Tag Archives: cat

The Friendly Feral


My mother-in-law, Elaine, has been feeding several feral cats in her neighborhood for several years now. Currently she has about four, perhaps more, that hang out near her home. Sometimes we go there to visit and there is a cat, sometimes two,  hanging out under her carport. She has even been able to coax a couple of these ferals to come inside at least part-time. Her current cat, Pumpkin, is not too keen on an outside cat coming in and sleeping on the bed, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

We went to visit recently and saw a gold cat she named Benny and I was amazed at how friendly this cat was for a feral. It’s possible he was a pet at one time but that would be unusual since the pattern seems to be feral cats in that area. Thankfully, Elaine has done a good job getting the cats that hang around her house fixed.

Benny the cat

When we arrived Benny was outside and I called him over to me and he came willingly. He loved being pet and rolled around in the grass while he talked to me. It was a very cool experience to see a feral cat so happy to get a little attention. I recorded it for your viewing pleasure. Please forgive the bad framing. I could not see the screen while I was recording and guessed a bit high.

Benny does have a bit of a skin condition on his nose but Elaine is treating it with an ointment.

So what do you think of Benny?

Love Hurts


Chris is the most affectionate cat I have ever had. He is also more affectionate than any dog I have ever had. He spends a good part of his day on my lap, on Rose’s lap or curled up with Frankie or Puck.

Chuck and Bad Cat Chris

I’m not complaining, I love that about him, but part of that affection is an unusual need to bite, especially my nose. Fortunately, the biting is only a small part of his affection but it is quite annoying and the reason all the cats get locked out of the bedroom at night.

IMG_20160414_192726Chuck and Bad Cat Chris

Chuck and Bad Cat Chris

Now I’d like to hear about your most affection pet.

Letting Go is Hard to Do, Especially When it’s a Lizard


Chris slipped past me and out the door twice on Sunday. The first time he caught a lizard right away. Even though Chris has gained some weight lately, he is still better at catching lizards, and everything else, than all the other cats we have ever had. When he does catch a lizard, he wants to immediately bring it in the house.

I’m not sure why he has to bring his catch inside but he will just sit at the door with a lizard hanging from his mouth until someone lets him in. That was not going to happen Sunday and I tried to get him to let it go but he was not up for that.

Does anyone else have a cat that has to bring their catch inside?

Chris the Destroyer


Sleeping used to be difficult with an annoying cat around. Chris would keep us up at night, especially me, by biting my nose and digging his claws into my neck and back. We tried closing him out of the bedroom but he would go through great lengths to get us to open the door, including digging up the carpet. Since we no longer have carpet at the door, sleeping has been easier. We still put up with him crying at 4:00 a.m. but that is nothing compared to what we used to go through.

Unfortunately, our new home has doors that are not made using the highest of quality standards, so since Chris couldn’t dig down and destroy the carpet, he started digging up to destroy the door.

20160323_cats_3918

We decided to replace the door, along with the bathroom door, and put in something a little better. I’m not exactly a handyman and every project seems to come with complications, this was no different. Nothing on the new doors fit or lined up with the old doors but I eventually got them in and working.

Cat Frankie with new doors

Early the next morning I hear Chris whining and scratching at the door. I think to myself “he is going to ruin our new door” and I consider opening the door to get him to stop, but then I realized that I can’t let him win. I decided this would be a good test, so I went back to sleep. The next morning the door was still in one piece so chalk one up for team human.

Photo Friday: If Frankie Can’t Have Pizza, Nobody Can


I used to think that dogs were beggars, not cats, but that is not true. Our cats seem to want what we are eating no matter what. Often we have to let them smell it before they will back off but they are relentless when it comes to chicken and pizza. With pizza, it

It’s the cheese that they like so yes, I’m a sucker and pull off some cheese for the cats, but no bread. I have to draw the line somewhere.

Cat Frankie on pizza box