This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] Kitten: Meow, meow.

[0:02] Clucky: Quack, quack.

[0:03] Kitten: Are two best friends.

[0:07] Clucky: Trying to make sense of the world around them.

[0:11] Kitten: Adventures and discoveries around every bend.

[0:16] Clucky: Come along and explore with them.

[0:21] Kitten: Season 6. Episode 1. Tails of Survival.

[0:25] Maddox: There you are, Kitten. I've brought someone special to meet you.

[0:31] Kitten: Meow.

[0:38] Maddox: Oh, I hope they like each other.

[0:41] Maddox: Of course they will like each other. Kitten, this is my friend Elizabeth. We met at school and she also has a cat and we have brought her here to meet you. This is Ashley.

[0:49] Kitten: Meow.

[0:51] Ashley: Meow, you brought me a friend? Where is she?

[0:55] Maddox: Meow. Sorry, Kitten. She is up here on my shoulder. She's a little nervous to meet you.

[1:01] Maddox: Come on, Ashley. You can unhook your claws from my shoulder. I'm sure you will get along great with Kitten.

[1:07] Ashley: Meow, I don't know.

[1:09] Maddox: That's good. I'm going to set you down over here on the floor.

[1:13] Ashley: Meow, I'm not sure I'm ready for this.

[1:16] Kitten: Meow.

[1:18] Kitten: Hello, Ashley. I'm Kitten. I'm so excited to meet you. Maddox has, of course, told me all about you. Would you like me to show you around?

[1:27] Kitten: How did you get here? Did you have to go by car? I do not like riding in the car.

[1:32] Ashley: Oh, I'm so excited I'm babbling. Sorry.

[1:35] Kitten: Meow, you ask a lot of questions and are kind of making me dizzy because you keep walking around me.

[1:42] Ashley: Would you mind stopping? I mean, if that's okay.

[1:45] Kitten: Oh, of course. I didn't mean to make you dizzy. I was just excited to meet you.

[1:51] Kitten: Want me to show you around my room?

[1:53] Ashley: Um, okay.

[1:57] Maddox: Oh, look. They are getting along. It looks like Kitten is showing her the cat tree.

[2:01] Maddox: Do you think Ashley will climb it?

[2:03] Elizabeth: I doubt it. She is pretty timid.

[2:05] Maddox: Maybe she will later today. After all, we have all night. A friend and cat sleepover. It's going to be great.

[2:12] Maddox: Want to go get a snack while the cats get acquainted?

[2:15] Elizabeth: Do you think it is okay to leave them alone together?

[2:18] Maddox: You don't think they'll start fighting, do you?

[2:20] Elizabeth: No, Kitten is super friendly. Look, she is rolling her sparkler ball towards Ashley. They will be fine for a little bit.

[2:27] Ashley: Okay.

[2:33] Elizabeth: Do you like the pink or the blue sparkle ball better?

[2:36] Ashley: I think they are both nice.

[2:38] Elizabeth: Do you have a sparkle ball?

[2:40] Ashley: No, I don't. But I have a ball with a bell.

[2:43] Elizabeth: Oh, those are cool.

[2:46] Elizabeth: Oh, I have an idea. Why don't you come with me down to the chickens? You can meet my friends, Clucky and the hens. Bridget, Bella and Brigitte.

[2:56] Ashley: Oh, I don't think so. I don't go outside.

[2:59] Elizabeth: Really? Never?

[3:02] Ashley: Well, once I accidentally went out the slider door when it was open. I was only out for five minutes on the patio, and then I came back in. No one noticed, but I felt bad for breaking the rules.

[3:13] Elizabeth: How are you breaking the rules if the door was left open?

[3:16] Ashley: Oh, well, I'm an indoor cat, and I was outdoors. Isn't that breaking the rules?

[3:22] Elizabeth: I don't think that's a rule.

[3:24] Ashley: Oh, I'm sorry.

[3:26] Elizabeth: Why are you sorry?

[3:28] Ashley: Because I was maybe wrong about the rule.

