Welcome to the new member of our family, Freyja the Cavapoo.
She is an adorable little thing, and will be running her own blog of adventures and cake once she can.
Until then, enjoy these piccies.
Freyja the fluffy
Category: treats
Spook
Way back in 2006 a little kitty came into our lives.
I had been looking for a black cat and someone from Castleford that I knew, said she had one black kitten left. We arranged to meet, I did think it odd that it had to be at a service station, but gave the benefit of the doubt and went anyway.
They turned up and had this massive cardboard box, with a little palm size kitten, not black and no blanket or anything. I made the decision that kitten was coming with us anyways.
When we got Spook back home, we noticed she was absolutely riddled with fleas, but because of her size coupled with the fact we were pretty sure she was younger than what they said she was, we weren’t able to give her anything for the fleas. There was nothing for it, we had to bathe her. I counted my fingers before and after each session, it was tough but worth it, we won!!
We also had a border collie called Bonnie, and Spook got along with her straight away, they played together and lay together. Bonnie hardly ever stayed still, she was an endless ball of energy. Then in 2008 we inherited another kitten when Macy Grey entered our lives. I met her at my cousins house and we immediately bonded, so a couple of weeks later when my cousin said her toddler kept trying to eat the cat litter, and would we have Macy, it was a no brainer. Spook and Macy got along fine, they slept together and again played together.
Both of the girls were indoor cats as where we lived in Coundon someone was killing peoples pets, I wasn’t even going to entertain the chance of losing them. We lived there for a few years before moving to Ferryhill and sadly moved onto a really busy main road, again too risky. They’ve always been indoor girls and have had a very fulfilled life.
Spook was an odd cat in the respect she wasnt keen on being cuddled, petted or stroked, she would growl at you and bite if you weren’t quick to move. She would also hide behind the wall and get your ankles 😂
In 2010 we moved down to Norfolk and I was finally able to get Spook spayed (my ex wouldn’t let me), she became a totally different cat almost overnight, it was amazing. Cuddles, strokes, sleeping on knees, playing, lots of kisses and purring followed, she became my little shadow and best friend. I had a relationship with her that I never thought I would be able to.
When we moved to Norfolk, my other half had a 2 year old cavalier king charles called Maisie and both her and Spook became best friends. They were pretty much inseparable, if Spook came out in the garden on her special harness, Maisie would be by her side making sure she was ok, and when pooch was asleep, Spook constantly checked on her to make sure she was ok (if she wasn’t jumping on her from height lol), it was a lovely friendship. Macy on the other hand didnt like dogs, but she tolerated them.
From being the runt of the litter, being the tiniest scrap of a kitten, Spook became the biggest personality and most affectionate and loving little cat, she never became a big cat, was always a skinny little thing, but she made up for it in cattitude! I used to call her my mini maine coone.
When we lost Maisie in September, Spook was a little lost and confused for a while, she couldn’t understand where her bestie had gone, and we had no way to explain to her. It was so hard to watch, she became very clingy with me, I just gave her lots of love as usual.
Through working from home Spook kept us chuckling, she either insisted on being almost glued to my leg or stealing pencils, as well as being on Microsoft Teams chats, so I am glad that we got to spend all that extra time with both her and Maisie.
Until fairly recently, Spook was a fussy eater, but over the last couple of months she would eat anything! We had a takeaway one night, and every night afterwards she would wait next to the lobby door, for the “food man” to bring dinner, she made us laugh so much.
Whenever I had a bath, both Spook and Macy liked to come and sit in the bathroom with me, they were both a little obsessed with water. This one day Macy had her back paws on the loo lid and her front paws on the edge of the bath, looking at the bubbles. Spook pushed her in!! Talk about a sense of humour!!
Also, a couple of weeks before we lost her, we had a kebab and Spook decided she wanted kebab so had a fist / paw fight with Lou for hers, I was a supportive wife, I laughed!
It was really difficult losing her, it came so suddenly. I noticed she had lost some weight, not that she had a lot on her, but it was noticeable, so we booked a vet check up. I warned Adam the vet (he hadn’t met her before) that she thought she was a dog not a cat, he laughed and didn’t take me seriously! He checked her over and took bloods for testing overnight, but when he was examining her she spent the whole time growling at him. I did warn him! She never really learnt how to cat! She never miaowed and often growled if she didn’t like something lol.
The tests came back as Spook having hyperthyroidism which is treatable by medication, so we decided on this route and were due to collect the tablets on thur 25th March however on the evening of the 24th Spook seemed to be a touch breathless, so we kept an eye on it, she had been playing “kill the tennis ball”. The next morning she was lying on her bed and was gasping for her breath, she hadn’t exerted herself or anything, so we got an emergency appointment. We had to make one of the hardest decisions ever, and I miss her so much but I have some fantastic memories. I would like to thank all the staff at Taverham Vets, they have been amazing.
Here are some of my favourite pics of Spook. I love you my little munchkin, I hope you and Maisie are creating mischief wherever you are. Love Mam x
Few pics from 2020
Bye 2020 ya fecker!
