Coco's view

Hello again - still on my holidays. So far we have spent a couple of days in Loch Aline where the weather was just perfect. I had a great time running back and forward in the water. I have to admit I was doing races with a few cheeky birdies who kept flying by me, but they always win!

Yesterday we moved up to Loch Drumbuie which is further up the Sound of Mull. First though we made a quick stop in Tobermory for water (and the humans had some fish and chips). Mum said she went to the butcher to try and get a bone for me but they didnt' have any so we will have to try again.

When I went ashore yesterday with Dad I brought some friends back with me - ticks!!! They were everywhere. Dad had to thoroughly inspect me and remove the little blighters. I even have my special anti-tick stuff on and that didn't stop them. We went ashore again today and I brought another load back with me, so we are moving back down the Sound to Loch Aline again.

I am much calmer today on the waves even though the weather is bad and the boat is jumping up and down a bit. Mum and Dad asked the vet if there was anything that would make me feel a bit better on the boat and she gave me some pills. This is the first day I have tried them but, as you can see, I am able to write my blog and not quivering under the bunk. So thanks Mrs Vet (even though you put on my record that I am a complete nutter!).

So that's all for now folks. Hope to write again soon to tell you where we have got to. Can't put any photos on yet - daft old bat forgot to bring the lead to get the photos onto the laptop! Honestly Humans!!!

BWFN
Coco

Hiya all

I bet you had given up on me. Thought I wasn't going to put paw to keyboard again. Well, sorry about that. I have just had such a busy time. But now I am away on my holidays for a few days.

We left Cullipool last evening to anchor just up the coast a few miles. We had a nice peaceful night (thank goodness as I don't like the waves much). Then this morning we set off again and we are now anchored in Loch Aline, looking over towards Mull.

Dad took me ashore a bit earlier and then I swam back to the boat - it was great being in the water as I was getting very hot on land. Then I had a leisurely nap on board the boat before tea. Just a perfect day.

I will try and blog when I can and let you know what adventures I get up to. Have had a busy time on the island before we left for holidays. Mum was away quite a lot so Dad and I had a great time doing the things we like (and watching what we like on telly). I have been a good boy for Dad just to show him how much I love being with him.

So, it's off ashore again now for a bit of a run around and to get rid of some of the water I have been drinking all afternoon! Dad is just getting his warpaint on (he puts on some cream to stop the midgies biting - well at least that's what he says but I reckon he is trying to hold back his youthful good looks!) I am sure he loves the fact that he has to keep rowing me ashore. It keeps him fit!

Hopefully I will get a piggies ear when I get back if I am good on this walk. Just hope I don't see any wildlife like hares or rabbits - I just can't help but run along with them!

Will try and get some piccies done whilst I am away and show you some of the sights.

BWFN
Coco

Well hello all. What an exciting time I have had since I last wrote to you all. After visiting the vicious Bonnie down south I had a couple of leisurely weeks at home with Dad. Behaved myself as usual and had some great walks and runs around the place.

Then, last Friday Dad went down to Glasgow to pick up Mum from her trips away. I have a new friend now who sometimes looks after me. He lives just down the road and is called Ian and he is great at taking me out for walks.

Well, last Saturday morning there were quite a few sheep running around the village - and as you all know we have to stay away from them. So Ian and me made our way down onto the shore where I could have a splash about. Then to our amazement we saw dolphins just a few feet away from the shore. I have always wanted to have a swim with them and as there is no chance of me being taken to Florida or somewhere exotic to do so, then I thought I might as well jump in and see what happened. It was wonderful. The dolphins started moving away from the shore and I just followed them. Before I knew it I was quite a way out heading across to Mull! Then I got a bit confused. Couldn't see the dolphins and couldn't find the shore. But help was on hand. There were some canoeists going past and they managed to help steer me back towards dry land. I think Ian and the other humans were relieved that I was on my way back. Then, just as I got there I saw some seals so tried to head off again, but luckily saw sense and stayed close to the shore.

I must apologise to Ian for giving him such a fright. It's just that I got carried away swimming. I hope he will forgive me and still be my friend?

On Thursday we all went out for the day, me Dad and Mum. It was Mum's birthday and she got her camera! So I had a couple of piccies taken which I will try to add to my blog. We went to a nearby beach and I had a grand run up and down and played with my football. Then they had some lunch and then we went for a walk through some woods. It was great. It was a lovely sunny day as well.

Yesterday I just dozed about the place - saving my strength for my next adventure. I wonder what that will be......!

BWFN
Coco

Well, lots to tell you. Had a real busy time of it. Firstly, have had mum at home for a couple of weeks which was great. Also had my latest column to prepare for the Luing Newsletter. Have managed to put in a little quiz this time. Will have to see if there is anyone clever enough to find all the answers.

The weather is warming up nicely now and I have had a few lovely afternoons lazing in the sun, then a dip in the sea to cool me off - lovely. Had a few lodgers as well - yes the dreaded ticks have started to attack me. So it is off to the vets to get some stuff to stop them. Even had one on the end of my ear - very decorative, not!

