I am taking a self enforced rest day today - the last week of joyous sunshine and a happy me working in the garden has taken it's toll on my hands and they are rather painful. I am very grateful I learnt to touch type at school and can type with relatively little hand or finger movement.
So the three of us are sitting in the summer house, Willow napping on her duvet, Pan popping in and out or watching the frogs VeRy.cLoSeLy... sorry frogs - we think she needs specs coz she gets so close to look at them.
Himself had constructed a little fence to prevent an elderly cat from entering the pond area, but the 'old dear' still has quite a spring in her step and with a bit of thought has found a route in.
It has been a rare pleasure being able to spend a run of gently warm days in the garden. At the moment I am smiling quietly to myself as I watch all the birds using the bird feeding station I constructed on Tuesday. I had had a rusty metal version up for quite a few seasons and each time I looked at it, I gave it a hearty frown. Tuesday was the day of it's demise.
All the hooks and tray holders were fine so I sawed them off, drilled holes and used one of the branches left over from the cherry tree removal from last week. I tried to take a flattering photo of the new and hopefully improved feeding station - but I just can't get a good one - so you will have to imagine it!
Today I held my breath as I watched a cranky old cat quietly soothe a scared little dog .... Willow is terrified of large men - especially those with loud voices. Our neighbour is both large and loud and he coughs and clears his throat with the explosive force of a snorting bull. And he does it regularly.
Willow was startled, sat up trembling, and Pan came into the summer house, went over and booped noses, stood near until the dog stopped quivering and lay back down, then she went back into the garden. Situation defused.
What gentle gems - glimmers - have lit your day?🩷💚
How is your gardening growing?🌱🪴🌿🪻🌷🌹
Here is to a lovely weekend - long may the springy weather keep on springing ☀️
That is just so lovely … especially as cats can be quite stand offish. I’m glad Pan is making Willow feel at home. A rest day is always good. We’ve had a day pottering round Dunelm where far more purchase were made than expected. If I was a Vlogger there would definitely be a haul video incoming but that’s definitely not for me lol x
ReplyDeleteIt is a while since I had a wander through a Dunelm. There are often things that catch your eye - even though you don't really need it - it comes home with you 😁
DeleteGlad you’ve managed to sort your commenting out 😀
DeleteIt's good to see that cat and dog relations are improving and they seem to becoming more trusting. Long may this continue! Also good to see that you are including rest days in your weekly schedules - we all need that!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Ellie
After years of working and not giving myself breaks - coz that's how I roll (nuts I know) to give myself time out feels both luxurious and wrong! What a delicious conundrum - cracking the whip AND refusing to work - haha
DeleteRestful day here, enjoying this lovely weather.
ReplyDeleteHere is to those rare days when we give ourselves time off :D
DeleteGreat to hear of cat soothing Willow's fears. What a great story! Yes to days of rest! And I too hope Willow figures out that there are other speed than "full steam ahead."
ReplyDeleteDog anti-full-steam-engine lessons continue and I think we are making some progress, she does so love her walks and the next adventure around the corner, so I can understand her keenness, but my poor aching arm!
DeleteWhat a special cat your Pan is.
ReplyDeleteShe has certainly (like a fine wine!!) improved with age - she was a terror as a younger cat, quite unpleasant, but now, she has mellowed and we love her.
DeleteHello there, I'm so so envious of your cat & dog relationship! Our current lab has been here for almost 3 years - he's 3 next month. Our cat's 14 and since the dog's arrival she's never ventured downstairs or outside. She has everything a cat could need upstairs but it saddens me! The lab has a high prey drive (no idea where this has come from as he's a show type English lab and was meant to be calm). I hand reared the cat from age 3 weeks as she was from a feral mum. We've tried everything, but she's terrified. We've decided to invest in a catio for her, so at least she can be outside this summer and feel safe.
ReplyDeleteSorry your two don't get on - our cat is/was a feral kitten and very mistrusting of everyone and everything but over the years has mellowed. The dog is a typical collie and her herding instinct is incredibly strong however, we are incredibly strict with the dog and the cat is given preferential treatment so that the dog has realised/learned the cat's 'seniority' within our 'pack'.
DeleteThe catio sounds like a really good idea for your girl - she'll soon get to love it and look forward to using it :)
So sorry about your hands. I have a bad thumb which has flared up recently after a heavy session with the mower. So frustrating! Enjoy your rest (and I know that's difficult). That is so lovely of Pan to soothe Willow. There is so much in this new life for Willow to deal with and I'm sure that the friendship and guidance of another animal is a huge help to her. x
ReplyDeleteI am pleased (translate that as relieved) that there is progress and that there has almost been the beginning of an 'understanding' between them.
DeleteWhat a lovely interaction. X
ReplyDeleteit was, and they seem to be continuing - for which I am very grateful!
DeleteI hope the rest has done your hands good!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing Pan and Willow together, the old girl ruling the roost as cats are wont to do.
I've done nothing in the garden, other than pick up a book and sit in it! xxx
The gentle 'understanding' between the old girl and new silly dog seems to be continuing, there is a fair bit of 'herding' going on but fortunately Pan just turns round and gives the cross cat stare and that seems to stop that silly nonsense!
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