cats — Page 2

Cats, Bees and Houses (Tiny and Very Tiny)

July 30, 2015 at 8:26 am by Claudia

Do you remember a recent post where I showed a picture of a Tiny House that was being built locally? Well, I was at a local political function last night and I heard a young man talking about living in a Tiny House and I was intrigued. I introduced myself and asked about it and it turns out he lives in that house! He and his girlfriend built in and they love it. Small world! Maybe someday I can finagle a tour?

7-30 cat

This little cat has been hanging around our property. She’s skinny and beautiful and I presumed she was a stray. Don spotted her, too, and I put out a bowl of milk. Then I bought some cat food and put that out. They remained undisturbed. In the meantime, if I came to the front door and she saw me, she started meowing and walked right up the steps in my direction. Or, like in this photo, she immediately knew if I was at the window and, again, walked in my direction, making lots of noise.

So, yesterday, right after I took this photo, I grabbed some food and milk and walked around the side of the house with them. She walked right up to me and was rubbing against my leg, rubbing her body on the grass obsessively…but not at all interested in food. Something was up.

I finally made a sensible move and called my neighbor. When I uttered the words, “There’s this orange tabby cat hanging around our house, have you seen her?” she immediately responded with “Yes, she’s ours.” Ah. A sense of relief – she was being fed and taken care of, especially since I had already been worrying about trying to feed her in the winter – where would she find shelter?

Reminder: I’m allergic to cats.

The problem? She’s in heat. They’ve been trying to get her into the vet but it’s been tricky because her ‘heat’ has been erratic. All I know is that she was either on our porch or sneaking into the corral or right outside the kitchen window, constantly rubbing all day long. And this morning, she’s back again, announcing her presence with a very loud howl.

7-30 cat2

She’s beautiful, but she’s becoming a wee bit of a pain in the tush. Her name is Amber. As Don says, “Why can’t she be in heat over on their property?” For some reason, she’s picked us.

I worked on the Top Secret Project yesterday, only it’s not quite Top Secret at the moment because I let Don see the basic shape of the dollhouse. But that’s all he’ll be allowed to see. He’s excited.

7-30 DH project

The basic structure is in place. The walls and opening in the front haven’t been added yet. I was just dry fitting them to see if they would work. I’ll do a bit more today or on the weekend. Don is going away for a singing gig this weekend, so I should have plenty of time to play around with this and start painting the various elements.

Thank you for your wonderful comments yesterday. I take heart that there are so many of us that feel strongly about this issue. I just wish everyone felt that way.

And to close, another bee drinking in the delights of the liatris:

7-30 bee on liatris

Happy Thursday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Who Rescued Who?

April 25, 2012 at 7:04 am by Claudia

I was walking to rehearsal yesterday and I saw these three words on a bumper sticker in the shape of a paw:

Indeed.

Since Don and I have been together, all of our dogs have been rescues. I believe in that so strongly. And each time we have brought a dog into our home that needed to be rescued, that needed to feel safe and loved and cared for, that needed to know that he could trust us to never abandon him, never give him away, and never give up on him, we have ended up being the ones rescued. We have been the ones that felt loved unconditionally. We have been the ones lavished with love and attention and devotion. We have been the ones who felt safe.

They are our teachers. They are angels here on earth. They are pure love.

Rescue a dog or cat. Give them a home. It is one of the most rewarding things you can do. And you, too, will be rescued.

Are You a Cat or Dog Person? Or Both?

November 7, 2011 at 7:00 am by Claudia

This is my favorite photo of the dogs. There is such a sweetness, a gentleness to it. I have it framed and it lives on our living room wall.

I am a dog person. I wasn’t always. When I was a wee child, about 2 years old, a family friend’s dog jumped up on me and knocked me over. I became terrified of dogs – so much so that when I walked to my piano lesson about 6 blocks away from our home, I would cross the street if I saw any dog.

So my parents wisely decided to get a dog. They figured the only way to help rid me of my fear was for me to get to know and love a dog. He was a terrier named Friskie. I distinctly remember the barrier my parents put up between the kitchen and the living room which kept Friskie safely away from me in those first days. Mom would lift me up and carry me from room to room. Gradually, Friskie and I became friends. He slept in my bed with me. I would lift up the covers and he would burrow his way down to the foot of the bed where he felt cozy and warm. Friskie lived to be 16. Other wonderful dogs came our way. (Remind me to tell you the story of Shannon and my dad’s dentures some day.) It was a no cat household until I had moved out (I’m allergic to cat dander) and my sister conned my parents into rescuing a barn cat. Now they have two cats.

I spent years dreaming of having a dog. Because my life during graduate school and beyond consisted of small apartment living and long hours of work, I had to hold off. It wasn’t until Don and I moved in together that we got our beloved Winston, a rescued Aussie Shepherd mix. Then Scout, also a rescue, came into our lives. After we lost Winston at the far too young age of 8, it was just Scout until Riley came along.

I must be honest and say that I wasn’t particularly thrilled with cats until I worked for a Veterinarian. Being around them all the time really changed that and I grew to admire and like them. Nevertheless, I’m allergic and I don’t want to hassle with even more allergy trouble than I already have.

I can’t imagine not having a dog in my life. My dogs are great teachers and make me a better person.

What about you? Are you a cat person? Are you a dog person? Or are you someone who has both a cat and a dog? Or more? Please share. I’m all ears.

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The winners of a copy of Maman’s Homesick Pie by Donia Bijan are Lucille (who doesn’t have a blog) and Sheila of The Quintessential Magpie. Congratulations! Send me an email with your mailing address and I will forward it on to TLC Book Tours.

Cats, Bees and Houses (Tiny and Very Tiny)

Who Rescued Who?

Are You a Cat or Dog Person? Or Both?

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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