He aint' heavy, he's my brother....

I just had to share something with you that happened this morning.... It really made me stop in my tracks!

We were taking our Joseph Poopy out for a walk and stopped while we were still in the marina to talk to a new neighbour. I hadn't noticed his little terrier running around and was really startled when our kitten, Neville (pronounced N'Evil...) suddenly appeared from the bushes and the terrier started after him.  He didn't get very far though as Poopy instantly turned and snarled and kind of splatted him with one paw momentarily and then let him go.  "Don't mess with my little brother" was obviously the warning...

Joseph Poopy

N'Evil

So the little terrier is running back to his boat when we're again taken by surprise; this time by our eldest cat, Kevin, who also sprang out of the bushes and seriously attacked him!  Our Kevin is quite unusual in that he will play with dogs but will also attack them, seemingly without provocation.  This time he obviously figured that Poopy's warning hadn't been strong enough.  He has a strong character and is loved by everyone who knows him, but he doesn't take prisoners!

Kevin (AKA Monster)

It's laughable in that they all play fight and savage each other quite badly on occassion but in the same way that human families tear each other apart verbally (and sometimes physically), heaven help the outsider who says a bad word about them.  My relationship with my older brother was like this for many years and was so volatile that at one point people didn't like us being in the same room together for fear of bloodshed, but there were many times at school when I would be drawn in and wreak vengeance on someone who'd hurt him, and he would do the same for me.  We get along far better these days but people still get nervous around us as our trademark biting wit does still occassionaly turn to plain biting.  It's awful, and childish, but we somehow regress to being 6 and 9 and mortal enemies.  But if someone interups our "discussion" we turn together!  It's a strong family trait (I guess in most families) that we will go all out to protect our own.  We're pack animals after all. 

Bad photo, but look at the adoration? This was the day that N'Evil came out in the campervan for a kebab too.... lol!

One thing my dad focussed on in his last few weeks was how in realising how little time HE had, the people around him were appreciating each other more.  I try to take every day with that mentality as you never know what tomorrow may bring. We can only hope it brings more sunshine and goodness but sometimes the crap has to hit the fan and when it does, I know that I'll have said thankyou, I appreciate you and all you do and I love you to my husband recently, told my mum, brothers (and sisters) how much I care, and the teenager that I love her like she was my own.  If only I had the opportunity to tell her brother too I'd be a happy bunny. If everything was perfect though, we'd have nothing to strive for.

So, keep an eye on the little ones who creep up on you as you never know if they've got a big dog coming up behind them to keep you in check.  Play nice and it won't matter!