5.1.4 > 28

[Liselle]

My one cat was chased by my other cats inside my apartment. This happens from time to time, and the chase ends when the chasee runs into the bedroom at the end of the hallway. The other cats stop pursuing her when she goes under the bed, or on top of it.

The problem this time is that earlier in the day I had closed the door to that bedroom, so I'm worried that she wouldn't have seen the closed door, and may have slammed head-first into it at top speed. I realize cats are agile and can stop on a dime, but it's a poorly-lit hallway, and a dark-colored door, and they run fast.

When I realized what had happened, I found the chasee on top of a couple boxes that are a bit back down the hallway in the direction they would have come from during the chase.

I can envision two scenarios which would have ended with her on top of those boxes:

1. She jumped on top of them before ever getting to the bedroom door - in other words, the chase never progressed beyond that point in the first place.
   
2. She did get as far as the bedroom, realized in time that the door was closed, and somehow backtracked to these boxes. I think there are two ways that could have happened:
   • At the moment, there are boxes lining the entire hallway, so she could have leaped on top of boxes that are right next to the bedroom door and then run on top of all the boxes to the ones back down the hallway where I found her.
     
   • She could have spun around on the floor, gone directly through and past the chaser cats, and then jumped on top of the boxes I found her on.

(Complicated description, sorry.)

My question to the I Ching:

"[The other cats] chased [chasee cat] down the hallway, AND I HAD CLOSED THE BEDROOM DOOR. Any of the cats run headlong into that door?"

Chasee cat doesn't seem hurt. She was fully conscious when I found her. She's not staggering around or anything. But I don't think you can always tell by looking, necessarily?

5 changing to 28 - Waiting for the ridgepole to collapse? Is Yi saying, well, just wait for her to get good and sick from a concussion, and then you'll know the answer to your question?

5.1 (from Hilary's book):

"Waiting at the outskirts altar,
Fruitful to use perseverance - no mistake.

The "outskirts altar" could easily refer to the boxes I found her on - they are on the "outskirts" of the bedroom she usually runs into when chased (the one whose door was closed this time).

5.4:

"Waiting in blood.
Come out of the pit.

I don't see any literal blood anywhere, so that's not it. Hilary mentions that a pit is dark and cramped, which could describe this hallway with the closed door at the end of it, but if so, what of it? I suppose the line could also be telling me I'm imagining bad outcomes, and I should stop that? That interpretation requires assuming that the reading is discussing my mindset rather than the question, and that the reading is sort of in the form of "No, and...", where the "No" part (no, they did not slam their heads into the door) would be implied, and what the reading actually says is the "and" exposition.

But the more an interpretation feels like a chess game, the more I feel on shaky ground with it. I don't think being worried about cats slamming heads into doors is a ridiculous concern, under the circumstances.

I really don't know what it's telling me. I don't know whether I should be worried or not. As far as what difference it makes one way or another (in other words, what was my purpose in casting this reading at all) - if she actually did slam her head into the door I really ought to confine her in a cage for a day or two so she stays quiet and doesn't jump around. And call the vet, etc. (But the vet would probably just tell me to confine her, keep her quiet, watch her, and call them back if bad things happen. I don't think there's anything more magical to be done for concussions.)

But if no head-slamming ever occurred, I don't want to pen her up. Hence the question.

 

[Trojina]

5.4 tells you to get out of the place of worry....why worry if they seem okay ?


I mean if the cats are okay...why are you worrying ? I don't understand ? You have seen the cats right ? And they are both okay right ? But you are worrying about an injury in the past that is not showing now ? No point...if they seem okay they are okay aren't they ?

 

[Liselle]

Yes, I can see interpreting 5.4 as "get out of the place of worry" - I understand that's a possible interpretation for 5.4, and it certainly could be true in this case.

This wasn't an injury "in the past," though. It had just happened. As soon as I realized there had been a chase down the hallway, and that the door was closed, I did the reading. So I didn't know she was okay. And honestly, I don't know that now. The only thing I know for sure is that I didn't find her literally unconscious on the floor. That doesn't necessarily mean everything is fine. (Well, I mean, by now it's several hours later, and she doesn't seem worse or anything...)

