| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
We're off to the kitty hoosegau again, since the humans are going to a convention. After that, we'll concentrate on getting the air conditioners fixed on L'Andante, so next time we go somewhere, the boys can go with us.
Alex likes the Hills KD gooshy food, which is good, since he now needs to be on it. Don't know yet how he'll feel about the KD dry. Spot thinks it's nasty, so there won't be any issues with Spot eating Alex' food -- no, it will be the other way around...
Got to get packing. Later (by several days), y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/23/12 11:30am |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
The dreaded goggie invasion has occurred again. My cousin's black lab does not remember that Alex rode her like a horse last year, when Meg had the audacity to enter Alex' house.
Meg isn't allowed inside this time, but Alex is still going from door to window to door, making sure that darned dog does not invade his territory again.
Spot doesn't really care. He goes in and out on his regular schedule and just ignores her, to her frustration.
We saw the fawn yesterday evening. Meg kept staring intently toward the meadow, so we pulled out the binoculars and sure enough, the fawn was laying in the wildflowers, not a stone's throw from the house. Mama Doe planted the fawn there before Meg arrived. We kept Meg restrained, since she likes to chase things that run away from her.
Today, Mama Doe has the baby concealed much farther away from the house, where Meg can't spot it.
The main herd came into the meadow yesterday. When I strolled down the driveway to get the paper, all but three stampeded out the gate and across the road. As I came back with paper and having closed the gate, one ran full speed at the fence and cleared it with at least a foot to spare. Another ran, stopped suddenly at the fence, ran along the fence line away from me, then back toward me, and finally back into the meadow. Must have been a young one, not quite ready to jump fences, so it was in the meadow all night.
When I opened the gate this morning, a deer was right beside it. I think it was Mama Doe, because she's one of the few who does not panic and run when the gate moves. Instead, she just watched it open, then turned and looked back up at the house, where I was standing. I assume the young one of last night walked out the gate some time later.
Alex likes the KD. He ate it for lunch, without any additions. Next we'll try the other brand she carries.
Back to my company. Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/21/12 03:34pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: what did you name your rig?
L'Andante. We once had a sailboat named Andante. When we moved from a water yacht to a land yacht, seemed an appropriate name.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/18/12 08:24pm |
RV Lifestyle
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
Mama Doe marched up to the porch this evening and looked inside. She clearly wanted a handout. So I gave her some carrots; after all, she's nursing a newborn -- and I like her.
Haven't seen the other doe; she might have jumped out for now.
Saw another Rufus hummingbird today. It perched on the new feeder, so we got a long, good look. What tiny birds they are.
Alex went to the vet. He's been sneezing, throwing up way too much bile between meals, and losing weight. So he had the full extent of geriatric kitty tests, and we'll know early next week if his thyroid and/or kidneys are acting up. Meanwhile, the vet had some kidney oriented food we're trying. Alex ate it off the spoon, and cleaned his bowl when I mixed it with his regular wet food, so I'm encouraged that he just might like it if he has to go to that food.
Spot gets upset if he doesn't get wet food along with Alex, so we give him a teaspoon or so of whatever Alex is eating, and he's happy. What he doesn't eat, Alex does, generally, so it all works out.
The katydids are very loud tonight -- I can barely hear the tree frogs or the Rio Grande chirping frogs.
Ah, well, back to work. A guy in Switzerland asked me to read his draft e-book and critique it, possibly later edit it. Then another guy asked me to read his already published e-book and critique it. I love it when people ask me to read fiction...
Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/18/12 08:03pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
We just had our first birth of the year, right at sunset. It was probably Mama Doe; if so, she's a couple weeks earlier than last year and a month earlier than 2010. WLToo almost walked up on her giving birth. She must have just had it as he came down the driveway. He saw her first and clapped his hands so as not startle her, then he saw the baby. It was tiny, but was running full tilt within 10 minutes of birth. Her family of young bucks were just on the other side of the fence, avidly watching the birth of their latest sibling. That makes five fawns in the two years we've been here. There's another doe hanging out in our meadow, so could be more on the way.
Deer are quite amazing to watch.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/17/12 09:12pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: whats your career?
