intertext

Please welcome the latest addition to my household: Simon the Siamese.

It was one of those nice little serendipitous things; I've been thinking for a while about getting a second cat to be company for Tabitha, especially as I'm facing the loss of Robinson in the not-too-distant future. Having a young thing around might help both of us weather that. And then, yesterday, I happened to be doing routine errands in the Pet food emporium, and there he was! My pet shop does a satellite service for the local SPCA, and I usually go by and say hello to the cats in their cages. Yesterday morning, I noticed a siamese kitten looking out at me, and when I went to talk to him he came right up to the bars of the cage and nudged my hand, then stared at me fixedly, and my heart was lost. My friend kp, the cat expert, had recommended that if I got another cat it should be male and preferably a kitten, and I love siamese cats, so this was a match made in heaven. I wasn't sure they'd let me adopt a kitten, given that I have a dog and another cat, but perhaps it's the time of year when they're over-run. In any case, I got the approval within minutes, and very soon after Simon was ensconced in my bedroom at home.

He has not yet met Tabitha face-to-face, but they have sniffed each other under doorways. I'm letting him have the run of the house when Tabitha is out, and then giving Tabitha lots of love while he's shut away. Robinson is pretty much oblivious. Yesterday, Simon hissed and arched his back at R, but this morning he (Simon) came and hung out on my lap while R was lying at my feet, so I suspect all will be well fairly soon. I'm hoping that later today I can have both cats free in the house. There's something of the quality of a bedroom farce in whipping one out of the way when the other comes to the door!

Simon seems to have a very strong personality and has taken the new surroundings very much in stride. He likes to sit on my shoulders, which is fine for now, though may not be optimum when he gets bigger :)

You have to drive him (two and a half blocks) to the dog park.
You are ecstatic when you realize that he's still breathing, though deeply asleep.
You use your mother's wheelchair lift to get him up and down the front steps of the house.
You have little pieces of yoga mat all around your house, to give him traction on your wood floor.
Your cat doesn't take him seriously.

I am saddened to have to report that Robinson is taking Zoe's death very well indeed.

He has been downright perky, and seems more relaxed than he's been for a while.

Zoe was a darling, but she could be quite unpleasant to Robinson. As a friend of mine said, "They don't call them 'bitches' for nothing!"

Robinson is a sweet, unassuming, gentlemanly dog, and couldn't stand up to her. I think he's glad she's gone.

And he's been very attentive to me, as only a sweet dog very closely bonded to his person can be when his person is distressed. As I have been. I'd forgotten just how effing painful grief can be.

Zoe may have been a bitch, but I do miss her.

But Robinson and Tabitha are my creature comforts.

And you! Thank you for all the messages of condolence. They really mean a lot.

I was inspired by the artist's rendition to try a B&W shot of my own. This one is also the result of something I learned in my photography class about using fill-in flash to make the subject pop and darken the background. I am pleased with the result. (I love it when you plan a shot, and actually get something worthwhile!)

I didn't sleep well last night (isn't it always the way when you have to get up early after a lovely long weekend?)

Then I had a meeting at 9:00 am and taught until 7:30 pm. It's been a long day.

I have managed to get almost all my marking done; just one lot of 150 assignments for tomorrow not done. I may get up early and do them, but don't feel any strong obligation. I got everything else done, which feels good.

And the meeting? I thought it was going to be horrible, and actually it wasn't too bad.

Tabby-bits is playing with her mouse. There's no question that's her favourite toy. She and Robinson touched noses earlier, but then had a nasty scrap when she tried to eat his dinner and he objected. I had to wallop him, but really it's hard to blame him. Kittens can be extremely tactless sometimes.

My brain is mush and I don't think I'm making much sense. Must. Go. To. Bed.

And Tabitha supervises.

Hee. As you can see, she's not just "settling in," she's taking over :)

Robinson and Tabitha have now touched noses, and are both loose in the house. Tabitha has a baby gate across the door to "her" room, so she can run into it if necessary and also to keep nosy dogs out of her litter box. Her food's in there, too, at the moment, though I may move it onto the kitchen counter in a while, when I'm quite sure she and Robinson can be left alone together.

Robinson is lying peacefully in his bed beside mine, while I sit on my bed working. I don't know where Tabitha is - probably in a sink somewhere. She seems obsessed with taps. She has looked in the doorway a couple of times but seems unsure of passing in front of Robinson (wise kitty).

I suspect, though, that given half a chance, Ms T is going to be one of those cats that likes to taunt dogs. This morning, just after the momentous nose touching, she was lounging on the edge of the kitchen counter while Robinson stood at my feet below her. One paw waved casually down towards Robinson back... I told her sternly that she was being very unwise, and that fur batting on such short acquaintance was not quite the thing. I could tell, though, that she was thinking very seriously about jumping on him.

I suspect my household is going to become quite lively.

He has an abscess. At least that's what they think, and we will assume so unless it doesn't get better or gets worse or something. He was a model of patient goodness at the vet while she poked around in a place that must have been sore. He had his beard slightly shaved, a hole poked in to drain and was sent home with antibiotics. The bank was not broken, and I am relieved. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon. Poor boy; it must have been uncomfortable.

I can't believe that I never tried out the "movie" function on my little toy digital camera before now.

This could be the start of something big...

Anyway, here's my first official upload to YouTube: "Robinson comes when he's called"
It's really, really, short.




If you're lucky, I might upload "Robinson chases a ball" tomorrow.
I'm not sure whether or not I wish I had one of Cholmondeley. It would probably make me cry to watch it.

It was a blazing beautiful day today, and I am feeling content and happy with my lot (for once - *grin*).

Who could fail to be happy when she can walk up a high hill and look out over blue seas and mountains, with the sun on the water glinting like gold leaf?

Or see three turkey buzzards wheeling in the bright air?

Or catch by its soft rustle the fluid dart of a snake?

Or sit with the warm, solid shoulder of her dog against her side, feeling the rise and fall of his breath under his soft fur?

Or see this?