This cockatoo makes a pretty good scratcher. Still… there’s something about him. Not sure I trust him 100%. Super sweet video of a cockatoo and kitten.
Cat and parrot
Pet the Kitty
holiday ornaments
Look at the wonderful tree ornaments we received this week!
These are just awesome. I am loving them.
I did not get my act together this year to have a tree, but they’re ornaments worthy of being out all year.
So until we get a holiday tree NEXT year, I’ve strung all of the duck ornaments together as a mobile, and hung it on the lamp in the living room where I can see it all the time.
Thanks SO MUCH to Wayne & Dawn in NYC for the very, very throughtful holiday gift. I love these ornaments!
Aren’t they just wonderful?
Kozzy Doppelgänger
Look like anyone you know?
Kozmo Kirby has been gone for months now, but this is his look-alike or “doppelgänger.” He looks a lot like Kozzy I think. Our friend Jen saw him on vacation today and snapped this photo.
Here’s a photo of Kozmo from the archives for comparison.
It’s nice to know there are other good-lookin’ kids out there like Kozmo.
Thanks for sharing the photo, Jen.
Holiday Cards
Here are some of the cards Flapper has received so far this year. Our own cards haven’t been sent yet because we’ve been a little busy. But they should go out very soon.
Special thanks to everyone who left condolences on our loss of Hodjee Podge. We really appreciate it.
snow ducks and holiday wishes
We’re still pretty snowed-in here in Seattle, but the ducks got stir-crazy yesterday and decided they needed to go outside no matter what.
“I can’t take it anymore! I have dining room fever.”
“I’m free! Oooh… it’s chilly.”
“I need to swim in my pond.”
“Where’s my pond?”
“Whoa! Watch out! Did you find the pond yet?”
“What did you do with my pond?”
I didn’t do anything with your pond, Flapper. It’s under all this snow and ice.
“I don’t think I want to spend the day in the pen today.”
“Me neither, Flapper. Let’s go back in the house.”
“Mom? Can you help us get back to the house? We’re stuck.”
“I will rescue them.”
That’s so nice, Malley. You’re a good boy.
“I will wait here and supervise.”
Good idea, Petunia. You’re a smart girl.
It’s still snowing, but looks like it will turn to rain later today and start to melt. Simon is content to watch it from inside.
From all of us at Flapper’s house, a very HaPpY HoLiDaY to you and yours. And as Chewy says, “Peas on Earth.”
XOXOX
Tiff
Goodbye Hodjee Podge
Hodjee passed away in my arms today, Monday, December 22, 2008. She had been ill for a few weeks, but really went downhill fast. Here is a little about her life.
Hodjee was adopted in May of 1997 from the ASPCA in NYC. Her birthday was estimated, but I guess she lived to be 13-years-old. The day I adopted Hodjee, she was the most unfriendly, shy and not-pretty cat in the place. Of course we thought she was beautiful, but no one else gave her a second look. That’s why we wanted her. She seemed quiet and well-behaved and we thought she would be a good companion to Meelee.
Little did we know, Hodjee had just had spay surgery, and was not quiet or well-behaved, just drugged. Once she was home and recovered from surgery, she started to show her true character.
Hodjee did not really keep Meelee company as much as use her as a chew toy. Hodjee was probably feral before we adopted her, and she was a true wild child.
She usually had this crazed look in her eyes, and had a habit of getting into mischief.
Here, in 1999 in NYC, she is stealing a cracker right out of my mouth.
Here Hodjee shows off her “sharp side up” in a photo from 1999 in NYC. Hodjee would go sharp side up whenever she felt threatened. Her favorite place to go sharp side up was at the Vet’s office. Once in NYC, I warned a veterinarian that he might want to put on long sleeves before dealing with Hodjee. He said something like “I’ve been doing this long enough to be careful.” Hodjee tore into him like a tazmanian devil, and he soon had claw marks up and down both forearms. To top it off, Hodjee lunged in mid-air right at his face.
SCORE: Hodjee 1, Veterinarians 0
Here’s a photo of Hodjee’s handiwork on my sister’s hand, when I was out of town on a business trip. I warned her not to pet her too long. Hee hee.
A year after we got Hodjee, we threw cuddly Simon into the mix to see if a new “chew toy” would calm her down and give Meelee a break. Here they are all together in 2000 in our apartment in San Francisco. (This was the only way I could get them to pose together).
On any given day, you could count on Hodjee getting herself into something she shouldn’t get into, and doing something she shouldn’t do. Here she is on the shelf in the bathroom, knocking stuff off onto the floor.
But you could also count on her snuggling at least once a day. Here she is snuggling with my nephew Ethan in 2006.
Steal the dog toy?
Snuggle.
Eat your homework?
Snuggle.
The tip of her tail always looked like she stole it from another cat. And knowing Hodjee, I wouldn’t put it past her. She was a real New Yorker, with a big heart and an attitude to match.
Hodjee was a wonderful, smart, sneaky, wild, crazy, vindictive fighter and biter. And we loved every last bit of her mischief. (Sometimes we even encouraged it).
Tonight we wrote her a letter to say goodbye.
And wrapped her up tight in her sherpa donut with her favorite pillow case, her favorite mouse toy and some of the “good stuff” (cat nip). She will be cremated.
To wrap up this memorial to Hodjee Podge, here is a video of her doing one of her favorite things: Watching birds. The video is from our years in San Francisco.
Hodjee, you were with me from New York to San Francisco and up to Seattle. In good times and bad. In snuggles and mischief, for over 11-years. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion (even if you did use me as a chew toy now and then.) You were the best.
Goodbye you crazy kid. I’m really going to miss you.
Love XOXOX
Mom
The End
Hodjee passed away this morning at 10am in my arms. Thanks to everyone for the comments and support.
Rest in peace sweet Hodjee.
I will post a proper memorial for her in a few days.
Son of a Nutcracker!
Hodjee is not doing well at all. She is having trouble breathing now. She still has some bite in her though.
I tried to give her antibiotics and hyperthyroid medication just now and she bit entirely through my finger with her fangs.
I was able to give her antibiotics, but not the hyperthyroid meds. I may try again, but then again… I just don’t think she’s going to make it.
Man, she still knows how to bite though. Well played, Hodjee. Well played.
Good morning, Seattle
Good morning, Seattle. 4 more inches of snow, eh? Hmmm.
My cats are indoor-only cats, but this morning, I thought I’d let Meelee go ahead and sneak out.
“I want to go oooooout!”
Go for it, Meelee.
“Really? I can go out?”
Yep, really.
“Wow. I’ve waited years for this! What should I do first?”
“Here I go!”
“Eeks! I’m falling through the white stuff!”
Do you need some help, Meelee?
“No I’m good. I’m staying on top of the white stuff now.”
“Um… okay help.”
Meelee came right back in the house, but at the front door, Simon decided he wanted to go outside as well.
“HELP! HELP! HELP! MAYDAY! MEROWR! MEROOOWR!”
Simon didn’t make it very far. He wasn’t light-enough to stay on top of the white stuff.
Sorry Simon. 
Another Night, Another Storm
The snow keeps falling, and the temperatures keep dropping, so the ducks are back in the house again tonight.
Flapper couldn’t wait to come in, as he was getting icicles on his beak from being outside for a few hours. Brrr!
Chewy was sleepy and just wanted to settle in for the night. But Flapper quacks in his sleep so Chewy was having a hard time dozing off.
Petunia & O’Malley sang to each other and then had some treats before turning in.
It’s a quiet night at “Hotel Dining Room for Ducks.”
Sweet dreams.
