That Special Bond

I had a bit of a revelation today.

But first, a little history:

Growing up we were never allowed any pets. No dogs, no cats, no hamsters. My parents did have a beagle dog when my eldest brother was little, but he was extremely naughty. Ultimately, he ran away and, needless to say, my parents weren't too upset when they couldn't find him. Now, when I went to the Penny Carnival with my family when I was little, I won a goldfish. "Penny" lasted for a little while, until she decided to jump ship one day, as it were. Then I won "Silver" and "Gold" at another summer carnival. Wow, two fish! Well, Gold ate Silver (he was tinier), and then, just like her like-colored predecessor, she abandoned ship with, well, abandon. In fact, we couldn't even find her until one day she was found behind the radiator. Um, yeah...

Anyway, besides that naughty dog and my ill-fated goldfish, no pets for us. My Grandmother had a cat and dogs, and my Aunt had an English Springer Spaniel named Charlie. Also, my best friend had dogs and cats, so I was able to surround myself with animal love, without the hassle of trying to guilt-trip my parents into getting us a puppy.

Because I was able to be around animals and the people who cared for them, I have always been a little jealous of the beautiful bond that forms between them. I never really thought I would have that.

Which leads to my revelation...

I do have that bond now.

My Dude and I have bonded sooo much. He even knows my routine now, and when I get home from work there he is waiting at the door.

"Meeeewwww!" He'll screech.

"Hey, Dude!" I'll say as I scoop him up for what I have dubbed "a proper greeting." I scoop him up into my arms and give him a hug, he purrs happily and then licks my nose. It's all very sweet.

And there is rarely any fear or hesitation that I feel around him. I know I can grab his head in my hands and kiss his furry little noggin, or rub him all over, or grab his foot, and he is not going to bite me or scratch me. He trusts me, and I trust him too. Now, that doesn't mean I'm going to sit there and annoy him, because then he might, and I wouldn't blame him!

No, it's just... a friendship.

A camaraderie.

We enjoy being with each other, and we're comfortable and happy when we are.

It's not so bad having a kitty as a best friend.

Nope, not bad at all.

— E & L

Boredom Killed the Cat

The Dude in his favorite snoozing chair.

My poor Duder.

I can't help but feel like he is bored out of his wits during the day. I mean, no one is home until after five o'clock, and you can only stare out the window or bat around your mousey toy so many times.

Of course, this may just be me worrying too much. He is probably purrfectly content to snooze in the afternoon sun.

I do know that he seems to be extra needy lately as far as affection and food goes. Leo is supposed to be on a diet, and now he cries for food and treats. He also follows me around, rubs on my leg and mews at me.

"Hey, Human! Down here! Remember how soft and sweet I am? Pet me, pet me!"

Although, I have to say, it is awfully sweet to be loved by the fluffy guy so much. And I love when he greets me at the door when I get home from work. Sometimes he's just there, other times I open the door, shout, "Duder, I'm home!" and here comes the jingle, jingle, jingle of his collar as he runs to see me. Unless he is snoozing in his new favorite green chair, then he simply lifts his head up and looks at me in acknowledgment.

"Oh, good, you're home," he'll say lazily.

::strrreeeetch::

Then the constant mewing begins and does not end until he gets his dinner.

Spoiled rotten little thing.

I hope he will get used to the schedule and being in a new place, then he won't be quite so needy.

Or, I'll just need to get another kitty or dog to keep him company...

Yeah, I'm not so sure he'd go for that. Maybe if I mention it he'll quite his silly mewing and moping in the hopes that I'll change my mind.

Hmmm...

— E & L

Finally Coming to a Screeching Halt

Skid Marks in Snow via DreamsTime

*SCREEEEEECH*

Whew, okay, we're back!

Well, you may have noticed that it has been waaay too long since I have written a witty post, or given an update.

Let me come up with a really good excuse 'splain...

Between the holidays, work, vet visits and moving—yep, moving!—things have been ever-so-slightly hectic for myself and Leonidas.

I know, LAME-O! But, there it is.

So, I find myself in a new apartment. Technically I've had it since the end of February, but this weekend marks the first time Leo and I have stayed there full time.

Let's back up a little bit.

Leo's first vet visit! I was a little nervous about the visit. Oh, not the visit itself, but more-so the whole car ride over there. Little Leo had only been in the car once before—when he was on his way to his fur-ever home. Needless to say, that was many moons ago! I borrowed a carrier, and brought it out the day before so he could investigate it, play in it and see it was NOT the enemy.

He did just that.

The next day I said, "Okay, Leo, time to go buh-byes!"

Naturally, he stared at me inquisitively.

"Buh-byes???" He asked wearily.

But, he scooted his cute, little derriere into the carrier with no problem. I hefted him into the back seat, cooed at him and off we went.

I don't know what it was, but the poor Duder was pretty darn nervous on the ride to the vet. He cried, and mewed and panted. I murmured at him reassuringly, and before we knew it I was hefting him out of the backseat and into the office.

We were able to be seen almost right away, which was awesome. The tech and I got Leo out of his carrier, and let him make a beeline for an open cabinet door. According to the tech, that is what all of the kitties do. So, he hid in there until he was forcibly removed by the tech again.

He let her pick him up. He let her weigh him on the scale. He let her take his *ahem* temperature. He let her give him two shots. He even let her take a stool sample for testing. He let her do all of this without a single peep. No protesting, no wriggling.

When the vet himself came in for a final evaluation, Leo was still cordial. Doc gave him a clean bill of health, minus that he wants him to lose a little bit of weight... whoops! Too much love. ::smiles::

Overall, Leo did awesome at the vet!

Leo got back into his carrier, I paid the bill and received a great welcome bag with goodies inside—what a nice touch!

Back into the car we went. This time, not a peep from the Dude. I had to head over to the apartment office to hand in some final documents, which meant leaving Leo in the car briefly. When I got back he was almost asleep! He stayed that way the entire drive back home. I chalked it up to the shots at the time, but when I put Leo back into that carrier to bring he and I to our new home, he took it like a champ! No crying, no mewing, no panting. He just curled up and relaxed. What a good traveler!

Oh yeah, I think Leo's going to be just fine in the new place.

So, the new apartment...

When I got there with Leo, I set the carrier down and opened its door.

And waited.

He was slow to come out at first, but once he did he was juuust fine. Poking his nose around and getting into everything.

After a little while he came over to me and asked, "Mama, what is this place?"

"It's home, buddy," I responded.

And after all of the unpacking, organizing and setting up—and having my Duder there through it all—it really is home now.

So, as you can see, we may have been a little absent, but it sure hasn't been boring.

More updates in the near future!

— E & L