Kid 2’s house cracked from the heat.
This is a thing in Texas. We are supposed to water our foundations except we also have water restrictions, so her entire neighborhood is dealing with it. Luckily it’s an interior wall. We probably won’t need foundation repair but we are having a company come out and assess it just in case.
But more importantly, do you remember this derpy puppy?
Behold the paragon of German Shepherd virtue.
Quincy, the GSD of legend. Yes, that is the same dog. No, seriously. Ah the difference the age makes. Dogs go through metamorphosis like insects. First, cute puppy, then velociraptor, then finally a proper dog. Like Artha.
Meow Meow – her nickname – is not a dog.
Nope. She is a menace.
That cat is spoiled rotten.
And this concludes a much-requested pet update. We have not seen or heard from lawn orphans. All of the lawns are dead. Nobody is mowing. One spark and all that dried grass will go up like a torch.
So much fun for the updates, she looks beautiful
Poor lawn orphans. What are they doing for work? They should expand to pet walking. Much better chance to extort, er, encourage repeat customers.
+1! ????
Personally, I like the velociraptor phase. Almost adult size, still have puppy motor control. It’s hilarious.
At what age does dignified switch one? We’ve a 3 year old GSD who is still in hyper doofus mode. He sleeps with all four paws in the air and a toothy grin or he’s awake wanting to play ball. I run him for 5 miles each morning and that’s not enough to tire him out.
He might need an Artharian role model ????
Lol, if Aretha would like to visit SC, she’s welcome to come visit. We’ve got 2 acres for her to run around on. Thank you Mod R!
Sorry, Artha**
Add some training or problem solving… even scent detection. I like to take treats/kibble and throw it all over my lawn and let my dog “find it” fries their little brain and helps tire them out mentally as well.
Adorable and fine critters! My daughter’s cat would approach and roll onto her back. When you would try to pet her she would play fighty-bitey! She was a really nice cat but you had to know to be careful.
So much fun to see! I have an 11-month rescue who occasionally reverts to velociraptor. Her older sister keeps her in line though (a friend refers to my going-on 7yo heeler as “the fun police”). And she’s getting more careful with my ancient, partially deaf calico, which is much appreciated.
Love the furry pals updates. Kittens are a menace. Loveable, point-parts nuisances I cannot live without 😀 Thanks for a Monday brightness. Good luck with the cracking.
+1
Gratuitous pet brag… the poodle beast, who is 7 that I got as a last chance rescue at age 3, has had severe behavioral issues to the point that she was about to be put down. We have done intense training an socialization.
We had a breakthrough and she got a vet exam last week and a shot with no bites, no muzzle, and not even a growl or curled lip. It took 5 treats and a 3 inch line of spray cheese but we did it. You have no idea what a big deal that is. She has to have “happy pills” to be groomed because it stresses her out otherwise.
I love her grumpy little self.
Congratulations on your Grendel! ????
I know how much hard wok you must have put in to get that far, seriously good work!
Our German Shepherd rescue had been taught not to growl by his previous idiowners, so if he was uncomfortable he’d air snap, and accidents did happen – that he didn’t intend to bite was obvious, he never, ever bit down, and he looked horrified if he did catch you by mistake. He didn’t like being touched by anyone but us at first either. We got him at two and he’s twelve now, he stopped air snapping years ago, and discovered the joys of being stroked by friends to, but the growling only came in the last couple of years. His last trip to the vet he let her do every thing without comment, until she examined his teeth when he gave a little “don’t like” growl; the vet understood when I told him what a good boy he was! But yeah, we’re the people that tell our dog “Good Boy!” when he growls at people . . .
Thank you, Ilona Andrews, for the update on Quincy and the lawn orphans. I ROFLOL.
My Rhodesian Labrador “rescued” a 4 week old kitty shortly after my sibling foisted his rescued self on me. Only my vet and the 5 year old across the road believe that a cat lives here and is Packmate of my knucklehead lunatic dog. No one else ever sees my 10 pound ????⬛. So yes I believe you about meow meow because where one goes the other follows.
I had a cat a few years ago that would use the squirt bottle as a way to drink water. She definitely didn’t like full body immersion though. That generally resulted in a wild scramble through the house(she fell in the toilet).
I first got my cat at 4 months and she had a tendency to explore the open toilet bowl and then slip and fall into it. Quickly learned to keep the lid down at all times!
Thanks for the pups and kitty update!!
