Dingers inspires artists

Ding Ding thought she could just quietly retire from the public eye--but her adoring public just won't let that happen. She is now the subject of two, yes, two paintings. And, as if that weren't enough, followers of this blog (well, we don't really know if there is more than one, but hope springs eternal) pester me to post more often. Never let it be said we don't aim to please.

What cats do while their people work...

This picture says it all.

High wire act

Ding Ding is an acrophiliac. She seems to have absolutely no fear of heights, and continues to explore all the elevated possibilities offered at both her residences. I don't have a picture of it, but this weekend she was walking along the railing of the second story deck like a tightrope walker without a net. This photo shows her on the roof of the shed, which she accesses via the tree at left. Rusty is a more down to earth kind of guy. Although he is a powerful jumper, he is not a climber unless something really worthwhile (food, e.g.) is on offer.

Back by popular demand

Requests have been pouring in for new chapters in the Rusty vs. Ding Ding saga--well, two requests, anyway. So here we go. When I last posted we were trying to control Rusty's weight by putting Ding DIng's food on top of a book case. You can see from these photos how well that worked. We were amazed how high Rusty is able jump when there's food to be had. We even took away the chair, and he could still get to the Purina. I wonder if he could have a career as a spokescat for Purina.

Ding Ding goes for a walk

Dingers was visiting Lopez this weekend, and decided to accompany her people on a Sunday morning walk. I've never been on a walk with a cat before--but I suppose if it was going to happen, it's not surprising considering what I know about Ding Ding.

Rusty is now on a diet. Having ballooned from 11 lbs. to over 17 lbs. in just 3 months, drastic action seems called for. Rusty never met a morsel of Purina Cat Chow he wasn't willing eat. Dingers only eats a few at a time, and remains quite svelte. What to do? Dingers is now eating her dinner on a bookshelf, Rusty is on limited rations until he regains his youthful figure.

More Ding Ding, more Rusty

Rusty and Dingers are still coming to terms with each other. Rusters is becoming downright portly now that regular food is a part of his life. Last time we checked he weighed in at about 14 1/2 lbs--approximately twice as big as Ding Ding. We suspect he is heavier now.

I am also attaching a picture that will be hard to decipher, but it shows Ding Ding nose to nose with a young deer in our back yard this summer.

Detente???

Rusty has now been integrated into family life. He has virtues--he uses his litter box and he loves his scratching posts. He is very gentle, but we also believe he is a bit passive/aggressive. He seems to make a point to sleep in all Ding Ding's favorite places, and particularly problematic is that he sleeps on the bed with us. Nothing to be done about it unless we banish Dingers, too. We fall asleep; he insinuates himself. Things are relatively quiet--no hissing, a little swatting (Dingers not Rusty). All fingers crossed for a good outcome.