Speak up boy!!

No murmurring please, Horatio!  If you have something to say, I'd prefer you said it out loud and got it off your chest.  So, your recent moodiness, lethargy and general 'old man' behaviour isn't indicative of terrier teenage troubles?  Nope, the wee dude is sick!!  HHH had a sore something (in a private place) recently so I marched him off to the vets (AGAIN) for the once over.  He was running a temperature and seemed to be fighting something.  No biggy, we got some pills and headed home for some R&R.

A week later and the mood had lifted somewhat and someone's privates weren't so sore. I thought it best to return though for a check up.  And what does the vet the nonchalantly say?  You know he has a heart murmur, yes?  Ehhh, NO. HHH has never had a whisper, a mutter or a murmur.  But now he does!  Poor wee dude has been stoically carrying on whilst having something wrong with his ticker.  It's rather taken the wind out of my sails.  My worst fear is that he's still poorly and this might get worse.  Apparently dogs, like humans can have murmurs with no real side effects but still I worry.  Fingers crossed that a week of taking it easy and some meds to combat Lyme disease (he was badly bitten by ticks on holiday in Balmoral)... ho hum.  Waiting it out for the next appointment.   

Handsome Horatio

Four hours later, Horatio appears transformed both physically and in personality!  Full of beans and apparently happy (ok, so I project that emotion on to him, but he is wagging his tail more..)

Hurrah for professional dog groomers!

Operation 'Settling In'

It's now ten days since Harris joined our household.  Ten days of chaos (for most of us). Sleep-deprivation (mine). Forgetfulness (also mine). Dog wrestling (Harris and Horatio).  Piddling (Harris). But also some great fun (all).  It does the soul good to see two dogs get to know each other.  Testing out the boundaries, playing, exploring each others beds and dog wrestling. Harris isn't officially allowed out for another seven days until his booster kicks in.  We've been a bit naughty though and taken both Horatio and Harris to near empty clean beaches for a run.

Our current favourite beach is Seacliff by North Berwick. Although it's £2 to get in, it's well worth it for the stunning views of the Bass rock, Tantallon castle and Scotland's smallest harbour.

Horatio is a die-hard football fan. I'm sure he was a defender in a previous life.  He spent today showing Harris how it should be done.

Speed - tuck those ears in to minimise drag

Agility - no ball is ever too far or out of reach

It was probably a bit advanced for the wee guy.  Harris is still finding his feet and learning how to coordinate legs, tail, ears and mouth.  Gangly legs are difficult to control and excess skin tends to wobble a bit.  The camera can be rather unforgiving.  He gave it his best shot though and I see great potential for my new running buddy.  Just keep growing those wee legs!

I even took to the waters to join in the fun, although I wasn't exactly swimming lengths of the beach.  I really should take my swimming a little more seriously.  I am so jealous of friends to take off into the sea for 20 -30 minutes at a time, whilst I flail around in the shallows.

And thus endeth another weekend.  Work is unfortunately rather manic at the moment.  This past week had me travelling up to Inverness for two days of meetings.  I had secretly been relishing the thought of a night of unbroken sleep.  Wrong.  I stupidly left my iPad on the train and spent a fretful night worrying and chastising myself for my stupidity.  There is a happy ending though.  Some honest soul handed it in to the guard and after some foot stamping and persistence on my part, I called several stations on the route back to Edinburgh and found it!!  Thank you to my guardian angel.

Harris #2

Introducing Harris the Hungarian Vizsla.  Or to use his full name, Harris Unger Ferguson.  AKA Horatio's new buddy.  Partner in crime.  Side kick.  Play pal.  

My sister Alison with Harris

Yep, we've taken the plunge and finally acquired a second pup.  Many think we are mad.  One breeder refused us a pup for having an unsuitable lifestyle for a sensitive dog, preferring to send the pups off to a harsh life of work.  And how is Horatio adapting to this seismic change in home life I hear you ask.  Well, see for yourself.  After the initial formal introduction....

Harris quickly assumed the role of taking Horatio for walkies!

Needless to say, the last 24 hours have been entertaining, manic but also somewhat focused.  The regimented routine of taking someone out to the garden for piddles, makes time drag.  Horatio needs his walks more than ever lest he feels neglected and second best.  He's recovering from another toe nail operation - this time to have it completely removed along with half his toe!  August has been a rather demanding month.  Roll on the next three weeks til Harris can go out for walkies!!  I'll keep you posted.

Has the summer arrived?

