Percy Turns Fifteen

It is so hard to believe dear Percy turns 15 years old today.  He was so tiny when Merci rescued him.  I thought he was a bird.  He chirped for a time, so he was temporarily named Birdie.  If he had not persevered until I believed Merci was correct and that chirping in the bush was actually a kitten, he would never have been rescued.  Perseverance was the perfect name for him.  Percy for short.

Happy birthday, from all of us.  You are still the same sweet, persevering cat we've always known to you be.

We were quite worried about you when you kept falling off the air conditioning unit, landing on the floor below, and determinedly going right back to lay there until you fell off again.  It was such a relief when you finally realized there is now an old desk by a front window where you can enjoy watching people and traffic without getting hurt.  We love you and hope you will have a good day lounging on your desk window perch. 


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Our last post was in January and it was a sad one.  I was sick with the flu and a high temperature the day Cyndi left for the bridge and for the last months have been having back and health problems.  I have no energy.  But Percy is the last of the original Funny Farmers and he deserves a celebration post.

Some sweet bloggers sent cards for Cyndi and have never been acknowledged.  We would like to do so now.

                                                          By Ann of Zoolatry.

                                               By Pipo, Dalton & mom Ingrid.

                                           By Alasandra, the Cats and the Dogs (atcad).

Thank you, ladies, for the lovely cards in memory of our dear Cyndi.  We apologize for being so long in sharing them. 

The Lump in the Middle

Marcus:  Jaaaaaaan!  Percy didn't get up.  He's still in bed.

Jan:  No, he's not still in bed.  And stop racing around the bed screeching.

Marcus:  Yes, he is.  See the lump in the middle?  That's Percy.

Jan:  Well, that's okay.  He's an old cat and he's staying warm.  Let him sleep.

Marcus:  That's not fair!  You make me get off the bed when you get up and you don't let me go back to my bed the rest of the day.  You even put a couple of gates across it to block me.

Jan:  That's my bed, and you usually manage to find a spot to perch regardless of how I block you.  And if you remember, you have a comfortable bed of your own.

Percy:  Hey, you two, this lump in the bed is trying to sleep.  Wake me when breakfast is served.


Tomorrow is Halloween, so we thought we would post a couple of non-edited "Halloween" photos from our front porch.  Yes, that is our friend the spider from Open Invitation to Marcus.

Thanks to all of you who assured us this is a good spider.  Except on Halloween.  Come visit it if you dare.

 Happy Halloween.

Oh, and before we forget again, we won the washable piddle pads from the giveaway over at Dezi's World.  Thank you, Dezi and Raena.  Jan says they are really nice and handy to have around with older cats.  Uh, wait, who is she calling old?

We are participating in Happy Tuesday blog hop. Stop by Comedy Plus to see other posts or to join the fun.

Temporary Apartment One

Percy:  If you remember, last Tuesday I mentioned I'm apartment hunting and showed you my latest choice. (Percy and Drake the Akita)  Jan then blocked the entry so I couldn't return.

I moved into the apartment next door to it.  Jan blocked that one too.  She claimed the shelves are old and rickety and I was knocking too many things to the floor.  My consolation is she piled so many items on both ends of that shelf to keep me off, she can barely dig out a comb without knocking things to the floor.

I am currently living in the bathroom, just waiting for one of those areas to be cleared so I can move back. While I'm waiting, I thought I would show you the first apartment I liked but eventually rejected.

As you can tell, I am up high.  (We have a high ceiling and that's the enclosed porch ceiling at the top of this picture.)  I love a penthouse view. 

See how happy I was!  Alone at last.

Something I really loved about it was that is was behind the bathroom door.  I love doors!  (Umm, Jan, you really need to climb up here and dust.)    It's such fun to lie on top of a door and nap.  So far I haven't fallen.

This soon became an undesirable spot, as Jan was continually invading my space looking for something stored on the shelves under me.  A mancat needs some privacy!  Jan needs to learn to knock.

For your information:  Vicat has posted a very important warning to keep cherry stems and pits from your cats.  Please take a moment to read I Didn't Know.   So many do not know this (we didn't until we read the original mention on Facebook) and you don't want your cat to get cyanotic toxicity!

