Established
in 1937

 

Bob's Corner

Having animals around the house -- that is, inside, living with us -- can be trying, messy and expensive. But the critters also bring enjoyment and laughs with their antics. Fortunately, our four cats are not allowed outdoors, so they don’t bring us trophies like half-dead or fully deceased gophers or mice. Or (shudder) snakes.

But we have had outside kitties, including one in Southern California (Poway) that brought us a road runner. No jest, he really did. He carried it up our dirt drive with the bird drooping from his mouth, which was clamped around the road runner’s neck.

We thought the feathered guy was dead. He wasn’t; he was a road runner playin’ possum. I don’t recall all we did to encourage el gato to let go. He finally did, and the road runner, without so much as a beep-beep, roared off, apparently none the worse for wear from being dragged about. I think the cat was so stunned that he just stood there. With his mouth still open.

Our little dog, Rocky II The Sequel, has been moping around the house with what our son, Mike, calls a broken tail because it drooped so much. A check at the vet determined that Rocky had some bad teeth. So five were extracted, which seems to have perked up the hairy kid (the dog, not our son). Although, he (the dog) was a bit under the weather for about a day after being anaesthetized for the work. But his tail is no longer broken.

Meanwhile, Charlie the Crazy Cat developed a bladder infection. This resulted in our getting some banana-flavored medicine, which we administer with a dropper. Charlie doesn’t like it, prompting our daughter, Vicki, to suggest that they give it tuna or mouse flavor.

Co-existing with the four cats and two dogs is “interesting.” Especially when all six need to visit the vet or groomer. At the same time. Yikes. Four cats in one dog carrier. Two Nervous Nellie canines in the back seat of the car. Heavy breathing. Drooling. Loss of hair. A bit of snarling. “Accidents.” Erk.

But when they’re all feeling good, and they’re clean and smell nice, well -- it’s mighty neat. Makes it more comfortable with several of them sleeping with us too. Especially now that Rocky no longer has death breath.

It can be a beastly world, but one well worth it, “accidents” notwithstanding.

 

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