Ace of Spades Pet Thread, August 23

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Good afternoon and welcome to the almost world famous Ace of Spades Pet Thread. Thanks for stopping by. Kick back and enjoy the world of animals.

Would you like a treat?

Let's relax a little with the animals and leave the world of politics and current events outside today.

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I caught this exchange from another thread this week.

158 Today is Black Cat Appreciation Day.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2025 07:17 PM
----
SHHH!
Don't tell my cat Penny. She'll expect a treat.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 18, 2025 07:17 PM

I MISSED IT. But I don't have a totally black cat. Do you?

There are some lovely black cats in this thread. The first one was not too happy about Black Cat Appreciation Day:

HAPPY BLACK CAT APPRECIATION DAY EVERYONE 🐈‍⬛🎉 pic.twitter.com/j4tLdv3H3e
— Black cats are not bad luck (@visualscat) August 17, 2025

In Scottish folklore, the arrival of a strange black cat signifies prosperity 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛#BlackCatAppreciationDay #FolkloreSunday #Art by Rosemary Daunis pic.twitter.com/Bb6o9wuKKq
— Carlyanne McConnell (@CarlyanneMcCon1) August 17, 2025

Who made this?!😂 pic.twitter.com/FX5pW71yPd
— The Internet of Cats 🐈🐈‍⬛ (@KittiesInternet) August 4, 2025

Do you ever wish you could have one of these as a pet?

Cute quokkas munching on leaves
pic.twitter.com/6cZewWW4zp
— aww (@omgaww) August 21, 2025

If you can't have a quokka, how about one or two of these?

Courtesy Biden's Dog, from Northern Israel

BEFORE adoption vs. AFTER adoption. 🐶🧡🐶 pic.twitter.com/cPXdOiflbt
— John Oberg (@JohnOberg) August 17, 2025

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Meet The PetMorons

Bruno and the Beautyberry by the woods this morning.
- fd

There was a closeup of the beautyberries in the Gardening Thread this morning. Bruno looks handsome there.

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Conor says I might have to grow old, but I refuse to grow up!
Hrothgar

What a fun photo of Conor! Thanks for sharing it with us.

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&&&

&&&

Good Afternoon K.T. and fellow Pet Morons,
This week has been good at the house for the Chicks. C & D have achieved flight and were moved into the cage with their siblings yesterday. They are curious about the regular food, but are still on formula. A & B are fully off formula at this point.
The big news this week is that Chick C is a mutant! This mutation affects his feather coloration, or in this case, lack thereof. C is a Turquoise Conure of the Mint/Moon flavor. His wing feathers are a minty, blueish green and his breast and underbelly is cream color with no other accents. Normally the back is a rich, dark green and the breast has red and/or yellow mixed in with the cream.
This is caused by a double recessive gene in the parents. That means that the gene has to be present on both sides (double), even if it's not visible (recessive). This mutation disrupts the DNA sequence with the result being the suppression/absence of the colors red and yellow in the feathers. Since red and yellow are primary colors, you can see that this will have a notable impact. This mutation has no effect on the baby's overall health, just its colors. We consider this a feature, not a bug.
There are 3 attached pictures. One being mommy and daddy. They have normal conure coloration. The other 2 are of Chick C. Notice how his breast has no accent color at all and while the back shot doesn't really show his wing colors due to the lighting, I assure you it's minty blue. Also note the tail feather color, it's more brown that bright red (normal).
David

Wow! We are learning a lot from the growth of these little chicks! Chick C is really growing up, too!

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This is Mr Trouble, taking a siesta on the couch, in the AC, during a hot day

And this is Fanny, my 14 year old Scottish Fold. She still doesn't approve of Mr Trouble.
Notsothoreau

I love them both.

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Thank you for sharing your pets and animal photos and stories with us today.

If you would like to send pet and/or animal stories, links, etc. for the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, the address is:

petmorons at protonmail dot com
Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known when you comment at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.

Until next Saturday, have a great week!

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If you start feeling nostalgic, here a link to last week's Pet Thread, the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, August 16

I closed the comments on this post so you wouldn't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 03:21 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Woof

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 23, 2025 03:24 PM (kWMii)

2 I have a cat.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 23, 2025 03:24 PM (guGkK)

3 not too happy about Black Cat Appreciation Day:

Such a festive little hat!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 23, 2025 03:26 PM (kWMii)

4 Love the pets.

Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at August 23, 2025 03:28 PM (kTd/k)

5 Moron Pets? Check. 4:30 AM trip today to the one 24-hour grocery store for hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, all because the moron dog just had to play with the spicy tuxedo cat.

