Did You Know Just How Little the Scottish Government Gives to Mountain Rescue Teams? More Funding Needed to Ensure the Safety of Walkers in the Scottish Highlands.

(The view taken from the top of Buachaille Etive Mor.)

Since the beginning of January 2013, thirteen people have died in the Scottish mountains.  That's less than 3 months in which thirteen people have lost their lives doing something they truly love and are passionate about.

The good old Great British press have, as per usual, instigated their typical knee jerk reaction to these tragedies and have called for a curb on climbers being allowed on the mountains.  The general opinions that I've been hearing are that people shouldn't be allowed on the mountains, or that they are wasting tax payers money.  That it's their own fault if they die, that they're being selfish going out endangering the lives of the search and rescue people who will be called out in the event that something happens to them.  

(Buachaille Etive Mor completed!!  Best feeling EVER!!)

As someone who has grown up exploring these very hills and mountains, and who has parents who are out climbing these very peaks practically every other weekend...as well as further peaks in England, Wales, Ireland, Mexico, Peru...Everest...it absolutely rattles my cage to hear the garbage that comes out of some peoples mouths regarding this very subject!!  

We live in one of the most gorgeous places on the planet, and yet there are those who will sit there and bitch and moan about the people that actually want to go and explore it!  The main complaint I've heard is that those who go out hillwalking are "wasting the tax payers money".  In the slim chance that something does actually happen, what these idiots don't actually realise is that the government gives very freakin' little to mountain rescue services.  In fact, it's embarrassing just how little our own government support these amazing people.  They give more support to the people that do NOTHING!!

At this present moment in time, the government grant for the Scottish Mountain Rescue Teams is a pathetic, measly £312,000...for the WHOLE of Scotland!!!  This is NOT a case of "wasting tax payers money".  Hell, our own government basically exploit the mountains for profit and yet give practically zero back in return.  

"The 27 civilian, voluntary Scottish Mountain and Cave Rescue Teams, rely on charitable donations and bequests from members of the public as well as local and national businesses, in order that they may continue to deliver the service they provide."

The individuals out there risking their lives as part of the civilian, voluntary teams, they are doing this because they love these mountains.  They understand and respect them.  They want millions more to be able to appreciate their beauty, and I have so much admiration for each and every one of them.

(Glencoe - if it's good enough for Bond...)

USA news station CNN has listed Scotland as the number one worldwide destination to visit in 2013...that is potentially a huge tourism boost.  One of the reasons attributed to CNN's decision is thought to be down to the huge success of not only Disney Pixar movie Brave, but also to James Bond kicking ass with Judi Dench in Skyfall.  A film that was largely featured in the Glencoe...the very home to some of the most potentially treacherous mountains in Scotland.  

(Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Craig taking in the bleak, yet stunning sights of Glencoe in Skyfall.)

With movies such as Skyfall, Brave, Prometheus and Harry Potter making people the world over want to come and visit Scotland and the wonderful scenery it provides, and the fact that the Scottish government use images of these very same mountains to draw people to this country...it forms part of a massive £1.4 BILLION tourist economy.  An industry that the Scottish government want to increase by 50% by 2015!!  That is a massive target, and one that surely requires the government to re-evaluate their funding towards mountain rescue.

(My sister Moosey and I out exploring Glencoe...with extra added Nessie, courtesy of my friend Rob.  See, even Nessie wanted to go and explore further lochs in Scotland!!)

Walkers and climbers are smarter and more equipped now than ever and at the end of the day, accidents happen.  Considering that such a huge part of the Scottish economy comes from tourism, rather than criticising those who enjoy the pleasure and freedom gained from walking the vast stretch of unspoilt territory Scotland provides, the government should actually be putting more money into supporting and educating people to the challenges that walking the Scottish Highlands brings.  

(There is no better feeling in the world than camping in the Scottish Highlands, and Glencoe in particular is one of the single most beautiful places on earth, and should be explored!!)

