We Appreciate Those Scurrydogs

January 21 is National Scurrydog Appreciation Day.  You may know it by its more formal title.

Hey, Scurrydog!  That's MY Water Dish!

We felines who hang around Mooresville Public Library (or hang with some of the Library's human staffers) fully appreciate our friendly rodent antagonists.  I've blogged many times about scurrydogs:

• Remember how Baby handled a scurrydog encroachment with our water and food dishes?
• When the entire world froze over, scurrydogs made their brazen moves toward our din-dins.
• Scurrydogs are not the only critters carrying a "Cauli nickname."

Some cats consider scurrydogs to be running dinners, but they're pretty big, kinda tough, and unbelievably fast.  Slobberdogs chase them around, and we felines join in that fun, but nobody wants to get hurt playing predator/prey pursuit.  For us kitties and slobberdogs (and scurrydogs, for that matter) around where I live, it's just an exercise game.

People may show their appreciation for scurrydogs by putting out some n'yum n'yums like sunflower seeds (in the shell is okay with every scurrydog I've met).  It's cold around my Library right now, so scurrydogs could use some extra calories.  Minions, make it so.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  It figures that somebody would have a scurrydog tribute video on YouTube.  And why not?  Let's give the little dudes some appreciation!  So says musician Matt Zimmerman in this music video (2011).  Cool tune!

Entire World Frozen Over; Supreme Ice Sculpture Surrounds Supper Dish

This roving reporter has braved the elements, abandoning creature comforts and risking life and forelimb, to bring you the latest headlines in this, the worst winter storm seen during my lifetime (which, in human terms, is around four or five years).  It is, then, the worst in recorded memory.

This seasoned reporter, who has seen her share of shock and awe, was chilled to discover that the ENTIRE WORLD had overnight been sealed in layers of ice.  This natural catastrophe has closed my library for today and tomorrow (maybe longer!).  You must see the pictorial proof to believe the immensity of this paralyzing state of meteorological affairs.  Be forewarned:  the following photographs may shock younger or more sensitive readers.  You may wish to jump to one of my more lighthearted blogs.

Here are some of the horrifying scenes of this natural disaster (all photos by the Lady With the Red Hair and Scowl-Face, who has crawled from his deathbed to answer duty's call):

Icy stalactites dangling from a wooden railing.

Winged dinner frozen in icy flight.

Gigantic tree branches laced with icy overcoat.

Having the exterior landscape converted into an ice rink may seem like grand fun to young upstarts, but we who are longer in the tooth and wiser in the brain will tell you that walking on ice is, at best, on par with being dumped into the dunk tank at a cheap carnival sideshow exhibit.  There is a myth that felines dislike water, but it isn't so; anyone who has watched a cat swim can tell we are capable navigators.  What felines dislike is discomfort, and walking about in this ice blizzard, make no mistake, is as uncomfortable as it gets.

Even during environmental crises, however, there are opportunists ever-ready (not the battery) to seize and exploit our precious resources for their own nefarious purposes.  I speak, of course, of the shaggy-tailed, beady-eyed, tree-crawling scurrydogs.  Unlike slobberdogs, which are generally friendly and obedient to their superiors (such as moi), scurrydogs race about, grab what humans call "pet" food, and, as their name implies, scurry to dizzying heights amongst the treetops.

This reporter was appalled to discover that my reserved supper venue was being threatened by an invasion of rampant scurrydogs:

Marauding scurrydogs disrupt the tranquility of life near my din-dins.

Fortunately, in my line of work, I meet a variety of personages and animalages (not a word, but, hey, why not?  The noun forms parallel).  Calling upon my friends, Feline Enforcers XIV (watch for their new TV show on UHF channels everywhere), the scurrydog onslaught was stopped in its tracks, and the world--but, more importantly, my din-dins--was again made safe for good, kindhearted folks such as my loyal readers.

Feline Enforcers XIV stave off advances by encroaching packs of scurrydogs.  (From left to right:  Biscuit, Gracie ["Baby"], and Michaela ["Micky"].  Barely visible at top right, on table:  Junior [of Baskets From Junior's Farm fame].)

Huge rounds of applause, please, for these defenders of truth, justice, and the American feline way.  The results speak for themselves:

Another grateful supper saved from scurrydog intervention.

How much longer will these intolerable conditions endure?  Too long.  I'm ready for spring.  Turn up the neighborhood thermostat, somebody.

Tough to Type With Frozen Forepaws, But I'm a Trooper,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Arctic Explorer News Beat

A Lucky Scurrydog, I'll Venture

Although I've been retired for some time from my job as MPL feline roving reporter, I couldn't resist blogging about an exciting new children's chapter book, Lucky, by Chris Hill. It's about scurrydogs.  Well, that's what I call them.  You may call them something else entirely.

