Haggis the Dog

Oops

2012-02-23T09:36:00.003-08:00

On Sunday afternoon Haggis was rolling on her back on the sofa when I noticed this bright red rash on her belly... and a closer inspection revealed a big, open wound! Off we went, to the vet to get it stitched!

Another day, another scar. We still have no idea whatsoever what happened to her. It must have been on her Sunday walk when she was running free, got cut from barbed wire or something... we'll never know. One thing is sure, there's never a boring moment with her!

New best friend

2011-12-29T09:36:00.000-08:00

Pink pig that she got all the way from Finland for Christmas.

Merry christmas

2011-12-24T08:52:00.000-08:00

Haggis is ready for Santa to come...

Christmas bath done...

Biscuits baked...

And antlers...
Merry Christmas everyone!

Haggis gives paw

2011-12-08T10:08:00.000-08:00

YAY! After a year of intense training and endless biscuits, Haggis can now give paw!

I thought that I should make a video to share this amazing trick with the world. Enjoy!

1 year old

2011-10-06T04:52:00.000-07:00

I forgot this: Haggis is one year old and a bit now!

Her birthday was 15th Septmeber. Happy birthday Haggis!

At home

2011-09-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

Lovely photos from few weeks ago.

My two favourite creatures together.

Holiday

2011-09-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

Last week early on Monday morning we packed the car and drove off to the Isle of Mull for a holiday...

... Haggis holiday!

After hours and hours in the car and two ferry rides later we finally arrived to our hotel that was literally in the middle of nowhere.

There were beaches where she was allowed to run free until she literally collapsed after dinner...

... sheep to chase...

... and cows to admire...

... from a safe distance.

And piles and piles of poo to eat, everywhere!

What a magical place it was for the wee dog and for us humans, too.
(And we do not mention that she slept in the bed between us for few nights, happily snoring away. What happens in Mull stays in Mull, right?)

Healthy happy days

2011-06-28T05:46:00.000-07:00

All is well here, in Haggis house.

It has been over a month now with no health problems, no visits to the vet, nothing to worry about. Only reminder of her surgery is the scar and shaved belly which is slowly growing hair back.

Happy days with growing up and starting to look more like a proper dog day by day, little less like a chubby puppy.
Oh, we love her so much.

Waiting

2011-05-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

Haggis is patiently waiting to get her stitches removed tomorrow...

... then she'll get to have a good scratch of her itchy belly!

Best place

2011-05-16T03:41:00.000-07:00

Best place in the world to be is on the sofa, curling up next to Mr Lovable.

Friday 13th

2011-05-14T03:10:00.000-07:00

Haggis likes to make sure that life does not get too boring in here.

Her latest adventure to the vet was after she had been sick few times. I took her in and after feeling her tummy they rushed her in to get some x-rays, next thing we knew was that she was having surgery and was not able to come home that night!

Today she got to come home, with a collar, coolest 'army' bandages ever and instructions to 'take it easy' for next ten days! And drugs too, she's on Tramadol!

Five inch scar and sixteen stitches on her tummy, ouch.

So yes, we're off sick again in here.
(Oh, what was it this time? She had swallowed a bit of sharp plastic that had got stuck in her tummy somewhere...)

Back to the vet

2011-05-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Just when we thought that things were back to normal in here, as her treatments have worked wonders Haggis started coughing again really badly last night. So a trip to the vet it was again. This time, they 'think' it is an allergy, not a lung worm, and she was put on a heavy cycle of steroids, hoping that it will help her.

Poor pup. I felt so sorry for her that on the way to the vet I put her at the front of the car, next to me, instead of the car boot where she usually travels...

Any ideas, people?
We are not that keen on pumping steroids onto young dog.
Should we try another vet?

Just chilling

2011-04-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

After a long day getting cosy and snuggly. That's our Haggis!

Couch potato

2011-04-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

This is her favourite place for a nap.

Curled up on the sofa corner, head on the pillow. So much for not allowing her on the sofa!

Wiggly worm

2011-04-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Finally we got an answer and it is called lungworm, some rare type one. Haggis has now got 4 different meds to battle it, including steroids, but she is going to be fine.

Yesterday she finally got (for the first time in five weeks) to run free in the park with other dogs and I have never seen her so happy!

Another vet

2011-04-04T03:31:00.000-07:00

Today I am taking Haggis to see a specialist. Our vets have put their hands up and said that they are totally lost and don't know what is wrong with her. All her test came back negative/clear, all we know is that she's got more white blood cells than she should have.

She is a lot better but still couching and therefore not allowed to be in contact with other dogs, or get proper exercise. Needless to say that she is missing her dog pals and running free in the park with them...
This is really frustrating so fingers crossed for today's vet visit!

