Brotherly Snuggling

 Mom is getting more distracted than usual lately when it comes to posting our pictures and visiting with our friends.  These are from the first week of January! 
She had been reading under the blankie and left it out on the couch.  The next day Scout & I took it over.  We've been hanging closer together lately with Patches on the prowl. 
-Shaggy

The Deer Returns

The Not-So-Vishus Deer returned to our back yard today.  Mom saw him lying under the evergreens at the bottom of the yard around noon.  He is still lame, holding up that right front leg so as to not put any pressure on it. It looks like his lone antler has been shed.  He rested under the trees for nearly an hour then got up to head over to the wooded pond area down the block.    Does anyone know if deer herds ostracize the injured ones?  When ever we see deer around they are always in small groups but this one is always alone.   Mom of course feels sorry for him even though we tell her he is a wild animal and by instinct knows what to do.  She hates to see any creature hurting.  We yawned and returned to our naps.

A Good Box

Just My Size

Holy Cats!!

Can you believe your eyes?  This happened this morning.   Patches ran to Shaggy & Scouts feeding area instead of his bedroom to eat breakfast.
That Kitty Prozac rocks the universe!
Not saying that all is comfy & cozy around here but this is a major development!  Whoo Hoo!!!
-Mom

Cold and....well, just cold

Our innernets crapped out a few days ago and mom's battery died on the computer so we've been lonesome, not visiting very much these last few days.   All looks good now and a new battery is on order.  Really, it holds a charge for about 2 minutes.
C-c-c-cold here in Minnesota.  Subzero cold.  So cold that when mom went outside her nostrils stuck shut.  She's been wearing her long underwear too. Seriously, people really need furs like we have.  It's warm in the house but there is still an underlying chill even so.
We have been staying secluded inside with all the curtains, and shades pulled over the windows in an effort to help try to keep the heat in, not radiating out.  Zolie is warm in the insulation at the top of the rafters in garage, and in the heated bed she has out there.  One of our neighbors water pipes froze but they caught it in time before they burst and damaged the house. 

Vishus Deer!

Vishus Deer!

Front leg is gimpy

 Yesterday, a movement in the back yard caught our eyes and we hopped up on the couch & tables to check out what it might be!   A deer!  A vishus deer!   And he was looking right up at us as we looked out the window.  Challenging us to come out & get eaten!   We didn't fall for it, we stayed inside.   This deer was a crippled one.  He had a gimpy front leg and was limping.  He kept licking his side and had a sore like maybe he'd been hit with pellets or something. He also had just one horn on his head, the other was gone.  We don't know what happened to that boy, he looked kind of beat up. Maybe it's just from challenging other males for dates with the lady vishus deers.   He was foraging for foods and wasn't finding much, then he ran/limped away to the wild area on the other side of the houses across the street.  

He kept holding it up

See his horn?

Mom said she felt sad for him

Naptime Ritual

 Looks like it's time for a nap in the sunroom.
-Scout

Patches Update

His perch. The cushion is from his old house.

Pillows on the bed from Mom's sister.

Carol passed away 2 years ago from Scleroderma.

Thanks for all the great advice for Patches!  I have consulted our vet and we are doing just as was suggested by so many of you: a combination of behavior modification and medication.  The vet advised taking a couple steps backwards and giving Patches more alone time in "his" bedroom, (son John's old room) so he isn't constantly looking over his shoulder for Scout and feeling threatened, but we also need to be diligent about spending time with him in there.  His kitty bed is on the tall dresser by the window,  he also has his litter box and toys.  He will be in there whenever we leave the house and at night. I've caught him twice peeing on the living room carpet in a corner and also on the rug by the garage entry yesterday and today. (In addition to  other places over the last month).  That sent him to his room too. They say its best if I can catch him in the act then put him in his own litterbox.  The vet also advised feeding them together, as many of you suggested, even if it's 20 feet apart at first. Right now, Patches will only eat in his room since he is too nervous with the other cats nearby.  I want to wait until the meds begin to kick in...yes? or no?    She prescribed Kitty Prozac (Fluoxetine) for both Scout and Patches.  I mentioned the meds Trish from Katnip Lounge suggested, but she said this is the one she likes to start with.  She warned me it may take 4-6 weeks to start working, just like in people.     Can anyone recommend a good urine cleaner?  I have "Out! Cat Stain and Odor Remover", "Woolite Pet Stain & Odor remover + Oxy", and "Resolve Pet Oxy Advanced."  They don't work very well, even when I catch Patches in the act and spray it right away.  Thanks again friends, for your advice and support!  Any other advice?  I'll keep you posted.

John's Grad School stuff.  He went to Florida in '08  to cheer his team to victory in the Orange Bowl!  Basketball also won the NCAA that year. 

Help and Advice Needed Please

Patches & Scout at it again

 This happens many times every day.  All is not roses and sunshine here since Patches moved in. Every time he gets even a glimpse of Scout or Shaggy he gets defensive and starts yowling, hissing, spitting and/or attacking.  He is starting to ease up on Shaggy, who is non aggressive and ignores him. Shaggy takes a wide berth and gives him lots of space. Scout is another matter.  Scout stalks him and almost seems to taunt Patches into a reaction. We often wake at 3 am to yowling and tussles in the hallway outside our door. Scout will chase Patches behind our bed and trap him there for hours.  Patches is an old cat who lived alone with his lady until he came here in October.  A huge adjustment for him.   He has also been marking/spraying regularly.  There are 5 litter boxes in the house.  2 upstairs and 3 downstairs.  I am using Feliway plug ins but they don't seem to have an effect.  Maybe I need to use more, but they are expensive.   We are vacationing in Phoenix for the first 2 weeks of March. Our regular catsitter, a high school girl, will come over once a day to look after them.  I'm thinking I'll need to shut Patches in the basement while we're gone or I don't know what shape my cats or the house will be in when we return.   I am almost at the point of admitting this just isn't going to work.   Any advice?    -Mom Lynne

Let's Play Hockey!

GO FLYERS!

Catching Zzzzz's

Move over Shaggs.   No, YOU move, Scout.

Once again, caught napping together. Mom loves to think she's sneaking up on us, but we know her every move.  See our ears....alert, listening.
 So we gave her the photo op. 

Happy New Year

Shaggy

As we enter our 8th year of blogging we take time to thank our faithful readers and let you know how much we appreciate and value your friendship.
You've been with us through thick and thin, good times and not so good times.  In many ways this blog has been  both an escape and a lifesaver.
We love you all.  Blessings to each and every one of you this New Year.

Scout

Patches

Angel Scooby 4/1/12 Dearly Loved