Pets Magazine: February/March 2023

By DR DAVID CLIFF

Photo by Karin Zabret on Unsplash

Scot’s Timothy Hay has been grown on the Carse of Stirling in Central Scotland for hundreds of years, providing the finest forage to livestock breeding herds, flocks and performance horses across the UK.

This premium hay is now available for all small and urban pets, direct to your door across the UK via the high quality brand White Rabbit Hay.‘White Rabbit Hay’ is a local partnership set up to make this high-end product available to urban pet owners. This timeless native grass is perfect for rabbits, chinchillas, tortoises and all other small pets, providing the required roughage and nutrition as well as promoting dental health and general well-being for all foraging pets. The hay is sourced from farms that manage the land with traditional farming rotation methods and without the use of any pesticides. This allows the land to provide home cover and natural feeding for a range of native animals. From wild hares to birds of prey, with everything in-between. The hay is hand selected and packed on farm in 1.5KG boxes and sealed with paper tape with no plastics input at all. The packaging is completely recyclable and compostable with our boxes travelling only a few miles to our logistics provider before being delivered directly to your door. Thus, keeping the carbon footprint as low as possible. The brand’s mission is to provide our small pets and pet parents with the best value product totally farm fresh, to add value to the product by developing new markets while providing our growers with a sustainable on-farm price that will allow them to continue to be guardians of the land and its’ native species for generations to come. It is not so long ago that the continued growing of Scot’s Timothy Hay on home soil was in serious doubt due to financial pressures.

Please support us and allow us to supply you and your pets with the sweetest, crispest, long stem timothy hay available today. www.whiterabbithay.com Tel: 07513 069 187

Rufus Reviews

Premium pet products for you & your pet chosen by 5-year old Rufus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, assisted by Marie.

Treats Dogs’ Love!

It’s a paws up for these delicious dog treats with a difference!

Insect treats have traditionally been made from bitter-tasting black fly larvae that were originally created for cattle feed. Besides being more bitter than a small bag of angry limes, recent research has shown that black fly larvae is disappointingly high in saturated fats! In 2021 10,000 metric tonnes of insect protein was created and conservative estimates suggest that by 2030 this number will have exceeded 500,000 tonnes.

Mr Bug is a big believer in the circular economy and the fact that insects are a truly sustainable protein source needing only a fraction of the water, land and time of traditional farmyard fayre. Mealworms are rammed with nutritional worth offering more calcium than milk, more B12 than salmon, more iron than spinach by offering all 9 amino acids.

Mr Bug comes as a: Veggie One, A Fruity One, A Nutty One & The Cheesy One

£15.96 for 320g of crumbly dog biscuity joy

mrbug.co.uk

Dog friendly Aparthotel: Eden Locke, George Street, Edinburgh

We love Edinburgh. What’s not to like? A bustling city with expansive skylines stretching down to the port of Leith and a backdrop of rolling Scottish hills, including the famous Arthur’s Seat, it’s also a brilliant place to shop, sightsee and indulge all the senses. So what better way to also take in the world-famous Christmas Market and bag some other attractions that a trip to ‘Auld Reekie’ in December?

Now, where to stay? You are of course spoilt for choice with a visit to the Scottish capital, from the basic to the grandiose, Edinburgh has it covered. I was meeting a friend and also wanted to take Rufus and to stay somewhere dog-friendly. Being a city, I assumed the options would be limited and verging on the basic side, comfy but functional. However, this esteemed city with its Georgian backdrop, is cottoning on to the importance of the Pooch Pound. We were amazed at the quality on offer. But because I didn’t envisage tramping around Edinburgh all of the time with Rufus, especially in the busier evenings, we opted for an Aparthotel which has the option of leaving a dog in the room, provided you inform staff beforehand.

We decided on the fabulous Eden Locke on George Street, which is right slap bang in the heart of Edinburgh but also strangely slightly removed from the hustle and bustle right outside its front door. The very epitome of an oasis of calm.

