“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost
Showing posts with label pets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pets. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Goodbye Dot



I have sad news to share about our tuxedo kitty Dot. She has gone on her final adventure over the rainbow bridge to join her other feline friends. She had a wonderful life with us for the past ten years. She was slowing down a bit but it was a sudden unset of an aggressive cancer that took her. We provided hospice for her in her final weeks and with the vet's assistance, her passing was peaceful and quick.

Dot came to us via the Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley, MN. She was a 5-7 year old stray found under a back yard canoe. She had the most unusual voice that we came to love. She favored my husband and tolerated me. Over the past few years we did become friends though.

Her favorite pastimes were collecting her toy mice and laying them on her bed or bringing them to us as presents. She loved catnip and sunshine and enjoyed a daily stroll around our backyard.

Goodbye old girl, you were one in a million and we will miss you so much.



 May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all, may silence make you strong.
~~ Dan George
  

Image by Roland Winkelmann from Pixabay

Friday, February 19, 2016

Love Your Pets Day

February 20th is officially Love Your Pet Day!  At our house, we love our pets every day, but what the heck! They deserve another post showing off just how cute and cuddly they are.  So here are my two favorite pets... Dot and Guy!








Dot basks in the sun on a cool fall day...  One of her nick-names is "Double Stuffed", you know, for the double stuffed cookies....






Here she complains that I'm not getting her good side and is asking that common question... "Does this basket make me look fat?"

I don't have pictures of Dot outside in the winter... she isn't out long enough to get one... a quick run down the walk and then zoom, she's back in the house!








Guy Noir on the other hand, loves the snow! The snow storm we had a few weeks ago was even a bit overwhelming for him though as you see in the photo above, he's thinking maybe he should go in until I've shoveled off the walk for him! Uhhh... no buddy, you are keeping me company!!

At this point, I don't even have him tethered because he's in no hurry to go anywhere, except maybe back in the house!







This was our prettiest snow of the year!  There's nothing prettier in the winter than fresh fallen snow and some sparkling sunshine!






Here is Guy again looking a bit perplexed by the whole situation, note the ear position!





This photo was taken more on Guys perspective, I guess that does look like a lot of snow if you're only 9 inches tall....











Here he is hunkered by the door and watching the birds at the feeder.  It really wasn't too cold that day, 20 degrees or so, but the wind was starting to pick up and it was still snowing.





This looks like at least 10 inches of snow to me!!  Thank goodness it was light and fluffy!












This cardinal checked out the feeder after the squirrels and crows had their fill...




As I write this today, we are getting rain and the snow is quickly melting away.  Guy is upset that we can't go out today because of the rain and as I finish, he has draped himself over my arms again.  He is my constant companion and I do adore him.  Dot is a sweet and friendly cat but she is in love with my husband and cries pitifully when he leaves on a business trip! She tolerates me, but I know who her true love is!

I've had quite a few pets over the years (cats,dogs,birds). It amazes me that they all have such unusual and distinct personalities, just like people!

Have a lovely day my friends, and if you have a favorite pet, share a bit about it with us!

~~ Diane ~~
Sending hugs and cat kisses your way



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas Past . . .

It's hard to believe that Christmas Day has come and gone already.  We still are basking in the glow of this warm and wonderful time at my house though. Here are a few pictures of what's happening around my place.

One of my nativity sets will remain until the New Year - just to remind us of the real "reason for the season".






Some of the cheerful cards we received will bring a smile for many more days.







 Ginny is my old girl, (16 years), and still enjoys a new toy mouse for Christmas.







She seems a bit weary from all the excitement. Notice that Guy and Dot are not in the pictures, they are still a bit too excited to hold still for a photo shoot!



I think we all need and old fashioned nap to get us ready for the New Year!
           See Ya Soon!


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Black Cat Awareness Day Oct 27, 2012

Time again to remember our feline friends, of the black variety. In this country, black cats have had a rough time of it. They have long been on the receiving end of negative stereotypes which has resulted in hundreds if not thousands of needless deaths. The familiar image of a black cat with an arched back and raised fur with its tail upright is frequently used for Halloween or to signify some sort of bad luck.

Throughout history, black cats have been viewed as mysterious and even supernatural. They have been associated with witchcraft and misfortune. These ideas have been fueled by writers and film makers and have helped to reinforce this horrible stereotype against black cats. Unfortunately this has led to misconceptions about black cats that has set them up for harm and abuse.

Now I have to say that I love to see black cats, especially at Halloween! I do think they are mysterious and maybe even supernatural, but not in a bad way! I love black cats! Below is my first black cat, he found me and we were together for over 18 years! He was a super cool cat and he was amazing and lovable. I wish we could start to adopt a more loving view of black cats in this country.

