Bearnard here!
Did I tell you that Mom was having the inside of the house painted this month? Well, let me tell you something: it was soooo terrible.
For years, Mom and the family had lived with something called popcorn on the walls of the foyer going up and down the stairs. Not only was it ugly, but it hurt if you accidentally rubbed against it. Mom had been waiting 25 years to get rid of it.
Mini with the popcorn wall
Well, finally, she did!
Mom sent the rest of the family to the beach so they wouldn’t have to deal with the mess. But, of course, Mom and the four furfamily members stayed home. Because apparently, we don’t count as family who deserves a beach vacation.
Mom had no idea that underneath the popcorn was wallpaper. Who puts wallpaper underneath popcorn?! Apparently, someone did that about 50 years ago.
So the wonderful crew from the painting company had to do much more than just paint. First, they had to remove the popcorn texture. Then they had to remove 50-year-old wallpaper glue from the walls. It was a HUGE job.
Where’s our living room?
The removal was gross!
Piles of gluey strips
We spent most of our time hiding in Mom’s upstairs office. But whenever we needed to go downstairs during the operation, Mom had to carry us one by one.
Hiding in Mom’s office all day
It was very distressing.
I got an extra dose of my anxiety medicine, and Mom gave Jolie something called Calming Chews. I am not entirely sure what all that stuff was supposed to calm, but I was pretty sure the house was still a disaster.
But the most distressing part was when we couldn’t find Mini Cooper.
The first night, everything was fine. We all watched TV together, and Mini sat on Mom’s lap like she always does.
Then, on Day Two, she disappeared.
When Mom couldn’t find her that night, she started to worry that one of the painters might have accidentally let her out the door. She searched everywhere. She looked under things, behind things, and in all the places where a cat might possibly hide.
Then she asked us to sniff her out.
And finally, around midnight, Mom heard a tiny meow coming from behind the kitchen cabinet.
Hole in the kitchen cabinet. Mini is actually there in the dark.
Yep.
Mini Cooper had discovered a hole next to the dishwasher and had squeezed herself between the cabinet and the wall.
And she wasn’t coming out.
Not for Mom.
Not for us.
Not even for food.
Mom put food and water inside the cabinet and even lay down on the kitchen floor, reaching her hand into the hole to try to convince Mini to eat a little.
Coaxing Mini to Eat
Success getting Mini to eat
Covering the cabinet to keep Mini safe
For the entire week, Mini hid in that hole.
But Mom knew she was sneaking out at night because there were mysterious deposits appearing in the downstairs litter box.
So at least we knew she was alive.
Finally, after all the painting was finished and V came home, Mini slowly decided that perhaps the house wasn’t going to collapse after all. She finally came out of her hiding place.
Party in the kitchen
Mini is finally out!
About four days later, Mom boarded up the hole. She is hoping Mini will find a less difficult hiding spot next time.
But you know cats.
They are excellent hiders when they want to be.
The walls look absolutely beautiful now, and Mom is very happy with them. Unfortunately, the family now has the enormous job of putting all the paintings, decorations, and knickknacks back where they belong.
Foyer without Popcorn
Mom says it will take months.
Months?!
Honestly, I think she needs to hire someone for that, too.
As for us, we are just really, really glad that the noise and terrible paint smells are finally gone.
Thank goodness!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go check on Mini Cooper.
Just to make sure she hasn’t found another hole.
I am so happy this is done!
Jolie exhausted by it all!
Mini back on her couch arm, where she should be.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tags: DogDaz, dogs and cats, house painting with animals, lorian lipton, lost cat
Wishing all our fur-friends and their humans a pawsome New Year!
Get into some good trouble (but try not to get caught… like I always seem to – like walking on the coffee table the other day (below)).
Take lots of naps – preferably in inconvenient places. Stick with your friends through zoomies and sad days alike. Always share the sunny spot on the stairs (unless you get their first).
And whatever you do, don’t bother Mini Cooper, the cat, too much… she’s cranky, she knows it, and she’s waiting for an excuse.
Too much noise!!!!
Who me?
Caught red pawed!
