I know, it’s past time for an update on the critters in this family!  They are both doing fine.  Junior still fights diarrhea, but we figure that we’ll eventually get a handle on it.  Luckily he’s spending more time outside now so some of the rather goopy messes do not require anything by us humans.  The best news is that he is happy.  He doesn’t seem to notice that he goes to the litterbox 5 times a day on those days he’s having a problem.  He eats plenty, drinks plenty and plays like a maniac.   Scamp actually comes and waits for him to come out and play.  Oh sure, she still hisses at him and acts like she is boss lady, but they play chase and fence and pounce.   Mostly she pounces on him of course, and it does seem that she is the chaser more often than not.  Junior doesn’t mind.  He likes to climb trees and run about.  He taunts her by sitting inside the house, daring her to come inside.  She’s been in once or twice, but only about a foot or three.

Junior’s favorite game is “fence” or “door” during which he waits on one side and tries to grab hands or feet underneath.  If you’re standing next to a door, don’t be surprised if a paw slides under and grabs at you!!!   He never tires of this game.

Scamp is a little friendlier with us, but really, she’s probably just waiting for Junior.  The play does her good.  She has been putting on a little more weight than necessary now that she doesn’t spend time hunting for food.  Running around the yard will keep her healthy.

Junior is truly a people cat.  He loves to be near us–at our feet, under our chairs, right next to us.   If BMHusband goes to the back room (office) Junior will wait a minute or two, and then go check on him.  He likes to know where we are.   Even when out playing, he periodically comes back inside, just to make sure we’re around.  I wonder if he might outgrow this tendency as he gains confidence in his environment.  Who knows?

We’re glad that he and Scamp seem to be getting along better.  It’s good for both of them.  Scamp spends more time in the yard too, which is safer for her.

All in all, the last two weeks of cats has been easier than the last two months. 

You’ll note that Scamp refused to pose for a picture this morning.  She tends to come early when the light isn’t good.  She was here playing, but not near the house.   It’s also cloudy, so there wasn’t a good opportunity.   Junior wasn’t particularly helpful this morning either.  I wanted him to climb a tree–something he’s been doing a lot lately.  A helpful bird even showed up, but all he did was go into alert mode…he’s also trying to learn to open doors wider so that he can get through.  The problem is that he gets pushing and pulling confused because every door is different.  Mostly he tries to grab the door and hang on.  Weirdly, this usually works as his weight tends to move the door.  Then, when it opens enough, he lets go and scampers along his way.