The Reunion!

I AM SO HAPPY!!!

I met my fantastic brother Herbie yesterday for the first time since we were tiny puppies!!

My mum and I went for a wee walk along the beach, just the two of us, while we were waiting for Auntie Jan and Herbie to arrive, then mum was on her mobile phone a couple of times and before I knew it we were hurrying along the promenade. I didn't understand why mum wasn't letting me play with other dogs that we met but I soon discovered why - for there was Auntie Jan by her car and Herbie was still inside! Herbie - my brother - was actually here to see and play with me! I could hardly believe it. Mum told me she wondered if we'd need a bit of time to sort ourselves out, being boys and all that, but we didn't. Silly humans sometimes - did she think I wouldn't know my own brother?!

We wanted to romp and play straight away but we had to do a photo-shoot for the mums first! Herbie had a really cool 'Born to be wild' bandana on but auntie Jan took it off as soon as we got down to the beach. Shame because I thought it would have been really good to tease Herbie and play tug with it! Both mum's had to spend time comparing us too (we were wondering when we were ever going to get to play!). As you know I'm curly but Herbie is smoother and shaggier and has got a bit of a handsome red 'mane' on him. The funny thing is that our mums said that the wetter we got the more alike we looked! Well so we should - we're the same size and shape, more or less the same colour, we run and play the same way and we've got the same eyes and noses and expressions too! Herbie is really just like me but not curly.

The big thing for Herbie and me - never mind all the comparisons - was that not only are we brothers but we were instant best friends. Herbie plays the best game of chase ever, especially into the sea and through the waves. I wish I'd warned him not to drink the sea water though because auntie Jan said he was very sick when he got home, poor lad. He loved my little squashy yellow ball too and I let him play with it and take it off me when he wanted. Herbie loved the beach but the only thing he didn't get was rolling in the sand. I tried to get him to try it but he didn't want to. I LOVE rolling in the sand and getting covered in the stuff! It didn't matter because we had such a fantastic time together and I just wanted to be with Herbie for always. We didn't even go off and play with any other dogs who came over - we weren't interested in anyone else. Why would we be? We're brothers and we had each other!

We spent loads of time on the beach and walked up to where the Figgate burn empties into the sea. You can drink that water because it's not salty so we did get a drink there and Herbie's mum sneaked off to go to the loo. It's so much harder for these humans! Herbie didn't even notice she'd gone but then my mum kept us busy chasing the ball into the sea so much that he didn't have time to notice! Mum stood right in the burn with us, dafty that she is, but Herbie's mum got a hole in her wellies so she couldn't come in. Just as well we don't need wellies!

After that we went back along the beach to the Dog and Cat Home, where Kirsty was working, so that she could meet Herbie too. She loved Herbie - we knew she would. We got to run and play in the paddock there with Angel and Sam, and I think Angel really fancied Herbie! I felt so proud as we walked past all the staff there with Herbie because I could here them all saying 'that's Teddy's brother' !!

But all too soon came the sad part of the day when I discovered that Herbie had to go back to where he lives again. When auntie Jan opened the back of the car I kept trying to jump in - I just wanted to go with Herbie. I didn't want to leave my mum or anything but I wanted to stay with my brother. We stood and watched as they drove away and our mums waved goodbye to each other. All the way up the road I kept turning round to look for Herbie and I walked so slowly hoping that mum would turn back and Herbie would still be there. I felt so sad that mum stopped in the street and gave me a hug and promised me that we'd see Herbie again soon. I was very tired when I got back and slept most of the evening. I was dreaming that Herbie and I were still running into the waves together and chasing that yellow ball! I even slept late this morning (my mum was so pleased!).

Today I feel much happier. I had such a lovely day yesterday and met my brother Herbie and we had fun, fun, fun!! I know now that he's not far away and I can store up all my news for when we next meet up. I hope his tummy is better today though and that he remembers not to drink the sea water next time!

Mum is going to tell auntie Jan to read this message to Herbie, so I'm going to finish with this:

LOVE YA HERBIE, YOU'RE A REAL COOL BRO AND I'M PROUD TO BE YOUR BROTHER! COME AGAIN SOON......!