Peeping Tom (Cat)

Tycho lounges on the floor totally unaware that neighbor cat is watching him very closely.

Us Guys

Nils and Walter were watching cartoons and Tycho snuggled in between them just like he was one of the guys.

The napping couch

Sleepy Sunday

A few scenes from the living room, from right to left: Tycho

Walter, Nils

and Theta

Best cat in the world

Tycho can be a bit of a pest. He knocks stuff off the counter on purpose just for fun, and he often meows at me several times a night to be let in or out. He also catches crickets, and I've never seen a scorpion in the house, unlike most all our neighbors. But I think what makes him the best cat in the world is summed up by this picture.
That is him sitting on Walter's lap letting Walter play with his ears. He's scratched me, and lots of other people, but he's never scratched the kids. Even when they deserve it.

Hummingbird

We have a hummingbird feeder that seems to get quite a bit of traffic. It is outside the window next to our table, and during dinner time it usually get at least 3 visits. This is a picture of one we saw tonight.

However, we aren't the only birdwatchers in the house.

Another visitor

Last Thursday we were out for a walk and this little cutie came bounding our way. It had no collar, no escort, and a penchant for running in the streets. I decided to try and get it to follow us home. All I had to say was "here doggie!" and it would have followed me anywhere.

Tycho did not like this visitor any more than he liked the last one. Only this time, instead of slinking about the house, he fluffed out and was growling, hissing and spitting at the dog through the door. Theta was, as always, asleep under the bed.

I also found out that the humane society around here either will not or cannot accept found dogs older than 6 months old. So this one went to the city pound, but it's cute enough that I don't think it'll have any trouble finding a home.

On cats

This is from a few weeks ago when Nils got into my yarn then climbed up on the chair to snuggle with Tycho. He thinks he'd make a pretty good cat.
This morning we took Theta to be spayed. Tycho was in a very good mood all day, thinking perhaps that we'd finally seen things his way and gotten rid of the little upstart. Then I picked Theta up and brought her home, and now Tycho is grumpier than ever wandering about the house growling to himself. Theta is doing alright- she's very groggy and walks very gingerly, but she's still breathing and eating.

That Darn Cat

Tycho is an indoor/outdoor cat. He normally goes out at night, hunts, and then comes back in the morning. Sometimes he brings us mice. About 2 weeks ago he went out but didn't come back the next morning. He stayed gone all day, and most of the next night too. The whole time he was gone I was kicking myself for not having a collar and tags on him (and I was nearly convinced that he was dead).

The day after he came home I went and bought a collar. I figured that I'd make him wear just the collar for a week or so before I'd bought the tags to put on it. That way if he got the collar off it would just be a lost collar. He wore the collar for a week, and never took it off inside or out.

The tags I bought online arrived yesterday. Last night I let him go outside confident that if anything happened to him, at least he'd have ID and someone would let me know. The guilt I felt for not doing this sooner finally disappeared.

This morning he came home without his collar. I could have strangled him.

More kitten blogging

We decided to name the kitten Theta, and Tycho has decided she can stay, provided she has a bath first.

Kitten Blogging

The kitten (still nameless) is warming up to us, and has started acting more like a kitten. Tycho is very slowly warming up to the kitten. They even sat (willingly!) in the same room for about a 1/2 hour today. Sure there was some hissing, and they never got within five feet of each other, but I still think it's pretty good.

Head Trauma Free

We managed to make it through an entire day at Mormor's without any major head trauma to Walter or Nils. Though Nils did get a bit of a sunburn, but he'll be fine. Walter is glad to be injury free.

And we got a kitten. Here s/he is hiding behind the couch hissing at us: (oh, so threatening!)

And here s/he is barely tolerating a petting session.

Tycho has spent the time since the new kitten arrived hiding under our bed and slinking about the house feeling threatened. They'll warm up to each other eventually.

Bunk mates

Dual Purpose Photograph

This photo could be submitted to both Cats in Sinks, and Stuff on my Cat.
Stuff on my Cat in a Sink.

Visitor

Nils thought Christmas came early this morning. He went outside and there was a doggy in his yard! Oh joy!
She dug under the gate and Nils was overjoyed. We've got her trapped in the yard now and are waiting for animal control to come pick her up. The poor thing is skinny as can be, and ate quite a bit of our cat's food. The cat is not pleased with the house guest.

Lap Cat

Sneaky

I did put this blanket the ground for someone to lay on, but the cat wasn't who I had in mind.

Tycho's Favorite Seat

If you want attention, you have to go where the action is.

Scared

Another cat came into our backyard last night while Tycho was out prowling. He collided with the door in an attempt to run away, after we let him in he sat there with his tail like this for a good 15 minutes (his tail is normally half that size, and was even bigger when he first came inside).
Thanksgiving was great, and Nils did well on the car ride. When I get my film developed I'll post some of the pictures of him on the tractor.

Hunter