Here is more information on Cherry Poisoning.  Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. 
 

Show Some Modesty

Cyndi: Pssst, Percy, wake up.

Percy:  Zzzzzzzz, zzzzzst.

Merci:  Percy, show some modesty! 

Percy:  Zsssss, zzzzst.

Merci:  You're going to be embarrassed when you see your pictures posted on the blog. 

Percy:  Zsssss, zzzzzst. 

Cyndi:  Forget it, Merci.  Percy's a guy. Not much embarrasses a guy.

Merci:  You're right.  He'll probably sell copies on Amazon.

We are joining the Pet Parade blog hop with hosts Rascal and Rocco,  Bionic Basil, Barking From the Bayou and Owned by a Husky. 

See you Monday.

Arc of Cold Water

CYNDI:  NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Guess who was yelling that Sunday morning?  Yep, you guessed correctly.  Jan

PERCY:  I want everyone to know it was NOT my fault.  It was an accident.  And it was Marcus' fault.  I'm usually very light on my paws.

SAM:  Yes, actually Marcus was his usual feisty self yesterday.  We had all been cooped up inside with no walks since Thursday because Jan couldn't walk on one ankle.

MARCUS:  She could have hopped.  If she had hopped along on our walks this weekend, I would have been exercised and this wouldn't have happened.

MERCI:  *haha*  Oh, sorry, Marcus, you're serious. But, remember, our friends read about our Tidal Wave in Middle Georgia last Thursday evening. 

RUSTY:  Jan fed us and started setting up at the other desk to eat her breakfast while doing her Bible study. She set a large coffee mug full of water down and was headed back to the kitchen when Marcus decided to chase Percy.

BUDDY:  Percy ran for the desk, leaped, and sent the coffee mug flying through the air.  It had a lid but since there was a hole to sip from and the lid was traveling at a high altitude and speed, there was an arc of cold water streaming ahead of the mug across the room. 

MICAH:  Jan was so upset with Marcus, she told him to get out of her sight!  So he walked into his crate and lay down at the far end with his back to all of us. It was quiet for the rest of the morning.

Percy is 11

SAM::  Today is a special day.  Our feline brother Percy is turning 11.

MERCI:  It's a wonder he is with us.  I told Jan that chirping noise was a kitten but she insisted he was a bird and tried to make me move on.

CYNDI:  Yes, Merci rescued a tiny Percy.  His name is actually Perseverance because if he hadn't persevered with the chirping and crawled out from under the bush, he would have died there

RUSTY:  We're very thankful he survived and came to live here. Most of the time.

MICAH:  He hated me when I arrived and beat me up every day for a while.  We have never become close, but we haven't killed each other yet so guess that's a good sign.

BUDDY:  From all of us, a very happy birthday, brother Percy.  May there be many more to come.

MARCUS:  Haven't I seen that graphic before?  Is Jan recycling again?  Can someone motivate her to make some new ones before our friends start thinking we have to make do instead of make new?

PERCY:  It's okay, Marcus.  This is one of the few times she has read her calendar before a special day instead of after, so we should at least give her a P for Effort.   

SAM:  You mean an E for Effort?

RUSTY:  I think he means a P for Partial Diligence.  Right, Percy?

PERCY:  Uh ... yes, how did you know?

BUDDY:  Rusty just made a lucky guess.

Update:  Percy has received this lovely card from Love is being owned by a husky.   Thank you, Mika, Lexus and Koda.

Stop by Pepi Smart Dog and join the Thankful Thursday blog hop.

And stop by Ruckus the Eskie, Love is being owned by a husky, and Barking from the bayou for the Thoughtless Thursday blog hop.

Today is Tomorrow

Buddy:  Oh, dear, here we are again.  It's late, late, late and we haven't had a chance to think about what we want to post tomorrow.

Marcus:  Why do we have to think about it now?  Why don't we think about it tomorrow?

Cyndi:  Because tomorrow will then be today and it will be too late.

Cameron:  How can tomorrow be today?

Rusty:  That's easy.  Tomorrow will be here in about half an hour, so then today will be tomorrow and tomorrow will be today.

