Creating Bunnies – A Work In Progress

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It’s been a busy week.  We had one of our favourite visitors who needed to be loved to bits especially because she always leaves a little treat 🙂 &Danella 8 July 2014 There were many walks to be taken.  We went to the dog park and the beach.  We made new friends and met up with some old ones too.  We did training.  And despite all this busyness and exercise, Siddy keeps right on growing.  He now weighs over 4 kg.  He is becoming a ‘big boy’. We’ve been concentrating on trying to convince puppy that jumping, biting, licking and whining at every one who enters the house is not a good idea.  Cries of “No, stop, cease, desist!” just weren’t working so we were forced to listen to the training experts and do the whole tuck hands away and ignore procedure.  It worked remarkably well and Siddy has learnt to wait mostly patiently for whatever attention or activity is about to be offered.  Life is slowly gaining some order I thought to myself smugly. Then Siddy surprised himself – and me most of all – when he discovered he could jump onto the lounge chairs. on a chair 18 7 14 Once he was on a chair, things that once were safe became decidedly at risk

Hellloooo! 20 7 14

Orlando is cool with it all though.  He has his trusty right hook and knows how to use it!  Wap, wap wap!!  We have head butts and nose touches and even a little leaning in for a nuzzle first thing in the morning.  Puppy has lowered his energy and is calm and quiet [mostly] around the cat.

In the evenings I have been busy learning how to make knitted bunnies for a project I am working on.  [Teaser: The project is a very long overdue secret gift for two blogger friends!]  As this particular creative process wasn’t anywhere on my radar until it was suggested, my crocheted mandala is still on the back-burner – well off the stove altogether if I am honest – as Siddy found the beginning rounds I had made and disappeared with them under the sofa, where I eventually discovered them chewed to a felted, matted mess.

The suggestion and pattern link was sent to me by my new friend Gallivanta at Silkannthreades  I got the germ of a good idea and another great blog to follow  🙂  Heaven!  First I made this bunny as per the recipe

Bunny1a

So cute huh?  You just knit a square, run a few stitches and voila a bunny 🙂  But way too big for what I have in mind.  I wondered if a crochet bunny would do it – so I made this one

Bunny2

Sorry about the very poor shot – Suffice to say it didn’t work.  The crochet left too many gaps and the bunny was still too big – and anyway this is what happened to him

Bunny2A

Next I made two much smaller bunnies and finally arrived where I wanted to be  – Meet the little Hug Bunnies

HugBunnies1

I haven’t made pom-poms for many years, but it’s a bit like riding a bike and a happy hour was spent making bunny tails.

And finally, the second successful set – even smaller:

HugBunnies2

I’m quite pleased with them, they look really cute and are completely unsuitable for anything else except looking cute!

So that is step one of the project completed, the next bits should be quite straight forward.  Stay tuned.

Thanks for coming by today, I love that you did!  🙂

83 thoughts on “Creating Bunnies – A Work In Progress”

  3. Pauline, thanks for introducing me to so many aspects of your creativity! I just love those hugging bunnies. They are so cute. I can see you are thoroughly enjoying your puppy:)

    When you have a moment, hop on over to my blog- I finally made a post.

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    • I enjoyed your red bin very much Elaine! I am enjoying my puppy – and slowly being able to spend a little time creating, but not too much yet. You know that thing when you have kids and you suddenly realise they aren’t under your feet and have been quiet for a while…. ? Chaos!! 🙂 But we are getting there.

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  4. Hello at last! 🙂 I know you’ve posted about it before, but I still adore your crochet throw. And I love that second pic of the dog-cat stand-off. And the bunnies are so sweet. There is much beauty in your life.

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  5. so cool! + really cute! I remember pom poms from being a kid, something with a cardboard and you rapped and then cut it..hmmm…all I remember, but fun I do remember that! We had them on our scarves-tee hee…long stocking scarves our mothers made us!..You are so multi-talented!!!!
    Please forgive overdue comments this summer, just too nice to be inside…I am starting to sound like a broken record!

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    • I am so glad you are enjoying many out-door hours tending your lovely oasis Robbie, I know your absence merely means you are playing in the soil and harvesting many taste delights!

      Pom-poms have never vanished for very long- they pop up all over the place and now and again become a most important fashion accessory! 🙂

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      • They even sold a machine back in the 70;s that helped you make them-FUN! I remember us decorating with them, but creative souls like you rediscover:-) Cute bunnies!

