Cats & Dogs

Call me crazy, this weekend I have 7 dogs! This is the most that I've intentionally kept, save for the 12hr "layover" I had a few months back in which there were 8. For those of you who have been here, you know that my place is small, which makes it extremely important for each n every dog to be properly matched and either a) take Tilden's lead and love other dogs, or b) go Gia's route and avoid other dogs. Never once have I outright required boarding dogs to be cat friendly (workable - yes - because i understand that not all families have the opportunity to cat test their dogs)... but between knowing my cat, knowing every nook and cranny of my house (escape routes), and having a good read on dogs general behaviors in regards to aggression and prey drive... never once have I had an incident or even a close call.

I've observed Mica (my cat) extensively. She has her post at the top of the stairs in which she'll sit and calculate the size, color, movements, scent and jingle of a collar, for every dog that walks into my house. If there are any doubts, she'll 'disappear' until they leave... but other than that - she trusts that I'll keep her safe (separated) from them if needed and she carries on as usual. She's either confident, or she's not... there isn't a bunch of hissing, batting, teasing, running, etc. If she makes an appearance, its because she knows the coast is clear.

This morning was pretty funny... i woke up and noticed that both indoor water bowls were low or empty and once i started to fill them up, i had a "line". well i shut the water off and returned to the main room... i hear a meow and down the stairs trots Mica right past the line of dogs and politely sits in the front of them. I put the water bowl down and normally several dogs will rush the bowl and all drink together... well today, 6 of the 7 waited patiently until Mica was finished before taking their turns. And here I thought I was the one in charge, hmph! Gia, of course, being the brainiac that she is, was already waiting at the kitchen knowing that i'd soon come to fill the 2nd bowl and that she'd get first dibs.

Mica is amazing cat. I couldn't have asked for one better! Now lets see if Simone turns out just as savvy. Who's Simone?

Ha...you'll just have to wait and see =^..^=

Happy Labor Day!!

(an oldie but goodie, the day Gia and Mica met, 4yrs ago)

*catching up* pt.I

...lots of excitment going on these past couple of weeks!! unfortunately i'm going to have to split things into a few separate blogs - hope you don't mind :)

since my last update, i had the privilege of house sitting for an incredible family...their big ol marmaduke of a lab [billy], a couple of fish [RIP to the orange and white fish], and a sweet kitty [henrietta] - who, like alley [another long haired girl cat client] - reminded me so much of my mica [speaking of which, mica just celebrated her 4th birthday on april 3rd]!!! i thought that mica would be my only cat, but alley & henrietta give me great hopes that not only will i have many many more amazing years with mica... but that some day, when the time comes, i might also be able to find another kitty as great as her. i say that they're laid back and mellow - but so many people would describe their cats that way, i just don't think it does these girls justice. they are very special!

kitties who come when they're called... who hang out with dogs... who can explore the yard while knowing their boundaries and not run away... kitties that can be flipped on their backs and cradled like babies and look at you like "don't stop there, rub my tummy"... they kiss you... and sleep ON you... and talk to you... meoww.

mica:



henrietta:



& alley:



=^..^=

pt.II billy...

yesterdays nap.

it was a very hectic and adventurous day which i successfully performed on less than an ideal amount of sleep the night before - so once i made it home around 4pm, i retired for a much needed nap on the sofa... well pressure in odd places woke me up. i opened my eyes to find tilden (my german shepherd) laying along side me on the very narrow strip of sofa that was left... mica (my cat) laying on my back... stimpy (a chihuahua who is not allowed on the sofa) curled up behind my knees... and gia (my old shepherd who can't make it onto the sofa even if there were room) laid on the dog bed next to us with her chin resting on my hand that had fallen from the sofa. too cute for words!! i was sleeping so soundly that i have no idea when or how everyone made their arrangements. i'm dying to know who was first... and to see the faces and thought process of each of them. wheres the camera and a spare set of hands when you need them???

My semi empty house...

Tilden and I are headed to the park, then stopping in Hollywood to take care of my kitty clients there. Inca, Tildens BFF this past week just left with her sister Sydney and for the last 15 minutes he's been pacing the house and whining. He never seems to get used to his friends leaving... The sisters were a perfect combo! Sydney is much more laid back and matched my personality... so most evenings we just sat around watching the crazy ones run around with each other, wondering how in the world they still had so much energy. Both girls were so well behaved and responsive to commands - I actually thanked their owners for them being so awesome!!

Tomorrow I'm meeting a prospective new client with a Lab/Boxer pup (Wrigley) who may begin "daycare" here a few days out of the week... So Mica will get a break before the fun starts again!!

testing the waters...

i have miss april here with me this week. i started off with several trips a day over to the westside, which wasn't so bad at all, but it pained me to leave her each time that i did. her eyes would widen, her tail would drop and she wouldn't even walk me to the door :( so... after a couple of trial runs walking she and tilden together - i figured i'd see how she'd do coming home with us... and long story short - she's still here - and seems so grateful. she and gia keep to themselves... tilden will greet her, but realizes that she's not here as a play buddy for him... and mica (my cat) is out and about with no concerns. it all worked out! i told aprils owner about the arrangements and she was thrilled that april was doing so well.