Trouble with food

Well, we are trying to find the perfect cat food again.

As you remember, after reading the labels on the cat food at the store, I had decided on Eukanuba's Lamb & Rice Formula. Well we went back the other day to get new cat food and they must have gotten a new recipe. The new ingredients list reads: "Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Corn Grits, Lamb, Brewers Rice..." Yeah, look how lamb and rice don't even make an appearance until #5 and 6!

Actually, I'm glad I even noticed it. I couldn't remember the name of what we were feeding them (I just knew it was Eukanuba), so I started just checking all the ingredients labels. (*By the way, this isn't BAD since meat does appear first on the list; I am just trying to find a food that doesn't have so much corn.)

So we scoured the store for a new brand of food. We finally decided on a brand called Blue Buffalo Wilderness food. We liked the packaging, we like the lynx on the front, and we joked that we want Lewis to turn into a lynx too. Also, check out the ingredients list:

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Potato Starch, Whitefish Meal, Salmon Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Oatmeal, Flaxseed (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Blueberries, Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Lysine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Salmon Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary... (etc.)

HOWEVER.... I don't think the cats like it. My husband feeds them early in the morning and when I woke up at 9 this morning they still had food in their bowls, which is HIGHLY unusual. They're probably mad at us for switching up their food (we had very little of the last food to mix it with). So we might try to find a different brand - we purposefully got a small bag in case this happened. Blue Buffalo has a few other types that I'd like to try out, so we'll do that when this bag is done.

By the way, if you're interested in trying out Blue Buffalo, I noticed on their website they'll send you a free sample. Just go to bluebuffalocompany.com and click on "Take the True Blue Test". (Don't worry, it's not really a test!) They have a test for dogs and for cats.

I'll keep you posted!

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Commercial

This commercial made me laugh. Watch closely. :-)

Happy birthday, Zoey!

Happy first birthday, Zoey! What a big girl you're getting to be! I hope you get the present I sent you. I sent a cute little card that wished you hugs and cuddles on your special day (seemed appropriate, huh?), and I stuck a plush squeaky bone and a package of your favorite treats in with the card. I hope you know how much I love you and miss you. I think about you a lot, especially today. I hope you don't think I abandoned you, because I didn't. It was hard, but I think it was for the best. I hope it was harder for me than you. You're probably having the time of your life with your new owners and their kids and their huge yard. I know you're happier where you are, and that thought makes me more at peace with the fact that we found new owners for you. I always wanted the best for you, Zoey, and don't forget that! Maybe someday we'll be able to come see you again, but even if we are never able to do that I want you to know that I won't forget you. I am excited that you're one year old now and you're growing so big and strong! I'll always think of you as my little puppy, though. :-)

Your first "mommy",
Ashley



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Printer problem

I got this via email from my mom:

---------------------------

Dear Geek Squad, I recently purchased an HP Printer, and when I am in the room watching it, it works perfectly. However, nearly every time I leave it unattended, the papers come out wrinkled, sometimes even shredded. If I re-start the print job and baby-sit it, there are no problems. This has been very frustrating, and I would appreciate one of your technicians coming out to fix whatever the problem is. Thank you, Dave Larson

Dave, Thank you for contacting the Geek Squad. As you know, one of our top technicians was dispatched to investigate your printer problem. His initial findings mirrored your experience, so he set up a hidden camera to document what was causing the paper disruption. Please review the attached video, and thanks again for your business. Sincerely, Mark Donaldson Geek Squad




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The cutest baby red panda!!

I saw this on Cute Overload and just HAD to share over here! It's a baby red panda just learning to walk. Isn't he precious???? I want one!

Missing Jera

As the summer winds up, my husband and I have started camping again. This summer, however, a member of our family isn't along. It's the first time we've been camping without Jera and I must admit I have been so sad. She was always such a joy to have along, and I really feel as if something is missing. When we pass dogs on the trails, I get a pang in my heart. I'm really not that much of a dog person, but I think Jera was really special.

This July will mark a year since she ran away after our last camping trip with her. I can't believe it's been so long, but at the same time I feel like she is a fading memory.

If we ever get another beagle - and I hope we do, someday, when we have a yard and can give the dog everything he or she needs - I look forward to resuming camping with a dog. In the meantime, we'll continue to go on our own and I'll try not to be too sad! :-)

Related:
Camping with a puppy
Dear Jera (Jera's story)

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Catalogue

I have a book of cat poems that I love to read aloud. Here is one of my favorites, and you'll often find me quoting it. Lewis especially seems to fit the poem!

Catalogue
by Rosalie Moore

Cats sleep fat and walk thin.
Cats, when they sleep, slump;
When they wake, pull in -
And where the plump's been
There's skin.
Cats walk thin.

Cats wait in a lump,
Jump in a streak.
Cats, when they jump, are sleek
As a grape slipping its skin-
They have technique.
Oh, cats don't creak.
They sneak.

Cats sleep fat.
They spread comfort beneath them
Like a good mat,
As if they picked the place
And then sat.
You walk around one
As if he were City Hall
After that.

If male,
A cat is apt to sing upon a major scale:
This concert is for everybody, this
Is wholesale.
For a baton, he wields a tail.

(he is also found,
When happy, to resound
With an enclosed and private sound.)

A cat condenses.
He pulls in his tail to go under bridges,
And himself to go under fences.
Cats fit
In any box or kit;
And if a large pumpkin grew under one,
He could arch over it.

When everyone else is just ready to go out,
The cat is just ready to come in,
He's not where he's been.
Cats sleep fat and walk thin.