The world around us was meant for exploring.  It keeps both our minds and our bodies ticking away.  It is also one of the best ways to learn, and soak in the rich history, and all that has gone before.  From a geological and environmental perspective, to that of those who have walked there before us.  If the Scottish government want to keep the compelling history of Scotland alive for people to explore, they need to think about putting more into it, instead of taking away from it.  Accidents will still happen, life would not be life without death.  And with each death on the mountain, it brings a terrible sadness.  We should honour the memory of these people by being able to walk once again in their steps.  

One last photo for you to enjoy...this was taken last September, and was the last walk my parents did before taking on Mount Everest Base Camp.  With some of my family from Canada coming over to visit, whilst on a tour of Europe, they decided, why not take on Ben Nevis!?!  Jim and Annie Szpajcher, joined my mum and dad, and auntie Corinne and her partner Steve, along with my cousin Dominique and her now fiance Kevin...and their doggy Pippa to climb the highest mountain in both Scotland, and the UK.  Along with them was also Team Cooper mascot Alistair McAlistair...the wonderful bunny~feets who does a whole lotta trekkin'!! ;) They all had a wonderful time, and are so happy to say that they have done it.  And Jim and Annie were ecstatic to say that they had come all the way over from the Rockies in Canada to take on their first summit, and it was Ben Nevis!!  That's something that would made anyone proud...please don't take this away from people.  

Edited to add yet another death up in Glencoe after an experienced skier was killed in an avalanche.  That brings the number of deaths up to 14.  :(

A Great Day for Bunnies - Animal Testing in Cosmetics Banned in the EU!!

On this day, March 11th 2013...mankind has taken that little step forward towards living a humane lifestyle!!  With the EU ban of cosmetics testing in animals coming into effect today, hundreds of thousands of bunnies, rats, mice, guinea pigs and more will be saved every year from the senseless pain endured for the vanity of the Western human race!!

This is a culmination of over 20 years hard work from organisations such as BUAV and the European Coalition to End All Animal Experiments (ECEAE), and this day truly cannot have come soon enough!!

This is a big kick up the arse to the rest of the world to catch up, I mean America...what the hell, you're supposed to be soooo advanced yet the European Union takes the stand to a better way of life first.  Time to pull your finger out your arse I say!!  The worst place out there is China, a country that insists that ALL cosmetics sold in China first be tested on animals...a crutch that has most certainly shown us who the good guys are, and the greedy guys!!

With the subject of vivisection so clearly at the forefront of the public's mind, let's take this moment to take a stand against ALL ANIMAL TESTINGI!!!  Let us lead the world in making the world a better place for tomorrow, a world where the only Beagles and bunnies in it are our pets and our best friends...and each others best friends.  I for one will not stop campaigning and protesting till that day is upon us!!  

Fiona Apple Cancels Tour because of Dying Dog...What a Truly Inspirational Woman!!

One of my best friends, award winning film maker and fellow animal lover Jennifer Campbell, just emailed me this link to a letter that quirky singer Fiona Apple posted on her Facebook page regarding why she has cancelled her tour of South America.  Her dog Janet has Addison's Disease, or Hypoadrenocorticism...an endocrine disorder that occurs when adrenal glands fail to produce enough hormones for normal function.  What this basically means is that avoidance of stress is of utmost importance...this includes travelling.  

I absolutely commend Fiona Apple for this decision, and also hope that she doesn't get too much crap fired back at her for it either!!  There are a lot of cruel and heartless people out there, those who think that musicians, actors...hell, anyone in the public eye, that they owe them to appear to shows and events..no matter what the hell is going on in their personal life, tragedy, hospitalisation, the lot!!  A lot of people forget that these guys are people too.  They get ill, their family and friends die too...just like the rest of us, they need to take a moment and step back too...unless they are a fucking Kardashian or something!!  

