Before moving out to Spain, we made sure we had the pups passports sorted so that we could take them back to the UK with us if we went for any length of time visiting. They are our little babies and the thought of putting them in kennels in a foreign country - well, it just didn't bear thinking about.
Then we arrived in Spain and discovered that no-one near us puts their dogs into kenels and the cats are all well looked after when people are away because there is a network of pet-lovers who all take it in turns to look after someones animal(s).
I''ve already covered how well Brandy & Brinkley were looked after when both Neil and I were back in Sheffield in August, but now..........I too have joined the brigade of being responsible for someone elses pet.
Now, if you have been keeping up with Brinlkey's blog you will have seen a sneak preview of next doors cat. For those who haven't - here she is!
She doesn't come into our gardens, but she does peak through the fence occasionally so the pups do go a bit crazy at her. Well, now they have something to thank her for. She is solely responsible for extra biscuits this week. Why? Well, last week our neighbour came round to ask if I would mind feeding their cat for a few days while they were a away.
My first thought was 'I've made it, I'm now officially recognised as one of the gang'!
My second thought was 'oh heck, it's a cat - I don't do cats!
And my final thought - what the heck, how hard can it be?
So, I was duly given the bag of food, food bowl and a key to the gate.
Thanks very much, see you Tuesday they said as they left for the airport - oh, what's your cats name I asked - wait for it.....
Biscuit, they said.
So, picture the scene. Mum takes a dish of food round next door and walks up the drive. The pups are already barking because this is not right, I should not be on that side of the fence and where's this food going?
Then, to add to their misery I start calling out 'Biscuit, Biscuit'. Well, of course the pups want a biscuit - it's exactly what we say to them when we give them a treat.
By now the pups are jumping up at the wall, running up and down our drive and then, a eureka moment pops into their heads and......
....... up to the roof terrace - where they can get a full view of me, the plate of food and the dreaded cat.
What torture, what a betrayal, what choice do I have?
On my return, I head straight to their cupboard to give them an unwarranted biscuit!
Have you ever seen dogs look smug? Trust me, mine do it very well!
