Introoder!

We had a possum in the garage last night!
Mom wasn't sure if Zolie was up in the insulated ceiling or not, she hadn't seen her all day, so when that happens the people leave the garage door just up enough for her to slip under because it was going to be a cold night.

Mom was sitting with us, reading, around 10:30 pm when we could tell something was in the recycling bin tossing the cat food cans around. They keep it by the back door so all they have to do is open the door and toss stuff in. The house and garage are attached. We've had raccoons in there before, they smell Zolie's kibble and steal it so mom thought that big one was back. She turned on the lights and opened the door noisly, banging it back & forth so the thing would run.

He only went about 2 feet away and stared at her, murderously. It did not want to leave the garage and tried to get behind some boards up against the wall. It was a big 'un, 15-20 pounds with a long rat tail. Didn't seem afraid in the least.
Mom started yelling and throwing cans at it then picked up a 2 by 4 and started poking and waving in it's general direction. Finally it lumbered off and mom shut the garage door. Zolie, it turns out, was in, as mom saw her on her thermal pad on top of the deep freeze the next morning.

Catsitting

Mom's been catsitting the next door cats, Mars & Tippy since Wednesday.
That's Mars in the picture. A gorgeous ginger boy! He comes over to visit if he manages to get outside (but only when it's warm!) Tippy is part Maine Coon, has luxurious long black fur and tail and little white edging on his the tips of his toes.

Mom went over twice a day to feed them. 1/2 can divided twice a day of their grain free food. We tried that food but won't eat it. They love it and gobble it down. Mom says that's why they are the softest kitties she has ever petted in her life.
They don't have toys because they live with two big woofies who like to eat cat toys, so mom brings toys when she visits them. Tippy especially loves to chase fevver-butt mousies and little kitty balls. The one she brought over today had some of our nip on it. She didn't know it until they started going crazy!!!! She also takes a book over and sits with them too, so they have company, not just a hello-goodbye feeding.
Their people and dogs will be home later today, so we don't have to share her anymore.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all our wonderful friends in the Cat Blogosphere!
We are thankful for all our blessings: Good food, soft beds, treats and toys and especially the love of our people.
This picture gives you an idea how the people look after the big meal.
Totally blotto.
-Shaggy, Scooby & Scout

Crazy Squirrels.

Those crazy squirrels!
They spend all of autumn burying stuff in the yard like the world is gonna end.
This week they've been scurrying all around looking for it.
Someone has to tell them that its no use burying stuff because when the snow comes....dudes! you can't find it anyway!!!
They are entertaining to watch however. They run here & there & everywhere, back and forth, back and forth, run, run, run!
If they're trying to store body fat for the winter they sure are doing a great job working it off!
We've had a very unique albino squirrel around for the last several years. Mom thinks he's awfully "cute" and considers it good luck if she happens to spot him. Not easy to do in winter but he really stands out from the crowd the rest of the year.
We think he might be pretty tasty. Less game-y than regular grey squirrels, perhaps even containing a hint of vanilla. Hmmm...... kind of like our guinea pig Toby...........
But mom says we don't eat family members, so I'll never know.
-Scout

Not Much

Not much happening around the ol' homestead these days.
The snow is still here that fell this last weekend. We've had some melting but for the most part its probably here to stay till spring. We ended up with 8 inches of it.

Mom had a dentist appointment today. That's like if we were to go to the vet and he poked around in your mouth for an hour. She's not as cranky as she usually is because for once she had a good checkup. Nothing that needs fixing this time. Must be some kind of record in that.
She went to the food store and brought home lots of Fancy Feast for us in a rainbow of flavors and a gigantic turkey breast! Dudes, this thing was enormous! She claims it is a turkey breast, but it was frozen solid, so we only have her word to go on that's what it actually will be when cooked.
She has a pot of chili simmering for dinner tonight. Good cold weather food for people.
They call it comfort food. I can relate to that: a can of Fancy Feast, a blankie to snuggle on, perhaps a little nip by the fire.....true comfort!
-Scout

Winter is Here

Today we are getting pounded with heavy wet snow.
Our first snow of the season is a major snowstorm!
All the tree branches and bushes are drooping under the weight of it and it's not yet noon and dad has already been out to shovel three times!

Shaggy insisted on going outside. He couldn't seem to connect what he sees out the window to what is actually happening on the other side of the door! He stuck one whisker out and ran inside! Mom called him a pussy. Heh. Cat humor. Whatever.

Zolie is tucked up warm in the garage and we are settling in for long naps.

Zolie Earns Her Keep

Good Zolie!
Way to go!
She caught the chipmunk that has been in our garage chewing up stuff this fall.
Pesky thing!
She got him, but didn't nom on him. He looked to be a bit on the mangy side.
For those who don't know her, she is a feral that mom has been feeding for 2 years. The first winter she lived across the street in a warm burrow under the neighbors low deck, but last winter she moved into our garage where she is safe and warm and decided to stay.
Mom longs to pet her but she is still very skittish.

Cleaning & Coughing

Mom's been cleaning again.
This picture from a couple years ago shows some of our sun room.
That's the room where the guinea pigs live. You can see the bag of pine shavings in the background. It's kind of dusty stuff, plus it gets tracked all over the house.
They eat timothy hay too and that also gets all over the carpet when she feeds them and cleans their cages. We all love the piggies but they sure are messy.
Mom's been sick with the crud that's been going around. Started out as a stuffy head & sore throat and body aches. Now it has taken up residence in her chest and she has to take antibiotics. She has asthma so its hard to get rid of once it settles in. Coughing a lot.
Anyway, we are enjoying bright sunny days. Our lovely fall weather continues to hold on.
-Scout