COMPANY CAME, SAW, AND PLAYED WITH ME

Doc is only 2 months old, but he's already a handful for his handler. He'll be living inside the gift shop until he's about four months old, then he'll move outdoors.











The nieces, Val and Maddi pose with a carved bear dressed for St. Patrick's Day at Bearizona.







I've been so lazy since all our company left that I haven't posted lately. Let me tell you, I had a blast entertaining everyone. First, Julie from North Dakota visited me, and I remembered that she was the one who talked my people into taking me in when I was freezing in the RV park because my former owners had abandoned me. I snuggled up close to her in bed thinking she might take me to see Dixie, the big old doggie I fell in love with in the park, and Roger.

Then my people's nieces came to visit, and I fell in love with them. Maddi, the 9-year old played with me constantly. We played with feathers and balls and squeaky toys. I did flips, rolls, and climbed atop my kitty condo so I could commune with her eyeball to eyeball. I'm in love (sigh).

The folks were gone lots, and I heard about the 2-month old bear cub that they visited at Bearizona named Doc. Supposedly, he looked a lot like me except for his long snout. Just about my size, too. I would have loved to see him and his little playmate. He made funny noises and fussed about being taken out of his incubator, then climbed all over his playmate and fussed when he was put back. A picture of him is above. What I wouldn't have given to have a romp with him, but I hear he had long claws. I wouldn't have wanted to make him mad!

The folks also went to the Grand Canyon, but it wasn't ideal weather and was packed with people because of spring break. I wouldn't have cared for the cool air up there, or the crowds.

Of course while company was here, everyone went out to eat -- lots. That was no fun for me since they came home reeking of good food, but I did love all the attention when they got home.

My auntie and uncle from California also came to visit--the ones with the big house. Of course, I loved seeing them but they didn't stay long enough, then my people's friends from Washington came down. Luckily, they came when the weather turned cold and damp so they would feel right at home. They don't care for warm sunshine like we usually have.

I have a feeling this joint won't be quite so lively after hot weather blows in. People always think it's really hot here in the summertime, but it's not bad. Only for a month, maybe, until the monsoons blow through in the afternoons and cool it down. I'm happy to stay put for now and enjoy the weather but the folks are threatening to take me to Arkansas sometime this summer. Now it really does get hot and sticky there. At least, we never have sticky here.

Till next time, purr-r-r-r.

All dressed up in my Christmas finery to help decorate the tree. Here I'm checking to see how it looks.

A New Year, but the Same Old Me Being Me

My goodness, has it been a couple of months or more since I posted? I've been busy being me.

I made two trips to California on Thanksgiving weekend then again on the following weekend. My human aunties were having health issues and one of my human uncles was just recuperating, so I went there to cheer them up. Got to stay in a bustling hotel in Los Angeles for a few days while my people spent time at the hospital. I wish they would have showed me how to call room service! I could have used some nice smelly food while they were off visiting and eating. Yeah, I could smell it on their breaths when they came back to the hotel. They had been stuffing their faces again, and all they had to offer me was my canned and dry food. Oh well, I've never turned food down except when I was sick, so I happily ate what they gave me.

Traffic was horrendous in LA! All the cussing--I had to cover my delicate little ears. At least I could get wa-a-a--y in the back of our van and hide in my crate.

Then when we got home, it was time to put up the Christmas tree. I loved it, and I even helped decorate. My she-person unrolled ribbon to wrap around the tree and I kept the roller in my paws while she switched sides to decorate. That was so much fun. And then I had fun hiding under the tree and jumping out whenever my people walked by (LOL). Okay, I don't really laugh, I just run and romp gleefully whenever I manage to startle them.

Things sure slowed down after Christmas. It got really cold at night, and there was a coating of ice on my fish pond, so I can't even enjoy looking at that anymore. The fish are sleeping beneath the ice, I guess, although one had disappeared when we got back from CA. Don't know where it went. We still have three, I guess, although who knows since they're hiding out under the ice?

The weather has returned to Arizona gorgeous, but the nights are still cold. B-r-r-r-r. I like to lie by the patio door at night and watch the comings and goings of the night visitors. We had a big fat squirrel running back and forth for awhile, but he seems to have moved on. My he-p. put some nuts out, but apparently sir-squirrel had never seen nuts in the shell because he just ignored them. But then, he was fat enough already. Or should I say, pleasantly plump like me?

Happy New Year's to all my friends. We're expecting lots of visitors this spring, so I'll keep busy entertaining them. Even the sweet lady who rescued me for my people when I was running loose in the RV park is coming to see me. Yippee! I can't wait to show her how much I've grown.

HALLOWEEN AGAIN, AND I'M STILL ALIVE!

Here it is near the end of October, with Halloween only a few days away. My she-p is giving me that come-hither look, like she wants to do something disgusting to me to celebrate the day. I've seen that little tiny orange crown of pumpkins she brought home from a party, and I suspect it's for me since it's about the right size for my head. If she manages to get it settled atop my handsome brow and gets a picture of it, I'll post it here. Don't hold your breath, though. I'm quicker that she is, and twice as clever. And always glad to report I'm still alive!

Two of my fish have died, but the others are turning into giant fish. That's four that still swim the little pond and keep me entertained. There are two orange ones, a blue and orange one and a white one with a gray back. Don't know what they are, but they're some kind of fish, and they sure look tasty.