As a fan, I'd personally feel sick if I knew that I was at a gig, whilst the person I admired and was a fan of, was on stage, their heart breaking as their best friend was dying and they were missing it so they could go on tour so that people like myself could be kept happy.  That is NOT right.  I'd feel selfish and wrong, and I wouldn't enjoy myself knowing that I was trying to get satisfaction from a person whose whole world was crumbling around them.  

Losing a pet, especially one like Fiona's dog Janet is to her...that is pretty much the single worst feeling in the world.  Fiona took her on as a rescue...saved her after she had experienced such a cruel start to her life in the world of arseholes who use pitbulls for fighting.  At just 4 months old, Fiona took this dog into her loving arms and never let go.  At this time Janet was found in Echo Park, left with a rope around her neck and covered in bites all over her ears and face.  Fiona has now had Janet for 14 years...that is a long and happy relationship for anyone.  She explains in her letter, that basically it didn't matter what has happened in throughout her life, it's always been the two of them.  If this is something that you can't understand, then I pity you.  Animals give us love that no other human being can.  They love unconditionally and without judgement. 

 

I am so happy to be a fan of not only such a talented chick~a~roo, but also one who shares a love for another creature that I understand 815% completely.  It makes me smile to know that a rescue dog went on to lead such a happy life with its hooman owner.  Dogs are not just "Man's Best Friend"...they are also a Woman's Best Friend too. :)  

Anyone who has ever owned a dog, or lost a pet...just even reading Fiona's open eulogy to her dog will bring back tears...both tears of sadness, and joy.  There is nothing I understand more than the love of a beloved pet.  And nothing is more important than spending those last few weeks or days with them...NOTHING!!

A Healthy Beagle is a Happy Beagle and Mine is Most Certainly That!!

So I'm happy to report that my precious little Beagle~toes Alf~redo is back to his usual, bouncy, hyperactive and crazy stupid self!!  After hurting his hip, in what seems to be an accident of hyperactivity, he spent a good couple of weeks unable to walk, and stuck in his bed.  It was horrific, he was so depressed and and then once he started to get better, he was more frustrated at the fact that he had to be stay in his bed.  

I was kind of naughty and took him out earlier than the vet had recommended, but you know your own dog, and I knew that he'd rather be out, and in a bit of pain, than being kept stuck indoors.  And besides, when we hurt ourselves, we need to stretch the muscles, not just lie on them.  I was still careful, and took him out in little bursts, and it was the best thing I could have done.  Within a couple of days, he was back to his usual bounding around like a lunatic self, and he's also stopped limping.  

All of his doggy pals are happy to see him again, as they'd been getting all upset when they saw a Beagle similar to Alfie and then discovered it wasn't him.  Lol.  He's definitely a popular little munchkin!!  I also think that looking after Hamish helped as well, as it gave him more enthusiasm to get back to normal!!  At least, normal by Alfie standards, haha.  

That Sad Look on a Little Beagle's Face When He Can't Jump Around Like a Lunatic and be a Nuisance!!

Okay so anyone who follows me on Facebook will be well aware of the fact that my precious little Beagle Alfie has managed to hurt his hip!  We first noticed this when I'd got back from a walk last week and he tried to jump up on the sofa and fell down funny.  He later couldn't get settled and started crying and being all un~Alfie like.  So I took him to see Kristi, the girl who I'd got him from to see what she thought...due to his hyperactivity, he's started limping before after long walks/mental run abouts on the beach and what not before.  The main thing she was always told to do was to get him to rest and give him some aspirin.  So I started doing that...which trust me, trying to get a dog as hyper as mine to stay still, it's no small feat!!  I was still taking his little hobbly self out on little walks, making sure he got plenty of rest in between.  After he wasn't getting better I had a consultation with the emergency vet who said I'd been doing the right thing and to keep giving him the aspirin and to see how he was after the weekend.  So Monday came and I decided he still wasn't getting properly better, he'd not been sleeping in my bed with me and instead in his own (which was a total warning sign!!) so took him to see Kristi and we both decided to call the vet back.  I was told to come down immediately so called my parents and daddy came to pick us up and took us down.

