There Is Always Somebody

There is always somebody that has to be difficult. Its true with people in general, its true with kids, and its true with pets.

As I posted last week, the dogs did pretty well in the house last week. We did find a few Libby holes in the blankets when we washed them, but they weren't bad ones, and considering that I wasn't expecting to be able to use the blankets again at all, I'll take a few small holes.

The cats on the other hand, were not at all thrilled about the dogs spending so much extra time in the house. Again I was proud of the dogs. They could have taken up the chase at least once every time they came in. I only had to tell Meeko “no” one time.  Still the cats all acted like they had to run everywhere they went, as if the dogs might jump out at them any time. They kept doing it, even when I put the dogs back outside.

They did have reasons to feel put out. The litter box from the bathroom was moved to the hall, and they were locked out of the warmest room in the house. Bookworm lost her spot in the sink, and went back to Katherine's room. Marshmallow has moved back to our bed. Adora has hijacked the wood pile.

Then there is Captain. As I wrote a few weeks ago, Captain has moved into my office. My office is only about 5x8 and is crammed full of stuff. The stuffing has only become worse as I try to do post Christmas cleaning.  You know how cats are about piles of stuff. If they can't lay on it, they will “fix” it so they can.

Her favorite place to sleep is my chair, but when I come in she always jumps up on the table directly on top of whatever I next to the lap top, which is where I keep the things I need to be working on. So we play this game every time, about forty times a day. I push her down. A few minutes later, she either comes back to the same exact spot and tries to nuzzle on me, jumps on the back of my chair and tries to eat my hair, or gets under the desk and starts digging around. I wasn't worried to much about the last one until I actually saw what she was doing. I had a big shopping bag full of receipts. You will note, I said “had”.

Here is a video Katherine made one day last week. Its a little long, but I don't have the right editing software on my computer to shorten it.  Just keep in mind, the recording was made by a 13-year-old, and the camera “wanders” a few times.

She mentions Captain “eating” my phone. I'll have to see if I can find that video. Here it is. Katherine had it on her Youtube channel.

Right now, we're having much nicer weather, and all the animals are enjoying some extra time outside.
We are too!

Until next time,

Connie

Surprised and Proud

According to a friend's facebook post, were were "colder than Barlow Alaska" this morning. Our overnight low temp was about 9 below with wind chills pushing 30 below. Not normal for west-central Missouri. Although the dog house is extremely sheltered, and full of straw, we still thought it best to bring the dogs in last night.

We decided the bathroom was probably the best place, so we set about dog-proofing. We removed the dirty clothes basket, the trash, the toilet paper, the shower curtain, and all reachable towels and wash rags. We took in food, water, toys and two blankets.

"You aren't expecting to get those blankets back, are you?" Ed asked me. No, I wasn't. Thats why I chose those blankets.

Finally, it was time to bring them in. You will remember the dogs get bathed in the shower, which is in the bathroom...

Finally, after some pushing, pulling, blocking, and tackling, we got them both shut in the bathroom. It was quiet. Probably twenty minutes later, Katherine says those dreaded words: "Mom, I have to go to the bathroom." Well, it was bound to happen, it was just a matter of when and whom. "Ok," I said, "let's go."
We unhooked the door and Katherine slipped through, toilet paper in hand, and I shut the door behind her. There were a few shrieks, and the sound of the dogs wrestling between themselves, but she was back out in a minute.

I let them out to go relieve themselves before I went to bed, and getting them back in was a little easier. Ed did the same when he got up for work, and I again when I got up this morning.  Of course, I was expected a very messy bathroom. Was I surprised!

The blankets were still intact, and there was no sign of any pee or poop anywhere in the bathroom! Meeko did decide to mark the bathroom trash on his way through once, but that was all it was; a mark. He can pee gallons when he wants to!

We've let them in and out a few times today, and plan on bringing them back in overnight tonight, but with a lot less stress. Still not brave enough to put everything back in there though.

Libby Loves Straw

With the temps plunging over the next few days, we decided it was a good time to give the dogs some fresh straw. Within a few days, Libby will have it all "rearranged" to suit her.

The weather people are predicting some extemely cold temps for us over the next few days. We have already decided to bring the dogs in if it gets as cold as they are saying. We are just trying to figure out where to put them.

If your weather is anything like ours, please take care of your outside pets!