lessons learned from pets

[Dan]

Steve, Carol just told me he was yawning. She had sent me that picture and I really didn't know.
Unless it is a bug and he is in hunter mode, he a is a "bapper", not a scratcher. (really energetic but not a bit of aggression.)

The other night, morning at 00 dark:23 I am walking down the stairs and the lil bugger comes from behind me, launches him self off my extended foot like a diving board and I can only hear him hit the bottom step and floor. It was a completely dark, cloudy night and the only lite was a street lite half a block away with no windows close to the stairs. Had another cat been around, they would have said, "DANG!"

He is just a playful, mischievous and very funny little boy kid. Ya'd expect him to have a homemade slingshot in the back pocket of his overalls, if he were a people kid.

Just rambling. "The Great Gray Hunter" is curled up next to me taking a long winters nap and brought it to mind.

Thing I really enjoy about living with him, when I walk in the door, he does "hey dude" sort of hello, headbob thing. The dog, bless her has a reaction like I am returning from war and was reported nomore. Really huge and involved deal.

That and itty bitty idiot kitty is way more fun to share ice cream with. Shelly DeDawg is not very patient or sharing. Stewie takes delicate licks and waits when it is your turn at the spoon.

Really love the little dope.

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Miss Sydney our black and white cat turned up on our doorstep one day and announced that she was now our cat. Properly housebroken and very well socialised it was plain that she had been somebody's much loved pet and I can only imagine that her former owner had died or else she'd been left behind when somebody moved house.
I had been feeding a small number of elderly down on their luck cats, but unlike them Miss Sydney wasn't interested in just attending the daily soup kitchen she wanted to stay. We named her 'Miss Sydney' because there had been a neighbourhood tom cat named 'Sydney' about some years earlier with the same black and white markings so it was an easy step of logic to assume that she was one of his kittens. Sydney had been taken away by the local Cat Protection League when his owner died, but as to where Miss Sydney herself came from in the neighbourhood I haven't a clue.

When I'm working on my bikes in the carport Miss Sydney often comes to watch and when I take a break with a cup of tea and sit on the back doorstep Miss Sydney will sit beside me as if she wants to join in on the creative staring too, On days when I'm not so well and having problems with joint and muscle pain which means that not a lot except creative staring is going on she will come and sit beside me to keep me company which is really nice.
Miss Sydney is a great mouser too which is a good thing living as I do in a rural area. Sometimes when I'm working Miss Sydney will arrive with a presentation mouse and she looks at me in disbelief when I don't want to eat it. One time though the poor wee critter was still alive and when she put it down it made a dash for it and tried to run up my skirt. My daughter told me afterwards that I'd loosed a fairly impressive, 'Eek!' that she'd heard quite clearly from inside the house.

 

[2door]

Living with both a big dog and a small dog is a study in comparisons. The big guy, Baxter, a Golden Retriever (aka, Roofus McGoofus) is my buddy. He likes to lay with me when I read at night, butt up against my feet and is quite content to stay there for hours. Every place I go, he's on my heels. Always within petting distance.

The little one, Flori, (aka, Sissy, or Fuzz Butt) a Tibetan Spaniel has cat-like qualities that keep her aloof un-needful of close personal contact. Occasionally she will 'grace me with her presence' by coming and nesting between my legs while I read. Most other times she is in another room, sleeping and ignoring my offers for a warm place to share with the Big Guy and me.

Baxter is undoubtedly 'Dad's Good Boy' while Sissy is 'Mom's Little Girl'. What is interesting is the way they behave when Char, my wife, isn't home as compared to when she is and it is the four of us together. Flori becomes this pitiful liitle waif who would have you believe she never gets any attention unless her Mom gives it. Baxter is the guardian of the homestead and a fierce protector, unless Mom is there in which case he acts like kindergardener.

They are a source of constant entertainment and wonder. I observe them daily and always wonder what goes on inside their little pee brains. Lots more than we give them credit for, that's for sure.

Tom

 

[Ludwig II]

Our chihuahua Mia is engaged on a slow campaign of easing her way up the bed at night with the goal, and yes little madam, I've worked it out, of joining us and crawling under the duvet.

