Buffy on Guard

Buffy would spend every waking moment on the look out for squirrels and foxes.  It used to be pigeons too but since getting the chooks she doesn't seem to mind them anymore.  Oh there's a very large black crow that teases her mercilessly sitting on our cherry tree while she barks and barks, then it flaps its wings and swoops down just out of reach of Buffy's hungry jaws and flies to the other side of the garden to gloat a while longer. 

Well here she is on duty looking out of the back door checking on her domain.  She'll stay like that for hours.  Quite chilled, making sure the chooks are ok and watching Polly potter round.

Then when she spots something she sits up, alert.   

Realising this is a potential chase situation she circles round barking, I open the door and she flies out.  She's like the wind is our Buffy.  Built for comfort but my goodness can she move.  When she reaches the end of the garden she puts the breaks on and her back legs almost come in front of her face as she skids to a halt.

She's seen off the potential baddy (whatever it may have been) and then she's back but prefers to sit outside because she knows there's something out there.  She needs to be ready for them.

Then as dusk falls, the chooks are safely tucked up in bed, and Polly is resting, Buffy cuts a lonely figure.  She's moved further out into the garden now still on the look out for any would be trespassers.  Woe betide any man, woman or beast who comes onto her turf uninvited!

Action Down at CHH

Apologies for not updating for some time but life is getting busy with The Kiwi, The Menagerie, oh and that other little thing called work that just gets in the way of life sometimes.

On another trip to Chestnut House Hotel we saw Buffy back on Cat watch.  Polly had ramraided her way successfully onto the veg patch and the feathered girls were all happy clucking around outside so The Buff and I went inside to watch some TV.

Cat was in her usual position on the chair, and Buffy took her usual pose staring in at her.

There was much eyeballing from one to the other and then Buffy spotted the gap.

Oh how she tried to squeeze herself through but to no avail.  Every which way she tried and all the while Cat just kept a steady gaze knowing she was safe.  Can't blame a girl for trying though!

We ventured back outside and the feathered girls were ever so active, they were all over the place!

Camilla was quite happy standing on top of their home but Grace and Lizzie weren't so confident. 

One of them managed to fly off quite successfully but you will see here the other wanted to take her time and check out every option before crouching down to take her leap of faith.

After much fuss and nonsense she took flight and dived to the ground with her wings flapping and legs spread wide open.  You'd think she'd jumped out of a plane the way she carried on.  After a safe landing she glanced around and waited for her applause.  Didn't she do well!

 

Girls are Taking Over

Where are all the boys in this world?  Our six cooks, Polly and Buffy to start with then Godparents to Buffy have Lottie, Bess, Sophie and 5 girl cats, my VBF has her own girl dog Fudge, His Royal Gayness has his two girls Molly and Gracie then there are the five girls belonging to Polly's Godparents at Chestnut House Hotel, oops, make that six, there's a pussy cat too! 

We've been down for our usual trip today and I decided to sit inside and watch a Big Brother episode that I missed last night.  Polly was outside socialising and eying up the food containers but  Buffy came inside with me.  She sat looking into the conservatory where cat was.  The door was ajar so cat could come in and out but Buffy's slightly rotund figure wouldn't fit through.  She sat staring in, she was in hunting mode and didn't move for about 20 mins.  Then she decided she'd try and get through the gap.  There wasn't a chance she'd do it but oh how she tried.  First it was a front paw and shoulder followed by the other paw but her other shoulder wouldn't fit so she tried it the other side first.  She has an iron will and kept on trying but to no avail.  She stood back, had a think and then tried opening the door with her head.  No good either.  A temper tantrum ensued followed by much barking and cat just sat on the chair looking at her.  She knew she was safe.

So off Buffy went outside.  Back last week the chooks weren't sure what to make of her.  She's their size but doesn't look anything like them.  She likes to eat their food though and they (particularly Grace and Lizzie) weren't having any of it.  Grace won't have any messing from Buffy and regularly puts her in her place but Buffy's used to being part of a lively menagerie and keeps going in to see them.

They're getting used to me too, they even untied my shoelace today. 

They still fight off any affection I might want to bestow on them but they recognise me now and start making a big fuss when they see me.  They know freedom is on it's way and as I open their door they charge out.  The problem comes when I want to put them back in.  A bit like my own girls they have minds of their own and it's like a Benny Hill sketch with me running after them all in a line.  It was taking so long I had to devise a fail safe system. Their favourite treat is mealworms so I rattle the container and they all come running to me then I drop them into the run from the top.  They all dash in to gobble them up and before they know it I've done a head check and locked them back in.

