Rocy the Otterhound: 16th Sep 2007

Rocky remains confused over the cat, Biskitt. She was brought up with a dog and they got on famously, however we have been without a dog for a few years so she worked hard and successfully at becoming queen of all she surveyed.


Then one day in walked this messy creature with no manners who although friendly enough, seemed to be staying instead of visiting.


Rocky has his own very comfy bed....but made the mistake, on his first night, of prefering something a little cosier..................the cat's bed!

Well anyone who knows cats knows how they can sulk! Biskitt has spent Rocky's first 2 weeks with us turning her nose up and glaring at him with an entirely put on supercillious air.

Rocky has remained confused and can't understand why whenever he goes up to her she glares daggers at him. Twice Rocky has been very brave and almost got his nose up to her, with a waggy tail and gentle (for Rocky......Biskitt didn't quite agree) paws, out to make friends. Biskitt rewarded this brave and selfless act with a huge hissing fit..........this in turn sent rocky shooting across the room and trying frantically to crawl onto my lap!!! Once on my lap he proceeded to hide his head under my arm in the firm belief that this most unfriendly of pack mates couldn't see him.

2 weeks after his arrival with us Rocky had his face (and of course his ears) in his bowl of water having a merry old drink, Biskitt, of a mind to make peace with this messy creature, crept up behind him to have a little sniff and make up. Rocky suddenly had the feeling he was being tailed and turned his head at great speed........the resulting shower of water from his ears covered most of the kitchen and ended up getting the cat full in the face!!!!! Needless to say Biskitt shot out of the room at supersonic speed (she doesn't do water) and has resumed her glaring sulk!!

A sort of peace has insued wher Rocky has agreed not to follow her and she has agreed to remain aloof. However progress has been made insofar as Biskitt will stay in the same room, as long as certain manners are adhered to........such as no eye contact with the queen and no creeping up from behind for a sniff and make up. This seems to be going well and I have hopes that an eventual peace treaty will be signed and Rocky can stop charging under my arms or legs when he catches Biskitt's eye by mistake............very difficult when you are trying to make dinner!

Rocky has attended his second puppy party, he decided to wear his smart new collar this time, just to impress you understand. He was pleased to meet 2 small black labradors and relented from his previosly superior attitude enough to have a bit of a game; mainly with the water bowl. The game seemed to centre on who could get most water on themselves, thier play mates and the floor, Rocky I think came in third! Realising that he wasn't as good at the game as the other 2 he reverted to sitting on the sidelines looking wisely superior.

This week Rocky has also been for his second visit to the vet and had his second injection. In honour of this we have been doing a little lead training at home, ready for the big day. If things continue as well as they have so far we should reach the bottom of our (very short) drive before he sits down and refuses to go further! Still, early days and all that!