From the get go, we were greeted warmly with concierge staff on hand to check us in, answer any questions and also suggest things to do, including a complementary tour of Edinburgh and a free yoga session (not for doggies, however! But brilliant for me.)

Once in the room, we discovered the best dog treats and gifts we’d ever encountered in any sort of holiday accommodation - from delicious (so, I’m told!) Lily’s Kitchen treats to high quality toys and even a free bandana. There was also a complementary dog bed and plenty of bowls.

Human guests are also amply catered for too and the room has a king sized bed, large shower room, very well-equipped kitchen, table and small living room area with a larger than average TV. You have your own personal wi-fi so it’s an excellent super fast connection and the TV features ChromeCast so you can stream your favourite content. The only niggle is that when we did eat at ‘home’, we wished there was a microwave instead of an inbuilt oven, which seemed a bit strange. Otherwise it was perfect. And the complementary honey from bees kept on the roof of the hotel was a lovely and very delicious touch.

The apartment was warm, quiet and just what anyone could be looking for in a relaxing city break stay.

Downstairs, there is an excellent cafe with good coffee and an excellent selection of cakes. In the centre of New Town, and minutes from the famous Princes Street, the city’s sights –including Edinburgh Castle and Dean Village – are all within easy walking distance. You’re also right in the middle of the business district, meaning you can stroll to meetings with a coffee in hand.

We were fortunate to catch an amazing tour of Edinburgh with a difference - they all delve into ‘hidden Edinburgh’ alongside pointing out some of the more well-known sights such as the history of the Royal Mile and the warren of forgotten streets shut centuries ago to confine plague stricken residents. Invisible Cities tours are run by former homeless people who receive a stipend for the tours. This one focused on Edinburgh’s women and fascinating tales of murders, witches and folklore, including the true macabre story of ‘half hanged Maggie’ who was hanged in 1720 for failing to declare the birth of her child which later died. Maggie was hanged and pronounced dead only to be found alive tapping on her coffin while being taken by cart by her family for burial. Fearing retribution, they promptly returned Maggie to the city where the generous hearted burghers pronounced that she couldn’t be tried again as her sentence had been carried out, so she was allowed to go free. Maggie became a local legend with a pub now named after her, before expiring 40 years after her hanging.

No one could fail to know about the legendary Greyfriars Bobby who was so attached to his owner that he would visit his master’s grave daily for 14 years. There is also a statue to a lesser known legend from across the pond called Bum. San Diego was twinned with Edinburgh in 1977 and it presented the statue of its characterful hobo dog to the city. Rufus made friends with him (right).

Rufus attracted lots of attention and was made throughly welcome at the hotel. The hotel features 72 rooms behind a beautiful Georgian facade and is located in the city’s New Town, a stone’s throw from the bustling Princes Street.

All in all, we can throughly recommend Eden Locke. It’s a fantastic base to explore the city, throughly VIP pooch friendly and a great place to stay in itself.

For more information and to book, visit: https://www.lockeliving.com/en/edinburgh/eden-locke

My Talking Pet: The App that Brings Your Furry Friend to Life!

In today's world of technology, it's no surprise that there are apps for just about everything, including ones that allow us to bring our pets to life.

My Talking Pet is a mobile app that has taken the pet-loving community by storm. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and is incredibly easy to use. Simply add or take a photo of your pet and add the voiceover you want to use, and voila! Your pet is now talking.

One of the best things about My Talking Pet is how realistic the animations look. The app uses advanced technology to make the pet's movements look as natural as possible.

The app also allows users to adjust the speed and pitch of the voiceover, so you can make your pet sound just like you want it to. You can also add a prerecorded voice clip, accessories such as funny hats and sunglasses or add an envelope and share it as a birthday card to your loved ones.

