Distractions

It feels like forever since I've written a blog post. Sorry about that. Actually, it's only been a couple of weeks but life has been rather full of distractions of late. Three distractions, in fact.

We were on our usual Sunday afternoon outing to the local Pets at Home for cat food. We had been keeping an eye on these degus since before Christmas, and every time we went to the store we'd have to go and check if anyone had taken them home. This time, they were still in the shop and being utterly adorable. Normally, when either Chris or I starts thinking about how we could take them home, the other one of us will have their sensible head on and rein it in. After all, we live in a small house and already have a cat and a chinchilla. How could this possibly work?

Apparently, what happens is that as you wander away someone else will start looking at the degus and I was overcome with the fear that someone else would take them home. And so that was it. I had a serious case of longing, and Chris wasn't in the mood to discourage me. A quick mental re-shuffle of the lounge and where on earth we were going to put them, and we were decided. The degus would be ours!

We picked up a cage, and some toys, and a bag of food, and before I knew it we were heading home with three degus in cardboard boxes. Oh my word. 

Chris has had degus and other rodents before, but I've never experienced anything like them and wasn't really prepared for the level of overwhelming cuteness that comes with having these three guys in my life. They are utterly engaging, charming and adorable. After a few days we started to notice their distinct personalities, and although we are still getting to know them they are already part of the family.

I can't help but smile each time I see them. Their friendly chatter and the fact that they are so interested in you and everything you do makes them the perfect companions. They get braver every day and will come out of the cage to greet us - now we have to work on training them to go back in when we want them to. Indy, pictured here, seems to like sitting on top of the radiator and keeping his feet warm. He's also started to 'groom' me by gently nibbling my fingers. Apparently this means I'm one of the gang and I love it.

Pep the chinchilla is distinctly disinterested in them, even when the most adventurous degu tries to make a bid for freedom by dashing across the lounge. Morpheus, on the other hand, thinks we've bought him his own live TV. Now if only he could work out why they are so interested in him... (and no, we don't let the degus out of the cage while Morpheus is in the house.) 

This time last year, if you had told me what my life was going to look like, I would have called you a fool. It's funny how things work out and I certainly never imagined a home full of furries. Every day, we do something that makes this home even more special and right now I couldn't be happier.