BREAKING OLD HABITS

Being a cat owner ... ah ... make that a "cat home provider", is probably a good match-up between me, Precious, Nibblets & THE WOBBLER. We all seem to have our own unique habits, likes & dislikes, & in many cases, daily situations we repeat.

"The Girls" all have favorite places within the house where they like to relax -- Precious in one of the office chairs, the other two cats like the living room chair (But, will "battle" over who got there first.).

When it comes to feeding time, Precious will share a large plate of food with Nibblets. They eat on the side porch. Wobs however, will only eat by herself, from her own dish, on the kitchen floor.

Sometimes -- maybe to mess with my head, or maybe they are just being cats -- they will deviate from a "routine" & find a new way to do something, or a new place to park themselves.

After at least a year of always being found snoozing in "her chair" at my desk, [I've had to move the other chair from the computer each time I have needed to sit at the desk.] Precious -- for the past 6-8 weeks -- has moved to a new favorite location.

Precious can now be found in the old empty 55 gallon, metal framed, slate bottom aquarium, which is on a stand on the enclosed side porch. Yes, she enters & exits on her own, regardless of what I may have written about in the past.

[NOTE: This aquarium is "vintage". They don't construct them this way anymore. I've had it for years & it was a major reason my one & only marriage ended & I got divorced. But, that's a story for another time & post.]

Many times, day or night, Precious can be found stretched out napping, or just sitting in the aquarium, looking contented. This is her new "relaxing place" ... [with an homage to Uncle Remus.]

Like my cats, I too am a creature of habits. Especially the first few hours each morning.

I like to get out of bed, make it up quickly, check & refill the cat's water bowl, at the same time I heat some H2O for a cup of instant coffee. [No coffee makers for me.] I also "sift" the litter box & get the computer turned on. If I am hustling & "on time", I get everything done just as the H2O boils & I can make my one cup of (instant) coffee.

I have other "habits" for my morning hours, all up to & including my morning walk/jog. If everything doesn't go as "scheduled" -- starting with the first task, making the bed -- I get caught off guard & out of kilter.

Yes, I know my habits are a form of self-induced stress & something I need to correct about myself. However, it looks as if others are taking the initiative in helping me change my ways.

Most days now, one or more cats, is staying on/in bed, refusing to get out/off the bed, so that I can make up the bed ... my first of many activities for the morning. It has thrown me "off schedule", but it has also made me realize how much I can get caught up in running around trying to do too much, too soon in the day. All old (bad) habits.

This A.M., there was an un-made bed in this house until 9:30, when Precious & Nibblets (above) FINALLY got off the bed.

I GUESS I'VE DONE MY PART

I have written several posts this year dealing with turtles; those in my collection & some I have "met" -- as they crossed local roads I was on, or, in some cases, as they came walking through my yard.

I have had interaction & "yard action" with very large (& small) Snapping turtles, tiny baby turtles, Box turtles & quite a few of the most common turtle in the world -- the Red Eared Slider, so named due to the prominent red stripes on the sides of the turtles head & neck.

As I documented in my post of April 25th of this year, I found a female Red Eared Slider nesting on my South property. I marked the area she was in & returned the next day to find & dig up the nest. My post documenting the turtle's nest & the eleven eggs retrieved was titled "She Did Her Part".

The eggs, when dug up, were buried in a concoction of H2O & vermiculite, in a container, which I stored in the cupboard above my kitchen sink. With the light under the cupboard, the heat produced by the 24/7 light radiates warmth to act as an incubator. I use this system for all the reptile eggs produced by my gecko collection as well as turtle eggs.

With an average incubation range of 60 days, last week I began to check the container of eggs several times a day looking for the first signs of the baby turtles hatching.

The usual "indicators" of impending hatching will be for the eggs to swell a bit, appear to be not as tightly packed in the nesting material (as if the eggs are moving), & for cracks or "splits" to start appearing in the eggs.

This weekend -- right on schedule -- I began to see the results of my two month wait.

In the above photo, one baby is almost free of it's shell, while another turtle, in the second row of eggs, has a foot & leg making it's way free of the shell.

