Day One Hundred Eighty Three

Mid-Term Break

I am taking a day off from writing -

 
- and will just post pictures.

I am fairly certain Eli is not
responsible for this.

I'm betting this is the perp!

I love you, too.

Hmm - I detect something has
recently happened to this plant.

This one passes inspection.

Dash! Be careful!

All hands on deck!

Day One Hundred Eighty Two

Mutiny on Apple Tree

Well, I guess everybody heard my conversation with my friend, the Aby breeder, yesterday and they had a lot to say about it. Apparently, they had one of their "meetings" and it was a doozy!

Eli: I've called you all together to discuss something of grave importance.

Finn: What's gravy portions? Is Mom giving us a new food?

Eli: Gawd! You're all idiots! I said - grave importance. It means we're all going to die.

Fancy: No, it doesn't! It means it's something serious. Okay, so what's the big deal this time?

Chance: Is Mom going to move the litter boxes again? Or try different dirt? I'm just getting used to the stuff in there now.

Eli: Everything isn't about your stupid potty habits! No, this time it's about our very existence! I heard her talking about - getting another cat!!!! And the worst part - it's another one like-----HIM! (pointing to Dash)

All gasp, except for Dash, who had been busy plucking stones from a vase but was now very interested in the conversation.

Dash: (dropping the stone he has been carrying around, pretending it's a hockey puck.) Did you say another one like ME? Another real cat who knows how to play? When? Where?

Eli: It's not here yet, you ^&*#@! Apparently she had one of her spooky "seeing things that aren't there and haven't happened yet"  episodes and the next day got a phone call from the lady where YOU came from. She was all goose bumpy and gaspy and I heard her tell the lady she had a "premomizon" the day before that one of the kittens was a girl after all. She wants another cat - this time a girl - and that means more insanity - and less food - for us!

All (except Fancy): What's a girl? And what's a "premomizon?"

Fancy: I've got this. First of all, I think it's pronounced, premonition. Mom gets those, where she sees things that are going to happen before they actually do. Next, Mom is a girl - and one of the big dogs is a girl - the one who sits next to the Man every night. Girls are different. I think we would be really happy if a girl cat came here, except they did something to us and we don't care anymore. Dash just had it done to him last week, remember? Anyway, it's no big deal.

Finn: Well, I like Mom and I love the big dog - the nice one. I try to cuddle with her but she just likes the Man and that bigger dog!

Chance: I don't care about anything except not getting into trouble. Will I get into trouble if she's here?

Fancy: Not unless you decide to pee on the floor! Please don't do that anymore. Mom has a sore arm and it's hard for her to clean up after you.

Eli: You are all missing the point! Girl, schmirl, it's another cat! And one of those - (pointing again to Dash.) Do we really need another one like him around? I say, No!  

At this point, Jack notices the commotion and enters the room.

Jack: What's going on? Is somebody breaking in? Do I need to do something?

Eli: Oh, bother... Mom wants to get another cat. So, unless you can talk sense into her, I'd say no. Wait! Here's an idea - why don't you poop on the floor and turn the room upside down! That always makes her mad. I've heard her say she's never bringing another living thing into the house while she's cleaning up one of your giant poops! Yea! Brilliant idea! I knew I'd come up with a plan!

Jack: But I don't have to poop now. Anyway, I don't want her mad at me! Tell Rooney to do it. Nobody gets mad at her. But, wait - did I hear you say another one like - HIM? (Nodding his head at Dash.) For the love of Dog - I can't take another one like him! Maybe I will work up a poop - and a pee for good measure. I don't chew things anymore, after I saw her pass out when I ate the chairs in the room where they all eat when people are here, but I could try...

Fancy: Once again, I have to talk you all down. Haven't you figured out Mom loves all of us? It doesn't matter how many of "us" there are - she loves everybody.

Eli: Spoken like a true favorite. You make me sick. Fine! Let her bring in all the cats in the world. You'll be sorry when you have to climb over them and can't find a place to sleep and we're fighting over food! But then it will be too late.