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Soft Paws update

Three weeks ago, we put the soft paws on our cats' front claws.

The reasons we wanted to decrease their claw sharpness was because of them scratching us, especially when they would go to jump off our laps. Is that normal? I don't ever remember my previous cats scratching my legs so much when they'd go to jump down. Lewis and Ebony always extend their hind claws. It's rather frustrating.

Anyways, for that reason, we think that the Soft Paws work best for us when they're put on both the front paws and the hind paws. Which means we use up one package at a time, which is rather expensive.

They seem to be doing their job, though. I think it took about a week before any of them fell off. Now, they probably have about half still on their claws, and alternating so they still can't use their claws for anything. I must admit it was quite funny to watch them try to jump on things and miss because they couldn't grab hold with their claws. :-)

However, I'm not sure we'd buy more because I think it's just as easy and cheaper to clip their claws. I'll have to ask my husband his opinion though.

One of my problems with the Soft Paws also relates to one of my problems with declawing a cat surgically (which I'm very against). Should my cats ever get out of the house, they would be defenseless. So I think for me I feel more comfortable continuing to clip their claws and accepting that the scratches are one of the sacrifices of being a cat owner.

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Lewis and the tent

Here are some pictures of Lewis playing in our tent, which was set up in our dining room/hallway:

A new toy

My husband and I are going camping this weekend, so we set up the tent in our living room to make sure we knew how to put it up (in case it is after dark when we arrive at the site). We left the tent up for a few days, mostly because who doesn't like a tent in one's living room?

My cats were SO excited about this new toy we got for them! At first they were wary, but soon they figured out that they could hop in the door and curl up on the sleeping bags. They also thought it great fun to attack each other - one in the tent and one outside it. Anytime I was laying inside it, I could be guaranteed that one of two things would happen: Lewis would join me, crawl into the sleeping bag; or that if my legs or arms brushed against the side Ebony would start attacking from outside the tent. Fearful that they would rip holes in the side, I couldn't do anything but verbally tell them to get away. And of course you know how well cats listen!

Tonight we put the tent back in its bag so we could put it in the car. I'm sure the cats will be sad to miss out on their new toy. I guess they'll just have to be content with their cube:



(I got some pictures of them in the tent, but I'm too tired tonight to get the pictures onto the computer. I'll post those later!)

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Cutting your kitty's claws

I have been cutting my cats' claws ever since I got them. It's a good thing to do if you're having trouble with your cat tearing up the furniture or the carpet. It's especially good if your cat is inside-only, as being outside they can more naturally keep their claws trimmed.

It's really not difficult to trim the claws; the hardest part is getting your kitty to cooperate. We like to do it in the evenings when our cats are more sedentary. We usually wait until one crawls in our lap to fall asleep, and then we gently pull out the clippers.

You can use regular nail clippers, but we have nice ones made for cats. I've used both and I think the latter is worth the $5. :-) You can buy them anywhere that sells pet supplies - we got ours from Wal-Mart.

When you're about to cut your kitty's nails, you'll want to get a firm hold on him. Gently press on the pads of his paw to make him extend his claws. Then gently clip each nail while continuing to keep the claws extended. Be careful not to trim too far down. There is a soft pinkish area called the quick that has the nerves and blood vessels that are found in the cat's claws. Trim just before the quick, and if in down just trim a little bit. Take it easy - if you're relaxed, your cat will more likely be relaxed too.

This is just a basic overview. I may int he future address what can be done if your cat isn't as keen on the whole nail-clipping idea as you are. :-)

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Puppy adoptions

I received this in an email this morning.

The Marion Grant Humane Society (in Marion, Indiana) is closing and they will euthanize all of the puppies that haven't been saved by the end of June. I'm including the information that I have and the link. If you know of anyone looking for a new four-legged member of the family, please encourage them to look here first. Thanks everyone!

Dogs will be euthanized if not adopted closing at the end of June (roughly) and any animal there on that day will be euthanized. 2 other volunteers and myself went down to take pictures and bios of their dogs. We told them we would try to help place as many as we could in rescue groups. We are reaching out to all of the area rescues asking if anyone can help. I chose to reach out to the bully breed rescues as I own a pit mix and am fostering a pit bull and I LOVE them both dearly. I have included a link to the pictures that Cindy Falstad took that day. If you can help please let me know by e-mail or phone 847-371-1147 or 847-404-8143. Transport will be provided.
Thanks in advance,
http://picsbycindy.com/marion_grant_dogs.htm

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The orange ones

This is from a while ago, but it never fails to make me smile.


see more crazy cat pics

Weekly link roundup

following an unknown path: take me with you PLEASE!!!
"Gilby really doesn't want to be left behind." This is an adorable blog post about my bloggy friend Amanda's puppy Gilby.

mental_floss Blog » 8 Sports Your Dog Can Play
"If movies have taught us nothing else, it’s that animals have great potential as athletes."

How to Crochet a Cat Hat - wikiHow
"With these instructions, you can crochet a charming hat for your kitty. You'll probably spend a lot more time making this hat than your cat will spend wearing it..., but it's still a fun, easy project for a beginning crocheter (and avid cat lover)."

Dog Survives 8 Days Buried In Explosion Rubble - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver
"A Springer Spaniel that had been missing since a Breckenridge building explosion on April 19 was found alive Sunday, buried in the rubble."

Ducks trapped in lake of toxic sludge - CNN.com
"About 500 migrating ducks were dead or dying after landing on a pond owned by oil-sands company Syncrude Canada Ltd., officials said."