IT was a walk to remember for Charlie McCulloch of Solway Stars Dog Walkers last week.
On an afternoon socialisation walk along the River Annan, a seal’s head popped up from the water.
He’s named it Sammy Junior in honour of the seal which made the river its home in 2006.
Charlie said: “Last Friday we were walking a pack of eight dogs down the Jubilee and Sammy Junior followed us down from the Road Bridge to the Jubilee Bridge.
“He was watching us for a bit, ducking under and coming back up slightly downstream for a look.
“The pack of dogs was being led by a Lurcher, and we had Spaniels, Staffies, a King Charles, a Golden Retriever and a Schnauzer with us. “Some of them saw the seal but didn’t bark, I was so proud of them.”
Charlie cast his memory back to 2006 when a seal was spotted in the river. He lived along the banks of the river during that time and could often catch a glimpse of the animal, which affectionately became known as Sammy by locals, swimming just metres away from his house.
Charlie added: “The last time – 18 years ago – I lived in the house on Battery Street that touches the river (the standalone house behind the Bluebell).
“I used to watch the original Sammy swim about from my window as he was right below my living room. I spotted him quite a few times back then.
“It was so cool to see another seal back in Sammy’s old spot paying a little Xmas visit.”
