Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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Joined: 10/29/2004
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I'm sitting here watching Spot try his darndest to get comfortable inside my book bag, but he just doesn't fit. Wrong kind of box... He's given up turning circles in it and is laying on the coffee table partly in the bag and mostly out. Oh, well, he should be thrilled tomorrow, when a Spot-sized box arrives in the mail.
When I went outside to close the gate, 8-10 deer were down the slope looking at me -- mostly does and 2012 fawns. Mama Doe Lassie was one, but I won't feed her in sight of other deer, so she's out of luck today.
They were all on alert, so I looked where they were looking, and saw the seal point cat standing front paws on the south porch. I slapped the side of the house, and it ran, hopefully home. It's obviously not considered one of the deer herd... That does explain why Alex refused to go outside, and why I had to carry Spot back inside all fuzzed up. At least there was not a cat fight.
Just about time for Downton Abbey. Later, y'all.
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi
Czarny, black cat
Rainbow Bridge: Spotacus, Alexander the Grrreat, and so very many more
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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Wow. Time flies when you get busy. Didn't realize it's been over a week since I last posted.
It's been rather quiet around here. The hummingbirds are hanging on, the deer are rather lively coming in and out of the meadow, and Alex and Spot have decided to stay inside, since the wind just won't stop blowing into their ears.
Of course, that means the humans have our hands full, keeping Spot from getting into trouble as he dashes through the house, looking for someone or something to play with. We finally got all the Christmas decorations put away before he broke any, but then he jumped Alex and got sprayed with water. Alex has clung to our laps all day today.
Interesting dynamic going in the bedroom, though. I put a very fluffy blanket on the bed, and the boys just love it. They have certain places where they sleep all night, but during the day, they sleep in the other's place. It's pretty funny to watch how they try to claim the bed when there are no humans in it. At least they aren't trying to spray it...
We saw Solo, one of Mama Doe Lassie's 2010 twins, laying just below our pool today. He was obviously looking for a place out of the wind. He stayed there until WLToo came around the house with a big ladder. The wind was kinda fierce today, and that 43 high didn't mean much with 20 mph winds. I actually put on a long sleeved shirt.
Things are quieting down now, except the wind. Think I'll read a little while before bed. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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Ouch. Alex is having to take liquid medication for a bladder infection that the vet caught in its early stages, when we took him in because he was limping. Leg injury was minor, but he's so old that she ran a full blood workup, and then he peed on the pad in his carrier, so she tested the urine, too. Result was an antibiotic liquid and pain pills.
Well, he can't take tramadol (just throws it up within ten minutes of swallowing it), so he limited himself until he got better. But he has another three days of Orbax, and does not care for us shooting it into the back of his throat so he has to swallow it. I had to give it to him this morning by myself. As a result, I have major slashes on both hands, and when he comes back inside, all his claws get trimmed.
Spot has been Mr. Love Me, Dangit! all week. Comes dashing into the room and leaps upon one of us (usually me), demanding pettins. When he gets enough, he dashes away. The weather is just lovely, so he's playing outside a lot, and I do mean playing. Ever seen a 16 pound kitten? That's what he's doing. It's really funny to watch.
Last evening, he charged down the slope to the garden, then slowly crept back up to where he could lay and watch Mama Doe Lassie, as she ate her corn on the north porch. She knew he was there, and even though he was play stalking her, she didn't react. He finally stood up, strolled over and sniffed noses with her. She thinks he's part of her herd, all right.
We've not seen the hummingbirds all this week. It's lovely weather, so either they've gone or they found other food sources. No matter, I'll replenish the feeder in case they're still about somewhere.
WLToo just drove up. Need to help him unload. Later, y'all.
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Code2High
One hour past Nowhere, CA
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Joined: 12/21/2004
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I always ask for meds in pills for cats.... I detest giving liquids! Sometimes you can't get them, though.
What I have done... and you have to be fast and good at assembling and pilling... but what I have done is to put a liquid into an emptied vitamin capsule, then quick as a flash coated it with butter or oil and popped it down the cat's throat.
