Official Website of Christopher Showerman

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Dog Days of Summer 2011

Hey Guys!!!

So here we are - at the last few twilight moments of the summer. I think this video best celebrates the fun left in the Dog Days of Summer.

I love it!

All Things Possible!!
Chris

34 Comments:

At 9:18 PM, September 01, 2011 , SusanGail said...

All Things are Possible on this forum:)!!! -- Happy Dog Days Holidays everyone. We're spending in Upper Peninsula of Michigan with family and plan to walk the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day with Clayton Klein (similar stories found in forum archives -- which, I understand, Lane has carefully combed through getting acquainted with us all. Enjoyed all the animal stories and... wow, this adds to it. I guess we love our pets! Just had a feeling there might be a new post, so figured I should check before leaving for the far north. Alex...great post about the forum...Cute video, Chris. ATP, Sue
At 1:22 PM, September 03, 2011 , Anonymous said...

Dogs have to be the greatest ATP critters on the planet! It always amazes me how they adapt to our every whim, and, treated with kindness and respect(and the appropriate amount of common sense traing and patience), revel in anything we may ask of them! It is obvious to anyone these Bulldogs are truly enjoying what they are doing!.....And Sue--how long is the Mackinac bridge? Glad to hear Clayton Klein is still hoofin' it!(yes, I read ALL the archives!) Is this for another fund-raiser? I have heard/read much of the beauty and wildness of the Upper Peninsula--I understand they have wolves again now. And the occaisional controversial cougar! Speaking of critter ATP(and cougars), these big cats are making a tremendous comeback in the U. S., and are showing up in places East of the Mississippi where they have not occurred for a century or more. The most amazing ATP incident just occurred where a cougar was killed(alas--hit by a car) in CONNECTICUT, and was positively identified from its DNA as a cougar from a studied SOUTH DAKOTA population!!!! It was NOT an escaped/released captive, in other words. This cougar had been tracked through Minnesota, Wisconsin, southern Ontario, and New York before it met it's unfortunate demise in Conn.! That's likely over 1500 miles traveled!! Perhaps this cougar and Clayton Klein both have superior walking genes!....L.B.
At 8:10 AM, September 04, 2011 , Tim said...

Great subject Chris, Dog Days of Summer. Today has to be one of the best days in many. Currently 65 degrees, low humidity and not a cloud in the sky. A few days ago I bought an old Jeep Wrangler, a vehicle that I have wanted for years but never had a need for....and still don't. The dogs have been fitted with new harnesses so they don't "fly" out and today we will be going out to feel the breeze in our faces. They will need to get used to being strapped in as for now, this will be our "wheels" to get to and from all the shows. Our first competition since my eye surgery is the 17th of this month. This will be the young dogs first competition ever so it should be interesting. My loss of peripheral vision on my left side has proved to be a challenge but life is about challenges so we are ready....I think.

The video of the bulldog riding the boards is special in many ways. Anyone who has worked with bulldogs will tell you that as a breed, they are not the most motivated individuals so to find one, let alone three, that are as game as those shows me that the person involved has figured out the key to what makes them tick. It is wonderful to see.

It is also nice to see Mother Nature start to reclaim what was once "hers". Many species of wildlife have learned to adapt to human encroachment. But as they build their numbers back up, the cry to kill them off will go out and thus the battle will begin again.

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day holiday.

Tim
At 7:00 AM, September 05, 2011 , Anonymous said...

I love Summer, but by the end of it every year, I'm READY for Autumn!!!! I never could understand why some people get so depressed in the Fall and Winter--I revel in them! So many good reasons to! We've had a dry(but not severe) droughty summer--we're supposed to get inundated with rain from the storm Lee today--we need it though....Glad to hear, Tim, you are able to get out and about with yer dawgs again! How many Border Collies you got? 4? I've been meaning to mention to you(Tim) some great Border Collie stories to read(if you haven't already!)--ever read "Nop's Trials"? and the sequel Nop's Hope"? by Donald McCaig(infamous Border Collie afficiondo)--why Hollywood hasn't made a super dog story movie of "Nop's trials" I don't know, all the elements are there!--hey Chris! Want to produce a great dog story on film? This is a good one! Also the book "Rex" by Joyce Stranger--I love her books--an English author. "Rex" is about a feral Border Collie pup in Northern England, his eventual adoption and training by an animal gifted young boy--super book. And the unusual, based on an actual historical incident(also in England), "Beth, A Sheepdog", about an enterprising fellow that trains his Border Collie to STEAL sheep!!!!...and I'm sure the rebound(no pun intended!) of cougars(pumas, mountain Lions, panthers, catamounts, etc.--whatever you wish to call them!) in the East will cause inevitable controversy, I think they will survive and do well, eventually, especially in the Appalachian Mountains, and in isolated Southern swamps. Plenty of game(mainly deer) and cover for them now, and they are so elusive, they can live right next to people and they never realize it(as Bobcats do now!). Not many people hunt with hounds anymore like they used to--this is what caused the cougars' demise in the East historically, along with former habitat loss and depletion of deer. I feel confident we'll have a healthy population of "painters" here in the East and South again one day before too long.......L.B.
At 3:10 PM, September 06, 2011 , Tim said...