Maybe the reading is pointing out that because I found her a bit of distance away from the closed door (the outskirts, 5.1) the correct conclusion to draw from that is that I should stop worrying about it (5.4). Maybe this was Yi's way of saying that the chase never got all the way to the closed door in the first place? That is a possibility. If so, I'll happily forget about it. IF that is what Yi was trying to say.

But that logic doesn't necessarily hold up. It is possible to bang your head, get a concussion, and keep right on moving. It happens in sports all the time. The fact that she wasn't unconscious in front of the door proves nothing. That's why I did the reading, because I have absolutely no other way to know whether she banged her head and hurt herself. There might not be signs that are visible to me. I can't ask her if she has a headache or feels dizzy.

 

[ginnie]

"[The other cats] chased [chasee cat] down the hallway, AND I HAD CLOSED THE BEDROOM DOOR. Any of the cats run headlong into that door?"

5 changing to 28

I think that if the head-slamming had taken place, you would not have gotten 5 as your hexagram. As you must know, cats are really good at quick movements. I think she saw that the door was closed and jumped up on the boxes well before getting to that closed door. I used to have cats that did the same thing -- the chasing -- in my apartment. They seem rather wild and reckless while chasing, but none of my cats ever got hurt doing this. They put out their feet and bounced off walls and doors if necessary.

 

[Liselle]

Yes, I know they're good at quick movements.

It's six hours later now, and she seems perfectly normal. I'm leaning towards thinking that nothing happened, as you and Trojina are saying.

I just don't know how to get that out of the reading, though. Ginnie, when you say "I think that if the head-slamming had taken place, you would not have gotten 5 as your hexagram," what are you thinking hex 5 means here? Just...wait to see how she is? Animals try to hide signs of not feeling well. And then what would hex 28 mean as the relating hexagram?

As Trojina said, I can see 5.4 meaning that I should get out of the worry-pit. And as I said, I'm comfortable with 5.1 referring to the "outskirts" boxes.

So...the reading as a whole is saying, "She was on the 'outskirts' boxes. So stop worrying."

I just don't understand the logic there. She could have ended up on those boxes whether or not she ran headlong into the door (short of it actually knocking her unconscious).

If Yi was trying to say that she never got as far as the door, which is what you think the lines meant, and which is certainly possible, then that makes sense. But those lines still seem to me a lot like someone saying, "Billy has on his blue hat. So of course he ate his breakfast." Two things that aren't logically connected.

 

[Trojina]

Lisa, I think you are way over complicating the reading.

5.1 pretty much says 'carry on as normal' so that's a message to you....go on as you normally would and see what happens. 5.4 says you got yourself into a pit of worry...get the hell out of it.

28 here ? move out from under this tension ?

The nub of it is waiting to see what happens whilst not worrying and going on as normal. You cannot remain in a state of tension about it (28)

Practically your options are to take her to a vet who will tell you the exact same thing as Yi presumably.....see what happens. I am no cat expert but they don't say they have 9 lives for nothing.

Still if your worry continues call the vet ....but in interpretation I think this was over complex

So...the reading as a whole is saying, "She was on the 'outskirts' boxes. So stop worrying."

I just don't understand the logic there. She could have ended up on those boxes whether or not she ran headlong into the door (short of it actually knocking her unconscious).

If Yi was trying to say that she never got as far as the door, which is what you think the lines meant

I don't think Yi was talking about the door or the box it was clearly addressing your worries directly. I think Yi answers simply.

I agree with Ginnie that if crashing into door had taken place you wouldn't get 5 as answer. Why ? Well 5 tells you to chillax, unwind.....it is not telling you 'hurry go take action now' is it ?

If Yi was trying to say that she never got as far as the door, which is what you think the lines meant, and which is certainly possible, then that makes sense. But those lines still seem to me a lot like someone saying, "Billy has on his blue hat. So of course he ate his breakfast." Two things that aren't logically connected.

You are making the answer twice as complex as it was. If you asked a friend about this they would say 'well Lisa why not wait and see, keep an eye on the cat, don't worry....you are worrying too much. You cannot go on in this state of worry (28) so if you are going to go on worrying get the hell out of that state (5.4 and 28) and call the vet.' I guarantee the vet will think you are worrying about nothing and will say exactly the same as Yi. So in this answer Yi gave the exact answer I would have given you if you had asked me. Bypassing all the stuff about the door it goes straight to the point which is your worry.


