We're all mad here!

kate_middleton, posting in cat_lovers:
If you would like to ultimately own two cats, is it better to get them together as kittens or wait a few years in between? I know there can be a period of tension if the cats join a family at different times (until they get to know each other) as oppose to growing up together. However, I am curious to know how the two instances may affect the sociality of a cat and its relationship with humans.

Growing up, my family had two cats who were adopted at different times and lived happily together for many years. The first cat was much more social and interactive with the family than the second, who was still sweet natured but didn't engage as much with us. I think the reason may have been because he had a furry friend from the get go, whereas the first cat spent the first half of her life with us as her only companions. When the first cat passed away, the second cat became lonely and started spending more time with us.

I wonder if two kittens adopted together may behave more like the second cat, i.e. bonding less with their humans and more with each other, or if the above scenario was unique to my family and normally wouldn't occur? The reason I'm asking is because I would like any cats I adopt to be as social as possible, and I am curious if there is anything I can do to encourage this through timing of adoption.

Also, I have heard that some breeds are more social than others, such as Bengals and Siamese. Does anyone have experience with either? Could you share some insight to their social behaviour and relationship with humans? Are they significantly more social than a "regular" cat you would adopt at an animal shelter?

musicboxwaltz, posting in randompictures:
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kingeryck, posting in randompictures:
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deaddoloreshaze, posting in acww_adult:
and you know what that means . . . IT'S TIME TO CATCH AN OCEAN SUNFISH!!!!!

vriad_lee, posting in randompictures:
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ayoungjovian, posting in randompictures:
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barryw322, posting in behind_the_lens:

darkstorm_, posting in macosx:

I finally upgraded my Tiger to Snow Leopard (as high as my iMac will handle). I've run software update to make everything current. But, I've run into several problems.

1) Where my applications folder is on the dock, it is covered by an address book icon and maybe a few others. It doesn't clear up when I restart. How do I clear the extra icons from on top of the applications folder in the dock? Has anyone else experienced this particular glitch? If I try to drag the top icon it wants to delete it, not move it. I already have an address book icon on the dock.

2) It used to be that when I dropped something on my desktop it would snap into a grid space. Now I've finding I have to do a "cleanup" to snap stuff into the grid. How do I go about making it so things dropped on the desktop automatically snap into a grid space?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me to clear things up.

rufushonkeriv, posting in randompictures:
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bodacioussylph, posting in bentolunch:



Pita Bite crackers. Brie. Assortment of mini heirloom tomatoes.

Carrots. Tamagoyaki. Broccoli. Vanilla cupcake. Nectarine.

cyeager, posting in craftgrrl:

Greetings! I come bearing pics of  baby hat/bootie sets I made last week; these are samples of the kind of baby items I want to sell online as soon as I get my store and Paypal accounts set up.

krushisabitch, posting in randompictures:
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benchilada, posting in randompictures:
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yellownightrose, posting in randompictures:

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tatteredrags, posting in randompictures:
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mrflagg, posting in randompictures:
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allah_sulu, posting in randompictures:
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dmirilen, posting in behind_the_lens:

theidolhands, posting in lj_photophile:



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melodysparks, posting in lj_photophile:

disarmme2010, posting in lj_photophile:

I'm new to photophile :) So,here is a picture form where I live :)
A good month and a wonderful Summer to ALL :)

dulcedemon, posting in lj_photophile:

Blue refers to the color, of course. Squat refers to what one had to do in order to get the shot.

paine_fury, posting in cat_lovers:

Well, we have a LOT of cats that visit my back/front garden. I think I last counted at 24.......

Anyways, a new addition decided to rub up against my legs as I waited for the bus to work today, and she is a GORGEOUS grey and white female with a silver collar. I am guessing she must live a fair few doors away but, given this is predominantly a cat-owner street I am sure she will quickly familiarise themselves with the many cats that like to laze around in my garden.

So how many visiting cats do you get?

daybyeday, posting in found_objects:
[ sitting in a park of Moscow, and being used as flowerbed ]

misery_chick, posting in getfuzzyfeed:

melodysparks, posting in behind_the_lens:

ilea, posting in craftgrrl:

Here's the deal, 'til 6/15/12 @11:59 pm cst we'll be running a little contest over on our FB page. To enter you make a craft and post it over here on craftgrrl (so you have to be a member!), then go over to the FB page and post the link to your craft in the comments of the contest pic.
I'm going to toss everyones names in a jar and on 6/16 a winner will be randomly chosen by toddler.

What could you win?? $20 gift card to the craft store of the winners choice provided that the card can be bought online.

You can "enter" as many times as you like and as an added bonus if you write a tutorial or pattern to go along with your craft you'll get two additional entries. (so I will toss your name in the jar 3 times for one post! - because tutes are awesome!)
If you don't have time to participate this time have no fear! We'll be running contests all this summer! Also for the LJ only peeps I'll make sure to have a contest or two over here for ya'll. Stay Tuned!