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  7. Siddy looks as though he’s already figured out how to get away with almost anything. I wonder what Orlando thinks about when he’s alone, and practicing his right hook.

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  9. Thanks for following my blog. As a cat and dog lover I really enjoyed tis post. It is so funny to watch the territorial actives as each makes its way around the house. Sometimes certain activities are fine. Other times not so much.

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    • I enjoyed your post on Jill’s blog very much John and am looking forward to reading more from you. Good to have another animal lover on board, I hope you will pop back from time to time. It has been many years since I raised a puppy. The initial shock is wearing off and I am now enjoying the experience very much!

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  10. I loved your post and then I read your comment about him proudly peeing all over the floor with two feet on the potty tray, how adorable, frustrating and funny all in the one breath! He is very cute, and Orlando is quite handsome, in his superior way 🙂 Wap wap wap, I dub thee insubordinate lol. Love the bunnies x

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  11. Sending you high marks and mountains of praise for being able to crochet several projects whilst blogging, hosting, puppy training, walking on beaches and who know’s what else. I can’t seem to manage to catch up at all. I should at this very moment be working on my monthly challenge page for work, but would rather be here to say hello and take a moment in your cozy living room to set a spell. We’ve been having super hot weather and it wipes me out.

    So Siddy and Orlando are becoming social, that’s so fantastic. I too laughed at the wap, wap, wap because it’s the go-to reply to many of Petals antics from Blossum. Quick-Paws-MacGraw makes me laugh every time she does it. I can sure see Siddy has grown, just cute as can be. It’s funny how his widdle legs are stretched to the max trying to reach Orlando from the chair….hehe.

    Your bunnies look really sweet hugging 😀 Not everything is for a purpose, sometimes it should just be for the heart. I think they look so soft, no wonder Siddy couldn’t resist them. Maybe the next time you find that bunny, it’ll lead you to your long lost shoe. Is it still winter for you Pauline? It’s hard to tell because your photo’s are so sunny and pretty. They seem summery, rather than wintery. Ta ta for now, loved my little visit xoxoxoxo

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    • You seem to go from one extreme to the other with your weather – it isn’t that long ago you were knee deep in snow and having to dig your walk way out……. it is such a novelty to me here in temperate land. Here in the far south we might go from -2 if it is really cold to 25 C if it is really hot 🙂 An hour away up on the high mountain plateau they soar to 40+ in the summer time and I cannot be doing with that! Do you have a good air conditioner in your new house?

      I expect you are still deeply involved with nesting and making your home your own. It is a wonderful time isn’t it! There is still a little part of me that longs for that opportunity…..
      Thank you for taking some time to come and set with us, I love it when you pop by 🙂

      I still struggle to find time to paint, I’ve discovered that I totally immerse myself and have no idea what else is going on – and this is when puppy runs riot. So, I can’t paint, I can only do things that I can give half my attention to. Hopefully this phase will not last for too long. These are all the reasons why I was never going to have a puppy! 🙂

      The boys are slowly but surely working it out. It would be quicker if Siddy wasn’t an impulsive youngster, but still he is learning. He makes me laugh so much when he is trying to be good and then just gives up and goes for it. Orlando, like your Blossum has found great relief in the wapping response. It has given him a sense of some control and therefore he can be a bit more lenient towards the puppy. I had O on my knee this morning and a quivering puppy sitting beside me and we had a lovely five minutes just chatting and stroking and ‘being good’. I take heart from every peaceful encounter 🙂

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      • awwww, so Siddy is trying so hard to mind his manners but can barely contain his excitement. What a good boy! What I know about having a dog (ours anyways) is that they are eager to please you if you are their pac leader. Way to be the pac leader Pauline 😀

        Yes our weather is a contradiction of extremes at times. Right this moment it’s getting windy and thundering. The skies have darkened and we’ve been told a good summer storm is on the radar, with rain all day tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it. We’ve just had an estimate for AC installation and will have another next Friday, then decide which gets our business. We do have a cool basement to sleep in but my craft room is upstairs and it’s been too warm most days to be in there. Plus, we don’t want to leave the doors and windows open at night downstairs because we wouldn’t feel secure. So AC will help me feel safer in that regard. Do you lock your doors where you live? I’m surprised how many don’t.

