A Meme And An Award

The Furry Bambinos recently tagged us for a meme. This meme was created by all of the kitties at Petspix. Here are the rules:

You have to post who tagged you and link back to them and then to Petspix. Then you have to tag 3 other kitties, beans, woofies, or any other assorted animal.

What three things would you do that you have never done before, if you knew you wouldn't get caught, get in trouble, or suffer any consequences?

Well the first one is easy. We would drive Jan's car again and this time we'd actually drive it on the road instead of into the bushes - with headlights instead of a flashlight.

We felines would like to have a huuuuuuuge, humungous, giant litterbox with low scalloped sides so we could pee outside the box without having to work so hard at it. Okay, we have peed outside the box before (that's why Jan keeps newspapers under the boxes) but this time we wouldn't have to try so hard - and we'd get away with it.)

And we canines would like to roll in the mud, then come inside and wipe it all off on the Jan's bed and the sofa. (A dog can dream.)

We tag Karen Jo of Kitty Limericks, Lacy Lulu and Archi Ann.


And Asta gave us the thinking blogger award.
=Jan's Funny Farm., who's deep cawing fow fellow animals always moves me.

Asta, thank you so much. We appreciate this. You also care deeply for fellow animals.

We passed this on before and we're getting as bad as Jan about not remembering who, what and when, so we'll wait.

We have met so many wonderful kitties and woofies and enjoy keeping up with their blogs. But we are finding it harder to do this because more of them are changing the templates and/or adding so many outside extras that the loading time has become prohibitive.

We're disappointed to see this becoming a trend among bloggers because not all readers have an ultra-fast Internet connection. Some of us have regular DSL and there are some who still have dial-up. Plus, we have heard from bloggers in other countries that they frequently have trouble with their service and just getting on the net can often be frustrating. So, those of us who are blessed with good service might want to be aware that not everyone shares those blessings.

We personally need to spend more time updating our links. We are way behind on that. So for those blogs we have been reading and commenting on for a while that are not listed on our links list, we want you to know we haven't forgotten you. We're getting to it.

We are glad to report that Bruno is doing well after his surgery to remove the tumor. You can read his update here.

The family of Mr. Hendrix the cat is grieving the loss of Sonny. His cancer was too far along. Even thought they are sad, they have some good news.

There news is still good about Tia, though she isn't home from the vet's yet. Perhaps tomorrow.

Dogs Live Here

This is one of those forwards we just have to post. It reminds us of home.


My dogs live here; they're here to stay.
You don't like pets, be on your way.
They share my home, my food, my space.
This is their home, this is their place.

You will find dog hair on the floor.
They will alert you're at the door.
They may request a little pat;
a simple, no, will settle that.

It gripes me when I hear you say,
Just how is it you live this way?
They smell, they shed, they're in the way.
WHO ASKED YOU? is all I can say.

They love me more than anyone.
My voice is like the rising sun.
They merely have to hear me say,
C'mon, time to go and play.

Then tails wag and faces grin.
They bounce and hop and make a din.
They never say, No time for you.
They're always there, to go and do.

And if I'm sad, they're by my side.
And if I'm mad, they circle wide.
And if I laugh, they laugh with me.
They understand; they always see.

So once again, I say to you,
Come visit me, but know this too...
My dogs live here, they're here to stay.
You don't like pets, be on your way.
They share my home, my food, my space.
This is their home, this is their place.

Author Unknown (Anyone know who wrote this so we can give credit?)

Hooray! The funds being raised to remove the large, painful tumor from Bruno's leg hadn't yet reached the amount necessary for a vet to agree to operate, but a sweet, dedicated vet accepted the amount raised as a downpayment (something most vets won't do today) and Bruno's tumor has been successfully removed.

His mom can still use some help with the vet bill if any would still like to contribute. Scroll down toward the bottom of Bruno's page to read his updates.

Stop by Mr. Hendrix's to read the latest update on his cousin Sonny. The news is not good and the family can use your continued encouragement.

