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!!!

DISLOCATED HIP!!!

Morris : I have had a particularly bad accident. On Saturday we were out for a run. Mabel and I were trotting back to the car when I my back left leg slipped on ice. I did a Bambi. The pain was excruciating. I screamed. Ewen got as big a fright as I did. He tried to carry me but it hurt too much and I do weigh 44Kg. He laid me down in the snow and ran to get the car. Mabel, bless her, didn't try to chew me up. She just cuddled into me and kept me warm as I lay in the snow. She wouldn't leave me. I was rushed to the vet and given something called morphine. When I eventually woke up I was still sore but at least my leg was in the right place. I felt decidedly odd for the next 36hours. I kept seeing weird things. Pam said I was hallucinating. Ewen slept beside me on our downie to make sure I was okay, By Monday I was feeling much better but still sore. I'm not allowed off the lead or to go for a walk. It's very frustrating but after even a short stroll to do my business I'm a bit tender and need to go lie down. I pretty much have free reign over the sofas and bed, furries and I get massages. Pam is talking about hydrotherapy, whatever that is. Apparently it involves water??!! Might be fun. Mabel : It was very scary. He really let out a yelp. I knew he was hurt and so I rushed over and lay with him. I was not leaving my brother. Plus I was worried he'd get cold what with snow and shock. I thought I'd better not chew his ears or anything when he was like that. He won't know this but the vet said he'd popped his hip from the bottom rather than the top, which is unusual and that it was unusual to see just a muscled dog with that sort of injury. I'm not telling him that, of course, in case he thinks he's Mr Universe or something. The vet had to really struggle to get it back in. Hopefully, that means it won't come out again. Paws crossed. It has the benefit that I get to play with our toys without him trying to beat me up. He's not allowed to walk far let alone run about. The disadvanage and annoying bit is that he gets to lie where he wants. "He has to be comfortable and be able to stretch his hips!!!" I am sleeping in my bat cave. Can't wait till he gets better and I can push him off the bed.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Morris and Mabel : It's been since last year since we got in touch. All is well. It's cold and snowy or cold and wet, and when we go out in the mornings, it's really dark, We both prefer the comforts of home and are enjoying a semi-hibernation. Having both parents at home is brilliant and we have had some brilliant runs and explorations. Getting a tad hairier as well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Morris: It's been a brilliant few days. I know we had our first Christmas last year but we really got into it more this year although Pam says we are both rubbish at opening presents. We got lots of eatable goodies and a couple of nice toy bones. I manage to destroy one quite quickly. I'll save the other one for later. We've also been out for some excellent walks. All four of us. We chased toys and found new smells and paths. All very adventurous. We've also been doing a lot of snoozing. Again, all four of us. Great pack time.

Mabel : I've had a really jolly time. We had a bit of a scare on Christmas Eve, when our new cousin, Aggie, a rescue from Ukraine, decided to eat Santa's mincemeat pies. She's just little, not like us, so she had a wee visit to the vet. Considering all the stuff Morris has managed to annihilate I'm surprised he's not been to the vet more. On that subject, he managed to stretch to the back of the kitchen work top and ate ALL of our Boxing Day ham. Pam and Ewen weren't happy but there wasn't a lot they could do really. I stayed out of trouble and just looked festive in my Santa hat.

LONG DOGS!!

Morris : Well she may look beautiful (she is my sister so I have to be nice) but I really am the perfect picture of a Long Dog. Not a Lurcher which is something else entirely. Nor am I a Wolfhound but apparently many people thing we both are. Anyway, loving the weather.

Mabel :I am gorgeous and yes people keep asking if we are Wolfhounds and yes we are Long Dogs and Pam has pointed out I have a wee white chin and that we are both getting hairier and I don't need to punctuate this because I can breathe under a heavy downie.

SNOW!

Mabel : We have snow and I just love it. Our coats keep us warm and running about in it is just fabulous. Of course Morris can't really run about and play because it's just a week since his big operation. He was a bit tender down there for a while but he's pretty much okay. I mean my operaion was MUCH more serious and I got on with it. Anyway, it's really cosy at home and the Christmas tree looks great. Lots of nice smelling things are going in our Christmas stocking. Very hopeful.

Morris : I know, the snow is just amazing. As of today I can run about so madam had better watch what she's doing. I have a week of payback due. She's right about the interesting things going into Christmas stockings. They smell amazing. Pam has had to barricade the tree though because I do like chewing things and some of those parcels smell very attractive.