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        • I used to live in a lovely house that had huge west facing windows. I would come home from school in the early evening and find all my candles melted! I used to have lots of candles and loved having their light in the evenings rather than electric. But I stopped doing that living there – it was like a furnace! That was also the first house where I started locking my doors, up until then we didn’t have to. By the early nineties we did if we didn’t want to come home and find our possessions gone 🙂 Modern life huh!

          I sometimes forget to lock up here when I go to bed – but so far all is well. Now I suspect Siddy would love any burglar to death before he got to me -)

          Your Boom Room will be lovely and cosy in the winter time then 🙂

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  12. Adorable bunnies and tolerant Pauline and Orlando! As adorable as Siddy is, I’d be worried about my level of patience. You are clever and kind and awesome!

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    • Believe me my patience has been strained on many occasions – and I have raised my voice in sheer frustration and quickly seen it did no good and I just had a scared puppy looking back at me. Shamed!! I’d rather have a happy confident pup and lose a few bunnies and shoes and sundry other items that I am careless enough to leave lying around……. I think he is a constant source of hilarity and adventure and cuteness and the frustrating bits just have to be ridden out til he gets a little older and calmer and I don’t have any shoes or socks left that he can steal 🙂

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  13. Granny and I were MOL when we saw Siddy with the to big rabbit. Hopefully he doesn’t think that the little ones are for him too… 😀 Pawkisses for a Happy Friday 🙂

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  14. The hugging bunnies are ADORABLE! I’ve never seen such a thing. Looks like Siddy was just helping you get there. He and Orlando will work things out. Orlando will always have the upper hand. I trained my puppy with the help of Ceasar Milan who is called the Dog Whisperer here. I learned so much about how to stop unwanted behavior kindly. It worked so well. It looks like you will have plenty of entertainment for years to come. 🙂 Isn’t it wonderful when daughters come by to visit? Very striking good looks. Plus a kind heart as well. Can’t get better than that. Hugs. M

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    • I am pleased you like the hug bunnies Marlene – and I am also pleased to hear you haven’t seen such a thing before as I hoped I was being original. 🙂

      I do study up with all the great dog trainers I know of and try to put into practise their collective knowledge. As my daughter points out to me I am so often an over indulgent parent and need to be rehabilitated myself. When I remember to do the right thing I am always amazed at how quickly puppy ‘gets it’. Must try harder 🙂

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  15. Your bunnies are really cute and Siddy is definitely growing fast. I’m sorry about your Mandala I hope you start over I would love to see it.

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    • I was just over at your latest post Lois, tapping out a long and rambling response to your dilemma. I am sure it will resolve itself well – these things,when they start out as you have described, are very often the precursors to exciting new opportunities. I’ll be thinking of you!

      And yes, when bunny making is all complete I will return to my mandala – I really want to make a wall hanging.

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      • I am drawn to mandalas,I had one my grandmother bought me but lost it in a house fire. Today have one hanging on my wall that was made by a Native American. My son bought it for me on his 24th birthday saying it was time I received a present on his birthday for the pain I went through to birth him. 😉

        I look forward to seeing yours when you have time to return to it.

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          • It’s actually a joke. When he was in elementary school he would get so excited about his birthday party with family and start to focus on the presents he would receive. I didn’t like him focusing on gifts and told him family was coming to show how happy they were he came into the world, I would finish by saying I did all the work that night so I should get a present. He got the point but years later, after he watched his daughter being born he remembered that and bought me the mandala on his birthday.

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  16. Fran is the first, and I’ll get my two cents in near the end. 🙂 Orlando is twice as big as Siddy! I’m more afraid for that gorgeous lamp! Your daughter is lovely, btw. And your bunnies. 🙂 Love you.xxoo

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    • I made that beaded fringe on the lamp Christi – about five or six years ago now. It has held up very well but maybe it’s day are numbered! You are right, Orlando is twice his size – a few weeks ago he was four times as big. In another couple of months I expect puppy will be bigger than O and then we will have another issue! 🙂

      My daughter is so lovely! She is quite special and has a wicked sense of humour too! Love you right back xoxo

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  17. Always a tasty reward to drop in on a contented crafter blog post. LOVE that Siddy now has a new skill (Earl has taught him well) and that Orlando is just getting over himself now (like Bezial, he will probably sulk for years though…) I adore your colour schemes and your eclectic and most gorgeous little home Ms Pauline. Scrumptious to the max :). Love those teeny rabbits and how they are good for sweet bugger all except for expressing your friendship and letting someone else know that they are special to you. After all, what else was wool invented for? Siddy obviously loves wool. He may even keep the wool industry in NZ operational and profitable all by his fluffy 4kg self! 😉 by the way…how do you want to do this dangler thingo. I need to know as I am getting people coming at me from all sides wanting your address and not sure how to proceed…send hints soon…drowning in offers!

