- Starting the working day with a warm dog sat on my feet. Fucking A. #
- Lily's just discovered that sometimes cars, vans & people – people WITH DOGS!!! – go by the front of the house. How exciting! #
- @tim_waters isn't it just! washing out on the line, dog tired after sunshine-soaked walks in the woods, and the mini-eggs circulating, ace! in reply to tim_waters #
- Is dog-elbow –like tennis elbow but caused by a pulling-on-lead dog– a real medical condition? Because I think I have it. #
- Also got a knackered ankle – not used to so much exercise! #
- So I wasn't audio-hallucinating mews & bell tinkles – one of the neighbours' cats got trapped in our house overnight, only just emerged. #
- @strowger78 huge white & black very fluffy boy cat from next door but one. called daisy despite having a penis. he's a scaredy but likes me. in reply to strowger78 #
- I'm giving away some awesome lady things on Recycle This (@recycle_this) this week – such fun! have to do more giveaways in the future :) #
- @Doziej I'm sorry for your loss & I hope Murphy is as lovely as Lily is – although at 9, she's exhausting me, I can't imagine a 3yr old! :) in reply to Doziej #
- The dog is actually inspiring us to keep the house tidier. Getting up earlier, exercising more, tidier house – very un-Peachlike! #
- does anyone know of a train booking company where I can speak to actual people who will actually help me? trainline & nationalrail = failure #
- OH: "your nipples are all random" #
- Trying to work out whether I'm feeling blue or just tired. #
- First dog/bath interaction was largely a success. She was a little scared in the bath but the bone afterwards more than made up for it. #
- @sarahjarvis and the lovely deep pile carpet for the dog to dry herself on afterwards. our bathroom is so practical! in reply to sarahjarvis #
- @strowger78 plus, it's orangey-red — the same colour as cat-biscuit sick, so that vomit would be camouflaged until stepped in. Perfecto! in reply to strowger78 #
- One week into being a cat-and-dog household, the animals spent the night sleeping six inches apart on the bed. They're ace. :D #
MonthMarch 2010
1. Since she came to live with us a week ago, Lily has fought a constant battle against sleep during the day – she’s exhausted but there is a slim possibility that something exciting might happen (and everything we do is exciting at this stage) so she wants to keep watching us just in case. Slowly though, her eyes give in and the muscles around her eyes twitch as they relax. It reminds me of the time I watched my lovely boy Carbon fall fast asleep.
2. I think about lighting the stove to recreate the loveliness that was last Sunday afternoon but instead, we head out inside. After a morning of sunshine, the metal of the balcony is warm underfoot. I eat my lunch while the cats and dog sunbathe around me.
3. The cheese – a mature but creamy cheddar – is perfect on the jacket potato. The Tommy flakes* in the tuna are a hit too.
* A selection of spices supplied in a ready-to-use grinder by our friend Tom. The plan is that from his base selection, we’ll involve our own mix then pass some back to him, and so on – the spice mix evolving as our tastes change over time. Our current Tommy flakes mix is garlicky and salty, but with a spicy kick too.
1. It’s too early and I’m drowsy but still awake enough to notice that the dog and cats are sleeping six inches apart.
2. The dusting of sugar instantly melts on the hot flat surface. The third pancake though is best: not only is it dripping with honey but it can be eaten sitting down.
3. Horsforth Park is busy: the grass stretching out into the distance, filled with dogs, joggers and children all enjoying the sun and the green space. The girls walk side by side, both heeling to David’s new doggie authoritah.
4. The room is full in the afternoon: the boys hypnotised by the baby, the girls focused on the dog. Neither subject objects to the attention.
1. The rhythm of our life has changed – we’re getting up earlier, going to bed earlier and exercising far more – and it’s got its own percussive beat too: the thump thump thump of Lily’s happy tail banging against everything.
2. Carla knows the dog is there – she’s seen her, she’s definitely seen her – but the strip of sun across the living room floor is too inviting. She stretches out and rolls around, her belly warm and red in the light. I can hear her purring across the room.
3. The relief when I see my keys locked in the porch – much better there than lost on our walk.
1. She wakes up at dawn but is coaxed back to the sofa for another couple of hours sleep. When my alarm goes off at 8:30 (her old feeding time in the shelter), she’s still sleepy and we cuddle instead. I explain to her that this is how the Peach household works: we always start the day with hugs.
2. By early afternoon, the cats still aren’t sure of her but seem to have decided she’s not a threat. They keep watching but not obsessively so and blinking all the while.
3. I spend the afternoon stretched out on the floor in front of the stove, listening to Joanna Newsome. The dog and cats take it in turns to lie across the newspaper and when they do, I stare out of the window at the bare branches silhouetted against the brilliant blue sky.
4. She takes the blue rubber bone from me and carries it to her bed. She puts it down matter-of-factly at one end and looks at me with disdain: “the blue bone is clearly for later, mum, clearly”.
5. Tom arrives at bedtime and as I lead him through the porch, I explain that Lily can be nervous around new people so let her come to him rather than crowding her. Or rather I start to explain because before I can finish, she’s launched herself at him, tail wagging, the happiest, most welcoming dog in the world.
- Accidentally dipped my scarf in my tea. The perils of life in a cold office. #
- We lost our beloved cat Carbon very suddenly yesterday. Heartbreaking. http://bit.ly/carboncat :( #
- In loving memory of her keyboard stomping brother Carbon, Carla just marked 130 unread items as read Thanks Carla. Tharla. #
- @thattommyhall whoop whoop! we shall have to come to see it soon! in reply to thattommyhall #
- @davidsmalley #euphemism or #notaeuphemism? in reply to davidsmalley #
- Walked down to Idle to see my favourite mum-and-baby pair. Well, mum-and-little-gnome pair. #
- The @brightbox office is snug today. #
- White text on a cream background. Yes, that's a great colour decision, forum designer. Just fantastic. #
- Despite the absolute awfulness of Carbon being put to sleep on Monday, this week has actually been alright. Exciting stuff afoot tomorrow! #
- Just learnt that on the table, out of the way, is not out of the way enough for a little baggy of catnip. Bits everywhere, cat stoned of … #
- Might just have adopted the best dog ever. EVER. Photos soon. :) #
- Twitter – please meet Lithium 'Lily' Peach, our new springer spaniel http://bit.ly/lily-peach #
- The cats have decided being near the stove is worth braving the room with the sleeping dog in it. Good progress :) #
- Lily answered the question "can she fit through the cat flap?": yes, but not easily. And that was after a 30 minute walk. #
- @davidsmalley we'd have been up for it but it's been a tiring morning for team peach! in reply to davidsmalley #
- Ended up sleeping on the sofa with lily, she slept well once i was with her. Told her that in the peach household we start the day with hugs #
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