Lucky, by Chris Hill
(MPL Book Trailer #263)

You'll see why this red scurrydog is called Lucky in our book trailer (above).  I'll help with the reading-between-the-lines bit:

• Lucky escaped the talons of a hawkenswooper (humans call them hawks, probably for short);
• He was "adopted" by a grey scurrydog clan called the Cloudfoot;
• He hasn't gotten beaten up (yet) by the rival scurrydog clan, the Northenders;
• He's living in Albion Park, which has bunches of places where humans toss away perfectly good food (plus the trees have nuts, the bushes berries, etc., which I assume scurrydogs eat);
• None of the many other predators in the park (including slobberdogs and felines) have decided to make a snack out of him; and
• He's a character in a book, so the writer can get him out of any tight jams with a flourish of keyboard strokes.

Actually, it's quite an exciting story for children who enjoy chapter books (so we're talking human elementary school grades 3-6, presumably).  I'd recommend it for humans aged 8-11. Younger felines, of course, might enjoy it, too.  Slobberdogs might, also, if they had someone to read to them (like our Paws to Read program at the Library).

The book is now available to checkout from our Evergreen Indiana catalog.

Now, I'd best get back to watching scurrydogs raiding the backyard feeders.  Retirement doesn't do itself, you know.

Your (Retired) Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Gracie Gets Her Medal

Gracie, commonly known as "Baby" at Junior's Farm, and who is extra special MPL correspondent for homeland security, has received a feline medal of valor for her actions protecting the slobberdogs' supper dish against scurrydog encroachment.

Below is an excerpt from the official letter authorizing the medal.

By order of General Bonkers, Commander, U.S. Feline Action Forces, the Feline Medal of Valor is hereby ordered, and the same bestowed upon, Gracie ("Baby") of Junior's Farm, for her unqualified valor and bravery under attack by encroaching scurrydogs threatening the domestic tranquility and safety.  Having vanquished her foe, protected the commonweal, and restored order to same, the recipient named above is hereby awarded this medal, and all rights and privileges appurtenant thereto, by a grateful feline nation.  Executed this 8th day of May, 2011.

[Signed by Pawprint]

General Bonkers

Commander, U.S. Feline Action Forces

Gracie's Medal of Valor

We are all proud of "Baby" for her bravery against the scurrydog.  On the other hand, the rest of us feline correspondents at my Library will never hear the end of this.

See What I Mean?

Is That Real Gold?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Award News Beat

P.S.  Speaking of medals, here are (is?) the Statler Brothers with "Silver Medals and Sweet Memories," from the CD The Best of the Statler Bros. Rides Again, Vol. II (1989).

Our Favourite Things

Sparkle the Designer Cat blogged about receiving a Favourite Things Award (it's British, as you can tell from the spelling).  I thought I'd list some of my (and my feline friends') favorites.  We begin, naturally, with the MPL feline roving reporter.  As always, click the images to bigify.

 Cauli Le Chat

Favorite Thing:  Canned Tuna-in-Oil

Okay, that's a no-brainer.  I blog about my favorite food all the time.  I know that photo isn't canned tuna-in-oil, but you get the idea.

Junior of Junior's Farm

Favorite Thing:  Blanket Curling

Junior (of Junior's Farm), MPL arts & crafts special feline correspondent, enjoys curling up in comfortable blankets.  It's an artsy-fartsy thing.

Gracie ("Baby")

Favorite Thing:  Privacy

"Baby," MPL homeland security extra special feline correspondent, likes privacy, and LOTS of it.  Encroachment on her turf spells trouble, as these scurrydogs well know.

 Harley Quinn

Favorite Thing:  Watching Television

 Mister Meowgy, Too 

Harley Quinn, MPL feline "cub" reporter, and Mister Meowgy, whom we first met via Drawer Dude and Buffalo Gal, both love laser mouse and watching television.  In fact, they'll go for any flashy thing (eye-roll). 

Biscuit (left)

Favorite Thing:  "Scurrydog TV"

Biscuit, who is chief of Feline Enforcers XIV, likes to watch "scurrydog TV."  Being an outdoor kitty, he could play chase with them, but that's too much work.

We've got more kitties where I hang out (when I'm not spending time around my Library), but these are the ones we've featured in this blog.

What's your favorite thing?  Comments, please and thanks.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Brazen Scurrydog Encroachment Returns!

By Gracie ("Baby")

MPL Extra Special Correspondent

Homeland Security News Beat

JUNIOR'S FARM, MOORESVILLE, IND.--Scurrydog encroachment has returned to the family supper dish!  My alert photographer, Harley, who is also MPL "cub" reporter, captured these photos confirming the recurrent scurrydog incursion.

