Gidja

Gidja

Found December 31st, 2009 – July 8th, 2024

Gidja was a feral cat who started hanging out on my front porch in winter of 2009. One day, he turned his head towards me, and it was clear he had a bad abscess over one eye. I set a live trap with sardines and caught him. I took him to the vet, where his abscess was treated and he was neutered.

He lived in my studio, and it took about a year before he'd sit in my lap. At first he'd just walk by me and glare. He always looked a little angry. At first, he had strict rules. I could only pet him three times, and only from behind his ears to his shoulder blades. If I didn't follow these rules, I'd get swatted. Over time, he became my "velcro" cat - wanting to be in my lap all the time. He and Pumpkin (his companion) had beds on the table next to my computer, where they would nap while I worked. 

I know he was at least 16 years old, and maybe older. He was a loyal friend and is missed. Every day.

A shout-out to Carolyn Croll, who provided advice and encouragement to me, when I first brought Gidja home and didn't know what to do.

Cicadas!

I snapped this photo of a cicada exoskeleton on a Rose of Sharon leaf, just after a rain. 

This year, 13-year and 17-year cicada broods are emerging at the same time in the Midwest and Southeast for the first time since 1803. This includes Brood XIII, which hatched and burrowed into the ground in 2007. Also emerging is Brood XIX, hatched in 2011 and which has been underground for 13 years. These cicadas are "periodical" broods, which means they remain underground until they emerge and shed their exoskeletons. They live for just a few weeks to feed and breed. They also provide food for birds, fish, and mammals. 

Weema

Weema 
31 August 2006  – 8 March 2024

Weema was 17-1/2 years old. Her last few years were tough. She had dementia. She was restless at times, paced and circled. I fed her by hand. She slept in a "side sleeper" (meant for babies) so she wouldn't fall out of bed. But through all of this, she knew who I was, loved her treats, had a good appetite and still played occasionally with Taki, my younger dog. 

She grew up in a trio of dogs – Zabi, Tickle and Weema. Zabi was a babysitter-dog if there ever was one. He raised both Tickle and Weema. He'd lie down to play with Weema when she was a tiny pup, so he wouldn't hurt her. They'd roll around and "nose fence" (bop their noses, baring their teeth in play). Tickle was more standoff-ish at first. Then, one day, Tickle grabbed Weema's back leg in her mouth and growled. Weema froze. Then Tickle released Weema's leg and Weema wiggled in glee as if saying, "do it again!". So Tickle had a different way of playing, but she played with Weema just the same. 

They would all sleep together.

Zabi and Tickle have since passed on. Weema sat in the kitchen and howled her sorrow. And so I brought Taki home for her as a companion. She was never as fond of Taki as Tickle or Zabi, but she did bond, and she did play with him. Taki had to learn to play gently with Weema, who by then was a senior.

Now it's Taki's turn to adjust. He's enough of a narcissist, he may just do fine as an only dog. He can be a little fussy about eating, and he clearly misses Weema. But I'll give it some time.

I will miss her every day.