One of the most popular uses of My Talking Pet is for pet owners to create videos of their pets talking and share them on social media. The app has a built-in social sharing feature that makes it easy to post videos on social media. Pet owners can also share videos with friends and family via email or text message. The videos are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face and are a great way to show off your pet's unique personality. No wonder why, the app has been loved by so many celebrities over the years, such as Ellen Degeneris, Jennifer Aniston, Matt Le Blanc & Halle Berry to name a few. My Talking Pet is not only fun and entertaining, but it is also used for educational purposes, allowing teachers and parents all over the world to create educational videos for children.

For all the pet lovers My Talking pet is offering a free monthly subscription for unlimited fun. It’s very simple to redeem the offer. If you are an iOS user just click here. If you are an Android user, open the app and enter the code PETSMAGAZINE into the “enter promo code’’ section in the settings menu. Just make sure you cancel the subscription prior to its ending to avoid an automated renewal.

Portraits with Soul

Influenced by growing up immersed in the art world in the South of France and inspired by her father artist Hjalmar Boyesen, a student of Piccasso, we talk to portrait artist FREYA BOYESEN, about her work. Freya has just completed three pastels of Pets Magazine’s Rufus, Sophie (pictured) and Nell; poignantly, Sophie and Nell passed away in 2022 aged 14 and 16. The portraits are remarkable tributes to beautiful souls that seem to capture their very essence.

We meet portrait artist and muralist FREYA

BOYESEN. Freya talks to us about her work, her inspirations and her passion for pets. We also have the privilege of reviewing some of her extraordinary work.

Freya Boyesen is an artist immersed in her art as much as the countryside of both England and France where she splits her time. She strives and achieves the very thing artists aim for: capturing the very essence of her subjects; no more deftly captured than in her pet portraiture.

Freya grew up immersed in art, and her father a student of

Picasso was a seminal influence.

Freya says: “My desire to paint began in childhood - as watching my father, an artist who spent some years working with Picasso in the South of France, was a constant inspiration. Mosaic, sculpture, paint and humour, through my father's continuous search, I began to see anything was possible.”

Freya with her Pomeranian ‘Baby’.

Is pet portraiture the favourite part of your work? If so, why?

Yes, I am passionate about painting pets - having come to understand how special they are - and I like to liaise with clients to make sure I’m capturing their precious companions.

Reference photos should be clear and crisp - though if a painting is in memoriam, sometimes I simply have to do my best from whatever the client has.

Where do you take your inspiration from?

Walking in the countryside inspires mebecause even though I don’t paint landscapes, I often get ideas whilst walking. Also people watching and going to galleries.

Do you have any pets?

I had a beautiful Pomeranian named Baby. He was a little dog I inherited from my daughter who died tragically at the age of 23 - and I honestly don’t know how I would have made it without him. It was through Baby that I learned about loving a

dog - he taught me a great deal.

Tallulah the Basset - watercolour

Freya’s father Hjalmar Boyesen with Picasso

What are your favourite places and subjects to paint?

I love to paint people and animals, though I mostly paint in my studio from reference material. It’s always exciting to paint a person from life of course - but I’ve yet to find a dog that would stay still for long enough!

Any brief tips for the amateur pet artist?

Only work from reference photos that give you enough information for a painting. Sometimes clients send me fuzzy photos and I really can’t work from them.

Always try to go beyond the photo to capture the soul of the animal. Keep practicing and get to know your mediums.

I was sent the photo (below) as a thank you and it touched my heart.

One of the reasons I love to paint people’s pets - to feel I am able to offer some comfort to someone who has lost a precious companion.

In memoriam photo - watercolour

Pip, the JRT

Review by MARIE CARTER-ROBB

who seems to capture the very essence, the soul of her pet subjects.

We can ourselves attest to this fact, as she very kindly painted Pets Magazine’s canine reviewers (pictured above), two of whom Nell, the Blenheim Cavalier and Sophie, the ruby, very sadly passed away in 2022 aged 16 and 14 respectively.

experienced the “love unflinching that cannot lie” of a dog (in the words of Kipling),

replaced by other pets; it lasts and that loss and resultant grief is something that never really dies.

will know that the pain of losing a beloved canine hurts to the core. It is a visceral ache that leaves behind a hollowness

To capture the very soul essence of a loved and lost pet is a remarkable talent. Freya has achieved this with her beautifully rendered pastel paintings of ‘The Gang’ (Nell, Rufus and Sophie) above.