Horatio keeps asking what summer is. He has vague memories of last year as a young pup lounging in the sun shine. On his day bed in the garden. Warmth on his woolly coat. But he was very young, so it's all a bit misty for him. The last six weeks have seen us all wonder if the end is nye. Scott has even contacted someone regarding an ark. I mean a boat. We were therefore all rather taken aback when the sun made a long overdue appearance this week. Eyes a-blinking, we hot footed it to Gullane, three days in a row for walks and swims. There's nothing as rewarding as falling into bed at night, exhausted after a day of sandy fun. Swim-stuff swinging on the washing line in anticipation of more adventures tomorrow.

Where will we go today?

Weather forecast - fact or fiction?

I've long suspected you shouldn't live your life by the weather forecast.  This weekend was no exception.  I avidly follow the Met Office App to help determine whether I can cycle to work or not (for 'lady-like cycling' this is essentially).  By Friday afternoon the weekend appeared to be a write-off.  My sun burnt nose, forehead and shoulders this Monday morning tell a different story.  I forced myself out for a 'long' 13-mile run to Gullane on Saturday and committed the school-girl error of not being prepared for every weather eventuality in Scotland.  To help cope with my itchy sun burn, I also got myself a bee sting.  Ouch.

Admittedly it tipped it down Saturday night but Sunday then dawned .... dryish so we hopped in the car and headed to St Abbs for a cliff walk.  Scott's new camera (and subsequent new lense) are keeping him very amused and providing plenty of material for me.

Scotland really is a stunning country.

And Horatio really is very handsome.  If only he'd learn to pose properly.

Getting better Horatio, but might be better if you wiped your face first.

Happy Birthday Horatio!!

Horatio is celebrating his first birthday today.  To mark the occasion I've created a wee album of his first year (I was inspired by Asta's album yesterday on smilebox).  Here's to the next twelve months my lad!

Photo slideshow made with Smilebox

School Photo

I am continually impressed by the standard of photography displayed by dog bloggers (see Bouncing Bertie and George the Lad & Tess).  My attempts to capture the cuteness of Horatio are always foiled by the wee man himself, who can't sit still long enough.  Hence the preponderance of sleeping Horatio photos on this blog.   I was most chuffed with myself this weekend just past when I managed to capture this beauty of HHH.  It puts me in mind of old official school photos.  The only thing missing is the school tie (oh, and a neutral background, not the chaos of our kitchen).

We are off to the Lakes this weekend for half term holidays.  HHH will get to meet up with his cousins Tilly and Sophie.  I can't wait for the wintry walks up hills and round lakes, visits to cafes and country pubs, not to mention long evenings round the kitchen table, wine glass in hand, chatting with family.  I would promise lots of photos on my return but not sure Horatio will oblige.  Any tips on taking the perfect pooch picture?

Where did January go?

2012 didn't have the most auspicious start - New Year's Day was mared by a mean head cold which sent me back to bed at 2pm.  And no, I hadn't been celebrating excessively the night before.  The following day wasn't much better. Scott, Horatio and I hit the road home to Scotland, a journey which lasted a ridiculous 12 hours or so. 

I was determined to approach the new year and dullest month ever with new resolve and positive outlook.  Things needed rationalising in the house.  Work required a more positive and can-do attitude.  Running... ran out of my life in December and had to make a reappearance soon..

Then the reality of January hit.  Boy, what a dreary and tough month is January.  Even the sun can't be bothered to get out of bed.  No matter what mind games I play on myself, it's still a slog to crawl out from under the duvet in the morning.

Right, enough whinging.  It's 30 January.  We have survived.  Let's focus on the positives:

• we have a new Nespresso machine - this greatly facilitates early mornings.  I can especially recommend the fortissio lungo
• the weather has been rather kind of late (ignoring the hurricanes) and I've been able to cycle into work most days
• our wood burning stove is going strong and Horatio loves it (yes, he's using a log as a pillow)

• my running is coming back (did a 14 miler on Saturday and then raced the Borders Cross Country on Sunday down in Berwick)

(thanks Peter for the photo)

• The day after tomorrow is February and the sun will rise at 08.09
• We go on holiday to the Lakes in 12 days time and we're staying in Steam Train Cottage
• My twin sis comes to visit on 23 February! 

Cornish Christmas

I have been rather remiss in posting on my blog of late.  I sense a New Year's Resolution coming on...
Since my last post in November (!), life has been rather manic with work and then the run down to Christmas.  The days before Christmas are my all time favourite time of the year - fairy lights twinkle in windows.  Mulled wine flows.  Baked biscuits and cranberry muffins make an appearance.