The hatching of a nest of turtles is usually a several day event, with most of the activity showing in my photos actually taking place down in the nest, buried in the ground. Not only do the baby turtles have to emerge from the eggs, but in nature, they then have to dig out of the ground as well. Many never make it & their birthing nest is then their burial chamber.

As the turtles hatch & complete the job of removing themselves from their eggs, I transfer each one to a small plastic cup -- kat fud came in the cups -- with wet paper towels. The smaller containers are then placed in a larger plastic tray -- a former litter box [Cat's have a vital role in this household.] & covered with a large dish towel. They will be transferred to a container with H2O when the remainder of the egg yokes -- still partially visible when they hatch -- is absorbed by the turtles.

I'll keep the 11 turtles -- 100% hatch rate !!! -- for a month or two, getting them "head-started", & then will release them in the local creek, where all my other turtle releases happen.

With the HOT/DRY weather we are having, along with the hard, sun-baked soil/dirt, even if these turtles had hatched in their original nest location in the yard, I sincerely doubt any would have survived, either in the nest, or, if they could have dug out of the ground.

The mother Red Eared Slider "... did her part". Now, I've done my part, helping these little green turtles get a start on life.

THE H.O.M.

This post will be a bit different than the "usual ... unusual" entries I make. I've done some pasting from other sources of information on one of my favorite places -- The House of Mews, in Memphis, Tennessee.

The H.O.M. is a no-kill cat sanctuary which has struggled for several years. The major problems are typical of such an non-profit endeavor -- the economy & too many cats needing forever homes.

Whenever I go to Memphis, I try to visit the the facility -- located in the Cooper-Young District -- & take with me a case of kat fud for all the little fellas & girls.

Entering the store front, everyone is always greeted by friendly faces who are glad to see visitors & welcome them to their (hopefully) "temporary home". Sadly, every time I visit, I find one or more kitties I would love to take back to Arkansas with me. But, with three girls of my own, I am probably maxed out on cats at this point. [Probably ... "maybe" ... next trip.]

Elain Harvey runs The H.O.M with a few volunteers, contributors such as myself & the proceeds from the MEOWATON -- the annual 5K run in November each year. It's a labor of love on her part.

Recent times have not been easy for Elain, with her facing personal sacrifices to keep the The H.O.M. open, running & viable.

But ... here is the good news I want to share. Maybe, just maybe, things are looking up for Elain & The House of Mews.

Below I have included a copy of the recent article in the weekly Memphis Flyer newspaper. Also, I have attached an e-mail received today from The H.O.M. with the great news of additional sponsorship & volunteers.

MEMPHIS FLYER MAY 6, 2010

Herding Cats
Tough economy puts strain on House of Mews.by Bianca Phillips

House of Mews owner Elaine Harvey is selling her home to ensure the shelter's 95 cats have a place to live.
Over the past 15 years, House of Mews founder Elaine Harvey has housed countless cats and kittens at her no-kill shelter in Cooper-Young. But now the passionate animal rescuer is selling her own home to keep a roof over the cats' heads.
"My house is tying me down. It's an expense I don't need," Harvey said, fighting back tears. "If I didn't have a home to worry about, I wouldn't have to come up with as much money to take care of myself and I could handle the store."
After her East Memphis home sells, Harvey plans to save money by moving into an efficiency apartment. Donations to the House of Mews have been slow over the past year, likely due to the weak economy.
Currently, the shelter houses 95 cats at its storefront at 933 S. Cooper. The rent is $980 a month, and Harvey must constantly raise funds for food, litter, and veterinary care.
"The vet bills have been really expensive over the past couple of years, as much $20,000 a year," Harvey said.
The House of Mews receives regular donations of canned food and supplies, and they pay a couple hundred dollars a month on dry food. Litter costs run the shelter about $500 a month. The store's largest revenue generator is the annual Meowathon 5K, which brought in $29,000 last November. But that still isn't enough to run the shelter year-round.
"People have put us in wills or put us down as beneficiaries on insurance policies and investment accounts, but those are someday things," Harvey said. "We have to wait for someone to die for that to happen. We always just go day by day. During this economy, it's gotten really tough."
Though the shelter doesn't seem to be in immediate danger of closing, Harvey is putting together an emergency plan in case funding continues to dwindle. She's asking people to volunteer to take in a cat should the operation close.
"We think all the time, What would happen if we just didn't have the money to pay the rent one month? If we had to move quickly, what would we do with 95 cats?" Harvey said. "We want a list of people who would be willing to take one kitty."
As of press time, 17 people have volunteered for the emergency list. Harvey is also looking for donors to help with the monthly bills.
"We would like to get people to sign up to have part of the bills paid out of their bank accounts," Harvey said. "It would help us breathe easier if we had a number of people willing to donate toward the rent. At least we'd know we'd have a place to be, and any excess could be spent on vet bills."