Dog Dancing

There is a special bond between pets and humans. For some with physical, emotional or mental handicaps, a pet can help a person find a reason for getting up in the morning. After all, everyone needs to feel needed and essential. Friends and even family might forget you, but a pet never does. He might let you sleep in occasionally, but feed me, walk me, scoop my litter will get you out of bed and moving on even the worst of days.

And he'll make you smile - even laugh - when you don't think laughter is possible in your circumstances. He can be a dog, a cat, a guinea pig or another type of furball. He's your friend, your companion, and/or your exercise partner throughout his lifetime. At times he might be your patient, needing special care, as he ages or goes through an injury or illness.

Those who don't have pets don't understand this and they miss a lot of happiness.

Carolyn Scott not only knows about this bond, she exemplifies it. For a number of years, Carolyn danced in competitions with Rookie, her Golden Retriever. To watch one of their numbers is to marvel at the way they work together, Rookie's eyes continually on her as he leaps, wriggles and prances through their routines. His enthusiasm and love for what they are sharing is obvious. It's more than a well-trained dog performing. They are both having fun!

To watch them together, one would never guess Carolyn was paralyzed with childhood polio when she was four years old. Today, Rookie is 15 years old, retired from competition and battling cancer. Carolyn is no longer able to compete at the level she did with Rookie, due to aftereffects of the polio and its treatments. Post polio sequelae (or the late effects of polio) has left her with diminished balance, which could cause her to fall.

Land of PureGold Foundation posted this video clip of Carolyn and Rookie in action on YouTube. In late 2008 they hope to have the full video "Gotta Dance" available. It will feature Carolyn's story in her own words, dance routines and commentary on what these two have accomplished. If you haven't seen them dance before, you are in for a treat.



Here are a couple of links for Carolyn and Rookie. Land of PureGold Foundation and Canine Freestyle. (link no good now)

And don't forget to drop by and check on Tia. She's still at the vet's.

Cheerleading Percy

This is the latest graduating class from the Cheerleading Academy. Our Percy is second from the right on the bottom. Isn't he handsome? We're so proud of him and all his friends for what they have accomplished!

This is the class relaxing before practice. L-r: Karl, Ruis, Mystery, Daisy, Miss Peach, Sassy, Percy, Momo, Asta, Opus, & Roscoe.

Notice the team spirit. Behind Chilly, center, are l-r: Percy, Norman, Roscoe, Brownie, Mystery, Miss Peach, Ruis, Opus & Karl. L-r top: Asta, Daisy and Sassy.

Sassy and Percy exercise to build stamina for the cheerleading routines. Behind them are Asta, Mystery and Daisy.

And this is Percy's certificate of completion. Great job, Percy! We're going to frame this and hang it on the wall.

All photos are by Sassy and used with permission. You can read all about the adventure at the Cheerleading Academy on Sassy's Tales. Stop by. You never know what she will be up to next.

(s) Jan's Funny Farm

PS: Note from Percy - I was leading JFF in an exercise class using Snowball's video of dancing to the Backstreet Boys, but it fizzled out when I got involved with the CCCSI production and didn't have time. But now I'm in great physical shape again. JFF has asked me to lead them in another exercise class. So I'll teach them some of the routines we learned and hope Samaritan doesn't squash Cyndi. He thinks he should be on top of the pyramid.

This is Your Human

We would like to thank Wildcats Three for presenting us with The Thinking Blogger Award. We sure appreciate this. Earlier this month Samaritan received it from Sassy but this time we are all included. (Samaritan never has told us where he got hold of a phone to call home from Sassy's pool party in FL. We're still thinking on that one. But no, we aren't giving back the award, Wildcats. We'll figure it out someday.)

We can't think - yes, we can think, but offhand we can't remember who we know that might not have this award. If any of you are missing this one, let us know and we will be glad to share it.

And we can't resist passing on a laugh for today. Have you ever wondered what your humans look like going to work or coming home? Well, watch this video and you won't wonder any more.

Video no longer available.

I Was Bad

First of all, I want to say, it wasn't my fault. Honest. The bowl was sitting in the middle of the kitchen table. Right in front of my nose.

Okay, so I had to stand up on my hind legs and stretch a little.

