Birthdays and good times

Today is my birthday -

and we spent the morning at Fish Hoek with the spaniels and Omie Domes.

I am now eight years old! And I don't feel a day over two.

But it is also the day Dougal died - a whole year ago. Often, like when Laddie and I are digging in his favourite places for moles, I still miss him ...

and read the memorial plaque that the Alph put up near his grave.

But I remember the happy times we had together. This is him as a puppy with Sam, the Labrador I never met.

And with Tombi, the snauzer I never met either.

I think Doogs always thought he was a Labrador as Sam was his hero. 

This is him before his first hair cut - on one of his first walks in the fynbos.

And on the beach.

Then I came along in 2006 ...

and his life was never quite as peaceful again. But we had some amazing times together -

 

hunting in the fynbos,

barking ferociously at the neighbour's dogs,

chasing squirrels at Groot Constantia,

and making friends at Suiderstrand - although Doogs wasn't really the friendliest of dogs.

But he was my very best friend and I still miss him terribly. Rest in peace my beautiful brother.