Get Fuzzy

The Tribe has Spoken

I was lying down watching Survivor China last night and they got to the end of the show right before the jury when I announced my prediction of who was going to be voted out. I noticed Thompson lying on the floor next to me and he looked at me when I spoke and his eyes got wide. I asked him who he thought was going to be voted out and his eyes got even wider. It was like no one had ever asked his opinion before and he all but wanted to let me know what he was thinking...

Bugger This

Diego-san is a master bug spotter. He'll be sitting quietly in a room, seemingly half asleep when all of a sudden he'll sit up and dart to a spot. Inevitably I'll look at what he's looking at and there will be a bug present.

He's spotted three in the past two days: a centipede looking thing (ewwww). a less ewww looking flying bug, and he and Thompson cornered a moth. Of course the sudden increase in the bug population in the house is likely due mostly to Diego tearing holes in all my screens but nonetheless I'm proud of the job he does helping keep the house bug free.

A Successful Purchase

The scratching pad I bought a couple of weeks ago has been a popular purchase. All three boyz have taken turns ripping the cloth part of the pad to pieces. When I do fill the small compartment that holds the catnip the boyz take turns tipping the pad over and spreading the nip all over the carpet. It's rare that I find something that all three boyz have shown an interest in. Catnip + claw sharpener = all around good fun!

Hiccup

I don't know if it's even possible but I think Diego-san had the hiccups last night. He was lying on my computer table while I was working on the computer and I felt an occasional tiny lil spasm. I told him to go drink some water and surprisingly he actually did. He's so smart.

Autumn has Arrived

The days are getting noticeably shorter. It was dark out last night before 7:30. This is bad news of course for the boyz who enjoy every bit of sunshine they can get.

Our Mozart

Diego-san decided to give us one of his impromptu piano concerts early this morning as he sometimes does, he likes to stroll up and down the keyboard. He had a captive audience for his spontaneous concert. I always find his music amusing but the other boyz seemed confused and unsure about his complex choice of notes.

My Own Lil Circus

Citing concerns about the way the animals are treated, the city of Minneapolis is looking to pass an ordinance disallowing circuses from using animals for performances in the city.

I don't know enough about the issue to have much of an opinion other than to say I'm all for any law that promotes humane behavior towards any animal. That said, this picture is so cool that it made me want to teach the boyz some new tricks...

My New Garbage Disposal

I'm probably not the first house owner to realize there is always some repair/improvement that needs to be made that is going to cost money. Last night my garbage disposal stopped working.

The last time this happened I called the service company and the woman who took my call told me before she sent someone out I should push the reset button. I didn't know there was a reset button but she described where it likely was located and that many of the service calls inevitably meant just having an expensive repair person come out and push the reset button. Well that particular time pushing the magical reset button took care of the problem but unfortunately not last night.

As I was on my knees fumbling for the reset button Theo got his face right next to mine trying to determine what I was up to. With the work being done on my basement I don't have a lot of spare cash so I may just let the garbage disposal remain out of service for a while.

Perhaps Theo was way ahead of me on this one and was volunteering to personally dispose of any food scraps that otherwise might find their way down the disposal...

OMG

Diego-san scared the #$@% out of me yesterday. I had a meeting near my home in the afternoon so I got home early enough to have time to do some paperwork upstairs before my evening softball game. I hadn't seen Diego since feeding him his dinner and I knew this was a little strange so I went downstairs to see what he was up to.

I looked around and didn't see him and then noticed a big hole in one of the living room window screens. My heart jumped and I immediately went outside fearing the worst. The street in front of my house is a major bus line so during the evening rush hour there is a constant flow of cars. I opened the front door and immediately heard and saw Diego. He had hopped up on the ledge in front of my office window and was meowing away. He wasn't even paying attention to the rabbit that sat about ten feet away.

I went over and picked him up and I could feel him trembling and his heart pounding. I brought him back inside not sure if I should scold him or hug him. I did a little of both.

Last month I found him hanging out a hole in my bedroom screen thankful he didn't leave the house. Since then I had made a conscious effort not to open the windows enough for him to lean against the screen. I guess I left the window open a little too far this time.

This excursion will either embolden him to try and get outside again or will have frightened him enough to stay safe and sound inside. He really hasn't been outside much in his life having been brought to a shelter after he was born. I did take him for a few walks a couple of summers ago.

I now have to look at finding thicker screens that hopefully he won't be able to rip.

Thank god he didn't wander away further than he did.

Wheels

There are often times when I'll be in the living room with Thompson and we'll hear the not so soft pitter patter of feet upstairs. I'll look over at Thompson whose eyes are wide open and ears perked up and he'll have this look on his face that conveys that we share an understanding... It's the time of the day when Theo feels the need to chase Diego-san all over the house.

