Down at the Duthie disco

At this time of year the pre-work walk in Duthie Park takes place in darkness.

Most of us pups wear lights on our collars or high vis jackets, so our owners can spot us from afar. My light flashes blue and red.

One lady this morning said it's like being down at the disco.

Now the photos below were actually taken at the weekend, when the sun had risen just enough so that you could actually see me in the picture!

Didn't I pose nicely while Gail was filming the wee movie?

A lucrative modelling contract beckons, for sure.

Agility or 'Strictly'?

You know I thought I was there at the Loanhead Equestrian Centre yesterday morning in order to enter my first ever contest, the Devanha Dogs Just for Fun Agility Show. But when, at the start of the day, I saw the humans 'walking the course', for a moment I wondered if I'd got it all wrong and Gail was taking part in a sequins-free version of 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Well apparently that is all part of the proceedings. I also learned there's an awful lot of hanging around at agility events. And that unheated barns in December in Aberdeenshire are very cold.

Luckily, Gail had the foresight to bring Hamish's old coat along for me (and yes, I really did use the words 'luckily' and 'coat' in the same sentence).



I think Gail was was a bit envious of the more experienced handlers who wrapped themselves in sleeping bags whilst waiting their turn. If you are thinking that she looks chilled to the marrow in this next photo, you would be right.


Oh, you are in fact wondering how I performed in the agility ring?

Well frankly, I can't understand what happened.

I mean, I was so confident I was winning, but it seems that judges have strange and narrow-minded ideas about what constitutes a faultless round.

Lots of the dogs boringly restricted themselves to running and jumping over the obstacles, so I would have thought, having demonstrated that I too was perfectly capable of clearing a couple of medium sized hurdles, that my initiative in then going off-piste to inspect the far end of the barn before resuming the 'official' route should have earned me extra points, but the judges thought differently. Likewise, running straight along the 'dog walk' is just so dull when one can demonstrate one's agility - after all that's what it's all about isn't it - by jumping from left to right and back again, several times, across the lower end of the ramp. Oh yes and lastly, having heard Gail complaining about me not sitting patiently at the start on my first two goes, on my third and final event I decided to show her how well I could sit. And sit. And sit....

After all that carry on, it was eventually time to leave, and in the car going home Gail was saying some very odd things about how maybe it was good that my performance was so "erratic" as it doesn't always do to peak too soon and thus leave no scope for improvement next time around.

"Erratic"? Surely Gail at least should recognise my unique wire-haired fox terrier brand of perfection...

A load of rubbish!

Have you heard of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme?

It aims to "give all young people the chance to develop skills for work and life, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future".

Jolly good thing, I hear you say.

Now Gail is supposed to be supervising Gregor, a young lad who lives on our street, and who has, for his Duke of Edinburgh community service project, undertaken to devote an hour every Sunday morning to picking up litter in an area of Aberdeen near to the North Sea shore.

Well up to now he has been just emailing Gail photos as proof of his endeavours, but last Sunday I persuaded her that we really should go along and see for ourselves what he's been up to.

It has to be said that standing around watching someone pick up litter is pretty dull work, so Gail and I joined Gregor's parents plus Bonnie and Jack for a brisk walk around the lighthouse whilst Gregor got on with his task.


When we returned we found Gregor had been busy.


Gail delegated the job of sniffing out the contents of the rubbish bag to the acknowledged expert.

I confess I was a bit disappointed not to detect any decomposing seagull, or left over fish suppers.

There were quite a few beer cans (remember we are in Scotland) and these could be recycled.



It was a chilly day and I expect you have been admiring Gregor's splendid hat.

I must admit, I had been rather hoping that Gregor would bring along his lovely Norwegian friend Aurora to help, as I knew from earlier photos that she had joined him one previous time when she was over on a visit.



But sadly Aurora was back home on the other side of the North Sea, and today it was just Gregor. I do hope you will all join me in congratulating him on his dedication to cleaning up our environment.

Oh and I am now waiting with eager anticipation for my invite to join Gregor on one of those exciting overnight adventures involving long hikes and camping out in the mountains, as I believe these are also an essential part of the DofE award programme.

I would be such an asset, after all.

It's just not fair

So neighbour Bunty came round for a morning visit ...

... and stole my breakfast ...

... and yet it was ME who ended up in the Sin Bin.

What do you mean Gail, that I am not telling the whole story?