Yes, we got a new cat. But before you chew me out, let me tell you the story, cause I didn’t intend it this way. It started with a grain spill in the feed shed. Barn cats are very important animals around farms, because they keep the feed safe from rodents. Katie had been our barn cat, and was a good one too because she had the sense to stay away from the road and was friendly enough that the neighbors knew who she was and where she belonged. Katie’s sweet personality also makes her a nice house cat, however, and she has adjusted nicely to that life and we didn’t have the heart to make her go back outside. So Mike and I sat down before he left for the wedding and discussed getting a new barn cat. We decided it would be a shelter cat, because we wanted it already fixed and vaccinated, but most shelters won’t adopt out if they think the animal is going outside. There are however, shelters that have a special barn cat program, where feral cats with no chance of making it as house cats are fixed, and sent to live on farms where they can be relatively free. Mike’s only other stipulation was that it not be entirely mean. I found a shelter that had such a program and emailed them that I wanted a hunter with an attitude that would stand up to the dogs. They had a large, young cat on their list that was described as too “feisty” for a house cat, and they said if I wanted him I could have him for no adoption fee. I went to pick him up and he hissed a couple of times so I assumed I was getting a cat with at least a certian amount of bad attitude, which would help him along as a hunter. Well I took him home and opened the box, and wouldn’t you know the cat climbed right in the bed with me. He follows me everywhere, including the bathroom, sits in my lap and lets me carry him around. I don’t know why they told me he was a problem cat. He is a bit on top of you all the time, which annoys Mike, but I am rather attatched to him. I guess he’s not going outside either. Oh well, didn’t I say something about unpredicatble animals? Figures when I go looking for a nasty cat, I end up with the much sought after lap cat.
September 27, 2006
Meet Merlin
September 26, 2006
Celtic festival coming up
I saw a sign today for the Northeast Louisiana Celtic festival at the Monroe Zoo on October 7th and 8th. Anyone want to go? They have a website, looks like they will have a lot of stuff there.
Other than that not a whole lot new. Spent the weekend tracking down hay for sale and getting out fall decorations. I also got word that the horse rescue is building a central facility, and it sounds like it is right near us. It will be cool to go help out.
September 19, 2006
Happy Birthday!
Yep, another one! Today is Mike’s birthday. I promise not to do anything stupid to ruin it this year. Last year we had a little problem involving a car and the gas meter, but I am not supposed to talk about that. So anyways, everyone call and wish him a happy birthday.
September 13, 2006
Picture of the day
Mike went with Yuri to the Renn fair while he was up home. Yuri let him borrow some garb to wear. Looks pretty good, doesn’t he.
September 12, 2006
Maggie’s walking!
A few steps here and there, but she’s definitely got the idea! And her room came out spectacular after all. Just had to get all the details right. Mike’s got the camera with him in New Jersey, but I’ll take some pictures when he gets home.
September 8, 2006
Painting
Mike left yesterday to go to New Jersey for his cousin Christy’s wedding. Congratulations Christy! So I decided to try to keep myself busy by painting Maggie’s room. We picked a color before Mike left, trying to stick to the purple themes. I got half the room done last night so so much for staying busy this weekend. I am not sure I really like the color now. I think its a bit on the pink side. They never look the same as on the card. I guess I will have to see how it looks when it is all done. I hope it doesn’t end up looking too obnoxious. Our friend Jackie did a room in purple and it looked so good, how’d she do it? Well at least with cheap paint you can re-do it later.
September 5, 2006
Crikey… a stingray?
Its what everyone’s talking about. Steve Irwin the croc hunter died yesterday after being impaled by a stingray. Some people say he had it coming, that he messed with animals that he shouldn’t have messed with. Honestly though, any animal work has inherent risks, even if you have the training and know exactly what you are doing (which he did). I have never had a job that did not involve animals, including a pet shop, kennels, stables, laboratories, and veterinaries, the last of which involved reptile work. I never handled anything like a croc, but I did have a ten pound male iguana leap at my face (I caught him mid air) and that python had the circulation to my arm cut off pretty well. Unpredictablity is the name of the game. I am just as likely to get bit by the Lab as the Pit Bull, probably because it is easy to let my guard down with the Lab. Acctually I think most of my work related injuries involved cats. I was taught to take a beating and just keep on working, and in a way its part of the excitement of the job.
What I wonder is why a stingray? You can pet them at the aquarium in Sea World. They are not exactly man-eaters. I wonder if he didn’t make a fatal error in judgement. Did he let his guard down and think he was swimming with something nice and easy for a change? No worries, right? That’s when its bound to happen, the one ride without a helmet cause your horse is “bombproof”, or you are showing off, or don’t worrry I’ve done it a thousand times before, or its just a little dog. I haven’t met an animal worker yet who didn’t believe in the Jinx. Just when it seems everything is going well, don’t comment out loud, that’s when the disaster will happen.
Moral of the story- the unexpected accident can happen to anyone, anytime. You can either worry about it and wrap yourself in bubble wrap, or go for it and use the best common sense you can, just don’t take for granted what you are working with.