I think I can read Thompson fairly well and the look on his face is priceless. The look conveys split emotions- part of him wanting to immediately run upstairs to join the chase; part of him knowing that by the time he gets up there the boyz will have zoomed past him on the way downstairs. By now Thompson knows his limitations and knows the best ways to expend his energy and efforts so he'll wait and eventually he'll have a front row seat to all the action.

Me Time

Diego-san has found another moment in my schedule that he has carved out a little alone time with me. Right after he's finished his breakfast and as I'm sitting down to enjoy my coffee and morning newspaper he has begun hopping up on to my lap for some affection.

I really don't mind, though, it makes it even harder leaving the house for work in the morning...

Recycling Day

Monday is recycling day in my neighborhood.

Theo apparently wants to learn more about the process other than seeing me drag bags of newspapers and stuff in front of my house and having a big noisy truck stop by sometime in the day to haul that stuff off to an undisclosed destination.

I had to break it to the little guy that he probably didn't want to follow the paper trail to its final resting place. I'm not so sure he'd like it there.

Unusual Behavior

Spent a lot of time behind closed doors to try and speed up the sorting through boxes, fall house cleaning I've been trying to do for the past few weeks. The boyz were rather concerned about this unusual behavior (cleaning). They didn't like not having visual access to me. But I did get a lot done...

If He Knew What He Wants #3

All he wants is a face rub, an open window to sit by, a bed of his own, and a set feeding schedule.

If He Knew What He Wants #2

All he wants is someone to play with 24/7, a food dish that is refilled at the sound of a meow, and a warm place to sleep.

If He Knew What He Wants

All he wants is a little peace, love, food, a trickle of water, and access to whatever is happening in the basement...

Skidding Schedule

Had to work really late last night and get to work really early this morning. The boyz looked at me with concern as if to say they hope this isn't a permanent thing. Believe me, I would prefer lounging around with them...

A Shiver Sacrifice

Here's what a dorky pet associate I am: Last night at bedtime the three boyz hopped up in bed with me as I finished watching Happy Feet. Eventually Diego-san went somewhere else presumably more roomy. Theo and Thompson remained on top of my blankets. So when the time came for me to actually try and get to sleep- the boyz were so comfy that I didn't want to make them move. It was cool outside so I knew I wasn't going to be very comfortable without any covers. So I got up and grabbed a sweatshirt.

Theo ended up sleeping next to me- on top of the blankets- all night long. He rarely chooses to sleep next to me rather giving up that "choice" spot to Diego. I guess the long weekend of chasing the others around wore him out. Perhaps he figured it was earned because earlier in the day Thompson slept the entire first half of the Vikings game on my chest and then ceded that spot to Diego for the second half.

As for me- I lie wherever the boyz want me to lie.

My Helper

I had about 25 boxes of stuff that I stored in my basement. With the work being done down there I had to move those boxes somewhere so I stacked them up along a wall in my kitchen. I haven't really gone through any of those boxes since I moved into my house around 11 years ago so obviously none of the contents are that vital.

Well I began going through some of the boxes today to get rid as much as I can so I don't have to haul them back downstairs when the basement is finished. So far I've gone through 11 boxes and was able to throw away three boxes worth of stuff. Mostly it's books, video tapes, magazines and paper- notes from things I've written, materials from past jobs, etc. Of course Diego-san has had to have his nose in each box as I open them up. He has assumed the role of supervisor for this process although truthfully his help is sort of more of a hindrence as I try to plow through this not-exactly-enjoyable project.

Those Wacky Wacky Comics- Pearls Before Swine

Happy Birthday T&M

Happy birthday Thompson!

Love, -d, Diego-san, and Theo

P.S. happy b-day to you too M- our favorite placenta previa child

Consistent vs. Reasonable

There are a couple of Theo's behaviors that always lead to scoldings but now it occurs to me he may have justifiable reasons for both behaviors.

He has this habit of going into a room and closing the door behind him. I haven't liked him doing this because I'm afraid I won't be home and he'll do this and he'll be trapped in a room without water and a litter box. (Though Thompson and Diego would probably appreciate the peace.)

Another thing he does is whenever I want privacy and I close a door, he'll beg and scratch to get into the room. He doesn't like me restricting his access to me even though moments before I close the door he'll be in an entirely different part of the house paying no attention to me whatsoever.

These are both ongoing long time habits and it finally hit me yesterday I'm being inconsistent with him. Maybe all he wants when he closes a door behind him is a little privacy. And when he's meowing at me because I've closed a door on him, maybe he is just pointing out the fact I don't let him do the same thing.

Hmmmm... Maybe there is a method behind Theo's madness.

Trapped

The word "trapped" is probably about the least favorite word in the world for Thompson.

