Good dog, bad dog

The river Dee was as majestic as ever. We could and should have had more fish. Five fish lost of eight hooked is not the greatest return from six days of hard fishing. But one of those caught was a first salmon for Bryan Kruse who can now add game fishing to an impressive list of pursuits that includes shooting, sailing, skiing and canoeing. "I'm going to have to clear a new shelf," he says.

Bryan has a springer spaniel called Solo. Will Sadler, another of our party, described Solo as "the best behaved dog I have ever encountered." What hope then for our West Highland white terrier, Dougie, in that kind of company?

Solo is a class swat among dogs; the sort of swat who is popular with everyone and gets to be head boy at school. Solo likes to please. Dougie pleases himself. He would have Friday detentions every week. He's the sort of dog that likes to stuff his nose in the backside of other dogs and bark at the postman. I don't think I have ever heard Solo bark.

I like to take Dougie along the river bank when fishing. Solo stays where he's put. Dougie disappears. He's not a bad dog. He's just stubborn, like all Westies.

The weather was sunny at the start of the week and the river needed some water. Still, there were fish about and I had a couple within an hour of each other on my birthday - a fitting present. The pool had been thrashed all week, mostly by the rods on the other side (although they would say it was us, such is the antipathy of anglers to those on opposing banks).

I put finesse to one side and swung through a big fly that provoked the takes. I had lost a fish the previous evening because of a badly tied knot on my fly. I cannot remember having made such a fundamental error before.

There was a lot of whisky downed as usual and haggis on my birthday. But no incidents. Well, just the one, involving Dougie again after we had returned south.

Gill had called to pick me up from Will's house and Dougie was behaving badly among his dogs. I put Dougie in the car for some peace and quiet.

My keys were inside and the other set was in the ignition but there was no need to lock the car. Dougie, however, thought otherwise when he triggered the central locking system. There was nothing for it but to smash a rear passenger window. The repair will cost £200. I have explained this to Dougie but he doesn't seem to care. So long as he gets regular walks and kibbles, nothing else matters. Next time I think we'll be getting a springer.