Sunday, July 29, 2012

Six Months of Daisy


It's hard to believe that it's been 6 months since Daisy's adoption! Little did we know how much our lives would change when she became a part of our family! She has taught us the importance of putting all food away in a cat-proof place before leaving the kitchen. She has taught us that kitties like bread and flour tortillas. (Not good for them!!) She's taught us that every surface is for kitties. (NOT!) She's also taught us the importance of sweeping the kitchen floor daily so she has a clean surface to perform her version of box art daily. (See above picture.) She's also taught us to have Clorox Wipes handy at all times in the kitchen.

For the past 6 months, we have been teaching Daisy that humans are okay, she is safe and loved, and that we have some expectations for her behavior. She is learning that kitties don't belong on the counters, the stove, or the table. It's hard for her, but she's doing well with her training. Just a bit ago, I was sitting at the table eating my salad and she jumped up on the table right beside my plate. UGH!! I gently escorted her off the table and wiped it down (again) with a Clorox wipe. I should buy stock in the company!! She came back, but she sat on the floor very patiently. While she was sitting and I was eating, I repeatedly praised her for sitting so nicely and for not jumping up on the table. Sometimes the training process is slow going.




I do believe that Daisy is finally "at home". She is comfortable here and doesn't try to dart out the door or escape through the windows any longer. I mean, would you want to venture out on your own if you knew you had a steady supply of good food, safe napping places, lots of love, and lots of toys?? She has her favorite napping and hanging out spots. She LOVES to play, which really makes me happy. She is a little playing machine! She comes into the bathroom every morning, jumps up on the counter, and walks over to the edge and headbutts me while I'm using the facilities. :) She greets me with a chirp when I come home in the evenings and she sometimes comes to visit us in our bedroom at night and in the mornings. She's not fully comfortable and at peace in all the rooms of our home, but she's getting there. Her belly fur has grown back in from her spay surgery and she's at a very healthy weight. (Maybe even a bit too healthy!) Her fur is now silky soft, her eyes nice & bright, and she is never late for a meal.

Here she is playing the other night. She has a paper and cardboard fetish and had already torn a hole in the side of this bag. :)


Thursday, July 12, 2012

For the Love of Sunflowers

I have long adored sunflowers, but have never grown them in my garden. This year, I decided to change that and planted some Lemon Queen sunflowers. I am so in love!! Today, I planted some Mammoth Gray Stripe (the kind that make edible sunflower seeds). Let's hope they do there thing before first frost!






Nothing says summer quite like sunflowers!!