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It’s always a pleasure to look after our neighbours’ cats when they’re away on holiday and I can never resist the opportunity for a quick photo session with Sookie and Cwtch at the same time. Sookie is a very nervous soul, but she’s got used to me over the years and now has no shame in sprawling around, showing me her tummy! In contrast, Cwtch is more confident, but a little more aloof when it comes to time in front of the camera…
Photos taken 29 July 2024
On my way home from Somerset in May I took a short detour to visit my friends Sarah and Mark. It’s eleven years since I last saw them at home and last time I visited their Labrador, Cookie, was just a puppy (I’ve included a picture from 2013 below). Today she’s looking rather greyer (aren’t we all?!) but she was pleased to see me, presenting me with a long stalk of grass as I got out of my car! Naturally, I took some photos and I think the one below, with her toy rat, is my favourite.
Photos taken 26 May 2024
I may not have had much free time during my recent visit to Wales, but I did manage to sneak in a walk before breakfast each day. The fields around Llanerchindda Farm were filled with sheep and lambs, so I couldn’t resist catching a few of them on camera.
The early morning light was glorious and even the most insignificant details take on a beauty of their own - like this small fern growing out of the top of a fence post.
Of course, there’s always time to catch a photo of Jasper, the resident canine too, complete with his own Andy Warhol-esque painting the background!
Photos taken 15 & 16 May 2024
Lucy loves this time of year, as the weather improves and creates pools of warm sunshine around the garden. Today she did a spot of big game hunting, catching a fully cooked chicken drumstick - heaven knows where from! After that it was time to relax on the patio, soaking up some of the sun’s rays.
We always leave one tomato pot free for Lucy - apparently on a warm day it’s the perfect spot to relax!
All in all, today was an excellent chance for some quality catting!
Photos taken 30 March 2024
It’s taken a while to build up a sense of trust with our neighbours’ cats, but after feeding them on numerous occasions while their humans have been on holiday they’re pretty relaxed about me and my camera now. These were taken on morning when I popped in to top up their food and water, but Sookie and Cwtch definitely seemed more focused on relaxing than eating!
Photos taken 18 February 2024
I always enjoy photographing animals I meet on my travels and I recently had the pleasure of getting to know this little cutie. She’s called Dilly and she came along to the recorder I was teaching at in Wales with her owners.
On the final evening she’d lost some of her perpetual bounce (lots of walks in the Welsh countryside) and had settled beside the sofa while her owners, Sally and Stephen, enjoyed a quiet drink and conversation. This was too good an opportunity to miss so I grabbed my camera and laid down on the floor nearby to take a few photos of Dilly.
Photos taken 10 May 2023
My stroll through London on Thursday took me past Southwark Cathedral and it would have been rude of me not to pop and say hello to Hodge, the Cathedral cat. Named after Samuel Johnson’s cat, Hodge has now been in residence for over two years and he’s thoroughly settled in.
Last time we met he was lounging around in the nave, but today Hodge was supervising in the Cathedral shop, although quite how anyone was supposed to use the computer was a mystery as he was sitting on the keyboard!
After a quick stroll around the Cathedral I discovered Hodge sitting outside the vestry door, hoping to be let in. We had a brief chat (you can see him meowing in this photo!) and I knocked on the door to see if anyone was home. Sadly there was no reply, but the steward at the Cathedral entrance assured me it wouldn’t be long before he was let in!
Photos taken 12 January 2023
Over the summer we looked after Sookie and Cwtch, the two cats who live next door to us, for a few days and I finally made a break through in making friends with Sookie. Previously she’d been very wary, but she soon warmed to me when she realised I was her only source of food for the week! Over the last few days we’ve been feeding them again and naturally I took a few photos!
Initially Sookie was undecided as to whether she still liked me, but once she remembered what good cheek rubs I give she was my best friend again! That didn’t stop her hiding beneath the bed on occasions, but at least we weren’t back to square one…
In complete contrast, Cwtch was always happy to come and say hello and she patiently posed for me after she’d had some grub.
Photos taken 1 January 2023
As we watched TV a few evenings ago Lucy sauntered in to check up on us. I happened to have my camera handy so it seemed rude not to take a photo or two as she looked at me so intently.
Photos taken 31 December 2022
We’ve often looked after our neighbours cats, Cwtch and Sookie, while their humans have been on holiday and it’s always a pleasure. Cwtch is always confident and friendly towards us, but Sookie is a much more reserved character, often apparently afraid of her own shadow!
A big stretch from Cwtch
This summer they’ve both spent more time in their front garden, mostly keeping clear of their canine siblings, so I’ve taken this opportunity to gain Sookie’s trust a little more. Often you’ll find me on my hands and knees, giving her a cheek rub as if I stand up she’ll run a mile! One week over the summer though we spent several days feeding the two of them as this proved a real turning point. Realising I was a purveyor of both cheek rubs and food, Sookie became a total convert and she even relaxed enough for me to take some photos one morning.
I’ve never seen Sookie this relaxed before!
Photos taken August 2022
