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.