Parsonage Cottage had a visitor today, Winston.
My first problem was trying to pick him out from the little gang of ten puppies. He is a little smaller, but when you have ten very enthusiastic, almost identical, puppies standing on their back legs wagging their tails, it is really difficult.
I failed with my first pick, but got it right with the second. His mother came over and gave me a jolly good sniff, demanded a little bit of attention and then walked off. She seemed quite happy that I was borrowing one of her boys.
Winston toddled around the kitchen, boot room and conservatory sniffing everything before settling down and having a play with his new toys. He may be a little smaller than the others, a little weaker, but he seems quite a bright little thing and quickly learnt the difference in my tone from gentle disapproval to happy approval with his choice of chewing material.
Millie, the ginger cat, spotted the little invader. She didn't hiss, but she did fluff up to twice her normal size then kept peering at the little puppy who looks so much like herself. She couldn't decide what to make of him so she took to her favourite bed up on top of a sideboard, where she could spy on him.
Sparky was disgusted. She simply stalked off, didn't even bother to fluff herself up. No doubt she had thought we had finished with dogs forever. She came home when she was hungry, so did Millie. The signs are good.
Winston tucked into his lunch with great appetite and would have eaten more, had there been any. I took him back outside for a few minutes of exploration. We have a daisy sprinkled lawn and I ended up singing "Don't, don't, don't eat the daisies..." as I moved him on to a section which is free from flowers. Sorry, Winston, the sooner you learn that I have a song for most occasions...
Back inside and the need for another nap came upon him. We had one more play session then it was time to take him home. He had been with us for three and a half hours.
When I put him back into the outdoor pen with his brothers and sisters they all romped over and gave him a good sniffing. He took it well. The short time he had been away from them seemed to have given him more confidence. He simply snatched up a few blades of grass and trotted around with them hanging out of his mouth, with the others in hot pursuit, they wanted that grass!
The runt had become the leader. It was so funny.
This is a photograph of him tonight, back with his mum (not in the photograph) and having a nap away from his livelier family.
Eight o'clock on Sunday morning is when he moves into this place. He will be the first one to leave home. Most of the others will be collected later that day.
In other news, the bread oven is progressing very nicely. It should be ready for action in a couple of weeks, so expect there to be either biblical rain, or a heatwave as I give it some trial firings. 😉
How exciting.
ReplyDeleteIt really was, Susan. Exciting and exhausting, and that was just me!
DeleteSo happy to hear that little Winston, and you, had a nice home visit and the cats got their first look at the new family member without too much turmoil. I love the way you have a song for every occasion. I burst into odd ditties at odd times but no longer remember much except for one line of the chorus
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid our grandchildren sometimes think we are quite mad, Linda. The trouble is that seventy years of songs are lodged in my head - so many lyrics sitting there just waiting for the right occasion to come spilling out. I was really pleased with how it went, I do think the cats will adjust relatively easily. Not long until we find out, either way!
DeleteThe cats have probably been lulled into a false sense of security. What a shock it will be when they realise that Winston will be a permanent fixture from Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThey have had it easy for the last two years, jabblog. Their every whim catered for, much of that will continue, they will simply need to make one or two adjustments. At the very least it will spice up their lives.
DeleteHow nice to have a home visit for little Winston. He looks and sounds like a beautiful puppy.
ReplyDeleteHello Rosie, He really is a delight. He had his first night away from his siblings last night. Apparently he was not a happy chap, but I have seen a video of him this morning and he is romping around with his mother and his grandmother, as happy as a puppy can be.
DeleteCongratulations on the new puppy. My mother and grandmother had a song for every occasion and would make up verses with someone's name in it. Perhaps you can do that for Winston.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is good at that kind of thing, used to keep the children happy in the car with personalised songs. You never know, he may well try it out on Winston.
DeleteIt looks like Winston will have a great time with you.
ReplyDeleteIt is very pleasing that the oven is progressing.
Have a beautiful weekend❤️!
Thank you, Katerina. I hope your weekend is filled with good things, too.
DeleteThese are the first three years of my life without a dog here, since I was a child, cats have come here since then, but a dog is something else, I miss it.
ReplyDeleteHello Yael, I got a surprise delivery yesterday, Winston arrived a day early!
DeleteYou will have lots of years of fun with Winston!
ReplyDeleteI hope so, Marcia. He has been here less than 24 hours and organised chaos reigns!
DeleteOh he is heaven x The cats will get over their huff lol What a wonderful home he is going to have with you. We go to get Duke on Tuesday , it’s 2 hours away so too far to bring him here for a session sadly - it’s a lovely idea to have had Winston round x Danette
ReplyDeleteHello Danette, Young Winston arrived here at 4pm yesterday, a little earlier than planned. Since then the cats have gone into a huff, only appearing for food and bedtime...which I take as a positive, they are thawing just a tiny bit. Winston is a superb little pup but my hands are full trying to balance him, the cats and keeping things just ticking over. I hope the journey home on Tuesday goes well. Duke is a lucky boy to be going to such a loving home.
DeletePoor cats will think their displeasure has swayed your decision...until he returns! Enjoy him, he'll soon grow to be a big boy. x
ReplyDeleteHello WER, They sauntered in and did a double-take. Sparky examined him from a distance then stalked off, Millie only fluffed herself half-way, then retired to her sideboard. They both appeared for food, and to check to see if that creature was still around - sorry girls, then they disappeared until they wanted more food and their beds. I think that is good progress.
Delete