At this point, I have figured out why they're all gathered in one place. I hug each one and tell them I love them all. I also explain that maybe if Dash had somebody like him to play with, he wouldn't bug everybody else so much. Dash blinked and put his tiny paw on my arm. Fancy bumped my leg for reassurance. Finn gave himself a tongue bath. Chance jumped into a litter box to show me he knew how to use one. Jack just sat there glaring at me. Rooney was sound asleep - dreaming of when her Dad would come home. Eli just gave me "the look" and walked away.

I sighed, and thought about why I seem to require more cats. Then, I just decided I'm a Crazy Cat Lady, and nobody can "explain" that - it just is. So there you have it.
The End.

Day One Hundred Eighty One

Love sought is good; given unsought is better...
William Shakespeare

I have learned a simple truth for my life - animals are God's (or the Universe's) way of bringing love to humans. Millions understand this. A few abuse this gift, which is so sad. I am one of the millions who've experienced soul healing through the love of an animal. I am positive they are creatures of the heart.

The other truth I've learned is nearly every creature has come into my life in a unique way - some completely unexpected; others destined to be in my life...

Maddy - I wasn't looking for another dog when a friend asked me to go to a dog show with her to check out a dog she was getting. When I saw two little chubby butts walking on a leash, I thought they were pigs. They were French Bulldogs. When I approached them, the little female crawled into my lap as though, "There you are! I've been looking for you!" Maddy came into our lives and hearts then and there. She also brought us "the girls" - two of the biggest heartbreakers on the planet.

Poco - When friends rescued eleven pregnant Premarin mares, little did I know my soul mate was among the herd. I was going through a nasty time in my life, and I just wanted to take my mind off me and help my friends take care of the horses. Poco showed me how God can heal two broken hearts through love.

Jack - For years, I had been wanting to get a red Bullmastiff. When I found a breeder with a litter of puppies, I chose the one I wanted from a picture. Unfortunately, he was spoken for. Somehow, in my heart, I just knew he would be ours. When the phone call came saying the other buyer had changed his mind; asking if we were still interested, I was overjoyed! Jack was always meant to be our guy.

 

Rooney - I've told the story of how Rooney came to live with us many times. She is a love - and everyone says it. Rooney helped us get through the loss of our Frenchies.

Eli - A friend had predicted months prior that I would be getting a kitten around Valentine's Day and it would come at a time when I really needed the comfort. I was working with a Ragdoll breeder and had chosen another kitten from a litter, but he had a reaction to a vaccine and died. Eli was the only kitten who had survived and he came into my life on February 12. One month later, a family crisis tore my life apart. As I sobbed into the fur of that precious kitten, I knew why he had been sent into my life.

 

Fancy - Fancy found me. It was around the time of my father's death. Fancy has black fur and green eyes and he knows he's special. My father had green eyes and, in his prime, black hair. And my father was quite certain he was special. I like to think of Fancy as the Universe's way of reminding me of my father's love. Oh, and like my father, Fancy talks incessantly!

Finn - When my cousin died, so many people were devastated. Rick was a larger than life, wonderful human being. He was funny and kind and so loving. When we were children, I thought he was the greatest person on Earth. He even forgave me for breaking his fingers (long story.) Finn came into our lives around the time we lost Rick. Finn is our angel cat who always reminds me of kindness and love. It is also interesting that, in nearly every picture of Finn, his fur is glowing...

Chance - I love cats, and I wanted another Ragdoll. When a friend had pictures up of a litter, I saw one little guy who caught my attention. The way I left it with her was that, if no one claimed him, he was meant to be mine. Somebody did. I was very sad, but figured it was meant to be. A month or so later, I got a call from her asking if I still wanted the little guy named, Browning. Apparently, the owners had a baby and didn't want him anymore. I didn't hesitate. Chance was renamed, and he is the little guy who is teaching me about patience and unconditional love. I adore him, even when he sometimes forgets to use the litter box.

Dash - I really didn't need another cat but I started researching Abyssinians. I almost got one from a breeder in NC, but my Ragdoll friend gave me the name of a woman in Florida. Her kittens hadn't been born yet, but I really liked the woman and decided to wait for one of hers. I am so glad I did! Little Dash has brought more joy and laughter into my life - while I struggle with constant pain. I can't imagine life without our Little Man!

Even Roxy and Petey came into our family when we least expected it. I have learned to expect the unexpected when it comes to the creatures in my life. Which is why the next story is so - well - typical.

