Trading Cats

Kitty Cat exercising to Walk Away the Pounds++

2007-07-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Nugs is thinking about what work-out he a feline can do. My miracle kitty decided on Leslie Sansoon's Walk Away the Pounds. This cat has put on the pounds over the hot summer so the work-out is helping greatly. I will keep him on the path to healthy cat life.

Not Holiday Kitty Cats!!

2007-07-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry gang for not getting the blogging done. Once again I must reinerate that starting a new business takes much much work.

However, our kitties are getting into as much mischief as they did in the winter. Only they are doing it considerably slower. The degrees has been in the middle 90's so miracle kitties stay indoors mostly.

The cats were nearly given heart attacks during the 4th of July celebration. In our state it is legal to buy and explode firecrackers. And our neighbors went crazy with them.

The kitties spent the entire holiday under the bed. Cats are so terribly senitive to loud sounds. Even the newest member of our family RJ the rug rat dog cried and shook with fear.

Honestly, the loud abrasive noises upset me to. Celebrate they will anyway. But, I like the quiet just like my kitties.

Computer CAT!!

2007-06-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

Nugs is checking out the chair to see if it's soft enough for a long stint at the computer. Then he gives the keyboard a once over to see if it's in good operating condition. All is well!

My baby kitty will always find cat and human things to do. Tomorrow he will be testing the cat carrier to see if it's a pleasant ride to the Vet's. I'm guess-NO!

OH, MY Gosh Another Dog--the CATS are Frantic!!

2007-05-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought the canines were out of the picture another comes into cat territory. Poor baby kitties they must share once again with a pesky pup!

Nugs my miracle kitten is the most gentle kitty around. He refuses to scratch that ratty dog. Even when the black minature pole-cat runs over the top of him. Chasing kitties from one end of the house and yard and back again. Now, Beaks growls like a much larger feline, and will make the over-sized rodent scream from kitty scratches. But, the pup is not daunted or dissuaded from going back for more!

If RJ, that's the pups name, would play more catlike instead of bowling down on them like a bull moose in ruting seaon. My baby kittens would learn to love him. He is much to frisky and hands-on for kitties. And unfortunately for the cats he going to stay.

He is not a harmful pup. But, at 6 months old he is all play. Rather rough play at that!

Spiders Beware Here Come the CATS!

2007-05-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we found this little black spider hanging around the house. After a day or so he was still living and it seemed as if he was enjoying his time as a kitchen spider. In the morning I would find him ambling along the wall near the stove.

I guess it bothered Annie because one day after coming in from work I found Blacky the spider trapped in a jar. So I took the lid off to let him out. And that's when Beaks the not so scared-e-cat -of spiders decided to take a look in the jar. Not being satisfied just watching he dropped the glass on it's side. The braved kitty cat tried in vain to extract Blacky the kitchen Spider. from that glass jar.

If you look real closely at the top right picture the black spot on the floor is Blacky. Nugs is just observing from his sctachin post. Then after thinking it over for a minute or two kitty rushes to cut Blacky off at the pass. But alash the frisky feline is not quick enough.

So, fascinated are the two kittens that they just let Blacky run those eight tiny legs off to cover. He made it to the refrig while the cats sniffed and danced around the kitchen for another 20 minutes trying to flush out the moouching arachnid. Blacky must have found a way back outside becuase he vanished. Along with his memory, the cats don't search for Blacky any more.

The Hitchhiking Felines--AKA--Cats on the Move!

2007-04-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

The cats decided they would not bother walking last night. It was more convienent to travel via Annies back.

Nugs my miracle kitty would do very well in one of those cat backpacks. I saw one once at Pet Smart. I should have bought it then. Because I haven't seen one since. This kitty hitchhiker loves rides.

He takes great pleasure in jumping on my back from the sink while I am rinsing toothpaste out of my mouth. It's that feline king of the mountain thing that Nugs has going all the time. Now Beaker the scared-e-cat would not consider this type of transport without being hoisted up and bodily held there.

They both did, however enjoy the trip from the bedroom to the livingroom! And then back again. A tale not by Bilo Baggins!

My Cats Will Understand!

2007-04-14T06:56:00.002-07:00

I will continue to tell you about my departed friend. She was a shiny black smooth-coated puppy with brown stocking so dark you could only differentiate between black and brown in very bright sunlight at specific angles. She got frequent baths to keep her sparkling. And we gave her raw eggs and fish oil in her food to assist her beautiful hair.

Her health was always good up until her last two years. If I could have afforded cloning I would have had her DNA perserved. I don't know about you folks but finding the right dog isn't very easy.
When Care Bear came along we were looking for a great protector. And we hit the jackpot with our heroine pup! To find those qualities again might be somewhat difficult.

Instinctively she knew what her job was and she did it to profection. The first day we brought her home my daughter took her for a walk and she let the neighbor boy know he was too close. No biting, Care Bear did not bite, she didn't have too. When she spoke everyone listened!

I'd take her hiking most every time I went. I could sit and even nap without fear of harm. Once when I was sitting on a log resting before a steep climb, a couple stopped to talk. They were busy talking and in a jester the man took a step towards me. Care Bears was up between him and me so fast you'd have to run it back in slow motion to have seen her movements. She roared out her diapproval. Don't come any closer was her message. He didn't!

For a few minutes I thought the man might have a heart attack. He was very much frightened.
I quickly explained to them that my puppy was extremely protective. He understood! For thirteen years she protected and loved her family to the best of her abilities.

I will post pictures of my girl on the next blog.

No Cats Today, It's Care Bear!

