Oh, Were You Gone?

'Leave me, will you?'

As many of you know, we have recently returned from a month away on an overseas vacation.  The sad fact is, it now feels like we never had a vacation - life is like that, unfortunately.  At least we made some incredible memories that we will hopefully be able to visit for the rest of our lives.

In our prolonged absence, we had some wonderful friends housesit for us and look after our extended furry family.  Our appreciation for this knows no bounds - not only did it save us on kennel fees, but the knowledge that our pets were looked after and loved was worth more than all the money in the world.

Unfortunately, there have been a few downsides.  Our pets were very happy to see us when we got home.  Well, the dogs and Purrkins were.  Clawde always takes a day or two to thaw out and forgive us.  Our first night home was full of dog and cat cuddles and endless requests for attention.  But after that, well, back to normal. 

'You're going to miss this face!'

Usually we get a few days of intense love from our pets and several days of being very generously 'gifted' with rodent-treats from the cats.  Not this time.

The truth is, I don't think that they really missed us that much.  They may have been a little bit...gasp....spoiled!

I have evidence, I'm not just making this up.  Manu has adopted this very annoying habit of following me to the kitchen, trotting behind me and making the most disgusting lip-smacking noises.  He was always keen for a treat, but he's moved it up a level now.  I have questioned the previously mentioned housesitters about this new behaviour, and the answer that I received was 'What happens at housesitting, stays at housesitting."  I see - that's how it is, is it?

Thanks to modern technology, I was graced with updates on my pets.  Photos of Clawde being cuddled and patted by a child, with what I know to be a big, happy expression on his face (Clawde's, not the child's!). I could practically see that he was making bread in the picture.

Purrkins lovingly ensconced on a warm lap, his head buried into a leg with his paw wrapped as if in a hug.

'I love like you like my real Mum.'

Dogs sitting at full attention in the kitchen.  It was clear that treats were on offer.

Clawde becoming bipedal in the kitchen, with an expectant glint in his eye.  More treats, I suspect.

Bipedal Clawde

There were also tales of dogs being cuddled by grandchildren.  Dogs possibly having cuddles on the furniture.

Clawde bringing in live rodent-treats gifts for the new Mummy and Daddy (although I don't think they saw that as a compliment or gift.  They still might need some training in that area.).

So....not missing the old Mummy and Daddy that much, eh?

Dogs at attention

There is a thing called karma though.  While our housesitters spent their time wooing the furry creatures of our house  (their lovely lab was involved in all of this too, I might add), I can always count on my chickens to be difficult.

They were a bit jumpy before we left as something had obviously spooked them in the night, but I thought they had recovered and returned to their happy, routine ways.  I was wrong.

When I awoke in the northern hemisphere, I was greeted with panicked messages letting me know that some of my chickens had disappeared and didn't return to their coop at night.  To be honest, I wasn't that concerned as this has happened in the past if they have had a scare.  They know how to roost in a tree out of reach of most dangers if necessary.

What followed were messages letting me know that they were alive, that all but two wouldn't go into the coop, that all but one were now in the coop, and that a vigorous game of chase around the yard resulted in the last one being caught and returned to the flock.

Trust my chickens to provide all of that entertainment and enrichment for my housesitters!  My other animals were much too easy and accommodating. 

In true chicken style, they have done the same thing to me on my return.  After being locked up for 6 days, two of my chickens (Mother and daughter team - Electra and Penguin, I might add.  Clearly being a crazy bitch is genetic.) decided that they were not going back into the coop at night.  I finally found them roosted about 8 feet up in a tree by the house.  I did manage to get them all back in one morning, so there they remain - locked up for a week this time.  Hopefully that will retrain their nesting habits.

While I poke fun at how settled and happy my pets were while we were away, it was truly wonderful.  Enjoying a well-needed vacation without the stress of worrying about your pets is a great gift indeed.

You know who you are!