Hey All
It was a very stressful weekend. My sister lives in Austin Tx and she and her partner are currently sitting in direct line of one of the wildfires that are burning in that area. They had to evacuate a bunch of horses off the property and then were forced to leave themselves. This morning they were allowed back as the fire has not reached the property and are standing "watch" with the neighbors. The winds have died down but the sky is full of soot and ash making it hard to tell where the flames really are. The whole area is and has been a tinder box. The last measurable rain in that region was in January. They are probably the only area in the country wishing for the hurricanes.

Lane, There are only two border collies in our house along with a shepherd and an old vizsla. That is a houseful and throw in the 18 and 13 year old cats, we have more hairballs than you can imagine. Dyson my butt, we use a shop vac! Thank God the horses live elsewhere.

I did get out and blast around in the jeep some this weekend. Forgot sunscreen as it was not even 70 degrees so ended up with a really nice farmers tan (burn). In time I will get it all together :-)

T
At 6:15 AM, September 07, 2011 , Anonymous said...

I had heard on the news about the terrible wildfires in Texas, and heard a lot of folks lost their homes--hope your sister avoids that tragedy. We didn't get but about a half-inch of rain, despite predictions of a lot more--the mountains to the West(Appalachians) got flooded, though.....I had to laugh about your Shopvac, Tim--that's also what I use!(those rare occaisions I am forced to clean my house due to the rare impending human guests!). A regular Vaccum just won't cut it in my domicile--that Shopvac sucks up good sized rocks, by gosh, as well as any unwanted varmints that have snuck in! And you ain't NEVER seen a record hairball until you visit my place(if I have had no forewarning of the impending visit!)--I could probably go into the mattress-stuffing business! I have no cats(alas--because I really do love cats....) because ALL my many dogs are incorrigible feline murderers--a pack tradition started generations ago and religiously adhered to since my wolf-hybrid pack days. But I have a STRICT, self-imposed limit of only keeping 10 dogs at one time, and I'm only one over that right now(11)--extreme self-control on my part! Most of mine are rescues, that if I hadn't intervened, they'd be dead(sigh)--perhaps I'll describe the eclectic pack I have on another post--it will take awhile......But I didn't know you had a Visla--cool dogs! And fairly rare in this country( I got "rescued" by a search-and-rescue trained Viszla once!)--and I assume by "shepherd", you mean a German Shepherd(Alsation). I remember in the archives you(Tim) saying you might be getting a new Border Collie pup, but I guess that didn't work out....And ever read any of those Border Collie books? I guess I should recommend them to Jaschenka as well!(or ANYONE that loves a great dog story). I checked up on them on Amazon--all are VERY reasonable and available except "Beth, A Sheepdog", which is kinda steep in price--it is a fairly rare book--I lucked out and got a fairly cheap copy awhile back.....And while we're on the subject of dogs--after reading the archives, I've been curious as to just what those dogs are that Chris and his girlfriend have on that Halloween post(great costume idea, that was; going as a "team"!). It is hard to tell much about the dogs all dressed up in the photo--they look like little Schipperkes, almost, but it is hard to tell for sure. As Schipperkes are rather rare in this country too, I would guess they were little mutts, and the resemblance is coincidental?......L.B.
At 1:27 PM, September 07, 2011 , Tim said...

The fires in Texas near my sisters have subsided at least where she is at. They are no longer in any immediate danger and have returned to the house. I think they plan on leaving the horses where they are at for now until they are sure there is no danger of anything new popping up. They are relieved and tired from the all night vigils.