Te eyes are a window to the very soul.

The drawings taken from a selection of photos faithfully capture their true essence. The colours of their hair, the fine texture, but most startlingly, their eyes. For the eyes are a very window to the soul, after all.

Far more than any photo, a painting artfully rendered and where the subject is faithfully drawn, can portray the soul of its subject.

Nell, the Blenheim, was a decade long survivor of a puppy farm, used and abused. In her final six years, she knew true love. From hurt and trauma to trust and love, her eyes are measures of her journey. She loved cuddles and outings, latterly in her pushchair, and her pastel is a wonderful

testament to her strength and beauty.

Sophie, my darling ruby Cavalier, was a beautiful and truly gentle soul. She was a beloved pet from being a puppy. Sophie liked her own company but still adored cuddles. She had a toy tiger which she loved from puppyhood. Sophie also enjoyed playing The Game, where someone would call her name and she would run to them. She loved mooching around the garden, and she loved to savour her food.

Rufus, the 5-year old black and tan Cavalier, is the young upstart of The Gang. He loved Nell especially and regarded her as his mother. Nell, secretly liked that.

These extraordinary pastels by Freya capture their special essence. In some innate way, it is as if their souls have been captured in the paintings for the viewer to see forever.

You too can have your beloved pets faithfully captured on canvas.

Based between England and south west France, Freya enjoys taking on new projects, whether a simple sketch, oil or mural.

Email: freyahope@hotmail.com

Or visit her website at: https:// lbray47.wixsite.com/freyaheart

More Tales from Cat Rescue:

Gorgeous Gusta

Cat lover and proud owner of Lola, the pampered feline, Dr. DAVID CLIFF, continues his regular series on stories from the amazing cat rescue Yorkshire Cat Rescue (YCR) where he is a volunteer. Here, David introduces us to gorgeous ‘Gusta’.

By DR DAVID CLIFF

A regular writer in Pets Magazine, Dr DAVID

CLIFF continues his exploration of the work of Yorkshire Cat Rescue and some of the issues it raises for animal relationships with humans. In his latest article, the significant role of the foster carer is considered.

Charles Darwin once commented that the measure of

any society was how it cared for its animals. Sure, of course we are a nation of animal lovers, but the reality is, it is not a universal human trait - neglect and misfortune often feature in the animal world. Thankfully, this is in part offset by the work of animal rescue charities.

The last couple of months have seen examples of the work of Yorkshire Cat Rescue (YCR), based in the heart of Yorkshire, yet pretty much serving the entire country. In the last issue of Pets Mag, we heard about the trials, rescue and convalesce of Hero; this month, another rescue features, Gusto.

'Gus' was a premature kitten whose mum was being looked after by a homeless person. Gus was ultimately the only survivor of an original litter of six, and was taken to Yorkshire Cat Rescue in a rather sorry state.

The philosophy of the service is "trusted by cats" and we can see why when little Gus was given a chance. The cat care team swung into action ensuring Gus was fed through the night, having to be careful he didn't aspirate the milk given to him, given that he had difficulty feeding.

David with his beloved cat Lola

This was quickly transferred to a foster carer as this would allow the one-on-one intensity of care that this tiny kitten needed. Fostering is potentially very rewarding, but equally demanding and fosterers quickly acquire skills and adaptability to deal with the myriad situations that are present with the kitten or cat in their care.

And their narrative is better than anything I can say, so here’s what happened from Emily, Gus's foster mum:

"At just over a day old, and weighing 68g, little Gus came to me, I have looked after many kittens for Yorkshire Cat Rescue, but this was my first hand-rear. I felt so sorry for him – so young and all alone in the world.

