Disappearing cats and cockerels

Both our cats went missing back in May, within about two weeks of each other. There was a large dog killing cats around our way at the time, and so we naturally assumed that sadly perhaps ours had become the latest victims. After contacting all the rescue centres, vets, radio, local paper and even knocking door to door, there was no sign of either of them and we accepted that they were probably gone for good. Then last night the strangest thing happened. It was hailing really hard, and freezing cold when Vinny turned up, bold as brass, meowing at the window to be let in!! He promptly came in, greeted everyone (dogs included) with a rub and a purr and settled down as if he had just been out for a stroll!! If only he could talk as I would love to know where he has been for all this time. He has obviously been living fairly rough as he has mites in his ears and a fair few war wounds. He is part feral, so I guess he has been ‘travelling’ for the summer. Paul gave him a bath (as he stank!) and something to eat, then he curled up in one of the dogs beds and didn’t move. I just can’t believe it. Unfortunately no sign of Milly, but you never know. Perhaps she will turn up next! Here is Vinny after his bath, looking very annoyed at being so wet!

Other news, and the cockerel that was responsible for a lot of sleepless nights has now moved on. We are hoping permanently, but you never know! The flaming thing was going senile, and would go off at all hours of the day and night. Daytime wasn’t so bad, but 2 in the morning was a different matter altogether! Paul was stalking it around the farm with a head torch and catapult as we just couldn’t catch it. Then Saturday he managed to fire at it……….and miss. The poor thing did get the fright of its life though and it seems to have now moved on from the branch in our garden that was called home and gone to pester someone else. Long may it stay that way!

The other exciting thing is that the move seems to be progressing. We even have the first schedule for a show after we move! The ESSC show in April will be our first one. It feels really strange starting to enter shows without having to book holidays from work and arrange travel! It can’t come quick enough now, although the actual logistics of it all are starting to become quite stressful. I will be glad when it is all over!

We have had some very strange weather recently, and most of our walks have been wet and muddy! Yuk! But these pictures were taken last weekend, when we actually had one really nice sunny autumn day. As you can see Mannix is permanently chasing one of the others. Maisie isn’t in any of the pictures, as on walks she tends to stick close by my feet, probably to escape from Mannix (sensible girl).