The Velvet Throne And The Very Ill Prince

   The Little Bayou House holds a wide variety of "treasures".  By anybody else's standards, these so-called treasures are mostly clutter.  By my standards...I do not care what others think...my house...my treasures.  That said, one has to have an understanding that these items should perhaps more properly be defined as oddities than treasures but it is all a matter of perspective.  I see them as treasures so that is how it is.  In the living room, there is a very old settee and rocker set.  The set is covered in red velvet which definitely not what one would think to find in a place like the Little Bayou House but I have it simply because it reminds me so much of my great-grandparents' house.  That set started the eclectic, eccentric theme for the whole room..."Anything Goes".  

  Mr. Bat, the Bayou Prince has recently been very ill.  The cat gave us quite the scare when he showed up one evening intensely lethargic and feverish.  A trip to the veterinary clinic found him with a viral infection and extremely dehydrated.  After a complete checkup, two shots and an IV, he was sent home.  The poor cat was miserable.  He slept...and slept...and slept.  For days there was nothing but sleeping...no eating, drinking, bodily functions nor movement.  Son and I tried to keep him hydrated with syringes of water but there was not much else we could do.  Days went by with no change.  We would be elated when he would sluggishly move from one sleeping spot to another. It has been heart-wrenching to see him in this state.  Thankfully, after a full week, he seems to be on the mend...I hope.  At least, he is a bit more mobile and is making attempts to eat and drink.  

   It was during that illness that the Bayou Prince found his throne.  Yep, the red velvet settee became a favorite sleeping spot.  It was either there or on a dining room chair.  Occasionally, he would rouse enough to change locations with the throne being his favorite in the late afternoon when the sun streamed through the west windows and warmed the settee.  He would stay curled up there until late evening and then move back to the chair for the night.  While some would argue that an ill animal should not be "on the furniture", I feel it is his house, too.  The Little Bayou House is his castle, hence, the settee can be his throne.  After all, if he is going to be a prince, Bat deserves a throne!  Get well, little one. You are using up those "nine lives" way too fast.  You have been through enough in your short life from being discarded like trash by your previous owner to being bitten by a cottonmouth and now this debilitating illness.  You can stay on your red velvet throne as long as necessary.

"My Chair"

   I made a mistake today.  I admit it.  I was wrong.  I was wrong to think that I could sit in the rocking chair for a few moments.  Obviously, this act is not accepted and should not be repeated.   I am referring to the purple porch rocker.  Bat, the Cat. has decided that he is the sole owner of this chair.  Granted, I started it by tying different toys to the arms and back of the chair but I had no idea what that would bring.  The chair is now his private domain and I am never to use it again.

  My mistake started when I was taking a break from the kitchen makeover.  I had to sit for a few.  As soon as I plopped myself down in the chair, the cat started staring at me.  Then, he "attacked"!  No, he did not claw nor bite but he did snag my sock!  That crazy cat nigh on pulled my sock off of my foot!  Then he pounced up on my lap and proceeded to try to push me from the chair.  Ok, Bat!  You can have your chair!  I will sit elsewhere.  He was satisfied and immediately started playing with the toys.  So much for sitting.

Worn To A Frazzle!

   Bat, the Bayou Prince Cat, is at that stage where he wants to be a bit rambunctious.  Well, not a "bit" rambunctious...a LOT rambunctious.  He starts at the crack of dawn and attacks about everything in his reach.  Mark bought a bag of cat toys thinking that would be enough to keep him occupied but that interested him for only about five minutes.  Then the rampage is on.  This keeps up until he literally crashes.  Then, and only then, he is a perfect angel!  He is sweet, calm and loving!  Oh, yeah, and asleep.

  Today was no different than any other day.  I admit that I am accustomed to old critters.  They, like me, move at a much slower pace.  Both Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen Cat, and Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess Cat, were settled and understood the rules.  The dogs, Ms. Ez and Mr. PJ were calm and easy going.   Not this nut!  What have I gotten myself into by agreeing to adopt this wild thing??  Hopefully, in a couple of weeks when he recovers from his "surgery", he will settle down and be a halfway decent friend but, as it is, he is quite the handful.  To be totally honest, I have had to resort to something I never used before.  Mr. PJ had a lovely (very large) crate that stayed in the storeroom for the entire time he spent with us.  Yep, Son pulled that crate and it is now a jail for when Bat gets too destructive or begins biting and clawing.  I am not used to crating an animal but I can handle only so much.   Worn to a frazzle...me!  ME!  I AM WORN TO A FRAZZLE....not the cat.  He is like that Energizer Bunny and just keeps on going....at high speed....constantly.  Bat, the Terror Cat of the Bayou!

