Patchy’s Settling In

Well, Patchy is now home and she is part of the family. Frank and I think she’s as sweet as clover honey, Adler is less enamoured.

Adler is expressing his deepest, most sincere feelings, towards Patchy

Halloween Cat

He actually did that Halloween Cat thing where he arched his back, sort of twisted sideways, arranged every individual hair to stand straight up and looked a lot like this.

But meaner.

And with stripes.

I’d have been terrified. Patchy thought maybe it was a new game involving chasing and tumbling and it was going to be ever so much fun. Oh dear.

But they both survived the first night (mainly because we kept them in separate rooms). By the next day (separate rooms) even Adler started getting bored with his posturing.

We’re still in the hissing phase of the relationship, but progress is being made – friendship is just around the corner – if you’re an optimist with a glacier for a watch. I’ve heard this one a million times and I’m now desperate enough to pin my hopes on the veracity of a platitude; opposites attract, don’t they?

Then there’s the chickens. They didn’t totally freak out like they did with Adler, but they’re starting to think they should. Initially they just watched Patchy, but when she began to take more of an interest – as in dragging me by the leash into the chicken wire – they thought maybe they should hate her. It was, no doubt, all a simple misunderstanding. I’m sure Patchy was just looking for playmates, not a meal supplement.

Alert, but not alarmed

Patchy is a healthy, energetic young dog with loads of curiosity and enthusiasm. She’s a bit thin (could that be what worries the chickens and cat?) and a lot undisciplined – 2 things we’re working on. But she needs no lessons in how to be affectionate.

Patchy really wants to be a lap dog

Patchy and her new BFF

I think she’s pretty happy here and that’s the first and most important priority. Everything else will come with time.

First night in a new home

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