Lane, the impending border collie puppy you read about is the dog that is about to start her agility career in a couple of weeks. I did get her. Time flies. I can't believe she is almost 20 months old. But then again I can't believe that I am almost %&*#....hmmm, I seem to be having computer issues at the moment. Anyway, the shepherd is in fact a German Shepherd. The vizsla is the last of my line that I bred for years. Wonderful dogs but not for everyone.

You will have to profile your group for us. It sounds like an interesting mix. I can appreciate the mattress stuffing. At one time we had 5 dogs, 5 cats and a family of parrots. Those were the days LOL.

I would have to go back and look at the pictures of Chris's dogs but memory wants me to say they looked like Shiba Inus. Tell us Chris, are we close?

T
At 8:59 PM, September 09, 2011 , Tanya said...

Summer is almost over and none of you dogs has come to CA to fly with me. Going to beautiful Sonoma to teach trapeze classes on Sunday.

Come fly with me - Tanya
At 9:41 PM, September 09, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Tanya, I'd have loved to be on the plane to CA with my daughter, but had to let her go back by herself:)after our weekend in the U.P. of MI camping and walking Mackinac Bridge on the big Labor Day walk. Thanks for posting just now, as I kept getting sidetracked. Hope your movie project is "flying" high. Our daughter was in the power outage area. Maybe Chris was too.

Lane and Tim...love your animal stories. Lane, the bridge is a little over 5 miles long. I meant to look up how many "lemmings" crossed to the other side this year. Bridge was built in 1957 to link the two peninsulas of MI. Yes Clayton is still going strong. Although only walked from Paradise to Bridge this year (70 miles). Says he may resume the downstate walks next year and just do a segment at a time. He just loves walking and inspiring others to walk. You are a trooper to read all those archives! It wasn't for a fundraiser this time....as didn't get the publicity going. Although should anyone donate to him, he is glad to send it to Hospice. Next year I think he will have something going. Love your cougar story. Yes, wish you could meet Clayton. Perhaps Chris might wish to make a comment :) about his relative. If you see the two together walking, you can see the similarity. At least I can. Good genes in that family lineage:).

Tim, thanks for the eye update. As we say on the forum, we'll keep our fingers crossed for you. Anxious to hear about how the competitions go.

You and Lane are both great examples of advocates for animals. Great dog stories the both of you. Everyone tells me I need to see the Dog Whisperer or I'm really out of it. Right now my article is in a bit of limbo. Hoping it will turn out alright.

BTW, did everyone see the beautiful artwork that Jaschenka did of a drawing of our trapeze angel Tanya?
On Facebook. Lane and Tim and Alex...wish you were there. I haven't checked, but it would be a great add to the forum fan contribution page. Maybe Jaschenka can put a link on the forum so you can see it. It's ATB about ATP Tanya flying!

And Angi's been drawing again too...and posting on FB. Would be great to see that here, too. Wish I had my website going with my intentional photo gallery. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!

Have a great weekend everyone. Sending blessings Chris for all your projects that are keeping you from chiming in here:) Hope all is ATP...Sue
At 9:26 AM, September 11, 2011 , Tim said...

Was riding around this beautiful morning in the jeep just admiring all the wonderful sights, the trees, farm fields and blue sky thinking about how great a country we live in. Even with all our problems, I can't think of another place I would want to call "home"

Ten years after the fact, my thoughts are with the family and friends of those who were lost in the attacks on the World Trade Center, my gratitude extends to all those who worked so tirelessly at what ever level to search for and rescue the survivors who at night when they close their eyes have to relive the horrors that I can only begin to imagine.....

Let us hope that nothing like this ever happens again. Its hard to think that members of one species can be so divergent in their thought processes. I know that I will never live long enough to see world peace but I can hope. ATP... right?

T
At 1:32 PM, September 12, 2011 , Anonymous said...

