Mischief Monday - Wild Weather - by Tigris

Dear readers,

The weather in my part of the world was been a little wild. A few nights ago, it was super, super windy. Lady and Man had all the windows open because they don't have a/c and it was cool. Around 3 am, there was a big bang and the Man got up and couldn't figure out what it was.  The next morning he found one of the kitchen screens in the middle of the kitchen floor. Fortunately neither Styx and I noticed or wanted to go out and no wild animals got in, maybe it was just too windy.  Interesting enough, none of the patio furniture pillows blew away. 

I was not a huge fan of this wind. I allowed Lady to put me on the bed and I stayed for a while.

The next day, the Lady couldn't find me, but then she did. I had returned to the top of the pinball machine. When I first moved here, this was one of my safe places, and while I don't feel the need to visit it too often, sometimes it is the best seat in the house.

Has your weather been wild?

Tigris

PS the people have been out all the time and rarely home so I haven't gotten to visit you all like I would have liked. Life may slow down a little soon. 

Nature Friday - Welcome Summer - by Styx

 Hi pals, hi pals, hi pals,

Today is summer! It means we will have great sun puddles and long hot days and nights and more sun and birds and deer and all the things that Styxy loves. 

Trying to enjoy the sun puddle.

It also means yesterday was Lady's birthday and she and Man were out for 87 million hours.  For those of you who don't know Lady well, she has a thing for cemeteries, and thought to herself, nothing says celebrating a half century like walking around looking a grave stones. (Editor's Note: Lady has lived in the Ottawa area for nearly 32 years and never really just wandered around Beechwood the National Cemetery, and thought it was time.) 

I would not be jealous of this sort of thing normally, except you would get to run in grass and climb trees and stones  . . . .ok, I would be jealous, but I am extra jealous because she and Man had a close encounter with the big birds that visit our yard.

Zoom not used

There were 6 or 7 young males. Lady and Man watched staff chase them away (as they were near where a police funeral was going to happen). With them that close and dumb, I, Styxy, the great hunter would have had a great feast.

That is the nature I missed out on. I can hope Lady gets me a leash and takes me next time.

your pal, Styxy who wants to be free!

Wordless Wednesday - Tigris

 

Mischief Monday - Is She Trainable? By Tigris

Dear reader,

I am trying to decide if this Lady who has brought me home is in fact actually trainable. For someone who spends her days teaching and training other people, she is very resistant to change. 

For example - the other day I was enjoying a little face rub when she interrupted it to take my picture. She said I have a very serious face and she wanted to capture my smile. 

I clearly gave her a look to show I was not impressed. But did she put the camera away?

No, she continued to try and make me smile.

Do I look impressed? Does this look appear to be a Tigris who is enjoying this? No. Finally, I gave her a smile, just so she would put the phone down and focus on me. 

Hey wait, maybe instead of training her, this Lady has trained me! Clearly she is very good at her job as she tricked me. I am going to have to up my game.

Tigris 

Nature Friday - Failed Spring - by Styx

 Hi pals, hi pals,

I tired, I really tried to spring myself free when Lady opened the patio door. She wasn't fast enough to stop old Styx from racing across the deck, down the stairs to the bird feeders. She could not catch me I was the speedy Styx. So speedy (looking back, making sure my Man was following me, knowing I was in trouble). I was super fast and super brave. So fast, so brave! Fortunately the Man was fast enough to catch me eating grass. Foiled by hunger! 

I asked the Lady to take the colour out of my picture because that is how I am feeling about all of this. Grey! Grey! Grey! I so want to be free (at least some of the time). I am an adventure cat! 

Lady thinks she has figured out how to stop me from escaping again, but you know your old pal Styx will out smart her. I am the smartest boy ever! Outdoors for Styx, outdoors for Styx. Let's start a movement. 

My journey outside was very short lived, so I didn't get to full appreciate nature. I did see this sky before I was captured and sent back to my cell of a house. It has been cold and rainy or hazy from the fires. It has not been a great spring weather wise either.  It was nice to see the blue. 

I would have really liked to climb those trees and smell that fresh air longer. 

Because I gave Lady a heart attack, yet again, (I am very good at this), I said I would share these pretty flowers I didn't get a chance to eat. 

That was my midweek adventure into nature.

Let me be free and outside. Come spring me!

your pal, Styxy

Wordless Wednesday - Treat Time!

 

Mischief Monday - Attempts to Trick Us - by Tigris

 Dear reader,

I would like to report my servants the people I live with get crazy ideas, and as far as I am concerned attempt to trick us.

Friday night the Man cooked duck. While I could definitely got behind the man eating some of the meat, being offered the "juice" of the meat was not acceptable. 

Further, the Man tried very hard to convince us we wanted to eat it. This was very suspcious.

We held our ground, and I am sorry to report, no good food was given instead.

Tigris, who has very high standards

Nature Friday - Follow That Bird - by Tigris

 Dear reader, 

As you know I am a much more refined cat than Styx. I imagine myself as a tiger (befitting my name).

