Summertime with My Cats
From time to time, I like to share updates on my pets, so you all know how they’re doing. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my animals - my dogs, cats, birds, and horses - they're wonderful and special companions.
Whenever I go to Maine, I always take my dogs with me - they adore Skylands and hiking around Acadia National Park. During these times, my cats stay home at my Bedford, New York farm. My dogs and cats get along just fine, but my two dominant calico Persians, Empress Tang and Princess Peony, definitely enjoy the short-term peace and quiet when their doggie friends are away.
Here are a few photos of Tang, Peony, and of course, Blackie - enjoy.
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- When my dogs are away, the cats love spending time in my Winter House kitchen. As in most homes, the kitchen is the center of activity. Here’s Peony next to the stools of my kitchen counter. I always have someone sleep over when I am not at home, so they continue to get all the attention they need.
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- My cats definitely like their routines – they like to eat and go out at the same times, and they like to sleep and lounge in the same places. Empress Tang loves napping in this bed on my staircase landing.
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- My precious Princess Peony who is a little more shy, loves relaxing in the basement.
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- On this day, the two cats were very energetic. Where are you headed, Tang?
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- Tang doesn’t mind her picture being taken. In fact, she actually looks as if she enjoys posing for the camera.
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- I always cover the pets’ favorite resting spots with towels. Doing this keeps these areas extra clean, and extra cozy. This chair is in my smaller dining room.
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- Meanwhile, Peony is close by – in the hallway near the stairs to my basement.
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- Peony and Tang are nine-years old and very healthy and happy. Peony is the one with orange markings on the front of her head.
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- Cats are true carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat. My cats are fed both wet and dry food, which they absolutely love. A variety of food is left out for my cats every day at the kitty buffet. Each bowl has something different, and all the food is refreshed daily.
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- Sometimes Peony enjoys the cool metal in this planter, but she also has a comfy pet bed to lay in whenever she wants.
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- Here’s Tang in the front hall – watching everything through the big glass door and windows.
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- Tang stopped just long enough to offer this silly pose to the camera – such a good girl, Tang.
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- And then it was quickly back to being serious.
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- Every morning at 6:15, I let the cats outside. Here is the elegant Peony outside on the kitchen steps.
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- This is one of Tang’s favorite spots – the kitchen bowl. I place a small towel in the bowl to protect it while giving Tang a comfy place upon which to sit.
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- When the cats are outside, I always leave the same two doors ajar, so they are able to come back indoors whenever they need to, and whenever they want to.
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- And here’s Blackie – he is always so friendly. Every day he makes his rounds, saying hi to everyone he sees.
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- Blackie is well fed, healthy, and athletic – and, he keeps the vermin away.
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- Blackie stays in and near my main greenhouse and loves the shade gardens near my pergola and Tenant House.
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- Everyone who visits knows Blackie – and if you call his name, he comes running.
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- Blackie also loves watching the greenhouse activities.
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- And he loves keeping watch inside the greenhouse – guarding the space from any and all small furred intruders.
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- He also gets a lot of attention and the best of care from everyone at the farm.
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- With one exception – he seems to never get enough belly rubs, is that right, Blackie? How are your cats doing this summer – share some of your stories in the comments section below – I love reading them.
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