Finn's Favourite Hot Spot

Ambush on Arthur's Seat

Sometimes the best laid plans and best of intentions just don't work out! Mel planned a great day out for us with a wee scuttle up the scrambly crags of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, followed by a brief nap in the car while she went and sampled some fancy teas at a teahouse before heading to one of our favourite beaches at North Berwick on the way home.

It was a crackin day, very cold but sunny with great views across the city to the Parliament buildings, Calton Hill and Edinburgh Castle. On the way back down we were playing fetch with a tennis ball, roaming all over the undulating criss-crossing paths of the hill, using our noses to sniff out the ball in the long grass and being so proud of ourselves when we find it and racing back to show Mel... ready to go chase it again! Then suddenly from a little way up the hill a huge Rottweiler came thundering down the embankment towards us, a tank of solid muscle steaming full speed ahead towards us. He had an initial sniff about and we eased slighly. Mel was calling us back to heel, Finn obeyed instantly and I mosied my way over to her at a slighly more leisurely pace, the Rottweiler was salivating at me, hackles up and before I could take a step away, he had a few snaps & bites at me. Luckily, he initially caught my harness but then, in an instant I was picked up off the ground & in his snarling teeth being shaken from side to side, his huge fangs puncturing through my skin and pulling at my flesh.

 

Next thing I knew Mel had him by the collar, she had stepped between us and grabbed him and to my surprise he calmed and settled. Finn slinked over wagging his tail completely reading the situation wrongly, this was a not a dog that wanted to say hello & play! Mel pushed him away sharply and he recoiled, tail between his legs, not understanding that she was actually doing him a favour. She marched off with our attacker to try and find his owner who was no-where to be seen, but in the distance I could hear someone shouting a name, "Max Max Max". I was left not really realising the severety of the situation, adrenaline flowing through my body & masking any pain from my wounds. In actual fact I had sustained two massive puncture wounds, one to my shoulder & one to the bottom of my spine.. the skin actually pulled away from the muscle underneath leaving a huge vacuous hole under the flesh.. but at that moment I was numb and stunned by what had happened. Mel returned quickly, angry & upset that the owner had given her short shrift and told her "Good on him" (his dog) and that he wasn't interested & didn't consider it his problem! After a quick trot back down the hill towards the car we were stopped by a couple of people that had witnessed the incident and asked if I was ok. They mentioned that the owners never had control of their Rottweiler and that there was always problems with them. They encouraged us to go and report it. So after a brief visit to the Ranger Station & local police station to tell my tale of woe, we made a speedy journey back through to see my favourite friend.... the Vet!! The journey felt so long and the shock of the attack & the pain started to sink in.

The Vet decided to leave the wounds open, so as not to seal any infection in. They were just to be bathed 3 times a day with surgical saline solution and I got an injection & course of anti-biotic to take for a week. Wasn't such a bad thing really, I got a daily dose of cheese, which Mel thought hid the pills AND.... I got a new toy. Happy days... new toy's make everything better. I slept a lot for the next few days and my little side-kick Finn seemed traumatised, not wanting to leave his bed either. I was more than just a wee bit tender for a week or so but Mel looked after me well and its healing up well. Not so keen on Rottweilers now tho!!

Spring has Sprung

Nice way to spend a Monday... sitting under a tree, listening to the birds & soaking up the sun while Mel reads a book...
And nice to finally be feeling some warmth in the sunshine, we quite happily lay soaking up those rays.

Striding Arches

It was decided we'd be heading to the Galloway hills just next to Moniaive in search of some environmental art in the form of sandstone arches by Andy Goldsworthy. Well to be honest we were more excited about the walk and the forest smells than the stone arches, but each to their own! The walk took us through Cairnhead Community Woodland & to add to the fun... there was huge dumps of snow!!

Contented Canines

What a day... mega run about in the forest with lots of snow and then a stop off at our favourite beach on the way home too. Wow, what more could we ask for?! We are two spoilt pups... but very happy too.

Dog footprints

All this camping and exploring and forest and beach fun and chilling out is sooooo tiring. We need a holiday!

Cosy Camping

We were slightly worried when Mel told us we were going camping. Normally, we love it, being outside in the fresh air with nature on out doorstep, or more like at the end of our noses! But its February... and its freeeeeeezing. But hey, its the Drift & Finn duo and we love an excuse for an adventure away from home.

 But we shouldn't have been worried. We turned up at the coolest camping spot ever. A snug little Mongolian yurt was already set up for us, with a log burner stove inside... so cosy for our cold little paws! A even better were the little four-legged friends that came to wake us up in the morning. 2 Wire-haired Jack Russells, signalled it was time to rise & shine after a snug nights sleep in front of the stove. When we went out to play, we were greeted by another 2, a old Border Collie and a new pup of a Springer Spaniel called Spock, who ran a way squeeling and obviously wasn't so brave around dogs he didn't know. All we did was look at him... from then he only poked his head gingerly around the corner of the hedge and watched our games with the others from afar. Poor wee pup, if only he realised how much fun we are!

All through our stay we watched Red Kites gracefully soaring in the thermals, catching the wind, then spiraling & tumbling in mock air battles with each other.

Red Kite

A little winter sun at Galloway Activity Centre

In Search of Snow

There's been a lot of snow & low temperatures in the last few weeks and we got really excited about heading to the hills for some fun & frolicking in the white stuff. We had to contain our elation for an hour or so in the back of the car until we got to Bridge of Orchy. The plan was to do a low level, but long walk along part of the West Highland Way, which should be nice an snowy after how cold its been of late.

But when we got there..... not a sausage, or snowflake, i should say!

Tasty treat to keep us going in the cold

But never mind, we were still out in the vast wilderness that is Rannoch Moor with all our favourite things around. And space.... wide open space. We still had a great adventure, it was bitterly cold but we hardly noticed with all the running around & jumping about we did!