Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 20 October 2013

Sunday Selections #142

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. 

The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.

Like River, I generally run with a theme. This week is (mostly) devoted to Jewel.

Like the people they own, neither Jazz nor Jewel are fond of visitors.  Jazz growls at them, and scuttles away, belly to the ground.  Jewel runs for the safety of the wardrobe - which Jazz opens for her.

When the smaller portion's sister was staying with us Jewel spent all the hours that his sister was up hiding in the wardrobe.  (Jazz is more food oriented and came out to eat and to attack me).  Essentially Jewel spent a month in the wardrobe, adding to the patina of black fur on all my clothing.  This made his sister feel bad.  Soooo, she bought Jewel a treat.  A soft penguin for her to snuggle into.

Needless to say, the success of the gift wasn't evident until after we had the house to ourselves again.  Jewel LOVES it.  She pounds it into submission (and it doesn't put up much fight) and snuggles down into it.






And I couldn't post photos of Jewel without including at least one of Jazz.  They are checking out someone walking in the street - ready to growl and run (Jazz) or just run...


94 comments:

  1. Am I really the first one? \O/ Of course, it's Saturday afternoon here but I finally remembered it's Sunday with you. ;)
    I love these photos! Jazz and Jewel make a wonderful tag team and are great companions for you! Love the penguin not giving much of a fight, either. LOL

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    1. It always freaks me out that EC is posting Sunday Selections on a perfectly good Saturday. It's like, wha, what happened to my favourite day of the week? Gone already????

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    2. River Fairchild: Jewel likes to know that there is something below her in the household pecking order. And makes it clear.

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    3. Cathy Oliffe-Webster: It is decidedly Sunday morning here. Saturday whizzed past without stopping...

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  2. Adorable kitties. Poor Jewel, spending an entire month in the closet. Of course, your clothes were a pale imitation of safety, so I can understand it. Your beautiful creatures have captivated my heart, too! :-)

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    1. DJan: There wasn't a lot that was pale about my clothes after her wardrobe sojourn. Poor Jewel indeed though (and also Jazz to a lesser extent) though as soon as the sister had retired to bed they made their needs obvious.

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  3. I have a cat exactly like Jewel. His name is Dodge and he hides whenever non-family members come into the house. In fact, humans always know when they're a part of our extended family when Dodge doesn't disappear the minute they arrive.

    I love, love, love your kitty-cats. I had a black cat once, named Schmenge, and he was one of the great loves of my life. Yours are shiny and glossy and gorgeous.

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    1. Cathy Oliffe-Webster: Dodge does indeed sound a lot like our cats. And some of our visitors have never seen either cat...
      Black cats find their way into your heart don't they? Forever.

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  4. Hahaha! Wonderful! My two are the same. They hate visitors! Their favourite hiding spots are under the beds which they head for post haste! There were a group of people outside in the little lane-way here yesterday (how dare they!) taking photos; Remy & Shama were not at all impressed and their both hightailed it and hid under the bed until they'd gone. Pushkin, my ginger cat I had with me when I lived on Newry Island used to growl when he saw people arriving on the island...particularly when "we'd" not seen anyone for a few days...he really used to grumble away out loud! lol Remy is quite possessive of me and insists on joining in phone conversations!

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    1. Lee: Jazz's growls are really impressive. And loud. And, as well as how to open the fridge, this is something he has taught Jewel. Not a good example. And of course these are the things which are picked up rapidly.

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  5. I hit "Publish" before I meant to say....I hope the Small Portion is doing well, EC....have a great weekend and week. :)

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    1. Lee: Thank you. The smaller portion has had another set back (or two). He really doesn't seem to be able to take a trick at the moment.
      And a happy weekend and week to you.

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  6. The first can only be a picture of Jewel watching the departure of SP's sister! I do admire her claim to the spoils of victory.
    My black and white surveys arrivals from the top step, his vantage for assessing friend or foe.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: All visitors are foe. Quite definitely. Which is a bit sad. And the top step is a wonderful vantage point for cats...

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  7. I really miss my sugar cat. She died at the ripe old age of 19! She was my friend and always knew when I was down in the dumps. She was burmese and a little juvenile delinquent but I loved her. the rat

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    1. mohave rat: Oh yes. There are cats we have lost who I still miss. Years later. And Jazz is a thug. A beautiful thug, but a thug nonetheless. And much loved.

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  8. They are so cute! A couple of characters for sure.

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    1. DeniseinVA: Their characters are not all good either, but whose is? Not mine.

