A New Toy!

 We had company yesterday and the Redding Brothers have been happy ever since! Aunty Jill brought them a new toy! Its called a turbo scratcher and has a scratchy round piece in the middle you can put catnip on and then around the outside it a ball in a trough. They played with it until I put it away at bedtime. I only shoved it under a piece of furniture and this morning Otis pulled it out again and is playing on it once more! Opus likes it as well but of course Otis bullies him and takes over. Oh yeah and as soon as I said that, they both decided to play nicely together with the new toy. Anyway they seem to think it is a welcome addition to an otherwise at times boring world! I liken it to a similar toy that little kids used to have that made a racket as you pushed it across the floor. I think I could get tired of listening to the ball roll but then I can always put it out in the porch with them on days I don't have a boarder out there. Maddie has been a very good dog and although she would love to be in the house, and I would have her, she just causes too much upset. The three geriatrics have priority and we take Maddie on walks every day. She doesn't much like being in the yard by herself now Jiggs has gone home but enjoyed playing with him when he was here, and blew off a lot of energy. Maddies favorite time of day is feeding time of course and I think that is true of all the dogs and cats. Anyway we had a nice visit with Aunty Jill and Teddy,who can be a terror at times. Yesterday he was on good behavior and did very well for his entire visit. Teko is sure all company comes to see him personally and of course those two got a tad jealous but for the most part it was a great visit and Aunty came with goodies for all –just like Santa! The cats toy and biscuits for the dogs and even cookies and an Aussie magazine for me!!m We all hope she comes to visit again soon!! Maddie is too boisterous for Teddy so we had a plan for the company’s' arrival and I put Maddie on leash and took her around the corner of the porch, while Aunty and Teddy scooted in the door. Man the games you have to play but there is always a way if you think about it.

Well the Reddings have finished playing with the toy and had a “Rassle”match with much body-slamming. Keeper and Teko are pacing and so are the Reddings and I imagine mis-behavior is about to happen as the clock creeps to feeding time!Rocky is best, he is still sleeping but seems to wake when I step into the kitchen. Maddie is being good as well but will kick up a bit of a fuss when she hers me feeding the others. All too soon the house will empty out again as maddie goes home on thursday or Friday. Rocky is staying the longest and will not go home until some time in March. But having the three geriatrics around is easier by far so no big deal. Most important was we made it through the weekend quite well with two cats and five dogs. Once again all is well in Miracle House! Hurrah!