Not much goin' on around here these days. We were taking a trip to Utah, but guess that's on hold for now since I haven't seen any bags packed and waiting by the door. Oh well. Guess I'll have to content myself to staying home for awhile. It's not so bad, though, because sometimes we have company that comes and pats my head and massages my lovely back. U-m-m-m. It feels so good to be a much-loved (and admired) pussycat.

Gotta' go now. Nap time - purr-r-r-r.

DODGING FALLING PEOPLE

Let me tell you, it has been fun times at the OK Corral lately! And frankly, just as scary. My she-person has been sort of out of it because of some medication she was on. My he-p had to help her walk, that's how bad she was. She finally got a little better, then one day decided to take a flying leap across the floor, then slid into a piece of furniture head-first. Believe me, I scooted out of sight. I didn't know if she was aiming for me or not, but I wasn't taking any chances. My precious little furry body is much too valuable to have broken by the likes of her landing on top of me.

Then her face turned a sickly yellow and both eyes got black. I couldn't even look at her. Looked like a raccoon running loose in my house.

Things are finally getting back to normal, although her eyes still don't look right.

My fish pond has been a source of contentment for me because I can climb up in a window where I'm safe from falling she-ps. My fish are growing, all six of them, and they're so much fun to watch as they swim around, chasing each other. When my he-p goes out to feed them, they now rush up to meet him instead of hiding out until he's gone. I don't guess they've spotted me yet. I could give them a good scare if I walked up to the edge of the pond, but then I'm too scared of water to go near. I'll keep watching from the safety of my window, thank you.

One night we looked out and saw some kind of animal skulking around the edge of the pond, but I scared it away. Kind of looked like a hungry little kitty, but who knows. It was dark. If any animal gets to catch those fish, I want it to be me-me-me.

Gotta run now. The Direct TV guy is here and I need to supervise.

Purr-r-r-r.

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE IN SMALL TOWN, AZ

Another fine day here in the Southwest. This morning when my she-person got up, I was lying by my he-person on the couch soaking up his adoration. She didn't even speak to me as she waltzed into the living room; she just went straight to the kitchen to get some breakfast. Well, I was having none of that! I ran as fast as I could to get to the kitchen before she did so I could be greeted properly.

She bent down to pet me, then I quickly scrambled to finish my leftover food from last night so she would have to feed me, too, before she left the kitchen. Listen, I've learned that in this household, you have to meet opportunity head-on. Crash into it, if you have to!

Last week, or maybe it was the week before, my human auntie and uncle from California came over to visit. I love having visitors. They reminded me of the green plants at their house, and I realized my she-person had brought in a green plant home a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't real, but hey, I could pretend it was. So, even though I had tasted it before and found it to be lacking in reality, I made it a regular habit to sneak up on it and try to chew the silk and plastic leaves just so my auntie would notice me. Some of the leaves look like grass, but they're really not that tasty. Shucks, everyone just fussed at me and chased me away.

I love having company. Just a few minutes ago I was snoozing under the bed when I heard a knock on the door. I was out from under that bed and into the living room before my he-person, who was sitting nearby, could get there. I am not intentionally skipping any chances to be admired by anyone who might be packing treats or pats on the head.

I'm looking forward to taking another trip soon. Don't know yet if we're heading west or north, but I can't wait. I fell in love with hotel living on our last trip because I had new territory to explore almost every day. I don't know how those homebody kitties can stand being cooped up in one place all the time. I gotta' roam! Maybe I'll even get to go see my aunties and uncles in California again. They're so much fun! I think they and my people used to be a wild bunch, but they're all pretty tame now. I wouldn't mention it out loud, but it might have something to do with age...

I'm not getting any younger, either, so guess I'd better go get some beauty rest. It never hurts, even though I'm beautiful in spite of everything.

Home at last!

I have my eye on my California auntie's house plant. As soon as my people leave the room, I plan to mow it down. Notice the gleam in my eye!

After arriving at home, I quickly settled into my regular routine. However, my people decided I needed more stimulation, so my he-p rushed out and bought three Koi fish to put in my pond along with the surviving two gold fish (well, one is black). The little bitty orange one fell in love with one of the big Koi fish and wouldn't leave it alone! Boy did I have a great time watching them chase around the pond.

Then my people went out and bought some plants to put in the pond. It's a whole new world out there now, and the fish swim around and under the plants. What fun it is to watch them and pretend I'm stalking them. Too bad I can't get out there to try my hand at fishing, but if that pump and fountain was to come on while I was at the edge, I'd be into the next county before my people could blink their eyes. That fountain startles me even if I'm only lying on the window sill looking out. Inky does not like water! Maybe my she-p will post some pictures of the pond when she gets flowers planted around it. She planted some, but they didn't survive the heat for even 24 hours.

I've located all my toys now and have dragged every one of them into the middle of the floor where I can find them easily. I was kinda pooped for the first few days after we got home, like my people, but I can't wait to go on another traveling adventure. This trip was just too fast to suit me or my she-p, but that's the way it had to be. They couldn't even stop off to visit friends and show me off because we had to hurry and get back home. I do love being shown off, and always make sure everyone notices me whether they want to or not. Heck, I'm so handsome, how can they resist me. I even won my grandma over a little bit.

My she-p wasn't able to post the picture of me on my California auntie and uncle's hearth with the previous post, so sorry it wasn't there. Here it is, a little late but still me. Ain't it wondrous how pictures capture me in all my splendor?