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Well my, my, my. Hard to believe my orange baby is 5 years old already. Happy Birthday Banner! Actually his birthday was June 6 but as usual I’m a little behind.
This is Banner’s imitation of road kill. He’s as flat to the floor as he can get. Look at his little legs all squished down.
“Bag Boy, Bag Boy, what you going to do? And what you going to do when they come for you?”
All Banner wanted for his birthday was a paper bag so he could hide. Right? You really can’t see him at all! Please don’t tell him different. I’m sure he’d be crushed. If so Chewy sent him a 30% off discount coupon for a new toy. I’m sure that will help offset any disappointment that his bag isn’t really hiding him.
I mentioned that I was a bit delayed with this post. That’s because I’ve been working on a new project. Yes once again I am trying to stretch my entrepreneurial muscles and we all know how that’s gone in the past. Still hope springs eternal so at my advanced age I am going to give it one more try. I want to have the project a little more along before I make the GRAND ANNOUNCEMENT. But you will hear it soon if all goes well. Stay tuned!
I’m very excited and hope you will be too!
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 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 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.
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.
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
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 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
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
Its Balboa’s birthday! Sometimes its hard to believe that the “annoying little brother” has survived that long. He is always picking at Big Brother. Banner. I have to say that Banner is pretty patient usually. Once Banner gets sick of it he does put Balboa in his place .
Photo credit Deb Neumann
My favorite thing is when they race back and forth through the apartment chasing each other. Its usually right after they have breakfast in the morning. First they run to the bedroom. Maybe Banner leading and Balboa chasing but seconds later they come racing back but then the positions have changed and Balboa will be leading and Banner chasing. Over the couch , up the cat tree , across the mantel they go. It doesn’t last long but its hilarious while it does.
Photo Credit Deb Neumann
Balboa has grown into a beautiful House Panther. He’s still very skittish even though he has been through a bathroom remodel, HVAC replacement and lots of housekeepers so having strangers in the unit isn’t unusual. Still I am afraid we’ll have to drug him for his physical this year.
His favorite hiding place is behind the headboard of the bed. You definitely can’t get to him there. My neighbor’s dogs got into the apartment the other day when the door didn’t lock behind me. That time Banner beat Balboa to the headboard so Balboa settled for the tub!
Balboa is still the “talker” He makes his demands known-loudly! But he is also the cuddlebug of the family. He likes to sleep with me and sit on my lap whenever he gets the chance.
Photo credit Deb Neumann
So now that Balboa has turned 4 years old he’s caught up to big brother Banner. They are quite the pair. They fill my day with their antics. It’s hard to believe it been 4 years. Time flies
Banner & Balboa credit Deb Neumann
Photo Credit Deb Neumann
Photo Credit Deb Neumann
Love you even when you are being the “ALB” (annoying little brother !)