And the best bit of all is I have been to see Grandma, Rosie and Bonnie for a few days. I was very excited about going to see them - hadn't met Bonnie before. Couldn't wait to show her how to get up to mischief. However, it didn't quite turn out like that. She took one look at me, growled and ran away and wouldn't come near me for the whole weekend. I have to say I was on me best behaviour and tried to just ignore her and let her calm down, but she wasn't having any of it. So we only managed one walk together and even then she was a bit threatening towards me. I thought I would be a kind of big brother for her but she has put a stop to that. Mum and Dad bought me a nice football with a rope through it so I had something to run on the park for and I had lots of runs on my own. Oh Bonnie, why didn't you just give us a chance to be friends. I wasn't going to hurt you or Grandma or Rosie.

So today we are back off to Luing - that's Dad and me. Poor Mum is off on her travels again for a couple of weeks. Can't wait to get home and have a run around and see my pals again and jump in the mud and swim in the sea and lie in my bed and have my piggies ear each night and go to work with dad and lie in the sunshine....

All this talk of activities is making me a bit sleepy. Think I might just nod off for a bit now and get my strength up for all the running about I will have to be doing.

BWFN
Coco

Well since I last blogged it would appear that spring has finally arrived. Lots of flowers seem to be growing everywhere and lots of wildlife appearing around the place - and that's all I am going to say about that!

I had a facepack done on Tuesday - a lovely muddy one that covered the whole of my nose. My mum tried to take a picture of it but I had wiped it off on the grass before she had time to grab the camera. I find mud is especially good for the fur - and I try to cover myself with as much of it as possible.

Mum was away again for a few weeks recently but she brought me home some lovely presents - I got a puppy dog all for myself that yaps and does tricks. I don't think it is real as they press something on its tummy and it starts all its stuff, and then when I have barked at it for a bit and attempted to chew its ears they switch it off again. My other present was a lovely juicy bone from the butchers - I love cleaning my teeth on a bone - and I must stay I have a lovely set of teeth.

Stayed on the boat for a couple of nights with dad whilst mum was away which was good - the boat has now be relaunched for the summer so no doubt I will get a few days out on it.

Rainy day today but I am going to see if I can persuade Mum to take me for a walk to the shop - she needs the exercise after all.

Don't know what has happened to all the other bloggers from Luing - everyone must be very busy at this time of year. Heard Mum saying that Paddy and Fingals Mum has a birthday at the weekend - so Happy Birthday to the CleanSlate.

BWFN
Coco

As it took me so long to write my last blog, I thought I would give you all a bit of an update today. Mum has been at home all week which has been nice. We have had a few walks together but her back is still hurting, so I have to be gentle with her. I got a bit of a row yesterday - it was raining hard and blowing and I wanted to play 'running up and down the slate heaps'. I kept disappearing and could hear the old dear shouting for me. She wasn't pleased when I finally went back to her. She made me walk alongside her all the way home, which I did to prove that I can be obedient sometimes.

Had a great meet up with some of my pals the other day; Tilly and her visiting friend Gracie were having a walk. We were on our way back from our walk when we met up, so of course I had to have a run around with them. Then, who should appear but Paddy and Fingal. So we all had a bit of a run whilst the humans all gazed on adoringly. Well I think they were - it was a cold day and raining hard so they might have actually been freezing, but I am sure they enjoyed our display.

There are some great spots around the isalnd for perfuming yourself if you are a dog - I had a great roll around on Thursday on my way to the shop. My dad couldn't help but notice how beautiful I smell. Just to ensure I stay perfumed I had another roll in a different spot on Friday - do any of you doggy mates out there like to perfume yourselves?

Well, now it is Sunday and there is talk of Mum going away again. I think I will be going down to Uncle Brian's later on to stay the night - I like staying with him. He doesn't like me to go up on the couch, but I sometimes manage to sneak on when he goes to bed. I always try to behave myself when I am with him - he seems to appreciate it. Maybe he will have my friend Ruby visiting as well - she sometimes gets a bit jealous and tries to snap at me, but it isn't meant.

Well, must go and have a lie down now. Have been busy preparing my next installment for the Luing Newsletter. Have put in a little competition in this issue which I have been working hard on. Just hope these humans appreciate it.

BWFN
Coco

Well, I can't believe it has got to Easter already. This year is just flying by. I hear humans say that as you get older the time passes quickly, but I'm not 4 yet!

Since I last wrote I have been having a great time here on Luing. We have had a couple of storms and a little bit of snow. I like how the snow feels under my paws - it makes them tingle. I had a good old run and slide in it. It only lasted for a few hours before it melted.

My Mum has been away a lot since the beginning of the year so it has just been me and Dad together. I also had a few days with Uncle Brian when our ferry men were on strike. Dad took Mum down to Glasgow on a Sunday and couldn't get back home until Friday morning because the ferry was off. He told me he enjoyed staying on his boat for a few days. I had a great time with Uncle Brian so we were all happy.