And now the e-mail received today:

The House of Mews MEWSLETTER
JUNE 2010
Dear Friends of Mews,

Thanks to The Memphis Flyer and a story by reporter, Bianca Phillips, a few weeks ago The House of Mews has been adopted by Service Assurance Corporation! Service Assurance, founded in 1989, and heavily involved in multiple charities in the Mid-South community, is the Mid-South's largest privately-held continuous provider of on-site remote technology services.

What does this mean, "House of Mews adopted"? It means that after reading the story in The Flyer about the House of Mews' tough economic times, Service Assurance's owners contacted us and generously offered to be our corporate sponsor! More than that, they will act as our "Big Brother & Coach", donating cash, employee volunteer hours, administrative & PR help, computer tech skills as well as their expertise in fundraising, valued at well over $1000 a month. We believe that this generous offer may be precedent-setting, in that it is likely the first time a corporation has offered such a golden opportunity, on an on-going basis to a Memphis area non-profit animal welfare sanctuary. Service Assurance co-founders, Mark Giannini (CEO) & Kelli Mitchell (President), are hopeful that this inspires other companies to help smaller non-profits who often go unnoticed in the shadow of bigger names. We are proud to be associated with a fine company like Service Assurance Corporation, a small local company doing something big, and they deserve a great deal of praise for their generosity.

AND we want to THANK YOU, our old friends and new friends, who showed up to offer donations and support after reading The Memphis Flyer story. We are blessed and feel so much gratitude for those of you who came through for us. Once again you have helped to make our life easier and safeguarded The House of Mews for over 130 kitties currently calling it their home.

Sincerely,

Elain Harvey
Founder, Managing Director The House of Mews


YOU SAVED US!!
In honor of Bianca Phillips' story and the help of all of our friends, we were able to go to the Memphis Animal Shelter recently and save over 30 kittens and several adult kitties who were on death row and scheduled for euthanasia. Please come for a visit and see all the new babies - you helped save their lives!

We still need more temporary foster homes for kittens. If you are interested please email Elain at houseofmew@aol.com.
We can use some help if you are able to bring some goodies for us please.

THIS WEEK we could use some VINEGAR, bleach, laundry soap, kitchen white trash bags, and Fancy Feast or Friskies classic pate canned food (we have tons of PAPER TOWELS - thanks) if you have some spare change and can bring these items to us to donate. We are happy to give you a receipt for your tax file in exchange. Or if you prefer, you may DONATE thru PayPal by CLICKING HERE: PAYPAL
Quick Links
The House of Mews
DONATE thru PayPal

