Dee is at a training camp and I am now "stuck with the dog" for a little more than two weeks. I feel it is really stuck because she needs attention, exercise, and more attention. Add in the fact the weather has been awful - misty, icy, wet, cold - my feeling of the canine burden is complete.
Daisy is able to be out of her crate more now without danger of relieving herself on the floor. However, she chases the cats and Margeaux teases her which drives her nuts so it is unwise to just let her run wild. I limit her access to rooms by closing doors and using baby gates. I keep her on leash in the house. I say the word "no" a whole lot.
The command "down" gets her to sit and "lay" is the obvious. "Stay" is known but not necessarily respected. It depends on the context. If I say "down" and "stay" on the way into the house, she waits until the word "okay" to enter. So we need to work on down-stay in other locations. I think she anticipates that she's coming in so she obeys that command set. She thinks of stay as a temporary situation. When really - I'd like her to stay for a while.
My m.s. has been acting up this week so I'm not the able-bodied dog-walker. I have been putting her on the treadmill to get some exercise. And - right now - I have this break because she's outside in the fenced yard. Quiet - no rattling about in her kennel, no whining, no hopping all around in this room where I have to make sure she does not rob the litterbox. Yes, she is a turd-burglar. She is a dog and dogs do that kind of stuff. I am taking care of business, doing what needs to be done, and awaiting Dee's return. I'm glad SHE loves having a dog - I guess.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
The Enemy Outside My Door
We feed the stray cats outside our kitchen door at the side of the house. The food was disappearing at an alarming rate. Was it the worms? I always imagine they are full of worms. I didn't know what to think about rate of consumption until one evening when I had daisy in the back yard looking through the fence at the side/kitchen door area and there was a very obese cat - that turned around - to be a raccoon! The bandit was eating the kitten food. It walked up to the fence with no fear. I took Daisy inside and went back out where it was again perched over the catfood bowl. I threw rocks at it until it went away. I'm not going to go hand to claw with a raccoon but I am going to try to keep it away. Dee has gotten a wrist rocket (slingshot) and we pelt the vermin when we can. It seems to have slowed it down.
It climbs the house next door and lives in an eve or attic or some part of the structure. These neighbors know they have raccoons. I'm not at all sure what to do about all that. I do not like these creatures though and do not want them hurting the cats or Daisy, who is outside sometimes too.
I do consider it an enemy though. I've been feeding the cats in the daylight hours and am contemplating the demise of the bandit.
It climbs the house next door and lives in an eve or attic or some part of the structure. These neighbors know they have raccoons. I'm not at all sure what to do about all that. I do not like these creatures though and do not want them hurting the cats or Daisy, who is outside sometimes too.
I do consider it an enemy though. I've been feeding the cats in the daylight hours and am contemplating the demise of the bandit.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Daisy Patrol
Daisy is doing something new.
She is barking a different kind of bark. She is barking an alert. Our neighbor popped up over the fence the other day and said hello. It's a six-foot fence so he was on a ladder. Daisy barked a sharp bark and was very serious. Dee later noted it - and we were glad to hear her bark for a legitimate reason - not a blowing leaf or cat. This evening, I heard someone dragging something in the driveway next door and Daisy barked an alert. She got up on her feet and looked in the direction of the noise. She then wanted to go outside. I took her out. She patrolled the parimeter of the yard and wanted to come back in. I put a leash on her (not unusual when she's in the house). She patrolled the parimeter of the interior as well. Stopping at the front door and waiting before coming back into the den and laying down to chew her bone.
I liked seeing this side of Daisy.
She is growing up and I'm liking her more. I still don't know if I'm cut out to give the amount of attention (and exercise) to an energetic dog, but I'm trying to do my part.
She is walking on the treadmill for about 10 minutes at a time and loves to go for rides. People all remark to us, "I saw you and Daisy..." People around town wave and say, "hi Daisy!" We are really trying to get her to be a good dog, to calm down and to pay attention.
It seems to be working. Our little girl is growing up. Thank goodness! Dee has done a great job with her and I fill in the blanks when Dee is not around.
