SLEEP AND WALKS.

Mabel : Pam is on holiday so she has been joining us for walks. I stress her out. I went off chasing something or other the other day. They had to send "Mr Goody Four Paws" to come and get me back. Once I'm running I hear nothing, see nothing other than what I'm chasing. Have run into a tree in the past. Never saw it coming. Was too focussed on a tree rabbit. After all that running I like to get a really good sleep. Beauty needs its rest.

I am really looking forward to my first visit to the spa tomorrow. I'm allowed to get hydrotherapy for muscle maintenance. Morris says I'll need my sleep after that. Morris : She has absolutely no idea what she is in for. It's a lot harder than it looks. Katie really puts me through my paces and I really have to work. I'm always tired afterwards but it has made such a difference to me. Now, I can around and I'm not frightened I'm going to hurt my hip. It's great to be able to chase my ball or run through the woods and not be worried. My leg doesn't swing out any more either. I really feel back to good. (Touching wood) Pam managed to get a picture of the two of us with Ewen. Usually he's on the other end of the camera. Nice to get the three of us.

HATS AND SUNRISES.

Morris : My hip is getting so much better. I am so much more relaxed about running about and jumping. I actually get off the lead to have a run now. It's brilliant. I cannot thank Katie at Greenside enough. She really puts me through my paces. Last week was really hard. I was exhausted when I got out. Had to snooze all afternoon.

Pam has bought these hoodie things for us to protect our ears when we are in the car. I hate them and get it off as soon as I can. Look a right idiot.

Had a brilliant walk on Saturday morning. Ewen took us right around the valley of Lauder. Windy but so much fun. Mabel is going to have a shot at hydrotherapy. Our vet has said it will help her muscle maintenance????? Things that girl will do!!! Mabel : I am soooo excited about the hydrotherapy. I've been watching what happens and I think I'll be fine. I did jerk my shoulder last week so hopefully the hydrotherapy will help with that.

As to the hats, I think they are quite cute. I look gorgeous in mine.

I do think Morris looks a bit fed up in his. I must say we did get a lot of attention. Some like them. A lot of people laughed a lot. Not sure!!! Neither of us could look at each other for laughing, or embarrassment?

Having said that, we could have done with them when we were up the hill on Saturday morning. The wind was really strong. I had to keep shaking my head to get my ears back the right place. The hoodie things would have helped.

I was very tired and decided the best place to sleep was in their bed. Very comfy. Slept really well.

AUCHENCAIRN.

Mabel : We have just been on the most amazing holiday. We had a whole week of 24/7 with Pam and Ewen and the most brilliant walks and runs. Even Morris was allowed off the lead for a trot because the sand flats let him run safely. I did laugh though when he stopped rigid, staring at something in the distance. I wasn't bothered by it but he was certainly stopped in his tracks. Pam even walked out to the thing that was scaring him and moved it. After a good sniffing he was fine. It was a bouy. Eejit. We were staying in an old gate house castley thing with a lot of stairs. We got up and down them with no problems. Our best run was a place called Sandyhills. Pam used to go there when she was little. The tide was out and we got to walk out sooooooo far!!

Morris : It really was very good. We also had a visit from Mikki. I got a telling off because I tried to do things to her but nothing was working. Mikki wasnt bothered. I gave up and just went for a snooze. It was so good to be allowed to go for a run. The sand was just perfect. I did have a couple of spills which put Pam and Ewen into a panic. I skidded on grass and on the kitchen lino. Seems Katie and my hydrotherapy are doing the job. Bounced back up no problems. I have no excuses about the funny, white, ball thing. It must have triggered something in my head because I thought it looked really scary. I pee-ed on it to show it who was boss.

I have also won the treat catching competition. Mabel can only look on in awe and jealousy.

HYDRO!

Morris : I am loving my hydrotherapy sessions. First of all the water is lovely and warm. Secondly I get massaged by Katie. Thirdly it's helping my hip and forthly, it really irritates Mabel. She is so jealous. She's even putting on a limp to try and get a session. I've tried to continue my therapy by paddling in the river when I'm allowed off the lead.