2001 was NOT a happy year for me--a lot of stuff happened that eventually forced me to leave my beloved Cherokee Mountains(Southern Appalachians) where I roamed freely and undisturbed like a wild wolf. The tradgedies of the World Trade Centers just made that year even more horrifically sadder. Yet despite all the promises from Al-Quaida of more to come, they haven't been able to accomplish much more of their evil since--that's one good thing(knock-on-wood).....Wow, Tim, that pup has grown up quick! I'm supposing since you haven't commented on it you haven't read any of those books I mentioned. Have your eyes recovered enough to read--or is that a strain on them? Or perhaps you are just not particularly fond of reading?....I DEVOUR books WHOLE, non-stop(if they are subjects I'm interested in), one after another after another--I even took a stack to Africa with me years ago and read them up in the forest, and at night by candlelight--I guess I've been reading nonstop since I was 5 years old(when I first learned to read). Last year, for the first time, I started needing eye-glasses to read--frustrating! Yup, I'm getting up there myself, I turned !@#$%$#@! last year--hey! looks like I'm having the same kinda computer glitch as you, Tim!..... And Susan--5 miles--wow, that's some bridge! I have an idea for your next fundraiser--a bit uppity, but hey, you never know! Since Clayton Klein and Calvin Klein have the same name(I misspelled it and had to correct myself during the last mention, is why it sprung to mind), why not have a Mackinac Bridge Fashion Show----and make the Guinness Book Of Records to boot for the LOOOOONGEST Catwalk in fashion's history--I bet old Calvin would love a preposterous idea like that--and think of the money such a huge hoopla media event like that would make!!!!.........L.B.
At 2:03 PM, September 12, 2011 , Anonymous said...

.....okay, okay; I guess I should stick with subjects I have some real experience with--like my DOGS!! I'm gonna give a quick run-down of the pack(since someone requested it, as I hoped someone would!), but try not to get into any details(just yet), as, of course, each of them has a story and history behind them(fair warning!).....My oldest right now (14? 15?) is "Notches" a Black-And-Tan Coonhound I rescued years ago up in the mountains--she is the last of my surviving mountain dogs(sigh); I also have a WIRED, INSANE felon of a Bluetick Coonhound ("Roland"-he's 6 yrs. old now) I paid good money for that I never should have gotten, and that makes "Savage Sam" look like a neutered chihauhua; Then I have a Greyhound X Saluki cross from New Mexico--his relatives back home are coyote and jackrabbit hunters, "Hawkeye" is 9 yrs. now; then there's my wild-arse little Basenji with recent African blood in her ancestry--"Panga" is 8 yrs. old; then I have 4 rescued Siberian Huskies, all from terrible backgrounds and with serious issues to the point I thought I'd never make much out of them, but they are ALL gung-ho trained sled dogs now(I've had the sled dog bug for many years---how do I train them in the South, you wonder? ATP of course!!!)--they are the BEST team I've ever had, in fact! "Dushka" and "Chara"(the girls) are 4 yrs. now, and "Dymchy" and "Payatz"(the boyz) are 3 yrs. old, and yes, I gave my Siberians Russian names! Then there is my beloved Weimaraner, the all-around dog best suited for my present circumstances--"Griswold" is 3 yrs. now. He is my BEST "woods dog". Then I have 2 rescued mutts--one is "Brick", a brick-red cross between what I think is a Miniature Pinscher and a Feist of some sort(perhaps 2 yrs. now?)--he is SPASTIC and has serious issues, which is why I ended up with him, no doubt! Half the fun of having mutts is coming up with ridiculously pretentious breed names for them, and then making up some completely romantic, but false(not unlike the AKC!), breed history--Brick is my "Former Yugoslavian Weasel Hound", except, of course, when I prefer he be my "Venezuelan Monkey Hound"! My other little mutt is a scruffy terrier-looking hodge-podge that might be part Scottie? Cairn? Miniature Schnauzer?--she has characteristics of any or all of those, and I suspect a bit of poodle, and no-telling what else. This little dog is QUITE the HEROINE--I'll have to tell her story sometime. She was slated for euthanasia until I kidnapped her, and now she's living happily ever after with me! Her name is "Bunny"(we first met on Easter Sunday a coupla years ago--she is maybe 4 or 5 yrs. now?), and I have decided she is my "Southern Uwharrian Wolverine Terrier"--the "Uwharries" are the small mountain range(NOT the Appalachians...sigh...) I live in now. That's it for now, just 11; only one over my self-imposed limit of 10!!.....L.B.
At 9:21 PM, September 12, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Lane, thanks for the great thoughts about Clayton. That would be a riot:)
You have a very ATP imagination! I'll have to tell him he's being discussed on the forum:)He'd appreciate that.

Tim, I meant to ask about the fire situation and how it's going. Are they settled back in now? Weather has been so crazy I can't keep up with it.This afternoon it was beautiful and I was outside riding my bike and enjoying the blue skies and balmy temps. Then, the supernova cold front whipped in unexpectedly with a storm and big winds. I thought they were staying in the far north...ha. Gladly it was temporary. But the modem and satellite both went out.

