Have a very Happy and relaxing Christmas

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I would like to wish everyone a very relaxing and peaceful Christmas. 

Bernard                                         

 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Bernard Recommends - A zoom Groom

Zoom Groom

The Zoom Groom is a rubber brush with soft, thick spines that give my coat a good brush but also acts as a massage. It does a good job in removing loose hairs and this collects around the spines. I find it very relaxing and gives my coat a good workout.

The Zoom Groom can be purchased in good pet supply stores and from online sellers on the Internet.

It is made by the people at the Kong Company. I believe they make a lot of products for dogs but I won;t hold that against them. Now, I just need to find David as it is time for another Zoom Groom session.

https://www.kongcompany.com/en-uk/products/for-cats/grooming-and-e-collars/grooming-and-e-collars/cat-zoomgroom/

What a cheek!

Well I must say, that last post about me over indulging on my birthday was not written by me. I had a nice relaxing day with some wandering around the garden, a play with the woolly mouse and snoozing. What else is there to do on ones birthday!

Over indulgence?

Ooh I might have over indulged on my birthday, too many Dreamies! Good job I don't have to go to work today.

Happy Birthday to me

Apparently, today is my birthday. I am now 7 years old.

Snooker Loopy

I don't follow a lot of sport on television but I am partial to a bit of snooker every now and again. I don't have any particular favourite players as none of them are called Bernard.

My first night alone

Having been at home all day (working at home!) David proceeded to pack a bag (quite speedily for him) and set off in the car. Little did I know he wouldn't be back until the next day. He was going to somewhere called Odney to attend a retirement meal for a good friend who had recently left the company. A lot of old colleagues and friends were there and they all had a good time.

It was the coldest night of the year but with plenty of places to snuggle down I was fine. Extra food was left out for me so I should have known something was up.

It was about 11:00 that David got in, he gave me a bit of fuss but I had been fine.

Quiz

As the festive season is approaching I have put together a short quiz you might like to try.

1. After which Saint is the large breed of dog, renowned for carrying a barrel of brandy to people lost in the Alps, named?
2. In the Disney film, The Rescuers, what was the name of the mouse who, with Miss Bianca saved Penny the Orphan?
3. Born in September 1992 who is the Brazillian footballer, who plays on the left wing and is renowned for his pace and energy?
4. Which English boy's name is derived from the Germanic element bern "bear" combined with hard "brave, hardy"?
5. What is the name of the main, civilian, hospital in Gibraltar?
6. Who was the poultry farmer from Norfolk that was famous for his Boootiful Turkeys? 
7. Apart from Jacques Anquetil which other French cyclist has won the Tour de France five times? 
8. What is the best name for a boy cat?

I would brush my teeth...

but it is hard to hold a tooth brush with paws.

Typing is Tiring

There have not been many updates recently, you may have noticed, but typing can be soooo tiring...

Patrol Cat

When I am in the house on my own (which is rather a lot DAVID!) I have to do my patrols, just to make sure all is OK. In order to catch any miscreants unawares I need to be silent, fast and agile. This short video shows me checking over the top of the stairs and disappearing again - just watch how fast I am.

Sunday Mornings are for lying in.

I just wanted to let you know that Sunday mornings are for lying in. I might well be up in the night keeping the house safe but on a Sunday morning with a warm duvet to get under there is nothing better than snuggling down and having a snooze.

So if you'll just excuse me I think I have time for a bit more snoozing.

New Adventures in the Garden

Well we are having a very pleasant start to autumn with dry warm weather holding on over the last few days. I have been making the most of the conditions by being out and about in my garden. Here are some shots you might like.

Bernard posing.

On patrol watching the birds

Here I am ready to pounce! 

Strutting my stuff on the lawn.

Television

I was slightly confused the other day as I was sitting on David's lap and I thought I could hear birds nearby. They are not outside I thought and usually all the birds and animals are out in the garden. After a bit of investigation I found there were birds in a glass cage box thing in the corner of the room.






They seemed to be trapped inside the box but didn't seem to notice and were carrying on as normal.













I did go over and investigate the box but they didn't seem to see me. I will have to keep an eye out as I don't want birds in my house without my say so. I'll have to have words with David.

Bernard watching birds on the TV

Spot the Bernard

Here is a little game for you. I call it Spot the Bernard.

1. This one is easy














2. Getting harder

3. I am starting to get better at this hiding game

Weekend in the garden

As the weather was good again this weekend we decided I should have another visit to the garden. Rather than an open door David encouraged me to use my own personal portal (David calls it a cat flap) into the garden.

The portal was in the open position when I went out so I hopped through and began to explore. I ventured further into garden this time - even behind the garden shed. 

