Good Riddance Tree of Death!

When Dad moved in 4 years ago there was this dying tree reaching out from the wooded area outside our home. The bedroom had a great view off pretty green trees and yummy grass marred by this leafless half tree that stood out like Death's hand. The problem was that no one knew who was responsible for it. But since it wasn't doing any actual harm (looking ugly is not a crime) we let it go. But this morning at 4am we were woken up by this loud "CRACK". There wasn't enough light to see out but Dad figured some branches broke off and went back to sleep. Not so! The whole upper half of the tree snapped away leaving the remains of the trunk mostly hidden in the greenery (with luck it will break down over winter). The "hand of death" was on the lawn and sidewalk! Hooray! Dad dragged it so it was no longer on the sidewalk (the neighbors have a little human and another little human on the way) so the landscapers can take it away later.

The pills are doing me good even though I hate to take them. The other day Dad showed pictures of us to the Almost Home people on his annual visit/donation trip. They said how happy and healthy we look. He saw some cute kittens there including a calico who lost one eye due to an infection. The poor little girl. He wanted to bring her home but there's enough cats here already and Pepi would go nuts!

A Pet's Ten Commandments

From today's COTD Zoey

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of ME.
3. PLACE YOUR TRUST IN ME. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as Punishment. You have your work, your friends your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7.Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me. Please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't Make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are THERE BECAUSE I LOVE YOU ALWAYS.

Update

Dad took me back to the vet last week for a follow-up to my hyperthyroidism. Great news! The vet said everything looked good and I even behaved myself (they didn't have to give me a sedative). I'm still on my medicine for now. We'll see what happens when I go back for my normal check-up.

It's fall and the windows are open most of the time. Dad's mold allergies are acting up. Plus he's not happy at work. He's looking for a new position now. We don't want him to be sad so we're trying to give him extra love so he knows how much we need him.

Another Update

As the eldest I'm being a spokescat for the three of us. Live is largely unchanged since I last posted a month ago. I still get my half-pill a day (which I hate). Dad is still at work. Fall allergies make life tough for everyone but that's normal for this time of year.

I wish there was more to day. Dad really likes reading the diaries of our feline friends but they don't post often. Dad feels a little silly mentioning it since it's been over a month since he posted. But some friends are have more eventful lives than us. We can't name names of course. That would be wrong. But you know who you are! MOL

The News

Dad got let go at work on Friday. It takes a special kind of coldness to work someone hard for 7 days then give them the boot on a Friday afternoon. It was a lousy job, but still a job. We're happy to have Dad around more and he's happy for now not to be at that job. He says this time he's going to be more careful about what he takes. Before he grabbed the first thing that came along even if it wasn't a good fit. He thought he could make it a good fit. Usually you can, but sometimes it just doesn't work. We're OK with monies for now and we have each other along with friends and family for emotional support. So we're good. Right now Dad wants to unwind and enjoy himself for a few days.

Dad can be silly

Dad was curious about how people were adding music to their Catster Pages so he looked it. I was "lucky" enough to have a short playlist added to my page. It's actually not that hard. Just follow the link at the bottom of the playlist and do what it says. Catster isn't listed, so you can use their generic embed code. Only thing to remember is that it uses YouTube so if it's on YouTube, then it can be here.

One of Dad's favorite musicians is Tom Smith and he put 3 of his songs (Rocket Ride, Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Rich Fantasy Lives). The other three songs are Hope Eyrie (about the moon landing; eyrie is a nest for eagles as in "the eagle has landed") by Leslie Fish, Ballad of Optimus Prime by the Great Lukeski, and The Touch by Stan Bush. As you may guess, his music tastes are ... unusual. We have to listen to his music nearly all the time. We hope you like them.

I got out!

I was a bad kitty today. Someone dropped of a flyer thing in the door and when Dad went to grab it, I shot out the door during the second it was open. Dad didn't see me and didn't know I was out until our neighbor came by. Turned out I went to the front of the building and was seen by our neighbor's overly friendly dog. He came and got me and brought me home. He said I wanted to go inside his townhouse (I guess one door is as good as another). Dad was very happy I was home safe but upset that I got out without him noticing. I think I'm done going outside for a while. Once I was inside I went to the food. Who knows how long I was out.

Dad's scared I'm going to get out and never make it back. I'm a very nice and laid back kitty and with no claws I can't fight back against any mean animals or people. Right now we're very happy we have an pawsome neighbor who helped me home.

Snow!

We have our first major snowfall of the season here. Dad went outside with large cups to get some fresh snow to melt. (No, the budget is not so tight that we have to use the free water outside. MOL) When he was about done, he let me come out too. I was reluctant but this is OUTSIDE we're talking about. So I went. The sidewalk was cold and wet. Did I mention it was cold? I gave a disappointed meow and turned back to the door. Dad laughed and let me in. Now I have to wait until spring to go outside. :(

A Little Update

This has definitely been a crummy year for Daddy job-wise. One aimless job and one overly-stressful job, neither of which worked out. Then some confusion about his unemployment benefits (which thankfully worked out). This Friday will mark 8 weeks of being out of work. There's some irons in the fire, but some rejections too. One place was where a friend worked from way back BP (Before Pepi). It would have been a new position, but Dad's not sure he wanted to be that much in charge of a lot of things. It's too bad it didn't work out, but sometimes that's for the best.

But I am enjoying the extra time having Dad around. This week Dad started volunteering at the local food pantry. He's gone for like 3 hours and I couldn't wait to see him again! I was right at the door to the garage when he pulled in. Dad likes going to the food pantry. While it's sad that SOOO many people need its services, he's very happy that he's helping and there are other people and businesses willing to help. Dad wants to give a shout out to Trader Joe's for their donations.

And since it is Christmas time, along with several other holidays rich in traditions, and since Dad recently discovered a liking for Celtic music, he's also going to give a shout out to Marc Gunn and his Celtic Music podcasts.

http://www.marcgunn.com/podcasts/
http://celticchristmaspodcast.com/

They're good podcasts. Marc Gunn is also a new father so if you like his work, give him your own shout out and spread the word and if you can, buy his stuff. The best way to support independent musicians is to buy their CDs and spread the word.

Hmmm, this isn't so little. Well I'll close by saying it's Dad's birthday tomorrow so some celebration is in order.

OK I'm done with winter

Dad went outside for a little bit for some fresh air and I got to go with him. But it was so cold I went back in after a few seconds. There was no grass to eat and the sidewalk was icy. I love going out but not this. When will spring get here so I can eat the yummy grass and nap on sun-kissed concrete?