no refuge for rocket

Since Clara has come along, our pets have suffered demotions of humiliating proportions.

Owen, Baby #1, has generally accepted his lower status in life, but occasionally lets us know how he feels about things by peeing on the tile in the bathroom, or on the hardwood floor by the desk.

Biani, the awkward stepchild, has decided to try another tactic, choosing to conveniently "forget" how to jump up to his food bowl. He doesn't seem to mind that we can see him scale the 6 foot fence in our yard- he has no qualms about getting his attention by yowling in the kitchen every chance he gets until we pick him up and toss him in the general direction of his kibble.

But Rocket? Poor Rocket. The cats have the ability to jump (yes, Biani... JUMP.) out of Clara's reach when her loving gets a little too assertive. But Rocket has a more conflicted relationship with the babe. Clara is the provider of treats... lots of treats. As in 1/2 of her dinner every night before we can leap to prevent the rest from heading in the dog's direction, with other assorted goodies throughout the day. But for these treats, he also puts up with a lot of abuse. For example, this morning Clara whacked him with a potato masher.

When the going gets rough like this, Rocket can generally rely on his trusty crate as sanctuary from the spazzy one wielding kitchen utensils.

That is, until now.