Spotlight: Colonel and Bunc

So I heard and saw a lot about National Dog Day yesterday. Loved it. Surprisingly, I do enjoy the company of dogs. They can be adorable. I mean, if you don't giggle while watching a puppy run and tumble over their ears…you are evil/Satan incarnate. I know my blog is called catsandcrocs, but I want to spotlight the dogs that DEAL with our cats (and us). They put up with a lot and deserve their due. Fair warning, this is a long post because I never show you Colonel or Bunc unless it relates to Buster/Grits/Cats/Crocs. Let the cuteness BEGIN!

Colonel 

Colonel is an English Springer Spaniel from good ole South Carolina. He's 12 years YOUNG and loves to spend his time on the sofa or chilling on a porch. His key words these days are- hang out, chilling, sitting down, treat, I'm so fancy, treat, dinner, nap time, bed time (you get the picture). He's in retirement mode nowadays and sometimes when he is feeling up to it goes and visits humans who are also in retirement mode.

Purrfect citizens 

 He has not led a hard life as in on the streets, but he has dealt with kids pulling on his ears, crawling on him, and retrieving ducks in ice rimmed lakes. His days of waking up at 3 am to go duck hunting are numbered…I think he's okay with it.  He ,and all other dogs, need a good pampering now and then! Check out the photo below. He's a natural at relaxing! 

Thinking about how to con anyone that breathes to give him a treat

He's a natural athlete as well.

A lot of the time I get emails from my readers asking about how Colonel deals with Grits and Buster. Well, let me explain! Colonel and the cats' relationship is as healthy as any good relationship. His laid back attitude leads to natural friendships that have lasted over his entire life! Buster was 2 years old when we got Colonel and they have never had an squabble over the last of the kibble! Grits knows that Colonel is boss and doesn't mess around with him. Nowadays, we don't know if he can't see them or he just doesn't care that they share his home; either way it's alllllllllll good in the hood.  Colonel even threw Buster a Birthday Party! 

Aftermath…passed out. 

Colonel's natural photogenesis leads to tons of photos of him looking as cute as a daisy. None as cute as the day before Columbia was expected to get FOUR INCHES of snow.  There was not a bread loaf left in town. He was so pumped to take this photo, and I think you can really see that in his beautiful caramel brown eyes and flowing locks. He really puts the 'tude in attitude. 

Vogue Ski Bunnies!

Buncombe

Buncombe or Bunc is the babiest of the babies. He is an English Setter and THRIVES on attention. Currently 4 years of age, Buncombe has mastered the art of "The Double Drool" which is whenever a piece of food is shown to him (or seen by him), drool slowly begins emitting down until it hits the floor or is pressed against your leg. Both endings are disgusting but magical, if that makes sense. He loves to sit in laps even though the big baby is about 70 lbs, and will gladly water the whole neighborhood if taken on a walk. 

Bunc is a bit of a rambunctious boy. 

Bunc loves attention.

Bunc loves to be loud to get attention.

Guess whose attention that also gets?

Grits. 

Grits and Bunc have had their fair share of run ins…I'm not going to say whose fault it is, but someone (Grits) has memorized someone else's (Bunc's) schedule and knows just when to pop out at him….Evidence below.

and another. although, to be fair to Grits, Bunc should not have been freaking out like this when the mailman came to drop off the mail like he does every.day.every.single.day. 

Bunc definitely uses this bullying to his advantage and gets SO much attention from our parents. This is him after a Grits "attack."I guess he is taking the advice of those who tell kids to let someone know when bullying is happening. I hope it works better in the school system because Grits pays zero attention to punishment. 

Begging my dad to take Grits back to the pound

He's just a fluff muffin at heart and we dearly love him for it. Although, if you are the mailman, UPS, FedEx guy, or any stranger coming to our door, it's like he has had 4 adderall chased with 10 red bulls…Please don't ring our doorbell. Halloween is Buncombe's worst nightmare. 

Bunc does surprisingly get along with Buster….I think that's more of Buster's "whatever dude" attitude at play more than anything else.  Here they are being CUTE AF. 

Probably thinking of ways to dance to Taylor Swift's new song "Shake It Off"

I think it's great how their coloring is very similar to make a beautiful palate of love to be shown across the land through this blog. They are often found curled up together asleep probably after Buster listens to Bunc cry about Grits being a bully again. "One day" Buster prophetically says, "One day."

