Blog No 166 – Overview of 2020

17/01/2021zebrakat 5 Comments

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

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 It’s certainly changing in appearance and no longer represents a typical terraced house floor plan.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 🤣

Blog No 157 – Happy 10th Birthday Lottie ❤️

15/09/2020zebrakat 6 Comments

I can’t believe we’ve had Lottie for 10 years. I can still remember the day we got her. If you didn’t know already, she’s my little Canadian. We drove towards the USA border in whiteout conditions. The snow that day was very heavy and visibility was poor. We met the sellers in a Tim Hortons (Coffee Shop) car park and exchanged money for our wee bundle of fluff.

She was a tiny little thing and the rut of the litter. I didn’t care as her advertisement photos were just adorable. She got the name of Lottie from me as I loved the name. She was the cutest thing ever, her legs were so small the actual stairs were bigger than her. She was toilet trained to go to a pee mat, which was a blessing when she arrived.

She’s never been any trouble, ok she does get excited when people come in. I think that’s normal for most dogs and she yaps again when people stand up to leave. I think that little habit came from when she was a puppy. People would love to pick her up as soon as they came in and again when they left because she was so cute.

She’s been by side everyday and still to till this day she is all over me. Mr Zebrakat will spoil her with treats, yet she favours me. She is wise too, I know when the cancer is being naughty again as Lottie will sit on the spot. She loves snuggles and when I sleep, she will sleep too. Here’s some facts about Lottie

She still only weights about 4lbs
Her favourite drink is water
She loves a walk
She has no interest in toys
She loves cheese and ice cream
She paws you for belly rubs
She loves snow and the sun
She hates rain
She’s doesn’t have a go at the postman
She’s smaller than Hamish the cat

She’s been my most loyal pet to date. I would be lost without her. Happy Birthday Lottie!!! Thank you for 10 years of snuggles and happiness. ❤️

Blog No 148 – Overview of 2019

13/01/2020zebrakat

Happy New Year Everyone.

January

As I was recovering from surgery last year on a special birthday. My husband took me to London this year to be a tourist for a couple of days.

We experienced some amazing food, indulged in breakfast at Harrods, saw the Thriller Show and visited a couple of museums. We have spent so much time in London on medical visits and never participate in tourist delights.

February

Hamish is a year old this month. Its hard to believe my ginger tom has been with us nearly a year. He’s so content with us and Lottie. He loves to hide behind walls or furniture to jump out on Lottie and then the big paw comes out. There is other times when they are kissing each other. The photo above, I found him in my hand basin, he’s never done that before. The photo below is the love they feel for each other.

March

I lost an Aunt this month who was going to be 90 later in the year. She was an amazing woman, who had an interesting life. She was born In Ireland but spent most of her life in the U.K. She was 1 of 8 siblings and had 5 children in her family.

It was her time to leave us and to be reunited with her closest sister Auntie N. I’m sure they had a lot to discuss over a nice cup tea and a slice of cake. RIP Auntie M.

April

The house renovations are starting to take shape. We provided a beautiful sized bathroom. Created a walk in wardrobe for our clothes etc. Additional storage for books etc in the hall.

The photo is only a small section of the wardrobe, it’s actually 4m long. I designed the wardrobe and Mr Zebrakat & my brother built it.

We are currently snagging the loft room(Office), 2 bedrooms and the bathroom on the first floor before making big changes on the ground floor. We have achieve a lot already, ripping the house up to its bear bones. Let 2020 make the ground floor spectacular.

May

This was a fantastic month because I met fellow cancer friends K & H and their husbands. We decided to meet centrally due to my problems, therefore we met in Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire.

It was an exceptional weekend with excellent food and good company. We intend to do something again this year but H and I are currently having PRRT treatment. I will blog and update over the next couple of days.

June

Ciao a tutti

We were in Rome this month for the first time in our lives. OMG everyone should go. You have everything in this city, weather, food, architecture and history.

We were going to surprise our American friends who are like family. They are two very amazing people with big hearts. We gelled with each other as soon as we met. The surprise was priceless and a memory we will remember for ever.

July

This was the month of hospital appointments and visits. Pain was revealing itself in various locations of body. My spine was even getting in on the act but I will blog about that separately.

