500 miles or Bess' big adventure!!

[Scot in exile]

Apologies to the Proclaimers -

And I would drive 500 miles
And I would drive 500 more
Just to pick a lab up
From your door.
Da ra ra

This has been a weekend and a half. On Friday lunchtime I set off from E Yorks to travel to Caithness to pick up Willow (now Bess) from Carolyne. For those of you who followed the psychic thread on non-doggy chat you'll know that although I was acquainted with her for several years it it only in the last couple of months that her & I have become close. Anyway it turns out that Bess is a litter sister to her Darcy and the lady who had was undergoing a change of circumstances which meant that Bess was going to have to be rehomed for the second time. Carolyne was determined that she got her forever home and it was just at about the same time that she first came onto this website - roughly a fortnight after me. Anyway to cut that story short she decided that I was the person who should have Willow (Bess). It is not Carolyne's normal practice to home a dog outwith Caithness and certainly not one that's 500 niles from her - I'm honoured to be only the second. Anyway when my husband heard her name was Willow he was a bit upset and I asked him why - turns out that he wanted to keep the "B" tradition going (Ben, Billy). She is a Bess though - now whether that is Black Bess coming back to York (Dick Turpin's horse) or after Good Queen Bess I don't know.
On Friday we left here at 4pm and got as far as Perth as we were having a detour via Aberdeenshire as my daughter had a funeral to attend. On Saturday we arrived at the church with a good three quarters of a hour to spare. She went to the funeral and I did some visiting setting off for Caithness at 12 noon. When we got there the first thing I did what go and see m'lady Bess then went to best friend to sample some highland hospitality. We had other things to attend to on the Sunday but went off to bed knowing that I'd be getting my third black lab in the morning. Can you remember the feeling on Christmas Eve when you knoew Santa was coming and you couldn't sleep - well that was me and it's quite a long time since Santa came to visit me!!!! Had a text at six from Carolyne to say she couldn't sleep think she got a surprise when I texted her back so quickly! If I'd known we could have whiled away the sms hours together. Anyway I was scheduled to get Bess at 7am so that we could get an early start to come all the way down again. Got Bess and then Caolyne & I had a bit of a catch up as did Bess and Darcy! Emma, Darcy's other half was a bit non-plussed but hey dogs are like us and can get a bit jealous too. What a pleasure Bess was on such a long journey - she just lay down when the car started and only raised her head when it stopped. We left Caithness at 9am and reached home at 7pm having a had a full blown pitstop at lunchtime and two comfort breaks for all three girls. And that's how I've become the owner of a 10 year old black labrador girl who had me travel almost 1300 miles to get her. She is a joy and I know what's been missing the past 6 months now since my Ben went to the bridge. Its the labrador's joie de vivre! She may be 10 but she has a tail that does about 10,000 revs per minute, a glint in her eye that shows a bit of mischief and a look that says you're mine and Bess is not going to let you go!! Photos will follow - just had to tell everyone cause I'm so happy to have her.

[Scot in exile]

Sorry forgot my name again
Ethel x hahhah

ps Thanks Carolynexx

[jackiem]

I'm so glad you found each other Ethel.
Jackie
xx

[Mad Maisie]

What a journey!!!!!

Our first lab was called Bess and it so suited her!! Your Bess also sounds like an angel just like ours :) :) I am so pleased she is now with you and that you are both happy. Don't you just wish sometimes that they could talk - I know you can tell when they are happy but I would just love it if they could also talk :) :)

Well done on your adventure!!!!!

Lots of love

Gill, Meg and Maisie

xxxxx

[janhind]

That sounds like an epic journey Ethel but well worth it. the things we will do for the happiness of a lab.

jan xx

[Gemma T]

Oh what a wonderful story - you're obviously meant to be all together. Couldn't stop smiling the whole time I was reading!!!
Gemma
Ps Looking forward to the pics of the whole clan together!!

[Alison B]

What a great post, Ethel! Thanks for sharing it with us. I'm so glad you've found Bess-and she's found you too. :)

You summed up the Labrador's "joie de vivre" perfectly. I've had my lovely old girl Rosie from a pup (she's 11 now). She may be black and grey speckled, have poorly legs and a manky old liver! BUT she's still the most beautiful, pretty girl, and has the brightest shiney eyes and the softest silkiest ears you could ever wish for. She's still a "little madam" always has been and always will be- and I love her to bits :)

We also now have Charlie ( from MKF 8 weeks ago)he is a big handsome Black Lad (18 months old) and an absolute joy to us :) He's such a good Boy too- and is settling in beautifully.

I hope you and Bess have many many happy years together

love Alison, Rosie & Charlie (Lancs) XXX

[ladylabradorrescue]

Well I suppose I better go take Bess ( Willow ) off the dogs for rehoming section on the website then!!!
Bess truly has landed on all 4 paws - it was lovely to see her and her sister D'Arcy have a reunion - Emma my chocolate had her nose out of joint a bit lol - Emma is used to playing with all the rescue Labradors I take over to my house to assess but Bess clearly only had eyes for D'Arcy.

You went the extra mile Ethel to offer Bess a wonderful home - and yes you are only the second special person Ive allowed to take a Labrador out of Caithness - Mo with Gambit being the first. Toby as you know I would have given you a Labrador too had you not got the lovely Ginny first.
Ethel and Mo you are very special ladies - the Rolls Royce of owners as far as Im concerned.

I have to say I feel LRNW played their part in these 2 rescues - it was down to you that i got in touch with Ethel and Mo.

Im so thrilled for Bess - it doesnt feel like 10 years ago that she and D'arcy were born. Their mum Bracken had 3 puppies naturally on 30 January 1998 - she then had difficulties after midnight and had another 4 by section - sadly poor Bracken died under the GA and all 7 puppies were hand reared - we got D'Arcy at 5 weeks old and shes a wonderful dog - fabulous temperament, both her mum and dad worked to the gun and it shows!! ( D'arcy is our Labrador Rescue logo )

So enjoy her and love her - shes a very special lady xxxx

[benjiesmum]

Oh that is so wonderful! So glad you gave Bess a home! Loking forward to seeing the photographs too! :) :) :)

[dollydimple]

Scot in exile, what a lovely story, I can pick up on your joy from here! I remember well how I felt when Carolyne said that Skye our rescue dog was coming to us. Yes it is like the feeling you get on christmas eve, what a lovely description! :)
I've also become good friends with Skye's foster mum Carole, who is such a kind, sweet person ,so, I really have gained a lot through Lab rescue :D

[ladylabradorrescue]

Dolly dimple you are another Rolls Royce owner of Skye and Boz and Labrador Rescue gained in many ways with you adopting Skye as we also got you on board the team. Dollydimple and Carole worked flat out last Saturday at our fund raising event. Both absolute stars and such lovely ladies xx

[geddes]

What a lovely story you are truly remarkable but then labs are worth it.
Geddes& Sandy.

[jackie]

Lovely. lovely post - I love these happy endings :) Makes you realise that a Lab has something very special, we are all so lucky to have found them.

Ethel, hope you and Bess have lots of happy times together - you enjoy!

Jackie x

[Scot in exile]

Thank you all for your best wishes - can't believe I've only had her 2 days. She's taken her place in the living room and that's hers for toys etc just the same as Billy has his place. She's acting as if she's been here forever!!
Thanks again - you really are a great bunch!!
Ethel xx