Now please post a picture of this cat so we can place it in the famous Clarity Pet Mascots section. Cats and dogs have always had a high profile in this forum and have been known to post queries themselves....undercover

 

[Trojina]

ps I'd never have asked about 'did the cat hit the door' as what actually needs addressing is your worry. You need to know if you need to do anything....so I'd have asked if I needed to do anything. You can give the whole problem to Yi.....you don't need to use it to ascertain circumstances and then decide what to do..you can cut that bit out, just go straight to the point. Yi will go straight to the point anyway as it did here. It answered you as any friend would......

with all medical issues you cannot go by Yi alone of course so if worried ring the vet....you can't stay in 28 state tension....though what can the vet do about something that may not even have happened and in fact as yet shows no sign of having happened ?

 

[sooo]

I'll shirttail this thread with another 5.4 experience regarding a pet mishap. I think 'jina is quite on the mark here.

Yesterday morning, Jake (I call him Jake the snake killer) met his match. Jake hates snakes on the property and takes responsibility not for killing them but annoying them off the premises by barking loudly at them. Yesterday morning a rattler bit his throat. I was first to discover something was wrong with him, as this tough mongrel whined when I gently hugged him good morning. By afternoon his lower neck had swollen terribly and his whole body was in pain, legs shaking, not taking food or water. I'm very fond of Jake and everyone says he takes a special liking to me, so naturally I was very worried. I asked Yi for his prognosis and received 5 lines 2 and 4, changing to 49. I took comfort in line 2, but worried that line 4 might be all to literal for Jake, and 49 could imply a transition I'd rather not imagine.

Last night, as I sat on the doorstep watching him, he came slowly to me, obviously in pain, and I could see his limbs were shaking, and he was sensitive to the touch everywhere. I gently petted him as he laid awhile beside me. I prayed continuously for his healing through the night. Early this morning I saw through my bedroom window that he was still alive, and went out to greet him. The swelling had gone down a good 80% and he seemed to be in better spirits. He followed me to my door for his usual treat, and I gave him a big frozen soup bone (5 is also nourishment). That perked him, as he's an outside only dog and today will be hot, and though eating and drinking might still move the snake venom further through his system, the bone would give him enjoyment without much ingestion.

Line 2 seemed to diagnose his wound result well, while line 4 got my head out of the bloody pit and into a type of nourishing prayer mode. Hopefully 49 means he will completely shed this potentially lethal snake bite with little to no permanent damage. Rattler bites often leave victims with permanent painful damage to nerves, particularly from a Mohave Green, which carry both venom and neurotoxins.

Bob, the ranch man, offered a bit of education to me, saying he was likely bitten by a large rattler, as the big ones can control the amount of venom they inject depending on their need, while the small ones release their entire cargo at once, making the smaller ones (not babies but 3' or so) the most lethal. Jake's had no anti-venom, now available from vets, but that's only supposed to be effective for a couple hours, giving enough time to get them to a vet. He's one tough dog, and I'm so glad he's still with us, protecting us with his own life.

And thank you, Lord. :bows:

 

[Liselle]

Am adding this at the beginning, since I just saw your post, Sooo, after writing the rest of this - I do hope Jake will be okay . What an awful, scary thing. Sooo, I realize we live in the same country, but when you tell these stories it seems like a different planet, with the critters you run into.

28 here ? move out from under this tension ?

The nub of it is waiting to see what happens whilst not worrying and going on as normal. You cannot remain in a state of tension about it (28)

...Ohhh. Thanks. I forgot/barely knew that hex 28 could mean a mental state of tension or stress. That makes sense. I was just thinking of it as a ridgepole collapsing, or something overloaded, and how those images weren't good ones in the context of a possible concussion. If I'd understood this part I might have been less confused about the reading.

5.1 pretty much says 'carry on as normal' so that's a message to you [...] I don't think Yi was talking about the door or the box

Okay. "Outskirts altar" is such a good description of the boxes she was on top of that I didn't consider other meanings for that line (and even if I would have considered other things, I think I still would have thought it meant the boxes. The hex 28 confusion just muddled the entire reading for me from the start, I think. And it was a good description.)

ps I'd never have asked about 'did the cat hit the door' as what actually needs addressing is your worry. You need to know if you need to do anything....so I'd have asked if I needed to do anything. You can give the whole problem to Yi.....you don't need to use it to ascertain circumstances and then decide what to do..you can cut that bit out, just go straight to the point. Yi will go straight to the point anyway as it did here. It answered you as any friend would......

