Sunday, March 27, 2011

Spirit's Progress


Spirit arrived in October last year - he'd followed his hero Mutt home from who-knows-where - an endearing character, he settled in immediately.


I spent Christmas in the desert and when I returned home in January was glad to find him in good health. He's almost at full adult size now.

I've noticed though, that at times his tear ducts seem a bit 'weepy', possibly caused by pollen or something from his wanderings in the bush - I'll ask the vet to check it out when he goes for the snip next month.



Spirit hunting - he's very alert and investigates anything that moves.

I'm glad to see that he gives the chickens who have babes a wide berth - he was probably beaten-up by a hen when he tried to go for her chicks.



I think he has some Dog in his bloodline - If I go for a walk he follows me around like a puppy, racing around and zooming up and down trees.


Whenever Spirit sees Mutt he jumps on him in a play-attack - Mutt usually growls and runs off, seeking shelter in the bush.

This was the first time I'd seen Mutt lose his rag with Spirit and beat him up. Spirit retreated a few meters and looked stunned but, it wasn't long before he was pestering Mutt again.



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27 comments:

  1. Spirit is a beautiful kitty cat and does look so healthy. He sounds full of life and full of curiosity. You've got such great shot of him too.

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  2. I love these kitty pictures! You so captured the personalities of the old tom and the bright young kitten. Almost makes me want to get a cat again!

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  3. I'm glad you have the comments on a separate page where I can read the original post without images.

    Your cat was cute;)

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  4. I'm a complete sucker with cats, and an even worse sucker with tabby cats, AND Spirit is very handsome AND full of character. Post him to me NOW!
    Caroline

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  5. Thanks Penny ... yes, he is a gorgeous cat - I just hope that he'll be able to curb his curiosity when he encounters a dangerous snake ...

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  6. Thanks Barbara - I'm very fond of cats too - I'm sure that someday you'll get a cat again ...

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  7. Hehe Fazlisa, he is cute ...

    ... I'm convinced, having seen some pics of a Python in your pool a few months ago, that you secretly keep a Tiger as a pet in your garden ... :)

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  8. Haha Caroline - sorry, I can't afford the postage stamps, you'll have to settle for the pics ... :)

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  9. I'm not a great lover of cats, as my current blog posts make clear, BUT Spirit does seem very charming and full of balls, at least until...

    Is the eye weeping cat flu? Do you get that nasty in Namibia?

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  10. Jeepers Dave - I didn't realise that you were blogging again ... welcome back to Bloggoland ...

    ... yes, we do get cat flu here - I think the irritation in his eye is probably caused by pollen or grass seeds ... they affect me too and sometimes I get terrible hay fever and sneeze for 10 - 15 minutes ...

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  11. Graham, these photos are beautiful and capture the spirits of both these cats! Well done. It makes me long for our little Shadow, whom we left in SA more than eight weeks ago. We know that he will be an "adult" cat when we collect him from the Pet Hotel in Bloemfontein. He's had his first birthday in our absence. I'm in Nairobi at this moment and organizing Shadow's move up the Kenya at the end of May. I agree that the weepy eyes are from grass seeds and pollen. A little drops or ointment sorts it out. Our Kenyan cat, Ginger has the same problem (yes, we have a Kenyan cat already too! ) Last count of all cats in Hedges care = seven! Have a great week. Greetings from Jo

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  12. Thanks Jo - you beat me, I've only got six cats in my life right now - I love cats.

    Do you know the name of the ointment or drops to use to cure Spirit's eye problem?

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  13. Spirit´s problems in the eye is nothing that a good vet can solve easily. He is a nice cat. Photographable. I enjoyed the pics. Thanks!

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  14. Thanks Oswaldo - yeah, I enjoy taking photos of him - he'll probably be less photogenic when he gets older ...

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  15. Great shots Graham especially the action shot of him hunting. I am in France but keeping a low profile temporarily as soooooo much to do. I cannot believe how the garden has grown. The guy who ususually keeps it sort of tidy has been ill for two months so..... Also have a new ceiling to put into the barn so plenty to keep me quiet and out of mischief for a while. LOL Diane

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  16. Thanks for stopping by Diane - it looks like you have lots to do ...

    Glad that you made it safely home and that you have an internet connection.

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  17. Spirit looks to be a boisterous cat who is enjoying his new life! I am not a cat person but I love your photos of him especially the one in full flight!

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  18. Thanks Peggy - yes, he is so lively that it doesn't take long to get some 'action' shots ...

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  19. MySoulCrow!

    I pop over here, shaking my Spring Fever away for just a moment, so that I can enjoy the wider world, your world and others, and leave my narrow confines that I happily wallow in endlessly :-) ... I come here and find such a welcome mat spread before me ... as in Cats...
    what wonderful subjects and such beautiful photographs ^~^ meow!

    A terrific day for you always! This Kat, knowing of all the catnip to be found here with you, must prowl about here more.... and I hope your cats will allow the brief trespasses!

    A Happy Time for you and for all you care for!
    Kat

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  20. Thanks for your kind wishes Kat ...

    ... on the subject of catnip, I only discovered fairly recently the effect it has on cats - most of my cats become total wusses when they smell it ... too funny to watch ...

    Enjoy your springtime ... winter's looming here but it's still pretty hot ...

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  21. I have read that there is a genetic trait which allows those cats with it to get so so, well, stoned ....
    OneStonedCrow!

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  22. fantastic photos of cats...Spirit appears to be progressing very well! The shot of him leaping through the air is excellent

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  23. Hehe Kat - I've probably got some strange genes too ... :)

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  24. Thanks Theanne - yes, I was actually surprised by how quickly he'd grown in my absence ...

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  25. Just out of curiousity...is Spirit fending for himself and hunting while you are away up north. Or does someone actually feed him while you're away. He just looks so well cared for.

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  26. Hehe Penny, ... Spirit gets fed every day ...

    ... He looks so well fed because he knows no 'cat etiquette' - even before he has finished the food in his own bowl he's digging his nose in the other cats' bowls and no amount of growling on their part can deter him ...

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  27. He he, well you've certainly named him appropriately. He has a lot of "spirit" and he makes sure he gets what he wants. It works in the animal kingdom though we don't like it so much in the human kingdom ;-)

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