Monday, June 16, 2008

Fly-by Shooting

Benny is Frank's dog. The two of them visit me pretty much every weekend, much to my cats' dismay. Benny is a very high-energy Jack Russell Terror who is used to two long walks a day, and several instances of tug-o-war and fetch throughout the course of the day. When he's here, he's also used to a few games of Chase the Cat. Skittles is the more energetic of my two cats, and more often than not, opts to engage Benny in these games. Skitty gets the chance to hiss, spit and growl - activities that he doesn't usually pursue during his everyday life. It gives him a chance to explore his feline roots.

This past weekend, both of the critters were outside. Skitty had wandered over to my neighbour's front yard and was happily munching on some grass - an activity he loves nearly as much as throwing said grass back up on my carpet hours later. Benny decided that a happy cat was fair target for torment. He started running circles around Skitty, each one brought him close enough to give him a little nip or lick as he made contact on the fly. Occasionally, Skitty would get a good swipe in at Benny.

The following series of photographs were taken just seconds apart - one shot for each time that Benny zoomed around and past Skitty.

Can we say "pest?"


I see trouble coming...




Don't even think about hiding. I can see you! (Whap!)




Brace yourself, old boy! (Mrrrow!)




Neener, neener! (Thwap!)




Wheeeeeeee! (Hisssss!)




Touchdown! (Grrrrowl!)




A change of location. (Maybe he won't find me.)





Crap!




Back in hiding.


If you'd like to read about more of Benny's antics you can find some past blog posts here, here, here and here.

If you'd like to see him and Skitty in action, you can take a look at this little video here.

We'll be heading up to Frank's family's cottage for a few days this week, where Benny will most likely participate in another one of his favourite games - Bite the Waves.

See you next week!

39 comments:

Clowncar said...

What a cool series of photos. You have quick reflexes and such a good eye. We must try that sometimes ourselves. We're about to unleash 2 baby kittens into the larger world which our old and crabby cat once ruled alone.

Run!

Missicat said...

Great pics! I love the way cats "hide" (if they can't see you, then obviously you can't see them, right?).

Kat said...

Your cat looks EXACTLY like my cat growing up. She and our beagle used to go at it nonstop. These pics really bring it all back.
Great series!

Sweet and Salty said...

It would seem that Benny has made it his mission to torture the cat!

Daryl said...

OH wonderful photos ... poor Skitts .. poor Bennie ... lucky Hilary to be able to capture it all and lucky us to get to share!

Rosie likes to hide in plain sight and whack Gus as he passes ... then of course he grabs her by the scruff of the neck and thinks he can hump her ... doh .. you've been altered .. get over it

:-Daryl

Frank Baron said...

That was just about as funny the 2nd time around as it was the 1st. :)

I hope folks click to see the larger versions, especially the "Wheeeee! Hissss!" one. The two expressions (totally opposite of course) are priceless.

the Bag Lady said...

Hehehehehe - looks just like what happens around here, except with different characters.
Great action photos, Hilary!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love the dog vs. cat photos! Poor kitty! I hope your cat has c.l.a.w.s! A good swipe on the dog's nose would do him a world of good and make him a bit more cautious!
My daughter's Rat Terrier, Buddy, who is three times again larger than any of my cats, is 'Terrier-fied' of them; they back him into a corner if he even imagines he can invade their space. Buddy now stops dead in his tracks and waits for me to act as bodyguard if there happens to be a cat in his pathway. Funny!
Wishing you a lovely holiday at the cottage. Get photos of the wave-biting.

RiverPoet said...

Hilarious! Looks like what goes on when my little bullie (nearly a year old) goes after one of our cats.

Peace - D

Crabby McSlacker said...

It's so amazing the way you manage to capture the action!

And I love the "crap!" shot. (When I take pictures it's all a crap shoot, but not in a good way).

david mcmahon said...

I'm leading the standing ovation ....

Anonymous said...

Those two are just too funny together. Great photo essay. :)

Reb said...

Great shots Hilary! Frank is right that Wheeee! Hissss! is priceless!

Enjoy your trip, I know you will come back with some more great shots for us to look at.

Daisy said...

Skitters is beautiful, and you know how I feel about that Benny.

Have a great time on your trip.

gary rith said...

Sure looks like my house--my little beagle Penny loves to jump and roll on my grey tiger Spike.

Leah J. Utas said...

Wheeee! Hissss! is wonderful, but Touchdown made me laugh.

Well done, Hilary.

Amy said...

Awesome pics!
Those are so funny!!!

Russell said...

Love the photos and, even more, the commentary!

I have three cats here at the farm and one wild and crazy border collie / brittany mix called Bailey. Bailey loves to play with the cats - but I am not always sure if the cats are playing with him! Cats and dogs... some things are universal!

Take care and thanks for a fun post. I enjoyed it very much!

steviewren said...

Those photos are priceless. I love the "crap" shot! Benny is obviously oblivious to that fact that he isn't as loved by everyone as he thinks he is.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oh I love it! Having a dog and cat, I am so partial to these antics!

