"Let Your Kids Paint On The Walls"

("Peace" roses)

I just heard the news...Randy Pausch has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Right away I started tearing up, got a lump in my throat, and my heart sank through the floor. I'm completely devastated. Because of his generosity, letting us all into his life, he became like family to so many even if we've never met him. I feel like we have all lost such a model mentor for us all. We all have something to learn from Randy. He truly had a unique way of looking at life. He didn't get lost in some rut like most of us do everyday. He took life head on and followed his dreams by upholding a great optimism. His life did come full circle as few do. I can honestly say that as I look at the achievements he has made. Although I am so sad about this loss, I am blessed to have had the opportunity to have learned from him some of the greatest lessons in my life.

If you haven't thought you have had the time to watch Randy Pausch's lecture, PLEASE do! Not only is his story a fascinating inspiration, he has a terrific humor too. Please watch his lecture, read his book, and visit his website! http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/

Crazy Lady

My random thought...

I used to work at a boarding facility for cats, and we had one that was really old. While he was staying with us, his kidneys were failing or something. My boss took him to the vet and they tried to contact the owner because they had to put him down. His owner knew he was old and in poor health. As soon as it happened, she started calling my boss (and me) and swearing at her (and me about my boss). She was threatening her (and me to tell my boss) and coming by trying to talk to her. She wanted money, of course. Duh, no one was going to give it to her...especially for an old cat that was ready to go any time. We were all sad and it was awful, then she made it worse.

So, my point? I keep seeing this woman! I just about run the other way every time. LOL! She's everywhere! I even saw her in our local newspaper trying to get free coffee (you know, the kind that is brewed from the droppings of an animal). Sorry, she came to mind cause it's about the time that I'll see her again. That was random :o)

Buddies For Life

I'm lucky to have gotten another cat that our first cat liked...well, Yes-Yes (our son) is anyway.

She's a pain in the butt sometimes though. Then again, they both can be. They both seem to act like dogs more than cats sometimes. Chasing, stalking, and wrestling with each other. They tear around the house slamming into everything in their way. Other times, one is yelling in your face to wake you up so you can invite her to cuddle with you.

They do love each other though. They cuddle and sleep for endless hours together. We call them 'yin and yang' as they curl around to form an almost perfect circle. It's nice to have a forever friend.

Are You Weird or Rude?

I've always wondered what the science is behind the animal preferences in humans. Haven't you? Isn't it funny that you never come across someone who likes cats and dogs the same way? You are either one or the other. Even if you don't like animals enough to own one, you still have a favorite.

I like cats more, as we all know. So what does this make me? Cat people are said to be weird, strange, and kinda off. It's hard to beat that old stigma of 'the cat lady'. Not to mention the long time association with witches and bad luck. Does it make me strange because I own more than one? I think this is all because people who like cats are usually a little more reserved which can make them appear to be weird. My question is, how many can you have before you seem strange?

On the other hand, dog people are known as intrusive, rude, and obnoxious. Really? Or is that just the cat people talking? Is it because they let their dogs off the leash where they shouldn't, let them crap where ever and not pick it up, forget to restrain their dog when walking by you and invade your space...Or could it be their personalities?

So really, the question is not if you are a cat or dog person, but are you weird or rude?

^..^My Furbabies^..^

As anyone who knows me, knows that I have an obsession for anything furry. In the last 9 years, I have had many trials with my four legged friends.

It started with dwarf hamsters. I have wanted one since I was 12. I got my first one for free b/c she was too old to sell at the pet store. She soon died, apparently she was older than I was told. So, I got another...she was pregnant. We thought she was just mean, who knew? After her litter was born, my cat of 15 years, got the cage open and a massacre ensued. I came home and freaked out. Well...after some time, I ended up with 26 of those little things! We had cages everywhere we could put them. Wheels spinning all night...it was crazy! Not to mention the many escapes of those tiny guys.

During the age of the dwarf, I bought a rabbit. Then another. My son named the first one Bun-Bun after his stuffed buddy. Smokee was the second. They loved each other dearly. We think they may have been gay. ;) Anyway, I ended up getting a few more (one died, replaced him) and then there were tons of them too! One litter didn't make it. Every other day or so, we were finding another body. It was awful. There was a mutation in the genes or something. In the end, we had about 17 rabbits. We now have one bunny left.

While this was happening, my dear kitty passed away. I was so sad about that...I couldn't go to work I was so hysterical. It took me a while but I finally convinced myself to get another...kind of a rebound effect. I went to a cat show (love those) and got an older "rejected" Tonkinese. She is beautiful but wasn't able to be shown because of her eye color, and bred litters with the same problem. I am lucky to have her. A couple of years went by and my son wanted his own. This time we went to the Peninsula Humane Society, our local chapter, and picked out a black and white "tuxedo". She's a handful...gets into everything and has attention only on her terms. But, we love our cats that act like dogs. They are the feature of this blog.

Last, we have also had our share of teddy bear hamsters. My son loved this show that had real "talking" animals and the main character was Hammie. It was a certain type of hamster that we only found one of here. She died of wet tail the week we got her. :( So we got ones we could find. Needless to say we had a ton of them too. Damn it's hard to sex those. One had a litter and had about 12 babies. We now have none of them either...but probably had about 17 of those too.

Sounds like hoarding, huh? Nope. Just bad sexing whether it was me or the pet stores. I'll tell you one thing...I sure learned a heck of a lot about these animals quickly!