She's an extremely good watchdog. She hears the postman 4 floors away, beyond the range of my music and industry honed ears, and tells us. Loudly.

 

[paul]

I learned from a pet hamster not to chew on electric cords lol

 

[Dan]

I learned from a pet hamster not to chew on electric cords lol

lolololololololol

 

[fasteddy]

Was that Smokey the hamster?

Steve.

 

[CTripps]

Six or so years ago I had to stop in at a big chain pet store to grab some food or something on the way home. I go grab the cat food, and (as always) take a glance at the wall of cat toys.

All the time I've got that "Some one is staring at me" feeling.

In the back was the adoption center, a series of carpeted shelves/compartments behind glass as you may have seen many places. Sitting on a stool (not in one of said box things) staring at me is one of the ugliest looking kittens I've seen (not including hairless). His fur was far from sleek (kind of ratty and tufty), he's got an overbite you could see from a distance, and he's staring at me.

When I saw him, he quietly went "meh ma ooo" which came through clear as day in my head as "It's about time you got here, can we go now?"

I got home, told Harley to get her coat on, and we went back and gave him a ride home. We called him Twist, after the knot in the end of his tail (minor birth defect). He's her (cuddle)bug much of the time, my buddy and over all a really amiable guy to hang around with.

The lesson was reinforced that even after a 4000 km move.. my next pet will always find me.

 

[Harley59]

That head against ear is what I call 'Fuzz Therapy' cause he is always purring.

 

[fasteddy]

CT,

I like the middle photo. It looks like he is saying, let's get the lap going, I'm available.

Steve.

 

[CTripps]

CT,

I like the middle photo. It looks like he is saying, let's get the lap going, I'm available.

Steve.

Yep, he's looking to hang out with someone. He hops up and sits like that a lot when I'm out and Harley's home.

 

[Dan]

"When I saw him, he quietly went "meh ma ooo" which came through clear as day in my head as "It's about time you got here, can we go now?"

Awwww. To cool

 

[Dan]

This is a vid of a crow in Russia using a lid to snowboard down a roof. Really amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n7hiuXjXJEw

NPR story. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way...&utm_campaign=20140302&utm_source=mostemailed

Kitten picture is also from Russia and a story on NPR.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/picturesho...&utm_campaign=20140302&utm_source=mostemailed

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Smart bird Thanks for sharing this delightful video Dan.

 

[2door]

Another bird trick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqy9hxhUxK0

I don't care much for birds in general but crows and sea gulls can be fun to watch.

Tom

 

[CTripps]

We have a pair of crows that we throw peanuts out for now and then. It's fun watching them decide which ones 'stack' better with each other to fly away with.

We have a fair number of species of small birds that come around our yard. Some are more fun to watch than others. The hummingbirds are fascinating on thier own. I watched one yesterday that appeared to be catching snowflakes as they were falling. We also have a growing battle between one of the hummingbirds and one of the chickadees that's fun to watch. They bug each other with close fly-bys while at the feeders, etc.

 

[fasteddy]

Saw this today.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-mans-best-friend-is-fine-and-feathered/

Steve.

 

[scotto-]

My pet rattlesnake taught me a lesson......don't own a rattlesnake as a pet!

Or was that a King Cobra?

http://www.desertusa.com/video_pages/du_rattle1.html

 

[BarelyAWake]

...We also have a growing battle between one of the hummingbirds and one of the chickadees that's fun to watch. They bug each other with close fly-bys while at the feeders, etc.

I'd love to trade you, no joke - it's a screech armageddon when these guys go at it... in my backyard ofc;



Best yet? This guy is starting to think he's one of 'em & calling back the "MINE! MINE! MINE!" in bird-speak, unfortunate as he's in the living room & volume set to ear bleed;



He's not mine, I dunno - we've a cautious relationship, I of the crackers & he with the bolt cutter face *shrug* I tease him 'cause he hasn't figured out he can fly, he cocks his head and says "want some?"

 

[Dave31]

My new best friend Mila.