I took Polly down in her new halter today and while she wasn't thrilled about it I think she'll get used to it, she didn't like the lead at first.  There were a couple of times today when she just lay down and refused to move - not easy, you try shoving a 4 stone lump along!  Then on the way home she really dragged her feet.  I'll get my dad to take a photo of the three of us tomorrow as it does make rather a lovely sight!

What a bit of TLC can do

In September we went through the 12 month barrier with Mary.  They say if an ex bat survives a year with you you've done well.  Unfortunately her counterpart Tess only made 10 days but Mary was much stronger when we got them.  She did have a week were I thought we were going to loose her - coughing, difficulty breathing, listless etc.  We brought her inside and treated her with antibiotics, anti-inflamatories and we de-wormed her.  She pulled through and hadsn't shown any signs of illness since.  Here she is tucking into some apple that Polly also had her eye on.

When December comes we'll have had Helen and Joan for a year.  It was heartbreaking to see the condition they were in.  Dirty, featherless (apart from their heads) and their combs (red bit on top of their heads) were enlarged, floppy and pale.

Joan is on the left with her foot in the food bowl and Helen is on the right with just a few more feathers down her front.  It was months before they resembled anything like a proper chicken.  You can hardly tell with Helen now, her body is covered in beautiful honey gold plumage.  Joan still looks a bit scrawny,  her tail feathers never grew back properly and she is tiny but there has been a wonderful change in her face.  You see on the photo above that both of them are very pale, they look absolutely washed out.

Look at how she's changed.  It's a total transformation.  A lovely bright red healthy comb standing upright and lots of colour in her other features.  Whenever food is put out she grabs some and runs away to eat it by herself because the others just grab it off her if she doesn't.  She's happy to be picked up but has never been one for a cuddle.  She used to climb frantically onto my shoulder and then jump off but now she grudgingly lets me hang onto her for a while and is even starting to relax and take in the moment.

And here is Helen.  Look at that beautiful feathered body.  The only evidence of her harsh treatment are those two bottom feathers on her wing which simply refuse to grow. 

How they have flourished with a little bit of tender loving care.

Tuckin' In

We've been taking daily trips to Chestnut House Hotel recently to get Polly used to getting walked on a lead.  It's much more interesting if you actually have somewhere to go.  Each day I show Polly her lead and she trots to the back gate and up comes the hoof to tap on it.  She waits patiently while I put her lead on and the three of us (Buffy, Polly and I) head off for our stroll.

Now this should only take me about 8 mins.  Picture this though.  Polly loves to eat, Buffy loves to sniff, and everybody seeing this strange spectacle loves to talk.  30 mins later we usually arrive at our destination.  If Lady J is there it's cup of T or gin and T depending on what time of day it is, if she isn't there we make ourselves at home in the garden.  Lady J's chooks have a bit of a mosey round outside their run, Polly checks out the veg patch and Buffy stares into the conservatory window where she knows the cat usually rests.  If the cat isn't there her food always is so either way, there's something in there that Buffy wants.

Polly is certainly getting used to this new place, she litterally stormed her way into the section of garden that she now considers to be hers.  She loves those veggies!

Today, when we were coming home there was a group of people doing a sponsored cycle and they were taking photos of their trip out.  What better photo to get than a lamb and a jack russell walking beside eachother on leads!  I'm hoping my head was out of the shot as it isn't one of my best days today!



Reservation at Chestnut House

We're very lucky to have wonderful friends and family to help out with the brood from time to time but one particularly kind friend (to be known as Lady J) has said that if we ever go away for a couple of weeks and are worried about Polly she is more than welcome to stay with them at Chestnut House.

I've said I'll muck in with their beautiful chickens when they need help so yesterday Buffy, Polly and I trotted down to Chestnut House for Polly to check out her Hotel.  The walk should have taken 10 mins maximum but by the time Buffy had sniffed at everything and Polly had stopped to eat everything time was cruising on by.  Coupled with the fact that passers by were asking a lot of questions and obviously I had a lot of explaining to do, 25 minutes later we arrived at Chestnut House.

Lady J was so lovely with Polly,  I have a feeling that if Polly does go for a short visit I'll have trouble getting her back!  They have a wonderful vegetable patch for her to tuck into and lots of bushes to have a go at.  Five gorgeous chickens named Katie, Poppy, Lizzie, Grace and Camilla, two huge (and I mean huge) brown labradors and a cat complete Lady J's own brood so I don't need to worry about Polly missing out on her usual friends for company.

