Ace of Spades Pet Thread, August 9

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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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A dog who hasn't learned how to lead from behind

He tried his best LOL pic.twitter.com/KryPteuNcN
— Spill The Memes (@SpillTheMemes) July 15, 2025

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From Biden's Dog, regards from Jerusalem and a story from New Jersey:

Hi Katy,
I personally do not like cats. I suppose they rub me the wrong way. But for those of you who do like cats:

Coffee and a kitten! You can snuggle up with a feline friend at this N.J. cat café. | Paige Britt, NJ dot com

Ben Hudes, 21, and Dora Gorvorko, 23, are making it their mission to bring a cat café to South Jersey. The couple are DIYing a space in Oaklyn that will feature… pic.twitter.com/drJkCKU70C
— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) July 27, 2025

Click over to X to read the details. Amazing that they would attract so much community support before they even open! That is an ambitious project! Interesting that they would focus on teaching kids how to interact with cats.

Some people in the replies have some cautions.

Thanks for sending it in, Biden's Dog!

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Small pets:

Bro felt this feeling for the first time. pic.twitter.com/GZ3Sx6F24Z
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) August 8, 2025

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Large pets:

Cow brush being installed.
Cows are supervising. pic.twitter.com/xJdORWHGiC
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) August 4, 2025

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From the comments: "Catnip is just the gateway to harder herbs."

Have you ever had a cat that loved rosemary? I need to pay more attention to the behavior of our Garden Kitties around rosemary.

i don't know why these cats were getting high on rosemary 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jjXCkdQ2mf
— Posts Of Cats (@PostsOfCats) July 18, 2025

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Meet The PetMorons

&&&

Hey KT,
Here is our latest family member, Stella! And yes, everyone does their best Marlon Brando when they hear her name. She came with the name, not sure if it will stick or she will be given a nickname that takes over. She is 8 months old and was rescued from a bad situation. The rescue got her and we had just put down our Gigi girl and Littleman was not handling her loss very well, in fact none of us were. We had a hole in our heart to fill and she needed a family to call her own so it seems it was a match made in heaven.
We have no idea what breed she is or what mixture more like but we have sent off for the doggie DNA. She is sweet, curious, extremely smart, an incredible climber and jumper, loves to swim but hates the hose. There isn't a chew toy or stuffed toy she doesn't love, there are toys strewn all over the house. We already love her, as does Littleman except at feeding and treat time, she wants to eat her food and his food and he gets a little protective of his kibble. The cats after a few days of being wary have now accepted her as one of the pack.
We have had to Stella-proof the backyard as I was watering in the front yard and she managed to jump over the gate in a single hop. Didn't want to run away, just wanted to be by me, she is my little shadow. We miss our Gigi, but Stella is helping heal our hearts, one day at a time.
WeeKreekFarmGirl

How wonderful that you have found Stella! She looks right at home.

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&&&

&&&

Good afternoon KT and fellow Pet Morons,
Things are going well here. Chicks A & B continue to grow and are doing well. As you can see, Chick B's colors have really come in. They haven't taken their fledgling flight yet, but the primary and secondary feathers are in place and it should happen in the next few days. Chicks C & D are leaving the fuzzy state.
Today I'd like to introduce you to another bird in the house, Phoenix. He is a White Bellied Caique, and if you are a regular consumer on this site you will recognize this breed. They are high energy, smart and easily trained. However they are not a beginner bird, because they are high maintenance, somewhat hard to find and fairly expensive. As you can see in the picture, he still enjoys the formula we feed the chicks. That may be because we got him 3 years ago before he was fully weaned and it brings back memories. The breeder let us have him a little early because she knew we raised babies too and used the same formula and methods. They are medium sized parrots and good family birds. We let him have a couple of sips of the leftover food, but not much. It's too rich for adult birds.
Regards,
David

Those birds are making progress with your wonderful care!

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PetMoron Adjacent Animals
Encountered by Members of The Horde

By-Tor took a photo of his Tuesday Tennis Group's mascot dog, Coco:

A cutie, I would say.

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Thank you for sharing your pets and pet stories with us.

