20th December

It looks like the Christmas cards have got through! Emails from recipients with updates on their dogs. I will get round to sharing them but at the moment have more pressing matters.
Came down this morning to evidence of our (visiting, at least I hope so) rat, in the kitchen!
It had deposited a half eaten old Bonio in front of Chloe's crate. How it had managed that without Chloe going bolistic, I don't know, or how we manage to have a rat in the house at all with six Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Angel ... Top Ratter!

It was obvious from Chloe's reaction it was under the dresser so we brought in Angel. She found it and silently but with every sinew of her body and intense concentration kept it holed up under the dresser while we had breakfast.
There was an electronic beeping, which we supposed was from a phone,no longer in use, that had been disconnected from Angel's exertions.
My son needed a lift to the bus so, alas, we could not stay and see this through, so we put Angel away and after a couple of false starts set the trap.
On my return all was calm and the trap still set so I left it and took Angel, Rosie and Chloe off to do the ponies.
The pouring rain meant none of them were very happy to be out.

There was no sign of the rat on my return and judging by the dogs reaction it was no longer under the dresser but in the corner under the piles of newspaper.

Later when Dave came home and with the help of Sara's boyfriend, we took Angel back in and pulled the newspapers from the corner ... no Rat! No Hole! but a pile of dog biscuits and chewed wire which was causing the phone to beep!
I feel better it hasn't actually got a nest in my kitchen, cunning plans to trap it are under way.

Have also been busy making 50 mince pies for the Riding School Party.

Chloe has had another Promeris treatment for her mange and has had a bit of a reaction and so had a quiet few days but nothing like the first time.