Embarking on Pawsome Adventures: Life Abroad with Arthur and Audrey (Part 2)
After our Canadian beginnings, the next chapter of Arthur and Audrey’s jet-setting adventures took us across the pond to Scotland. (Read part 1 here)
Snowy Days & DIY Projects
Moving to a small town north of Aberdeen was a big adjustment — not just for us, but for the pups too. Suddenly, they had a big backyard all to themselves (a far cry from our apartment life in Canada). And in winter? It transformed into a snow-filled playground. ❄️ Arthur spend her time finding creative new ways to escape!
To keep them cozy, we kitted them out in warmer coats and boots, and even DIY’ed a chicken coop into a snug little retreat. Waterproofing, insulation, and a heat lamp — it was a labour of love, and the pups adored their new “winter lodge.” In summer, they didn’t need it, but Arthur still enjoyed using it between her great escapes.
Scottish Road Trips & Ruins
Scotland itself was a dream. Weekends often meant road trips to explore crumbling castles, windswept ruins, and endless nature walks. Arthur and Audrey were the perfect travel companions — content to nap in the car until it was time to stretch their legs, sniff new paths, and leave their paw prints on ancient ground.
Impromptu Adventures Abroad
One of our most memorable spur-of-the-moment trips was during Christmas break, when we decided — somewhat on a whim — to drive all the way to Geneva. 🚗💨 We passed through France, made a quick Disneyland stop (thank you, season passes!), and even visited Vimy (though the pups had to stay in the car).
When we arrived in Geneva at midnight, we discovered that the “pet-friendly” hotel we’d booked wasn’t actually pet-friendly. 😅 Thankfully, the staff helped us find a last-minute alternative, and the next morning Arthur and Audrey strolled proudly around the city streets in their puffer coats, scarves, and little boots. They were quite the attraction!
City Life in London
After two years in Scotland, we swapped country lanes for city streets and moved to London. Life there was busier and noisier, but our ground-floor flat came with a backyard — which, of course, Arthur quickly figured out how to escape. More than once, we received calls from kind strangers who had scooped her up, while Audrey usually stayed close to home (unless he followed his sister’s lead).
One day, Arthur pulled off her most daring heist yet: we walked past a mouldy loaf of bread on the street, and later, when I let her off-lead at the park, she bolted back, crossed the road (amid honking cars 😬), grabbed a slice, and triumphantly returned with her “prize.” Needless to say, I wasn’t impressed — but she looked very proud of herself.
Life in London wasn’t all drama, though. The pups loved riding the Underground, strolling city streets, and attending regular Italian Greyhound meetups at Kensington Gardens. Afterward, we’d all head to a nearby Italian restaurant, where the dogs would nap quietly under the tables while we dined — a perfect London ritual.
Stay tuned for Part 3, where I’ll share more about our adventures, including our roadtrips through Ireland and Europe, and our return to Australia