SQUIRREL INVADES DOUGAL'S GARDEN

This picture was taken from an upstairs bedroom window yesterday

MORE PICTURES OF THE CYGNETS

THE HUDSON WAY

Hello again folks its me Dougal again telling you about another new walk we did last Saturday.

This footpath traces the route of the former railway line between Market Weighton and Beverley, which was opened on 1st May1865 and, sadly, closed to passenger services with the last train on 29th November 1965, following closure by Dr Beeching in that year. The path, which covers a distance of 11 miles is named after George Hudson, the 19th century railway pioneer. The picture shows Kiplingcotes railway station and has a big car park nearby so we can park and then walk. We didn't do all the 11 miles but we had a nice long walk from the station going towards Beverley then back again after we met a pack of Jack Russell dogs (dont like them very much). We can try another bit of the path another day. Hope you enjoyed me telling you about a little bit of local history. There is a signal box as well and I had a look at that shooting up the steps very quickly. The path is now a nature reserve with lots of flora and fauna along the route (good eh ? not bad words for a dog). Anyway I liked it but I was quite tired at the end. Fortunately there is a big barrel and bowl of water at the end of the old platform.

ARRIVAL OF THE CYGNETS

Well our patience has finally been rewarded and after weeks of walking and watching we finally have SEVEN cygnets and it doesn't take long for them to be swimming about. Not that they go far from Mum and Dad and their nest just now. Already though some of the ducklings on the canal are quite big and nearly the size of their parents. A bit like me really. I was only a pup for a short time then I was a big Dougal !!

I've been a bad boy again today. Down to the canal this morning with Nanna and off I go. Next thing there's a duckling in my mouth. Don't know how it got there really but I can remember a lot of shouting and a whack on my back. Think he was ok. Seemed to swim off alright. His Mum was making a lot of noise as well. Only having a bit of fun really. Don't want to hurt them, just play.

Have learned this week that I like Magnum ice cream. I get to lick the end of the stick still with some chocolate and ice cream on it mind you.

Think we are trying a different walk on Saturday. Down the old railway line near Market Weighton I think. Hope there's no trains !!

By the way my jabs came and went and i'm still ok. Even had worm tablets as well so i'm functioning well. No ill effects for Dougal.

Well I hope you are all ok and i'll let you know how the cygnets get on.

Bye for now from your Doggy Mate DOUGAL XX

DOUGAL MEETS DAISY THE COW

Well hello again to all you guys and gals - yes it's me your favourite pooch Dougal with more pictures and stories. The one on the left above shows me with my paws in the canal looking for water voles (and anything else). The other one shows Daisy the cow who is a lot bigger than me ! I tried loud barking but she didn't move just carried on chewing. Still no sign of the cygnets yet but the eggs are still there and it can't be too long now. What a patient mummy swan ! I've also got a picture of the foal for you to see. He is doing ok and follows his mum all over the paddock. Grandad now listens to Mike Oldfield on his ipod whilst we are walking. He's got 15 hours of M.O. on it. Tubular Bells and much much more. Keeps him happy though. Keep seeing lots of trout fish in the river and some in the canal. Some quite big ones too. Met a black labrador called Barney recently. I was doing all the barking and chasing up and down, he just sat quietly. Reckon I ran half a mile getting quite excited. I won't learn will I. Still good exercise for me. More liver for my tea tonight plus some tinned tripe. Loverly job !! Well i'll let you know when the cygnets appear so bye bye now from your old doggy mate DOUGAL XX

SPRINGTIME AND SUNSHINE

It's me again your old Doggy mate. Lots of new life is appearing by the canal. Loads of ducklings - we have Mallards, Coots, Moorhens and Waterhens all with nests and little ones. The numbers keep going down so I don't know what's happening. Could be a Pike fish in the water having his breakfast, lunch or tea. No sign yet of the cygnets but we saw 2 eggs this morning and the swans are a bit restless so maybe anytime soon. Also there's a new foal appeared on the farm on the far bank of the canal. Can't be very old as this is the first time i've seen him. He looked lovely out with his Mum in the sunshine. I chased a duck the other day. Bad boy Dougal smacked paws !! I am going to the vet tomorrow for my up to date jabs and once a year check over. I think i'm ok but we'll let the vet have a look. We'll see if i've put on any weight. I was 25kg back in February and I don't want to get too overweight do I. I'm quite streamlined at the moment and am moulting quite a bit losing all that winter fur. My coat is real glossy. Looks like i've been polished with Pledge !! I'll let you know as soon as the cygnets appear and maybe we can get a photo.

See you soon

Love from DOUGAL XX

DOUGAL MEETS UNCLE PANDO

Hello you guys. I've met Uncle Pando who came all the way from Bristol to see me The picture is me shaking hands with Auntie Katy holding on. They had to tempt me with a couple of bonio biscuits. Had the promised BBQ last night and for lunch today. A tin of tripe for breakfast. I know all you readers won't like tripe but it tastes good. Not much else to tell you today, just thought you'd like to see the picture.
See you later
From your old doggy mate
Dougal XX

MAY DAY

Well hi to you all again. Thought i'd wish you all a Happy May Day !! Here's a new photo of me taken whilst I was having a quiet snooze upside down on the stairs a bit earlier. I bet you can't get in the same position as it's quite difficult. I've been for my favourite walk again this morning. Managed to get out whilst the man from Green Thumb was spraying my lawn with weedkiller and fertiliser. Thought that was my job. I spray it with wee killer and put plenty of fertiliser on it. Can't make it green though. Now i've got to stop off the grass for a few hours.

Grandad took me up to the beach yesterday. It was very quiet and do you know I was out of the car and 300 yards down the sand before he could say Ford Focus. Got my wrist slapped a bit. There I was chasing this other dog. There he was chasing me !! I won't learn will I. Cost me some time back on the lead. Still I got to chase a couple of sea birds as well then a big Alsation appeared. He was friendly enough chasing a ball about. Twice as big as me so I didn't push my luck too much. Uncle Pando is coming to see me this weekend - another face for me to get to know. Enjoyed some nice fresh liver the other night. Lovely jubbly. There's some more hiding in the freezer waiting for me. It's Dawns birthday on Saturday and I think we are planning a barbeque so thats sausage and burgers for me too. Look forward to it. Well i'll sign off for now and be in touch again quite soon.

Love from your old doggy mate

DOUGAL XX