About Us
Puddy Tat Protectors, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community service organization, in business since 1994 and dedicated to the rescue and care of homeless cats and kittens. The organization's other missions include spaying and neutering all cats adopted from the House of Mews, educating the public on the humane treatment of cats, reporting and preventing the abuse of animals, and encouraging respect for the rights and dignity of animals. The felines of Puddy Tat Protectors, Inc. are adopted through The House of Mews, a cat sanctuary and adoption agency which serves as an alternative to local government-run shelters. The House of Mews does not purchase or sell cats; it operates on the fundamental principle that the lives of other living, emotional beings are not marketable or "for sale." Those approved to adopt a feline from The House of Mews are encouraged to make a donation to defray the necessary veterinarian expenses (spaying/neutering, vaccinations, tests) incurred for their new feline companions.
The House of Mews is located at 933 S. Cooper in the heart of the Midtown in the Cooper-Young Historic District and is staffed wholly by hard-working, non-paid volunteers. As a cat lover's gift shop, The House of Mews also offers for sale unique cat collectibles, T-shirts, crafts, and other cat necessities such as Feline Fresh litter, Science Diet cat food, toys, catnip and a variety of kitty supplies.
The House of Mews is supported by corporate & public donations, retail sales and adoptions, fundraisers and a annual 5K Walk/Run Meowathon, bequests left to us in wills and insurance policies where our friends have listed The House of Mews as "owner" of which entitles the giver a tax deduction during their lifetime. Judge Freeman Marr of Marr & Malone in Bartlett, TN does FREE wills for those of our friends who wish to leave a bequest to The House of Mews (Puddy Tat Protectors, Inc.).
DID YOU KNOW - Our adoptions fees have not changed since we opened for business in 1995???? Adoption fees are $70 and up.

And finally:

I've written a lot of times about my cats. It was soooo good to write this post -- with "help" from Wobs, who is (as almost always) in my lap as I type -- & share this with everyone who reads my blog. Not only have you read about The H.O.M., everyone is encouraged to send them a donation. The kitties would certainly benefit.

DON'T JUMP

Wobs apparently didn't care for the housing conditions being offered to her, her sister & Mother. During the early morning hours, Wobs somehow forced her way out of the aquarium she was sharing with Precious.

A quick search this A.M. found Wobs up in the loft, balancing on the railing, threatening to jump, unless her "conditions" were met. [I have expressed in the past that Wobs "talks" a lot. Additionally, I am now proficient at "cat speak".]

Wobs non-negotiable demands included:

1] Freedom from the aquariums

2] More snacks

3] More space on the bed at night for her & the other two cats


NOTE: The above "demands" were what I believe Wobs was wanting & I was hearing. It was either that, or, she was saying: "Clean the ceiling fan blades. I can see dust from up here". Whatever.

The cats are allowed the run of the house once again. Everyone call off the ASPCA.

BECAUSE I CARE ...

Anyone who has a cat or two -- or more -- in the house, knows the sensation of "noises" occurring. Such sounds can be anything from two cats sounding off at each other ... fights/disagreements happening ... up to & including LOUD noises, usually the sound of a cat hollering, then a loud CRASHING sound, quickly followed by one or more cats racing away in panic mode from where the sound originated. It then becomes the owners job to investigate, correct, repair & wait for the next occurrence of "noises".

When my cats had the free run of the house, "noises" would happen on a semi-regular basis. My adaptation of using old aquariums for "cat housing" has [mostly] brought a well received quietness to my home.

But ... still "events" occur, as one did to start my day this A.M.

I got up this morning about 4:30 A.M. Making my way towards the kitchen, I became aware of a strange noise coming from the enclosed side porch. Investigating, I found it to be a cat clinging to the window screen outside, attempting to get to the open window. The cat looked like my Wobs.

In my early morning, pre-coffee brain, I stood transfixed, trying to figure out how Wobs had gotten outside. After a few seconds, the proper neurons kicked in & I realized it was not Wobs, but in fact a look-alike tortoise-shell colored cat.

Whether looking for food, companionship or a home, the stranger made several attempts to enter, including going to the glass door & rubbing repeatedly back & forth. I finally had to go out the front door, circle around the house & surprise the potential invader at the other door. It ran off, came back, got chased this time & has not [yet] returned.

Living in the country, strange & stray dogs & cats make their appearances known on an all too frequent basis. People let them go ... "to find a better home".

They dump them is what they do. A cruel & bitter way for the animal, which suffers more from the efforts required to survive; for however short a time that may be.

I wish I could open my heart & home to the strays which appear. It pains me to know these animals have probably once had a place to call "home" & through no fault of their own, now find themselves faced with utter uncertainty.

But ... my main concern & love is directed to my three cats. There is the danger of fighting, injury & disease if my cats were to mingle or interact with strange/unknown cats. Feral intruders/visitors are not welcome here.

