Cat Tree Finished

This is a little project I've been working on for the kittens. They love the hammock house best of all.

InstaYard

We finally have something to show for all the back-breaking labor on the yard. Our sod order showed up just in time before the rain. Sherri and I busted our butts installing the new grass over the weekend and Walla- InstaYard.

Brick work around the perimeter.

Front yard sectioned-off for Mia to terrorize.

A modest, little garden in the sunny corner.

Latest Pet Pics

Sherri has taken the role of Cuddle Queen with all of our pets.

Mia decided to take over the Kittens' playhouse one day- Nice Beard!

Stage 1 of the kitty play tower- now they can finally climb something.

Barely enough space for everyone- heat conservation.

Our niece, Savannah, and Bilbo having fun playing together.

Evidence that our Co-ed Softball team actually one a game!

Mia trying to squeeze in on all of the fun.

Our first Columbia Gorge hike. Mia loved sniffing in the forest air.

Latourell Falls- beautiful as ever.

Still Buddies

Sleepy Heads

Who Says Dogs and Cats Can't Be Friends?

Ridiculous Pet Tales

Mia was running with me on leash the other day when a gnarly German shepherd came bolting at us from across the street. It was a typical freaky dog attack—growling and barking at us with the hair on its neck all ruffled up. Before I could even conjure my imaginary karate skills, a huge Suburban screeched to a halt, plowing right into the poor mutt. A strange mixture of shock and relief washed over me. I truly don’t enjoy seeing animals get hurt, but this particular situation was oddly satisfying. Mia and I didn’t even turn around to assess the damage. We just kept on running while reciting a prayer of “Thank you Lord for not allowing us to DIE today.” Other news on the home front is that Sherri and I are, once again, caring for three little kittens that crawled into our yard. This is the second time we’ve done volunteer kitty foster care. It’s all because of that same old hussy, Momma cat that roams around the apartments and poops in our yard. I’ve thought several times about trying to catch her so the Humane Society can get her fixed. She’s just too dag gone wild to let anyone get close to her. Apparently, once a cat gets used to freedom and mice, there’s no going back to Kitty Chow and laser pointers. However, now that Momma knows we have her kittens, she’s been snooping around our house planning a rescue operation. I saw my golden opportunity and staged a trap with the kittens holed up in the back of a portable dog kennel. A bunch of kids from the apartments saw what I was doing and started setting up shop on the other side of the fence to watch. I overheard one boy say, “Neighbor dude’s gonna try and catch Geronimo.” While cracking open a soda, a girl responds, “Oh, this ought to be good.” As soon as Momma cat took the bait and peeked her head into the kennel, I threw a blanket over her. Unfortunately, Geronimo not only weaseled her way out from my grasp, but also managed to snatch one of the kittens all at the same time. The kids cheered me on as I went huffing across the parking lot in pursuit. After cornering Momma into a fence, she dropped the kitten and ran off. I made a second attempt awhile later after she returned, but still came up empty handed. The story will continue as soon as I scrounge up a live trap. To Be Continued. We’ve named the kittens Bilbo, Froto, and Gandolf, but I’m starting to call the big one Smudge. He carries himself with a bold legged stance like a linebacker and has the fur of a polar bear. Smudge is also the only one brave enough to spar with Mia. I think we’ve found our puppy a playmate.

Mia Big Helper In The Yard

Mia is helping finish our yard project. Wow, does she love to dig!

New Addition To Our Family

After getting back from our trip to MN, Sherri and I succumbed to the joy of adopting a dog. My family has lots of pets, and we just couldn’t resist anymore after hanging out with all of them over the past few weeks. We spotted little Mia online while in MN, and went to visit her the day after we arrived back in Portland. Her calm and cuddly personality immediately won our hearts. She gave us absolutely no reason not to take her home. When we asked what type of breed she is, they said Heinz 57 (a little bit of everything), but mainly Italian Greyhound and Terrier. She runs like a deer and is working on growing into her clumsy long legs. We’ll enjoy spending lots of quality time with her during the rest of our summer together before school starts. House training is in progress…lots of pooping and peeing going on.

Jake's Ankle Sprain

Check this bad boy out. Another soccer casualty. I'm not sure how many more of these I can take. I told the kids at school that I'm going to have some fun show-and-tell when the funky discoloration starts pooling around my foot.