Camera Critters #299 - Harper Ann with Taffy and Bucky - December 28, 2013

I must confess that I had misgivings when, long ago, Laura and Alex brought
Taffy home from the local shelter.  Within two months, Bucky had also been
added to the household.  I was anxious, to say the least, because both had
pit bull genes.  That was several years ago, before the April 14th, 2013 arrival
of my darling granddaughter, Harper Ann.  

Since joining the family, my two granddogs have been loving, wonderful
additions.  They took the arrival of a squirming little human creature with 
amazing delight.  Taffy, especially, the female ( both dogs were neutered
at the shelter ), has been so maternal, hovering nearby at every squeal and
cry though Bucky is never far off.

Of course, Harper Ann is never left alone with the dogs but she clearly loves
them - and vice versa.  She tugs at coats, ears and tails and they just lie
quietly and tolerantly.  Her first case of "puppy love" came the day she arrived
home from the hospital.

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I am so behind in blogging, replying to comments and reading my blog favorites.

It seems these last few weeks in India, I am finally feeling under the weather -

which has actually become quite nice - no rain and cooler temperatures.  I had

a terrible cough and cold, requiring a visit to the doctor and antibiotics that 

lingered well over a week, then a brief bout of Mumbai "motion", and I still don't

feel up to par.  With my homeward flight coming up, I want to be well - because

nearly 24 hours airborne certainly won't help if I'm ill.  I have to be at my best to

see my sweet granddaughter.  At least, I have five days in San Francisco, and

am seeing five different doctors, before I head up for the December visit with

Harper Ann and her parents.

I cannot thank the Toscanos enough for making me part of the family here in

Mumbai and for their warm and gracious hospitality.  After that awful beginning

at the slum hotel, the J. K. Regency, I will be forever grateful for Normal Toscano

for coming to my rescue.  Maybe he wasn't on a galloping white steed but on 

a putt putting rickshaw but he was a knight in shining armor, nonetheless.

This is a photo I took during my first visit to Mumbai, nearly two years ago.  I

am using it for:

Saturday's Photo Hunting: Something Rusty

and

Camera Critters #294

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Camera Critters #290 - A Potpourri of Pooches - October 27, 2013

Doggie shots from a pre-India soiree in San Francisco:

One, with especially good taste, swiped the Brie off my plate but I managed to
hold onto my Russian black vodka!

\\

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Camera Critters #281 - Jaipur Cows

I just recently returned to Jaipur for five days - the lovely Pink City in Rajasthan 
where I lived for five months last year.  As always, I was amazed at all the
cows wandering about, seemingly owned by no one ( though I'm sure they 
must have a home somewhere! ).  

In India, by many, especially of the Hindu religion, cows are considered sacred
animals, "God's useful gift to mankind."  They walk wherever they wish, in busy
crowded streets and seem unafraid.  Horns do not blow at them and cars slow
and wait for them to cross streets.  It is not unusual to see them lying in the 
street or standing up on medians.

People often bring them food to eat as they forage about in search of a meal.

http://hinduism.about.com/od/vegetarianism/a/holycows.htm

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/things/cow.htm

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Camera Critters #278 - Puddle Pooch - August 3, 2013

During one particularly pouring monsoon rain, I noticed this pooch, who didn't
seem attached to anyone, happily playing in the rain.  He didn't seem to be at
all bothered by the torrential downpour as he sniffed and ran to and fro about
our society.

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Camera Critters #277 - Jerry, My 3rd Indian Cat Roommate - July 27, 2013

Slowly, but surely, I'm featuring all the kitties that share the condo in which I 
am living.  Last will be Junior who is in solitary as he terrorizes his colleagues.
He lives in the back bedroom.  Norman sleeps there at night so he does have
company which, of course, makes the other cats jealous.  Eddy frequently
sits outside the door when Norman is in there, meowing piteously - though 
he certainly gets more than his share of attention.  I've never spent time with
cats before so this has been an enlightening experience for me!

What exactly are you doing, Carmen?

That constant flash is most annoying!

Did Tom and Eddie have to go through this?

Back off, babe!

Can't you see, I'm trying to get a cat nap?

She is so persistent, isn't she?

Check these claws....I do scratch, you know!

Maybe if I close my eyes and pretend I'm asleep!

Forget sleep, I'll watch the rain!

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Camera Critters #274 - More of my Cat Housemates - July 7 ( in India ), 2013

Since I posted pictures of Tom in a previous blog, Teddy & Eddy are envious.
To keep kitty harmony, I'llputting their pictures in Camera Critters. There is even
 a fourth cat but he is relegated to the back bedroom as he is known as
"the terminator cat'.  He was the first one in the household and he does, indeed,
attack the others if he is allowed to roam freely.  Today, Eddy stars.

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Camera Critters #273 - Cat Nap - June 29, 2013

Tom is one of four feline residents where I am staying in Bandra West.  While I
am pretty allergic to cats, Claritin and my twice daily nasal spray seem to be
doing the trick.  For the most part, these kitties spend most of their time 
switching off sleeping spots and ignoring the constant swirl of crows and kites 
around their 7th floor abode.

This is Tom's favorite sleeping position.  He, occasionally, arouses, to look out 

the door for his lady love.

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Camera Critters #272 - Kites ( Milvus migrans govinda ) of Bandra - June 22, 2013

The friends with whom I'm currently residing are in a 7th floor apartment that looks 
out on the Arabian Sea.  Birds soar about, dive bombing, and squawking, 
especially during daytime hours.  They are, primarily, crows and black kites
( Milvus vigrans govinda or common pariah kite ).  These birds prefer to be near
human habitation and are a little smaller than vultures.  They normally eat small 
birds, mice, lizards, termites.  

Rosy helps them out a bit by throwing out small pieces of raw chicken which they
swoop by and grab.  It is amazing to see.  The crows get pieces of bread and 
actually approach the window to take it from her hand.

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Camera Critters #268 - Taffy and Bucky & Harper Ann - May 25, 2013

I spent three days in West Sacramento this week, enjoying my last days with
my son, Alex, my daughter-in-law, Laura, baby granddaughter, Harper Ann,
who is already a month old, and my granddogs, Taffy and Bucky.  It was a
wonderful visit.  Taffy is so maternal with the baby, always nearby and keeping
a watchful eye.  Bucky loves her but he is content to sleep on his bed near
her crib, with an occasional lick on her head.  Taffy, however, acts like she is
her puppy and it is so sweet to watch.

When Taffy isn't busy with Harper, she isn't far from Bucky and I love this
shot I got of them sleeping.

Needless to say, I will miss them all my six months in India.  I leave June 1st.

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