I made the annual pilgrimage to my mum's cottage in Cornwall for the festive season.  This year was somewhat different as my sister, with kids on tow, was coming to Cornwall too - a full family Christmas!  Horatio and I jumped in the car and embarked on the massive journey (450 miles or so) a week before the big day, stopping off in Coventry on the way to overnight at my sister's and to collect a couple of eager nephews.  Due to the welcome addition of my sister this year we hired a holiday house in Fowey to accommodate the aunties... ie me, my twin sis and oldest sis.  Horatio rather took to sitting / sleeping in the window.

Days were swallowed up entertaining little people, walking Horatio and drinking coffee (ok, and wine too).  In addition to daily walks up, over the fields and along the cliffs at Fowey, Horatio rather took to the Hall Walk.  This involved a short boat trip to Polruan followed by a four-mile trek along the Fowey Estuary before another ferry trip from Bodinnick back to Fowey.

The highlight of Christmas however came in the form of Scott, who surprised us all with an unannounced visit on Christmas Eve!  On a whim, he decided that a Christmas in Edinburgh without me and Horatio was not desired.  He hired a car that afternoon and drove the 450 miles to join us, staying hardly 36 hours before heading back to work in Edinburgh.  Talk about making an entrance!  I think he trumped even Father Christmas, making my Christmas (and that of two nephews and a niece), perfect.

Yesterday, Scott arrived as per the original plan by plane in Exeter to celebrate Hogmanay.  We took the opportunity to explore Okehampton on our way home from the airport.  Not only is it located on the northern fringes of Dartmoor (which we ventured onto for an atmospheric trudge through mud), it boasts an old-fashioned railway station / museum.  Of course we had to test out the old buffet on the platform.

And so the old year will pass this evening and 2012 will dawn tomorrow.  Hopefully it will deliver lots of running, dog walks and adventures.  We plan to hit Cardinham woods by Bodmin with the mutts.  Have a good Hogmanay and prosperous new year.

Autumnal Walk in the Park

I've been feeling really under par the last few weeks, despite the iron tablets that I'm taking like there's no tomorrow.  Running has had to go on the back burner and walks with Horatio are my main form of exercise, entertainment and stress buster.  Luckily we've been having a fabulous autumn - really mild and dry, which means the autumn colours are still out there to be enjoyed.

Today Horatio had a play date and sleepover with Kipper (owned by Lucy, the ultra-runner).  We all piled into the car (gone are the days when I walk/run the mile to the park...), and hit Dalkeith Country Park.  The colours were just amazing.  A very gentle day but sometimes you got to take what you are given.  Homemade fish chowder for tea and a night in front of the new wood burner (not cold enough to be really needed but it's soooo comforting!).  Scott is living in shorts.

How much do you love your dog?

Work has been rather busy of late.  The Autumn and Spring tend to be dominated by lots of events, workshops, press trips and exhibitions.  This week I've been traveling round Scotland with a group of journalists from North America, Germany and France, inspiring them to write about Scotland.  It's a tough life having to stay in places like this:

It's not all fun.  We were forced to do land yachting on the West Strand in St Andrews, which is perhaps more famous for featuring in Chariots of Fire.

Then we inducted the group into the art of caber tossing at GOSFORD House in East Lothian.  I don't think Horatio will be chasing after sticks this size any time soon.

I digress however.  This post is pondering the depths to which love for your canine friend can go.  My travels have meant that Horatio has had to come to terms with a few changes.  I hasten to add these aren't monumental.  Essentially I have been away the last two weeks and unable to do our usual routine of walks at 6pm.  Luckily though HHH's favourite dog walkers, Fran and Ellen have treated him to a second walk each day in my absence.  What a lucky chap he is.


Now, this is a tricky situation.  How does a WFT express such gratitude for the love I have bestowed on him? A massive welcome on my return?  Much jumping, licking and general happiness at seeing me?  Eh no.  I'm afraid to report some serious damage.  I had to return a hire car through work, so popped Horatio in the boot of said car, carefully placing the parcel shelf in the boot with him.  It's the same set up in our car and the way in which he is accustomed to traveling.  We were in the car barely 40 minutes.

Words fail me.  They didn't at the time.  The air was blue.  The excess on the brand new hire car is £500.  I'm still not speaking to him and am concerned our relationship might not get past this.  How far can love go?