A tale of twenty tails

I have had three adventures here, and i have to say i liked all of them,  every adventure is different. You may have put two and two together and make twenty as that is how many furry tails live in this household... although only sixteen actually live in the house. There are four dogs, Eskil and Simba who are Chow Chows, Gypsy and the lovely but very timid Lili. Next the cats, in no particular order, gingers, Jules, Caramel, Jerry, TC and then Fumanchu who is pale cream ginger. Then we have Nero and Merlin, little and large who are both black, two white patchworks Possum and Conchita, the latter with slightly darker patches. Next up are the pretty tabbies, Tinka and Pettsson and the latest recruit a young smokey grey rascal called Yoda.

The other four tails are horses and live in the stables outside in the fields, Opaline, Violette, Nokkvi and Rayo.

feeding time is a bit of a frenzy, Conchita and Fu get mightily fed up if they are not first in the queue

It was mid June last year when i first met up with my furry acquaintances after being of course vetted by their owners in May, i had been recommended through a friend. Having met them all in May albeit briefly i was somewhat apprehensive as Simba one of the Chows and i had not made immediate friends. Lili was extremely timid and a couple of the cats could be trouble with puddles. Plus some wise advice that if Fu's eyes turned dark blue don't touch, i got the feeling that the last piece of advice could refer to the owner as well. 

Mark, i am glad to say came with me, on entering the kitchen Simba stuck his head through the cat flap and growled and barked at us. I stuck the key in the back door took a deep breathe called the dogs by their names and opened the door.

Lili shot off. Simba stopped growling but did not want to greet me either, Eskil remained aloof but little Gypsy after a few minutes broke the ice. Mark left, i was only going to be here for three nights...but with one timid dog that i needed to get in at nights... if possible otherwise she would keep the neighbourhood awake and one Chow who obviously was not sure why i was here, it could be a little intimidating?  I was, i have to say,  a little worried, although i had been given a long and very good summary about each individual and a list of people to call for help. 

Evening time,  feeding time, the cats were something to get used to but in the end pretty easy. The trick was trying to put twelve plates down fast enough that they did not fight with each other. Then came the dogs, Simba is still wary of me and i have a healthy respect for him, Eskil is a gentleman and we are now just about on stroking terms. Simba likes his food and suddenly i could see that this might be the way to one lion dogs heart.

After that he was friendly but i still payed both big respect, i think they are probably very loyal and faithful to their owners ...as the job description reads. Something i looked up about the Chow Chow sums the breed up perfectly quiet aloof and loyal (click on the link to learn more)

I never got close to Lili this time and did not succeed in getting her in on that first night. She is a rescue dog and blind in one eye and in her past, who knows! She is a chasse french breed without bad handling they are still said to be a timid breed.  She is so pretty with her wiry coat, long legs and big floppy ears, wish she would be my friend.

Eventually by the third day, if i made a big fuss of Eskil and Simba she would run up lick my hand and run away again. That will have to do for now.

Possum having a quiet nap in a drawer in the kitchen

Despite previous worries i was happy to be invited back for another three day stint in October, the house and it occupants are lovely and there is a new recruit in the shape of Yoda  the two month old pizza kitten , he was found on a roundabout near a pizza restaurant! very cute and definitely has Yoda ears.

He is into absolutely everything, being a kitten and is the only one that is not frightened of Fu, whatever shade his eyes are!

Yoda is exclaiming that his new pet sitter is not exactly vegan!!!

Opaline and Violette the Haflinger

I had a few minutes worry with a friend! Opaline who appeared to have gone to sleep on one leg to long, looked as if she was lame.... i have that problem!

Otherwise they are easy, i just need to check in on them and say hello, they are all pretty with good temperaments to match.

a charming sadly empty building on my walking circuit

Eskil is guarding the picnic bench, whilst Tinka is going to find out what is going down in the kitchen

Fu in afternoon nap mode whilst trying to hatch a basket of walnuts?

Simba and Lili largely crashed out to a sunny afternoon

the owl is still wondering when the gin fountain will be installed?

Eskil now snoozing on the cool concrete

Lili, i want you to be my friend..but i am still not sure

according to my watch it was tea time about half an hour ago!

Caramel is catching up on some afternoon reading before suppertime

cat-napping in December sun!

this is not one of my best poses

think it's hay .....i can't see these days

....don't ever be fooled!

me and the boys, lovely big teddy bears,  once they get to know you of course

yoda was very enthusiastic about what his write ups may entail

In December i came back for one night over a weekend, the Chows recognised me this time and even Lili tried to greet me and  thankfully came in easily that night.
The weather was amazing so we were all out and about in the garden. However, i have yet to unravel who unravelled their mistresses basket of knitting patches, wools and ongoing projects...needles all over the barn courtyard! Don't think it was the boys??

Beau views and weather even in December

R I P Leo you will be missed