She is barking a different kind of bark. She is barking an alert. Our neighbor popped up over the fence the other day and said hello. It's a six-foot fence so he was on a ladder. Daisy barked a sharp bark and was very serious. Dee later noted it - and we were glad to hear her bark for a legitimate reason - not a blowing leaf or cat. This evening, I heard someone dragging something in the driveway next door and Daisy barked an alert. She got up on her feet and looked in the direction of the noise. She then wanted to go outside. I took her out. She patrolled the parimeter of the yard and wanted to come back in. I put a leash on her (not unusual when she's in the house). She patrolled the parimeter of the interior as well. Stopping at the front door and waiting before coming back into the den and laying down to chew her bone.
I liked seeing this side of Daisy.
She is growing up and I'm liking her more. I still don't know if I'm cut out to give the amount of attention (and exercise) to an energetic dog, but I'm trying to do my part.
She is walking on the treadmill for about 10 minutes at a time and loves to go for rides. People all remark to us, "I saw you and Daisy..." People around town wave and say, "hi Daisy!" We are really trying to get her to be a good dog, to calm down and to pay attention.
It seems to be working. Our little girl is growing up. Thank goodness! Dee has done a great job with her and I fill in the blanks when Dee is not around.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
I'm not going to look!
I heard Vegas squeaking on the window with her front paws (she's front declawed) so looked out the front door which has sections of glass so you see the world faceted. I opened that door to the glass door and I swear I gray kitten just ran away. I don't want to know there is a kitten out there - perhaps a hungry, cold, abandoned kitten. It breaks my heart. It ran around the corner and I'm not going to look for it. I can't. We can't take in every cat. There's food and water out there for them. There basic shelter. It infuriates me that people are so terrible - to let cats breed and just have kittens - no thought to the fact that they are going to need care... *shaking head* There's nothing to say... it's just sad.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Snakes in a Peanut Can
Dee lifted the blanket off the crate and let Daisy out. She jumped back, "Oh my god!" This isn't very Dee-like. She's a paramedic with years of military experience and doesn't rile easily. I'm immediately curious and anxious. I'm the jumpy one. Margeaux had just walked out of Daisy's crate. Daisy followed. I was incredulous. How did it happen? Was she okay? WHY?! Tell me WHY!???
Dee recounted how when she went to put Daisy in her crate that she stood in the doorway and didn't want to go in and it took a nudge to get her inside. She put the blanket down (like on a canary cage) and left for a little while. When the crate-front is open, the cats will taunt the dog and it just helps her to calm down. Dee peeked in later and Daisy was asleep. I suppose Margeaux was too. When the crate was opened, Margeaux dominantly sauntered out, her hair matted from dog-tongue in a little gray ridge down her back. She looked at Dee as if to say, "whatchoo lookin' at, meatbag?" She has no problems expressing her opinion.
I was glad Daisy hadn't killed the crazy cat. We laughed that they took a nap together and it further convinced me that Margeaux is the instigator. We know it's true.
Dee recounted how when she went to put Daisy in her crate that she stood in the doorway and didn't want to go in and it took a nudge to get her inside. She put the blanket down (like on a canary cage) and left for a little while. When the crate-front is open, the cats will taunt the dog and it just helps her to calm down. Dee peeked in later and Daisy was asleep. I suppose Margeaux was too. When the crate was opened, Margeaux dominantly sauntered out, her hair matted from dog-tongue in a little gray ridge down her back. She looked at Dee as if to say, "whatchoo lookin' at, meatbag?" She has no problems expressing her opinion.
I was glad Daisy hadn't killed the crazy cat. We laughed that they took a nap together and it further convinced me that Margeaux is the instigator. We know it's true.
Margeaux my love, Margeaux the worst cat ever
Margeaux is still young and kittenish in many ways. I love her so very much. She craves being held and often demands attention. When I'm at my computer she stands on the desk and paddypaws my clavicle or nudges me with her head. She purrs. She'll sit on me and rub against me. She sleeps by my head or belly. I want to be mad when she wakes me up paddypawing my face but she is so cute. I remember when she weighed 4 ounces, near death, and was a good little sport about it (except for the sulfur bath scrubs for ringworm). She sometimes still stands on her hind legs and does "jazz hands". She is hilarious.
She makes noises whenever she approaches and while running around the house. We talk to the cats and I've especially talked to Vegas and now Margeaux. It seems to encourage them to vocalize. Vegas yells her mews - "hey - meeee - I'm here - pay attention!" and she'll go on if I verbally respond. Margeaux's meow is still small, sometimes a silent opening of the mouth but she has a little whiny sound she makes quite often. She also demands attention with her words. Sometimes she'll whimper and cry in her sleep. It makes me want to weep for whatever sadness she is dreaming. She follows me around meowing and I adore her! But she has a dark side... the bully still exists!