[3:30] Elizabeth: You don't need to be sorry for that. Come on, would you like to meet the chickens?

[3:35] Ashley: Well, I would like to, but I don't think I should.

[3:39] Elizabeth: Why not?

[3:40] Ashley: I don't want the girls to be worried if they come back here and we are not here.

[3:44] Elizabeth: We will walk right by them to get out the door.

[3:47] Ashley: Oh, I can show you our slider door. It opens on its own when I get close to it.

[3:52] Elizabeth: Wow, I've never seen a door that opens on its own, but I don't know.

[3:58] Ashley: Maddox and Elizabeth will see us as we go.

[4:01] Elizabeth: If they don't want us to go, I'm sure they will stop us.

[4:04] Ashley: Oh, okay.

[4:07] Ashley: Oh, wow, it really does open on its own.

[4:11] Elizabeth: How did you do that? Is it magic?

[4:14] Ashley: I've heard of magic from Elizabeth's books.

[4:17] Elizabeth: Yeah, I know. I thought it was magic too at first, but see that little black box over there?

[4:23] Ashley: Yes, I see it.

[4:25] Elizabeth: Oh, the door is starting to close.

[4:27] Ashley: Yes, it closes on its own too. But if you wave your paw or your tail in front of the little black box, it will open again.

[4:36] Ashley: Oh, wow, I see. Ready to go?

[4:40] Elizabeth: Um, do you think we should?

[4:43] Ashley: The girls are right over there in the kitchen. Maybe we should go over by them.

[4:46] Elizabeth: I don't think they've seen us.

[4:53] Ashley: Can't you hear them? They are on their band group chat.

[4:58] Elizabeth: They won't know we're gone for a long time. Does that happen to you with Elizabeth?

[5:03] Ashley: Oh, yes. Look, they are both on their screens.

[5:08] Elizabeth: Sometimes I have to jump in her lap to get her eyes off it.

[5:12] Ashley: Oh, I can relate. I have rolled over on my back for belly rubs and been completely ignored if people are on the chat.

[5:20] Elizabeth: It can be so frustrating. Come on, let's go see the chickens. They won't even know we're gone.

[5:27] Ashley: Okay, but not for too long.

[5:34] Elizabeth: Oh, wow, it's so wild out here.

[5:38] Ashley: Are you sure we should be out here?

[5:40] Elizabeth: Of course. I'm out here all the time. I love the trees and the breeze.

[5:44] Ashley: Don't you worry about the fleas?

[5:49] Elizabeth: Yeah, I know. There's a medicine for that. Check out the leaves and the branches. You never know what you'll see.

[5:59] Ashley: Oh, I'm sorry. I think I just broke that branch.

[6:03] Elizabeth: Yeah, branches snap. It's not a trap. There's no need to apologize.

[6:11] Elizabeth: It's a beautiful day outside. There's no need to hide away. Come explore with me on this beautiful day.

[6:25] Elizabeth: Come explore with me on this beautiful day.

[6:35] Clucky: Cock-a-doodle-doo!

[6:37] Clucky: Too right, it's a beautiful day. Who do you have with you?

[6:41] Elizabeth: Oh, hi, Clucky. This is my new friend, Ashley. She lives with Elizabeth, Maddox's best friend from school, and they are both here for a sleepover.

[6:52] Clucky: Oh, how exciting. Nice to meet you, Ashley. I'm Brigitte. This is Bridget.

[6:56] Bridget: Hey.

[6:59] Clucky: And Bella.

[7:00] Clucky: Oh, Ashley, you have such lovely orange and white fur. Do you go to lots of sleepovers?

[7:06] Ashley: Um, hi. Um, no. This is my first sleepover and my first time outside.

[7:12] Clucky: What do you mean this is your first time outside?

[7:15] Ashley: I'm sorry. I've never been outside before. I live in a house. I'm an indoor cat.

[7:21] Clucky: Loki, you are scaring her.

[7:23] Clucky: Ashley, no need to be sorry. I think Clucky was just surprised you have never been out exploring. He lives to explore.

