Miss Madison - Joy Spreader

I tell you - my little girl ferret is the pure example of joy.  She is the happiest little critter - never in the almost one year she has been in our lives have I seen her not filled with pure elation.  She has love for her humans and her siblings....even she and Clooney have started playing more and more as time goes on.

We should all follow her examples of how to live:

• When things don't go your way - don't stress - adapt
• When someone is mean to you - don't take it personal - try again another time
• Play as if its the last time you can ever play again
• Never be ashamed to show how happy you are - its infectious
• Live without fear
• Show those you love that you love them every time you interact
• Make others laugh

Think how happy our world would be if we could all pull this off...

Cute Animal Emails.....

I get lots of cute critter emails from lots of different sources - some of them are just too cute not to share here.  These came from an email from my cousin:

That first one made me laugh - but I think my favorite is the silly string...too cute!

Sunday, Sunday...

The weekends go so fast.  Today was filled with many many chores.  In fact - the chores keep going and will later into the evening.  Many of said chores were critter related - clean Nigel's cage, clean cat boxes, do critter laundry, cut critter toes, brush critter hair, clean up critter feeding station...clean up messes created by critters....etc.  You get the idea.

The weather here is fantastic - all the windows are wide open....the screen door is open - the kitties are loving it.  They have occupied the window sills or in front of the door for the bulk of the day.  As I type - everyone is snoozing - its been a pretty quiet and laid back day.

The coming week is busy for the humans...hopefully the critters will come along for the ride and have a good week as well...

Critter Saturday....

Critters had a pretty good day today.  Nigel was snoozing on the cat tree for the bulk of the day.  Kitties were lazy napping in various locations.  Ferrets were playing with each other multiple times per day.

The humans had plans today.  Emma got to spend the day with her grandpa and Quincy.  Kitties and ferrets were just hanging out (at least I presume) and Nigel decided he didn't want to hang on the cat tree so he ventured down and was playing in the laundry when we got home.  He seemed like a happy little dude.  He is now safely in his cage and has had some dinner and a drink.

Once we got home the ferrets were both happy to see us.  They were active - playing and wrestling and getting some cuddles and pets.  They were playing with each other as well which makes me very happy.  Bringing the two of them together has been a very slow process.

While we were out today I bought a cute stocking for Madison - kind of a blank slate for me to embroider for her.  It's her first Christmas - I am excited!

Moments of Panic

This is one of those times when I think having free range ferrets is a crappy idea.  I could not find Madison ANYWHERE today.  I searched everywhere.  Called her over and over....the bonus room looked like it was burgled with the furniture turned over.  Nothing....

I called and called - more panicked with each passing moment.  I think that was reflected in my voice because when she finally did come to find me she thought she was in trouble.  Once I scooped her up and showered her with kisses all was right in the world.

I am not sure what exactly I think has happened to them if I can't find them....maybe that they have gotten out somehow or that they are hurt or sick or stuck.  I know its somewhat  irrational but sometimes all logic just goes out the window.  I am happy I can report that she is fine and I am too.....

Critter Camera

Oh the best laid plans - I was going to take some time today to take some photos of the critters....WOW - what a day.  Between work meetings, deliverables, errands, phone calls and an evening meeting with the handy man who is going to do some stuff for me around the house....the day is gone.  Now its dark and I am out of steam so no pictures for your viewing pleasure.  There is always tomorrow I guess.

Critters are all good though - I am happy to report that everyone seems to be doing great.  Emma seems to be over her case of the itchies - no scratching or biting at her skin for several days now.  Kitties are all as lazy as ever.  Ferrets are doing fantastic and my baby boy Nigel is happy and content - he is having a pretty good day today - minimal huffing - crickets and worms...what more could a hedgehog want?

The More People I Know - the More I Love My Critters

Ah - the day after....what a telling day.  I am not please with the results but have tried to keep my comments to myself.  In the times we live in - the social media times - the total information saturation times....people's true colors shine through.  These are the days that I adore my critters even more than usual.  These are the days where I would be most at peace if I lived in a place where access to humans was limited - only my husband, my brother and a few close friends and my critters -- ah what bliss.

Today has been filled with snarky and ungracious "winners" and whining and obnoxious "losers".  Myself - I have come to the conclusion that we as a nation have spent billions and billions of dollars on campaigns that have further divided the nation to have the government just as broken and corrupt and ineffective as it was last week.  Not sure anyone actually wins with that.  I have determined for my sanity - I need to get to place of not caring.  I have decided to take a hiatus - from FB, Twitter, exposure to the media.  Only the blog will continue and for no other reason that it brings me joy to document the daily occurrences and look back on them at a later time.

Maybe soon I will feel better or different or more hopeful.  Perhaps not - perhaps I must find a new normal.  For now I will take the cuddles and kisses and smiles brought by the critters and take comfort in the fact that they are happy and healthy and safe.