Cooper & Ollie

[sclemo]

[lynxlady]

I can see Olivers paw getting ready to smack poor baby Cooper on the head ! I think Scooter does the same thing with Jenny, but when Scooter does it to Jenny he is trying to see if any one is home :-)

[Jackie]

33 Weeks - Gizmo - 10lbs 8oz
How big is Oliver now Sherri! He looks massive compared to Mr. Friendly Cooper.
So much fun coming your way!!! This too shall pass. It's like potty training...you think it's never gonna end.
Enjoy!

[Dan]

That picture needs a caption...

[ron]

Dan, I know you love Jenny, but I can't help but feel sorry for her with the way you trash her. LOL

[Dan]

Yeah, she's our little misguided kid. She's feral, and likely several generations inbred, so she is definitely a bit 'off'. You can't pet her, brush her, and god help you if you try and pick her up. The Veterinarian we use told us not to bring her back in. She tore a nurse(?) up pretty bad the last time she was there...

But, she is OUR misguided child. Every now and then she'll curl up with us on the bed, or on the couch, and try to be somewhat loving. She tries, and we love her for trying. It breaks my heart sometimes when I look in her eyes, most of what you see is almost scary. Sometimes though, you can see her saying, "I'm trying Dad, I just don't know how."

She could never have another home, as she is terrified of anyone but Sugar & I, and hides whenever we have guests.

We have a very good neighbor who takes care of our house and pets when we go on vacation, Craig. He has been doing it for 10 years or more, and is over here quite often. Often enough for Jenny to know who he is. About a year ago, Craig called us a couple of days before we were due home. He said, "I think Jenny died, I haven't seen her since you have been gone". Of course, we were concerned, but not overly so. When we got home, it took her about 20 minutes to come out of her hiding spot, and 'forgive' us for leaving.

Having Scooter around has helped her some, I think. He will try and get her to play. At first she would just hiss at him and run off. Now, almost two years later, she will try and play with him sometimes. He's patient, and if she doesn't want to play he will leave her alone. Like I said, Jenny simply does not understand how to interact socially, be it human or animal. When we brought Scooter home, Sugar & I took turns watching him with Jenny. We never left them alone together unsupervised for several months, as we weren't sure that Jenny wouldn't try to hurt Scooter.

Honestly, I think most people would have taken her to the pound, or had her put down once they saw her personality, she is just that ornery. She turned 7 yesterday (As close as we can figure, we don't know exactly when she was born) and will be with us for the rest of her days...

[lynxlady]

Dan & Sugar,
I think the love and dedication you have for Jenny is a testament to the people you both are..and why you have one of my babies :-) I remember how concerned you were about how Jenny would feel when you took Scooter home.. I have a feral cat on the property, she is solid black, I call her momma kitty. She comes everyday for food and I feed her. She first came here when she was a tiny little thing, I tried to catch her but found other cat's in the trap, so off they went to be ''fixed'' .. she saw them and would never go in the trap.. very smart. It has been 5 years now and occasionally she brings her new batch of little ones to me and I trap them and take them to the vet and he places them in homes after they have been tamed..She has Finlay decided I'm not too bad, she will come when I call her, she lets me get with in 10' of her now. I have to say I really love that cat and wish I could trap her, it worries me when she is out loose and when it gets so cold out.. we have a bed for her in the barn now and she said "Thank you" the best she can by giving me ''soft eye's" when I talk to her now :-) All I have to say is 'GOOD FOR YOU" we need more people like you in this world !

[Dan]

Thanks Arlene.

It does get kind of comical sometimes. Scooter will start a romp with her, and if she isn't in the mood (which is most of the time) she lets him know right away, hisses, and slinks off.

Then Scoots will look at us like, "Well, I tried. What is her malfunction, anyway?"

Edit: I posted a pic of the two of them Sugar took last week in the photos section...

[Jackie]

Bringing Gizmo home has really helped Emma come out of her shell. She doesn't like how Blue likes to, ahem, "play"
I see this week, Giz is really trying to play with her. She's a bit ruff and that's ok. She needs to feel like the winner sometimes. Giz doesn't give up...he'll just show his belly and touch her then the race is on again.