Catching up on the Torridon news

Finally we're back again in Torridon and gosh, it seems there's a lot of news to catch up with. 

So a walk yesterday morning across to Inveralligin and back, which normally takes about 45 minutes, lasted well over two hours and it wasn't all due to me taking time to check out the peemail. 

First we met local crofter Donnie, who complained how the midges had been the worst ever this year. Which at least made Gail a bit less sorry we hadn't been able to spend much time here this summer. (I, Bertie, don't understand why humans make such a fuss about these wee insects - they don't bother me). 

Then there was neighbour Bridget, fairly dancing with glee because, after years and years of trying, she and her husband had finally obtained planning permission to build a new house on their land. Further on, Gail had to stop and check out the local produce, although I opted to steer well clear of the scary scarecrow.

But it was when we stopped by Glyn and Pete's place and heard the dramatic story of the accident which earlier this year befell Shannon, their five year old cocker spaniel, that for a while we forgot all about the passage of time.

If we hadn't caught a glimpse of Shannon happily scampering around in front of her house, we would have feared the worst when told how back in March, during a visit to St Abbs Head*, she had disappeared over a cliff. Pete called the coastguard but it wasn't until an hour and a half later that Shannon was located, severely injured and clinging to life by a thread, on a rock accessible only by sea. A dramatic lifeboat rescue ensued. Shannon's tail wagged on recognising her humans. Thanks to the outstanding care of the lifeboat men and the local vet, and then some high tech surgery in the 'Royal Dick' Hospital for Small Animals in Edinburgh, Shannon survived a broken pelvis, shoulder, ribs and jaw, and much internal bleeding. She was home in Torridon just before the lockdown. And now, quite incredibly, with the help of bits of metal holding bones together here and there, she's back to romping around the Torridon hills, almost as good as new.

Shannon, you are a star!

*You can see pictures of the steep cliffs of St Abbs head in my post from September last year. Gail says if we ever go there again, I'll definitely be on my lead...

Normal (but in no way average)

Greetings friends! 

My human has always advised me to avoid allowing medical issues to dominate my blog. (Apparently she learned from her own experience with Human Granny and Grandad that lengthy and repetitive descriptions of every single symptom experienced, no matter how personal and embarrassing, are not a good way to engage another's attention...).  

But I do want you to know that the results of last week's blood tests all came back as absolutely 'normal'. The vet also assured Gail that my daily water intake of 500-600 ml is well within the expected range. The current theory is that a slightly enlarged prostate might be contributing to my occasional 'accidents' in the house.

So the way forward is that Gail will continue to monitor my fluid intake, noting any changes, and will be more attentive when I indicate I would like to go outside.

On to cheerier matters. I was thrilled to meet up for a walk with my WFT group for the first time in six months. There was a bumper turnout (ten of us wiry guys plus one smooth-haired fox terrier) and we enjoyed a glorious romp on Balmedie Beach, with a modicum of merry terrier mayhem, as you can see from the photos below.

I think you'll agree that my blood might be normal, but in every other way I am well above average.

Climate matters at Loch Kinord and beyond

You know somewhere's well worth a visit when, even on a dull day, it looks lovely. 

(Fortunately, the Scottish weather provides ample opportunity to test this theory...)

What with one thing and another, it's been six months since we last visited Loch Kinord. In February, there was snow, and now in August, the heather under the pine and birch trees is in full bloom, but the water lilies have sadly been and gone. The water still tastes good. 

The loch sits within the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, and some new information boards have appeared. Of course Gail and I already knew that the humpy and sinuous ridge bounding the northern edge of the loch is an 'esker', formed by rivers under glaciers in the last Ice Age.

Even in August, it takes no great stretch of the imagination to picture Aberdeenshire covered in glaciers. Harder perhaps, to take in the fact that earlier this summer in the Siberian Arctic town of Verkhoyansk, a temperature of over 100ºF was recorded, the result of warming due to human activity on top of the natural variations in climate that take place through the ages. 

Friends, we need to take climate change seriously. 

Happy Nature Friday! Do go and visit the other posts in Rosy, Arty, Jakey and Sunny's always enlightening blog hop. 

Should I have made her pay?

We need to talk about something a wee bit embarrassing this morning.

Over the last month or so, I have been needing to pee more often than I used to. I'm mortified to report that there have even been occasions when I could not wait to be let out into the garden. Oh and I was so proud of my reputation for bring super 'reliable' in these matters. I seem to be thirstier too. 

Unsure whether this was just part of me getting older or something more worrying, Gail took me to the vet. 

The vet checked me over, saw nothing obviously wrong but asked Gail to bring her a sample of my urine.

My owner, can you believe it, viewed the matter of collecting this sample with some distaste, worried that the collection process would involve me peeing over her hand as well as the bowl she planned to place under me. She seemed unmoved when I pointed out that some humans (I'm told) actually pay good money for so-called 'golden showers', and here was an opportunity for her to enjoy the experience for free...

Later Gail had the nerve to complain about my "unpredictable aim". 

The vet has now reported back that my urine is 'borderline' dilute, so investigations will continue and I'll be going back to give a blood sample on Thursday. 

Meanwhile, I am, pee matters aside, feeling just hunky dory. Gail and I are delighted that Aberdeen's tiresome local lockdown has been lifted. We had a lovely walk at Forvie Sands this afternoon (see below), and are looking forward to meeting up on Sunday with the wire-haired fox terrier group for the first time in over six months. After that we'll be heading off to Torridon again. Yippee!