Guess who I saw today? Mr Cool J – Jasper and Toby Toblerone – Toby. Dear Jasper is very elderly and frail now and Toby is still a great big chunky endearing boy. Toby was the Labrador I taught to walk on the treadmill, trying to wear him out a bit before we went for a walk. Had a nice cup of tea with their owner and arranged to stay and look after them in October for a week or so. The hens, who were rescued battery hens, look just wonderful and I look forward to eating their lovely eggs when I’m there. Love E x

Well I arrived yesterday at my next job in Surrey. Very sad to leave Frank and Zola. So happy to be back here again though been about 9 months since I was last here and the ‘kittens’ are very grown up now. Had a lie in this morning and guess what? I am on the sofa with a nice cup of tea, 2 delicious black cats asleep on my lap (bit of a squeeze but I’m not complaining) and Leinster v Scarlets rugby match about to start on TV. Ooh I’m almost in Heaven. Lots love E x

I think you will not be too fond of me today. Thought I’d show you my ‘commute’ to work this morning. Also picture of Ben and Bonny, truly delightful dogs and the Bluebird Cafe in Ferring where we stop for breakfast. Met lovely lady who is a volunteer steward at the Olympics and we had lovely chat. Just back now, showered and having a sit down with a nice cup of tea. Dogs crashed out and they will sleep until this afternoon ready for the woods later. Finish here tomorrow evening, can’t believe it. What a fabulous few days here on the Sussex coast. I am so privileged. Love E x

Hello everyone, I have left Holly the little Jack Russell now and am in South London with Esme. She is a rescue cat and had a very bad start in life., thankfully she has a lovely peaceful home now. I am here just for the weekend and then go to Worthing on Sunday evening. Having a lovely lie in for a change and am writing this from bed while having a nice cup of tea.
Love E x

Just arrived in Petersfield for my next job. Left a very foggy and misty Lyme Regis. It’s actually dry here. I am looking after a little assortment of animals today, 2 Daschunds a miniature and wire haired miniature puppy, 2 chickens and a parrot. Delightful little dogs. A nice cup of tea first then a walk, it’s been a long drive.
Love E x

Oh Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!
Munster are out of the Heineken Cup. Thousands and thousands of very sad supporters today.
E x

This job will ruin me. It’s so tough I’m not sure whether I should tell you about it! Here goes, I wake up about 6 or so, pop downstairs to make a cup of tea and let Mabel and Clara out of the kitchen area where they sleep. Their greatest delight is to come upstairs and into bed for cuddles. Well I wouldn’t be a very good animal Minder if I didn’t look after them properly. They instantly go to sleep, purring loudly and contentedly. Clare fits in to my neck under the duvet and Mabel under the duvet in bend of my knees. I am forced to stay there stroking them until at least 8 o’clock. Time to put their collars on and open cat flap for the day. What deliciously lazy mornings. Only until Monday mind – then looking after two very energetic Labradoodles, so back to reality and early outings. All part of the joys of this job, never time to get bored or complacent. Lots love E x

Tara, George, White Tip and I met ‘Rob the Gardener’ on our walk yesterday. He was introduced to All the animals, White Tip was almost too busy to chat as she was seeing if she could run up and down every tree in the woods. Eventually she deigned to join us for a nice cup of tea in Rob’s shed. What a sweet little place, full of clay pots, plants rooting, a little bench, a small wood burning stove and a simmering kettle. We had chocolate digestives and a seat by the fire, there was a very cold wind and it was lovely to be indoors. Rob told me about his work and his family and asked me to say hello to Esme and Dexter, who are loving the ‘Maisie the Animal Minder’ series of children’s picture books. left my darlings last night, my heart aching, almost unbearable, totally fallen in love with them. Now near Horsham with Brittany Spaniel puppy Bertie. Here until 2 January. The wonderful clients have arranged for Christmas Dinner to be delivered to me from local pub. They were kind enough to do this for me last year as well. Dearest Muffin was still here then and he loved his Christmas Dinner of turkey and beef that was delivered too. Speak soon love E

I have had a couple of eerie experiences the last few days. I was up early on night of full moon. As I sat with a cup of tea looking at the moon setting over the hill, (I have wonderful view from my window of the Downs and the chalk White Horse in the distance) and the horse started to glow from the moonlight. Then it looked like it was ‘breathing’ I could see the shape moving! Like something from a film I rubbed my eyes in disbelief and looked again and again and yes- it was moving. I was held spellbound as the moon disappeared and it started to get light, to discover the chalk horse was full of sheep, all wandering along the tracks and milling around and through the horse. What a sight. Then what must have been a few hundred Canada Geese took flight in the early morning sun, all honking and swirling around. A very magical morning. I sadly leave here on Friday and will miss George, Tara and White Tip so much. Really will shed a tear when I leave them. Not always easy being an Animal Minder. Much love E x

They may not be bringing the cup home but without doubt they are the world champions. E x