Friday, February 24, 2012
Muffin
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| Is it snuggle time YET!?! |
I have come to discover she is a drama queen when it comes to the other cats. They like to start scuffles for fun, and one kitty (Skippy) or another (Twee or Fleurp) will try to wrestle with her, and she puts up with them for all of two seconds, then will start hissing and whining like they have been harassing her all day. I wish they would learn to walk way when she starts doing that, but they don't. They know she's just being overly dramatic..
I was just checking my webstats, and someone found a picture of Muffin (originally known as Scooter) through some websearch.. I thought I would share it.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Our new visitor
I first spotted him after the last significant snowstorm. I took a few pictures of him, but they are still buried on a memory card somewhere.. When he stopped back around recently I took a few more.. Click to biggify..
I wish you could get a good perspective of just how far away he is. Probably 30-40 feet away beyond our backyard and deep in the bushes but I only had my macro lens on, so I can only show you this..
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| Watch you lookin at?? |
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Do cats love us?
Eons ago, I found the dolittler website and followed her and enjoyed her posts. Then she combined her website with PetMD.com and I read her there. She has since moved on, and now Dr. Jennifer Coats is doing the "Fully Vetted" column. I haven't been particularly thrilled with her choice of posts. They seem generic and almost safe.. aka I don't learn all that much. But yesterday she posted Are Our Pets Capable of Loving Us?
Her conclusion - because she defines love " as a willingness to put someone else’s best interests in front of your own" - that her horse and her cat do not love her, but her dog does.
*rolls eyes*
Because her cat won't jump out and protect her from some random noise, it must not love her like her dog loves her.. and her horse certainly won't protect her, and in fact has hurt her when startled.. She believes her horse sees her as a source of good things and thus is happy to see her, but because she doesn't see her horse protect her, her horse can't love her.
I feel a bit sorry for her.
Especially since animals have the same part of their brains active in regards to emotions that we have.. and since animals have brains that are wired similarly but different, you have to realize that a cat recognizes that the human is in far less danger from an errant noise in the woods then it is. The fact that the cat is willing to be out and about in an area with a human to me shows a great deal of love and trust.
Case in point. twenty years ago, I had a kitty who went outside and he enjoyed it. When my husband and I would go out walking, he would follow us. I could tell the moment he reached the edge of his territory, he would cry to us but follow us as we went. He was clearly agitated the entire time, but would follow. He would visibly relax once we were back in his safe zone. Was he agitated because he was uncomfortable - yes. Was he following us because he knew we would protect him, sure.. but was he warning us to go back where it was safe - I tend to think that is the most likely option.. I mean prey animals don't make noise when they are uncomfortable in their surroundings... they don't want to be noticed.
Or the cat who saves her kittens from a burning building because she knows she is capable of helping them when they aren't capable of helping themselves.. or the blind kitty who fends off a burglar.. or the cats who wakes up the family when the house is on fire? or other heroic stories and since I know of no horse stories.. I can only share the ones that Google has.
Do my cats love me. You betcha. Do they love my electric blanket.. I am sure they do.. I mean I do.. why wouldn't they? :) Love is so much more then the obvious.. the sacrifice of self.. it is in those little every day moments. The choice they make to be with you, where ever you might be, despite the fact that they were comfy when you decided to move.. If you are waiting for grandiose gestures - well except for the occasional dramatic rendition of "YOU HAVEN'T FED ME IN AGES!!" - you aren't going to get that from a cat..Just as some humans have never been capable of the grandiose gestures, but that doesn't mean they love you any less.
and as for the dog... Being pack animals, I bet they know that everyone needs to respond to a threat to the pack for the best outcome. I don't think the dog is doing it FOR you, so much as attempting to do it WITH you, because that is how the pack should work. Again, not to say a dog isn't brave and doesn't love you, and will protect you, but his general actions are with in his nature.. It is what they do for the safety of the pack. (but then again, I am not a dog person, so feel free to correct me on this one if I have it wrong)
Her conclusion - because she defines love " as a willingness to put someone else’s best interests in front of your own" - that her horse and her cat do not love her, but her dog does.
*rolls eyes*
Because her cat won't jump out and protect her from some random noise, it must not love her like her dog loves her.. and her horse certainly won't protect her, and in fact has hurt her when startled.. She believes her horse sees her as a source of good things and thus is happy to see her, but because she doesn't see her horse protect her, her horse can't love her.
I feel a bit sorry for her.
Especially since animals have the same part of their brains active in regards to emotions that we have.. and since animals have brains that are wired similarly but different, you have to realize that a cat recognizes that the human is in far less danger from an errant noise in the woods then it is. The fact that the cat is willing to be out and about in an area with a human to me shows a great deal of love and trust.