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 2

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 03:12 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 BOING!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 09, 2025 03:17 PM (2lp6s)

2 Cakey parrot!!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 09, 2025 03:18 PM (FFW2d)

3 Meow...

Posted by: Puddleglum, drive by meow at August 09, 2025 03:20 PM (sAmhv)

4 My cats seem to know when it's Pet Thread time. Jasmine just hopped up on my desk and Hexie wandered into my office from the living room. Allie is in her usual perch on the bookcase behind my office chair.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 09, 2025 03:21 PM (IBQGV)

5 There is an escaped parakeet cavorting around with a flock of sparrows near my house.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at August 09, 2025 03:23 PM (ULPxl)

6 I hope the parrots ate last weeks green snake.

Posted by: Eromero at August 09, 2025 03:26 PM (LHPAg)

7 We had to put down our Wheaten Terrier, Logan, this week. I miss him so.

Best dog ever.

I hope to see him on the other side someday.

You always hope that your pets can meet your previous pets and the pets of those you love in the Elysian fields they now play in, I wonder how that works. Is there like a Facebook for pets in the afterlife, indexed by smells?

Or does a benevolent God just sort all that out?

Posted by: Ib1netmon at August 09, 2025 03:26 PM (3tYRn)

8 @WeeKreekFarmGirl - thinking Stella is German Shepherd by the markings, Beagle by the face, and Springer Spaniel by the climbing/jumping,

Posted by: Nazdar at August 09, 2025 03:28 PM (NcvvS)

9 Hey guys,

There's an update to our cat blog! I have one thing to add to the update.
Yesterday, when my sister got home late from work, she went to the backyard to feed the two new cats. What she found sitting with the kitten was another kitten—a new all-black one. So, we now have three new cats!

Link to cat fund: https://tinyurl.com/4k65zjkx

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 03:28 PM (sPQoU)

10 Today's "Arlo and Janis" comic strip illustrates a very familiar scene for any pet owner.

https://tinyurl.com/2zp5mkk2

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at August 09, 2025 03:30 PM (CHHv1)

11 My guess is your pets in heaven still have your smell. And that's how they find each other.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 09, 2025 03:34 PM (kUxzU)

12 Wonder if that dog ever had to listen to Jim Acosta.

Posted by: gKWVE at August 09, 2025 03:36 PM (PEWpN)

13 Oh great, this fucking hash

Posted by: pewp'n at August 09, 2025 03:37 PM (PEWpN)

14 That squirrel video is adorable.

Regarding cats and rosemary, I used to get rosemary olives from the deli and our tomcat used to go nuts for them, batting and chasing them around the floor. I thought he just like the roly-poly olives, but I guess he was trippin' on the herbs.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 09, 2025 03:38 PM (kpS4V)

15 I guess it was Thyme for those cats to get high on Rosemary.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at August 09, 2025 03:40 PM (S/Y4j)

16 Afternoon, Pet Folken,

I am amazed at that squirrel. He must have been raised by his human to allow himself to be petted like that, and to be so attached.

I've never tried my cats on rosemary. Are they likely to go psycho -- more than on catnip, that is?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 03:42 PM (omVj0)

17 Who's that head on the bottom shelf at Stella's place?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 09, 2025 03:44 PM (63Dwl)

18 Aww, Stella! What a cutie she is. If I had to guess, she is going to be a pittie / shepherd mix. Or pittie / hound. Or all the above. I am so glad she found you!

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 03:45 PM (pZEOD)

19 Stella is a good looking dog. A bit heavier than Reef but I'd say she is a rottweiler cross too.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at August 09, 2025 03:46 PM (zZu0s)

20 Bless the animals, and all the people who love and care for them.

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 03:46 PM (0I+GC)

21 Ib1netmon, I am so sorry. Losing pets is just hard on the heart.

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 03:47 PM (pZEOD)

22 Looks like Nelson the failed sheepdog could just have the sheep chase him to wherever they need to go.

Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 03:47 PM (FMtrg)

23 My cats seem to know when it's Pet Thread time. Jasmine just hopped up on my desk and Hexie wandered into my office from the living room. Allie is in her usual perch on the bookcase behind my office chair.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 09, 2025

***
Big black Stirling just hopped up on the couch, stood as if considering the lap, enjoyed some petting and scratching around the ears . . . then decamped for the floor again. Very different behavior from what he exhibited last Thursday, the day after we applied his topical flea treatment. He was zooming around, tunneling under the covers along my back in the afternoon, and curling in my lap multiple times. We figure the dying fleas must have been thrashing and/or biting as they expired.

