The Life of Riley

My In Box

2012-01-24T07:13:00.001-07:00

Chaz

My In Box is full.

Thought balloons

2012-01-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

There must be a way to get this open. I know there is water in there.


Can you keep it down over there? I'm updating my status on Facebook.

The boys getting along

2012-01-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Kind of makes up for all the times they terrorize everyone - kind of.

Cortisone

2012-01-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

Toby had a hot spot on her tail last week that got out of control.

Usually I just spray them with a hydrocortisone spray and it clears up within 24 hours. Not this time. Poor baby was very uncomfortable so I had the vet come over [I love that man - he comes to the house which is awesome! Vet on Wheels]. He had to shave her tail to get the mats out and expose the sore to the air. She is now on antibiotics and cortisone pills.
An unknown [to me] side effect of the cortisone is that it makes her drink a lot which makes her have to pee a lot and she has been having accidents in the house. She is very upset by that as am I. But it's not her fault and hopefully when the pills are done [tomorrow] that side effect will go away.

Looking forward to a new year

2011-12-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year to all God's creatures, great and small!

Christmas Day, the kids, & the new toys

2011-12-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

A new super tunnel for Chaz!

More Christmas pictures

2011-12-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

Casey

Chaz

Christmas girls

2011-12-23T18:18:00.001-07:00

Jessie

Toby

Can I share your bed?

2011-12-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

The cleaning ladies are here again

2011-12-14T12:02:00.001-07:00

And Chaz is hiding again

Chaz hiding in his tunnel where it's safe

Our handsome boy

2011-12-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Riley

Chaz hiding

2011-12-03T20:34:00.001-07:00

I had to keep the cats in my office this week while the cleaning ladies were here. Chaz decided to hide to be safe. He didn't pick the best spot though. But I guess in his mind it was a good one. Too cute.

Chaz playing a game on my iPad

2011-11-27T14:08:00.002-07:00

More of Chaz and the laser

2011-11-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

Chaz never tires of chasing the laser light around my office and he begs for it all day long. If I ignore him, he gets on his tippy toes next to my chair and taps me on the arm as if I forgot that he was there begging.
I wasn't getting any work done.
So I went to Petco yesterday and bought an automatic battery-operated laser toy. It was the best $20 I ever spent. He loves it.
Of course now he begs for me to turn it on all the time but at least I can get 15 minutes of peace now when it's on.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:09:00.001-07:00

My Arizona boys

Kitty anger

2011-11-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

I continue to have work done on the house and for the safety of the cats, they are locked up in our bedroom during the day while the workers are here. Now, being locked up in the bedroom is not as bad as it sounds. This bedroom is quite large and they also have access to John's office which is a large alcove off to the side [no door]. They also have access to the dressing room and master bathroom in which is their litter box and food. There is a large water dispenser in the bedroom itself. So they actually have a kitty suite all to themselves.
But they are not in the midst of all the action and they can't do what they want which in kitty terms is a cat-astrophe [sorry].
So after a few days of this Chazzie has gotten angry. And he has been showing his anger by taking it out on his siblings.
The other night, he tackled Riley and was biting him on the neck. Then he really went crazy and lost all sense. he deliberately walked over to Toby and bopped her on the head not once but twice. She lunged at him and growled although she didn't hurt him. It was just a warning.
Chazzie took heed and took his anger out on the comforter next. He grabbed a mouthful of it and shook his head wit hit as if the comforter were prey. I had to laugh. He was just so darn cute.
But I also realized he was having areal problem and needed help.
So I picked him up and cuddled him. I was surprised he even let me but he immediately started purring. Encouraged by this I carried him around for a while, soothing him. I then dosed him with his flower essences that seemed to work for him a few months ago.
I have been giving them to him twice a day since then and I am seeing his happy disposition return. The workers are gone this week so he and I get a break.

Waiting for Mr. Bunny

2011-11-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

The cats love watching the wildlife out my office window. We have loads of birds that come to visit several times a day and a couple of bunnies. I have to admit the bunnies are my favorite. I even started putting rabbit food out for them. It also spares my bougainvillea because the bottom few inches are now bare because of them. And the kids enjoy watching them.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:11:00.000-07:00

Toby

He did it again

2011-10-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

I had work done today on the house and part of that entailed an energy audit. The fans used caused the soot in the fireplace in our bedroom to blow back into the bedroom. Riley couldn't resist and played in it before I had a chance to clean it up. He did this before. He never learns.
Or maybe it's me.