They are such cute critters!!
????????????
Sending good vibes for the house foundation. ????????
My brother’s dog is staying with me at the moment – an almost 8 years old Frenchie.
I’m pretty sure this breed does not know dignity.
He’s just run into my neighbour’s flat searching for her dog, tried to steal a toy and then peed on her balcony.
Now he’s farting like a trooper while chewing his dog bed and snorting piggy sounds.
My sheepdog never did this. . .
Thank you! Dogs and cat are all very cute!
Have a new kitten. Got her at 8 weeks beginning of this July. So tiny and so very cute. She is a menace.
Everything is a toy. You sit down with a bottle of water and as soon as you take the cap off Dora picks it up and walks off with it. Oh if only she’d drop it in the recycle bin.
Even as I write this I have been run over 3 times in a quest for her to gain access to the kitchen counter. Dora doesn’t understand gravity or privacy in the bathroom.
She is 15 weeks old and my older cat I cringe when she’s on the war path. We are just here to entertain her. But she’s my baby. The nips and scratches will heal eventually.
I had an OCD foster cat who would chew holes in my bead spreads, couch covers, pillows and even rugs. She would also lick the finish off photos if I left them out and wash anything that sat still for five minutes. She was perfect for kittens until she figured out they were going to go away within weeks of arriving. After that she avoided them rather than get attached. Monkey. I still miss her.
My solution to foster cats that would bite was to immediately stop whatever I was doing (petting, playing, holding, etc) put them down if I was holding them, or out of the room if necessary, and then ignore them for about 10 minutes. They all got the message eventually.
I also learned to avoid any activity that brought on the instinctive “bite” reflex. For instance, if a cat bites it’s toy mice, don’t play “catch the toes under the covers.”
Also throw in a loud “no!” or “ah-ah!”. (Loud noises startle and are seldom appreciated.)
If you have something soft at hand and the offender is out of reach, you can toss or drop it in the vicinity, but the noise is important.
Does anyone else have a cat that eats string? Do you know why they eat string?
No, but I’ve heard that string and yarn are really bad for cats. Supposedly, it can lead to fatal intestinal issues when eaten.
You might want to ask your vet for the real facts…
Yes, it can be fatal. My cat managed to get into the string once and it got caught in her gut. She wouldn’t eat or drink and had to have surgery to get it removed – that was a fun week. I just wish I knew *why* she ate the stuff. I mean, it’s not like it’s food.
I have a cat that eats fabric. I have found big holes in blankets, socks, and towels over the years with no bits and pieces lying around, just a clean hole. It usually happens if he is stressed about something but also certain fabrics bring it out in him. He can go years without doing it. I can’t put blankets on top of the bedspread because he seems to love those fabrics and take other precautions. I told the vet about it but since he has been fine she really didn’t have too much to say other than try to prevent it. He is going on 12 and in good health. Go figure.
Yes, Fluff-for-Brains does this. We have to make sure we hide all string-type things away otherwise its a trip to the vet. She’s an idiot. It might be because she’s eating her “kill” or, as in our case, she has PICA. Our other cat, Fluffy-Butt, has PICA too but hers is an obsession with plastic. It’s great being woken up in the middle of the night by vom sounds or slurping scratching sounds!
Thank you for the pet update. Pets really do change. Our girl 9 now. (shiba inu, corgie mix) used to love playing fetch or hide and seek with the kids. Now she likes laying around, snoozing in patches of sun. If you throw her rope she will walk to get it and sit on it so you cant throw it again. ????
She ignores the kids unless they have blankets, treats and hands avaliable to rub her tummy.
???? sitting on the rope is genius
Don’t know if this is the place to send a message to IA that is off subject and I will not include any spoilers. My bookstore got in Ruby Fever last Friday and I read it straight through and have it twice again since then. It is beyond great but I must say so sad if that is the end of these characters. I want more of Catalina and Alessandro and the rest of the Baylor family. Thank you for a great read and welcome escape from the trouble in my life presently. I have reread all of your books multiple times. Such a comfort.
I’m so happy you liked it! ????
We have hope and keep fingers crossed that House Andrews will decide on writing and self publishing Arabella’s books! ????
Aww! I love pet updates. Is Meow Meow a Smoke Tabby?
YIKEs on the foundations. How do you water a foundation? Like just water the outside?