Little gray Dagny, La Siberienne, got the flea treatment the same day as Stirling, and did not spring into activity the same way. She cavorted around Linda when she came over this morning, clearly asking for attention. This is a behavior she generally does not do with me. If she'd ask for petting, she'd get it, and she sometimes gets it anyway. But she's just not very demonstrative with me.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 03:48 PM (omVj0)

24 Watching the birds go from naked…things, to actually looking like birds has been a lot of fun.

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 03:48 PM (pZEOD)

25 I guess it was Thyme for those cats to get high on Rosemary.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at August 09, 2025

***
Sage advice

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 03:49 PM (omVj0)

26 Posted by: Ib1netmon at August 09, 2025 03:26 PM (3tYRn)

So sorry you had to let Logan go. Sending comforting hugs your way.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 03:50 PM (sPQoU)

27 You always hope that your pets can meet your previous pets and the pets of those you love in the Elysian fields they now play in, I wonder how that works. Is there like a Facebook for pets in the afterlife, indexed by smells?

Or does a benevolent God just sort all that out?
Posted by: Ib1netmon at August 09, 2025

***
I imagine there will be jurisdictional disputes among my cats at the Rainbow Bridge. "Back off, black cat, he's *my *human!" "Stuff a fish in it, Fat Boy, he's *mine*!"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 03:51 PM (omVj0)

28 Caught a bat in the house this week, first one in a decade maybe. I keep a sweep net handy for these, and caught and released him. A nice big one this time, with chestnut fur, black ears and wings. I stupidly failed to take photos

The insect photos last week seemed to be a bad fit for the Pet Thread, so I won't send any more unless somebody specifically asks for them.

My marmot spends part of every hot day lolling around on his cement slab. He looks like he really enjoys life.

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 03:51 PM (0I+GC)

29 I just watched a guy pull a #17 king salmon out of the water off the dock. Beautiful fish.

Posted by: nurse ratched at August 09, 2025 03:54 PM (uBGP/)

30 By the way, if you used Embark, you will get a wolfiness score that is kind of fun. We did this for Saijo, even though we have his papers, you never know about less than ethical breeders. He is 100% Shiba Inu. It was good to confirm.

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 03:54 PM (pZEOD)

31 Thank you, Piper. I am an absolute wreck. Logan helped nurse me through a long term illness and two major motorcycle accident injuries, and was my best bud.

Of course, the nursing part included not only lots of affection, but also lying on top of me while I recovered from a shattered pelvis, which hurt like hell. But the love made it all OK.

Posted by: Ib1netmon at August 09, 2025 03:55 PM (3tYRn)

32 Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 03:54 PM (pZEOD)

I am assuming embark is a genetic testing service? I need to do that with reef. I am starting to suspect there is some jack Russell terrorist in there.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at August 09, 2025 03:57 PM (zZu0s)

33 Is getting stoned on catnip anything like thyme travel??

Posted by: andycanuck at August 09, 2025 03:57 PM (2yoRf)

34 Hope everyone is having a Happy Caturday
Fir me after doing plumbing since 10:30 having a glass of Scotch

Posted by: Skip at August 09, 2025 03:58 PM (+qU29)

35 All my cats are doing fine. Flash has very fine fur that mats easily, so I gave him a good deknotting and combing. When I first got him off the street his matted fur was so thick that he looked like a linebacker, but after I combed a couple of pounds of shedded, trapped fur out of his coat, he looked more regular-like.

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 03:58 PM (0I+GC)

36 A cat cafe is a sus idea. Unless you think drinking coffee surrounded by cat piss and farts, and the potential to get scratched, is a good time. There’s a reason zoos smell like they do.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at August 09, 2025 03:59 PM (aeiyZ)

37 So far my suspicion confirmed, kid with recent blue heeler, not really a puppy anymore, terrible dog trainer. Far from housebroken, a shit eating pisser. Hear she goes all over the house. And quite yappy at sundown.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 09, 2025 04:01 PM (FtJkr)

38 A cat cafe is a sus idea. Unless you think drinking coffee surrounded by cat piss and farts, and the potential to get scratched, is a good time. There’s a reason zoos smell like they do.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at August 09, 2025 03:59 PM (aeiyZ)
---
Not to mention that there will be cat fur and cat litter EVERYWHERE, no matter how thoroughly you try to keep the place clean.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 09, 2025 04:01 PM (IBQGV)

39 Our cat Belle (RIP) would get high on olive jars or bowls that I used to eat the olives. So I looked it up when she first did it.

Cats can become attracted to olives due to a chemical compound called isoprenoids, which is similar to the active ingredient in catnip, nepetalactone.

I just looked up Rosemary.

