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She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorlich!

She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorlich!


by Graeme D » Sun Jul 29, 2018 11:30 pm

Munros included on this walk: Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn)

Date walked: 17/07/2018

Time taken: 4.8 hours

Distance: 10 km

Ascent: 900m

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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby Guinessman » Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:30 pm

Lovely account Graeme, written from the heart and brought a tear to my eye. May she RIP.

Only a dog owner knows that special bond.

I retired mine from hillwalking at 7rs and as she reaches the end of life I too have been thinking about the final resting place.
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby rockhopper » Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:23 am

A fitting tribute, Graeme, and a nice way by which to remember her.
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby Graeme D » Fri Aug 03, 2018 1:49 pm

johnscot55 wrote:Hi Graeme, grandfather (grandad) here. Strange to begin reading a report, seeing a picture with my car front and central, then finding out you have some kind of role in the story. A nice poignant report. I'm glad you finally got some piece to return your friend to the hill.
Sorry about divulging the result of the World Cup Final, but as Matthew's conversation on the hills is 50% football, it's no surprise you overheard that.
Yes, we gave SoC a miss (maybe a mistake) but have since done Buachaille Etive Beag, so he's now up to 7, and he is desperate to return to Glencoe for the Big Bookle and perhaps one more, so he can get to 10 before the end of the school holidays.


Hi John, good to meet you and Matthew on the hill that day. It sounds like you have your work cut out there, keeping up with his hill bagging plans! :lol: And don't worry about ruining the World Cup surprise. He saved me 90 minutes of having to sit and watch it all for myself. I was just glad I got the outcome I wanted. Cheers again, and maybe we will meet again some day on the hills. Maybe I might even have a new four legged hill companion by then! :)
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby Graeme D » Fri Aug 03, 2018 1:51 pm

And thanks to everyone who commented. Your kind comments are all very appreciated and mean a lot. Thanks.
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby 2manyYorkies » Sat Aug 04, 2018 2:48 pm

Thank you for such a moving description of a day filled with sadness and joyful memories all at once. My mutt is 8 and still going on hills, mainly down here, but already I fear the day when I lose her company, and end up talking to myself as usual.
The summit of Ben Vorlich will forever echo to a fond emotional tune for all canine loving Walk Highlanders.
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby zatapathique » Mon Aug 06, 2018 6:57 pm

Very touching report. I much empathised with you when reading, as I know how sad it is to lose a beloved pet... :(

My wife and I have lost our two cats Findus and Lola (Lola died this Feburary, just like Lucy) in the space of not even two years, Findus to an unknown illness, and Lola to a nasty and terminal cat virus that had spread in the neighbourhood, and we still sometimes suffer from the loss. I even shot a little video on Ruadh Stac more this May to dedicate my Fisherfield round to the two of them.

14 years is quite an age, I'm sure your loving care was a big factor in that! Beautiful photos of her through the ages, she seems to have enjoyed the hills very much. I will definitely say "hi" when it's Ben Vorlich's turn in my Munro round and stay a while longer up there in her memory - and I hope the good memories you have of her will prevail over the sadness in the end.
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby Beaner001 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:28 pm

A fitting tribute there Graeme with cracking pics through the years, she was a fine dog :thumbup:
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby Babywhale » Tue Dec 11, 2018 12:14 am

This was a really moving post to read. Bless you and Lucy x

We are climbing Ben Vorlich tomorrow. Our two collies climbed their first and last Munro in July (Ben Hope). They turn ten next year and such hills are becoming too much. I’m afraid they’ll come to harm. But there are still lots of woodland and beach walks ahead for them, god willing. As with yourself, St Andrew’s and Tentsmuir are among their favourites.

Martin
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby Graeme D » Tue Dec 11, 2018 9:48 am

Babywhale wrote:This was a really moving post to read. Bless you and Lucy x

We are climbing Ben Vorlich tomorrow. Our two collies climbed their first and last Munro in July (Ben Hope). They turn ten next year and such hills are becoming too much. I’m afraid they’ll come to harm. But there are still lots of woodland and beach walks ahead for them, god willing. As with yourself, St Andrew’s and Tentsmuir are among their favourites.

Martin


Enjoy Vorlich today and say hello to my old girl for me! :D
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby kevsbald » Tue Dec 11, 2018 11:03 am

I'm sorry I never saw this report, Graeme.
It's a lovely report that does Lucy justice.
We should get the date for the bothy sorted and perhaps I'll take the wee mutt.

Kevin
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby iaintd » Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:59 pm

Touching, and brought a tear to a grown mans eye, I can relate to your loss, kind regards and sorry for your loss.
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby litljortindan » Wed Jul 31, 2019 8:55 pm

A fine resting place for a fine hill companion.
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Re: She belongs to the mountains now - one last time to Vorl

Postby Graeme D » Wed Jul 31, 2019 9:26 pm

Interesting to see this one pop back up a year on and with me planning my first visit back the week after next. 8)
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