Undecided

Diego-san is undecided whether he wants to hear music or not. Probably based on his experience listening to me practice my guitar.

Unmanned Station

Thompson is wondering where the DJ went...

DJ Theo

Rockin da house.

Does Thompson Think This About Me?

Pain in the Neck

I woke up the other morning with a sore neck likely as a result of sleeping in an awkward position. I don't think Diego-san has that issue.

Yoga Boyz

The boyz have started up their own yoga class.

Memorial Day

Diego-san sees that I'm home on a Monday. He wonders if I screwed something up at work and they finally got wise and fired me.

Special Day

Today is 'rest your head in the crook of your arm and look a little forlorn' day.' Oh, and it's also Bob Dylan's birthday.  Happy Birthday Mr. Bob.

Theo Gump

Life is like a box of Theos... You never know what you're gonna get...

The Other Side of the Glass

Often times Diego-san becomes bored of my ridiculous antics and has to recharge by looking out the window.

Sleep Training

I've been a problem sleeper all my life. On my good nights I might get six hours.  Tonight I may have to try sleeping like this. Thompson, after all, is a great sleeper.

Where's the Popcorn?

I found Theo sitting like this.  Five minutes later I looked again and he was still sitting like this.  I think he's watching an imaginary movie.

Vet Day Too

I brought Thompson and Diego-san into the vet for their annual checkups. Thompson has lost over a pound and a half over the past year and now weighs only 7 and a half pounds. At his heaviest he weighed over twelve pounds. I had his kidneys tested again and they turned out normal. His thyroid tested at the upper limit of normal though so he may have more tests.

Diego-san also lost half a pound (he weighs around 11 pounds). The vet asked if there might be any reason for the loss. The only thing I could think of is Diego-san is the most frequent upchucker of the boys.  I'm supposed to monitor that and bring him back in six months...

Thompson was not a happy boy with the adventure. He growled at me nearly the entire time.  Diego-san took a calmer and cooler approach sprawling out on the table when it was his turn and enjoying the attention of the vet tech.

King of the House

Even when tipped over Diego-san expects respect.

Theo's Motto

If you can't join a brother you lick him.

That Time of Year

Theo survived his annual tuneup with the vet.  I was a little afraid that Dr. Julie might make some disparaging remarks about Theo's increased girth. She didn't say much only noting he's gained about half a pound this past year (he now weighs 12.3 pounds for those of you scoring at home). 

Bed Hogs

As the boyz settled on to my bed they were kind enough to let me know there is plenty of room for me to sleep on the floor.

Hmmmm. The Boyz Never Blink at Me

By SUE MANNING Associated Press

LOS ANGELES –When it comes to cats, those meows mean … well, a lot of things. With each purr, yowl or even blink, felines are saying, “Hello,” “Let’s snuggle” or “Beat it, Mom.” For the increasing number of pet owners who want to connect with their often aloof fur babies, experts say there’s something to gain from those attempts at communication.

Cats are very independent, and so they are easily misunderstood, said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA and author of the new National Geographic book “How to Speak Cat.” He aims to unravel the mystery by helping people discern what cats are trying to convey.

Crafty kitties can make 16 different meow sounds and usually only unleash them when people are around, he said. Meows can be their way of saying feed me, pet me or let me out, and hardly ever get exchanged between cats.

That’s because cats learn they can get something desirable from people if they meow, said Dr. Bonnie Beaver, executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and a professor at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She also wrote the 2003 textbook “Feline Behavior.”

The meaning of a scratch or a hiss is pretty clear, but cats can talk in more subtle ways — with their eyes and tails. A slow blink from a feline, for example, is like a wink between friends, Weitzman said. “Blinking is like a kitty kiss,” he said.

And extending their tails straight up equates to a human handshake, he said. A cat perks up that appendage as it approaches to show it’s happy to see you.

Susan McMinn, 55, of Tryon, N.C., was eager to try the slow-blinking exercise with her siamese cat, Jade, after reading the book. “I sat and blinked slowly at my cat, and she blinked right back. I know she loves me, of course, but now I feel I understand her communication even more,” McMinn said.

McMinn has owned Jade for 10 years and has had six cats over her lifetime, but she says it’s clear she still has a lot to learn. “And I thought I was an expert!” she said.

Even ear and whisker movements signify something worth listening to. If a cat’s ears are flat, don’t get close because it’s scared or facing a fight, Weitzman said.

A kitty is happy, calm or friendly when its whiskers are naturally out to the side. Twice as thick as a human hair and rooted three times as deep, the whiskers guide them, help them with prey and show how they are feeling.

Learning to communicate with cats becomes even more important for those who adopt a pet based only on the color or breed they want vs. a connection with the animal.

At Happy Cats Sanctuary in Medford, N.Y., a potential owner might ask for a “white cat with fluffy fur,” said Melissa Cox, director of communications and development.

She tells them not to go by looks alone because the true indicator of compatibility is spending time with a cat and getting to know it.

For McMinn, she says she isn’t done with the book and plans to use some of its training tips. But now she knows “what to look for in her [cat’s] tail and ear movement, whisker positions and in her eyes.”

http://www.startribune.com/what-your-cat-is-telling-you-with-its-blinking/303031961/

Do Not Disturb

Some serious dreaming/twitching going on.

Out of This World Boy

Seriously Diego-san takes relaxing to whole other levels.

Lap Relaxing

If given a choice I'd do this all day long, every day of the week.  I think the boyz might as well...

Alert Level = Medium High

Might that be somebody in the house opening up something food related?  Probably not, food guy firmly underfoot.

Mathematically Handsome

Multi-colored toes = cuteness squared

Our Lil Magician's Assistant

Theo is practicing his sawed in half modeling act.

Fore!

All Diego-san needs is:

1) a putter
2) a little round ball
3) a hole to putt the ball into...

What's That Big Goofy Looking Cat Up to Now?

I often get looks suggesting the boyz are not quite sure what to make of their food guy and his 'eccentric' behaviors.

Party Boy

Thompson is ready to get as wild as need be on this Cinco de Mayo.

Roadies

My roadies are taking a break.

Big Brother Bed

Guess we need a three cat bed rather than a two cat bed...

Shadowy Theo

Usually Theo is quite visible in any room he's in. He usually at the center of any mischief going on in the house.  But to demonstrate his versatility, here he is 'seen' practicing his shadowyness.

Inconspicuous

Diego-san is trying to be as inconspicuous as possible by making himself as small as possible. Unfortunately he has chosen to do this in the middle of the living room in a stream of bright sunshine.