Hoodoo and Maddie Round 3. . . or is it 4?

Maddie not only acts like a puppy but she even looks like one!

Obviously, Maddie, Hoodoo and I played this weekend, which naturally consisted of a lot of ball fetching and head scratching.  I'm pretty sure Maddie could be the new Icon for the Energizer Bunny because she never, ever tires of chasing that ball.  She could run back and forth, back and forth obediently dropping the ball at my feet and taking off again to catch it, until her pads were raw...and then she'd run inside and eat until her belly popped.  I've never seen a dog of her age have so much energy and enthusiasm for life.  It inspires me to contemplate having the presence of mind to maintain that kind of exuberance and vibrance in my own life, especially in my older years.  There is so much to learn by living in the world and interacting with others, especially the simple things taught by those often perceived as below the human race.

I wish I had the ability to adequately convey the magnitude of Hoodoo the Maine Coon's size, especially in proportion to Maddie the Black Lab.  I feel like it is safe to say that Hoodoo is half as big as Maddie, which is pretty incredible for a cat. My guess is he weighs 25-30 pounds.  He has a perpetually-groomed curtain of fur that drapes off him charismatically and flawlessly like a coveted jacket.  It could very-well be his fur that doubles his size.  When standing on his back two feet (usually reaching up to grab at whatever food I am cooking), his paws actually reach the counter top. Unfortunately, photos just don't do this beautiful cat justice.  His favorite past time was sitting in the bedroom and watching the hummingbird shadows floating around the bird feeder outside the window through the not-so-translucent curtains.

Begging for treats

Dori, the Newfoundland pup, is the third member of this trio.  He was away competing that weekend so I didn't get to sit for him, but he won first place!  Congratulations Dori!  I included a cute, but not-so-current photo of him below just to keep it inclusive.

The Elders

This month I had the unique opportunity to sit for all dogs elderly.  Earlier in the month I watched Albert, the Golden Retriever, again and the animal herd he lives with, including Pedro the bird. 

Pedro is a sweet bird who says "Hi!" and willingly crawls on your shoulder to follow you around the house.  He's friends with the dog and is not at all threatened by the beast 30 times it's size.

And introducing the newest seniors: Beau, Cody, and Rupert.

Beau, Cody, Rupert

 Beau is an Australian Shepherd mix who is most likely a forever-foster dog.  Cody is a Red Heeler Mix who loves to fetch and retrieve the ball.  And Rupert is a Golden Retriever therapy dog for Intermountain Therapy Animals who, ironically won't retrieve.  He'll bring it back but refuses to drop the ball.  These three guys are obviously good buddies and made my stay far from mellow.  Despite their age they are active and up for anything.   At one point I took all three of them for a walk through the neighborhood.  Beau struggles with walking and mobility in his legs and though he lagged behind a little bit and had to rest every 20 steps or so, he never seemed discouraged or ready to quit.  The other two charged ahead ready to take on the world.

Molly the cat stayed hidden most of the time, but showed herself for this brief interaction.

Sherman and Emmie

Last month I had the opportunity to sit for Sherman, the Terrier mix and Emmie the Siamese.  I have posted about Emmie before but this a first for Sherman as he usually stays elsewhere.  Sherman is a gentle and loving therapy dog for Intermountain Therapy Animals.  One of his quirks is he collects household items and stores them on and around his bed, including his leash for when it's time to go walking. 

Sherman the hoarder

 Sherman has a dog-friend neighbor, Cheyenne, who took the liberty of walking herself with us when we went on our daily walks.  Every time we'd pass her house she would inevitably emerge from behind the house and run along with us, periodically looking over her shoulder at us to make sure we were still following.  At first I thought she was a stray, but soon realized she knew the neighborhood well and would return to her home across the street upon finishing the walk, giving us a goodbye glance before romping back to her yard.  She appears to be a Smooth Coat Collie mix. 

Cheyenne - cooling off

Emmie was her same Emmie self, resting and eating all the day long. 

The Fat Cat

Meet Oliver, the office cat.  He is an 18 pound orange Tabby.   Believe it or not, when he came to us he weighed a whopping 30 pounds.  The poor cat could hardly turn his head from side to side and we actually had to take his kennel apart and pry him out because his mass consumed so much space.  We obviously put him on a diet.  He does his best to harass us all day long for more meals.

He misses Cindy when she leaves.

A Smorgasbord of Creatures

Family Photo. Left: Pedro the Meyer's Parrot on his cage. Middle: Albert the Golden Retriever. Right: Edgar the female cat

 I haven't had this much pet sitting variety since I watched the house with 3 horses, a lamb, donkey, pig, llama, gecko, frog, sugar gliders, rats, and 5 dogs.  Okay, so maybe nothing can top that gig, but this one is a close second.  I got to take care of a sweet older Golden Retriever named Albert, the two kitties I mentioned in my previous post (Edgar and Ada), Pedro the Meyer's parrot, and King the Beta fish. 

Every morning and night Albert, Edgar and I would set out on our daily walks -- that's right -- I said Edgar.  Every time I would leash up Albert, grab his poop bag and open the door to set off on our walk, inevitably Edgar the cat would wait by the door ready to go too.  He would tail behind us and walk the entire route.  Sometimes he'd stop to smell the flowers but when he realized he was getting behind he'd run to catch up, calling to us in a desperate meow telling us to wait for him. 

Edgar following us on our walk

Daily walk with Edgar and Albert

Albert always greeted me with a big grin.  Yes, he actually smiles.  It almost looks like he's bearing his teeth like an aggressive dog would, but don't be deceived because he couldn't be happier to see you for his big happy tail is joyfully wagging to and fro.


Pedro is a medium sized hook bill Meyer's parrot of African descent.  He is very social and friendly.  He willingly climbs onto your hand and perches on your shoulder.  Though he doesn't talk, he does repeat something that sounds something like "poo too". 

He was un-phased by Albert or the cats and let me wander throughout the whole house content on my shoulder. 

I coincidentally snapped this shot of me and Pedro, but it appears as though Edgar snuck onto my shoulder too.

Ada the Calico is very sweet but also shy.  She emerged on her terms but always welcomed a friendly petting.

And King, the Beta, lives a simple life ruling over his little underwater kingdom.

Season of the Cats

When it rains it pours cats and dogs -- and this Spring cats seemed to be especially falling.  I had the opportunity to sit for 7 different cats:

Sleepy Kanga

Kanga

Playtime with string

Emmie

Pee Wee

Twinkle

 

 

Sebastian

Ada

Edgar, the girl

Picnic with Mars

My sister was filming for 2 months in New Mexico and Texas this Spring and I got to take care of her little creature named Mars.  She's a 5 pound Chihuahua that I love like she is my own.  When she stays with me she willingly comes along everywhere - work, parties, and stores.  For the most part I think she prefers it.  But of all her favorite places, I think her most prized location is home.  When we get home she immediately runs to her toy and gets giddy with it.  She runs in circles around it and encourages me to play with her.  Luckily, I have a spacious yard that she plays in as well.  After a good play session, she finds a niche in the garden to nap in among the grass, the sun the birds and the breeze.  One time I placed one of her blankets in the grass for her.  She took to that right away and immediately set up camp there.  She had herself a little picnic with the elements that day.