We had a very dry thru most of the year till a month ago, now I can’t keep up with the mowing. I literally need to mow the yard every 5 days right now. The pasture, I mowed half one of the sheep fields with the bushhog a week ago, went out yesterday to finish and can’t tell any difference. NONE, none at all.
Apparently one waters a foundation like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH75WJoVwkM&ab_channel=WilliamsonFoundationRepair
I live in Texas. When I had sprinklers installed, I had them put around the foundation of the house so that watering foundation was automatic.
My friends with cattle want you to send your excess their way, please! The pastures are dead here and everyone is buying hay.
Bonnie, how did you get Ruby Fever? Doesn’t it come out on August 23?
Sometimes bookstores put early copies out on the floor ????
The official date is 23rd of August, indeed.
I worked at a bookstore for 11 years. There two types of release dates. Hard where there are huge fines and other penalties if broken and soft where if a bookstore gets a copy they can either wait for the release date or not without penalty. Most mass market books have soft release dates.
Wow, how could that be the same dog? Quincy is now living up to her wolf ancestry.
Never heard of watering foundations, one more reason I’m happy we don’t live in Teeeksus. ????
Pet updates are always welcome. Funny, sad, silly, all of it. Innocent (except for cats) is a soothing thing. Never can have enough.
Thank you.
I never heard of walls cracking from heat or having to water your foundation… I’ve never lived in Texas. Wow… I hope it’s not too bad a repair.
As for fur babies… YAY!!! Today is International Cat Day, so I suggested on Twitter that we should all get paid to stay home and properly adore our spoiled rotten brats. =) My circle is finding that amusing. I type this while being scolded by my daughter’s cat Buddy for not immediately petting him after his arrival on my desk… =) Silly cats! =)
My cats boss me. At 4:30 to 6:00 am I am awakened by cats because : no food in dish. Also: sun is rising and I must go OUT NOW. I can usually throw food in dish stumble back to bed.. then later up to let outside at 6:30 or 7:30. Now, you must understand it is not so simple as letting out the sliding door. Nooo I must check the gate (that is broken) to make sure kitty cannot get out. THEN I can go in and make my coffee… and if the weather is good wrestle and pop up my screen tent for bugs, where I can nap, drink coffee and most importantly KEEP KITTY COMPANY minus bug bites… because yes, they are not happy if I am not outside WITH them. As I said, spoilt rotten cats. *note no cat allowed in yard after dark due to cat fence not put up yet, so other cats might get to them, not to mention alligators, or coyote…this no cat after dark rule does create some problems too. Usually solved by wearing ear plugs at night *sigh*
thanks for the pet update! Man, do they miss derpy pupper? I sure would. As to Meow meow, yup, all cat there, heheh
I had just been wondering about the lawn mafia, but I figured that if I’m not mowing, they’re not mowing either. It’s only green around the trees, as I do water those. And it rained at my house on Sat!! only 0.2″, but I danced a jig anyway since it meant I didn’t have to water trees this past weekend.
My cat Phineas Emmett was a biter and always give you the claw. Then he would snuggle with you. Most people were afraid of him, a few got him. I lost him 6 weeks ago, and look for him everyday
I’m sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry
Sorry to hear this. We are so lucky to have them, and it’s so hard to lose them.
*offers hugs*
My 2cents. When they bite hold your hand still, say ow and blow in their face. If you try to move your hand they instinctively bite down (keep ahold of “prey”). They always lossen their bite and pull their head back when you blow in their face. Then you can move your hand
Also hands are only for gentle petting not playing. Toys are for playing with them. I fostered ferals for several years. Worked well for me
If you want to do the spray bottle and they like water add a bit of citrus scent. They don’t like it
With a note here that several essential oils are harmful to cats, including citrus oils- so if you want to add citrus scent, please do not use that.
And some feline behaviours specialists advise against the spray method altogether, as it is punishment, not training and as such considered inefficient and even cruel https://catingtonpost.com/stop-using-a-water-bottle-to-discipline-your-cat/
Keyser Söze is a biter under the covers so I keep my feet out. He also likes to do death from above on the other cats. He adores the collies.
The dogs are mature and really never did the velociraptor stage. The Sea Bass is loud. So loud and he has opinions. Many many opinions. Unlike the girl dogs.
Anakoni tabby cat hates the dogs and stalks them and chases them. It’s funny because they are 65 pounds to his 15 lbs. they are terrified of him
My front bedroom cracked. Texas. Man.