Cocoa in the garden  (1991-2009)

I read that in Australia and Britain and other parts of the world where black is a protective color, black cats are considered lucky. In Ancient Egypt, cats were sacred and a home that kept a black cat was even more blessed. The ancient Celts believed that black cats were reincarnated beings who could foretell the future. Cats have always been associated with motherhood, protection, love and fertility. In Scotland, it was believed that if a black cat crossed your path that good fortune would come your way.  Maybe my Scottish heritage has something to do with my love of black cats!


"The purity of a person's heart can be quickly
               measured by how they regard cats."
                                                               Anonymous




Beautiful!
Black cat



Magical!

Black Cat And Mockorange


Curious!


Black Cat

Awwwww! Cute!

Black Cat Brooch

Lovely!


Black cat in red feathers





This is one unhappy cat!


black cat wearing hat with ears




Black cats are frequently passed over for adoption 
and are euthanized more than any other type of cat. 
Please consider a black cat when adopting.

My adopted kitten .... Guy Noir, curious, playful and happy!

Source: Black Cat Folklore

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Little Guy is Growing Like a Weed...

Our little Guy Noir is growing so fast. At this age he is growing in length and he is quite a string bean! His tail is extremely long too. I read that this is normal for this stage in growth. We love his name Guy Noir, but we have also come up with a few nick-names too, such as Whirly Gig, Brat Cat, Devil Cat and several others.




Taken with a flash..... look at those long hairs sticking out!

Overall though he is very cute and loves to torment the adult girl cats. So far Aunt Dot and Granny Gin have held up alright under Guy's onslaught of terror! They are not afraid to correct his bad manners and he is starting to catch on that they do not like being jumped on and bit!


Dot in a moment of relaxation.




Wondering what is on the other side of the door.






Sorry for the blurry pictures! He won't stay still and I have an old camera!




He only remembers his sweet momma and brothers and sisters, who apparently had no problem going along with the rough housing. My girls will not be apart of that. They will play along most of the time, but when he gets too rough they let him have it! It only takes a hiss and a swift smack down with one paw to set him straight!





Guy inside his playpen.


The playpen is located on the screened porch where he can get fresh air and watch the birds and squirrels.


Here is his view, there is a goldfinch at the feeder in this photo.



The playpen has come in very handy. At first Guy was in there several times a day so the girls could get used to him. Now I mainly use it if I need to keep him safe and not underfoot when I am working in the kitchen cooking or when bringing in groceries from the garage. He thinks there is something fascinating out on the garage and tries to dash out there.  He is settling in quite well now and enjoys playing with his toys and chasing the girls.  He also loves to look out the windows on the porch and watch the birds.  We are all having a ball with this little bundle of energy!





Saturday, June 16, 2012

And His Name Is...

Guy Noir, or for now Little Guy!

How did we come up with this name?  Well kitten is a Guy and he is Noir; in French, noir means dark or black. We actually borrowed the name from Garrison Keillor (a local big shot). Guy Noir is a fictional private eye regularly featured on the public radio show A Prairie Home Companion.  Played by Garrison Keillor, the character parodies pulp fiction novels and the film noir genre. Guy Noir works on the twelfth floor of the Acme Building in a city that "knows how to keep its secrets", St. Paul, Minnesota.



Here is Little Guy with two toys. There was a split second to get the picture before the frantic playing continued. Mostly what I got were pictures like the one below.

Blur Fur


Little Guy Noir (Private Cat Eye) Knows How to Keep Secrets









Here is Guy doing a somersault from his basket trying to capture a toy.



Just before he pounced on my head!




A daring acrobat!





Asleep, at last!
I have to say, I had forgotten how active kittens can be. He is as cute as can be and is thrilled when we pick him up and cuddle him.  He was used to playing with his brothers and sisters, so the first few days were a bit rough for him and he needed lots of attention. He is starting to get used to things and loves seeing the big cats when they come by to visit. They are still outside the pet gate but enjoy looking at each other. I am thinking of getting a pet playpen....




Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Last Day of August in the Garden

The last couple of days have seemed so fall like, that I rushed to get my camera so I could capture a few more of these end of season blooms. The phlox is starting to fade and the day lilies are already done now. I will still have a few new photos in September of some really late bloomers, but the end of the growing season is near. These are photos of my garden and two of my best friends. The two girls, Dotty and Ginny, my little garden helpers.  Some of you may remember my post about the bumblebees, there are two photos of the upside-down wood planter that is their home for now. For more wonderful blogs and photos on animals and gardens check out PicStory.



Dotty
Sweet Shrub Clethra...smells out of this world wonderful!

Dot looking cute!

Ginny my sweet old girl!

Cat Kiss
Turtles lined up

The Improvised Bee Hive for the Bumblebees. The bees enter and exit at the bottom in the front.

Rocks kept the Raccoons from tipping it over.





The phlox have taken over, but oh they smell delightful!





This is the real color of the morning glory, a volunteer from last year!

Thank you all for visiting my blog and my garden today. I love to hear from you so please share your comments.