He Is Home

   It is strange how much happiness and love can be shared between humans and animals.  While there are those who say animals do not have emotions, I will beg to differ.  They do.  They have as many emotions as humans do.  Anyone who truly takes the time to interact with critters understands this.  

  Take, for instance, the poor, little kitten that my son-in-law rescued and brought here.   When it came to the Little Bayou House, it was so malnourished and unkempt that we thought for sure it was only weeks old.  Instead, it was months old but had been starved and stunted.  Now, with love and proper care, the cat has flourished and has tripled its weight.  But, back to emotions.  The first night that the little fellow was here, he was so frightened that I held him all night.  Or rather, he held me.  He literally wrapped his paws around my arm and refused to let go.  We slept like that the whole night.  I got the idea that he was afraid that if he let go of me, he may wind up back on the streets.  Our poor, little throwaway cat wanted to have a home.

  Now, that he has come to know this as his home, he purely is blissful.  You can literally see in his actions that he is fully appreciative of his surroundings and of his new friends (us).  The cat tries his best to please us in every way and to show us his love.  Gentle pats from his paws lets you know that he cares.  He does not want anything when he does this.  He pats my arm or face then settles in next to me for a nap. Animals do show compassion.  Animals can show love.  People, on the other hand, sometimes forget how to have either.

  Folks, be kind do animals.  There is no reason in the world for them to be abandoned.  There is no reason in the world for them to be abused.  Just be kind.

On High Alert For The Marsh Monster!

  As a rule, the cat and I are the first to awake in the morning and it is our habit to spend a good ten minutes snuggling before either of us rises.  She loves to get her ears scratched before starting her day.  Then, Ms. Nycto decides that it is breakfast time so we venture into the kitchen for her to eat and me to brew the first pot of coffee of the day.  Our morning ritual rarely varies.  After her meal, she goes outside to wander the hillside.  She has to make sure that nothing has changed over the course of the night.  I usually head to the pier at the same time.  After a bit, the cat joins me and we head back to the Little Bayou House.

  This morning, things went as usual but when she trotted herself out the front door, she turned in her tracks and trotted right back up the steps, raced inside and hid under the big rocking chair in the corner of the room.  She was not budging from her hiding spot! Well, now!  I pondered what could have scared my sweet cat to the point that she refused to go outside.  I peered out in the near darkness of the early dawn and could see nothing intimidating.  Well, if the cat was not going out in the dark....I was not either!  This was a case of being led by a cat's intuition.

  About an hour later, she and I both headed out the door.  She was still leery but made her rounds as usual.  I did not go to the pier as I had chores to do in the garden and it was already getting late. She did but was not the happiest of cats.  Once there, she stared down into the marsh as if there was some monster hiding beneath the marsh mats.  Ms. Nycto was on high alert!  It did not take her long to scurry back up the hillside to be near me and, as soon as my chores were complete, she was ready to retreat to her hiding spot beneath the chair.  She made no noise about going out again all day.  

  I am still not sure just what frightened the cat so much that she refused to bask in the sunshine but something strange must have wandered about the yard last night and, perhaps, was still there this morning.  I may just have to set up the night camera to catch our "monster" in the act of traipsing around the hillside.  It would be interesting to find out what is out there!  My poor Ms. Nycto!  

Going Belly Up!

  The Bayou Princess came to us some six years ago and decided that the Bayou was a nice place to stay.  Obviously, she was a throwaway cat since she was infested with fleas and thin as a rail.  She came...she stayed...and I could not be happier.  I adore this cat and the feeling is mutual...during the winter months.  Any other time, she tolerates me.  Since she sleeps on the bed next to me, I tend to believe it is more a warmth thing than a "warm" thing.  She is seeking a warm place to spend the night and I am the only one to allow her on the bed.  She purrs loud and drools...a lot.  The bedding has to be changed daily.  Still, she is a comfort.

  To say the cat actually likes me is probably not fully the truth.  She adores Son and will hop off the bed in a heartbeat if she hears his footsteps in the hall.  I do believe, however, she is comfortable with me and, according to the so-called experts in the field of cat emotions, it must be so.  This afternoon, Ms. Nycto was huddled close to me as I edited some photographs.  She expected an accommodating hand to scratch her ears occasionally but was not wanting my full attention.  Suddenly, she bounced off of the sofa and plopped down on the rug.  It was only a few moments later that she was belly-up.  This cat has a weird habit of sleeping with all four paws in the air.  This afternoon, she was not sleeping but just lounging.  Her tail was swishing side to side.  According to those experts, if a cat is belly-up in your presence, it means she feel comfortable and relaxed.  Obviously, Ms. Nycto did not feel threatened this afternoon as she stayed in this position for almost an hour....until she heard Son coming down the hallway.  Bounce! Up she hopped!   She raced to meet him, meowing all the way.

