Category Archives: Pets

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.

Paws, Claws and Catnaps

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Paws, Claws and Catnaps

Never a dull moment around my house. Banner and Balboa keep me hopping with paws, claws and catnaps. I have a pretty strong mix of catnip that I use on them regularly to mellow them out. After the initial Krazy Kat display they curl up for a nice nap.  They have developed quite a habit. WE may have to have an intervention soon. But for now I’ll let them sleep it off. 

Cat Nap time

 

Here’s what I have to deal with. 

Recent Perplexing Behavior

The kitties are clearly spoiled so I must be a bad cat mom. Banner has always liked to chew on my hand. Typical morning behavior is to take over my desk top and purr. When I try to pet him (which he loves, by the way) he immediately bites me. It used to be just gentle love nips but as he has gotten older and his jaw has gotten stronger the nips have turned to bites. He even has been known to draw blood, But then he is so contrite and will gently lick my wounds.

Do Not Disturb

Next he tries to snag my Fitbit off the charger. He can be very sneaky about that. If I am not paying attention he will calmly walk off with it and then the search is on to find where he put it. It was funny at first but after awhile this gets kind of old.

Not So Innocent

Balboa is not an innocent bystander. In fact my little cuddle kitty is a sneaky instigator. I think he enjoys getting his big brother in trouble. Only yesterday Balboa was perched in Banner’s spot on my desk top like a Egyptian God.

Worship me hooman

He clearly expected pets and worship. Banner sauntered over to see what was going on and Balboa growled. LOL Yup like an angry dog.  Banner had no idea what was going on. In 4 years together I have never witnessed that behavior and I don’t think Banner has either. They usually get along fine. Maybe not besties but mostly friendly wrestling.

WrestleMania

 

Paper Bags and Boxes

Banner is a paper bag boy while Balboa prefers boxes. Lately when Banner is playing in his bags Balboa has to try to jump him. When Banner gets disgusted at the interference and walks away, Balboa takes over the bag. They won’t share so to keep peace I now have 2 shredded bags in the middle of my Livingroom. They get to keep them until my housekeeper comes to clean. At that point I toss them. They’ll get new bags after she leaves.

Bag Boy Bag Boy Whatcha gonna do?

 

 

Kitty in a box

 

 

But this is nothing compared to our playtime before bed.  But that deserves another post. Until next time…  

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Indoor Dog House

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Indoor Dog House

Crating your dog is a proven training technique but no one really wants an ugly wire crate in the living room.  Now you can get a adorable  little dog house that is perfect for small dogs or even cats. 

Our Store is open. Stop by our online location at Welcoming Haven.com. You should Love Where You Live and we can help!

Welcoming Haven.com

Banner’s Another Year Older

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Banner’s Birthday

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.

 

Roadkill

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, 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.

 

In Other News

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!

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I’m very excited and hope you will be too!

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.