I wanted to sleep in today, but the dogs spotted me when I got up to pee at 7AM thanks to the glass front door. I went back to bed, but I could hear them whining. When I finally got up and threw open the curtains, I burst out laughing to find their cute faces pressed against the window.

The morning routine is that I top up their food and water bowls, then dress and head straight out with them for a hike. First, though, we have a cuddle session. Mechka is a total suck, but I think Sausage is even more taken with me. I hope I one day find a human who is as happy to see me first thing as Sausage is! It’s not even that he’s giddy about his walk. He just wants the attention!

We hiked for a bit, then I came back to have breakfast, which I realised, with immense shock, I could have ordered in nearly flawless Bulgarian — coffee with milk and a tomato sandwich with butter, cheese, salt, and pepper.

Then, I got to work transcribing a fairly boring hearing and then started on an interview with a jewelry store owner. I finished very late the last two days, so I decided I was quitting at 5:00 today, Sunday workload be damned.

I took my lovebugs on an extra long walk after work, ripped open my right calf on some really sharp thorns that also lightly scratched both of my wrists, and was amused by how close Sausage sticks to me even though he’s off-lead and could go as far as he wants. Mechka is more prone to wandering off by herself, and then coming back to me for some attention. I can’t believe just how good these dogs are. It’s like they’ve been mine our whole lives.

Penghu the bratty cat and I are also getting along beautifully. He’s learning that I don’t tolerate cats on tables and counters and I’m learning to keep my food on high shelves! He’s a cuddler and I love putting a movie on and inviting him onto my lap, where he burrows and starts purring to raise the roof.

I feel so blessed by how well this assignment is turning out. I was so worried about how I’d get one with the pets and never expected us to just fit.

As for Bulgarian wildlife, there are very large and aggressive spiders as well as boars… It’s been quite an education. Bulgaria still has real wilderness. Then again, I did see a fox in suburban London, so maybe wilderness is a subjective term…

I’m almost through my afternoon beer and thinking about supper. I’ll probably do a pasta with a fresh oniony tomato sauce and a little sour cream with chicken. All this fresh air and exercise makes me hungry!

Max should be out here Monday so I’ll be able to ask about some time off to go exploring. But I have to say that, for now, I’m quite content with my little Bulgarian routine and housemates.