Any questions comment here or email me: ilea@livejournal.com

perevodi_na, posting in found_objects:

krushisabitch, posting in randompictures:
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1silver_seraph, posting in randompictures:
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grail76, posting in randompictures:
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kingeryck, posting in randompictures:
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mystressprynne, posting in lj_photophile:


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appassionata_lr, posting in lj_photophile:

crysania4, posting in lj_photophile:

leibenko, posting in lj_photophile:



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sergey_sk78, posting in lj_photophile:

miss_october, posting in randompictures:
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musicboxwaltz, posting in randompictures:
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vodkabeforenoon, posting in randompictures:
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misery_chick, posting in getfuzzyfeed:

yellownightrose, posting in randompictures:

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krushisabitch, posting in randompictures:
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krushisabitch, posting in randompictures:
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sukadodgers, posting in randompictures:
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bodacioussylph, posting in bentolunch:



Bell pepper. Carrots. Grape tomato. Broccoli. Shaped hard-boiled egg. Spaghetti with marinara and parmesan.

foldinginwards, posting in gpxplus_elite:

bethybugsmomma, posting in cat_lovers:
You may have seen my post on kittypix, but if you haven't, Pandas still not home. We miss him so much, and haven't given up totally on him coming home.
My oldest kiddo, who is schizophrenic and on the autism spectrum, is really affected by it.
Yesterday my younger teen asked my husband if she could get a kitten for her sister. Despite saying no more animals...the old softie said yes. THEN she came to mom and said but Lee said...So, it seems we are getting an 8 week old kitten on Saturday. It's not quit ready to leave the shelter, he has an URI, and with other cats in the house they suggested he stay a few more days. It's a little boy, grey tabby, and so sweet. He was born in a foster home and just moved to the shelter 2 weeks ago. I think my oldest will love it. She has no clue yet...
The plan is to keep the kitten in her room for a couple weeks. Our older cat won't be an issue I don't think, she adjusts to younger pests really well, and will quickly let it know she's the boss(despite sleeping 20 hours a day, but hey, she's almost 17). The younger cat is only about 18 months...and still very much a kitten. She loves other cats, even the neighborhood ones who come visit the porch, so I think she will be ok. we will still introduce slowly.
The dogs...the bigger dog is very protective of the small critters. The chicks would cheap and she would worry and fuss over them, the big chickens in the yard...well...she won't even let a sparrow in the yard if the chickens are out. She will stand guard over them. Last kitten we had in the house she mothered so much. no worries about her.
The smaller dog is the issue...she LOVES small animals. She thinks they should be able to play and play and play like her. When Anne was a kitten Hannah would grab her by the head and drag her from room to room drooling all over her. The poor kitten had a spiked hair do all the time. Hannah was gentle while doing it, but of course we stopped it when we caught her...and oddly the kitten tolerated it. As soon as the kitten meowed the dog would let go and leave her alone.

My big question is regarding food.
Our big cats are on Natural Balance green pea and duck(LID). Their website says it can be fed to kittens.
Whats the consensus here though. Can we transition him right away to what we feed, or should we stick with the kitten food they are feeding(science diet is what they usually use, they send a bag home with all adoptions)? I would prefer to just get him on what we feed, but will do kitten if really needed.


And no worries, if/when Panda comes home he and kitten will still have a home here.

kittycatalina, posting in craftgrrl:
My 7 yr old son is fascinated with "making things" we have made, with my assistance, a pillow, some stuffies, and other misc items. He is in no way coordinated to sew a project on his own (he has mild dyslexia, and issues with place order. I'm also hoping some fine motor projects will help with his handwriting), but I am looking for something he might be able to do with minimal assistance from mommy. He spent a very happy 45 minutes yesterday sewing on buttons, but that novelty is going to wear off quick.

I was thinking maybe plastic canvas? I vaguely remember working on kits when I was a kid. Does anyone have a source for kits/patterns that are boy friendly? It doesn't have to scream Yoshi or Optimus Prime, but all the stuff I've seen is way pink and flowery, or involves purses and doll clothes. I'd even go for something like baby blocks, since he has a baby brother, and a baby cousin arriving later this summer.

What are some other projects you think might work for a crafty but uncoordinated little boy? I have a knifty knitter, but hats in 100 degree heat...ugh. I have never tried spool knitting, but it's pretty much the same thing right? I am not good enough at traditional knitting to teach him, and I don't know how to crochet. Somewhere I have a latch hook rug kit, if I find that we may give that a try. I'm a little stumped though, and maybe you guys have some fresh ideas? Thanks!

cindy_reddeer, posting in snapshot_hunter:

It's time to vote on Round 310 - Me!

( Voting - Part 1 )