Interview with Max
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Hi I am Max, the lurcher.
I have only lived in my new home of Innerleithen for a few weeks. The Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary matched me up with the new humans.
They are apparently very good at doing that and I have been told that greyhound Luke, my predecessor, left big pawprints to fill.
How many siblings do you have and long have you had them?
I have a hoo-bro and a hoo-sis.
They both live away from home, but we chat on Facetime and they are longing to see me in pawson.
Do you work? If so where/what do you do?
I am in training as Tour Guide and General Dogsbody at Cosaig holiday cottage in the Scottish Borders.
By the end of this year I should have my SSQ (Scottish Snoozing Qualification) and my SGQ (Scottish Gardening Qualification). I want to work towards my SBQ (Scottish Barking Qualification) but have been told that is for another time.
The training would be exhausting for a lesser hound but according to the hoos I have endless energy.
I take that as a compliment.
I have not yet worked in the cottage but am learning the basic housekeeping ropes at home. I have helped with bed making, dishwashing,
vacuuming, gardening and (my favourite job of all) cleaning the bathroom.
The fierce shower monster makes me bark (a lot) but we are working on that.
The hoos are tough but fair and are quite generous with the gravy bones.
Much as I love the domestic side of my new job, the most impawtant part is the Tour Guide aspect.
Once I have completed my training, I will be a Tourism Ambassador for the Tweed Valley, so I need to learn all about local places of interest and what-not.
During Lockdown we must stay very close to home but that still means there are lots of places to discover. I am checking out woodland and riverside walks so I can recommend the best ones when hounds and their humans can return to the cottage.
The sniffs are Incredible round here and there is so much wildlife to spot.
I have seen deer, pheasants, herons and squirrels and my new pal tells me that there are otters around too.
So far, I have seen the outside of St Ronan’s Wells, Robert Smail’s Printing Works and the grounds of Traquair House. I am looking forward to trying the waters at the wells.
The boss says that they might cure my sock stealing habit.
If you could choose your name what would it be?
I think Max is the perfect name for me because I like to live my life to the max.
What is your favourite food?
I am not at all fussy. I enjoy all the dog food I am given but I also like a bit of toast and am partial to pears.
Where is your favourite place to be?
Wherever my humans are. I get a bit worried when they go out of my sight. Luckily for them I am amazingly good company, so we are all happy.
What is your favourite way to entertain yourself (annoy your humans)?
When I have some time off from the chores I love to play. I have loads of squeaky toys and like to fling them around the room. The hoos are fine with that but for some reason they don’t seem to think that stealing their gloves, socks and slippers is such a good idea. They are a bit strange in some ways…
What is your greatest accomplishment?
I can now stay in the OTHER room for two minutes when the hoos are in the kitchen. This is a big step forward.
What is your next goal in life?
I am longing for the day when I can meet up with all members of the local hound gang for the biggest zoom ever.
If you could be/do anything for a day, what would it be?
Now that is a difficult question. After thinking long and hard I think I will stick with being me.
Finally and most importantly...What was your human’s most embarrassing moment?
It’s early days. I haven’t quite worked out how best to embarrass them yet….
