Hattie meets a horse on West Common

Sometimes it is good to extend your horizons, open your mind and explore the world.  What better place to start than West Common in Lincoln which has every activity under the sun - football, bowls, tennis, kite flying and even a Tapas Bar just over the road.  There are dogs of every shape and size, too.

Seeing a horse is very confusing so it pays to get a closer look to allow a Lakeland Terrier to work out what they do.  They certainly smell nice.
West Common is a very lovely place, it has a small lake called The Ornamental and during the war it was used to grow potatoes - if you look carefully you can still see the ridges.  A huge dinosoar was discovered there some years ago - and in the past there was horseracing from time to time.  The stables and grandstand are still there, and this friendly horse lives in one of those stables!

Making friends in Lincoln

Sometimes when you are new in town, making friends can be an interesting experience.  I find parks are good places to find new playmates.
That 'getting to know you stage' can be a little arkward, but often it is worth the effort and a little patience.  This cheeky chap overcame his shyness and minutes later, full of fun, he plunged into the fountain and drenched us all.

Hattie visits Monks Road Arboretum

There is so much fun to be had with a trip to Lincoln's Arboretum.  Sometimes it means waiting patiently until THEY have breakfast in the cafe, but the ladies who work there are very nice and come to say hello.             Then the fun begins - leaves blowing in the wind, other dogs to meet and greet. Sometimes there are squirrels to watch and there is always the chance of a quick dip in the fountain.

 Two of my favourite pals are Molly and Bobby the Staffy - both very well behaved and a good example to me!

Learning the ropes at Dale and Co Solicitors.

Then just when I thought it couldn't get any more fun, our new lady, Frances let me sit on her knee!  She is a law student at Lincoln University and is doing  work experience at Dale & Co. Solicitors. She is very lovely and has such nice manners maybe some will pass to me!

Our Nicola Welbourn, Conveyancing Solicitor, is a graduate of Lincoln University.  We like her and the clients do too! 

As you can see from the picture I now have a harness to wear. This is because I am so lively, especially  since the weather got colder. Even so I cannot contain myself and the energy goes upwards now rather than forward so I have a little prancing trot when I am out walking as it is quite difficult to pull with one of these harnesses.  This makes passers-by smile which gets me all excited.

Hattie tickled silly by Sebastian

 It has been very busy in the office, lots of people are buying and selling their houses in Lincolnshire.   It is much busier than usual, and the conveyancing department is buzzing with activity as most people want to get settled and cosy in time for Christmas.  So everyone at the office is busy and I try to behave.  So it was great fun when our former receptionist Sebastian called in to see me.  He tickled me until I lost control and grinned.  He is a legend in the office, even though he now lives in London so we were all happy to see him.  He misses everyone here but the bright lights were beckoning and he couldn't resist.  He met Dale & Co's lovely new receptionist Maria and made her smile, too!

Hattie Lakeland Legal in Lincoln

The latest recruit at Dale & Co. Solicitors Lincoln.

Hattie Dale – working dog.

Well, look at me settling into a working life in Lincoln's legal centre!

I was born into a working family in the Lake District, all set for a life of ratting and rabbiting - a law firm in Lincoln city centre wasn’t quite what I had in mind. How did it happen?

My first owner was not allowed to keep me (see our Nicola Welbourne in Conveyancing for Landlord and Tenant advice before you buy a dog!) I was rescued by a very nice man called Steve but his two collies weren’t too keen on a little ginge like me.

Steph, his daughter, (hurrah for Steph) stepped in and put me up for adoption at just 11 weeks old and Mr. Dale drove all the way from Lincolnshire. When Steph, her dad and mum saw the sheepskin rug and toys in the back of the car, the promise of two walks a day and the prospect of an apprenticeship they let me go with a fond farewell, my Winnie the Pooh toy, puppy lead and collar.

So here I am, now 8 months old, and getting settled into the routine of office life.

I have my own sofa in the conservatory and generally keep quite quiet unless I spot a bird outside or one of the ladies from Probate and Civil Litigation comes to join me for lunch.Then I take up my new sport of leaping from the sofa to encourage them to have more fun at lunchtime. Sometimes I tackle a bit of gardening and dig big holes in the back garden. Afternoons are quiet again until about 4 when I get quite lively and need to go to the park or for a run in the garden.

My duties include:

• Sleeping



• Pinching crisps



• Looking out for unlikely menaces at the workplace



• General security duties



• Inspecting the new decorating

I have taken over the duties of dear Peggy who was a favourite with some clients for many years, and posed patiently for the Christmas card some years. At the moment I pop into reception rarely as my manners need a bit more polishing up.