Dog-sitting weekend

Dogs 031, originally uploaded by skenttaylor.

Last weekend, through a series of baby-related contrivances, we dog-sat at a very posh house in farmland just outside Cambridge. The dogs were two Labrador retrievers called Nala and Tilly (very friendly, lively and good with ThingOne) and the house was just gorgeous (apparently rescued from a derelict state 12 years ago).

The grounds were also great, with pretty gardens, a large lawn for ThingOne to run around on shouting “ThingOne ThingOne ThingOne ThingOne ThingOne!” and lots of nooks and crannies for her to explore. Our friend Pete was over from New York for a few days and visited on the Saturday for a relaxing day.

As we sat for dinner I’d tell Nala to sit as she nosed around for food: “Sit Nala” and, being a good dog, she obeyed. This led to ThingOne doing the same thing: “Sit LaLa!”. The following week, when we’d left the house and dogs ThingOne was still saying “Sit LaLa” at meal times.

There was also a little wooden house hidden in some bushes which ThingOne loved, and played tea parties there for most of the weekend.

We had a great time, and even though we were 20 minutes from home we felt like we’d had a really relaxing holiday. It helped that the weather was fabby. But I don’t think our house will be as nice or as much fun for ThingOne (or us) again.

Lots of more photos here on Flickr.