ZZZzzzzzZZZZ
Super Chill
Stella
Revolving Beds #1
Revolving Beds #2
Scenes from 2025
May 2026 bring you peace, health, and lots of fun things!
Love – Jolie, Bearnard, Stella, Mini Cooper and Mom (the DogDaz Zoo)
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: cat blog, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, New Year, pet blog
Dementia does interesting things to animals. It appears that Noel at almost 17, has decided that she is a dog. Don’t get me wrong, she screams like a cat, constantly and continually, but she is behaving more and more like a dog.
She waits at the top of the stairs with them (Bearnard is hidden next to Jolie). Many times she is there by herself.
She even tried to join in when the dogs were playing with their Snuffle mats (and luckily they just ignored her). The Littles are not in the least bit food aggressive, so Noel being close does not cause a ruckus (thank goodness!)
She has taken over Charles’ spot (our recently deceased PomChi) on the couch and now, I guess she is just running with the pack.
Mini Cooper on the other hand finds the dogs ridiculous!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Cat, cat blog, cat dementia, cat senility, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, papillon mix, Pet, pets, shih tzu mix, white cat
You might not understand this situation, because you don’t live here, but this is one of the strangest pairings at the top of the steps that you will ever see. Noel is not a cat that sits with the other animals. Well, maybe she will sit with Mini Cooper in the herb window or on the kitchen table if it happens by accident. But sitting with a dog – that is out of the question! Well, until now.
I am sure that they both were wanting something from me, probably food, and it just happened spontaneously. What an odd couple these 2 make – I just love their expressions.
I cannot imagine a life without cats!
Just another CATDogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: animals, Cat, Cat People, cats, caturday, DogDaz, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, pets
Mom said that the kids are coming over for lunch today (to Mom they will always be kids, but to us, they are big humans). We are waiting by the open door on the steps to greet them. Mini, the other dog, likes to wait with us too. If you look all the way at the top of the stairs you will also she Noel. She is too scared to come down.
Sometimes Noel will wait at the door, but the slightest movement outside tends to scare her so she doesn’t stay long. We on the other hand, love the steps and can wait, not so patiently, for at least 5 minutes before going to do something else.
How long can you wait for something?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Blog, cat blog, cats, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, Pet, pets, waiting
You smell interesting. What did you have for dinner? Can I have some? Let me sniff some more. This is my Mom and I really don’t feel like sharing her lap with you. But maybe. You do smell good.
(Photo credit: V)
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: catblog, cats, dog, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, Mischief Monday, multi animal household, Pet, pets
Happiness is rolling with your friends!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: cat blog, cat rescue, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, Pet, pets
When I come home this is the welcoming committee.
Mostly they are saying ‘feed us!’
They crack me up. I did not realize when I was taking the last picture of Jolie, Charles, and Mini up the steps that Noel was at the top actually looking down to see when supper was coming. It amazes me sometimes that Mini Cooper is actually the 3rd dog. She is quick to be at the front door and wants to be part of whatever the pups are doing. Luckily, the dogs have never minded.
Are we boring you, Charles?
Note: If you may be wondering about the missing stair side piece. One day, about 20 years ago, V wanted to see what was under the fancy piece. And, so it has remained. That is life at the DogDaz Zoo.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Blog, Cat People, cats, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, Pet, pets
I do not know exactly what Noel and Mini Cooper knew, but when they started guarding Louise while she slept, I got nervous. I know that animals are much more in tune with each other than we are with them. They know who is sick and who has something going on long before our senses even begin to wake up. So when the cats gathered around Lulu, I was on alert.
Noel had started to stare at Louise and stay close. That is unusual behavior here at the zoo, though sometimes if Mini can, she will try to lick a dog’s face and ears, which quickly Lulu will tell her to ‘bug off’ and Charles will take a quick snap.
Being the oldest (15 and 3 months), of course, Miss Noel sometimes takes a short nap even while doing an important job..
Lulu is OK. Her condition has not changed that I know of, however, when the animals talk, I really try to listen.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: canine cancer, cat blog, cats, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, dogs and cats, lorian lipton, Pet, pets
DogDaz Zoo 