Beth's Contradictory Brain

Poor Poor Ramen Dog

Our very pretty dog has had a couple of growths on him that we finally decided it was time to get rid of and get checked out. One was on his forehead and the other on his upper chest. One looked pretty normal - for a growth - but the one on his chest was growing kinda weird.

So today was the day. Nerdstar dropped him off at the vet to get them removed and to get his teeth cleaned - might as well while he's out. So in addition to removing the two growths, they also pulled a tooth they said was really loose.

Poor puppy dog. He came home this evening more than a little groggy. Although, not too groggy to sleep on the sofa while we were at dinner.

Here's a pic of his groggy face and shaved forehead.

Prissy

If we weren't so sure Ramen comes from a long, long line of muts, we'd be convinced he comes from a long line of show dogs - he's so prissy! His theme song is "I'm so Pretty."

Ramen Dog

Just a short example of Nerdstar trying reverse psychology on the dog.

Disgusting!

While Nerdstar was getting ready for work this morning, she came in and said Ramen's neck was all wet and he smelled really bad. Hmmm.

Then in the spare bedroom she saw that one of the cats had thrown up. But it didn't look like normal food vomit. It was weird.

We finally figured that Ramen must have decided the smelly mess was perfect to roll around in - to the extend that he could. Lovely!

Before heading out to meet up with Nerdstar, I figured it'd be smart to shovel the snow out from around the car and the end of the driveway. (Excellent workout!) I went down to the baesment - something we rarely do - and there I saw the explaination for it all...

There's a dead mouse in TWO parts down there in the middle of the floor. EWWWW!!

Little Man (the boy cat) cries like he's dying any time we don't let him run around down in the basement. And, seeing how we had a mouse before, we figured we'd let him keep guard down there.

No way did we see this morning's events being the result!!

Ramen has a bath appointment tomorrow afternoon.

Brrrr

The snow didn't stay - thankfully - but the forecast doesn't call for temps over 40 for the next week or so.

I don't think the pets are at all happy with the new cold life. If the sun would at least come out it would warm the house some, but not knowing what the bills are going to run heating this place, I'm trying to keep it cheap. Nerdstar's about to start shopping for sweaters for Ramen. Little Man spends all day under the flannel sheets and down comforter.

And for reasons beyond our mere human brains, Ramen almost absolutely refuses to poop in his new back yard. I don't know if it's all the new smells or sounds or what, but he's totally distracted - and is the kind of dog that can't poop if distracted. Maybe it's the cold, but I don't think so, he usually just wants to come back to the house to escape whatever he senses out there.

The cats, on the other hand, really want to go outside, but we're hesitant to let them. They have their claws, and used to go outside in Austin all the time, but we worry anyway.

Displaced

Silly was my cat a few years before Nerdstar moved in. We don't think Silly has ever forgiven either of us for disrupting her life time and again.

Since Nerdstar's been in Japan, Silly has decided to take her rightful place in my bed - just below Nerdstar's pillow on her side of the bed!

And I'm just not seeing how Nerdstar is going to be able to convince Silly to give up said rightful place.

Is It Wrong?

To need a vacation from your pets?

I think a 3 pet to 1 human ratio is way out of whack!! Ramen is better behaved without Nerdstar around, and sighs a whole lot less. But still, he's a needy dog and I'm the only one here for him to pay attention to. And I'm also the only one here to walk him, and we're on a 3rd floor apartment. I'm so glad he's going to be at my parents' house with the kid and the backyard for a while.

The cats, well, the cats are starting to drive me crazy. I think they miss being able to run around outside tremendously! I don't blame them. I feel terrible that they're going to be cooped up for almost 3 weeks with just someone to check on them. Then again, I'm not going to miss being walked all over and woken up ass early in the morning by the boy cat.

Pet Cemetary

Nerdstar and I have had several conversations about what to do with our pets' remains when the time should come. I think we've finally agreed on cremation. Then, she wanted "alters" for each of them - with the little urn, pics, etc. I had to laugh. That might be manageable if the three pets we currently have were going to be our only pets, but I'm sure that's not going to be the case. So, imagine some part of the house with lots of little "alters" to past pets. That would get creepy!

I've also joked with Nerdstar that I'm just going to cremate her, too, and put her ashes and all of the ashes from the pets in one big urn. That way they can all be together. She just gives me her sigh and eyeroll.