Jan was sitting in here typing at the computer and the bowl was in the kitchen, just sitting - right in front of my nose, like I already said. What was I to do? I just knew Jan left it there for me and I better eat it before Samaritan found it. And he wouldn't have to stretch to reach it. So I helped myself.

And then I heard Jan call me. I rushed into the living room to put on my leash so we dogs could walk Jan, but she was suspicious and checked the kitchen first. Uh-oh, when she called me, I left in a hurry and splattered some of Jan's double batch of cornbread batter all over the table and everything on it. I looked around but there were no other residents in the kitchen to blame.

Guilt was written all over my face. The speckles of batter on my nose gave me away. I couldn't deny I did it. But I really thought she left it there for me.

I want Jan to know I'm turning over a new leaf. So I had Percy take this photo.

See, Jan, this is my sorry face. I'm really sad and I promise not to do it again. Ever. Am I forgiven?







Percy, I can't see for the flash. Is Jan buying any of this?

Community Service

There are some new readers of our journal, so we thought we would mention that we aren't named Jan's Funny Farm because we're funny, although we often think we are. But because Jan used to go around muttering that she felt like she was living in a nuthouse. We have no idea how she could equate us to nuts. We three canines do eat nuts, but we're not squirrels.

So why didn't she name this journal Jan's Nuthouse? We have no idea!

Why are we bringing this up now? To remind everyone that life is not always funny, and thus some of our entries will be funny, some will be sad, some informative, and some might make you teary.

Do you remember the story of the woman who dumped a large number of house cats and kittens in a park in winter and the judge sentenced her to spend a night in the same park to learn a lesson. Despite that, she would never be able understand the totality of what those cats, unused to being on their own or hunting for their own food, went through.

In this vein, we heard Jan telling a story yesterday. It's a true one but we won't tell who told her because we haven't asked his permission. We could call and ask him ourselves, but we don't think he has any dogs or cats as articulate as we are, so he wouldn't understand us.

Recently, when a man was judged guilty of animal abuse, the judge asked the Animal Control officer what he thought would be an appropriate community service sentence.

Our Texan friend Mark says some local judges sentence "perps to work at PALS." This is a good idea. Make them work with animals and, hopefully, they will learn to respect living creatures.

But this ACO said he thought the abuser should work at the shelter and have to hold the animals while they were being put down. The "perp" lasted one day and never returned.

Hopefully, he learned something about the value of life in that one day. We think this is a fitting punishment for the circumstances and it would be nice to hear of more judges implementing this style of sentencing. Kudos for the ACO suggesting it and to the judge for granting it.

Weird Meme 2

We were tagged for the 7 random weird things again. We might try to wiggle out of it by noting we just did this the other day, but Cody at Camie's Kitties was crafty. This time, we weren't all tagged; just us - Buddy, Samaritan and Merci. We've put on our thinking caps to come up with some different random things about us.

1) This is nothing new to our readers, but it is strange. Merci loves cats. Now we don't mean, she loves them. We love them to. We mean she L-O-V-E-S them! If it wasn't for me and Samaritan, she would bring home every cat and kitten she sees on our walks. Even if they already have a home.

2) Samaritan is spooked by anything new. He even spooks at inflated Christmas decorations.

3) Buddy thinks he's alpha dog, cat and human. He's bossy, but underneath all that bluster, he's a pussycat. However, Jan says he acts like a human man, wanting to take over everything any of us do.

4) We all love veggies and any time Jan gets out the lettuce, we "hear" it and come running for our share. Bet you didn't know lettuce talks, did you?

5) Samaritan's favorite way to sleep is on top of Jan's feet and legs. He thinks he's a 50+ pound feather. News flash from Jan: Samaritan, you're a dumbbell - the heavy kind not the stupid one.

6) Buddy likes to dig in Jan's bed when she's not around. He dug holes in a brand new blanket, so we're all banned from the bedroom when she's not around to keep an eye on us.

7) Merci is the smallest of our pack, but, oh, can she hold her own in wrestling. So any of you girls out there who think you have to bulk up to wrestle should take a tip from Merci's handbook. Small means you can slip out of holds easier. But she's too small to play tug with us, so she feels left out a lot.

