A proper birthday celebration!

"Can it really be ten years?" Gail exclaimed this morning when she woke up.

I looked at her expectantly. Although past experience has taught me not to raise my hopes too high. 

Then Gail gave me a big hug and said "Happy tenth birthday darling Bertie! Look here's your present and card and we'll have a special birthday tea later when I get home from work." 

So after she left I had time to read the message in the card, and then I dozed off (us senior dogs do like our naps) and waited for her to return.

It seemed an age, but for once the wait was worth while. A two course celebratory supper!

First course was home made ox liver biscuits garnished with a choice of soft cheese, peanut butter or marmite.

(Why don't I get peanut butter more often?)

Then for afters, it was a black pudding special.

Liver and black pudding all in one meal!

Does life get any better?

Christmas tree shopping with benefits

So at first light on Saturday morning Gail drove us out to Tyrebagger Forest on the edge of Aberdeen, where the Forestry Commission holds a big annual Christmas tree sale.

It is always super good fun, although selecting the right tree is of course a serious business.

We weighed up the pros and cons of the different tree types.

Gail decided on a Norway spruce this time, because they have a stronger fragrance than the 'non-dropping' Nordmann firs. (As if you could improve on a house smelling of damp dog..…)

I did also notice the spruces were cheaper, and, having spotted that the 'Tomintoul Venison' truck was open for business, I secretly nurtured a hope that there would be change left so we could share something tasty from their breakfast menu.

 

Well of course we spent ages choosing the right sized and shaped spruce. For some reason, Gail said I was not to engage in any 'tree christening' activities, although I have to tell you there were plenty of other pups present who had apparently not been so instructed. 

But gosh I was disappointed when, tree purchase made, Gail dragged me past the venison vendor, saying; "come on Bertie, let's go for a nice walk in the forest while we're here".

But you know what? It all came good in the end, and after a nice (i.e. muddy) walk, we returned to 'Tomintoul Venison' and Gail ordered a black pudding roll for us to share. OK, I admit, in an ideal world it would have been a venison burger, but Gail came out with one of her bizarre food-related diktats, and declared it "too early in the day" for that. I guess the sun was not over the yardarm or something.

So, best Stornoway black pudding it was. With a dab of ketchup.

And I am not one to look a gift horse (or pig) in the mouth. 

Spoilt for choice

So many birthday presents:

Black pudding

Toys

Cards

(The roses were in memory of Hamish).

Oh and I haven't forgotten that I'm supposed to be telling you about agility class. Let's just say for now that it's a good job I can follow what instructor Gordon is saying, 'cos Gail doesn't seem to understand a word he utters...

More on that later in the week.  Promise.

Black pudding, an explanation

It seems I have mystified some of my non-British readers with reference in my previous post to 'black pudding', one of our great national delicacies, and Gail says I owe you an explanation. The first thing to know is that, in the same way that 'spotted dick' is not a....... (oh, perhaps we won't go there, google it if you must!), well anyway, I was going to say, black pudding is not a dessert. It's a sort of breakfast sausage, and the main ingredient is pig's blood. It's really really yummy. I guess my wise Aunties Martha and Bailey must be correct when they say that it would make a mess if placed inside a trouser pocket, although have they not heard of polythene bags?

Gail also says that I don't have long on the computer today as we had a very busy weekend and now she has lots of work to do, but she has allowed me to upload a couple of pictures from Saturday of me playing nicely (it can happen) with my neighbour Jockie.

PS from Gail: I want certain doggies out there (I think you know who you are) to be aware that I am very worried about your comments regarding Bertie's behaviour at puppy class. I feel you are being a 'bad influence' and I have told Bertie that I may have to ban him from blogging unless he finds some cyber-friends who will encourage a more serious and constructive approach to his education!

Puppy class (where was the black pudding?)

Uncle Eric, you promised. You ABSOLUTELY promised! You promised, you promised, you promised, promised, PROMISED! Yes you did. Did, did, did, DID, DID!!

Did.

You said there'd be black pudding at puppy class.

Gail says I have to learn that life is full of disappointments.

Well you can say that again. (Oh. She did).

I am thinking that I might take after my Scottie friend Bonnie, and be too independent minded for all this formal education business.

I tried to tell everyone. Loudly, repeatedly and persistently. That I wanted black pudding. Where was the black pudding? I wanted it and I wanted it NOW! And by the way, what was all this guff about 'sit', 'down', and walking on a loose lead? I thought I'd made it quite clear I was expecting a quantum electrodynamics lecture, at the very least!

I have to say that all the other puppies listened to me quietly and patiently throughout. I can't imagine why Gail seemed to find this situation stressful and embarrassing, as the other dog Mum and Dads looked on with ever so slightly smug expressions.....

Some of my classmates are a bit of a pushover, you know. Although with Daisy the dachshund, it's hard to tell if you've pushed her over or if she's still standing.

And I quite like cockerpoo Baxter. I mean, he's not as feisty as me, but, well, he can be pretty lively.

Oh and everyone seems to think Lhasa Apso Freddie is just too cute for words. Teacher's pet, I say! And that's not a compliment...

Beagle Murdo seems a bit wary of me. I can't imagine why.

Well outside at the end, I sort of got a chance to 'socialise' with my new pals, and began to see that it might not all be bad, despite the lack of black pudding.

And anyway I live in hope for next week....