If you go down to the woods today you’d better watch where you’re putting your feet!

Posted on November 13, 2010 by Paul

Since there are so few proper Cani-X races in Scotland at the moment, we’re supplementing with Park Runs – organized, timed but free-to-join 5k runs around parks. Dogs are allowed so long as they’re on lead and well controlled, and Beanie & Biggles – despite all their faults – are actually really well behaved on a run with other people to follow.

This morning we went along to a park run in Glasgow, and against all odds got to run in sunshine. It still wasn’t exactly dry – the paths we were running on were waterlogged from the gales and monsoons of the last week – but this unexpected gift from the weather gods was certainly appreciated, and there was a good turnout – well over 200 runners.

Things started well for me and Biggles; I’ve been doing a bit more running of late and I felt pretty good as we headed off. We overtook lots of people – which Biggles loves – and we looked set to improve on our previous time, but then as we reached the half way point I felt a grumbling from down below. From my abdomen that is, not from Biggles. It started off as a polite request from the bowel department, but in the space of a minute it turned into a demand at gunpoint! When I spotted a break in the trees, I had no choice but to leave the path to go do what bears do in the woods.

In a way it wasn’t entirely unexpected; earlier last week Susan and Biggles had been hit by a tummy bug (funny how human and doggy illnesses often coincide!) and it was probably only a matter of time before it claimed me as another victim. It was pretty embarrassing though – I mean you expect to have to stop running occasionally to deal with a doggy number two, but not with one of your own! Anyway, there I am, squatting on my imaginary throne, hoping to stay hidden in the trees, when Biggles realizes that the other runners are passing him by. Being the Bigglet, his immediate response was to start baying at full volume, unwittingly doing everything he could to call attention to my misfortune! Thankfully no-one responded and we were able to return to the course without being arrested, though all hopes of getting a decent time had been dashed.

Susan & Beanie’s run didn’t go too well either; Susan’s calves cramped up early on and that severely limited her pace. Little Beanie did her best to help though, and as they approached the finish Susan managed a sprint to the line alongside another runner and her dog:

So it may not have been our best park run ever, and it was memorable to me for all the wrong reasons, but at least one half of our team got to finish in style!

Uncle Biggles

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Paul

The Biggly Boy is an Uncle! His sister Lola has had a litter of 8 healthy little pups – 6 girls and two boys:

Lola..

..and her pups

Biggles was literally jumping for joy when we told him, but now all the excitement has taken its toll:

Clearly it’s hard work being an Uncle!

Non-Silent Hill

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Paul

The agility show we went to on Saturday was really close to Loudoun Hill, and as we drove back we decided to do a return trip later that afternoon. Our last visit to Loudoun Hill had been as part of a longer walk that included a severely rotted sheep’s carcass, a horse with an ASBO, and some cows with a stalking habit. This time we side-stepped all those hazards by parking really close to the hill and heading straight up. The journey took barely 15 minutes, and though it was very chilly at the top the views were amazing – everything for miles around was bathed in beautiful golden light.

As we took in the views we became aware that we were not alone. Beanie and Biggles had mouthed off at some sheep on the way up, but instead of scaring the sheep away it had actually attracted them.

A glorious view, but the sheep are coming!

A group of them was now closing on our position at the summit, and our two Beagles attempted to warn them off with more baying. As before the sheep seemed completely unimpressed and continued their advance. Biggles wasn’t prepared to stand for this and let loose with a woofing of biblical proptions. In fact it was more of a song than woof – each indignant exclamation was joined to its neighbors by a warble that would’ve impressed even Simon Cowell. Yet still the sheep drew closer! How could they possibly withstand our boy’s vocal nuke? Maybe they’d been rendered permanently deaf by the noise he’d made on our previous visit. Regardless, they went into retreat the moment I started taking photos of them. Those sheep may have been immune to Beagle rantings, but they were also camera shy!

Now safe from the sheep, were all free to continue taking in the epic views from the top of the hill..

..until Beanie decided it was teatime that is.