Merci:  I might be getting old, but I have no idea what you just said.

Percy:  That's okay.  You don't have to understand now.  Just sleep on it and when tomorrow becomes today, a little light bulb will go off in your head and you'll have perfect understanding.

Sam:  I don't have a little light bulb in my head.

Micah:  Oh course you don't have a little light bulb in your head, Sam.  You have an XL light bulb there.

Buddy:  I'm going to bed.  You guys have all given me a headache.

Marcus:  Maybe your light bulb is broken, Buddy.  Would you like me to look for a spare?

Merci:  Go tuck your light bulb in bed, Marcus, before I break it, and you won't be able to tell whether today is tomorrow or tomorrow is last week. 

Percy:  I guess if I had to pick something to be thankful for it would be that I've survived another week with this bunch.

UPDATE:  Now that tomorrow is today, we'd like to post an update.  Basil the Bionic Cat and his Kitty Clan siblings sent Percy a birthday card.   His birthday was yesterday.  Thank you, Basil, Amber, Smoochie, Snowie, Posie and Humphrey.

We are joining Thankful Thursday at Pepi Smart Dog.   And Thoughtless Thursday co-hosted by Ruckus the Eskie and Love is being owned by a husky.

Headless Chicken Day

UPDATE:  We apologize to our brother Percy for forgetting today is his 10th birthday. We are so sorry Jan has a short memory and can't read a calendar to get a graphic made in time.  We need a new graphics assistant. 

A very happy birthday, brother Percy.  We are so glad you are a part of our family.

How sweet.  Percy received a card from our pals at Love is being owned by a husky.  Thank you, Mika, Lexus and Koda.


Cyndi:  Marcus, why are you dancing from one foot to the other?  You got ants in your .... um, you aren't wearing any pants.  Why are you dancing?

Marcus;  "Cause I have to pee. I really have to pee.

Micah:  So wake up Jan and ask her to let you outside.

Sam:  No, we can't do that.  Not after yesterday.

Cameron:  I must have missed something.  What happened yesterday? 

4" chunk of garden hose cut /missing.

Percy:  How could you forget yesterday?  Jan was running from one thing to anoher like a chicken with no head trying to get things done.

Rusty:  How would you know anything about a chicken with no head.  Have you ever actually seen a headless chicken?

Percy:  Well, no, but that's the expression and Jan sure acted like she'd forgotten to put on her head yesterday.

Merci:  She went outside to rinse out some vacuum parts and wanted to use the hose.  Someone disconnected and wadded it up it a few weeks ago and she hadn't had the time to take care of it..  She wanted to give all the dogs a bath today before she took a shower.  But now she can't.

Sam:  Oh, what a relief!  I don't need a bath.  I'm with Marcus.  I look good in dirt too.  But ... wait, why can't she give us a bath today?

Buddy:  Because someone helping Jan ran over the hose with a lawn mower, cut out a 4" chunk of hose, and then hid it by knotting the hose together.  Jan was upset because there's no way he didn't know this happened but he never mentioned it.

Rusty:  But what does that have to do with Marcus not wanting to wake Jan so he can go outside to pee?  Marcus didn't cut the hose.

Cyndi:  But that wasn't the only thing that happened.  Jan has fixed the leg on the kitchen table a number of times.  When she wanted to put new legs on it several months ago, Mr. Doug said, no, need, we'll just rig this and it will hold.

Micah:  Yesterday Jan bumped the table and the table did the hula so heartily it scared her.  That is one HEAVY sucker!  She didn't want to deal with it again, but she had no choice. It was a danger to all of us.

Merci:  So she removed the middle leaf and struggled to turn it on it's side. The leg popped right off, the screw and "fix" Mr. Doug had used were gone, and the brace was bent.  

Marcus: There was virtually no way to walk around the kitchen, the table things were piled on the washer where Jan fixes our meals and there was nowhere else to set our bowls down.  That was totally unacceptable!  We have to eat.

Kitchen table leg propped on stool and books, glued and duct taped on - temporarily.

Cameron:  Oh, so that's why the kitchen was such a mess when I got up from my nap.  I assumed she was bored and needed something to do.

