Someone Needs to Explain the Family Rules to the Cat

Every since our cat Scout, aka: The Fuzzball, had come into our home, he has been acting like he owns the place. He drinks out of your water glass. He sticks his head in the sink while you are shaving, getting in your way. He jumps on the table just to sniff at what you are trying to eat. He climbs into any lower level shelving space, if you happen to leave the door open just a little bit. He will hide in the closet and attack your feet as you are looking for clothes. He moves socks and wash rags all over the house and leaves them in the strangest places. Finally, he sleeps in our bed, right in between my wife and I. Someone really needs to put him in his place.

It certainly won't be my bride, Jamie. She loves that cat, almost as much as the me and the kids. In fact, that cat has awoken a whole new side of her, that I haven't seen in a long time. Her affection for the cat has spilled over into more affection for me and the kids and she is not as cranky. She will let that cat get away with almost anything.

It certainly won't be my daughter, Rachel. She loves that fuzzball and would actually let him eat her cereal, if it just wasn't too gross. She builds play toys for the cat out of cardboard boxes and other materials she finds around the house. Several months ago she used almost $80 of her own allowance money to buy the cat a "tree house" for him to play and sleep in.

It won't be my son, Caleb. He has been trying to lure the cat into sleeping on his bed with him since we have owned him. The cat even tore up one his favorite video game guides and Caleb didn't even care. After all the cat was just being a cat.

It won't be our dog, Schnitzel. The dog will end up blowing out his back trying to play with the cat. Plus, I think the dog is a little scared of the cat, even though Scout does not have any front claws.

I guess it will have to be me. I set the law down with the dog, and Schnitzel loves me more than anyone. I am the only one who puts the cat back on the ground when he jumps on the table or into our sink. I have always heard that dogs have owners but cats have staff. Maybe this cat needs to learn who is the real boss around here.

What...? Oh wait, I will have to finish this thought later, the cat needs his litter box cleaned and changed. Coming....Kitty.

Our Cat Scout Looses His Manhood

Our pet cat, Scout, aka: Fuzzball, had surgery today to "remove his manhood" and to get his front claws removed. Our dog, Schnitzel, should be happy that he and the cat will be on equal footing when it comes to their playful wrestling matches.

My poor wife, Jamie, has been very concerned about her "fuzzball." She and the cat have bonded in a way I thought they never would. She hates the fact the cat had to have the operation in the first place and she really doesn't like it that the cat has to stay overnight before we can pick him up.

The vet did call and let us know that Scout is awake and eating and everything looks "Great!" I will pick up the cat tomorrow after work and bring him home. Jamie, the kids and I will be so happy to have him back. I'm not so sure about what Schnitzel thinks.

Going to Get the Kids

This afternoon after work, Jamie and I are heading back to Abilene, sans the kitty! (My Dad will watch Scout and Schnitzel for us while we are gone.) We are going to pick up the kids from ACU Leadership Camps. They have been at camp since Sunday and the camp ends Friday morning. Jamie and I are going to stay at a hotel tonight and start the drive back tomorrow with the kids.

I have missed Caleb and Rachel. I know that are having fun, but I also know that they miss us as well. I am very sure at least Rachel misses Schintzel and Scout.

Scout is starting to eat some solid foods, but only if you shove it into his mouth and hold it there. It seems he is having trouble, or choosing not to, licking up the water or grabbing food. He still wants to suckle everything. Instead of drinking water or formula out of a dish he will suck or bite the edges of the dish to try and suck the liquids up. I also have to put the harder foods into his mouth and hold it there until he sucks it down. At least he is eating something other than just formula.

Just to let you know, the recruiter position I applied for has been filled. I didn't even get a chance to interview for the position.

New Family Member

Scout has arrived! Today my bride, Jamie, found her kitten. She wanted a girl kitty, but instead she ended up with a gray, boy, kitten. The kitten is 5 1/2 weeks old, and it was abandoned by its mother. We are feeding it a little kitten formula every hour and a half with a dropper. We are also about to try some softened crunchy cat food. We are also trying to get it to go "potty." The last time we put it in the litter box, it tried to eat some of the litter. ??? We were told to use a warm rag and gently rub its "butt" to try to get it to have a bowel movement. When the Vet opens on Monday, we will drop Scout off for a check up while we go to work. We will pick up Scout later that afternoon.

The kids are very happy with their new pet. The only bad thing about finding Scout now is that the kids go to summer camp tomorrow and they will be gone until next Saturday. We might take Scout with us to Abilene in a pet carrier. This way he won't be alone. Not sure where we will keep him while Jamie and I are at work though. We may keep him in the pet carrier while we are away, this will allow our dog Schnitzel and him to bond a little bit.

Schnitzel, our wiener dog, is not sure what to think about Scout. He keeps sniffing the little fellow and he growls whenever Scout cries his little kitty mews. At least Schnitzel is not eating Scout!