the bunny king

May 26, 2008 l 2 Comments

For being such a gregarious rabbit, Rex is incredibly camera-shy. I think he used to tolerate it more when Peanut was around because, let’s face it, Peanut LOVED the camera. But now he’s quite the snit when I whip out the camera and I’ve had to learn a few tricks, like using a zoom lens. I prowl for shots of Rex as I would for a photo of a wild animal or song bird. He keeps me on my toes.

Rex has been doing fairly well since the last update. The skin biopsy is still on hold, even though he does continue to lose some fur. His toes are bald, as is the base of his tail (don’t tell him I told you, but he looks like a poodle) Other than being a bit dry, the underlying skin isn’t itchy or looking irritated. So given that his attitude is still so upbeat, I think things are better left alone at this point.

He just happens to look a bit…scruffy.

the wisdom of cats

May 18, 2008 l 3 Comments

the wisdom of cats

Why sit next to something, when you can sit on top of it?

the gilded cage

May 16, 2008 l 5 Comments

The weather has been gorgeous lately. Warm days and mild evenings mean we have the windows open almost 24 hours. The cats clamor for the best seats, of course. The outside world is far too tantalizing to miss.

Tonight, as I sat at my desk, through the open window I heard a single, piercing scream. A cat.

And I knew from that scream that, in all likelihood, the cat had just been killed.

We live in a dangerous area for domestic pets, populated enough to worry about cars and trains yet still rural enough for coyotes and fishers to prey on small animals. The debate is ongoing over letting cats outside or keeping them in, and maybe there are places where cats have a better advantage. But I think it’s fair to say that some environments (like ours) are probably not ever safe for cats to be let out into.

Upon hearing the noise, of course, our feline family immediately rushed to the windows. When I see them so excited, a part of me feels badly that the closest they’ll get to nature is watching it through a mesh screen. Still, instances like tonight’s make me feel as though that minor loss is worth it.

What do you think?