I have GOT to get a good picture of the "Maggie flop". She falls over on her side, presents her furry tummy and demands a belly rub. The girlcat is absolutely shameless!! 

The War Queen has been living up to her title this morning. She was out with Skywise. He had her on his shoulder when he spotted a cat that, at first, he thought was the Hearth Queen. It was a huge orange marmalade cat that we have seen a few times. He put the War Queen down -- smart man, my hubby! -- and the other cat came to within 20 feet of them without noticing them. When the Queen was 6 feet away from it and growling, the other cat noticed.    Skywise caught up with them as they were having the traditional "stare down." The other cat didn't know he was there and he spoke loudly to them. The other cat broke the stare down and the Queen leaped to the attack!! She put the intruder to flight and according to the yowls of pain coming from the other cat, she got him good. [We are assuming that it is a tomcat.] Said kitty was last seen in full retreat....

Yes, I do. Thanks. 

Penthesilea wrote on May 21^st, 2007 at 4:15pm:




He doesn't wear it very often since I threatened him with the leash when he's being a pain.....

One of the less attractive aspects of raising a "working" country cat is underway. The War Queen has been bringing home living prey for the Lord of Samhain so he can learn what is "prey" and how to kill it. The Hearth Queen has been showing him the "how" since the Gray Huntress, who passed away nearly 3 years ago, is no longer here to instruct the young ones in the art of the "clean kill."  One of the drawbacks of having a predator as a pet.

I'm used to finding dead things or parts thereof on the front walk. Skywise and the girls still get grossed out though.  I think that the "eating" part is the next lesson.

MoonCat is out in the woods with his Little Lordship and reports, via radio, that he is carrying a chipmunk around by the tail....
HE'S NOT GETTING IN THE HOUSE WITH IT!!!!!

*sigh* Long white kittyfur -- from Maggie's tummy -- and black clothes don't mix...

His Lordship wants out.
He sees the hummingbirds inches from his nose at the feeder outside the front windows.
He's NOT getting out because a.) it is a half hour until sunset and thanks to the cloud cover, it is already dark.
And b.) There is another slow moving line of rain inching its way toward us and I don't want to be hunting his little furry self out in a downpour! The War Queen is already outside but she knows where to go to keep dry. The little boy doesn't and he isn't going to find out today!!


ETA: The War Queen, being a cat of good sense, has appeared at the back door and demanded admittance. I let her in, of course. So now all feline persons are in and all is well....

[We REALLY, REALLY need the "hairraise" smilie!] Last night when I went out to replace the hummingbird feeder, I heard MoonCat having a fit and her tone indicated that something was upsetting her. I went to investigate. I found her in the front yard of the Guest House. His Little Lordship was on the porch roof next to the willow tree. When I arrived the little hairball decided to jump into the tree and hence to the ground. MoonCat then informed me that he had been at the (very high!) peak of the the Guest House roof peering into the unused chimney!  [Again with the "hairraise"] The chimney is as old as the house [nearly 100 years.] and it is very unstable. It should have been capped a couple of decades ago but Mom didn't have the money and neither do we. Hopefully, Bast will tell the little boy that the chimney is not something he wants to explore further!!
Then this morning, he was about 20 feet up in a walnut tree.... [and a threepeat for the hairraise!] 


Post #5,500

Okay, the new virus that the Queens were vaccinated against this morning is Rhinotracheitis-Calici and it apparently began on the West Coast and is moving east. I'm presently looking for a general information link. I do now that it is very contagious. Our vet told us about virologists working with it who, even after thorough cleaning up at work, still took it home and exposed their own cats. When I find the link or links, I'll post them so you cat lovers can check them out.

Yeah, our guys get vaccinated against that---I always use a feline 7-way vaccine when I stick them. We do them every other year since they are indoor cats, and the dog doesn't get exposed. The dog gets a 7-way every year, and *ahem* rabies every two years. A little known fact is that all rabies vaccine mfrs. are required to make rabies vaccines to last a minimum of three years--even if they are labeled for one year boosters only. This is to keep the rabies rate down in feral and dumped animals. Not to mention forgetful or lazy owners. Every time an animal is vaccinated, their immune system is depressed for several months after, and can be subject to other infections/infestations, so I choose to defy state law every other year with the vaccine. I don't feel bad about it because I am not causing any greater risk to my dog or other animals by doing this, but I could get a $50 ticket if caught. LOL

Yes, I vaccinate my animals myself--cheaper than the vet visit--except rabies, which is vet only in our state. I have a deal with a vet friend of mine and she does them cheap for me, all she has to do is stick them with the rabies. Being a vet tech has perks sometimes!

I have way too many interests!


Black Rose

Um, car mechanics, spinning, knitting, embroidery, some sewing, plumbing, leatherwork, high-risk security, I'm an ex-Fed, animal husbandry, computer assembly and maintenance, silversmithing, lapidary cab cutting, simple stone setting, pottery throwing, painting, I used to run distance learning classrooms, I can skin and butcher my own animals for table, decent cook, horsemanship, ice skate, I'm a first class driver, I dunno, I know there's a ton more too. LOL, like I said, too many interests.



Black Rose