The Four-Legged Family

Special dedicated '30 Days' photograph today:

Eldest cat, aka the original and grumpiest Grumpy Cat, has gone missing.

For the past few weeks, he has suffered the return of the tumour on his face. Under the watchful eye of the vet, it has been a case of either wait until surgery is possible or the inevitable goodbye has to happen.

I fear I waited too long to try for the surgery option and he's just decided enough is enough. After last year's bit of luck where the tumour moved to a position that would mean Cat didn't need his jaw broken in order to remove the lump, I just hoped luck would be on our side again.

I fear that, because I've hesitated, he has decided to go find his final resting place as some cats do. After all, he was from feral stock, rescued as a kitten with his only remaining sibling, both survivors of a magpie attack on the nest. We adopted them both. His poor sister died from a heart condition not long after the boys were born. She was small, she was delicate and her heart beat just a little too fast.

We were left with the rough and tumble brother. The one who got his kitten head wedged into a cat food tin and valiantly tried to pretend it wasn't anything to do with him. The one who would strut up to any delivery van or car visiting 'his street' for a good nosy inside.

We've gone through so much together and he's always been a constant - even if it was a constant "I told you so" from him. When Ex left the cat never looked at him again, turning his back every time Ex picked up the boys.

He was a character who bemused many neighbours, owning the street wherever we lived.

Wherever you are - please come home, say goodbye. Have one last chase of the dog, one last swipe at the other cats and one last touch of a paw on my shoulder as you sleep on the back of the couch.

Flowerpot cat

My Brain With ME

It's not an egg.

It's not even scrambled egg.

Oh, that made me hungry now.

Instead, this photo perfectly captures my brain with ME:

This Meeting Will Come To Order

The Blondes AGM is now in session, Chaircat Padme has the floor...

The Blondes

Best buddies, well the cat has the upper hand of course.  What else do you expect?

Amongst the weeds

I grew a  cat.

So - This Happened

About two or so years ago both Hobbits decided they would like pets of their own. I had the dog, the cats...well they had themselves and whoever had a warm lap on offer but the boys, geared on by their friends' pet ownership, wanted to take care of something by themselves.

As they already unquestioningly help care for the current pets I was fairly open to this suggestion.  Now what would the pet be?

Having had a guinea pig & hamster I knew the ropes as far as those animals were concerned.  Rabbits, well I've never thought they particularly liked small people that much & remembering my aunt's beast, who would eat the curtains & attack any ankle that dared pass by, we quickly ruled that out.  I would have loved another guinea pig, Brownie (for that was her name) would cuddle into my cardi as I did my homework, making those adorable squeaks as she chatted away to me.  What can I say, being an only child sucked.

Rules were set out, the pets would be each boy's responsibility.  Before they were chosen each boy would also have to show a good knowledge of care.  I've raised the boys to understand animals have a right to be cared for properly & it is something we are all passionate about. 

Eldest decided on a hamster, along came Dragonborn & he does a good job of looking after him.  I showed him how to clean the cage twice & Eldest has done everything himself since, more than occasionally getting annoyed when I say "Have you remembered...?" Eye roll & sarcastic inflect on response "Yes, mum!"

Youngest, however, set his heart on a gecko of all things.  Oh crikey, thought I, how would you take care of that?  Unlike Eldest I would have no tips or prior experience.  Youngest was set the task to become a gecko expert & had to wait until I felt he was old enough for the this.

Patience pays off & welcome to the clan Arby the leopard gecko!

She's very sweet & has taken to perching on Youngest's shoulder when out of her vivarium.  Incredibly nosy, she'll come running up to see who's come into the room & will tap the glass with her fingernails to be let out.  Youngest hovers around the thermometer,  updating nearly hourly until I told him, unless its too hot or too cold don't worry!  The live hoppers are fairly stupid, we covered up their pen to stop them banging the side with their heads.  All in all she is a great addition to the family.

And on another day of bad news I'll leave you this...

Sometimes you just have to stop and be at peace with the world, no matter what atrocities humanity has done that day.

Find a happy calm in everything that surrounds you.

Hey There Mr Bird

Hey there Mr Buzzard what're you looking at?

Oh, hey, no, that's Happy Dog - hands off!

Good Yule!

Hamster style.

Holy Crap!

Like a re-enactment from Lord of The Rings this eagle mistook a Montreal baby for a Hobbit - which all things considering is not a difficult mistake to make.

Lucky for baby he was either too heavy or the eagle didn't much fancy unwrapping his next meal.

I think I have truly seen everything now!

This Hamster is Smarter Than Most People I Know

He disappears causing much anguish to eldest boy for about five minutes.  Then he remembers to sit Dragonborn's home on the floor with the door open.

Smart animals (four legged and two) always come home if you provide a home that is safe and comfortable and happy.  And filled with sawdust, peanuts and toilet roll tunnels.  Apart from the last part I think there is a message in there for all of us.

There is room in my pouch for just one more, ok maybe five.

WANT!!!!

Dear God but there is only so much cute a human can handle.  No wait...

Just got cuter!

Want To Rescue A Dog and Gain A Best Friend?

Filipe, just the sweetest heart

Am in love with this boy, spotted after a link on a forum.  Really shouldn't have looked as the inevitable happened.