I adopted a kitten.
Everyday we have a discussion. “Don’t bite Mama!” We also discuss “Don’t scratch Mama!”
She’s getting better.
Thank you for the fur baby updates; they are sooooo cute!
I was wondering, how did Artha get her name?
Cats do not stay attack menaces forever. My darling Shadow is very mellow, and just wants to lie on my lap. He doesn’t even attack my thread when I am cross stitching anymore. I can’t remember when he stopped attacking everything that moves to make sure it wasn’t a toy or a mouse, maybe 4-5 years ago. Of course he’s 18 now, so adolescence lasted a bit longer than it usually does for a dog.
We have the same grass/water issues up here west of FTW. Hang in there!
Just want to refresh everyone’s memory of Jean and Jorts for national cat day. Enjoy
https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/rfwgmc/aita_for_perpetuating_ethnic_stereotypes_about/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
What goofy critters! They are so delightful!
Hopefully the cracked foundation is a easy and quick fix. Thinking of you all during the heat.
We provide staff services to two Cats. Gigi is 16 and has always been “big boned”. Okay, fat. He never wanted us to touch him until the last year, so it only took 15 years. He has arthritis and the Vet is trying a new therapy which seems to be working. (We asked the Vet if he could give the shots to us, but he can’t. Too bad)
Over his lifetime, Gigi has lived with three other Cats who were all FIV positive. Bepi (the first) sat on command and followed my mother around the neighbourhood during her walks, throwing himself down near her for a rest/snooze while she talked to the neighbours. He made it to 5.
Pierino came to us needing an eye removed. When the operation was done, the Vet asked us if we wanted a prosthetic; we said no but I would have loved to have to,d the Vet to just give us a patch and a parrot. Pierino would have loved that. He, too, only made it to 5.
The current co-Gigi-ite is Tonino. He has always been rambunctious and is the reason my sister sent to England for a Cat GPS. Our evening duty for him is massaging. We are happy that so far, he has made it to 10.
So we understand how the Family always includes Pets.
Re: foundations, ours only ever crack due to cold and ice up here in Toronto. So reading about having to water yours seems so weird. Good luck anyways.
We have 4 cats, 2 are recent rescues, one was inherited from a friend who passed away, (he is wonderful and talks to us, and the 3 other cats + 2 dogs all the time, We love it.)
One of our rescue cats will be 20 on August 31st.We also have 2 rescue puppies.
Even with all the love we have for our babies, we still are able to reach out and love the House Andrews pets, plus others like Ruby Doo, who we recently lost.
Sharing our love for all pets gives us hope to grow. We can learn to hear, and love, different cultures.
All three are beautiful. Awww…Quincy is all grown up. As along time German Shepherd owner, I particularly love the Artha and Quincy updates.
My little nieces were one and two when they named their cats Meow Meow and More. The two year old named Meow Meow because she meowed constantly. The one year old named More because at the time that was her favorite word!
Thanks for the thorough update, including pics and videos! They’re so cute and odd and adorable.
Oh my goodness. At the end of the second video, when she licks her lips with her fangs sticking out…!
It’s always interesting to hear about other people’s pets. Perdita, our late collie, spent her entire life convinced she was a big kitten. The two cats we had at the time were both older and long-time in residence when we got the dog. She deferred to the cats on any issue and tried to catch mice and ground squirrels like they did.
We had a heelerxAussie shepherd from a litter that grew up with a litter of kittens the same age. When that dog was three, we adopted an orphan kitten of 3-4 weeks old. The spayed female dog attempted to nurse the kitten. That dog was hands-down the sweetest one we ever had, and all of our dogs have been wonderful. The kitten is now 18 years old and hangs out with my heeler, whom she helped raise, and rescue pup she is currently helping to raise. The dogs handle any varmints in the yard, but the cat still manages any that make it into the house.
My shepherds did that no cat needed. Instinct
I also live in a water restricted area and spend time cutting down dead grass & weeds to decrease flammables for the reason you noted. We’re mostly allowed to water twice a week outside business hours & the water company sent out an email asking residents to deep water trees, so I don’t feel so guilty about watering larger mature plants.
I wonder if she could reuse her grey water from shower & washer (w/ grey water detergent) in a rain barrel?
