soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

I need to thank you lot for putting up with my constant references to Bracken. It's good to share. and farewell until tomorrow. Big group (((hugs)))

Rory has such a hard life that Tara and I really would like to move in. She is no bother, out all day and sleeps well at night. Me, I am rather different but still no bother!

Hopefully if Bracken spends a week or two doing that she may gain a bit of strength. My heart goes out to her.

All good for her healing Soop

Charleyg and MawB and Greyduster Bracken shows no sign of being in pain. She does appear to be very weary. Donnie, the cat rescue man, is being updated regularly. I shall mention the Metacam. After a short time away from here mid morning, she returned at lunchtime. She came into the kitchen and mewed very quietly. MacS opened Rory's cupboard door and took out two Salmon terrine...one each. Bracken ate a heartier lunch. She also has a large feather cushion, topped with a fleece, that is positioned just inside the back door. She went to lie down immediately after her lunch and has slept soundly all afternoon. Rory is on his chaise. It's a hard life.

Our last cat had Metacam when she injured her leg. It does seem to help if you can get it down them.

We have just come back from a local walk that we haven't done for some time, and DH decided we would extend it a bit to see "what is up this road". Well "up this road" was a rather pretty village - and a pub! This has previously been a dry walk but now has a welcome addition, the only downside being that they don't sell Guinness! ? Oh well, you can't have everything. Lots and lots of butterflies about. Orange tips, commas, brimstones and red admirals. Good to see.

No chance of crushing up/sneaking in painkillers to the food is there? Obviously take advice but there must be a feline equivalent of Metacam (anti inflammatory) liquid which you could drop onto her food?

There is little more that you can do for her- she knows that you love her and I am certain that she is appreciative of the care within her own little world. Luckily the days are warmer and if she wishes she can rest on her bed knowing that food will be delivered. The little soul must be in pain.

Charleyg We believe that Bracken may have been hit by a car. I shall video her movement (if I get a chance). She is a spirited feline. We've watched as she dashed from end of the garden to the other and climbed a tree with ease. Before the traumatic episode, she was plump. The extra weight will have done her a favour. Do I think that she will survive the summer? The truthful answer is, no. Do I hope that she'll enjoy what life remains...YES! With all my heart.

Poor little Bracken, I wonder what she has done to her rear legs? She is a sitting duck for any wild animal in the forest so I hope that she stays close to your house until she gets stronger. At least she has a very comfortable bed, good food and company from humans as well as Rory. He is naughty being a bit bossy, taking advantage of her poor health. It sounds to me as though she is deteriorating.

wot ...Sophie looks loved and at peace with the world. She is a lucky girl to belong to you.

I'm pleased for all of you who are enjoying warm sunshine. Our turn will come. There is low cloud and the breeze is on the chilly side.

Bracken spent most of last night in the chalet. We've added a fleece blanket. She would stay indoors but only if the doors are open. She hasn't much of an appetite. It was the tabby cat that licked the dish clean. Bracken walked just inside the kitchen this morning. MacSporran had been filling the bird feeders and had left the door ajar. She gives a plaintive mew and appears to feel safe with us. Rory and she used have great fun. They enjoyed chasing each other around the shrubbery. Now that Bracken can barely stand without huge effort, Rory tends to be a little bossy. We try to tell him (nicely) to be gentle.

MawB Not daft in the least.

Greyduster We like Premier Inns. I couldn't put up with the disruption you've been subjected to. Says she who gets up to check the feral-feline goings-on whenever the outside sensor is triggered.

corner Enjoy time spent with your grandchildren. I wish you sunshine for today. It's possible that you are having our share.

NanaandGrampy Those photos are super. Jackson will have been in his element. I know of one other boy (Torben) who have waited impatiently in line...

I think that it is easier to take Grace out than do a mega mop up operation because as you are aware, a little goes a long way. If Grace is like myself, she saves it all until the small hours so an accident would not be on the cards. Cat litter trays are a boon.

The weather here is glorious, I must make the most of it because it is returning to around 14C tomorrow.

Grace indicates her need to check out the estate perimeter/give a hard look to non existent intruders/have a wee by an anxious expression on her face and the tiniest of whimpers. I have a baby alarm set near her bed and in the bedroom. Daft or what!!
Beats sleeping with all the doors open (tricky when there are guests!)

I have every sympathy with you, MawB. When we stayed with my SiL, her alarm is set for two o'clock and half past four, for the sole reason of letting the dog out as she cannot now be trusted to go through the night without a pee! So, having struggled to get to sleep because the dog insists on being in your room, and won't settle down (to shut her out would be frowned on most severely!), the alarm then goes off and the landing lights come on and everyone is awake - again! The galling thing was that, when the alarm went off at half past four, SiL slept on and DH, thinking all sorts of awful things might have happened, had to get out of bed to wake her up!! We have scoped out the nearest Premier Inn for our next visit!