Now, I love my dog.  He is a big dopey family member and our life would be missing something if he weren't here.  But as much as he loves us and it is reciprocated, I sometimes think he needs a canine buddy.

When we're out and about on our walks, especially when he is off lead, he wants to be friendly.  Some people act as though their dog must remain untouched by the big clumsy oaf, little dogs argue with him, occasionally he finds a soulmate and they run around happily.  I have been considering for some time that maybe the answer would be another dog.

I realise I'm going to end up as one of those people with a house full of animals.  Our current roster is; one dog, three cats and a hamster.  Youngest wants to add a gecko to that and that is fine, he has researched and knows what is up.  

To be honest I'd rather be around animals than humans most times sometimes.

Unfortunately for us this little guy is at a rescue in Southern Spain and although they rehome in the UK it is mainly in Southern England.  It has introduced us to a new breed though - Podenco.

I realise no one really looks at this blog.  But if there is anyone out there and they want a best friend in time for Christmas...

http://www.dogwatchuk.com/felipe-a-rescue-dog-who-is-loving-and-affectionate/

It's Getting Like Old MacDonald Around Here

Only with pets rather than farmyard friends.  Right enough I did like the idea of chickens but with cats and our friendly neighbourhood Mr Fox that is not such a good idea.

The cats pretty much rule themselves, that's just how cats roll really.  I sometimes feel I am tolerated in my own house simply for the talent of being able to open a tin.  I would never go this far though.

As much as Anakin cat loves his boxes (see evidence below), I'd go to the effort only to be thwarted by cat apathy at the end.

What?  I'm busy, call back later.

Of course I've mentioned happy dog many times and he is just...happy.  

The Hobbits had asked for their own pets, something small they could look after.  We are in the age of small furries.  Hamster Dragonborn (aka The Escape Artist) is another blondie with a lovely temperament.  

I had tried to push the idea of guinea pigs.  My own Gwynnie pig was a sweetheart.  I would come home from school, she'd be waiting at the gate to her cage.  I'd tuck her into my cardi and she would burrow in, talking to me the entire time.  My mother hated her but she was truly the best.  

Youngest is set on getting a gecko.  Well, it'll be different that is for sure.

So, if all goes to plan, at the end of the year, the humans will be outnumbered by three cats, one dog, a hamster and a gecko.  Sometimes I worry that it sounds like we're going down the hoarder route but then I think, stuff it, they're part of the family!

I Love Dogs

There was a viral clip a few years ago, a kid being asked a question who replied with the completely unrelated quote "I like turtles."  ** Rummages in internet handbag, oh here it is **

Anyway, as I've been communicatively silent for a month - wish I could say it has been because I have found my inner zen and have been peacefully tranquil, nope, not a chance - I decided to kick myself up the pants with the utterly trivial fact stated in the post title.

There, I'm like the kid, someone asks me something and I'm thinking "oh, yeah, um, so, ooh look out the window, pretty doggy!"  I'm not being glib, I should probably be embarrassed that it is true of someone racing headlong towards year 41 on this Earth.

One of our neighbours has two Newfies and a St Bernard (or the bears as we like to call them) lovely dogs but oh my god the drool. It's like slimy shoelaces sticking out their mouths. Bleurgh! 

Lovely Newfie

Our boy, big dopey Labrador Retriever, enjoys playing with said dogs who are that big they don't bounce around much, rather they watch him and the other dogs run around and that is as much exercise as they want.  Every time he goes up to them I think "please don't get any of that gunk on you because I know who is cleaning it off."

(Note: neighbours live in the same size house as I do which isn't huge, I believe the dogs have their own bedroom, and I bet it's the biggest one!)

The Hobbits are enjoying a camping sleepover with the Scouts.  I am enjoying doing what I usually do, which isn't much, while thinking of all the things I should be doing, which is a lot.  I am accepting of what the doctor has now decided is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (I'm apparently moderate which is better than severe but not as good as mild), that doesn't mean I like it but it does mean I'm not fighting against it now.  That was completely counter-productive.  There will be a way around it, I just have to find it.  I need to move on and get started with working from home, with my writing,  and get to a place where I can work and also manage this.

Oh Bugger The Hamster Has Gone!

Eldest had gone up earlier to put his jammies on.  Ten minutes and lots of loud thumping later Youngest goes up to see what is happening.


I hear crying.


Oh hell, this can mean only one thing.  His hamster, of two weeks, has escaped.  Eldest swears he closed off all exit routes when he put him back in earlier.  The hamster, who goes by the name of Dragonborn (it's a Skyrim thing), is a cute little fella.  Blonde and curious.  Definitely curious.


So after much comforting we have set out several traps, his cage is on the floor and if he does go back in tonight then he'll head straight for his wheel, Eldest had taken to blocking it off at night due to much noise from the energetic wee devil.  


Oh, and the cats will remain outdoors for the next few nights - luckily the weather is a lot nicer for them.


If he is back tomorrow I'll be looking like this...

Ah, That Hits The Spot

Happy dog is happy.

Because I Can...That's Why...

Waggy Tail Days

Take one dog, add a little countryside and a dash of water.

Make that a big dash of water.

To Sum Up The Month So Far