Common Riding 2025.

Mabel: Well that's it all over for another year. Christmas next. All those horses and people. Pam and Ewen were busy so we spent most of the time at home. It was quite warm so probably the best. Been up early for walks but it's already getting darker. The corn is growing now too. We try not to flatten it but it's great fun chasing rabbits.

Haven't caught any. I might have to have ultra sound on my left shoulder. Katie, at hydro, found a wee lump. Vet couldn't feel it the next day but Pam and Ewen are keeping an eye on me. Benefits are, I get a lot of cuddles and free range of the bed. Suits me. Even better was our visit to Seacliff beach the other day, with Murphy.

Morris : I really have to keep an eye on her. If it's not with black labradors and spaniels it's Simon. If she's not sniffing something out she's off chasing after something or other. She loves people and keeps trying to lick them. She's ALWAYS up to something. She is my wee sister and I worry about her. I had to keep Murphy inline the other day when he started sniffing but a growling and a shoulder push sorted him out. I have to just stand and watch her. Been out in our PupMobile too. Great views of the horses.

HOLIDAYS.

Morris : We've been away on a wee journey up north. To a place called Monachyle Mhor on the banks of Loch Doine. It was brilliant. We went on trips to Comrie, Crieff and Lochearnhead. We had our heads out the windows for most of the time. It was just great fun. We were patted and cuddled and photographed and we ate like kings. I do hope we go back.

Mabel: I do hope we go back. Simon would enjoy it too. Very comfortable hotel with lovely staff and food. Grassy banks and lawns to play and lie on. I am sure I could develop a role for myself as a Hotel Reviewer for Dogs. You'll be pleased to hear my nose is healing perfectly. Pam keeps an eye on it with wipes and antibiotic powder. It won't even be seen.

PARTY TIME!

Mabel: It was our birthday party at the weekend. We were missing Mum and Marla this year cause Keith isn't well but Bran was back. It was lovely to see all the humans as well as the brothers. I was the only girl there. I really like Simon. He's a pal of Mac's. We just played all day. We're the fastest so we just ran everyone else of their paws. I did get hurt on the nose, no fault of mine, but it did sting for a while. Mac has recently lost three toes and someone stood on his back paw. It wasn't me but I was lying near Simon and was the nearest, when he lashed out. Even Norman has had an op on his paw to cut a ligament to stop his corns. I liked Simon. He was kind.

Morris : Grief, I had to run about protecting her ALL day. At least I had no distractions this year because I usually try to snuggle up to Mum, Doris and Sis, Marla but they couldn't make it. Us boys all did the "I'm the Big Man" thing for a while but settled down quite quickly. The humans seemed to have a good time too and spent a lot of the time eating. It rained a lot, which didn't bother us, but it irritated them. Then Jenny (hostess) brought out our birthday cake. It's REALLY good. We chomped our way through that pretty quickly. Jenny and Angus have us every year, which is so nice. Norman, their dog, and my brother, is a pretty laid back kinda guy. Bran is bigger then me but I think he's all hair. He's a surfer dude. Goes paddle boarding. Very cool. Mac and Simon are from the New Forest. Simon isn't one of the family but he looks like us. He's Mabel's new beau. At least he's not a labrador or a spaniel........

JULY!

Mabel: It's been lovely and warm and it's been chucking it down. Supreme weather for ticks I think. Pam thought so too which was just as well after our massive walk up the hills with Ewen. It was magnificent. We just ran and ran. We rolled in the heather and played and chased. I loved it. Very tired later but we had good sleeps that afternoon, in the restaurant in Kelso. Scott's Bridge Street Bistro lets Morris and I in and we just lay on our beds ( Pam took them with us) and slept. Great smells too and sometimes bits would fall off the table, like a bit duck or some ice cream.

Morris : It's been lovely recently. We've had great walks first hours of the morning and, in most cases, avoided the rain. Pam's not been out much because it's too early for her and she's had a sore foot. We've been in Dumfries, to New Abbey, which we both adore but the walk the other morning was just brilliant. Me and Ewen and Mabel. Perfect. Bit tired when we got home but we always have lots of cuddles and I even cuddle my wee sister.

MELROSE WEEK.

Morris : It was brilliant on Monday. The weather was great and Pam seems to have woken up from her holiday!!! She suggested a walk along the river Tweed, in Melrose. What a suggestion. We walked, paddled, chased each other, ate biscuits and had an ice cream. What a great day. Have to admit the swing bridge was swinging a bit and that Leonberger was a big chap but other than that it was just a great day out.

Mabel: Pam always has the biscuits so we kept pretty close to her. It is great having her back because I always get lots of cuddles. I gave Morris a good chasing along the river but a biscuit makes him run back to Pam and stops the chase. That ice cream was a joy because we were both knackered and hot when we got back to the car.

OUR HOLIDAYS.

Mabel : Well, in our last post we said we were going away with Ewen. It was just a brilliant four days. He played golf and we went round the course with him. That was a bit tiring because we weren't allowed to run about but we did have pit stops on the way. The best bit was going back to Sandyhills. The tide was out and I could run. Really run, It was just perfect. Miles and miles of open, very flat sand. We did the grave visit before we left and went to put flowers on our humans's parents. Dogs don't do that??

Morris: I do agree. I have to watch my hip, you know, so I love a good run on the flat. Sandyhills is just that.

Of course. When we got home we were just knackered but still enjoyed a visit up Lauder Golf Course. We have a great view of our home and it's good to check everything is alright, afer having been away.

Then we went to Goswick with Ewen and had another beach day.

Mabel and Morris : And just to finish our week we got to play with our pal, Murphy. He even came in the car with us. He can run too and it's good to play with friends your own size!

SUMMER!

Morris: I am very happy Ewen is taking us on holiday to New Abbey. We'll get to run on the beach at Sandyhills and Southerness and play round Sweetheart Abbey. I was very upset last week when he went to Arran and left me at home. It's not that Pam's not caring it's just she's not Ewen. We had lovely long walks and lots of cuddles and treats but.....! I haven't let him out of my sight since he got home.

Mabel: It was fine. He is such a drama queen. We had fabulous walks and food when Ewen was away AND we could all get on the bed. Mind you Morris did get up and lie at the front window looking longingly out in case Ewen turned up......At 2 am ????? What an idiot. Anyway, this is our annual trip to New Abbey. We were here last year as well. Pam is at home. Our wee cottage here is really comfy and it's great to get new smells. We've been a trip round Shambellie House too. We look magnificent. Especially me.