Longest TimeOut Ever!

That's what my granddaughter Hope called it when Siren and Isadora were restricted to "their room".

Whenever there are a lot of people in the house or if the doors are opened and closed often it's safer for the cats to be contained. Siren is anxious about everything and Isadora brings a whole new meaning to curiosity.

During Hurricane Sandy they spent more time in there than usual since it was dark and there were generator cords everywhere.

Hope was concerned. They would paw at the door and cry to her. She sang to them and told them stories.

She would mumble as I passed - "this is the longest timeout ever!"

The screen door was originally installed when Siren came to us with all his wild aggressive behavior. It's a great way to keep animals restricted to an area while allowing them to feel part of the scene.

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Charlotte

there are a lot of spiders around me this time of year
and there is always at least one who builds her giant web in the worst possible place
at the junction between the gate to the yard and the driveway fence

no one pays attention and will destroy the web just by walking through

so, in my capacity as Den Mother to the Charlotte Club, I step in

I can see the spot from the kitchen window

Sometimes I see the web first

Sometimes I see Charlotte

I go out with my trusty giant piece of cardboard and begin the moving process

This particular Charlotte went all Ninja on me and with the heaviness of the rain droplets I couldn't save the web

So she was relocated to the carport where she could - and did - build a new web

Gotta go, there are worms in the driveway that must be moved back to the lawn

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Isadora Is Three

My sweet and loony girl Isadora celebrated her third birthday this past Thursday.

Here are a few shots from the past year ...

She was still hiding a lot as her 3rd year began

But curiosity did draw her out more and more

She got cozier and cozier

Siren was still not so pleased

Isadora learns to speak up for herself

Sometimes she even starts the trouble

One of my favorite things about Iza is how she thinks we can't see her if she can't see us

Cuddling is still in the future but Siren and Isadora will calmly share the same space

Siren will even turn his back or maybe he's just saying kiss my butt

Earlier this year Isadora had surgery to remove all her teeth from the canines on back

This was in response to an autoimmune disease that created severe gum inflammation

I'm so pleased that she's healthy and happy

A lot of people celebrate the gotcha day of their adopted family members but I prefer to calculate when they were probably born and then chose a date that has some meaning

I chose August 4 for Isadora because it is the President's birthday

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Deep Thoughts In The Shadows

Thanks everyone for the get better wishes, they are much appreciated. I am having one hell of a time kicking this bug. I read that the flu is widespread in NY right now but I'm in NJ. I guess once a NYer always a NYer.

Christmas Day was Siren's 9th Birthday. He spent some time in his cozy spot pondering the meaning of life. He promises to let me know when he has it all figured out.

SHADOW SHOTS

Isadora and Her Blue Friend

My cats have a ridiculous number of toys but for some reason this little Blue guy is Isadora's favorite.





MID WEEK BLUES

ABC Wednesday

My 'Brella Buddy

Weekend Reflections is right below

The patio umbrella had been closed for several days; enough time for somebody to move in.

As I cranked open the umbrella from underneath I noticed a shadow. Upon closer inspection ...



... I realized I had guests.

I let it be for awhile with the umbrella half open. Later in the day I moved the "structure" to a group of bushes.

Everyone was carrying on as if they were about to be swarmed by killer insects. Telling me to close the umbrella, get the hose, call the National Guard. Ridiculous.

I do not see the need to kill a living creature just because you can.

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Pet Pride: Siren Gets Caught In The Act

Summer Stock is right below ...

Hi everyone. Siren here.

Mom moved a small dresser into MY room. I don't like change, I'll be the first to admit it, I get anxious. But I try to adjust and I try to see an opportunity in every change.

And this change was a doozie!

It gave me the perfect launching pad to finally, finally be able to get to the top of the curio. I have no idea what a curio is but that's what Mom calls it. When she's not calling it 'the tall thing that will fall over and kill you if you jump on it, thank god you can't reach it' - guess curio is catchier.

So Mom went out and I used the new dresser to get to the mountain top. Oh man! it is nirvana up there!

and then I heard her ...



I tried to be inconspicuous ...



I mean really! she expected those pillows to stop me. sometimes she's so cute when she's naive ...



I'm sorry Mom ...



Go on over to my pal BOZO’S PLACE and check out the other pets. Hopefully I'm not the only one who got into a little trouble.

One last thing - I don't want anyone to think I'm hoggin' the blog from Mia (UGH!) but this is all she does ...



every now and then I go make sure she's breathing. I don't like her but she is family ...

Camera Critters: Isn't It Ironic

Apparently my life dance of 1 step forward, 2 steps back applies to my cats as well.

Siren has been with me since he was a few months old - 6 years now . When he came here he terrorized sweet old JR to the point that I had to keep them separated - if Siren was around JR wouldn't eat and would often vomit from sheer fear.

When JR passed I waited a bit to adopt another, looking for the best possible sibling for Siren.