I spend less time plotting my escape to the great outdoors or the ceiling. However, last evening, I spotted a the following birds, and I must admit I was very interested and I really did want to go outside.

What is worse is that the Lady went outside to take the pictures and did not take me. I got angry.

If given the chance I would follow that bird and that bird (especially that big one).

Thank you to Rosy and Sunny for hosting this event.

Tigris 

Wordless Wednesday - Tigris

 

Mischief Monday - Crash and Play by Styx

 Hi pals, hi pals,

You are not going to believe it is me who caused some mischief. Not your calm pal Styxy who can just be found kicking back and enjoying life. 

The other night the dishwasher was full, and without thinking Lady and Man left a container on the counter. It made a loud scary noise when the ghost of Hailey, who was a counter surfer, threw it on the floor and smashed. Man was so happy to be cleaning up glass at 3 am. Bad ghost Hailey, bad.

In other news, to help me not be so busy (even though I have calmed down a lot), my people tried puzzles. First they tried the puzzle in the picture above. Then they tried the dog ball.  It was ok, but I knew it was for dogs.

Then they got me a cat one. It was ok. I get bored of working for food. Tigris refuses to work for food. It is beneath her.

Lady and Man are getting better at this cat, I mean ghost, proofing and I fear all the best fun will be done soon.

Lady said I should say, for those who read the deer and car story, that in the end, the car also lost. It was a write off and Lady had to get a new car. She said dealing with all of that was like a part time job. (It made her very grumpy).

your pal, who likes to play with ghosts, Styxy

FFF Nature Friday - By Styx

 Hi pals, hi pals.

The Lady says I can do my first FFF Nature Friday. I am so excited. I am so excited. Thanks to Aunty-Yam and Rosy and Sunny for hosting this.

Here I go.

I sit at the window and dream

of drinking cold water from a stream.

Lady and Man are so so so mean

They really don't have a nice gene.

Inside they make me stay

Missing the sun and her rays

Oh how I want to be free.

As a bonus I will title some pictures Lady took on a walk I did not get to go on (although I know I would not like a harness).

A think to eat

another thing to eat

Things to climb

Way better food outside

I hope you have enjoyed my first FFF Nature Friday.

Your pal, Styxy who wants to be free

Wordless Wednesday - Tigris

 

Mischief Monday - Inadequate by Styx

 Hi pals, hi pals,

The Lady person showed you last week how she got bird spikes to keep me off the banister. Her first attempt was inadequate. 

I am a very agile cat and I learned I could jump across them to land on the post on the landing.

This was great until those spikes tripped me and I fell off.

I wasn't hurt at all because I am Super Styx.

However, the people were really freaked out so they put up more.

It looks sooooo ugly, but apparently safety first!

So far, this has been working. I miss my balance beam.

you pal, Super Styx who wants to walk the tightrope, who is sorry we didn't get to visit this weekend but Lady went away to Cheese Fest. 

Nature Friday - Where is the Post - by Tigris and Lady

 Tigris: Ummmm, our nature Friday post is late. This is very rude.

Lady: It has been a gross, cold, rainy week. Now I don't have to be out all the time, I am not.  Also, I am not loving nature right now.

How can you not love nature?

Nature and I had a bit of a run in, literally on Tuesday morning. You see a deer ran in front of me when I was driving on the highway to work.  Unfortunately the deer was killed and my car was damaged. I wasn't hurt.

That is not good and what is worse is you missed the opportunity to serve me fresh venison. 

Well, that is not happening. Now I am dealing with insurance and car repair and all the things and I am not loving nature much.

Well, you can love me instead. 

That I can do!

Thanks to Rosy and Sunny for hosting this event. 

Wordless Wednesday - Play Time with Styx

 

Mischief Monday - The Barrier - by Tigris

Dear reader,

My servant  Lady has asked me to tell you all she is aiming for 3-4 posts a week right now on her rebrand.  It is going to depend on life and us etc. etc. We are here to stay. Thanks to Ms Ann for the rebrand. 

Lady disturbed my wild turkey viewing for a picture!

Now to the mischief. As you may have read, I had a big fall a few weeks ago. I am back to 100% now, thanks for your concern. 

Lady and Man were terrified it would happen again and had no idea what to do. It was Aunty-Yam's to look for bird spikes. Lady would have never thought of this. Lady ordered it (picking brown to match as best she could). Lady and Man zipped tied it on the banister. This way the banister isn't damaged and they can be easily removed if needed. 

The spot I climbed to jump to that window

The view from Lady's office

Lady says it is a new trend. The medieval castle look.  She hopes it is more temporary, but has put our safety above ascetics. 

This has stopped us from climbing the banister and falling but has not stopped Styx from knocking all the things off other shelves. Lady and Man really need to get on this cat proofing. 

Tigris

Nature Friday - Spring - by Styx

 Hi pals, hi pals!