Because I care, I gain more confidence that my new methods of caring for my little buddies is the best for all concerned. I have experimented & done some "re-arranging" to make the accommodations right for all the cats.

For one thing, the "single" aquarium, with one cat set-up, did not work well for Wobs. She's a friendly & social cat, while her sister [Nibblets] seems to like the isolation a (former) fish tank can provide. Wobs needs companionship.

I've moved Wobs (red collar) in with her Mother -- Precious -- in the largest of the tanks I use. Initially, Momma Kitty was not thrilled sharing the space with Wobs. I admit it is a bit cramped with two full grown cats. Actually, Precious equals one & a half cats all by herself.

They are "adjusting" to living together in the tank & I am sure they will soon settle down & begin showing the required "good behavior" necessary to get some valuable time outside of the aquarium.

I wish there was some way to really communicate to my cats ... to let them know & understand they are loved & wanted, not like the poor cat at the door early this morning. The conditions my cats are living in are best for them, their health & well being. They may not realize it, but, it is.

Because I care ... they share the aquarium.

DON'T BITE ME

Years ago, when I told some soon-to-be co-workers at the Maybelline Cosmetics facility in North Little Rock, the location of the home I had just put down a bid & deposit on, pending my transfer to Arkansas, the united response seemed to include a warning about the amount & SIZE of the mosquito's in the area of my new home.

Dang. They were right !!

The first mosquito's start showing up in early Spring. Just a few. Enough to let a person know the blood suckers are in the area & the mosquito's know the humans are as well.

As it gets warmer, the mosquito's get bigger & more daring. This will go on until early Fall, when the cold weather starts to slow them down a bit.

I've had more than my share of battles with these bugs. The mosquito's are a constant threat, both when in the yard, or at times -- many times -- in the house. The mosquito's seem to take an open door -- held ajar too long while one or more cats try to decide just what that smell is on the top doorstep, before coming in -- as their personal invitation to enter the house. Let the biting & battles begin.

NOTE: While the cats will chase a fly around the room to the point I have to get up from watching TV & get the fly swatter to end all the commotion, a mosquito seems to be too small for them & never hits the cats radar. It's me, going alone, against the winged warriors. It's one time I would like the cat's help.

Now with all the problems, buzzing & biting caused by mosquito's, the insect creature which causes me the biggest irritation, is the Deer Fly. [That's Chrysops Relictus ... for anyone needing the scientific name.]

This is a small fly, which ALWAYS seems to know when I go outside ... night or day. It doesn't matter if it is in the side yard, back lot or going for my A.M. walk. One or more of these bitters will come buzzing around me. If that's not bad enough, it's almost impossible to feel them land on a body part -- they love my face & neck -- BEFORE the bite occurs. Of course, my response is to slap at the fly ... HITTING MYSELF. I'm getting black & blue thanks to flies !!

Actually, once a Deer Fly lands, it seems to lose the rapid deployment of, say, a common House Fly. [Look that name up yourself.] If I'm slapping correctly at the biting fly, it's often easy to smack those suckers into oblivion.

Now after almost 14 years of fly slapping, I've become a pro at recognizing a Deer Fly landing on me -- before it bites -- & grabbing that varmint ALIVE. Or ... only "Mostly Dead". [Princes Bride movie reference noted.] I get a vicarious thrill knowing I've made the grab & that dude is now squirming in my paws.

SQUEAMISH READERS ... SKIP THE NEXT PART.

With my captured Deer Fly, if I have it still alive in my hand, I extract the ultimate, cruel revenge -- I let it go ... AFTER I have pulled off one of it's wings. "Take that sucker. See how long you live WALKING" [Not for long I'm sure. The fly is NOT going to re-grow the missing wing.] It makes me feel like a god ... but, with a small "g".

I guess the word never gets passed on to other Deer Fly's NOT to mess with me & try & bite me. More keep coming buzzing around, sometimes as I am extracting wings from prior bitters.

They have to learn the hard lesson -- DON'T BITE ME !!!

DOGS DO IT

Several readers of this blog -- through comments & e-mails -- have taken me to task for describing my new method of providing care for my cats; I now keep them in old aquarium tanks. [No H2O, except for their drinking dish.]