Posted by: Captain Ned at August 23, 2025 03:31 PM (nADdg)

6 Birbs~!

Posted by: weft cut-loop at August 23, 2025 03:31 PM (mlg/3)

7 Happy Caturday everyone

Posted by: Skip at August 23, 2025 03:32 PM (+qU29)

8 Love the owlkitty movie clips.

Posted by: Chairman LMAO at August 23, 2025 03:32 PM (36PRH)

9 We have so many black cats these days. Three new ones in the backyard in less than a month.

Our cat blog is updated #328

https://tinyurl.com/4k65zjkx

Posted by: Joyenz at August 23, 2025 03:35 PM (sPQoU)

10 OwlKitty has made a bunch of very clever videos where he inserts his cat into various movies. He has a couple of behind the scenes shows where he shows how he did it.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 23, 2025 03:36 PM (CHHv1)

11 Meow...

Posted by: Puddleglum, drive by meow at August 23, 2025 03:41 PM (sAmhv)

12 Old Cat is a black shorthair and now 18yo. He has adjusted to losing his dogs (Old Dog and New Old Dog) and his person being very ill and gone for a few months (ceiling falling and pneumonia and pipe bursts) and he has maintained his 'alpha' attitude over all the past 2yrs.

Grandkid talks about 'Holloween Cat' and insists he is some kind of magic.

As long as the old boy is happy, we are fine.

Posted by: mustbequantum at August 23, 2025 03:42 PM (blVh+)

13 It's still whispered around here to lock up your black cats around Halloween because of certain... pagans looking to commit rituals or some such nonsense.
It's almost a joke here now but it makes you wonder.

Posted by: Dr. Varno at August 23, 2025 03:44 PM (9xPwM)

14 I lost my little black tom day before yesterday. I think he was killed by an owl. I got to bury the legs and the tail, the rest was taken away or eaten.
Horned owls will take a domestic cat, if it is small, the way Minky was. He was a good kitty, he was about 15 years old, and had adopted himself into my group of cats after his feral momma abandoned him as a kitten. His only goals in life were to hunt birds and find another cat he could cuddle with.
I buried him next to Angus, who he used to love to cuddle with.

A wildlife biologist suggested putting up netting where the cats go, but that would mean most of the yard.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 23, 2025 03:46 PM (rbvCR)

15

Kitten Kong

https://youtu.be/Jr6CyU-Ev_M

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 23, 2025 03:46 PM (63Dwl)

16 13: I've seen cat-haters in action. They're out there.

14: Regrets on your loss. Over the years I've lost 3 cats to "the wilderness".

Posted by: Captain Ned at August 23, 2025 03:48 PM (nADdg)

17 Posted by: Kindltot at August 23, 2025 03:46 PM (rbvCR)

That's horrible to read. Not a nice way to go. I'm so sorry. Hugs.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 23, 2025 03:49 PM (sPQoU)

18 Mr. Trouble wishes not to be disturbed. Or else.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 23, 2025 03:50 PM (RIvkX)

19 Posted by: Kindltot at August 23, 2025 03:46 PM (rbvCR)

How about some decorated wooden boxes scattered around the yard where the kittehs can run into . I know owl attacks can be silent from above but frequently they get their prey on open ground where the prey has nowhere to run for cover .

Posted by: polynikes at August 23, 2025 03:52 PM (EYmYM)

20 I'm sorry kindltot, that is awful

Love seeing Conor , Hrothgar! Hope you are well!

Posted by: Moki at August 23, 2025 03:53 PM (wLjpr)

21 Bless the Beasts and Morons.

Posted by: toby928 at August 23, 2025 03:54 PM (jc0TO)

22 Black cats, as a rule, seem to be pretty personable. I mean as far as cats go.

Posted by: Common Tater at August 23, 2025 03:55 PM (X3owK)

23 Mr. Trouble and Fanny are adorable. I do not blame the dear old Fanny wanting to stay away from Trouble.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 23, 2025 03:55 PM (sPQoU)

24 I'm thinking of leaving my kittehs alone for a weekend for an out of town trip. I know they will be okay but I hate doing it.

Posted by: polynikes at August 23, 2025 03:56 PM (EYmYM)

25 Trouble really is a very good cat. I'm not sure about him sometimes coming inside just to use the catbox, but at least he uses it. Doesn't get into anything and stays mostly arond the house. He does still kill birds but that's how he survived as a kitten. He loves Jake and will avoid a fight with Fanny. Pretty good behavior for a stray.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 23, 2025 03:58 PM (kUxzU)

26 Yay. Managed to get up from my nap in time for the pets.

Our old black cat Ony insists that every day is Black Cat Appreciation Day.

