Monday, March 9, 2009

Unbelievable!

This is a pretty incredible story. So sit in a comfy chair, get something yummy to drink and settle in...
It's a story that couldn't have happened without DWB, and for that, I am very grateful.

So you know me, Petey, a little Cairn terrier living in New York City.

Just a few months ago, I met the Dughallmor Beagles. We stumbled upon their blog when we were visiting Marvin, the Hollow Hound. We were excited that they lived in Scotland. I'm a wee Scots doggie and my Granny was born there. In fact, my Mommy is the first generation on her mother's side NOT to be born in Scotland. 

Then I discovered that Rosie and her family lived near the town where Granny was born! And not far from where both of Granny's parents grew up, way up in the Highlands of Scotland.

Now I'll introduce you to my Granny...I love my Granny! When I was just a little puppy, she sent me Lamby. It's still one of my favorite toys to snuggle with.
Here we are going for a walk on the beach down in South Carolina where she lives now. 

This was taken on my very first Christmas morning. I got a new sweater and Granny got a new coat. 
Okay, now back we go to Scotland... Here is where my Granny was born, at the Priory Lodge of Pluscarden Abbey. It was built in the 13th Century. (It's even older than Granny!)

Yesterday afternoon, we got an email from Rosie's Mummy. Guess where she'd been that day? To Pluscarden! And she took these photos of the very house that Granny and her twin sister were born in.  They were 2 months premature, so it's probably a good thing that they were born in a house that is shaped like a cross, with a cross in each corner. 
Here is a photo of Granny's grandfather (Mommy's Great-father). He was the caretaker at the Abbey when Granny was born there. His name is Henry Lawrence. The little girl in the photo is Granny's Mum (Mommy's Grandmother). This photo was taken around 1901!

Here is another view of the little house. Isn't it charming? Now...listen to this.  When Rosie's Mummy got home, she was telling her husband about taking photos of the house, and maybe the next time, she could ask the owner if they'd mind moving their car and the bin.

And Rosie's Daddy said there was a very nice lady living there - he's installed the security system you can see to the left of the door!!! Can you believe this? Rosie's Daddy was in the very house where my Granny was born. That's just mind-boggling!

Mommy downloaded the photos that Rosie's Mum emailed on the Walgreen's site. She was able to have prints made of the Pluscarden photos that Granny picked up at her nearby Walgreens. Just think. Those photos were taken that day, and later that afternoon, thousands of miles away, my Granny was looking at printed copies. Granny was overwhelmed. She's only been back to the wee house once and that was almost 40 years ago. She was so excited, she's going to frame the photos that Rosie's Mum took. She went to bed last night with them on her nightstand so she could have one more look before she fell asleep.

And it's all because two little doggies met across the blogs. Unbelievable! 

41 comments:

Lorenza said...

Hi, Petey!
What a story!
I just can imagine how happy your Granny is seeing those pictures!
That is the magic of the blogs, right?
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Lacy said...

w00f's, wow, how cool...bet ur granny wuz surprised..and it brought back wonderful memories for her..

b safe,
~rocky~

NESSA the hovawart said...

Wooow, Petey, that's a great story..I'm sure that your Granny is excited about this photos and her hart is overwhelmed with emotions.
Thank you for your suport to me;-)
Kisses&hugs,
Nessa

Bae Bae said...

Woh that's really pawsome...
Nice memories the photos are bring back for your Granny


~ Bae

Martha said...

Hi Petey
what a nice story and how nice for the DB's to send you those pictures to trace your routes.
Your Granny would have been so very pleased.
We have only recently started blogging as you know and already have so many new friends.
We are amazed at how the miles do not seem to matter and we all get to know each other as if we lived right next door.
Have a good day Petey, you are a wee star - we are so happy you have your routes in Scotland.
love
Martha & Bailey xx

Hamish Westie said...

Petey, that's just wonderful! I once went to Pluscarden Abbey. Unfortunately it was raining very hard and Gail didn't take any photos. But it's such a beautiful, tranquil place.
Cheers, Hamish.