Like everything in life -- even all nine of theirs, or, how many each of my cats have left -- sometimes changes can prove difficult, especially where routines & habits have developed. It's true with cats. They may be used to "freedom", but with simple "enforcement techniques", they learn to live within the restrictions & boundaries their new environments provide.

I may have to write a book on my new methods of proper cat care. It's a new & exciting way of keeping cats & I am sure many cat owners will be anxious to follow my lead & begin enclosing their cats in old aquariums.

Remember too, aquariums can be LARGE. My biggest tank -- shown in the photos -- is a 55 gallon tank. There is room for probably one or two more cats to share the space. [I know... that's really cramping them up, but, they're cats. They'll learn to adapt & figure which one of the group is going to get stepped on.]

It was pointed out to me -- see the "comments" section of the blog -- that I wrote about having my youngest cat -- THE WOBBLER -- joining me & sitting on my lap while typing at the computer, & how could that be if she was in her aquarium tank ??

Well, DUH !!! The cats are my pets & as such, they get let out occasionally to socialize. If they are especially good, I.E., eat all their food, don't make a lot of noise or don't try to escape from their tank, the cats can earn "free time" & be allowed out for a few extra minutes.

The photo above shows Nibblets -- the oldest kitten -- "visiting" her Mother, Precious, at the aquarium tank that houses her Mother. Nibblets had earned the time. Both cats sense this is a "privilege" & spend most of the time trying to touch or smell each other through the glass. It's quite sweet how they try to get to each other despite the glass.

So everyone, don't be too quick to judge -- or mis-judge -- new ideas & techniques in proper cat care. I've read several times that man has never truly domesticated the cat, unlike dogs which went from wolves to lap dogs in several generations. My methods may just be what is needed for cats to "catch up" & learn to live their life serving humans. Dogs do it. Why not cats ??

WRITING PARTNERS

Six P.M. is a good time for me to re-check the computer each day, especially now that the warm -- well, HOT -- days of Summer are with us .... even though it is still six days until Summer officially begins. It sure FEELS like Summer now.

Today the temperatures were in the mid-90's. With the humidity, it felt like 103 degrees. That's Summer time weather.

I was outside today from about 9 A.M. until I came inside to get a shower just past 3 P.M. As long as I start the day being outside, I can adjust to the increase in temperatures, adapt & enjoy the warm weather. But, if I am active INDOORS earlier in the day, cooled by air conditioning for an extended period in the A.M., I don't handle the transition to the heat outdoors too well. It's times like then when it does feel HOT !!

At this hour of the evening, I have had my dinner -- Yes, Bubba ... the "earlier bird special" -- read for awhile & watched the local & national network news shows. [Little known fact about me: The "local news" I watch most nights is NBC4 ... from New York City, although I do have Little Rock TV stations.]

Since I am all cleaned up, cooled down & settled in for the evening, it's not too often that I would go back outside in the (still) warm temperatures. I don't want, or need, to get sweaty & "moist" ... again. So, it's a good time of the day to check the computer, since it has been -- in most cases -- since early morning when I have last been on-line. This time of day -- six P.M. --can also be a good time to add a post to my blog, just as we are doing now.

Yes ... "we".

Sitting at the computer desk -- or either desk, I have two -- seems to automatically generate an internal invite to my youngest "girl" -- THE WOBBLER -- to come running, as if somehow, something is telling her ... "Hurry, the lap is available".

Wobs loves to sit in my lap while I type, often with me having crossed my right leg over the left, creating a cradle for her to stretch out in ... & causing me to type "semi-side saddle". She purrs away & "talks" to me in her special "cat language", no doubt, offering suggestions to my writing. She never interferes with my typing, other than to stretch & indicate the need for some occasional ear/head & back scratching.

My sweet Wobs. She is soooooo sweet, helpful & a definite writing partner. I do love her so much !!

PROPER CAT CARE

I've documented on this site my history with cats. Prior to about four years ago ... there was no "history".

I had always been a "dog person", although I had not had a dog of my own since high school. But, I always had good relationships with other peoples pets. Let them pay the Vet bills.