Polly was a bit unsure at first, she was just like a dog and stayed by my side wanting her head sroked.  She was quite reserved and unsure about her surroundings.  When we went inside she bleated mercilessly and that's when Lady J brought her inside.  How lovely was that of her?  I have a feeling that Lady J may well even invite Polly upstairs when Sir A  isn't around!  Polly soon made herself at home as you can see here (although for some reason I can't get it facing the right way).

She even tried to have a sip of our g'n't's and a mouthful of crisps but we weren't having any of that.  We're going to be making a few trips up there in the next few days to get her used to the walk and the "hotel".

I have a feeling she'll be quite happy trotting down to Chestnut House Hotel each day with me!

Poorly Polly

Last Thursday our Pollyanna had a bad tummy.  Without wanting to get too graphic, you know those little currenty type poos that sheep normally do?  Well she was doing full on cow pats!  Not nice.  Also, she had no interest in food and was very lethargic.  Just wanted to come in and lie down in the kitchen and feel sorry for herself.

Unfortunately we were due to be going away for a couple of nights but I wasn't happy leaving her until we knew she was going to be ok.  We had Ranger Tam O'Shanter round to give her the once over.  He won't like to admit it but I think he still feels rather responsible for her as he's the very gent that foisted her on us in the first place.

We're lucky enough to have a very good friend who's a vet but Ranger Tam O'Shanter is always our first port of call.  He's done all her vaccinations and ear tagging.  Who better to shove a thermomiter up her bottom?  He tried his best to get me to do it but to my shame I went abit squeamish and had to get the Kiwi to take charge.  He did it without upsetting Polly too much and as it turned out her temperature was fine anyway.

The next day she was very much improved.  Her appetite was a little better and she was munching away at her favourite things, she was even licking the radiators with gusto!

We'd lined up a hole host of people to keep a check on her so felt it was ok to take our little trip away.  We couldn't take Buffy with us and she'd got a reservation in a lovely place down the road known as her Grandparents home.  They love having her and she loves to be there but as soon as she got the vibes that a trip was afoot she climbed firmly in the driving seat and wouldn't get out!

On our return we found out that our girls had indeed been looked after very well by my friend's son who is to be known as HYM as he is a very handsome young man. There was one blip when he very kindly took her down to his garden for a little chomp on their grass.  I often take her there myself and barricade the fence with chairs so she can't get out.  Well, HYM did exactly that, then when he wasn't looking she bolted!  Yes, she wanted to come home so she pushed her way through the offending obstacles and left their premises.  Thankfully we only live a few doors away and as she was trotting happily home another neighbour managed to get hold of her and brought her back to our front garden where she tied her up.

So, a big thank you to all concerned (and you know who you are).  Without Godparents, Grandparents, Rangers, Neighbours and HYM it would be a very different matter if we wanted to have a little break.

Every Girl Should Have One

Last night Buffy had some friends for yet another sleepover.  We had Fudge who regularly stays, then another two new friends.  They are Molly and Gracie, the most adorable King Charles Cavs I have ever seen.  Gracie is a rescue dog and she had been kept outside and was very underweight and covered in mud when she was found.  She's such a delicate and loving little creature, how could anyone do that?  Molly, has a shiny black coat and just wants to roll over and be tickled.  The two of them were perfect house guests.

Thankfully The Kiwi was away for the night because the homestead was full to overflowing.  There were 4 dogs, 6 chooks, a lamb (now the size of a chocolate lab), my VBF, her friend and me. VBF's friend has just sent me a text asking why there has been no mention of him, his cooking or his marvelous gay presence.  He shall therefore be known as His Royal Gayness.

VBF has gone through a little bit of a bad patch recently and while I have obviously been there for her she is also lucky enough to have the very dear friendship of His Royal Gayness.  We decided last night that every girl should have one.  He is a wonderful cook, has a whitty turn of phrase, is pleasing on the eye and I'm sure he will want me to mention that for a man he is very flexible too.

This morning we all sat together (two girls, one gayness and four furry friends) on my bed eating millionaires shortbread with freshly brewed coffee and we put the world to rights. 

Thank you VBF and His Royal Gayness for your company, your laughter, your caring and above all your friendship.  Every girl most certainly should have one!

