AppleTreePets: Day Two Hundred Fifty Six

Escapees and Turf Wars

Andy and I were remarking that we probably should pack up the Christmas tree, but neither wants to. What started out as a worry has become something of a comfort. We love the lights. And, thanks to the Ssscat, the tree stayed upright and the bulbs intact.

We may be repurposing that little can of power, however, once the tree has been taken down. Little Miss Boo! Bird has recently decided it is great fun to sneak past us into the garage whenever we open that door. She bolts then dives under the car.

Now, that garage contains forty five years of stuff - most of which is from the past twenty six years of living in this house. And I save everything. I'm pretty sure you'll find a bag of my son's hair from his first haircut. Definitely from the one he had when he cut off his shoulder length hair he sported throughout high school. I don't necessarily have a thing for hair - and I'm not a ghoul - I just love my kids so much I could never part with their stuff. Wow, that was a long way around getting to the point that Boo! has lots of places to hide in the garage.

And, she is quiet. Poems have been written about cats and their silent cat feet. Well, this cat is poem worthy. I think she holds her breath, too. Anyway, I find myself checking the cracks between the garage door and the wall on the off chance she could squeeze through. Eventually, after I've tried to entice her with toys and treats, curiosity gets the best of her and she pops out.

We've decided it's time to relocate the Ssscat. Let's see if she thinks the garage is so cool once she gets a blast of air the next time she tries to venture out there.

Rooney is clearly her Dad's dog. Sometimes I envy her the attention she gets from him. But then again, I never climb into his lap and lick his face. Or greet him when he comes home (even when he's just been to the mailbox and back) like her world stopped until his return. Sure I did that stuff way back in the day...

Anyway, she and Jack have a turf-war of sorts going on. If he gets to the couch first, he plunks his solid wide butt in the center of it, leaving her no room next to her Dad. She will sit and stare at the spot where she would like to be, then look at her Dad to help her. It's usually at this point Jack lies down with his head on Andy's lap. Rooney completely loses it then. She will either start vocally protesting or give up in despair and go into the living room to pout.

That approach is usually short lived, however. When all else fails, she will resort to shoving Jack out of the way. It is a hoot to watch. I managed to catch it with my camera the other night. It rivals a battle between Godzilla and King Kong.