Category Archives: animals

Tails From the Cat Side

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Cat Tales (Tails)

Time for “Tails from the Cat Side”. I told you that my kitty shenanigans in our evening play sessions needed a post all of their own and I mean it. My usually quiet and boring fur babies turn 15 minutes of playtime into the “Eve of Destruction”. It came as a shock to me the first time it happened but I think I’ve got a handle on it now.

Oh the mess

Bed Time-Play Time

I try to play with my cats in the evening as that’s when they are most likely to be around. During the day they like to watch birds and squirrels out the window or sleep.  I have a bunch of interactive toys they can play with too if I’m busy. Everything from a laser that runs for 15 minutes before it shuts off to good old fashioned paper bags but lately I’ve had trouble holding their attention.  They had no interest in me and would just ignore the toys and walk away. 

Feline Wrestle-mania

Of course the minute I walked away to go to bed they had a hissy fit. Banner led to charge with the Song of his people in loud wails. Balboa added tiny chips and irritated meows. I had to do something. So I made an emergency trip to PetSmart for a bunch of “Wand” Toys.

Product Whisker City® Multi Ribbon Boa Teaser Toy Wand

Whisker City® Multi Ribbon Boa Teaser Toy Wand

 

 

 

This was the favorite.

Wand Toy Playtime

Both Banner and Balboa seemed to like chasing this toy and we had a lively few minutes before they wandered off to lay down.  They really put some effort into chasing it and there was no more evening serenade. It seemed to satisfy their need for bedtime attention …at first.

I made the mistake of letting them catch the wand. 

I flipped the boa over Balboa’s head instead of dragging it along the floor. OMG! He exploded into the air. If it had been a bird it’s life would be over.

Balboa flies

 

 

Balboa jumped so high he looked like a cartoon kitty.  I can’t take a picture fast enough and handle the wand. Unfortunately Balboa won’t “perform” for anyone but me. He hides whenever anyone else comes around so you’ll need to use your imagination.

Destruction

Banner is just as violent but at ground level. I guess we have air force and infantry here. The Boa didn’t last long. I switched to feathers and Banner made short work of that one. 

 

Wand before playtime

Boa Wand after Playtime

 

The remains of the feather wand after 5 minutes with Banner

Some of the feather remains

I’m using a fuzzy wand now. It looks like a squirrel’s tail. They both really get going after that and it seems to be a little less delicate. Maybe this will last more than a day or two.

My Life is Ruled by Tiny Furry Overlords

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My Furry Overlords

My cats are weird, You probably remember

they are named Banner (Orange cat) and Balboa ( Black Cat)

Banner & Balboa, Furry Overlords

 

They are much more dependent on me than I expected. Maybe because I adopted both as kittens they learned to rely on me for fun and play. They can’t seem to amuse themselves at all and worse, they hate when I am busy doing anything that does not include them! I have time for this post only because they are both sleeping right now

Last night I had to attend a condo meeting. It ran from 7 pm to close to 9pm. I don’t go out much at night but I was quite surprised to have both tiny terrors frantically running around my feet when I came in. Day trips for shopping and errands are hardly noticed I guess they don’t like being alone when its dark.

Banner hates to go to bed. He will be a quiet little gentleman all day but the minute I get in bed he starts to sing the song of his people…loudly. I have to get up and hold him, pet him and cuddle him or he doesn’t calm down. Balboa just wants to sleep with me. After frantically making biscuits on me for an hour. Is it any wonder I’m always tired?

 

 

Aside from keeping my “masters” Happy and content I’ve been following the news about Kilauea. 

Hawaii volcano produces tall lava fountaining in latest episode of Kilauea eruption | AP News

AP News-Kilauea Eruption

Photo from FB feed

 

She’s putting on quite the show these days. I wish I could take a trip to Hawaii to see it in person but I’m not sure I’d want to fly anywhere even if I could justify the expense. Seems like there is a plane crash or incident every week!   

Well Balboa just got up and per usual he is trying to climb my leg. Man that hurts. Its amazing that he doesn’t draw blood! That means my writing time is over. so until I get another break, adios! 

 

RIP 399

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Grizzly 399

Grizzly 399 was , without a doubt, the most famous Grizzly in the Yellowstone/Grand Teton eco-system. She was so famous that when I went to Jackson Hole in 2017 even I had heard of her.  Sadly Grizzly 399 was killed in a car/bear accident about a week ago. She was 28. 28 is old for any grizzly but especially a wild bear. 

photo credit- unknown

Grizzly 399 was unique in that she was still birthing cubs every year.  This bear produced 18 offspring over the years. Another reason she became so famous is that she lived close to Jackson Hole so was more visible than most. It wasn’t unusual for her to be spotted along a roadside with her cubs. Fans even sent texts and posted on social media where she might be seen. That was how I was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the  bear and 2 cubs when I was in Wyoming and know that it was this famous bear,

My Sighting

I was heading back to the condo where I was staying after a day touring Yellowstone National Park. The geysers had been plentiful but wildlife had been scarce. I’d just crossed into Grand Teton National Park when I saw a lot of cars pulled off the road. I parked, grabbed the camera and trotted up to the crowd. I could see a lot of pointing and low talking so I approached one of the people in front of me. He told me Grizzly 399 was in the area with 2 cubs.  Right about then I heard someone say “There she is!” And cameras came out all along the roadside. I got as close as I could but having arrived late I wasn’t in the best location.  Here’s what I was able to capture.

