Ace of Spades Pet Thread, March 21

Courtesy Russell Beers

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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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Mikan works as a stationmaster at the Ciaotou Sugar Factory Station on the Kaohsiung Metro in Taiwan.

He was originally a local cat who lived near the station, but the staff and passengers cared for him and he became the "face of the station".pic.twitter.com/cW2V4H343P
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) March 10, 2026

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Meet The PetMorons

Marcy
4 years ago she was found eating grasshoppers in a parking lot, when she was still a tiny kitten.
A lurker

Marcy has had some great care since she was a kitten, obviously. But she looks a little camera-shy!

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Mom’s wolfie Liath has crossed the rainbow bridge. She always waited so patiently for her to come home. She now waits on the other side of the bridge.
RITS

So sorry you and your Mom have lost wonderful Laith. Thanks for the photo and profile.

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PetMoron Adjacent Animals
Encountered by Members of The Horde

The weather and the wildlife seem like it’s May. Not March. The wild turkeys abound with the mating stupidity. So many things going on in nature around here. Happy first day of spring. I love the gardening thread. Thank you!
NorCal Sierra Foothills lurker.

Great photo! Happy First Week of Spring! Hoping that you like the Pet Thread, too!

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&&&

Spring is in full swing in Central Iowa, with all sorts of birds coming out. Sadly, nothing much to report on the garden front, although there seem to be tiny buds on all the fruit trees, so hopefully no losses over the winter.
Intrepid Liaison/Admiral Ackbar

A raptor and more turkeys waiting for some garden action! Thanks for sending them in. It must have taken some patience and/or luck to get those remarkable photos!

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&&&

Moose out front…
This is a younger bull that hangs around our place. When he’s not here an older mama and her yearling bed down there. My dogs object but not too strenuously. If the moose wanted to, they could jump the fence but the don’t. Detant.
tcn in AK

Wow! Big for almost-pets!

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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!

* * *

If you start feeling nostalgic, here a link to last week's Pet Thread, the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, March 14

I closed the comments on that 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 03:32 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Skritches to all

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 21, 2026 03:36 PM (Kt19C)

2 Happy Caturday everyone

Posted by: Skip at March 21, 2026 03:38 PM (Ia/+0)

3 Marcy looks like Tim Walz getting caught funneling money to Somalians.

Where is the catnip, and who did you give it to! TELL ME!!
-Jack Bauer

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 21, 2026 03:42 PM (zZu0s)

4 Nice pics of nice pets

Posted by: InspiredHistoryMike at March 21, 2026 03:43 PM (KaHlS)

5 Afternoon, Pet Folken!

Marcy looks, except for the green eyes, much like my Stirling. I have a pic of him taken when he was less than five months old looking very much like that. It was during his "one white whisker" phase -- a sort of punk look among cats, I suppose. I told him sternly that the one white whisker amid his total black ruined his looks. Fortunately the whisker fell out on its own.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 03:48 PM (wzUl9)

6 Robert Mueller died. May he rest in pieces

Posted by: TheCatAttackedMyFoot at March 21, 2026 03:48 PM (LOZbR)

7 Hey guys,

Sorry for the loss of Laith. Beautiful dog.

Marcy looks to have been caught doing something sneaky! Great picture.

I have done an update on our newest cat Hopper.

https://tinyurl.com/dg65258

I need more rest, so will catch up on comments later.

Posted by: Joyenz at March 21, 2026 03:49 PM (2F0/Y)

8 Y'know who else had a dog?

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 21, 2026 03:51 PM (Kt19C)

9 Meow

(the site has been locking up my laptop. not sure why it's especially buggy today)

Posted by: Puddleglum, drive by meow at March 21, 2026 03:53 PM (sAmhv)

10 Also this week, I continued with the Feline Pine pellets for the cats' litter box: poured out 3/4 of the standing box, then refilled only with the FP. To date neither cat has objected. It was much easier dumping that amount of clay. The plan is to dump everything next time, clean the box to the plastic, then refill with only the Feline Pine. That will be the acid, or ammonia, test.

