October 2021

Most of England has a seen a drop in COVID cases this week, the cynic in me suspects this is down to half term and reduced testing.

Tewkesbury are no 1 at the moment with a rate of 826 per 100,000. My area has dropped to the mid 200’s in the league – but that has a rate of 350, so I’m still being ultra cautious. I know of too many people getting COVID, despite being double jabbed and feeling quite unwell (although thankfully staying out of hospital).

The trials of Pippin

Pippin had his operation at the beginning of October, while neutering a male rabbit is a far less invasive procedure than for a female, it still involves a general anaesthetic.

Pippin is always very good about going into his travel box, as he gets fed in there. So normally rushes straight in as soon as his doorway into the lounge is opened.

Apart from the day of the op! Whoever invented the phrase “herding cats”, has never tried herding rabbits (it’s impossible!). After twenty minutes of Pippin running around the lounge and going everywhere apart from his travel box, I had to ring the vets and apologise that I was going to be late, and ask if that be a problem. Sigh!

“How late will you be?”

“I’m not sure – I can’t catch him, I’ve been trying for 20 minutes.”

Luckily, the vets were fine about it, and after 40 minutes(!), Pippin eventually went into the travel box, so off we went.

It was a long day waiting, eventually I got the call to say he was fine and I could collect him at 5pm.

Pippin was very unhappy and sorry for himself when I got him home. He also didn’t have much of an appetite and refused to eat his main food for 3 days. He’d eat small amounts of veg, dried herbs, bits of hay and treat biscuits, which thankfully gradually increased.

Much to his disgust, I had to pick him up and syringe medication into him on 3 occasions. It’s amazing how a little rabbit can impersonate the Tasmanian devil, with teeth and claws all lashing out at me!

He’s fully recovered now, and eating normally again (phew!). He’s still not very happy about me picking him up – hopefully he’ll forgive me soon.

Rupert benefitted from Pippin’s lack of appetite, as I ended up ordering a variety of fruit and veg, which included Rupert’s favourite – watermelon.

Ladies who lunch

Because, I’ll only meet friends outside, the weather limits this, I did manage to fit in 2 lovely trips to the Boathouse for lunch (well wrapped up!).

Halloween

Rupert would like to wish everyone a Happy Hogaween:

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Happy Halloween & stay safe!

Julia xxx