And she would appreciate it if those dog-cousins of Daisy the Malinois would quit coming by to visit almost every day.

Meanwhile, down at the unoccupied house next door, the cats continue to thrive, apparently. The average-sized pale yellow guy I call Butterburr (or Butterball, or Butter, or just Buddy) is the boldest, the only one who has let me skritch him. The smaller tortoiseshell gal, Rascal, remains shy, but last night was surprised in the shed with a dead bird.

What I really want is to get pix of the kittens. I've never seen them, but they seem to be getting bolder, out from under the porch until MiladyJo gets close. There's a dusty white with a raccoony tail, an orange (as in the graphic up top), and a dark one who remains elusive. So I'm told.

A couple of times, Daisy and I walk by while MiladyJo is feeding the kits, and while Daisy hasn't lunged as if to chase over there (it's a distance from the house to the road), she does have her ears alert and her attention firmly on the house. I wish she could be expected to be nice to them, but…

Posted by: mindful webworker - bark and meow mix at August 23, 2025 04:02 PM (i1iCx)

27 As I am usually deep into naptime when Pet Thread comes around, please forgive me for spewing all kinds of stuff.

My son had to put down his 12yo tuxedo this week. Truly sad for the family. Funny, outgoing beastie, who had everyone on a hunt for what we found in his cat toy box. We'll see how his littermate copes with the change. In fact, I am more worried about the dog. Mac, you were a good beastie and well loved. RIP

Posted by: mustbequantum at August 23, 2025 04:03 PM (blVh+)

28 When I adopted my black cat, Molly, in the early 1980s I had no idea of the black cat prejudice. I loved her very much and was bereft when she died but, let's face it, she wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

It's still a family joke many years later about how we'd open our sliding glass door onto our deck and she'd stick her head out, seeming to say "When did all of this nature get here?!!" She had that same reaction for virtually her entire life.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at August 23, 2025 04:04 PM (FEVMW)

29 Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 23, 2025 03:58 PM (kUxzU)

How did he get the trouble name?

Our feral Mr. Grey that we brought in the house this past winter has adapted so well to being an indoor cat. You would never think he was a feral or once an outside cat.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 23, 2025 04:09 PM (sPQoU)

30 Sorry to hear about the loss of your kitty, Kindltot.

And your son's kitty, mustbequantum.

Posted by: KT at August 23, 2025 04:11 PM (7vIsy)

31 I lost my little black tom day before yesterday. I think he was killed by an owl. I got to bury the legs and the tail…
Posted by: Kindltot

Dang, Kindltot, that's really rough. I've had cats disappear, suspecting predators, but never found parts. Not counting the one who made it all the way to the gate where I had to scrape her off the road. There are a pair of big hooters we've seen down at that end of the property, which has us concerned for the little cat family aforementioned.

The aforementioned old Ony only rarely wanders outside and then only briefly and stays near the house. (How she got to be old.) She wanted me to add that I consider a black cat crossing my path to be good fortune… except when I'm walking back to bed in the dark and she doesn't announce her presence in my path. I'm thankful that's rare.

Posted by: mindful webworker - bark and meow mix at August 23, 2025 04:12 PM (i1iCx)

32 Posted by: mustbequantum at August 23, 2025 04:03 PM (blVh+)

So sorry for your loss. They really don't live long enough. Hugs.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 23, 2025 04:12 PM (sPQoU)

33 Yesterday's cafe thread had a couple of videos about caring for older dogs. They are completely heartwarming. If you missed them, they are worth going back to watch. The dust got thick while watching them. (Old thread so don't comment.)

Posted by: JTB at August 23, 2025 04:13 PM (yTvNw)

34 Son just showed up with big Jarl and little whiney Bandit. Be back in a while, maybe.

Posted by: mindful webworker - the fur flies at August 23, 2025 04:14 PM (i1iCx)

35 Types of cats pic is cute, sent it the kids

Scitches to all the petmorons!

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 23, 2025 04:19 PM (Mgy3C)

36 {{{{Kindltot}}}}

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 23, 2025 04:20 PM (Mgy3C)

37 Mr and Mrs JTB you know how much I respect and admire your acceptance of elder dogs. Painful sometimes, but the joy of life and purpose is totally badass. Talk about strong.

I am trying to decide whether I can adopt a 5yo or should I go for an 8yo? I'll see the vet in a week so I can find out how toxic Old Cat's thyroid medication is. Very good odds for me going on for 10 more years minimum and I know that my kidlets will take on whatever family pets remain -- probably my only legacy.

