Da Tabbies Flaky Flounder

Rusty:  Well, here we are again.  What's on the agenda for today?

Micah:  Flounder.

Rusty:  Do you mean we're floundering or we're fishing?

Micah:  Fishing.  But first we want to update a post from last Thursday. (Buddy and Merci Trees )

Rusty:  Jan and the dogs checked out the trees after last Saturday's frightening storm.

Micah:  The Merci tree shed small branches around a pretty good sized area of the ground but despite standing alone without cover, it still stands tall. 

Rusty:  The Buddy tree also made a big mess, mainly in the road, but it too endured.

Micah:  Just like our two older siblings, one of these days those trees will fall or be cut down.  Meanwhile, they endure.

Rusty:  Da Tabbies O Trout Towne left a request to be compared to a tree.  "dood....we think yur ann nal ogeez iz awesum....we wood likez ta bee compared ta one oh yur treez!!"

Micah:  We asked Jan if she could find us a tree for Da Tabbies and she said they are well-known for their grilled fish.  In fact, their favorite foods are  ----

"TROUT, SALMON, PERCH, SEA BASS, FLOUNDER, BURGERS, FRIEZ, HAM, BACON, WHITEFISH, TUNIE, SOLE, SGHETTI, PORK CHOPS, DONUTS, PIE, CAKE, TROUT, COD, ROAST, PIZZA, CHEEZE, COCONUT OIL, AND TROUT;"

Did we really expect her to find a tree that reminded her of fish?

Rusty:  Of course we did!  Then she walked the dogs and the first thing she noticed was a flounder tree.

Micah:  We think she needs glasses for more than reading but she insists it's a flounder tree.  

Rusty:  She hasn't had flounder in centuries -

Micah:  Decades, Rusty.  Don't say "centuries" around Jan.

Rusty:  In decades.  It was flaky and -

Micah:  Are you calling Da Tabbies "flaky"?

Rusty:  A little.  Dipped in batter and fried with fresh lemon and tartar sauce, flounder was the only item on the restaurant menu she would order.  She loved it!

Micah:  Oh, you mean our friends Da Tabbies have to be a bit flaky - as in unconventional - to be who they are and that's what we all love about them?

Rusty:  Exactly!  When Jan ate at a particular restaurant, she knew flounder would be on the menu.

Micah:  And when anything is going on around the pet blogs, we all know Da Tabbies will be there to leave a kind word, or make us smile, or lend a helping paw.

Rusty:  You know they would be a lot happier if Jan had seen a trout tree.

Micah:  I know, but flounder is fish so I don't think they'll mind.


We are joining the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal and Rocco, Basil the Bionic Cat, Barking from the Bayou and Owned by a husky.

Be Safe and Sleep Well

Micah:  Oh, hi, you caught me just as I was about to settle in for a nap. 

As some of you are already aware, the Southeast has been having bad storms mixed with tornadoes this weekend.  We don't have time to say much on the subject as we need to get offline before the next storm arrives. 

We are sad for all those who have storm damage and especially for the families of those who lost a family member.  There are at least two more storms headed our way as we write this early Sunday evening, so we hope there will be no damage and we will still able to access the internet.

If not, you can at least view my handsome face and meet my favorite box - before Jan throws it out.  Sometimes she has no sense! 

 

If you'll excuse me, I think I need a nap.  It will help tomorrow ... er, today arrive faster so we'll know whether we will be writing a new blog post for Tuesday or searching the house for a deck of cards. to beat boredom.

Wherever you are, be safe and sleep well.

Taylor:  Shhhh, don't clap or yell or anything because you'll wake Micah, but we seem to have been given a reprieve from the storms.  It's too late to write a new post for today, though, so we'll see you tomorrow.  Unless something else happens.  You know how full of surprises life is.  That's one reason we furries take so many naps.  Speaking of which, it's past my pre-bedtime snooze.
 

Preparing for Winter Storm

Percy:  This is where I plan to be for the next two days - at least.  Hiding under the sheets and blankets on the big bed. 

Marcus:  Hiding?  I can see your hump.  Are you part camel?

