This time last year Daisy and I went to Aberdeen to collect Pepper and her sister to bring them home to Shetland.  Pepper’s sister then went off to her new home.

I’m not going to lie to you but it has been hard work at times.

I had forgotten just how hard work and much love and patience are needed for a very determined Patterdale puppy.

Possibly worse than babies, in my book.

Monster has got to grips with Pepper, many times, but mostly he has her under his paw.  She disagrees with this and makes his life a living hell, if she can.  Ted has been a godsend too.

But at last Pepper is a brilliant croft-dog.  She loves a job to do.

Sheep are fine and Pepper will caa (herd) a flock of hill sheep out of my field very efficiently, coming straight back to me once its done.

Definitely part egg-hund, Pepper will find any egg but will drop it, hopefully uncracked, at my feet.  She understands the word “dead” and puts whatever down too – (this is her “gundog” training).  She has a huge amount of wanting to please and do good.

And most days she sits with Monster in the sunshine. Awwww.

The weather forecast for the next few hours is pretty grotty. Lots of rain. I deliberated all day whether to open the gates and let Haakon and Iacs up, so they could use the stable for shelter.  Once I had decided it was a kind thing to do, I looked up to see Haakon standing by the gate asking whether he could come up.  It was like he knew.  So obviously I did.

The old men followed me into their stable, where I put out clean water buckets and made up two small haynets.

They quickly made themselves at home.

The door is open so they can come and go as they please. There is long grass around and they can choose what to do, where to go and when.  I also left an outside light on at the back of the stable so if they venture out at night, once the rain has stopped, then they can see the obstacles they have to negotiate.

On a roll, I also refurbished the sheep shed with hay/straw and made it Iacs’ proof!

I feel bad for Vitamin, though, but she had an extra big bucket of grub this morning and I think would hate to leave her friends just because it was raining.  I shall now worry about her all night.

I brushed the Minions today.  It was hard work mostly because once I started, I decided I should brush them all.  All eight of them.  I had not planned this.

Silver – who was actually a very good boy and went to sleep while I sorted out his mane and tail.

Dearest Vitamin who just stood there while I brushed all the tats out.

A bouffant Tiddles.

Waffle put on his own headcollar and kept turning up again and again to be brushed.

Storm – ’nuff said!

And dear little Newt.  So handsome and such a long way down to reach!

Albie was another who queued up endlessly. He loves being brushed.

And, lastly Fivla.  She was in a bit of a mood but I persevered and she is now gorgeous.

So that’s the lot done.  They do look better for it. I should’ve really taken “before” pictures.

Daisy went back south yesterday evening – that’s her plane arriving, which then quickly turned around to take her away.  And, yes, when we go to the airport, we have to drive over the runway!

It was a beautiful evening on my way home.

Today has been glorious too and the daily drives to Sandness to see the Minions have obviously begun again.

Everyone was far away.  There are Minions at the bottom of that field!  Well, two fields away.

Vitamin came up for her bucket of grub.

I know I keep saying this, but she is looking so much better and I am hoping I can keep the weight on her this winter.

The girls are around the internet again – I think they are on Reddit or something so I thought I would post some  “where are they now” photos 9 years later.

I asked the ladies to stand together but Fivla would have none of it and left.  I think you will all agree, though, that Vitamin still has it.  She is one gorgeous lady (even with the food drip!)