Moulting Time

The place is a mess!  After Feathers Lodge was so beautifully decorated a couple of months moulting season is upon us and feathers are all over the place.  Doris is looking scruffier than ever but anyone worried about her please believe me she is ab fab.  She even had a go at Polly this morning when there was a scuffle over breakfast.

Penny and Hetty have lost their tail feathers and it looks so strange because normally they are the strong beautiful ones but like Doris they're looking a bit scraggy at the moment.  When their moult starts they stop laying eggs but it soon starts again.

They're Welsummers and the lay the most delicious dark brown eggs with golden yolks. 

The ex batt girls however are showing no signs of loosing feathers and are still laying nice and regularly.

Helen even had a go on the trampoline the other day!  She'd seen Buffy on there and was flapping about wanting to see what was going on up there so I lifted her on.  She had a little trot around on it then decided it was much more exciting at ground level.

Buffy on the other hand was perfectly happy to spend the aftternoon up there away from all the other girls.  She likes a bit of alone time.

Dish of the day

A very good friend called round today to see the girls and check on their progress. She shall be known as "The Dish". This name is twofold as she is firstly the most amazing cook, and secondly she's a little bit gorgeous.  She is also my Guru in many ways, and I in turn try to be a good little protege.

Last time The Dish saw the girls Doris was at her best and Helen and Joan were at their worst. Now Doris is poorly and going through her annual moult so she isn't looking great. The little ones however were a bit of a shock to see in all their glory. The Dish was amazed at the difference in them and put their wonderful recovery down to the love that has been lavished on them. In no time at all Helen settled down in The Dish's arms and went straight off to sleep.

I don't know who got more satisfaction from this cuddle, Helen was clearly in her element but The Dish enjoyed every moment of it.  When an ex battery girl puts her trust in you it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Polly Woz Ere

Our garden used to be very green.  Actually, it was a bit overgrown and once a year we would do a big chop and trim everything.  This year though we've hardly had to do any work as Polly has been solely responsible for all trimming.  The thing is though, we did like having some greenery around and she has systematically gone round eating anything she has taken a fancy to.

This was a beautiful plant that only just made it throuh our hard winter of 2010.  Half of it just died with the cold weather but with a lot of TLC we brought it round.

We were so pleased when Polly decided to leave this one alone as she worked her way around the rest of the garden.  Obviously she saved the best til last.  She set to work early one morning and after a long hard session she managed to destroy it and then had a well deserved rest!

These two photos are taken at the back of our garden.  It was covered and I mean TOTALLY covered in ivy.  You couldn't see anything behind it.  One day The Kiwi suggested I gave it a bit of a trim "I'm sure we've got a sandstone wall behind there somewhere" he said.  I started on it and then Polly thought she'd help me.  It was much harder work for her than the one above but she dutifully did her best and within a few days this was what we were left with. 

I've known for some time that rhodedendrons are toxic to sheep so I trimmed it and hoped she couldn't reach it.  Then seeing her climb up on her hind legs to get at things I decided it was time to take it down.  I was worried that as I was chopping it Polly would be trying to eat it so I put her on her lead in the front garden.  She loves it out there and she's on a long rope so she can move around plenty.  I was literally minutes in the back chopping down the offending bush.  Then as I dragged it round to the front to put in our brown bin Polly came charging at me.  She'd bitten right through her lead, had wandered into next doors garden and then decided to come home again!

This is one very determined lady with a mind of her own.  She's strong too - gentle as ever when she wants to be but my goodness she's powerful.  I sure feel safe with her and Buffy around - Beware of the Menagerie!

There's a Moggy after Our Girls

Yes, there's a cat been snooping around.  They've done a lot of standing to attention over the last couple of days and yesterday I saw why.  I wasn't quick enough with my camera to get it but it's a moggy that has been bothering them.  She's beautiful actually, very pretty face, white tummy and striped back and head.  Just because she's beautiful doesn't mean that she can come to our garden and prey on my girls though.

Polly saw her a few days ago and it was quite funny seeing her reaction.  Both Moggy and Polly just stared eachother out.  It went on for ages, a real pistols at dawn sort of looks.  Polly made the first move towards Moggy and Moggy shot over the fence.

Then yesterday I had to chase Moggy off twice.  In the end the girls all came into the kitchen and settled by the door for their afternoon nap while Penny stood guard on the dance floor (yes, it's still no closer to becoming a conservatory).  After a while Penny came to join the rest of them and perched on the foot of the door.