One place I can sit and stare for longer is outside. There is so much to see, including Callie's cat Ash. We have stare offs. I want to know why Ash can be outside and I have to be inside. Outside is where all the good things are.  Turkey, deer, birds, Ash, trees, turkey, deer, Ash, leaves, wind, moths, bugs, Ash, birds, squirrels, so much , so much!

Lady says to tell you she is making an effort to go out and walk. She says now that she doesn't have to go outside 87 million times a day she feels like she is missing spring. I said let me out, let me out! She said no. She is mean. Styx needs to go out and hunt. Styx is a fierce cat. 

Here are things the mean Lady won't let me experience.

Trillium - I can smell them, they are everywhere! 

Trees in the sugar bush - I can also smell these

The field I spy

The pond - too far for me

I hope you enjoyed all the things Styxy can't have.

your pal,  Styx

My Turn, My Turn, My Turn - by Styx

 Hi, hi, hi pals,

I am Styx and I am finally getting a turn to write on this blog. Tigris got a turn but oh, look it is getting windy, is that Callie's kid riding the dirt bike, I need a stretch, what were we talking about. Oh yes, I am finally getting a turn. Lady says I haven't gotten one yet because I am, I haven't checked the dish for a bit, what is that noise, have you seen the nip, what's this, have I climbed on that today, oh where was I again - I am very, very busy. I am doing better now, I do stop and sleep. There is so much to do and explore and I better make sure that cat isn't in the yard again, have I climbed up here yet, should I go eat the plant, where was my toy, could it be near feeding time - anyways, I have a lot to do. 

I look forward to getting to know you all.

you pal, Styx

Wordless Wednesday - One Headed Monster

 

Why Cats and This Chapter

First, I am happy to report, I am working with Ann on a rebrand of this blog. While I considered starting a whole new blog, I couldn't bear to leave my angels behind. Life of 5/6 angels can be found here. We will stay here with all our old content, as we move to this next Chapter. I haven't worked out a full new blog schedule, but I expect it will be at least a few times a week. We will try to keep up with all our old pals and new ones. It is hard working full time, volunteering, living life, and trying to find time away from screens. Our lack of daily visits does not reflect the importance this community plays in our lives. We think of you all daily. 

Lady ant Tigris, first selfi

Second, people were asking why cats. My blog has been about dogs for so long, so why would I want cats. We started with cats. Almost 31 years ago, we brought Bagheera home. That fall Nin joined us. We were tproud cat caretakers for 20 years. Then in 2014 we became a cat free home. We discussed getting new cats then, but knew Hailey would not have tolerated this. She did not try and hunt Baggy or Nin, but we felt very confident that she would hunt new cats coming in. So for everyone's safety, we didn't get new cats. 

Then, we said goodbye to Hailey. While Phod's death was much sooner than expected, the writing was on the wall that sometime this year we would be saying goodbye to him too. I knew our house could not be completely animal free at this time. I knew Phod was not up to having a new younger dog in the house. I also knew that unlike Hailey, the odds of Phod intentionally hurting a cat were 0 (remember the time he brought the Man a live and angry baby groundhog who he wanted to be his BFF). If anything, Phod was going to be the one to get scratched. Further, we knew he couldn't really chase them and it would be easy to separate them if needed. So cats became the quest and we found the Rivers.

Lady and Styx, first selfie

While we haven't completely ruled out getting another dog, we were dog owners for 22.5 years. We are taking a short pause at least to see what life is like when you don't have to live on a dog's schedule.  We have kept all the perishable items and we will see where we land.

For now we are going to enjoy our River Cats. 

Mischief Monday - 1 down, 8 to go - by Lady

We had cats live in this house before, but they were old cats, so there are things we didn't think about when we got the new ones.Besides the ceiling (see Styx's adventures), we have a banister that runs around the upstairs and opens to our basement. At the end of this are windows. It never occurred to us before we got the Rivers that they would try and get on said windowsills.

Then we took Styx off the banister many, many times and realized this may be a problem. Before we had a chance to solve this, Tigris got up for the first time, tried to make the window and fell all the way down.

Dramatic recreation

It is fair to say both the Man and my hearts stopped watching this happen. 

We raced downstairs and she was no where to be seen. As we were worried about injury, when we found her under the bed, we pulled her out. We did a full exam and discovered, other than what appeared to be a sprain in her front left paw, and a scare, she was ok. She ate, she purred etc. We watched her very closely and by day 3, she was back to her normal self.

Tigris tolerating us icing her paw

The limp persists some, it is not as bad and not all the time, so isn't a major concern.

We are sure she lost a life that day. We hope that she has learned to NEVER try this again. 

We have put a Kleenex box (seen in the window) and a temporary tinfoil barrier to discourage anyone from trying this again. If people have ideas for a better solution, please let us know! 

Nature Friday - Visitor

 You know it is time to fill the feeders when the squirrel comes and knocks on the window. 

It is disturbing my nap on Lady's desk. 

Tigris