Dinner time with the grandparents

There are several things that I hope you have noticed in the picture above:

1. Human Granny and Grandad are very well trained at posing for the camera aren't they? (I am told I would do well to follow their lead, but that's not fair is it? I mean, I am posing nicely here too).
2. Did you spot the festive table decoration? We think it dates back to the Precambrian....
3. Grandad may not be as sharp as he once was (he is in his ninetieth year), but he still knows to guard his glass of wine against prying noses and tongues.....
4. Can you see Granny's home made steak and kidney pie? Gail says it's the tastiest in the WHOLE WORLD. I was allowed a little bit of kidney after the meal and it was HEAVENLY!
5. The dish on the right contains tagliatelle, a heated up left-over from an earlier meal. Never mind that this is an unconventional accompaniment to steak and kidney pie. The generation that experienced rationing does not waste food.
6. Isn't it a pretty Nottingham lace tablecloth, a wedding present from Grandad's friend Keith, back in 1956. Those of you who used to read Hamish's blog might remember the story about him, some scones and jam, and this very same tablecloth.  For some reason I was never allowed up close enough to check out if the stains were still visible....

Happy New Year everyone. I hope we all have a fabulous 2011. 

A quick hello from Nottingham

So sorry I haven't been around much lately. Gail and I are staying with her elderly parents in Nottingham. The pace of life is slow here, as is the computer connection (and it's Microsoft Windows - yuk!) and I am on strict orders to behave myself impeccably....

But don't worry friends, normal service will resume after New Year when we return to Scotland.

Toodle pip!

An outrage! Call Amnesty International!

Friends, I have a question for you.

It is customary, is it not, when one's name and picture are featured prominently on the invitation, that one is actually allowed to attend the party?!

Another question.

Since when was an enthusiastic and affectionate greeting a crime punishable by solitary confinement?

Oh, and another thing.

Where did it say 'humans only' on the invite?

So all my neighbourhood friends (next door's springer spaniel Molly, dinky little Daisy the yorkie, Mackay the black lab and handsome flat-coated retriever Jake from across the road, plus puppy Harry schnauzer, Border terrier Bonnie and wee 'apricot' poodle Jack, who all live down the bottom of the street, and finally Bunty whom we have met previously and who stays just quarter of a mile away), all of them were  heartlessly abandoned on Sunday night as their humans were merrily knocking back copious quantities of mulled wine and scoffing mince pies in MY KITCHEN.

And I was imprisoned without due process in the unheated back room.

Seasonal cheer? I think not.

Bah humbug.

PS from Gail: I would like to point out that is is a grossly inaccurate account of events on Sunday. Bertie was only 'confined' in the back room for a short period on grounds of over-exuberance in the presence of nervous toddlers. He then spent the rest of the evening thoroughly enjoying being carried around, patted on the head and generally fussed over to a quite absurd degree...


Amnesty International Aberdeen Group

Bertie's Christmas Poem

I am not yet quite one year old,

So barely past a pup,

But I was ever brave and bold

While I was growing up.

I’m told that terriers can be

Quite naughty, when they choose.

Of course that can’t apply to me,

So please do not accuse

Me, I did never chew

That cashmere top, no way!

Nor did I ever steal Gail’s shoes

Not me, I only want to play.

At puppy class I bounced around,

And strived so hard to please,

But Daisy Dachshund, silly hound,

Kept trembling at the knees.

I learnt to sit, like, in a flash,

It’s easy if you try.

Of course I do prefer to dash

About. Why sit still? Why?

I know how sad Gail felt that night,

That dreadful night when Hamish died.

But even as he lost the fight,

New life was born. Through tears came smiles.

And now with Christmas drawing near,

We have a splendid tree,

And Gail’s face shows a look of fear

When I approach to pee…..

Oh it is very difficult

To keep these humans happy.

Maybe when I'm a true adult,

I’ll be a well-conducted chappie!

‘Til then I wish my friends good cheer

And ‘Slàinte Mhòr’ and ‘Toodle Pip!’

I hope you had a splendid year,

And through the next one gaily skip.