When Fergus went to Narrowfield

5.4C and mostly bright with thin cloud. Showers forecast. Wind SW/WSW to 36 mph with gusts to 47 mph.

This morning I took Fergus to the local boarding kennels (Narrowfield) for a trial daytime stay. We have recently spoken to the kennels Fergus used to go to when his former owners had a holiday and they wanted to have him for a trial day because the last time he was there he apparently got so distressed that he unsettled the other dogs. We had hoped that he might go there if we needed him to be in kennels for any reason as he had been there before and would know it. Since those kennels are about 60 miles away we decided a trial day was impractical and to ask the local kennels if they would give him a try. They were very happy to do so.

I spoke to the kennels owner this morning before I got Fergus from the car and let him know that Fergus can be anxious if left alone. When I got Fergus from the car the kennels owner met him and took him right in to see his 'run'. The dogs each have an inside space and an outside run space. They also get to exercise in a securely fenced field each day. The owner came back a minute or so later and said Fergus had gone right in and was exploring the spaces and seemed happy enough to see the dog in the next run (thankfully a female). We had a chat and I explained further about Fergus.

The kennels owner was totally relaxed about the whole thing and agreed with me that sometimes anxious owners can cause a lot of problems by making a fuss when a dog goes into kennels. Best just to take the dog in , hand him or her over, and leave. I think he is right. I hadn't made any fuss of Fergus in the house this morning and just popped him in the car as normal. When I left I thought I heard one or two Fergus barks but definitely no howling. There hasn't been a phone call asking me to come and get him so I have to remain hopeful. We shall see when I pick him up about 3.30pm.

The house did feel rather empty when I got home.
I went for a walk out to the old shipyard after lunch.
It was very windy out there, but it was dry and bright.

On the Clip while walking:
BBC Radio Scotland

Afternoon music ... BBC Radio Scotland

I went to collect Fergus from the boarding kennels. When I arrived I could see him in his outdoor run. He looked fine, not anxious. He saw me and barked. I had a brief chat with the owner then he took me through to show me the runs and the field the dogs can run in up to three times a day. On the way past Fergus's run he opened the door and Fergus ran merrily along the corridor past the other dogs to the door for the field. He has it all sorted out already. Out he went and ran about while I chatted with the owner. I imagine if he had been anxious he would have stuck to me like glue. All good. He seems to have had a fine time, running in the field with one or two other dogs and visiting the other dogs in the outdoor runs. The kennels owner said he would be happy to have Fergus to stay and by the looks of things Fergus would be fine, although he hasn't spent a night there. I suspect it would do him the world of good to go once in a while and socialise with some other dogs. When we came home we went for a short walk then came back. Fergus had his usual post walk treats and has settled down like any other afternoon. My conclusion ... success.

More music ... Blue Rose Code, Water of Leith.

DMC-LX7 f/2.8 1/1000 sec. ISO-80 5mm (35mm focal length 24mm)