Albert, George and the rat

Now, for most of the day I have been shampooing carpets ( a must with 4 dogs and a cat in a small cottage), so I had resigned myself to an averagely boring day.....It was half past two when I finally got out into the field to collect eggs and check on the stock, and was accompanied as usual by Maddie and George (who can be left to their own devices) and by a slightly limping but wide eyed Albert.
As I was emptying the nest boxes, I heard some high pitched angry squeaking coming from beneath Rogo's ark and as I marched up to see what was going on both cockerels (Bill and Rogo- with a slightly bemused Hughie in tow) galloped there to stand awkwardly at the entrance watching the fun inside!
As I got there I could see Albert struggling manfully with a large rat, who was bouncing around in the dirt. It was the rat that was making all the noise. Now Albert is a wonderful mouser, but he is a slightly built cat with three useful legs so in a one to one with a cornered and very belligerent rat I was worried he would be injured!, so brandishing my egg bucket (?) and forgetting my blood pressure, I dived in to separate them.

I need not have worried, as before I could do anything in shot George, and with lightening speed he jumped forward, grabbed the rat and gave it an innate death shake!
Scattering the watching cockerels, he then lifted it up, bit it several times in quick succession and then flung the rat into the air. Almost before it hit the floor he was on it again with a growl and as Albert looked on, he ran off with Bill in hot pursuit!.
I caught up with them at the Church wall, where George excitedly dropped him ( with a great deal of reluctance!)...it was the first thing I ever saw the little chap kill, and he was pleased as punch with himself........I took the above pic a little later on after George had been led away for a lie down in a darkened room......he looks kind of cute....for a rat


Blood pressure is 131 over 85 this afternoon (ie normal)..we are off to see Dorian Gray tonight at Theatre Clwyd's cinema...not something I would have picked but hey ho I can't get everything my way.....mini review later!