2007-03-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone sorry about the delay in posts. Starting a new business is tremendously time consuming. Well, on with the blog.

As the title implies this post is not about cats or kittens or felines. It is in fact about my departed best friend Kerri. She was the absolute best of best friends. For fourteen years we had her everlasting loyality. No one I know has had a better pet.

Kerri, we called her Care Bear was half Rotweiler and half black lab. We rescued her from the humane society before she was a year old. The attraction was immediate. My daughter saw her but for a second and exclained that one Mom. And the rest was complete love for fourteen wonderful years.

She has been gone for a year now. Her heart, liver, kidneys, and constant infections ended her life on Earth. Still I miss her.

To be continued................

Happy Birthday Kitty Cat!!

2007-03-06T19:42:00.000-08:00

It's Nuggets first birthday on Sunday. My daughter and I decided to make him a cat cake made from real fish. I am sure you must have eaten fish cakes in your life before. They are pretty easy to make, some ground fish, a few eggs some bread crumbs and seasoning, then grill them or broil them.
Cats are fond of fish. However, I don't know how our kitty cats will like cakes. Considering the fact that Nugs eats bread, cheese and ice cream he'll probably enjoy his fish cake birthday cake. Beaker the I-won't-eat-tuna-in-the-can cat, won't. Oh, well some cats don't have good feline sense.
Happy Birthday Nugs!

TWO CATS AND THE KTTEN BALL

2007-02-23T17:40:00.000-08:00

Well, I thought perhaps the kitties needed a new toy. I bought it along with a new brush for eliminating loose hair and softening their coats, it works really well! Beaks loves the new brush but Nugs freaks out. I guess my miracle kitty thinks taking baths is coat-care enough.

Anyway back to the new kitten ball. It is a pretty blue ball with a mechanism inside to make it move. Attached on a plastic string is a small gray mouse about 2 inches long. The ball which is four inches in diameter runs on a battery pulling the mouse around for the kitties to chase.

When the kitten ball bumps into something it goes in the opposite direction. Fun as it is for the cats. They mutulated the mouse in approximately 30 minutes. The little gray mouse has more saliva on it than the Ghoster Busters after getting slimed. Poor wet little thing!

Now all cat fun revolves around the kitten ball pulling a plastic string with nothing connected. Needless to say the cats find very little excitment in chasing the pretty blue kitten ball. Great idea for a toy but not very resilent.

two cats...one cat high, one cat low!!

2007-02-17T22:19:00.000-08:00

I caught the kittens having a king-on-the-hill moment. Nugget doing what he does best...climbing. That kitty cat would be on the ceiling if he could defy gravity. To this day I have yet to catch him ascending to the top of the cupboards. The feline Spiderman does it quit frequently. Beaks, sitting down below was gauging the distance wondering if he might scale the summit. Black and White scaredy-cat wouldn't give it a go. Probably for the best, being the less active kitty cat, he might have gotten injured. Beaks will have to stick to scaling beds in a single bound instead!

NEED A CHAIR FOR THE HUMAN KITTY CAT!

2007-02-11T17:39:00.000-08:00

Nugget, the cat that sometimes isn't, has developed some very humanlike habits. For all of you cat bloggers out there who know a little about Nugs' beginning, you' know his imprinting was not all feline a portion was human induced. An aminal he certainly is, but this kitty cat thinks himself a person.

I took this photo while Nugs was waiting for his turn to use the sink in my bathroom. Clean-kitty-cat washes his paws after he uses the litterbox. Honest to God truth! When he first did it I was sure it was a coincident, but the childlike kitty proved me wrong. He's been washing his paws for nearly a year now.

We also, find him sitting pretty much like this all around the house. The feline usually parks his kitty toto right in the middle of the living room. That way he never misses any of the activities, cat or human. Any thing that happens in our house Nugs has to be at the center where the action is!

Our wonderful miracle kitties childlike qualities adds to his loveability. Or maybe he's a loveable child posing as a kitten? Wow! That sure is some disquise, Nugs!

RUG CATS OR RUG RATS?

2007-02-05T19:54:00.000-08:00

Beaker is searching outside for the wylie kitty king-of-box city. Beaks has his bottle of Deer Park with him because he has nearly dehydrated himself looking for the hiding kitty. Who actually is in the spare room investigating his new residence. After Beaks abandons the outside search he finds wild kitty cat sitting on his best friends bed. After a short while both kitty Nugs and sleepy pussy cat Beaks decide to take an afternoon off, Nugs cat of all felines trys to find out whats cooking.

Our German cat lover friend!

2007-01-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

Again these are an accumulation of photos taken around the holidays. The upper left picture is me. And you know Nugs and Beaker. The two lower photos are of our friend who is working in Chicago right now, but is a German national. His name is Swen he is a mechanical engineer. He designs automobiles. Nugs thought he was grand and vica versa.

CATS AND ANNIE JUST HAVING FUN!

2007-01-18T04:52:00.000-08:00

These are just an accumulation of kitty cat and people pitures we took during the Holidays. The young woman in the photo with Beaker is my daughter. She is a college student studying to become a teacher.

Oh, please don't think the parakeet is about to be attacked by the ferious feline. The bird is made of hard plastic and has a battery inside. When you turn it on motion makes it chatter noisily. Doesn't make one sound like a parakeet. But, from a distance it looks real. Nugs and Beaker, cats that they are played with it for maybe three minutes.

Nugget the precocious kitty-cat is playing with his christmas present, teddy bear who has yet to be named.

Beaker is getting a back rub from his personal cat message therapist.