Inspired by this post.

Pets

Do you ever stop and look at your pets and think that it really is just a little weird to have these animals living in your house? It's maybe not so weird that we take them in, but the cool part is that they become attached to us. I guess it's that idea that I can't be all bad if my cat comes and spends the afternoon in my lap while I'm watching tv.

Little Man and Silly

Little Man and Silly

Sad Day

The found kitty has a new home. One of Nerdstar's coworkers knew someone who was looking for a new kitten. The lady came by this afternoon with her two sons and took the kitty with them.

We're all pretty sad. It's such a cute, fun, playful kitten. We just didn't have room for it at this time. Ramen will be almost as sad as Nerdstar.

At least is has a good home now.

Tricky

Nerdstar posted a pic of the found kitten on her site. We're calling it Popsicle for now - because that's what it almost became.

It's tricky taking in a stray when you already have pets. Poor Ramen is exhausted from being a nanny all day and night so far. He's been camped out in the hallway by the bathroom we have the kitten's cage in. Last night we closed the other two cats up in the bedroom and let the kitten roam around a little. Ramen desperately wants someone to play chase with, the new kitten didn't hiss at him once and even kinda sat on him. It was cute.

Unfortunately, we're pretty sure the kitten has a cold. It's sneezing and coughs occasionaly. We're not sure if we'll get it into the vet today or tomorrow.

Tonight we're going to try putting up flyers to see if we can find it's humans.

Found

"I found a kitten" aren't exactly the words I want to hear before I've even really woken up. But seeing as it's freezing outside with a bit of snow (the dry kind) on the ground, well, I couldn't tell Nerdstar to put it back outside now could I?

I think it's about six months old, has really soft mostly grey fur and purrs louder than any other cat I've heard. It was pretty snuggly, too.

Fortunately, we have two crates, the smaller of the two is still pretty darn big, so we cleaned up the crate, but in some towels and a little bowl of wet food and put the kitten in.

Silly and Little Man haven't ventured out to even take a sniff. Poor Ramen dog was all confused looking. He's not at all aggressive, but he loves to chase cats. Once I mostly closed the bathroom doors to where the kitten is he's calmed down and is sleeping on the floor by me.

Tonight we'll take a pic of it and put up some signs to see if it's lost. If no one claims it we'll find it a home. I might be a little tempted to keep it if our other pets wouldn't be so unhappy about it.

How To

How to piss off the pets in one easy step...

Move the sofa.

Ramen

The other day I told Nerdstar about how when I pet Ramen he does this thing where he licks his mouth and it’s creepy. So when she was waking up this morning and petting him I pointed out he was doing it. We both just laughed at him.

This led to…

Ramen – The E! True Hollywood Story

(As told by Ramen)

Yes, it’s true, I’m a former dog porn star. It’s not a pretty story, but it’s my story. It’s the story of how I ended up a stray, wandering the streets of Austin, then at the shelter where this lovely lesbian couple adopted me and took me home with them.

Let me begin by saying that I apparently come from a long line of dog porn stars – that’s why even vets can’t determine what breed of dog I am, it’s all too mixed up. It also explains why I hate to have my picture taken.

It all began innocently enough, it always does. I have these masochistic tendencies, as long as you’re paying attention to me, I don’t care if you yell at me and call me a bad dog. It’s a little fuzzy in my memory, but somehow I ended up on the streets, wandering around, not getting petted, not being loved. And as is so often the case, I fell in with the wrong crowd. Oh sure, she was a cute little poodle, but she was pure evil under those poodle charms. She introduced me to all the other strays she was hanging with. At first it was all fun and games, a little chase, then a nip here and there. It wasn’t long before it just got out of hand. Next thing I knew they were giving me cheese and french fries to be their cute little bottom – for both boys and girls. Soon, I had no shame.

It’s not a time in my life I talk about much. It was even a relief when someone found me and took me to the shelter. At least there I had my own cage, alone to regain some dignity.

I can’t ever express how grateful I am to the lovely lesbians. They have been so good to me and so understanding of my idiosyncrasies. There are times I have flashbacks, which confuses my owners, but I’m so glad I’ll never have to go back to that lifestyle.

(This was a collaborative effort by Nerdstar and I.)

