WE never planned to get a dog.
Despite being lifelong dog lovers, neither my husband nor I had ever seriously entertained the notion of having one. Life was simply too hectic. It wouldn't be fair.
And then along came Lowry. This gorgeous little Sheltie had been my late grandmother's companion for many years. A one-time show dog, he was beautiful, in both looks and temperament.
After my gran died, Lowry, also in his twilight years and a low-maintenance wee soul, was in need of a home. We couldn't refuse.
As the weeks turned into months, our lives moulded together and his gentle presence around our home was a very calming one. He was also the last tangible link to our beloved grandmother.
Life became more about staying in and country walks which was, secretly, a bit of a relief from all the charging about.
When Lowry died six months after coming to live with us. I was distraught. I remember my kind editor at the time (an animal lover) allowing me to go home halfway through the day. Our home seemed bereft. I missed the clip of his little paws on the wooden floor and the simple pleasure of stroking his fur.
It was a rough time. The credit crunch was hitting home. My husband had been made redundant and the future felt uncertain. We were tied up in a minor but seemingly eternal legal tangle with our neighbours. And we really, really missed Lowry. So against the advice of just about everyone we knew, we looked for another dog and found Mac, our lovable bearded collie.
Whilst having a collie is a huge commitment, it has definitely been one of our better decisions. The laughs we have had watching his antics, the new people we have met through a shared love of dogs and the pounds we've no doubt kept at bay by walking him make it worth it.
When our son arrived, after initially being puzzled by the noises (and smells) emanating from the small bundle, Mac turned nursemaid and watched vigilantly over him. Their relationship has developed into a mutually dependant one which is lovely to watch.
While Munchkin slips Mac treats and shares his ball, Mac watches him sleep and howls in empathy when Munchkin is crying. Mac gives to us more than he could ever take. The love we get from our dog and the effect on our wellbeing is a theme played out over and over in a new book entitled My Dog, My Friend.
Compiled by Jacki Gordon, it features people from all walks of life, including Jeremy Paxman, Rankin and David Blunkett, talking about the positive impact their dog has had on their life. Author royalties and sale proceeds will be donated to the Samaritans.
HAVING grown up near Dunfermline, my peers and I were well versed in the life of Andrew Carnegie, the town's most famous son. His name was woven into the fabric of the area; he gifted the library and the public baths to local people as well as beautiful Pittencrieff Park, or The Glen, as it's known.
Despite having only four years of schooling, he realised the importance of education as a lever out of poverty. Having moved to the US he led the expansion of the steel industry but was as well known for his philanthropy. By the time of his death he had given 90 per cent of his wealth to charity. He once said: "The happiness of giving is far sweeter than the pleasure direct".
To mark Carnegie's birth this week, Sir Tom Hunter called for the Fife-born industrialist's life story to be taught in schools. What a fine idea. While our nation boasts a clutch of super-rich philanthropists including gym-owner Duncan Bannatyne, author JK Rowling and oil tycoon Ian Wood, as well as Hunter himself, the notion of philanthropy seems to have died out amongst many of those who could afford to share their wealth, but opt instead to hire an accountant to burrow it away.
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