Dad had another birthday in February. I helped him unwrap his presents. I am really good at ripping it up and spreading it around the living room. They seem to appreciate my efforts. One of his presents was a gnome - I think Mum was getting him back for giving her a plastic croaking frog for her Christmas. When she asked him why he had bought it he said that she had asked for a surprise, and of course it was a huge surprise. I don't understand what she didn't like about it. I think it is great when it croaks and I bark in harmony with it. They just love me joining in!

I have also had a stint back in the kennels last week. Dad went off for the weekend with Mum - honestly she's not satisfied with being away herself and has to rope him in as well. I think they were in Dublin for Paddy's weekend. I don't know why they had to go to Dublin, Paddy lives just down the road from us with his brother Fingal. They are two of my mates that I have a wander with. I sometimes wonder how these humans manage without me to look after them.

The island is getting busier now that Easter is here. Had a walk with some people up the shore just a wee while ago. They didn't mind me tagging along and of course they need an experienced guide to show them the way and keep them out of danger. I think perhaps I will need to look into that as a career - I have often heard of guide dogs but thought you had to be a girl and wear a woggle.

Just a word of warning to my doggie friends - make sure you don't eat any chocolate over the next few days that is not made especially for us. Their stuff is poisonous to us and can give us a sore tummy, or worse. Personally I don't think you can beat the old piggies ear for a tasty evening snack. I get one every evening. You can keep your chocolate!

BWFN
Coco

Hello all my friends out there

Sorry I haven't been blogging for a while but iI just don't know where the time has gone to lately. A belated Happy New Year to all of you - hope your days are filled with juicy bones and long walks.

Now where to start. First my health. You will be pleased to learn that my scar is now fully healed up and can withstand all the running and rolling I can give it. My little bald patch where the vet shaved me has almost grown back so I am feeling much like my old self again.

The weather has been a mixture since I last wrote. I have been having a great time splashing about in puddles and generally enjoying the stormy weather. I even got to try my paws out on a bit of snow, although it didn't last long. The one thing I am not too keen of is hail stones - it is not a pleasant experience to be pelted with them. I try to keep in the house when we have those.

Of course Christmas has just passed. I got some smashing presents. My mum's nephew Stuart (who calls me Pongo for some reason) gave me a great toy. It is called a wiggly giggly and makes a brilliant noise when you shake it. I have also found you can get a similar noise out of Mum and Dad if you take it over and drop in on them - my how they squeal with delight. I also got a couple of boxes of biscuits (always nice for a snack now and then) and a Christmas stocking full of goodies. I always have to open my presents myself and enjoyed spreading the ripped up paper around the living room - I think it adds to the lived in look that they seem to like. Oh, nearly forgot, my friend Brenda also gave me some balloons as she knows I like to play with them!

I have had my second column published in the twice yearly island newsletter. This time I put in a little quiz for the locals to try. They had to work out the names of some of my pals. I hear it went down a storm. Will have to think of something else for the spring newsletter.

I now also have a lovely new bed. Mum brought it home for me the other day. It is an oval shaped one that I can curl up in and has a lovely furry bit to lie on. It also has a bone shaped pillow but if they think I am daft enough to put my head on that they must be mad. Next thing you know they will think I am clever enough to use the computer, and we can't have them believing that now can we!!!

I found this photograph of me during the summer that I thought I would add - I will try to get them to take one of me if we have some snow and get them published. Also there is one of Mull taken from our back garden last week. The mountains look lovely with the snow on them.




Look after yourselves my doggie friends.

BWFN
Coco

It's a bit like the okey-cokey - you put the stitches in, take the stitches out. I then split open and you put them it again! Yes, I have had another trip to my not so favourite vet in Oban and had the stitches put in me again. I split open! This time they knocked me out good and proper and have done a real good, Coco won't tear these out, stitches.

We will just have to see if it works!

Well the good news is that I have been into Oban this morning and got my stitches out. I was a really brave boy but they did insist on putting a muzzle on me. I think that's because I once took exception to them sticking needles in me and tried to get my own back, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, as a reward for being a brave boy the vet gave me a couple of biscuits so we remain friends, but will never be best friends.

Had lots of walks yesterday with Dad. It was a bad day weather wise but we got out and about anyway. I also had a play with my frisbee over the weekend - in the sea and in the quarry. I love getting wet so this kind of weather doesn't bother me one jot. Even Dad seemed to enjoy it.

I hear him talking to Mum on the phone in the evenings. She is still away but should be coming back soon. The disadvantage of that is that I will be left at home with her during the day and won't be able to go to work with Dad. But I suppose I should welcome her home. At least I might get the odd walk during the day and get to see some of my pals.

Whoops, think that is the door opening - Dad back from his dancing class. Best go and pretend to be a dumb animal again (if only they knew!)

BWFN
Coco