Rosemary, like catnip, belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which is known for its aromatic qualities. If you have rosemary in your home or garden, it's best to supervise your cat's interaction with it. While small amounts of fresh rosemary are generally considered safe, large quantities can cause digestive upset due to the volatile oils.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 04:01 PM (sPQoU)

40 36 A cat cafe is a sus idea. Unless you think drinking coffee surrounded by cat piss and farts, and the potential to get scratched, is a good time. There’s a reason zoos smell like they do.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest

And a happy Saturday to you, too! 😂

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 04:01 PM (p4NUW)

41 32 Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 03:54 PM (pZEOD)

I am assuming embark is a genetic testing service? I need to do that with reef. I am starting to suspect there is some jack Russell terrorist in there.
Posted by: Aetius451AD

Yes. The other big one is Wisdom.

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 04:03 PM (p4NUW)

42
A cat cafe is a sus idea. Unless you think drinking coffee surrounded by cat piss and farts, and the potential to get scratched, is a good time. There’s a reason zoos smell like they do.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade

Shark Tank says nope.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 09, 2025 04:03 PM (63Dwl)

43 "A cat cafe is a sus idea."

My sister works at a Chicago cat shelter with a cafe. The cafe is a separate area, like a barista bar, where no cats are brought except upon demand. A five dollar donation gets you a free coffee and a half hour sitting with a cat. Their operation is astonishingly well-funded.

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 04:04 PM (0I+GC)

44 How to torment your dog (an oldie but goodie video).

https://is.gd/w4He9k

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convicitions at August 09, 2025 04:05 PM (9vYpt)

45 The insect photos last week seemed to be a bad fit for the Pet Thread, so I won't send any more unless somebody specifically asks for them.
Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 03:51 PM (0I+GC)

I found the insects interesting. I may not like them IRL, it is always nice to see them close-up. Maybe we need a once a month insect thread or something.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 04:07 PM (sPQoU)

46 Coco is adorable.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 09, 2025 04:07 PM (JvZF+)

47 I did not know cows like to be brushed that way.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 09, 2025 04:08 PM (JvZF+)

48 I took Boy F. to a cat cafe once and he loved it.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 09, 2025 04:09 PM (JvZF+)

49 43 Here's the link: treehouseanimals.org
I see the cafe donation has risen to $10.

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 04:10 PM (0I+GC)

50 I found the insects interesting. I may not like them IRL, it is always nice to see them close-up.
Posted by: Joyenz

You're a sweetheart, Joyenz.

Posted by: old chick at August 09, 2025 04:11 PM (F3Dlr)

51 A few words about dog DNA: be prepared for surprises. Our dog, Luna, is a red-coated dog who looks much like a Golden. The rescue had gotten her from her original owners who said she was a retriever mix.

We were so surprised by the results we got from Wisdom Panel that we had Embark analyze Luna's DNA as well. They confirmed it. She's American pittie, cocker spaniel, and rottweiler, plus some other random stuff. No retriever at all.

She is a beautiful, loving, smart girl and we wouldn't trade her for anything...but she's not what we thought she was when we adopted her.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at August 09, 2025 04:14 PM (FEVMW)

52 I took Boy F. to a cat cafe once and he loved it.
Posted by: Sanj Franpsycho

I always enjoy reading about Boy F and where he finds joy. You never know how many lurkers find happiness in your comments.

Posted by: old chick at August 09, 2025 04:14 PM (F3Dlr)

53 51 She is a beautiful, loving, smart girl and we wouldn't trade her for anything...but she's not what we thought she was when we adopted her.
Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey

A golden deceiver!

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 04:15 PM (p4NUW)

54 Predator in the parking lot.

https://is.gd/0N9DeZ

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 09, 2025 04:17 PM (L/fGl)

55 "So far my suspicion confirmed, kid with recent blue heeler, not really a puppy anymore, terrible dog trainer."

The one blue heeler I've ever met was frighteningly intelligent. A frustratingly talented escape artist, and a determined digger.

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 04:18 PM (0I+GC)

56 Our cat Belle (RIP) would get high on olive jars or bowls that I used to eat the olives. So I looked it up when she first did it.

Cats can become attracted to olives due to a chemical compound called isoprenoids, which is similar to the active ingredient in catnip, nepetalactone. . . .