August

We went into Kettering, Northants one day and found this amazing restaurant that serves great food. The building interior is so amazing with the perfect ambience. It’s very laid back and has a mixed demographic.

September

Lottie become 9 years old, it’s hard to believe to be honest. She’s more clingy than ever. I also feel she knows when tumours are having the time of their life inside my body. She tends to sit on the exact spot. She’s such an intelligent dog and I can’t fault her. She’s honestly helped me through my illness.

October

As I’ve been struggling with symptoms, I’ve decided to go vegan. I do have an allergy to cows milk anyway so 70% of the time I been having alternative dairy products anyway. Mr Zebrakat & I both started together then someone said to watch Game Changers on Netflix. Although I had made the decision to become vegan prior to the programme. The programme definitely opens up your mind.

However being vegan definitely makes me avoid cows milk in products. I feel we have both benefited from the change of diet. Not only does it have an impact on our health, we feel we are contributing to animals and the environment.

There is so many supermarkets doing vegan or plant based food to substitute meat/fish products. Restaurants nowadays are providing vegan menus with fabulous choices. I personally don’t miss meat etc and feel that I’m making a small contribution to animals and the environment including my health.

November

This month we went to a stunning wedding in Cheshire. J the bride is the daughter of my best friend. I have known J since she was a small child and she’s grown into a beautiful woman & caring mother. We never expected to go to her wedding and we feel completely honoured to be invited. It was a stunning day and a wedding never to be forgot. J married the handsome R, her soulmate and I’m sure they will be happy forever. Congratulations to you both ❤️

December

Following a recent scan and some tests results, My Net Consultant telephones me and informs me that I’m about to embark on PRRT treatment in February 2020. I will blog about this separately.

Weekly Blog No 137 – 8 Paws

20/01/2019zebrakat 1 Comment

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 123 – Welcome Hamish

14/04/2018zebrakat 11 Comments

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

Weekly Blog No 110 – Lottie’s 7th Birthday

13/11/2017zebrakat 9 Comments

Another year has passed and I can’t believe it’s been 2 years since I left my homeland Canada. I’ve talked about things that I missed from Canada before but I know my human Mum’s heart is still in Canada. I know she’s missing her friends dearly.

I guess I am too, I miss my furry friends Oscar & Monty. My crush was Oscar, he was tall, dark and handsome, just like what most woman wish for in the male variety. Monty was pretty submissive in my company but could give a great chase for a big dog. Oscar on the other hand was not only handsome but he had adorable ears, I would like to jump up and bite them. It’s not like my furry friends can jump on a plane and come see me nor I to them. Never mind, I will continue to dream about Oscar chasing me through the snow or rolling around the floor with me. Ahhhhh that’s love.

Oscar

Monty

My update is a couple of months late this year and now I am 7 years old. I’ve been looking after my human mum, she’s not been so good this year. I’m keeping my eye on her and snuggling up with her as much as possible. I’ve started to paw her like a cat to sit on her legs etc, it works every time. Who would have of known, I could act like a cat.

I’ve had some dodgy haircuts this year too, why is it so hard to produce the same cute hair cut. I’ve looked like a floor rug, someone clearly likes scissors and a sheep after shearing. The last cut has made my legs look longer and my body even shorter but not for the better. Paws crossed for a nice cut in 2018.

Guess what, we have moved again, this is now a permanent address, I think my human parents have a gypsy streak in them. I don’t know if I was coming or going. Finally I think they have settled down and I don’t have to deal with the previous neighbours cat crossing my garden. My current neighbours cat has more sense and avoids my garden, he knows my boundary line. However I do have a small human next door shouting doggie doggie, no!!! my name is Lottie.

The new home is cute, I don’t need a map like my Canadian home. Furthermore I don’t get the warm air heating like my Canadian home, its a metal panel fixed to the wall, I think the humans call it a rad. I did like warm air flowing through my fur, it was just like a permanent blow dry

Some of the items in this home verses the Canadian home, say for instance the shower in the U.K. is a like size of a laundry chute. Ridddddiculous. The bathroom hand basin is so small, an ideal size for a cats lick but not a deep filled bubble bath lol. My human parents are changing all those items and making great moves on creating a beautiful home.