Buddy:  No,  bored is not a word I would use for yesterday.  She didn't know what else to do so she used some liquid nail and some duct tape, propped the sagging leg on a stool and some books for a few hours, and hoped for the best. 

Percy:  The scream you heard was her trying to lift that table back on its feet.  Even without the middle leaf, it was too heavy and she hurt her back.

Cameron:  Okay, I get it now.  We don't want to disturb Jan if we value our lives today.

Buddy:  Correct. Tiptoe, lap water quietly - no slurping, cross your legs if you have to go and -

Marcus:  I'm sorry, guys, you better hide.  I can't hold it any longer.  JAAAAAAAAN, HURRRRRRRY, I GOTTTTA GOOOOOOO!!!!!

Cats vs Dogs Owners

Buddy: Hey, Percy, did you see the infographic on the differences between cats vs dog owners?     

Percy:  I must have missed it.  Where did you see it?








Buddy:  It's posted on the Entirely Pets blog.  Go check it out.  You'll be rolling on the floor laughing after you read it.

Percy:  Why?  What's so funny about it?

Buddy:  Well, as I was reading it, I couldn't help but compare the cat owners and dog owners to Jan since she shares this house with both species.

Percy:  It must have said those who have cats and dogs are klutzes and can't remember their own name half the time.

Buddy:  Well, no, nothing like that.  But when you read it, think of Jan.  Being a cat "owner" and a dog "owner" (as if she could ever own us cause we'd mutiny!) she's a bit strange.

Percy:  We already know she's strange, so they must have come up with a new angle.

Buddy:  Yep.  She's supposedly imaginative and self-assured.

Percy:  *snort*  You're joking!

Buddy:  Nope.  And she's creative and affectionate.

Percy:  Wellllll, she is creative at is being accident prone.  Affectionate?  She can't remember what she went to the fridge for, let alone remember we're here half the time.  Except for Marcus.  At his age, it's impossible to forget he's here.

Buddy:  She's also intelligent and active in sports.

Percy:  At her age, I'd think she'd be intelligent if she avoids sports. What else?

Buddy:  She's an extroverted loner.

Percy:   Well, if she is an extrovert, she converted while I napped today.  I think we should put out a memo.  No personality changes without our approval!

Buddy:  Oh, and she's an unconventional traditionalist.

Percy:  She's a what?  Are you sure we're talking about Jan?

Buddy:  No, we're not talking about Jan.  That's what's so funny.  In order to live with all of us, she should be filled with confusion and sporting a dual personality.

Percy:  You mean she's not?  I think I should go check out this infographic for myself.  Where did you say I can find it?

Buddy:  Here's the link for the differences between cat and dog owners post.

 Sorry, we're far too talkative to ever have a Wordless Wednesday or any other wordless post - unless one of us hit the publish button by mistake - but we're tired of missing out, so we're going imaginary wordless and joining the BlogPaws WW blog hop today.

Buddy Mini Mess

Buddy:  When I was a pup I kept the area around my bed so neat and organized, I started a bedmaking school to help others learn the basics of housekeeping.  When Mini Me AKA Marcus first came to stay with us temporarily, he was a young, impressionable pup and I am proud to say he has been an A student.

Marcus:  Thank you, Buddy.  I am proud to be your Mini Me.  I love keeping my area clean and neat.  Here I am a few weeks ago playing in my (borrowed) neat and clean crate.  I've since outgrown it but it was fun to retreat inside away from the mess the other dogs make. 

Buddy:  As you can see, everything was in its place.

Percy:  And what place would that be, Buddy?  It looks like a mess to me and the other cats.

Marcus:  I take exception to that, Percy.  Would you like to borrow Jan's reading glasses so you can see the photo better?

Percy:  No, thanks.  I can see it fine.  I can also remember Marcus dragging our cat toys into the crate before he shredded them.

Merci:  I remember sharing sleeping quarters with you, Buddy.  You weren't happy just making a mess on your half of the bed, you'd mess up my half too.  It always looked like a family of baboons wandered through and left their trash strewn about.

Buddy:  I never!