I'm not bothered about four of the girls but Joan and Helen really aren't much bigger than a pigeon so if a bird was hungry enough they could be in danger.  Suffice it to say I've been with them all the time they've been in the garden and if I've had to go upstairs I've made sure Buffy is with them.  She's out there now barking so I'd better see what's going on - Oh the joys of motherhood!

Birds of a Feather .......

I look back at each time I've introduced new chooks to the brood and remember how hard it can be.  It was OK when Doris came along because I hadn't had Penny & Hetty for very long and they were only young so they accepted her quite easily.

With Mary and Tess it was harder because the pecking order had already been established.  Penny was firmly in charge of Hetty and then Doris just kind of did her own thing.  If you read the notes on Mary & Tess you'll see that I did everything possible to make their first night the success it was but it wasn't easy.  Oh how it rained and how I worried.  They were so out of touch with their natural instincts that the next day Tess laid an egg while she was walking along.  She had no idea she was supposed to snuggle down and find the right spot.  It just popped out and she hardly noticed.  It was heartbreaking to see.

Then of course it was time for the little ones - Helen and Joan.  Here they are in deepest winter with their sweatshirts on.  Joan is in the main picture and there's Helen's bottom on the right - red raw.  It's now full of feathers and she loves to show them of.  Again, you can read up on their arrival on their page but it was a very long drawn out process getting them integrated with the others because they slept inside for a few months as the weather was so bitterly cold (remember the winter of 2010).  Mary was the worst one.  She would litterally jump on them and peck feathers out of their heads.  Sometimes I even had to pull her off. 

When it was warm enough for them to sleep outside I would leave them in the run hoping they'd go into the bedroom but as dark fell I'd creep outside to check on them and they'd be standing at the gate waiting to come in.  I'd take them into the bedroom, put them on the perch and settle them down then make my own way out.  By the time I reached the gate there they were behind me.  "We don't like it here mum - they bully us".

Eventually they realised that was where they slept but Helen steadfastly refused to go with the others.  She settled down in the Play House (see article on Feathers Lodge, 6 August).  Once she was asleep I'd carry her into the bedroom with the other girls and eventually she got the hang of it.

Now they work as a team.  There was a shot the other week of them all resting in the sun while Penny stood guard.  She's the biggest one and still leader of the pack.





After all the traumas just look at them now, a real team.  When there's a strange noise they all stand bolt upright and check out what's going on. Then they have their afternoon nap and preen together.



 

A Rhino's Welcome

First off big apologies for being lax in my posts lately, just been a bit busy with The Kiwi doing housy things.

Don't worry about the title of this blog.  I am NOT adopting a Rhino!

Our local pub has a small group of men that sit in a particular corner.  These lads like to dish it out.  They regularly offend people but if anyone tries to get the better of them it just doesn't work.  Their thick skin doesn't let anything past and so it has been aptly named Rhino Corner

While The Kiwi is very good friends with this select group he has never been invited to join their clan.  He's a bit of a mixture is my Kiwi man.  You can usually hear him before you see him and believe me he's done his fair share of offending people himself over the years.  He'd never make Rhino corner though because the bottom line is he's a really sensitive chap and is always first to apologise if he's upset anyone.

As Big Kiwi has been over for his annual visit the Rhinos very kindly asked if he would like to be an honorary member and he gladly accepted and was duly presented with his Tshirt.

I think they were hoping it may send The Kiwi over the edge but he was proud that his dad had made the cut.  Then came the real blow though.

After a formal meeting at a 60th birthday bash last week I was waved over to join them.  They feel that although on the surface I'm a complete softie, I'm also bit of a tough cookie as I have to keep The Kiwi under control.  It's a hard job but someone has to do it!  And so came my invitation to join Rhino Corner.

A few days later I was presented with my very own Tshirt and I have worn it with pride.  Guess what - it actually works.  Nobody was able to offend me while it was on - it's as thought I had grown a second skin and it felt good!

While The Kiwi played along at being put out he whispered in my ear "I have never been so proud of you".

Hope this doesn't mean I have to watch all the Rugby with them.

Afternoon Nap

It's obviously been a hard morning and everyone is exhausted.  The Kiwi has been on a little trip away and I went to meet him last night so the girls were home alone.  They were all fed, watered and safely locked in but I still worried about them.  They're used to me always being there and checking on them before I go to bed but there really is no need - they are perfectly fine on their own!