And Nugs the bag-kitty cat has just finished shopping. Beaks the nosy-nelly kitten wants to know why the shopping cat didn't buy his favorite toy--string. Beaks is a little peaved!

Sleepy Time Kitty Cats

2007-01-10T19:34:00.000-08:00

Nugget and Beaker are worn out from all of the New Year's festivities. These crazy kitties have been playing really hard since New Years Eve. Beaker is the silliest cat-- he always seeks out the fuzziest and warmest places he can find. Nuggs just plops down anywhere when its beddy-by time! These are two sleepy kitties...

TWO CATS NEED LOTS OF HUGGIN'

2007-01-05T17:14:00.000-08:00

Two cats need lots of hugging and when one gets more than the other, the one less cuddled gets depressed. I have learned so much about cats since Nugget became the star in our sky. That's when Beaker began to show signs of depression. The beautiful black and white energetic cat wants as much as Nugget gets. He doesn't usually get as much attention because Nugs is a joy to play with. Yet even more pleasure to hug! The only tiger-kitty I know that hugs back!

Well, the kitten-of-the-house was Beaker before our palm-sized kitty came to us half starved last April. The little golden-red fur ball will be a year-old in four months. Wow!

Well back to the story. Beaker is my daughters kitten. This cat is going on three but he still plays and gets into mischief nearly as often as Nugs. If I go a whole day without doing something special with the playful feline he will pout or spend the entire day on a bed not moving.

The major problem is my daughter and I love holding our energetic cats. And since Nugs is the one who loves it, he gets the most holding! If you hold Beaker to long he will end up scratching you.

I had never known cats to be jealous. However, there just isn't any other explanation for Beakers sudden loss of interest when he has been ignored most of the day. Except for food, of course, he never gets depressed about food! He will play and frolic for hours if he has had twenty or thirty minutes of unshared attention from Annie or me. Mostly from Annie though! The wise little kitty-cat truly loves her. He loses when she is unattentive. I on the other hand love to be entertained by my miracle kitty!

Many times I have thought that a cats intelligence is far greater than any human can understand. That includes all other animals as well. Our concept of animals is horribly crippled. Just because they don't speak human don't make 'em stupid!!!

KITTY CATS DID NOT GO CRUISIN' WITH ME!

2006-12-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

SORRY FOR the long delay in getting back to the blog, but a vacation was needed for me. So, I chose to cruise the Caribbean from Ft Lauderdale to the little known Island group call the Grand Turks.

Of the fourIslands we ported at the Dominican Republic was the most awesome! I have vistited many different islands of the Antilles and DR is the most spectacular. I have decided to fly back to DR for a week or so just to have the opportunity to see the entire island.

I booked with Holland America cruise lines and immediately felt like an infant. The median age of most of the passenger was about 65 or 70, not much fun! I met one woman who looked to be about 75 or 80 who was taking her 36th cruise. Lordie she must have gone on every cruise at least twice. The only interesting thing about her was the fact that she had three wonderful pussy cats waitning for her at home.

Thank goodness I went cruisin' for the rest and not the company. For I surely got alot of rest! I might have gotten more relaxtion in if my feline friends could have come along. Maybe not though, the thought of my baby kitties falling into the deep blue sea is to unbearable! So, kitty cats were better off safe at home.

My dear darling kitty cat Nugget missed me while I was away. He was quite angry at me that for the first few minutes he would not look at me or jump in my lap. But miracle kitty could not resist after about an hour. He loves the hugs his mommy gives.

Kitty-Cat Holiday Gifts

2006-12-15T18:31:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for some great gifts for pets, especially organic & natural gifts...check out JJ Organic. Our pets deserve the best we can give them! I only feed Nugget and Beaker natural pet food. It gives Nuggs so much energy. He can get a bit silly at times....see for yourself!

German Kitty-Cat Friends

2006-12-12T19:57:00.000-08:00

Over Thanks Giving our German friend Swen came to visit. He thoroughly enjoyed Trading Cats because he has his own kitty-cats back home. He has a pretty little grey tabby and a black kitty too. These cats have extremely German names...auf Deutsch... sooo German in fact I am unable to properly spell them! Oh, and these kitties only speak German=)

THE LESS INDEPENDENT CAT!!

2006-11-25T16:36:00.000-08:00

Cats are more independent than other pets, we know that just from observation. Why? Why is the feline species less needy? They never seem to want our approval or our acceptance. Not to mention our attention! Cats will do things there own way. They don't respond when they are called unless they want to. Cats repeatedly do things you have asked them not to. Kittens learn it from the mother cat, I guess. That is, until Nugget!

Nuggets imprinting was not completed by way of his birth mother. He adapted to human life via Annie and me. Annie is my daughter. When our miracle kitty blessed our lives he was to young to have fully imprinted with his mother. So, he watched us and did what we did.

Should I hug my beautiful kitten, Nugs nuzzles in an effort to hug back. Not really indulging his feline idiosincracies, he tries to give in return. Cats usually hate being cuddled and giving back isn't what they do best. Beaker demonstrates typical feline behavior. The black and white kitty cat will flee if you approach him with open arms. A quick getaway!

Conversely, Nugget will come running TO ME as soon as I call his name! My kitten meets me at the door with a kitty smile on his cute little face as I arrive home. He displays more doglike qualities then any cat I have ever met.

We had a division of labor in the early days. Annie fed him simulated feline milk with an eye dropper. While I took care of his other comfort needs, like when Beaker got a little to rough in play. My baby kitten came through my livingroom door limping. My response was to yell at Beaker. It didn't take Nugs long to realize I was his surrogate mom. He still scurries to hide behind me if Beaker scares him during their daily combat exercises.