Case in point. twenty years ago, I had a kitty who went outside and he enjoyed it. When my husband and I would go out walking, he would follow us. I could tell the moment he reached the edge of his territory, he would cry to us but follow us as we went. He was clearly agitated the entire time, but would follow. He would visibly relax once we were back in his safe zone. Was he agitated because he was uncomfortable - yes. Was he following us because he knew we would protect him, sure.. but was he warning us to go back where it was safe - I tend to think that is the most likely option.. I mean prey animals don't make noise when they are uncomfortable in their surroundings... they don't want to be noticed.
Or the cat who saves her kittens from a burning building because she knows she is capable of helping them when they aren't capable of helping themselves.. or the blind kitty who fends off a burglar.. or the cats who wakes up the family when the house is on fire? or other heroic stories and since I know of no horse stories.. I can only share the ones that Google has.
Do my cats love me. You betcha. Do they love my electric blanket.. I am sure they do.. I mean I do.. why wouldn't they? :) Love is so much more then the obvious.. the sacrifice of self.. it is in those little every day moments. The choice they make to be with you, where ever you might be, despite the fact that they were comfy when you decided to move.. If you are waiting for grandiose gestures - well except for the occasional dramatic rendition of "YOU HAVEN'T FED ME IN AGES!!" - you aren't going to get that from a cat..Just as some humans have never been capable of the grandiose gestures, but that doesn't mean they love you any less.
and as for the dog... Being pack animals, I bet they know that everyone needs to respond to a threat to the pack for the best outcome. I don't think the dog is doing it FOR you, so much as attempting to do it WITH you, because that is how the pack should work. Again, not to say a dog isn't brave and doesn't love you, and will protect you, but his general actions are with in his nature.. It is what they do for the safety of the pack. (but then again, I am not a dog person, so feel free to correct me on this one if I have it wrong)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
the goings on..
I took some wonderful close up shots of most of the crew, and intend to post those, but we postpone the beauty for the major goings on at the house..
My husband works with a gentleman who does energy efficiency testing.. he's got the cool thermal camera (it has a cool laser beam attached to it so you can see exactly where you are looking) and he had the giant blower thing to "depressurize the house" to see where our leaks were.
Now this house was built in 2004.. so it shouldn't be an issue, but it is. Each winter I've been colder and colder and when I saw the state advertising that it would be a good idea, I told my husband we should do it. I'm glad we knew someone, because he did it free of charge (mostly because we didn't ask for the reports that you need when applying for weatherization grants which apparently take him a long time to do) I felt a little silly because a few things I thought were causing problems weren't, but when I realized what was causing the issues I wasn't nearly as wrong as I originally thought I was. Apparently we are severely lacking in insulation in several areas and will need to get someone to come in and take care of that.. and the vents in the bathroom were pouring in cold air. Apparently they are supposed to have a baffle so they don't do that, but we were told he hasn't seen one yet that worked as it was supposed to. There is another major leak near the chimney which is pretty easily fixable which is good.
He also praised the virtues of a pellet stove. We have a guy coming from a fireplace store to inspect the house for a possible gas fireplace (not quite sure we can afford the whole major upgrades we'd need since the wall we want to put it on has the heating element on it) and now we are going to talk to him about installing one of those too. I so need to go out and buy a lottery ticket hun?
Anyway, I was so certain that I wouldn't see the kitties for hours but they were pretty much all front and center investigating the goings on. Muffin wasn't - which is no big surprise. Skippy wasn't either which was a big surprise. He was hiding in the rafters in the basement. He's usually out and about enjoying company. Guess the big fan was too much for him. And of course Eli. Eli just isn't a joiner under the best of circumstances.. Kit however was FASCINATED!!
Dinner was a bit delayed by all the hubbub, and once the house was restored to just the nine of us, dinner was served and all was forgiven
My husband works with a gentleman who does energy efficiency testing.. he's got the cool thermal camera (it has a cool laser beam attached to it so you can see exactly where you are looking) and he had the giant blower thing to "depressurize the house" to see where our leaks were.
Now this house was built in 2004.. so it shouldn't be an issue, but it is. Each winter I've been colder and colder and when I saw the state advertising that it would be a good idea, I told my husband we should do it. I'm glad we knew someone, because he did it free of charge (mostly because we didn't ask for the reports that you need when applying for weatherization grants which apparently take him a long time to do) I felt a little silly because a few things I thought were causing problems weren't, but when I realized what was causing the issues I wasn't nearly as wrong as I originally thought I was. Apparently we are severely lacking in insulation in several areas and will need to get someone to come in and take care of that.. and the vents in the bathroom were pouring in cold air. Apparently they are supposed to have a baffle so they don't do that, but we were told he hasn't seen one yet that worked as it was supposed to. There is another major leak near the chimney which is pretty easily fixable which is good.
He also praised the virtues of a pellet stove. We have a guy coming from a fireplace store to inspect the house for a possible gas fireplace (not quite sure we can afford the whole major upgrades we'd need since the wall we want to put it on has the heating element on it) and now we are going to talk to him about installing one of those too. I so need to go out and buy a lottery ticket hun?
