Sealmonster Hunting
Every time we come to Kildonan, there is one very important job to do. Sealmonster hunting! So off we trotted from camp and into the village, my wee paws pattering along and my nose busy with all the sniffs. The grandest house in the village was the Saxon House. It stood there big and proud, though if you ask me, it looked as if it might need a good coat of paint. “Don’t fancy doing that job, eh, Dad?” I thought, giving him a sideways look.
As we left the village, Mum wanted to look at some dinosaur footprints. Dinosaur footprints! Well, I had a wee sniff, but I could not see what all the fuss was about. They certainly did not smell like sealmonsters. So I put my nose to the path, gave Mum and Dad a determined tug, and led the way towards the secret home of the sealmonsters.
About halfway there, we stopped for a little rest and a great big drink. Mr Sun was shining and shining, warming the whole wide world until even my wee self felt far too hot.
A wee bit farther on, we passed some enormous yellow flowers. They were so tall some of them were twice the size of me! I stared up at them in wonder. We do not have flowers that big back home.
At last, we reached the place where the sealmonsters live. I scrambled up onto a big rock and stood tall, which is quite impressive when you are only a small dog. I stared out across the water. Sealmonsters are very sneaky, you know. They hide under the sea, waiting and watching. But if they ever come out onto the land, then Poppys can chase them!
Then I saw one. “Dad! Mum! Sealmonster!” I barked and growled. But that sealmonster was a sneaky one. It knew Poppys does not like getting her paws too wet. There it sat on a rock, surrounded by water, looking very pleased with itself. I could see it. I could smell it. But I could not reach it.
Then I spotted more of them. A whole crowd of sealmonsters! There they were, flopped on the rocks, all surrounded by water, as if they had planned it specially. I am sure they remembered what happened the last time Poppys found them. “Stay over there, we know your game wee white one.”
A little disappointed, we made our way back to camp for din dins. Mum went off to collect rocks, which is a very strange hobby if you ask me. My job was much more important. I had to guard Betsy. I stood beside her like a sentry, watching and sniffing, because you never know when a sealmonster might try something sneaky.
Guarding is very important work, you know. But it was hot! Mr Sun was shining down and shining down, and my wee fluffy coat felt far too warm. Thank goodness for Betsy. Underneath her was cool and shady, just right for a small dog who had worked very hard keeping everyone safe.
After that, the rest of the day slipped by quietly. Nothing barked. Nothing growled. No sealmonsters appeared. So I decided there was only one sensible thing to do. I curled up for a wee nap before supper.
That evening, we were eating out at the Kildonan Hotel. Now, Poppys likes the Kildonan Hotel very much indeed. I always get good fishees there. And a dog who has been sealmonster hunting deserves good fishees.
Din dins was as tasty as ever, and soon my wee tummy was full. Outside, Mr Sun was getting ready for bed. That sounded like a very good idea to me. So we plodded back to camp, slow and tired and content, and then it was time for bed bows.