Bunc and Colonel are besties and that's the way it should be in every family. One dog shouldn't be treated favorably over the other one. Jealousy has no place in our household. They cuddle up to each other, "run" together, and spend a lot of time staring at the treat jar together. 

They are just TOO handsome!!!! Here's one last photo taken during that HORRIBLE snow storm last year. Colonel and I are adorably sleeping while my sister and Bunc cheese for the camera! 

I hope y'all enjoyed meeting Bunc and Colonel, this may be the last time you will see them in the spotlight like this! However, if rascally Grits has anything to say about the subject, Bunc will be featured again. Just joking, fingers crossed that they have reached a truce!

Paws Out,

Greek Week!

With Rush right around the corner for all those incoming freshcats, I decided to make a Dos and Don'ts List for them. This cateneration now more than ever needs us to help shape and mold their young, youthful minds. Remember your college days? We didn't have social media, cell phones (unless it was a Razor/some sort of flip phone) thus we could do whatever without it being on our purrmanent record. This is to help those freschcats stay in line while they decide to rush the house of their dreams. Take a stroll with me down the Dos and Don'ts and add your own to the comment section!

Dos

1. Do ask questions- don't be afraid to ask where the litter box is or how many dogs are in the house, these are important questions that every catority member should know. 
   
   (Dogs…the inferior species)
2. Do be yourself! These cats need to want you for you, and if they're not feeling it…you shouldn't be feeling them. They snooze, they lose. 
   
   (caught napping on the job)
3. Do keep an open mind! Where your friends go may not be the best cathouse for you. Rush is a great time to meet new friends and expand your friend group. 
   
   (best day of my life)
4. Do go to dirty rush events- ummm hellooooo this is where the fun stuff happens, and you see people's true identities. 
   
    (you may not like what you see)
5. Do be funny, everyone loves a good joke and laugh. Plus it will help ease your nervousness to goof off for a bit. 
   
   (FUN)

Don'ts

1. Don't  let the litter box choose you….you choose the litter box. Symbolically speaking of course, hopefully no cathouse will have that in the open. However, it is a good rule of thumb to see how clean they keep their kitchens/litter box areas. Can tell you a lot about people. 
   
   (Great use of space)
2. Don't mention three things: Tom Cats, Catnip, and other Cathouses. They simply don't care and it strikes against you. Be yourself! You don't need those crutches (and honestly, you should kick the catnip habit…fattttttttt)
   
   (sorry)
3. Don't dress down. Nobody wants to see you in your camp clothes! Give yourself a bath, and fluff up. It's  time to look good.
   
   (Meowtastic)
4. Don't have your parents drop you off. Nerd Alert. 
   
   (No-No)
5. Don't be sarcatastic- can come off as dogmeaning and as one of the greatest literary writers ever wrote "Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit"
   
   (Not everyone gets sarcasm.)
   
   
   I hope this helps those rushing this fall or even this spring. Always be mindful that someone or something is listening and watching you! 
   
   
   
   Paws Out! 
   
   

Song Parodies

I don't know about y'all but every time I hear a song I try to relate it to Cats or Crocs. It's a good and fun game especially if you're on a road trip. Here are some CLASSIC examples and if you need someone to sing them call my beloved sister. Her # is…. JK, I wouldn't do that to y'all, she is tone deaf. 

Enjoy!

Summertime Sadness, Lana del Ray
Parody: Littertime Sadness

Pet me hard before I go
Littertime Sadness
I just needed to go
and now I'm distracted by your pats

I took my collar off tonight
hanging with the boys in 
sunroom light
got my fur brushed up real fluffy
and nice
collar off, I'm feeling ALIVE

Oh my God, I feel it in the catnip
dogs hairs floating around the air 
Cats, Alive, I'm feeling like a boss
Dogs don't scare me anymore!!!

Pet me too hard before I go
Littertime Sadness
I just needed to go
and now I'm distracted by the pats

What's Your Fantasy: Ludacris
Parody: What's My Catasy

I wanna scra scra scra scratch you from your head to your toes
and I wanna move the dog from my spot to the flo'
then i wanna ah ah make sure you don't fo'get me 
So I'm going to si-si-si sit on your laptop keys

SHOTS : LMFAO
Parody: CROCS

When I walk into the Water Park 
all envy is on me
I'm with the Croc Crew
All rides are free
We like pools
We love lazy rivers
We came to PARTY CROC
STYLE 
CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS CROCS 

EVERYBODY (go through twice) 

Thrift Shop: Macklemore 
Parody: Croc Shop

"HEY BETSY, CAN WE GO CROC SHOPPING"
croc croc croc croc croc croc croc croc croc croc croc croc 

