Animals

Over the last few months I have been spending as much time as possible with friends pets. 

Sister's cat, Barney

I really want a dog but my landlord is not keen so I have joined BorrowMyDoggy and have multiple dogs I now either look after sometimes during the day or take for walks.

Bim likes his cuddles...

... and his naps

                                         

Nico is just a puppy so very active ...

... until he flakes out

Little Ellie

The back of Teddy's head.

Blurred Teddy

Another blurred teddy - the nutter is rarely still

Belle like a walk and nose about

Or telling me to stop working.

Teddy being photogenic! :) 

Christmas Number 2

Because Kerry and Craig were away for Christmas, skiing, we had a second Christmas day on New Years Eve over at their house.  

Starting to cooking with a drink.

We had the full deal again, which was great, this time completed with Bucks Fizz. Kerry and Craig had been looking forward to this as their Bulgarian Christmas dinner was BBQ.

Enjoying another Christmas dinner

After dinner and a film (where most of us stayed awake), we moved onto the board games. We played the Logo game which was played last year and I lost miserably. This year I won!!! I have no idea how. It was a lot of fun and laughs, especially as my sister can give the best (and worse) clues.

Questions.

Dad doesn't know.

Snacks?

In the winning circle.

I spent a lot of time playing with the cats. Holly was on my lap within 10 mins of me getting into the house, and spent a good deal of time there which was fine with me. She loves having her belly rubbed, so she is odd for a cat. But I only got one photo of her as she was on my lap most of the time.

Holly cuddles.

Harley was more content to pose for photos, and preferred a good back scratch while walking away from you. Then coming back indignant when you don't get up and follow her to keep scratching her back. And then repeating this for ever! 

Harley.

Poser!

We spent the night (me on the squeakiest airbed I have ever heard) and I drove back on New Year's Day. As most where still hungover at this point, the drive back was uneventful and I get back in record time. :)

Day as a zoo Keeper - Servals, owls and snakes

Last weekend we all went over to Telford to Hoo Fram for a zoo keeper day. It was amazing. I took so many photos - which is why the day has been split into multiple posts. I really recommend this to anyone in the area (to not - it's worth the travel). And we were there on a really good day. They had a baby armadillo there! Seriously my new favourite animal! He was so cute and loved having his belly rubbed or sitting curled over your hand. He was so adorable!

With my new Favourite!

Who wouldn't love him?

So cute!

With his furry little tummy.

We started out with the giant tortoises. Not the most exciting of animals.

Lively.

But then got to meet a little hedgehog. He was very cute but we woke him up so kept trying to snuggle into his blanket. But that meant he snuggled himself out of the other end. Sweet though you then had to carefully push him back in. But he really stank!

Curious.

Tired.

Kerry was not keen on the smell.

Next to the snakes. This one was a Burmese python. And huge. But she was much nicer to hold than Kerry and Craigs snake. Norman is too fast and you can never tell where he is going. This one was definitely a lot bigger and fatter, but moved a lot slower.

Checking it out.

Too close!

Kerry looking at home. 

The snake was very curious about cameras. 

Dad with the latest in snake scarves.

Craig is a lot happier with snakes these days.

Not sure where she is going at this point.

They also had a raccoon out. And not just any racoon but a famous one. This is Rocky, who was the model for Rocky in the Guardians of the Galaxy film. He did climb all over my shoulders and scratched my neck up. But considering how dangerous racoons are (they like to scratch off faces), he was quite pleasant and friendly.

Checking for food.

Happy to pose.

The next stop was the Servals, a relative of the Cheetah. This one was just tired and lazy. (It was a hot day and in the UK they are probably not used to it.) But he was happy to sit and be stroked and have his chin tickled. Very laid back.

Chilling.

:)

Enjoying a chin tickle.

Ready to be left alone now.

Dad did get some really good photos later that day when the cats moved. Wish I could take the credit for the next 2 but I can't.

Craig couldn't resit teasing him with some grass. But they really are like a big house cats. 

Teasing.

Next was the owls. This one was used on the set of Harry Potter (I thing they get a fair few old actor animals going there for their retirement). He was happy to be passed around and stroked. He did scratch up my arm a bit (he missed to glove when it was my turn) but it just matched my neck so no big deal! :)

Dad having a hold.

Reflections.

Pretty.

Craig and his owl

Kerry admiring.

He was very soft.

Mom wasn't keen. I don't think was a fan of any of the animals up to this point.