Blog No 166 – Overview of 2020

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Happy New Everyone

Family & Friends

Thank you to friends and family for your continuous support. I have a huge amount of respect for people that consistently care and support Mr Zebrakat and I. Honestly from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for everything. Especially all the people who sent cards, flowers, plants, mags, chocs & sweets, biscuits and messages.

The year started with a trip to County Cork, Ireland to celebrate Aunt P, 80th birthday with family. It was was such a heartwarming celebration. Aunt P knows how to provide a party, we had it all, fabulous food, good company and magnificent entertainment. She’s a very courageous lady, she had literally just finished treatment for breast cancer and we were hopping on a plane. Thank you Aunt P for a wonderful time.

To my relatives in Ireland it was wonderful catching up with you all. We will be back when it’s safe to fly again.

Covid 19 played havoc with special birthdays, weddings and new baby’s this year. I’m sure these celebrations were as special as they could be.

Hamish & Lottie

Hamish has been part of the family now for 2 years. Lottie & Hamish are very much in a routine with toilet breaks, feeding and sleeping. Your more than likely to find Lottie at my side and Hamish sleeping on my bed blanket. I’m sure my neighbours must laugh at Lottie and Hamish when they are running into the house together from the garden. It’s quiet comical watching them following each other like sheep. They are known to kiss and lick each other first thing in the morning.

Hamish still looks like a lion and is slightly larger in stature to Lottie. Lottie can hold her own too, if Hamish tries to grab her. Pets are obviously very therapeutic.

Home

Copyright 2019 Zebrakat

We are still tweaking our current residence. It’s certainly changing in appearance and no longer represents a typical terraced house floor plan. We started in the roof space and now we are on the ground floor, working from the front of the property to the rear. I’m waiting for a replacement front door, which has been delayed due to covid 19. It’s been on the order since October.

I wanted to show you a cupboard that I’d designed earlier in the year and finally put into its place. I needed the unit to fit on a plinth in my guest bedroom. It’s made out of scaffolding boards. Anyone who knows me will appreciate I love a little timber in my decor.

The cupboard consists of doors, drawers and shelves. Behind the doors is some hanging space and some additional shelving. Its perfect for guests and now considered a new heirloom.

Health

I’ve already discussed my health in previous blogs. I’m glad treatment is over for now, I’m hoping my body gives me a little respite from medical appointments and health issues. I’m planning to continue as I do, live life and be happy.

Travel

Travel this year has been a bit of a washout, however I’ve still managed a few places. I was able to fly to Ireland earlier in the year, which was amazing. I’ve also visited Bath & York, both historical cities. Bath & York are full of beautiful architecture, fabulous restaurants and quaint shops. I would recommend both cities a visit, magnificent gems of the U.K.

Mr Zebrakat

Mr Zebrakat is working from home and on site as he works in the construction industry. It is nice having him around. On a positive note, covid had Mr Z at home when I was going through treatment. He unquestionably is happy he’s working and is one of the lucky ones still working.

Mr Z is undoubtedly been my tower of strength going through treatment and family hospitalisations etc. Thank you Mr Z for always being there as always as usual, what would I do without you.

Hobbies

Reading, I did about 66 books last year, so beat my previous years record. Watch out for my next blog for my annual list of books.

Covid has allowed me to frame up & hang some travel pictures etc. I’v also been filling up photo albums with old photos. I still have numerous to do but I’m getting there. I’ll then move on to filling up scrapbooks with memories and mementos.

Hopefully 2021 will no longer be a year of doom and gloom. We all need to be vaccinated and getting on with our lives. Love to you all 🤣

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Weekly Blog No 137 – 8 Paws

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that I’m the proud owner of 8 paws. Lottie is my cute 8 year old morkie dog from Canada and Hamish an 11 month old ginger tom cat aka Frank the tank from the U.K.

Overall Lottie and Hamish get on really well. They greet each other in the morning with a kiss. They will run out and in from the garden together. They are very content to sleep next to each other on the sofa. They know their own pet dishes.

