On a hot summer day, fill up an inflatable pool with water and ice.
On arrival, Miss Babs is welcomed with a drink at the ‘Paws for water’ station and some treats. Dogs are allowed in private rooms (not shared dorms) which come equipped with dog bowls, poo bags and even more treats.
After lunch we head to Kingussie, a tiny market town where Treasure Island author, Robert Louis Stevenson famously sailed paper boats on the burn [stream] which inspired his poem ‘Where Go the Boats’. Kingussie means King of the Pine Forest, so we take the West Terrace Circular trail which runs through ancient Caledonian pines where Miss Babs attempts to unearth some kind of caber to bring home.Seeing spots? Or not… Dalmatian puppies are pure white when they are born and develop their spots as they grow older.
Cairngorms Lodge is an ideal base for adventure seekers; opposite is Loch Morlich Watersports, where you can hire paddleboards, kayaks and mountain bikes, while Aviemore and the Cairngorm ski area are a short drive away. It’s also reindeer territory. In 1952, a small herd were introduced from Sweden – the Cairngorms’ sub-arctic conditions and indigenous lichen are perfect for reindeer, apparently – it’s now 70 years later and the 150-strong herd still roam freely across the mountains.INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: The American Veterinary Dental Society states that 80% of Dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3.
Back in the hostel, dogs are allowed everywhere bar the dining room and communal kitchen, so I leave her snoring in our room and join my fellow ramblers for homemade chilli and apple crumble (2/3 courses £12/14, booked in advance).
Next morning, after a hearty breakfast – I opt for the full Scottish (£9.50), while Miss Babs enjoys a sausage and black pudding – we’re ready to climb a mountain. Not known for my orienteering skills, I enlist the help of Dave Chapman, an experienced mountain and climbing guide (a day’s guiding from £295 for up to 6 people / £49pp, from Cairngorm Adventure Guides) who’s confident that Miss Babs and I can conquer Meall a’ Bhuachaille. At 810 metres (2657 feet) it’s a Corbett, rather than a Munro [any Scottish mountain over 3,000ft] but he assures me it’s a good start.INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Have you ever wondered why your dog curls up in a ball when they sleep? It’s actually an age-old instinct to keep themselves warm and to protect vital organs while they sleep.
From the hostel, we wind along the Ryvoan Pass, past more ancient pines, keeping our eyes peeled for pine martens and red squirrel, and An Lochan Uaine – the Green Loch – whose cool, deep waters shine an iridescent turquoise in the sun.
Celebrate Your Pet at Every Age. Everyone loves a new puppy or kitten, says Dr. Becker. “They’re wildly kinetic, and humorous. An older pet is thinner, bonier. Their coats aren’t as soft, they might have bad breath.” But, like people, a pet’s needs change with age. They may be less active, preferring a leisurely stroll to a rollicking tug-of-war. “Our old retriever, who’s blind, still wants to retrieve.” Adapting to their changing needs will ensure your old friend remains a healthy and happy member of your family.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Dogs have wet noses because it helps to absorb scent chemicals.
Around 2000 feet we cross a swathe of deep snow which Miss Babs gleefully dives into. As we summit, the peak shrouded in Scottish mist, I’m overwhelmed with a sense of achievement. Following tradition, Miss Babs places a stick, rather than a stone, at the cairn.
As the old Lassie proverb goes ‘the bigger the stick, the happier the dog’ and by the size of the cabers Miss Babs has been carrying, I think she’s the happiest hound in Scotland. Getting there: Advanced return from London Kings Cross to Aviemore from £167, from the Trainline. For more information visit Hostelling Scotland.Got a lot of studying to do? Here's how to read and play with your dog at the same time: Put a rope toy around your foot.
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