Desert Cats

A bobcat relaxes in the shadows on the Brown's Ranch Road trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 9, 2023. Original: _Z724497.NEF

After seeing his first rattlesnake on Saturday, the desert offered Bear another first on Sunday when I took him to the Pima Dynamite trailhead for the first time (and my first visit in a long time), hiking from there to the Brown’s Ranch trailhead. At the end of the hike from a distance I heard a rattlesnake and it continued its rattle as we approached. It was safely off the trail hidden under a bush (I never did see it), but I also couldn’t see the source of its agitation until we rounded a bend and saw a bobcat relaxing in the shadows next to the bush. I was shocked Bear didn’t seem interested in it, and that after a quick glance it didn’t seem bothered by Bear. When Bear asked what a bobcat was I said it was like Trixie but several times larger and with less attitude.

Last night as we relaxed in my office the cats sprang off me when there was a rustling outside and we heard chomping on the other side of a large bush. Not wanting to scare whatever was enjoying a meal I waited until at last the chewing stopped and a small bobcat trotted into sight before disappearing into the neighbor’s yard.

We’ll never see the desert’s big cats but the small ones do put on a show from time to time.

Back on His Feet

Our dog Bear relaxes on the futon with his beloved cactus toy beside him on February 11, 2023. Original: _Z723591.NEF

A few weeks back Bear showed signs of pain around his neck and the vet recommended some pain killers and no playing or walks until the medicine ran out. So far the long rest seems to have done the trick, I was able to leave work a little early on Tuesday and took him on a short hike in the desert and he practically dragged me down the trails. Friday afternoon we took his first hike to the Marcus Landslide where lots of wildflowers were blooming, yesterday we took my favorite loop up at Brown’s Ranch. His rattlesnake training got pushed out a month due to his injury but thankfully we haven’t encountered any of the bitey bits of the desert yet.

Boo of Many Colors

Our cat Boo rests on our bed on July 26, 2022. Original: _Z723673.NEF

Boo keeping me company in the bedroom in July of 2021 when I was quarantined courtesy of the pandemic. He’s been glommed all over me this winter and is curled up on my legs at the moment but I suspect he’ll not be quite so attached as the warmer weather returns.

The Return of White Whisker

Our cat Trixie relaxes on the couch on December 10, 2022. Original: _Z721861.NEF

As a kitten in addition to her normal allotment of whiskers Trixie had three thick white ones. Once they fell out they never grew back, at least not until recently when one made its bold return. It fell out a few days back and so far its siblings have stayed dormant, so she’s back to looking like her normal self. This picture is from December when White Whisker was in full force.

I Didn’t Even Make It A Day

A close-up of our cat Trixie looking out from a cat bed on October 9, 2022. Original: _Z727176.NEF

New Year’s Day arrived with a steady and gentle rain, Bear and I took advantage with a long walk in the neighborhood we had all to ourselves. It almost felt like Portland save for the saguaros standing in the mist. Trixie slept in my lap most of the day, when daylight fell the winds picked up and she hopped off my lap and hid under the blanket beside me. She disappeared when a thunderstorm arrived with the night so I went into the bedroom to check on her, bending down to kiss the tiny lump under the covers on my side of the bed, thanked with a quiet squeak. When the storm passed she returned to my lap but I was chagrined my promise there would be no thunder until July didn’t survive even a day into the new year.

She’s Right to be Angry

Our cat Trixie looks straight at me while resting in the cat bed on June 17, 2022. Original: _Z722923.NEF

I assured Trixie monsoon season was over (in my defense, it was) but we had a couple of boomers roll through the first week of October. If you see a tortoiseshell with the tiniest little suitcases and a placard that says “Oregon or Bust” please let us know, she’s not allowed outside much less to hitchhike across the country.