Along came Mia. The shelter was so full that she was living in a barn and I was told she ruled the tomcats. They followed her and never messed with her.

And that is true ... Although Mia is half Siren's size and several years older she is the boss. All it takes is a look and a hiss and Siren takes off.

It's been over a year and Siren wants to be friends. Mia is not interested.



"I'm playing here Siren, come any closer and you'll be sorry"



"I just want to hang with you. Most of those toys are mine, you don't see me being nasty and selfish"

Until last week this has been as close as they get and they don't stay that way for more than a few moments. Siren makes a move, Mia hisses, Siren leaves.

But then, one magical morning last week, I came upon this ...



Now Mia is deaf and Siren is stealthy so I assumed he got up there while she slept and it would only be a matter of time before hissing would ensue and hair would fly.

I was wrong ...



"Hey! Mom-Person!! She's awake and looking at me and I'm still alive, how cool is this? She likes me, she really likes me."

And they stayed there together for hours ...



I would like to direct your attention to their blankie. It is from the Martha Stewart Nursery Collection, part of the nursery rhymes motif.

We may be savages but we know decor.

Where's the irony?

Well Mia got sick a few days later (I wrote about it on the other blog) and when she returned from the vet Siren couldn't bear her "vet smell" and immediately went back to skulking mode. Mia is so out of sorts that she hisses even when Siren is in another room.

Oh well ... tomorrow is another day.

Go to CAMERA CRITTERS to read about more critters, most of whom are not nearly as nuts as we are.

Camera Critters: Honest Scrap From Mia and Siren

My friend Lisa of VILLAS GIRL PHOTOS and her merry band of furkids gave Mia and Siren the Honest Scrap Award.



As part of accepting the award Mia and Siren need to post 10 honest things about themselves. Of course they got into an argument about who should post but I stepped in and told them they had to share the spotlight. Treats were offered and they agreed.

1> As hard as our person tried to introduce us to each other we really do not want to be friends



2> We both really hate being groomed. She tries everything. These groomer gloves are cozy and delicious but no way will we sit still for grooming. Hair was meant to be swallowed and thrown up, preferably into shoes and on carpets.




3> Siren – “When that other cat first got here I will admit I was curious. I swear I wasn’t going to do anything to her if I had managed to get that door open.”



4> Mia – “I love how nervous I make that punk. Look at him! Peeking out at me. I rule the hallway.”



5> Siren – “Oh please! She needs to get over herself. Talk to the tail. I’m not afraid of you, I’m just annoyed that you exist.”



6> Mia – “It’s hard to admit I’m a bit arthritic. The person put this box here to make it easier for me. I never did say thanks; at first I wouldn’t even use it.”



But …

“I really do appreciate it. And she never even said anything about how I scratched the bed frame and tore up the bedspread.”



7> Siren – “Sometime when I get a feel for the old days on the streets I get a little wild, aggressive even …



… the person put a screen door in the spare room for me so I can have a comfy time-out.”



8> Early in the morning when the person is in the shower we get together to plan the day. Thank goodness the person doesn’t know about this – she’d be there with that camera of hers.



9> We don’t do laps. We know that bothers the person. She’s such a hugger and cuddler. Sometimes we sit close, very close. It’s our way.



10> Wow! Blogging is harder than we thought. So much to share. It left us dizzy …



… and exhausted.



Thank You Lisa and Lovey and Mr. Handsome and Pretty Girl.

And don’t forget to check out all the CAMERA CRITTERS

Camera Critters: Mia's Birthday

Mia turns 9 today. She joined the family a year ago this month.

This is the photo the rescue site sent me. They told me she never left her bed except to use the litter. She wasn't eating much either. I love her heart shaped nose. Perfect for a Valentine birthday



It wasn't much different when she got here. She had a respiatory infection and her eyes were infected. She spent the first few days trying to disappear into the sofa cushions.




Even when she did venture off the sofa she immediately found a hiding spot



Given that she was so tiny and weak I wanted her to be as comfy as possible so I moved her food and litter into my bedroom. She immediately took over and demanded purple towels to sleep on



During this time I kept her apart from Siren. I slowly introduced them in a safe and calm manner



Over time they have come to tolerate each other. I'm still hoping for some love between them but that's really up to them. Cats have a pace all their own. At least we don't need the cage anymore



She also moves around a lot more.

She spent days walking in and out of her new bed deciding if it worked for her



Eventually she decided she liked to come down to the basement office and inspect the work I was doing



She is more concerned about her appearance now that she feels better and allows me to brush her - as long as I use her favorite glove and move very, very quickly



And then she settles back in - to a place where she knows she is safe and loved



Happy Birthday Mia!

To meet more wonderful animals visit CAMERA CRITTERS

And please visit THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE. A click each day helps many homeless animals. It's all Mia wants for her birthday.