Yet when he desired a feedings, kitty cat cried to Annie, the official baby feeder. And cry, he did, until she picked him up in her left hand and showed him the milk dropper in her right. Nugs definitely understood the routine. He got two excellent mommies to learn from.

Most cats display independent traits, but Nugs wants to belong to us. Our kitty never seem to get enough love, for he's always asking for, and giving more.

I'm not sure I will ever fully understand feline behavior. However, I will always be intune to what makes my kitten tick!

CAT! CAT! CAT! CAN YOU FIND THE KITTY?

2006-11-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

Find Nugget in the top three pictures. No prize, but it's fun anyway. Nugs and Beaker went out with me today to help dig up the backyard. We are getting it ready for new grass. It will sprout this winter and be beautifully green come April. Nugs is wearing his purple harness and I have him on a 15 foot chain. It gives him a little more mobility than his fun run. Nugs likes to chase the leaves as they fall from the trees. It's a big deal for him.

WHAT IS IT CAT, KITTEN, FELINE? NO! HOBBIE

2006-11-16T19:41:00.000-08:00

Well, the bad penny has returned. Last week Hobbie the wayward puppy, the one who hates cats, slipped back into our lives. We found him in the middle of the street. Hater he is of any feline form, kitten or pussy cat. There is no place in his grossly selfish existance for the beauty that is felinedom.

It's amazing to me that this 8 month old pup could be so malvolent. He looks at the kittens with utter hatred. Yet he has not been harmed by anything that we know of to warrant such intensity of feelings. My guess is the dog was born that way. Recalling his first days with us as a 2 month old pooch, he would growl at the kitties when they came near his toys.

Hobbies return to us was not a fun reunion. Firstly, we wondered why they didn't have the guts to bring the dog to the door. The great little family I gave Hobbie to dumped him back on my daughter and me. He looked as if he had been feed well, and I did tell them that if it did not work out, just bring him back. They did! However, he could have been killed out there in the middle of the street.

Happy ending though: we put another ad in the newspaper, the first people who called adopted him. The lady who took him is a dog trainer with a large fenced in backyard. Harrah! The baby kitties are happy once more. That nasty dog, hater of all forms of pussy cat is gone again, this time forever!

KITTY CAT'S SCREENED IN PORCH

2006-11-07T14:38:00.000-08:00

We finally received our kitty-cat Fun Run. Nugget is the happiest kitten on the block. He can't get enough of his Fun Run!! That's just what he does, run up and down & up and down. The funniest thing is when Nugget makes it roll so he can get from one side of the deck to the other. He's the craziest cat!!

SLEEPLESS CAT LOVER

2006-10-31T16:16:00.000-08:00

Thank god for talk radio! In our community we have a program called YOUR DAY which airs on PBS at noon everyday. Well, on Wednesday two veteranarians take questions and concerns from caller about their respective pets. So, I must be one of the concerned anxious callers tomorrow. Here's hoping the vets can solve the mystery.

That darn kitten has a sleep depriving pattern going on. Fiesty kitty is not the one deprived of zzzz's. It's me! Invariably as I settle down for a nights rest Nugget begins his rendition of CRY ME A RIVER. I can not figure out what is going through his feline brain. Does he dislike the inactive state I'm in? Very possibly! No crying sound are heard while I am busy working around the house. But the moment I turn the light out and drop to the pillow he starts singing. Or is he afraid of the dark? Not too possible! A light is always left on. Besides how many cats do you know that are afraid of the dark?

I am completely baffled. So, it's off to PBS for some vet advice. If any of you can shed some light on Nuggets habit of not wanting to sleep at night, please comment. Thanks!

CATS SAID GOODBYE TO HOBBIE

2006-10-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

I think both cats were relieved to see Hobbie leave for a new home. Amazingly the lovely little couple who adopted him and their lovely little children were more than compatable with the discarded little puppy dog. All my fears of Hobbie attacking children vanished. The three year-old girl giggled with delight as Hobbie washed her face with his tongue. The boy was a bit more reticent, he just kinda watched the pouch. But, when the pup invited the boy into the game the air was alive with merry half-pints. Hobbie has gone to a home where he will be loved and cared for. Thanks again Bloggers for your concern.

NUGGET, BEAKER & LOUISE

THE CATS AND ME ARE STILL LOOKING....

2006-10-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Nugget, Beaker, and Me are still looking for a home for Hobbie. We are wishing really strongly that he will have a new home soon. Since posting his picture on the blog we have gotten much well wishing from fellow blogger and we thank you all greatly.

We went ahead and placed ads in two local papers. Again several people have inquired. But, even though we will be happier with Hobbie living someplace else. We do want him to be wanted and loved. So, thus far we have turned down two potential new homes for the puppy.

HOBBIE AS PROMISED....

2006-10-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

Hobbie is 8 months old. He is
a cross between boxer and chow. His weight is around 20 lbs. His hair is all boxer, very short and does not shed much. For a young dog he does extremely well on a leash. My daughter and I took him walking at a local college, his behavior was admiral for a puppy. If anyone is interested in adopting Hobbie you can email me at louiseandoth@yahoo.com. As I reported in my post of 10/20/06 Hobbie has a problem getting along with other animals. He seems not to like them. I am sure the right person could teach him, but I advise those interested, to consider that Hobbie is a one person dog. I don't know how he would react to children, but I would advise against making him a family pet. His heart is good towards adults.

DOGGIE, NOT KITTY PHOTOS

2006-10-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

This is Hobbie in our backyard getting ready to play. Promised photos from post 10/20/06

CATS, CATS, CATS.........