I'm going to get some new crocs
Only got 34.99 in my pocket
I'm hunting for some sales
This is Crocing awesome

Nah, walk into the club like "What up I got on Green Crocs"
I'm so pumped I just got some new Crocs  from the Croc shop
Jibbits in the holes, it's so damn frosty
That people like, "Damn! That's a cool ass girley."
Croc'in, hella neat, headin' to the mezzanine,
Dressed in all pink, 'cept my gator shoes, those are green (DIDN'T EVEN NEED TO CHANGE THIS LINE) 
Draped in all Croc swag, guys standin' next to me
Probably shoulda washed these, smells like river beds

and of course the CLASSIC

ROAR: Kitty Purry

Parody: None Needed

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You’re gonna hear me roar

CROCS OUT

The Croc Movie: How 2 Become 1

Here.

It.

Is.

People have been asking, wondering, begging to know how my Crocs became a pair.  I didn't want to share the story until now. We meet my two infamous Crocs and they tell their stories. These are recreations, they real story would be too intense to show on a family style blog. They are known to my family as PC and RC. PC being Poor Croc and is ,unfortunately, the  one missing his strap. RC is Rich Croc and is the one with his strap still on. 

As we travel with the two, please keep in mind that there are Crocs still out there unclaimed that need help. You should visit the Croc website to help the cause…and who knows, you may love what you find.

For Now, let me introduce

 The Croc Movie: How 2 Become 1

The Story of PC and RC

For those mobile users here is the youtube link :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf2Q2MoGIxc

Crocs Out.

The Real HouseCats of South Carolina

On this season of The Real HouseCats of South Carolina, we will meet six cats living out their nine lives in the deep south. Even though they come from long lines of southern aristocracy, don’t expect to see purrfect behavior. There will be relationships ruined, weight gained, rivalries renewed, and unfortunately, a loss that impacts the whole group. Come take a visual walk with me while you meet these six CATches and how they find love, loss, and some purrfect memories.

Buster: 

Life in South Carolina is a game, and I make the rules.

Being the self-proclaimed leader in the group, Buster rules the town with an iron paw. His bird watching and hunting business has taken off with the help of Louis, and they've just begun to roll in the tuna.  He has made the journey to the top of the game, but you don't get to the top without a few enemies. Grits is his nephew, Binky and Rusty his sisters, Gracie his arch nemesis, and Louis his dear business partner. With his rich timber voice narrating the series, the audience will see how living and working with family is not all that it’s cracked up to be especially when you add in a minx by the name of Gracie. She’s burned his advances before but will he give up? We’ll find out this season!

Grits:

I'm a model, but not always a model citizen

Grits is the resident bad boy. The youngest of the cast, he makes his presence no secret. Grits has just discovered the outdoors and has been running rampant ever since. Dogs are no match for him and rabbits don’t stand a chance. If you've got it, he wants it. Helped out by mother who can't say no, he has funds to last him until the end of time. Grits doesn't believe in a job that starts at 9 and goes to 5, those are for the poor people. His job requires spice, pizazz, and of course, controversy.  He’s begun to start a catpaign to become the new leading man in South Carolina but he’ll certainly face adversity. He must overcome the siblings to best Buster. Will he be successful? Here’s a preview of what’s to come!

Oreo Binky:

Life is short, I have no time for drama.

Oreo Binky, Binky for those who are in the inner circle, is Buster’s beloved sister. They’ve been separated since 8 weeks old, but after finding each other on catbook they’ve been catcalling every week. Binky is the one that introduced Buster and Louis and their business relationship has profited ever since. She had enough of the rat race and came home to purr and make cat baskets for her friends. A simple life maybe, but if the kitten mitten fits...Unfortunately,  Binky will have a tough time this season, but surrounded by the love of her family (human and cat), she will claw her way to the top.

Rusty:

People may think they have me figured out, but I am always a wild card.

Rusty, the other sister to Buster, begins and ends the day with a prayer, but don’t take her Christian spirit for weakness. She runs one of the most profitable Catnip stations in South Carolina. A controversial business for sure, but she’s packing heat and isn’t afraid to fire off warning shots. The motto of her shop? "Take my Catnip and get a Fatlip." Her relationship with her sister is strong as ever and Binky will need it this season. Her relationship with Buster? Well… let’s just say he doesn’t approve of the Catnip business and makes it no secret. Will they be able to share the milk bowl again?

