07/30/2025 – New in Town

Viola hiding from Tessa © Colehauscats.com
Viola hiding from Tessa © Colehauscats.com

We didn’t know if and how the Colehaus Cats hierarchy might change after our loss of Pia a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes, things sort themselves out without much difference. Sometimes, the ranking system changes with a new Alpha, Beta and Omega. We had that happen once a long, long time ago and know the signs to look for when, not by their own choice, someone drops in rank.

Basically, we won’t tolerate bullying. Not having it at all. Cats will be separated. Tessa hasn’t been grounded for oh, a few years now. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen again. Lately, she’s been pushing her luck.

Tessa with her usual glare at Viola © Colehauscats.com
Tessa with her usual glare at Viola © Colehauscats.com

And just about the time we thought, “All right. This will absolutely not go any farther, so help us,” someone stepped up and boy, we were surprised.

Quint, the Enforcer? © Colehauscats.com
Quint, the Enforcer? © Colehauscats.com

Quint put an end to the nonsense of Tessa menacing Viola yesterday. Yes, that Quint, mister sweet and mild mannered, gentlemanly Quint who stepped in and let Tessa know this kind of tomfoolery will not be tolerated. We’re not sure where that came from. Both Quint and Tessa are 13 years old now. Tessa remains feisty. Quint, we thought, would remain quiet and soft spoken. Apparently, not. Maybe he’s tired of the 12 year long Tessa vs. Viola feud. Maybe he was grumpy about his fort couch being given away. Maybe, in his older years, he’s growing into one of those, “Get off my lawn” kinds of cat?

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A Colehaus Cats flashback:

2024 – No post
2023 – No post
2022 – No post
2021Good-bye July
2020 – No post
2019 – No post
2018Almost Gone
2017 – No post
2016 – No post
2015 -; No post
2014One Word Wednesday
2013Ruby Tuesday
2012Dad’s Newton

Posted in Quint, Tessa, Viola | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

07/28/2025 – Miscellaneous Monday

Sometimes, we find ourselves at the end of the month with a lot of oddball photos left over. Since July has been both hectic and heart wrenching, we lost track of what photos we had and what we thought we had. Hello Miscellaneous Photo Pile!

Quint inspects the ratty loveseat © Colehauscats.com
Quint inspects the ratty loveseat © Colehauscats.com

Mom, I don’t really see what you’re talking about. This looks perfectly acceptable to me.

Last week, we finally found a new home for our ratty pleather couch and loveseat (with another cat family!). Quint was disappointed. He really liked sleeping on the loveseat in his fleecy blanket fort almost as much as he loved shredding the back and arms of it with his claws. And you know how much he loves his fort so imagine, if you will, a completely shredded back and side with tuffs of stuffing starting to show.

Quint, angel Pia, Tessa, July 2025 © Colehauscats.com
Quint, angel Pia, Tessa, July 2025 © Colehauscats.com

In early July, when Pia was really starting to go downhill due to kidney disease, she rarely left the Cat Den window seat. Later, after she stopped eating, this was where she stayed almost to the end. Sweethearts Quint and Tessa spent a lot of time with her up there, something they rarely did before. We feel honored to have been a witness and to capture this last photo together. Miss you, Pia Bean.

Gray mousie hat on Tessa © Colehauscats.com
Gray mousie hat on Tessa © Colehauscats.com

Before we get all weepy again, Tessa lets us know she’s still here and still willing to bring a smile to our faces. Okay, she wasn’t terribly happy about having a mousie hat. Would you be?

Mama Bea with 2025 babies and Skinny Tail, July 2025 © Colehauscats.com
Mama Bea with 2025 babies and Skinny Tail, July 2025 © Colehauscats.com

Finally, raccoon babies! Mama Bea is lounging on top of a feeding station probably to get away from those still-nursing babies. This is normal behavior for her. Bea’s a lounging kind of raccoon and is often seen laying on lawn chairs, the outdoor rug and sometimes, rolling around on the sidewalk in our backyard like a cat. Don’t touch that belly though!

With three babies is Auntie Skinny Tail who’s teaching manners to that rambunctious trio who were nipping at each other, each trying to get the last bites of cat breakfast. KeeKee had been eating earlier out of the blue bowl and must have had leftovers. The green bowl, used for water over the past hot days, looks drained. No worries. They have an entire fountain full of water they wander by on their way back through the backyard.

Miss Manners Viola © Colehauscats.com
Miss Manners Viola © Colehauscats.com

At least someone has eating manners. Sweet Viola has her own breakfast but has been known to share, though not intentionally. Sometimes but not often, big brother Quint horns in and there’s no nipping at all.

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A Colehaus Cats flashback:

2024 – No post
2023Few Words Friday
2022 – No post
2021One Word Wednesday
2020 – No post
2019 – No post
2018 – No post
2017Around Colehaus, Part 2
2016 – No post
2015Ruby Tuesday
2014ManCat Monday
2013 – No post
2012 – No post

Posted in Angels, At Colehaus, Pia, Quint, Tessa, Toys, Viola, Visitors, Yard and Garden | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

07/25/2025 – Summer Days

Tippy and his water fountain, 2025 © Colehauscats.com
Tippy and his water fountain, 2025 © Colehauscats.com

We’re having some maintenance work done in our house today so what better time to see what’s going on outside. There’s Tippy enjoying his personal drinking fountain . . .

Tippy napping under the maple, 2025 © Colehauscats.com
Tippy napping under the maple, 2025 © Colehauscats.com

. . . after which he wandered out front and napped in the cool shade of the red maple. Mom would sure enjoy it if Tippy would make himself a permanent front yard napper. That would follow the tradition of several gorgeous boy-kitties over the years who called that same spot their own.

Viola supervises © Colehauscats.com
Viola supervises © Colehauscats.com

Leaving Tippy to his nap and back inside, we had our heat pump serviced late last month, next month the gas fireplace will be looked at and Viola will supervise the work. She’s one unforgiving boss so the fireplace guy best be on his toes on that day.

The fireplace is old, 26 years, and the metal plate backing has rusted since day 1. Recently, Mom saw chunks that had fallen off inside behind the protective glass. Before Dad moves downstairs on a semi-permanent basis this fall, Mom insists that fireplace be in top condition because she knows Dad will want to use it more than our budget will allow. We don’t need it in a bad condition on top of that, nor do we need to wait to have it serviced during the prime-time cold weather season when maintenance work will be at its most expensive.

Shh, Mom. You’re starting to sound like you might finally be getting a handle on this whole early, preventative home maintenance thing.

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A Colehaus Cats flashback:

2024 – No post
2023 – No post
2022ManCat Monday
2021 – No post
2020 – No post
2019 – No post
2018W is for Wednesday
2017 – No post
2016ManCat Monday: Quint’s Summer Flowers
2015 – No post
2014Perks
2013 – No post
2012Comfortable, yes. Thanks for asking!

Posted in At Colehaus, Outside Cats, Viola, Visitors | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments