.. citing Irreconcilable differences.

Sadly the experiment failed. Things were fine up until Saturday and then suddenly it all went downhill. Sunday was worse. Grumbling became physical and it was only a matter of time before there was bloodshed.

I refer of course to the dogs. Herself and I got over the grumbling phase decades ago and now live a peaceful truce.

Anyhows it reached the stage where Penny would refuse to come in from the garden. She was becoming a nervous wreck. I couldn’t land that on her along with her deafness and arthritis. She’s suffering enough and deserves better.

So yesterday Callie and I took a little trip back to the kennels. Actually it wasn’t so much little as a long trip involving a lot of motorways and countless roundabouts. It was a round trip of around 150 miles and I hated every inch. It wasn’t Callie’s fault. She was fitting in remarkably well and I had already grown very fond of her, but Penny just wouldn’t accept her. Maybe things would have improved in time but Penny didn’t deserve the anguish and hurt.

So that’s it. We agreed last night not to try any further experiments. No more additions to the family of any species, in the house at least. Hedgehogs, badgers and foxes are welcome but on the strict understanding that they stick to the estate. Mice will probably try the odd invasion [we had another one of those a few weeks back] but they don’t bother us unless they start robbing food in which case I trap ’em.

The house is very quiet now.

Penny is asleep on her couch.

But she still had to check every corner of the house first to be sure there were no unwelcome guests.

She’s happy.