Rip - The Latest Addition

The front of our house has a rejas/screened in porch and the cats cleverly pulled one of the screens out a little so they can come and go. This gives them a safe spot when running from "bad" cats and rain. Last week I was sitting on the couch and saw a little flash of color that wasn't the usual color of cats we have. I slid open the door just in time to see a little kitten trying to sneak in for some nibblies. Instead of running away, it turned back and ran toward me and you know what happened next...

He's really cute and kind of Siamese-looking. He is really friendly and just wants to be with us! He doesn't have manners yet but has learned to use the cat box (still working on biting through the fingers to get to food). He has managed to piss off the pride to the degree that Princess and Mini don't even come around anymore (it has been 3 days). I think it is a good trade - one friendly, cuddly one for 2 spooky ones. At least they can't reproduce as they go on their journeys.

We are calling him Rip. He has an old-man face kind of like Rip Van Winkle and he sleeps and sleeps and sleeps (when he isn't ripping around chasing things or stalking the other cats).

He is pretty cute and like all Puerto Rico cats is a hybrid of sorts. His front legs are too short, his face is too old looking and he is bow-legged.

I think we are gonna keep him (ya, like we were going to ignore him). Where did he come from? Our house doesn't really have other houses close...he is too little to have trekked down from Maricao. Where is his mother and where are his siblings? Poor little guy needs a home.

He needs a stuffed mouse...and a cool floor to lounge on...

and some grass blades to bat around...

He is one lucky cat and when I get back from St. Croix (aquaponics course) he will go in for round one of shots... then neutering...rounds 2 and 3 for shots. So rest in peace little Rip - we will love you and take care of you. Just stay out of the fruit bowl!

Dead Dogs

Every day I normally see about 10 to 20 dead dogs on the side of the road in varying states of decomposition. Today I witnessed one getting killed. It made me sick to my stomach to see.  Dogs are not wild animals. They must be taken care of and controlled. It is inhumane how dogs are treated here. When we mention to people here that we spay and neuter our animals we get funny looks or comments like your emasculating the poor boy. How long is it going to take to get this attitude changed? We also hear story after story about how a dog was poisoned and killed. Please spay and neuter your pets.

Big Day for Mars and Blanco and House Insurance

Sorry, no cute kitty pictures this time. This morning I brought Mars (orange stick figure cat who was in the log) and Blanco (beautiful white one that was stuck in the log) to the vet for their big day!

Turns out Mars was pregnant. I had brought her in a month or so ago to get spayed, but she had a respiratory problem and needed antibiotics. I gave her those for 10 days. So now she is spayed and won't have visitors coming around pestering her!

Blanco is a little swollen but that is expected when you cortar dos pelotas!

Both kitties are inside (wanting to get out) at least for tonight but are eating and drinking.

CAICO. This is a good place to deal with. We have our car insurance for the old beater truck and the new Toyota with CAICO because 1) they could tell us about and print out in english policies 2) they are knowledgeable and pleasant 3) they have good rates. Our previous insurance was for the building only (earthquake, hurricane, structure) and now we have liability, a little for contents and the same for structure for around 70 dollars more. I have the policy in English! It will insure our caving and diving gear when it is in the car as well. So all in all it is a successful day. Now I just have to cancel the other insurance and deal with meowing kitties until I can't stand it and release them into the big world so they can sneak back in and snooze on the couch tonight! Oh the games we play.