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  9. Penguins seem to feature large in your household! Just make sure Jewell doesn't try to pound the Big Fella into submission.:-)
    Sorry to hear about SP.

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    1. dinahmow: Penguins do indeed feature in this house. Large and small. Fortunately Jewel has showed no interest in the large King Penguin.

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  10. I love your kitties and love that they help each other out. My brothers are that way with each other, but then there is Diva. Diva's only goal in life is to maintain her positions as the alpha female. When she is not pursuing that she is climbing into, onto, over or under something. She has layers of mischief in her personality which is very entertaining, but I feel sorry that she is also lonely ... not like Jazz and Jewel, who have each other. Cats certainly lend a new dimension to our existence ... couldn't love them more. Great post EC ...

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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    1. Andrea: Jewel (sensibly) treats Jazz with caution. He is not averse to toughing her up. Just the same, she deals with that with panache. When he jumps her, she swivels round, takes his ear in her mouth and bites down - while shrieking 'he is hurting me, he is hurting me'. I rescue her, Jazz bites me, and she scurries off.
      And no, I couldn't image life without a cat or two.

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    2. You know, you should write a book ... there are a lot of authors out there that owe you for your weonderful reviews and anything you write would be a good read. My favorite Aunt was like you ... her life was full of tragedy, but she could always make us laugh. Therapeutic in both directions. Thanks EC ... you are indeed awesome.

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    3. Andrea: Thank you. A legend in my own mind...

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  11. Loving the snuggly penguin, Max kinda hides in cupboards as well when people come over, although some times he is brave and comes out. Love the penguin and how she has adopted it as her bed, but surprised Jazz hasn't taken it over as well given his bossy nature. He is so much bigger than her isn't he. xxxx

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    1. kakka: Jazz is MUCH bigger. So far he has no interest in the penguin, which is just as well. She would be hard put defending it.

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  12. Love the penguin EC ~ what a great idea. Our cat migrates around the house finding one hidey hole after the next ~ my bedroom is off limits and has the door closed all the time.

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    1. Carol in Cairns: Nowhere is off limits to the cats here. And sometimes we have to negotiate for somewhere to sit ourselves. With Jazz naturally.

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    1. Adam: She loves it. And can look out the window and survey the garden from it too.

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  14. Love the penguin element in this story - and the cats are stars, as usual. My daughter's cat, Zero, is even more stranger-phobic than Jewel - she's 12 or so at least, and I've probably seen her 3 or 4 times in her life. She will simply not come out from one of her hidey-holes while there is anyone else in the house except my daughter and her husband - she keeps well away from the 2 kids, who are both really good with my cat and don't tease or chase her ... When it's vaccination time, full body armour has to be donned by the vet. Only her owners could love her! :)

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    1. Alexia: We took the cats to the vet for their shots last week. And both of them made me feel like a heartless torturer. And of course it was me that they blamed, not his high and skinniness.
      Despite the theory that cats are attached to places rather than people, so many cats in our life have been the opposite. One, or two people are ok. Anyone else is anathema.

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  15. Well you know that Jewel couldn't let someone see her enjoying her new toy....now could she! It is so nice of Jazz to open the closet door for her. They are both beautiful cats!

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    1. Teresa: She made it very clear that the sister was decidedly persona non grata (and I wouldn't argue). Jazz is indeed very helpful - when it suits him. And only him.

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  16. You had to know the cat lovers would be out in full force when you posted those lovely shots of your babies.

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    1. Delores: And there are a LOT of cat lovers here in the blogosphere.

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  17. Oh how cute is that! Cats are comical creatures.

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    1. Karen: Jewel thinks she is very cute indeed. Jazz knows he is.

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  18. Wonderful post about dear pals!

    ALOHA from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral
    =^..^= <3

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  19. Jewel has her very own pillow pet! That's sweet and nice that she loves and uses it. She is the smaller kitty? They're both beautiful, so glossy.

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    1. River: Jewel is about half the size and weight of Jazz. And about a quarter as mean. And she does love her penguin - which is wonderful.

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  20. That penguin looks perfect for sleeping on.

    You have immense patience, EC. We have one cat (who came to us as a stray) who seems similar to your Jazz although to a lesser degree - and many days the only thing that has saved her from being put out is that she is cute. Well, maybe having soft hearts helps, too. But really there are days I'm at my wit's end with her unfriendliness ...

    I'm sorry to hear that SP is having more troubles. This seems to have been going on for a very long time. Both of you must be exceedingly tired of not feeling well.