Bad Dog Vibes

I'm in a much more mellow mood. In keeping with my self improvement plan while Nerdstar is in Iraq, Sunday I went to church, then went to Oshman's and got a nice gadget that lets me ride one of the bikes I bought Nerdstar and I for her birthday last year in the house while watching tv. Then, in an effort to eat less fast food, I even went to the grocery store.

So, when the weather was cold and rainy yesterday, I thought, yippee, I can cook a nice little chicken and have it today and have leftovers for some chicken noodle soup. Well, the first half worked out fine. It was a delicious chicken, just a little salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme, slow cooked all day.

I was nice to Ramen and poured some of the broth over his dry food. He wasn't nice in return. Before bed I wrapped the leftover chicken on the plate in foil and left it on the counter. Silly me. I was startled awake to the sound of the plate crashing to the floor. I guess he thought he needed a midnight snack.

Today I've been wondering how to let him know I'm still mad at him, for breaking the plate and eating my leftovers. I guess just the vibes let him know because he's been very quiet and keeping his distance today.

I think I'll let him suffer a little longer, then give him a good petting.

Life With Pets Again

How pathetic am I that I'm kinda glad to be at work today because it gives me something to do and helps me not to think so much. My brain is always trying to kill me.

Our pets are crazy. Little Man (cat) has been bringing in six inch worms and playing with them until they die. Then he sometimes put them, along with other dead bugs and cotton balls and such, in his food bowl. No wonder Silly (cat) is so skinny, she doesn't want to be eating food out of a bowl with all that crap in it!

Last night I was on the computer and I hear Silly meowing. I asked her, "what?" and she just kept on so I went to check it out. There was a live worm moving along the living room floor and apparently she didn't like it there. So I threw it outside and reminded her that she's the cat and should handle these things herself. I'm sure her reply was - "that's why I've got you!"

It's raining this morning, which means poor Ramen (dog) is probably curled up in the corner somewhere. Little Man likes to play in the rain. I leave the bedroom window open for the cats to come in and out. Which means he gets all wet and then comes in and lays his wet little fur on my furniture!

For about a week now Little Man has taken to opening the cabinet door under the bathroom sink and sleeping under there all day. From the day we moved in he liked to open all the cabinet doors and check things out, guess he finally figured out which space was most cozy.

At least with Nerdstar gone things aren't totally boring at home!

Damn, Buffy is another re-run. Yes, it's a fantastic episode, and maybe the "people in chage" are running this one again to remind us of stuff before they get on with it. But damn, it's still a re-run.

Last night Ramen was funny. First, Silly was outside the fence to the tiny back yard, and Ramen ran out there barking at her like he was protecting his house from this mean old cat. Problem is, she's his cat. I've tried and tried to explain to him that Silly and Little Man are his cats and he really should be nice to them. But because they won't play chase with him, I don't think he likes them much. So I yelled at him to be nice and explained to him that if I ever have to make a choice between making the cats happy and keeping him, he's going to go live with grandma! Not too much latter, I went into the bedroom to get something and he followed me in there and went to bed. It was like he was all sad so he called it an early night! Yep, life with pets is good - or so I'm told!

Rant time. Remember how everything was supposed to be different at 9/11. It was "the death of irony", there would be no more partisan politics, etc. etc. etc. I guess I'm kind of feeling all of that again. I'm losing patience with "trivialities" and politics and bullshit. If I'm ever world dictator, rule #1 is going to be honesty in all things. Can you imagine what business and politics would be like if they all had to state their true intentions?

pause

I don't know how to express what I'm feeling. All the shit going on these days isn't about politics, it isn't about patriotism or anti-americanism, or opinions and censorship. It's about freedom and safety and a better world.

What's happened in this world in the past fifty years that we can't see a damn thing clearly anymore?? Was it really Vietnam that changed this country so much? How can the "american psyche" really be stuck like that?? Maybe it's not, but the talking heads sure are.

I guess my irony is that even as I call this site "beth's contradictory brain" all I ever want is truth and absolutes. I don't want shifting shadows, I want things to be plain and clear.

Well fellow readers - what's your take on all of it?

Life With Pets, the unemployed version

Now that I am unemployed, I've got all the time to devote to my pets. Today marks the one week anniversary of my unemployment, and I'd thought that I'd just update you on what's happening with the pets and I.