The rules: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a notification on their blog.

We've lost track of who has already done this meme, so we're going to offer this to any cat or dog out there who hasn't already done it (or wants to volunteer to do it again). And let us know when you do. We're still learning about all of you.

We're sorry it took so long for us to finish this Camie. Things just seemed to keep interrupting. Durango, Mao & Annie, Jan hogging our computer.......

Johnny The Bagger

We weren't going to get to post today because Jan needs the computer to finish something important. But her friend Bill sent her a link to a beautiful video and Jan said if we're really fast, we can borrow the computer for a few minutes.

We would like to share this short video with you. It's actually a video for humans, but it has such an important message for us too. After it ends, we want you to put yourselves in Johnny's place and think about all the nice things each of you do to brighten another's day. For example:

When one dog, cat, hamster, or other animal is sick, you spread the word and the encouragement pours in to the family.

When the inevitable happens and a family is grieving, you're all there.

When a dog or cat is missing - wow! - do you ever respond. Even when you don't know the missing, ill or over the Bridge pet. (Mao is home tonight and Annie has been seen on the porch eating, but spooked and ran off - in case any of you haven't heard the latest yet.) It's amazing how quickly the word spreads and you all react.

Enjoy the video. You all make our day a little brighter.

Johnny the Bagger

Mystery Adventure

Recently Sassy of CCSI fame and her BFFF (best furry female friend) Momo had a mystery adventure. We won't give it away but if you want to follow it, it began on Friday, January 4 and ended on Thursday, January 11.

You can read the story and clues on Sassy's and Momo's blogs between those dates.

January 11 they announced the winner and runner-up. We didn't win, so you know we guessed wrong, but we had fun. And everyone who participated got a Participation Award.
We're sure glad it wasn't a guessed wrong dunce award.

You Are So Kind

Many thanks to Agatha & Archie, Wildcats Three of Catnip Corner, and Charlie for the "You Make My Day Award." Agatha & Archie, the drum roll you gave for your announcement was a nice touch. Catnip Corner gave it "right back to us as our way of saying thanks for this great award." And Charlie totally surprised us. We popped over to say hello and - tada! So we're going to pass it on to some blogs we enjoy where the families are going through hard times.

This award is presented to bloggers whose blog brings you happiness and inspiration and makes you feel happy about Blogland. The rules are to pass the award along to up to 10 people.


WildcatsThree also gave us the "Bloggers of the World." Feel free to pass it on to your blogging buddies. All that is asked is that you link back to the originator of this award Colin at Free PC Security.
We would like to give both of these awards to:

Five Happy Hounds - We enjoy their blog and we know that right now they need our support. Their new puppy Durango is very sick with Parvo.

Mao's Mews - Here's another family that can use some encouragement. We're hoping Mao will be home in time to receive this award.

Krasota Castle Cats - Their Annie is also missing.

We'd like to send some warm mews and woofs along to each of them with this award. We really hope your worlds are brighter soon.

Durango

Update: Durango died early this afternoon. He had a short life but he will be missed. You can read the details here.

Durango is a puppy that was recently adopted from a shelter by the Brat Pack over at Five Happy Hounds. He is sick and has been diagnosed with Parvo. His adopter has run up a large vet bill trying to save his life. But it isn't looking good at the moment. They are about to try a risky (and probably very expensive) procedure to give him every chance to pull through and have some happiness in his life.

We agree wholeheartedly that people who don't take care of their animals and act like they're disposable should have to watch them suffer and die, whether at the shelter or after adoption. Animals are not throwaways! We are flesh and blood.

Please keep Durango's family in your thoughts and prayers. They are going through an emotionally draining struggle. Why? Because they love the puppy. He is not "just a dog," as some will try to tell you.

We hope Durango makes it. And if he doesn't, it won't be because nobody cared or tried to save him.

Annie Is Missing Too

Sunday Update: Hooray! Mao is home! And Annie has been spotted twice. Last time she was on the porch eating, but she spooked and ran away.

