Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Earth Day Smiles and Surprises

April 22nd is known around the world as "Earth Day". Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and is now globally coordinated for everyone to celebrate this special holiday. We'd like to simply wish all of our friends a Happy Earth Day today!

Happy Earth Day!

It's nice to go outside and appreciate all that the Earth and Mother Nature has to offer. I love going out and exploring all the flowers, creatures, and bugs. Here's a few pictures I took last week of all the finer things our planet has to offer.


Earth Day photos

On another note, Sunday I mentioned a *surprise*. Well, unfortunately the surprise never happened but I'll go ahead and let you know what it was supposed to be. I have been looking around for a pet rat or two. Nibblet's cage is too empty and my daughter keeps asking when we will get another rat. Ideally, I'd like a pair. Their gender doesn't really matter to me.

I don't want to purchase the rats from a pet store, so it makes finding a pair a little more difficult. I sometimes find listings on Craigslist and there is also a rat rescue in town that I may contact soon. I do check PetFinder also. I'm in no rush myself, but I am looking around.

So the surprise was supposed to be a new ratty friend, but the plan fell through. BUT, I do have a completely unexpected surprise. My father acquired a cat for his barn. I was introduced to this super handsome mancat yesterday. My daughter decided to name him "Tom the Tomcat".

Tom the Tomcat
Hiding under the tool box. 

What I know about Tom is that he came from a farm where he was a "killer". He was great at killing rabbits, mice, and... chickens. So I'm guessing that's why it didn't work out on the farm for Tom. But, if he's as great a hunter as his reputation tells then he will be perfect for the barn and nursery.

Tom seems scared at the moment but did allow me to stroke him quite a bit. He talked to me a little bit with some meowing and then went to hide behind the toolbox. He never hissed or acted aggressive. So he seems like a very nice cat.

46 comments:

  1. Wow welcome to the barn Tom. We hope you settle in and have a great time hunting. Hope you find some rats to share your home with soon Ann. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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    1. Thanks Molly! Tom sounds like he will fare well as a hunter.

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  2. All of your photos are great! I love your Dad's new barn cat! I'm so sorry that I haven't commented on Niblett's death. I know it must have been so hard on you. I was very sad to read your instagram about his passing. I knew he was sick with his ears but was hoping that he'd get well. You need another for that cute little bed that you have!

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    1. No worries Melissa and thank you. She also had an URI, but the ear thing just never seemed to get better.

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  3. Welcome Tom ! It's a little bit scary to arrive in a new house, but I'm sure you'll feel secure very soon ! Purrs

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  4. Glad that Tom has nice new home. We applaud our cats for killing the mice. The mice can do so much damage. But not the chickens. He must have been really hungry to kill chickens. But glad he has a nice home now. Happy Earth day.

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    1. I have no idea Marg! We certainly are having a rodent problem around here though. Not just mice, but voles too. We have no chickens and he can have plenty of noms to eat here.

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  5. Welcome Tom! Wishing him many happy days of fulfilling his love of hunting and keeping the rodents in check. (no offense, talking about the wild mice etc)
    Good luck with your search for new pet rats. I'm sure the right ones will turn up for you soon.
    Happy Earth Day!

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    1. No offense taken Amy! Pet rodents are much different than the wild ones.

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  6. Oh no, I am so so SO sorry we missed the Nibblet news, just searched back but didn't see so not sure how we missed it. This is so sad and I'm sorry for you and your poor daughter :-( Tom does look a bit scared but it sounds like he is lucky to have found the barn. Maybe he will scare up a few pet rats for you that manage to escape him!

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    1. It's OK guys, I am sure I miss all kinds of things sometimes =/ Thank you though. I definitely would not want a wild rat lol. They are so ugly!

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  7. I hope things work out for Tom in his new "home" in the barn.....sorry you are still on the search for a pair of rats but I have a feeling you'll "score" soon!!!

    Hugs, Sammy

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    1. I am fine and just browsing right now :) I believe that pets find us for a reason, so I'm sure they'll find us sooner or later.

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  8. He is a very handsome tabby. I missed the Earth day boat today, I love your nature photos though.

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  9. Tom the Tomcat, what a cool name. He looks a little like the brother of Brian :o) Happy Earth Day to you!

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  10. Good looking cat! Finding a rat sounds like a real project! Good luck with that.

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  11. I was hoping the surprise would be a new pet rat...not that I would want you to "replace" Nibblet. Tom the Tomcat is quite handsome. Hopefully he will be the best barn cat with all his hunting instincts!
    Happy Tuesday, Miss Ann, Shiner & family!
    Oz

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    1. Well, that is what the surprise was supposed to be Oz, but my plans fell through and didn't work out.

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  12. Oh Tom is handsome! For sure!!!! And I can't wait to see when you get your new rats, sorry your original surprise fell through, everything happenes for a reason though.
    Happy earth Day!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  13. Happy Earth Day and good luck, Tom! Hope is settles in nicely!

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  14. Don't tell her I told you so but the Lady can remember the first Earth Day, what she was doing, where, everything! Love Dolly

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  15. Concatulations about Tom!! I still wish you would get an indoor kitty of your own :(

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    1. Me too Caren. I'm just going to let Tom do his own thing, and mostly let my dad take care of him. But it will be nice to get some kitty pets in here and there. Shiner just doesn't get along with kitties well. Maybe a young kitten, so they could grow together.

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  16. Tom is very handsome! I hope he settles in well.

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  17. Oh wow! Tom is absolutely stunning! Congrats on the new mouser!

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  18. Happy Earth Day to you! Tom is a beautiful cat! Thanks for taking him in! My sister had rats - 2 girls but one passed away recently at the age of 2. We have a local rat rescue here in Arizona that is phenomenal. Beautiful pictures also!

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  19. Happy Earth Day to you too Shiner...
    We're headed outside to play with some earth friendly bubbles!

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  20. Tom the Tomcat dude looks like he could be my brother. He is handsome MOL,

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  21. Tom looks like a great mouser! I had a cat named Tom when I was growing up. He was orange though.

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  22. Happy Earth Day to you too! We are loving the day!

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  23. Happy Earth Day to you! Tom is quite handsome

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  24. YAY for Tom and your dad and his barn!!

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  25. Happy Earth Day! We're sure that the opportunity to adopt a rat will come up again soon! Tom looks like a nice cat. :)

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  26. Happy Earth day to you also, sorry you haven't found any rats but the barn kitty is handsome.

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  27. Haven't seen you around in a while :( Hope your doing well Ann, and happy Earth day!

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    1. Hi Leah! I wonder if something happened with my reader. Going to stop by.

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  28. Tom is one handsome dude! And your nature photos are really beautiful!

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  29. Tom the Tomcat suits him very well. Pawkiss :)

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  30. Tom is very handsome!! I hope you find your new rats soon, I'm sure that isn't easy, but I'm glad you are not going to get them at a pet store. Good things are worth waiting for, right?

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