Feeling better

2011-03-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

Like magic, little puppy shittypants is miles better!
She is still coughing but not as badly, and today, for the first time in two weeks she was allowed to go for a walk!

We are still waiting for all her results but some of them we know and it seems like she might be allergic to something... also at the moment she has got treatment for lungworm, just in case.
And as for the allergy, we'll know more tomorrow.

Not knowing

2011-03-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Not knowing what is the matter with your sick pet is very difficult.

This morning we left Haggis to the vet and collected her in the evening, hoping to get some answers, but we still don't know what is wrong with her.

She had a variety of tests done, samples taken and x-rays of her chest, all we can do now is wait for the results, which should take few days. So hard not to know.

Still sick

2011-03-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

Things here are not good. On Friday, I had to take Haggis to the vet because she wouldn't stop coughing. They said that she needs some tests and x-rays done as soon as possible, so we are taking her in tomorrow morning. This morning she got sick and has not eaten since.

We were meant to take her to the Isle of Skye for a wee holiday but needless to say, that trip had to be cancelled. Now we are just waiting and asking for your positive thoughts towards her.

Time off

2011-03-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Little Haggis is still not feeling well, her condition has improved but not yet fully as she is still coughing quite badly...

... until fully recovered, she is spending her days indoors, wrapped up in blankets. Lots of cuddles and sleep, can't go wrong with that!

Trip to the vet

2011-03-09T08:21:00.000-08:00

Haggis had to do a trip to the vet today.

It's never much fun. All the poking and needles and seriousness.

She was put into a small room as soon as we arrived, all by herself, because of a suspected kennel cough...

... when everybody else was in the waiting room. Not fair.

But at least she got a bunch of new toys on the way home!
The diagnosis was kennel cough and fever. She got two injections, antibiotics for two weeks and the worst of all: no exercise or socializing with other dogs for next five days or until the symptoms disappear. Eek! It's not going to be easy as she is full of beans...

Hard work

2011-03-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

Having a 6 month old puppy is hard work, there's no denying it.

Good way to get Haggis to calm down is to give her a big bone. And then us humans get a moment of peace!

Lazy week

2011-02-17T06:42:00.000-08:00

Lots of long, lazy walks, growing teeth and endless naps on big brown cushions this week. All is well here.

Sundays

2011-02-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

Every Sunday our mission is to take Haggis out for an overdose of fresh air...

... let her run free...

... and jump around like a maniac...

... until eventually:

'I've had enough, my legs hurt and I'm soaking wet and tired and hungry... can we go home now?'

2xHaggis

2011-01-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

Haggis for dinner tonight.

Evil Haggis

2011-01-25T08:02:00.000-08:00

Photo from few weeks ago, from the park. I just think her face looks priceless!

'Throw the damn ball will you? Throw it!'

Forest dog

2011-01-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a happy, happy day for Haggis.

After breakfast we jumped in the car and took her to the Beecraigs country park, somewhere she's never been before.

We went for a long walk in the forest and she got to run and jump around...

... and she got to wear her new harness! When we got home, she barely moved for the rest of the night, poor little dog.

Dear sofa

2011-01-18T05:05:00.000-08:00

Haggis loves sleeping on the brown leather sofa that is for humans and cats only.

She knows that she's not supposed to, but she still does, many times a day.

And then we move her, shouting 'Get down!', many times a day... I wonder will she ever learn?

Losing teeth

2011-01-17T04:51:00.000-08:00

Her teeth are falling!

She's got these gaps in her mouth that are filled with new teeth in few days. So far, we haven't managed to find any, so she must have swallowed them. Poor toothless little dog!

Beach bum

2011-01-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Few photos from today when we took Haggis to the beach.

What a bum

2011-01-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

Haggis does have the cutest bottom ever. I mean, will you just look at it.

Every time she walks by, I get tempted to squeeze her bum. And quite often, I do so.

Heavy bugger

2011-01-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

Haggis is growing at some speed!

I started putting her on the scale once a week since we got her, and have written her weight down every Monday. I thought that it would be fun to follow how fast she grows, so far it's been roughly a kilo per week... that's 13 kg this week!

Purple ball

2011-01-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

Fetching the ball in the park is the best thing ever.

Again and again!

But when she sees her friends...

... the ball is quickly forgotten and it's time to go and wrestle!

Commis Chef

2011-01-05T05:03:00.000-08:00

I have a new helper in the kitchen:

She is mainly responsible of napping.

Every time when I start cooking, Haggis appears and parks herself on the floor, between the oven and her massive food container and then falls asleep.

