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Memories of Dandelion

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Goodbye Dandelion, Born 3-16-89, Died 5-30-08

The family noticed Dandelion had sores in his mouth and was moving slowly last night so he went to the vet first thing this morning. We knew it was serious because he is 19 years old and everything is serious at that age.

At best, we hoped for just a dental cleaning and antibiotic but he had the worst, a renal failure and even with heroic measures, his life would not be much longer or easier. He passed away today.

Terry says he was the smartest, kindest, most loving cat she ever knew. He would go outside on a leash. He would let children hold him and loved all people. She said he was the closest thing to a brother that her only daughter had in growing up.

When his adopted brother died a few years ago, he never got over it, always looking for him and calling for him at night, though I was a pretty good distraction sometimes.

We are sad, but happy for having shared life and wonders with Dandelion. Dandelion was my hero.

Close Encounter

Last night was scary! Dandelion opened the door and got into the living room when Myst was there. They hate each other! I watched in horrid fascination as they faced off and the screaming began.

Terry was in the next room when she heard Myst's angry scream. She ran to see the two of them about to attack and she grabbed Dandelion and whisked him into the other room. It was a scary experience.

The family had tried everything to get Myst and Dandelion to get along and nothing ever worked so they finally gave up and just try to keep them in different rooms and make them take turns being with the family.

After whisking Dandelion away, Myst walked around the house all tough and defensive and a little puffed out. He got real proud of himself for scaring the "enemy" cat away and was conceited all night! Humpf! After he cooled down a bit, I chased him up and down the hall.

New Favorite Sleeping Place

Wow! This giant housecleaning project is LOADS of fun! They set out a lot of stuff, one of them is a pile of old newspapers. Its my new favorite place to sleep.

Terry came over to find me and here is my head, poking out amidst the stuff. I am perfectly comfortable here although Terry says they are still moving and resorting stuff and it may not stay exactly this way. I have a feeling that there will always be a box of newspapers for me after it is all done.

Catnip in Season

This is a good year for catnip, thus it gets rubbed on our scratching pad and cat poles. This stuff drives me wild. All of us cats love it, but I go the craziest, drooling over it, rolling in it and nipping (though not hard) anyone who comes close to me.

So here I am, having a catnip experience. Life is good.

What are These?

Spring cleaning in the house has found us lots of good things. Myst is not sure what to do with these, although Dandelion and I both know that they make good head rests.

Closets

We love this massive house clean up and rearranging that Terry is doing. We have new floor space and boxes and new hidden closet space to discover. Myst will not let Terry close one of the closet doors cause he likes having a dark place in it. She is not sure if this defeats the purpose of a closet or not.

Of course, that is silly. Closets were made for cats to have secret hiding places and its fulfilling that purpose very well.

Movie Star

I never go into Terry's home office for more than a minute and to do a quick inspection. Not that I don't like it, but I like the master bed better. Its more suited to my high station in life. (Myst is laughing as he reads this over my shoulder.)

Anyway, Terry brought me into the room and SHUT THE DOOR! So I kept busy until she opened it again. Here's the thrilling movie.

Myst This Morning

Here is Myst, the TV star (click here to watch it).

Terry is excited that several of you got to see Myst yesterday live on camera. I find sleep very exciting too and could do it all day (and do).

Terry wishes I would relax in the office, but I do not find it a relaxing place and I do not like being there for the most part. I only come in there to nag her to come out and brush, play or open doors for me.

Myst is on UStream

Since Myst likes to sleep near Terry as she works in the home office, she put a web camera there and pointed it at him. It should run off and on during a U.S. daytime. http://www.ustream.tv/TerryA

Myst went to the vet yesterday and got his annual checkup (all checked out fine). He also got his shots and grooming. It always makes him real drowsy the next day - maybe the stress and all or something they use in the bath, so he mostly sleeps for a day after - which is perfect for the webcam today.

When he got back from the vet, I hissed at him cause he did not smell right. Terry says I am getting crankier these days. Myst thought it was funny and he followed me around and sniffed at me to provoke me to hiss more. Humpf!

Open Door Policy

This door stays open a lot due to our requests. Even if nobody wants to look out, we get offended and run and meow at the door so it stays open all of the day.

Back at Last!

I was so happy yesterday! Richard came home from a long trip to Philadelphia. Although Terry has been brushing me, Richard brushes me lots longer and more thoroughly and I was very happy to see him. I chewed him out for being gone and demanded brushing all night. Myst and Dandelion both wanted brushing, too, but I wanted brushing many times that evening and I told him so.

On the Job

So much packing things into things and out of things and even some things put in the car! This energy from my pet human doing something she calls "spring cleaning" needs lots of supervising and we are on the job!

I Love Boxes - Full or Not

Terry is going through an old box of clothes. Not only was it fun to sit on the box, it was fun to sit in the box. I know this was put here just for me. My humans are so thoughtful.

Suitcase Inspection

Richard was packing a suitcase and Myst came to inspect. It think it looks like a possible new sleeping place with the soft things folded inside.

Terry tells me that much cat fun is coming up tomorrow, that she is "spring cleaning" and we will have lots of fun with boxes. I can't wait!

Hissing

The tiny human was here yesterday. I do not like him. No, he has never pulled my tail nor ever hurt me but he is small, runs and laughs a lot and it scares me. I hissed at him for the first time. I just prefer that he stays out of my way.

This last time, Myst got up real high and gloated because he knew he was safe.

Dandelion gets extra attention in times like this because he loves all humans.

Hope All of You Had a Great Day

Terry says it was a great Mother's Day. She got flowers and chocolate and fantastic photos of Ashton, she says. The house was noisy with Ashton running around. When he is here, its Dandelion's time to be in the spotlight because he is the only one of us who likes to be around small humans.

Happy Mother's Day

Wow, did we have storms last night! Thunder and lightning and heavy rain sounds kept Myst in hiding and I flicked my ears annoyed at it all and Dandelion slept peacefully. Terry was late getting up and looked very tired, still we all wish you a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Smells

My humans like smells, too, except they are pickier about what they want to smell, while I enjoy smelling just about anything. Here I am keeping an eye on things as they mix smells together and doing something they call "cooking."

Its Hard Work

Humans should get 8 hours a day. Lions need 22 hours a day. We housecats need about 14-16 hours a day of sleep. I work very hard at it. Good health is important, you know.

King Myst

Myst spends much of the day observing all of those beneath him. I do not know if it is because he is the smallest that he likes to be the highest or just because its a warm place where he gets constant attention or probably both. Cats rule!

Happiness Is...

Happiness is a warm lap and a human with a brush. Deluxe service, Lucky tells me.

Announcing....

Maggy & Zoey and The Zoolatry Human did it again! Here is another wonderful picture. Thank you so much. We LOVE these.

And this is a good place to announce that Rocky & Lucky are getting a new pet human around mid December. They have a 2 year old boy and his parents, so they will have 4 pet humans.

I have 2 pets myself and they are enough work. I can not imagine trying to manage four of them!

Our congratulations to all and wishes for a safe and successful pregnancy.