Another cute pup - Tauranga, Oct 2022

 

Digby, 4mth Parsons Russell Terrier

We seem to have had a string of puppies in a row, which we don't mind at all, so it was a pleasure to be left in charge of this wee cutie.  Digby came full of character, as terriers often do and kept us entertained and exercised for the full we we were with him.

This was the usual state of play .....

And this was after a hard day beating the feet around the streets, on the beach and on the golf course.

Cats, Spice and Honey were also in residence, although they were always keen to give you-know-who a wide berth and the house had been set up to allow for this.

We had fun taking Digby to the beach fishing and metal detecting.  He was especially good at digging for treasure!

Digby had some really awesome training strategies in place.  He had been trained to go toilet on command which was very cool, and made life so much easier.  He also had this really cool toy which kept his mischievous mind engaged.

He could be very sweet and loving ....

And then bite the hand (ear of the person) that feeds him mwahahahaha

We did enjoy our time with this wee munchkin.

New Zealand Return - Sep 2022

Motuhora

Arriving back in NZ we were relieved to check into an airport hotel at midnight.  After a great night's sleep we got on a train to head to the Waikato to pick up our van.  Straight through to Whakatane where we were able to catch a few nights R&R/jetlag recovery before getting started on our first housesit just out of town.

We were to be looking after Huntaway, Joey; liver and white English Pointer, Bella; and baby brother, five month old English Pointer, Glitch.

Plus there feline brother and boss, Tux.

Joey is a retired farm dog and they live just down the road from the farm he and his Dad used to work on so we were lucky enough to have access to the farm for running the pups.  Glitch, in particular, gets to thrash out all his energy around the paddocks.

Glitch has to go on his lead past the cows, who
are very, very nosy!

Glitch, being the young boy that he is, sometimes had trouble containing himself, even after the a couple of walks a day, leaving now and again with some mending to do!!!

Who knew that hand sewing was a
special skill required by pet sitters!!

A lifeguard rescue mission was required for these wee munchkins from the swimming pool to reunite them with mother duck.

We were able to dodge the raindrops now and again to enjoy some time soaking up the few bits of vitamin D floating around the place.

Even Tux enjoyed the early spring sunshine when he could find it!

James had some jobs to do on the van, ably assisted by his apprentices ......

And Tux was all good for helping out in the kitchen.

And with the knitting1

Very sadly during this time, Clare's darling Dad passed away in his 90th year.  Whilst he died unexpectedly, he had lived a wonderfully happy life.  It was a sad occasion for the family to gather, but a special time non-the-less.

Sunny Sufflolk

Leiston Chapel ... that was!

 We headed back to Suffolk by way of a couple of nights at the farm in Cumbria

Sitting down at the beck with Poppy

And a spot of lunch with some lovely people we sat for last time we were here in Lower Dunsforth.  It was great to catch up and compare notes about how life has changed post Covid.

Next we were expected at a sit in Melton, near Aldeburgh.  We would be hanging out with a gem of a 6mth old lurcher pup, one of our favourite breeds!

Butter wouldn't melt! Ha!

Tess is a first dog for this family of three young boys and their parents.  She was such a delightful wee character and we quickly bonded with her.

There was still something of a heat wave going on in this part of the country so we walked her early in the mornings and later in the evenings.  

In between times we just hung out enjoying each others company.

This was a large one acre property which gave plenty of space for either chasing balls or posing for photos.

Waiting for breakfast

Best friends forever

We had family come for lunch and friends call in for a cuppa.  A few workmen called in for some pre-arranged odd jobs and James managed a spot of fishing in the river.  There were always plenty of people and other dogs on the riverbank to keep our pup totally enthralled.  She is a very sociable young lady.

Next we moved about 20mins up the road to a regular sit of ours in Leiston.  Here, we were to hang out with Gail and her chicken friends.

Leona hatching an escape plan!

Gail saying it's time for a walk

Gail loves her walks, whether at the beach or through the fields and we were more than happy to oblige twice a day.

Leiston Chapel, on the way to Minsmere

Looking for seagulls to chase

A happy girl!

We always enjoy fishing around here and this time was no exception.  

Thorpness

Sea bass and Dover sole

Nothing quite like fresh fish for dinner!!!

We also picked some early blackberries from the hedgerows and made yummy banana and blackberry loaf and blackberry crumble.

Back to James' parents in Bury St Edmunds to prepare for our flights to New Zealand.  It has been a whirlwind visit with a few lovely sits sprinkled in, friends and family to catch up with and were off again .......