Thanks Be To Dog

   Today is Thanksgiving Day where I come from.  When I was a young boy, it was simply a day to eat large amounts of delicious food, and hang out with my cool cousins.  In recent years, the meaning of Thanksgiving seems to have returned to 'things we give thanks for', which I welcome, as gratitude is such an important part of life.  So, no extra points for guessing what it is that I'm giving the most thanks for this year.

We had a series of walks today to celebrate.  But the steep path up Arthur's Seat has become our favourite.

It was a good day today.

Today's Pinup

Tough life.

Encountering Crabbit

   I've said this before, but in Edinburgh, we have so many terrific green spaces where we can walk our dogs.  And unlike many places, there isn't a lot of hostility to dogs who aren't on the lead.  Even people who don't like dogs are, for the most part, quite tolerant of them.

   I encountered an exception yesterday.  Lucky and I were in Hollyrood Park when a woman, not even on our path, demanded that I put Lucky on the lead.  To help you understand how clearly ridiculous this demand was, this is a photo of where we were.

She shouted across the valley "Can you put your dog on the lead?"  I shouted back "No."  Her- "I beg your pardon?"  Me- "So you should."

   I'm usually pretty easy going, but I have no patience for this nonsense.  Lucky was nowhere near her, and if she's really that afraid of dogs, she should stick to city streets.  This is a public park where dogs are allowed to run free; anyone who doesn't like it should stay out.  I'm not prepared to have my beautiful, kind boy confined to a lead to sooth someone's phobia.  Be willing to share the world; if you're not, you should stay at home.

   We were back today without incident.  The views from the top were jaw-dropping.

   And at twilight, Lucky, who is the most ravishing colour as I'm sure you've noticed, seems to turn an even deeper shade of red.  Even I, with my love for Lucky and clear understanding of his handsomeness, was taken aback.  I'm sure you'll agree; how could you not?

Today's Pinup

Lucky Indeed

   Bright and breezy, happy as can be, and back to rude good health.  Loving life, and loving good, long walks.  He ran and ran in huge circles up the hill today, but still took a moment to sit and contemplate a lovely view.

   There has never been as sweet a boy as this.  He just came that way.

   And he snoozes at my feet just now so contented and settled.  As am I.

Rhodesia's Revenge

   Our Truman had a completely predictable constitutional routine.  Lucky is less fortunate.  He is quite regularly up in the night with an urgent need; he seems to suffer from the 'Ridgeback belly'.
   Last night, not for the first time by any means, we were up with the boy at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6AM.  Each time, he needed urgently to go to the park opposite, as we don't have a garden.  Happily, a system has evolved; Lucky taps on the bedroom door, and one of us jumps up to take him out.  He never abuses this system, which he invented.  If he taps, it only means one thing- shoes on, and straight out the door.
   Though I will never claim to be thrilled by it, my heart always breaks for him at these times; these episodes always upset him much more than it does us.  I don't ordinarily believe in comforting dogs (it usually only results in making them more worried), but we obviously make an exception on these occasions.  He needs it.
   Who knows how he figured out such a specific way to let us know in this particular situation that he has this need?  He never taps on our door for any other reason.  
   We love our dogs always, but we love them so much more when they're unwell, don't we?
   Today, he had a quiet day.  Calton Hill, Hunter's Bog, and Longniddry Bents.  A busy day for most, quiet for our Lucky.  No climbing.
   After, he felt sorry for himself on the couch.  It was allowed.

 

In Dog We Trust

   I'm a complete atheist.  I don't believe in god, I don't buy into any spirituality or deity of any kind, I don't run on fate.  I don't even buy homeopathy.  I think that life is a beautiful enough thing without all of that.
   But what if I'm wrong?
   Consider this:  Scot and I thought for almost 2 years about getting a dog.  We had long discussions about having and caring for a dog, and all that it involves.  What would he do while we were at work all day?  Who would look after him while we were on holidays?
   And what about settling him in at home?  Scot gets 7 weeks of summer holiday, but our future dog or pup would have to come home at the beginning of said holidays in order to settle in properly.  What were the chances of that happening?
   We knew from our life with Truman that these weren't easy questions to answer, but all responsible dog owners will ask them.
   We were never going to bring a dog into our lives unless we were certain that we could care for him properly, and give him a good life;  a life of love and happiness. Proper excersise and nutrition.  A life with people and dog friends, not a life at home alone.  We didn't think we were in that position any longer, so we gave up on the idea.
   However, one day, as if out of nowhere, a plan for a dog's weekly care occurred to us.  A plan that involved a variety of activities and settings.  A full week of places to go, and fun stuff to do.  It just popped into our heads, out of nowhere.
   Three weeks later, we met Lucky, and three weeks after that, he came to live with us, on the first day of Scot's summer holidays.  It's been relatively smooth sailing ever since.  Well, almost smooth; let's not discuss the fate of one snake-skin wallet, and a pair of very expensive hill-walking shoes.
   He's here.  He's improved our life enormously.  It's almost as if someone up or out there made it happen.