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.

PROTEIN!!

Morris: It's been a difficult week for me. First of all getting caught out as the phantom piddler. Then Pam and Ewen were out on Wednesday and Uncle Gavin came to check on us. He later commented that I could pee for Scotland. So they took me to the vet!!!. Got urine and bloods tested. I am normal but they have decided to take us right back to a proper Greyhound low protein diet as our Breeder recommended. A pigs' or rabbit ear everynow and again is fine but not everyday. It's actually scary how much protein there is in some snacks!! Gone vegetarian for treats. Hey ho! Then Pam started putting up xmas decorations. Lights and stuff everywhere. Everything is made worse by my sister constantly bollocking me about diet changes. All my fault apparently!!!!

Mabel : I don't know. He gets piddly and we all suffer. Pam and Ewen from worry and me for missing out on treats. One plus was our Xmas photo shoot. Styled by Pam and produced by Ewen. Now he's using it for advertising. I wonder if we get royalties??? Ewen says it's for a good cause since he donates the fees to Arthurshiels Pet Rescue. There are too many other people like us get abandoned at Christmas. It all helps. Turkey isn't high in protein is it?????

SNOW AND WIND!

Mabel : We have snow. I love it. Running about in it is just perfect. I can see the tracks of the deer and the rabbits. I am happy. It is also just amazing to get back home and all cuddled up in the warmth. We had a couple of nigts away, in Dunbar, for a wedding. It is always great to get home to your own bed. Or in this case, Pam and Ewen's. I am also feeling exonerated. I am not the piddler. AS IF!!

Morris: It is a tad chilly and windy outside. I really do lke the comfort of a good bed. Pam as now lined my day bed with a furry. I blend into it well and just adore getting snuggled. I have been unmasked!!!!!! Pam caught me last night. Since the clocks changed and Pam retired I've been trying to communicate with her. I usually wake Ewen up if I need to relieve myself outside. Rather than disturb him, particularly if he's working the next day, I go and stare at Pam. She thinks I'm trying to boss her to go to bed. I'm not. Eventually I give up and pee in the studio. She cottoned on last night, AT LAST!!! Unfortunately I had already started and couldn't stop. The Phantom Piddler struck again. Hopefully, it'll be the last.