I've also used that approach with small, hard to give pills that break down, like a benadryl or an uncoated antibiotic. A bigger capsule is actually easier to give, and the taste doesn't get in their mouth and make them gag.
susan
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a wabbit, Fuzzy Wuzzy had a dandelion habit! RIP little Wuz... don't go far.
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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It's been a lively couple days. Spot got in trouble yesterday. He started sniffing around Alex' new scratching pad. I put it down earlier in the week, with catnip on it, and Alex was happy. Then Spot found it. He sniffed a good while, then used it, then stood on it and peed on the grandfather clock behind it.
I got out the Wee Cleaner, while WLToo trapped Spot in the laundry room and soaked him with the water bottle (Alex learned his lesson that way). Unfortunately, Spot didn't learn, because today, he did the same thing, only spraying pee onto the buffet. This time, I was right by him, and stopped him early in the pee with a smart smack on his butt. Got out the Wee Cleaner again.
I think he may not like catnip, or it's triggering some emotional reaction, because he peed on his own scratcher when I added catnip.
We changed Alex' litter box, in hopes that Spot would stop using it and stay with the Litter Robot. Alex really liked this litter box, when we used it in the RV. It's the top entry kind, and I was hoping Spot would not be able to figure it out (or maybe not to fit in it). Alas, the hole is big enough for him, when he figures it out.
Then Spot decided to play with me, and got way too excited. First, he jumped up on a couple of stacked boxes I was walking past and bopped me in the butt. OK, no problem. I came by again and he bit my stomach. Luckily, I barely felt it through my shirt and it looks more like a mild rash than a scrape. He knew he isn't supposed to bite, and immediately ducked. He's outside now, dashing about.
Meanwhile, we had an audience while we played. Mama Doe Lassie, Solo, Spooky, Notch, and several other bucks and does all stood on the south side of the house, on both sides of the fence, and watched a human and a cat play. I guess we were the evening's cheap entertainment.
Gorgeous weather all week, even with today's breeze. Today we brushed the rust off our gate, then prepped it for painting. Alex walked (well, ran actually) all the way down after us, crying piteously, then laid in the shade while we worked. He was worried that we were going away. As soon as he figured out we were not actually going outside the gate, he relaxed.
Day before yesterday was treat the fire ant mounds near the buildings. Yesterday, I verified that the treated mounds are dead. It was too breezy today to treat the others, so hopefully tomorrow. Fire ants kill scorpions, so if there's a mound in the meadow and isn't near where we spend any time, we probably won't be in a hurry to treat it.
Oh, while I'm still thinking about it. Time to go make more hummingbird food. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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A cold front moved in and dropped the temps from 70s/80s into the 50s/60s. Last night was in the 30s, but we still didn't have to turn the heater back on. It did mean both cats tried to sleep on me, instead of beside me, though.
We changed Alex' litter box and Spot does appear to be using the Litter Robot instead. However, somebody peed in our bathroom, so there might be a kitty protest starting up. Thank goodness for Wee Cleaner.
WLToo noticed Spot has stopped jumping on Alex. Now he runs alongside Alex and tries to herd him. Luckily, Alex is still much faster and can get away, since he's now quite willing to start a play session with Spot, then get upset when Spot gets excited.
Solo was in the meadow this morning, looking upset that the others were outside the fence. Just as I thought about opening the gate, he came up the slope to the north porch and stared intently upwards. Either he noticed that the hummingbird feeder was not there, or was looking at the chimney smoke -- it was interesting to see how intensely he watched. Then we opened the gate and off he went.
I traded great red-headed centipede, scorpion, and fire ant stories with my co-volunteer at the library last night. She took the cake with a 12" long centipede behind her office power strip, that her cat had kept trapped there, away from her bare toes, until she noticed it. Good cat.
