Grabbers are terrific at picking up packing peanuts when the recipient was way too excited when she opened a package! just wait you guys … it’s stunning!

See the post quoted for a quick video. This reclaimed white oak is more than a hundred years old. The cats cannot dislodge the brushes anymore, they won't get lost, and they can pick their favorites - or brush themselves when I'm not around!

It truly is - I almost feel guilty for this beautiful wood being used for it. Renna - It is a lifesaver for me though because they would knock them out of the box and onto the floor on the OTHER side of the bed. Onnie already went for the paddle brush 😂😂

Welp... Youngest needed to drop by the funeral home to check on their new cat. She wanted me to go with her because her coworker lost the key and my daughter was afraid her coworker's ex-husband, who is now a homeless drug addict, might have stolen the key. She unlocked the door, shut off the alarm, and went into the AV room to get another key and yelled "HE'S HERE!!!!" He didn't speak English, but something about my hand on my pistol yelling GET OUT is universally understood & he left without incident. I don't even remember putting my daughter behind me and standing in between them. It was automatic. Apparently, he knew the code for the alarm too. Owner is on his way to swap out the locks. If you need me, I'll be over here pacing as I deal with all this leftover adrenaline.

Good Morning! Cats. When not needed, but want to be included. 😅

Cy update.. First I would like to thank you for all the prayers and love y'all have poured out for my little boy Cy. We also appreciate all the thoughts and suggestions to help get him back to his old self. This update covers the what exactly is the problem, how it is treated and how long that treatment can last. This is a very deep dive into this. Bottomline it will take weeks or months to fully heal and even then is something that may and most likely will reoccur, thus the reason for lifelong preventative treatment. If you choose to read enjoy, there is a ton of information here. Perianal fistulas in German Shepherds (also called anal furunculosis) are chronic, painful draining tracts and ulcers in the skin and tissue around the anus. They often start as small oozing holes and can become deep, smelly, pus-filled wounds that wrap around the anus. They usually do not connect into the rectum. Common signs Licking or biting the rear Pain when sitting or pooping Straining, blood, or pus Foul odor Reluctance to have the hind end touched In advanced cases: incontinence or constipation Most cases appear in middle-aged dogs, and intact males are slightly more common. Why German Shepherds? GSDs make up about 80–85% of cases. Other breeds can get it, but GSDs are far more prone. The exact cause is not fully known, but it is not just an infection. Main factors: Immune-mediated disease — the immune system overreacts in the perianal area (similar in some ways to fistulizing Crohn’s disease in people). That is why immunosuppressants like cyclosporine work better than surgery or antibiotics alone. Genetics — a strong breed predisposition. A specific MHC gene variant (DLA-DRB1*00101) raises risk several-fold. Some family lines are especially affected. Affected dogs should generally not be bred. Anatomy as a contributing factor — a broad, low-carried tail plus more scent glands around the anus can trap moisture and feces. This can worsen inflammation, but it is not the root cause. Tail docking does not reliably prevent or cure it. Many affected dogs also have colitis or gut inflammation. Bottom line This is a painful, progressive, immune-related condition with a genetic tilt toward German Shepherds. Early vet care matters. Current first-line treatment is medical (usually cyclosporine, often long-term), not surgery. Medication approach Immune suppression (immunomodulatory) therapy treats perianal fistulas—also called anal furunculosis—in German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) by targeting the underlying T-cell-driven immune dysregulation that causes chronic inflammation, ulceration, and tunneling tracts around the anus. This condition is now understood as an immune-mediated disease with a strong genetic predisposition in GSDs (linked to MHC class II alleles such as DLA-DRB1*00101, NOD2 variants, and other immune-related genes). It resembles perianal Crohn’s disease in humans. Older anatomic theories (low tail carriage, extra sweat glands) are no longer considered the primary cause. What the drugs actually do The first-line drug is cyclosporine (ciclosporin), a calcineurin inhibitor. It works as follows: Cyclosporine binds cyclophilin inside T cells. This complex inhibits the enzyme calcineurin. Calcineurin normally activates the transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells). Without NFAT, T cells cannot produce interleukin-2 (IL-2) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines (including IFN-γ). As a result, T-helper (especially Th1) cells fail to activate and proliferate. Lesional tissue in affected dogs shows a Th1-dominated cytokine profile, increased IL-2 and IFN-γ, macrophage activation, and elevated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9 and MMP-13) that degrade tissue. By shutting down this T-cell signal, cyclosporine reduces the inflammatory cascade, decreases tissue destruction, and allows the fistulous tracts and ulcers to close. Clinical effects typically appear within 2–4 weeks (less pain, less discharge, shrinking lesions). Complete resolution often takes 8–16 weeks or longer. Many dogs need long-term or lifelong low-dose maintenance because the genetic/immune predisposition remains and relapse is common if treatment is stopped abruptly. Other agents and practical notes Prednisolone or other immunosuppressants (azathioprine, mycophenolate) can be added or used as alternatives but generally have more side effects and less consistent long-term success. Topical tacrolimus (another calcineurin inhibitor) is often used concurrently or as maintenance because it penetrates skin well. Ketoconazole is frequently combined with cyclosporine; it slows cyclosporine metabolism, allowing a much lower (and cheaper) cyclosporine dose while keeping blood levels therapeutic. Antibiotics treat secondary bacterial infection but do not address the primary immune process. Surgery is now reserved for cases that fail medical therapy or have involved anal sacs, because immunosuppression has become the mainstay of treatment. The goal is control of the aberrant immune response rather than simply cutting out inflamed tissue. Timeline Most dogs with perianal fistulas start showing some relief within 1–4 weeks of starting modified cyclosporine, with the first noticeable changes often appearing in 7–14 days. Complete healing of the tracts usually takes longer. Typical timeline First 1–2 weeks: Many owners notice reduced licking, scooting, or straining to defecate, plus improved comfort and demeanor. Pain and discharge often begin to lessen. One study reported behavioral improvement and reduced inflammation after just 1 week. 2–4 weeks: Clearer clinical improvement is common. Fistula size and depth often shrink noticeably (one controlled trial showed a 78% reduction in surface area and 62% reduction in depth by week 4). Dogs generally feel better even if the tracts are not fully closed. 8–16 weeks (sometimes up to 20 weeks): This is the usual window for substantial or complete resolution of the fistulas themselves. Average time to full or near-full healing across studies is around 8–15 weeks. Response varies with dose, severity of the fistulas, and the individual dog.

Just now: William behind the camera at the Dixie Round-Up Rodeo in St. George, Utah. #PRCA