Good point.

Out of curiosity, how would you have worded the question, without dragging into it "did she hit the door"? Just, "What should I do for [cat]?" And then make side notes so I'd have a record of why on earth I was asking the question? (Sometimes I think Yi reads side notes...). Or, "What does [cat] need?" Or just a one-word question, like, "[Cat]?" That's about as open-ended as can be, and then Yi could say whatever it thinks is important about the general situation? Sometimes I have trouble with questions, and I see your point that what seems the most obvious ("Did she hit her head?!?!?") isn't always the best.

Dainty kitty looking inquisitive:

View attachment 1125

 

[Liselle]

Oh, and Trojina, I did see that you said, "...so I'd have asked if I needed to do anything." What I'm getting at, though, is that "Do I need to do anything?" would probably seem (to me) like an awkward question if I didn't know whether anything even happened. Plus which, I might think to myself that we're supposed to avoid yes/no questions, and before I'd know it I'd be all tangled up.

I mean, I suppose a person could recognize that they're getting tangled up in wording, and then just not let that happen? I'm just telling you what would probably go through my head, and wondering how exactly you might word it.

 

[pocossin]

...so I'd have asked if I needed to do anything." What I'm getting at, though, is that Do I need to do anything?

Yes, leave the door open in the future so you won't have these worries.

 

[Trojina]

Am adding this at the beginning, since I just saw your post, Sooo, after writing the rest of this - I do hope Jake will be okay . What an awful, scary thing. Sooo, I realize we live in the same country, but when you tell these stories it seems like a different planet, with the critters you run into.

Yes I hope Jake stays well too

Out of curiosity, how would you have worded the question, without dragging into it "did she hit the door"? Just, "What should I do for [cat]?" And then make side notes so I'd have a record of why on earth I was asking the question? (Sometimes I think Yi reads side notes...). Or, "What does [cat] need?" Or just a one-word question, like, "[Cat]?" That's about as open-ended as can be, and then Yi could say whatever it thinks is important about the general situation? Sometimes I have trouble with questions, and I see your point that what seems the most obvious ("Did she hit her head?!?!?") isn't always the best.

Dainty kitty looking inquisitive:

View attachment 1125

Hail Kitty :bows: she looks sensible, not like a cat that would charge into a door.


I think I'd ask a pretty open question like 'do I need to do anything about my worries re cat'....I'm not saying you should ask how I do, everyone has their own way, but the question in your heart, the real question, is what will get answered regardless of the words you use so go with the words that get nearest the true question. I'd ask it that way because it simplifies things immediately....I know I will usually get an answer that is clear enough for me to know if immediate action is necessary or I can wait and see. It's interesting you got a 'wait and see but go on as usual mean time' as if Yi was still suggesting you use common sense. I see the crucial question here as about what you need to do or not do.....asking about if she slammed her head is going to be hard to interpret and isn't that relevant since, in the end, all you need to know is how to act in this situation.

Oh, and Trojina, I did see that you said, "...so I'd have asked if I needed to do anything." What I'm getting at, though, is that "Do I need to do anything?" would probably seem (to me) like an awkward question if I didn't know whether anything even happened. Plus which, I might think to myself that we're supposed to avoid yes/no questions, and before I'd know it I'd be all tangled up.

I mean, I suppose a person could recognize that they're getting tangled up in wording, and then just not let that happen? I'm just telling you what would probably go through my head, and wondering how exactly you might word it.

But you aren't going to know if anything happened for sure by asking Yi are you ? I don't think so as it is too vague/poetic/ancient oracleish to answer in terms you will understand. Even if you think you understand you cannot be sure if a or b happened so what is the use of asking. If all questions boil down to how you need to act then interpretation gets easier IMO

Fundamentally isn't the oracle a guide to help us in our actions.....To find out plain factual information we have other far better methods don't we.

Of course you could practise telepathy with kitty, now that would be far more effective, she'd tell you if she hit the door. I believe it is quite possible to have telepathy with animals...yes try that, just tune in to her and let her communicate with you. If she only talks about the next meal time you'll know she's fine

 

[Liselle]

Yes, leave the door open in the future so you won't have these worries.

 

[sooo]

Sooo, I realize we live in the same country, but when you tell these stories it seems like a different planet, with the critters you run into.

nnaahhh.. really?

It is the land of Nu, where treading and social conduct are not limited to humans.

Thank you both for your good wishes, which I'll be sure to pass along to Jake.

 

[Liselle]

Hail Kitty :bows: she looks sensible, not like a cat that would charge into a door.

And she is also very flitty and agile and not the least bit clumsy. (You may be implying that she would do this to me: . )

I think I'd ask a pretty open question like 'do I need to do anything about my worries re cat'....I'm not saying you should ask how I do, everyone has their own way, but the question in your heart, the real question, is what will get answered regardless of the words you use so go with the words that get nearest the true question. I'd ask it that way because it simplifies things immediately....I know I will usually get an answer that is clear enough for me to know if immediate action is necessary or I can wait and see.

Hmm, maybe a good way to ask would have been, "How best for me to respond to worries re: cat chase?" because it allows for "no response necessary" right in the question. It's splitting hairs, but asking how to "respond" to a situation (where I don't even know if anything happened) seems less awkward to me than asking what to "do". And your point is well taken, that Yi willl answer as it sees fit regardless of the wording...oh dear. Then why do we spend time discussing how to formulate questions...uch: Never mind.

To find out plain factual information we have other far better methods don't we.

Well not necessarily. I think this is something you just plain don't believe in doing, and I just plain don't see anything wrong with it sometimes. Sometimes Yi is the only one who could possibly know.

I do agree that people can jump to readings too quickly, and that if the facts are available through other methods, it is usually easier to get them that way. (Somewhere on this website the word "efficient" was used, where and by whom I don't know.) If you can look something up, or ask a human being, it's quicker and more comprehensible than asking (stealing your words, Trojina) a vague and poetic ancient oracle. Even if you have doubts about whether the real-life sources know what they're talking about or are being truthful, any readings you do will be much clearer if you already have a good background on the subject from other sources.

Of course you could practise telepathy with kitty, now that would be far more effective, she'd tell you if she hit the door. I believe it is quite possible to have telepathy with animals...yes try that, just tune in to her and let her communicate with you. If she only talks about the next meal time you'll know she's fine

*channels inner Dr. Doolittle*

Kitty:



(It is now over 24 hours later, and I am now satisfied that kitty is fine, and that nothing ever happened. Thank you to everyone for pulling this reading apart. I understand it much better now. )

 

[Liselle]

nnaahhh.. really?

It is the land of Nu, where treading and social conduct are not limited to humans.

Thank you both for your good wishes, which I'll be sure to pass along to Jake.

Well, we have those creatures (who get run into all too often, sadly).

This is hilarious - when I clicked on "Reply with Quote," this is what appeared in the text box between the IMG tags:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFKNHzo0xYY/ULq5Lurlq2I/AAAAAAAAL-I/quOkXCk8UEA/s400/UFO,+UFOs,
+sighting,+sightings,+alien,+aliens,+ET,+W56,+Akrij,+CTR,+nature,+photo,+deer,
+hunting,+camera,+monster,+paranormal,+space,+2012,+nov,+news,+Angelina+Jolie,
+Justin+Bieber,+gossip++.png

Only in the land of Nu (which I've actually never heard of) would Angelina Jolie and Justin Bieber have anything to do with a picture of a deer.

Edited: Oh wait! Now I see the ghost in the background. I still don't get the Angelina and J. Bieber references, though.

 

[sooo]

I know, I laughed at the location code too. Neither do I understand. Ask Kitty, maybe she knows.

I completely agree with 'jina here, animals understand far more than we can imagine.

I just went through the usual feeding dance with Baby, Candy and Chacta. It looks like an old Laurel and Hardy slapstick comedy routine. Candy wants Chacta's food, Chacta wants Candy's food, trick Chacta by closing his gate, he escapes and chases Candy from her feed bin, Candy runs into Chacta's pen to eat his lunch, Baby comes to share in Candy's bin with Chacta, Chacta stomps and shoo's her away, I take Candy's bin away from him and carry it into Chacta's pen, he follows, I put her bin behind my back and trap Chacta back in his pen, Candy goes to Baby's bin and they share her lunch. Then a similar routine on the other side between Bo and Salsa, but they share nice and eat the same kind of hay so they're easier. What a trip.