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    • I did respond to your earlier question on the lovely dangler thingy offer – on your post m’dear 🙂 I got myself a tad conflicted over asking for more 🙂 [The phrase ‘greedy guts’ came to mind – don’t ask where THAT comes from!]

      Earl is obviously the Kung-Fu Master incarnate. This morning one shoe has gone entirely missing – nowhere to be found. Not a scrap of it, not a bit of leather or rubber or whatever it was made of remains anywhere in the search vicinity. Evaporated! What good to me is one shoe? Siddy just beams politely and licks something……

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  19. Love that shot of Siddy gaining countertop height with Orlando’s look of indignity 😀 so glad that Orlando knows how to teach the pup some manners – those sharp things sure come in handy. Your creative streak will have to get yet more creative to keep your wonderful work out of that chewy monster!

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  20. I am amazed at how your visitor and Siddy blend with your furnishings so beautifully. Is that a prerequisite for a visit? 😉 I love that room!

    The bunnies are so cute and fluffy. I can’t wait to hear what comes next. The first bunny looks like an angora. What a cute idea making hugging bunnies. I love the soft green eyes of the second pair and their pretty bows, too. I’m so glad peace is beginning to reign in the Contented Crafter household. With your continued progress, Orlando can retire from his boxing career once and for all.

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    • Well spotted Alys, the first bunny is intended to look like an angora. I knitted up some white mohair yarn that was left over. The second bunny was also mohair. Apparently small puppies are quite fond of mohair!!

      I think Orlando is quite enjoying his ‘boxing career’ [well put Alys!] I saw him a while back doing an inviting little tease and then realigning his body for the ‘wap, wap, wap’ combo! Poor gullible, enthusiastic puppy 🙂

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      • Well done! You got the look down perfectly. How much smaller do you need it to be? It’s adorable!

        I can appreciate Sids love of mohair. I have a small blanket, once intended for one of M’s teddy bears, but now in use in Slinky’s bed. It’s soft, warm and organic.

        ‘wap, wap, wap’…I really shouldn’t admit to giggling but I’m afraid I did. Not because I want to hear about poor little Siddy but because I’ve seen the behavior in action many times before.

        Now that Slinky lives indoors, she’s developed a spine of sorts. If Mouse gets up on ‘her’ desk, she gives him the wap, wap, wap treatment, even though she is half his size.

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  22. Bunnies and puppies and kitties . . . oh, my! Your menagerie keeps evolving in great ways, Pauline–I’m so glad to hear about the progress and detente between Siddy and Orlando. The fact that you’re able to do any crafting at all is evidence of how far your pet kids have come!

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    • Thanks Kerry – I am so proud of my ‘kids’! 🙂 It doesn’t take so very long for things to settle back into some kind of normality – maybe my original premise of ‘come spring……’ wasn’t so very far off! I’m looking forward to being able to paint again!

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  24. Those hugging bunnies are adorable. I especially love the first one, its so fluffy and cuddly. *I feel like a kid hugging her bunny* Great job! And a lovely post 🙂

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  26. Siddy makes me giggle because he looks so cute and cheeky – love the picture of him claiming the crocheted rabbit. How beautiful for your visitors to have such a willing cuddly buddly to snuggle! Your small hugging bunnies are gorgeous – and I mark you 10 out of 10 for persistence in getting them just right. I am intrigued about the rest of the project – can’t wait to see. Thanks so very much for all the beautiful comments you leave on my blog, Pauline. They always make me very happy. Huge hugs to you and your fluffy crew – and happy crafting! xoxoxoxoxoxox

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    • Thanks Dani, we are a fluffy crew aren’t we! Someone remarked the other day that all residents of this flat have lots of hair 🙂 I think it is excellent that I have a really good vacuum cleaner 🙂 I’m glad you like the the bunnies – I enjoyed the challenge of finding a way to get what I wanted and they really are quite easy to make.