2006-10-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

The kitten has been especially squirrelly in the last few days so I limited his intake of canned cat food. Now he is serine and semi quiet.

Tranquil kitty needs to curl up in small spaces. It is fun to watch and capture on film. I thought the habit was rather general in the feline poulation. However, Beaker perfers spreading out on a soft open place. Nugs will find an enclosed area where he has barely enough room to breathe. This box is only about 15" by 10" and 4" deep.

I found Nugget rumbling with my daughters weights the other day. Unfortuntely the best shots were on my way the fetch the camera!

WORKING OUT KITTY CATS

2006-10-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

Nugget has decided to get his workout in early while Beaker is just contemplating moving. Beaker looks away hoping the weight will just roll out the door. That way he can find a spot on a warm bed, curl up and snooze. Now Nugs enjoys his exersise program. For a cat he is a lite sleeper who perfers activity to snoring. Go Nugs! 1-2-3-4, and ah 1-2-3-4..........

KITTY CAT AND PUPPY DOG ROUND ONE

2006-10-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

In our first post Nugget and I told you how he came to be a member of the family. That was, to be exact the ninth of April of this year. Nugget the infant kitten was barely four weeks old. My daughter and I feed him with an eye dropper and kitten formula from Pet Smart until he could chew kitten food.

Well, I guess the entire neighborhood must have found out how we rescued Nugs from certain death. Because not more than ten days later Hobby, (the puppy mentioned in one of the first posts) the boxer/chow mix two-month- old, was quietly dumped into our fenced backyard. Shortly after he arrived we gave him too my daughters friend who had a dog and cat living in a large fenced yard.

The young man clearly enjoyed the now eight month-old doggie. But, my daughter learned two days ago he was not feeding the dog regularly. Hobbie looked like he had been living on the street from garbage can to garbage can. We were both so angry that we loaded up the puppy into our van, needless to say he is in our backyard again. Therefore, we are trying to find the RIGHT HOME this time.

All of the before-mentioned is just leading up to the subject of this post. Last evening I brought Hobbie into the kitchen for his second meal. Nugget being his curious trusting self jumped over the childs gate separating the kitchen from the den to say hi. Well, I am telling you that raggy dog attacked my miracle kitty with the gravest of feriousity. I grabbed my fly swatter and blasted Hobbies nose. The attacker backed away from my baby and I poped him again to let him know his behavior was not acceptable in our home.

Nugs was a true hero though, he stood his ground not giving an inch. When the threat was over he went to his hiding spot for sweet kitty was quit shaken. After about ten minutes he reappeared ready to resume his play. I checked my miracle kitty for injuries then hugged him extra much. The kittens fear was his only injury. We will have no more of that......... puppy stays outside!

We live in an area two hours from Atlanta, Ga and less than two hour from Charlotte, NC. If any one out in blogland wants a beautiful pup who will be a great watch dog and friend for one person, please send me your email. Hobbie is a one person dog. He will not be fit for a family situation nor to be among other pets. He has had all his shots, also heartworm testing and other worm tests. The puppy has been treated for fleas. I will post photos of him on the next blog.

FURRY KITTY CAT TAKING A REST!

2006-10-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

This is the stick end of hard working kitties surreal birdie. He will drag it around for hours never finding an acceptable hiding place for his prey. Finally giving it up to induldge in another taste, like unraveling a whole roll of t-tissue in the bathroom last night while the rest of us sugar-plumed our way to morning. And the furry kitten looked at me so innocently when I asked him how it happened. He wasn't about to incriminate himself.

FLIES AND THE KITTY CAT, JUMP CAT JUMP!

2006-10-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was busy typing away on my computer when I fortuitously saw Nugget chasing a fly around the bathroom. The kitten has got springs for legs. He was four feet in the air from a standing position on the floor. Missing the fly by just inches the anxious feline began to talk to me not as a cat but as a frustrated little three year old who could not reach his toy on the top shelf. Amazed, I was by his clear announciation. Nugs was talking in syllables! Instead of his normal one syllable whine any time he gets annoyed, the kitty cat high jumper was trying to express to me how he felt. So, I listened intently. I could only understand the sentiment not his language. But that little miracle kitty was speaking a language. The anger and disappointment was obvious. Could it be he was saying, "I missed him by just that much!"

The Brawl!

2006-10-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

PERSPIRING PUSSY CAT

2006-10-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

Nugget has taken on a job. His burden role is to hide his new toy. You know the kind with the stick handle about eighteen inches long equipped with a string and feathers at the end. I wave it over his head while he tires himself catching and releasing it. Well, after we are done playing he goes to work desperately searching for a hiding place for his new toy, which he thinks is a real flying captured prey. At this very moment he is tugging it up the side of a table. Taking time only to pant and wonder why the stick is getting caught under the table edge. After a minute or so Nugget considers the fultility of his actions. It is dropped at the base of the table. The sweaties kitty leaves his treasured possession on the way to his food dish. Until another go round with the bird on a string will the hard working kitten take up the search again.

MAD PUSSY CAT

2006-09-29T04:17:00.000-07:00

Well, nobody likes to be awoken at five o'clock in the morning by a pitiful crying by your best friend. And that best friend only wants you to get up and feed him, only because he has four feet with no hands or fingers. Nugget thought he might try that tacit with me yesterday. So, being the soft touch I am I feed him and Beaker. I guess having a full belly did not satisfy him though. Instead of finding a comfortable place to snooze until daylight as Beaker did he began his verson of " Cry Me A River". I peered over the edge of my bed pointed my left index finger at him and in a more-than-firm tone said, "If you don"t be quiet I am going to buy the largest most powerful squirt gun I can find and hose you down everytime you wake me at five in the morning." Well, that little kitty sat for a few seconds germinating on the disturbance he created. All during my tirad the kitty never took his eyes off me. Suddenly he jumped on the bed, not to say he was sorry, not to ask for forgivness, not even to purr his way out of the fiasco. No, not at all! He instead took a bite out of my left index finger. Not a real bite. Just enough of a nip to say bring on your squirt guns, I'm ready!

