Care Instructions

Thank you, for agreeing to watch my animals again. I understand last time, how difficult Lucy made the experience for you. Lucy really is a good dog, granted she has her corks but I know once you learn to navigate her eccentricities the two of you will get along splendidly. Hopefully, these instructions will help with that learning curve, so this transition will be uneventful while you’re together. Let’s start with instructions for Ruby Bubbles care, being a cat she is by far my low maintenance pet.

Ruby Bubbles Care Instructions

• Ruby Bubbles only come to Bubbles if she has any intention of coming at all.

• Lucy is her best friend and she will defend her accordingly.

• Ensure Bubbles food dish is always full

• Clean and refill kitty water fountain with fresh water twice daily.

• Mop around the kitty fountain to avoid a wet floor hazard. Don’t worry about the mess, it is better then the alternative.

• If the water isn’t fresh ‘enough’ for Ruby Bubbles she will plug and turn on the water for ALL the sinks in the house at once. (Closing doors will limit the sinks Bubbles has access too)

• The plumber’s number is on the fridge in case of an emergency.

• The litter box is automatic. However Ruby Bubbles occasionally unplugs her litter box when she feels it’s time for human attention. The replacement trays are in the hall closet under a brown blanket. Do not show Ruby Bubbles or Lucy where you retrieved the replacement tray from because those trays are quite expensive.

• Ruby Bubbles receives wet food at night BEFORE you feed Lucy (please refer to the care instructions for Lucy

• Ruby Bubbles likes to play with her ball on a stick from 2 -3pm. Please be diligent of obstacles that could cause injury to Ruby Bubbles. She once jumped so high, she hit the underside of a cupboard. Her eyes still are crossed from this mishap.

• If you don’t play with Ruby Bubbles in the approved time or with the approved toy she will retaliate.

• Ways Ruby Bubbles retaliates are (but aren’t limited too) knocking plants off the window ledge, knocking glass or any objects off the counter or tables. Running up your leg with claws out, and turning the water on in all accessible sinks.

• Do not try to pet Ruby Bubbles, if she is craving attention she will rub against you or seek out Lucy.

• Sleep with your bedroom door closed and locked if you can.

Lucy Care Instructions

• Lucy requires access to the out doors from 5am to 7pm. Lucy does not use the doggy door, I don’t think she realizes that she is a canine. It’s easiest to leave the door open.

• Lucy will signal with a guttural growl warning if she believes you have committed an infraction against her. (throwing a ball, trying to put a leash on her, watching her defecate)

• Lucy has never bitten anyone (as you remember Lucy does however, put on a believable performance, which can be traumatic).

• Lucy eats breakfast at 8am. The container is clearly marked; Lucy’s Coca puffs, and is located in the cupboard. Bubbles will taste test for Lucy before every meal.

• If for any reason she refuses to eat breakfast you will have to throw away the ‘stale food’ and replenish it by doing the following: In the pantry there are empty cereal boxes, put a Ziploc bag in the empty box with the food located on the top shelf in the blue rubber maid container. What ever you do, do not show Lucy that container or the process. Seal the box with the glue stick.

• After cleaning the dirty container, pour the new dog food into the clean, dry container.

• Lucy enjoys a walk on our property after breakfast but before lunch.

• At 12:30pm sharp Lucy looks forward to lunch so it is best that you start getting it ready 15 minutes before (12:15pm). Take out the cylinder marked ‘lunch time’, and pour it into a bowl stirring it vigorously. Stir the food for about ten minutes, let it rest for five, before adding it to Lucy’s bowl. If Bubbles is napping, Lucy will wait patiently by her bowl until Bubbles wakes up to taste it. Note: Lucy isn’t rejecting the food, just waiting on Bubbles. (You’ll know if Lucy rejects a meal). If Lucy does reject her food, you will have to follow the instructions for breakfast EXCEPT use a mac and cheese box for lunch and a microwave dinner box for dinner. Lucy will not eat ‘cereal’ for lunch and she won’t eat mac and cheese for dinner.

• Lucy enjoys a treat at 3:15pm. Lucy enjoys her treats, hand fed to her one at a time. Do not attempt to encourage her to ‘perform’ any tricks. However, she will allow you to do tricks for her if you know of any.

• Lucy will expect you to ‘play’ chess with her at some point of the day. (Don’t worries she isn’t that good unless Bubbles is helping).

• Dinnertime for Lucy is at 6pm sharp. I would start preparing her dinner anywhere from a half to an hour before. I warm up the wet gourmet food for her and while that is simmering on low heat, I ‘prep’ her dry food by ‘chopping’ and ‘seasoning’ it on the cutting board. (I don’t actually cut her kibble) Using two separate bowls, putting them down on her mat together. Note: before you feed Lucy, Bubbles should have been feed her wet food. Lucy will wait for Bubbles to taste test out of both bowls. If Bubbles wasn’t already feed, she will eat all Lucy’s wet food, causing her to throw up all over the house. The emergency vet number is on the refrigerator.

• Lucy goes to bed at 8pm, however right after dinner you should start to prepare for Lucy bedtime regiment. Lucy requires her teeth to be brushed, her coat to be combed and she likes to be read a bedtime story. Bubbles sleeps in her bed. Make sure the lights are off and the house is quiet. (Lucy can’t sleep otherwise)

• On occasion Lucy has bad anxiety. The veterinary psychologist that she goes to twice a month feels Lucy has trust issues, which she needs to work through. If she seems anxious at anytime her medication is in the cupboard. To get Lucy to take her pill you will have to feed it to her hidden in a piece of cheese. Don’t forget to give Bubbles a piece of cheese first (without the medication).

Hopefully, I didn’t forget anything, if I did or you have any problems, you can call me or anyone on the emergency contact list. If at all possible try not to phone me, as I really need a break. I will be home before Lucy’s bath time ritual on Thursday, so you won’t have to endure that again. Enjoy my fur babies!

P.S. If Bubbles is running anywhere, I would check to see what she is up too, because chances are, Bubbles is up to something.