A couple of years ago I got a Target gift card from my boss at the record store I used to work for. Rather than buy socks and laundry detergent I decided to buy something I would always associate with my 19 years working for the company. Mixing practicality with this sentimentality I settled on a wood storage crate/box. It has a door on top with hinges in the back so it lifts up to open. Shortly after I sweated away assembling my box Diego-san discovered he could lift the top with his nose and hop in to a secluded spot the others didn't seem to be able to follow him into.

Well the other morning Diego lifted the top a nudge and hopped in. When he was ready to get out he nudged the top open a little wider. I didn't think anything of it and went about my business. I noticed after a while I hadn't seen or heard from Thompson in a while so I went to look for him and couldn't find him anywhere. I walked by the wooden box and saw it was closed. It occurred to me what might have happened. Sure enough I opened the top and there was Thompson with an anxious look on his face. He hopped out as soon as he saw the light.

I'm guessing the top was open far enough for him to finally see the spot Diego had claimed as his own. Once inside one of the other two boyz must have jumped on the top and trapped Thompson inside. He could have nudged it open with his head but since was all this was brand new for him, I'm sure he wasn't sure what he should do. He hasn't tried to get back inside since.

The Beloit Daily News

BY HILLARY WUNDROW Beloit (Wis.) Daily News

BELOIT, Wis. - A three-legged Chihuahua walks into a bar. He says, "I'm looking for the man who shot my paw."

That joke is what Vice President of Management and Finance Joel Carter hopes to put on his Chihuahua's T-shirt.

Chihuahuas may be best known for their small stature and erect ears, but Carter's dog, Wrigley, is known for his stumpy fourth leg with one toenail poking out. The buzz at Blackhawk Bank in Beloit last week was Carter's lopsided pooch.

Affectionately called "Tripod," the 4-month-old puppy was speeding around the cubicles on three feet.

"He kind of hops like a bunny," said Marjorie Peer, financial analyst.

"Or maybe a rat," joked Carter.

What some could consider a birth defect is actually a unique part of the dog's wee body. Marjorie Peer first noticed there was something special about the dog when she was checking on the Chihuahua puppies at her parents' house.

Not only did Wrigley have brown markings resembling hearts on his back, but he also had a fourth leg smaller than his other three.

A veterinarian told Peer Wrigley would be OK but that his leg could be removed later to help him learn to walk properly. At the time, Peer loved the puppies so much, she didn't mind. She even adopted Petey and Jack from Chihuahua parents Pinky and Buddy.

She thought co-worker Carter, however, would be the perfect papa for Wrigley. He had a spacious home in Belvidere and already took care of a slightly spastic golden retriever named Molly.

She started bringing in pictures of the three-legged dog, and Carter developed a soft spot for him.

Carter decided to adopt the dog. Though Carter feared Molly might eat the smaller pooch, Wrigley started to outrun the ol' girl and beat her at fetch.

A ramp was put up for the dog, but Wrigley learned to use the stairs.

"When he's running fast, he doesn't use that other paw at all," Peer said.

As Wrigley started to grow, Carter dreamed of clever T-shirts he could dress him in. Possible slogans for the pup's shirt included, "You can't eat a good dog all at once," "Yes, I'm going to make it," "You know I get a lot done with that one toe," and "You should see the other dog."

At work, Carter dreamed of making him a bank mascot.

"He opened a checking account," Carter joked. "It's so easy, it only takes one toe."

Time

I took last Friday off and combined with today's Labor Day celebration I had four straight days off work for the first time in a long time.

Theo, of course, has had a rough few weeks what with a scolding from me, a major fight with Thompson, and all the noise and commotion from the State Fair and the work going on in our basement. He's usually not much of a lap cat- he loves to lie on my chest when I'm lying down watching TV- but he seldom hops up on my lap when I'm sitting down. Well, the past few days he has spent time on my lap as if he needed extra attention from his past few weeks.

I was glad to have the time off and I was even more glad to have some quality time with Theo.

Expenses

The boyz were running low on food so I ran up to the pet store. The final total came to $56. It's rare I spend $56 on my own groceries although to be fair, I tend to make trips to the grocery store on a bi-weekly basis so I buy fewer items per visit.

I bought the boyz two bags of food (one healthy the other what they prefer), a bag of treats, and a scratcher. The scratching pad is made out of a twine like cloth. The base has a place to put a small amount of catnip. It was an immediate hit although Diego began using it as a licker not a scratcher and Theo quickly ripped out a thread. I left the boyz alone with their new scratcher and when I returned they had it tipped over and all the cat nip had been consumed.

Peace in the Valley

Theo and Thompson seem to have put whatever happened last night behind them. They even took a nap together this morning. I'll probably never know what the drama was all about.