Highland Insider

NosyNorris got the shock of her life the other day when she jumped into what looked like a normal shallow puddle. We were following a new branch of the Ullapool Hill Paths and it had been freezing for a couple of days beforehand. There must have been ice just under the surface; as she landed there was an almighty crack and NN suddenly became just the head and shoulders of an extremely disconcerted Bernese Mountain Dog. She froze, obviously in shock. I was beginning to think we’d have to get in there and pull her out when she suddenly hauled herself to the edge and out onto the heather.

Now, Nosy Norris is a complete wimp when it comes to water and that’s the first time she’s ever been in over her knees. But once back on solid ground she shook off the experience quite nonchalantly, along with several gallons of smelly, peaty water which flew in all directions to an amazing distance. Then she bounced all the way home looking quite pleased with herself.

I wonder if she might get to like it? Her mother is a great swimmer so NN’s wimpiness has always been a bit of a disappointment. We’ll encourage her to try, but maybe in some cleaner water next time.

Nosy Norris and I followed the Pack Leader up the Ullapool Hill paths this morning and as usual his choice of route didn’t disappoint. Nosy got the chance to bounce around in the heather and chase snowballs (puny wee things, but still fun) and I got my first view of bonny Loch Achall.

A great walk and great views but as I looked down on the gleaming water I thought the only thing missing was a bit of wildlife. We’d walked for about forty five minutes and seen nothing but a few crows and gulls mooching overhead. There were signs of critters – a pile of fur-filled poo, a young beech tree stripped of its bark – but nothing to stop and watch. Just as I was thinking this I became aware of a busy twittering noise coming from over the next hillock and getting nearer. We waited a minute or two and were rewarded when a gang of long-tailed tits flew past us and settled in the stand of birch trees below.

I always love seeing long-tailed tits. I don’t know who first described the bird as ‘a ball on a stick’ but they were spot on. The wee round body with the long straight tail makes an unmistakeable silhouette whether perching or in flight. These ones were specially welcome as they made a good walk complete.

A few people have commented recently on the size of Nosy Norris’s paws. They are pretty huge and, as any Bernese owner will tell you, they’re that size more or less from the day they’re born. I said this to a collie-owning visitor the other day and got a polite but sceptical raise of the eyebrow. So, to prove I’m not making it up, here’s the proof: Nosy Norris at eight weeks old.

Yes, they really were that big

 Now those paws take her up and down hills, through burns, not very far down rabbit holes and into the sea. The hills seem to be her favourite domain though, and she loves nothing better than racing up a slope, jumping fallen logs and dodging rocks, her big floppy ears doing their own thing as she bounces. She really seems to think she’s a mountain dog.