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025

***
So *that* was why my boyhood cat Rusty loved slivers of olives as a treat!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 04:23 PM (omVj0)

57 The one blue heeler I've ever met was frighteningly intelligent. A frustratingly talented escape artist, and a determined digger.
Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 04:18 PM (0I+GC)

The only time I ever gotten bit by a dog was from a blue heeler. But it was not trying to hurt, merely get me away from his property. Did not break the skin, just nipped at me and barked a lot. Even so, in the future I took a different route home from school.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo at August 09, 2025 04:23 PM (0aYVJ)

58 I am assuming embark is a genetic testing service? I need to do that with reef. I am starting to suspect there is some jack Russell terrorist in there.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
*
Yes. The other big one is Wisdom.
Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025

***
Do they do cat DNA? Dagny I'm sure is 100% Siberian, but Stirling is another mess of pottage entirely. Though the mix has come out perfectly!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 04:25 PM (omVj0)

59 Predator in the parking lot.

https://is.gd/0N9DeZ
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 09, 2025 04:17 PM (L/fGl)

That was funny.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 04:25 PM (sPQoU)

60 Grew up with a cat that just LOVED Ben Gay. If you put it on, she would immediately sit beside you and start licking whatever spot you used BG on.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 09, 2025 04:27 PM (sAmhv)

61 "A golden deceiver!"

She actually is, but she's much more fun and unpredictable than a Golden would have been.

What's funny about dog DNA is that husband's sister just had the same experience with their newly-adopted puppy who was supposedly a boxer/retriever mix. Yep, neither one: supermutt, pittie, Russell terrier, and Pekinese. SiL about blew a gasket when she heard "Pekinese."

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at August 09, 2025 04:27 PM (FEVMW)

62 Some homes with cats reek and some do not have any bad smells. Perfumed "odor control" litter seems to make no difference except if it's smelly, it smells like a mix of stinky litter box and perfume.

Our litter box arrangement was low odor until our kitty got very old and couldn't cover his mess effectively any more. We used a flushable wheat berry litter for awhile (no perfume) and then switched to a plain (no perfume) clay litter later when we moved from an apartment. Both litters were naturally absorbent and the smell was completely eliminated as soon as the spot got buried. When we scooped, we put clumps in a small covered trash can until it could be transferred to our outdoor trash bin.

Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 04:29 PM (FMtrg)

63 Do they do cat DNA? Dagny I'm sure is 100% Siberian, but Stirling is another mess of pottage entirely. Though the mix has come out perfectly!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 04:25 PM (omVj0)

There is one called Basepaws that does dogs and cats.

https://basepaws.com/

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 04:30 PM (sPQoU)

64 This is the flushable litter we used:

https://www.swheatscoop.com/

Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 04:30 PM (FMtrg)

65 When we scooped, we put clumps in a small covered trash can until it could be transferred to our outdoor trash bin.
Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025

***
You gotta keep up with it, though. If you let a day go by between scoopings, esp. if you have two or more cats, things can get out of control.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 04:31 PM (omVj0)

66 29 I just watched a guy pull a #17 king salmon out of the water off the dock. Beautiful fish.

Posted by: nurse ratched at August 09, 2025 03:54 PM (uBGP/)

Have you ever gone fishing at Point Defiance in Tacoma? I've caught some interesting things and seen some interesting things caught there.

Me and another guy hooked a stingray once. He snagged a wing, it had my hook and bait in it's mouth. Wicked looking stinger at the base of its tail. Cut the lines and kicked it back in.

Same guy at a later time hooked a seagull in a wing when it tried to steal his catch. Tried to fly away with his fishing pole, had to cut the line.

An older gentleman caught a small shark. Cut the line and kicked it back in.

I once caught a large starfish which had to weight over 30 pounds, almost broke my fishing pole until my dad intervened and cut the line. Good chunk of that weight was sea weed. Thought I caught me a big fish, bleh.

I've only caught salmon once and it was at that pier. Sadly it was 2 inches too small and my dad forced me to throw it back in, he didn't want to lose his fishing license. Don't remember what kind of salmon it was.

Posted by: Farquad at August 09, 2025 04:32 PM (znbnV)

67 "Some homes with cats reek"

*Raises hand* I am presently tearing out all the wall-to-wall carpet in here, in anticipation of better smell.

There's also superfine clay dust all over.

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 04:32 PM (0I+GC)

68 When I would grade papers for one of my courses, my cat would come along and pick out a particular one and chew the corner. Same student every time. I had to stop leaving my grading work unattended.

Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 04:33 PM (FMtrg)

69 Thank you, Joyenz.

Posted by: Ib1netmon at August 09, 2025 04:33 PM (3tYRn)

70 There is one called Basepaws that does dogs and cats.

https://basepaws.com/
Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025

***
Thanks, Joyenz, but I think I'll apply that $75 to Stirling's food and vet bills!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 04:34 PM (omVj0)

71 When I would grade papers for one of my courses, my cat would come along and pick out a particular one and chew the corner. Same student every time. I had to stop leaving my grading work unattended.
Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 04:33 PM (FMtrg)
---
"Sorry. I can't give you a grade. My cat ate your homework."

