My human friend Clare (an avid fan of this blog) came to stay with me last night! I was very excited but also just a tiny bit nervous, as my humans warned me I needed to be on my best behaviour in case she changed her mind about coming to stay with me in the summer while my humans go away on holiday! The alternative of two weeks in prison is too much to bear!

Anyway all went well and Clare still thinks I am wonderful (even if she found the tick-removal from my face a bit yucky, and is not looking forward to the disposal of killer Monty cat’s gifts). It was really good as Clare brought me a wonderful present – a ball-thrower , as recomened by Belle and Wanda! Excellent as I had only mentioned on my blog the day before that Hilary had tried in vain to purchase one for me last weekend!

Anyway it is a rather strange looking blue plastic thing with a long handle, a bit like a spoon. Clare said she nearly bought me a pink one but was worried my male human might refuse to use it! There was a yellow ball with it too, which I managed to get hold of straight away while my humans were gettign ready for my walk.

Clare, Hilary and me went into the field behind the house and we played tennis (or rather throw and find) with my new toy. It is excellent as it makes the ball go really high up in the air and much further than feeble female humans can usually throw it. I had great fun watching it go and going off to find it. Hilary took some photos which I think are rather good. You can see our big white house with a red roof at the back of the field rather hidden by lots of leafy trees.

I was incredibly well behaved and brought the ball back to Clare most times so she could throw it again! We actually had two balls, the new yellow one and the red one Hilary got me last weekend, so i was kept very busy. It was all very good fun and the humans liked the fact that you didnt have to bend down and pick up soggy dirty balls with your bare hands!

Sadly the yellow ball proved to be not really dog proof and despite gentle handling it was declared dead at the end of our walk and consigned to the bin. Never mind, I still had the red one (until this morning that is when me and Hilary played again and she managed to lose it in the long grass!)

Another good thing about Clare being here is that she encouraged me to try out her bed, and I made sure it was comfortable for her. I even managed to sneak into her room early morning but I wasn’t sleepy unlike her so I got banished from the room as I was behaving like a big puppy bouncing around the bed!

I got back in the room as Clare was packing up to leave and managed to investigate her hairbrush, but, being well behaved I did not chew it up. I will save that till the summer.

Clare left late this morning to go running the Loch Leven half marathon today. She texted later to let me know she achieved a new personal best – 1 hour 50 mins and a few seconds which is just brilliant. Well done Clare! Staying with me must have inspired you!