John's Garden

2011-10-15T15:32:00.001-07:00

I added to John's Garden this week.
I think he would like what I have done with it.
I need to look for some dog statues but John would like the kitties.

Riley's favorite spot

2011-10-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

On top of the washing machine.

Is it the height? The warmth? The motion? The noise?
Or is it just his place to be by himself and think?

Toby in John's Garden

2011-09-25T07:01:00.001-07:00

It was spooky watching Toby settle down in John's Garden right by his plaque. It was almost as if she knew the Garden was made in his honor and she wanted to be near him.

What is it about a freshly made bed?

2011-09-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

I recently bought new sheets and a comforter and made the bed with the new things.

Immediately everyone had to pile on and investigate.

Our Chazzie

2011-09-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

I know I'm prejudiced but I think our little Chazzie is the cutest boy ever. And he poses so naturally.

Chaz & Riley playing laser mouse

2011-09-05T13:18:00.002-07:00

My Mighty Hunters

2011-08-23T07:52:00.002-07:00

OK, I am totally freaked out right now and taking deep breaths to calm down.

Thank goodness for Chaz & Riley.

They like to play under my desk but sometimes they chew my cables and cords so I shoo them out of there often. Most times they listen pretty well.

This morning they wouldn't. No matter how many times I shooed them they kept going back under my desk and they were really interested in one particular spot.

So I crawled under my desk to see what was going on.

I didn't see anything so I shooed them again.

Again they went back and this time started sniffing under my computer tower.

So one more time I crawled under my desk and this time I cautiously turned the tower on its side so I could see under it.

Lo and behold there was a scorpion under there!!! And it was alive and wiggling and showing its mean scorpion tail.

I never would have noticed him either if the boys hadn't alerted me because he was pretty much the same color as the wood floor.

I freaked out! I HATE scorpions. I am afraid of scorpions. Scorpions are creepy and they can really hurt you. Did I mention I H.A.T.E. scorpions!

But I figured it was me or him so I ran into our bedroom and grabbed a shoe. I came back and smashed that scorpion to smithereens.

And I will pay more attention when the boys alert me to trouble next time.

Good boys!

Keeping Mom company while she works

2011-08-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

The boys enjoying the new shutters

2011-08-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

More on the dove twins

2011-08-14T19:32:00.001-07:00

Momma has taught the babies well. They are now independent.

Lots of wonderful animal life around here

2011-08-13T08:58:00.002-07:00

I put some lettuce out for our resident bunny this morning and he is enjoying it.
Then after the kids had breakfast I took the dogs outside in the back and noticed a Momma dove had her babies out - maybe for a flying lesson today. You have to look closely for the babies in the first picture. They are on the beam just to the right of the foliage. I didn't want to scare them so I took the picture without a flash. They are more visible in the second photograph. If you click on the pictures they will open enlarged. Hit the back button to return to the blog.

Our babies still mourn

2011-08-11T16:36:00.000-07:00

I was feeling really sad this morning and put on a DVD that had John in it. He made it several years ago for his parents to show them our furbabies. It was about 10 - 15 minutes long and he actually was in it very little but his voice was in it a lot because he was narrating it.

You should have seen Chaz and Riley. They stopped what they were doing and just stared at the TV. I had it on the flat screen in the bedroom. I'm not sure they were watching it so much as listening to it. Chazzie was on the bed and Riley was on the dresser at the very end so he could be as close as possible to the TV. They both just stared at the TV screen the whole time the DVD was playing.

Then after it was over I found Riley going behind the dresser that the TV is on, just looking. I think he was looking for John.

Our babies still miss their Dad.

Mirror images

2011-08-06T10:49:00.000-07:00

Our kid in a dog suit

2011-08-03T15:44:00.002-07:00

Chaz has a nasty habit of clawing the corners of the wall in our bathroom. I have already had to patch the plaster and repaint to repair the damage that he did. And when I catch him doing it again, I tell him no and move him away from the wall.

I've done this several times.

Anyway, yesterday I caught him doing it again and before I could even get the word "No!" out of my mouth, Toby went over to him and pushed him away from the wall with her nose.