Merci:  You always!  And this winter while you and Marcus slept in luxury, Jan covered the crate to make me a warm cave to sleep in at night.  I could never get comfortable because of all the lumps in the bedding.  If that's what you guys think is gold star bedmaking, you obviously slept through the course.

Marcus:  I thought this post was supposed to be a positive one about me and my mentor Buddy.  He taught me everything I know about being neat and clean. 

Buddy:  Just look at how organized Marcus kept his crate.

Merci:  I hate to break this to you guys, but, Marcus, you're not a Buddy Mini Me.  You're a Buddy Mini Mess.

Marcus:  Thank you, Merci. I'm so thankful Buddy saw my potential and took me under his wing ... er, paw.

We are joining Pepi Smart Dog for Thankful Thursday.

And co-hosts Ruckus the Eskie and Love is being owned by a Huskie for Thoughtless Thursday.

Tongue Loose Dr. Seuss

Hey, Percy here.  I was just walking along minding my own business and almost tripped over Buddy's step stool.

Who left it here?  It belongs in the bedroom so Buddy can climb in and out of bed, not out where one of us could trip over it. 

And look what is on it, a copy of Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss.  We celebrated Sam and Dr. Seuss Day a couple of weeks ago.  Where did this come from?  No footprints.  No paw prints.  

Buddy:  Psst.  Marty was going to send it, remember?

Oh, that's right.  We've never actually read a Dr. Seuss book, so our friend Marty offered to send us a copy of his favorite.  I guess it has arrived. 

 

Marty said we should read it out loud.  Is he serious?

And here's a new trick, Mr. Knox.
Socks on chicks and chicks on fox.
Fox on clocks and bricks and blocks.
Bricks and blocks on Knox on box.

You need a loose tongue to read Dr. Seuss. I'm glad I don't have a speech impediment.  Still, it takes concentration and making faces as I enunciate each word so I don't make a fool of myself, in case anyone overhears me.  I wonder what Mr. Fox is up to besides confusing Mr. Knox?

Ben's band.  Bim's band.
Big bands. Pig bands.

Okay, now he's confusing me.

I have to think about this for a minute.  What does it all mean?. It can't be the answer to the mystery of life.  It must be a code.  But what could the code be for?

I've got it!  It's a new weapon of mass instruction.  I've deciphered the warning inside the front cover: Take it slowly. This Book is DANGEROUS!

I figured it out.  I broke the code.  I have to tell someone.  Anyone.  But where is everyone?  Any other time I'd be thrilled to have some time to myself.  But I'm going to burst if I can't share this intelligence with someone now!  Come on, come on, come on, someone come by.

Cyndi:  ** shakes Percy's shoulder**  Percy, you better wake up and come into the kitchen before all the treats are gone.

Wake up?  You mean I was dreaming?  But everything seemed so real.

Cyndi:  Oh, by the way, where did you find the Dr. Seuss book on the stepstool?  Jan says her friend Marty sent it to her and it disappeared before she could read it.

Well, I hope she doesn't read it out loud!  I think I've had enough Dr. Seuss to last me until next year. Unless the book really does contain a code. Perhaps I should actually read it - and stay awake this time.

**shakes head**  No, it was just a dream, a figment of my imagination. But I'm thankful there are some real treats waiting for me in the kitchen.

(This is obviously not a book review.  It's a just for fun post to thank Marty for the fun book.  In case any of you have a loose tongue and would like a copy of Fox in Socks, a Dr. Seuss book of tongue entanglements,  it's available on Amazon.com.)

We are joining Pepi Smart Dog for Thankful Thursday. 
 

 And Thoughtless Thursday, co-hosted by Ruckus the Eskie and Love is being owned by a huskie.  

Mancat Pink

Percy wears mancat pink.

Percy: Yesterday was cold, wet and blah, so I went blue for the day. Mollie of Mollie & Alfie asked, Do you come in Pink Bawahwhahhawa I lub'z blue but pink iz me favorite color :)

So, Mollie, yes, as you can see I come in pink. As our old friend Skeezix advocated, real mancats wear pink!  And I iz thankful to be a real mancat!

I'm thankful for a roof over my head on a morning like this too.  We all are.  Brrrrr.  