Percy:  I don't have a hump.

Marcus:  I beg to differ.  I distinctly see a hump.

Percy:  Close your eyes and you won't see anything.

Marcus:  Okay.


Taylor:  Glad those two have that problem ironed out.  We're waiting on a winter storm to arrive today and carry into at least tomorrow afternoon.

Merci:  Fortunately, we don't get an abundance of ice and snow here but evidently some is arriving.  Last winter was fairly warm, so this will be your first snowstorm, Taylor.

Taylor:  From what I'm hearing, I'd just as soon miss it.  I hope there is room under the blankets for me.  Move over, Percy!


We are joining the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal and Rocco, Basil the Bionic Cat, Barking from the Bayou and Owned by a husky.

Talking to the Heater

Buddy:  What are you doing back there, Micah?

Micah:  Just hanging out.

Buddy:  Any particular reason?

Micah:  No.  Just dark and quiet. 

Buddy:  Does it have anything to do with the thunder and lightning storm we're having?

Micah:  Maybe.  Would you think less of me if it does?

Buddy:  No, not really.  We all fear something. 

Micah:  What do you fear?

Buddy:  Jan. 

Micah:  Why?

Buddy:  Because she turns up everywhere with that camera. 

Micah:  You'd better go now.  I hear her coming and you'll give away my hiding place.

Buddy:  She'll never think to look for you there. 

Jan:  Who are you talking to, Buddy?

Buddy:  The heater.  I thought I heard it crying but it was just my imagination.

Rockabye, Buddy

Percy:  Rockabye, Buddy, curled up on the bed.
             Visions of chicken roll inside your head.
             When the alarm rings, you'll lumber outside.
             I'll get your blanket while you pee and poop.

I know that doesn't rhyme, but the truth is the truth!  By the time he finishes his morning bathroom routine, I'll be curled up under his blanket sound asleep.  I  hope he doesn't then decide to return and sleep on top of the blanket.

We hope all our friends along the Eastern coastline are coming safely through Hurricane Matthew.  We know many have evacuated and some are awaiting the storm in their homes.  You are all in our prayers. 


We are joining the Pet Parade hosted by Rascal and Rocco, Basil the Bionic Cat, Barking from the Bayou and Owned by a husky.  

Poop Scooping Thankful

Percy:  I remember this picture from July, but why we are posting this today?

Buddy:  Because when Jan walked outside to take this picture, the sky was dark as the storm moved in around us, but there in the midst of the storm clouds the sun was shining.

Cyndi:  Oh, right, and Jan said this would be a good reminder that there is hope even in the midst of a storm.

Percy:  I get it now  This is Thankful Thursday, a perfect time to post an uplifting storm picture.

Buddy:  We are also thankful for a sweet neighbor who gave us her two old modems when she switched to cable.  Our modem died a few months ago and the neighbor's oldest modem was dead Monday morning when Jan turned on the computer.  We hope her newer one will last us a long time!

Cyndi:  And we're thankful for our friend who has helped us with so many things over the years, including the bright pink shoes Jan has been wearing on our walks for a while.

Percy:  And we can't forget the kind, generous blogger who surprised us with a shipment of dog and cat food.

Buddy:  Or the friend who gives Jan a ride to Walmart and church when she can.

Cyndi:  Mr. Doug gives her an occasional ride to Walmart too, but.Jan gets awfully bored stuck at home all the time.  I can't imagine why.  She has us to keep her company.

Marcus:  How could Jan be bored?  We keep her busy.

Percy:  I don't think poop scooping rates high on the thankful scale, Marcus.

Marcus:  It should!  If there was no poop to scoop, there would be no Funny Farm.

Buddy:  For once you're making sense, Marcus.

Marcus:  If she doubles our food, we could poop more often.  That should give us Funny Farm security.

Cyndi:  You should have stopped while you were still making sense!


We're joining Pepi Smart Dog for today's Thankful Thursday blog hop. 

Invitation For Lunch

Cyndi:  A little closer, Jan.  I can't reach the treat from here.

Merci:  You couldn't reach the treat on the front porch last week either.  Are you getting shorter?