I couldn't believe I was seeing what I was seeing.That showed such thought and purpose. She is definitely a special girl.

John always said he felt like she was a kid in a dog suit.

The new windowsill

2011-08-01T11:10:00.000-07:00

Well, of course, it didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped. But after much swearing and cursing, I think I'm done.

Chazzie is so lucky he's cute

2011-07-31T06:51:00.001-07:00

This is the window in my office. It looks out over the front of our house and I can see the bird feeder that John put there for me and the kitties. However, the Chaz chewed through the strings holding the blind together. You can see the damage that he did to the blind. The little dickens. Good thing he's cute.

So I decided to have shutters made instead. They will last forever and [I hope] Chaz won't chew through them. They are arriving next week. In the meantime, I will recover the windowsill that John made so that the cats can look out and watch the birds and bunnies.

The Tobester

2011-07-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Once again I was worried about a lump on Toby. Ever since she was diagnosed with mast cell cancer last year I worry about every little lump that I find. She has had one lump for over a year on her leg that has not changed [until recently] and then last week I noticed two new ones on her head. So, I put a call in for the vet and he saw her on Wednesday. The news is good. The lumps on her head are nothing to worry about and the lump on her leg is benign.
So, prayers answered. Mom happy.

Bargain tips

2011-07-20T07:55:00.004-07:00

Check out www.petflow.com

This is where I am getting my cat and dog food from now. not all their prices are better than local stores but some are.

In my case, it was a better price than my distributor here in town [I use Nature's Variety] plus I don't have to cart the bags.

And shipping is free if the order is large enough. that was the only way it made sense. They also have the cat litter we use [World's Best Cat Litter] but I found a better price locally at Target for that. And Target often has it on sale too.

www.Petco.com also has a program where you can have food and treats delivered on a regular basis and they lower the price if you do that.

I am ordering my canned food from them as well as the dog biscuits I use.

I just found all this out a few weeks ago and realized I could be saving over $40 a month if I did this.

Our owl friend is back

2011-07-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't know for sure if it's the same one who was here last summer but he was on his usual perch on the neighbor's roof this morning when I took the dogs out.

This was 6 AM.

Click on the picture for a bigger version. This guy is impressive.

Thundershirt

2011-07-14T09:06:00.001-07:00

On the advice of a friend [Thank you, Lenora!], I looked into getting a Thundershirt for Toby to help with her anxiety issues.
It arrived the other day and I tried it for the first time when the cleaning service came yesterday. I keep the cats and dogs in my office with me when the women are here because I don't want them underfoot while they clean and I also don't want to worry someone might get out when the front door is open. However, as you can imagine, not only do I have the anxiety of all the animals in the small office with me but Toby is anxious because strangers are in her house moving our stuff around. How dare they!
So there is usually lots of barking and panting going on.
Not yesterday. Within seconds of putting on her Thundershirt, Toby was relaxed and calm. She would bark once - only once! - if I had to leave the office for any reason but calmed when I shushed her and told her I would be right back.
Then she went and lay down as if she didn't have a care in the world. Such a departure from her usual self.

I am in love with this shirt. So much so I ordered another one for Jessie. I am going to see if it helps her with her nervous licking. She is wearing it right now and calmly dozing. But Toby didn't like it when I put her shirt on Jessie. She's quite possessive of her new shirt. What a hoot.

Hmph!

2011-07-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

The dog is in my bed and all I get is this stupid towel to sleep on.

I love living in AZ!

2011-07-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

This guy visited my yard this morning.

Between him and the other birds and the bunny who came by too, Riley had a fun morning watching everyone.

Chaz is just so darn cute

2011-06-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

How can I ever be upset with him for the occasional accident? And for the record, he has been fine the last couple of days. I have been giving him extra loving.

The kids are still struggling

2011-06-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

I'm still struggling with Chazzie wetting outside the litterbox. He was fine for 2 1/2 weeks. I put two of the bathroom rugs back and he didn't wet on them at all. Then this morning I fed everyone and turned around and he had wet on Toby's bed by the front door. I found him trying to cover it up. So I threw that into the washing machine, went back in the kitchen and Toby had wet on the kitchen floor. So I threw that in the washer too. She looked upset about it so I didn't even say anything to her.