Where is our Italian weather forecaster?:) Alex, hope all is well, along with all the others across the pond.

Everyone I talk to, no matter who it is, or what kind of life they're leading, they all say the same thing. So much is happening, so busy, time is moving too fast, etc. so at least it helps to know we're all experiencing the same wild ride of changes and things being wild and crazy.

All the more reason to come visit ATP forum now and then, for a bit of respite and kindred spirit talk:) ATB everyone as we switch gears to Autumn activities...Sue
At 4:59 PM, September 13, 2011 , Tim said...

Lane
Reading is more of a challenge now a days but can be done. My real issue is that reading requires time and that I tend not to have much of. I am up every morning around 4:15, off to the gym then work. Evenings are spent teaching dog classes, working with my own dogs or doing stuff around the house that needs to be done. I am usually in bed by 8 or 8:30. As soon as I am off my feet, I start to go into shutdown mode. Put a book in my hands and I usually get about two paragraphs read then I am gone. When I do get the urge to read, it is usually non fiction of some sort.

Sue, the fire is out around my sisters part of the area. The farm was spared of any damage other than soot and ash. It could have been so much worse. Life for them is starting to return to normal. Now if they could just get some rain...
T
At 8:54 PM, September 13, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Tim, thanks for the update. Glad to know things are OK for now. Will certainly pray for rain. Look forward to hearing more about your dog shows. Thanks also for the update about your eyes. You have always been an ATP person:)hmmm it looks like I didn't mention my own personal animal story about a stray kitten taking up residence here right now. I did in my email newsletter so all but Tim and Lane know about my little yellow kitten. Maybe I can figure a short version. I need a cat whisperer about now:) ATB, Sue
At 5:40 AM, September 14, 2011 , SusanGail said...

For Lane:
A Care2 Link to Jane Goodall article:)
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/jane-goodall-on-our-connection-to-animals.html
Happy Wednesday everyone...Sue
At 6:38 AM, September 14, 2011 , Anonymous said...

Sue, thar ain't no sich thang az uh "Cat Whisperer", but thar are "Cat Yellers"!.....L.B.
At 9:44 AM, September 15, 2011 , Anonymous said...

That was a good article Sue--thanks! Jane is the EMPORESS of ATP! And I'd love to hear about your new kitty story--if you are having problems, perhaps you could mention them here, and maybe I might have some suggestions--I've kept a LOT of critters of all kinds over the years, and that combined with my chronic "financially challenged" circumstances, has led me to be inventive with solutions, which are also by necessity CHEAP! Sorry I can't join in on "Facebook"--this work computer won't allow us to open Facebook accounts, apparently, and I don't have one of these contraptions of my own!....L.B.
At 8:10 PM, September 15, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Hi Lane, I was just sitting here watching my email come in and thinking about how I need a new blog soon, but not feeling like writing. I rarely have that problem, i.e. not feeling like writing. Just ask Chris. My name isn't Suenami for nothing:) Well, I'm taking kitty (with no name yet) to the vet tomorrow to get a checkup. Maybe I'll have some kitty blog enthusiasm by then. Taking one day at a time. The tiny critter is already making inroads in our hearts.:)

No such thing as a "cat whisperer"? I sure could use one about now:)
ATB everyone...Sue
At 8:50 AM, September 19, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Kitty is doing fine and being very perky after vet visit:) TBC/ATB/P/Sue
At 1:41 PM, September 20, 2011 , Tim said...

Sue
Glad to hear the kitten is doing well. Foundlings are how we got most all of our cats. Little ones are so hard to resist.

This past weekend I competed in my first dog agility trials since May. It was a bit of a challenge but we trained for it and things went pretty well. The older dog was his usual rock steady self and had a weekend of nice runs. We are working on his second championship now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9f8FVOy_A4

The young dog made her debut. This is her very first competition run ever. We missed first place by 6/100ths of a second. You will see why! The following day we came back and took first place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5B5w1HMJFE

Those are my dog days of summer videos :-)

T
At 6:30 PM, September 20, 2011 , Christopher Showerman said...

Wow Tim!!! I'm so impressed with you and your dogs! Those were some great videos of their competition!

Congrats Sue on your new Cat. You're lucky to have each other!