      I hope the grief is easing a little for you as you fill in your days with the various demands of life. I think of you often as I corral my wayward crew! xoxo

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  27. Adorable Siddy, gorgeous visitor, and I adore your hug bunnies. Everyone should have a hug bunny, or, if the someone is a Siddy, a chew bunny! Perhaps Orlando would like a cuddle bunny? And, awww, it’s nice to see my name highlighted. Thank you.

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    • You are most welcome, it will happen again when the project is completed too 🙂

      Orlando is mostly happy with his well worn baggie as long as I keep it stuffed with fresh dried nepeta, all is well in his world 🙂 Siddy however finds it hard to believe that not everything is intended for his enjoyment. The hug bunnies have to be kept safe for now.

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  28. Wow!! You guys have made great leaps and bounds of inter-species relationship progress!!! And Siddy keeps defying the laws of possibility – growing ever more divine!! Amazing bunnies Pauline – I am, as always, in awe of your creative prowess. We are having a little blog break while I get to grips with our not-so-little house renovation. : ))))xox

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  29. Pauline 🙂 I have fallen in love with your dog lol. I am sure though the reality of Siddy is far different to just the sheer fluffy cuteness he projects in photos. He’s as cute as a dog can get!!! You are obviously doing well with his training as his behaviour gets more acceptable and nice to see Orlando is coping better with him 🙂 I often say to Roger that it seems every dog I have had has trained me into submission to his ways so you are going good!

    Cute bunnies too 🙂 Even though they have no use but to look pretty that’s a good reason to make something.

    I like the blues in your home and the femininity of it – there isn’t a tool to be seen or a stray jersey, pair of boots or even a beer can…. that must be nice 🙂 🙂

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    • Wendy, Siddy is truly the cutest and best little puppy in the whole world! I am dotty about him. He is happy, confident and friendly and ‘….so fluffy I could die!’ [Despicable Me, if you don’t know where that quote comes from] I can’t be cross with him when he steals things because he looks at me with those big round eyes and doesn’t understand why he can’t have whatever it is…. he just wants to play too for heavens sake……. and I’d rather have a happy puppy than the few things he has done away with [well, so far any way!] He is remarkably quick to pick up some things and quite dense about others. He has short-cut his toilet training. Once he had understood where and when and how, he adapted the procedure and now stands on his potty tray with just his two front feet on and looks up at me so proudly while peeing all over the floor 🙂 I am resigned to having to mop up dog pee until the worst of the winter is over. When he puts four feet on the tray I give him a treat, but he hasn’t put two and two together yet to make four – he’s still just on two Lol!!

      He is even winning over Orlando who is remarkably tolerant now and even willing to be on the floor with him for brief periods.

      I have to admit, since you have raised it, that I like being able to have my home the way I want, how I want, when I want and that I don’t have to cater to or clean up after a man. Don’t tell anybody I said that though will you! 🙂 There are always pros and cons in all situations and this is definitely my pro 🙂

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      • Lol, I am sure he feels terribly proud of himself for weeing on the floor by his tray lol, that’s so cute. Who could growl at that ?! I would love a wee fluffy dog again but have to be happy with Syd, who is very cuddly but has no idea he is not a lap dog but a hulk who invariably hurts you somewhere as he tries to get his cuddles.

        I won’t tell anyone you said that. honestly sometimes I wonder if my husband was ever actually trained to use a house as a home and not a transfer station for all sorts! I won’t say house-trained as I almost did as they would give some awful images lol

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        • I think the term ‘transfer station’ fits perfectly many male relationships with their homes 🙂 However – we do have to remember that you have a husband who fashions you love hearts out of barbed wire – thus proving that at some level he entirely understands the dichotomy in your relationship 🙂 One in a million Wendy!

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  30. Oh Pauline…those bunnies are absolutely adorable…I love them! Great job!
    I knew Siddy was a patient fella, it just took him a little time. 🙂 I’m still in love with the blue and white throw…beautiful!

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    • Thanks Jill 🙂 You are right – Siddy is winning Orlando over…….. He wins everyone over really and not even a cat can withstand his charms for ever 🙂 It is such fun to watch!

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