Sunday 26 April 2009

Not so mellow yellow




Ow! 

Have you ever suffered a close encounter with a gorse bush?

Round about this time of year, many of the hills near Aberdeen turn a vibrant yellow colour. It all looks so pretty from afar, glowing in the cool bright northern sunshine. It even smells nice (sort of like coconuts).

But I can assure you that appearances can be VERY deceptive. Especially if you're a dog with tender skin and paws.   

As I found out all over again this morning, those gorse bushes on Brimmond Hill are VERY prickly.

Just ask Winnie the Pooh. 

It's all OK when the path's wide enough and contact can be avoided. But in some areas there's no escape, so I just have to stop and plead to be carried. 


13 comments:

Penny said...

Good afternoon Hamish. First of all I have to say the Scenery looks Amazing is all of Scotland like that? And once again you look doggietastic in those pictures... I understand the whole feeling of having tender paws and do also find myself in trouble because of it but my mammy always gives in to the puppy eyes trick and then I get carried home! Have you found any cures yet??? Pweaze do let me know!=]
Lots of sloppy licks,your dearist pal,Penny.

Martha said...

Hi Hamish
We have gorse bushes like that up at Mugdock - right now our mum is loving the smell. You are right though - from our point of view they are very very prickly!
Tread softly Hamish.
love
Martha & Bailey xx

Stella said...

Thank you, Hamish, for endangering your paws by showing us the beautiful gorse bush. We don't have much in the way of flowers here yet, so even pictures look good to us.
"April Showers bring May flowers" and since it is showering today, we are hoping for flowers in May!

Kisses,
Stella

karensbrae said...

Hi Hamish
We often come into contact with gorse bushes and although the glens have a heavier coat it affects them too. When the licking of the paws get too much we give them and the westies Bob Grass white blood tablets. this helps with all sorts of itches!!
xx

Asta said...

Hamish
Thank you fow visiting me!!! I must say it is deceptive..it looks bootiful. I hope it stayed awawy fwom youw tendew pawses and skin. You awe such a cutie..You can come visit me and I'll shawe my pizza wif you happily
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Nika + PARKER said...

Thanks Hamish for letting me see your beautiful Scotland surroundings. Be careful on those paws...

Your canadian lab buddy,
Parker

Stella said...

I just wanted to tell you "thank you" for the kind words you wrote in comments to my blog.

I really enjoy reading your blog, too, and I never miss it.

Kisses,
Stella

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Hmmm.....we've found ourselves in trouble in that stuff too....why do all the bunnies like it so much they have to live in it?
And we'll cry and squeal when Mum tries to remove all the stabbies....*sigh*....what's a doggy to do?
And when the sun has been shining Mum stops to take a deep breath of that lovely smell....mmmm
Healing slobbers xx

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

ouch Hamish, that sound painful. I does not think I has seed any of those round here. i thinks you got the right idea being carried though.
~lickies, Ludo

Penny said...

Thank you very much for the advice Hamish, Have you ever tried the coltar shampoo??? I find it actually works Really soothes the pain and it got rid of the rash for me.
Hope this helps. Lots of sloppy licks,Penny.=]

Asta said...

Deaw Hamish
I took youw advice and snuggled up to Mommi and she says you awe so wight..it helps a lot.Thank you fow being my fwiend
smoochie kisses
ASTA

TwoSpecialWires said...

Hello Hamish! We came upon your blog through some of our new friends and can tell we are going to enjoy visiting. It's nice to meet you! (And we love Winnie the Pooh! Maybe he shows up sometimes?)

BTW... how could anyone NOT pick you up and carry you? You are sooooo cute! What a sweet face!

Jake and Fergi (two wire fox terriers)

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Those gorse bushes are very nice to look at, but it sounds like they are something like cactus that we have here in Arizona. Up in N.Idaho we have what they call alien noxious weeds and one of them is a thistle.Isn't that originally from Scotland? Beautiful to set eyes on,but lots of pickery spines!!
XO-BabyRD & Hootie