New fluffy friends Boris and Heidi

It's been a while since Gail took me to Balmedie Country Park, so I was delighted when she suggested we go there for a Saturday afternoon walk.

We weren't far from the car park when I spotted this very fluffy lady.

I was just about to get up close and personal when we were interrupted by her male companion and I remembered that discretion is the better part of valour.

Gail had a nice chat with their owner and learned that Heidi and Boris are show dogs (they've even been to Crufts), that Heidi comes from Switzerland, and that yes, preparing an Old English Sheepdog for showing is a time consuming business (who knew?)

We parted ways when we reached the sand dunes, but a few minutes later my new friends appeared again in the distance.

Boris came barrelling over, but was called back before we had a chance to make further acquaintance.

Heading towards the beach, I traversed the remains of a fence, apparently built to secure the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Course.

Gosh, and I thought this Trump chap was supposed to be something of an expert in wall building. Looks like he needs more practice. Or maybe not...

Meanwhile, Gail and I are wondering if my new pal, Old English Sheepdog Boris, will soon be seeking a name change...

A lazy dog?

Sunday morning in Duthie Park is 'meet and greet' time and this week I was introduced to a grand new pup called Dexter. 

Can you believe that Dexter is only 14 weeks old and already bigger than me! 

He is, of course, an Old English Sheepdog, a breed we rarely see in these parts. (Gail thinks that might have something to do with the label 'English'.)

When Gail was herself a youngster - actually a stroppy adolescent - in Nottingham, her mother's friend Angela owned an Old English Sheepdog called Nell.

Gail, age 15, and Nell 

I know Gail was very fond of this dog, but still I am thinking that her imitation of Nell's hairstyle was ill-advised. Gail asks in her defence asks how many of her readers can offer photos of themselves as teenagers which feature well-advised hairstyles...

Nell and Angela

Angela herself (a consultant geriatrician) was rather better groomed. 

Nell was a calm and gentle character. She was apparently a reluctant walker, who after about half a mile would tend to sit down and refuse to move further. Worried about this, Angela once took her to the vet to have her checked over. Following a thorough examination, the vet pronounced that there was absolutely nothing amiss with Nell, and added "I'm sorry Dr Truman, I think you've just got a lazy dog"! 

Nell lived on to a ripe old age so we guess the vet was right.