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 09, 2025 04:34 PM (IBQGV)

72 Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 04:29 PM (FMtrg)

We use Feline Pine Litter. Gives the whole house a really nice pine scent. Never smell the poo or urine and the cats like it.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 04:34 PM (sPQoU)

73 I recall cat cafes originated in Japan as a way for the terminally apartment-bound to get some cat love in their lives. If anyone can keep a cat cafe clean, it is the Japanese. Those cats live like royalty.

When I visited Japan I didn't go to a cat cafe, but an *owl* cafe

They are very good about not stressing the birds, each one has a little ID card with how they like their human interactions (pet here and here, or no petting, or very soft contact). The other fun thing was the cafe was located in the trendy district next to Yoyogi park ... and the owls got taken for "walks" in the park, flying free for some outdoor time. And they always came back to the handlers, so I guess they were treated well.

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at August 09, 2025 04:36 PM (xvXg6)

74 About the cat cafe: They may have gotten the idea from outdoor cafes in Turkey, where street cats hang with patrons. Such cats also get handouts at deli counters, etc.

Posted by: KT at August 09, 2025 04:36 PM (7vIsy)

75 "I had to stop leaving my grading work unattended."

I have to cover up things I care about, lest a cat puke on them. Never leave a laptop open unattended. Don't leave books lying next to the bed. Etc.

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 04:36 PM (0I+GC)

76 Really enjoyed the pet pictures today. I could use a cow brush for the dogs that I occasionally have as guests.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at August 09, 2025 04:36 PM (gTHdJ)

77 You gotta keep up with it, though. If you let a day go by between scoopings, esp. if you have two or more cats, things can get out of control.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 04:31 PM (omVj0)

We had space in one of our bathrooms. Since we were in there anyway several times a day, we would scoop morning and night. The main issue was tracking litter. Our cat would go to great lengths to avoid any litter-catching mats.

Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 04:36 PM (FMtrg)

78 Thanks, Joyenz, but I think I'll apply that $75 to Stirling's food and vet bills!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 04:34 PM (omVj0)

Exactly why we have never tested some of our cats that we were curious about. Better ways to use that money.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 04:37 PM (sPQoU)

79 Was that squirrel raised from a baby,? How would you get a wild squirrel to act so tame? I guess some people are doctor doolittle

Posted by: JM in Illinois at August 09, 2025 04:39 PM (gTHdJ)

80 "Sorry. I can't give you a grade. My cat ate your homework."
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 09, 2025 04:34 PM (IBQGV)

I never did figure out why he was so obsessed with her papers. These were worksheets I printed to hand out, so it was some smell picked up from her hands or something.

Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 04:40 PM (FMtrg)

81 15 I guess it was Thyme for those cats to get high on Rosemary.
Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at August 09, 2025 03:40 PM (S/Y4j)
Love grows where my Rosemary goes......

Posted by: Eromero at August 09, 2025 04:40 PM (LHPAg)

82 I'm using a new litter that the cats both prefer: Tidy Cat Tidy Paws Low Tracking. It's gritty rather than sandy and it really does not track far beyond the litter box.

I keep a box with the old sandy litter just to be sure they prefer the new. They ignore it totally. FWIW.

Posted by: Wenda at August 09, 2025 04:44 PM (/MyY+)

83 Thin Man movies are racist. Mrs Asta caught cheating with a black dog.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at August 09, 2025 04:45 PM (2VRXy)

84 What's funny about dog DNA is that husband's sister just had the same experience with their newly-adopted puppy who was supposedly a boxer/retriever mix. Yep, neither one: supermutt, pittie, Russell terrier, and Pekinese. SiL about blew a gasket when she heard "Pekinese."
Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey

Guessing dog breeds in mixes is hard because those genes pop up in interesting ways. I also think shelters avoid putting pit down as a mix even when the dog’s eyes are in different zip codes, the tell tale pit mix sign. Luckily, just like genetics affect the look, so too does the behavior, and just because your dog has pittie in there doesn’t mean it is a future Cujo at all. My brother got a “lab mix”. I told him he wasn’t, and if he had lab in there at all I would eat a shoe. Turns out, he is pit /boxer/ super mutt with all kinds of breeds, like everything but lab! He is a very, very good boy.

