Post 935: Unh oh! It’s “kitties to the groomer day” again!

It’s almost time to round up Andy and Dougy to take them to the groomer for their bi-monthly grooming session. 

I’ve taken the usual precautions: 1. I haven’t put on clothes they know I wear outside the house, 2. I’ve closed all the bedroom doors to prevent under-the-bed escapes, 3. I’ve tried to follow normal routines, like getting on the computer right off, to reduce the chances the boys will get suspicious.

Andy is suspicious anyway...!

Andy is suspicious anyway…!

Catching the first cat usually is simple. It’s that second capture that usually stresses out the cat and me: You don’t have to draw pretty picture for the second scat to figure out there’s a carrier trip — it doesn’t matter where — in his future, and he will take an even stealthier approach to capture.

Wish me luck!


FOLLOW UP

I easily captured Andy over by the cat fountain. Silly boy! He practically trapped himself in a corner.

Then I followed Dougy into the bathroom. “As long as I’m here,” I thought, “I may as well use the bathroom, too,” (I know! I know! Too much information!)

Seated on the throne, I noticed Dougy’d hidden under a chair next to the dryer. He was within arm’s reach of me, so I leaned over, grabbed him, then worked through the problem of pulling up my pants while holding a cat that didn’t want to be held…!

I somehow managed the task, put Dougy in the carrier with his brother, and we arrived at the groomer’s one minute before the appointment time of 7:30. I call that a successful start to the day.

Post 934: tongues…

Today, a selection of photos featuring kitty tongues. I’ve posted many over the months! I left the original captions on them, so the narrative is, well, “odd”.

That isn't to say it isn't hard work for a kitty...!

That isn’t to say it isn’t hard work for a kitty…!

“Nyah! Nyah! Take a picture…it’ll last longer!”
Why, that cheeky cat!

All this drama's made Andy sleepy!

All this drama’s made Andy sleepy!

...Dougy isn't posing. He's getting excited about the camera strap, which he pounces!

…Dougy isn’t posing. He’s getting excited about the camera strap, which he pounces!

[Lick-lick-lick!]

[Lick-lick-lick!]

Or just call it what is: PURRICANE DOUGY!

Or just call it what is: PURRICANE DOUGY!

“He’s not flinching…!”

Dougy scared Andy out of the box, so he checked it out. Nothing there. Dougy leaves the box...and still forgets about the toy!

Dougy scared Andy out of the box, so he checked it out. Nothing there. Dougy leaves the box…and still forgets about the toy!

How we looked after the trip to Deidesheim.

How we looked after the trip to Deidesheim.

Andy wasn't taking care of business, so Dougy stopped by and perched on Andy's spot.

Andy wasn’t taking care of business, so Dougy stopped by and perched on Andy’s spot.

“Woohoo!”
Dougy is glad it’s over!

Post 932: boxed in…an old story

I’d love to toss some of the boxes around the house, but Dougy (in particular) seems to anticipate the ones I have in mind. 

I wanted to toss this laptop box because I haven’t seen Dougy show interest in it in a few weeks. Moreover, when I’ve opened it up to entice him, he’s run away in horror! (Not his idea? Ghosts? Who knows!?)

What's this lurking ion the darkness of the box?!

What’s this lurking in the darkness of the box?!

Could it be...?!

Could it be…?!

“Dougy! What are you doing in the box!?”
Hey, I brought out the DaBird wand toy, and Dougy and I played a favorite pounce game.

Andy made use of the playtime between the two Dougs to fluff his tail and clean his fur. Looking hot,m Andy! Or should I say

Andy made use of the playtime between the two Dougs to fluff his tail and clean his fur.
Looking hot, Andy! Or should I say “Fluffytail”?

Post 931: no tricks, no treats….

Halloween was uneventful here. No children stopped by, which is is good because I didn’t have any candy on hand to pass out.

Kids just don’t come around these apartments. Oddly, because this is a place with retired grandmas and grandpas. You’d expect some children to show up!  Continue reading

Post 929: All a’twitter about something new in the window!

