June 2026 - Looking Back At June

At the beginning of the month, while the Woman was at her sewing class, the Man took Poppy and me to Rouken Glen Park. We walked along the paths, into the meadow, around the pond and stopped off at The Boathouse cafe kiosk, where the Man ordered an ice cream for himself, but nothing for us, even though another dog, a Lab puppy, received a puppaccino. 

Rather miffed, I decided action was called for and leapt up onto the kiosk counter. I was only on my pedestal briefly before the Man yanked me down again, not long enough to be seen by the distracted assistant, but I'd made my point. My sudden athleticism astounded a nearby woman, who was amazed that I could leap so high from a standing start. The Man informed her I, unfortunately, had form in that department. Heehee!

I can make that.

After he finished his ice cream, the Man returned to buy us each a puppaccino. In return, I promised not to eat any of the poop left around the pond by the Canadian Geese.

Poppy has been in a playful mood all month. She is constantly locating new objects to play with in the garden. Her stone collection keeps growing, and she discovered the box in the living room, blocking access to the internet power cable, now contains all her toys. Well, it did. It doesn't anymore.

It had been too hot to risk an afternoon walk, so one evening, around 7:20 pm, the Man took us for a walk up the Braes.  A gathering of dog walkers ahead gave me pause. One had binoculars and was looking towards the trees. We approached cautiously.

Then, all of a sudden, the Man whipped out his phone and started taking pictures. 

An owl in plain sight scanning the field for prey. It swooped, hovered, then dived, coming back up with something in its talons. 

We joined the other dog walkers, one of whom had the Merlin app and could tell us it was a long-eared owl (its ears are hidden during flight). It returned to the trees, briefly silencing its fledgling owlets. 

The Man sent this picture to the Woman, who is a keen bird watcher. She demanded to know where he was. She was well jealous. 

She had calmed down by the time they attended Take That at Hampden. This trip meant we got another night's stay at the kennels. The staff reported to the Man the next day that I had come out of my shell a lot more this time. In other words, I'd barked myself hoarse. He shouldn't have laughed at my weak attempts to bark at a cat when we got home. It wasn't funny. We're going back to the kennels next month during their next holiday. 

Silver Birch Cabin, Forest Holidays, Glentress 

Well, not quite their next holiday. They did take us with them to their Forest Holidays' cabin at Glentress, where we spent the best part of a week. 

I didn't like the long, windy road up to the holiday park. The road surface was so rough I thought my bones would rattle out of my skin. 

Yes, but how far is it to our cabin?

The cabin was lovely, with underfloor heating and sofas so long I could stretch out or snuggle, depending on my mood.

It took longer for Poppy to relax. She runs about like the floor's on fire at the best of times.

The floor is hot!

I'm not getting down.
Not until you tell me why the floor is hot.

The humans struggled at first to find us places to walk. Most of the trails were intended for bikes (and there were loads). Eventually, we found the paths for walking on. The views weren't that great. Nor was the weather. But at least I took the lead on June's Tick Tally. Two-nil up by the halfway point.

Can we go for food now?

The cafe at the holiday park was fantastic. The staff were so good at giving us tickles and bringing us complimentary dog biscuits. The humans ate there, too.

We only visited Peebles once. The village was draped in red and white bunting in advance of their Beltane Festival. We walked along the River Tweed and discovered more wildlife.

Heron No 1

Heron No 2

Ducks practising holding their breath underwater

Heron No 3

The man found what he was looking for.

Back at the holiday park, we nipped out between showers. Apparently, I'm as tall as a badger.

Poppy's the height of a Tawny Owl

 

Poppy eventually agreed the floor was not on fire.

After a couple of misfires,

she also learned how to settle.

We left the holiday on a high.

Afterwards, the Man and Woman decided we would spend the weekend at our cabin. I unfortunately lost my lead in the Tick Tally, losing three-two to Poppy, who nosed her way along every weed and thistle beside the holiday park's paths to win. About as disappointing as Scotland's performance against Brazil in the World Cup.

I'm not moving. I got here first.

Wanna bet?

You can be so annoying!

I win!

During the warmest day, Poppy cooled off with a play in the paddling pool, followed by a spin around the garden to dry herself. She loves the water. Me not so much.