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 04:51 PM (/sySz)

85 Florida firefighters rescue kitten stuck in engine compartment

https://tinyurl.com/catfdengine

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 04:56 PM (sPQoU)

86 And here is a short video of the dog Asta from "The Thin Man:":

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YKLCAHVKb0w

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 09, 2025 04:56 PM (2GCMq)

87 Speaking of good boys, I am going to take the doge for a walk down to the water before the rains hit. Have a good afternoon!

Posted by: Piper at August 09, 2025 04:56 PM (/sySz)

88 I have a 'little buddy' in my garden a squirrel all nicey nice. I I checked veggie plants for damage and there was none I put out a gourmet seed mix for it.Oh how cute. I went to the garden today and BOOM the only melon in my patch was laying away from its stem with chew marks. DOH!

Posted by: Captain Fantastic at August 09, 2025 04:58 PM (VPPG8)

89 And Asta was a Wire Fox Terrier who lived to be twenty years old.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 09, 2025 04:58 PM (2GCMq)

90 Florida firefighters rescue kitten stuck in engine compartment

https://tinyurl.com/catfdengine
Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 04:56 PM (sPQoU)
---
Nice feelgood story of the day.

My cat Kaylee was rescued from an engine compartment when she was just a kitten. Been a delightful kitty every since.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 09, 2025 04:58 PM (IBQGV)

91 I always enjoy reading about Boy F and where he finds joy. You never know how many lurkers find happiness in your comments.
Posted by: old chick at August 09, 2025 04:14 PM (F3Dlr)
====

Heh, thanks. He's a character.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 09, 2025 04:59 PM (JvZF+)

92 Piper, I found "Understanding Nutrition" by Whitney and Rolfes. It's pretty much what I needed. Please warn me if you think it unreliable. Thanks!

Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 05:00 PM (0I+GC)

93 Awww; What an adorable but scared looking kitten. I'm glad that it was rescued from the engine and found a new home!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 09, 2025 05:01 PM (2GCMq)

94 Posted by: Ib1netmon at August 09, 2025 03:26 PM (3tYRn

Sorry about Logan. It is always so very hard when beloved pets die.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 09, 2025 05:06 PM (2GCMq)

95 My cat Kaylee was rescued from an engine compartment when she was just a kitten. Been a delightful kitty every since.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 09, 2025 04:58 PM (IBQGV)

Way back in the olden times, by buddy's cat had fallen asleep on the engine of his dad's truck. His dad started the engine to go to work. Cat shrieked and bolted. Buddy's dad chased it down and took it took the vet. Bipper lost a front leg, from the fan, but lived for years afterward.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo at August 09, 2025 05:06 PM (0aYVJ)

96 Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at August 09, 2025 04:58 PM (IBQGV)

Awww, glad your cat was rescued.

Posted by: Joyenz at August 09, 2025 05:06 PM (sPQoU)

97 Whew. I did not nap past the Pet Thread today. Yay.

Dogsitting (again) for daughter & hub's two, while they're off to a family birthday party in Fairbanks this weekend. Daisy the magnificent Malinois is such a gracious hostess. Mostly. The ruckus when anything outside gets their attention is pretty deafening.

Ony the old black cat is not so sure about this having guest dogs. Actually it's just the one smaller dog, Maya, that makes her wary; I think Maya is curious about small girl-cat Ony because she's so much different than their two big boy-cats at home.

The two cats down at the former neighbors' house are getting more used to us. The normal-sized pale yellow that I call Buttercup lets me scratch her head, and has even let MiladyJo (who does the actual feeding every evening) pick him up. Must have been somebody's cat once. The smaller-than-Ony tortoiseshell, Rascal, does come out to eat now, but is still wary of us, especially of me. Rumor is that Rascal is mom to three kittens living under the porch, but I never see them; I'll collectively name them Schrödingers.

That's the Webworks Ranchero pet report for this week. Now to read the post & comments.

Posted by: mindful webworker - the cattle say "'lo." at August 09, 2025 05:14 PM (7W0uI)

98 Just heading back to my little slice of heaven. I took the boat and walked down the Seattle waterfront. They’ve been working on it for several years and it is stunning. Just beautiful. And PACKED.

Posted by: nurse ratched at August 09, 2025 05:21 PM (45Kkz)

99 Polynikes kittehs checking in late. Everything aok

Posted by: polynikes at August 09, 2025 05:24 PM (VofaG)

100 100!