Gracie:

Am I high maintenance? Of course I am, look at me.

Gracie made her debut in 2002 and hasn’t looked back since. Coming from meager beginnings, she’s made a name and a fortune for herself. She’s a strong woman that knows what she wants and how to get it whether it’s the food bowl or the tomcat. Her relationship with Buster is tumultuous mainly because she knows about all the side cats he keeps company with on the weekends. If you think hurricanes are rough on South Carolina, you’ve never seen Gracie’s wrath. Will she be able to tame the biggest tomcat or will she find love in a different tom?

Louis: 

Haters are gonna hate, but I just love, love, love

Louis was this groups moral compass and the steady head to bring them together in the most heated of circumstances. Unfortunately you are reading the past tense of that statement. He died surrounded by those whom loved him. Speaking as the producer of this show, he was a marvelous cat who always had a twinkle in his eye. There was never an instance when I , or anyone else, entered the room where he didn't immediately speak to say hello. His home was your home. He was the best friend to Binky and her grieving process will be hard, but she's a fighter. Buster will have to learn to run the business without Louis' deft touch. Louis was a big cat (check out those paws!) and his presence will be sorely missed in his household. The next cat will have big paws to fill.  Rest In Peace Louis, and we'll see you again. 

Join us this season on: The Real HouseCats of South Carolina: 

Cats, Cids, and Crocs

Cats. Cids (Kids for those non alliterative people). Crocs.

You may be thinking- what the heck could those all have in common, is there a place where I can find all three? I'VE GOT YOU COVERED.

I had been thinking of doing a little history into my family's love for cats, but we don't have too long of a history in the love for Crocs. Actually, I'm the only one that has a history with Crocs. The rest of my family tries to throw away or give away my sweet footwear fit for the gods at least once a week. Last week I caught my mom putting them into the donation basket we take to Goodwill. WHAT IF I hadn't caught her? I can't even think of what would happen to me, but she would be headed straight to the loony bin. Giving away a classic shoe like that? Would Carrie's mom give away her Manolo's????

So I knew I would need some help with getting cids in Crocs. As a woman in my twenties, its would be pretty strange to go hang out in the children's section of a shoe store so I needed an alternative plan. I'm not saying I wouldn't go that far…it would just be weird. Praise The LORD, one of my best friends growing up has a sister with twins who are just at that age to learn how to enjoy and cherish Crocs.  I've actually been waiting for this day, but didn't want to seem overeager like that crazy non related aunt who is constantly asking about the childrens' footwear. The day came May 23, 2014. I got the text at 4:11 pm saying Caroline and Charlie were properly outfitted in THE shoe of the decade!  Here's a little photo timeline of the events. Be forewarned and get out the Kleenex, there is nothing cuter than a cid in Crocs.

Here we meet Charlie. He's a little unsure of what comfy cloud his mom just put on his feet. Understandable, he's probably never felt this cool or fresh in his adorable little life. 

 OH, he gets it now! These shoes are made for raising that roof!!! I bet he hasn't stopped dancing since they were put on his feet! Keep raising that roof Charlie, because they go up to adult size 15!!! 

Now we meet Charlie's twin sister Caroline. Caroline used to be described as shy and reserved. I think she was just waiting for the proper footwear. Can you not see glimpses of Mia Hamm or Abby Wambach?!?! The first thing I thought was- I just made that kid famous. 

Now that Caroline and Charlie are properly outfitted with the greatest shoes in the planet, their star power is unlimited. I'm not saying that they wouldn't have been successful if they hadn't had started off in Crocs…but think about how successful Bill Gates could have been if he HAD started off in them. Just food for thought.

Let's try and move onto our next cute section, Cats and Cids. It will be hard to tear your eyes away from those darling twins, but I think I've got quite the solution. 

Y'all know I have loved cats since I was born, but maybe you've questioned that? I hope not, but maybe. Like every prosperous person in this world, I am going to put my money where my mouth is and take you into my family vault. 

This was our first Christmas card and the last one Polly made an appearance in. I don't think anyone ever told us how to hold a cat and my brother just loved her so much he thought squeezing her was the proper way to hold Polly (full name: Polly Wally Wing Wong). Shortly after this picture, she decided to move to the roof and spend the next ten years living out there only coming in for food and drink ,and if she saw one of us running at her with outstretched hands…well cheetahs had nothing on her.