Ive been to my human dads workplace on a few occasions and again I’m flooded with kisses and cuddles. They all want to take me home but there’s no way I’m leaving my human parents oh no. My human parents mean the world to me, nevertheless my human dad is still the soft touch in regards treats, let’s just say he’s putty in my paws every time.

I actually go to a dog sitters home when my human mum has medical appointments in London. My dog sitter is lovely and her human daughters and I’m showered with love and affection. The only problem is I won’t eat as I’m pining for my human parents. I know they are coming back for me but my anxiety gets the better of me. If only I could drink wine like humans, they always seem to be more chilled after a couple of sips.

I had better sign off now as I have to snuggle my human mum before she has another op this month. She’s a real superstar, you wouldn’t get me going under the knife 4 times just picking and chopping organs for dandelions(tumours). Them doctors keep dissecting her like a science lab class rat or a frog nowadays. She’s has scars like a patchwork doll but so so brave. I hope they take good care of her otherwise I will have to start sharping up my gnashers, enough said. (Disclaimer: I don’t condone violence)

Until next time and love to you all

Lottie. X ❤️🐾🐾

#letstalkaboutnets

Weekly Blog No 102 – Local Dog Show

17/07/2017zebrakat 7 Comments

Yesterday we went to a local dog show with the hope that we could enter Lottie into some of the categories. Oh my, it was a dog fest with more cross breeds than pedigrees. Dont they say owners can look like their pets, maybe there is some truth in that saying.

We entered Lottie into 2 categories as the rain looked promising. 1. Prettiest Bitch and 2. Best Crossbreed. There was 5 rosettes to be won in each category. I actually did think Lottie would win one in the prettiest bitch category as everyone was saying how pretty she was. We had people stop us to stroke Lottie. Yet she didn’t win in either category. Never mind there is always next year.

The event was good fun and proves that people are very passionate about their pets. The grey sky never put a hindrance on the day and the show went on even when there was a sprinkle of rain. Enjoy looking at some of pets who attended the day. X

Weekly Blog No 86 – Happy 6th Birthday Lottie

10/09/2016zebrakat 7 Comments

Lottie’s annual message.

Wow it’s my 6th birthday. Let me tell you about my last year. I’ve been back in the UK for over 12 months now and I have adjusted very well. Can’t say I love the rain, I still prefer the snow. Who invented rain anyway and what is it’s purpose? I still don’t like my coat getting wet, I hate looking like a drenched rat and half my size. They should do dog umbrellas!!!

I attend doggy day care for socialising, whilst my human mum attends her hospital appointments. I have a few friends now at the kennels. One of them is Mitzi, she’s a chihuahua. I do a lot of chasing with her. Boy am I tired after, its like a months workout for humans.

I have developed an obsession for neighbours cat (Timmy) next door. Timmy likes to cross over my garden to get to his. He leaps over the fence and makes me jump out of my skin. I do see a cat at the local car wash but that cat doesn’t bother me, we just do a stare off. Timmy on the other hand insists on teasing me through the patio doors walking over my territory. Dam cat.

I love my groomer Sophie, she does a great job and makes me smell beautiful, however my dad has a habit of going too far with my haircuts. My human mum likes me looking adorably cute and my human dad gets carried away on the hair on my face being too short and trying to make me look like a Jack Russell.

It’s quiet funny hearing my human mum say after a haircut ” what have you done to my dog, poor Lottie”. However to me it means more fuss and I’m not going to say no, to more snuggles and cuddles.

As you know, UK drive thru’s are not much fun, like they were in Canada. Therefore my human dad does take me to the local bakery on Saturday and the women adore me. Therefore I go into my cuteness mode and walk out with a sausage every time. I do get heaps of cuddle & fuss.

I’m still all over my human mum, she’s my snuggle blanket, however my human dad is the Santa of treats. They do eat some exciting stuff, my nose is constantly being tormented by my human mums cooking. I do love chicken though and if I had springs on my paws, I would snatch the chicken away. Why does chicken taste so good.

That’s all for this year, maybe I will get some chicken as its my birthday.

Weekly Blog No 53 – Lottie’s 5th Birthday.