By the way, today at Walmart I saw stainless steel litter boxes for sale. I didn't see the price on the shelf, though. Has anybody used one of those? Once I have my house, I plan to set up a second box for the furballs, perhaps in the basement, and a low-maintenance deal would be nice.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 03:53 PM (wzUl9)

11 We have the grandbaby here for the weekend! He is such an easy baby, really sweet, but he farts like a true descendent of DH. He farts in his sleep! And smiles about it.

The dogs are... confused. Ruby thinks it is a violation of her space, but she has been cordial nonetheless. Piper, the idiot, is really concerned when grandbaby cries. Gives him kisses on the ears. But, she also spends a lot of time outside, probably on moose patrol, but also I think because she objects to grandbaby sitting on DH.

Sunny and beautiful here, life is good.

Posted by: tcn in AK at March 21, 2026 03:54 PM (I40wl)

12 My cat Penny has taken the bold step of attempting to reclaim her lost territory.

For over three years she has stayed mostly in the bedroom/office of my house.

Just this week she's been going out into the living room and even into the sunroom. That's been Hexie's territory.

Good for her. She still doesn't like Hexie (growls at her), but Penny wants her territory back and they have reached an accommodation of sorts.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 21, 2026 03:55 PM (ESVrU)

13 Lots of wildlife this week!

Posted by: KT at March 21, 2026 03:55 PM (7vIsy)

14 The dog in the top picture looks almost exactly like my 14 year old Ralphy. I posted a few times but a few nights ago, about 3am in the morning, he fell off my bed!!

I thought he broke his leg and had to take a panic pill. I gave him one of his arthritis pain pills and he started to move around. Horrible limp.

I brought him to the vet stopping off at Arby's to get him meat in case that was his last meal. The miracle properties of Arby's meat brought him back like Lazarus. At the vets' office, I had the vet hold out the container for him. Limping but tons of life.

She examined him and gave him extra pills for pain. Twice a day. I'm not letting him climb any stairs for the two weeks. I'm carrying him in and outside and as I sit and watch tv, I lift him on and off the bed. He's only about forty some pounds.

He was already high maintenance but I have a new appreciation for him. He's doing remarkably well but I've commited to carrying him. So I don't get frustrated, I told myself we'll see how he is after 500 carries. 481 left.

I'm watching zombie movies in honour of Ralphy refusing to die. I told the vet he has a stronger survival instinct than I do.

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 03:55 PM (Sco7b)

15 And my friends beautiful cat Snowflake is taking advantage of the situation by coming in the house as I carry Ralphy in and out.

I actually have pictures taken today of her nestled between Ralphy's legs sleeping. At one point she was licking and grooming him.

I really have to commit to getting these pictures to the Pet thread.

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 04:00 PM (Sco7b)

16 My cat Penny has taken the bold step of attempting to reclaim her lost territory.

For over three years she has stayed mostly in the bedroom/office of my house.

Just this week she's been going out into the living room and even into the sunroom. That's been Hexie's territory.

Good for her. She still doesn't like Hexie (growls at her), but Penny wants her territory back and they have reached an accommodation of sorts.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 21, 2026

***
Stirling (male, altered, age four) has recently gotten rougher in his play with little Dagny (female, spayed, same age). He actually springs on her and wants to play roughly. (I hope it's play and not something else.) If I hear her cry I spray him with the water bottle and chase him off. She has her claws to fight back with, of course, but her reach is shorter than Stirling's. And she can hole up between the sofa and the end table, where he would be vulnerable if he ventured in.

I pray this is only a phase he's going through. Though altered, he is only twenty in human terms, and I suspect he still has some high-T to work off now and then.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 04:02 PM (wzUl9)

17 Every time I read "The Rainbow Bridge" , it gets so friggin' dusty in here!!!!

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at March 21, 2026 04:05 PM (dmDsy)

18 Interesting. Russell Beers (top photo) is my first cousin, have not seen him for at least 60 years.

Posted by: Great Plains Drifter at March 21, 2026 04:06 PM (mDkOn)

19 I bought stainless steel litter boxes but haven't set them up yet. I may have to buy another as one is perfect for moving wet sheeps' wool.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 21, 2026 04:07 PM (gQ15S)

20 OMG, NorCal Turkeys!!!!! Went on a hike in Henry Coe State Park in May and had a pair of turkeys, that were YELLING/WARBLING/GOBBLING at us because we had invaded THEIR space. Half hour of amusement!