She resembles but is legally distinct from Little Sparta in the Mean Kitty Song. If you go watch this catchy little ditty and are curious - when the song is at 38 seconds, 54 seconds and 1 minute 45 seconds there is Margeaux. We even call her "Little Sparta" sometimes. She's a bit of a biter. Always has been - little needle teeth when she was little and now bigger needle teeth! Daisy was sitting on the den sofa with us and Margeaux was running around near us but not close enough to be caught by the dog. She came prowling and bit my Achilles tendon from under the couch and withdrew. Shocking! She didn't break the skin - never does - just uses it for shock value I think.
She stalks the dinner table or any other food we might be eating. Breakfast of bacon and eggs is always a delight with Margeaux swaggering up to us confidently over and over again across the breakfast bar. Sometimes we lock her in the "cat apartment", the den. It doesn't have a cat door. If we do that, she cries loudly for release and doesn't stop until the door is opened. The cat apartment is also used for our escape. If we're going to watch a movie or video in the den, we set up the TV trays and bring in the things that cats don't want like salad or beer. Then we bring in our plates, walking quickly to get in the room and shut the door. Sometimes a cat gets through and then we have to pursue the uninvited guest and slip her out the door. Margeaux and Vegas are the ones who interrupt dinner. Vegas finds that a lap is more comfortable when one is having dinner and Margeaux wants that dinner!
She flirts with disaster with Daisy - taunting her. Daisy will pursue her and mouth her and Margeaux will hiss and whimper - ears back. But she turns belly up to the dog and makes sure she comes near enough to be caught. It worries us but she is the one tormenting Daisy - and Daisy is a DOG so she's dumb in that dog way. We watch them and sometimes pull the dog back so the cat can get away. Sometimes she leaves, but other times she stays. She bites Daisy on the face and paws. It generally creates chaos in the house.
Poor Laura Ingalls doesn't know how to play like other cats and Margeaux takes full advantage of her ignorance. She pursues Laura all over the house, displacing her from her normal spot on the bed and chasing her relentlessly. Laura will hiss and growl and swat at Margeaux who is unphased. Laura is normally content to lounge all day, maybe walk around a little and try to be held. She just doesn't play. Margeaux's goal is to teach Laura the fine art of playing like a cat.
I have to watch where I put things, Margeaux will rip up papers, book corners and wrappers. Yesterday, she tried to bite into the broccoli crowns. That cat doesn't want to eat broccoli! When my mom and dad visited, Dee prepared a charming little basket with mugs, tea and coffee, and a couple large Dove chocolate bars. Before the basket was assembled, Margeaux bit into the wrapper of the candy bar. We mended it the best we could but had to explain why the corner was exposed.
She gets into the dishwasher, far enough back that she's unreachable. Any cabinet opened might invite her in. Closets trap her. Then a a little while later we hear the "trapped cat cry". Indignant, she pops out of the offending incarceration but she hasn't learned yet.
I hope this is a phase and she will grow out of some of her craziness. Dee says Margeaux is the worst cat ever. She also says she really means it! This is something because Dee is a bit of a cat lady and has known many cats, both domestic and feral. I don't know if she really IS the worst cat but she is a nut.
She makes noises whenever she approaches and while running around the house. We talk to the cats and I've especially talked to Vegas and now Margeaux. It seems to encourage them to vocalize. Vegas yells her mews - "hey - meeee - I'm here - pay attention!" and she'll go on if I verbally respond. Margeaux's meow is still small, sometimes a silent opening of the mouth but she has a little whiny sound she makes quite often. She also demands attention with her words. Sometimes she'll whimper and cry in her sleep. It makes me want to weep for whatever sadness she is dreaming. She follows me around meowing and I adore her! But she has a dark side... the bully still exists!
She resembles but is legally distinct from Little Sparta in the Mean Kitty Song. If you go watch this catchy little ditty and are curious - when the song is at 38 seconds, 54 seconds and 1 minute 45 seconds there is Margeaux. We even call her "Little Sparta" sometimes. She's a bit of a biter. Always has been - little needle teeth when she was little and now bigger needle teeth! Daisy was sitting on the den sofa with us and Margeaux was running around near us but not close enough to be caught by the dog. She came prowling and bit my Achilles tendon from under the couch and withdrew. Shocking! She didn't break the skin - never does - just uses it for shock value I think.