Kitty Cat Waiting

2006-09-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

Our Nugget lays at the door, hoping some unsuspecting person will open it so he can escape into the woods behind the house. We have learned to be prepared and skilled at catching the great 'Hoodini' of cats at the door before he makes his getaway. Every time someone comes to the door Nugget is right there...waiting to make his great escape!

kitty cat to the rescue

2006-09-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

Isn't it incredible how animals know how you are feeling and immediately get involved. That's the way Nugget the miracle kitty is all the time. If I am feeling low for any reason he comes running, literally, leaps on me, can be my head or my stomach, but he's there in a second. As if to say, I'm here and everything is going to be alright! And he makes me believe it too!He won't leave his position unless he see a change in me or if I speak to him. My life is enriched just having Nugget in it.

Not a pussy cat story tonight...PUPPY DOG SAVES DOCTOR!

2006-09-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

I have this history habit I find hard to break. Perhaps a support group might help. But for now I must continue with my old dog tales.

This story took place once again in my home town in northern Minnesota, around the end of the 60's. During my party days just before I graduated from high school.

My best friends father was a guide for these weekend hunter types from suburban Minneapolis and as far away as Chicago. Most of them couldn't tell east from south if you pointed them at the rising sun. Well that's kinda what make this story funny.

A certain phyiscian from the twin cities came up to our little piece of heaven and blasted at most everything he thought he could fit into his Jeep. This he did on a regular basis. Our town was very close to the Canadian border, so many moose hunters came through on their way to Ontario. Canada allowed a certain amount of moose to be killed each year, whereas our state protected the majestic beasts.

Dr. Benson usually stayed in our village for a few days to drink. The old doc was a real lover of the booze. He'd drink with Pop, that was my friends dad, the guide. They'd scare half the women and make enemies of half the men, before they picked up there rifles and followed the tracks.

On the third day he and Pop outfitted for a week of hunting, north of Thunder Bay. The second day into the hunt, my friend got a call from her dad. The good old tip-'em-high-get-the-last-drop doc was lost in the wilderness in his longjohns with only his loyal buddy Harry the wolfhound for company.

It seems Dr. Benson got so excited at seeing a live moose walk past their camp that he grabbed nothing but his rifle before stocking out after a 2500 pound tree demolisher to his near death. Because as I recall the snow had begun and this fool was padding around the forest in his underwear. In truth I do not think he saw a moose, most hunted animals become extremely hard to find during hunting season.

But that was his story! He followed a moose out of camp in his underwear. More likely, he heard a couple of squirrels raising hell because the weekend killers were camping to near their winter cache. No one else in camp saw him leave. No one else in camp heard, saw or smelled a moose. And believe me you can smell them! Pop and two other guys were very much asleep. Doc was probably cranking out all sorts of exotic creature via delirium tremens. He probably saw any number of wildlife that fated evening. An imagined moose being one of them.

Well, this is pretty much what happened: for two nights Dr. Benson braved the harsh near freezing temperature in just his back-door bibs. With only his wonderful trustworthy Harry the wolfhound to keep him from taking that very final last trekk. The old drunk limped out some twenty miles from camp. The dog brought him back to safety by locating a logging road.

The hungry man and dehydrated pup were taken to Rydens border restaurant. As the reporter were popping questions at the frozen doctor, a waitress subservantly passed him a bowl of hot beef soup. No attention was given to the pooped pup. Old doc was busy impressing to the press with his survival story. He explained how he found a trail and walked out of the bush with no help from anyone. No credit was bestowed on the one who saved his alcoholic skin.

Finally Pop could stand no more, he stepped up to the table took the bowl of soup from the braggered and set in on the floor in front of the pooch. Happily the real hero lapped up the steaming broth. "There's your hero," Pop told the reporter, as he walked out of the cafe. Pop never saw the weekend hunter doctor again!

Kitty-Cat comes home from the Vet

2006-09-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

Where's Nugget?!

There he is!

Our little Nugget went to the vet's office 7:30am Thursday morning. Nolonger have to worry about him populating the neighborhood with Nugget Juniors!! He had to stay overnight--which Nugget hates! When my daughter picked him up on Friday he was more than prepared to come home. She also picked up Beaker who snagged our one and only cat carrier--so Nugget hung out in the front seat with Annie. At one point he got lost underdeath the pile of videos and other space-wasting debris she piles in her automobile! But he made it out alive...thank goodness!

Adorable Kitty-Cat!!

2006-09-06T20:50:00.000-07:00

This is too precious--had to share it with you!

The Refrigerator Pussy Cat

2006-09-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Nugget hiding behind a melon & some grapes!

Nugget the kitten has proven to be the most curious of all pets our family has ever known. His feline intelligence has been enhanced by his exploration of every inch of the house. About the only place he hasn't been on is the ceiling!

Our adventurous kitty loves the bottom shelf of our refrigerator. Rather than scolding him for getting near the food, we recently moved all the food to the upper shelves reserving the bottom for Nugget. He finds the coolest spot, while I dish up his canned cat food. I set his dish on the floor and call his name, Nugget runs from the fridge to his dish.

