Oh a riot!

No, silly, of course I wasn't really involved in a riot.

But can you spot the anagram...?

Last Sunday was my long anticipated Deeside rendezvous with my wiry pal HORATIO.

He is the best company ever.

Horatio and his family (including golden cocker spaniel Tilly) were on holiday, staying in a house on the Queen's Balmoral Estate. We all met up on Sunday for a walk in the hills near Ballater. Here's a team photo taken at the finish.

Left to right: Amanda, Bertie, Horatio, Scott, Tilly, Sylvia

Gail persuaded me to dress for the occasion in my red tartan scarf. Doesn't it blend nicely with Scott's splendid socks?

By the way, we are NOT kissing in the above photo. Oh no. That would be girlie, and we are rather boisterous boys, even if Horatio does still need training in how to pee the manly way.

Talking of boisterous, does your human ever exhort you to "play nicely"?

It's a phrase I hear a lot.

The problem is, I've come to realise, humans and wire-haired fox terriers have different ideas about what constitutes playing nicely (as was clear in Durris Forest with wee Kate).

Well I'm delighted to report that Horatio and I are in perfect agreement that chasing around at top speed and jumping on each other, accompanied by lots of barking and growling is just the nicest sort of recreation. Oh we had a fine old time of it, even if it was Horatio doing most of the chasing and me the running away... And Gail claims she still has a bruise on her shin from when I crashed into her at full tilt during one of our games. 

However, the best bit of the day was lunch. (When isn't it?)

This wee video illustrates the peaceful scene.

I hope you noticed how well Horatio and I acted as a team, me as decoy whilst he raided the backpack...

After lunch, Horatio insisted on washing his paws in a ditch, which I found most extraordinary. Especially as, having jumped in, he couldn't figure a way out. 

Perhaps there is something in this idea that WFT's are crackers after all....

But come on, you couldn't possibly deny that we make a perfect pair? 

If only Gail would bring a brother home for me.

Oh, by now I expect you are wondering what happened to that promised leg lifting tutorial? Well to be perfectly honest, with all the excitement, I clean forgot about it. And then, when right at the end of the outing I did remember, my young pupil was too tired to lift even a paw.

Durris: one wood, two stories...

You know what?

It turns out that I am not the only AWGV* working on the VisitWoods project. And possibly not even the cutest.

Meet wee Kate.

She came along to Durris Forest with her Mum Cathy, who, like Gail, is an 'official' Web Guide Volunteer.

Kate seems very keen and intrepid. While I was patiently posing by the entrance to the wood... 

... young Kate was off and away exploring the forest tracks all by her ownsome, well equipped with her smart ladybird backpack and integral hood.

 

It is a most enticing place, for dogs and humans. 

Now there are two versions of why Kate is here being held high in the arms of her Mum, and I am skulking in the background.

My story is that I ran up to wee Kate, jumped on her and barked loudly, simply to warn her to keep clear of the oncoming forestry vehicle, so she didn't end up looking like a companion to Flat George.

Gail's story is that (and yes she actually said these words when we got home) "Bertie you were being such a brat, getting all excited and scaring the poor little girl over and over again. Really, Kate was very brave, and Cathy most tolerant and gracious about your appalling behaviour. You need to learn how to conduct yourself calmly around little humans. Nobody would ever believe that you spent the first two months of your life in a household with five young children. I'm quite ashamed of you. And you are usually so well behaved when we go out for hikes. Whatever happened? No wonder Cathy in the end decided to lift her precious daughter safely out of reach. You'll be staying on a short lead for the whole walk next time."

Gosh Gail did go on. 

Whose version do you believe?

*AWGV - Assistant Web Guide Volunteer

They should have called for me!

What's the point of having a fox terrier in your neighbourhood if he's ignored in times of need?

Harrumph.

Gail and I were returning from our walk in the park this morning when we ran into Harry Schnauzer and his human, Alan. We stopped for a wee blether.

I am SO ENVIOUS of Harry. You'll see why.

After some boring preamble about weather and the importance of dogs being contained in the back of a car so as not to interfere with the driving (as if), Alan then casually observes to Gail, "we could have done with Bertie round our place last week".

My little flappy ears prick up.

Apparently Alan and family have, or rather had, two elderly rabbits in a cage in their back garden. One night in April a fox was spotted, sat on top of the cage, unable to figure out a way in. Well I could have told them foxes don't give up so easily. Foxes and fox terriers are well matched you see.

So anyway, a few days after the initial sighting, Alan's wife Jeanette goes into the garden first thing, and finds an empty cage and rabbit entrails strewn across the grass.

The horror.

If only I had been called in earlier.

And where were the rest of the rabbit remains? Where was Harry?

Well before long, out came Harry from behind a bush. I guess it's hard to smile when your jaw is crammed full with the limb of a much loved family pet, but I know fine well that inside he was grinning from ear to flappy (like mine) schnauzer ear.

I'll say it again. I am jealous.

Trials and tribulations of a VisitWoods Guide

I am such a hard working and conscientious chappie. On Saturday I once again assisted in an inspection of a local wood: Countesswells this time.

I examined the footpaths for any irregular odours.

I conducted a thorough review of the forestry operations.

I saw to it that the place was tidy.

I politely greeted the other visitors, whatever their shape or size.

Oh but Gail really does need keeping an eye on.

If you think my paws were muddy by the end of the visit...

You should have seen hers....

PS Some health and safety advice from Gail: when stepping backwards to achieve the perfect camera angle for a photo of your (muddy) dog, always remember there's a reason he might be muddy...