Little Man, my feline son, has taken to sneaking bits of Ramen's dog food, and Ramen, doesn't really seem to mind it at all. I guess Little Man misses his old artificial color-laden cat food.... too bad.

Silly usually just lounges around and ignores me. Beth had a interesting theory last night about how Silly was the one who had unleashed a curse on me, that was why my luck has been so bad. With the way that she'd stare at me, I couldn't help it but to think that there's probably some merit to her theory! Ramen has been getting more walks, and I hope he's happy about that. He has also managed to lounge on our bed while I am taking morning showers. He should know that he's not allowed on the couch or the bed.... I guess that all fell out of the window. When I'd catch him, he'd stare at me as if I am interrupting
something legitimate.

Being with them, overall, has been therapy for me. Answering phone call from from frustrated people, and working for a messed up company seems like a million years ago!

More Life With Pets

Well, the person who is taking care of Noel came over to my desk today and told me that while she'll continue to foster Noel for a while, she doesn't think that she's a good candidate for taking care of her permanently. She leads a lifestyle that frequently takes her away from home, so she said that it would not be fair to just keep her in a empty apt. without much interaction. I was a bit disappointed, but so much because Noel did not do anything wrong, she's just a dog trying to relax and recover from her heartworm infection. I guess grandma will get her and there would be someone there all the time. Noel must have been confused as to why I took her to all these different places, and staying with all these different people. Thank goodness that she's easygoing enough that she pretty much just adopts everyone that she meets. I think that she sort of makes up for all the crappy people that I'd meet, she just makes up for all their shortfalls and the dishonesty....I mean, she actually looks like she's appreciative of what you are trying to do for her. Can't quite say the same for people, not now anyways.

Life with pets...again

Today I took Noel to a co-worker's house, she volunteered to take care of her for about two weeks and if things worked out fine, she might keep her. I have to tell you that at times, I sort of wished that she would chicken out on keeping her, and we'll end up having to keep her, because you know how easily I get attached to kids and puppies.

I wrapped up her food bowls, favorite blankets, and I also got her a plushy squeaky toy to keep her company.

I showed my friend how docile Noel is and how all she needed is a quiet place without other animal distractions, trying to almost sell Noel to her for free...but already, I was starting to miss her.

I just got back from her place and the superbowl is on, but I am in no mood to watch it, it's pretty stupid if you ask me. In fact, I'd just as soon lose all my respects for those so called "stars" once they perform at the halftime show or the opening. Anyway, that was just my feeling about televised football games, just another excuse to sit on the couch and stuff our faces.... I can do that any other time!!

I am going to have to explain to Ramen what the heck just went on and pet him some more.

Life With Pets 2

We've placed Ramen on diet food, and also cut his food portion somewhat, and late last night, I heard scuffling and some chewing sounds... then I just knew it, Ramen was doing some digging in the trash for some tasty trash... maybe some chicken bones or old bread. "Ramen, no!" I said to him, then swipped him on the butt and told him to go back to bed (he sleeps on this flannel sheet next to our bed.). B. was like "You bad mom, Ramen is starving so he had to go and dig into the trash!" Well, she was the one who told me to stop feeding him for the night!!

He must have been a former famine victim, just like I was in a previous life, because for as much as we feed him, he'd still sit next to your chair at the dinner table and stare at you with sad puppy eyes, just wishing that you'll throw him a piece of bread, chicken meat, etc. Did I tell you that he'll even eat tofu?
B. can be pretty immune to that look, I am trying to be stronger about it, and it's a work in progress.

Strange how the kids just love her to death, and I love the kids but they still just keeping running to her.

Life With Pets 1

Well, I talked to my folks (grandparents) today, since I was at work, I tried a bit to tell them about how I was going to take Noel home and have them look after her. I took her in to the vet's for heartworm treatment earlier this morning, and on the way back, I was thinking about all these bad things that could be wrong with her health and how I am going to react if it was true. I am such a sucker for dogs and puppies, I guess. The cats mostly now just like to snuggle with Beth and look at me like I am completely insane, which may be true. Anyway, my folks are the kind who'll say that they are not animal people but will turn around and feed the stray cat from the neighborhood. So I hope this "arrangement" will work out fine. In the meanwhile, we've got to help Ramen drop some weight! (My German Shepard mix) He has been eating a lot of Noel's food and showing the effect of it!
Beth usually doesn't like sleeping when all the cats and dogs are in the house, but a household without them just seems downright empty....besides, there are naps that we can take.

