Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Remembering 2012

Ah! This is the year... that was. Or, should I say, this was the year that is? I don't know. I just know it was a year full of fun and excitement.

As we head into 2013, I remember all the good times with my pups - sleeping all over my bed and not one bit concerned about where I would find to stretch out! 

I remember our walks - with Emily ever sniffing out rabbits and stalking them like the good hound dog she is. Of course, she never caught any because, as Tom says, "She can't pull me fast enough to catch up to those rabbits!" 

I'm so happy to report that Chester has, at last, settled in. He loves his soft bed here in the living room, but I think he truly loves those couple of hours in the evening when we all cuddle up on the master bed and rest. He settles in nicely, after we coax him up our homemade stairs. One is not sure sure why he can't remember how to come up those stairs every night. 

Memories of Kitty and the Dogs

Kitty was not always friendly with the dogs. We're talking the late, great Pandora, of course. Here are some candid shots of her with the pups. She definitely held her own. But, of course!

And there you have it. She found her own dogs amusing, sometimes, but more often than not... she avoided them. The look of disdain she levelled at them was laughable. As for Twiggy, the Greyhound and Onyx the pittie mix, she tolerated them. They never really 'stayed' long... so, she didn't give them much mind.

The outdoor picture is rare. She wasn't big on the out of doors. Just like her Mom. 

Enjoy. We don't have nearly enough pictures of her... which is a lesson learned.

Cats on the mind

I guess I will never stop thinking about the Wabby (aka Pandora and The Grumpy Old Lady). She was a part of our lives for close to 20 years. It's been a whole week since she left us. The dogs are still looking for her. I still think I hear her meow or that I see her around a corner, her tail flicking the dogs off. 

But, it's time to think about... tomorrow now. It's time to share our home with another kitty or two. We promised Pandora that we would not trouble her while she was here (more kitties were not on her list of acceptable members of the family; dogs, they were okay cause she could handle them), and now that she's gone, we think adding to our family is a good idea.

"Get another dog," our 'dog' friends tell us. "Cats are so unfriendly. Why would you get another cat?"

The Memories Linger

Thank you, everyone, everywhere for the outreach and comments. We are blessed to have such a wonderful community to turn to in our moments of grief. 

And yet, we prefer to remember our kitty as she was - full of life, a bit grumpy now and then, and loving beyond compare. When people say cats don't show affection, I just shake my head. The Wabby was very affectionate. She liked to be with us, wherever we were but especially in the evenings, she would come and lie on the bed and just purr. 

Should Cats Be Given a Bath?

A good friend of mine recently said, "I don't believe cats need baths." 

I found that statement interesting. Why shouldn't cats have baths? I'm seriously considering a bath for The Grumpy Old Lady. She's elderly, as regular readers will know, and she doesn't bathe herself the way she used to. I try to FURminator her weekly - it's necessary to keep her medium-long hair from matting. On those occasions that I have let time get away from me, I've had to carefully comb out some small mats and... it doesn't make her happy, as you can imagine.

The Story of Pandora

Don't you love a good story? With a happy ending? I do. I even like sad endings, sometimes.

Purina Cat Chow is doing a story focus, until July 31st this year at www.yourcatstory.com - so check it out. More a bit later on this.

Pandora, aka The Grumpy Old Lady and Wabby Wibby, is the resident feline at our house (see pic here where she is helping me blog). I would love to have a couple of more kitties but... she is not too tolerate of other cats. Dogs, sure...she manages them. Cats get a swat with her paw and a hiss and I get a really dark glare! Mind you, I don't think she would *do* anything - she's not a fighter, but it's clear she prefers being top cat. At the ripe old age of 20, I defer to her desires. Wouldn't you?

Who's the boss?

Found this old photo the other day and it just struck me as funny. Our Carmie, the dog, is no longer with us but seeing her with The Grumpy Old Lady, in the 'old' days, brought back lots of memories.

I'm sure Wabby (aka The Grumpy Old Lady) always thought of Carmie as her own. When Carmie passed, from bloat - a terrible, terrible medical issue that every dog owner should learn about - Wabby was pretty confused and lost. For days she would go to that bed and just stare at it - patiently. As if staring would explain to her where 'her' dog went.

Now that we have 3 new dogs, it's a bit different. She 'tolerates' them... there may be a little fondness for Olive, but...she ignores the big dogs. It's hard to ignore Emily, who sniffs her head to toe on a regular basis, but...she does it. 

Here's her pose with Carmie, going on four years gone now:

Pet Hospice Cares for Aging Pets

Couldn't resist sharing this - does your vet do this?  Our Grumpy Old Lady approves heartily! (some thoughts from me in parens below)

Birmingham, Michigan, May 4, 2012 – Pets are living longer, just like people.   But for pet families, this means facing sometimes difficult end-of-life decisions when pets get old, develop a serious illness or just need help getting around. 

In 2011, Troy resident Maryann Clark faced such a decision when her  17-year-old brown tabby cat Rocky was diagnosed with heart disease, and in 2009 when her 16-year-old calico Purrdy developed kidney failure and heart disease.   For many pet owners with seriously ill or aging pets, euthanasia has been the only choice.  Clark instead wanted her felines to live as long as possible assuming that they were still active and could enjoy good quality of life.    

The Grumpy Old Lady as Herself

It's Grumpy, here. I thought it was about time to chime in and ask a few questions.

First, who died and left the dogs in charge? I mean, really. They think the house belongs to them, but, I'm still here dogs. Let me remind you that when I come up for a drink at the fountain, you are to keep your distance. That's 3 feet away. Especially you, Onyx.

Honestly, why does that little black dog follow me around the way he does? Last week I had to give him what for in no uncertain terms! Even then, he seemed to think swatting at him and hissing was an invitation for him to come even closer! His mother needs to spend more time on his manners.

Wordless Wednesday: Do You Come Here Often?

After a really good FURminator treatment: