Big Snow for a little cat

It might not be big snow to you...but for a little cat and her first snow, it's big enough! Check out Oreo's little stroll through the white stuff this afternoon....




P.S. I don't think she sees the fun in it like Max does. :)

Snow day for the crew!

We *finally* got some snow here in TN. Here's some photos of the crew:


This is the 1st snow for the kittens. They walked in it, looked at it strangely, shook their paws off and went back to bed. Here's Mom and the girls, huddled under the heat lamp all together, looking less than thrilled with the white stuff and colder temps.

And then I let Max out. The fun begins:

Wow...this is fun!

Do I look older and more distinguished with my white moustache?

C'mon Allyson, throw that snowball! I'm ready!

Where'd it go?

I can't find it in all this white stuff!

It's got to be in here SOMEWHERE....

Well I'll just make a new snowball!

This stuff is cold on the feet! Gotta keep moving!

Found me a good stick...
'll just run with that instead of fooling with those disappearing snow balls!

There's nothing like...

A little dog love.

Catch me if you can...

This cardinal's putting his life in jeopardy sitting on our driveway with that "catch me if you can" attitude. :)

Look who's spotted him...

Isn't there a song called "Bye Bye Birdie"? :)

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I've been neglectful in posting lately. I've been busy making jewelry in order to keep with my goals for 2009 in that area. I also have a new goal...a weight loss goal...and I've started a blog to document my progress. Follow along if you want some entertainment and to witness a miracle. 'Cuz there's probably going to have to be one for me to get back where I want to be. :)

--Jai

Parents...Never Leave Your Child Alone With a Dog...EVER

Just read yet another story about a young boy killed by the family Rottweiler. The boy was left *unattended* in the back yard with the dog. As a result, all three of the Rotties belonging to the family were removed from the home and euthanized. Of course I feel for the family losing their son in such a tragic way. But I also feel for the dogs who had their lives ended as a result. Not just the dog who attacked the boy, mind you, but ALL the family dogs had their lives ended.

Is it the dog's fault? In my opinion - no. A dog is a dog. They have instincts - natural ones - that take over in certain situations. The instinct will always be there. We as dog owners and caretakers need to always remember that. I don't care how well-behaved or how well-trained a dog is - you never know when the instinct can take over. And a young child simply does not have the reasoning power, control, understanding, and knowledge they need to be left unattended around a dog of any breed. (even small ones can do some serious damage)

My German Shepherd is a good dog. He has never bitten - nor growled - at any human being in an aggressive or angry fashion. He does bark...but a bark is different. The mode of delivery is different with a "hey get off my property" bark warning as opposed to a "I'm going to eat you up" growl. I have no reason to believe this dog would ever hurt anyone. I mean after all, look how sweet he looks:


However...I have the reasoning power and foreknowledge about animals to understand that all can change in ONE INSTANT:


Yep....that's the same dog. In the first photo, he was lying down in a submissive state. Second photo - taken 10 minutes later - shows him frustrated with me. Not aggressive...just being incredibly mouthy with his frustration. But you have a good view of the weapon his mouth could become. And it only takes mere seconds.

Would I *ever* leave this dog alone in the presence of a young child? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Before a young child is even allowed *near* this dog, I ask the parents to keep the child back until I get him to lie down (on leash only, and a short one at that). He *must* be submissive before a child is even allowed to approach, or they don't get to come up and pet him. That's just the safest thing. I won't even let him be around the 12-15 year old friends of my kids without supervision by ME. In fact, he is never unsupervised around ANYONE...young or old.

Do you realize how much damage that mouth full of teeth *could do*, if the instinct took over? If you don't, read this post again. Don't take the chance. Don't leave your dog - whether it be a German Shepherd or a teacup Chihuahua - alone with a young child - EVER. It is our responsibility as parents and as dog owners, to take proper measures in caring for both our children and our canine friends, to make sure all involved are safe.

--Jai

In the beginning....

In the beginning...they were small. So cute...this is the first photo ever made of Oreo, Nikko and Rowdy, on the first day I saw them. They were so scared of us, and they hid behind our grill. I had to sit outside for about 15 minutes in total silence - camera poised - and they finally eased out, one by one, and sat under the grill. Click. Gotcha! (of course Rowdy was moving...what else is new?)

After numerous bags of cat chow, treats, numerous bugs and moths, a few captured birds, moles and one squirrel, they grew. And grew. And grew some more.

LOOK AT US NOW!

Mr. Blue Eye

Allyson has been playing with digital work again...this one turned out really neat...almost FREAKY looking. If you click on the photo to see it larger and look carefully, you can see her reflection in his eye (that wasn't done digitally...it's really there!).

Moon in the Day

Here's a cool photograph Allyson captured of the moon a week or so ago. :)

Nikko the artist....with verse

Print available here. :)

On a cold winter day.....

...one of the best things you can have...

...is a purrito. :)

Rowdy's New Year's Resolution

I will travel boldly where no cat has gone before.

Available on products here.

Signed & Matted prints available here.

Strollin'

It was so warm here in TN today, Mom went bike riding, and
while she was gone, I took a stroll in the sun.
And while I was strolling, I was singing this song. :)

Happy New Year...Daddy's Home!

We think this is Nikko and possibly Oreo's father. He is HUGE (twice the size of Nikko) and has that little spot on the side of his face just like Nikko does, as well as very long whiskers and very long hair. He's been visiting the food dish lately, and here he is, captured on camera on New Year's morning. Bill has named him "Mr. Tuxedo". He's been around an awful lot both morning and night the past couple of weeks. He is so pretty, it's hard to believe he doesn't have a home. It looks like he may be adopting us. I haven't been able to get close to him yet, but he has meowed at me and Bill has been able to hand him treats and pet him, from what I've heard.