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

It's a small and rather wonderful world, Petey!

Suzuki said...

Thats a pawsome storey Petey!
Your Granny must have been so happy :)
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx

Dughallmor Beagles said...

We are so happy that you guys are so happy! This is so cool! Happy happy :o) We'll make Mum go and take more photos soon (she has even emailed the monks!!...who knew monks had email??!)
now....if we can just persuade her to let us loose in the grounds....that pheasant looked tasty *drools*
Slobbers xx

The Black and Tans. said...

That's fantastic Petey and how wonderful your Granny received the photos which bring back so many memories for her.

Molly and Taffy

Simba and Jazzi said...

What a lovely house, who'd ruin it with a car and bin, sigh.

Simba and Jazzi xx

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Mom has leaky eyes bekhause that is soooo furry khool - unbelievably khool!


Her grammy was born in Rugby England - anyone know anyone there?

Tank woo fur sharing that grrrrreat story!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

the magic sleigh said...

What a magical srory and it is all true. Reminds me of a song, sing I live at Disney World
"Its a small small world"c
-Have a Magical Day!
Kira The Florida Siberian

Martha said...

Hi Petey
We have just popped over to the holy terriers!
How funny was that!
Bailey is becoming a legend! It is funny cos our mum thought the blog was all about me and we would need to include more of Bailey - now look - she is a star!
We have put the holies on our side bar so we keep in touch!
Thanks again
Martha xx

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

Hi Petey!
How cool is all that! Mum says it is like one of them 6 degrees of seperation thingy in practice. The world be very good like that. I hope someday your gran and you and your family will be able to come see that cross house. Only it will not be angry then.
~lickies, Ludo

Mason Dixie said...

wow that is such an amazing story. those beagles sure are the best. I am so happy for you and your grandma. thank you so much for sharing. =)

Anonymous said...

oh my, the shivers have just gone up my spine and back again Petey, this was an amazing story indeed.

What a wonderful experience for your Granny to see the photos of where she was borned!!!!!!

She must have been very, very thrilled, and how kind of Rosie's Mama to do this!

Phew, I am overcome with emotion, I will have to go outside and bark my head off now, just to let the world know what has happened.

Btw, if you want any photos taking (with heads cut off and chimneys missing, and kinda sideways on) my Jeannie can do a fair Scottish photo.

We don't live so far up as Rosie's family, but we can help your Mama's family feel at home with a few mountains and rivers and kilts........oh sorry, kilts are what gets my Jeannie excited, sorry, meant to keep it clean there!!!

Seriously, this was a wonderful story, and proof of the excellent friendships which now extend around the world via Dogs With Blogs.

Without being in Dogs With Blogs, my Jeannie surely would not be going to Australia to meet up with Opy and Charlie in just under three weeks time!!

lotsaluv and many licks,
Marvin xxxxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

btw I was trying to hint, none to subtley that my Jeannie is not always the best photographer! Unlike Rosie's Mum, who is ace!

Jeannie is still learning and also easily distracted by men in kilts, I am afraid.

laughing licks, Marvin xxxx

Sophie Brador said...

That is the greatest story ever!!!

Petey, is my mommy going to get to see you this weekend?

xo
SB

Stella said...

What a great and wonderful story . . .and pictures. I can't imagine a nicer, happier, connection!

Kisses,
Stella

LuLu and LoLLy! said...

Wow! Now that is a truly outstanding story. Two Paws ALL the way UP! How nice to think about Granny drifting off to sleep with those piktures. We love to road trip it sounds like we need to go to this Scotland place! Love, your PaLs, LuLu and LoLLy!

Gennasus said...

Isn't it amazing how small the blogging world can be?! Great story and lovely that your granny gets to keep in touch with her history. Pluscarden is in a lovely area (this whole part of Scotland is!)

Daisy said...

Oh my goodness, that's very amazing! It really is a small world now.

Lucia said...

Ciao bello amico Petey!