“I knew I had to do my best for the cute little ball of fluff that was so tiny that he could curl up in the palm of my hand. So the bottle feeding started. Every two hours for the first 14 days, Gus had to be fed special formula milk, and be

snuggled up with a tiny furry dinosaur toy meant for babies.

“At two weeks old his pee suddenly smelt really strong. This is not normal. Not wanting to take any risks it was straight to the vets - two days later it still hadn’t cleared up, and he had an infection in his bladder. “So at just 2 weeks old, we started a short course of the tiniest dose of antibiotics that you can imagine.

stimulated to go to the toilet every time too.”

Emily continued: “It was a balancing act to make sure he was getting enough milk to gain weight, but not too much as that can make them ill, but he was strong, and very loud when hungry! He liked to sleep

“I can’t tell you how sleep deprived you get having to feed a kitten every two hours. It is a crazy experience, especially as by the time you have boiled the kettle, made the formula, cooled it, fed and toileted the kitten, settled the kitten, and fallen back to sleep, you only get about an hours sleep maximum before you need to get up and do it all again!”

Gus loves playing with paper bags!

“I felt so sorry for him – so young and all alone in the world.”

The YCR’s cat care team were at the end of the phone for every problem, no matter how small. Infections repeatedly returned with antibiotics continuing to the point where Gus had been on them for most of his life. Later tests and specialist referral revealed E. coli, a bladder problem and an uncertain future for little Gus.

After a Christmas when the possibilities had included the worst and the determination to give the little chap a lovely time, a further specialist referral discovered that Gus was actually female! Gus became Augusta or Gusta for short!

Bladder abnormalities were discovered which may account for the recurring infections she gets and anti-inflammatory medication was prescribed with the possibility of surgery in the future.

Emily continued: “My hope is she can live a long happy

healthy life. She's overcome so much being that tiny kitten with little chance of survival to being a thriving energetic, naughty little youngster that loves to play and make us all laugh.”

Emily is right; kittens and cats and in the wider animal species, often need considerable care if their survival is to be assured. A ‘no kill’ policy such as that espoused in the value set of YCR means that fundraising has been ongoing to support Gusta’s costs and will continue to do so.

Just as healthcare has advanced for humans, it has for animals but it is necessarily costly and there is no NHS for them. Equally, if Darwin's quote above is to be true, then the expediency of euthanasia simply because of cost when interventions exist that can secure life, creates a human moral and values-based debate that YCR decisively resolve by

compassion for cats, hard work and a strong supporter base.

Emily ably demonstrates the challenges that fostering animals can engender and the partnership that proceeds between good rescue centres and those in the community that seek to provide care. It's not for the fainthearted but can be incredibly rewarding. It also requires a particular mind-set as ultimately having given exceptional care such as in Gusta's case, the bond develops that they can result in having to say goodbye to the foster animal either for rehoming or if fate is unkind medically. Fosterers however, give an animal a fighting chance that would not otherwise exist.

Want to know more about fostering? Visit your local charity's website and see if they are looking for people to help.

You can find your local cat charities here -

https://adch.org.uk/find-arescue/

https://www.catchat.org/ index.php/cat-rescue-centresuk-ireland

Every good wish to Emily and Gusta!

How to train your puppy

Pet writer DEBBIE WOODLIFFE shares some top tips on how positive reinforcement can help to successfully train your new puppy.

Photo: Rowan, the ruby Cavalier pup

Using positive reinforcement like treats, praise and encouragement can be an effective way to train your puppy, help them learn essential behaviours to see them through life and keep them safe. Whether it’s crate training or learning not to jump up, using positive reinforcement early on is crucial to raising a safe and happy dog.

Keep reading as we discuss the benefits of this training style alongside some essential puppy training tips & tricks.

What behaviours do new puppies need to learn?

There are lots of things young dogs needs to learn to keep safe, happy, and calm during their life. The Dog’s Trust has loads of advice about basic puppy training, but most dogs will need to know about:

Sitting and staying - whilst out on a walk, waiting for meals, around other people, and dogs.

