Vladimir Putin has not been alone in his mission to expand his territory these past few months...
I wasn't long residing with Gail before dissatisfaction with my assigned living space (the kitchen and sunroom) set in and my quest for Lebensraum commenced.
I was keenly aware too, that the empire of my predecessors had extended over a far wider portion of the house than I was initially allocated.
The first conquest was the easiest. Having mastered the dog flap, and peed and pooped on the kitchen floor once too often for Gail's liking, free access to the enclosed back garden was surrendered without opposition.
My next manoeuvre was an occasional sortie into the relatively well-defended front room. Even the most watchful border patrol can be outwitted by a fast moving and quick-witted fox terrier. Before long came an acceptance that my annexation of the comfy sofa was legitimate according to international canine law.
Gail's study proved a tougher nut to crack. But the fiercest opposition can be defeated by the heavy artillery of a terrier's determination, and finally my 'Special Operation' bore fruit.
Gail is still expressing doubts as to whether I should be allowed to permanently occupy 'her' study and so I have decided to put the matter to a referendum. Readers, please leave a comment below to give your views (and remember that I shall be counting the votes with no independent supervision and I have the sole authority to declare ballot papers invalid...)
Oh and yes I am aware that the matter of access to the two upper floors in the Aberdeen house is still to be addressed. But for the moment I am happy to consolidate my gains and maybe regroup for a bedroom campaign later in the year...
