Spatchcock Duck

Well I was going to tell you how good Mortimer was with soft toys. His first one was given to him by my Father eight months ago and only recently has it suffered. Next was Big Ted, from the same source, who was given at Christmas. Two weeks ago I had to perform ear surgery but apart from that Big Ted is fine.

Mortimer & Big Ted

So this week Co-Owner decided that Mortimer needed a new toy. As we were in town we popped into a charity shop to choose a new soft toy, working on the principle that if it's suitable for a baby then it's fine for Mortimer. After searching through we found this rather perky duck.

Perky Duck

So after supper we gave Perky Duck to Morts who slunk out into the garden with it, ran round the table a few times and then settled down to get acquainted.

Making an escape attempt?

Cute

We went back indoors and left him to it. It went very quiet. I went back into the garden. And found a scene of utter devastation, if you're sqeamish then look away now.

No longer Perky

Sole webbed foot

Sadly Perky Duck now resembles a spatch cock chicken, so next time we'll need something made of sterner stuff.

Rabbits

Taunting from the drive

We now live in  an area with rabbits. Lots of rabbits. In the evening they sit on the drive taunting him as he runs between the office window and the sitting room window trying to get the best view.

I know they're out there!

Once we get to the orchard it's bunny mayhem. We can't let him off the lead as the majority of warrens are at the edges and there are a couple of access points to a fast road.

Start of the rabbit warrens

Some rabbits are obviously trying to make a bid from parental control and have started their own homes, like this one we found last night. Mortimer was keen to give them a helping hand in expanding the entrance. He didn't try and dig, just stuck his head in.

Any one home?

Meet Lovely Lola

We've met Lola a couple of times now and she is gorgeous! She's seven months old and is a Goldendoodle - Golden Retriever cross poodle. She is remarkably similar to Mortimer in her face - same nose & big brown eyes. She also has quite big paws so we don't think she will be far off him in size. And like Mortimer incredibly friendly & bouncy! We're hoping to bump into her a lot!

The lovely Lola

P.S. Note how she sits beautifully to have her photograph taken!

Unexpected Encounter

Mortimer usually only meets Zelda on a Sunday, which is her 'day off' as a guide dog. But there are roadworks on her daily walk which confuses her a little so this week she's been in the orchard, much to Mortimer's delight. The apples that are falling are larger now, conveniently tennis ball size, and here they are trying to get each others apple - I'm not sure who as it at this point!

Think Mortimer has it here

But Zelda is determined!

Red Cross Parcel

This morning the postman knocked and handed over a very neatly wrapped parcel. Not expecting anything I got quite excited until I saw that it was addressed to Mortimer. He had now joined me by the front door and was sniffing excitedly at the package, suspicions aroused I flipped it over and saw it came from my Father.  

Now my Father has a soft spot for Mortimer - see here and on opening the box I found this note:

Contents label

 

Underneath which were layers of biscuits. I had been telling my parents about Mortimer's fascination with the rabbits that come on to our front lawn each day, so along with the dog shaped biscuits we'd previously seen we had these:

Rabbit shaped biscuits

On this occasion my Mother had also got in on the act as the parcel also contained a door sign

New door sign

 

which I think means he is very sensitive! Ha! only when he wants food.

The building work mentioned is to do with renovating our new house. Mortimer's contribution so far is to sneak into the room we're working in and steal things. Favourite at the moment is pieces of plaster board. He denys it but, as you can see, the evidence is clear!

Evidence of errantness!