Posted by: mustbequantum at August 23, 2025 04:29 PM (blVh+)

38 When we were gifted a tiny black kitten discovered at a construction site, my husband was NOT happy. He asked how hard it would be for Simon to be adopted. (He fit in a wineglass.) Our vet said the record with black kittens was not good and that good shelters take much more care seeing who chooses to adopt black cats. So she had at least believed in the troubled people out there willing to hurt black cats.

Posted by: Wenda at August 23, 2025 04:31 PM (sz3LH)

39 I used to see him walk up to the house and would say "Here comes trouble". The Mister part was after Ciampino's Mr Stubborn.

He gets called Troublesome a lot too

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 23, 2025 04:34 PM (kUxzU)

40
To my surprise and relief, my big stupid lazy unaffectionate orange cat was a hit with my mom's Korean and Japanese houseguests.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 23, 2025 04:35 PM (6eO0F)

41 We have hawks here and I do worry about the cats. I hardly ever see kittens here and not many strays now.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 23, 2025 04:36 PM (kUxzU)

42 Penny is the first cat I ever adopted. She's a black cat that a student worker dropped on my desk one day. She had been found hanging around the building on a cold, snowy day and he felt sorry for her so he brough her inside to see if anyone would adopt her.

She's brings me joy every day. Adopting her was one of the best decisions I ever made. Zero regrets.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 23, 2025 04:40 PM (IBQGV)

43 I used to see him walk up to the house and would say "Here comes trouble". The Mister part was after Ciampino's Mr Stubborn.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 23, 2025 04:34 PM (kUxzU)

Ah ok. That's cute (here comes trouble).

Mr. Stubborn is still his name, but he has finally blossomed into a normal kitty. He talks to us and comes for loving instead of running away. It has taken him over two years to lose his fears.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 23, 2025 04:42 PM (sPQoU)

44 Couplea black ferals in the yard. One (or the other?) will hang out in the shade atop the vintage camp trailer outside my window. I call all cats kitty.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 23, 2025 04:42 PM (k+eDL)

45 We got our Magic (the new cat) from the shelter in September a couple years ago. They were sort of cautious about adopting out black cats near October, but apparently they thought we were worth the risk.
Poor guy had been an apartment kitty his whole life, and never had been outside. He is out hunting snakes right now I think.

He is more philosophical about being kept indoors at night, now.

My wife asked if we were going to get another cat now. I told her with luck another one would be coming along.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 23, 2025 04:42 PM (rbvCR)

46 37 ... Mustbequantum,

Thanks for the kind words and condolences to your son's family on losing their tuxedo.

Yeah, there is pain when they go but the joy they received and shared with us is much stronger. And the memories are all wonderful. When we lost our second rescue, we had him for four years, our niece sent us a little wind chime. Whenever it sounds we say it's the voice of the angel puppies and smile.

Posted by: JTB at August 23, 2025 04:50 PM (yTvNw)

47 Afternoon, folken! I was napping and almost missed the PetThread. Yes, I have an all-black cat, the infamous Stirling, once known here as the Evil Black Kitten of War and Pestilence. Previously there was Wolf, who was almost a dead ringer for the cat in the OwlKitty Jurassic Park video, and the late smart Marie-Antoinette. All three have been smart, easygoing, and adaptable. I suspect it's a black cat trait.

OwlKitty has multiple vids on YooToob of the giant longhaired black cat inserted into famous movies.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 23, 2025 04:59 PM (omVj0)

48 And Fanny and Mr. Trouble are both beautiful, NST.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 23, 2025 05:00 PM (omVj0)

49 We have Madison the miracle cat who is black...and..well.....a miracle. We found her with crushed back legs in the middle of an intersection when she as the size of my palm. Today she weighs 13 pounds and can jump on top of most of our furniture.

Posted by: Eromero at August 23, 2025 05:04 PM (LHPAg)

50 Oh Lawd He Comin Cat... Check
Ninja Cat... Check
Danger Zebra Cat... Check, but passed.

Posted by: olddog in mo at August 23, 2025 05:05 PM (4NhiA)

51 Posted by: Eromero at August 23, 2025 05:04 PM (LHPAg)

So glad she's ok. What a start to life.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 23, 2025 05:06 PM (sPQoU)

52 Kindletot -- So sorry.

Wenda -- Yeah that tiny black kitten turned the big bad adolescent boys into cooing goo. 18 years later, the old beast eats better than I do.

Black cats all look alike (according to granddaughter, they are MAGIC) so forget the Satan, Salem, etc names and go with --

Sunshine.