I guess they are reacting to me, to John.

I wish I knew what to do for them. Or me.

I love this video of Chaz

2011-06-16T16:45:00.000-07:00

This was taken last May. I think I posted it but it's one of my favorites. I was sharing it with a couple of friends today and they enjoyed it so much I thought I would share it here.

Chazzie

2011-06-08T06:55:00.002-07:00

Chazzie seems to be going through something right now. He has been pee-ing outside his litterbox occasionally. At first I thought it was an infection but he was checked for that and he doesn't have one. Today he gets an x-ray to make sure he doesn't have crystals or stones but I don't think it's that either. I think it's emotional.
I am attacking the problem from several sides with guidance from my two vets.
I picked up all the scatter rugs that he was using [luckily we have tile floors]. I added another litter box for a total of three now. He is still on his antibiotic for a few more days just for safe measure. He is getting Tinkle Tonic three times a day. And yesterday I added Rescue Remedy.
Then yesterday a new wrinkle - Chazzie is chewing things he shouldn't - like chewing the cord to my blinds in my office, rendering it useless when it comes to lowering or raising it.
But I can't get angry with him. I know he is upset about something. The problem is finding out what it is and figuring out how to make it better.
He's two years old now. This is a new behavior. There has to be a solution. He could be reacting to me. I know I am still very upset about losing John. And Chazzie was very attached to John.

Chaz with John - 4 months old

I know animals mourn. And they pick up on the emotions of their people. So maybe Chazzie is picking up on my grief. I just hope for both our sakes, I am able to figure this out.

Two orange buddies

2011-06-04T17:34:00.001-07:00

Jessie is 12 years old today

2011-05-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

How can it be 12 years already since we brought our little girl home?

Happy Birthday, sweet one. Mommy and Daddy and your sisters and brothers love you.

Mr. Debonair

2011-05-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Cats just love to get in the silliest positions and make it look so natural.

Chaz hasn't quite mastered the concept of "hiding"

2011-05-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

Even if your kids have 4 legs and fur like mine - Happy Mother's Day. My furkids gave me and John unconditional love and hours of pleasure. I don't know how I would have made it through this last year without mine by my side.
When I cry, they are right beside me trying their best to make me better. The days I want to pull the covers over my head and never get up, they are right there pushing me to move. True, they are motivated by food but it helps when you have to think of someone other than yourself. They have truly been a lifesaver to me.

We have baby quail again

2011-05-02T10:54:00.002-07:00

Momma quail has returned once again to nest in our planter box on the deck.
This weekend the babies hatched. She has about 15 of them. They are the cutest things. She gets upset if I get too close but I was able to get a picture of one of them this morning. You have to look closely. Baby is well camouflaged. Click on the picture to enlarge it. You'll see an arrow pointing to him.

Happy Birthday, Chaz!

2011-04-28T18:47:00.002-07:00

Our little Chazzie is two years old today.
Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

Easter 2010

2011-04-24T20:15:00.000-07:00

When life was happy.

Remember ET when he hid among the stuffed animals?

2011-04-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

Tired

2011-04-21T17:05:00.001-07:00

Chaz fell asleep in the middle of playing. Life is tough.

They are so easily amused

2011-04-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

Anybody see my brother?

How'd you get in there?

Chaz's new favorite place

No cat has met a box he didn't like

2011-04-09T09:02:00.001-07:00

Riley is definitely a "priority".

Riley is 3!

2011-03-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

Riley is 3 years old this week.
Such a handsome boy.

Shhhhhhh, I'm hiding

2011-03-12T19:35:00.000-07:00

Snow in AZ

2011-02-28T08:58:00.001-07:00

This was the scene from a road in Fountain Hills yesterday. Beautiful snow covered mountain peaks.

Today is Toby's birthday!

2011-02-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Our little girl is 11 years old today.

We love you, Toby!

Toby went to the groomer today

2011-02-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

She looks so pretty!

