You know I can’t believe that after all these weeks of blogging I haven’t mentioned the four occupants of this house around whom the whole thing revolves – the pets. Yes, that’s right, nothing but nothing happens in this house that doesn’t in some way involve the gang of four.

Our gang of four comprises 2 wonderful poodles Kiki and Petra and 2 boy cats (formerly abandoned farm kittens) Big Boy and Baby Boy. Kiki and Petra are both former breeding dogs although Kiki’s breeding career was very short – one batch followed by a hysterectomy whereas Petra’s breeding career was more successful until her retirment about 5 years ago. Poodles, a much maligned breed due to their toy like appearance, are amongst the smartest and most obedient dogs I’ve come across.

Petra is now 14 and we’re mentally preparing ourselves for the day when she won’t be with us any more. No matter how many pets you have over the years it never gets any easier to watch them get old and slow down. Slow down that is until a collar is brandished in front of her, when she’s up like a year old pup running round in circles, desparate to get out.

Kiki is nine very loving and a right little madam when she wants to be! In Kiki’s world there is only Kiki. If attention is shown to any of the other pets guess who’s pushing her nose in – yes that’s right Kiki. She is also very very attached to Mrs P. It’s as if there’s an invisible string attaching Kiki to her “mum”. Where one goes the other is never far behind.

That’s all for today. next time I’ll tell you the story of how our boy cats arrived in a big paper bag!