Introducing Wheels

Today I laid on Beanz's lovely beanbag bed. Truth be known I have been laying on it solidly for 9 days. I haven't even gone up to lie on the humans' bed at night. I only got up to eat and ... well... the other thing us cats are good at (apart from hunting).

While I sunned myself, Bamgee, TJam and Beanz went to the park to see Bready and Wheels. 

They were celebrating Wheels's 2nd birthday.

Wheels fed the ducks. He is so run-aroundy that he wears a lead, just like Beanz.

Between the house and the car, TJam misplaced Beanz's lunch, so TJam had to share her cheese and mustard sandwich with Beanz. Beanz seemed quite happy about it.

 Then they went on a Spooky Walk. Wheels has started talking to he could shout about the FACEs and SPIDERs that were hidden around the walk.

I'm not sure if TJam was expecting to sit on her beanbag chair when she got home, but in any case that was never going to happen. I have decided it is time for a change of scene.

Stuck

Today, we went on a long drive. Then we went for a walk with a little red dog, Willow and Coach.

The little red dog was not very good at having her photo taken. 

Then we went back to Willow's house and I watched guinea pigs for half an hour.

The humans were busy talking and they thought I was in the shade.

Really, I had managed to get behind the shed but then I had managed to not be able to get back out again. No one noticed and I started to panic and that wobbled the shed.

Coach saw the windows of the shed rattling and wondered if a cat had got locked in. Then Coach looked closer and saw me. I was so freaked out I gave a little whine. I couldn't get my dodgy hip past the fence post. I sat down and gave up.

Coach was about to call the fire brigade. It was a boiling hot day and I was getting panicky. So was TJam. She suggested putting Willow's son, the Katate Kid, down the side of the summer house to help me out, but he couldn't fit.

The humans managed to lift the summer house up a bit at one end to slide it over and create a gap just big enough for TJam to squeeze into so she could guide my back end out.

This is the scene of the crime and I had got right down to that bottom fence panel.

Willow couldn't believe her luck that she had actually seen one of my adventures in the flesh. 

TJam was mortified. As usual.

Then we came home. I had actual ice blocks on me in the car. TJam really needs to get air con.

We also had the little red dog with us. 

Peace

It has taken a long time to get this kind of peace and quiet in our house.

Photoshoot

Today TJam decided she was going to blog me. She wanted a good shot of me pouncing on something (but she preferred it not to be alive. Wimp.) She lined up the camera.

I pounced. She shot.

Too slow.

Next, I pounced and she took probably the most unflattering picture of me it is possible to take. This is probably what I'll look like when I'm a ghost. With one eye.

Next, she pressed focus first, and then I pounced. I guess she doesn't know how to shorten the shutter speed yet. *Shakes head in despair*

And all this time, Beanz slept. No need to worry about shutter speed for her this weekend.

Karma

It was a beautiful day today, so we went for a walk in the woods and TJam took her camera.

It all started well, TJam taking pictures of us...

I wasn't jealous when TJam took a picture of Chips

but then TJam started messing around with the settings on her camera and neglecting us

So I totally photobombed her scenic attempts.

The balance of the world is restored.

Summer Walk

Is B3 a dog or a kangaroo? :)

Beanz aka Fenton

If you have seen the footage of Fenton the (handsome) dog chasing deer in Richmond Park, you probably fall into one of two camps. The "haha that is hilarious - been there, done that" camp, and the "how terrible, how can you laugh about that" camp.

TJam falls into the former. Not because she doesn't think it is terrible to let a dog chase deer, but because she recognises that, even with the best will in the world, things go wrong sometimes. She felt for that owner. And because sometimes, if all's well that ends well, then you have to laugh or you'll cry.

And so, I would like to tell you about my fabulous Saturday. As you know, I am partial to chasing, and so I have to stay on my lead when I walk past sheep fields and the like. I am not that fussed about actually catching anything, I just like the thrill of the chase. I am not a killer or anything. I have proved that on several occasions.

When I went flying into the woods on my walk, TJam thought I was after squirrels.

(Can you see where this is going?)

It was only when a flock of about 8 delicious sheep came charging out of the woods, that TJam realised the real reason for my delight. I couldn't hear TJam shouting "come here" (the polite version). I was in the zone. It's not every day sheep get out of their field and into my woods.

Sadly for me, but luckily for TJam and the sheep, some passers by shouted and waved their stick at me. It was ok by me, I'd had my fun. I turned round and bounded joyfully towards TJam to see how excited she would be at my glorious find.

Not as excited as I had hoped, as it turned out.

A jogger ran by and said he wished he'd been filming. TJam didn't find that very funny either.

I have been told to tell you that all the sheep ran off and appeared in good health.

Scan

After I had my blood test, the vet said I would need a scan of my liver because I had some slightly raised enzymes. TJam sneakily took me to a different surgery (where the scanner lives) so I didn't realise where I was until she walked away and left me. But worse still, I DID NOT GET ANY BREAKFAST! Can you imagine?