Kidney Disease

2011-02-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

Our Casey is 16 years old now and relatively healthy [we thought]. However, this past Fall I noticed she was losing weight and when we checked her blood work, what I had hoped was a thyroid problem turned out to be much worse. Kidney disease. Or more specifically chronic renal insufficiency.
Our vet is holistic and believes more in supporting the body and helping it toward health rather than overloading Casey's system with diet restrictions and medications. So we kept her on her diet [Nature's Variety], made sure she got enough water, and placed her on some homeopathic drops and a renal pill that would help her system process.
That worked for a while. Now she is apparently moving on to the next stage. She's not as active and her appetite has decreased. So today I learned how to give her subcutaneous fluids which I will have to do daily for a while and then probably every other day. More lab work is in her future as well.
I don't know how long she has. This might perk her up for a while. Or she may go downhill quickly and join her sister Charlotte over the Rainbow Bridge.
But whatever time she has with me I will make sure is she is happy and comfortable.

Self aware or just curious?

2011-02-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

Riley watching a video of himself

What a smart boy.

Happy Birthday, Casey!

2011-01-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

Our Casey is 16 years old today!

Two sisters

2011-01-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

I have never known two dogs who loved each other so much. Toby and Jessie are inseparable.

Destructo Kitty

2011-01-21T12:59:00.002-07:00

Chaz is a new Super Hero - Destructo Kitty. He can destroy a house or a toy in no time flat.
He loves his tunnel. I have written about this before. Apparently, he now loves to destroy his tunnel, too.

The orange thing in his paws used to be a ball that hung from a string inside the tunnel [see below].


This is what he has done to the door jamb in my office.

This is what he has done to the wall in the kitchen.

Best buds

2011-01-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

A kitty's memory

2011-01-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

I had a very sad experience this morning. Lately, little Chazzy has been getting very excited when I come out of the shower. He sits on the toilet seat and cries while I towel off. He also gets up on his hind legs and stretches as far as he can get in an attempt to rub and bury his nose in my hair.
I just thought it was an odd quirk of his and let it go at that.
Then this morning it hit me what he was trying to do.
On many mornings I use a little dab of Obsession For Men's shampoo as a final rinse in my hair because I like the smell of it. It reminds me of John.
I had no idea it was doing the same thing to Chaz. Every time I bent low to allow him to sniff my hair he went wild, rubbing and crying.
The little guy was missing John too and the scent of John's cologne was making him remember his Daddy.
Who says animals don't feel?

Toby's favorite pasttime

2011-01-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Toby looking out one of the dining room windows. We have always kept that shade drawn up a few inches so she could look out. She just rests her chin on the windowsill and watches the world go by - people walking their dogs, children playing, neighbors walking by. Toby also just loves to watch the street and the kids next door. From her vantage point she can watch them play basketball in their driveway.

Merry Christmas, Dad!

2010-12-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

We all miss you so much.

More humiliation - Riley 2008

2010-12-22T17:40:00.001-07:00

Oh, the humiliation!

2010-12-18T15:44:00.001-07:00

Chaz

From last year - Chaz had been sleeping peacefully in my InBox when I surprised him and slipped the Santa hat on him.

Bah! Humbug!

2010-12-16T09:04:00.001-07:00

Last year, Mom and Dad [ok, just Mom - Dad went along with it] thought it would be oh so cute if they dressed us up as Santas for our Christmas picture.
Then she posted them on the blog. Oh, the humiliation!
But because we are good sports and we know it makes Mom laugh and we want to do that for her this year, here we are again. But, Mom, we are NOT showing this again next year.
Love, Riley and Chaz

And because Mom thinks this is so funny, here are some outtakes from that photo shoot. We miss you, Dad.

Riley and his veggies

2010-12-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

I have written before about how Riley likes to open plastic containers, especially since he found out they usually contain his favorite cookies.

Well, last week I bought some small tomatoes called cherubs. They are about the size of very large grapes and they taste wonderful, like just-picked tomatoes.

The package said not to refrigerate them so I had the box of tomatoes on the kitchen countertop.

Unfortunately, the container is a smaller version of the type that housed those cookies that Riley loves. Yesterday morning I came into the kitchen to find the container popped open and on the floor as well as all the remaining tomatoes.

I guess he decided to taste some because several had teeth marks in them.

Then, I guess he figured that since he didn't like them, they did roll pretty well and made good toys. I found a few in odd places. Today I found the last one [I hope] in the dining room.

Gotta love him.

