NORTH BERWICK.

Morris : Just had an amazing time in North Berwick for Ewen's birthday. It was brilliant. Fabulous shops that both Mabel and I loved. Barker and Bone in the High Street was a joy.

Then we would lie around in wine shops nibbling cheese.

But the best bits were the walks and runs on the beaches and golf courses. Fabulous. I did get really worried one morning when Ewen joined our friend Lesley to go cold water swimming, at 8am. It was a bit choppy. I tried to get in to joim him but I was too scared. Even Mikki, who is a labrador and does this two three times a week, thought it was a bit rough. I barked and whined at him to come out but he was having too much fun. I was soo relieved to see him get out.

Mabel had a great time too but I'll let her talk about that!!!!! Mabel: Ah well! Yes! I had a bit of a run in with Pam's head. As Morris said, we had a brilliant time on courses and beaches.

But then I rather lost control of my excitement. Pam went to pick up a nice looking stone. I thought I'd get there first. I hit her at 40mph just as she bent down. Wow!!! My head was sore and my nose started to bleed a wee bit. Think I hit her more with my shoulder. She was on the ground holding her head!! I had to hide in shame.

After that I tried to keep a low profile and we both did a lot of snoozing because we ran about so much.

Pam's head started to change colour after 24hours. After 5 days it looked like this...... black eye as well!!!!!

NEW YEAR, NEW WALKS.

Morris: Had some amazing runs recently. Ewen has found a new walk at the back of the castle and Pam tooks a different side of the river in Melrose. Brand new smells and news to read. Mabel does have a very good nose and is more inclined to try to follow the scent. I try and keep an eye on Ewen. It also means I conserve my energy for a good run if she finds something.

Mabel : True, we have had some different action. And I've been taking care of my teeth, which Pam says is very important. Apparently, chewing on sticks to keep her teeth healthy was something our relative, Mirren, and to an extent, Magnus, did. It really is rather fun giving a stick a REALLY good chew. There are some beauts on one of the new walks. The deer or rabbits have stripped the bark off so there are no icky bits. Morris got involved too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Mabel: We are a bit late posting this but our lives have been busy. First of all we had visitors staying for a week. I got very confused because Linda sounds exactly like Pam and I was never sure what I should do. New Year's day we didn't go down to the hunt because it was really wet and no-one wanted to go out in that!!! After Linda and Ken left we went to a big house outside St Andrew's. We stayed four days. Lots of places to run about in and we got to go to the beach. Loved it.

Chased lots of dogs who were thrilled to meet me. When we got home we were all very tired and then Morris and I had to go for hydro. Well Morris did. Katie thought it would be better if I had laser treatment on my paw and shouder. IT WAS MAGNIFICENT. Like a hot stone massage Pam said. I just slept. So relaxing. Was warmer than hydro too.

Morris : St Andrew's beach was great fun but she was a bit of an embarrassment. The dogs may have been thrilled to meet her but a lot of the owners got a fright as this orange and yellow clad dog hurtled, at great speed, towards their beloved pooch.

Then she'd go in to play mode and then hurtle back to us. They didn't know what had happened. Mabel has also shown she has a particular liking for black Labradors???????? And then there is the pleasure of getting home and getting back to home comforts.

Going away is an adventure but coming home is luxury!! Hydro was okay but I was still tired after four days of humans partying.

But then, while I lay damp in my microfibre coat, she was getting a massage from Katie!? Very envious. I love Katie's massages but a laser massage is so warm and tingly and relaxing!! Hrrumph.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US ALL.

Morris : Had a great week. Lots of eating, walking and playing with presents. Well some of them. The hats aren't quite my scene.

Tried to look Gangsta but couldn't be bothered! Too tired. Had been smelling one of my favorite foods but our ban on protein meant we only got a nibble!!!

Other than that, excitement got the better of me and I just slept!!!

Mabel : He pretends he's a bit "Bah Humbug " about Christmas but he actually enjoys it!! The early morning walk with Pam and Ewen,

Breakfast up the hill,

opening our presents,

wearing silly hats and scarves

and generally being goofy.

Very festive. Loved it.

ALMOST THERE!!

Morris : It's been a busy week. We went present shopping with Ewen and then helped him wrap some. However, I'm more interested in the fact that Ewen's been doing a lot of cooking. Like my hero, I do like being in the kitchen. The smells are amazing. Every now and again I get to test something. Mind you, since the protein cut back, it doesn't happen so much. We went round the golf course the other day and it was lovely to see a chair has been installed in memory of our neighbour, Ian Scott.

Mabel : It is certainly beginning to feel like Christmas even if the weather isn't festive. The shopping was fun. Morris was an utter embarrassment when we were delivering cards. He pee-ed. Even at the vets he stood and pee-ed.

I couldn't look the nurse in the face. Hung my head.

When we got home I just cuddled into my fave place and tried to forget the shame!!!

INJURIES AND HATS!

Mabel : I have been limping on and off all week. At first we thought it was my paw, then my wrist. At hydro on Thursday, Katie said my shoulder is still tight and I don't like extending it. Pam and Ewen have put a support brace on my leg and have ordered a lovely pair of greyhound boots. Can't wait for them to arrive. I'm not allowed off the lead because I just start to run like a maniac. I don't limp when I run but it just makes my limp worse. We also had to wear Christmas hats and scarves when we went out Christmas card delivering. Mmmmmm??!! My favourite place is still their bed.

Morris : It is absolute bliss for me, her being on the lead. I can trot about and not have to worry about her attacking me. I'm trying not to think about the day she is allowed off the lead!!!!! I have to say, I'm not impressed by this whole dressing up thing. Definitely not my style. I try to stop it by attempting the destrction of the red hats but if caught I end up wearing it. Much prefer Ewen's orange hat. He lost it the other day until Pam pointed out I was using it as a chin rest.

Had another lovely time of massages at hydro on Thursday. Won't see Katie till next year now!!!

MEMORIES.

Morris : I haven't had one accident this past 14 days. I am very happy but upset the pigs ears have disappeared. We get other stuff though. Been away to New Abbey again. It's the time of year Pam goes to visit her ancestors. We love it because we get to run about and even better....we get to go to the beach. We have to be very well behaved in the graveyard, of course.

Southerness is one of Ewen's happy places. They have a golf course there he loves. We have a run on the beach and then a walk on the course. Mabel tried to get to me but I just ignored her and went for a paddle.

We also went to visit Magnus's axe head at Wooplaw wood. I REALLY don't like it there. Brings back bad memories.

Mabel : What a woose. New Abbey and Southerness were brilliant. I found the trip to the woodland hysterical. It's three years since someone tried to abduct Morris. There we were and you could see he was scared. Kept glued to Ewen's leg. Kept looking around. Was twitchy at every noise. I told him to grow a pair (actually he did but then they disappeared). He was just a wee lad then, easy to pick up and carry away. He's 44Kg now and would probably wriggle a bit more!!! I did try to cheer him up but he was just happy to get home, cuddle into his furry and try to chew Ewen's hat. He then had to wear it. They're clearing a lot of the woodland after Storm Arwen. One of the big vehicles must have dunted Magnus's axehead. Ewen got it all fixed up and back in place. Put on a Christmas wreath.