TILLY’S DIARY

What a morning! Had our usual start to the day. We woke up about 6 and Jo got up first, went to the loo, weighed herself as usual (glad she didn’t get me on the scales …. winter is on the way, that’s all I’ll say!), then made a cup of tea and brought it back to bed. We were all chatting, interspersed with a bit of snuggling, back rolls and tummy rubbing, with Cloudy taking up most of the room on the bed as usual, when we heard a car pulling up outside. We had forgotten that Bella (staffy) and Oscar (kitten) were coming in early. Everyone jumped up with those of us who needed to, pulling on clothes and shoes. Nic was ready first and he got Bella and Oscar settled in for their weeks stay. Another day at the farm!

I should tell you if you don’t know that we live on 60 acres just south of a small Queensland country town, and on our farm we have boarding kennels for dogs and cats. These are not together as you would appreciate. The cats have their own special building, the cattery, and if you like peace and quiet, that is the place to be. All the cats do all day is lie around, usually on their window seats just looking out at the forest through the wire. I sometimes sneak up outside their windows and jump up, just to see them jump up and get very big fluffy tails. It is good fun; don’t knock it til you’ve tried it!

The first job in the mornings is to feed our seven chooks and Sebastian, our rooster. Seb can be a bit of a nuisance sometimes, he has a bit of a passion for the humans ankles, but he must be doing a pretty good job, because we usually have four or five eggs each day, and Jo says that she really likes wandering out to the coop to collect the freshest eggs if she feels like making a cake. Nic says that this does not happen enough! Those chooks should be laying well. Can you believe that she makes them porridge every morning!

Then it’s on to the cats. Cloudy and I usually hang around outside having a bit of a play around (me) and still snoozing, only half awake (him). Nic and Jo clean out all the cat pens, empty the litter trays (yuk!), mop the floors, talk to all the cats and give them their breakfast.

Then we all head off to the kennels. Lots of fun, heaps of noise, playing, barking and breakfasting! All the kennels have to be hosed out, the yard pooper scooped (yuk!) (I must have a bit of a phobia about poo!); then all the dogs chow down. Chicken necks (not from our own chooks) are usually the favourite. This is all great when it’s a fine day and the sun is shining, but it’s not so great if it’s raining and we all get very wet and muddy, but can you believe the dogs seem to like it best when the yard is a bit of a mud slide!

8 February, 2021

Today we had our final kisses and cuddles and then Mum and Dad let me go to sleep - they cried a lot, but I was brave.

One day I hope to see them both and it will be just like old times.  Chasing the motorbike, running after balls and sticks, diving into the dam, lots of snuggles and dinosaur bones galore.  This is why it is called heaven.

(11/7/2008 to 8/2/2021, 12years 8months)