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    1. jenny_o: Jewel would agree that the penguin is perfect for sleeping on - when she isn't sleeping on my clean washing of course.
      Both Jazz n Jewel are rescue cats. I don't know what happened to Jazz before he came to live with us, but he is an autocratic bully. Only to me and Jewel though - he almost always treats the smaller portion with respect. And affection. Though to be fair he is usually purring when he fangs me.
      And yes, the smaller portion has had a rough time. And it now appears probable that another operation is on the agenda. Sigh. I am so over this. We are so over this.

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    2. Another potential op. I'm so sorry to hear this, for both of you dear Xx The pictures of your two crazy but most loved hairy ones brightened my day some here so thank you. ps - you ain't seen
      me shhhh ......

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    3. All Consuming: Glad to hear that the furry fiends brightened your day somewhat. Which, given that you aren't here, shows their talent. Hugs.

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  21. What an adorable present! Lovely shots of Jewel and Jazz.

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    1. ladyfi: It was the perfect present for a comfort loving cat. Which I have told her - on Jewel's behalf.

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  22. EC, so sorry to hear the SP isn't doing well. I'm quietly swearing on your behalf.best of luck to both of you on that. Jazz and Jewel are beautiful! A lovely set of photos.

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    1. Carol: Thank you. I am not swearing quietly. Not that it does any good. And Jazz n Jewel know they are beautiful.

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  23. HI EC Great read. can;t get over the cat spent 1 month in a closet!! Like the way they help each other out.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: Thank you. Jewel did come out of the wardrobe when she was confident that the sister was nowhere close. And told me, at length, how badly she was treated.

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  24. Awwww! That is sooooooooo sweet! I have to say, though, wouldn't it be great if we could just growl and claw when we didn't want visitors? I mean, why should this expressiveness be restricted to furry creatures?

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    1. Riot Kitty: Jewel on her penguin softens my heart. As you know, hiss and spit is one of my mantras. And somedays I would love to add growling and clawing to the mix. I also get jealous from time to time when I see small children having a fully fledged tantrum and throwing themselves to the ground drumming their heels and shrieking. Yes, I know - I am a truly mature individual.

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  25. That last photo is lovely and the penguin looks so soft no wonder it is snuggled into !

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    1. BadPenny: The penguin is very soft and silky indeed - it was designed as a children's novelty cushion. Jewel loves it with a passion.

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  26. Cats are so complex and mystifying, who could ever get tired of them? Beautiful.

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    1. lynners: I cannot imagine ever being tired of cats. Of their behaviour yes. Of them in their complex, infuriating magic - no.

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  27. I loved this sentence: "Jewel runs for the safety of the wardrobe - which Jazz opens for her.". Charming post on a Sunday morning. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: We shut and wedged the wardrobe door in an effort to keep our clothes clean. Jewel was not strong enough to open it. Jazz is.
      Glad to hear that you enjoyed my felines.

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  28. I love that Jazz and Jewel can just be who they are in your household. And love that penguin, which seems to be part of the family, too.

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    1. Lynn: I don't think that anyone could stop Jazz from being who he is. And Jewel is mostly charming. And they (and the penguins) have a place in our home and hearts. Their own place.

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  29. Love the penguin. Our Henry used to cuddle up to a chameleon we have (bright green went well with his grey and white colouring).
    Our Precious is terrified of strangers and heads straight under my bed. She will come out when kakka is there and one or two others but even though she is now 12 she is still timid and likes to sit and look out the window at strangers and others in the street (very brave when behind the glass). Thanks for sharing some delightful pictures.

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    1. Mimsie: If Jewel is in a hurry she too velcroes herself to the carpet under the bed. It is interesting (and sad) how many much loved cats are fussy about the people they will associate with.

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  30. OH,
    My heart leapt when I saw your exquisite black panthers, S. Stunning Felines!

    I will ALWAYS have a Cat in my life.

    Xxx Love flowing to you. Now.

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    1. My Inner Chick: I will also always have a cat (or two) in my life. And I am glad that you love the panther pair.

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  31. Oh, I forgot to ask.
    Do they meow w/ an Australian Accent? !!

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    1. My Inner Chick: Of course. And Jazz uses Australian slang too. Hugs and love to you.

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  32. The one of the cat on the penguin pillow made me laugh out loud!

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    1. Kathleen Cassen Mickelson: I am always happy to spread laughter.

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  33. Awww! I have never seen a cat that has a stuffie.

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  34. They are hilarious! Gosh cats are entertaining.

