Come meet the family

On June 2, 2023May 30, 2023 By CarynIn Cats, dog

It didn’t take long before we moved the gate to the bottom of the stairs and let Thor the kitten come see the rest of the fuzzy family. The gate means he has a safe space to go when the dogs are too much, and keeps the dogs out of his food and litter upstairs.

The stairs were a non-issue, which is a big difference between cats and dogs. As a puppy, it took Missy longer to learn to navigate stairs. Thor had no issues.

While Thor is exploring, we have the dogs lay down and wait, so they don’t overwhelm the kitten. We’ve also been letting the the old dog, Griffin, go lay in his bed in the other room with the door closed, which doesn’t bother him at all.

Our older female cats are on a temporary truce while they assess the new situation. Missy the dog sniffing noses with Sophie the cat is not unusual, but that Izzy is in close proximity without hissing is an occasion to mark. Mostly they go where the kitten can’t find them.

Missy the dog has had the most interaction with the kitten, and it is amusing to watch them try to figure out play signals between species. Here is a video of Thor watching Missy play ball. Missy has learned to back off when Thor hisses, which makes Thor quite bold.

We made a fuzzy blanket bed on the top of a couch, which is an spot neither older cat has claimed. Thor feels safe up there, enough to nap. All this meet and greet is exhausting.

Shorn

On May 19, 2023 By CarynIn dog

Summer do time for the dogs! I usually just shave their backs for temperature sake, but Griffin’s hair was starting to form dreds, and Missy’s was getting long and scraggly, so this time I shaved them down to the toes. (I did leave their tail hair, because it was the only place that was matt free.)

I trimmed close around their faces too, just not as close as their bodies. This helped even out Griffin’s eyebrows, as he had to have a stye removed recently and the vet shaved his eyebrow for the surgery. I’m definitely not a professional groomer, but they are much happier without their winter coats as summer temps are setting in. I do recommend getting a good quality trimmer if you’re going to do your own grooming, definitely worth the investment.

Happy cat

On May 4, 2023May 3, 2023 By CarynIn Cats, dog

I threw a couple fuzzy blankets onto my chair as I was picking up, and Izzy took it as an invitation to settle in. She is particularly pleased because she won the spot battle and over Missy the dog, who has decided a cushy blanket on my chair is The Place To Be.

So in the nap spot wars, may the fourth be with you.

Tooth hook

On March 19, 2023 By CarynIn dog

Our dog Missy likes to play fetch. Well, “like” doesn’t really cover it, “obsessed” is a better term. It may seem like I took the photo below just as the ball slipped from her mouth, but no, she carries these Holy Roller balls by hooking it on one tooth. All the better to pant with my dear.

Missy with a ball hanging from her bottom tooth

She has four of these balls, all different colors, because they are easy to throw and don’t hurt when someone misses and hits someone else. They are also much, much less gooey than tennis balls after a couple rounds of fetch.

Feet are free

On March 11, 2023 By CarynIn Craft, dog

I’ve started a new crochet project. I’m using up yarn from my stash to make what I hope will be a 1960s style duster length vest. We’ll see how much yarn I have. Since the piece is worked from the bottom up, I figure I can keep working until I’m almost out of yarn, then finish the arm holes. At that point I should know about how much yarn that will take. I’m working from a vintage 1969 pattern, and as per my standard method, I’ve deviated. It is an easy thing to pick up and put down, so makes an ideal chair project. I just have to count to five (5 chain stitches to create the net lace). Missy the dog noticed that even though my hands are busy, my feet are free. Good thing that I can kick the ball and still count.

Missy presenting her ball for a kick while I crochet

Critters and Craft

Category: dog