The Hotel Incident

You disreputable assmongle! How on earth can one dog get so FILTHY? I finally managed to get 4 year old Seughie to focus for a few seconds to get him out of the Harbor at Talbert, Scotland. He was head to toe covered in fetid, black, sticky, decomposing sea filth, and surface oil. I had driven to this spot to give Seughie a "hoof." My term for taking him out and trying to exhaust him several times a day. We had been on the road for most of the day and he had more energy than usual. Now I needed to find some form of clean water source to get him somewhat respectable before we go back to the hotel... which had white everything. Sheets, carpet, towels, everything!

That was one of the many "Seughie" stories my husband loves to tell about our beloved dog. Follow along as we beguile you into a sense of what it is like to live with a Springer Spaniel who wasn't expected to live at the time of his birth.

Graham had no intention of getting a dog.. but like decided he would get a little bundle of energy, cuteness overload, and endless entertainment. The puppy was dubbed "Seughie" which means Bringer of Joy. The puppy's first outing was the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) annual harbor fundraiser. Not only were there hundreds in attendance, but there was also a helicopter flying in and out giving rides. Seughie was unphased by any of it! Graham said he missed a great opportunity to raise funds for the RNLI because the children were lining up to take Seughie for a walk!

Seughie became a fixture in Tobermory as Graham took him everywhere. Often seen outside the Ironmongers, Seughie moved to a different location when Graham started work as a tour guide at the local whisky distillery. Graham parked his car just outside the door and left the boot open. Inside was Seughie in his bed with all the fluffy bedding, a ball and other toys, his ball chucker, and leash. Locals would stop by and "borrow" Seughie for a walk up the Coastal Path and visitors would coo and gush over him often asking to take a picture with him or if he could have a treat. Graham kept dog cookies to keep digestive upset to a minimum.

Seughie quickly became a member of the family and he made himself at home.

Springer Spaniels have a creed...in Springer language:

If I like it, it's mine. If it's in my mouth, it's mine. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine. If I can take it from you, it's mine. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours. If it just looks like it's mine, it's mine. If I saw it first, it's mine. If it's edible, it's mine. If you have something and you put it down, it's mine. If I chew something up, all the pieces are mine. If I get tired of it, it's yours. If I want it back, it's mine. What's mine is mine. What's yours, is mine.

This is also true when a new person moves into his home. In December of 2019 I moved in with my 4 cats. We arrived from America to boot. Seughie had grown up with cats, so he was keen on making friends. The cats, having barely been with my dog (sadly passed 1 month before moving), were less than enthusiastic. Over time, one left us for the Rainbow Bridge and 2 of them have become pals with Seughie (the 3rd could care less about the dog). Seughie decided the cats were "his."

Sometimes he loses focus and hilarity ensues...

And over time, it became a game for both. Patty Pat will start play at times too!

And the 3rd cat... could care less about the dog. She neither engages with him nor gets upset by him trying to sniff/play with her... she just leaves.

Sometimes, when it is raging outside, or when Seughie just wants to play in the garden....

Seughie learned to play "cricket" during the first lockdown! We need to take another video as he is a much better "bowler" now!

Seughie is also a great help to me in the garden.

Having a dog means taking a walk has an entirely different meaning

Seughie has an obsession with a few things like balls...

and sticks... this one is the largest stick he's picked up and carried to date. Not the longest... but the heaviest and largest around

If he doesn't have a ball, he is finding sticks. He likes to leave his stick by the path for us to "find" and toss as we walk. Sometimes he goes over the edge of a cliff or into the bushes to wait for us

But when nothing is at hand, Seughie will chase after thrown rocks!

Seughie is an all around great dog and he gets along with just about anyone or any animal he meets... unless it's a rabbit or bird. Those he wants to chase! He was very helpful when our neighbor's new puppy needed a new friend and he really tried hard to get a 14yo "old lady" to chase him through the snow.

We can't imagine life without this dog. Seughie has become an integral part of the family and he brings more joy to us than we can possibly annotate in a short story and pictures. A man and his dog....