I could tell you, but then I've have to kill you.
Whoa, time to go to a new agency -- preferably the ones that use the flashy thing instead. ;)
(Reference: Men in Black)
|
Wanderlost
|
05/17/12 01:34pm |
Around the Campfire
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
:) :) :) :)
|
Wanderlost
|
05/17/12 01:30pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
It's a still, warm day in the Texas Hill Country. I've been watching a Rufus hummingbird at the old feeder; it doesn't like the new one. Finally checked out a hummingbird encyclopedia from the library, to see if we can identify the others.
Spot was Mr. Love Me, Please all day yesterday. It was so cute. He's gradually learning to tolerate being petted somewhere besides his head and jowls, but it will still be a long process. Haven't seen him on the cat tree in about a month; he prefers our bed and the rocking chair now.
Alex is sneezing a lot. Finally saw why: he sticks his nose into the water and has to sneeze it out. I guess at his age a little depth perception problem is expected.
We heard what sounded like a rabbit being captured by something last night. I looked over at Spot and said, "See? That's why I don't want you to go outside at night." He rolled over and continued snoozing.
What's interesting is that we haven't seen any rabbits around here since 2010.
WLToo is back on his RV upgrade project: replacing both old TVs with flat screen. It won't be pretty, but it will be functional.
I'm hot. Time for a swim. Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/17/12 01:06pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: whats your career?
US Army Counterintelligence Special Agent for 28 years, military and civilian, then a DoD CI staff officer for five. Retired in 2010 and now edit WLToo's novels.
WLToo was an Army imagery interpreter and intelligence analyst for 33 years, retiring in 2009. Now he writes science fiction.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/16/12 02:55pm |
Around the Campfire
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
Got home Friday night, picked up the boys Saturday morning. They've been very clingy ever since.
My brother and SIL have several bird feeders, so we got to watch all kinds of interesting birds. Would like to do that here, but where to place them so we can watch, but still not interfere with the lake and Hill Country views, is a bit of a challenge.
We came back with a new hummingbird feeder, the sort of flat kind with a perch. We hoped the hummers had not deserted us while we were gone. Well, a ruby throated hummer is still here and seems to like the new feeder. We can get a good look at it, while it perches to feed.
Meanwhile, the katydids are leaving brown goop all over doors and porches, then dying on the porches, usually right in front of a door. How rude. Time to power wash -- at least those areas not currently being rained upon.
Mama Doe and another doe are in the meadow, both very, very pregnant. We should have fawn(s) within a couple weeks.
While we were gone, it rained so much that the pool was near to overflowing. The island out in the lake is an island again, water level being up two feet. Both rivers are up three feet from last week's rain.
It's been raining buckets since last night, and the pool is definitely overflowing. We can't see the lake for the rain. If we had a water collection system, it would be completely full by now -- still saving the pennies for that one. All this rain isn't going to break the drought, but it sure does help with that and with lowering the wildfire danger.
Spot decided this morning he just had to taste my V8, and my yoghurt. He seems to like the V8; didn't care for the yoghurt.
Meanwhile, Alex came home nearly starving. Seems he would only lick the gravy from his food. So I started blending the food and gravy together into a soup or pate, and he's eating all of it. He also eats the dry food, when I hand it to him as though it's a kitty treat. I figure he's not willing to share a dry food bowl with Spot for some reason, so whenever he wants food between feeding times, we'll pretend the kibble is a treat. Whatever works at his advanced age...
WLToo's third novel was published this morning on Amazon Kindle, and the first sale came from the UK. He has a world-wide following -- we're still somewhat amazed by that. Anyway, if you like rip-snorting science fiction adventure, look for Scout Force, First Command, and Where The Stars Are Few And Far Between. He's a really good storyteller, and I'm not speaking as the spousal unit, but as a fan of his stories.
We'll be attending Comicpalooza in Houston, to advertise the books (and to watch all the Trekkers and other SciFi fans in costume). Should be right interesting.
Worked out with my trainer yesterday, after a week of driving, overeating, and sitting around my brother's place, reading and watching birds. Yet today I am not sore -- obviously the previous three weeks of weight training is already having an effect.