Yesterday we posted about the missing Maobert. We don't know him and we never met Annie either, but we are sorry to learn Annie from Krasota Castle Cats is also missing. Their humans are very worried.

This is Annie:

And this is Mao:
We have all our paws crossed for their safe return. It's hard to walk this way, but we really want to support their families.

Mao Come Home

Please, every cat join in to support Mao's family. Mao is Skeet's big brother and he's been missing for two days.

Read about his disappearance in the Friday, January 11 post on Mao's blog. (Link is above.)

Karl of the Cat Realm made this graphic, and as he requests, "Take this picture and display it and concentrate ALL your thoughts and purrs to his safe home coming, PLEASE!!!!!"

We sure look forward to learning soon that Mao has been found unharmed or has returned on his own.

Presidential Candidates

Now, why would a group of dogs and cats be writing about Presidential candidates, especially since we just posted one on Ron Paul? We're glad you asked.

Michael Markarian of Humane Society Legislative Fund has a more recent post on the Presidential Candidates, which we find quite intriguing and would like to share.

In his January 9, 2008 article, "Speak Out for Animals this Primary Season," Markarian suggests voters call the campaign offices and ask where the candidates stand on animal issues. He has a link to help with the phone numbers. Email addresses are also provided. Humane treatment of animals is important. Let the candidates know that!

As many of you have already read in various news reports, Mike Huckabee has a lousy record on protecting animals. You can find information on various sites on the web or click here.

We're dogs & cats, so we can't vote for President of the United States. You - the voters, the pet owners, the animal advocates - are our voice.

Jan's friend Bill sent her this message and we hope he won't mind if we borrow it.

"I find in my studies of people how they feel and do for animals will let you know how they really feel about things and people. If they don't have a heart and feelings about animals and other things God made, they will be found to only have heart and feelings for special ones who happen to be in the same boat as they are floating in."

To read the article on speaking out for animals, click here.

Ron Paul And Michael Vick

On the Humane Society Legislative Fund blog Animals & Politics, there is a December 26, 2007 article titled, "The Presidential Files: Ron Paul and Michael Vick" by Michael Markarian, President of the HSLF. Until Jan received an email on the article today, we weren't even aware there is such a site, and many of you probably never heard of it either. But it sure is an interesting site if you're an animal (that would certainly include us) or a human who loves animals (that would be Jan).

We are anti-dogfighting! Anti-dogfights, cockfights, "hog-dog rodeos," or any other type of animal cruelty. So we immediately noticed this comment:

"He (Ron Paul) voted in March to keep the federal penalties weak for dogfighting and cockfighting, providing some great pocket protection for would-be Michael Vicks."

We weren't pleased about this either, "But they (animal advocates) may not know about his terrible record in Congress—driven by an attitude that the federal government (and perhaps local or state government, too) should not play a role in protecting animals from cruelty."

What, we would like to know, is wrong with protecting animals from cruelty?

You can read the entire article here.

You Make My Day Award

We want to thank Hammer Beau's Brother  for this lovely award. We like your blog too, Hammer, and we will sure enjoy it even more when you are celebrating Beau's return. We hope that happens very soon!



This award is presented to bloggers whose blog brings you happiness and inspiration and makes you feel happy about Blogland. The rules are to pass the award along to up to 10 people.

We have pondered this and it is hard to choose. There are so many blogs that we enjoy. Some make us laugh. Some educate us. Some post information to help others.

Wildcats Three
Asta's World
The Kapp Pack
Bogden, The Morning Scratch (Sending get well wishes to Bogden.)
Jeter Harris
Bonnie Underfoot & Victor Tabbycat of 2 Tabbies
The Furry Fighter
Daisy the Curly Cat
Eric & Flynn
Five Happy Hounds

We tried to pick blogs we like that we don't think have had this award yet, but if any have already received one, you must deserve a second. :)

And now that we've finished our list, Samaritan has something to say about his photo in yesterday's post.

Samaritan here. I certainly do have something to say about yesterday's photo. These guys messed with my picture to make my head look bigger than it actually is. This is what the photo actually looked like before they tried to convince all of you my head swelled from my award.