Individually they have their own personalities. Lottie will look at me from the kitchen if she wants to go to the toilet. If I’m upstairs she will come up and give me the look that she wants to go out for a toilet break. Hamish will meow to tell me when he wants to go for a toilet break even though he has a litter tray. Hamish will then stand on his two rear paws against the back door. Both pets understand the word treat and will run to the treat cupboard door on command. Hamish will chase a paper ball and bring it back to you to throw again. Insomuch as Lottie won’t chase a ball at all. Hamish likes toys, whereas Lottie doesn’t. Lottie loves snuggles from strangers but Hamish will run away, however he will take snuggles from Mr Zebrakat & I.

Lottie is very much a chilled out dog and is very happy to watch Hamish’s antics. However there are occasions when Lottie doesn’t realise that Hamish is still a kitten. Hamish will pounce on Lottie or try to box her ears with his paws. That’s why Hamish got his nickname, Frank the Tank. Lottie can be innocently behind a door and Hamish will try and paw box Lottie through the opening.

They are both a joy to have and we would be lost without them. X

Weekly Blog No 130 – Hamish

Well I’ve been with my new human parents and Lottie, my 4 paw sibling for 4 months. I’m now fast approaching 6 months old. Gosh that went quick.

I’ve grown up as you can see, I’m going to be a big tom cat with mighty fine whiskers. My hair is a beautiful thick coat and to touch is like an expensive carpet. My eyes are no longer topaz blue but a sage green. My little peas were done at 16 weeks on the advice of the vet with no complications. I have a microchip and all the annual injections required. I’m on top of my game.

I love my nosh and my human parents are great at feeding me. I will on occasions attempt to rob Lottie of her dried food, which I guess is like eating chocolate to humans. You can’t leave it alone because it’s addictive. My humans parents are on top of that one.

I am fascinated with playing fetch with a ball. I should say it’s a paper ball and I will flick it around with my paw. I can entertain myself with Lottie’s toys too as she doesn’t play really, she likes to snuggle and cuddle all the time.

I like to jump out on Lottie or try and swipe her with my paw. She doesn’t get my playing at all. I will greet her with an Eskimo kiss in the morning when she comes down stairs.

I have been a little naughty at times, I’ve ate through the telephone cable. I will jump behind the tv and try to chew the cables. I have been found in the handbasin in the toilet/washroom trying to get water out the tap. I ripped up my human mums flowers that are in a vase. I’ve flicked off ornaments whilst sitting on shelves. I will flick any pen or pencil within reach. Ain’t I just a bundle of entertainment. I do keep hearing my human mum say “it’s like watching a 2 yr old and he will grow out of it”.

I will venture into the garden like its an obstacle course. I will nip into next doors garden as there is a 3 yr old who loves me and tries to feed me pizza. However I haven’t yet ventured beyond that.

I am super relaxed in my new home. My human parents and my 4 paw sibling Lottie are purrfect.

Weekly Blog No 123 – Welcome Hamish

Hello Human and Furry Friends

My name is Hamish aka Beano, I was born on the 11th Feb 2018 with 3 other siblings. I’m a ginger tom with striking blue eyes and supersoft fur. I’m 8 weeks old and I will say I do look rather cute. I have left my mother and gone to live with 2 humans and a small dog called Lottie.Lottie is bigger than me but I will soon out grow her ha ha. She doesn’t know yet but very soon I will be boxing her ears with my big furry paws. She constantly watches my every move and continues to wash my ears. Doesn’t she know she’s not my mother and clearly isn’t ginger. I do nudge her with my head to annoy her but she gets out that pink tongue again. I do like to snuggle up to her to sleep and I do try to nick her food as well. My human parents are on to me and keep lifting up her dried food.My human parents have started to call me Beano because I’m full of beans. I’m always exploring and even found a hole under the kitchen cabinets certainly hasn’t seen a duster for a while. Too be fair my human parents couldnt get in there to clean without removing cabinetry. Im starting to learn to not run if Lottie barks, I used to run behind the tv. I’m starting to learn the word NO too because I keep attacking the table lamp and playing with the tv cables/cords. I think I’m starting to respond to the name Hamish.I’m being ever so good because I’m using the litter tray and I know where my food & water is so I help myself. I’m 9 weeks old tomorrow and I will be going for my first injection at the vets. Eek I ain’t looking forward to that one.I will update you again soon, until next time. X