by Eugenie Chopin

As you may know, Shanti, my GSP has an issue with Angelique, my older Golden. So to keep peace in the bedroom, in the evening before sleep and in the morning with coffee Shanti is allowed time on the bed, but is tethered so I don’t have to worry. It’s a good time to bond and do a bit of TTouch on her for her Spondylosis, etc.

Now while Harley sometimes comes onto the bed with her, it’s obvious that at other times, he is hesitant. I’m guessing he is reading Shanti’s body language. Of course, being Harley, a bouncy young GR, he sometimes just jumps on the bed anyway! What is always interesting to me is that the second I crate Shanti for the night, he jumps quickly onto the bed as though, “well, she’s gone now, so it’s my turn”.

So in the morning, I usually have a cuddle & play with Harley before I let Shanti come up. The next interesting tidbit is that when Shanti and Harley leave the bedroom to start their day, Angelique loves to go lie in Shanti’s crate, which is really comfortable, as we have added so many things to help her body. Now what does all this mean? Truthfully, I have no idea, but I can make some guesses! For both Angelique and Harley, they take advantage of what is considered a “prime spot” from their viewpoint. Remember that one important resource in a dog’s like can be a particular “space”. And these times give them the access that they might not have otherwise.

In the meantime, I’m trying to figure out how to give Shadow, the cat access to the upper cupboard in the bedroom. She has been coming in and racing up the curtain to the pelmet above. From here she wants into the upper cupboard where suitcases are stored, so I have to open the doors (in the right way, mind you) so she can slip in and sleep there for the night. Now, I have drawers that I open for her to get to the top of the lower cupboard, but no, that’s not good enough. So now I’m wondering if I’ll have to lean a ladder against the cupboard, as I can’t think of any other way to give her access without ruining the curtains!

A couple of days ago, I saw Shadow walk out of the bedroom window into a beautifully flowering Bougainvillea. I thought, “what a great picture” and raced to get my camera. Little did I know that she was venturing out in order to reach a nest of baby birds recently born. Unfortunately she got one before I banned her from the bedroom until the others could fly away. This is really the time of year that we have to watch our cats, as their instinct is truly predatory.

Last night Shadow didn’t come in when called, so she was outside during the night. We have set up a crate for her with bedding so she has a place to crawl into once she’s finished with the nightly activities. Unfortunately about 4: 30 a.m. I was awakened by distinct howling and name calling (kitty speak). Not being about to get back to sleep, I decided to go looking for the gal. Boy was she ready to come inside. She even let me hold her for a long time. (Her usually limit in arms is about 30 seconds to a minute). This morning she was quite happy to lie in my arms and be TTouched. It does make you wonder exactly what went on outside!