A Trip to the Vet

So today I took the cats to the vet. Surprisingly, they were both very well behaved while being examined. They pretty much just laid on the table while the vet poked and prodded. So why am I regaling you with this tale? Because of the trip to and from the vet's office. They were both in cat carriers, so they were well contained. But traveling in the car definitely brings out their vocalness!

To fully understand, here is a description:

meow: This is Ming, our little female Siamese cat. Her sound is high pitched and dainty.
MEOW: This is Brynner, our big male Siamese cat. His sound is louder and very Siamese-y sounding. You all know what I mean.
MEOW:  This is me.  Yes, sometimes I join in.

So here is how our 20 minute trip goes:

MEOW.  MEOW.  MEOW.  meow.  MEOW.  meow.  MEOW. MEOW.  meow.  MEOW.  meow.  MEOW.  meow.  MEOW. MEOW.  MEOW. 

Now, do that for 20 minutes (that's how long it takes to get to the vet).  Doesn't it sound fun?

No Kitties Were Injured

It was a peaceful afternoon at the Clutter home.  Robert was in the bedroom, Jeffrey was in the dining room, and Scott and I were in the family room.  Suddenly we heard a noise in our backyard - a dog (sounding very large dog like) growling.  Well, we have cats, so the four of us all sprang to our feet and went running towards the back door.  As we were running towards the door, our little female, Ming, came racing through the doggie door, with her tail at least twice its size!  We continued out the back, looking for both the dog (so we could run it off) and our other cat, Brynner. I looked out on the driveway and saw Brynner sauntering, yes sauntering, towards the back of the house.  We saw no sign of the dog, so we assume that Brynner ran it off, with all of his ferocious Siamese cat-ness!  

What a cat!  Protecting our home and his sister!  

Eek!!

We have a doggie door which leads out to our backyard. With a dog and 2 cats, it's very nice.  It allows them all to go in and out as they please.  The downside?  Sometimes the cats don't come back emptyhanded (or emptymouthed, I should say).  Brynner, our male, isn't as bad.  He rarely brings things in, although when he does, it is usually a bird - not always dead.  That's fun.  Ming, our little female, is the worst.  We have rescued probably hundreds of lizards, grasshoppers, roaches (gross), dragonflies, and even garter snakes.  Okay, only three garter snakes - but that is three too many. So last night when I saw her in my bedroom, staring at a pair of Robert's shoes, I figured it was probably just another lizard - her usual capture.  Imagine my surprise when I moved the shoe and discovered a two inch long (with tail) baby mouse!  That was a first - and I hope the last!  I remained quite calm - mainly because the mouse remained quite calm!  I think he was playing dead. I covered him with the shoe, got my handy critter rescuing cup and piece of cardboard (like the Boy Scouts, we are always prepared), and called the boys to help.  Scott lifted the shoe and I captured the mouse.  He perked up in the cup (perhaps he knew he was safe), and I have to say, he was a cute little guy.  Not suitable for living in my house, but cute nonetheless!  We set him free, and are hoping that Ming won't find him again!  

The joys of cat ownership!