I Always Thought....

 

that cats were challenging enough when making up a bed. 

Attempting to, anyway.

Enter the 63 lb dog. Sigh.

A Very Good Day

 Thank you so much to everyone who provided encouragement and sympathy with my last post. I know we are all going through something this year. 

I do have big news - my company is saved. They found the money needed to not only keep us alive, but also thriving for years to come. I am very, very grateful but also very tired. 

Brekke understands tired too. 

She got a night trip to the beach on Halloween night, she came back very happy but wiped out.

Vina did not accompany the beach expedition, but as always, looks beautiful and regal.

It's Been Rough

 I haven't been around much, I know, either posting or visiting. I'm sorry about that.

My depression and anxiety was kicked into high gear even before this week's news...

My company is most likely going to be in the hands of the state next week. Unless investors with very deep pockets step forward, which is possible but time is running out. 

Trying to find a new job in the midst of a pandemic and high unemployment rates is not good. At which point I may be looking at being homeless. I can't even fathom that reality.

I don't think I have ever felt so low. 

A Face Like This....

 breaking news: Ruth B. Ginsberg has died. Rest in peace; you did your best for us all.

would never do any wrong, right? Ha. 

Her mom just got back from a week long trip. I looked after the furries' inside needs, and a service was engaged to walk Brekke. Oh my Ceiling Cat, this dog turned full on heathen while her mom was away!

She tried to scale the fence out back to go walkabout. I left her alone for literally two minutes. I caught her hanging from her front paws, her head looking back at me, as if to say "oops. You weren't supposed to see this..."

She destroyed toys. Hers AND Vina's. Brand new bouncy ball that V loves, too.

Worst of all - she knocked over the garbage can. With the chicken bones. At least four pieces. Yes, she ate EVERY SCRAP. We speculate that she was chasing Vina, and took advantage of the mess she created. She's never done this in the time I've lived here, so I wasn't prepared. 

I can feel every pet parent reading this cringing. I was absolutely horrified when I got home and realized what she had done. So far, it seems that she is fine from her very poor life decision from early Thursday. 

To be fair, it was a trying week for her. She is a highly active dog denied proper walks and exercise; she is very storm averse and we had weather related to H. Sally; there was separation anxiety from her human; and she was just plain bored. 

A note about pet sitting services - be very, very aware of just what you are getting. She needed a young, energetic person to walk her and play with her, and that is what was paid for. But the service owner sent her elderly parents, who were lovely people but simply not able to properly attend to this big, active dog. I almost feel like this was a case of bait and switch, though I am not a lawyer.

Oh, and if you wondered what Vina was up to this week...

being a purrfect angel. Of course.

What No One Wants In Florida...

 

If you answered "AC going out in September" you win the grand prize.

The house HVAC decided it was going on vacation, and went.

Thankfully, my garage has a window unit AC that is still working quite well. Being that it was in the mid 80s with high humidity here, Miss Vina got brought into my room first. She was very much not pleased at the indignity of curtailed freedom. But with that thick coat... she didn't get a meow in this. The picture above was right after she sat in front of the door for about five minutes, expecting it to open. (That's a Publix store bag. She enjoys sitting on it).

However, she did settle in to sleep without too much fuss, making herself at home on the Tower o Boxes, on the highest box. Brekke eventually decided she'd had enough of the heat and humidity and came in too. Her mom was considering going to a hotel with B, and leaving V with me, as cats have more difficulty with residence changes. She decided to stay.

We hope the repairman will come today. He's been notified. I really hope it's just a fix and not an entire unit replacement. 

Happy Labor Day!

No Jetta For YOU!

So, my co worker has never been called back to retrieve Miss J., so let's hope that wherever she is, she is doing well and is happy. I think she probably is. I suspect that the foster mom just fell in love with the fluff ball, and couldn't part with her.

Also on the subject of rescuing black fluffballs...

I had a Zoom team meeting on Monday. We got to see the cutest little black kitten named Ellie. She was rescued from the side of the road during their trip back from celebrating the 4th. The vet aged her about 6 weeks old, so thankfully past the bottle feeding stage. They already had a ten year old resident feline who was not amused at this tiny interloper, but after they bathed both of them in the same shampoo, peace was restored to the valley.

Ellie insisted on being held like a baby during the meeting, which was very entertaining, and quite in line with other such Zoom meetings I've read about.

Paws up for black felines! May all cats of every color and stripe find their forever homes. 

Vina Gets Out, and Brekke Makes a Furriend

Happy 4th! For sure an odd one this year.

First up - Miss Sylvina got out into the backyard. By herself. I passed by the laundry room, noticed the door was open - which it never is - and investigated. There she was, sitting calmly in the grass, just looking at me. I called to her mom, and we got her back inside with no trouble. I was afaid she'd take off but she was ok with coming back in. Most likely Brekke got the door opened, and the cat decided to enjoy a late July afternoon.

Later, I explained that she is a Princess, and must never go out alone, without her bodyguard and attendants. It's simply not done. 

Brekke had a visitor today, Mr Bojangles. He's about 4 years old, a recently adopted rescue pit bull mix, half her size. He's due to begin heartworm treatment next week, and has just been neutered. Today was their first meeting. It went well, mostly; she is very socialized and enjoys company. They spent their time running around the yard and doing various dog things.

However, the "mostly" did have one hitch. I've been warned that Brekke does NOT put up with any male... shenanigans.. and will react very aggressively if one tries to show dominance. Mr B did try to prove that he was a male, but her very fierce snarling put an end to that game right away. I was actually quite impressed; she's such a sweet dog but do NOT play that with her. She's been known to put males on the ground at the dog park if they won't back off.

Here's hoping we all have a quiet and peaceful evening.