Archive for January, 2008
Posted by Kay
When Mojo was a lot younger and I was living in a townhouse, I tried to get him used to walking on a harness and a lead so that he could spend some time outside while he was staying with me on holidays. But after weeks of him just rolling around and playing with it or trying to chew it off, I just gave up. After he came to live with me here, we built the cat park so that he could always have some connection with the outdoors while still maintaining his personal safety and that of any wildlife who may visit our backyard.
Lately he has been a bit more cantankerous than usual and very mournful when we go outside and he cannot see us. I still had the harness and lead, so I thought why not give it another go. He tolerated it being put on but started slinking along the ground like he was a commando crawling towards an enemy target. It was quite comical to see but gradually we made it outside onto the deck - where he promptly plonked himself down by the chair and wouldn’t go any further. It was almost like he couldn’t see the point in it.
But then he saw the grass and the concept of walking on a harness and lead suddenly seemed a little bit worthwhile.
I’ve since discovered that walking a cat on a harness and lead is only about making sure the cat does not escape. To Mojo, I was merely a mobile tethering point and he was happy to drag me all over the backyard, through the weeds, up onto the retaining wall and over the fence if I had let him do so. Getting to go where I wanted him to go just wasn’t an option - all I could do was pick him up, plonk him in a more desirable place and hope that the next time, that thorny plant in the back corner at the back of all the weeds wouldn’t prove so interesting to him.
All in all though, he generally behaved himself and only once did he look at the roof as a possible destination. At that point, we decided that Mojo had experienced enough of the great outdoors for one day. I doubt he will ever like walking on the harness as opposed to romping free throughout the neighbourhood. But as a compromise?? He seems quite happy with it. 
Posted by Kay
Hoorah! It’s the Australia Day long weekend downunder and it’s time to celebrate anything and everything that’s great about Australia! I am extremely grateful to have been born here - we have so much that we take for granted. When I think of all the things I find fault with as a citizen, I can always think of examples where we would be a lot worse off. So get your fake flag tattoo on, crack a beer (or fizzy Australian made drink of some sort) and get some Australia pride happening!
No matter what shape your BBQ is in, how much gas you have left in the cylinder or whether you have to spend hours cleaning it or trying to start it - you must BBQ something! Personally we love our BBQ and cook everything on it, even some of the vegies. If it was possible to BBQ a salad, I’d probably do that too. Oh and if possible, generate a lot of smoke - it makes the flavoursome smell of the BBQ carry even further! 
Yesterday we had prawns, onions, mushrooms, snags and lamb on the barbie - YUMMO! Oh I almost forgot - having a couple of eager, hungry canines around takes care of any leftover meat, not a problem! Although having two over for the day certainly made for WWIII erupting at times between the moggies and the dogs, not to mention the neighbours’ dogs who wanted in on the action as well. *hehe*
So on behalf of myself, the moggies and temporary doggie residents - Happy Australia Day weekend! Hope it’s been a good one, wherever you are!
Posted by Kay
Okay, now don’t go thinking I’ve gone and gotten two new cats.
Max (left) belongs to my sister and his doppelganger, Princess (right) belongs to my aunt. They are currently co-habitating at my sister’s place while my aunt and uncle are on holidays. Despite their similar appearance, they are not from the same litter or even the same parentage. I find it just amazing that with all the different varieties of coat colour and patterning in moggies, occasionally you find two very similar that are in no way related.
As far as temperament goes, they are complete opposites. Princess is a cuddle cat and very quiet, whereas Max is a free spirit and loves to make himself heard.
Posted by Kay
Most of you would be familiar with how the moggies came to live with us. For those who joined in late in the game, you can find out all about Mojo and Rosie in their respective posts. It would be a bit remiss of me not to include them in the photo challenge, although originally I thought I had that many photos of them up already that you are probably sick of looking at them. But my life would be very empty without them, so they too are a blessing. I tried really hard to get a new photo of the two of them together but Mojo just wasn’t playing nice in terms of getting a nice photo. It’s like he doesn’t want the WWW to know that secretly, he does like his housemate and occasionally gives her nose kisses. So it’s back to one of my most frequently photographed subject and all round mummy’s girl, Rosie.
Of all the cats that could have come home with me from the shelter, I’m glad it was Rosie that chose me. She may shed a tonne of fur in a week, chew anything and everything and wake me up at odd hours of the morning for a cuddle but it just wouldn’t be the same here without her.
Posted by Kay
When you think of the destructive tendencies of cats, most of the time it involves scratching or use of claws. Most of the cats I have known have had some scratching fetish, whether it be for curtains, furniture or a nice sturdy scratching tree. I certainly have one of those and my lounge suite is testament to Mojo’s clawing prowess. Fortunately, we have deduced that he will only use scratchers with a particular type of carpet. He’ll go to town on it for around six months and then we recycle it once he loses interest in it and get him a new one. I figure I’ll give it another year and if he’s still not touching the lounge, we might even be game to get a new one.
Not so with Rosie. Sure she scratches the posts but not with any particular enthusiasm or vigour. Imagine my delight when she turned out to be a non-scratcher! Wonderful!
It took me all of three months to realise that Rosie still has a bad habit - she’s a chewer. I first noticed last year when I was working on an assignment and the laptop screen went dim as if the power supply had been knocked out. I looked down to see Rosie happily chomping away on the cord. Since I’ve finished uni, I’ve mainly been working at my desk with the cord safely tucked away behind it and she has lost interest in it. Yet the chewing continues….pencils, books, newspapers, magazines…..it doesn’t seem to matter what it is, so long as she can sink her teeth into it.
I’m wondering if maybe I should give her a rawhide bone or two to chew on. *hehe*
Posted by Kay
Well like all good things, our time with Indie has come to an end. Although it has been a little chaotic and at times a bit stressful for the poor pup, she seems to have enjoyed her time with us and she is more than welcome to come back again. I think Mojo has some different feelings on this….he stood at our front door and watched her get into the car with her owners. He had one paw up on the screen and I don’t know whether he was saying “bye bye puppy” or “now this time, stay home! Don’t come back, ya hear!!”. For all his fussing, I think he enjoyed having a canine around the place…..especially one who was so happy to be put in her place. *hehe*
I still think she is possibly the most gorgeous lab I have ever met, both in looks and nature. Till next time Indie!
Posted by Kay
Wow what a week! It seems to have absolutely flown by and before I knew it, it was time for another 52 Blessings post. This Friday I was very fortunate to go and see Deni Hines and James Morrison performing live as part of their “The Other Woman” tour…..a mix of jazz and blues music from the 1950s. I play the cornet myself, although I know I will never be in the same league as James Morrison, but he was my inspiration for choosing to play a brass instrument. He is absolutely awesome and if you ever get a chance to see him on one of his tours, just do it!
I would have loved to have gotten a snapshot of James on stage but being that he was performing in the concert hall, it was strictly no flash photography. Hence the photos of the ticket stubs instead.
If by any chance you have no idea who I’m talking about, the tour website should clear things up for you. There’s a sampling of music on there. I particularly like “Too Darn Hot” - very apt for the Australian summer don’t you think? 