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Join Pepi Smart Dog for Thankful Thursday.   Also Thoughtless Thursday co-hosted by Ruckus the Eskie and Love is Being Owned by a Huskie.

Rainy Day Blue

Percy

Come join the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Two For A Quarter

Marcus with his stick encased in ice/

Buddy:  Hey, wait a minute!  How did Marcus get his picture posted again today?  He said he paid Jan a quarter to make him a sepia picture yesterday and here he is again -  in black and white. 

Marcus:  Well ... um, I guess I forgot to mention Jan made me two pictures for a quarter.

Buddy:  But it was supposed to be my turn.  I paid her fifty cents to do my picture.

Marcus:  Don't worry.  I'll tip her another quarter to make sure you get a turn next week.

Buddy:  And where will you get another quarter?

Marcus:  The same place I got the last one.  Out of her wallet.  

Percy:  I think it's time to tell readers about our Sunday Smile for the week.  This is a video of outtakes from Pets Add Life videos.  It's sure to give you a smile.



If the video doesn't play, click here.

Cyndi:  We're joining Dashshund Nola for Black & White Sunday blog hop, co-hosted by Sugar the Golden Retriever. 
http://dachshundnola.blogspot.com/
http://www.sugarthegoldenretriever.com/

Dream Treats for Winter Storm

Buddy:  Before we start today's post, we'll update you on the weather.

Yes, the ice storm did arrive in Georgia, as you already know.  We have been getting rain for a couple of days and the bare tree branches were glistening with ice this morning, but the winds, snow, sleet and ice won't actually hit us until this evening and will last into tomorrow. Emergency personnel in the state and county have been preparing.  We hope this will not be as bad as predicted, but evidently those north of us are already in icy conditions with falling branches and trees. 


Anyone in the path of this storm - and we know a lot of our blogging friends are - we pray you will have electricity and heat and will be safe!  Do check in via your blog, by email or on Facebook to let other bloggers know you are okay.  Others will pass the word along. 

 

Sam:  Hey, guys, I thought we were ready for a walk, but look what I found by the door.

Marcus:  What is it?  

Sam:  Hmmm, let's see.  This is something called Wysong Dream Treats. They're supposed to be a power nutrition treat, starch free, and made with real raw quail that's processed without damaging heat.

Marcus:  Real raw quail?  You mean there's a fake raw quail?

Sam:  I don't know, never thought about that. I'm just reading the package. It has organic blueberry and barley grass, chia seeds, broccoli, sprouts, carrots, plums, sea salt and probiotics. 

Marcus:  But if it has all those things in it, shouldn't the bag be giant size?

Sam:  Well, there aren't whole vegetables or fruits in treats. Just enough to make someone like Jan happy to serve them to us but not enough to make us complain about becoming vegetarians.  Besides, if there's raw quail in them, who cares if they've got veggies and fruits?  .

Marcus:  I wonder who ordered these for us? 

Sam:  It has "The Thinking Person's Pet Treat" on the package, so we know it wasn't Jan.  I wonder who we know who thinks?.  Oops, did I say that out loud?  Sorry, Jan.

Percy:  Those smell good.  I want one.  I don't care if they are treats for dogs.

Sam:  They're not just for dogs, Percy.  They're for dogs, cats and ferrets.  And they have taurine, something you cats need in your food.

Percy:  Oh, I'm disappointed.  It's more fun to steal from you dogs.  But I'll try it anyway, if Jan will break it for me.

Percy:  Ummm, good.  It's filling so I don't think I can eat more than half, but I'm sure going to try.

 

Rusty:  Yum, yum, yum.  This is tasty.  I don't think I've had qual before.

Merci:  We're not looking at you, Jan, and we're not speaking to you.  You should have taken the photo five minutes ago so we could have had a treat by now. 

Sam: I'm giving you the evil eye, Jan. Do you feel guilty yet? 

Buddy:  guess Sam's evil eye worked.  Jan did finally let us taste test the quail Wysong Dream Treats (they also come in chicken or rabbit) and all of us cats and dogs, enjoyed them, so guess that is an 8 paws up vote. 

We would like to thank Chewy.com for providing us with a sample bag of the treats.  We were not compensated for this post and any opinions expressed are purely our own.