Charley I am glad you seem to be approaching the home straight with getting your house back!

N&G Jackson certainly looks like a man with a mission on that piece of kit! When we used to take GS to the Magna Centre, his favourite bit was having a go working the diggers they have there (even I enjoyed that!). No fun when they start to grow up and leave all that behind.

wot I hope you get some positive news from the vet. Sophie looks a real sweetie!

soop lovely to see Rory and Bracken together. Could this be the start of an all round beautiful friendship, do you think? Since the disruption caused by our one little carpet beetle, we have seen no more. I did have a slight panic yesterday when I spied 'bits' on the carpet, but it turned out to be fluff off DH's socks! Phew!

corner I envy you your sleepovers; ours are few and far between these days. We will only have him for a day this coming holiday because he has activities planned, so we will have to make the most of it. I should be grateful; some GPs don't have that.

Good morning!
Is it? A certain dog who shall remain nameless, after spending 99% of Saturday dozing peacefully, decided last night that "out" seemed a good idea. 12.30, 2.15, 5 o clock just as an example.
If she has bags under her eyes today to rival mine, she jolly well deserves them.
(Still, good dog for letting me know!)

My lovely cat insists on resting on my keyboard, it cannot be comfortable for her. All she has been doing is yowling to get my attention and get up, which she has succeeded in doing.

I need to do some more serious tidying up in the 2nd bedroom as the builders have left a load of "stuff"- I do not need 3 useless sweeping brushes for starters.

cornergran I have the rest of the summer to relax- it makes sense to get this house in order especially as the new flooring is arriving on Good Friday. The plumber is coming back the day after and I only need one of the builders here for a day to finish off the "snagging" list to my not his satisfaction and at present there is a large gap between the two. Sometimes I think that I am being picky but I do not think so, my house, my dosh.

The scaffolding comes down tomorrow- that will be great.

Wonderful news and pics Soop, hopefully this is the stsrt of Bracken`s becoming a domestic pet.
Wot, Sophie looks so peaceful and comfy on her cushion, bless her.
Been out for a nice meal tonight, it`s the 20th birthday of one of my grandsons.

soop just popped in to check for any further news after your discovery of the tabby eating food left for Bracken and Wow! There is the Survival Queen herself tucking in to a hearty meal Now if only she'd stay close overnight she'd give herself more opportunity to relax and have a healing sleep. Sending for you and MacS and for the puss cats

Hang on in there charley, it really must end soon. Can you ignore indoors tomorrow and enjoy the wonderful weather? Well, I'm hoping for some tomorrow as I was indoors volunteering all day today, if it's horrid there will be a strop of epic proportions

I've just opened an email and seen that a close friend has had to have her dog put to sleep. He was the most lovable and kind dog, only became ill on Wednesday, two tumours were discovered. It's left me with a major wobble, not ours but we loved him. Of course they are very shocked still.

The terrible two have arrived for their sleepover. Currently watching an animal program as a wind down before bed, although I'm not sure an otter munching live creatures is particularly restful. Hmm. A Mr C choice. They've had a manic day and need to chill a bit. Not telling them about the dog tonight, they will be upset.

Good to see the cat photos. wot, Sophie looks as I would like to be, fast asleep, I'm shattered. How wonderful that Bracken has been inside soop, she's a toughie.

n&g how could Jackson not have a go? I'd want one too! If it were raining they would have a mini swimming pool by the look of it.

Best be off to find the lodgers some supper, they have had a meal but of course hollow legs.

Take care all.

soop it is so lovely to see Rory and Bracken dining close to one another. Bracken knows where she is safe, such a pity she will not stay overnight as she is not in a fit state to be wandering anywhere, poor little mite.

wot I ma pleased that Sophie enjoyed the sunshine today- she is having a well deserved shut eye.

N&G Jackson would be an asset here- he would certainly keep me amused and I would lose this feeling of wanting to murder people.

I bought a mug tree on line and it arrived today in the largest box I have seen for ages. The tree is huge and is going back to where it came from on Monday. It is so large that it would look out of place in my large kitchen. How I am going to carry this huge box, light as it is + use my walking stick to take it to a collection centre is beyond me.

You can see her big Cushings tummy. Still waiting for official results from vets. She's not ? crying though, so must still have some quality of life?

Not bracket. bracken!

Wot. That's so cute.

Sooop, that's so lovely!! Bracket and Rory!!! I'm bloody chuffed! Here's my Sophie....She's had turkey mince and enjoyed the sunny day in the garden!

ce

Ps Charlie if he continues learning the building trade I can loan him to you