This stage of the West Highland Way lent itself quite well to having dogs, our two dogs in particular. I’d decided on walking the first 7.5 miles with Morse. This was partly because I felt he would cope with the distance better and at the very start of the walk I’d at least have the energy to cope with any meatiness.
The start of the walk took us through Mugdock country park where it seemed every local was out walking their unruly dogs. Morse is fine with other dogs when he is off-lead but I’d decided that I didn’t want to chance it and he would be staying on-lead for the duration of the walk.
We’ve not yet managed to get Morse’s reactivity under control so when at least three dogs ran up to him he lunged and barked. As soon as we made it out of the park the dog walkers seemed to decrease significantly but there was another few completing the way with their owners too. At one point I pulled Morse off the path and put him in a sit-stay when I spotted a lady with a rambunctious young Labrador up ahead. Much to my surprise, given our previous experiences, she recalled her dog, put it on its own lead and the two of them walked calmly past us. I shouted out my thanks only for the lab to make a bee-line for Morse as soon as it was released again. Oh well…
We passed by a small village with some interesting decorations outside. Morse was a bit concerned about the very skinny man.
Around 4 miles in we crossed a road, which wasn’t fun as the verge was narrow and Morse had been acting like an utter knob. I had a good grip of the lead and we made it up to the next section of the path. The little hill Dumgoyne was a distinct landmark for the next stage, we walked along a long straight section of the way and I was relieved to see the Beech Tree Inn where I’d organised to meet Stewart.
Morse and I made it to the inn without incident and I had a lunch of veggie pakora before setting off with Skye. The first thing I noticed was that her demeaner seemed “off”, she was almost plodding along and the cause became clear as she squatted and let loose a torrent of diarrhea around 2 miles into the walk. I picked this up as best I could (or rather picked up the vegetation that it had splattered) and we continued on until we came to Gartness Bridge. The West Highland Way continues along a minor road and I stopped to let Skye have a rest, something to eat and some water. The last stage of the walk was only 4.5 miles and Skye would normally have lapped up that sort of distance for an everyday walk.
I phoned Stewart to tell him to make an appointment at our vet, we were an hour from home and in theory we had time to get her seen before they closed for the evening.
When I rendezvoused with Stewart he told me that Morse had also had a dose of the squirts while I was walking Skye so we decided to cancel the night’s accommodation and take the dogs home. Morse got taken in with Skye and they were both diagnosed with an intestinal bug. Skye was given an antibiotic injection and probiotic while Morse was also prescribed a probiotic. Skye confirmed cancelling our B&B was the correct decision by demanding out twice during the night, each time stopping to clench as she made her way to the back door.