There is a lot to check out so I made several circuits on the grass and skirting round and through the flower beds. 

I had fun exploring in and behind various plants.











Once my exploring was done I took a watchful position on the garden bench so I could keep an eye on what was going on in my garden. Thankfully, David had put the cushion on the bench to keep my paws from going through the gaps.

All in all a good time spent exploring and enjoying the September sunshine, which set me up for a good nap later in the day. 

In the garden!

I had a big adventure yesterday. It was late on Sunday morning and as I wandered into the kitchen I noticed the garden door was wide open. 

Now as you may know, I did have a trip into the garden a few days ago when the kitchen window was open. This then seemed like a good opportunity to have another look around outside. Now I must admit I took it very carefully, made sure of my footing and gave everything a good sniff before venturing too far. 

There were lots of new smells and noises for me to take in.

David was out in the garden and he was there to reassure me that it was OK to explore. I checked out the patio area and flower beds near to the house. It was a great experience and a lot to take in. After some time exploring David sat on the bench and had a cup of tea so I thought it best to join him.

 I was glad I did as the Zoom groom came out and I had a very good brush. The only problem was that my paws went through the gaps in the bench! David has said he will get the cushion out on my next trip outside. 

  All in all a good trip into the garden and I had a well deserved nap that afternoon.

When will he learn?

I would have thought David would know by now that if he leaves a window open, I feel duty bound to look out from it. The other day I looked out from the window on the stairs which has a good sized window sill for comfortable viewing.

The latest window I tried was in the bathroom. It was tricky to get to as I had to get onto the toilet cistern, then via the hand basin up on to the open window. The window has very little space to sit so it wasn't particularly comfortable. David must have heard me jump up as he came to see what I was up to. Don't tell anyone but I was relieved he did come in as the window was only slightly open and I was squashed onto a narrow part above the main glass. David gave me a clear landing area by moving his toothbrush and mirror and I jumped back down. It was a relief to be back down and comfortable again but I did get a good look into the garden and all those noisy birds.

Fun to be had on the stairs.

Well these stairs are fun. I must admit I they were new to me but I am now happy going up and down at all speeds.

At first I was unsure what where they went and how to handle them.

In the early days I found they were great to push against whilst David was giving me a brush with the zoom groom, I can really get really comfortable as long as I don't roll off the tread and drop down the riser (see I even have the correct terms sorted out now).

Now I have discovered that they are good for getting from the upper floor to the ground level and from going from the ground floor to the upper floor, double the value! David does complain that I am now so fast at using the stairs he can't catch me with the camera but he says he has a plan, we shall see...

Meanwhile he has a video clip of me playing with my woolly mouse.

Tummy massage

So this is the garden...

Well it was a really hot day today and David had loads of windows open. Whilst he was watching TV this evening I happened to go into the kitchen and what do you know the window was open, so while he wasn't looking I popped outside into the dark. My previous place was a flat with a balcony so I think this was really brave of me as I have never been in a garden before!

After a while David realised I wasn't in the house and he started to look around for me. He pretended to be all nonchalant and just water the garden, how he could see in the dark I don't know as he is not a cat! As he was finishing up I made an appearance and headed back in via the kitchen window, in time for a little supper. Plenty of places and smells to explore in the garden so I think I'll try it again - when I can get out.

Woolly Mouse - my favourite toy.

Well I do enjoy playing with this woolly mouse.

I pretend I am not interested to give it a false sense of security...

Then when the mouse is not suspecting anything I go in for the kill!

Big Adventure

A big adventure today, David had a lie in then went out for a short while, I thought he might be out all day but he came back 30 minutes later having had his hair cut. Still back to important matters… me. I could tell something was going on as my carrier was got ready and David encouraged me in. Then off we went for a walk from a quiet street onto  busier one. My carrier was covered so I could not see what was making all the noise but after a few miaows to ask what was happening I settled down.

It was only a five minute walk and we arrived at a vet. I recognised the sort of place from a few appointments I had had at Battersea. I was well behaved in the waiting room, not like that noisy Bengal cat yowling away or the daft Border collie that came in slipping and sliding on the floor and making a fuss.

We had a short wait then were called in. The vet examined and weighed me (4.7Kg, a little more than last time I was weighed so will need to watch that). Then had an injection which was a little painful but I did not make any fuss. Once all the paperwork was done and the bill paid we made the journey back home. I hope the rest of the day will be a little less exciting!

I've been feeling a little bit flat following the excitement of the trip out so will have an easy day and see what tomorrow brings.