As we had a bit of a late one last night The Kiwi had his afternoon nap when we got home.  Now I really don't want you to know what he looks like but as the girls are all pictured at rest in this blog I think he should be too. 

When we got home Polly was up at the other end of the garden happily munching away.  I shouted to her and it was so lovely, she lifted her head up, couldn't decide whether to carry on eating or not and then with my "Hey Poll" call she ran towards me, tail wagging and ears flapping!  Once she'd checked us out and had a wander around inside she settled herself at the foot of the stairs for her "rest time".

If you look closely you'll see 5 of the chooks having their mid afternoon dust bath / nap.  Penny was standing on guard while these girls settled down in the soft soil underneath a tree.  They make little indentations and snuggle down then flip soil on top of themselves before they nod off.  The soil acts as a lubricant and keeps their skin and feathers well oiled.

And last but by no means least is the Buff with her mate Fudge.  Both clearly exhausted and oblivious to the rest of the world!

A Couple Of Notes

It's been quite quiet on the Home Brood Front but I have gathered a few noteworthy points together.

Polly is now trained in manners of the 8am watershed.  There is the occasional bleat beforehand but no major shouting til about 8.30am and even then if I leave her she gives up after a very short time.  She's loving her daily grooming sessions.  I use a wire brush I bought for Buffy but she refused to tolerate it so one day I had a go with Poll.  Oh she just adhores it.  Anywhere.  She loves it on her back and hind quaters then when you go to her tummy her tail swings round in a frenzy of excitement.  Then its up onto her neck, head, behind her ears and finally underneath her chin.  That's my favourite bit.  I hold her chin in my hand and lean over to get right underneath her jaw.  Her warm breath touches my ear and she goes off into a trance.  It's just lovely.

I was down at Tam O'Shanter last week and noticed how deep the voice of her mum is and this morning I heard two much deeper bleats than usual.  Then it was back into her usual high pitched yell.

As for the chooks, Doris is hanging on in there, she's still looking a bit scruffy but is happy in herself.  Local children have been coming round and because Helen is the tamest one she's been pulled from pillar to post in the holding stakes.  She's great though and laps up all the attention she's getting.  Joan doesn't leave my side so I have to shut her out sometimes just so I can clean the floor etc.  I think she's lazy and if she can get food from me she can't be bothered going out and forraging for it.

There was a bit of a Rice Crispy drama this morning.  They were all around me while I was getting my own breakfast so I put out two bowls of Rice Crispys with yoghurt on top.  OMG, you have never seen the like!  Demolished within minutes, there wasn't time to get my camera even.  True pecking order was seen as Helen and Joan were firmly pushed out.  They then got the left overs and when Buffy moved in to lick it all out the two of them had a go at The Buff!

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a steady stream of people dropping off cards and presents - a very big thank you for such thoughtful gifts.  A hen pinny, sheep polly bag holder, necklace, earings, dress, jumper, flowers and a fantastic book all about having the good life in France. I felt truly spoilt.  Oh then there's a very special thank you to Buffy's Godmum.  Imagine this if you can - Gold Lame Leggins!  She did also give me a gorgeous Tshirt and birthday cake but the vert special gift of GOLD LAME LEGGINS is to be worn at my Young at Heart group on Friday - it may well see them all off!
Yes, life on the Home Brood Front is very happy indeed.

Bit of a Splash

Buffy loves water.  It must be said that she doesn't do the swimming thing but she loves to wade.  If there's water - she's in it, if there's mud - she's in it.

Quite a combination therefore when you get water and next doors fish pond all in one go.

I'm on feeding duty for fish and tomatoes for a couple of days and while I may well kill the tomatoes I really did think I'd do ok with the fish.  That is until today.  Buffy is facinated with them and frequently jumps up onto the edge to stare down at them.  I'm always with her though and know that she's only being nosey - she wouldn't actually jump in would she?  Yeah right!

There she was walking round the edge as usual, stopping every so often for a closer look.  She even dipped her paw in the water which is a first but I wasn't worried - like I said, she's not a swimmer, just a wader.

First it was just a toe, then her nose then ..........................

SPLASH!  She was in.  She just couldn't help herself could she?  She is actually a very good swimmer it's just that she chooses not to.  She successfully made it to the other side then got all a fluster as she struggled to get out.  I heaved the grateful mutt up and while she didn't try and get back in with them I bet she has another go tomorrow.  Yet another note to self "NEVER leave Buffy alone with fishys!