Latin Lupe Lu said...

Great shots, Hilary. I can't believe (after watching the video) that the cat is still resisting this relationship. Poor Benny. All he wants is to play. Have a great week at the cabin.

Craver Vii said...

Fantastic shots! I love this series; these animals are adorable.

Suldog said...

You know that Benny's going to end up with a scratched hooter one of these days, right? :-)

Anonymous said...

AHAHAHAHAHA!!!

*sigh*

that was funny.

photowannabe said...

Great series of shots. They certainly show the different personalities.
Have a nice little vacation. Looking forward to more pictures on your return.

Tamie said...

This is sooo funny. It would be neat to shoot video of it. I hope they don't play too agressively like my cat and dog do. My dog pounces on the cat, and the cat growls at him. LOL

JoeinVegas said...

I don't know for sure, but it looks like the cat enjoys it as much as the dog.

Kappa no He said...

Skitty looks like our Whiskey! I am going through something of a dilemma. Our Whiskey has started to spray since the arrival of the pup. This is despite the dog only being in one room and the cats having the full run of the house. *sigh*

Loved the action shots!

Hilary said...

• Thanks, Clowncar. Your old, crabby cat may surprise you, and turn all mushy on those kittens.. we can hope. Good luck with that and yes, do take pictures. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• That's exactly right, Missicat. Gee, you'd think you know felines or something. ;) Thanks for stopping by.

• Thanks, Kathryn. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

• Pavel, he thinks it's play. What the cat has in mind is more along the lines of torture. ;)

• Thanks, Daryl. I know what that's like. Both of my cats have been neutered, are male AND are siblings, but that doesn't stop Skitty from trying occasionally. Men! ;)

• Thanks, Frank. That shot pretty much captures their game, eh? :)

• Thanks, Baggie. They're all pretty much alike at heart, eh? :)

• Thank you, Pat. Yours and your daughter's critters sure sound like characters. Thanks for your kind wishes.

• I'm glad you enjoyed it Momma. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks muchly, Crabby. I just keep shooting.. Benny provides all of the action. :)

• Thanks so much David. :)

• Thanks, Susan. :)

• Thanks so much, Reb.. for stopping by and for your kind words. :)

• Thanks very much, Daisy Jo. :)

• Sounds like another couple of characters, GR. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks, Leah. I'm glad it made you laugh. :)

• Thank you, Amy. :)

• Thanks, Russell. I think you nailed it. "Universal." Thanks for your always-kind words. :)

• Steviewren, you nailed it too. Benny never stops to think if he's loved or wanted by strangers and critters. He MUST be. Thanks for your kind words. :)

• I'm glad you enjoyed it, MamaGeek. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Thanks, LLL. He resists because it's much more fun that way. It keeps their relationship alive. ;) Thanks for the kind words. :)

• Thanks so much, Craver. I think they're kind of cute too. ;)

• I couldn't agree with you more, Sully. But it's not going to be from one of my cats.. they've both been declawed. ;)

• Thanks, Twizzle.. you made me laugh! :)

• Thanks so much for your kind words, Photowannabe. :)

• Thanks, TKWI. No they're never TOO serious.. well Skitty is sometimes, but Benny is NEVER serious. He just wants to have fun. :)

• He absolutely does, Joe. He takes great pleasure in showing his displeasure. Thanks for stopping by. :)

• Ack, Kappa! That must be very frustrating. I hope the cat settles down soon. Spraying kitties are NOT fun! I'm glad you enjoyed the shots. :)

Jo said...

Loved the action photos, Hil...so funny!

Enjoy enjoy the cottage...hope you two are having a wonderful time...oh and Benny too of course---let's hope he doesn't find more fish to roll in :P

Hilary said...

Thanks, Jo. :) The only fish Benny found was dangling from the end of a rod, and it was tossed back too quickly for him to roll in it. ;)

Anonymous said...

When will us dogs ever learn! Ella , our cat keeps us both well in our place!

Hilary said...

Ella must have moved in first! Thanks for leaving your paw print, Wilma! :)

Wide Lawns said...

Wow Skitty is the exact spitting image of Canela! I like the mad picture where he's hissing at the dog and looks all tough.

Hilary said...

Wide Lawns, you'll have to post a photo of your Canela one day. Skitty acts all angry and fierce but we know better. Inside he's just a pussycat. ;)

Cath said...

Skitty is beautiful! She has the same markings (the black tabby stripes) as my Tinker had, but Tinker had a touch of tortoiseshell too.

Dogs are a bit dumb and don't know when to quit. It really is fun to watch a cat and dog - I am sure the dog always comes off worse and always seems the more "childish" somehow!

Great post. Great fun. (except for grass regurgitating - my cats do that too.)

Hilary said...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Cath. You're right about dogs coming across as childish. Cats seem so.. sophisticated by comparison. :)

Anonymous said...

I love this post. Great pictures, along with great storytelling! Fun to read.

Hilary said...

Thanks for your kind words, Addhumorandfaith. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)