The good, the bad and the not tasty.

There are times in recent years one greedy cat who goes under the name of Frankie de tabby. Has been to known to eat onions, or at least he will if he can. I'm not sure if the above list applies to cats as well as dogs, but onions are definitely now off of Frankie de tabby's TO EAT menu, as well as other things on the list.

Frank has the attitude, that whatever your eating has to be fair game and he can eat it too. Especially if it's in striking distance of his paw.
As most Soggibottom visitors to the cottage know, Frank has a special claw for digging into an unsuspecting leg when your sitting at the dinning table. The brave tend to ignore him, the innocent gullible give in to the claw treatment and feed him under the table.
NOTE TO COTTAGE VISITORS.
No more onions and sneaky under the table feeding please guys. 
Unfortunately Frank is now too old to break the habit of a life time, if you have to feed him, healthy stuff only. 
He can eat, fish, chicken, steak, roast lamb/beef, the odd bit of bacon, spaghetti/pasta is also a favourite. No more sandwiches or cheese and crisp's. No more tasty sugar coated morsels of something nice. The odd runner bean is okay. He's also partial to peas and baked beans. Did I forget to mention normal cat food if there is nothing else around for him to scrounge on ?

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On a cliff top walk yesterday, we were unaware a certain Cavalier had been eating more grass than she should have.

She had been eating sand (unintentionally) while digging her famous beach holes.

We all know dogs and cats eat grass. In Freya's case it helped her to be sick and give back the sand.
As we put her in her own special car seat in the back of the car, it came as quite a surprise not only to clear up sand and grass that she had barfed up, but a snail too. A whole live snail.

Snails really aren't good eating for dogs or cats.
As ONE OF US cleaned up the car, in some ways it was good to see the snail appear, it also reminded us to watch more closely what our dog is eating, even grass can have hidden dangers. 

You never know who you might meet on a cliff top walk.

Apart from looking at stunning coastal South West views yesterday, we also met old friends from Surrey.

Graeme and Caroline knew we lived in the South West somewhere. Unknown to us, they had also moved and lived here for three years, only further along the coast. Good to see you and Alvin yesterday guys. What a coincidence meeting up on the cliff top.

As for Miss Mutt, she is fine, no lingering worry about her, she ate her dinner when we got home under the eye of Frankie de tabby.

You can find Freya over at CAT FLAP CAVALIER along with her friends.

Lung worm is a parasite carried by slugs and snails. Left untreated it is often fatal. 
Signs to look out for .... 
Coughing, reluctance to exercise, depression and weight loss, fits, vomiting, diarrhoea. 

Increased awareness means you can protect your pets, Freya and Frankie de tabby both have a WORMING TREATMENT and Flea Treatment every month given by a spot on product on the back of their neck. Freya and Frank don't have flea's, they are also protected from Lung worm. You never know, just because you think you are watching them every minute, there will always be one moment you aren't vigilant enough.

See you later, you never know, might meet you on the cliff top over looking the beautiful South Devon Coast line. X X X

Racing snails and puppy dogs tales.

I swear our little back garden has the fastest snails and slugs around. As soon as they are collected, twice or three times a day, (WITH GLOVES) they come back again. If there is anything such as a racing snake, the snails around here could beat it. 

We have frogs and newts in our little pond, but if they keep welching on the deal (they catch slugs and snails for their keep) they are out on their little webbed feet.

We know of others who wouldn't quack twice at the thought of snails and slugs.

It's growing time in the Soggibottom garden, slugs and snails beware. Another chance to go into competition with Caroline at Uniqart for the first to pick tomato's of 2014 off of their own plants. 
The tomato competition lasts longer than the actual growing season of tomato's in England. Comments such as "would you like to come and pick some of our tomato's" can go on all year between us, even in December.

I think I know who is ahead, but things can change as quick as English Summer weather.  

It was Freya's birthday a few days ago, our adorable little miss mutt is now three years old. 

We would have missed so many great, funny, laughing days if we had stuck to our "NEVER GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER DOG" comment three years ago. Can it be that long ?
Well, we know what we said, we also think everyone had bets on how long it would be before another four paws came into our lives.
Amie Soto Blossom was a hard act to follow. No one could replace her. 
Someone once asked me why I used Ames as a prop when doing a Soggibottom post. Amie was part of Soggibottom, she was our beloved dog and no prop. I think Ames would have loved her own blog. 
Freya isn't Amie's replacement, Freya has her own personality, just as it should be.
Although they do share one love that you can see over at Freya's blog
 CAT FLAP CAVALIER .

Karina we are happy to report is home from hospital, after her recent foot operation. 
We are the proud parents of a brave daughter. All your good wishes passed on, thanks guys. It's a help to know so many out there are thinking of Karina.  
It's also our granddaughter's birthday on Monday. Happy 14th Birthday Kiann. 
See you all soon XXX

SPRING and the Coveted Amie Soto Blossom Cup

Spring is underway around the cottage. Light levels are up, inside as well as outside.
No wonder Devon has a green flag, everything is so beautifully green at the moment. 

It's easier to spot Freya when she is out and about on her walks, which is a good thing. 

We live in a place where she mingles in with her surroundings most of the Winter.

Frankie de tabby is well, to answer all the questions we have from emails and his facebook page.
He is vocal at times when he gets caught napping in the spare bedroom but at 17 and a bit no one moans at him. He should hang a do not disturb sign on the door. If he could, he would.

Peace reigns at the cottage at the moment,  just the way we like it. Many thanks to Ray, Jane and George for their company at the cottage last weekend. Flowers are so beautiful and lasting as you see.

We did have one upset a few days ago. Someone, SHE WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS, dropped Freya's night time water cup.

Freya wasn't pleased, but she is understanding.

Time spent looking at the back of a cupboard and BINGO... Amie Soto Blossom's night time water cup. How could it have been forgotten about and at the back of the cupboard ?

Freya was awarded the honor of the Coveted Amie Soto Blossom Cup. You can tell how excited Freya was, she went straight to sleep at bedtime. Ames would have approved.

There are times when you have to let go of silly things like cups.
But this isn't just any old cup. This is Amie's cup.
Freya Rose Blossom has been awarded The Amie Soto Blossom Cup. Places where paws have gone before are hard to fill. Freya can never fill the space because all dogs are different, but Freya is different and just the way it should be. Cup is your Freya. 

More thank you's, a big thank you to Wendy.
I have such talented friends. Wendy took up the craft of weaving. She kept blogging about her trials and errors... thinking about it, well, I haven't got the patience to do it. I looked on and have to admit, thinking, oh, I would love to be able to do that.
I want to be able to do that.. nope, too impatient. I could never do it.

Then one day coming back from a Freya Rose Blossom beach walk. The postman called, Wendy had sent me one of her creations. I have such good talented friends, how lucky am I ?

Thanks, Wendy............... I know this a late post, but I also known I am forgiven.
Wendy can be found JUST HERE........ WENDY
Wendy also loves her garden.

Freya Rose Blossom, the cat flap cavalier can be found HERE.. over on her own blog.  She is a one off, just like her predecessor. We wouldn't have it any other way.

I know you all remember Scarlett from a few posts ago. 
Scarlett is in hospital and having surgery this week, lots of love from Soggibottom Scarlett.
Our good thoughts are with you, as are all our Soggibottom readers.
Karina is also having surgery during the week. We know such special people. 
Lots of love girls....

See you all soon guys, Freya and I will be out and about visiting you all. :-) x x x