18/09/2015zebrakat 8 Comments

A message from Lottie

I would like to say a big thank you for my birthday wishes. I had a great birthday with lots of treats and cuddles. I thought I would give you all an update of the last 12 months. I am still very cute with big brown eyes, I haven’t grown in size nevertheless I’ve put on a little weight. This is very surprising as I’m no longer able to eat Tim Horton’s Timbits or Dairy Queen ice cream from Canada. There is hardly any drive thru’s in the UK, only McD’s and KFC both venues never succumb to my cuteness for a treat in Canada so I have no chance here in the UK. I do miss my bank visits to see K, she was extremely affectionate to me and plenty of belly rubs, incurring no extra bank charges. Oh I nearly forget the airport with my human dad, I felt like a movie star there as everyone wanted a photo of me or with me. If only I could have charged them for the privilege, I would have been able to purchase additional boxes of Timbits.

Back to my treats, I was very partial to Timbits, a small round donut, which I could easily fit into my mouth. I would peel the outer skin before attempting to eat the inside. I got this trick from my human mum, I would see her strip off the layers off biscuits or sweets etc as she ate them. I have found a perfect dog treat in the UK, it’s like a chicken drumstick chew. If my human parents fetch me one from the dog treat cupboard, I will give them a playful dance, a few cute circles, a sassy bark and a raised paw for extra measure. My human parents will always respond with rubbing of my soft coat.

As most of you know, I have left my native land of Canada and headed to the UK. I have to say I don’t miss looking over my shoulder for predators like coyotes. Here in the UK until this present day, I have merely had black ants to deal with climbing on my coat whilst basking in the sun. It’s funny to find something smaller than me and I can remove them by rolling on back and squashing them.

Let me tell you about my dog walks, they are so much more fun as I don’t have to have on my dog lead on when I’m in a human park, as there’s no such thing as dog parks or dog licences. I can run up to dogs, sniff, waggle my tail and play chase. As for humans they offer extra petting and comments like, she’s a cute puppy. Yes I know I am small and adorable but can’t they see that I’m fully grown. What do they say “all good things come in small packages”.

The British weather, I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of the wet stuff they called rain give me snow any day. I’m like any other lady who doesn’t like to get her hair wet especially when I’m out and about checking out handsome dogs. It flattens my hair and it’s not cool when I look like a drenched rat.

Family & friends come over to visit my human parents, I love humans coming because I get oodles of attention. Ranging from cuddles, rocking, belly rubs and even kisses. I will reiterate a kiss if my belly gets rubbed as I thrive on such attention. Even though I tend to follow my human mum around everywhere, my human dad is the soft touch in regards to treats. I simply have to rest my paws on his leg and give him my puppy eyes gaze and he just softens every time then leaps into action.

My human mum has a nickname for me is Velcro and I actually don’t know why. I think maybe she’s suggesting that I follow her everywhere and stick to her like glue. Maybe there is some truth that I do follow her everywhere but I love her and she is my best buddy. I do hate it when my human parents go out so in attempt to prevent that happening, I will shake and even vibrate. I have been known on occasions to even run and hide so they don’t leave me. In the end, what I thought was oscar winning dramatics doesn’t work nevertheless I do make them pay for it when they get home by jumping all over them until they pick me up and hug me.

My new home in the UK is smaller, not so many rooms and certainly less floors for my little legs. There is no hardwood flooring just a whole load more carpet, which is very cosy on my paws and a boundless back scratch. In the UK, there is a lot more animals on the huge picture box, you know the gadget what humans call a telly. I’m not a fan of them meerkats that are on before every episode of Coronation St, I’m likely to growl at them, freaky looking species with long tails and clothes. I would be far more entertaining walking on the cobbles and talking.

My priority now is to look after my human mum, giving her loads of attention and snuggling into her like a fluff ball as she calls me.

Bye for now and god save the Queen.

Weekly Blog No 16 – Lottie’s 4th Birthday

16/09/2014zebrakat 3 Comments

I thought it would be fitting to talk about my little dog this week as it was her 4th birthday yesterday.

Lottie is a Morkie, which is a maltese and yorkie cross breed nevertheless when you mixed these two cuties

You get this a bundle of fluff with big brown eyes just like this.

Lottie is currently 4.5lbs, with big brown eyes and only 7″ high off the ground. She has a diet of Royal Canin and treats. She’s hydro allergic dog, shreds no hair and is a very low maintenance. She loves cuddles and attention so she’s a true lap dog. I will show some photos from the last 4 years.