I’ve already written some about my male cat, Jehu, but I would be remiss if  I didn’t mention my other one as well. Josephine, like every pet I’ve ever had, has about a dozen or more nicknames. I’ve heard that you aren’t supposed to do that because it might confuse the animal, but mine always seem [...]

 
I first learned about this ingenious little flea-killing device from my mother. Her neighbor had loaned her one to use when he heard she was having flea problems in the house. When my mom told me she caught 75 fleas in a month, I was so impressed I ordered a flea trap for myself.
It works [...]

I wonder sometimes if angels
take the form of other creatures,
descending out of heaven into your darkest
of alley-ways, shedding wings
and glowing robes for fur and spiny whiskers—
for there is nothing like the lean
of cat around your ankles,
the bend of furry body tight
around your own, holding you on days
you cannot hold yourself.     

 The flea comb, I have found, is an excellent, inexpensive tool for removing fleas from your pets. You run the comb through your pets’ hair (especially around the head and neck area) and the fleas will get caught in the narrow tines of the comb. It’s best to keep a small bowl of hot, soapy [...]

Hi! I was going to respond to your comment, “soccermom”, but it got kind of long, so I decided to just turn it into a post. I have never heard of using Chinaberry tree limbs as a flea deterrent, but I am willing to try this! Where can I find a Chinaberry tree?
I may be [...]