Lane, I can see why you'd be a werewolf! Sounds like you're part of a pretty substantial pack! How many of them wake up with you at 4:15?

How did the Trapeze classes go Tanya?

Hope you all have a great week!

ATP!
C
At 7:52 PM, September 21, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Tim, Chris and everyone...
thanks for the positive vibes:)
Yes, kitty is perkier every day, thanks to the local vet and some TLC. As for foundlings, that's what our other big three were in the beginning. But it had been a long time since one showed up like this. And, in this case, you might say that it's me who is the foundling:) She found me!

Just love your dog agility clips, Tim...you must have extreme patience to do that kind of training. Always enjoy and especially your stories. Fabulous ATP dog days!

Take care all... and enjoy the change of seasons....Sue
At 9:28 AM, September 22, 2011 , Anonymous said...

Chris--EVERYONE(canine-wise) usually gets ME up--if I don't respond to early morning restlessness(whining, pawing at the door), even on days off, I can expect to do a lot of cleaning up in the morning! They all KNOW "Pee-Pee-Doo-Doo" is SUPPOSED to be OUTSIDE, but they will not hold it indefinetely, and one boo-boo sets off a chain reaction, of course! Those are NOT good mornings, but luckily, they are rare! And hey, we all slip up sometimes.......Sue--so what's been wrong with the yeller kitty? Is it wounded or sick, or just a typical starving foundling?......And Tim, I was able to check out those links--great doggy videos!!! I like how the young pup responded INSTANTLY when you stumbled--looking back to check up on you; and the older dog, when he was done, giving that confident, triumphant "Woof!"--he KNOWS he's good! And these are the first grey Border Collies I've seen--GREAT looking dogs! Aye, laddie, lyke tha grey dergs uv Kenmuir, don't cha noo? Dinna tell me, lad, that ye hadna read the classic "Bob, Son Of Battle" abowt awd Bob,in Scotland, an the grey dergs uv Kenmuir? Aye, there ah goes agin abowt mah berks.....But back to the videos--aren't these suitable for the "fan contributions" section? Or a good photo or two of such? Whaddya say blog people? Wouldn't you think that'd be a great and worthy addition? You got my vote.......L.B.
At 7:42 PM, September 24, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Lane, thanks for your interest in my animal story:). It was a quirk of fate, actually, as I'd gone out to get the Sunday paper a couple of weeks ago and came back in, then heard a kitten crying...and you know that sound immediately. Uh, oh...do I hear a kitten-looking-for-mom cry? I went back out, and seems it had seen me get the paper from across the road at the neighbors. It was sitting by their truck. I assumed it was among the more feral cats that are known to be over that way. Thinking it's mom was over there. NOT...it came across the road when it saw me again. It looked fairly healthy, except for eyes. Friendliest little thing. Too friendly for a wild kitten. I waited for the neighbor to get up (sleeps late due to work hours) and went across when I saw him outside. The kitten followed me over. He didn't recognize it. They have one indoor cat. (We have three adult indoor cats, yikes, and I wasn't planning on another). We agreed that perhaps someone had dropped it off. So, as it circled around my legs, the neighbor said, "I think you should be the mother." Well, I knew that they for sure didn't want it and it just sort of made itself at home here. And it didn't take long for me to intuit that I had to be the one to do something or that it had truly "found" me for some reason. So a few days later I took it to the vet for the usual kitten checkup. Eye infection, the usual fleas, worms etc. Shots and tests...and so with antibiotic and eye meds and a big bag of kitten food I came back home and here we are. In garage to keep away from other cats until vet check again. So far they are ignoring it, interestingly. We'll see when it comes in. And begins to tear up the house;). Not sure I'm ready, but it is the sweetest little yellow (GIRL) cat you could imagine. I knew this was a long story, so hesitated to put it here. But since we're on animal topics, perhaps it fits. So far, too, it seems to have determined this is home and sticks around the garage, even when door is open. Will try to keep it an indoor cat. I'll keep you posted. I agree, BTW, the videos of Tim's dogs would make great fan contributions:).

I love it that the forum family has such compassion for animals. Have a wonderful Sunday everyone. We're off to the vineyard to pick grapes for my husband's new passion;)Sue
At 1:00 PM, September 25, 2011 , Anonymous said...

