A new place to explore / Not all about me?

So Human Grandad is staying in a new home. I am told it is a 'care home' Well I am pleased to report that as far as I can tell, the care is really splendid.

For dogs anyway.

You should have seen the admiring glances I drew as I paraded down the corridor with Gail and HGY when I first went to visit. It was a hot day and we sniffed out HGD basking in the courtyard. No soon as I'd licked his hand in greeting than a nice lady rushed out with a pink plastic bowl of water, specially for me. I am often a bit cautious about drinking from strange bowls, and I am not (says Gail) an especially thirsty dog anyway, so I decided not to partake of the proffered beverage, being more interested in watching a ginger cat I'd seen stalking in the nearby shrubs. Within a minute, a different lady rushed out with a bigger container full of water, saying she quite understood I wouldn't want to drink from the cat's bowl.  This one did look more inviting so I decided to humour her and take a few sips.

Later we took HGD back into the sitting room, where the other residents didn't look very animated. At least not until I walked in, when at least three hands reached out to give me a pat, and several craggy faces broke into smiles. Now I'm not always keen on random people touching  me on the head, but with Gail's encouragement, I allowed them all to stroke my ears, and didn't bounce too much. It seemed the right thing to do.

We said goodbye to HGD and Gail took me for a long walk. Oh yes I had a fine old time exploring ancient tracks through woods and across fields in the East Nottinghamshire countryside.

So all in all, a most satisfactory day, from my perspective.

But, well, you know how us pups can sense certain things? As I sat on the sofa besides Gail later in the evening, I could tell she wasn't quite so happy with the new state of affairs. "Bertie", she said eventually, "you just have to remember it's not all about you".

I decided to snuggle up closer.

Sing A Paw and HGD

Well done the Scotsmen and Scottie lasses. Craig, Angus, Bonnie and Kenzie all spotted the clue hiding in the background of yesterday's photo. Yes, apparently Gail was in Singapore. This is a close up picture (from the internet) of the awesome 'ship on three skyscrapers' building.



Well I'm delighted to report that Gail came home a day earlier than planned. Clearly she was missing me SO MUCH. I was so pleased to see her I am even prepared to overlook the disappointing lack of gifts, again.

Oh. Apparently missing me is only part of the story. The other part relating to a phone call she received about HGD.

So we are both off to Nottingham again later today. I have been warned that Human Grandad will not be sitting in his usual chair as he has been moved to a new home, and that I must not bounce over Human Granny too much as she is very very tired.

Oh dear. Come on Gail, hurry up packing, we need to get down there fast.

Where is she?

So Gail sent me this photo, apparently taken from her hotel room window, along with the message:

"You wouldn't like it here Bertie. Far too hot and humid. Back home soon. Cheers, Gail."

I wish I knew where she was. Can anyone help?

A sensible set of rules

At the entrance to Duthie Park, where us pups like to rendezvous with our pals, we have a shiny new sign showing a map of the park. 

Below the map, you'll find a list of do's and don'ts.

In general the rules are sensible, I think, and fair to both dogs and humans.

Although I am concerned that the meaning of the first one is a tad ambiguous.

And why was Gail was frowning as I left a message for my mates?

I didn't see anything there about banning pee-mail, did you?

PS This blog will be quiet for a week as Gail has to go away 'on business' (so she claims). A four person care team is in place to look after me in her absence, but sady no substitute blog assistant has been found.