When we saw the vet, due to Alfie being, well...Alfie...despite being in so much obvious pain he was still trying to hobble around and when she was pushing in his hip area he was getting all squirmy and crying.  So she gave him a steroid injection and told me to come back today so he could get an X-Ray, although he'd have to be given an aesthetic so they could get a good feel at the obviously injured area.  So I got the mother to come pick us up and drop us off, then let my little poopsicle be taken in for the day and then I went to work.  As I have a freak~tarded signal on my phone on the Arbroath High Street I had to dig out the shops phone number...at which point the vet just reminded me that they need it as due to the fact they're giving an aesthetic then anything can happen, and then that's it...the Jen~brain kicks in!!  So on that stressed out note I leave the vet and make my way to work, as I walk past a stand selling local strawberries and plants I think, "ooh, need to get some new plants for Flopsy cemetery!"  That was it, my little headcase brain then goes into thinking about my precious bunny and reminded me how much I fucking hate going to the vets!!  My god I hate the vets!!  Like I am a hysterical fucking mess going to the dentist and need to be knocked out, but I'd rather take daily visits to the dentist and get my baby back than be reminded how much it fucking hurts even thinking about her.  So yeah, put Flops together with having to take my sisters ratty Pink Eyed Pete to get put down and knowing that my precioussssss beloved Westie is getting older each year, I am the first to admit how much of a crazy person I get when in a vet!!  So leaving my little Beagle~toes in there, the creature I love most jointly with bunnies on the face of the planet and yeah...I'm a bit of a mess!!  :'(

Anyhoo, so later on in the day and I get a call from the vet at the shop and vet told me that nothing showed up on the X-Rays so they don't think he's broken his hip, but that even when under, when they were manipulating the muscle area in the hip, he was yelping and squriming.  :(  That's not good!  I feel like such a dick that he's obviously been in this much pain and I've not known it was that bad!!  God damn you Alfie being such a soldier of a dog!!  The vet also said that it could be an infection in the bone or muscle...by this point I was too busy trying not to cry so I'm not exact on their thoughts.  She said they took blood and could send it off just in case but that it would cost me another £30 odd and that she'd let me think about it.  They have given him anti-biotics so they thought that would help clear anything up just in case!

So at the end of the day, they've given him anti-biotics, anti-inflammatories and painkillers and told him to REST, REST, REST!!!  I was advised that if I had a cage/crate then to put him in that but as he's been so depressed, he's just been lying in his bed with a pillow anyway.  Although, heehee, just there...he totally bounced up and chased Jonah, the bunny!!  He's not allowed to do this but it's nice to see a bit of normal Alfie back.  So hopefully the drugs are working!!  But yeah, his cage/crate, it's still big enough for him to get up and walk in and if he was locked in that, it would more just frustrate and upset him more!  He's better just being ignored in his bed.  As hard as that is too, when he's got his little head on his pillow with his blankey over him.  He looks so freakin' cute!!

I think what makes this harder is that I have no idea what actually happened in the first place...has he hurt himself showing off in front of Hamish (who I've spent past week looking after!!), or was it truly as simple as him jumping up on sofa funny!?!! I dunno.  Part of me has this whole idea that he has been kung fu bunny kicked by Jonah, who is trying to take the dawg down...but then that is just me being mad, haha.  It was just last night when Alfie was totally depressed and Jonah was hopping into his bed and giving him kissies, that was hard!!  People are cruel and mean but there is nothing that hits you harder than when an animal picks up on another animals pain...especially a Beagle and a Bunny.