She's Back!

  She is back!  And she is most welcome to stay.  Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess, has a way of endearing herself to those that are lucky enough to earn her favor.  If she likes you, she lets you know.  If she does not, she ignores you.  I have been "chosen" as the indoor second in favoritism.  She has been quite straightforward that Son is her "first".  She adores him so much so that she follows him everywhere.  But, as I said, I am the second favorite....while she is inside...and it is cold.  Then, she is "my" cat.

  All winter, Ms. Nycto elected to sleep at the foot of my bed.  This is nice as I am notorious for having cold feet at night.  I guess the circulation is poor or I am lacking certain vitamins...whatever.  The cat and her long fluffy fur went a long way in keeping me comfortable on winter nights.  Along about 4am, however, Ms. Nycto would worm her way up near my face for an hour of snuggles before fully demanding that I feed her.  We had a ritual of sleep, snuggles and snacks.  It was perfect for the two of us!

  Then, spring bounced in and my fickle cat moved herself upstairs to the guest bedroom.  There, she sprawled out on the queen-sized bed and the "Princess" became her own grand self.  I felt abandoned.  So much so that for several nights, I could not sleep.  I missed her presence.  I missed the loud, all-night purring.  I missed my foot-warmer and my alarm clock.  It did not seem right to be able to squirm about the bed without worry that I might kick the cat.  

  Well, that lasted for about two weeks.  Mother Nature is playing a trick on us by sending us an April Fool's joke.  The days are dreary rain and the nights are cold again.  I love it!  Why?  Because Ms. Nycto is back next to me again.  Her purring is soothing and my feet are warm.  There is nothing like a cat to make things seem perfect with the world.

Never Rely On Shadows!

  The old dog and I try to make several short hikes throughout the day.  He is just not up to taking long hikes any more.  Our last walk of the day is always just as the sun is setting.  The trees cast long shadows about the place and make it sort of ethereal!  I enjoy these strolls just about as much as the early morning ones.

  This afternoon, we made it back to the steps just in time for the sun to cast shadows of old Mr. PJ.  While he was waiting patiently for me to open the screen door, I had to giggle at what the sun was doing to his shadow.  Mr. PJ is all dog.  He a big, gruff old dog that definitely shows his "bulldog" side.  (He is a mixed breed animal which are the best kind ever, if you ask me!)  Anyway, even though the old dog is massive and very "dog-like", his shadow resembled a cat!  Yep.  A CAT! Or, at least, my imagination says it is a cat!

  So, folks.  Do not trust shadows to ever be truthful!  Sometimes what you see as one thing is simply not so.  In fact, what you see may be just the opposite of what is actually there.  Poor, old Mr. PJ would probably be distraught to know he has a shadow of a kitty cat following him.  I won't mention it and let him be the fine fellow he truly is.

Lurking Overhead...

  Yesterday's post was all about things lurking in the shadows on my morning hikes.  One can never be too careful when out before the sun rises.  That time of day sees most critters out and about. While I am not overly worried about my wild critters, those of the two legged sort would give me the jitters if I ever came across one.  Nowadays, people are scary!  I am thankful that I live down on the Bayou and not up near the main road.  Sometimes, swampy areas are a blessing.

  This morning, it was not a critter lurking in the palmettos or marsh that gave me cause for concern.  Just before the sun came up over the pines on the opposite side of the Bayou, I heard something on the rooftop!  What was creepy-crawling around up there?  Easing my way out the back door, I soon found my answer.  Two large, green eyes peered through the darkness at me.  Silly cat!  How did you get up there?  Ms. Nycto was stranded atop the house!  Earlier, I had heard a ruckus near the front door and figured there was some cat fight about to happen.  It never did and, obviously, it was because Ms. Nycto did a fancy escape.  She had climbed the oak tree next to the house, made the leap to the roof but then had no idea how to get down.  She is notorious for that.  More than once, we have had to come to her rescue.  This cat is not a fighter...nor very agile about climbing (at least, climbing down!).  Son had to let her in the upstairs window because she was not about to find her own way off the roof.

