Christmas Day

   Our first Christmas Day with Lucky, and, boy, did he get into the spirit!  He naturally assumes every gift to be his, and wants to open every one!

Later, when snacks and drinks appeared, he was covetous of those too.

The three of us hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!

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Plural.

An Ounce Of Prevention

   Regulars might remember last Christmas, when there was a spot of funny business in the salon.  Lucky had a taste of chocolate, and ever since, he's been obsessed.
   Happy as I am that he's back to work on a Monday, I want to keep him (and the chocolates) safe.  You see, we have a Christmas tree at work, and there are tasty gifts under it.

        It's up to me to keep Lucky away from the tree, and it's not easy.  This face doesn't help.

I've erected a barricade using a chair.  

It's effective, but I'm getting the cold shoulder!

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Happy at work once again, in his new and improved shop bed! And feeling just a bit in the festive mood as well, though he's not quite sure why...

A Tree Grows In Edinburgh

   This is our favourite time of year.  Scot and I are unapologetic Christmas people.  And this is our first one with Lucky, as we were away on holiday last Christmas.
   We like a huge Christmas tree, and we weren't sure how Lucky would react to it.  Our house is compact, and the kind of tree we like takes up a substantial amount of space.  We put some thought into how best to introduce this strange idea to him- the indoor tree.  Today was the day.

This came home.

This was the horrified reaction.

   He was completely nonplussed.  The look on his face said 'You know what? I like it. We should have bought one of these years ago. Now home, my second favourite place, is more like the park, my first favourite place!'.  We're going to leave it up bare for a week so we can map the trajectory of his tail before we place 350 mostly glass ornaments on it!   

 

Shop Talk

   I've really missed having Lucky at work with me on a Monday, and he wasn't entirely happy at home alone.  So last Sunday, I went off to Pets At Home, and purchased a huge, comfortable bed with padded sides, just like the one he has at home.  I took it to the salon with a slightly 'used' blanket from his bed at home, and took Lucky in with me the next day.
   He approached his new shop bed with slight trepidation, but soon jumped in.  He looked comfortable enough.

   I was feeling cautiously optimistic.  His tail curled round like this usually means comfort.  Ten minutes later, this.  And he didn't move all day.  He's back!

Fashion Plate

Really, it's the singular way to wear one's ears this season.

Sup-Sup-Suppertime

Lucky waiting, not so patiently, for his dinner.

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Eight-Oh! (000)

Lucky Days reaches 8,000 hits today!

Help us celebrate, by clicking below on 'no comments', and leaving a comment!

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Salisbury Crags, this morning.

A Chair In The Sky

   For the past year and a bit, Lucky has come to work with me every Monday.  I bought him a salon bed, and we both enjoyed our time there together- or so I thought.
   In the last few months, I've had the sense that maybe he was not so comfortable in the salon.  I denied it, and continued to bring him, but a couple of weeks ago, I had to admit to myself that it just wasn't working for him.  I loved having him there, as did my clients (many people booked a Monday appointment specifically to see him), but I couldn't ignore his discomfort.  People coming and going just isn't his thing, and the sounds of hairspray and blow dryers can't be nice for him either.  But what to do about a Monday?
   An extra day at Citidogs Creche is always a happy option, we certainly know that he loves it there, but as I start work a bit later on a Monday, we thought we'd first try him at home.  I felt that as long as he had a very long walk first thing in the morning, as well as a busy Sunday the day before, he might be okay.
   So today, we were up before dawn, and Lucky and I had a 2 1/2 hour walk in Holyrood Park.  We do this walk multiple times a week already, so Lucky knows it well.  The paths we take involve a lot of climbing, and half way through the walk, we usually find ourselves atop Arthur's Seat, the local high-point.  Today, for the first time ever, we were all alone at the top, and it was magic.

   Solitary time with my boy is precious to me, and I savour it.  Of course, on the way down, we encountered lots of fun people and dogs, so he also had some running around, social time.  

   When we arrived back home after, I settled Lucky on his bed, got ready for work, and left.  I worried that he would become bored.  But when I arrived back,

snug as a bug.  We shall see, but as long as he continues to enjoy his home-day to this extent, we'll have no worries.  And the long, uphill walks?  Good for us both!  