Anyway, I was so certain that I wouldn't see the kitties for hours but they were pretty much all front and center investigating the goings on. Muffin wasn't - which is no big surprise. Skippy wasn't either which was a big surprise. He was hiding in the rafters in the basement. He's usually out and about enjoying company. Guess the big fan was too much for him. And of course Eli. Eli just isn't a joiner under the best of circumstances.. Kit however was FASCINATED!!
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| What's this?? |
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| Fleurp, do you know?? |
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| About to make a big noise |
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| wow!!! |
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| Jack was nonplussed. He did his flat Jack impersonation and made biscuits. |
Monday, February 20, 2012
A new job??
Cat Catcher.. but not just any cat.. owned cats.. for money!! I so totally bet I could do that. But the question is, would there be a demand that I could actually make a living at it?? probably not.
I love the last line of the article.. “I’m going to win,” she said. “So just let me.”
I can't tell you how many times I've said that to one cat or another..
I love the last line of the article.. “I’m going to win,” she said. “So just let me.”
I can't tell you how many times I've said that to one cat or another..
Fleurp Massage
Is it time for my massage??
Yes, yes it is!!!
If you biggify that first photo of Fleurp, it is interesting how the bathrobe hanging in the bathroom looks like a person..
If you biggify that first photo of Fleurp, it is interesting how the bathrobe hanging in the bathroom looks like a person..
Sunday, February 19, 2012
A visitor
Let me remind you I live in Maine. Let me also remind you that it FEBRUARY! So this post is coming to you "live" in Maine in February..
I went out for a bit and came home and saw this..
I was so sure it was dead, because it made no sense that it would be in my garage if that was the case, because a) it wasn't there earlier, and b) the door was closed. So I took a closer look and s/he was moving. What on earth is a live woolly bear caterpillar doing roaming around in February in MAINE!! OK Granted it has been warm up here recently, but doesn't he keep a calendar in his little fuzzy pocket?? ;)
So to keep him safe, I removed him from the place the cars travel a lot, and put him/her back outside.
Safe Journeys little fuzzy one
Muffin says she is not impressed with fuzzy things..
I went out for a bit and came home and saw this..
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| Hi there, just stopping by |
So to keep him safe, I removed him from the place the cars travel a lot, and put him/her back outside.
Muffin says she is not impressed with fuzzy things..
Friday, February 17, 2012
Online petition - Dorritos
If you found the Doritos Superbowl commercial with the dog offensive, there is an online petition to sign to ask Pepsi to take it down.
You can sign it here
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/doritos-commercial-is-offensive-to-cats-cat-lovers/
You can sign it here
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/doritos-commercial-is-offensive-to-cats-cat-lovers/
kitties in NY need help
Cross posting from Ihavecat's facebook.
LIFE SAVER CATS- USED FOR YEARS AS BLOOD DONOR CATS! SUPER CATS NEED PLACEMENT-NEED A HOME!
Please contact Friendlyferals@msn.com or call 917-579-5718
Forest Hills Queens area
Please contact Friendlyferals@msn.com or call 917-579-5718
THESE CATS WERE IN A HOSPITAL USED FOR BLOOD DONORS!!! THEY SAVED SO MANY OTHERS AND NEED A HOME! They are Moe, white and orange and Angel-Tabby-both declaws, shots, tested, totally vetted! They are 4.5 years old! They were used only to save lives , BLOOD DONOR CATS and they did. The hospital closed and they had no place to go only to be euthanized. They are in foster with a special person who is having a problem with a dog that hates cats and they have to leave but their lives have to be saved and a home is needed, a good home, ASAP! I cant take them myself since I am going on cancer chemo therapy! So I am reaching out to connect these cats to a home!
Arrangements will be made to have the cats delivered or seen, whatever it takes to have them safe and adopted to a good home that appreciates what these cats have done. Please remember they were used for blood donors to save others for years. Friendly but not handled too much for too long. Friendly not feral!
LIFE SAVER CATS- USED FOR YEARS AS BLOOD DONOR CATS! SUPER CATS NEED PLACEMENT-NEED A HOME!
Please contact Friendlyferals@msn.com or call 917-579-5718
Forest Hills Queens area
Please contact Friendlyferals@msn.com or call 917-579-5718
THESE CATS WERE IN A HOSPITAL USED FOR BLOOD DONORS!!! THEY SAVED SO MANY OTHERS AND NEED A HOME! They are Moe, white and orange and Angel-Tabby-both declaws, shots, tested, totally vetted! They are 4.5 years old! They were used only to save lives , BLOOD DONOR CATS and they did. The hospital closed and they had no place to go only to be euthanized. They are in foster with a special person who is having a problem with a dog that hates cats and they have to leave but their lives have to be saved and a home is needed, a good home, ASAP! I cant take them myself since I am going on cancer chemo therapy! So I am reaching out to connect these cats to a home!
Arrangements will be made to have the cats delivered or seen, whatever it takes to have them safe and adopted to a good home that appreciates what these cats have done. Please remember they were used for blood donors to save others for years. Friendly but not handled too much for too long. Friendly not feral!
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| Angel |
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| Moe |
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