Cat napping is such an incredible art form. Here is Mr. Nine, as capture by Peanut, in the proverbial cat slumber pose. Lying there with abandon. I am jealous of the trust and total relaxation he exhibits.
Time seems to be flying at the Zoo. It is hard to believe that little Stella is 6 years old today,
Happy birthday, Stella. We are really glad that we figured out what would make you happy, which is living in your own space without other cats. We are glad you at least let Sofie and Louise visit, though Lulu is not sure what to do when she is in your room. Charles seems to ruffle your fur, so that doesn’t work well. You are a sweet girl and we are glad you found us.
Over the years I have had cats and cats and then those kinds of cats. Mini Cooper is as special as a cat can be. Maybe it is her tortitude. She is a true Cat-Dog (seems to have more characteristics of the dogs than the felines). Afraid of nothing and no one. Ever present, demanding, yet loving, licking, and sweet. Always at whatever door you are coming in or going out. And, always there to tell you that you are her most special friend.
Thinking about Miss Constance Kitty today (we called her Connie or Kitty). She was such a goofy girl. She loved Squashes tail and he would swing it here and there for her to play with. I can’t find that video of her flying in the air with it, but you get the idea.
We adopted Connie and Noel together in 2007 (Noel was 9 months old and Connie was maybe 10 weeks). Connie had congenital spinal and vertebral malformations at birth, so she always looked like a kitten. She was spunky and silly and never let her condition bother her until it did. She left us at 5 years young.
Because Stella lives in her own suite her at DogDaz Zoo, it is not often that I capture her in photos. Usually the rest of the crew is busy doing silly things and getting all the camera time. But Stella is a sweet beauty, she just needs to be alone. I guess you can say she is the truest of cats at DogDazCats2. Most of us think of cats as social animals, but the truth is, their DNA shows them to be more solitary then pack.
“The independence of cats is one of the features most admired by those of us who love them. Given their evolutionary history as solitary hunters, it is easily explained. Seeking their prey alone, cats – with the exception of lions and sometimes cheetahs – have not developed patterns of collective action and hierarchy of the kind found in dogs and other pack animals. ‘Herding cats’ is a metaphor based on fact: cats don’t live in herds.” – The New Statesman, philosopher John Gray
DogDaz friend, Jeanne Bellis, is doing outstanding work taking hard to place dogs and helping them socialize and reintegrate to new homes. Here is Part 2 of the Socializing Waylon series. Waylon, a catahoula-cattledog mix, was in a bind. His owner, a US Marine, was being deployed overseas and Waylon, a dog aggressive, fearful mess, had only one hope – Bellis Boot Camp. Follow Jeanne as she socializes Waylon with her pack. It’s amazing what patience, smarts, good training and love can do. This is part 2 of the series as Waylon learns how to make friends with other dogs.
Happy 9th birthday, little man. Though you’ve only been at the Zoo for 7 months, you have turned our world around. You have made us little dog lovers in a big dog world. Even the cats like you sometimes (especially Noel). Thank you for adopting us and letting us be your final forever home. I guess you had to bite your way through many homes (at least 5) until you found your perfect place with us. Here’s to the next 9.
DogDaz friend, Jeanne Bellis, is doing outstanding work taking hard to place dogs and helping them socialize and reintegrate to new homes. Here is Part 1 of the Socializing Waylon series. Waylon, a catahoula-cattledog mix, was in a bind. His owner, a US Marine, was being deployed overseas and Waylon, a dog aggressive, fearful mess, had only one hope – Bellis Boot Camp. Follow Jeanne as she socializes Waylon with her pack. It’s amazing what patience, smarts, good training and love can do.