Keeping watch
Gilbert often sits at the open patio door, gazing into the garden, sniffing the air, watching the birds. Note how his ears are pinned back, listening for any sounds of food preparation.
Jellicoe loves Gilbert and joins him at every opportunity. Together they are guarding the house and the humans against all comers.
Earlier, they were watching the big television screen, our window on the world, which acts like a moving panorama. It may show a canal journey, a drone view of Switzerland, Japanese rail travel, a myriad other things, or, as at present, nothing at all.
Onto the screen, courtesy of Steve Reed, came a jaunty young fox, to which Gilbert took great and noisy exception. He is not prone to barking, but something about a fox where it should not be really set his hackles up and raised his voice to full volume.
As he yelled at the television, so Roxy leapt from her bed and joined her voice to his. She had no idea why she was barking and was looking into the garden, hoping for a glimpse of whatever had upset her big friend. Herschel and Jellicoe ignored the hullabaloo, as cats are wont to do.
Eventually, with a mixture of admonishments and praise – ‘Stop it, that’s enough,’ and ‘Well done, good dogs,’ – peace was restored, and all the four legged animals resumed their slumbers.
In other news, we have succumbed to the chill and lit our first fire of the autumn. Herschel assumed his customary position, with his back to the warmth. The seasonal task of checking levels in the coal bunker will recommence soon.
Watching a fire is about the most mesmerizing activity there is. I love the picture of Gilbert and Jellicoe. Such good pals.
ReplyDeleteHours can pass in peaceful contemplation of the flames.
DeleteFrame that picture of Gilbert and Jellicoe. Precious! I have a similar one with my dog and cat looking out the window as a rare snow fell from the sky - something that’re not used to seeing. We had a fire outside last weekend in the redwoods. It was so nice and relaxing after a bustling day.
ReplyDeleteWoodsmoke in the air is tantalising.
DeleteI love all your dogs and cats. It's been years since I had a real fire, these days I have air conditioning and an electric heater.
ReplyDeleteWe each do what we can to be comfortable.
DeleteFriend or foe, they need to know who goes there.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they'd do anything to a foe - I don't want to find out!
DeleteThat's a lovely picture of Gilbert and Jellicoe.
ReplyDeleteIt's sweet, isn't it?
DeleteOMG! That is just the cutest photo. I need to show this to my friend.
ReplyDeleteI swear we have more photographs of our animals through the years than we have of human beings!
DeleteLovely photo, I miss Purdy who would sit for hours looking out into the garden her world, ready to move if interlopers dare show themselves. No heating on here yet, but it is getter cooler, it will be time soon the flick the switch.
ReplyDeleteWell done you for holding out. We were going to wait, but it was so gloomy that we thought a fire would cheer us up - and it did!
DeleteI did not think of SMA until I read your comment. it fits perfectly with that wonderful fire. the guards at the door, had a smile so big it hurt my face when it popped up. I just sat and enjoyed a staring moment at them staring. I have seen our dogs do this but not with a cat next to them.
ReplyDeleteBaby Girl used to do this when we talked to her, she would turn her back to us and put her ears back so she could listen to me asking her to let me take her photo.. lovely post and makes me happy
Pets are the most wonderful, undemanding companions (until they're hungry!)
DeleteI would have started out being entertained by the television program. But then I would quickly find that the most entertainment came from the live animals in the room. Our temperatures went up this past week but they're going to go back to normal fall cool down this week. We have no lovely fire like you just a dependable furnace.
ReplyDeleteOur animals are more entertaining than most television, it's true. I hope it doesn't get too cool for you - I mean, I know it will eventually, but please, not just yet.
DeleteAnyway, if Gilbert had toppled the TV when Steve Reed's fox video came on you could have sued said gentleman. I do remember that once when our dearly departed cat noticed birds on the television, he attacked it, briefly maddened by the realisation that he couldn't get his teeth into one of those feathered blighters.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Gilbert try to topple the television, as it's affixed to the wall and he'd need a ladder! There's some not very subtle campaigning going on for an even larger screen. I'm resisting.
DeleteLove the picture of the two sitting there watching together. Gibbs always barks at doorbells on the tv but a barking dog or other things that I think he would react to he simply ignores.
ReplyDeleteGilbert has never really bothered with the television before, so it was quite a surprise. He's a quiet dog and doesn't often bark.
DeleteThat is such a fun story! When my daughter got her first husky, Shasta, she wasn't a great howler (as huskies tend to be) but when an ambulance or fire engine would pass by she would tilt her head back and howl to the world. The first time she did it we were quite shocked lol.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear dogs howling. It's other-worldly.
DeleteYou have pet warmth and fireplace warmth.
ReplyDelete😊😁
DeleteI have 'real fire' envy big time.
ReplyDeleteIt is very nice, but I'd really like an open fire . . . (never satisfied!)
DeleteNice photo of the house guards surveying the yard!
ReplyDeleteThey look efficient . . .
DeleteHa! Well, I'm sorry our fox(es) kicked off an uproar in your house! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of the guard animals side-by-side.
It was funny because it was so unexpected.
Deletecute photo
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteOh, I love that picture of Gilbert and Jellicoe! It is so expressive of their love, I think, and the love of an animal is a precious thing indeed.
ReplyDeleteThey don't need words . . .
DeleteYour last remark about Sadrach, Mesach and Abednego made me smile - it's been many years since I last read those names!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I succumbed to the chill and cranked the heating up before the end of the month, when I was hoping to be able to hold out until September is over.
There is a limit to how many layers one can wear indoors and still be able to move.
DeleteI'm loving that picture of faithful guardians Jellicoe and Gilbert. I wonder what would happen if Gilbert came face to face with a real life fox ... xxx
ReplyDeleteOn neutral territory he would probably sniff it, I think.
DeleteThat is such a wonderful photo! It just sums up companionship, doesn’t it? 😁
ReplyDeleteIt does, indeed.
DeleteI love the picture of Jellicoe and Gilbert sitting side by each.
ReplyDeleteThey spend a lot of time together, and if it's not Jellicoe with Gilbert, it's Herschel.
DeleteWhat a sweet picture.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteGood guards! Adorable photo of them and what a lovely cozy photo of your fire. I enjoyed this chapter from your everyday goings on. We are still experiencing warm days (rain today). I love to see a fire lit but we have a little while longer to wait.
ReplyDeleteWe had hoped to wait, but I fear fires are in our future for a few months now.
DeleteThat photograph of Gilbert and Jellicoe is adorable ... they are such good pals.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to hold out until the 1st October before I put the heating on!
Will I do it? I'm not sure!
Enjoy your weekend.
All the best Jan
It's not just the cold, it's the gloom that needs to be dispelled.
DeleteGoegeous photo of the two of them. Foxes used to come indoors at our Havant house (unbidden) cheeky things. Mr T used to chase them out (or I would). I've seen foxes and dogs treat each other with wide-bypass respect when meeting in open space.
ReplyDeleteGoodness. That's something I always thought I would encourage, but maybe not - they're not house-trained, for one thing.
DeleteThat picture is a lesson too.
ReplyDeleteIt shows that we can all get along together, if we care to.
ReplyDelete