I have felt guilty that Dash doesn't have another Aby to play with. He is unique, and very, very different than the other guys living here. His two brothers went to the same home and they are two lucky guys. I have also wanted a female! While I love my guys, it would be nice to have another female around these parts. Rooney is clearly a Daddy's Girl, and I really want a female Aby to complete the family.

Well, I was so excited to learn Dash's mom was having another litter. I hoped there would be a little girl in the litter, but there were two boys. I just figured it wasn't meant to be. Andy was also relieved.

Here's where the story takes a "Patti Twist." (cue the harps) I haven't spoken to the Aby breeder in weeks, and just assumed the little "boys" were spoken for. Out of the blue, yesterday, I had one of my "premonitions" in which I got a call telling me one of the kittens is a girl. I just got off the phone with the breeder who called to tell me - "one of the kittens is actually a girl!"  And it's the little ruddy, who looks like our Dash! Oh, gosh.

I wonder if I can plead my case to Andy using the premonition as proof it is meant to be. And then there's the fact we just lost little Petey, which has thrown me way off. I guess if the Universe decrees this - then the Universe better follow through and help convince him we need one more cat!

Did you hear me, Universe??

Day One Hundred Eighty

Halfway There

I am almost to the halfway point in my yearlong blog. I committed to a year, which seemed more reasonable than in perpetuity. Anyway, a lot can happen in a year.

I require this in my life.

For example, little Petey, has gone to Hamster Heaven. I miss him. Since we lost Petey, I have been contemplating getting another creature to spoil. I would love to get a parrot, but there are too many reasons not to. So, maybe I'll get a lizard. I love them. It all depends on whether or not my son allows the Grands to get a hamster. I promised them all the hamster paraphernalia if they do get one. We'll see.

Someone posted this on Facebook and I
thought it was cute. Believe it or not, there
were negative comments that it was "cruel."
What do you think?

As I am sitting here trying to type, I have already been visited by Eli and Chance, who asked if they could help. Their kind of "help" involves stepping on the keyboard or the power button. Subtle, right? Just like with human kids, you are never so much in demand as when you are on the phone or trying to concentrate.

Andy and I decided to take Jack and Rooney on an outing in the car over the weekend. He drives an SUV, and put the back seats down to make room for them to lie down. They pretty much fill up the space. Both were in heaven as we drove around running errands with the moon roof open and the windows cracked. At one stop, they received treats which means they will expect treats from now on whenever we stop. They'll be sorely disappointed at stop lights, I'm afraid.

Our daughter called in a panic last night because her dog had eaten the contents of two bottles of herbal pills. I gave her directions on how to get a dog to throw up using peroxide - but it's important to get professional advice on when to induce vomiting and when it can cause more harm. After getting the advice, she gave poor Lady the peroxide mixed with milk and she threw up the pills. Then she gave her charcoal tabs to absorb any remaining toxins. The report this morning is that Lady is doing much better. Whew.

I became somewhat of an expert at administering emetics when the Frenchies were with us. They were always getting into toxic stuff like toads in the yard or sugar free candy in my purse. Once, Teddy was rooting around in my purse and found a pearl necklace and a bag of gummy candy which contained Xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs. She just destroyed the necklace, but ate the candy. I gave her milk and peroxide and the whole bag came right back up. Crisis averted.

Teddy is the one in the back.
Maddy (Mama) is on the left;
Missy is on the right.

Every time they encountered a toad in the yard, they would smoosh it with their flat face and get toadified - causing them to foam at the mouth. We had a routine going where one of us would hold the victim while the other rinsed out her mouth. I figure we saved their lives about twenty times - each.

It's good to learn basic first aid when you have a pet. It's no substitute for professional care when they need it, but in an emergency it could save a life.

Day One Hundred Seventy Nine

Compliant to Complainer

I've been writing about our Rooney's transformation from a very compliant girl to one who complains - a lot. It's like she woke up one day and decided she has a voice and knows how to use it. This is such a departure from the way she's conducted herself since Day One.

When I made the decision to get another Bullmastiff - this time a female - I knew I had to choose carefully because I didn't want to get into trouble. After years of separating two French Bulldog sisters, who fought with each other from birth, I was not in the mood for trying to break up a fight between two dogs ten times their size. I wasn't too worried because the likelihood of fighting diminishes if you pair up two dogs from different litters and of the opposite sex.

