bit her arm and then Yvonne managed to pull Jake away.

It happened so quickly.

Gail checked my neck for signs of injury, but found none.

She insisted that her arm was OK, only bleeding a wee bit, nothing that a good soaking of Dettol couldn't sort.

Later she noticed an open wound on my side, and out came the Dettol again.

Oh dear but I feel just terrible, and not because of my injury.

How could I have hurt my precious human? She is the world to me.

Back home, I made sure I stayed close by her all evening, giving her cuddles and letting her know that I was so very sorry.

I tried to lick her hurt arm better, but soon understood that this was not appropriate behaviour.

Lying beside her on the sofa, my legs started to tremble and I couldn't stop them, and Gail made a phone call.

Oh dear, I do hope she wasn't arranging for me to be adopted.

I didn't want to want to go out for my late evening comfort walk. I really didn't. I felt scared.

Sunday morning update from Gail: poor Bertie is still very out of sorts this morning, and his side is apparently sore, so we are off to the emergency vet clinic later today.

Drama, drama, drama! (A weekend exchange of emails)

Saturday 9th March
Subject: Missing you 

Hi Bertie,

Boy am I missing you here in Nottingham. Won't be flying down again until the airline starts letting dogs on board. Without you to cuddle and to give me an excuse to escape the house for a walk every morning, I feel quite the grumpy old woman. But Human Granny and Grandad send you hugs. Sometimes I think they'd rather it was you who came to visit and me who stayed behind in Aberdeen.

Anyway, here is a photo of HGD watching the rugby on TV.

I don't think he knows any longer which country plays in blue and which in green, nor who is winning, but at least he settles down in his favourite chair and seems happy enough experiencing the familiar pattern of action. Unlike last night when I tried to view Crufts - it was the toy dog judging - and he became all agitated and kept asking "Gail, what are we going to do about this?" Maybe he would have preferred to see the terrier class.

Oh and another reason I wish you were with us. Do you remember how on your last visit to Nottingham you were busy inspecting the hole under the hedge by which the badgers had entered the garden?

And how you vowed to scare away the invaders to prevent them from digging up HGD's once so lovingly tended lawn?

Well the bad news is that Mr Brock and his gang have been back on the rampage and the grass is even more messed up than ever.

Anyway, I am sure you won't be worrying too much about that while you are 400 miles away and being treated royally by Marie-Thérèse and by Jakey's Mum and Dad in my absence.

Looking forward SO MUCH to seeing you tomorrow night.

Love and cuddles,
Gail.



Sunday 10th March
Subject: Drama, drama, drama!

Hi Gail,

Wow Gail you have NO IDEA what excitement we had on our street yesterday morning!

Never mind the badgers!

I'm sure that Jake's Mum will tell you all about how I protected her and Jake's Dad from a drunken but harmless inadequate highly dangerous criminal whom they found hiding in the back of their car. And how Jake and I were put on guard duty while the police were summoned. You can guess how this evil man was terrified into submission after I barked and barked and barked at him. Really, Jake might be bigger than me, but I think we all know who can sound the more ferocious.

I understand that rewards are often given for heroic acts of valour. A medal or something. So far, I have to say, I have not received a even a gravy bone for my considerable efforts. Perhaps, on your flight back, you could think about how to remedy this......

Oh yes and that was a very nice photo of HGD, but I might just point out it would have been greatly improved had a certain exceptionally brave fox terrier been lying there and warming poor HGD's always cold feet.

Just a thought.

Toodle pip!
Bertie.

Jke's birthday party

So I was all set to bed down on Wednesday evening after a tough session at Agility, when Gail clipped on my lead and said "look sharp Bertie,we're going to a party".

I had almost forgotten that my flat-coated retriever neighbour Jake's was six today. And  I couldn't believe my flappy little ears when Gail said that I was invited to the birthday celebration too.

Really, Gail is always running across the street and coming back with mouth-watering reports of meals cooked for her by Jake's Mum, a vibrant, friendly lady whose Jewish mothering instincts are delightfully well developed in all matters pertaining to food. Sadly all too often I am left home alone on the grounds that "two intact male dogs in a confined space is not a harmonious combination", apparently. Something about an excess of testosterone.

Talking of which, does having a Jewish mum make Jake Jewish too? And if so, quite how intact should he be....?


Well discretion being the better part of valour, I decided not to inspect Jake's nether regions too closely. After all he is a lot bigger than me.

And anyway there was a most delicious smell coming from the kitchen counter.


Sadly, Jake's birthday muffins were only for the humans.



Oh and in case you are thinking that Jake's Mum's spelling does not match up to her cooking, I should explain that one of her human offspring had gobbled up the 'A' muffin earlier.

Despite the disappointing lack of dog treats,  Jake and I had a most companionable time. I only growled at him once.



I also explained to Jake that I'd bought a stuffed fox for his birthday 'cos I felt a bit sorry for him, not being a fox terrier and all, and how I thought perhaps having his very own fox to tear apart, or even just to retrieve (so boring), would be the next best thing.

True to form, silly Gail of course forgot to take any photos of my so carefully chosen gift.

PS Gail would like to apologise in advance for any offence caused by Bertie's sketchy understanding of Jewish cultural practices. After all, he is only a dog. 

Biking Bertie?

Quietly assertive or just plain bossy?

Do your humans ever make the mistake of assuming that just because they are friends with someone, then you will automatically be best pals with that person's dog...

It doesn't always work like that does it?

It might look from the photos above that, when Gail went for a walk in Glen Tanar with her friend Yvonne on Sunday, Yvonne's flat-coated retriever Jake and I were getting along just fine. I think that's the impression Gail sought to create with her highly selective camera work.

Let me list for you some of the pictures that could have been taken but weren't.

In my house before we left:

• Jake eating my food
• Jake drinking my water
• Jake laying on my bed
• Jake monopolising my spot by the radiator
• Jake tearing the nose off my favourite stuffed Newfie dog

En route to Glen Tanar:

• Jake peering over from the boot of the car in an irritating manner
• Me on Gail's lap in the front seat, barking loudly in response
• Yvonne driving, gloating "isn't my Jakey a good, quiet dog?"

Out walking in the forest:

• Jake unfairly taking advantage of his longer legs to beat me in a race through the undergrowth
• Jake after a swim, shaking himself dry all over me (and Gail, and Yvonne)
• Jake stealing the stick I was chewing from OUT OF MY VERY MOUTH!!

But you know what irritated me more than anything? Overhearing Gail say to Yvonne; "Isn't it fascinating the way Jake is so calmly and quietly assertive".

FASCINATING!?  Grrrrrhhh

Here are some Jake-free better photos from the walk. (We stayed in the glen 'cos it was too windy to go climbing any hills).

 w

PLEASE LET ME INTO THE TEA SHOP!

PS from Gail: should any readers ever visit Royal Deeside, I thoroughly recommend the 'Sign of the Black-Faced Sheep' café in Aboyne for the most delicious post-walk cakes! 

Fine weather, fresh air, friendship, freedom, fun and frolics

Thank you friends for all your fascinating comments to my last post, providing so much invaluable  - and in some cases yes, highly novel - data for my big scientific project! Please, if you didn't already tell me about your 'canine indicators of Spring', there is still opportunity.

Meanwhile, I have been enjoying some leisure time in Glen Dye with my pal Jake. We have heard about a golden retriever who was bitten by an adder in these parts, but all we saw was sheep. The hill in the background with the nipple on top (a well known Aberdeenshire landmark) is Clachnaben.