But yay, so fingers crossed, with drugs and rest my little monster will recover and we'll be going on doggie dates with his boyfriend Bailey in no time!!  Yes, my boy Beagle has a boyfriend...haha.  I can't wait to meet up with Bailey's owner Brian and let the mutts have a run around.  He has a Golden Retriever and honestly, Alfie and Bailey, they're so in love with each other, haha.  It's like they run alongside each other looking at each other with that dazed look in their eye.  Lol.  I want to see that look again so badly!! :)

And just a last minute thought...how much of a fucking horrible nightmare are vet bills!?!!  I urge everyone to always make sure that they have insurance on their pets because you never want to sacrifice them due to the horribleness of vet fees!!  And they are cruel fees.  In under 24 hours I gained £193 odd in vet fees...that is not cool!!  I think for me, as an animal person, I think, a person could be seen and treated and not cost a thing...but for my dog!!!  But then I'm an animal person.  And I live in Scotland, a place where we are stupidly lucky with our medical care, even if we try to complain about it!!  We don't appreciate it.  Maybe we should, a whole lot more!!

Defenseless Bunny Burned to Death in Hutch in Arbroath - REWARD OFFERED for Any Information that Will Lead to Killers!

Whenever I report horrific crimes of cruelty it is never as close to home as this...one of my closest friends, Lauren, went to feed her bunny Dennis last night to find him dead in his hutch.  Burned.  It looks like he died from shock of being set on fire.  

When Lauren checked she found evidence of burned paper, what it looks like is someone after trying to break into his hutch and failed, they have grabbed Dennis's foot through the bars and set him on fire.  


Lauren lives in the Warddykes area of Arbroath and her garden is surrounded by a 6ft brick wall!  This incident happened between late night November 15th to early morning November 16th.  Her bunny's hutch wasn't visible to anyone outside.  Either this person has known that she had a bunny outside or they have been jumping walls looking for them! 

Dennis never hurt anyone in his life and to hear of this not only breaks my heart but it makes me physically sick to my stomach!


Lauren has contacted the Police who have not only taken statements from both Lauren and her partner, they have went round the neighbours, most of whom are elderly looking for information.  One of her neighbour's has reported a boy in his mid to late teens/early twenties hanging around her garden last week, but as there are younger people down the hill from her, it could be completely unrelated.  The police have also taken away Dennis's hutch...due to the damp and cold, they weren't able to take fingerprints in the usual way, so instead they have to take it away to forensics to get the prints off with a certain chemical. 

Lauren is one of the biggest animal lovers I know...she is this crazy animal lady, in the best of senses...when she isn't working (which FYI, all of the work that she does is helping other people feel good about themselves, she is one of the nicest people you could ever meet!!!), her time is dedicated to her pets.  Hell, she's invited me around one evening to have a few glasses of wine whilst she did her nightly cleaning and feeding of her various pets! This is someone who cares for her animal's like most care for their children, she adores them!

And the worst thing is...this isn't the first case of animal abuse atrocity poor Lauren has had to encounter this year.  Back in July she tried to help save the life of the little Chihuahua that was mauled to death by the Staffie...and then worse, the stupid ignorant bitch of an owner ran off!  The Chihuahua died and once the cowbag owner finally handed herself in, after total pressure from the papers and a local dog walker's group that put up a big reward for the person who led the police to her...the Staffie was killed!  The fact that two dogs had to suffer because of a pathetic excuse for a human who was a terrible dog owner, it's disgusting.  I never believe in putting a dog down without at least attempting to retrain them.  And the fact that this horrible woman pretty much walked away scot free as well....completely sickening!

So yes, not to get off track but I just find it appalling that such a big animal lover, and lovely person such as Lauren has had this happen to her.  :(  


If anyone has any information, even if it seems small, please do let me know straight away so I can let Lauren and the police know.  Alternatively you can call the police direct on 0300 111 2222, or the SSPCA on 03000 999 999.  

Lauren's Mum Susan is offering a reward for any information that will lead to finding the killers!  Lauren has spoken to reporters from throughout Scotland as well as the police, and I have spoken to a reporter from The Sun so here's hoping all of this will help.  Let's bring these evil bastards to justice and make sure they never do anything like this again, this is gross animal cruelty to the most disgusting of ways, let's make sure they pay!


