The other day I posted a comment on a blog about our cat. In the blog post the Author, Scott (no not me) had noted that a stray cat had moved into his car as its new home. That got me thinking about our cat Toby, and I wrote a lengthy comment. Here is an expanded version of the comment I wrote on that post.

Toby and the Car
When my wife (girlfriend at the time) first moved in together about 10 years ago or so, we got a cat. Toby. Toby is a fat white cat with blue eyes. We took Toby every where. When we would travel home for the holidays, about a 3 hour drive, Toby would come with us and ride in the back window of the car. When we’d go to the store, Toby would come for a car ride. He even came with us to the beach once, but he didn’t like the waves, they scared him. After a few years, Toby no longer came with us, and we left him at home when we traveled, but Toby has never forgotten his love for the car.

Its been years since he was last allowed in the car, (Other than the occasional trip to the vet). Whenever he gets the chance he will get in and hang out, leaving a nice white mess. Often if we leave the windows open, even just a couple inches, he will climb up on the roof and manage to get into the car – not sure how he does it with all that bulk – must be in cahoots with Santa.

There is nothing I hate more than seeing muddy footprints all over my nice clean car and a pile of cat hair on the drivers seat, but I guess its my fault, I never should have shared with him the love of the car.

We had a garage sale once, and he jumped into a few cars of thrifty shoppers… I should have let them drive away with him. Oh well – next time.

Toby’s a good cat most of the time. At 28lbs (yes 28 lbs) he outweighs our other giant cat Milo (about 18 lbs) our Shih-tzu buster (12 lbs) and our daughter Emma (19 lbs). We love Toby, but if someone came by and stole him, I probably wouldn’t lose much sleep over it. I have been converted – I am a dog person now. (If you can call a Shih-tzu a dog).

Wow, this is very cool. The video is a bit shaky, but the outcome is great. Why doesn’t this kinda stuff ever happen to me when I go whale watching?

I receive a lot of emails from friends and family containing forwarded jokes. Earlier today I was sent this one by my mom. I have not seen this one before, nor do I have any idea where it originated, but I did feel it was worth sharing. I thought about sending it out via email, but figured I would just post it here and those who care can come and read it.

Enjoy.

8:00 am – Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am – A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am – A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am – Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm – Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm – Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm – Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm – Milk bones! My favorite thing!
6:00 pm – Oooh, Bath. Bummer.
7:00 pm – Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm – Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm – Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpt from a Cat’s Diary

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a ‘good little hunter’ I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of ‘allergies.’ I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow — but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released – and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For
now…

A story on Fox News Wednesday caught my attention. A tiny primate known as a “pygmy tarsier” has been thought to be extinct as they have not been spotted in more than 85 years.

Back in 2000, scientists trapping rats believed they had accidentally trapped and killed one of these small 2oz creatures. This drove Sharon Gursky-Doyen from Texas A&M University to go and search for the small primate.

This past summer they were able to catch and fit three of the animals with radio collars. Gursky-Doyen was bitten by one, which later was eaten by a hawk – rough life for the little guy.

Funded by the National Geographic Society, researchers are learning more about these rare and mysterious nocturnal creatures.

They also make the perfect gift for Christmas, so be sure to buy one for your cat today.

My wife and I used to be cat people. We have two cats. Our cats are pretty good really, sure they drive me crazy at times, but they are loving and cute. A couple years ago we got a dog, and the feelings for our cats diminished. Our new Shih Tzu Buster doesn’t shed, and this has made me realize how much cat hair was around our house.

Our cats are now outdoor cats and spend much less time indoors, which makes a big difference. Sure, we still love them, but they will definitely not be replaced when their lives expire.

Yesterday I received an instant message from a friend saying I should write about something. I took a look at the link she sent and thought, “Sure” sounds good to me!

Is Your Cat Out to Get You?
It seems that cats are forming an evil alliance with plans to eliminate their owners. A few of the tell tale warning signs that your cat is out to get you include:

Kneading: This is not that sign of affection you many think it is. Cats do this to check for weakness in your internal organs.

Litter Mess: Does your cat dig excessively in his/her litter? You may think of it as innocent behavior, but in fact, they are practicing the art of burying their victims.

Staring: An attack is imminent – do not look away or you’re in trouble

Dead Animals: For years many pet owners have thought that the gifts brought by your furry friends were gifts. “Aww, Snuggles brought me a mouse”. Well – this gift is actually a warning “You’re Next!”

There are several other warning signs you need to watch out for which you can find at CatsWhoeThrowUpGrass.com. Those signs noted above were not discovered by me, so be sure to check this site out.

November 12 is the 316th day of the year (or in the case of leap years such as 2008, the 317th).

Today I was looking for something to write about and thought I would note a few things that have happened on this day in history:

1933:
The first known photographs of the Loch Ness Monster were taken by Hugh Gray, a British Labour Party politician and lecturer at the University of London. Gray was walking back from church when he saw a large object making a big splash. Armed with his camera he snapped the photo to the left. Skeptics dismissed the photo as being too blurry to show anything.

1935:
The first Lobotomy is performed in a Lisbon hospital by Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz. At that time things were done a little different. He essentially drilled two holes in the patients skull and injected pure alcohol into the frontal lobes of the brain. This destroyed the tissue in an effort to alter the patients behavior. No word on what happened to that original patient, and my brief efforts to find out who it was came up blank.

1970:
The famous “exploding whale” incident occurs when The Oregon Highway Division attempts to destroy a rotting and beached Sperm whale. This turned out to be not such a good idea as onlookers were covered in little bits of whale remains. This YouTube video of the incident tells the whole story

It’s a sad day for pet lovers around the world. According to MSNBC the world’s ugliest dog (if you can call him that) has died. ‘Gus’ won the title back in June and after a battle with cancer is off to the big dog house in the sky.

Gus was a Chinese crested with a missing eye and a missing leg. You can see by the picture that he had one heck of a face, one only a mother… well… a blind mother, could love.

This poor dog did have one heck of a tough life. Things only started to improve after he was rescued from a bad home. Apparently he was kept in a crate inside someone’s garage. One leg had to be amputated due to a skin tumor, and his left eye was lost in a cat fight.

While I try to write this with a little bit of senseless humor, it really is a sad story. Poor ugly thing – Even though I never met you, you’ll be missed.