-SLV

Posted by: Shy Lurking Voter at March 21, 2026 04:10 PM (7kJyR)

21 Perfect. I forgot. Pet thread. And so many people with cats.

Snowflake is a long haired cat. Since she's been outside, her fur is really matted. It's just fur.

Will this fall away as her winter fur sheds? I've never seen her like this.

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 04:15 PM (Sco7b)

22 19 I bought stainless steel litter boxes but haven't set them up yet. I may have to buy another as one is perfect for moving wet sheeps' wool.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 21, 2026 04:07 PM (gQ15S)

Wet sheeps wool for kitty litter?

Posted by: Eromero at March 21, 2026 04:17 PM (LHPAg)

23 What is disgusting garbage to us is dog treasure to them.
One of the reasons I don't let them roam around, they have to stay in the yard. Well that but also I don't want them bothering the neighbors or getting near the road.

Posted by: Case at March 21, 2026 04:21 PM (pvf3X)

24 19 I bought stainless steel litter boxes but haven't set them up yet. I may have to buy another as one is perfect for moving wet sheeps' wool.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 21, 2026 04:07 PM (gQ15S)

Do you keep sheep? DH is reluctant for me to get sheep. A friend has a flock of "tiny" sheep, and I think a pair of them would do nicely to trim the lawn, fertilize, etc. He thinks I'm nuts.

Posted by: tcn in AK at March 21, 2026 04:22 PM (I40wl)

25 Notso spins wool yarn, iirc.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 21, 2026 04:23 PM (zZu0s)

26 Will this fall away as her winter fur sheds? I've never seen her like this.
Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 04:15 PM (Sco7b)

Wolfus can probably give you a better run down, but if you cat mats up you may need to brush the cat, or comb it out. if it is too matted, then you may need to cut it out, or what I did with minor mats in my cat's armpits and groin, cut the top off and brush the rest out.
I use an undercoat shedding comb and an unused shoe buffing brush for my two long-hairs

The utube channel, Girl with the Dogs, has grooming videos.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 21, 2026 04:26 PM (rbvCR)

27 not really grooming videos, videos of her grooming dogs and cats professionally. Cats don't like it.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 21, 2026 04:29 PM (rbvCR)

28 Will this fall away as her winter fur sheds? I've never seen her like this.
Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026

***
She might be able to gnaw away some of those mats, but some she probably can't reach. I don't think they fall out on their own.

If she is amenable to it, you can cut some of them out with a scissors while she's eating or drinking. But if her matting is bad, she might need to be sheared -- the "lion cut," so that her body is trimmed back to velvet, but her head, legs, and some of her tail are still bushy-furred. I had to have that done to two of my cats.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 04:30 PM (wzUl9)

29 Wolfus can probably give you a better run down, but if you cat mats up you may need to brush the cat, or comb it out. if it is too matted, then you may need to cut it out, or what I did with minor mats in my cat's armpits and groin, cut the top off and brush the rest out.
I use an undercoat shedding comb and an unused shoe buffing brush for my two long-hairs

The utube channel, Girl with the Dogs, has grooming videos.
Posted by: Kindltot at March 21, 2026

***
That's better than I could have described it.

Fortunately my longhairs have had silky fur, not Persian style, so they didn't mat often.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 04:31 PM (wzUl9)

30 Posted by: Kindltot at March 21, 2026 04:26 PM (rbvCR

Thank you. I did cut a huge piece dangling from her ear but it was far away. The rest of the fur is really close to her body.

She's obviously comfortable with me so I'll probably go to the pet store and try to comb it out if it doesn't work itself out.