Yup, sounds like you got kitty #4, Sue! Four cats ain't much livestock, though, if you don't have anything else. Be sure to get HER spayed before four becomes 14! Reminds me of an old joke--What time is it when 21 dogs are in your yard? 20 after 1, of course! And no, that ain't happening in my yard, as all my girls are fixed. So what is the liddle yeller cat's name?......L.B.
At 7:50 PM, September 26, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Hey, Lane...you are funny:)Kitty #4 might be "ZouZou" which is the first half of my Twitter name. Just always liked the sound of it. They figure she's about two months old now, so I know this winter that would be on the docket. All of our cats are neutered. Makes life soooo much easier for all concerned:)This would make our second girl cat...well, we've had others who've passed. You may recall me writing about Mimi, favorite, who died of cancer...back in the earlier archives. The forum family was so compassionate about my feelings. All of our cats have just showed up, actually. Then there was Peaches (yellow and white)who had been declawed and living outdoors. She was tough but so sweet. And, our oldest (Kiki -- white cat)arrived on a cold and rainy
Thanksgiving night when our daughter was in college (my parents were here for dinner)just a tiny little white thing. And since my daughter and Chris are just a year apart in age, that tells you college was a ways back. I cannot believe she is 18 or so. And our daughter amazingly said (after I told her about the new kitten). "Well, you know Kiki won't be here much longer..." as if it were a meant-to -be kind of thing. How many cats do you have, BTW?:) Any favorite cat-tales?

Well, another Suenami, but that's the latest. I'm beginning to think she showed up now because of my growing interest in the work of animal communicators...and the different levels we communicate on with our non-human friends:) Fascinating field of study, which I'm learning to open up to more, and be more aware of the interchange between me and our cats...the new one is just amazing. Like she knew this was the place to pick out. Well, maybe I'd better start writing my cat-tale down:)
I'd think you and Tim could both have great books from your experiences with your animal friends. You are both ATP awesome in that realm:) Happy Autumn and I'd better start bugging Jaschenka about Swirly Woosh-Woosh (sp?)It's getting to be that time again!~ Sue
At 5:50 AM, September 27, 2011 , Anonymous said...

I didn't realize Swirly-Whoosh-Whoosh was at a specific time on the calendar--I just thought it was applied as needed. I may need to be properly educated on the Swirly-Whoosh-Whoosh protocol.....Zou-zou huh? Is that from a particular language? I work at a zoo-zoo, of course....And Sue (here I go again!) you MUST get a copy of Paul Gallico's "The Silent Miaow"(not meow, but miaow), to be found quite reasonably on Amazon, which Mister Gallico was just the editor, apparently, as it is a handbook written by a CAT--all about how to take over a human household, get various priveleges, the differences in influencing men versus women(WAY different tactics!)--this book is a HOOT! But DEAD-ON on how cats do tend to take over! That's why there are no "cat whisperers"--they train YOU!...Alas, I can have no cats with my feline murdering pack of dogs--I might could eventually break them all of cat killing, but I would have to BRUTALIZE them to do it, and we would have to go through a lot of cats before it was done! So----just not worth it, sadly, as I love cats. But I have had cats in the past BKP--("Before Killer Pack"), and so I (alert! danger! danger!)have LOTS of cat stories! And taking care of two cougars in the zoo here, I have some really BIG cat stories! Most of my cats were all foundlings too, that had obviously read that book I recommended! I'll tell a brief(for me) one here....I was suckered into catching and adopting two liddle girl kittens by an employer(who agreed to pay for their spaying, shots given, etc. as part of the con). I caught one(in a cage trap) quickly, and being young(6 weeks or so), she tamed down quickly. Her paranoid sister, on the other hand, evaded capture for another month or so, so was quite a bit older before I got her. And WILDER--totally feral! I was keeping them as inside cats(I already had some of the wolf-hybrids then, the beginning of the CEP("Cat Eating Pack") in order to keep them alive. And after releasing the second older kitty in my house, I didn't even SEE her again for like 3 months! She stayed totally hidden under the bed or in the closet, etc. There would just be a few more fewmets in the litter box, and more food missing from the cat bowl, to tell me I had another cat! But apparently she was studying me closely the whole time--watching me play with and pet her sister, etc. I never tried to pressure her, but I was about to give up and release her where I caught her, feeling her quality of life was miserable having to hide all the time. But then one day, out of the blue, with no gradual forewarning, this formerly wild cat saunters out, rubs up against my legs meowing for attention, jumps up on the kitchen counter where I was mixing up a batch of Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete Pancake batter, and starts pawing around in the mixture! I was flabbergasted at the sudden transformation, and had to name her, of course, "Jemima"! She ended up being one of the sweetest little cats I've ever known, and lived to be 17(my last cat actually--sigh)--and this surrounded by canines who would nail her at any opportunity--she was quite the survivor, and very clever, to have done so all those years.....L.B., who can ramble on with the best of ye!
At 9:48 AM, September 27, 2011 , SusanGail said...

