Wednesday, July 23, 2008

German Nobility

Janka @ 9 months, 1 week old

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Keeping Me Out

Do not see it as a cage to contain, but more of a sanctuary to escape.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Dressed To The Nines

He has only been gone for 6 hours, and I already miss my little cat. His quiet presence, occasionally interrupted by the festive tinkling of his bell. His sprints accompanied by his "baruump baruump" grunts. His insatiable, infuriating curiosity. The delicate feline grace by which he moves, ever so deliberate and proud.

While I appreciate cats, I wouldn't consider myself an avid cat lover. He is a Christmas gift for us from my husband.

But Kennedy is special in many ways. While most of his behaviour is based around genetics and instincts, I see in his clear green eyes, that there is indeed a deeper soul that lies within him that is wild and mystical which we mortals could never touch nor comprehend.

I look forward to see you soon, wee Kennedy!

ps: This photo was taken in San Diego, 2007.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Trippin'

Kennedy looks like he is tripping out on LSD. He has the funniest facial expressions I have ever seen on any animal. Half the time they are variations of a startled expression, like I just stuck a cold thermometer up his twinker hole.

Tonight is the last night he is spending in our apartment. Have no fear. It is only temporary. He is going off to Kitty Kamp for 3 weeks while my relatives are visiting from Switzerland. Although Janka will not be around to torment him, he will have 2 three month old kittens to keep him occupied.

I think it will be a nice change of pace for him. And me.

Janka will certainly miss her little Kennedy though.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Smothered

Poor little Kennedy. From the moment Janka came home, his peace and quiet flew straight out the window. Never to return.

It is hard to imagine that she was once his size, tumbling joyfully after him with the clumsiness and not-so-gentle curiosity of a toddler, totally unfazed by his attempts at driving her off with hisses, growls, spanks & slaps.

She still plows him over despite his vehement protests, even though Kennedy has upgraded his defense strategy, employing his claws and teeth to drive his point home. Janka means him no intentional harm and adores her feline brother. But she certainly is increasing his chances of developing ulcers with her rough play! The problem is, she plays with him like she would with a littermate. It was all well and good when they were matched in size, with Kennedy being nimble and quick while Janka had determination and pluck. But as Janka grows exponentially the past few months, little Kennedy's growth chart remains stagnant. And - much to Kennedy's chagrin and my fascination - she is learning to predict his movements, foreseeing his escape routes and herding him off like he is a lamb straying from its flock.

Yet it is becoming clear that my little girl will eventually calm down enough to stop pestering him in the game of one-sided chase all the time.

Right when this photo was taken, Kennedy was probably silently saying, " 'Scuse me, bitch, but I need mah space."

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Journey Through Time

9 weeks old

9 months old


Thursday, July 10, 2008

My Little Love

Back when Janka was just 6 weeks old.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

To Market, To Market

Because Janka is in heat, I had to leave her at home when I left for the Farmers' Market this evening. In her stead, I brought Shalom with me.

She was absolutely giddy with delight, chattering excitedly from her crate. Cockatese mixed with English. She eagerly co-operated with me when I slipped on her harness in the car, and charmed everyone's socks off at the market. Lommers was calm and relaxed despite the crowd, graciously accepting whatever attention that came her way. She kept sticking her head down my bag of chicken empanada, daintily pulling the paper edges aside and tilting her head, making sure it was still there for her enjoyment later.

I miss our outdoor excursions. I am sure she misses them too.

It has been a while since I brought Shalom along with me on a trip. If possible, Janka always accompanies me. Since the 60 lbs youngster can be a handful at times, I have to leave Shalom behind - oh, sanity! - unless Bryan is around. Or else, I can just imagine the chaos that will ensue if I have both rascals with me at the same time. Alone.

I tried walking a dog and a parrot once. The operative word being 'once'.

Sparky was an 100 lbs Husky-Shepherd mix, and delightfully polite. Shalom, being a 400 gm bird, while can't be relied on to be a saint, couldn't possibly cause much trouble damage to a human.

With that in mind, I decided to kill two birds with one stone, and leash both animals up for a nice stroll around the neighbourhood.

The only nice part about it was finally making it back home in one piece!

It started with a man walking his obnoxious dog on the other side of the street. Without warning, Sparky started to pull on his leash, panting and straining in an attempt to cross the road. It didn't help that the doggie hoodlum was trash-talking from the other side. Bracing with my feet, I ordered Sparky to sit while grasping the leash with two hands. Shalom, quietly perching on my shoulder, decided then to adjust my Oakleys.

So now I was struggling to control an excitable dog who weighed more than me, while wrestling my expensive glasses from the Beak of Doom. My lovely stroll deteriorated to me battling with a screaming bird, who by then was pulling beakfuls of hair out of my ponytail, while being dragged down the pavement by a 4-legged panting, drooling tractor.

And since then, I do not allow myself to be in a situation that will lead to sabotage ever again.

So, children, what is the morale of the story?

Never underestimate any animal's ability and cunning to take advantage of any situation, especially when it comes to human weakness.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Interesting Perspective


If the world gets you down, and you wear a perpetual frown,
Unburden your worries and strife,
By taking on a different view on Life.
Then you will see, that all that needs to be
Is for you to step outside
And allow for trivial worries to subside.
Take it from me, far from my jungle of trees
To face the challenges that brew
From the eyes of a little cockatoo.

Thursday, July 3, 2008