I am spending today at the vet, but for my Nature Friday contribution I've posted pictures from this week's short and rather soggy visit to Torridon. I believe that in my absence Gail has a few words to say below.
Gail here: As readers of Wednesday's post will have deduced, I have decided that Nobby, unlike my two previous dogs, would benefit from being neutered. I can't pretend that this has been an easy decision. It's been one made very much with my head not my heart, and I still worry that the operation will cause my wonderfully spirited and mischievous pup to lose some of his 'spark'. However, Nobby's favourite 'toy', Sophie Snow Leopard, with whom he has developed an increasingly intimate relationship over the past few months, will probably welcome a decrease in the amorous attentions she endures most evenings!
Other relevant factors here - I note that Nobby's father Jimbob seems to have sired half the wire-haired fox terriers in North East Scotland and with Nobby I suspect it's a case of 'a chip off the old block'. Also, at risk of posting TMI, I note that Nobby's testicles are at least twice the size of his predecessor Bertie's, and my vet friend Kirsty tells me this means twice the number of testosterone producing cells...
The scientist in me is curious to see how 'the snip' changes Nobby's behaviour, while also recognising that over the coming year he probably would have calmed down a bit anyway due to age and, of course, I'll never really know how he would have been if left intact!