We remind ourselves, by way of signs--strategically placed, to check the lower shelf before closing the fridge door!

Cat, kitten, feline? No...Doggie and the Dock!

2006-08-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

Tonight, our focus will not be on Nugget or Beaker. But, instead we will be telling an incredible story about a real life puppy dog that lived in Northern Minnesota in the mid 1960's as told by Louise.

Years ago when I was a teenager I lived across highway 61 from Lake Superior. The largest fresh water lake in the world. Highway 61 is the same two lane road Bob Dylan wrote about in his first album, Highway 61 Revisited. It is the most awesome unpolluted waters you will find anywhere. This magnificent lake also served as my brothers and sisters and my swimming pool in the summer months.

On the other end of our community lived another Minnesota family with four children. We in my family were five children. Our families were dissimliar in one important way. The Anderson children did not have the kind of restrictions my father placed on our playtime. If the activity was deemed unsafe the Pearson children (that was us) were not allowed to parttake in the adventure. For example: my father always tested the ice on "the Lake" before we could touch a skate to it. He'd bundle up against the chilly Minnesota winter. Toting his double-edged axe, he'd make a hole in the ice about 50 feet from shore. Then gage the thickness of the ice. If it was 10 or more inches thick the ice touraments commenced. Otherwise Carlson Creek served as the alternative.

Now the Anderson children's parents had no particular safety code. That is why the summer of 1966 became the year of the Doggie and the Dock! All of Hovland was buzzing about the Anderson dog. Everyone talked about him being the doggie sent from Heaven. Must be an angel most the towns people conjectured. Nobody knew the pups name. Some of the onlookers expressed utter disblief, a dog so nondiscript.....so insignificant....so SMALL could not do such a heroic thing.

Doggies adventure began one sunny morning in late August. While following along behind the inventive and somewhat overly curious Anderson four, he helped them locate drift wood along the lake shore to build a dandy raft. One capabple of navigating them clear out of Hovland Bay. After all school was starting in a few days and mostly the kids did not want to go back just yet.

Well, along about 3pm the gang decided to sit, take a break and lunch on peanut butter sandwiches, potato chips and kool aid. They needed to rest their sore limbs and slivered hands.

Not watching the mood of the lake they picked the wrong place and time for a picnic. Swish came a wave and washed one surprised Anderson boy into ten feet of frigid water. The child was eight years old and had not yet learned to swim. Back in that day children were not introduced to swimming at the local YMCA, Hovland had none anyhow. He floundered and flapped while his sibbling ran screaming to their mother about 150 yards away in the house.

Under went the water logged kid. The other children could still be heard as he dipped down with each wave. Not conscious of what was happening around him, a little black object dropped into the water next to him. Leaping into the ten-footers paddling striaght to his friend the pup with the white star on his chest grabbed the kid by his shirt and held on. Not only did he keep the child from panicing further, doggie managed to elevate him enough to keep his head above water.

Suddenly, a hand reached out pulling the child higher out of the water. The father had jumped in helping our doggie savior. He lifted the child in one mighty thurst to the mother waiting arms. Blackie the doggie, watched his human buddy reach safety. The strong hands again lifted another to safety. This time he felt himself being scooped out of the icy waters to the warmth of the oldest boys arms.

The Anderson children had been taking their lunch break on the historic Hovland Dock. A famous dock built circa 1900 which had been used for pulp wood transfer. The dock is rather long and extends out far enough to accommodate tugboats that transported the pulp wood. So, at the end of the dock which was made of cement the depth was over twenty feet. Luckily the kids did not choose to picnic at the end of the dock. They sat with their legs dangling over the side about a quarter of the way out.

A rather fightening wave broke near the children, scaring the youngest boy. His reaction was to lerch forward. In doing so he mearly sliped in and down to the water. The dog immediately followed the boy in without any worry or concern about his own safety. Intelligent little kanine! He was of no particular breed. In fact I don't think anyone could even guess at his pedigree. But, pedigree does not make a hero! And that little black doggie with the white star on his chest is still talked 40 years later!

Picture of Nugget & Beaker

2006-08-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

Nugget and Beaker together again!!

Brave City Kitty

2006-08-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

Cat

I was checking out cat-related news on the internet and came across the funniest story about an extremely brave cat from Newark...

A black bear picked the wrong yard for a jaunt, running into a territorial tabby who ran the furry beast up a tree — twice. Jack, a 15-pound orange and white cat, keeps a close vigil on his property, often chasing small animals, but his owners and neighbors say his latest escapade was surprising.
"We used to joke, 'Jack's on duty,' never knowing he'd go after a bear," owner Donna Dickey told The Star-Ledger of Newark for Friday's editions.
Neighbor Suzanne Giovanetti first spotted Jack's accomplishment after her husband saw a bear climb a tree on the edge of their northern New Jersey property on Sunday. Giovanetti thought Jack was simply looking up at the bear, but soon realized the much larger animal was afraid of the hissing cat.After about 15 minutes, the bear descended and tried to run away, but Jack chased it up another tree. Dickey, who feared for her cat, then called Jack home and the bear scurried back to the woods.
"He doesn't want anybody in his yard," Dickey said.

Nugs and I really enjoyed this story and we thought you might too!