Sheeeesh! You'd think they were puppies and kittens instead of adult animals, the way they tease me.

Samaritan's First Award

We are all pleasantly surprised today. We have received two awards. The first: Samaritan our largest and youngest brother has received his first - The Thinking Blogger Award - passed on to him by Sassy Little Cat. He was stunned speechless. And he's usually a chatterbox. But we'll let him announce it himself.

Here are the rules attached to this award:

1. You must write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think. (No fish or bird blogs, they'll just make you hungry)

2. Acknowledge this post.

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award" with a link to the post that you wrote.

4. Go tell your humans to fork over the treats!

Samaritan here. Yes, this was a surprise, but it's shared with the entire Funny Farm, as you can see. Sassy wrote, "I would like to pass this award on to: Samaritan at Jan's Funny Farm, because I am still trying to figure out how the phone got to the pool party and calls were made to home; hey, it wasn't even a cell phone. They are always helping others and making us aware of others who need help and how we can help them." (In case you missed Sassy's pool party, you can read our post here or Sassy's here. Notice the telephone I used to call home. And, no, I didn't call collect.)

Sassy, thank you for sharing this award with me - with us. It will be a pleasure to share it with others. We have been making so many friends among the dogs and cats of the Internet, it will be a hard choice. But I have to choose so...

1) Poppy Q because she is always introducing her readers to new friends. She takes the time to learn about each one. She encouraged SophieKitty to start blogging when her mom's arm healed. She definitely makes us think about being kind to others.

2) Stormy at the Army of Four Digest because he took up Beau's cause and gathered the Troopers together, regular A04 Troopers and Volunteer. He doesn't just think, he acts.

Uh-oh, I boo-booed. We all assumed since Stormy is Supreme Commander of the Ao4, she is a he. But she isn't a he. She's a she. And we all apologize, Stormy! (Get over here, guys. You told me she was a boy, so you have to apologize too.)

3) Darling Millie & her mom because her mom kept her word and started blogging to keep everyone updated on Millie's progress. Millie helps her mom do nice things to help others, but we aren't allowed to tell their secrets.

4) Forty Paws because Maw & her crew have done so much to help pass stronger laws against animal cruelty after losing one of their own.

5) Chase because, although she lost her eyelids, nose, and back leg at 4 weeks of age, she is an overcomer who spreads cheer as a therapy cat.

(s) Samaritan

Okay, now that Samaritan has made his choices, we want to add a little PS here.

First, we are all dying to know how Samaritan managed to get hold of a phone when no one attending had a cell phone with them and Samaritan had no money to pay for a phone call. He forgets he's not a puppy anymore and has large vocal chords, but he managed to call home and yell YIPPPPPEEEEEE!!! in Jan's ear. She's still having trouble hearing out of that one ear.

We've asked him where he got the phone, but all he'll tell us is, Think about it. So, Sassy, we don't know either. If you find out, would you let us know?

Anyway, Samaritan has not let this swell his head and we'd like to show you how humbly Samaritan is taking this. Percy snapped this photo of me (Buddy) and Samaritan this afternoon.



"Hey, my head is not that big. What did you guys do to my picture?"

Uh-oh, gotta go. We'll have to post the other award tomorrow.

(s) Buddy, Percy & Jan's Funny Farm

Good To Go

The entire Funny Farm is Good To Go! We have signed on as Volunteer Troopers to help find Beau. We posted about Beau the other day. If you missed it, you can read the story here.
Left to right: Merci, Samaritan and Buddy


Rusty, Percy

Crystal, Cyndi

Cotton, Cameron

We are Volunteer Troopers in Stormy's Operation Bring Beau Home (page no longer exists). If you haven't already read Beau's story, a good place to start is (Hammer, Beau's Brother blog has been closed.)

If you would like to become a Volunteer Trooper, help find Beau by posting about him. The more publicity, the faster the search. You don't need to live in Australia to help. You just never know who might read your blog.

Beau is microchipped, so proving his identity once he is located would not be hard. Although a microchip might move in the body - say, into the shoulder - it can be located and scanned.