She stalks the dinner table or any other food we might be eating. Breakfast of bacon and eggs is always a delight with Margeaux swaggering up to us confidently over and over again across the breakfast bar. Sometimes we lock her in the "cat apartment", the den. It doesn't have a cat door. If we do that, she cries loudly for release and doesn't stop until the door is opened. The cat apartment is also used for our escape. If we're going to watch a movie or video in the den, we set up the TV trays and bring in the things that cats don't want like salad or beer. Then we bring in our plates, walking quickly to get in the room and shut the door. Sometimes a cat gets through and then we have to pursue the uninvited guest and slip her out the door. Margeaux and Vegas are the ones who interrupt dinner. Vegas finds that a lap is more comfortable when one is having dinner and Margeaux wants that dinner!
She flirts with disaster with Daisy - taunting her. Daisy will pursue her and mouth her and Margeaux will hiss and whimper - ears back. But she turns belly up to the dog and makes sure she comes near enough to be caught. It worries us but she is the one tormenting Daisy - and Daisy is a DOG so she's dumb in that dog way. We watch them and sometimes pull the dog back so the cat can get away. Sometimes she leaves, but other times she stays. She bites Daisy on the face and paws. It generally creates chaos in the house.
Poor Laura Ingalls doesn't know how to play like other cats and Margeaux takes full advantage of her ignorance. She pursues Laura all over the house, displacing her from her normal spot on the bed and chasing her relentlessly. Laura will hiss and growl and swat at Margeaux who is unphased. Laura is normally content to lounge all day, maybe walk around a little and try to be held. She just doesn't play. Margeaux's goal is to teach Laura the fine art of playing like a cat.
I have to watch where I put things, Margeaux will rip up papers, book corners and wrappers. Yesterday, she tried to bite into the broccoli crowns. That cat doesn't want to eat broccoli! When my mom and dad visited, Dee prepared a charming little basket with mugs, tea and coffee, and a couple large Dove chocolate bars. Before the basket was assembled, Margeaux bit into the wrapper of the candy bar. We mended it the best we could but had to explain why the corner was exposed.
She gets into the dishwasher, far enough back that she's unreachable. Any cabinet opened might invite her in. Closets trap her. Then a a little while later we hear the "trapped cat cry". Indignant, she pops out of the offending incarceration but she hasn't learned yet.
I hope this is a phase and she will grow out of some of her craziness. Dee says Margeaux is the worst cat ever. She also says she really means it! This is something because Dee is a bit of a cat lady and has known many cats, both domestic and feral. I don't know if she really IS the worst cat but she is a nut.
Caulking with Cats
Today, although it is a bit too cool for excellent caulking, I finished the caulking that I started. We've moved the feral cats' bowls to the side of the house and their food bowl was empty. I filled it as I went outside to finish caulking. So here comes Stumpy, trying to get in the house every time I go in or out. Mae West isn't limping as badly but when she stands still, you can see that her front arm is healed poorly. It's sad. Berkely came through and actually almost sprung into the house once when I was going inside. That would be a mess! That cat is very feral and won't allow an approach - what in the world would she do once inside the house?!
So I caulked - I finished the unfinished and went over the finished to make it look better. Between the front porch tiles and sidewalk there is rubbery old caulk which I pulled up and NO MORE GREAT STUFF - it's sticky and unpredictable (and I'm a poor technician). I put backer rod in the gap. Now I don't have caulk for that area and will research low temperature caulk to see if I can finish the job. It's getting in the 60s in the day time but the 30s at night.
The cats worried me, walking close to the caulk but so far they didn't get any on them (or I guess I'll see big white footprints).
So I caulked - I finished the unfinished and went over the finished to make it look better. Between the front porch tiles and sidewalk there is rubbery old caulk which I pulled up and NO MORE GREAT STUFF - it's sticky and unpredictable (and I'm a poor technician). I put backer rod in the gap. Now I don't have caulk for that area and will research low temperature caulk to see if I can finish the job. It's getting in the 60s in the day time but the 30s at night.
The cats worried me, walking close to the caulk but so far they didn't get any on them (or I guess I'll see big white footprints).
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