Cat Sitting

A few weeks ago I watched the Olaf cat.  Steven and Ty were visiting with Ty's family.  So for the weekend I cat sat.  Olaf used to be our cat, but Steven and Ty needed him more, and my Dad decided he doesn't much care for cats, so away Olaf went.

I missed Olaf.  Missed his sweetness.  Olaf has a gentle, loving personality.  I don't miss when he goes into stealth mode and refuses to let anyone know where he's hiding.  That's not fun.

But it was sweet watching Olaf remember all the old things he loved doing.  A lot of little things, but it was funny watching Olaf hop up on the stair railing and try to lick his tail.  It was a feat much easily achieved when he was a kitten.  Age affects us all.

I love the Olaf cat.  I miss having pets.  But also, there's positives to not having a pet as well.  I'm good either way, to be honest.  But it was really nice having him around.

Have a nice day,

Sarah

The Good and Bad of Having a Pet

I used to post or talk about Olaf, the cat my family adopted when he was a kitten, quite often.  In the last year or so, quite possibly two years (time goes by so fast), Olaf has been with Steven and Ty.  At first Olaf had a hard time adjusting.  There's a good reason Olaf went to live with them, but it was hard for us as well. 

Time moves on.  Time heals loss.  Time allows reflection.

As much as I love Olaf, he's a sweet cat, I quickly realized how nice it was not having to worry about him.

I'm on the fence with whether I like having a pet in my life or not.

Usually the debate is if someone prefers cats or dogs.  Personality of a cat person or a dog person!  Introversion vs Extroversion.  Hyper vs don't give a darn.  The need to be noticed vs the need to go hide.

When it comes to Cats vs Dogs I do edge out as a cat person.  (Insert: I do like dogs). Yes, I'm an introvert.  I love how cats need a little love, a little cuddle, and then go off to do their thing.  They like their space; I like mine.

With that said, I've met cats I don't like.  They can be bratty, mean, arrogant, vengeful, spawn of the devil, etc.  Olaf isn't any of these things.  He's forgiving and loving.  Once my Mom and I forgot to feed him.  When we finally put food in his bowl he didn't eat immediately, instead walking around my Mom's legs as if to say "thank you".  He displays this patient/loving manner in many respects.  It's really nice when a pet comes to love you, especially in moments of loneliness.  I'm no stranger to lonely feelings.  Olaf always seemed to know when I needed him.  Once I was sick and fell asleep on the couch.  He snuggled up to me and put his paw on my hand.

(Okay, I'm officially having Olaf withdraws).

Last month Steven and Ty went on a cruise, so we cat sat.  Olaf's litter was put in the laundry room along with his food and water.  Then all the bad stuff came to mind.  Ants in the food.  Vomit on the carpet.  Olaf hiding and not coming out when called.  We've been going through renovations since January and a couple rooms are full of stuff, boxes and nick-knacks everywhere.  Olaf escaped into this cluttered room and hid.  For six plus hours we couldn't find him!  We looked everywhere!  Tried everything!  (Well, except opening a can of tuna, dang it).  Finally my Mom found him under a table and it took the both of us to get him out.

Then there was this one time he wanted me to put treats in his dish.  I misunderstood and gave him more food.  He looked at me like I was an idiot and left, going up the stairs, and then turning his back to me, looking over his shoulder to gauge my reaction.  I stood at the foot of the stairs, hands on hips, and declared causally, "I'm okay with this," and then sat on the couch.  He immediately rushed down to cuddle.  I totally won the battle.

For me the pluses of having a pet are as follows: Snuggles and cuddles, unconditional love, a little someone to take care of, being amused at all the silly things they do, happy and sad moments, etc.  There's a lot of reasons.

The negatives of pets: Pet attitudes, vomit, poop, pee, not able to go on trips without finding a sitter, limited freedom, sneaking into rooms and hiding, hair everywhere, etc.

I can see why people love having pets; I can see why people love not having pets.

Though I miss Olaf, and I honestly don't know if I'll get a pet again, who knows, for now I'm going to enjoy not having to worry about an animal, and visit Olaf when I visit with Steven and Ty.

Coco, mini movie review

Rating: A

In Coco, the latest offering from Disney's Pixar, Miguel is a boy who finds himself different from his family.  They are all shoemakers, a trade passed on from one generation to the next.  Music is banned.  Many generations back Miguel's great-great-grandfather left the family to pursue music, never returning, leaving his great-great-grandmother to find a way to support herself and her family, the banishment of music the result and the family's love of shoes established.  Miguel is torn between his family and the music that pours through him.

During Miguel's plight, it is also that time of year where the dead come to visit the living.  The day of the dead.  The family ofrenda is all set up, every ancestor displayed lovingly with a photo and favorite offering.  Every member represented except for Miguel's great-great-grandfather, whose photo was ripped.  Miguel believes he's discovered who his long lost great-great-grandfather is, and while doing so, desperate to display his musical talents, he steals a guitar from a tomb, and in so doing finds himself trapped in the land of the dead.  There he finds his family, new friends, and discovers a great family secret.

Coco is a delightful family movie about those who come before and also about what makes us who we are.  I love the music theme that runs throughout with great songs, but also just the love of music that is presented.  As a hobby genealogist I loved the theme of ancestors and family.