I finally got a hold of one of our grandmother's cats. This was most likely a barn cat that I lured down and quickly picked up (again, I don't think anyone has ever taught us how to hold a cat), and held captive. If you're looking for a better quality photo follow me at betcy3 on instagram. The cat looks to be in pure torture while I look, and was, in pure bliss.

This photo is a great debate in our family. I and everyone else know it is my sister. She is convinced she knew how to hold a cat and that it is me (see previous photo of me not knowing how to hold a cat). This was our cousin's cat named Bobbi. Bobbi had no tail and we had NEVER seen anything like that before so of COURSE we wanted to touch it constantly to see if it moved the same way. It does. Bobbi didn't like that, never liked cids, so when my sister tried to get a cute photo with her (that's why it's Bobbi with an I)… It did not go as planned. Great photo though! 

Ahhhh, SERIOUSLY, THE BEST day of our lives. I'm not joking. That is our cat Callie, she was a calico (original), and one day she found a husband and got pregnant. Except being naiveté cat owners, our family had zero clue she was pregnant. The glorious day began my little brother went running to my mom yelling, "Callie has a RAT." My mom quickly saw Callie did not have a rat, but was in the midst of giving birth to FIVE KITTENS. I like cannot, CANNOT tell you how much fun it was having FIVE kittens to play with everyday. We kept the orange and white one (Buster!) and gave away two to our Aunt and Uncle (lucky), one to the school secretary,  and one to our best friends up the street. I would recommend to everyone to have five kittens growing up. 

Yep…my sister still struggled on how to hold a cat properly. This is Buster in our and his early years. Look how skinny he was back then! We obviously couldn't let that continue! Buster once disappeared for three days…It was a hard three days, but he came back. I guess he figured a constant food source outweighed the squeezing and dressing up. He's still around to this day, as y'all have seen, and I'll leave this photo of him and his sister doing some pilates together. They have gotten past the days where she used to strangle him to get a photo together :).

Feel the burn Buster!! Maybe Purr Barre needs a mascot?

Paws out, 

Summer Time = Weight Loss???

My goodness! It's been way too long. I apologize profusely for leaving y'all so in the dust and under the  rug! I guess you can say, "Cat got my fingers!" I honestly had to take a step back after my last few posts because I didn't know how to top them. I spent a grueling think session with my boys (Grits and Buster) and we've come up with some good ideas. This next post was NOT endorsed by either…but after what I saw this weekend, so necessary.

Summertime is a time for flaunting what yo mama gave you…or for hiding under the beach towel because you spent a little tooooo much money at the froyo stand. Unfortunately, one but maybe two of our cats could use a little summertime slim down.

Whenever obese children come up in conversations, it's often pointed out that their parents are the ones nurturing/stuffing their faces with unhealthy things. Rude. People that say that obviously do NOT have kids or animals. Buster, our resident 14 year old, is what we will call "tubby". He may be that way because of how much and often I feed him, BUT you try and listen to him yowl near his food bowl and not feel bad for him. With his age, I had kind of gotten the notion ehhhh, let's see how this works out. I mean when I am 70 (cats years are five human years) you better NOT be denying me treats or meals. However. Yesterday I witnessed Grits trying to get into his basement spot:

I knew it was time to say something.

I confronted Grits first and casually mentioned that we were going to be leaning the portions up and he would be feeling better, looking great, and moving a little quieter. 

Actual reaction shot. 

I then was like ohhhhh maybe if Grits has some leadership from the big man himself, no not God, he may be more likely to follow. I went into the den to tell Buster the news. 

Bewilderment. What's wrong??

 Thought that went well! Except then I looked back,

Crying Crying.

I don't get how in this day and age there isn't a step by step manual on how to tell your cats that they need to slim down. We let people write about vampires and wizards, which aren't real, but can't write a self help book about cat weight?!!!!!  I tried to do it nicely, and politely but I think both of their feelings were hurt. We all sat down over some catnip and tried to work it out. They agreed to try my plan of exercising and eating right for a month. I was so happy! This is what it feels like to be assertive! Go me!

Like, no.

If you think YOUR cats are cheaters!!!! Look at what I caught my cats doing.

Not the proper use of the ab roller Buster. 

Trying to sneak and eat my blueberry muffin. 

 When I confronted Grits about cheating on his diet. 

So this summer will NOT be one of slimming down the cats. I don't know if you knew that it wouldn't work out by the beginning of this post, but controlling a cats food is not the easiest things. They do have claws and humans are made of meat.

So I would NOT try this at home. As Queen Marie Antoinette said, "Let them get fat!"

Paws Out!