Cyndi:  Of course not.  You're joking with me, right?

Merci:  Yes, I am joking but about a bird, not a treat.  The refugee from a thunderstorm on our front porch. 

Cyndi:  It was a bad storm.  I wonder why the bird was trying to fly in the wind?

Merci:  Maybe it was blown out of a tree?

Cyndi:  We'll never know.

Merci:  But it was nice that for a short time we could shelter a scared and weary bird.

Cyndi:  You know Marcus.  He wanted to invite it for lunch.

Merci:  I've never figured out whether he means "for lunch" as a guest or "for lunch" as the lunch.

Cyndi:  We'll probably never know that either.


We are joining the Pet Parade blog hop with hosts Rascal and Rocco,  Bionic Basil, Barking From the Bayou and Love is being owned by a husky.

Storming the Doghouse

Rusty:  Jan hates me. She honestly hates me.

Buddy:  What did she do now?

Rusty:  She left me outside Wednesday.

Buddy:  But you begged to go outside.  She told you there was a storm coming and you ignored her.

Rusty:  Yes, I asked to go out in the dog pen.  But she forgot me!  She vacuumed the rug, took a shower, worked on the computer...  She didn't remember me until almost 10 PM.

Buddy:  That is forgetful.  What did you do when the storm hit?

Rusty:  What do you think I did?  I sat in the doghouse and watched the sky light up and listened to the thunder roll as the rain poured down.

Buddy:  You weren't even damp when Jan came looking for you so you were safe and dry.  I hope the next time Jan tries to keep you inside you'll do what she tells you.

Rusty:  Why?   That was exhilarating.  I haven't felt so alive since I was a kitten.

Buddy:  You were terrified, weren't you?

Rusty:  Yes.  I cowered and shook and cried for Jan to come rescue me.

Buddy:  It's okay to be afraid.  You can cry on my shoulder if you'd like.

Rusty:  Thanks, but I plan to go make Jan feel so guilty she won't ever forget me again.

Buddy:  Is it okay if I watch?

Rusty:  Of course.  I'm about to enter Stage Right.  Come watch and learn.


We are joining the Pet Parade blog hop with hosts Rascal and Rocco,  Bionic Basil, Barking From the Bayou and Love is being owned by a husky.

Hot Footed Senior Citizens

Rusty:  You dogs seem to have such interesting walks.  I wonder if I should start walking with you.

Merci:  I don't think you'd enjoy it.  You'd have to walk on a leash.

Rusty:  That's okay.  I could learn.

Merci:  You'd have to walk with Marcus:

Rusty:  Never mind.  I can stay home.

Merci:  What made you think you'd like to go walking with us?

Rusty:  I look at the pictures you bring home and think how exciting it would be to see the scenes in person.

Merci:  A couple of weeks ago, Jan stopped and turned toward the mill.  This is what we saw.  Storm clouds.

Rusty:  I can see storm clouds at home.

Merci:  When we looked to the right, we saw Jan's favorite old tree and an unsettling sky.

Rusty:  I'd sure love to climb that tree if I had claws.

Merci:  But when we looked to our left, we saw a beautiful white cloud.  It looked like a fluffy white dog waving it's front paws with joy.

Rusty:  It looked like a what?

Merci:  Okay, you had to be there to see it in the original size.  It was enormous.  It loses a little ... a lot in a photograph, but it sure was a happy cloud.

Rusty:  I didn't know a cloud could be happy.

Merci:  It made Jan smile.  And then we hot-footed it home at a senior citizen's pace before the storm hit.

Rusty:  Isn't "hot-footed it home at a senior citizen's pace" an oxymoron?

Merci:  How would you describe Jan, two old dogs and a young one racing to beat a storm?

Rusty:  Huffing and puffing with tongues hanging out.

Merci:  Yeah, that works.  But don't tell Jan.


 We're joining Pepi Smart Dog for today's Thankful Thursday blog hop.

An Aiming Problem

Percy: That was some storm yesterday. Good thing it was a quick one.

Merci: Jan got home shortly after it went through and rushed us off on an early walk before the next one arrived. She took a photo of the sky on our way home.

Buddy: Jan made us walk in the middle of the road so she could get a good shot of the blackness framed between the trees. I can't wait to see how it turned out.

Percy:  I think she already downloaded it.  It should be easy to find.  She hasn't taken any other photos since Monday.

Merci:  Let's go see how it looks.

Percy:  I can't find it.  This is the only new picture I can find but that's the back of our house. 

Merci:  That can't be right.  She distinctly said she was taking a picture of the black sky framed by trees.  I don't see any sky at all.  Do you?

Buddy:  I remember we were about two blocks from home.  She used the zoom and held the camera up and pointed straight ahead.  How did she manage to -

Merci:  Never mind.  If we ask that question, she'll say it was our fault because one of us moved. 

Buddy:  She has said she can't see what she's photographing outdoors.  Do you suppose she's telling the truth?

Percy:  Do you think she has a  -

Merci:  Drinking problem?

Percy:  No, an aiming problem.

Buddy:  I'd say so.  She's probably feeling a bit embarrassed about missing the intended photo.  Do you think we should mention what a good job she did trimming the tree so we could see the house in this accidental shot?  What's so funny, Percy?

Percy:  I'm just wondering how Jan managed to miss the sky.  It's not like it's the size of a splinter.

Merci:  Not a word of this to Jan!  Agreed?

Hungry But Polite Kitty

Cameron:  Thanks for letting me use you as a pillow, Merci.

Merci:  No problem.  I think we're going to all be doing a bit of cuddling today.

Rusty:  We were going to do a proper post but the Southeast got hit with tornadoes and bad storms Sunday so we decided we wouldn't worry about one while we calm our frazzled nerves.

Cyndi:  Our weather radio chattered, beeped and made strange noises for a couple of hours.  Jan turned off the computer when the severe weather sirens sounded. 

Marcus:  I thought we were supposed to gather somewhere safe, like a hallway, a bathroom or a closet when there is a tornado warning?

Buddy:  We are but we don't have a hallway or a cellar.  Our two closets and bathroom are on the severe weather side of this rickety old house.

Micah: Oh, I thought it was strange it was business as usual around here, except for the lack of a computer.


Percy: Jan decided if there wasn't anywhere safe, she might as well do something useful with the time  So she washed our litter pans and changed the litter while she watched the wind whip the tree branches. 

Sam:  We are sorry not everyone in our area came safely through the storm.  We'll probably learn more  today, but we know at least one local business was reduced to rubble. And the electric company was very busy restoring service to some. We are praying for those in the severest storm areas across the US.

Cyndi:  We thought we could all use a relaxing moment, so we're sharing this ultra polite kitty saying, "I'm hungry!"


If the video doesn't play, click here.

Party Poopers

Buddy:  We are hopeful we can do a quick post and hit the sack.  It's been a long week and it's only Tuesday as we write this.  Almost Wednesday but half an hour to go.

Micah:  We told you a little about the start of our week.  We didn't tell you Jan spent a boring afternoon in between the loose dog and the thunder boomies. 

Cyndi:  Yes, she cleaned up our Bloglovin account.  So many blogs have closed or are inactive but they've stayed in our bookmarks ... in case.  But there comes a time ...

Merci:  We aren't sure we're going to use bloglovin but we can't stand disorganization so we couldn't add new links until we cleaned out the old.  Adding new links is the next project but Jan whines about there not being enough hours in the day. 

Cameron:  We've been having some problems with our monitor. Today we had more storms. After yesterday's scare, she turned off the computer AND the UPS AND crawled on the floor to pull the plugs. 

Rusty:  When the storm ended, she plugged everything back in and the monitor was dead.  So she had to start moving things around to connect Mr. Doug's old monitor, which fortunately was still here.  It will have to suffice for now but we're all going blind on it.  To think, we actually thought the larger monitor was hard to read with this computer. 

Percy  We thought we'd post a few photos from last week's storm.  Sam gets anxious so he is wearing his thundershirt.  Marcus is a mimic and likes attention, so Jan pinned a shirt on him.  He rolled around to take it off, then decided to annoy Sam.

