Sue Woodcock: An open house for four-legged friends

Because of a painful back, my get up and go got up and left. But it has returned and I have been able to get on with things. I have had to be a bit careful but the necessary chores got done. There has been plenty of rain to test out my new guttering. The River Wharfe has been very full and it was a cheering sight to see it washing all the debris downstream. Even the caves have been spewing forth streams and the greenery of the countryside is criss-crossed with white ribbons of rushing water.

The Muscovy ducklings have grown and can be seen swimming and cavorting in the puddles around the fields, their mothers carefully supervising. I got a few more hens and this lot are totally unafraid of me. I popped down to the village for something in the car and on my return wondered what the noise was in the boot. One of my new chickens had hopped in there, presumably to check it out for any scraps of food.

I have always loved and respected most animals. I hate cruelty. This week a friend rang me to say that she had found a small kitten, obviously abandoned. From the moment I saw it I knew it was not feral but used to people and lovely-looking. She was about seven weeks old at the most and desperately hungry and thirsty. I got her home and fed her and instantly this clever little creature knew which side its bread was buttered on and confidently snuggled up to me, purring madly and warm and happy. I made a phone call and the next morning my cousin drove up from Rutland. It was love at first sight. Now Pipsqueak will be cared for for the rest of her days.

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The evenings are drawing in fast. When I can see the sky between showers or mist or low cloud it is wonderful. When I cannot it is like a light grey muffler around every feature.

The goats are very bold. Little Edwin has taken to head-butting any man that comes. At about 18ins high, he's not much of a threat, but nobody told him that. They are really curious and will investigate anything or any open door. I went to fetch a bucket of coal in and spotting the goats way up by the gate thought it was safe to leave the front door open.

Watching them carefully I then hunted for eggs in the shippon, came in, put the coal by the fire in the kitchen, called the dogs in and went to sit down for a few minutes. I had no memory of leaving two white fleeces on the settee and I looked over to see the fleeces snoring happily, snuggled up together. It was my two pet lambs, Smartie and Bubbles, who had sneaked in. On the floor was an empty plate from a salad I had started. I evicted them, wondering why I was stupid enough to assume that the goats were the only problem.

My friends and I are frantically making things for the stall at Christmas. We all have our favourite charities and have agreed on just a few. I don't have a lot of money and it makes me feel better that there is something I can do to help those less fortunate than myself.

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I have a great admiration for most of the folk round here. We may not have all the luxuries of life at close hand but we do have what we need. The local farmers were taking a second hay cut until the weather changed. The summer has been so strange weather wise, and hay and straw are going to be expensive this winter. There are already a lot of berries on the hedgerows and I hope it is not going to be another dreadful winter. I hope to be prepared for whatever the elements throw at me but I am not the most organised of people. First, I must establish some rules about who has the rights to the inside of my house and the use of my tools. I think I need to explain a few things to my animals!

CW 18/9/10

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