Technical aside - Ubuntu under Beryl

With all the hype around the launch of Windows Vista (putting the wow factor back into your PC) I thought I would share what can be done with FREE (open source) software on a 3 year old PC. This then is a Linux distribution, called Ubuntu 7.04, with 3d effects supplied by a program called Beryl (again free). Be surprised :-)




Cat content - both Bushka and Minibu continue to entrance us with their antics - for all her appetite Minibu stays mini sized (and cute). Bushka can be scary if you brush her too roughly!

Morning Cuddles!

I went back into our room, after breakfast this morning, to find these two furry friends having a quick snuggle and cuddle!

So cute :-)

We had to keep them apart a few months back as Bushka (Cecilia), the older Maine Coon, would stalk and hunt little black Persian Minibu. Now it looks like they will live happily ever after.

Fussy eating...

Minibu is the fussiest little eater! Only fresh food food and preferably people food. She is convinced that if she sees us eating something, then it must be good for her too. French bread? Yup! Marmalade on toast - yes please, but after the bacon, OK? Special persian cat food? No waaay!

We are hoping that she will grow out of this, but no signs yet. Bushka is mellowing nicely and it is so good to see the two cats grooming each other and cuddling up together on cold nights. That's when they aren't lying on top of us, of course. Bushka is now getting heavy whilst Minibu just purrs like a little engine, so when they tire of the bed it is actually quite a relief!

Minibu

Minibu loves to help me keep this and other blogs up to date!

Here she was this morning, carefully checking out a photo I had taken of her earlier checking out the Blog.

This is what is called "double-checking"!

Cat's eyes!

Can you spot Minibu - under the tree - in among the presents?

Lurking like a little ET among the packages, Minibu specialised in quietly removing gift tags from the presents - and making sure that all ribbons were OK!

Bushka keeps an eye on things from the doorway :-)

Merry Christmas!

From Bushka

This is Bushka keeping an eye on the Christmas tree decorations. It was her (and Minibu's) first Christmas, so all was exciting. The tree provided perfect cover for ambushes, the gifts were great opportunities for removing name tags, pulling ribbons, shredding any soft paper and otherwise fully engaging with the Christmas festivities :-)

Mangy Coon alert!

Both cats are now being treated for ringworm - which is not an intestinal infection but a contagious skin condition, which results in small patches of fur falling away from the skin - mostly around their ears!

Rare in this part of London - the vet had not seen a case for 3 years - we have concluded that she picked this up from her adventures outside, possibly from a mangy Fox! The good news is that she is expected to make a full recovery, and Bushka is even gracious about swallowing her daily pill! Even better, they both love their twice daily treatment of having cream rubbed into their ears - purring their appreciation of all this attention very loudly!

Reaching out!

Extending the paw of friendship...

Finally - Bushka realises that Minibu (even when she's asleep) is neither threat nor prey.

This moving moment (sob!) was the very first time she gently touched Minibu. Now they are firm friends and Minibu has become Bushka's "shadow" as she trots along darkly next to her!

Minibu is small but brave!

Compared to Bushka, who is still growing, Minibu just looks so tiny... BUT, she is a feisty little kitten who can outstare and out bluff even a Lynx like Maine Coone!

Not amused...

Bushka, the Maine Coone & the Main Cat, is not amused at this fluffy black kitten - sans nez - interloper.

So she treats it as she would any other vermin - but wait - she seems slightly less aggressive and slightly more curious this morning...

Is Minibu getting under her skin as well?!

Enter Minibu stage left!

"Just popping out shopping" called out my wife, who for weeks earlier had been looking intently at kitten websites.

This is who she brought home - a tiny black Persianesque kitten "as a friend for Bushka..." So, we now have "Minibu"!

But OMG - Bushka hissed, growled, and flicked her tail - looking like a cross between an angry rattle-snake and a velociraptor!

Will they learn to accept each other - even become friends? Let's hope so!

What big eyes you have Grandma!

She only has to hear the rustle of the bedclothes being straightened in the morning and in she dives, preferably UNDER the duvet and cushions!

What is she thinking? It looks like a...

"Woah there! Don't even think about getting another kitten!"

In her element...

Bushka has now discovered the great outdoors with a vengeance! She stays out for a couple of hours at a time, but always comes running back, flying her tail, when we go out and call her.

The other day she happily returned with cobwebs on her tail, so she is clearly less arachnophobic than us!

She seems impervious to the cold - not that it has been THAT cold yet - but it seems her thick coat works as it should :-)

Tuna threat!

No joke!

Bushka loves tuna, and she makes this abundantly clear :-)

Giving us the look!

Bushka remains very decorative - check out that fluffy tail - and she still enjoys going out for a walk, though she is more cautious after her near death experience...
She was surprised by a neighbour's huge dog, but mercifully wriggled out of her harness and shot up a tree to safety!

We eventually cajoled her down, but the memory remains, and she now prefers being close to the cover of bushes when we take her out.