Sam:  Yep, annoy is the word for Marcus.  He was determined to get me to play.  He did make me smile wearing that boatneck shirt, his old collar and his new collar with the price tag still attached because Jan hasn't had a chance to switch the rabies tag yet.

Marcus:  Look at those two old party poopers chilling out during the storm.  I'm young.  I have energy.  I want to play.  Any volunteers to play with me? 

Buddy:  Oh, we forgot the most fun we had today.  Well, yesterday now since it's after midnight. We learned our outside communication is limited to don't call us, we'll call you.  Seriously!  We only had one call  - or were there two?  no, one - that rang here.  Jan can call out but no one can call in. 

Percy:  Jan temporarily disconnected the phone tonight on the advice of Mr. Doug.  Guess we'll find out tomorrow ... today if that helped, or if Jan will have to run setup again (we could be without a phone for a month if she has to start from scratch), or if we need to call for help. 

Marcus:  Hellllllllllllllp!

Cameron:  What are you doing, Marcus?

Marcus:  Practicing.  In case.  

Splish Splat

Percy:  We had an eventful Labor Day.  (It's still Labor Day as we write this.) 

Micah:  It started with Jan getting up earlier than she planned.

Sam:  Good thing she did.  She put us dogs out in the pen and heard quiet banging noises.

Cyndi:  We know "quiet banging" is an oxymoron but it was quiet.  We cats never heard a sound.

Rusty:  Yes, we did, Cyndi.  We heard our dog siblings barking up a storm.

Merci:  We were barking at the black lab that kept appearing and disappearing at the corner of our yard.

Cameron:  Then Jan came barreling inside, changed from sleepwear to shorts and shirt and raced out the front door.

Marcus: She said later she went next door, rang the bell and knocked until the neighbor came to the door wearing shorts but barefoot.

Buddy:  She told him his black lab was loose and he woke up very quickly.  They came around his privacy fence and he said, "I don't see anywhere he could have gotten out!"

Merci:  He wasn't in a very good mood.  Guess he was planning on sleeping in.

Sam:  His dog came to meet him, a bit sheepish for having been caught.  He had gotten out but he couldn't get back in.  The boards evidently opened in only one direction for him.

Marcus:  He put the dog back in the fenced yard and nailed the opening closed. All was quiet.

Percy:  Until late afternoon when the thunder boomies and lightning started.  The rain poured down and the wind blew.

Marcus:  Jan and I had to cut our walk short and rush home.  We just made it before the storm hit.

Micah:  It was a bad one.  Jan shut down the computer and just before the storm ended, there was a close strike, a sizzle noise and the smell of something overheating. 

Buddy:  When the rain stopped and the sky got quiet, Jan and Marcus resumed their walk.

Merci:  This was nearby.  Jan could see it from our front porch.

Cyndi:  It was a fairly young tree - only a few years old - uprooted with a long white strip of missing bark.

Cameron: The tree was standing and there was no white strip when she hot-footed it home with Marcus.

Marcus:  We didn't do that!  Do you think the tree was hit by lightning?

Buddy:  Most likely.  I doubt anyone was out there in that storm with a knife peeling bark off the tree and knocking it over.

Rusty:  This is what happened at the top of the tree.  It took out our Neighborhood Watch sign. 

Sam:  I don't know about you guys but I'm glad this day is over and I think I'm going to sleep very well tonight.  It's been a long day!

Sam Models his Thundershirt

Hey, I'm back, just as I said I would be, with my personal Thankful Thursday post.  I just hope Jan doesn't come near the computer before I get this finished and scheduled or you'll all get another blank post.

Oh, speaking of publishing a blank post, it seems from the comments that lots (if not all) of you have a human as klutzy as Jan who has done the same or similar.  This is good to know.  It means we won't have to fire her.  This time.

So what am I thankful for?  Well, as you already know, I became terrified of thunderstorms last year.  Jan knows one is coming when she turns around and trips over me.  See, I go sit beside her, as close as I can get without touching her, but I do it so quietly she doesn't realize I'm there.  That's okay if she's sitting down, but if she's standing, she'll turn and trip.