  The catfight began because there is a feral cat in the area.  This scraggly yellow cat is grubby, skinny and mean.  It will howl and hiss at anyone nearby and threatens other cats (and small dogs).  This morning's episode is the third time that Ms. Nycto has been "treed" by the feral cat.  Enough is enough!  It sure makes me wish that Ms. Put (the Bayou Queen) was still alive.  She never tolerated such misconduct and would have put the rogue in his place.  Many times, this tiny, six pound cat would reprimand (by literally mangling) wrongdoers that came to the Bayou to stir up trouble. I sure miss that little spitfire!  Ms. Nycto has no protection now other than the rooftop.  She needs to learn to stay inside where it is safe!

My Throne Is Missing!

  The Bayou Princess is missing her throne.  Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess Cat, has claimed the throne room (aka side deck) since the death of the Bayou Queen.  When Ms. Put was alive and well, she reigned over the entire Bayou and...what she wanted...she got.  The princess conceded many times to the elderly queen even though they were unrelated and had only known each other for a few years.  (Both were throwaway cats that arrived on the Bayou at different times. Both stayed.)  Since the demise of the Bayou Queen, one would think that the Bayou Princess would take the crown. She has not.  Even though she is treated royally, she has not learned to reign in the stead of the queen.  Still, she laid claim to the deck and the old bench.  This was the throne and since no queen was ever crowned, the Ms. Nycto figured it was hers.  Good enough.  She would while away the hours snoozing on the old bench. If anyone neared, she would hiss and dart into the jasmine.

  This was all fine and dandy until last week, when we dismantled the deck.  Its time had come as it had become nothing more than a catchall for fishing gear and gardening tools.  The bench was moved to the side and the boards removed.  Now, a large empty spot sits where the deck once was.  The boards, however, are still in a pile waiting to be hauled to the back of the shed where a new deck is to be built.  Ms. Nycto was confused, to say the least.  The first morning after the deck was removed, she darted out the door and headed straight to the nonexistent deck.  She was bewildered.  Where was her throne??

  This afternoon, I went out to find Ms.Nycto relaxing on the pile of deck boards.  Her throne room had been demolished, her throne removed but she was still the Bayou Princess and she would lay claim to anything that her heart desired...the pile of boards was hers.  She is learning...slowly but surely.

Seeking Solace

    For the past few weeks, Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen, has been feeling quite poorly.  Her malady started with a bite from some unknown critter and escalated quickly into a life-threatening ordeal.  The twenty-two year old cat's immune system just could not fight this entity that had invaded her body. After several frantic visits to the vet, messages to a kind vet friend in Boston and many doses of medicines, all that was left was prayer.  My sweet old cat was struggling to live and my heart was breaking.  But she is tough.  Although we had discussed the "what-ifs" and had made a decision if things were not soon improving, she fought. It was her spirit that made that decision be delayed.  I could not make the call to end her life.  I am glad I did not.  My tough old kitty started improving.  While she is still not out of the woods, things look vastly brighter.  

  For weeks, the old cat stayed (by her choice) in the entryway.  She slept most of the time and ate very little.  Then one morning, after receiving yet another dose of medicine, she wanted to go into the main part of the house.  Yep, of course you can!  She wandered about a bit then eased her way into the living room where Mr. PJ, the dog left in our charge, was sitting.  Ms. Put cautiously entered the room, cleaned herself then settled down just a few feet from the large dog.  Mr. PJ eyed the old cat and slowly edged toward her.  He gently laid down on the floor next to her and sniffed.  After a few moments, both the cat and the dog were at ease.  The ailing cat seemed to seek solace from the only critter friend she had left.  The two old friends laid side by side for hours. 

 Ms. Put still goes into the entryway each night but during the day, she wanders into the living room to be by PJ.  The comfort of being by him seems to be working wonders.  She appears to feel stronger and stronger each day. The wound still has not completely healed but she is making progress with the help of an old friend.  Sometimes that is what it takes.  Knowing that someone cares is a great medicine.  Hopefully, Ms. Put will continue to heal and will be around for a long time yet.  It is hard to imagine the place without her.

The Apparition

  There are some wild tales that attach themselves to areas like the Bayou.  Some are true. The Bayou has long been the scene of a few unusual events such as plane crashes, gator attacks and "Bayou Critters".  The stories behind these are fodder for a different time. Others are purely fictional.  These are yarns that abound in the dark corners of the brain and come spilling out the mouth when there is a willing and gullible victim...err...visitor.  I have been known to stretch the truth, create illusions or otherwise embellish a story until it suits my needs.  Keep in mind, that these tales are purely for entertainment and the listener is always clued in before they leave the Bayou.  Storytelling is something that has run in the family for generations so I come by it naturally.  Sometimes, however, a good story is just plopped into my lap purely by accident.  What makes for a believable tale is an unaltered photograph. That is undeniable TRUTH right there!  Fabricating a good story about a picture is simply a matter of a few twists and turns of the imagination. 