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 04:32 PM (Sco7b)

31
Y'know who else had a dog?
Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats

Odysseus

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at March 21, 2026 04:39 PM (Cqx++)

32 She might be able to gnaw away some of those mats, but some she probably can't reach. I don't think they fall out on their own.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 04:30 PM (wzUl9)

Thanks Wolfus. She's here now. I think you're right. Some of the furballs have seemed to disappear so she's probably worked them out.

She comes in here often enough for water and affection so I'll work on this. I never thought cats could be so affectionate. She'll rest in my lap watching tv.

And trying to type on the tablet with a cat in the way.....I get that now.

Thank you all.

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 04:41 PM (Sco7b)

33 Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked Robert Muller into hell.

Posted by: Cray Cray at March 21, 2026 04:42 PM (EES2L)

34 She comes in here often enough for water and affection so I'll work on this. I never thought cats could be so affectionate. She'll rest in my lap watching tv.

And trying to type on the tablet with a cat in the way.....I get that now.

Thank you all.
Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 04:41 PM (Sco7b)
---
Cats get a bad rep for being "aloof."

But that's highly misleading. When you've bonded with a cat, they will show you as much affection as any dog will.

Which can be annoying and inconvenient when they want to jump in your lap at an inopportune moment.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 21, 2026 04:43 PM (ESVrU)

35 She comes in here often enough for water and affection so I'll work on this. I never thought cats could be so affectionate. She'll rest in my lap watching tv.

And trying to type on the tablet with a cat in the way.....I get that now.

Thank you all.
Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026

***
Cats aren't pack animals, but they are social. Even ferals collect in colonies. And cats do become fond of "their" humans; perhaps even love us in their own peculiar way.

When Stirling has occupied my lap, I write, "Hard to type. Large black cat on lap. Send lawyers, guns, and money."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 04:44 PM (wzUl9)

36 My sister may have found a home for Zero G Babymonster. I'm kind of sad though since I've grown so fond of her.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at March 21, 2026 04:45 PM (yR41K)

37 Officer helps save a baby owl and then another person was saved. Video:

https://tinyurl.com/54y25pdb

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 21, 2026 04:52 PM (PFs9e)

38 Stirling has settled in my window in the hot sun, behind my blackout drapes. Little Dagny is still asleep atop my sweater on the bed.

It's time to put the sweaters away for many months.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 04:54 PM (wzUl9)

39 The gray shorthaired outdoor cat -- he's clearly not a feral, but his people let him roam -- stopped by for breakfast the other morning. He knows me by sight and will follow me from the parking lot, and if he's close and sees my door open he gallops up, crying.

I need to buy some less expensive dry food than the stuff I give my cats to put out for him.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 04:59 PM (wzUl9)

40 Watched a bald eagle feed its eaglets today.

Posted by: davidt at March 21, 2026 05:00 PM (Q+gd/)

41 When Stirling has occupied my lap, I write, "Hard to type. Large black cat on lap. Send lawyers, guns, and money."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 21, 2026 04:44 PM (wzUl9)

That's funny. And I get that now.

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 05:00 PM (Sco7b)

42 I think it was duckling for lunch.

Posted by: davidt at March 21, 2026 05:01 PM (Q+gd/)

43 Victor is that the little black cat? They're hard to let go of.

Posted by: skywch at March 21, 2026 05:11 PM (uqhmb)

44 I guess it's about time to feed my feline friends...

Then feed myself as well.

My general rule is that my cats eat before I do.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 21, 2026 05:13 PM (ESVrU)

45 I don't comment much, but I'm here most every day. For anyone following any of the comments I've left since last night, they just took mom back for surgery to remove part of her colon that's not getting blood flow. Prayers would be very much appreciated.