Bullmastiffs are known as "gentle giants" but if you don't know what you're doing, you can be in big trouble. You see, they are sort of stubborn. This is not what you want in a dog that can easily outweigh you. Since I was still learning with Jack - the perfect temperament by the way - I didn't feel confident enough to take on an alpha type. I wanted a smart but somewhat submissive female.

So, I contacted a trusted breeder who happened to have a litter available. She posts videos online so potential clients can see them in action. This breeder feeds raw and she determines personality and pack order by tossing a bone or a cow leg down and turning the puppies loose on it.

I remember seeing one girl definitely acting like an alpha female. She was tiny but mighty - and vicious. Some of the puppies gave up and decided they weren't hungry after all. And, then I saw her. A beautiful red fawn with a very typy face - wide and more to the Bulldog side. This little girl was hungry but she didn't want to fight for it. So, she found a place to eat without having to fight her sister. That was the girl I wanted. That was also the day I fell in love with our Rooney.

Since she arrived, Rooney has been a sweetie who has never so much as growled at anybody. You could take a bone right out of her mouth. And she has been a real trooper - going along with anything. I'm afraid the days of Rooney being a silent companion are gone.

So yesterday, the Grands spent the day with us. The fur kids panic when they're here because they see the human kids as competition for our attention. It was Rooney's turn to take charge of the whole situation. Starting with breakfast.

Jack and Rooney are used to Andy making a big breakfast on the weekends and sharing some of it with them. Well, he didn't have any leftovers. Jack sort of accepted it but Rooney was appalled. She let him know in no uncertain terms how upset she was, and didn't let up until he scrambled some eggs for them. I managed to videotape the exchange and posted it to my Facebook page.

If you can't view this, it's on my
Facebook page.

Later on, when Pap made pancakes for our granddaughter, he didn't have any leftover batter to make some for Jack and Rooney. Once again, Rooney was not pleased and would not let up until he caved and made more pancakes for them. It was hilarious. Rooney is not going to take it any longer. She isn't mean or whiny - just assertive. A girl who will not be denied.

Couch space is at a premium when everybody's here. Jack will just lie on the floor or go into the living room and snooze on the couch there. Rooney wasn't in the mood to share the couch and she wanted to sit next to her Dad who was snuggling with our grandson. First, she squeezed in between the two, so E moved over. Then, she just sat on him; hoping to make him so uncomfortable he would just leave. The poor little guy was entombed under this massive dog! Pap had to get up so she would follow him.

It went on like that all day. The kids were amused at the new and improved  Rooney. I'm not so sure this is an improvement, however. I may have a problem on my hands. I'll keep you posted.

Update on the feline family members:
They've been enjoying the great outdoors. So much so they don't want to come back inside. Except for Eli, who fell into the pool the other day, it's been relatively uneventful. Dash just had some excitement when a squirrel landed on top of the pool screen. Dash was convinced he could jump that high. He couldn't.

Did you see that, Mama?
It was big and scary!

I really don't see what the big deal is -
it's just a stupid squirrel....

Oh, what a beautiful day!

I am King of the Jungle!

 

Take my picture!

Day One Hundred Seventy Eight

The Name Game

 

It's 3 a.m. I woke up to get a drink and can't go back to sleep. The reason? Everybody else in the room is snoring. Rooney is the loudest, followed by her Dad then Jack. It's like a weird trio from an offbeat musical. My mind started spinning so I figured I would just get up and do some writing.

As I was lying there, I thought about nicknames. Don't ask me why. No matter what we actually name things, we end up calling them something random. For example, Jack is Sarge. Rooney is Andy's, Boogaloo and I call her Rooney Toons. Eli is Mr. E or gawdammiteli! Fancy's given name is Troy but he's my Fancy man, or Baboo. Finn is Finnie or Finn Man. Dash is Little Man. Last, but not least, Chance is usually, CHANCE!! 

