New Pillows for Percy

Percy:  It was nice of Jan to buy me my own pillows.  These two are so nice and soft.

Cyndi:  You are aware, aren't you, those are not pillows!  Those are Jan's new slippers.

Percy:  Slippers.  Pillows.  What's the difference.  They are soft, padded and comfortable, and I have sweet dreams with my head on one.

Cyndi:  Don't get too comfortable.  Those slippers are so padded there isn't room for Jan's feet.  Since putting her feet in them was the sole purpose of buying them, she will be returning them as soon as possible.

Percy:  If she does, she'll have to return me with them.

Cyndi:  That would make Micah very happy.  Do you really want to make Micah happy?

Percy:  Do you think if I leave them where Micah sleeps, Jan will return him with the slippers?


We are praying for those impacted by Hurricane Michael which lashed Florida so hard a couple of days ago and has traveled north as a tropical storm.  It is hard to see the pictures and videos of homes and businesses destroyed, just as it was recently for Florence and all the other hurricanes and tornadoes that have done so much damage.

It was not as bad as expected when it arrived here Wednesday.  A lot of rain and wind, tornado watches and warnings and a siren scare.  We woke Thursday to a beautiful day, hoping all of you are safe.

Thank you to the friends and family who called or emailed yesterday to check on us.   

We are joining Flashback Friday.  To see other blog entries and/or to enter your own blog, visit the Five Sibes. 

And joining Feline Friday at Comedy Plus.

Promoted to Back Seat Driver

 Marcus:  I have the sads.  Jan says I have to keep riding in the back of the SUV. 

Percy:  I can see you have something.  I hope it isn't contagious! 

Marcus:  I am ignoring Jan.  She let me into the front seat but she still says I can't drive.

Percy:  I don't blame her!

 Marcus:  She gets the back of disgust.

Percy:  You need to learn anatomy.  That's your right shoulder, not your back.

Marcus:  Did I hear Jan correctly?

Percy:  Probably not.  You hear what you want to hear.

Marcus: Jan said if I'm a really good back seat passenger, she'll let me become a back seat driver.

Percy:  Oh, good, you might have found your niche, Marcus.  I bet you'll make a great back seat driver.  Perhaps you could even become a back, back seat driver.  You know, ride all the way in the rear with the groceries. 

Marcus:  I hope Jan gives me my own ignition key.


Marcus:  So much as happened since September 25th when we posted Locked Door Motor Running.  We're sorry it has taken two weeks to post the answer to the locked door mystery.  You probably need a quick reminder of how Jan got locked out of her vehicle.  Go ahead.  Click the link to review the post.  We'll wait.

We left you with Jan standing outside a vehicle with locked doors and the engine running.  The spare key was in her purse on the passenger seat.  She was alone in the country with no cell phone.  How did she break into the car without doing damage?

We left you clues and many of you assumed the window was rolled down and Jan just reached in to unlock the door.  If that had been true, Jan wouldn't have been so upset and there wouldn't be a mystery.  By the way, I wasn't in the car, so I didn't rescue her by stepping on the button.  I only posted my picture to remind you how handsome I am.   

We mentioned Jan is not accustomed to air conditioning and likes open windows.  Just as she reached Mr. Doug's driveway, she turned off the ac and rolled down the driver's window.  Just a little.  As it turned out, just enough to stick her arm in the opening - below the elbow - and wave at the passenger window.  It didn't wave back and the open part of the window was above her head.  No way to reach the buttons.

She didn't think of it at the time but if worst came to worst, she could have searched for someone with a cell phone to beg a ride home to get her spare, spare key.  Meanwhile, it was panic time!

Then she had an idea.  What surrounds you in the country?  Trees!  She started searching for a particular type of branch on the ground.  Long, thin but sturdy, and with a distinct backward bend.  She found the perfect one, stripped the leaves and little branches off it, and finagled it in the window and down to the button.  She was successful on the second try.

That mystery has been solved, but why anyone would design a vehicle that locks the doors when the driver steps out is still a mystery.

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

Hug Those You Love Often

Hey, Marcus here.  I want to remind you to hug your furries and all the humans you care about as often as possible because you don't know what tomorrow (or even today) holds.

A number of years ago, way before my time, there was a doxy (dachshund) on the  route Buddy and Merci walked Jan.  It ran loose and believed it owned quite a bit of territory going up the hill.  It was always carrying on, even crossing the road to snap and growl.  Jan took to carrying a golf club as suggested by a neighbor (he even provided the club) to protect herself but golf clubs were not intended as weapons.