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    1. librarygirl: Aren't they? Ours lower my blood pressure - when they aren't sending it skyrocketing.

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  35. "Jazz is more food oriented and came out to eat and to attack me" - haha! Adorable pictures, and really? Sleeping on a stuffed penguin? Too cute for words. I think black cats must be extra smart. Like Jazz, Squeaky can open doors. Our other cat, Capt. Nap (who is gray), just stands in front of a door and looks at us pleadingly. Both methods work. Hmmmm, maybe Capt. Nap is actually the SMARTER, as he gets us to do things for him...

    Hope there is no more surgery for the Skinny Portion. Sigh. Sorry to hear he isn't well.

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    1. Ms. CrankyPants: The advantage of doing it yourself is that it is done when you want it. And Jazz is not a patient cat.
      Sadly it does look as if there will be more surgery ahead. And we were told 'not a simple procedure'. Which didn't surprise me. At all.

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  36. "This penguin is good and thoroughly conquered! Typically, were I to best a bird, it would be properly devoured, yet this, this flightless failure among feathered creatures yields a grain of companionship. There is something to resting atop her, without complaint or wrestling, as though she needs my companionship as much as I need her pillowy nature. If there other cat asks, I will have to execute her. I hope the other cat does not ask. I'm fast taken to having this bed of bird."

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    1. John Wiswell: Love it. And how right you are. If Jazz decided that he wanted the penguin - feathers, fluff and fur would fly

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    2. Would you mind if I posted a version of this on my blog? With one of your photos, and a link of credit, of course.

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    3. John Wiswell: Of course. I look forward to your take immensely.

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  37. Late to the party... again.
    But oh so lovely to see Jazz and Jewel. They are thick as thieves aren't they?
    And what a gentleman Jazz is, opening the wardrobe door for Jewel ;)

    Funny, they are so like my Sunny - he hated, absolutely hated, visitors. He too would slink extraordinarily quickly away, and go to ground, not making a re-appearance until many hours after they had gone. Then, he'd be watching the windows and doors, paranoid that they'd return, jumping at every noise for the rest of the day/night.

    So nice that Jewel has her own "snuggle rug" - what a great buy.

    Great photos - love them!

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    1. Vicki: Jewel loves her penguin pillow and, given how stressed she was the whole time the skinny one's sister was staying I think it was an entirely appropriate present. I worried about Jewel while I was worrying about the skinny one. She was so frightened and so distressed - and has now recovered completely.

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  38. Ours, most especially Larry, hate people too (other than their can openers).

    That is so disgustingly cute. To think, Jazz has a generous streak in him. Who would've thought! (Steve has a generous streak too--he taught Dominic how to climb up on the kitchen counters. Isn't that sweet? Such a love.) J & J are so gorgeous and shiny. Of course, they undoubtedly know this.

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    1. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): Of course they know they are cute. Sigh. I would like a fraction of their confidence. And Jazz taught Jewel about the delights of the kitchen counter. So very generous.

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  39. Greetings human and of course Jazz and Jewel. A pawfect gift that penguin be. Although cats are still determined to take over the planet. Be careful, my human friend :)

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!

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    1. klahanie: Dear Penny, Jazz n Jewel have already taken over this corner of the planet. Pawsitive wishes to you and your humans.

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  40. Dear EC, this saga of Jazz, Jewel, and your sister-in-law's gift of a stuffed penguin just delighted me and made me realize that I've never given a stuffed animal to any of the cats with whom I've lived. So you can bet--it's a sure one!--that the next time I'm in Target or K-Mary I'll be looking at children's stuffed toys. The cats are in for a treat. Peace.

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    1. Dee: Jewel's penguin was designed as a novelty cushion. It is very, very soft and she loves it. Jazz is not interested. I hope that your furs get some fun out of whatever you choose for them.

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  41. So sweet :)
    Cats - and dogs (mine) - can act so strange sometimes.

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    1. Carol Kilgore: They can, and they do - in this house anyway. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

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  42. Our precious pets bring joy and love to our lives and ask nothing in return.. well maybe a meal or two :)
    Be well, be happy. Have a wonderful week.

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    1. Pam:): A meal or six. Not that stuff, the real (and expensive) deal. A cuddle. Warmth. Someone to play with. And it is all worth it.
      And a wonderful healthy, happy week to you and yours too.

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  43. I love my cat Sparrow when I come in from work, tired. I know she just wants food... but after that, she wants me :)

    Lovely post, Sue.

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    1. wordsfallfrommyeyes: And isn't her presence in your life, your world and your heart a balm.

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