Reflection

2010-12-11T08:35:00.004-07:00

Chaz

Past happy Christmases

2010-12-07T09:49:00.002-07:00

This Holiday season is going to be very hard, I know. The kids and I are missing John/Daddy very much. There is no way to get around that. I don't even want to put up decorations because my heart isn't in it and I just can't bear to see his stocking. I remember when I bought that stocking, over 30 years ago. That year we had John's, mine, and stockings for Meow-Meow, Squeaker, and JJ - the furchildren we had back then. Now, everyone is gone except me. I remember, too, thinking last year how bedraggled John's and my stockings looked compared to everyone else's but how precious they were to us because we had had them so many years. There was no way I was going to buy us new ones. Those stockings meant a lot to us.
So, this year, I will remember Christmases past and how happy they - and we [fur kids included] - were. I know I am lucky to have those memories.

John - Christmas 1978 - with all our Christmas stockings

John - Christmas 1978 - with his Christmas present

Our handsome boy

2010-12-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

Chaz

I am thankful for my babies

2010-11-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

On this day before Thanksgiving, when we start thinking about what we are thankful for, I am so grateful for my fur-family. Their love for each other and their love for me has helped me through some of my darkest hours these last few months. They are truly God's angels, wrapped in fur.

Friskie update

2010-11-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Friskie girl isn't working out. She continues to be afraid and the boys are getting worse about teasing her. She was so scared sometimes she was afraid to go past them to use the litterbox. Now I am back to playing musical rooms all day keeping everyone separated. It's no life for us or her.
So, a dear friend has volunteered to foster her for me. This Saturday Friskie will go to live with my friend. She will be an only cat, an only animal in the house. She will finally have a home where she can be in charge again and feel free and safe. And I will still be able to see her and visit her and know that she is in good hands.
It's best all the way around. This way I won't feel like I am abandoning her and giving her away. I know she will have a good home and my home can finally start to relax a little. I tried but it was just too much change for everyone.

New toy

2010-10-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

I had purchased this tunnel a while ago when our other cats were younger. Then when they tired of it, I put it away.
I decided to drag it out last week and see if the boys would be interested. Chaz loves it and often takes a nap in it.

Riley trying to open the cookie box

2010-10-13T07:46:00.001-07:00

I tried to see if I could get Riley to duplicate his cookie box escapade. He tried and seemed to know what he wanted to do but wasn't successful. In the end I opened it for him but you can see how hard it was. I can't imagine how much effort he must have put into that the other night. He is one determined kitty.

Riley the Cookie Monster

2010-10-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

I have developed a cookie habit - not just any cookies. My local Safeway bakery makes cranberry oatmeal cookies that are to die for.

A few weeks ago, I was eating one and Riley came over to sniff. On an impulse I gave him a little crumb to eat. He wanted more. I gave him another. He ate it. Before I knew it he was trying to steal the cookie out of my hand. He was hooked.
Now every time I eat the darn cookies he's right there next to me, begging and annoying me until I share.
Then last night:
The cookies come in a molded plastic container that clicks together at the corners. I keep the container on the kitchen countertop.
Last night, I was in the bedroom watching TV and heard a funny noise. Nothing I had heard before. So I followed the noise. It was coming from the kitchen.
I turned on the light and there was Riley on the countertop. Somehow, he had chewed the plastic cookie container until it had popped open and he was preparing to chow down on the prized cranberry oatmeal cookies as I walked in.
Now I have to store them in the microwave for safe keeping. So far he hasn't found out a way to open that.

you can see where he was chewing

Charlotte's Blessing at Angel's Rest

2010-10-09T08:34:00.003-07:00

Best Friends Animal Society had their monthly blessing for all the animals who have gone over the Rainbow Bridge. Charlotte was part of the blessing held on September 30, 2010. This is a recording of that ceremony. Her memorial card is one of the many that were submitted that will become a permanent part of the new fountain being built.
Rest in peace, little one. Mommy misses you. Keep Daddy company. Give him your special little pats and know that I will be with both of you again.

Friskie

2010-09-24T11:07:00.003-07:00

I have been reluctant to post this picture and introduce this new member of the Collins family but I think the time has come. This is Friskie, my mother-in-law's cat, and she came to live with us last month when my mother-in-law could no longer care for herself and was admitted to an assisted living group home.
It has been a rough transition. Our household has been through a lot of changes in the last four months. Adding Friskie to the mix has not been easy, for her or us. At one point, I wasn't even sure I was going to keep her. She is scared and not socializing well. But giving her away is just not an option. She needs us. Gradually, she is starting to relax and explore her new home and I think in time she will fit in and become a full member of the family.
So, welcome, little girl.

