BATHING AND SUNBATHING.

Mabel : The weather has been fabulous and we've been for some REALLY long walks. We've been swimming a fair bit too. This requires a fair amount of shaking too get rid of excess moisture.

And then we go home and lie out in the sun. I don't usually sunbathe but Pam and Ewen put their garden furniture together and made me a raised bed. Morris joined me for a while but I think I made it quite clear that this new bed was all mine. Mine. ALL mine!

Morris : She can have the bed thing. I've had a wonderful time in the water with Ewen. He came in too. It was great. Two guys in the water just paddling about together.

As to the bed....she can have it. I am just as happy stretched out on the cool grass or just looking cool in Ewen's hat!

CATS, CUDDLES AND YOGA.

Mabel : Been a fairly normal week till Wednesday, when I hurt my back leg. Morris says I'm just trying to take over from him. It's the same back leg. Well not exactly, it's my back leg not his but it's the back right again! Roles have been reversed and I'm on the lead rather than him. Honestly, I don't know how he did it. He never pulled or tried to get off the lead. He must have known he needed to be careful. He went after a deer the other morning and I nearly pulled Ewen over trying to join in. Real athletes often compete even when hurting. That's me. Went a trip to Kelso on Thursday and was much admired by three gentlemen. One had a dog he wanted me to have puppies with. Bit late! Had to lie on the floor in the restaurant while Pam and Ewen ate. At least Pam gave us her jacket.

Morris : She has been limping a bit. It didn't stop her trying to get that cat again. It just sits across the road and takes the mickey out of us.

Anyway, did give her a bit of a cuddle. She is a very good looking dog and that man's Saluki/Collie cross quite fancied her. Just needed to let her know I'm all she needs. Her brother, her friend, her source of left over food etc etc.

On Sunday Ewen did his yoga and I thought I'd better do a bit of yoga too. Need to keep my muscles in good shape now. After my accident good muscles are important. Learnt that from Katie. Another week till we see her again. Can't wait.

BETTER WEATHER.

Mabel : it's a bit warmer but still raining a fair bit. I am still in dreams after my spa day. I have been promised another. Goody. Pam and Ewen have both been very busy outside when the sun shines. Morris goes out and sun bathes but I prefer staying inside and protecting my skin. Too much sun is not good for you. Also I twisted a paw and feel the need to stretch out on the big bed. We've been running in long grass which involves a lot of bouncing to be able to see. I must have landed in a hollow or something?? Morris : I just love lying outside, sniffing the air and feeling the breeze on my coat. It's amazing the amount of information you can gather just by sniffing the air. You know if there's food around, if a cat is going to appear, what other dogs are doing, what the birds are up to. It's brilliant. Mabel prefers to stay inside and just be stretched out and warm. No adventurous spirit there. Unless, of course, if we are on a walk. Mabel really does have a very good nose. I am more of a "gaze" guy but she alerts, from scent, for both of us. It's good to be able to just run again.

SPA DAYS FOR ATHLETES.

Morris : It's been a busy week for the two legs. They've been cutting, painting, cleaning. Must be spring. We've had long walks and long snoozing. I've been outside when it's been sunny, or rather, when it's not been raining. Love my walks with Ewen. We usually have a bit of a picnic which allows him time for a cup of tea. He does like his tea. I just lie down and wait. Mabel is always itching to run so she stands around willing him to move on.

I even tried the lying down thing with Katie the other day. I mean you really have to conserve your energy. It's not easy walking through that water. I don't think she was bothered but I do like to impress her.

Mabel got her chance next. She was a wee bit iffy when she first got in the tank but Katie calmed her down and gravy bones always work for Mabel. I have no idea how she stays so thin, the amount she eats. Think she liked it. Mabel : I wasn't sure if it was going to happen. I just waited while Morris did his thing and then... IT WAS MY TURN! It was a bit scary getting in that glass box and when the water starts to come up... Katie was lovely and she gave me a massage and stretched my joints. I have a tight shoulder ( I mentioned it the other week) But the muscles of an athlete. Who knew? Very proud of myself.

It was much harder work than it looks and now I understand why Morris is tired. Slept like a log.

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.