  With Halloween not far from being upon us, my thoughts have turned toward decorations.  One of the illusions that has always fascinated me is called "Pepper's Ghost".  It is a technique named for John Henry Pepper.  By using reflective material, he would create "ghosts". This was used on stage and sideshows way back in the mid 1800s.  I have always longed to create my own illusions using the technique but have yet to try.  Until now.  Now, I have my own "Pepper's Ghost" but just not the one that goes with the name.

  A few months back, my son-in-law called with a "huge favor".  He asked if I would mind keeping a cat for a few hours.  He and my daughter had just adopted another "throwaway cat".  Robbie had taken the cat to the vet for its shots and then had to go to work.  Of course, the cat could not teach dance with him so I wound up babysitting the kitty.  Pepper is a sweet kitten so that was not a problem.  What was a problem was trying to get her to sit still long enough for me to photograph her. (I cannot resist a photo opportunity with any critter!) This kitten is rather active and was exploring the house as soon as Robbie left.  My trying to catch her image was difficult.  The photographs were all "ruined" because she was antsy.  Ruined for most folks.  Perfect for my imaginative tales.

  I figure that I can use my cat photos to my advantage.  The wiggling of the kitten made for the perfect "apparition" to be caught on camera!  Not many folks can claim to have photographed a ghost!  A tale of the ghostly cat has been rattling around in the brain for a few weeks now, so I am sure that some day soon, I shall not be able to hold the tongue and the tale will emerge in its full glory!  

Curious Pepper!

  Well, folks!  It is raining....AGAIN!  The rain gauge read five full inches from midnight to 7am.  That is a lot of rain! Things are flooded and there is no end in sight.  It has rained all day and is predicted to do so for the next couple of days.  Then, after a brief respite of one day, the week ahead looks just as wet.  All of this rain (and a sore back from cleaning the Frog Pond) kept me inside today.  I was just starting to get bored when I received a phone call from my son-in-law.  He was at the vet's office with yet another "throwaway" pet that my daughter rescued. Since they use the same vet as we do, he was just minutes away from the Little Bayou House.  "I have a huge favor to ask....Can you watch Pepper for me for a few hours while I go to work?"  Could I?  Yay!  I had something to entertain me for the day!

  So Pepper came to the Little Bayou House and immediately claimed it as her own.  While Ms. Put, the old Bayou Queen, snoozed in the entryway and Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess, insisted on staying out in the rain, the little visitor kept me company.  She explored the living room from top to bottom.  Every piece of furniture had to be inspected, every inch of floor sniffed and every nook entered.  It was not long before she realized that she could walk the window ledge and get between the blinds and pane.  At first, she was content to eye the squirrel that lives in the oak tree near the house but when she discovered that her field of view was vastly increased by standing, she was a happy camper!  At that height, she could see over the fence.  This opened up a whole new world of sights.  

  Watching the little cat explore did, indeed, make the dreary day a lot brighter.  Had Robbie not brought Pepper by for a visit, the day would have been quite dull.  It is amazing how our critter friends bring happiness into our lives.  Thank you, Robbie, for sharing this precious (albeit curious) cat with me!

Working for the Title!

  Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess, is by far the most unsuitable cat to claim the Little Bayou House as her home.  She is definitely NOT a Bayou Cat.  She is a house cat...a big, fluffy lap cat....a spoiled rotten ornament of a pet that just happened to be abandoned at some point by her previous owners.  They dumped her at our place and drove away in haste.  What choice did the throwaway cat have but to come begging at our doorstep? Still, she has endeared herself to us and we took her in as one of our own.  No problems....except that we sort of thought she should act like a cat.  Nope.  Not happening.  She is a still a big ball of fluff that has yet to learn the ins and outs of being a working cat which comes to the problem.  When living on the Bayou, everyone (or everything) has to earn its keep.  We all have our "jobs" and try to complete them with some sort of adequacy.  Ms. Nycto was expected to follow in the footsteps of our other rescued cat, Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen.  She had not.  This sweet cat has yet to catch her first rat, mouse, vole, mole or squirrel.  She has not figured out how to keep birds from the fruit trees or squirrels from the tomato plants.  She has not figured out how to do anything except look pretty....and purr.

