The Twenty-Third Blog of Augustus Lazarus Cooke (Gus)

The Twenty-Third Blog of Augustus Lazarus Cooke (Gus)

Hello everyone!

It’s very busy in our house. There are so many rings at the door that us dogs have given up barking. Mrs H says that’s just as well or we would be ho(a)rse. I don’t understand that – we’re dogs and we couldn’t be horses if we tried.

Roxy saw her first horse the other day. She followed him, trying to sniff his bottom. Mrs H was worried about his hooves but they looked all right to me.

Roxy’s mum and dad had a new litter of puppies. Mr and Mrs H thought about having one of Roxy’s sisters but decided against it as they say they’ve got enough on their hands. I’ve just looked at their hands and I don’t know what they’re talking about. Mr H hasn’t got anything on his hands and there are only a couple of rings on Mrs H’s. Humans do say some funny things sometimes.

Bruno (left) and Bella 

Anyway, Gillian and Marnie have got a sister and brother of Roxy’s. They’re called Bella and Bruno. The first time we saw them they were really small and we couldn’t have a good look at them. 

Left to right: Foxy, Jenna, Bertie, Bella, Isla (human),Bruno, Gus

The next time they came we all went into Simons Wood together – it was fun. Since then Foxy died very suddenly. We were all very sad about that. She was Bertie and Buster’s aunt and lived with Gillian and Buster (Bertie’s brother) in Dorset. It’s a good thing Gillian has Bella otherwise Buster would be very lonely. I loved Foxy. I used to lie next to her and lick her for hours. Mrs H says she was the prettiest little puppy she’s ever seen. Course, I didn’t know her then. I’m only seven and she was eleven, the same age as Jenna.

Foxy 

Dominie with Foxy 

Roxy loves seeing the puppies. Last time, we all played in the garden ‘cos we didn’t have time to go to the woods. Mrs H took us out in the morning before Gillian and Marnie came and then all the humans went to Frankie’s birthday party. He was only little when he and Susannah came to live with us. He’s four now and quite grown up. 

He likes taking photos with Mrs H’s iPad and the other day he used her camera. 

He needs some more practice, I think.

The cats had their fourth birthday, too, but they didn’t have a party. They were terrified of us dogs when they first came here but now they love to snuggle up with us.

Left to right: Jellicoe, Isambard, Bertie

Top to bottom: Herschel, Bertie, Jellicoe, Isambard, Jenna

Christmas is coming. I’m still not sure what that is but the house is filling up with strange parcels and Frankie is getting very excited. He had to dress up as a sheep the other day for something called 'The Nurtivitee'. 

The cats liked his costume!

I don’t think there’s anything else to report. 

Be good.

Hwyl fawr am nawr! (That’s Welsh for ‘Goodbye for now!’)

The Twenty-Second Blog of Augustus Lazarus Cooke (Gus)

Hello everyone!

In case anyone was wondering where we’d all got to, the answer is . . . nowhere! We have been here all the time.

Callum came to look after us when Mr and Mrs H went away for a weekend. It was nice to see him. They went to a place called Hartwell House

A long time ago some men came to put up a special fence so that the cats could go into the garden and be safe. Well, this summer the cats were allowed to go out. Jellicoe was very bold and prowled around for ages making a terrific din, yowling. 

Jellicoe

Isambard was a bit of a scaredy-cat and stayed on the patio so that he could dash back indoors if he got too frightened.

Isambard

Herschel was braver and Solomon and Lenny were quite daring too. 

Herschel

Now all the cats, except Pats, who never comes downstairs, love being in the garden and they wait at the patio door, the first to dash out in the mornings, even before Roxy and Bertie. They stay out all day, chasing dragonflies . . . 

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)

. . . and watching the fish in the pond, or talking to the birds or just sleeping in the sun. 

Herschel soaking up the sun

Lenny is always the last to come in when Mrs H calls them for supper. He sits outside and cries until she goes out to pick him up. He’s such a baby.

Mr and Mrs H went out one day and took Roxy with them. The rest of us had to stay at home. We didn’t mind too much because we had all had our breakfast and then been out for a walk. Roxy was tired when she came home – she’d been playing with Lolly. 

Roxy and Lolly

 Bethan and Charlie

Mr and Mrs H had been to see Charlie ‘cos it was his first birthday. It’s my birthday tomorrow – I shall be seven.

Bertie and Gus (and Roxy)

Gus

Gillian and Marnie came to see us a little while ago with Isla and Fergus. The next day they went out and when they came back they were carrying two chocolate puppies, Bella and Bruno. 

Bella and Bruno

They are Roxy’s brother and sister. We enjoyed seeing them but were all quite relieved when they left – I don’t think us dogs and cats are ready for more puppies yet. Roxy is still quite a puppy as it is . . . she loves playing with Frankie. 

Frankie

They play ball together but Roxy sometimes destroys the balls.

Mr H went away for a few days and came back with a big plaster on his leg so he can’t come out with us for walks until his leg is better. He’s taller now, too!

Paul came yesterday to do some work in the house. All us dogs were very happy to see him.

So, it’s been quite busy in our house. Us dogs never know what’s going to happen next. Someone said something about the kitchen . . . I don’t know what that means.

I don’t think there’s anything else to report.

Be good.

Hwyl fawr am nawr! (That’s Welsh for ‘Goodbye for now!’)