R.I.P. Dennis, you died way too young and in the most horrific of ways.  We'll always remember you.  <3

Hopi Ear Candles - This Girl Sure as Hell Says they are AMAZING!

Okay so despite the fact that I will pretty much believe in anything, you know, aliens, reincarnation, Nessie....I was always a wee bit sceptical about is Ear Candling.  My skepticism has more than likely arisen from the fact that I wasn't actually 100% sure what Ear Candling actually meant!  I thought that wax candles were put inside your ear, like actually in your ear drum and left to burn.  To say that I was a little confused is an understatement.

Ear Candling involves placing a hollow candle in the ear canal (not putting it actually in the ear drum, as I had previously thought) and lighting the top end.  A qualified Ear Candling therapist is definitely recommended.  I mean, I sure as hell wouldn't be letting someone light a candle, hollow or not, near my head, let alone in my ear without them being qualified!

Due to a tooth root infection, I had to have a tooth removed the other day.  This led to my sinuses being infected and my right eye puffing up to make me look like John Merrick's twin sister!  My Doctor had prescribed me anti-biotics and the swelling had been coming down loads.

When my friend Lauren suggested Hopi Ear Candles, I was a bit apprehensive but thought, what the hey...it can't be worse than the Dentist!  Nothing can be worse than the freakin' Dentist!  Aaaargh!  I decided to let her put the first candle in my right ear...the one where the lovely infection and mutant'ness was!  When she lit the first candle it made this really crackling and hissing sound, there was a strong sense of honey (something which Lauren told me was in the candle's) and I felt like I was a birthday cake for Winnie the Pooh!

After the candle burned down she massaged my face which was slightly painful, but in no way near as painful as what it had been when I had been rubbing cream into it myself!  I've even been using massage oil at night time as the pain was so bad and I thought that might help.

When I turned over for my left ear to have the candle in it, I had to make sure I was positioned right so as not to be in so much pain with my face lying down.  The candle in the left ear was so much more different.  The way it burned down was different, the crackling and hissing was a lot less.  When I told Lauren this she told me that this may be due to the fact that the candle takes in all the 'badness' - that is my word, not hers.  I'm not actually sure what she said exactly.  Basically the candle acts like a chimney and sucks up any problems in your ear.  Due to the fact that we knew exactly what my problem was, i.e. Sinus Infection in my right eye, it was understandable why the candle in the right ear was more hissy and crackly!

All of this aside though, and what actually matters....it worked!!!  Afterwards when speaking to Lauren's Mum, a complete Candle sceptic as well....she noticed a HUGE difference in my eye!  I have this scar under my eye from when my Bunny kind of mauled my face.  Above the scar had been totally puffy and visible.  After the Hopi Candle treatment, it had went down so much.  And we're talking within half an hour sort of period.  Part of me wishes I'd got Lauren to do this when my eye was still all puffed up and John Merrick looking!

Whilst I was speaking to Susan, (Lauren's Mum) afterwards, I felt the area around my jaw/top cheek bone was really swollen.  It was like the puffiness had left my eye and moved downwards.  I can now happily say that less than 4 hours later, that puffiness had gone down immensely!  I am actually rather in shock at the difference!  And I am not one to say that something has worked when it hasn't!  This is actually rather incredible.  I can touch my face and I don't feel like a total freak, the swelling has went down so much!

I really wish that I had actually taken some pictures.  Usually when anything freaky or bizarre or morbid happens, I am the first to take pictures.  But when it comes to my face, I am afraid that I am as vain as they come.  The picture of mutation is scarred in my brain!

This has seriously helped though and I wholeheartedly advise anyone with sinus problems or infections to give this a try!  For those with general hearing problems, I'm awaiting my Mother's reaction on the Hopi Ear Candles before I share that advice.  All I know is that, if you have a sinus problem, then definitely give Hopi Ear Candles a go...and this is coming from an incredibly vain person with a face that is definitely a whole less puffier...and back to its usual oh so pretty self!  Haha.  :D  Just don't ask me to smile, that's still a bit wonky! ;)