Quincy “so ein feiner Bub” – Congratulations to Artha and Kid 2 and the boy himself. Looking fantastic. Maturity becomes you – Quincy but doofiness was cute too. Meow Meow – cats will do what cats want to do – still a purring cat is one of the most relaxing sounds or feelings ( if lounging close to you or on you ) that I know of. Stay all safe and healthy. Thank you for the lovely pet update.
I have been wondering about the lawn orphans lately. I remember you described them as like a little group of mini-mafiosos. I have been expecting their takeover of the state of Texas any day now.
*biting tongue so hard it bleeds*
PUP-dates!
Cromch.
At least Camille looks like a cat now instead of a werewolf.
That feline has come a long way from her taco truck days.
Like all cats, Meow Meow is 50 crimes in a fur suit.
Love the picture of cat and dog. The dog looks plaintive and the cat is like, NOT IN THE MOOD.
Velociraptor doggo. Very true. I have been bitten by a dog twice in my life. Cats? Multiple times. And they’re so stealthy about it. Cat: “I really love how you’re petting and loving on me. But I really wanna bite you too.”
Love the grand dogs and cat updates!
He da dog – Quincy. So beautiful!
Funny cat – when not eating me 🙂
Texas sounds super hot….Wow!
Oh thank you. Seeing the shepherds brings me much joy. Yes shepherds go through quite the metamorphosis. It is truly amazing. Maybe most herding breeds are like this. I don’t know. But I see the dogs of friends and family an none seem to grow up as much as the GSDs If they are dippy when young they stay dippy. Golden retrievers and boxers and mixes especially If they are intense and obedient when young. Like some border collies They tend to stay that way. GSD owners know it takes at least 2 and often 3 years for maturity
This might be a daft suggestion but I’ve been using washing up water to water the roof garden in the hosepipe ban?
Dogs and cats both gorgeous buddies. I like a bit of personality!
Aw, my goodness, Quincy and Camille are all grown up. Adorable, as is Artha.
A very welcome update. Thank you.
I hope the cracks are not too serious and can be resolved. So much extra care taking in a hot climate.
I have a tortie. She has earned an assortment of nicknames. Top faves:
Miss Creant
Bratty Catty
Mrs. Claws
I call her Mama because when she was a baby I used to say meow-meow to her all the time, and gradually it morphed into mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-muh. And now it’s Mama or Mommy.
That last photo tho’.????
Cat: What is wrong with you humans? Who amongst you doesn’t lick her leg clean??
It’s so encouraging to see so many people talk about cats here. We moved last summer only to have the new neighbor leave and abandon a herd of indoor/outdoor cats. We now feed 12 outdoor cats, have added three to our own one inside, have had to put down one, and have gotten nine through our (very limited) local TNR program. This week, one of the unfixed cats brought her new kittens to our yard in bad condition. We rushed them to the vet, and God bless her, one of the docs volunteered to foster them. Beyond the TNR program, that is the first help we’ve secured for any of these lovely cats. All our local foster operations are perpetually overwhelmed and basically require connections to get into. Nobody seems to want grown cats and the shelters rarely take them. I’ve been really discouraged about why so few people seem to care about cats. The comments here have given me a little hope, so thanks to all the cat lovers. ???? Good to see a Meow Meow who’s got her forever home.
Wow, Quincy is all grown up! I kind of miss the derpy kiddo, but I’m sure he’s still in there.
We were lucky. Only one cat left behind from next door. She was semi-feral but now is adjusting to being indoor cat. Our 10 yr old dog is not too happy.
No detente going on here.
Oh yeah, getting them accustomed to new housemates is a chore. Our little dog is still a bit wary of the new cats. But then, poor dude’s totally out numbered now! ????
What would life be without furbabies?
I feel your pain. I also live in Texas and today we had a cold snap, it got down to 99 degrees. I have a dead lawn, but I do use my foundation water hose and water it at night. I will keep doing that until they water police show up at my door and make me stop. Loved the update on your furry friends!
I am in California, retired from farming almonds, and know the pain of droughts. I have been praying for Texas, particularly the farmers.
The animals are adorable.
Cracking walls? Okay, I don’t have to deal with that. We get cracks from earthquakes, and floors crack if they are cement and not reinforced, but I have never heard of random wall cracks.
This heat is borderline MURDER! I’m in the middle of recovering from a move this past week. At the moment I’m trying to get my shed re-assembled in the new location and it is going oh so slowly. It does not help that I’m an disabled vet with heat intolerance.
Billye
From the Great Nation of Texas