Christmas

2010-12-27T02:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas for Haggis was busy. Lots of playing with her new toys, eating pigs ears for the very first time, travelling in the car, chewing her new bone, running around like a maniac, jumping on the sofa and long walks in the snow.

Luckily she also had plenty of time to nap, wrapped up in blankets! Merry Christmas to all!

Hunger

2010-12-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

... is a serious business. Haggis sat like this for 40 minutes, patiently waiting for her dinner.

New friends

2010-12-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

Haggis has made so many new friends, humans and dogs.

Big park nearby has come her favourite spot for afternoon walks as she can run free and there's always plenty of other dogs to play with.

One day Mr Lovable was walking her and one lady said "Hi Haggis!" when passing by. Everybody seems to know her and needless to say, everybody seems to love our sweet puppy.
Oh, and as you can see, the snow is back!

New jumper

2010-12-15T06:18:00.000-08:00

Almost all the snow has melted...

... but luckily it's still cold enough for Haggis to wear her new jumper!

Too much snow

2010-12-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

It has been snowing heavily in Scotland for over a week now and it's pretty bad: airports closed, trains not running, buses canceled, motorways closed. It's a chaos and makes life very difficult for us humans...

... but Haggis loves it! Now she can dig big holes, yay!

Big dog's leash

2010-12-03T06:46:00.000-08:00

New red leash, bigger than her old one.

Mm-h. Haggis approves.

Afternoon nap

2010-12-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

We have a new, rather nice routine: I come home from work, take Haggis out, come back inside, feed her, and then head out again for longer walk.

When we come back home, I make a cup of tea, wrap the puppy in an old jumper and sit at the computer while she falls asleep on my lap, snoring away!

Safe place

2010-11-30T07:09:00.000-08:00

Kitty seems to be bossing Haggis around and does her best to try and scare the poor wee dog. Whenever this happens, Haggis goes into her cage where she sleeps while we are at work, and stays there, normally just falling asleep.

The cage has become her safe place where she seems to feel secure and where no evil Kitty can harm her.

Snowman

2010-11-28T09:33:00.000-08:00

Somebody had built a big snowman outside.

Haggis decided to eat it...

... but soon gave up and decided to eat frozen berries instead!

Week of firsts

2010-11-27T05:51:00.000-08:00

First snow, how very exciting!

Also: first times wearing a collar and walking on a leash, first time at work with Mr Lovable and first days with no mess when she was left alone! Things are certainly improving in here...

Today's cuteness

2010-11-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

Sleepy Haggis on top of my bags that I left on the kitchen floor. Aaw.

Low battery

2010-11-22T06:12:00.000-08:00

She is so full of energy most of the time it's not even funny. But when her battery runs out, it really runs out...

Then it's time for us humans to enjoy the short moment of quietness!

Out and about

2010-11-17T10:53:00.000-08:00

Today's walk got all of us some much needed fresh air.

She is not fully vaccinated yet...

... so best way to travel (and sleep) is in a rucksack!

New routines

2010-11-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Today we took a trip to the vet, to get first set of vaccinations for Haggis. After that we had to go to the pet shop and get more toys to keep her busy. Ever since her arrival on Saturday it's been like a roller coaster: endless trips to the toilet outside, making new friends, lots of playing and lots of little sleeps.

Kitty is very curious about the new arrival and keeps watching very carefully from a safe distance...

... while Haggis teaches all of us how to nap like a professional.

Miss Sleeps-a-lot

2010-11-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

She...

does...

... sleep a lot. Today: first time travelling in the boot of the car, first family dinner, and at least 12 poos and 57 pees.

First day

2010-11-13T09:21:00.000-08:00

At lunchtime today, we drove to Linlithgow and brought Haggis home. She cried a little in the car, then fell asleep on Mr Lovable's lap. Our evening was spent pretty much just staring at her and wondering what she would do next.

At bedtime, she cried for ten minutes and then slept all night, quiet like a mouse.

Four weeks and six days

2010-10-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Our breeder sent us this photo today, Mommy Kaya and Haggis who is now four weeks and six days old.

Which one?

2010-10-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to choose one of the puppies... there was three girls and one boy, we definitely wanted a girl. Four puppies, all looking the same.

One was our Haggis, so she got her ear marked with Tipp-ex and we started counting sleeps until we would get to bring her home.

How it all started?

2010-10-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

First there was three of us, me and Mr Lovable, a cat called Kitty and a dream to one day to have a dog. There was endless discussions about getting one, lot's of 'what if's' and 'but's'...

Mommy Kaya and one of her 11 days old puppies

Then one day there was four gorgeous Chocolate Labrador puppies born, on 15 September, and a while after that we were on our way to pick one of them.
Nervous? Hell yes.