I may have to rename this blog

to Allison Petland.

Anyway, the cat is doing much better. She is finally eating on a more consistent basis and is complaining with her usual snarky energy instead of the pathetic "mrow" she put forth a week ago. I am genuinely hopeful she may stick around a bit longer.

We have also gotten a new bird. We think it's a male, but since "he" is only 3 months old, it will be a bit before we know for sure. When we got him home, he sat frozen in the cage for at least two days. Grant kept pushing me for a name, but how in hell do you name an creature who won't even move? "Statue" didn't seem like an option, although I found myself briefly considering calling him "David". But considering that is the name of my late brother, I reconsidered. Finally, I settled on "Pippin". Not just for the hobbit, although there is no question that Billy Boyd is by far the cutest thing. I reached back into my musical comedy days for this one. The bird is regularly treated to me singing

Think about the sun, Pippin

Think about her golden glance

How she lights the world up

Well, now it's your chance

With the guardian of splendor

Inviting you to dance

Pippin

Think about the sun

He has now evolved from his frozen state to maniacally flitting from one side of the cage to the other. Of course, that may be related to his owner regularly suggesting he emolate himself. His current obsession is trying to nibble his way through the top of the cage. Nothing like a crazy bird to make a house a home!