TJam took the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with Beanz. They went to this enormous mountain...

Oh, wait, it was just a big rock.

Apparently, Beanz found herself a boyfriend and invited him to play. This is the first dog she has invited to play in 10 years. It would seem I cramp her style.

Meanwhile, I had my scan, which was pretty much fine, and I got some liver supplements. It is not yet clear whether these are "neurotic owner" supplements or whether they will bring my enzymes down, but I don't mind them, so it doesn't matter.

Here I am showing off my newly shaved belly. Brrrr. Couldn't you have taken me in the summer, TJam?

Hangover

What's this?

Bamgee gave us an excellent Christmas present this year

but I think Beanz may have overdone it a little.

Perhaps she needs hair of the dog.

New Obsession

I have got a new friend. I am completely obsessed with her. When she is in her owner's arms, I just tag along behind and sometimes I can't help myself and I jump up, even though I know I am not supposed to.

This is B3...

She is a lively little thing and not easy to get a photo of!

And I just can't stop following her.

Wherever she goes, I'll be there.

Triathlon

I had a little go at a triathlon on my walk.

First, a little swim...

... followed by a bracing run...

... and finally a "run while carrying a stick" because I found riding a bicycle too difficult.

Boo Hoo

TJam was comparing pet insurance on a deliciously chasable, rodent-like comparison website and then she ended up going to the co-operative (open minded and progressive no?) But I am ... wait for it ... "pet too old".

I wouldn't have minded if it had said Pet Too Valuable or Pet Too Awesome.

But no. Rejected on age. Isn't that illegal?

A couple of weeks ago, TJam and Fliptop took us dogs camping in Stroud.

This is the pub (which let dogs in)...

... and there were plenty of sheep-free fields and woods for us to explore.

TJam had her favourite camping food. All vegan of course...

... and Fliptop introduced TJam to a whole new area of the alcohol world. 

TJam is such a novice in matters involving spirits and liqueurs.

 We took our luxury dog bed with us, but Beanz preferred the feel of damp grass under her (getting silverier by the week) belly.

Fliptop had breakfast in bed. Or should that be bed by breakfast?

We had lunch in the pub garden and I even managed a little siesta. 

At last, I am learning how to relax.

BIts and Bobs

TJam got handy with the hack saw and drill this weekend. When it next rains, I'll be able to tell you if our water butt is full, or if we have a nasty leak that someone must come and fix...

To reward herself, TJam started today with the best kind of breakfast in the world. No saucepans or washing up required (do not be concerned about the books on the cooker, those bits of hob ever get lit). She was a right meany, by the way, and did not share her tahka dahl with anyone.

So I started my day with a perfect dip in some ganky old water. Don't fret though, I haven't caught anything from it yet. Not even a moorhen, although not through lack of trying.

Lines

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

I must not stick my head out the catflap and bark at 3:11am

Swans

Swans are very beautiful and their babies are very fluffy and cute.

But if they swim towards you and the big ones start hissing...

... you'd better start running!

Remiss

TJam has been very remiss at allowing us computer access. It started last year with lots of this.

We took Huddersfield Town on a walk with us. Will he ever find his way again?

We did love the snow, but Chips got cracked paws after a while and actually abandoned a walk at the end of the drive and had to come home. I think she stepped on rock salt or something. She was hopping about like one of those lizards. But also crying. And if there's one thing Chips is not, it's a wimp.

We also made a new friend, puppy Millie. I just watched in wonder as she bounced around. Getting a photo might have to wait until she is a bit old and has slowed down a little!

At the last minute, weather permitted us to visit Brazil and Boy Wonder and all the family for Christmas.

TJam ate a pickled walnut. She said it tasted nice but she didn't offer us any.

We visited all the family and made everyone pose for a photo. Probably not the best idea to photograph Xaja when he'd just been told off. But then it's not Christmas until somebody's cried.

For Christmas, TJam's cousin, Potter, made TJam a plate. You can arrange your food around the face to make hair or a beard. Or cover the face and then reveal it as you eat. Of course, us dogs don't have time for stuff like that but humans can be funny

.

All over Christmas, Chips slept on TJam's rucksack, just in case TJam tried to go on holiday anywhere and not take us with her.

When we got back home, the canal was still frozen. This picture is actually cracks in the icy canal, with the canal bank at the bottom. Weird huh?

Over New Year, TJam had planned for us to do backups and other boring computer stuff, transfer photos over and blog to our hearts' content. However, a virus put paid to that. Nurse Carlsberg looked after TJam upstairs and made sure she rested.

She is fine now, but has taken a while to catch up with herself. In the meantime, I have been sleeping off my Christmas hangover. I would like to wish all our blogging friends and other friends and family a belated Happy New Year. We hope 2011 is good to you :)