  However!  However, today, was a different story! Sort of...maybe...perhaps accidentally.  Ms. Nycto was suffering tremendously by the onslaught of mosquitoes.  The poor baby's ears were being chewed to the point of being bloody.  I bought some (very expensive) medicine to coat her ears.  This was supposed to repel all biting bugs.  I can see why.  This stuff stinks.  It sort of smells like an eucalyptus tree vomited on the poor cat.  But it does indeed work. Somewhat.  That said, Ms. Nycto decided to take things into her own hands...err...paws!  She has now claimed the raised herb/carrot garden as her personal spa/bed.  She spends most of her time snoozing in the corner of the bed letting the highly scented herbs do their job.  Smart cat..or at least smarter cat.  I am happy to see her smashing a few of the basil, carrot and oregano plants.  She is doing an untold service.

  The raised herb garden sits between the two large fig trees.  Prior to the change in the cat's sleeping quarters, every bird within the county was feasting upon the ripe figs.  I was getting very few for my yearly stockpile of fig jam.  The pantry would remain bare at this rate.  That all changed once the cat claimed the raised garden as her favorite spot. The birds are wary of the black blob of fur and the figs remain in tact. So, inadvertantly, the cat has been doing her job!  If only she knew how well she was protecting my fruit, she would be proud as a peacock! Good job, Ms. Nycto!  Keep it up and you just may well earn the title of Bayou Cat!

 

She Is Unique...

  Ms. Nycto is the strangest cat that we have ever rescued.  She came to the Bayou a few years back as a "throwaway pet".  (Don't get me started on how I feel about people who dump their pets out like trash...ugh!) She was extremely malnourished, flea infested and matted.   It took a week of coaxing before we could ever gain her trust.  Poor baby.  Now, she has established herself as "Princess of the Bayou" and reigns as supreme only under Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

  Still, she is strange.  I have never known a cat that loves rain, sleeps belly up while in the rain and does not hunt.  She also has an habit of choosing odd snoozing spots.  I never know where I will find her. One of her favorite spots is the porch railing.  This is not too weird except for the fact that she straddles the rail. Her legs dangle on either side of the board with her tail twitching back and forth on either side.  She will sleep for hours like this....rain or shine....day or night.  So far, I have not seen her lose her balance and take a tumble.

  Even with her quirkiness, Ms. Nycto fits in quite well here on the Bayou. With all beings, I have found that eccentricities make each of us unique and that is a good thing.  Ms. Nycto is definitely unique and, yep, I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Throwaway Pets

  Once again, the Bayou seems to have been the dumping grounds for someone who decided that they do not want their pet any longer.  It aggravates me...more than I wish to say.  Who in their right mind would just throw away a family member?  And who in their right mind would think that the pet can survive without help?  After being cared for their entire life, critters become dependent on that care and suffer tremendously when tossed out like garbage.  Yep, it riles me....A LOT!  Another gorgeous cat has come to the Little Bayou House seeking help.  As much as I do not need another cat, I will feed the poor animal.  I will take up where someone else is hatefully slacking.
  
  Not long ago, I noticed a cat that held to the bushes back behind the canebrake.  At first, I thought, perhaps hoped, that the cat was just wandering and had a loving home somewhere.  Obviously, that was not the case.  The cat never left.  It was too scared to trust me and would slink off into the underbrush whenever I approached.  Whenever I fed our two cats, an extra bowl would be set for the outsider.  Now, fast forward to this week.  Progress has been made.  While I still cannot pet the lonely animal, he, at least, lets me get within a few feet of him.  I am in hopes that soon I can befriend yet another feline and help it to a better life.  

  The good news is that Ms. Put (the Bayou Queen) and Ms. Nycto (the Bayou Princess) do not seem to mind this newcomer.  While they squabble among themselves, they tolerate him.  (Well, while Ms. Nycto squabbles.  Ms. Put has gotten to the age where she is deaf, has poor eyesight and sleeps most of the time.  She ignores the young princess and I do not think she is even aware that the interloper is on the hillside.)                            

  So, once again, some stupid, hateful person has thrown away a perfectly charming pet and, once again, I will come to the aid of a poor, abused animal.  This never ends.  I guess the Bayou is just the dumping ground for throwaway pets.  It seems as if I had better start thinking of a good name for this handsome fellow.

*Mark took this great picture of the newest wannabe resident of the Bayou.  Hopefully, the cat will let us help him.

I'm Cold!