As I write, I am lying on my sofa, with a cat lying across me, watching Lewis. It’s another connection with my homeland, love the soft accent of Kevin Whately (think I’ve spelt it right?).
2020 was an interesting year for many, had its highs and lows. January began with lots of hospital appointments and prodding and poking, any dignity left behind. However, it made me face my uncomfortable dislike of all things womanly, i feel quite proud of myself now 😂. I had my operation booked, then cancelled, then booked, then cancelled, then booked and cancelled. Then whilst in the middle of the last physical team meeting, I got a phone call and the operation was in two days! I had to go into the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital early on the Friday 14th.
I had my op at around 12 and then vanished! My wife couldn’t find me, she was told I was still being sliced and diced 4 hours later, when really the op should have taken around 90 minutes, so as you can imagine, was quite worried. When I was eventually found worry over.
My hysterectomy was a success, everything taken, along with any cancer lurking in there, am free of it, so that was an amazing thing that happened!
The rest of January and February brought rest and recuperation, and visits from lots of friends, was really lovely. Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling! Plus pressies, all totally unexpected.
When I came out of my recovery, we then went straight into covid lockdown 😂😂 you couldn’t make it up.
I know I’ve said the above before, but this time, although 2020 has been shit in the fact I lost my Uncle Brian, Elvis our guinea pig and Maisie our cavalier, I am cancer free, relatively healthy, still have a job I love, and watching Lewis! Life could be worse!
There have been quite a few positive things happen in 2020. I became cancer free very quickly, found and gone within 3 months, all because of a switched on GP. I’ve had good feedback from work clients, so I must be doing my job well.
I’ve done two charity walks (with my wife)
1: 62 miles for Refuge. Which we did by utilising Blickling Estate and walking different routes there that we hadn’t done, enjoying the autumn colours. We managed to raise £250 to help domestic violence sufferers during covid.
2: Walking Home For Christmas – Walking With The Wounded. We walked 43 miles and raised £300 for the mental health of veterans.
I would also like to say a massive thank you to author L. J. Ross who very kindly donated to my cause. Her books are phenomenal and all based in the north east, have a look here DCI Ryan books
Well worth reading! I couldn’t put them down!
I feel very proud of what we raised and walked, it helped give us a focus after losing Maisie, and made us get out of the flat. The Christmas lights around Thorpe Marriott were lovely.
I also got diagnosed with arthritis in my knees, and it is really painful in this cold weather, but I don’t intend to stop life. Infact I have just used some of my Christmas money to sign up to a virtual walking challenge, Scotland Coast to Coast 133 miles with Race The World. Once completed I get a lovely medal with hairy cows on it 🏅🙏💜 am looking forward to achieving that medal!
I intend in the new year to look after myself a lot better, and become a better person all round and concentrate on my spirituality more in 2021, its what my Aunty Jean would tell me to do.
Another thing I would like to do in the next two years is to go to Malham for a walk, visit Malham Tarn. Am not really into fell hiking or mountain climbing, but the photos and videos I have seen of Malham in Yorkshire are stunning. I love Yorkshire anyway, its the next county down from my home county of Durham.
Another good thing from 2020 is the very handsome Sariask the Sri Lankan Leopard Cub at Banham Zoo. He has had a tough year, his twin brother passed away and his Mam Sariska passed away, but he is doing amazingly so her genes will carry on in the future.
Covid has destroyed so many lives and families in 2020 and late 2019, and had put the world under terrific stress. Our key workers – NHS, carers, all retail, council workers, mental health workers, emergency workers, frontline workers, pharmacists, hospitality, transport (bus, taxi) and many many more all stepped up and fought to keep the country going and saving lives within their own field.
There are a lot of petitions out there asking for a pay rise for the NHS, and yes the nurses and hospital staff had the frontline covered, but there are so many people behind that held it together. Councils kept things running like housing, like repairs, like bins etc, too many to list. Mental health workers supported the frontline workers with their mental health. Carers kept homes working, and those in their own home that needed caring for. Retail workers and hospitality workers kept the country going in their way too, plus much much more, but these workers arent paid by the NHS so although they have worked throughout supporting everyone, they wont benefit.
We also had a bit of fun with Elf on the shelf and Kevin The Carrot 😂
One massive thing that happened during the first lockdown, I got into gardening. I have never really liked gardening, I think its because I am always in pain when gardening. However, we grew flowers and veggies from seed. We made and grew flowers and herbs in two rockeries, one in the back garden and one out the front. 🙏
Spook and Macy our two cats were chosen to be Felix Treat testers, and they loved it 😍 was good fun, Spook learnt to give paw and sit, not bad for a 14 year old cat!
Unfortunately it won’t let me load many photos, so will do them separately.
I hope 2021 gives you everything your heart desires.
Peace & Love 🙏💜
Official Felix Treat Testers
Spook and Macy have both been selected to test a whole selection of Felix treats. #felixtreats_insiders #insiders_uk
They are loving it!
Here are some pics and video 😁
Wild Sue's Wilderness 