Deer Stalker Poppy
It was pure freezing this week. Dad had his hotwater bottle out, hugging it to his hands as he worked. With the cold nipping at our tails, we all bundled into Betsy, ready for adventure. Where we going Dad? “Back to the island, Poppys,” he said. Poppys loves the island! Betsy trundled up to the ferry, and great the big boat opened its mouth and swallowed her whole. Mr Wind was blowing and swirling and showing off, so I decided it was much better to stay tucked up inside. Soon we had crossed the water, and before long we were on our way to Lochranza.
There was just enough time for a wee night-time patrol before we snuggled in for the night.
Next morning, Mr Sun was still tucked up under a thick duvet of grey clouds, lazy thing. But Mr Wind had grown tired of his games, and the day felt still and quiet. Out we hopped from Betsy and off we went towards the sea. But first we had a wee burn to cross. Sniff, sniff…sniff sniff sniff. Deersees! I stood very still. They had been here. I was sure of it. But where were they now?
Mum and Dad tried a shortcut – aye right, been here before! Would you believe it, we ended up surrounded by water, so we had to scamper back the way we came.
So back we went, beside the river, until at last we crossed to the other side and made our way towards the village. On the way, I stopped to investigate the Barking House. It sounded very exciting, Poppys love barking. Dad said that long ago, peoplesees used to make ropes there for fishermen. Some barking that dad.
We stotted over to the castle. I chased seabirds all the way to the very edge of the land, racing as fast as my little paws could carry me. “Look, Dad!” I wanted to say. “That is where your shortcut took us!”
But when we reached the castle, something was different. The door was open. Open! It was always shut tight. Well, that would never do. I had to investigate. In I went, sniffing here and nosing there, exploring every corner like a westie should. Then I looked around. Dad was gone. I sniffed and sniffed until I found him, no one can hide from my super nose. “Dad,” I said, “what are you doing down there?”
Just then I looked up at the sky. It was growing darker. The clouds looked heavy, as if they might burst into tears at any moment. And Poppys are not fond getting wet. So it was time to head back. Then, all at once— Sniff, sniff. That smell again. Deersees.
I knew they were near. I knew they had to be I could smell them. But no matter how hard I looked, I could not find them. Not this time.
Still, we made it back nice and dry, and that was what mattered most. I had explored. I had patrolled. I had sniffed and searched most carefully. And now, I had done quite enough for one day. [It was time for a wee snooze.