  While I do love winter and while I do understand that most of the country is far icier that we are here on the Bayou, I am cold.  I stay cold.  Perhaps this is due to whatever ailment has an unrelenting grip on me but I feel the cold this year.  My feet, legs, shoulders all seem akin to ice cubes!  Most winters, I am good with the two cast iron cookstoves providing the only heat in the Little Bayou House.  Even though it rarely gets above 60 degrees inside (except when I bake), a t-shirt and jeans provided enough warmth.  I admit that I am not as cold-hardy as Son.  His winter-wear is the same as his summer togs.  Shorts and a t-shirt see him through all seasons.  Unless he is splitting firewood, he does not even wear shoes!  This year, I have tried donning a sweater thinking it should help to warm me but I still "shake in my boots"!  I have tried all sorts of warming tisanes...no help.  I am just cold...downright cold!

  However!  Someone recently came to my rescue.  The past few nights have seen the temperatures drop to near freezing causing the house to cool dramatically.  At night, the blankets on the bed have raised to mountainous extremes.  Three deep and I am still shivering!  But my guardian came to visit and all is well.  Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess cat, rarely comes inside but for the past few nights has insisted on entering and being near me.  She practically clings to me at all times.  Which is good.  She has been sleeping on the bed (actually on my feet) and is like a living bed-warmer.  With her help, I have managed to sleep soundly and warmly.  During the night after she thinks I am asleep, Ms. Nycto softly pads her way up to cuddle near my chest or against my back.  Ahhh!  Relief!

  Growing up on the farm, animals were not allowed in the house except when some plate of food or bottle of milk was accidentally spilled. Then either the dog or cat was allowed in to help clean up the mess.  (Waste not, want not...if we could not eat whatever was spilled, at least one of the critters would feast.)  Since I grew up thinking animals should stay outside, it almost surprises me that I am ok with one sleeping on the bed with me.  Maybe I should not look upon Ms. Nycto as a mere animal, maybe she is my doctor in this case. Her presence is helping to heal me.

  The only thing bad about having this cat in the house is that the other cat, Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen, is a bit skeptical.  In her frail, later years, Ms. Put has been allowed to spend all of her time sleeping in front of the wood stove.  The old cat can hardly see, hear or smell anymore so being outside with the coyotes, fox or even the owls is out of the question.  Ms. Put and Ms. Nycto have never been buddy/buddy.  They do not like each other or even tolerate each other.  Having both in the house at the same time is like treading on thin ice.  I am waiting for a full on cat brawl to erupt in the middle of the night.  Hopefully, Ms. Put will stay in the dining room and Ms. Nycto will not venture off my bed.  A cat fight is not something that I feel up to refereeing.   I'm too cold for that!

It Saddens Me

  It makes me sad.  No.  While it does indeed break my heart, it also makes me mad....very mad.  I just do not understand people.  Yes, we all have a breaking point where our emotions get the best of us and we are prone to our fits of anger.  We are human.  BUT..that does not give anyone an excuse to be abusive.  The local news had two reports of terrible animal abuse in as many days.  One a dog, the other a cat.  These reports were not showing some animal that may have been a bit underfed (which is terrible in its own right) but rather violent abuse to the point that the videos are difficult to watch.  It sickens anyone with an ounce of goodness in their hearts to see something so terribly treated. The dog was thrown, slapped then punched in the head repeatedly. Twenty to thirty hard punches made contact with the poor animal's head. The cat was trapped in a small cage and had boiling liquid (presumably oil) poured on it.  I cried.  I literally cried for these poor animals.  Neither could escape.  Neither could fight back. Both have life threatening injuries and may not survive.  What kind of people could be so hateful? In the cat video, you could hear laughing in the background.  In the dog video, a young child was witnessing the act.  Also, while the dog video was caught on a surveilance tape, someone actually filmed the cat abuse.  How could they merely video it and not try to stop it? They are just as guilty as the abusers.

  After seeing the hatefulness in the news videos, I thought about the two cats that call the Bayou their home. They chose to live with us and, yes, can be a bit of a nuisance at times.  They squabble incessantly with each other, have accidents in the house and scratch everything but nothing they do could ever call for the treatment that the animals in the news endured.  Even the three feral cats that roam the area would never receive such abuse.  While the feral cats are not pets, they are fed and are allowed to shelter under the deck or shed (these are their preferred sites).  Ms. Put (the Bayou Queen) and Ms. Nycto (the Bayou Princess) have my heart and are pretty much pampered even with all of their fickleness.  

  On an added note, the dog abuser has turned himself in to authorities and will be punished.  The folks in the cat video have yet to be identified but since the video does show their faces, I am sure our local police will have them soon.  Hopefully, all of these hateful people will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.   It saddens me...but, at the same time, I am so thankful for our police who are diligent in catching these folks.  