(RobZombie song)

Posted by: mustbequantum at August 23, 2025 05:07 PM (blVh+)

53 But I don't have a totally black cat. Do you?

Yep, Black Betty. Got her from the woods in WKy. Neighbor was going to shoot it. Kids rescued it and bathed about 1000 seed ticks off of it in Mom's bathtub. Good times.

Posted by: olddog in mo at August 23, 2025 05:08 PM (4NhiA)

54 Ah, I'm missing my cat now. I haven't yet taken the leap to get another cat after I had to have Tux euthanized last year. When he started failing I hoped I could just manage him until he passed away on his own but one day he drank a good amount of water and then vomited and that was my sign that he needed some help across the rainbow bridge.

Posted by: PaleRider at August 23, 2025 05:10 PM (bP/i4)

55 Hey, it's Bruno! Winded after his run. That's the only way I can get him to sit still for a picture.

I saw you posted my beautyberry pic earlier. They are supposed to be edible but I haven't tried them.

Thank you for doing these threads, and posting my pics.

Posted by: fd at August 23, 2025 05:14 PM (vFG9F)

56 I can’t believe you guys have your black cats and it’s not even September yet!

Posted by: polynikes at August 23, 2025 05:15 PM (EYmYM)

57 45- My wife asked if we were going to get another cat now. I told her with luck another one would be coming along.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 23, 2025 04:42 PM

Kindltot- I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. Sending up a prayer that luck shines upon you.

Posted by: Moonbeam at August 23, 2025 05:15 PM (oNyVp)

58 We had a black cat but now it lives at the neighbor's house.

Posted by: fd at August 23, 2025 05:16 PM (vFG9F)

59 I’ve got a short haired pure white cat. Not a Dr Evil white cat.

Posted by: polynikes at August 23, 2025 05:16 PM (EYmYM)

60 I have a black shorthair, and I challenge any one to find her in the dark.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin at August 23, 2025 05:17 PM (u5EvT)

61 We have hawks here and I do worry about the cats. I hardly ever see kittens here and not many strays now.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 23, 2025 04:36 PM (kUxzU)

Hawks and Eagles here. I keep an eye out when I’m outside with my kittehs.

Posted by: polynikes at August 23, 2025 05:19 PM (EYmYM)

62 Good afternoon! Technically, he is smoke, but he looks black, so Kovu will be the black cat representative for our household!

Currently there are 2 Savannahs and a Shiba on my bed. Everyone is settled and behaving.

Posted by: Piper at August 23, 2025 05:20 PM (pZEOD)

63 HOBBY NOOD

Posted by: Skip at August 23, 2025 05:31 PM (+qU29)

64 A reminder that BluebirdOfBitterness.com has a couple of Caturday posts, this week including funny feline fotos: what is it about cats and sinks?

Posted by: mindful webworker - just like bowls, baskets, and boxes at August 23, 2025 05:35 PM (i1iCx)

65 Greetings and good afternoon, one and all. I got the flu yesterday and it's been fun trying to find a comfortable way to sleep while fending off six dogs who want to know what is going on.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 23, 2025 05:38 PM (7xrfc)

66 I have a black shorthair, and I challenge any one to find her in the dark.
=====

Unpossible. Just like in broad daylight with dark carpeting and a black cat. Even my Sunshine (not always the swiftest on the uptake) has learned to not play the 'weaving around ankles' game around me.

Posted by: mustbequantum at August 23, 2025 05:40 PM (blVh+)

67
The before and after pictures, wow, if only we could save them all.

I love dogs so much. I have a sign that says "i want all the dogs."

I'm allergic to cats and am sure I would feel the same about them if not for allergies.

Pets are sooooo much better than most people.

Posted by: fourseasons at August 23, 2025 06:18 PM (3ek7K)

68 My daughter has a void/ninja/black cat. It ended up in the Christmas tree a few years ago. I unplugged the lights, but there were still TWO GREEN STARING LIGHTS coming from the tree...freaked me out at the time.

-SLV

Posted by: Shy Lurking Voter at August 23, 2025 06:21 PM (e/Osv)

69 https://youtube.com/shorts/P7OqZLzQxns?si=IvUV_ggES9jwtmTa

Posted by: Easter weekend at August 23, 2025 06:25 PM (LOZbR)

70 Love the Before / After adoption pics of the little beagles. So adorable. It reminds me of a picture I saw titled "First night home from the shelter" where a little boy and his new best canine friend were sleeping with their arms around each other. Dogs are little angels sent by the Lord to take care of us.

Posted by: Seamus Moon at August 23, 2025 08:22 PM (Ab/3c)

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