Posted by: tintex at March 21, 2026 05:14 PM (FM2we)

46 Prayers would be very much appreciated.
Posted by: tintex at March 21, 2026 05:14 PM (FM2we)

Of course.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at March 21, 2026 05:16 PM (zZu0s)

47 Tintex, prayers for your mom. And for you, too.

Posted by: sal at March 21, 2026 05:17 PM (f+FmA)

48 Prayers are sent.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at March 21, 2026 05:17 PM (yTvNw)

49 Lord, please guide tintex mom's medical team to a good solution and outcome.
Amen

Posted by: Eromero at March 21, 2026 05:18 PM (LHPAg)

50 Posted by: tintex at March 21, 2026 05:14 PM (FM2we)

Prayers for your mom for healing and her surgical team.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 21, 2026 05:19 PM (Nx5jP)

51 Snowflake is a long haired cat. Since she's been outside, her fur is really matted. It's just fur.

Will this fall away as her winter fur sheds? I've never seen her like this.
Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 04:15 PM (Sco7b)

Our Shadow is a short hair and gets matts in her fur every summer from rubbing up against the pine sap dripping from the floor joists of the garden shed.
I think ya'lls would eventually fall off, especially as it is winter fur.
Mr. S can't stand how she looks, so he stealthily clips away at them with various scissors while she's asleep.

Posted by: sal at March 21, 2026 05:22 PM (f+FmA)

52 Tintex- Prayers for you, your mom, and those caring for her.

Posted by: Barkingmad59, wandering lurkette at March 21, 2026 05:22 PM (Ts4/+)

53 No, I don't keep sheep although I used to have goats. I buy fleece. I am a little appalled at what folks sell on Etsy these days.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 21, 2026 05:22 PM (gQ15S)

54 Wolfus-have changed 2 of our litter boxes for steel. So much easier to scoop out, and neither you nor the cats can gouge them.

Posted by: Barkingmad59, wandering lurkette at March 21, 2026 05:25 PM (Ts4/+)

55 And Shetland sheep are small, some the size of a Labrador. There is a French breed that is smaller. Every time I looked at sheep at a fiber festival, the Shetland people would try to sell me one. One of my favorites as the fleece are small and come in all sorts of natural colors.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 21, 2026 05:25 PM (gQ15S)

56 38 Stirling has settled in my window in the hot sun, behind my blackout drapes. Little Dagny is still asleep atop my sweater on the bed.

It's time to put the sweaters away for many months.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere
.................................................
You need to ask Dagney for permission first. Know your place, kittuh staffer.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 21, 2026 05:26 PM (KpXjT)

57 The scissors on the small Swiss Army knife are great for cutting mats. Jake gets mud on the feathers of his foot amd it will harden up. I can use those scissors to cut them out. Would work wellon cats.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 21, 2026 05:27 PM (gQ15S)

58 Our lives were blessed by all the sweet kitties sharing our home since 1973. The last two mr coco rescued from the spca at age 9 and smilla a gorgeous chartreux 12 years with us. Missed always but never forgotten. Still finding kitty toys they left behind.

Posted by: kingsman at March 21, 2026 05:28 PM (ehY6c)

59 Posted by: tintex at March 21, 2026 05:14 PM (FM2we)

Done. I hope everything somehow works out for the best.

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 05:30 PM (Sco7b)

60 HOBBY NOOD

Posted by: Skip at March 21, 2026 05:31 PM (Ia/+0)

61 Thank you sal and Notsothoreau.

And everyone. Snowflakes sleeping in my lap now as we finish off a horror movie.

I find this hilarious since this isn't my cat....

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 05:33 PM (Sco7b)

62 Nice wildlife shots!

Our tom turkeys are in fightin' mode. There were some pitching battles on top of my roof, with their big dinosaur claws scrabbling against the shingles ((shudder)).

The groundhogs have come out from their burrows under my porch.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes. at March 21, 2026 05:35 PM (kpS4V)

63 I find this hilarious, probably because I'm not the one being chased by wild turkeys . UPS divert man chased by wild turkeys:

https://tinyurl.com/3ck8t4x8

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 21, 2026 05:44 PM (Nx5jP)

64 63- "divert"= "delivery"

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 21, 2026 05:51 PM (PFs9e)

65 Nood hobby

Posted by: Stateless at March 21, 2026 06:01 PM (Sco7b)

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