Wowowowowow! The fur stood up on the back of my neck when I read your story. How amazingly small the world really is, you know? This all must have made your grammie's year, and because she looks like such a dolce nonna, I don't think it could have happened to a nicer person!

Tanti baci!
Lucia

Eric said...

Ahhh Petey.I'm so wagging HAPPY for you all.What a wonderful pawfect tale.Loved the photos of you and lamby,(and he's still in one piece you must love him lots) your first Christmas with Granny and the one of Great Granny and all. WOW!!!

We are much more than a little sniffy for you,Mom and Granny on this side of the pee. The DB's and their Mom are the bestest to do that for you!!! Granny must be over the moon and back again. And that's lovely. Yep, waggingly wonderful that sometimes unexpected suprising magical things happen for a reason and are meant to be. I'm sure this is not going to be the end of the story...

Wags n kissies, Eric x x xx

Niamh said...

That is so cool Petey!! Your grandma must have been thrilled to see her old house. Isn't that good that you and Rosie and Rosie's mum were able to connect all that.

Your friend,
NIamh

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

What a great story - and all because of WOO!!! Khyra sent us over to read the wonderful tale woo had to tell. The pictures are awesome. It really IS a small world after all.

Tail wags, the OP Pack

The Army of Four said...

What an AWESOME story! We heard about it over on the Dughallmor Beagles' blog and had to come learn "the rest of the story". That is REALLY cool!
Play bows,
Zim

Joe Stains said...

wow! the marriage of technology and good friends and family really is amazing. This story made our day, thanks for sharing it and for sharing the pics. the house looks like nothing we've seen before.

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

hey Petey, tell your Mama, Top Shop is the bestest, but Markies is even better!

lotsaluv, Marvin xxxxxxxxxxxx

Molly the Airedale said...

What an unbelievable story! It gave us goosebumps! We bet your granny is still smiling, Petey!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic story, Petey!

I've only just "met" you through the Dughallmor Beagles blog too - aren't blogs wonderful? :-)

Do please come over and visit me sometime!

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane
www.bighoneydog.com

Anonymous said...

Ha! Ha! Petey, your comment on my blog about "Elle McPherson" made me laugh!
Actually, you're right...I AM a leggy blonde, aren't I?? :)

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Dexter said...

Momma went to Scotland for her work and she loved it. She said it had real old stuff, unlike here in the US where old stuff isn't all that old. I suppose she meant older than her.

Slobbers,
Mango

P.S. Momma says you only have to run faster than Pee-Wee.

The Devil Dog said...

That is an amazing story. The world is a lot smaller than we think it is when we are connected by blogs.

Roxy

Morgan in Pittsburgh said...

Hi - we popped over from Joe Stains blog and got to read this great story. I am a Scottish dog - I wonder if any of my relaitives ever lived in a cool house like that??? Anyhow, nice to meet you. I will pop by again. your pal, Morgan

Huskee and Hershey said...

Hi Petey,
It's pretty unbelievable and amazing, isn't it!! That house is sooooo pretty... I bet your granny must be real happy looking at the place where she is born!
Our mom always says this 'the world is so big, yet so small'!!

BCxFour said...

Wow, what an amazing story! I love small world stories. They remind us all of how interconnected each one if us is. Thank you for putting a smile on my face this morning!

Agatha and Archie said...

WOW!! That is quite the story!!Amazing what we dogs can do for people isn't it!!! We are so happy your Grannie got to see thoses pics! Love and ksises A+A

Tee said...

Wooooo! The Chief says there's no such thing as coincidences in this life ...

I've not figured that out in my dog brains of mine ... but I'll go with what the Chief says!

That's a fantastic to be able to revisit one's historical past.

Licks and Wags,

TUffy & the Dog WOods Pack

Anonymous said...

Hi -just chanced upon your site and guess what, I'm the daughter of James Lawrence the little baby on the photograph! I'm Evelyn Mechie (nee Lawrence) and Auntie Nance stayed with us when she visited some 40 years ago! We are also keen lovers of Cairns and have been for nearly 50 years! Small world