When the three cats I have were sent to me -- that's correct ... they were "sent to me", (More on this philosophy in the future.) -- I had to make up for lost time & ignorance in my knowledge of cat care.

I've asked a lot of questions of cat owners. Well, people who have cats in their lives. You never really "own" a cat.

I looked for suggestions from my friends, but most of them hated cats. They were no help.

I bought a lot of books on cats in an effort to learn about them & caring for them. Buying the books was the easy part. I have thousands of books & buy new ones almost weekly.

Applying all the instructions, advise & suggestions on cat care was/is the hard part. Every author & "cat expert" -- is there such a thing ?? -- has different methods. Most of them don't work. Cats can't read.

After trial & error, along with a lot of half eaten kat fud & furniture getting torn up, I decided to apply my own techniques when it came to having cats as pets.

I now think "outside the (litter) box". I am keeping my cats in old, empty aquarium tanks.

Some advantages:
** Cats don't NEED to have the run of the house, or be outdoors.
** The furniture stays looking new.
** What hair balls ??
** No cat fights.
** No cat hair on EVERYTHING.

As shown in the first photo, my Momma Kitty is content with her new quarters. But, then again, what can she do about it ?? Too bad !! She's a cat !!

I took the top off the aquarium for this photo. There is plenty of room. She can even turn around if she wants.

It may take a while for any cat to get adjusted to the new "restrictions", but some of that is based on centuries of cats free roaming. That stops with my keeping method !!

We're the humans. We are in charge & cats are just "pets". It's time they were "displayed" ... like birds in a cage in the house, or, the fish which were once in the aquarium.

I think my new idea for cat keeping will catch on with many people who currently have cats, but dislike all the care required with their upkeep. A lot of people have old discarded aquariums in the attic or basement. Put those dust collectors to good use.

Additionally, rather than try to "domesticate" cats, this way the cat can be "controlled", attended to when the mood strikes the owner & the cat forgotten about at all other times.

It's a win/win scenario for the cat owner & a new method of proper cat care.

ROAD KILL

Just about every day -- weather permitting -- I am on the local roads, getting my daily exercise. I have a measured distance of 2.5 miles which I walk or jog, or do a combination of both. It depends on how I feel & other factors, such as heat, humidity & if a dog is chasing me or not.

I use my stop watch to record my times & I keep a log book of each days data: my weight, number of sit-ups I've done & the time it took me to traverse my course.

Earlier in the Spring, while on my daily jaunts, I kept my eyes open for baby turtles on the road. This year I collected almost a dozen turtle hatching's. Most all of them have now been released, after keeping them a few weeks to "head start" them.

Along with the turtles I picked up, I would also come across a few dead turtles as well. Not all the little guys were lucky enough for me to come along at the right moment. Sometimes the traffic beat me to the turtles.

There is a seasonality to reptiles & amphibians & their travels, causing them to intersect with the highways. Not so with mammals; there is no season to finding road remains of squirrels, raccoons, possums & beavers dead on the local roads. [Yes ... beaver. Those nature videos make them appear to be native only to some clear mountain ponds & streams. Not so. The giant rats are in every local body of H2O.]

As the weather has gotten warmer, I am starting to see more & more dead snakes on the roads. Many times -- being cold blooded creatures -- snakes will venture onto roads at night, where the pavement is still warm from the daytime heat. WHAM !! Motor vehicle = pancake.

One species of snake I find D.O.A., all too often, is the MUD SNAKE. This is a large snake -- about three foot long for a good size adult -- with a shinny black skin & a BRIGHT red belly color. Really, a B-E-A-utiful snake.

The Mud Snake is a water loving snake & with the large number of creeks, streams & bayous locally, the conditions are ideal for this snake, which feeds on salamanders, crayfish & small fish.

I usually find the dead snakes in the early morning hours, indicating they were on the roads at night. It is unfortunate these reptiles are killed in this manner. I always hope it is just a matter of the snake -- or any animal -- being in the wrong place, at the wrong time & not some Arkansas joy rider getting their jollies from seeing what they can run over & kill with their car.

