THE FOOTNOTES

Hi All,
The exotic animals and game drives are obviously a highlight. I hate to be so uncreative, but the big cats are mesmerizing. I loved watching them, even when they did silly little things (maybe especially when they did silly little things) that reminded me of domesticated cats. You've seen pics of them eating, resting, and now sauntering around with their sibling.  One of the two in the previous picture must have had something stuck in the bottom of his foot - he stopped periodically to lick it, eventually sitting down and doing what all of our pets do - biting his foot, rubbing it, trying to extract the foreign object. I love all animals, but these beauties are a special treat.

Lowlights: Well, speaking of cats, you may have heard about my first night house sitting. Cat was on the roof for 12 hours and I was tizzy worrying about him (dehydration, eventual heat stroke - can cats get that?) and the ruined relationship with my new boss (whose house I'm watching). Gulp. After staying up almost all night trying to coax him down and moving my car so he could jump on it for an easier landing, I finally found a ladder (at 6:00am) and grabbed that little SOB by the scruff of his neck! Necessity is the mother of courage. I never would have done that otherwise. I vowed to never let him out. But, after a few days, I realized he needed the exercise and adventure - I just made sure he couldn't get on the roof again. Just when I thought I was safe, see below. Cats are crazy bastards, but I'm growing to love them. I'll get some pics of this crazy cat playing with the dogs, cleaning their faces, sleeping with them...he's really fearless. The dogs love him.