Well, it's lunchtime -- the "feed me" headache is starting. Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/15/12 10:31am |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
So the kitties are in the hoosegau, and we're on the road. Moved a friend and then came to visit my brother. His two kitties are friendly as long as you just pet them while they stroll by, so we're not getting a whole lot of kitty love right now. Sigh.
They have several hummingbird feeders and other bird feeders, so we are watching quite a variety that we don't see at our place. Very entertaining.
But they don't have deer...
|
Wanderlost
|
05/06/12 12:08pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
We have a bit of a mystery. We've not seen Mama Doe in some time, but we have a very pregnant doe and two older fawns in the meadow with her. They run away when we say hello. I would expect Han and Spooky to have joined the buck herd by now, but Mama Doe and Solo should still be around. Instead, we have strangers. Interesting...
Spot isn't feeling good. He threw up a huge hairball at 0230 this morning, then a few minutes later, heaved some bile. When I went back to bed, he settled in next to me much tighter than usual. He's kept his breakfast and lunchtime treats down, but is sleeping mostly today. Luckily, he visits the vet tomorrow.
Alex is back to rolling in the dirt, so he's not real popular as a lap cat at the moment. He's also much too warm, in this very warm weather.
Sat on the porch and watched some ants haul away a green hopper carcass. Don't know where their colony is, but it's not right around the house, so they can live. Gives the horned toads some food -- their primary food source is red ants.
I do love to watch the critters around here. Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
05/02/12 02:43pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
Morning, all. It's an overcast day, with a cool breeze blowing through the house. I do like not having to run the air conditioner -- just open the right combination of windows and sliding doors, and it's just as nice inside as out.
Have to get more bug repellant spray for the doors and windows, though. Our insect crop is booming this year. Got some green hoppers in profusion -- no idea what they are, but all they seem to do is cling to the stucco, leave brown goo on the laundry room door, then drop dead right where we can step on 'em. Yuck. I think we might spray the concrete around each door, too, so they won't even go there.
Our Mexican hat wildflowers are just about to burst into bloom. We have a huge crop, bigger than the last two years, so it should be really pretty.
Haven't seen the deer much. They're all spooky right now, but they're drinking from the water trough and licking the mineral stone, so we know they're around. Probably about a month left before Mama Doe drops this year's fawn(s).
I went to the porch edge to open the gate (remote control), and all the barn swallows had a fit. How dare a human stand beneath the nest with the babies in it? It was rather humorous how they started to swoop at me, then realized I'm really big by their standards, and would veer off while no doubt calling me all kinds of names.
As soon as I got back to the door, I looked over and every adult had immediately roosted in the nests or on a door frame, and were looking at me. They are so much fun to watch.
I see a cricket. I hate crickets. Must go get the flip flop o' doom. Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
04/29/12 09:06am |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Will This Hitch Lock Work?
I use a Reese dogbone lock similar to this:
http://www.reeseprod.com/content/prodphoto/580401.jpg
The lock isn't pickable by most, it has no springs in the mechanism to wear out, and it holds on extremely well.
I highly recommend using a Teflon or Tri-Flow oil in the lock cylinder, as well as putting some type of grease on the inside center of the dogbone, to make removal easier.
We use something similar, and have done for about eight years. Works great.
|
Wanderlost
|
04/28/12 04:23pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: My Little Hero
Bravo, Piper! I'm always a sucker for black cats, and Piper's a real winner, both in beauty and in her protectiveness.
|
Wanderlost
|
04/28/12 03:49pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
A scarlet tanager just clung to one of our porch pillars and stared at us for a while. Why is a yellow green bird called a "scarlet" tanager?
The Commemorative Air Force is flying today. A P-39 Aircobra and a B-25 Mitchell flew over the house and circled the lake. I do wish we had a high quality camera with super zoom, so we can get photos of them flying over the house. Sigh, something else to save up for...
We have at least four baby barn swallows. WLToo saw their little heads just a few minutes ago. Hope we get more soon; we're having all sorts of flying insects this spring.
Spot is turning into a grass burr magnet. Each time he comes back inside, he plucks grass burrs off his fur and tosses them on the floor. He doesn't do so well getting them off his tail, though, so I do it with the Furminator. He and Alex both hate having their tails messed with, so I have to sneak up on him.