  

Set Your Sail To Catch That Breeze

If Lucky weren't such a proper boy-dog, one could accuse him of trying to imitate The Flying Nun.

Lap Dog

A gent comes into the salon for a trim; this happens.

A Pillow Shortage

What do you think?  Are we crazy to allow this or just crazy in love?

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On The Lookout

Squirrel hunting in Queen's Park. He'll never get one!

Day Trippers

   When we first adopted Lucky, I decided to start work later on a Thursday, to spend the day with him.  I go in at 4, giving us plenty of time for 2 good walks.  I like  it, because it's my private time with him.  Usually we're up Calton Hill in the morning and Arthur's Seat in the afternoon.
   Today, we decided to venture further afield.  We took the bus to Fairmilehead, and walked up in the Pentland Hills for a couple of hours.  Lucky, as always, enjoyed the bus journey.  He even made a friend!

   The climb is a bit steep for me, a breeze for Lucky.  There was almost no one else there at all, so it was incredibly peaceful.  Once we hit the long grass, Lucky, as is his habit, charges around in huge circles at terrific high speed.  It's a sight to behold, a powerful and fit young dog at peak strength running as fast as he can.  This is why hill dog walks really are best for him.

   The views, of course, are stunning.

You can just about make out the Forth Rail Bridge.

And it's always a bit incongruous to see people skiing in the warm air at the Snowsports dry ski slopes.

   By the time we boarded our bus home, Lucky was tired.  And when he's tired, comfort becomes paramount.  He could not understand why he wasn't allowed to use the comfy bus furniture.  I had to explain.  But once we found our spot, he slept for the entire 1 hour journey back.

Autumn Leaves

   I know that I'm biased, but isn't this happy boy a total looker?

He's on the hunt for squirrels; he will never get one, but he keeps his chin up.

Yoga Bear

If you're going to abandon a yoga matt up Calton Hill, Lucky will not accept responsibility for it's fate.

The Hills

   I've said this before, but Holyrood Park here in town is the best place to walk dogs I've ever come across.  It's around the corner from our house, but it's a pretty major hill to climb, with paths going off in all different directions.  The views are stunning, and I'm never bored by our walks there.
   Today, Lucky and I took the route which we refer to as 'the steep path', which we've never attempted before.  I found it difficult, to say the least.  Lucky, not so much.  He puts me to shame with his high energy and fitness levels.
   Once at the top, we took the long way home, following the paths to the Willowbrae side of the park.  This walk lasts 2 hours, and we do some variation on it 3-5 times a week.  And with every step, I am conscious of what thoroughly excellent company my lovely boy is.

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You could cry.  So sweet!

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"I'm King of the world!"

News Hound

   Edinburgh is a very tense but excited city these days.  The referendum has a lot of people feeling very uncertain, and while it's good that so many people are engaged with this process, it's sad to see and hear of so many friends and family members genuinely falling out over it.
   Town has been crawling with members of the press and television media.  This past Wednesday, Lucky and I took a stroll up Calton Hill for some fresh air.

   There were news vans and satellite dishes everywhere, as the BBC and ITV had both set up camp in order to take advantage of the views.  Loads of people had climbed up to watch.

   Doing the talking for the BBC was the veteran broadcaster Gavin Esler.  We walked past as he was on camera, and Lucky, of course, went up and sniffed him.  I coaxed him away, and we sat to watch the filming.

   Between takes, Gavin remarked to me "They say you should never work with animals, but I'd make an exception for him!"  I responded by thanking him, and adding "he's a no vote, by the way!"

   Once the camera started rolling again, he said this: "We're up the lovely Calton Hill, and there are lots of people gathered; tourists, locals, and people walking dogs."  The camera then panned to Lucky and I.   "This handsome boy has caught our eye.  When I asked his owner what kind of dog he was, he said 'a no'."  The people who were in the area all started to laugh; I was thoroughly chuffed!

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The best part of my day is when this face looks back to make sure I'm still following him.