Tag Archives: #monster

Turning Good(ish)

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I was looking back trying to remember how old Pepper is.

According to Google (it does have it’s uses), Pepper arrived in Shetland in 2021 as a just-weaned puppy so, by my maths, she must be 5 years old now.  I know, where has the time gone?

Pepper was never brought here to replace in my heart the gaping hole left by BeAnne Duvet, but she has managed all on her own to wheedle her way in by herself.

I would love to say Pepper’s behaviour has improved, but I would be lying and many a neighbour has announced they’ve only just recently had a visit from her totally unbeknownst to us.  It is a constant battle.

But we have successfully managed to stop the early morning vanishinments as Pepper is now on a long dog lead at night tied to the foot of the bed. I tell her it’s because she is a criminal and she happily wags her tail and agrees!  By stopping her constant egress means we can leave the cat flap open for Monster’s nightly comings and goings happy in the knowledge that Pepper is still with us. She honestly doesn’t mind and has resigned herself to a life of being a prisoner if she has first dibs on the bed. It’s a fair trade.

Meanwhile Monster has developed a terrible habit (we are on Day 3 now so it is classed as a habit).  He lies on my pillow in the early morning and then prods me with his barely sheathed claws while purring exceptionally loudly.  Once banished from the bed, he then retaliates by making loud puking noises instead.

But at least we’ve won the Pepper battle – sort of.

Something Special Today

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I shouted and they all came over, like the elephants in the Jungle Book.  Haakon, Iacs, and then Kolka. Vitamin and Fivla were not going to be left behind and trotted through too.

Mr and Mrs – Kolka and Haakon.  They are a couple now.

Vitamin was very happy shovelling.

Monster was watching.

As was Fivla – at different times of the day, someone was always waiting for me.

I don’t worry about the parked cars/vans .  Everyone knows very well how to behave around them.  Living around the house is nothing new.

When I was in my shed, I opened a packet of shortbread (I know, no Tunnocks – I’d eaten them), and in an instant Iacs was there, whippet-like!  He has the hearing of a bat.

Pepper was very happy to have everyone around.  More folk to chat to during the day.

As was Monster – I actually laughed out loud when I saw this!

There was something very special about today.

Spring Day

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This is the usual start to my morning.  Breakfast was over and Monster doesn’t like the word “no”.

When he sat on my iPad, I had to make sure he didn’t fall off (note the widge hanging over the table – not pretty).

Then I went around the Shetland pony track with my bucket and gloves to clear up. I am just coming to the end of Lord of the Rings – the ring is in Mount Doom with Gollum and the hobbits are just traipsing back to find Bilbo who is waiting for Frodo at the Grey Havens.  It’s been a long haul, I won’t deny it, but still it’s a good book to listen to while poo-picking.  One of the greats.

Anyway, I deserved a reward and the weather was nice, so I sat down on a rock and waited to see who wanted to chat.

Waffle

Tiddles close by

For a second, I thought Silver would come up but ….

Tiddles said he couldn’t.

Albie snuck around behind and gave me a kiss.

While Newt was far away and not in a chatty mood.

The ground is finally beginning to dry up.  We haven’t had proper rain for a while and the weather is very spring-like now.

I went into my shed after lunch and there was meowing outside so I let Monster in and, again, he made himself comfortable exactly where I wanted to work.  Of course.

Sometimes things are never easy.  I ended up picking him up and putting him outside.

Pepper is now grounded forever. She has taken to going out in the middle of the night to go hunting probably with Monster.  We have resorted to desperate measures and hopefully we can get break this habit.

Spring!  It has its good and bad sides.  Lovely flowers and bunny rabbits everywhere.

Not much today.  Yesterday was much nicer, weather-wise so I spent my morning waiting for a physio phone-appointment and trying to value stuff to put on Ebay.  I am finding that Google Image certainly has its limitations.

Anywho, I read somewhere that cats don’t see us as humans, but instead as a rather clumsy larger cats.  Knowing Monster very well, I can believe that.

I also often feel judged.

And yesterday Monster came on his first dog walk of 2026.  He is totally a fair-weather companion. He continued to shoud at everyone too.

And later, when I went into my shed, Monster turned up and paid me a visit, walking only on the path stepping stones, which I thought was rather clever of him.

After a lot of annoying, ie bothering me, deciding where best to sit, more bothering me, he settled in the spot I had made him by the window (mostly because I told him to sit down and shut up, because I had work to do).

I had to work around Monster. It seemed easier. Us clumsy humans have to adapt.

And then Monster found a better bed, which I wish he had found much earlier.

Later we all walked back together to the house for tea.  Another day, another dollar (or pound if we’re being pedantic).

(and Lambie turned up for his breakfast again).

The Dream vs The Reality

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This was the dream.

And this is the reality.

When I opened the parcel, a small flat pancake of a bed was inside, but as it was vacuumed packed, I prayed it had potential and would spring/fluff up into the bed of dreams.

“Pamper your cat with our self-warming and soothing Cat Nesting Bed that is finished with a luxurious faux shag fur and mimics the cosy comfort of a mother’s fur coat! Paired with deep crevices that allow your pet to burrow, your fury kids will have a full and restful sleep! The Cat Nesting Bed is designed to give 100% comfort for that Pawfect kip!”

Spring, it did not.

Was it the bed of dreams?  Ummm, not really.

This is their LARGE size.  Seriously?

And this is what happens all the time – ditto for this bed bought to fit a collie.

On the islands we don’t have a pet shop so can’t actually see anything in real life.  I know if I had seen this, I never would’ve bought it.

I am very fed up, on Monster’s behalf.  Off to look at dog bed caves now for him.  Poor old Monster.  He’s not very impressed either.  I don’t blame him.

Sudden thought – It might make a good foot warmer in my shed or a little Lambie warmer.