Update on Toby

2010-09-21T07:30:00.003-07:00

Well, Toby's pathology report did not come back with a good result. Her tumor was a grade 2 mast cell tumor.
It appears all the tumor was removed so now we are treating her to boost her immune system and prevent any reoccurrence.
Our vet has placed her on some Chinese herbs and she is tolerating them well. I also plan on getting her some homeopathic medication to help with anxiety as some cancers are believed to be caused by stress. Toby also has a lick granuloma on her front leg which is definitely caused by stress.

Toby update

2010-09-08T16:25:00.003-07:00

Toby is home and doing well. She is panting quite a bit but I'm hoping she'll settle down soon.

Toby had surgery today

2010-09-08T14:41:00.003-07:00

Toby had another lump removed from her back this morning. It was small and we're hoping even if it's another sarcoma, we got it in time.
I am waiting for a call from the hospital telling me I can go pick her up.

Missing sweet Charlotte

2010-09-06T10:27:00.007-07:00

It has been just a little over a month now since Charlotte passed over the Rainbow Bridge and I still miss my little girl. I find myself looking for her at different times during the day and then I catch myself because I remember she is no longer here.
Morning breakfast ritual is a time that will always remind me of her. Her last few months were consumed with giving her medication and trying to perk up her appetite and get her to eat. She had special bowls and plates and they are still in the cupboard and on the counter top.
She also had a fascination for anything electrical. She loved to chew on the antenna for the mobile phone or sit on the remote control for the TV. Whenever John or I couldn't find the remote, the first place we looked was under Charlotte. Nine times out of ten, that's where it was. Just last night I reached for the remote and half expected Charlotte to be there.
Baby Charlotte - 8 weeks old
Charlotte perched on John's shoulder while he worked - 3 months old
I know she and John are together now and she can snuggle with her Daddy.

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

2010-08-28T13:33:00.002-07:00

Dad & Mom were married 29 years ago today.
Even though Dad is in heaven now, we know he's smiling and remembering what a wonderful day that was.
We love you both,
The Kids

Brothers

2010-08-20T08:40:00.002-07:00

Is there anything more peaceful than a sleeping cat?

2010-08-19T07:29:00.001-07:00

Chaz

Charlotte

2010-08-04T16:36:00.003-07:00

1995 - 2010
Our sweet precious little girl passed over The Rainbow Bridge this afternoon.
Charlotte was a tiny little kitten weighing barely more than a pound when I first saw her at the AZ Humane Society. She chose me. I was in the kitten room deciding what kittens to take home and when I turned around, this little fluff ball was trying to crawl into my purse. Of course I took her home.
She immediately wormed her way into everyone's hearts. John called her his little Charlotta and always said he loved her gentle little purrs. I know she is resting in his arms and once again they are snuggling together.
Rest in peace, little one. We love you.

So much love

2010-07-11T18:39:00.001-07:00

The look on Toby's face says it all. She adored her Daddy.

We love you, Dad!

2010-06-26T07:19:00.003-07:00

Toby loved to spend time sitting on the gliders with her Dad. And John loved it, too.

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T07:40:00.002-07:00

Happy Father's Day, Dad!
We know you are still watching over all of us as you always did.
We love you and miss you so much.
Love,
Jessie, Toby, Casey, Charlotte, Riley, and Chaz

Happy Birthday, Jessie

2010-05-21T06:07:00.003-07:00

Today is our sweet Jessie's 11th birthday. I still remember how little she was when we brought her home when she was only 5 weeks old.
Happy Birthday, Jessie. We love you.

Chaz steals from the printer

2010-05-16T10:37:00.003-07:00

Chaz loves to steal the paper from the printer as it comes out. Sometimes, I have to print something more than once because he's so fast he gets to it before I do and carries it off. I caught him in the act yesterday and then I just had to print some out just to watch him do it. He's so cute.

Damian Aspinall Extraordinary Gorilla Encounter

2010-05-15T14:43:00.001-07:00

If you loved the story of Christian the Lion, you'll love this story, too.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T08:27:00.002-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who mothers in some way.