Andy likes the north bathroom window for bird watching.

This isn’t the time of day the sparrows hang out on the rose bush, though.

Andy makes a new plan.

Yep, there still are some Greenies there.

Andy contemplates the treats first, then he snacks on a few of them. Do they come in sparrow flavor? No, so Andy gets the baked chicken-flavored ones instead.

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Lucio grooming the kitten Marcus.

Marcus

Marcus died today of complications of kidney disease. Once again sadness strikes the Rosses of Salmon Brooks Farm. Marcus fought kidney disease issues for the past three years. 

Lavinia sent me an e-mail, noting this about his last days:

As you know, he was diagnosed with kidney problems back in December of 2020, and he has battled that valiantly since then.  I had thought this might be his last year.  Marcus developed vomiting and diarrhea over the last week during the power outages and ice storm.   All the usual remedies were tried at home given weather conditions.  We were not able to get out of the driveway until Thursday morning.  Marcus had his appointment with his vet today, and diagnostic tests were done one at a time, given his age (16.5 years) and deteriorating kidney condition.  X-ray showed an unusual area the vet could also palpate, so an ultrasound was then done to get a better view.  A large mass of about 4 centimeters was choking off a section of intestine.  He was agitated and in pain, and the decision was made to put him to sleep and end the suffering now.  Rest in peace. Love, Marcus.  You will be sorely missed.

RIP Marcus, those of us who followed you and your fellow kitties on Lavinia’s Salmon Brooks Farm blog join in sadness with the Rosses on your passing.

Andy isn’t awake yet.

A brief stop at the box.

Roosting on the printer till he wakes up!

Time for Greenies.

Back to the printer.

We haven’t looked for mousies yet today. 

Boop!

Andy sometimes pops up before I can clean up the fragments of treats that he won’t or can’t eat, leaving just the ones he can or will eat.

It confuses him!

He stares at the mess, waiting for me to clean it up.

On the other hand, if he wants his Greenies bad enough, he’ll give in and tackle the problem on his own. (He wastes a lot of treats, expecting new ones to be put out even when there are some leftovers from earlier.)

Nom! Nom! 

This was unexpected…

…Andy hit a wall. No more Greenies…for now.

This has potential.

Yeah! The new box!

It’s happening again.

Andy hits another wall. The box has limited amusement value after all.

Nom! Nom!

Hello!

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This is sister’s kitty girl Saki enjoying her kitty condo. The recent move to Texas upset her world, but she’s enjoying her new home now that things are more sorted out.

Andy’s happy I opened the chewy box tonight! It had the new supply of kitty wet food inside, but, better, was a new box to hop in!

He knows that sound!

Yes! The sound of Greenies landing on the lapboard on top of the ottoman….

Little did Andy guess that…

…Doug tossed the Greenies on the lapboard to trick him into hopping up for a photo session and a nose “boop”!

Boop!

Next, ‘nip in the box to trick a kitty boy – you-know-who! – back into the chewy box!

Andy can’t believe Doug’s tricked him twice tonight.

So much for “Andy the Amazing Performing Cat“. Andy settles down to watch a bit of television before his nap.

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Ugh! Minus 11 degrees F/ -18.3 degrees C at 8:00 pm. Oatmeal weather and a mug of hot coffee with chocolate for sure. Andy love, love, loves the box, of course, ‘nip or not, so it will stay around till he gets tired of it. 

Andy had his fill of Greenies, for now. Even Andy can feel a treat isn’t a treat when you get too many at once!

He settled down on the recliner. Maybe there’s something on television of interest to a kitty…!

“Nothing on the television -‘me-uws’ I think Doug calls it.” A short bath is in order.

“What!? What!?”

 Andy hears something…or is it that he sees one of those “ghost thingies” cats are well-known to see so creepily….

“Don’t get dramatic, Douglas! Even I know it snowed and blew last night. That’s the snow removal guy and he’s working in -12 degrees F/ -24.4 degrees C weather to make sure you can get to your car and not get stuck.” 

“Are you sneaking looks at the weather on my smartphone, Andrew? You seem to be more specifically weather-aware than a wee kitty should be. I’m impressed with your math skills as well, my cat, and that you correctly converted Fahrenheit to Celsius for the benefit of most of the world readers who live in the smarter metric zone. “

“Maybe there’s something on the ‘me-uws”…”

Andy ignored the smartphone weather question and math skills observation, but cats are reputed to be sneaky, eh?

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Ugh! I’m glad I don’t have any reason to get out today! The weather report doesn’t suggest much better times ahead, but I’ll deal with that when I have no choice.

I called his name.

He moved! Never mind, Andy.