Thursday, 1st September

Well that's my first week away from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. I feel it has gone well. David has been attentive and looked after my needs. The food has been good and regularly supplied.

Accommodation is adequate with options for napping and sleeping around the house. David was around a lot for the first few days whilst I settled in but now seems to be away for most of the day. I suppose he needs to go to work to pay for my keep. When he gets in he does give me plenty of attention, which is good.

The house is not so hot as the first few days so is comfortable for me during the day. I can snooze and relax without being uncomfortable.

Wednesday, 31st August.

Whoa what was that? It looked David was going to paint me with a paint roller but it turned that it wasn't paint but some sort of sticky roller thing. It felt great as it took off loose hairs from my coat. I quite enjoyed it but I'm not sure if I prefer that to the Zoom Groom  available from all good pet supplies retailers. I'll have to conduct some more studies to compare both options.

Tuesday, 30th August

David was back at what he calls work today so I had the whole house to myself today. It was quite a warm day so didn't exert too much energy. There seems to be a large space outside of the house with grass and bushes outside the windows, I am not sure what goes on there, maybe I'll look into that one day but for now I'll leave you with an arty picture (well that's what David calls it) of me in almost silhouette on the window sill.

Bank Holiday Monday, 29th August

So it was a Bank holiday and another easy day. David went out in the afternoon and came back with all sorts of snacks for me, a new food bowl and a scratching post. I have been very well behaved and not scratched anything I shouldn't. Now the post is in place I can really have a go with my claws.

Watched a little bit of TV in the evening before turning in.

The other new item was a handmade woolly mouse which I really like. I had a good play with it overnight.

As tomorrow is a working day, for David, I left him in peace overnight.

Sunday, 28th August
05:30 and time to go and see David, woke him up with some miaowing and jumping on the bed. David stayed in the bed so I joined him for a bit until I could persuade him to get up and serve my breakfast. David went out on a family visit so I looked after the house including lazing on the sofa as I had it all to myself.

Saturday, 27th August

Not so hot today. food was served downstairs now that I have discovered the whole of the house. David went out in the morning for some shopping but there does not appear to be anything new for me.
The rest of the day was spent with more exploring, helping with the computer work and napping.

Later in the evening, about David's bedtime we had a little chase around the house and some more hunt the duvet.

Friday, 26 August 2016

Well I had a bit of a laugh at David’s expense. He came in first thing and couldn’t find me. He was really puzzled as I was nowhere to be seen. Eventually, I felt sorry for him and reappeared. I still think he doesn’t know where I was, but then I am a cat so I’m not telling!

David was happy that I had used litter tray (what does he think I am?) 

The food here is familiar as it seems to be the same as I had at Battersea. Whiskas pouches and Go Cat dry food. I need both types as they keep me healthy.

As David is here in the room today he has opened the window and I can look out and see grassy areas with lots of bushes and shrubs around the edges and there are birds flying about. I think I pushed it a bit by climbing out the window onto a narrow ledge. David helped me back up along the ledge and into the room. I gave a little miaow as it was a little bit scary for just my first full day.

A little bit more food and stroking then it was time for a nap. 

Later in the day I made a full survey of the upstairs and downstairs. I don't think David expected me to go downstairs as the way onto them was blocked. I had other ideas and went over the banisters. It was a bit of a shock as this is all new to me as I have not had to use stairs before as I used to live in a flat. There are plenty of places to explore here.

I must have tired David out as he went to bed at 10 O'clock, still a bit early for me. I am going to play hunt the duvet tonight. It was a good game and with plenty of pounces from me but I think some of the movement was from David. 

Thursday, 25^th August.

Well it all happened today! The morning seemed like any other then that visitor from Tuesday came back again, he was having a long chat with the staff whilst I had a good zoom groom. He left for a while then it all kicked off. I was put into a new carrier with my blankets and was taken to the reception area. We had a wait to see the nurse whilst some paperwork was done and then it was off outside!  It was very noisy for a while then we got into a car for a 40 minute ride to my new home.

I was let out into a room with all my basic requirements in place. I did want to hide at first as it was all new to me but after a while and a good zoom groom things seemed OK.  I had a little bit to eat then started to get used to my new surroundings.

A quiet afternoon followed and it was a hot day in my room. Later in the evening David came back and gave me my supper and another stroke, I am starting to relax a bit but it has been an exciting day.

Then as it was still hot I had a little explore outside the room. I did get a quick look at another room here, the place is bigger than I thought with lots of places to explore, I just hope I am able to do that in the future. 

Tuesday, 23^rd August

Another visitor today seemed quite nice, got down low in my apartment and we had a chat along with stroking and a zoom groom. He left after a while. I wonder if I'll see him again?