FFF: The Angus Special

Er, hi, this is Angus the Black Labrador here. Woof woof!

My irrepressible WFT neighbour Nobby has suggested I do a guest post on his blog this week, to fit in YAM-aunty's Final Friday Feature slot.

I'll admit I hesitated at first, not really having much of a clue about the whole blogging business, but Nobby's a persistent wee fellow, and he said go on Angus, it's a piece of cake, and told me I should just ramble on about any old topic, and maybe someone out there will read it. Or maybe they won't. It doesn't really matter.  

As I'm a lab, of course he had me at "piece of cake". 

So first let me tell you a bit about myself. I am seven years old and I live right across the road from Gail and Nobby with my owner Jim and his wife Maggie. I used to get lots of walks in the park, but unfortunately Jim hasn't been so well these past few months and so Gail has been taking me out for an hour or so every Tuesday afternoon. 

I'm rather relieved that Nobby stays at home on these walks because, to be honest, he can be a bit 'full on', whereas I am a calm and sober type and I don't much like pesky little terriers jumping all over me. 

Gail took these photos of me in the park this week, saying if I posed among the crocuses this post would also qualify for the LLB Gang's 'Nature Friday', whatever that is. 

I'm sure you are admiring my sleek and glossy black coat. 

After our walk, Jim generally invites Gail in for a cup of tea and I sit quietly on the sofa listening to the conversation. 

Don't tell Nobby, but this week Gail praised my conduct in the park and told Jim she has far fewer "nervous moments" when out with me than when her own ball-thieving explosion of mischief in canine form is on the loose.

Well that's all for now. Maybe I'll be invited to post again sometime, although it has been pointed out that Nobby will preview my contribution and, while he's let it go this time, he might in future be inclined to censor any unflattering references to his behaviour...

Woof woof! 

Designated Dog Day

 Gail says that Tuesday is now 'Designated Dog Day'.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? That surely every day in the Gail and Nobby household should be Designated Dog Day?

Well it seems it's just Tuesdays.

First off, of course, I get my morning walk in Duthie Park. But you know all about that.

Then something new. Our neighbour Jim is not very well, and Angus, Jim's handsome black labrador, needs more exercise. So Gail has offered to take Angus out for a good leg stretch on Tuesday afternoons.

I have high hopes that eventually I might be allowed to join Gail and Angus on these outings, but based on this week's evidence, it is perhaps better that Gail gets used to walking a lively plus 40 kg dog by herself to start with.

From my perch on the sofa in our bay window, I was able to observe Angus exiting our neighbour's front gate and heading down the street at pace, thus unbalancing Gail so she toppled over and let go of the lead. Angus, being a Good Boy, calmly waited for her to pick herself up and they proceeded on their walk, Gail this time remembering to hold on tight and engage her core muscles in an effort to stay upright while Angus dragged her off in the direction of the riverside path.

The photo of Angus, below, was taken later, by which time Gail claims she had somewhat regained control of the situation. Apparently, she attributes her earlier fall to momentarily forgetting she was not walking a 9 kg dog who does not generally pull on his lead these days. (That would be me.)

The third and final component of Designated Dog Day is my weekly training session at Deeside Dog Agility Club. This week it was raining so we were indoors in the barn. To be honest, this is not so much fun as being out in the open - less scope for haring across the field and eliciting cries of "LOOSE DOG!" 

Gail says, with the onset of dark evenings and colder weather, we will likely now be inside for agility until the spring so I'd better get used to it!