We know Jan would be devastated if one of us was stolen. We all would. We're family.

Hammer is looking for his brother, so pass this information along and help reunite them.

7 Weird Things About Me

We've been tagged by Wildcats three to post 7 weird things about ourselves. Now we're not sure whether this means 7 weird things about Jan or 7 mildly weird things about us. We decided to go with the mildly weird things about us. After all, this is our journal.

Here are the rules:

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a notification on their blog. Here are my 7 weird things:

1. This winter Rusty and Percy have each singed their tail on one of the gas space heaters. (This has made Jan act very weird.)

2. Crystal is a boy. This isn't weird, but humans seem to think so. Especially one named Crystal. Look it up for yourself. The definition of "crystal" is not "it's a girl's name."

3. Cotton is not white, as people assume when they hear her name. She is a tortoiseshell.

4. Cyndi was originally Cinderella. But that's a story Jan already told -  "A Cinderella Story.".

5. Merci rescued Percy. Jan thought he was a bird and he did sound more like a bird than a cat at first. Jan named him Birdie, then changed it to .... (see $#6)

6. Perseverance. Yes, folks, Percy's name is actually Perseverance. His name was bigger than he was for a while.

7. Cameron didn't like being an outdoor kitten, so he packed his bags and moved next door. We're glad he did. We like having him here.

Now you know more about us, or at least about a few of us.

We tag:
Boy, bwog of the genius cat
PB&JCats
Forty Paws
Jeter Harris (& Mickey Mantle)
Sophie Kitty
Mr. Hendrix
Eric & Flynn

Keeping Warm

Well, the weather has changed again and it is C-O-L-D. Now, maybe for some of you, our weather wouldn't phase you. But we're all wimps here when it comes to the cold weather.

Cotton spent the day in bed on top of the fridge. Rusty slept in his extra-large laundry basket bed. The other cats curled up in the other cat beds Jan made them. But this is how we canines spent much of our day. Since Jan added this area rug, we spend more time in the living room with the heater. (We have to. Jan puts a chair on top of the bed when she gets up now.)

Yep, we were fascinated with the gas space heater. There was an electric one running behind us but you can tell which one put out the most heat.

You notice who has front row seats here.

Yes, we shared with Merci. See.... She should have just dragged her pillow over near the fire.

This is in direct opposition to the beautiful weather we had while in Florida for Sassy's pool party. Now that was fun! Warm water, sunshine, food and drink, even a fire hydrant at our pawtips. Good company and friends - animals only. (To make it easy to identify our crew, their names are in red.)
Percy (in the hat) and Cyndi are lounging on the bench to the back. Left to right: Opus, Cotton, Pinot & Momo are on the side of the pool and (l to r) Sassy, Roscoe & Asta are in the water.

l-r: Gemini, Cameron, Buddy, & Cheysuli
l-r: Rusty, Crystal, Merci, & Samaritan
You can read the story and see photos of some of Sassy's other guests here.

We're going to go back and sleep by the heater again. It's just too cold sitting here at the computer. Ah, to be back in Florida again.

Sigh.

(s) Percy, for Jan's Funny Farm

NOMS

We have noticed "NOMS (not of my species) Friends" mentioned on several blogs, so we thought we would introduce you to some very unusual NOMS friends, in case you haven't already met them.

photo ©2007 Shreve Stockton
used with permission






These two beautiful creatures are Eli the cat and Charlie the coyote. Yes, the cat and the coyote are brothers and friends.

They haven't always been friends. Charlie was a small orphaned cub when they met, and at first, Eli identified Charlie as a predator and feared him.

Now before anyone gets their tail in a knot, in Wyoming, it is legal to keep a wild animal as a pet and there is no permit required. So raising Charlie is legal.

That said, you can visit Charlie, Eli and their human at The Daily Coyote. It is worth the time to scroll down and read about Charlie and to watch him growing. There is a time lapse of several months between the photos and the postings, so there is more to come. You can also sign up to receive the daily photo updates. There is both a paid photo subscription and a free one.

Ah, if only humans could get along this well.

(s) Cyndi, for Jan's Funny Farm residents