3 bears out for a stroll

Grizzly 399 and 2 cubs -2017 photo Credit Deb Neumann

Into the woods

Grizzly 399 -2017 photo Credit Deb Neumann

Mangelsen Gallery

If you want to see really beautiful photos of Grizzly 399 you have to visit the Mangelsen Gallery in Jackson Hole. His work is some of the finest Wildlife Photography I have ever seen and he has some outstanding images for Grizzly 399 over the years. 

Ode to 399

28 is old for a bear and sooner or later we were going to have to say goodbye to this iconic grizzly. At least we know what happened to her. She could have denned up for a winter and never come out. No matter what it would be sad. Part of me is thankful that we know what happened to her and part of me is angry that it was due to humans that this amazing bear is gone. At the same time having driven those roads and seen how dark they can be I can understand how it happened. RIP Grizzly 399. You will be missed.

 

Photo credit -unknown

 

 

October Update

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Its October All Ready!

Time flies when you are having fun. Or maybe I should ask…Are we having fun yet? For someone who is retired and should have all this time on my hands I never seem to get everything done that needs to be done. Of course my mornings are much less hurried now. The kitties get me up between 6- 6:30 am every day. No need for alarm clocks but I don’t rush around. I feed them, then I check my emails and pay any bills that have come due. After that I play a little FreeCell while I wait for my Fitbit to recharge. Once that’s done I clean kitty litter and then make my breakfast. Hard to believe but that brings me to around 9 AM! that’s when  my day really starts with making my bed and taking a shower. Then if I was lucky enough to get on the door dash schedule I go to work.

Door Dash

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Door Dash slowed way down in September. I don’t know if it was kids going back to school or summer’s end but the dashes dried up and even when I could get on the schedule I was only getting 1 or 2 deliveries. Needless to say I couldn’t keep my 30 day deal count up so I dropped to Gold Status. Now I have to schedule my dashes and for 2 weeks the only times available were midnight to 4 am. Nope- not for me so I got an unplanned vacation. Its been picking back up now so I’m back out on the road again. 

October is Doctor Visits

October seems to be the month for doctor visits. Not just for me but for the kitties too. Annual physicals and in my case , specialized tests. I’m reaching the “elderly” age when my doctor wants to be sure everything is tuned up. I think they are just looking for something to keep them earning vacations. 

I had to drug Balboa for his annual physical so about 2 hours before the vet (Ross Veterinary House Calls)  got here I dosed him. 15 minutes before the vet’s arrival I put a mildly subdued Balboa in the bathroom so he couldn’t sneak behind the bed.  He did much better with some drugs in him.

Balboa 2024- Photo Credit Deb Neumann

Balboa gained a whole pound. He now weighs 12 lbs! That’s too big for a cat his size so I’ve been told to cut back on his kitty food. 

Banner 2024 – photo Credit Deb Neumann

Banner didn’t do very well in the weight control area either. He gained half a pound so his fluffy butt now weighs in at 16 lbs. He’s now on restricted rations too.

My visit for my annual physical came in a little better in the weight department. A side benefit of doing door dash is that I get more exercise so I’m actually down 17 lbs and 2 pants sizes.

So in Conclusion

There’s more to tell you about but we’re out of time for now. In conclusion it looks like aside from being busy with all of these appointments we’re doing pretty well here. I’ll have to steal a few minutes for another update soon.

Black Cat Appreciation Day

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Black Cat Appreciation Day

OOPS! Yesterday, August 17 was Black Cat Appreciation Day and I missed it! How could I let Balboa down like that? He’s the best little black cat! Why is he so special you ask? Because he makes me feel special. You know the old what goes around comes around thing?

Balboa photo credit Deb Neumann

 

 

Black Cats are Special

I’ve had black cats all my life. We’ve had some really special connections too. Like when my black cat , Shadow, went missing at my folks house in upstate NY. My mother didn’t believe in kitty littler. Cats belonged outside to do their business so she put poor Shadow outdoors. Anyway, when it came time for me to leave to go back to Boston, no Shadow. I waited as long as I could but finally I had to give up and head home. My folks promised to keep an eye out for Shadow if she returned.

Balboa on his Cat Tree Photo Credit Deb Neumann

Every few days I’d call to check in. No sign of her. My Dad insisted she must be dead but I didn’t believe that.

Balboa loves Boxes

After about 6 weeks I got the chance to come back for a visit. As I drove into the yard at my folks my Mom was outside waiting. There was Shadow at her feet. My Mom said 15 minutes before I arrived Shadow came home. 

My Balboa

Balboa

Balboa isn’t like Shadow at all. Nope, he’s a “fraidy” cat. After 4 years he’s still shy with strangers but he is the most loving little cuddlebug to me. He’s always in my lap or following me around. When the housekeeper is here he sits right next to me until she leaves. He sleeps with me at night. He’s very much a “Velcro” kitty. 

House Panther, Balboa

 

Black Cats Are Special

I could go on with tales about Buddy who walked on a leash, or Little Joe my Persian or any of my other black & tuxedo cats I’ve had over the years buy yesterday was for them all. Mini house panthers every one!

Buddy, RIP