Dingus Update

Dingus Magee is growing like a weed. This is what he looked like almost 2 months ago.

Sam took him on his first walk, with a harness and leash. Across the street and back took 10 minutes. Since then, we take him out on the patio once or twice a week, and he’s only escaped the harness once when I didn’t have my eye right on him.

The top of my recliner is his favorite place to sleep, even (or especially) when I’m sitting in it. I feel little paws on the back of my head, and eventually his head will come down over my shoulder and he’ll end up in my lap.

“We” have had to learn that the cursor on the computer screen is not a bug or a toy to play with. Sam is thrilled that, after 3 cats in the past 7 years who ignored the laser pointer, he finally has one who loves to chase the little red light as it scampers around the room. It’s a good way to wear him out! (Dingus, that is. Sam just reclines in his chair and chuckles.)

Of course, some of the best toys are free. He had hours of fun with the paper sack. Pumpkin even played with him for awhile.

Dingus continues to torment Pumpkin, but discipline has slowed him down some. This is how it starts. He just cannot resist Pumpkin’s tail.

Pumpkin tries to warn him and get him to back off.

But things quickly escalate. Sam calls this the "Ninja" move. There’s a short spat, which doesn’t faze Dingus at all, then further rumblings from Pumpkin until Sam or I swat Dingus and say “No”. Fortunately, he’s good at playing by himself, too.

He’s over 4 months old now. The appropriate boy-parts will be removed by the vet next week, so we’re hoping things will calm down after that.

Our beautiful big boy.

Lizards & Things

As long as we’re talking about animals, I’ll show you some of the reptiles we have seen out at the ranch. Not as cuddly as kittens, but we do like reptiles! Sorry, we’re strange that way. Remember we visited Reptile Gardens in South Dakota last summer!

As I mentioned earlier, Sam was building the block walls in December, 2007. He mixed the mortar by shoveling sand and cement into the wheelbarrow and adding water. One afternoon, a shovel-full of sand landed in the wheelbarrow and continued to wriggle.

This big boy had been hibernating in the sandpile and was sleepy enough that he hung around awhile. Sam later discovered that he’s called a Clark’s Spiny Lizard.

Before returning him to his winter burrow or sand cave, Sam officially and properly recorded his length as 8 or 9 inches.

Off and on during the next year, we would see him (or a relative) roaming the well house walls or scurrying through the weeds.

In August, 2008, Sam renewed his friendship with Mr. Spiny and a distant smaller cousin. Sam swears the big lizard recognized him as a friend!

New Member of the Family

Sam and I have a new member of the family! His name is Dingus Magee (Dingus for short). He's 12 weeks old, with a lot of playful energy, but he's also a sweetheart.

Everything's a toy to Dingus, and every possible minute is playtime. Feet and ankles are frequently attacked. Fortunately, his birth home taught him the word, "No", and he's also litter box trained!

Pumpkin has been less-than-amused from the start, but Dingus follows her around, attacking and trying to get her to play. Pumpkin is spending a lot of time in places that Dingus can't yet reach, such as the top of the bedroom dresser.

Dingus lies in wait...

But the two are getting along better all the time. We're certain they will be best friends ... once Dingus grows up and settles down a bit. At least Pumpkin is no longer bored!

We hope to post more pictures in the coming weeks.