Sigh. Have to spray again. Pity there's not an insect or herbivore that relishes grass burrs. I wonder if grass burrs would make a good ethanol base? That and Johnson grass would be some serious reusuable energy...
It's time for a swim. Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
04/28/12 03:42pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
 |
RE: Outback Steakhouse - Thumbs Down
I have never eaten at Outback.
We had one in town, but it was almost right beside a Montana's. I used to eat frequently at Montana's... the Antojitos are to die for.
Stopped eating there when I got the recipe for their Antojito filling and have been making them at home since.
Could I talk you into sharing the recipe in the Camp Cooks and Connisseurs section? Please?
|
Wanderlost
|
04/24/12 03:47pm |
Around the Campfire
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
It appears that Mama Doe is allowing all the fawns inside again. With Little Orphan Fawnie, that's five deer in the meadow.
The territorial hummingbird just allowed another of about the same size to eat from the feeder without a fuss, so I guess they're mates. Looking forward to new hummingbirds soon. WLToo ran the video camera for about 90 minutes the other day, so we should be able to identify the hummers who showed up -- as soon as he finds the cable so we can hook the camera up to the TV.
Alex has been driving us crazy, demanding food, then eating too fast, then throwing up, then demanding food, etc. So we put them on a 3 times per day gooshy food schedule. Calmed him right down. I guess he's not able or willing to eat the dry food anymore, and 3 oz per day of gooshy food was not enough. So he gets 4.5 oz of his own, and whatever else of Spot's that Spot didn't eat.
Spot's still figuring out the change; he knows when breakfast and lunchtime treats were, and now a meal instead of treats has him a little puzzled. He's never been fussy about supper, but he does know to come in before 10:00 pm to get evening treats.
I see the pool is up to 83.5 degrees. Time for a swim. Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
04/24/12 03:42pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Homeless Cat -- Now Spot the Christmas Cat
Spot appears to have decided sleeping up against my side is a good thing. Yesterday, he was stretched out by my side, and Alex decided I needed to wake up, so he started pawing me. Spot stood up, planted his front feet on my chest, and glared at Alex. Alex promptly laid down, and Spot moved back to his place. I slept a bit longer.
This morning, WLToo fed the boys while I was still deeply asleep. When I woke up, both cats had trapped me under the covers. I had to wiggle out from under the covers while they both insisted on staying right where they were. Spot stayed on the bed most of the morning. I guess he's figured out that he's welcome there.
Today was very long, so I'm headed to bed. Later, y'all.
|
Wanderlost
|
04/19/12 09:11pm |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
RE: Felines in the MH
We got our then 14-year-old cat used to travel by first getting a wire cage and securing it in the Jeep back seat. We then drove around for a couple hours, down roads that did not go in the direction of the vet hospital. Once he realized he could sit up and look outside, he stopped fussing. We did that several times, just so he'd understand that the wire cage did not mean the vet. In fact, he never saw his "going to the vet" carrier until we got moved into our retirement home seven states away.
Then we moved him into the MH, while it was parked by the house. Three nights before we finished moving out of the house, we started sleeping in the MH. Very quickly, he decided this was home. The day before we closed on the house, we moved to a campground, where we stayed until my retirement a couple weeks later. Then we started our trek home. Alex rode in the wire cage between the MH front seats, where he could watch or nap as he chose. When we stopped, he wandered about the MH, usually sticking right beside one of us, in case we had food (he's super food oriented). From the day we left the old house to the day we moved into our retirement house, he was happy to stay inside the MH.
He's quite comfortable in the MH now. We've moved into it a few times, when the S&B heat pump went on the fritz and the temps were over 100. Our 2-year-old took to it like it was home in the first place. Moved right in and made himself comfortable.
We took a 19-year-old with us on an emergency trip, because we were afraid he'd die while we were gone. No ramp up, just put him in there and went. He did fine, and his health improved so much that we had him another five months.
A cat's age doesn't matter, when it comes to getting them used to RVing.
|
Wanderlost
|
04/17/12 10:12am |
RV Pet Stop
|
|
