Furry Gardening Friends - Cat, Dog, Kitten
A-Gardening We Will Go
It's rare day that I go gardening on my own - usually a furry friend (or two) tags along. This summer a mismatched trio are my constant gardening companions - a tiny black and white kitten, a large fluffy ginger cat, and a shaved border collie dog with a 'pouff' tail.
Little Mac the Kitten
The kitten is Little Mac, black and white, gender at this stage unknown. He (for now he is a 'he') is the latest feline to join our family. At ten weeks old Little Mac loves gardening, with all the excitement it provides for a growing kitten.
The moving wheelbarrow, with pieces of tantalising greenery trailing, is perfect to chase after. The gardener planting daffodil bulbs - this game is well designed to improve a kitten's paw-eye co-ordination. What's all the fuss, having to turn the bulbs up the right way again? Pounce.
Kitten in the Catmint
Flowering cat-mint, low flying bumble bees, leaves that scamper around in the wind... The only thing Little Mac dislikes is wet paws from wet grass. He loves everything else about gardening.
Uncle Fluff-Fluff
The large cat is Fluff-Fluff, the kitten's self-appointed Big Uncle and Protector Cat. As far as gardening goes he prefers a supervisory role, usually finding a comfortable spot from which to view the action.
Big Fluff-Fluff
But if I leave him behind - oh dear me! The saddest, most pathetic little squeaks come out of this monster cat. I try and rationalise with him - he has to concentrate, and keep up with my gentlewoman's gardening pace. And if I leave the radio or the gardening IPod behind, then he is not to worry - I am coming back...
Rusty the Dog
The dog is Rusty, my shaved red Border Collie with the fluffy tail. Alas, he finds gardening a bit boring (I haven't actually asked him - I can tell). But if a couple of cats are following me around, then he's far too nosy not to join us. The gardener might wander back into the house kitchen - Rusty knows that kittens get fed rather a lot during the gardening day, and gardeners make many cups of coffee.
Bored Dog
These photographs were all taken during a typical gardening session. The gardener (me) was clearing a small garden on the back lawn by the pergola, with much trimming of shrubs and removing of weeds. Little Mac was my paws-on helper, big Fluff-Fluff sat on his small post, an enigmatic if uncomfortable spectator, and Rusty lolled in front of the concrete cricketers. We all enjoyed ourselves - well, maybe Rusty was a bit bored.
Footnote - Dog-Guilt!
After writing this I felt very guilty. My poor dog! So I took him for a long cycle ride, compensation for his boring morning spent watching the cricket. Phew!