Kitty Witty Bitty

... came to live with us in 1996.  Scott walked into the station one day at the end of his shift and there was Kitty hoping for a home or else he was heading for Animal Welfare.  Kitty came home to be Sarah's cat.  She named him Brendan. (The name is on his records at the Vet's but it never stuck - he's Kitty.) Kitty liked Sarah so much he sprayed her several times ('til we got him fixed) to mark her as his own.  The spraying seemed to get in the way of Sarah and Kitty's relationship . . . apparently Sarah can't take a joke ... and they never did get too close.  So Kitty became the family cat, and mostly Scott's.  He and most of the dogs that came to be part of our family learned to tolerate each other.  Kitty and Scout - close friends.  Peach has always felt pure, strong love with lots of enthusiasm. . . Kitty, not so much.

When we lived in the city he was allowed in the backyard but only on a lease.  He proved the nine lives theory by hanging himself a few times by trying to go over the fence.  We finally shortened the lease to prevent that from happening again. 

When we moved to the farm he was at first intimidated by so much outdoor space.  He'd hide under a bush right near the house.  But he soon got over that and learned to enjoy exploring the barn yard, the barns, all the other buildings and the hay field.   Every night, weather permitting, we'd walk the dogs down the lane to the road and back.  Kitty would follow like he was one of the dogs - it was kind of cute. I think he, like the rest of us, really enjoyed life at the farm.

When we moved from the farm to town, outdoor exploring was limited to the back yard.  A big back yard but still not the same as the farm.  Poor Kitty.  He developed some early morning antics (that you can read about here) and every few months would manage to escape for a short adventure.  Sadly (for him) he was captured each time within minutes.  Poor Kitty.

The last few months we've seen an older, slower Kitty. 

The last couple days, a distressed, breathless Kitty. 

Today, Kitty Witty Bitty is no more.

RIP Kitty.

My First Horse

Bingo Ladd

Bingo Ladd was my first horse. I think I was 14 and "working" as a trail guide. Pay was $10 a day and $12 a day on weekends. So, not much money to spend on a horse. I partnered with a co-worker and we paid $100 for him. I bought her out a month or two later. He was a rescue horse and about 200 pounds underweight when he arrived. He packed on the pounds fast though. I loved throwing a Navaho blanket over his back and riding him that way with no saddle.

Thanks for the picture, Karen.  What a surprise to see it this morning! 

And, yes everyone, I know he's funny looking.  I didn't care!  He was MY HORSE!

Amy's Dogs - Cute, Aren't They?

And she says, "they do NOT all look alike!" . . .

with a straight face no less.

Awwww . . . look at the babies!

Nervous Cat

Not!

Do all cats relax this much when they sleep?

What is wrong with the Cat?!

I really like my morning time. A cup of coffee and some quiet time to read a book or read some blogs. It's probably my favorite time of day. But lately this cat is driving me nuts. He used to think it was quiet time too. Now, after he drinks his milk (which he insists on loudly just in case I might forget to get it for him when I get my coffee), he is quiet for five minutes. That lulls me into thinking we're back to our old routine.

Then it's down the hall to meow loudly outside the bedroom door where a certain someone is still sleeping. (Not everyone is a fan of early morn). So I call "kitty" hoping to not have to get up. "Kitty. I'll pet you." Doesn't work. Put down the coffee, put down the book, walk down the hall, pick up the kitty and deposit him in the living room. We repeat this procedure two or three times.

Quiet time for five minutes.

Next he sits in front of the gate to the dog room (laundry room) and hits the gate. This has a dual purpose. First, it is to let me know that he wants to go through the dog room so he can go in the basement. Second, it gets the dogs wound up. Even the cat multi-tasks. So kitty and I climb over the gate and kitty goes in the basement.

Quiet time for five minutes.

Now kitty is scratching at the basement door. Again, dual purpose. I collect the kitty who must have a drink of water from the dogs' water bowl because of course it tastes better than kitty's water. I wait for kitty and watch Butch who is ready to go on the attack because, OMG, kitty is drinking HIS water! Back over the gate go kitty and I.

Quiet time for five minutes.

Now it's the family room sliding glass door. Kitty wants to go in the yard. At least the kitty paw on glass doesn't make as much noise as the kitty paw on dog gate. That means kitty needs to make noise to get my attention. I never knew cats could be so vocal and so loud. I always thought they just meowed. Quietly. He can't go in the yard - too cold & wet and he won't come in when he gets wet - he'll just cower under a bush and hope to be rescued - it's really kind of pathetic. Finally gives up and has some breakfast.

It's quiet; dare I hope?

Comfort of a touch = Good sleep

Oh

Our aging terriers occasionally have an accident in the house. It drives me nuts! But, I've been trying not to blow up every time it happens, just get the rags and water and vinegar and carpet cleaner and be done with it. (I really wish I could scold the dog but it's impossible to know which one.) I've just resigned myself to the fact that we will need to replace the new carpet when they are gone. arrrgg!! Anyway, I've been doing pretty good lately, calmly taking care of the problem and moving on.

But the other day when Scott hollered from the kitchen "there's pee all over the counter" I did not react calmly. "WHAT?! $%#@#%?!" WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?! HOW DID THEY EVEN GET UP THERE?!



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Oh.

A Visit with Cooper & Sarah

I stopped for lunch with Sarah & Cooper on my way home from Decorative the other day. So much nicer than eating fast food as I drive home. As is normal with such little ones, Cooper is doing more every time I see him. I got a couple hugs and tons of smiles. I'm guessing big sloppy kisses are in the not too distant future. Can't wait!

I love this shirt. I couldn't read it while I was visiting 'cause Cooper was moving too much!

Cooper & Dora. Cooper interacts with the dogs a lot. Lots more than Audrey likes! Dora hangs around a little longer and is so good with him.
My program gets rid of red eye but the animals have yellow eyes. I need something to fix that. Although if I had corrected Dora's yellow eyes you might not be able to spot her in this picture!

Move over Cesar Millan

There's a new dog whisperer in town... AND he can get little children to do what he wants too!! Meanwhile, Tina captures the moment... or was it only a nanosecond that all was in place?

Best Friends

Annie got a shampoo and a haircut today. Don’t know that she looks any better but I’ll bet she feels better… a lot cooler without all that hair.

I need to plant all these flowers. Only a third of what I purchased has been planted so far and I’ve had these for a week. I asked for installation when I bought them, but noOOoo. As soon as it stops raining and I stop procrastinatiog, both at the same time, they’ll be in the ground! (Don’t hold your breath. Besides, they look just fine, don’t they?)

I think this plant is so pretty. Plus it doesn’t have to go in the ground! - no work!

Can anybody tell me what this is...

...just one of the many plants at our new home that I have no idea how to care for, let alone what it is. And it's taking over.