Yard Dude

May, 2016

Celestial Paddy O'Malley's fur colors looked terrific against the green, no?

In some ways, Henry resembles Paddy:

Tabby

Outside to Inside

My special dude

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 

Henry Update:

Yes, that's me he's using as a pillow.

Let's Hop!

Newcomer

There is a new cat in the yard.

21 January

2 February

12 February

These images were taken through windows, as this kitty races away when a human appears.

There is always water to drink, and the straw-filled Cat Hotel seems to be getting some action.

Food was set out once, and none was eaten.

Oh heck, shy newcomer kitty, I've not yet begun to coax you closer.

❤️

Two Years 💔💔

Celestial Paddy O'Malley earned his angels wings on 7 August, 2021.

What a character!

He was a clown, a goofball, and as silly as can be.

So loveable, he and I would spend hours together every day.

What a fantabulous cat.

He is sorely missed, yet his presence was like warm sunshine on a winter's day.

They See Me Rollin'

It's PO'Monday!

From July, 2013, Celestial Paddy O'Malley enjoyed rolling...

...then he was covered in clover!

🍀😸☘️

9 Years

It's PO'Monday!

Casting our memories back to 3 July, 2014.

Celestial Paddy would follow me, whenever I stepped outside.

Although he was inside for a short time, the yard is where I miss him the most.

😻😿😻

Broken

 Da Boyz did NOT sail through their vaccinations as well as they did their dentals.

Wednesday, we got the thumbs-up on at their post-surgery check-up: all good!

They each were given a Rabies jab, and an FVRCP combination vaccine.

Thursday morning, neither would eat breakfast nor hang out with their humans.

Am telling you, I felt like I'd broken my kitties.

The vet's office invited us back, to check if either were running a fever, but they weren't.

They were given MORE jabs: a Benadryl shot and one for nausea.

Some gunk rubbed in their ears to stimulate appetite, and off we went again.

Thankfully, after a short while, The Hubby got them to eat a good-sized meal, and I fed them more later.

💕My babies!💕

To de-stress myself, I ventured into the yard to check out the gardens:

Jack-in-the-pulpit

Jacob's Ladder

Silky Dogwood

TGIF!

🌞🌱🌼

Gone Native

We are thankful for our yard and gardens.

I choose native species, and am always delighted with what comes up in the spring.

Jacob's Ladder

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Canada Anemone

Columbine

Wha OH!!!!
Poison Ivy

When a plant shows up that wasn't put in by the gardener, it's called a volunteer.

Sorry, this volunteer cannot stay, even though the berries are terrific for birds in Autumn.

Nope, The Hubby is allergic, and I don't want to find out if I am!

Let's Hop!

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Wild

It's PO'Monday!

Celestial Paddy O'Malley's tabby coat blended well into the wilds of the backyard.

Using tree roots to sharpen his nails.

Investigating the neighbor's fallen tree.

Sussing out tender grass to chew.

PO'M was able to blend into the scenery.

From May, 2017.

***

Farewell to Angel Gus, from Catscue.

He lived a long time, and enjoyed fostering his kittens, and he'll be sorely missed.

😿💔😿

Nature

Summertime in our now catless yard:

Wild Geranium

Cinnamon Fern

Mushrooms

Brown-eyed Susan

Swamp Milkweed

The Hubby and I are hedging our bets by leaving The Cat Hotel and feeding station in place, until we see how things progress with Paddy O'Malley.

Interesting to note how often I look outside to get eyes on The PO'M, but he's not there!

Inside, he sits in my lap and allows our usual lovefests, yet he'll dart into hiding as the merest provocation.

We will take things one step at a time.

Cat Yard Art

Look at those cute whiskers!

I think three metal cats look just right!

Last year, I scored two metal cat pieces at a local art fair.  I posted about it here.  

Well, imagine my delight to stumble across the same artist at a completely different art fair!  I HAD TO HAVE an upright kitty, and handed over my money quickly.  The Hubby grumbled about it.  But come on, the three cats look FAB together, and since we have two black cats and a cow-colored kitty, isn't it purrfect?

If you'd like to contact the artist for yourself, email me so I can pass along their information.  I didn't ask permission to post about them, nor do I know about shipping, etc.  

Sure, they are metal, and will get some wear and tear from the elements, but that's part of their charm.

The Mohawk

We have a new area in our yard, called "The Mohawk".  The Hubby left a strip of unmown grass/weeds, simply for the enjoyment of The 'O' Cats.  As I snapped photos from the kitchen window, I knew that The Mohawk was a hit!

Sweetie and Patty, sleeping in the morning

The Mohawk, at ground level

Sweetie, taking an afternoon solo nap

The sun came in and out of the clouds, wrecking my photo session due to shadow play.  And it's not like I can stroll outside to take photos while the cats are sleeping; if I'm around, then Patty is glued to me!

If you cannot already tell, my concern quotient for The 'O' Cats is rather high, because of weather, bad people, cars, roaming animals, etc. that are a danger to them.  Yet to see them sleeping out in the side yard, as if they didn't have a care in the world...well, it sure means a lot.

Boyfriend v. Husband?

Saturday and Sunday were so pretty here in Michigan, with warm temperatures and lots of sunshine.  The Hubby and I were outside at 9 am, raking and picking up the yard.  Then, The Hubby went inside to watch NBA playoffs, while I washed and refilled the litter boxes using a bucket and hose.

And no matter what I was doing, Patty O'Malley was at my side.  He followed me from the front yard to the back, sat under the car while I raked out the gardens, rolled on his back when I stopped for a break and a drink of water.  Let's face it, folks...Patty is my boyfriend!  As I sat on the front porch later in the afternoon, and Patty lay in the driveway, waiting for me to come back around to be with him.  He gave plaintive little mews, calling me to him.  The Hubby heard and saw, and there is nothing he can do about this. Yep, Patty and I have a thing going!

P.S. When I first trapped the tabby cat that showed up in our yard in the Winter of 2012, is was a unusually warm day in March.  At All About Animals Rescue that morning, I wrote the cat's name on the paperwork as "Patrick O'Malley".  Some folks think I should really be calling him 'Paddy' and not 'Patty'...but he's a Patrick, not a 'Padraig', like some Irish folks.  Yes, yes...I know that "Patty" seems a bit girly, but it's been years now and it's what he responds to!