Peace and Quiet At Last

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have 3 cats and a dog. My inlaws (with who we are living with for a while) have 1 dog.

Legolas the kitten likes to chase Pippin the cat who likes to chase Merry the cat.

Legolas likes to chase Abbey the dog who likes to chase all 3 cats and Cooper the dog

Cooper and Legolas play together, Abbey and Legolas play together, Abbey and Cooper play together

Pippin loves to sit on my lap, and Merry is a grumpy pants most of the time (but sleeps in my arms at night)!

Legolas and Abbey are NOT allowed anywhere near Merry, or to even look at her!

The inlaws are doing work on the basement, and Im upstairs trying to study (yeah I know, DK doesnt count as study!). Im left in charge of all 5 animals...

The cats and Cooper I can deal with, they sleep alot and generally do as they are told, but Abbey NEVER sleeps (to the point where she has blood shot eyes every evening). She is about 1 year old, so still a baby, and will get into trouble. She wont leave Cooper or the cats alone. She will always find something to chew she shouldnt have despite having all of Coopers toys and chews and a few of her own. She WILL NOT sleep, even if she is put in her crate (which is too small for all night and time outs so she doesnt get them - inlaws wont buy a bigger crate). She only gets 1 walk a day, and thats at a VERY slow pace - it takes the inlaws 20 mins to walk 1 km (0.6 mile). I cannot walk both together as Abbey thinks its play time, the inlaws wont come walk with me (its too far and too fast) and DH sleeps in before work (im trying to get him to wake up earlier and walk them both with me). I dont have time (or energy) to take them both separately as I have study to do.

Sometimes, just sometimes, Abbey will sleep if I shut her in the office with me and she cant hear the inlaws (she will never sleep if the inlaws are around). Today is one of those days!!!!! I got a full 15 minutes of quiet, til Abbey woke up and started to chew on Coopers leg! Even Merry allowed Lego near her!)

Clockwise from top left - Pippin, Legolas, Merry, Cooper, Abbey

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Wow - amazing sight!  So funny.

[Dori & Rua]

Sure looks like you have a Kodak moment there!  It might not ever happen again, but at least you have proof of that.  And remember, this is just temporary!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh Kaytlin, all I can say is it's a good thing you love animals!  This does look like a peaceful scene though...if only for a few minutes.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I would beg your in-laws to get a bigger crate or get them one for their birthday :) Ask them if they would like sleeping in a twin bed together! LOL It would make your life easier. Cute picture.

[BG and Gavin]

That place is a zoo!  Glad you finally got them all in sync even if it was for only 15 minutes.  Cute picture!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm sorry the in-laws won't get her a bigger crate. Honestly, Owen was just a high energy guy who could not calm himself. He had to have time-outs in his crate at which point he would go right to sleep. He did not nap well on his own. The more tired he got the naughtier he would be. This could solve some of her behavior problems and just make for a more pleasant time for all of you. :o(

[Pat and Traveler]

Okay, I'm not going to complain about two sizeable dogs in the house!  What a circus, Kaytlin!  Oh, I'll complain a little.  One of my lamps bit the dust this morning.  Sigh.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Looks like they had a very good party LOL!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Everyone looks pretty worn out! Sorry it didn't last!