I enjoy my daily exercise most, when I return home without having found/seen something newly dead on the roads. There is enough "road kill" as it is. The car /truck ALWAYS wins.

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

I've written many times about my three cats & their various activities. I've also written about my life-long interest in turtles & the collection of exotic species I keep to this day.

Living in a rural area, I have also had my share of wild reptile "visitors"; snakes, lizards & turtles. Add all the birds, squirrels, possums, armadillos, stray dogs, etc., traversing my property & I have a regular menagerie of animals coming thru the area.

Sometimes I feel like I am living a part -- or at least a few chapters -- in the book by Kenneth Grahame ... The Wind in the Willows. The main characters in the book -- Mr. Badger, Mr. Mole, Mr. Toad & Mr. Rat -- have certainly -- with the exception of the badger, as I doubt they are found in Arkansas -- all been visitors in "real life" to my homestead. [Examples would be Mr. Mole, or his relatives, digging up the ground & Mr. Rat's kin are often left -- in pieces -- on the front porch, thanks to to my cats.]

While I have written previously about the local amphibians -- i.e. the chirping of the Spring Peeper Frogs, signaling the change of Winter each year -- there are plenty of other frogs & toads living here along with all the other species of animals. If it is one thing I have plenty of, it is frogs & toads.

I often think of Thaddeus Toad from The Wind in the Willows. Mostly it is when I am riding on my John Deere mower, cutting the grass. Not only do I have to watch the cutting path I am following, but I also have to be aware of the toads which are hopping just a few feet in front of my lawn mower.

Toads are slow hoppers & I have to be careful to avoid them. They do not jump as frogs do; another amphibian to avoid while on the mower. Toads are slow. At times, I have had to stop my mower & physically move the toads to another part of the yard. [No warts ... yet.]

Several years ago, from my good friend Dr. Roger Dew, I received a "Toad House" as a gift. It's a small, ceramic cottage with a solar light in it. It has an opening to to encourage toads to use it as a shelter & thus any toad living in it will be beneficial to the surrounding garden areas by eating the damaging bugs. How organic !!

So far, my very own "Thaddeus Toad" has not shown up in the little cottage. Instead, he/she seems to have set up residence in one of my orchid plants.

This toad has been with me now for almost two months. He/she is always in the same pot, with the same orchid. Sometimes the toad is on top of the moss. Other times the toad is "invisible", buried in the moss.

Having trouble seeing the toad ??

Little "Thaddeus" is a bit easier to see in the above photo.

And finally, a close up of my little toad friend.

While I may not have all the characters of Mr. Grahame's book, & the animals are certainly not speaking English to me, -- [I don't know what Wob's is always saying to me. I think it is "Cat-Speak" ... for "Feed me".] -- I do have a varied & interesting group of animals to meet & greet each day. Sort of my own version of -- within reason -- The Wind in the Willows.

THEY SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY ...

Time flies ... whether you are having fun or not.

I can't believe it has been three years TODAY that Momma Kitty had her second batch of kittens -- over night -- in the ferns outside my house. There were nine kittens in all, six of which lived. Once discovered -- I had to ask a newly slimmed down Precious to "find" the litter for me, as the group was well hidden -- the six kittens were transferred to a towel lined box & all started to nurse. Precious was/is an excellent mother.

Today's "Birthday Girl" is THE WOBBLER, so named due to some difficulty at an early age with her stability. Wobs is in the photo above, in the top center, identified by the double "blaze" on her head.

Wobs is my "special baby". While I have often written about my own surprise at being turned into a "cat lover", Wobs is a lesson & example of how that all can happen. She is sweet & loves my companionship, constantly following me around the house & out in the yard. Wobs can be VERY vocal in "talking" to me, telling me everything; it's time to get up in the A.M., to when I need to sit down on the couch to make my lap available for her to snuggle & purr in.

I love ALL my cats -- Precious was in my lap as I typed most of this -- & it is hard to believe three years has passed so quickly since THE WOBBLER was born.

Time -- & life -- has flown by in these three years. I hope me & the girls -- Precious, Nibblets & THE WOBBLER -- have many more birthdays. It has been a fun & enjoyable time together.