Last Thursday I got a package from Khyra.  She was one of those who won some neat prizes in a drawing.  Whatever she wouldn't need, she offered to the first one to contact her.  Fortunately, Jan was still on the computer, even though it was late, and she snagged 3 items we dogs need - 1 for each of us.  Khyra went ahead and sent me this new outfit since she knows about my fear.

So here I am in my new Thundershirt.  Aren't I a red-eyed hunk of handsomeness!

Merci thinks I look cute.  Aw, golly, I'm blushing.

The question is, though, does the thundershirt help?  The package arrived just a few hours ahead of some bad weather last Thursday.  When I came and sat beside the computer chair, Jan knew it was time to test the shirt.  She also gave me two calming tablets. 

It was chilly so Mercy, Buddy and Percy did a cuddle pile.  I lay between them and Jan's chair.  At bedtime, I whined when Jan tried to put up the gate to the bedroom.  (She knows if she locks me out during a storm, I'll go from one gate to the other and whine so loud she won't get any sleep.)  So she let me in and I climbed up onto my meager sliver of bed.  Last storm the bed  vibrated so hard Jan almost fell out.  This time all was peaceful.

Until the storm got close enough Jan could hear it.  There was a loud boom and the bed started vibrating so violently I had to stand up to keep from rolling off the edge.  It was hard to keep my balance but I persevered until the storm passed over. Then I lay down and went to sleep.

We had another storm nearby after that and Jan put me in my new thundershirt when I sat beside her, acting embarrassed.  I did okay, even went for a walk.  She had to take it off me first so I could pee. 

I heard some dogs have no problem while wearing a thundershirt and others are not helped by it.  Guess I'm half and half.  So far, it seems to help me stay calm as long as the storm is not overhead or too close, which Jan says is a big improvement!.

Khyra, thank you so much for sharing your prize with me.  I feel really dressed up in my new (and only) shirt.  Jan is thankful it goes on with velcro since none of us like to be dressed by putting our feet through holes in material.  I think I look pretty spiffy in it.

We're joining PepiSmartDog's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop as soon as we can grab the code.  What are you thankful for this week?

Lights, Phone, Safety

Hey, Cyndi here.  I'm the only female feline now so I have to scowl and meow fiercely to get a turn at the computer.  It's Thankful Thursday and I want to tell you something I ... something we are all thankful for this week.

This is part of the view from our front porch.  The building on the left is Walgreen's Drug Store.  It's on a corner with traffic lights. 

Monday night a bad storm moved through the area.  Our lights went on / off / on / off and finally decided to stay on.  But just across the highway at the traffic light, the electricity went off for 3 hours.  In some areas of the county, it came back on at ten p.m.  Places on our side of the road - such as Dairy Queen, Hardee's, Walgreen's and Rite Aid were open and doing a booming business.  Other businesses - such as  Wal-mart, gas stations, Burger King, McDonald's, etc.- had to close since they could not pump gas or use their registers.

We were sure glad to have our electricity stay on.  The wind was gusty and Jan decided to keep busy cleaning to take her mind off the storm.  Sam did a LOT of panting and screeching.  The panting was from fear.  The screeching was because he was glued to Jan and as she moved around, she kept stepping on his paws or tripping over him.  He should be getting a Thundershirt soon and we are all hoping it will help his anxiety.

Update: We had a comment asking what is a thundershirt.  We were aware they have these for dogs, but we now know they also have them for cats.  You can read about each by clicking on the appropriate link, but you can buy them online or in stores such as Petsmart.

 http://www.thundershirtforcats.com/

http://www.thundershirt.com/

We asked recently if anyone has had experience with Charter's phone and internet service.  Jan decided we won't look into it any further.  A friend who has both Charter services lost her phone and internet Monday night when the electric went out.  She didn't get the cable services back until Wednesday afternoon.  In an emergency, a phone could be a lifesaver, so we think we'll stick with a landline, since Jan doesn't have a cell phone for a backup.

We are most thankful for being safe through the storm.  

Visit PepiSmartDog to join the bloghop. (Click on the first link below to find Pepi.)