Nadine and Mercury

Venus here -

As promised, here are some pictures of Nadine and Mercury, since it seems this blog has opened up its membership to include the dogs. But only occasionally, understand? Don't think this is going to turn into "The Pluto and Nadine Dog Blog (featuring us cats every once in a while)". Let them get their own damn blog, that's what I say.

Invader!

Venus here -

Well, a lot has gone on around here since last we spoke. Our dad had the unmitigated gall to bring a new dog into the house! Just when we finally got our old one trained nicely, in comes a great galumphing galoot of a Dalmatian/Great Dane mix named Pluto. Dad thinks he's about 8 months old, but he's guessing 'cause he was a 'Pound Puppy' (I have no idea what that is!). All I know is he's a four-footed spotted tornado.

I've tried to make friends with him, honest I have, but he jumps and barks, so I have to hiss and yowl at him to teach him some respect.

A cat's work is never done.

Mercury - Seeing-Eye Cat!

Mom here -

I usually leave this blog alone, as Venus and Mercury are more than capable of managing things themselves. We have not posted in a while, because my digital camera died, and I just got a new one the other day.

But I had to tell you about Mercury.

Our dog is blind. Her name is Nadine and she is part Springer and part Border Collie. She's always been a spunky, active dog, but now that she can't see, she's slowed down a lot, because she's afraid of bumping into things. When we first got V&M, she thought he was a mouse because of his gray color (she could still see then) and chased him, so it took him a little while to warm up to her.

Well, as you may know, Mercury likes to sneak out whenever he can. Even though we try our best, with 3 kids and their friends the doors aren't always closed. This morning, he got out again. My husband came in later in the morning with an amazing story.

Nadine was out in the back yard, and she was lost. She was out by our little studio and couldn't find her way back to the back porch. Apparently Mercury saw her, and went over to her and started nudging her in the direction of the back porch! My husband said that he walked beside her and nudged her along the whole way, until he guided her up the back stairs and onto the porch.

And he did it again this afternoon when Sam, my 13-year-old, saw him do it.

I'll see if I can get it on camera some time.

Who knew beneath that granite exterior was a Boy Scout of a cat?

Comfort

Venus here -

Free of the stupid old collars, and having vanquished the squirrel with mind-power alone, we both enjoy a well-earned siesta. Did she really think those things were going to stay on for more than a day? We wore them for a while so she wouldn't feel bad, the poor thing, but as soon as we could decently do it, we ditched them.

Vigilant

Venus here -

Here we are defending our family from the audacious and wicked squirrel who taunts us relentlessly. Fortunately, we both speak squirrel and have let that vile vermin know that the yard will be littered with squiggly squirrel parts if he is ever unlucky enough to meet up with us face-to-face.

I think the collars have emboldened him. But we will have the last laugh.

We Are Not Amused

Venus here -

If anyone was wondering where we were last week, we were on strike. If you look at the picture you can see why.

Really, the nerve of our mom putting collars and tags on us! Does she imagine that we are dogs?

No Cat Left Behind

Knowledge is Power.

A Cat's Work Is Never Done!

Venus here -

You can see by these pictures how hard I have to work around this place. My day begins at 6:00 in the morning, waking up James for school. Among my many other duties, I am the "Alarm Cat". Sure, they have a clock with an alarm, but I don't really trust it. My motto is, "If you want something done right, do it yourself!" Here I am helping my mom hem Sam's pants for his 8th grade graduation. I'm especially handy with thread. My mom doesn't realize how dangerous it is; I have to make sure it's nice and knotted up, so it won't hurt anybody. If my family only knew how vigilantly we protect them!

We Love Our Toys

Venus here -

As you can see, like all good little girls and boys, we have our own toys. But, as you can also see, I get some exercise with mine, while Tubs...well, I don't even need to say it, do I?

Discovery!

Venus here -

As usual, I'm doing all the investigation, while lazy old Beefers watches from the sidelines. I think I'm on to something here, though. You never know what you can find with a little bit of detective work!