Baxter...My Arch Nemesis

This is Baxter.  He looks sweet, right?  Not quite.  Baxter is vicious, and I'm his arch nemesis, in every sense of the word.  He is my sister's cat, and I've never been quite sure what it is about me that makes him so angry, but something does.  I just want to love him, but the moment he sees my hands, he freaks out!  Throw a camera in the mix, and watch out!

I have been trying to friend Baxter for years...at least seven.  In his mind, it won't happen, but I say we've come a long way.  I remember when Baxter was younger, he would stalk me, and leap out from behind things, and latch onto my leg...injuring me several times.  One time, I was sitting on the floor talking to my sister, and he leaped about five feet across the room, knocked me onto my back, and began attacking me...for NO reason!  My sister had to beat him off me with a pillow!  Oh Baxter.

Fortunately, we're in somewhat of a different place today.  Baxter no longer ambushes me as I come around corners, and if I come from behind, he might let me pet him for about five seconds...as long as he doesn't see my hands.  With a little bit of patience (and more than a few tense moments), I was able to fire off some shots and capture Baxter at his best.  Those eyes just make you wonder "what in the world is zipping through that head"!  I'm not so sure I'd want to know...

I typically wouldn't share the shots that don't make print, but this was an outtake I just couldn't refuse.  Now you can see just how much he does not like me...but I still love him!

...And My Sweet Girl, Sandi

Just spent quite some time processing the images from a dog shoot yesterday afternoon.  I had so much fun!  I'll be posting those in the coming days, but this second entry belongs to my sweet, sweet Sandi.  Sandi's been with our family since April 2007.  Actually, she was adopted first, before Chuey.  Chuey joined the family a about eight months later, when we decided Sandi needed a friend.

Sandi is just as sweet as she looks, and such a beauty!  She's a mix of an orange and brown tabby, and if you pay close enough attention, you'll see that her face is divided right down the middle...half orange, half brown.  She's a true mama's girl; waiting at the bathroom door every night, for me to get out of the shower.  Then, following my every step until I finally settle into my recliner for the night, when she jumps up and nuzzles herself between me and the armrest of the chair.  

Unlike Chuey, she never finds herself in trouble.  Sandi is a bit more on the timid side.  I never have to worry about her getting into things.  Unfortunately, though, I do have to worry about her health, as she has a chronic condition that flares up every once in a while.  Lucky for her, she has a family who loves her unconditionally, and will do anything to make sure she lives the best life ever.  Only love given to the kitties in our home!  The Rodriguez cats have it all!  Life is good!