The Ice Ball Experiment

Sometimes posts just happen, and are not planned.  

That is the case with the Ice Ball Experiment that happened because of my daughter.  A few weeks ago I saw online that someone had made an ice ball, and given it to their pets.  I shared it with her because we have cats that always seem to be thirsty.  

On Saturday night she went to Homecoming, and when she came home she had some balloons with her. The next day, I did not notice that the balloons were missing.  That is, until my son asked me why was there a giant ball of ice in the freezer.  I had no idea.  After I went to bed, she had used some of the balloons to make the ice ball.  A couple of them were knotted too tightly and popped.  One though, she was able to untie, and fill with water.  While it was being frozen the ice ball expanded popping the balloon. I can see why my son was confused, there was literally a ball of ice on top of the frozen veggies.   If you want to make an ice ball of your own, you can find balloons at the dollar store.  

We sat the ice ball out to see what would happen.  Within a few minutes, we had our first curious kitty.  

Success!  She loved it.  

This one was not quite as sure what to make of it.  She looked rather confused.  

We will call this an almost success.  While she never did lick the actual ice ball, she did drink the water on the side of it.  

You will need a large bowl or container to put the ice ball in when you set it out for your pets.  It did not melt for several hours. but when it did, there was good amount of water left in the bowl.  Now that we know how easy it is to make, and that the cats will use it, we will make an ice ball again. It would be good for when you know you are going to go away for a couple of days, or if your pets always seem to need their water bowls filled up. 

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Frappe's Freedom

We had quite an ordeal at our house the last couple of days.  I am happy to say, we had a happy ending.   You can read the full story on my other blog, Surviving the Crazy Life.  This will also explain why I have not had a chance to work on Lego party ideas this week.   I think that with all the trouble with animals we have had in recent weeks, I definitely  picked a fitting title for my other blog.  :) 

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A Goodbye, and a Hello

I wasn't sure if I was going to write this post, but this is something that many of us with pets have to  go through.  On Friday night we found that Kara's hamster Shadow had died.  He lived to the ripe old age of almost 3.  If Shadow looks familiar, you might remember my post about him in January when he went on an adventure in the post Two Cats and a Hamster.

One problem with being a  pet loving family is dealing with the death of the pet.  Kara loves all of her animals dearly, and takes each of their deaths very hard.  The reason why she is wearing her winter animal hat  in 80 degree weather is because she was wearing it when her first hamster Sonic died.  She asked me to photograph Shadow's service for her so she can look at the pictures when she is ready.    While the pictures are for something sad, I think they also  show a lot of beauty and compassion.  Here she is preparing his memory stone.  

Her dad dug the grave and she bravely placed him in it.  He was in his special box she decorated just for him. 

We had a few moments of silence when no one said a word.  We just allowed her to be in the moment. 

Then when she was ready, she helped cover him up. I am sure it gave her some closure.  

Goodbye Shadow, you were a great hamster! 

Now you are probably wondering about the Hello in my blog title..  

Say hello to Mocha! 

We were not planning on a new hamster so soon.  Kara still has Sonny, and was not in a rush.  When we were at the pet store, they just happened to have a hamster that was exact type and color that she had  told me she had wanted  the day before.   We think Mocha is a girl, but are not 100% sure yet. 

Hello Mocha! 

Welcome to the family! 

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