Heel - teaching your puppy that they should stay close to you will help them feel safe whilst out on walks.

Recall - your puppy should learn to respond to its name and come back to you when it is called to prevent any unwelcome chasing or playing with other animals or people.

Where to go to the toiletwhilst your puppy probably won't go to the bathroom on cue, positive reinforcement can help teach them to go in the garden and not the house.

The sooner you train your dog, the better, as they won’t have time to develop challenging traits. Plus, it can help them feel safe and in control which may help to reduce anxietyrelated behaviours such as barking or biting.

Depending on your puppy's specific behaviours, you may feel that additional training is required. You may need to prevent them from jumping up onto people or help them overcome attachment anxiety, or to make them more comfortable when travelling in the car.

The same principles apply to training and rewards - just be sure not to reward or punish bad behaviour, as any attention towards ‘incorrect’ behaviour will only confuse your dog.

Should I take my dog to training classes?

Dog training classes not only teach your dog obedience, but they also help to socialise puppies, desensitise them and keep them calm around other dogs. You will also be able to receive tailored advice from a professional that can help you improve your training technique at home. So, even if you only attend a handful of classes with your dog, it can pay off in the long run.

Puppy classes are most valuable when started between eight weeks and three months of age (once vaccinated), as this

is the primary time for socialisation. Many dog owners leave training too late and end up needing to correct poor behaviour.

What is positive reinforcement?

Rewarding good behaviour is a common training and conditioning technique. For example, parents give their children a tasty snack after eating all their greens, and teachers offer gold stars to the best performers in class. It can be a successful and pleasant way to change behaviour - and it works with animals as well as humans.

Giving your dog positive reinforcement, whether it’s treats, toys or praise, has many benefits:

1. It encourages them to repeat the behaviour which resulted in it.

2. It can help them to associate the treats and good behaviour with a specific cue.

3. The positivity can build their confidence

4. The encouragement can help them learn to make good decisions

The happy, cheerful tones can help them relax in more stressful situations. You also need to ensure you keep any verbal communication short and clear. So, pick concise verbal cues and use them in a calm tone:

- Sit

- Lie

- Stay

- Come

- Up

- Drop

- Heel.

Also, whilst using verbal cues, use your body language as a guide for your puppy. For example, if you are teaching

them to lie down, hold the treat near their nose and sit down with them as you move the treat toward the floor. Soon enough, they will be able to associate the cue, treat and body language with the right behaviours.

When you are training your puppy, ensure that everyone else in your household is on board and using the same cues to avoid confusion. You should also ensure you aren't rewarding bad behaviour by accident like if your puppy barks a lot and you give them fuss or talk to them, they will learn that barking gets them the attention they want.

What rewards can I use?

Make sure you don’t overfeed your puppy when training as they have different nutritional requirements than older dogs. It's best to go for small, natural treats suitable for puppies aged two months and up. Types of rewards include:

- Small treats or pieces of dog food

- Petting, cuddles or fuss

- Upbeat verbal communication

- Toys

Remember to use the reward immediately after your dog performs the desired behaviour. They might not

perform it correctly at the start, but you can reward them for getting closer to it or hold back the reward and encourage them to finish the training.

When should I stop using rewards?

Once your dog is successfully following your cues, slowly reduce the number of treats you're giving them. Try rewarding them every other time and decrease until they are following your orders without a reward.

By all means, continue to praise them each time, but it won’t need to be as over the top as when using praise as a reward.

Now you know how to start using positive reinforcement to train your new puppy and why it's so important. So, what will you teach your four-legged friend first?

Esther’s Escapades

Retired vet and author of ‘Pets Aplenty’ MALCOLM D.

WELSHMAN on the case of a home-loving sheep

Photo by Andrea Lightfoot on Unsplash

By MALCOLM D. WELSHMAN

The smell of roast lamb was wafting from the kitchen one Sunday when it was suddenly joined by a chorus of baas and the crash of chairs tumbling to the floor. It sounded as someone was wrecking the joint – and I’m not talking roast here.

