A peak at Riley & Follow that dog.

Here is our little Riley contemplating life so far.

"Look at my toes, Nan"

                She looks like her nose is itchy in this picture. My son is the proudest dad on the planet.

Of course, Ozzie their cat has to get in on the action. I have a feeling this picture was staged. :)

He's Hot, Hairy & Hell-bent to lead the way.

It is still very hot here and while the sun is up it is too hot to walk my hairy-molly dog. We wait 'til later in the day to go for a short stroll.

DID YOU KNOW that cats sleep for 13-18 hours per day. Newborn kittens spend most of their time sleeping. It is nature's way of keeping them in their nest, rather than wandering away into the path of predators. Our senior cats sleep closer to 18 hours a day, especially in this heat. If they are on the deck I leave a large bowl of cold water for them and i actually put sunscreen on Lily's nose and ears because she is a white cat with very sensitive skin. Are you laughing at me?...I think I hear you laughing.=^..^=x5

On our walks I see countless cats I haven't met yet. I must get these flyers out tomorrow so the local cats can get the BEST care while their owners travel. "See you soon, kitties."

I'm growing up :)

I am feeling rather pleased with myself today. I have learned to FINALLY say NO! and stick to it. The last few years I have found that I often say "YES" to people and regret it immediately. Mostly because I never wanted to do whatever was asked nor did I have the time. I just couldn't say "NO". Most requests are because someone is in a bind and needs someone else to get them out of it by helping some way or other. I understand that. I am sure I have been on the receiving end of that many times in 58 years BUT I don't want to do that anymore unless I sincerely want to help and I have the time to do so.

YES, I said "NO" because to say "YES" would have taken up my time and energy and put me somewhere I did not want to be and I feel great about it.

Am I a late bloomer here or is this what happens to everyone when they reach their 'senior' years? Don't you hate the word, 'senior'. It makes me feel like I should plant the rocker on the porch and kick back. I am SO NOT THERE yet. I did kind of like getting a discount at the show last night, though. My husband would never let a 'senior discount' go by without taking advantage of it and he's younger than me. Funny! I don't think we ever feel older than 30.

This weekend I am caring for Buddy & Chase. I love these two guys. They keep you busy, that's for sure.

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Banana Cake & Cat-tip-for-the-day=^..^=Grass & Fur?

Please excuse the look of this cook-book. It is well used in this house over the years because it is one of the best. This book was given to me when I married by a relative on Gary's side (can't remember who now). I could cook but I was no mennonite. Gary, on the other hand, was but he couldn't cook worth beans. I started playing with the recipes and ended up really finding this cook-book to be one of my favorite. I use it often. I just baked this cake tonight so I thought I would share the recipe. Sorry, didn't realize I was shadowing the pages so I hope you can read it if you are interested in trying this.

Dissolve baking soda in boiling water & add milk. (that's different, right)

I decided to use two cake pans so I could layer it.

The icing is just a Duncan Hines Vanilla Icing and I added 2 tbsp. of maple syrup for flavour.

Turned out yummy! This is a GOOD BOOK.

Cat-tip-for-the-day: Tummy Trouble

Cats will often eat grass. Then they might just vomit it up afterwards. They may eat grass because of stomach discomfort caused by accumulated fur. Adding a bit of Femalt (hair-ball gel) to their food may help this problem. Vomiting in cats should not be ignored. Normally, if your cat's digestion processes are working well and if he or she is on a balanced, healthy diet, very few fur balls should be vomited.The fur should naturally pass through the body. If your cat vomits it may be due to a dietary intolerance, or a more serious disease. Have your cat checked by your veterinarian.

Pretty Carleton Place

Kane has a favorite hang-out. Riverside Park in CP is home to many geese, ducks & lots of dogs run around here. The water is always active with boats, canoes and swimmers.

This is 5 minutes from our home.

I worked late last night catching up on some dog biscuit orders. Joey stayed up and helped. He also hung out with me in hopes of a midnight snack.

My VW cookie jar is empty. Time to bake for humans too. I keep looking at this jar thinking that I should get me one of those and put the JUST CATS logo on the side. :)

Joe had Pure Bites & I ate too many of these. Ah....you only live once.

Rae-Rae (9 months)  -"Mr. Ed, do you ever wonder why it rains?" 

Ed - (21 years) "Sweetie, by the time you reach my age you just consider it another reason to nap."

2nd Post today -Vet still has all her fingers. Cat-tip-of-the-day=^..^=The importance of Cat Identification Tags

Well I am here to say that the 'ol guy has mellowed somewhat with age. Although he did try to snap once at Dr. Anne  it was stopped mid-air ( I nuzzled his head in my arm and gave him noogies on his pea-brain head) and then he knew we meant business and he was a GOOD DOG from then on. Dr. Anne is the most gentle, kindest, sweetest vet I have ever known. I have been her client for almost 20 years. He let Anne take blood, clean his ears and check his teeth while I never took my eyes off of him.(I was saying so many known prayers in my head that I ran out of them and "Now I lay me down to sleep" crept in.) He was given a good bill of health except for the fact that the eyes are starting to fade a little and he has problems with his ears. Apparently this is a curse of the Collie dog. He was given 3 liver treats from Ann'es intact fingers and we left with some holistic treatment for his chronic ear infections. We headed over to Timmy's to share a sandwich at the park. He ran around like a fool until he exhausted himself and is now snoozin' away the afternoon. Proud of my smart, handsome dog today.

                   
                   "Don't even think of snapping at me. I'll cut you"
"That's enough out of you, Hugo. Kane knows not to snap at the cats"


Cat-tip-of-the-day:
Many people have misconceptions that having their cat wear a tag and collar can be harmful or uncomfortable for their cat. That is not the case. There are collars that are specifically made for the safety and comfort of cats. My suggestion is that you buy the type of collar that has a safety piece added so that if your cat does get caught on something, the collar will lengthen and eventually open. This is the only type of collar I would purchase. There are many types of tags so you have a choice to make but as long as the cats' name and phone # is on it, your cat has a voice. Without a tag your cat will never be able to find it's way home through someone who has picked it up as a stray or the local shelter will have nothing to go on to help find kitty it's home. Often cats get out the door in the summer months and start to wander. Your own neighbour could pick it up and have no idea that it lives down the street. Off to the shelter it goes and if you are many days looking for the cat or waiting for it to return, your cat could be put to sleep because of the overload at the shelter. Shelters only wait 72 hours for a cat to be claimed if it is not a No-Kill shelter. Don't take a chance with your beloved cat. Give it a voice! 

"Behave Kane, will ya." (Trouble...oh trouble)

First pic of Kane & I in 200l

Our boy Kane goes for his annual tomorrow. "Please God, don't let him bite the vet."

I will have an extra coffee and play the ALPHA-DOG  when I march him through the front door. The first time he went in they had to give a poke of some kind of relaxing med. I didn't mind it at all, I rather enjoyed it. (ok just kidding but they really did have to calm the little sh*t down with something.) Wish us luck!

Banana Bread Cookies for breakfast on Sunday

BANANA BREAD COOKIES

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

3 ripe bananas

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup walnuts

Oven 375 degrees

Cream together butter and sugars.Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda & cinnamon.

Mix well.  Mix in bananas, oats and walnuts. Drop by spoonful on a greased or parchment paper lined cookie tray. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Guess what I had with coffee for breakfast this morning?

I am off to visit Josephini & pick up keys to start with Ebony (you'll see her soon).

HAPPY SUNDAY AND SHARE YOUR COOKIES.