The Rare Bonded Pair: Bonnie and Cooper
Hi there! My name is Bonnie, and I want to introduce you to my best friend, Cooper. He’s a year older than me, but I keep him young and on his toes!
We might not be true siblings, but we do everything together, from sharing warm beds to swapping dishes at mealtime.
Mommy says pairs like us are rare and calls us a “bonded pair.” I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I do know that life with Cooper is wonderful, loving, and never boring.
Our Days Together
Every night, I curl up against Cooper. He’s bigger than me, which makes him the perfect pillow. He keeps me warm and cozy at night
At 4AM sharp we make sure Mommy wakes up for breakfast. We’re very reliable alarm clocks (just ask her)!
Mealtime Buffet
At mealtime Cooper and I sit next to each other and eat together. We each get our own separate dishes, but sometimes one of us prefers what the other has.
If I turn my nose up at my food, Cooper just shrugs and starts on my dish. He’s never fussy and always patient when I steal a bite from him. He’s such a good brother, and great at cleaning up leftovers!
Life’s Little Games
After mealtime is play time!
Our porch is the best for watching birds, squirrels and chipmunks. We sit right next to each other and talk to them!
But inside, we run, leap, and chase until we’re worn out. We take turns chasing each other, the house is our obstacle course! It’s so much fun and Mommy says it’s “good exercise”, whatever that is.
When we’re not racing, we’re grooming—sometimes him, sometimes me. That’s true teamwork!
A Little Cat Drama
Sometimes catnip gets us a bit overly excited (especially Cooper), and maybe there’s a playful swat or a hiss. And when one of us comes back from the vet, the other turns up their nose ad growls a bit (honestly, the vet smell has to go!). But generally we never say bad words to each other or hurt each, we’re two peas in a pod!
Together, But Not Clingy
Even though we’re very close, we value me-time too. If things get a bit much, we hang out in different rooms for a while. But if one of us cries, the other comes running. We always, always check on each other.
Adventures and Achievements
When I first arrived, I was too little and sick to do much. But Cooper inspired me, he’d leap on the fridge or shower rail like it was nothing! Then he’d tease me: “I can go somewhere you can’t go!”.
When I got better, I got stronger too. Each day I would stretch up to the shower rail and kind of hop a little, as if I could make it. I wanted to get up there so bad!
Mommy kept saying “No Bonnie, it’s too high for you, you’ll get hurt!” But I’m a cat, we love heights, we don’t mind falling!
Then one day I jumped up there on my own! Cooper’s jaw dropped, and honestly, I strutted my stuff for days afterward. Now we both do it once in a while, just to prove that we haven’t forgotten, showing off for Mommy. It always makes her smile and laugh! I guess I’m a big girl now!
A Note From Our Mommy
Most cats, Mommy says, aren’t usually such close friends. Dogs, on the other hand, like to stick together.
But Cooper and I are different. We share naps, food, games, and even little adventures. Our bond, always looking out for each other, is rare. Mommy says our closeness is a daily reminder of the pure love we share, and it’s such a joy to watch!
Do you have a pair of pets at home with a special bond? Reply and share your stories—we’d love to know what friendship looks like in your house!
Need supplies for your cat(s)? You can find litterboxes, dishes, toys, and more here at Petmate! Click on the picture below to shop for goodies!
New Landowner? Don’t Miss These Steps!
If you dream of having your own peace of paradise and are buying your own land, there are several things you need to do to be successful. Buying land is a big adventure! Use this checklist to make sure you’re set up right from Day One:
- 🌳 Get it surveyed. Mark boundaries clearly. You can mark them with stakes or rocks, but these are prone to disappearing. Trees are better permanent markers, and are eco-friendly!
- 🏡 Choose your house spot wisely. Look for flat, dry land with good views. Check during rain to make sure the ground doesn’t get too muddy or, worse, floods.
- ✂ Clear paths early. Cut trees, brush and weeds where your driveway, house, septic, and well will be.
- 📋 Know local rules. Get any needed permits before building. This includes engineering for your septic system, well, shed(s), barn(s), and home.
- 💧 Set up essentials first: Your most important items are your well and septic system (including composting or chemical toilets).
- 🏕 Create a base camp: Before you build your home, you’re going to need a temporary shelter to oversee construction and house essentials like tools, food, and other supplies. Build a shed or buy/rent a trailer or camper secure enough for overnight stays.
- ⚡ Secure power: Decide if you’re going on-grid or off-grid. Off-grid choices include solar, wind, or water power systems, generator(s) or 12V battery systems.
- 🦌 Clear a safe buffer zone around your temporary and permanent dwellings. Brush and other vegetation can catch fire and hide predators such as bears and coyotes. Besides, you’ll want enough yard space to have a campfire, sit under the stars, or enjoy the sunrise without running into a bear or sitting on poison ivy!
- 🚜 Invest in a small tractor so you don’t have to haul wood, lumber, tools, etc. by hand. With the right attachments it can mow lawn, clear brush, move manure, and do other big jobs. Plus, it’s fun to drive!
- 🏍️ Consider an ATV for fun and property access. If you have enough land, you’ll want to not only walk it, but ride around on it.
- 🏠 Ready to build your dream home! Unless of course, the camper or trailer is your home, in which case you can check this one right off the list!
With the days getting shorter, you’re going to need portable lights! I recommend these solar-rechargeable flashlights and yard lights for safety and security.
Got tips for new landowners? Reply and share your best advice!
Next Issue: Keeping water liquid in the wintertime without electricity.
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