Kids Change People

We have NEVER been cat people…more like English Bulldog people, but never cat people. That is until Jonas and Jewel came along and decided they WERE cat people. For our kids sake we opened up our minds and our hearts and we tried to accept cats as even an option. There was a garage cat named George that we thought was pretty darn cool, and then when we came across an abandoned kitty at a campground in Michigan it tore at our hearts enough to bring him with us in the RV. We all fell instantly in love with Tinker, although Joey still had his reservations. He liked her, but did not like the litter box. She wasn’t meant to be an RV cat though, as she liked to be outside too much and after six months we eventually lost her. It was incredibly hard on the kids and I and still, three years later, we miss her. Really, miss her.

Our English Bulldog was never a good traveling dog either, as he’d get motion sickness, so my Grama adopted him and lived happily with her the rest of their lives (he died a week after she did).

We’ve not had much of a desire to replace either of them while we’re still living on the road, but we have missed having pets around. So when we moved into this house and started have cat visitors daily it was a HUGE treat. They kind of trickle in slowly, some decide to stay, some move on, and it’s always exciting around here when a new one shows up! You’d think Polar Bears just showed up.

Stuffles has been here I think the longest, and she is, by far, my favorite. She’s here, rain, snow or sleet, and usually can be found just like this, on the back porch staring in the glass slider door. It didn’t take long for Lucy to realize we had a sweet pad for them (heated enclosed dog house with bedding), so she’s almost always here too.

Lucy is jewel’s favorite. Lucy always has this same stare. Lucy kinda freaks me out a little.

Jewel especially loves these cats. It’s surprising to me to have these feral cats, this people friendly. These two are, at least. The others just use us for food, but Lucy and Stuffles come for the rubs, too.

Our landlord asked us to not have any indoor pets, and Joey does his best to keep them out.

 

It’s not easy, but I know we won’t be here forever so I’m trying not to get too attached, and we are definitely not wanting them to get dependent on us. We are ALL enjoying them while we can! :)

Four Rats

I'm interrupting Pain on the Pipeline to introduce our newest bus passenger...

Meet Stuart.

Jewel decided for her seventh birthday last month that she really wanted a rat. We've had a dog, a cat, two goldfish, a hamster and numerous mouse hitchhikers, but this would be our first rat. None of the other pets worked out great. The dog got car sick and funked up the air, the cat got lost, fish froze, hamster died (and was an awful biter anyway), and the mice got trapped. Before getting any pet we have to think about the future, and if/how they'll fit into it. We're not into disposable pets, ya know. What about plans for Hawaii? Can we take him on a plane? Will my mom babysit? (don't know, don't know, NO) We got him anyway.

He's turning out to quite possibly be the best pet ever. Once I got over the rodent aspect, he's really quite cute, and very loyal to his mama, Jewel.

And just look how cute he is when he drinks.
I guess with Halloween coming up though he had to make himself look a little freaky.


originally we planned to get Jonas a rat too so he didn't get his feelings hurt when Jewel got her rat, but it didn't bother him at all. We also figured Stuart would like another rat to keep him company, but I think our three rats are doing a good enough job of making Stuart feel at home and loved.


The thing that surprised me the most about the rat was the fact that he doesn't try to run away. Jewel can go anywhere with him, sit anywhere with him and he won't even try to leave her lap. Jewel is also very good about feeding him everyday and giving him fresh water, and not a day goes by that she doesn't take him out and play with him. Yep, he's a keeper.

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Back to Pain on the Pipeline......we're still in Colorado waiting for a doctor in Texas to accept his case.