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.