Jake is hiding in the shade somewhere, won't come out. That's usual on a hot afternoon. I'll check on him again later.

le mew

 

[sooo]

Oh, Nu is hexagram 10. And that's an alien not a ghost... I think.

 

[Liselle]

I'm envisioning that movie! Black and white, speeded up, with old-fashioned piano-playing as background music.

 

[sooo]

I'm envisioning that movie! Black and white, speeded up, with old-fashioned piano-playing as background music.

It's entitled: "The Grass is Always Greener" - Executive producers: Angelina Jolie and Justin Bieber

 

[Liselle]

It's entitled: "The Grass is Always Greener" - Executive producers: Angelina Jolie and Justin Bieber

 

[pocossin]

Chasee cat doesn't seem hurt. She was fully conscious when I found her. She's not staggering around or anything. But I don't think you can always tell by looking, necessarily?

I think you can tell by the way the cat carries and moves its tail. If the cat is excited about being fed, the tail quivers. If the cat enjoys its food, the tail curves upward. If the cat is busy eating, the tail lies flat. If the cat approves what you (large retarded kitten) are doing, then there is a happy crook in the tip of the tail. If the cat is making a decision, the tail switches from side to side sharply. I would expect an injured or sick cat to have a droopy, inexpressive tail. Also, there is a range of facial expressions.

 

[Liselle]

...if the cat approves what you (large retarded kitten) are doing...

LOL! Yes, I think that is exactly what they think of us. Poor dear cats. Have to live their lives beholden to us huge lumbering oafs

Seriously, though, I think your descriptions are excellent. I think my kitty is fine, and I also now think that nothing ever happened, as people said.

I think a lot of the problem I had with this reading was in my complete failure to understand hex 28 correctly - if the "mental tension and stress" aspect had occurred to me, as a description of how I was relating to the situation, I may have put that together with 5.4's "get out of the worry pit" etc. and concluded Yi was telling me this was a non-event. But I just thought of 28 as something being overloaded or collapsing under strain, in more of a physical sense pertaining literally to the cat rather than myself, and it put an entirely different (and wrong) flavor on the reading.

The other thing I was worried about was sort of a middle ground of injury, where she had perhaps rung her bell enough to where she ought to be confined and kept quiet, but not so severely that her symptoms would be blatantly obvious to a stupid human. In other words, I know that animals try to hide signs of weakness, unless it's so bad that they can't.

But you're right - if she's acting her usual perky self and exhibiting her usual responses to things, which she is, then she's fine.

Thanks for the help, everyone .

 

[sooo]

Glad Kitty is doing well. I like Tom's cat body language tutorial.

Jake has rebounded and is unusually affectionate. Maybe it's just those frozen soup bones, which I'm certain he secretly buried after cooling his tongue awhile. But I think it's that he's very aware of the love and prayers on his behalf. Hopefully, he'll be more cautious in the future of those rattles and fangs.

 

[Liselle]

I like Tom's cat body language tutorial.

As do I. It is very thorough, yet succinct. It sounds like Tom has known some cats in his life .

Jake has rebounded and is unusually affectionate.

I am so glad to hear that.

Hopefully, he'll be more cautious in the future of those rattles and fangs.

Yes, Jake. Bark your head off at them to scare them away, but from a safe distance, please.

How fast do rattlesnakes move? Could they close in on a dog before he'd have time to react? Or are dogs quicker? (Am cluelesssss about sssnakesssss.)

 

[pocossin]

It sounds like Tom has known some cats in his life

My life is dominated by a large white cat who considers me to be in need of her protection, supervision, and discipline. In spite of the many lessons she has given me on the proper way to catch mice, I have not learned.

 

[sooo]

How fast do rattlesnakes move? Could they close in on a dog before he'd have time to react? Or are dogs quicker? (Am cluelesssss about sssnakesssss.)

