Barbara's pups

25 Sep '07 9:36 pm

You're quite right, Liza! It kept me from having a dog here for... well, about 3 months after I came to live here permanently. I've had to drop my standards of cleanliness quite a bit, what with a small house and a big long-haired dog who swims all year, and muddy paws on the many wet days. Finally giving up on the sofa as Taubie grew older was a further deterioration. (She had a very bad leg fracture at 18 months and still does amazing things like running 2m up vertical trees, but she pays for it later in the day...)Jack Russels are notorious for thinking the furniture is there for their comfort, and these pups are a stage worse than their father... I have to admit that I'm getting soft in my old age Embarassed

But I've also realised that the close interaction with them is what makes having them worthwhile - and so we deal with it, and I accept that my once lovely persian carpet is now rather a rag...

But a dog in your beautiful and immaculate house - no! Only a powdered, manicured, stuffed toy sort of dog, and that is cruel and unnatural! Rather think of bringing up a kitten or two again!

26 Sep '07 4:53 am

Unfortunatelly, Jack, this very house that you know, was created for humans and cats from the very beginning, plus the two cat-toilettes and cat-doors included ( : special holes made on the exterior and interior walls of the house...). But look at my dearest-dearest pup-friend of 5 months , I met again today, while I was --trying-- to work in the front gardens, a lovely Cocker Spaniel!!( My jealous and posessive Jeany lady cat was not there!! Ha!) Of course, I ran and took my camera! We were cuddling and kissing each other, and neither him , nor myself would love to be separated from eachother! Dear me!! What a blessed, heartwarming, morning incident!! They promissed they'll pass tomorrow again!!

PS: I forgot to say yesterday, that we are all in the family psychologically ready ( especially Nicholas and myself), to adopt two kittens, when old Jeany moves....to the other Plane of Existence. We cannot do it now, because she is pathologically jealous , and apart from her own balance within and the kittens, we wish to protect our new DVD from another series of.....pipi attack..

27 Sep '07 6:22 pm

Liza, what a beautiful dog visitor! And that's great news that you just might get a couple of kittens, and you are thoughtful to let Jeany have the space to herself for now!

Just don't fall into my trap and offer to foster any cats, or dogs for that matter! Cheers.

28 Sep '07 2:17 pm

I won't say "I told you so." to Moosey, but her advice about foster animals should be heeded. Once an animal crosses your threshold, he or she is most likely yours for life.

Two kittens (or puppies, for that matter) together are just the perfect pet situation for any home. They provide hours of entertainment with their curiosity and playfulness.

17 Dec '07 2:27 am

Seven months old, but still pups at heart, Abbey and Habana only leave each other alone when there's a human to entertain... or sleep on. Winston became Habana when South Africa made its way through to the finals of the world cup rugby... After all, his father is called Montgomery and it was perfectly useless to explain he was named after a long-dead general rather than a hot rugby player - especially with his "I'm the hero"-attitude!

By night they are my dogs. By day they move with Phineas, the farm foreman, and delicate little Abbey is a farm dog of note. She adores Phineas, probably more than me if the truth be told, and Habana probably prefers me to Phineas... there will be, I expect, a whole negotiation before Phineas retires in the early part of next year.

Barbara's pups

'Dog friendly' living

A cat house..

Cats and dogs of the heart

Puppy update