Update on Human Granny and other Nottinghamshire stuff

(The white speck in the distance is Bertie)

Well now that Gail and I are staying again with Human Granny, I wanted to tell you about my walks in Nottinghamshire, where the landscape is dominated not, as in most of Scotland, by mountains, but by electricity pylons. I thought you might be interested to know all about how a third of the country's electricity is generated in the Trent Valley/Humber estuary area…*

But Gail says she thinks my readers are more concerned about Human Granny and will want to know how she is.

Oh dear. It is not good news I'm afraid. She can't seem to move properly any more, but the doctors are not sure what the problem is. She also seems a bit confused. When ever I try to help, I am told (sometimes rather brusquely) to get out of the way. Another doctor is coming today, and it may be that HGY will be admitted to hospital. Gail says we may be  down here for a while.

At least I might get a chance to tell you more about the pylons then!

*This 'fact' comes from Gail's 1975 'O' level Geography text book, so may not be strictly up to date...

The perfect storm?

Us dogs always know when something is up, don't we?

My familiar routine was disrupted this week when Gail came home from work early on Wednesday and started rushing around making lots of phone calls, packing bags and generally acting fraught.

We did go to Agility Club as usual that evening, where I was feeling full of bounce, despite Gail's apparently distracted state.

But when I woke up on Thursday morning, my paw was hurting REALLY BADLY and I absolutely did not want to walk further than the nearest lamppost.

I lifted up my paw and gave Gail my best pity party look, but instead of being all sympathetic (like she usually is) Gail just looked at me and said. "Oh no Bertie, this is such bad timing!"

So there was a hastily arranged visit to vet, where Ashley, my favourite vet lady, gently examined my left paw and the words "inter-digital cyst" and "antibiotics" featured in the ensuing conversation between her and Gail.

Then instead of being taken home to rest I was bundled into the car and we drove a very long way indeed.

The weather was truly horrid. I'd like to make a pun about gales and Gails, but from the way my precious human was gripping the steering wheel in an effort to stay on the motorway, as torrential rain lashed the windscreen of the wind-buffeted car, I suspect any jokes about the Scottish weather would not be appreciated.

Rain turned to heavy snow as we crossed the Pennines and still we drove on.

It dawned on me that we were on the way to Human Granny's house, which seemed odd as we'd only returned from there less than three weeks ago.

We finally arrived in Nottingham and, oh dear, I am so sorry to report that my beloved HGY is not at all well.

I fear Gail might not have much time to assist me with my blog for the next week or so.

The wrong decision

I thought the flooded ground was frozen solid.

I didn't realise the water was several inches deep.

I didn't stop to think before I dashed across.

And now my legs are cold and wet.

Brrrr.

P.S. Friends, thank you so much for all your wonderful and incredibly interesting contributions to my 'science of attraction' study. If you have not yet commented on what it is that you find attractive in a fellow pup, then you still can; just go to my previous post 'My new role, science and romance' (12 January 2015).

My new role, science, and romance...

Greetings citizens of Blogville! This is your newly appointed Director of Scientific Affairs. I have been asked by recently inaugurated Mayors, Doods Murphy and Stanley, to introduce myself and to explain my new role in the administration.

Many of you know me already under my unofficial title Bouncing Bertie Boffin, and are aware that I have been striving to communicate important scientific matters in my own unique and canine-relevant fashion for several years now, having shown a precocious understanding of quantum physics and thermodynamics even before my first birthday.

To those of you who wish to verify my credentials, I would refer you to the 'Bertie Boffin's Science Posts' tab below the header picture on this blog.

In my new role, I plan to continue and expand my mission to communicate science, with a particular focus on public understanding and engagement.

Mayors Murphy and Stanley have suggested to me that, given Valentine's Day is fast approaching, I might like kick things off by tackling 'the science of attraction'. Leaving aside any reservations that this topic might be somewhat above my pay grade (remember I am the pup whose idea of romance involves a ride in tank) and ignoring, just this once, certain concerns about government interference in the direction of scientific investigation, I have decided to carry out some original and very serious research.

This is where you can help!

All you need to do is to leave a comment on this post, explaining what it is you find attractive in a pup of the opposite sex (or indeed the same sex if you are that way inclined, this department is pro-diversity, of course). Perhaps you might also like to comment on how attraction between canines differs from that between humans. If indeed it does at all.

Cats and other pet species are also welcome to contribute.

I promise to analyse carefully all the data provided and to write up the results in such a way as to provide useful guidance for Blogville citizens, all in good time for the 14th of February.

Now to work!