Poor Diesel.

Me to Roman: "Ro, I don't think Diesel likes it when you do that to his mouth."

Ro (in response): "Diesel niceeee, Diesel like it!"

Let me just say that this cuddly Shar Pei is a very tender teddy bear of a dog. I've never been 100% comfortable with dogs being around my toddler (or baby) because I know that dogs will only take so much before they snap - sometimes quite literally. I'm careful, I don't even let Roman touch dogs unless I'm right there and even then he'll never have his hand on their mouth, or near their nose. Why? Um well because dogs really don't like to be touched in that general area and because it's just not smart of me as a parent. 

Although I did have to remind Roman to be gentle or more careful around Diesel I also felt very relaxed (instead of nervous and anxious) around this gentle beastie. I don't think Diesel enjoyed being followed, or when my back was turned, having his curly tail grabbed at (in fact I heard a low growl when Roman grabbed a tender spot on Diesel's tail.) But although he was stalked and hounded he kept his cool and gave all the patience in the world to Roman. I can't praise this gentle dog enough, really, he's a perfect dog and I was very tempted to try and sneak him home with us ;).

Shadow/Chiefly

My sister got a dog and called him Chief (Captain Chief Crunchie is his long name, would you believe) in 2008 and he's been a very happy part of my extended family since then. Roman loves Chief but I don't know if Chief loves Roman in the same way ;). Unrequited doggy love, what can you do?

And Roman calls all dogs 'Shadow' after my parents dog but cats, they are just cats ;). After a little time together Roman would shout after Chief saying, "SHADOW! CHIEFY!" and it's very safe to say this boy loves his animals.

Woof Woof.

41/366

My sister came to visit today with her dog, Chief, in tow. I think it may have been a case of Roman loving Chief but Chief not necessarily enjoying the extra attention from this little two year old ;).

Roman found the dog fascinating; when he yawned, whined, barked or did something Roman was like a broody parent around a new baby ;).

North of Scotland: Being there.

So if you haven't already read 'part one' of our little trip then go here to read it.


So...if you've read part one you'll be up to speed that we took our 19/nearly 20 month old on a long journey on public transport and all was well (kind of) by the end of the trip. 


I'm going to admit that I never took a lot of photos while we were away because I was so distracted or busy. But here's what I did get...

So...after our trip we got to my parents lovely house. Where we froze for the night until we figured out the heating. 


I had a few things to take care of while we were up there but once I was done, I spent time with the two of them. We'd huddle around the TV and catch up with Quantum Leap or Raising Hope (two of the best TV shows made, I think.) 

Roman loved the zoo up there. On the first few days the cats were very wary of him, every time he'd shout 'CAT!' and chase after them they were like speeding bullets out a gun. By the fourth day they would let him clap them. He was very careful and gentle with them. Shadow was the opposite. At first she would be okay with him, but then as time wore on her growls got louder. One time she even 'herded' him by butting her head on his side.


This called for splitting the room in two - Fort Roman was made...

More pictures...with a little narration. 

One of the days we went into town. We waited an hour for a bus.

The bus finally showed...

 (1) inside the sweet shop, loads of chocolate-inspired mugs. (2) 1,000 welcomes. (3) Thistle bag.

I really enjoy going to this sweet shop when I'm in Thurso. Pretty much all of their sweets/candy aren't vegan, but it's how I remember sweet shops; hard boiled sweets and other goodies in jars, known as 'quarters.' 

Something Scandinavian about this...

Bryan bought himself some chips...so we gave Roman his first chippy chip. He was a fan so had another. I think, when he's a lot older, we'll have chippies every so often. I hadn't wanted to give Roman any chocolate or junk foods as obesity, heart disease and other problems relating to food are such a huge problem in Scotland but I figure if we are sensible about it and show Roman how to manage his eating then we can't go wrong - that is far healthier than trying to not give him these things ever. 

Could he live without these things? Yes. Of course. But if we, the parents, are going to eat these foods then it would be hypocritical not to allow them. 

And since we're talking about food. This is how vegans cook anything that requires eggs (although, not really, I just use oil when I don't have egg replacer.)

And it comes up looking like wall paper paste. Yummy wall paper paste. Mmm.

{Peanut butter and chocolate button cookies - not a fan of the buttons but there were hardly any in there.}

To finish: some yummy 'cakies' which were meant to be cookies but baked big and cake-like.

And this, my friends, concludes our little holiday up north. Going home was hilarious...but that's another story ;).