You just made my day with your stories here:) Thanks, Lane. And maybe your comment will get Jaschenka to come out of hiding and put her Swirly Whoosh Whoosh (never can remember how to spell it) magic touch here. Everyone across the pond seems to be terribly supernova busy these days. And, Lane, you need to write a book, or two or three or more:) I remember about Paul Gallico now. Will try to get a copy. Thanks for the cattale! ATP, your book, too! Sue
At 8:56 PM, September 29, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Lane, I guess your post wasn't up yet when I posted. Well, ZouZou is my take on ZuZu (George Bailey's daughter in It's a Wonderful Life) who says when a bell rings an angel has gotten its wings. Kitten, so far,seems like a little angel, so sweet. Now, if she remains so, that will be amazing:) -- And also it's the name of a cafe in a town nearby and I just like the name. As for language, I guess it is French, there's a 1934 movie with that title. I love your zoo-zoo! Well, it just sounds zippy and lively to me, which is what this cat is:) we'll see if the name remains. She loves to bat acorns around...but a cat called Acorn? (husband's idea)...I'm not so sure about that:) But a least he likes her:)
Have a wonderful ATB/P weekend everyone: and wow, here comes October! Sue
At 3:34 PM, October 02, 2011 , Tim said...

Ah Yes, the cat days of summer. Our pride is two. Down from five. The current oldest is coming up on 19 years old. She was a feral kitten that I conned some kids into running down. I kept her in isolation for a week and the only food she got had to be taken from my hand. It took 6 days and she "tamed" down. I am the only human that can touch her but that is fine. Her worst trait is her voice which is very much Siamese in nature although she is just a 7 lb black cat. Now that she is deaf, Clara follows me through the house screaming at the top of her lungs believing that because she can not hear herself, I must not be able to hear her either. Quite annoying at times.

The last of the Mohicans is Mattie. She is 13 and is a Siamese mix who grew up with calico markings. A long haired patchwork Siamese if you will. She is awesome, bright blue eyes to match the border collie's eyes, soft voice and sweet personality. I first saw her at an animal shelter when she was just hours old.

The pride and the pack all get along with the exception of Mattie and the German Shepherd. Mattie has hated the GSD since the dog came into the house and her disdain has not waned in the least. If the GSD is in the room, Mattie is not. Only occasionally will you catch the two of them in the same field of vision and then it is only a fleeting glance as the cat makes her exit for parts unknown. We have gone days without seeing the cat. Where she hangs out we still do not know and I for one, am willing to let her have her private space.

Beautiful fall weather recently. Cool temps, low humidity and the leaves are really starting to turn colors. My favorite time of year!

T
At 6:26 PM, October 02, 2011 , Christopher Showerman said...

HA!!! Yes, the cat days of summer have quickly become the cat days of autumn! I better get around to changing this post. I agree with Lane - Tim, can we put your dog agility videos up on the Contribution page?

I love sunny Southern California, but I must admit - I am a bit jealous of all of you who get the beautiful autumn colors this time of year!

Thanks for all the great pet stories you guys!!

ATP!
C
At 8:41 PM, October 02, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Uh oh, am I the one who turned it into Cat Days? I see, looking back, that kitty did arrive in the middle of this animal discussion month:) Thank goodness we've been home to go through this getting acquainted experience. It'll be interesting to see what the vet says tomorrow. Have a great week, and enjoyed your cat tales, Tim. And Chris, I agree that the dog agility would be great on the fan page. Wow, wonder what October topic can top this one:) But ATP of course! Sue
At 12:48 PM, October 04, 2011 , SusanGail said...

Since the topic is still up, Tim, wondered if you saw the American Profile article (Oct 2-8 issue about canine agility events and the bonds between the dogs and handlers like you:). BTW, maybe you have an article you've written that you could put with the videos on the fan page. ATP! Sue (and the weather is fantastic for a change for you, Dave and me!Now, this is the way fall is meant to be:)

FORUM

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Dog Days of Summer 2011

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