Pets – Page 74

I Feel Like I’m Being Watched

I was standing on our front steps watching a squirrel move through a snowy tree when I turned around and was transported back 16 years. Up top is Boo watching me from our front door, below is Templeton watching me from the back door in 2001.

Goodbye Sun, Goodbye Snow

Ellie watches the last rays of the setting sun from a snow-covered hill in Irving Park. I thought this Sunday afternoon walk was going to be our last walk together in the snow after a week of walking in the white as I was back at work on Monday, but I stayed home on Tuesday when temperatures didn’t warm as quickly as predicted and a possible ice storm was approaching. Thankfully the ice just missed us but Ellie and I had one more long walk in the snow that morning before the great thaw started in the evening.

I treasure every moment with this sweet pup.

Red Five Prepares for the Trench Run

A week ago we got an unusually heavy snow (5th heaviest snowfall on record for Portland) and work was canceled. This was the snow I had been hoping Ellie would get to play in (plenty more than I had hoped for), not only because she enjoys it but because it reminds me of the snowstorm that led to us adopting her, so we went out for a long walk in the morning. On some streets we were the first to be out and had to blaze a trail through the deep snow, in the early going she was happy to plunge along in the lead but an hour and a half later she was happy to follow in my footsteps.

She went on another long walk in the afternoon around sunset, I took this picture of her on our shoveled sidewalk after we got back so you can see that with the snow up to her belly it was a lot of work for our elderly pup to get through the snow, she got more than her share of exercise that day. Normally snow melts pretty quickly here in Portland but a cold snap kept the snow around for a week, it started warming last night and the snow is rapidly melting (and the water now seeping into our basement).

We had a great time in the snow, the pup and I, but now I’m ready for spring. When does that start, next week?

Here Comes the Sun

While it may seem like Ellie is awaiting the rising of the sun, she’s really awaiting the giving of the treats, her reward for sitting still when I take pictures on our walks.

The Rectangular Cat

I don’t think it’s fair that Boo doesn’t have to follow the laws of physics like the rest of us.

Spying on Santa

For thousands of years on Christmas Eve, children have hoped to catch Santa delivering presents under the Christmas tree. But he always managed to avoid detection, until this year that is, when he looked down at a box beside a Christmas tree and realized, too late, the box was looking back at him. Don’t feel bad Santa, Boo is a clever little fellow. And the Boo Box has only increased his powers.

Snow Watch

Our cat Sam watches the snow fall outside our picture window. This is the fourth time we’ve gotten snow this crazy winter but this is the first heavy snowfall. The other times ice was much more of a problem, but this is the lovely snow I had hoped to take Ellie out in the previous times. They’ve canceled work tomorrow so I’ll be able to take her on a nice long walk in the morning.

Boo Skies

The blue skies behind Boo are the sky blue walls of my office. When we bought the house years ago, to go along with the brown hardwood floors and area rug, I had the walls painted sky blue with a white ceiling, so I could have my earth and sky even while sitting indoors. My mini-earth is full of beautiful creatures too, but mine are more snuggly.

Son of Boo Box

I finally figured out why Boo was so enamored with the Boo Box, a box that was part of the packaging for the dog ramp we got for Ellie to help her get into the car in her old age. I knew that he liked the size, which was perfectly Boo-sized, but he didn’t show the same devotion to other boxes of the same size. Then I realized that the bottom of the Boo Box was completely flat, while the other boxes had folded flaps that kept the bottom from being smooth.

I’ve been drinking Carnation instant breakfast every morning for at least a couple of decades, so we get in delivered in bulk. The smaller boxes were close in size to the Boo Box and I realized if I opened it a particular way, I could end up with a smooth bottom. So I cut the top off and Boo took to it right away, although it is too tall for him to be able to stretch out like he enjoys. I also put out some old shoe boxes with flat bottoms that have a much lower height and he’s been enjoying those too.

I might wrap this one in wrapping paper so it looks a little more festive, or maybe I should see if Nestle is interested in sponsorship …

The Look

This is the look of a cat who can’t believe his impudent young sister had the audacity to lick him on the head. I reminded our nine-year old that eight years ago an impudent young cat wrapped his arms around his older sister’s head and gave her a full-on bath. I’m not sure he appreciated the reminder.