I'm also allowed a lot of leeway in the house. I decided to try out the new garden furniture and Pam didn't throw me off. I stole the Greek yoghurt carton and finished that off and THEN we got BONES!!! Life is good.

Mabel : And he says I hog the limelight??? On and on and on! Actually, I will agree that the bones were an absolute joy. I make a better job than him of getting my tongue in and getting the marrow out. As to the limp, it is not put on. I raised my first deer on Saturday and must have pulled a shoulder muscle. I was very happy chasing the deer. I'm not meant to but it's in my blood. The deer got away. And while Morris is going on about himself, Ewen and I organised Mother's Day for Pam. That's the pawmoney gone and just when we are running short of biscuits.

THERAPY...IES

Mabel : I'm writing first this time because I get the feeling he is just going to go on and on and on. First of all apologies for the delay in writing but this dislocated hip of Morris's takes up a fair bit of time. I have to put up with watching him having all these spa days and more on the horizon. I feel this is a tad unfair because, as a girl, I would definitely appreciate them more. He sees them more as a means to an end. I mean I had to see him get massaged and bathed and warmed and stretched. If he gets a hot stone I am lodging a complaint! Then Ewen has to do all these exercises with him at home. Hrrrrumph! Did get a lot of cuddles though.

Morris : I really am being treated very well. First by Victoria at our vet's, Galedin and now by Katie at Greenside, who is my physiotherapist. She is just fantastic and is so kind and gentle with me. She also has loads of biscuits, gravy bones. This is an added bonus. First week I got laser therapy. It was amazing. We all had to wear goggles. Mabel was just a wee bit irritated. She knew it was good because I fell asleep.

This week I had to walk in the hydrotherapy tank. Apparently it's the only one in the UK that dogs can walk straight into. The water was lovely and warm and Katie was with me, so I knew I'd be alright. Plus I had to walk towards Pam who had biscuits. I had to do four two and a half minute walks with massage in between.

I was tired when I got home and just slept.

Morris and Mabel : We'd both like to thank Greenside Veterinary Practice, in St Boswells. Their Regenerative Medecine and Rehabilitation Centre is famous. The unit and staff have been amazing. Particular thanks to Katie who has been fabulous with both of us.

NEW ABBEY.

Morris : We've been away again and it was lovely. I have to be careful, because of my hip but it's nice to get a whole lot of new smells and meet new people. The first thing I always do is check out who has visited while we've been away. Pam also had a bit of a do in the house where they went to France for the day. She even had us modelling berets. Not my favourite look. I'm visiting the vet today so hopefully, things are all okay and I can start my hydrotherapy.

Mabel : Things are actually really pleasant here with him being on the lead the whole time. New Abbey was great and I had a really good search at Shambellie House trail. LOADS of smells. Excellent time. Home is so peaceful because he has to take it easy and if he gets a bit excited Pam and Ewen immediately calm him down. No running or jumping for Morris. As to dressing up.....I think I suit a hat!!!

Glen Etive!!

Morris : Well, despite my injury I'm still enjoying life. I have got through the "Only to pee and poo" stage and now have short controlled lead walks. This doesn't mean I'm not having fun. Very well looked after. Staying close to Ewen generally means more food. I get all the comfy spots and Mabel has been kicked off the bed. And then to top it off we went to Roman Camp, had fabulous sausages for breakfast and visited Glen Etive and Glen Coe. All the other Ms have done this so I was really excited. Next time I'll be able to run around. Can't wait.

Mabel : Meanwhile I am having the time of my life. Yes, I'm off the bed but I get cuddled into my BatCave and get cosy and comfy, unless Pam gets in too!!??? On walks I get to run around in great big circles without anyone trying to tackle me. I get the toys and if I want I can pick up GREAT BIG Branches and try to walk with them. He can't interfere. Life is truly good. And we are going to New Abbey again soon. Oh, and I get the window because he can't push me out of the way!!!