You know cats. Change any little thing in their environment, and they pounce on the change in an instant! Well, there was change here today, and Andy wants to know what it’s all about.

Andy watched from the table...

Andy watches from the table…

"What is that...!?"

“What is that…!?”

Dougy preferred to wait it out in his favorite new box.

Dougy prefers to wait it out in his favorite new box.

Nothing much to show just yet. I mounted a window bird feeder on the window Andy likes to look out.

It will take a time before the birds find it and I’m feeding cracked safflower seed and niger seed, both of which attract specific birds to the exclusion of others. I expect American goldfinches and pine siskins mostly.

I’ll take photos when that happens!

Post 928: Dougy flaunts it…in magnificent comfort!

Dougy is shameless. Of course, he’s a kitty and has no concept of just how wrong it is that he takes the best seat from the guy with the opposable thumbs. 

Yesterday, I showed how he took over the recliner. Today, I show you Dougy lounging in the recliner like it was made to his order at the recliner factory. Maybe it was….!

I spot Dougy on the recliner.

I spot Dougy on the recliner.

He spots me spotting him!

He spots me spotting him!

“Mine!” Go away! Don’t bother me!”
Dougy is unmovable!

Post 927: “I ‘recline’ to comment on that…!”

What’s the best place to sit and relax in the apartment? Ask the cats! 

What's this? A dark presence in the recliner....!

What’s this? A dark presence on the recliner…!

(Should I hide like Dougy? )

Hmmm. A closer look reveals the culprit!

Let’s shed a little light on the subject…..
Why, it’s Dougy, of course! You’d expect the kitties to find the best seat in the house…then take it!

Post 926: National Black Cat Day today~!

I celebrate black cats every day, but there is one day of the year it is official: Yes, today is National Black Cat Day! 

If you follow this blog, you know Andy and Dougy stand in well as ambassadors for the black cats of this world. They are my joy. They make me laugh!

Dougy's exhausted from all these decisions! Poor kitty!!

They are ornery, but I always forgive them.

Yes, that's the wastepaper basket in the kitchen, a favorite one for the kitties to knock over.

They get me up before the cows come home to “feed the kitties”, then they go back to bed after they eat.

relaxed

They are affectionate but don’t want to be held too long because they have important cat business to take care of, always! When they are really magnanimous, they let me play with them!

Dougy (on left) in his box; Andy in his. The boys worked it out, then Dougy ran off on cat business, leaviong both boxes to Andy. More about that tomorrow!

They are my little buddies! I look forward to seeing them first thing when I wake up each morning, and having them around me all day.

I’m not alone in my enthisiasm for black kitties. Here’s what DrNworb (Doug Brown) of Vancouver, BC has to say on the subject:

Post 925: Dougy’s mess…!

Everyone loved Dougy! He's a sweet, huggable, fluffy kitty.

Everyone loves Dougy! He’s a sweet, huggable, fluffy kitty.

But he is a paper shredder, a major mess maker, and this is his mess....!

But he is a paper shredder, a major mess maker, and this is his mess….! What a naughty kitty.

Post 923: Andy spots some birds…!

You know well Andy’s enthusiasm for bird watching out windows. Sometimes he hits a bonanza, especially outside the back window.

Andy hopped onto the

Andy hopped onto the “observation post” (computer desk shelf ).
What’s up outside today?!

“Say what!?”
Andy can’t believe his ears!
He hears a whole flock of birdies flying from the fir tree.

Faster than you can blink, Andy's at the window!

Faster than you can blink, Andy’s at the window!
“Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!”

More birds flying from the fir tree! Andy can't believe how exciting the window is today!

More birds flying from the fir tree!
Andy can’t believe how exciting the window is today!

Deep attention....Andy ponders how he might get outside to get those birdies!

Deep attention….Andy ponders how he might get at those birdies!

“Rats!” Andy comes up against the glass again.
“What is this barrier? Why can’t I go through the window?”

If you can't tell, someone's tail is twitching at top speed here!

If you can’t tell, someone’s tail is twitching at top speed here!

Yes, it was a great day for kitties at the window! Andy was well pleased.