The Land of the Dead where Miguel finds himself is a visual masterpiece.  The colors and artistry beautiful.  I loved the spirit guide animals that fly around, and all the other little details that can be seen.

If you haven't seen it yet I highly recommend Coco.  A great family film.

MPAA: Rated PG for thematic elements.

P.S. The Frozen short that comes before about Christmas traditions is really cute.  (Songs could have been better).  Word on the street is that it's getting pulled this weekend due to complaints over it's length, which is a problem, as it's about 21 minutes long.  After 15-20 minutes of trailers that's about 40 minutes of wait time before Coco.  Also, 21 minutes isn't really short.  It's about the length of a full Disney Channel animated episode.  And those sick of Frozen may not want to wait through it.

A Merry Christmas To Us All!

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” Scrooge on Christmas, Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.

I hope everyone is having an amazing day with friends and family, and is safe.  Last night it seems we got at least a foot of snow, and it took my brother and sister-in-law 1 1/2 hrs. to drive into Salt Lake this morning.  Sundance Ski Resort got about 19 inches of snow!

P.S. My Mom couldn't resist putting this jingle bell collar on The Olaf Cat.  So far he hasn't taken it off!  Though his reaction after having it first placed on him was quite comical.  Looking behind him with a jump every time he walked, but he seems used to it now.

Merry Christmas! :0)

The Olaf Cat Tries to Smile

These first three pictures my brother Steven took and later shared with me.  I thought this was too precious not to share!  The Olaf Cat trying to smile, at least we think that's what he was trying to accomplish.

During a bout of cleaning Olaf was hanging out next to the trash.

 Olaf begins to turn towards to the camera.

And he smiles!!

Of course you may not think so, but look at the right side of his mouth, our left, slightly rising.  Honestly, I've personally never seen him make this sort of expression, so I think it's legit.  He was smiling for the camera.

A few days later I found The Olaf Cat chillaxing on the only table he's aloud to be on.  It's one of his new favorite places to hang out.

The Olaf Cat Seeks Refuge

 The Christmas tree is down and all things put away!

Yay!

And we did it before the end of January :P

As exciting as it is to more forward, Olaf, our furry love bug, has been a little forlorn without his hide out spot under the tree.  Regardless, he's resilient and will persevere!  Thankfully Olaf has a knack for finding new places to hang out.

Case in point: these boxes.

 A couple weeks ago I started writing a poem from Olaf's point of view, but it never made it past a few lines.  I'll finish it at some point, but here's what I've got so far:

"I'm only doing what cats would do.

 If you were a cat you'd do this, too.

You would climb trees whether fake or real.

You would find ornaments you'd want to steal.

I'm only doing what cats would do.

 If you were a cat you'd do this, too."

Olaf, you will be fine.

Hang in there bud.

The Christmas Tree = The Olaf Cat's Nemeses

"Why does being good have to feel so bad?" The Olaf Cat asked as he lay below the Christmas tree, the dazzling lights and dangling play things beckoning him to misbehave.

This morning he had already been scolded for knocking three ornaments off the tree, only this time he choose not to climb, which would have landed him in laundry room prison.  Punishment averted!  If only he could learn to climb without shaking the tree, giving him away.  Super stealth mode! That's what he needed. Olaf lay scheming a clever plot, but before any grand escapade could be decided, he was distracted once again and pawed a branch.

"Olaf," a stern voice warned.

Olaf quickly sprawled on the floor.  "This will fool them," he thought, a posture of unassuming obedience.  "But as soon as they leave the room I'll finally do it!  I'll climb to the top of the tree and reach that Angel.  She won't even see me coming."  He sat there as he watched the humans busying themselves about.  "If only I could do so without making the tree move," he sighed, laying his head down for a cat nap.

"Less then two weeks till Christmas.  All this madness will finally come to an end."

You Know Snoopy has had a Huge Influence on Your Life When . . .

Road trips!

They're fun and great, but sometimes monotonous when the path you're taking is a constantly repeated one, and for me it's the 13 hour stretch between northern Utah and the southern California coast.

A road full of memories. (My favorite quick peek at Vasquez rocks off 14, too bad I never took the time to visit, and the fun 20 minute drive through Virgin River Gorge).

And a road full of boredom. (Desert, anyone?)

But for some reason whenever I pass the sign indicating the proper off ramp towards Needles the first thought that crosses my mind is, "That's where Snoopy's brother lives!!" Followed by, "I wonder how Spike is doing . . ."

Every. Single. Time!!!!

No joke.

And a little F.Y.I.  Did you know Snoopy has a brother named Olaf?

Snoopy knew Olaf was cool before Frozen did.

Just Sayin'.

He's awesome like that.

The Olaf Cat Goes on a Walk

Well, heh, it was more of a kitty adventure exploring the outdoors.

Olaf is an indoor cat, so he doesn't get out much.

But did you know you can train a cat to go on walks on a leash?  Crazy, but it's a process teaching them, which we're not quite sure of, and it's good to start them young.

So the goal is to put Olaf on a leash a few times a week to get him used to it, and hopefully by Spring we can take him on walks around the park and elsewhere.

For now he's enjoying exploring the outdoors.