raining cats and dogs

Two weeks ago today, we picked up Harvey. He seems to have settled in OK, and we are adjusting to the daily walks (bit of a shocker I can tell you). I have never stopped and spoken to so many strangers and petted so many unfamiliar dogs in my life. It's a whole new world. One which I think will make it a whole lot bigger though, so that's a good thing. Poppy, surprisingly seems to thoroughly dislike Harvey and has taken to lying in wait around corners for him. Truly if looks could kill - instant death to us all. Another of her tricks has been to lie across doorways in her vast pregnant state, like a big furry draught excluder, effectively trapping Harvey in whichever room he happens to be in as he dare not attempt to step over her.

This morning she popped out 3 kittens at the rather obliging hour of 9am. They are tiny, tiny little tabbies by the looks of things - not a ginger in sight, which is a surprise. Apart from the fact it is a true miracle of life that this cat, at less than a year old herself can give birth and suckle her young guided only by instinct, the whole business is a bit smelly and wet looking. I too was guided by instinct at 7am when I had to drag her out of a holdall on top of the wardrobe and hastily empty a cupboard in the dining room to prepare for the birth which I sensed may be quite imminent....

You can't really see much here, as she has conked out with exhaustion.

And here is sweet Harvey, settling in with Oliver. We let him off the lead for the first time yesterday in the park, and he loves tearing up and down. Have to have a pot of mature cheddar cubes at the ready though, for bribery purposes, lest he runneth off.

Will update with more kit pics soon.