It depends on a number of factors. Typically, most rattlers, like the diamondbacks, are passive where humans are concerned, and will warn an approaching person on foot or horseback with their rattle from 10' or longer away. The exception is the Mohave Snake (commonly called Mohave Green), which are extremely aggressive and will come after a human or dog. When I first moved here in 2002, a friend called me outside and said to bring my pistol. He had a "green" (Mohave Snake) at bay with a flat shovel planted in front of it, coiled and head high in striking position. It came from out of a hole in his cactus garden while he was digging there and was hell bent on his attack. My friend pointed to it, only about 10-15' from me, and I couldn't even see it. That's how well it was camouflaged. Only when it moved could I see it. I knelt and took aim and fired a hot Cor-Bon rapidly expanding hollow point, hitting just bellow its head, which it tore off. Beheaded, I was told to not go near it as their fangs are still potentially deadly even after being dead, so conditioned to strike is their anatomy. I later sent the rattle to LiSe as a souvenir. It also depends on the season and temperature, time of day etc, since they're cold blooded. As I'd mentioned earlier, the Mohave Green is especially dangerous, with both venom and neurotoxins in their bite. A spray to the eyes of another friend sent him to the hospital. They're bad news, and very common here in Mohave County.

But if a dog gets in the face of even the more passive species, they will either strike or try to escape. Jake was grazed by a passing car when younger, and now won't go anywhere near the main road, a couple blocks from here. Hopefully he'll also learn to keep his distance from rattlers now.

There are other big snakes here that are welcomed, like king snakes, whip snakes, gopher snakes and several others, which eat mice, rats, and some eat rattlesnakes as well, killing by constriction. I removed a king snake from my garage awhile ago, released him under a big catclaw bush. Lot of mice travel around under it. Several snakes have evolved to look like rattlesnakes, some even have what looks like a rattle but isn't. Nature's intelligence is immeasurable.

 

[Trojina]

My life is dominated by a large white cat who considers me to be in need of her protection, supervision, and discipline. In spite of the many lessons she has given me on the proper way to catch mice, I have not learned.

I would have thought a picture would be appropriate ...so we can admire her majesty.

I think you can tell by the way the cat carries and moves its tail. If the cat is excited about being fed, the tail quivers. If the cat enjoys its food, the tail curves upward. If the cat is busy eating, the tail lies flat. If the cat approves what you (large retarded kitten) are doing, then there is a happy crook in the tip of the tail. If the cat is making a decision, the tail switches from side to side sharply. I would expect an injured or sick cat to have a droopy, inexpressive tail. Also, there is a range of facial expressions.

I want to know what a cat does when it disapproves of you ? What does she do when she considers you beyond redemption ?

Shouldn't we have a pic of Jake too ?

 

[sooo]

I would have thought a picture would be appropriate ...so we can admire her majesty.



I want to know what a cat does when it disapproves of you ? What does she do when she considers you beyond redemption ?

Shouldn't we have a pic of Jake too ?

My folks were cat people. Sylvester was my dad's delight. Only time I ever saw that guy shed tears was when his father died and when Sylvester was put down. My mother's babies were two Siamese and one huge Maine Coon cat, which got their name from being used to hunt racoons. They were originally shipped to Maine by Marie Antoinette in advance of her flight from France, before she met the guillotine for treason.

I think cats are masters of ignoring those they disapprove of, and their fish-hook claws draw blood in an instant if they fail to heed his/her cold shoulder and straight up tail, with all their glorious personal unmentionables clearly showing.

Shur, I'll snap a shot of the Jakester. He's not a stately fellow though. His one ear is bent, which I thought was the work of a cow or bull, but I was later corrected, he didn't fit well on his way out of his mother, hence, he was born that way. He may be hidden away from the sun now, but I'll get a shot soon as he makes himself available.

 

[Liselle]

I want to know what a cat does when it disapproves of you ? What does she do when she considers you beyond redemption ?

There is the dismissive, withering gaze, for one. Or the refusal to acknowledge your presence, their name, or your attempts at affection. E.g., when scratching kitty's cheek, she turns her back and curls into a ball with her head buried.

Of course, these things are in contrast to their usual loving behavior. Cats have a reputation for being cold and unaffectionate, and some probably are, but most cats I have known have been sweethearts. They don't all like to lay on your lap and be held, but they relish attention and are generous with rubbies and head bonks. Two of mine adore having their bellies petted.