The other thing I thought about while I was lying there, unable to sleep because of all the noise, is how different things are now than when our kids were little. Back then, Dad was the final word. I could flap my arms and jump up and down like Donald Duck - nobody cared. I was ignored. All my husband had to do was act like he was going to get up from his chair and they would scatter to the farthest reaches of the house. I don't know what they thought he was going to do. He never raised a hand to either of them. But when he got up, they just knew something bad was going to happen. Fear is a great motivator.



The way the kids saw me...noisy but harmless

The way they saw their Dad. Apparently a chicken
hawk is way more intimidating than a duck!

With the creatures living here, it is the exact opposite. To them, Dad is Mr. Chuckles - Mom is the Tasmanian Devil. It's hilarious. Every night, while Andy is trying to coax Jack and Rooney to go out one last time before bed, he can't get so much as a twitch from them. They lie there, doing their best "dead dog" impressions, while he patiently calls them - over and over.

All I have to do is say, "Do I need to get up?" and Jack comes flying from wherever he's been and runs out the door. Then I yell, "ROONEY!" and she levitates two feet off the couch, does a mid air pirouette and runs out the back door. All the while, Andy just shakes his head. I know he wonders what I do to them while he's at work.

I said get up!!

The answer is nothing! I mean, it's not like I carry a cattle prod around with me. And I wouldn't hurt them anyway. I mean, first of all, I don't believe in inflicting pain! Second, me against a Bullmastiff is like a gnat against an elephant. No. It's the fear factor. They don't really know what I'm capable of and they just don't want to find out.

The cats, on the other hand, are a different matter. To get them to "listen" I must entice them first. For Eli, Finn and Chance, if I shake something, they will come running. Now, I could stand there shaking a box of mothballs - they would come running thinking they were going to get a treat. Works every time. I have shaken a box of screws, dog biscuits and a tube of bungee cords. Same reaction no matter what's in the box.

Dash needs a different motivator. His fishing pole with a feather thingy on the end works like a charm. The other day he almost tried to jump across the pool to get to it. Fortunately, he came to his senses in the knick of time and chose to walk around it instead.

Fancy and I started out our relationship calling to each other out in the world, so it's still how we communicate. Even if he really doesn't want to come when I call him, eventually he will - I just give him until he thinks it's his idea.

Day One Hundred Seventy Seven

Whatever Happened to Baby Dash?

Ever since Dash's surgical procedure to remove his male parts, all of his siblings have been especially curious about, not only his anatomy, but his curious new scent. Whether they're still smelling the odors from the vet's office, or the lack of male scent from the absence of his gonads, they are intrigued. He doesn't seem to mind all the attention. However, it bugs me like hell they won't leave him alone!

You smell funny!

Anyway, whatever they did to Dash, he is none the worse for wear. Actually, he seems to be turbo-charged. Once he got home and slept off the pain meds, he transformed into Super Cat. He loves life! Oh, to be an Aby....

With temperatures in the mid sixties this morning, the windows are open and the cats are all outside in the screened enclosure. While there shouldn't be a single lizard left within the confines of our home, sure enough, Finn found one. I saw him pawing at something and I ran out to rescue whatever it was.

At first, I didn't see it and thought perhaps he was pretending a little mud ball or palm frond were alive and giving him trouble. Then I saw it - a tiny baby. I just assumed it was dead, but when I picked it up, it was definitely alive and clinging to my finger. I examined it, and didn't see any damage. Of course, it was so small I would have needed a magnifying glass to see anything. Also, I'm not an expert, so whatever I thought I was doing was pointless.  Anyway, I put it in a planter outside of the screened area. Fingers crossed.

Think he's gonna make it...

Finn knows his prey is out there.
Mum takes away all his fun!

Yesterday, poor Eli fell into the drink. I heard a strange sound and saw the water undulating in the pool. There were four cats standing on the edge, staring at something. Then I saw Eli trying desperately to walk on water. He managed to get himself out before I could get to him, so I ran for a towel. Too late. He ran through the porch and into the house leaving a trail of water behind. By the time I caught him, everything was soaked. He seemed to understand the towel rub was my way of helping him. I did not add insult to injury by using the blow dryer. I think he was more embarrassed than scared.

Here are some pictures I took which show the odd moments when sibling rivalry is forgotten, and they're best buds:

Fancy and Finn - an odd couple!

Sometimes Jack's a pain - other times
he makes a great chair or a pillow!