‘What the heck?’

I raced through to find a sheep staring at me from behind the breakfast bar. Fifty or so others were crowded round the open back door, all trying to push in.

‘Esther. It could only be you,’ I exclaimed. She gave me a bright yelloweyed stare and wagged her tail. A pile of droppings showered onto the floor.

‘So sorry,’ apologised Chris Martin when summoned to collect the sheep and herd them back to his adjoining farm.

‘It’s just that Esther, being hand-reared, thinks home is a warm kitchen and an Aga. She’s always escaping. And

completely ignores Jack.’ He nodded at his Collie who’d done a good job in rounding up the flock from my herbaceous border.

Esther was not with them. Oh no. She’d skedaddled round the corner - perhaps sensing that the roast-lamb smell was too close to home for comfort. She was now methodically stripping my favourite rose of its new spring growth.

to chew over. The second an expanse of lawn to mow –liberally fertilised in the process. And the third, blocks of ornamental grasses and bonsai trees to be stripped bare - so adding to the minimalist nature of the plot.

However, it seems that as her tongue curled round the last clump of ornamental grass in that garden, a large Alsatian appeared who saw her more as lamb chops than a woolly friend.

‘She’s been badly mauled,’ said Chris, hauling her out of his Land Rover.

Between us, we carried Esther into my surgery where she lay on the consulting table, her yellow eyes glazed, her chest heaving like bellows. Very shocked.

Her Houdini capabilities grew in line with her quest to seek pastures new. The three bungalows bordering Chris’s farm were good examples of her expertise. Each had a long back garden, each with a different lay-out.

Esther decided all three were worth exploring.

The first gave her neat rows of spinach, cabbage and sprouts

‘Don’t hold out much chance for her,’ I said as I got to work, stitching up the large gash in her flank. But this was Esther we were talking about. There was no holding this sheep down for long. And sure enough, she was up on her trotters in no time.

The next thing I knew she’d trotted over a main road, down a track to a disused gravel pit, lost her footing and toppled in.

Malcolm and Dora

“She gave me a bright yellow-eyed stare and wagged her tail.”

As soon as I heard the screech of tyres in the drive I thought Hello … Esther again?

But she hadn’t reckoned on Rambo, Chris's ram. By the following spring, Esther

She stared at me with those yellow eyes of hers and then gave a bleat. It was echoed by several high-pitched bleats alongside her.

As my eyes became accustomed to the gloom, I saw two tiny dark coloured heads buried in the straw next to her – two tiny Esther look-a-likes. She had given birth in the drive over.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

This time it was me – not Esther – that had escaped. No breech. No Caesarian.

When Chris opened the back of his Land Rover, I was confronted by a very wet, very sandy coloured sheep whose back leg stuck out at a funny angle.

‘Think she’s broken her hock,’ he said.

He should have been a vet. He was right.

‘Might prove difficult to mend,’ I murmured.

But of course, this was Esther. Within days she was hobbling about with the aid of two metal splints and plenty of supportive bandage. And was soon on the look-out for her next adventure.

was waddling around with an expectant air.

I might have guessed she’d choose a bitterly cold night in April to go into labour. It was an Easter weekend too.

Chris phoned. ‘Esther’s been straining for over two hours. Nothing’s happened.’

‘Best bring her in then,’ I replied.

In the back of the Land Rover, I strained to see Esther huddled in semi-darkness, hidden in a mound of straw, only her head visible. I scrambled in.

‘Hello Esther … we meet again. Always in trouble, eh?’

‘Thanks Esther,’ I whispered. ‘It’s all down to you now.’ She baaed at me several times and then turned to give her lambs a motherly wash.

‘Easter bleatings to you too,’ I said with a grin.

Malcolm D. Welshman is author of Pets Aplenty published by Austin Macauley Publishers 0207 038 8312 at £7.99

Kindle version 99p

www.malcolmwelshman .co.uk.