A woman (not the owner) used to come collect the doxy and walk it back to her place to confine it inside their fence so Jan could walk in peace.  One day things reached a dangerous level.  The doxy was circling them, snapping at their heels with anger.  Jan was trying to stay on her feet and not be tangled in Buddy and Merci's leashes.  They couldn't move on, only try to hold their ground.

A boy from that house heard the ruckus and started to run toward them.  He was unsuccessful in getting the doxy's attention.  A man came from that house carrying a baseball bat.  He came a short distance, then returned home.  Jan believes he was coming after her dogs with the bat but saw which dog was the aggressor and changed his mind.  The boy finally captured the doxy.  It was never seen again.  Either they adopted it and kept it penned with their own dachshunds, or --

Now imagine Jan's surprise Tuesday evening when she learned the polite, friendly young man she has been talking with on our walks for a couple of years or more lives in that house.  Yes, the boy grew up and likes to practice tricks on his bike.  I like to get attention from the guy and growl at his bike.

Before sundown Tuesday, we learned the young man's family was in process of moving to his late grandfather's house. He and Jan laughed about the angry dachshund.  He said we would still see him around but not as often.

Wednesday morning there were sirens - fire trucks, police cars, ambulances speeding past.  Something came up and we didn't get to walk that day.  Early Thursday we heard on the local news the young man's home had burned.  We walked up the hill and this is what we found.

The young man's dad had just left.  He smelled smoke and tried to put out the fire with a hose.

 He was able to save one dog.  Two others died in the fire.

When the fire department arrived, flames were already through the roof.  The cause is unknown.

 It was just a year or so ago another house on our walking route was destroyed by fire.  There is an empty lot there now.  Soon this lot too will be empty.

It only takes a moment and lives are forever changed.  Furries or loved ones are gone.  So be kind and hug those you love often.

We are joining Flashback Friday.  To see other blog entries and/or to enter your own blog, visit the Five Sibes. 

Thanks From Angel Rusty

Cyndi:  We want to thank all of you who have left a message regarding Rusty - on our blog, on Facebook or in an email.  We appreciate each one.  We want to respond but haven't accomplished much this last week.  

Percy:  Last week we posted that Rusty left us on Wednesday.  (Farewell Rusty)  Two days short of a year since Buddy passed and three days short of three months since we lost Merci, and later we realized it was almost to the day when Rusty came to live with us twelve years ago. 

Cyndi:  His death has sobered things up around here.  The other day devoted enemies Percy and Micah met at the kibble bowl and touched noses instead of trying to kill each other. 

Percy:  It has sent Marcus deeper into separation anxiety.  We're not sure if he's afraid he is going to disappear next or if Jan will, but he is not just "under her feet" and tripping her any more, he is actually under her feet and walking under her feet.  When she sits down, he crawls between the chair and her feet and when she walks she can't always avoid stepping on his paws..  He will not go outside by himself and Jan has to go with him. 

Cyndi:  I can't blame him.  He will turn 5 years old in November.  In the past 3 1/2 years of his life, five of our crew have left - Cameron, Sam, Buddy, Merci and Rusty.  He wasn't around for the other past members.

Percy:  That's what happens when nearly all the crew grows old at the same time.  It means extra  work for Jan.  You and I are the last of the old timers and we've slowed down.  Oh, and Jan.  She's an old timer too. 

Cyndi:  I hope if something happens to Jan, we won't be expected to bury her.  She couldn't even make a dent in the dry ground and she has opposing thumbs to handle the tools.  Mr. Doug offered to take care of the burial (THANK YOU, Mr. Doug!) and Rusty now rests near Merci.

  Percy:  This card is from Mom Ingrid, Pipo & Dalton.

 Cyndi:  And this graphic was made by Ann of Zoolatry. 

Percy:  The Eastside Cats honored him with a post.   (https://eastsidecats.blogspot.com/2018/09/farewell-angel-rusty.html)

Cyndi:  As did Loulou.   (https://www.livingwithloulou.com/adieu-rusty/)

Percy:  Thank you, dear friends.  We'll return soon.

Cyndi:  I hear Jan trying to coax Marcus outside again.  Let's go watch the show.

Percy:  No, I'll pass.  I hate re-runs.