WLToo found some antelope chops in the bottom of the freezer, so antelope stew is in the crockpot. Think I'll go make some cornbread. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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It was not at all cold last night, but as we were drifting off to sleep, I felt Spot put his head and shoulders under the bedclothes. Luckily, he didn't stay -- him kneading biscuits into my back without bedclothes between me and his claws would not have been good.
Thinking about it, but not a single male cat we've had over the years ever slept under the covers. Several females did, but no males. Interesting.
No sign of hummingbirds. I guess they've departed finally. Should be back by late Feb-early Mar at latest. We'll keep the feeder out there, anyway.
WLToo found a caterpiller of indeterminate type in the kitchen today. No matter the time of year, we have bugs.
Hmmm, the fourth quarter has become interesting. Back to the Super Bowl. Later, y'all.
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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We have a mystery critter. WLToo's been working on a fence around the keyhole garden. Every night for the last month or so, something has been digging in the garden dirt. We've planted nothing in it, there's no sign of kitty droppings, so we think it might be a raccoon.
Well, today he finished the fence and gate, and closed in the garden. He smoothed the dirt, so tomorrow we should know if we've blocked whatever it was from getting to the garden. Next on the list: planning what we'll plant in the spring garden.
Spot has been following WLToo around like a puppy, wanting to participate in everything he's been doing. Unfortunately, that included using some very loud saws yesterday, while WLToo built the garden gate. Poor Spot got startled several times when he turned on the saw, and finally had to make do with hanging around with me. He certainly slept well last night, though.
He also slept well this morning, and completely missed the mailman bringing me a box. When I empty it in a bit, I'll leave it out to surprise Spot.
Solo and Notch were in the meadow, along the south fence, when I walked down to get the paper. Solo took off like his tail was on fire, but Notch strolled toward me, looking to see if I had anything good to eat. Oh, great, another buck not afraid of humans. Maybe later this year he'll turn out like Solo and get wary of us. Hope so.
Mama Doe Lassie's neck hair is all messy. It does that each winter, when she's just between a full winter coat and starting to shed. Makes her look like she lost a licking contest.
WLToo's starting the garden planning. Must participate and keep things in perspective. Later, y'all.
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computerbug
Sarasota
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Joined: 07/17/2005
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It's been two years now, that you have had Spot . I guess pet finders didn't work.LOL I went back and read you many posts on Spot what a feel good story. Thanks again for keeping him. Cathie
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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From Spot's perspective, pet finders worked quite nicely. He found himself some pets...![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
It actually rained this morning. Now the wind's blowing just enough for the air to feel chilly, so both cats are piled into nice, warm sleeping places. Spot took a quick turn outside twice, but less than five minutes each trip. Alex didn't even bother.
WLToo noticed this morning that the windmill was turning. He had not released the brake, so knew something was up. When the thunder and lightning passed by, he went out and found the brake wire was perfectly sheared off up top, and was coiled on the ground. So after our morning gym workout, we headed to the hardware store and got more wire. What he doesn't need to fix the windmill, he'll put around the top of the keyhole garden fence.
Meanwhile, we picked up carrot, radish, cucumber and lettuce seeds, and cilantro, broccoli, Napa and regular cabbage and leek transplants. When the wind dies back, it's time to plant.
Whatever the critter was that was digging in the garden, there's no sign of it since the fence and gate were finished. Got a strong skunk scent on the breeze last night, as we sat on the porch after hot tubbing. I do hope the critter wasn't the skunk. Don't want to repeat that "fun" again...
Today's workout really wore me out. One exercise involved using the weights to pull me back up from a modified squat against my own body weight. The personal trainer tested it with 120 pounds, then when I tried it, I fell right on my can. It took the full 150 pounds on the weight machine to keep me stable, and still would have been easier with more weights on the machine. Knowing I needed more weights was kind of an ego boost, for about five minutes. Then I just needed to rest.
In fact, that's a great idea. I'm gonna worm my way under the covers between the cats and take a short nap. Later, y'all.
* This post was
edited 02/11/13 01:16pm by Wanderlost *
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