Dreaming of coffee and cheesecake right now.....

Queen Silly

Silly This is my cat Silly - or Queen Silly Butt as I call her. I've had her for over five years, and she would much prefer it was just her and I. It was bad enough Nerdstar moved in, then we got Little Man. She wacked him upside the head and then mostly proceeded to mostly ignore him. She's still pretty pissed about Ramen and has taken to self starvation in protest of another damn dog in the house. But what can I say, I love her.

Our Dogs

Dogs The black and tan one is Ramen, who we got from a shelter last March for Nerdstar's birthday. The redish brown one is Noel, who is the stray we're trying to find a home for.

Cool Cat

This is a picture of Nerdstar's cat, Little Man. He's not too bright, but he sure looks cool! Actually, while she's my Snuggle Bunny, he's usually my Snuggle Kitty, her on one side and him on the other.

Rainy Weekend

The weather during this last work week was unseasonably warm and sunny. Then overnight Friday and Saturday morning it turned cold and rainy. But, I'm one of those weirdos who kinda likes it all snuggly for the weekend. So Friday night that's exactly what we did. We had a fire in the fireplace, no tv. no radio, just relaxing and some much needed sex (grin!)

Nerdstar has reserves drill this weekend so it's just me and the pets. The two cats were sitting on the back edge of the desk looking out the window a minute ago and the dogs are lying side by side beside my chair wishing like hell I'd stop typing and pet them! They're such wennies though they won't go out in the back yard and pee while it's cold and raining. I tell them it's their bladder they're abusing!

We finally took the stray, Little Girl, to the vet yesterday. $100 just to do shots and a checkup and all. The vet told us she has heartworms. She's fine for now, but it's going to cost about $400 to get her well. Oh well, what do you do? She's too sweet to let her stay sick and die, and I doubt we could find her a home with that much in vet bills looming over her head. I guess this is one of those times I mention the paypall thingy over there and say any help at all would be more appreciated than you know!

Thanks to d-Kitty for the comments and the help!!

Strange Day

That the weather started off raining, then went to over 70 and sunshine, then ended up about 45 and raining (crossing fingers there's no severe weather!) is perfectly suited to the strangeness of today.

I took little Zach up to my work to show him off. He walked right up to everyone in their office and sat in their lap to play with their keyboards. Nothing shy about him! I'd ask him to hold my hand while we walked around and he always just put his little hand up in the air for me to hold. Everyone tried to give him stuff, he got out with a little stuffed Santa with a helium balloon tied to it and a slinky. When the Santa is on the floor, the balloon is the same height as his head so he likes to headbutt it - way cute. I remember when I was little I had a huge inflated clown that you could punch and it would right itself - guess I'll have to see if they still make those.

Then we went to see Nerdstar at her work and we all went to lunch.

He fell asleep on the way home from lunch, so nap time was easy.

While he was sleeping I was making sure I could open the trunk of my car. It's currently missing the locking system because it was broken. The key and lock guy was kind enough to show me how to open it with a screw driver (as I'm sure every good thief already knows!). There was a stray dog out that I'd seen earlier today. I stood still and she came right up to me. She is skinny as hell. We have a very small fenced in yard so I showed her back there and she walked right in. I set out a big bowl of food and some water. After a while I went to check on her and Ramen went out there with me. It was quite the hump fest, each alternating who was on top.

We tried putting Ramen's huge crate outside for her because the weather turned so bad, but she was too scared to go in there.

So, at 8:30 tonight, I have little cornish hens in the oven, Nerdstar and Zach finished wrapping Christmas presents, and there's a stray dog in my bathroom not making a sound. I'm just hoping she doesn't poop all over the place overnight. She seems really sweet and friendly but a bit scared. After Christmas we'll put up some "found signs" and such. If no one claims her we'll try to find her a home, or maybe give her to Nerdstar's grandparents. They really liked Ramen and we always think it'd be good for them to have a pet.

Tomorrow we load everything in the car and drive to Dallas to my parents' as soon as Nerdstar can get out of work.

I hope you all are safe and happy this Christmas! I'll be back to work and back to blogging Thursday.