The Queen of the Bayou...Long May She Reign

  As we age, things change.  Our appearance, our tastes and, most of all, our senses and abilities.  It is the same in the critter world.  Wild animals have relatively short lifespans while domesticated pets live longer. Obviously, this is due to the care we give our pets. This is true for all pets but I am referring specifically to cats.  If all goes well with a domesticated cat, it can live to a ripe old age...indoors.  If the cat is an outdoor pet, its lifespan is significantly shorter.  Why?  Well, not only is it exposed to wild critters that can injure it or can infect the pet with disease causing bacteria, there is always the human threat.  More cats meet their demise being hit by a car than we think.  It takes a pretty savvy cat to avoid the treacherous roadways since cats are curious and always on the roam.  While an indoor cat usually lives at least 15 years (some up to 25), a cat that spends most of its days and nights outside, never reach that age....usually.

  Ms. Put came to the Bayou some 20 plus years ago.  She was a wee kitten that had been ruthlessly tossed from a moving car.  At first, I can imagine she was quite disoriented, dazed, hurt and confused.  Once she gathered her wits about her, she made the long trek to the Little Bayou House.  Her walk took her through the muckiest part of the creek and down through the back of the Bayou.  She had to climb through brambles, over downed trees and through mud that could have sucked her completely under.  She did this while trying to avoid predators that were waiting at every step.  Fox, coyotes, bobcats, hawks, snakes, alligators, even raccoons and snapping turtles would have taken a lunge at her given the chance but she finally came to the clearing behind the house.  Here, she was not sure if the people would be hateful like her previous family or if they would take pity on her.  She was so hungry that she took the chance.  

  It took (daughter) Elizabeth hours to finally convince the tiny kitten to lap a bit of milk.  Then, as Elizabeth reached out to stroke the little animal, the soon-to-be-named "PuttyTat" bit her hand!  That did not deter the little girl from snatching up the kitten and bringing her inside to announce that "We have to keep her!  She bit me!" (That seems to be the prerequisite for keeping any cat around here!) The kitten's name was shortened to "Put" and she soon settled in to call the place home.  At the time, we had no idea what we were getting into.  It was weeks later, that we discovered that instead of adopting one cat, we had inadvertently adopted two.  Put's identical brother was here, as well.  What were we to do but keep him, also?  He was dubbed "Tup" which was Put spelled backwards.  Two for the price of one, I suppose. The kittens joined the family...oh, so long ago.

  Well, kittens and kids have a tendency to grow and mature.  The little girl grew up and moved away, Tup grew up and roamed such as male cats are prone to do but Put grew up and stayed.  Eventually, I started calling her Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen, as she ruled the whole place.  The cat became such a part of our family that, to this day, whatever she wants is law.  She is a beautiful part of this family.

  But now comes the sad part.  Ms. Put has aged far past that playful age and she is starting to show a bit of wear and tear.  Her eyesight is failing, her hearing is gone and her sense of smell has diminished.  Her days are spent sleeping on the wicker lawn chair while her nights are spent sleeping near my bed.  She still has a healthy appetite but that has changed from hunting her own to being fed specialty cat food.  We do whatever we can to make her remaining time with us comfortable.  At least she is still relatively healthy....old...extremely old but healthy. I love this old cat and dread the day when she will no longer be with us.  Funny how animals can worm their way into our hearts. The Queen of the Bayou....Long May She Reign!

All Snuggly!

  It was another rainy, chilly day here on the Bayou making it one of those days where it is best to stay inside.  I did and I admit that a lot of chores were accomplished!  These chores were things that never seem to get done if the weather is pretty.  It was also one of those days when the critters decide to stay inside as well.  This is usually not a problem as long as they stay in different rooms.  Back when Ms. Ez, the old Bayou Dog was around, I never had to worry which cat stayed with her.  She got along well with both.  It is the two cats that do not seem to tolerate each other's company.  Ms. Put and Ms. Nycto will hiss and howl at each other if they are within spitting distance.  So the Bayou Princess, (Ms. Nycto) stays in the living room while the Bayou Queen (Ms. Put) has free roam of the rest of the house.  Works fine. 

  In one corner of the living room, I have an old workbench from Pop's shed.  I use this as my desk.  Behind it sits my nice comfy chair complete with a fleece throw.  Until today, Ms. Nycto has preferred sleeping on the sofa.  She has always curled up on a soft fleece blanket and snoozed the day away.  Until today....those are the key words here.  Today, the Princess has decided that my chair is her new bed of choice...even when I am sitting in it!  She has no problem being behind my back and, actually, I am benefiting by her presence.  She is warm!  I now have my very own, snuggly heating pad!

  It sure seems to me that cats can make rainy, cold days seem much better.  I am not complaining.