Cat

My Little Water Buffalo

2006-08-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

Cats

Nugget the cat has many personas. I have counted about 19-20 since his birth a little over six months ago. When this little kitten was half the size he is now we had a game we'd play. I'd be resting on my bed and he was wanting to play. I would wiggle my fingers under the covers. As his imagined prey got closer and became more lively his ears would lower until they pointed outward, level with his head...much like the horns on a water buffalo. Nugget's eyes darkened until only his pupils were visible. Right before leaping through the air his body wobbled. He sailed through the air and landed covering my hand with his teeth...sharp baby teeth! The first time this cat transformed into a 'little water buffalo' I laughed histerically.

Cats

Cats are Funny

2006-08-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

Cats

Cats are funny and great to watch. I can sit for extended periods of time just observing how they interact with each other. Beaker the cat is a pet with little varied interests; except for eating, sleeping, and watching birds. This feline was rescued from the Humane Society at 6 months old. He’s a short haired, white cat with black spots whose attitude resembles that of a grumpy old man. Not even our veterinarian likes Beaker! “This cat is spoiled!” Dr. Patch yelled, when the feline geriatric patient bit his assistant. Needless to say, all animals whether cat, horse, or gerbil have different attitudes and personalities within their particular species.

Our second cat, who is actually a kitten, his name is Nugget. The cat who likes to pray on top of the armoire! He is by any person’s standards the most loveable cat one could ever want. He’s a tabby cat, tan with brown stripes. His stripes appear to be orange but when in close range you see that in fact they’re brown! Nugget loves everything and seems every person who passes through our door. As you know he was unwanted until my daughter and I took him into our home. The reason he is so special to me relates strongly to the way in which we bottle fed him his first 6 weeks. I guess you could say it was a bonding period. I also cherish him greatly do to his child-like behavior. This is something I have never really seen in other cats. I can’t help chuckling as I envision him sitting upright with his hind legs stretched out before him in child-like fashion!

No animal I’ve ever encountered acts quite like Nugget the cat. His endearing nature is due to the fact that we got him at such an early age and he imprinted with humans instead of cats. I believe this is the reason he tries to imitate our habits instead of a cats. Nugget is highly intelligent. No cat I know of can lower a window with his teeth, but this feline can! He often washed his paws under the faucet in the bathroom. Actually he enjoys water without that cat instinct to flee from it. My next thought is to purchase some literature on how to train cats to perform specific tasks & tricks. Any suggestions? A performing cat he certainly could be. All the antics Nugget displays come naturally to him.

Nugs, as I call him, climbs our 60 foot pine tree in the backyard. He doesn’t do this to ravage the local bird population, no not all. This crazy kitty enjoys sitting on a limb observing the birds & squirrels at close range. The first time Nugs scaled this tree my heart about stopped. He climbed to a branch about 40 feet up, to enjoy the view. After about an hour he began to cry. I spoke to Nugget calmly, telling him he could come down on his own. I told the tree-climbing cat to turn around and come down! He tried it about 2-3 times but the cat was too scared to budge. After about ten minutes of coaxing him…or trying to coax him down I went inside to finish housework. During the kitty crisis, I remained calm knowing hysterics wouldn’t bring him down. I called the emergency animal clinic, but they were no help. Then I called the fire department and was informed they don’t climb trees for cats anymore. The fireman told me to set some food out for him and eventually Nugget would come down. The fireman added, “I’ve seen cats fall over 40 feet and never get hurt.” Oh, ya! Just what I needed to hear about…a cat falling from a tree. After I hung up the phone I said a little prayer for my cat. Then I opened the back door and sat in a chair just waiting. Less than five minutes passed and that lumberjack kitten ran through the door straight to me! He leapt into my lap as if to say, “See ,Mom, I didn’t get hurt!”

I wanted to say thankyou to my first anonymous viewer who left that sweet comment on a previous post...Thanks!

Cats

How We Were Fortunate Enough to Get our Cat

2006-08-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

Nugget is our miracle kitty, because it is a miracle that he is alive at all. One afternoon while busily attending my flowers I was approached by a little girl, I’d say she was about eight years old. You could tell she was an avid animal lover, as she walked the neighborhood in search of a home for an unwanted kitten.
We all did it when we were young…bring a kitten, puppy, rabbit, or even a snake home in the hopes that we’d be allowed to keep them. My parents usually allowed the small creatures to stay. This little girl was not as fortunate. I already had a cat and a dog so having another mouth to feed was the last thing on my mind that day. I explained to the child she could bring the kitten back in about an hour because that was when my daughter would return home. Not fifteen minutes later I heard a knock at the door…guess who it was?! When I opened the door not one, but three little girls stood on my front porch. They were not alone, they brought with them a tiny ball of orange fur, tiny enough to fit in the palm of my hand (my hands are considerably small!) I was a bit miffed because the little girl hadn't waited like I’d asked. It was impossible to turn them away, especially after one of the trio began to cry. As tears ran down her face I made a unilateral decision…to keep the cat. They placed him in my hand. As his hazel eyes peered up at me we both knew he was home.

Trading Cat Stories

2006-08-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Trading Cats

Welcome everyone to my Trading Cats blog. I created this blog because I wanted to tell the world about my crazy animals, especially my kitten Nugget. I will be posting animal/pet tales of my own as well as others. Come on in and share your own animal stories!

Aminals are the the funniest people I know. I have a cat that could dub as a four-year-old child any day of the week! Give him some bib-overalls and a runny nose and you'd have an exact fit! One thing four-year-olds don't do well is animal tricks, like getting on top an armoire. Perched atop my six foot tall armoire, Nugget the kitten stands on his back legs in prairie dog fashion. With his two front paws held together in prayer he looks like a monk from Nepal! I wonder what he's praying for. He does this everytime he gets up there, closer to Heaven & God I'm guessing! Nugget makes me laugh, which is something that few people do!

Trading Cats