Posted by: nurse ratched at August 09, 2025 05:26 PM (45Kkz)

101 Great photos of all the pets and glad to see the progress of the chicks.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 09, 2025 05:29 PM (2GCMq)

102 Ib1netmon, very sorry about Logan. I know you must be missing him very much. I too, hope that all my furry kids can find me somehow over the bridge. Thanks all for admiring our Stella, I will post what she is when the DNA comes in. We already think she may be part goat as I found her standing on the dining table this morning. People keep saying Rottie but we shall see. When we got Gigi they said she was a lab mix but when we got the results back she had no lab at all, Pittie, Rottie, Boxer and mutt. I am not afraid of the Pittie mixes, had a few great dogs already that were that, but they never say it at the shelter. Bertram Cabot Jr., the head is a fancy face mask, New Orleans style that was a gift years ago. Looks good on the bookshelf so there it lives.

Posted by: Weekreekfarmgirl at August 09, 2025 05:31 PM (dEfYQ)

103 Posted by: mindful webworker - the cattle say "'lo." at August 09, 2025 05:14 PM (7W0uI

It's very nice of you to dogsit ,mindful webworker .and I appreciate your affection and care for all the animals .

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 09, 2025 05:32 PM (2GCMq)

104 Noodus hobbyana

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 09, 2025 05:37 PM (omVj0)

105 Fine Moronamals this week.

Cat cafe: "Hudes is using his entrepreneurship degree and previous marketing experience…" My experience is that the real entrepreneurship education is experience entrepreneuring. Best of luck to 'em. I admit I wish back when we had our music cafe in the '90s that we had social media to attract attention. We did pipe our concerts online at AOL. Not a lot of listeners, but we had one in Australia, so that was cool.

Squirrel: I'd like to have a long video of all the different critters who get some pets and then grab at or otherwise encourage the humans to keep skritching.

Cattle really do like the cattle brushes.

Stella's face and colors look a lot like our son's dog Bandit, a Kelpie.

Don't think I'd want birds for pets, but that Phoenix is sure pretty, and it's such a good pic I could almost hear it.

Posted by: mindful webworker - known by the pets who keep us at August 09, 2025 05:37 PM (7W0uI)

106 Looks like Nelson the failed sheepdog could just have the sheep chase him to wherever they need to go.
Posted by: Emmie

Definitely does not have the shepherding instinct or technique. I'm thinking the sheep all think of it as a small sheep and they're playing with it… as a herd, because, you know, sheep.

Posted by: mindful webworker - known by the pets who keep us at August 09, 2025 05:49 PM (7W0uI)

107 The insect photos last week seemed to be a bad fit for the Pet Thread…
Posted by: gp

Maybe since they're not exactly pets, they'd fit in better in the garden thread? 🐞

Posted by: mindful webworker - they didn't bug me at August 09, 2025 05:53 PM (7W0uI)

108 64 This is the flushable litter we used:

https://www.swheatscoop.com/
Posted by: Emmie at August 09, 2025 04:30 PM (FMtrg)

"flushable litter"
No such animal. Do not flush litter of any sort.

Posted by: Reforger at August 09, 2025 06:00 PM (h5TUr)

109 How to torment your dog (an oldie but goodie video).
https://is.gd/w4He9k
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram

That really is the classic archetype by which all other voiceover animal vids are measured, including the prolific RxCKSTxR Comedy's.
https://youtu.be/vGbvCDpw_Uw

Posted by: mindful webworker - speaking for themselves at August 09, 2025 06:02 PM (7W0uI)

110 Correcting my own #97

The normal-sized pale yellow that I call Buttercup lets me scratch ~~her~~ his head…

Posted by: mindful webworker - didn't mean to misgender at August 09, 2025 06:17 PM (7W0uI)

111 Man, all my late comments, willowed, like tears in the rain.

Posted by: mindful webworker - old pet threads never die, they just fade away at August 09, 2025 06:21 PM (7W0uI)

112 Caught a bat in the house this week, first one in a decade maybe. I keep a sweep net handy for these, and caught and released him. A nice big one this time, with chestnut fur, black ears and wings. I stupidly failed to take photos

The insect photos last week seemed to be a bad fit for the Pet Thread, so I won't send any more unless somebody specifically asks for them.

My marmot spends part of every hot day lolling around on his cement slab. He looks like he really enjoys life.
Posted by: gp at August 09, 2025 03:51 PM (0I+GC)

My indoor cat caught a sparrow inside the house this morning, and killed it, but had not commenced to dismember it before I arrived on the scene. Critter must have crawled in under the bottom of the screen door, since all windows have screens. Birds inside the house are fair game. Props to cat.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 09, 2025 06:47 PM (Ux/Nh)

113 Thanks to all for the condolences about Logan.

My best boy.

Posted by: Ib1netmon at August 09, 2025 08:36 PM (3tYRn)

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