  Positive proof scurrydogs are intercepting precious,

life-sustaining slobberdog chow

Sadly, Feline Enforcers XIV were unavailable to ward off this latest scurrydog intrusion, since they were combing the nearby woods in search of those tasty sweet grasses that we felines love to chew.  Cauli Le Chat, MPL Roving Reporter, was busy practicing her Indy 500 pace car driving, and our slobberdog "protectors" were sawing the proverbial logs in their dogloos, less than ten feet from the scurrydog in question.

Dogloo

The Lady With the Red Hair was at her Library conducting a basket-weaving class, which, presumably, Junior (of Junior's Farm) was busy covering for a similar blog feature over yonder.  Scowl-Face was nowhere to be found, of course.

Since Harley was operating the digital camera, which fully occupied all six of her brain cells, I was compelled to face the scurrydog menace single-pawedly. Thanks to my undaunted courage, steely nerves, and strategic quick-mindedness, I was able to stare down the scurrydog and rescue the endangered supper dish.  It took some time, though.

 Scurrydog Backwash!  Ugh!

Ever Watchful and Vigilant

Better scurry on down those stairs

Giving the scurrydog what Tober, the Thorntown (Ind.) Library Cat,

calls the "Stink-eye"

Quivering with fear from the "Stink-eye," the scurrydog

prepares to beat a hasty retreat

Good Riddance, Scurrydog!

Those slobberdogs had better appreciate the heroic sacrifice I've made saving their supper dish.  I expect a medal or two, at least.  Make it so, Scowl-Face.

Ready to Meet the Challenges to Home and Hearth,

Gracie ("Baby")

MPL Extra Special Correspondent

Homeland Security News Beat

P.S.  Since this story developed at Junior's Farm, we appropriately feature as our musical closer the song "Junior's Farm," by Paul McCartney and Wings (1974).

P.P.S.  Wings recorded this tune in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1974 while staying at Claude "Curly" Putman, Jr.'s farm, which accounts for the song title.  It was released as a single but was later included on the LP Wings Greatest (1978).

Hear That March Lion Roar!

In fitting feline fashion, March came in like a lion today.

 Click Photos to Bigify

There was too much snow for moi to walk over to the Library--plus there were whopper trucks plowing the streets, which are noisy and scary to us kitties--so I visited Kindly Couple, who took these pix from inside their house.  (Actually, they didn't want to get the camera lens wet.)  I, too, did not venture out.  No fools, we.

I had a nice chat with Feline Enforcers XIV, minus Michaela (who, sadly, passed last year). We were all watching the many winged dinners and scurrydogs at the feeders.  Quality, affordable family entertainment, that.

Although my Library is closed today, we should be open tomorrow for regular hours (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.).  Don't expect moi there, however.  I'm not leaving indoors until all this snow melts.  At this rate, I'll see you in June.

Actually, we've had an extremely mild winter in central Indiana, at least as far as precipitation is concerned.  We've had more snow in the last two weeks than we had for all the rest of winter up to that point.  Nothing like most of the rest of the country has been experiencing.

Stay warm!  Curl up with your favorite feline.  Works for moi.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Water Volcano Erupting Again

You may recall that the Library's water volcano went extinct last year, or maybe two years ago.  Guess what?  It's erupting again.

 No hot lava, just cold water, from this volcano

 MPL Courtyard

(water volcano in center)

Can you see the water better from this angle?

Pretty exciting!  Especially for our resident winged dinners and scurrydogs, who enjoy taking baths or getting drinks there.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

Entire World Snowed Under

HELP!  My entire world is snowed under as the "blizzard of 2012" stampeded across Indiana today.  I wasn't about to go outside to do the roving reporter thing, so minions, who were themselves snowbound, took some photos under my direction.  Click the images to bigify.

 Deck Railing Tells the Tall Tale

(Over a Foot of Snow Accumulation)

 Roving Reporter Secret Sanctuary

Looks Pretty Socked In

 Even Scurrydogs & Winged Dinners

Are Staying Sheltered

(No Traffic at the Feeder)

Can You See the Snowfall Against the Brick?

It's Falling at Two Inches an Hour

 Official Snow Measuring Stick

 Just Under 13 Inches After About Six Hours of Blizzarding

My Library is closed today (Wednesday, 12/26/12), but we're hoping to be open again tomorrow.  But not moi, I can assure you.  I'll stay snug indoors until the spring thaw.

I hope the roads are clear in three days.  Wild Thang and InsuraDude are getting married a few days later, I think.  So the roads had better be clear!

Back To Shoveling, Minions--Just Saying,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

Winter Weather News Beat

P.S.  Somebody shot this video of today's blizzard (somewhere in Southern Indiana).  Limited shot selection--hey, it's a blizzard, windy, and cold, so why go outside?--but the music soundtrack rocks.  Sorry--I don't recognize the band.