trystinn | Homeward Bound, indeed

Hobo has settled in to the house beautifully, its hard to imagine he hasn't always been here. He naps with the dogs, sleeps with us, he's even starting to help us take care of the chickens! He doesn't know what to do with them, but he's accompanying us, trying to play with a few chickens and taking cues from Libby and the dogs.

He's still a bit shy around the ducks, he seems to be a bit intimidated by them. Hobo spends hours staring out the french doors or on the back porch, watching them cautiously. He's a very big cat, but we've very big Swedish ducks.

Fudge, who has lived outdoors for years, refusing to come indoors except under the most dire weather situation, is now living indoors. The two boys share the back of the house. Libby sits in the door, scowling. Hobo and Fudge give each other respectful space, but Hobo is moving closer every day. Which seems to be how Hobo deals with animals - he just moves in closer, sits and ignores any protest. Next time, he comes in even closer. Just works your boundaries until he's lying next to you. I'm here, he seems to say, deal with it.

As I type, Hobo is napping on the sofa with Doodle. He vastly prefers Gracie, as she adores cats. You wouldn't think a Border Collie who loves to herd would be so welcoming of cats, who by their own nature, refuse to be herded, but she adores him. They play, groom each other, play what we call London Bridge, too - Gracie herds him around, he walks under her and they begin again. Sometimes, in trying to figure out where he went, she'll flop down almost sitting on him or whirl about, forcing him to change directions. I'll try to get it on video.

All in all, while didn't need another animal, but apparently we needed a Hobo.