Friday, 10 September 2010

Something to prove

Meeting my friends on my early morning walk in Duthie Park

You know, I am really quite upset, because recent comments on this blog have implied that I might be deficient in certain essential fox terrier traits.

It all seems to revolve around the fact that when I go for walks in the hills (or indeed the park) and am allowed off the lead, I do not do the 'expected' thing of running away, chasing little animals and refusing to come back when called.

Well, perhaps you can tell me why would I take off like that when I am given lots of freedom to roam around anyway? Plus, it's worth keeping Gail in sight 'cos I know she always carries a nice bag of treats in her pocket and she will give me a cuddle if things get scary.

Oh, you think it all might change when I'm a bit older and I really hit my terrier stride?

Perhaps.

But for now, please do watch this video which, I hope, proves my true WFT credentials, even if the action all takes place in the study and the only crittur involved is a vibrating toy hamster....


    Tuesday, 7 September 2010

    Clachnaben: the promise and the reality

    A typical late summer hill walk in Scotland...





    Oh, and our friend Alison (in the red fleece) wants me to point out that that is not her normal hairstyle! 

    Saturday, 4 September 2010

    Blue poo...

    Oh you should be so grateful that Gail does not always take her camera when we go out for walks.

    Today, instead, we shall set the scene with a picture of me posed nicely on some newly conquered territory in Gail's study.

    Now are you sitting comfortably? And have you already eaten your breakfast?

    Good. For today's post is not for those of a delicate constitution. Er, how to begin?

    Well, you'll have noted the reference above to 'newly conquered territory'.  Thing is, Gail has recently decided to allow me into her study during the day. The idea is that I sit quietly beside her, providing restful companionship as she busies herself at the computer reading your blogs doing her work stuff.

    Yes, you'll have spotted the flaw in that plan already. We fox terriers are not noted for our quiet and restful natures. Especially not six month old WFT's. Like the Spanish conquistadors, our instinct is to explore our New Worlds, and to plunder.

    And there are SO many interesting places to investigate in this study. While Gail was away in the kitchen making a coffee, I had a good old rummage around behind a pile of papers and found this long blue wooden object. It tasted just great.

    I really don't know why Gail got so cross when she came back saw me chomping away. You know how humans have this habit, so rude I think, of suddenly snatching things out of your mouth? NO NO Bertie, she said, and put the remnant stump in this old tin.

    Later on, at the usual time, we went out for our afternoon walk. Now I don't know about you, but I am not too keen on using the jungle out the back our pleasant garden as a toilet, and prefer to hold it all in until we are walking down the street. (No Gail, I'm sure this isn't 'oversharing'; it is germane to the story).

    Well half way down the road, I stopped and arched my back in the customary fashion while Gail rustled around in her pocket for a little plastic poo bag. My action, which is usually accompanied by extravagant praise and encouragement, this time elicited from Gail a shriek they must have heard in Dundee."OH MY GOD BERTIE IT'S BLUE".

    Now as you know, Gail is a scientist and normally has a healthy curiosity about natural processes. But not, apparently, on this occasion.  I have no doubt that you too, like me, are wondering, was 'it' blue all the way through, or just on the surface?

    And I am disappointed to have to tell you that we will never now know.

    Mmmm. Time, I think, for a little snooze.

    Thursday, 2 September 2010

    In the driving seat...

    Can you believe Gail went off partying in Cumbria last weekend and didn't take me! 

    Well, truth to tell, it wasn't all bad news 'cos I got to stay over with my Westie girlfriends Florrie and Lucy and went out for a drive in their very swish car. 

    These are the two girls (well, actually Florrie, on the left, is a midde aged lady dog now, and rather a bossy one at that....)

    I was supposed to travel in the back with them. 

    My highly intelligent and observant readership will be able to work out the flaw in the arrangement.

    So this is where I ended up.