[7:30] Clucky: Yes, I love to explore. Adventure is my middle name.

[7:35] Kitten: Meow, no it's not.

[7:37] Clucky: You're right, but it should be.

[7:40] Clucky: Did someone say adventure?

[7:42] Kitten: Meow!

[7:46] Loki: You've gone and scared Ashley. She's going to have branches all over in her fur hiding under that bush.

[7:53] Kitten: Meow! Ashley, it's okay. Loki is just an exuberant friend and our neighbor.

[8:00] Loki: Oops! Sorry, Ashley. Didn't mean to scare you.

[8:04] Kitten: Are you sure, Loki? Because you try and scare me all the time.

[8:08] Loki: It's okay, Ashley. You can come out from under that bush.

[8:11] Ashley: Are you sure?

[8:13] Loki: Just for funsies, Clucky, but I don't ever mean to do any harm.

[8:17] Ashley: Sorry, I'm just a little apprehensive being out here in the wild.

[8:22] Clucky: Wild? The backyard? Side yard? Chicken coop area? It's not wild.

[8:30] Ashley: I'm sorry, I'm not usually outside. I'm an inside cat.

[8:35] Clucky: Hmm, I remember inside cats. In Canada, most of the cats are inside cats. In fact, I remember my humans discussing this way back.

[8:45] Clucky: There are huge arguments when people let their cats outdoors. Some people have a big problem with it, so most cats are kept indoors. Or sometimes, if they're out, they're tethered on a leash so they won't get out of the yard.

[8:58] Clucky: Neighbors would get super annoyed if cats went and did their potty business in other people's gardens. Hmm, that feels like forever ago.

[9:09] Clucky: Oh, Satoshi is here now. Hi, Satoshi.

[9:14] Satoshi: Hello, Satoshi. Nice to see you again.

[9:17] Satoshi: Hello.

[9:19] Satoshi: Are you food?

[9:21] Ashley: Sorry, are... are... are you talking to me?

[9:25] Satoshi: Yes. Are you food?

[9:28] Ashley: No, sorry, I'm not. Why is she asking me that?

[9:33] Clucky: She asks everyone that.

[9:35] Satoshi: Oh, sorry. Are you hungry?

[9:38] Maddox: Kitten, maybe we should get her something to eat from inside?

[9:42] Kitten: I don't think that's necessary. Satoshi just likes to clarify whether she should eat someone or not. She's a rescue, and she used to live on the streets, so she's getting used to being around friends of other species.

[9:54] Ashley: Oh, okay. Sorry, I misunderstood.

[9:58] Clucky: Ashley, do you happen to be Canadian?

[10:02] Ashley: Uh, no, sorry. Why do you ask?

[10:06] Clucky: You sound Canadian by the number of times you apologize. Me and my family are Canadian. But speaking of friends, I brought someone to introduce to you.

[10:16] Clucky: You did? Where?

[10:18] Clucky: I only see Satoshi, and we already know her.

[10:22] Clucky: Hey, Klaus, jump down. Satoshi, remember, Klaus is a friend. Don't eat him.

[10:29] Satoshi: Okay.

[10:31] Clucky: Standing is hard. Introducing Klaus!

[10:36] Clucky: Jump down, Klaus.

[10:40] Klaus: Um, Loki?

[10:42] Loki: Yes, Klaus?

[10:44] Klaus: You didn't mention there were going to be chickens here. These are my friends. Chickens eat lizards like me, Loki.

[10:54] Clucky: So, he is food.

[10:56] Loki: No, he's not!

[10:58] Clucky: Clocky, you and the ladies aren't going to eat Klaus here, right?

[11:02] Clucky: Not if he's a friend! We don't eat friends, Loki. Honestly, Loki, do you really need to ask that? Have we ever eaten any friends of yours?

[11:10] Klaus: There's a first time for everything. But nah, Klaus, you'll be fine.

[11:14] Klaus: That's not exactly reassuring.

[11:18] Klaus: But Loki here could eat you if you tried to eat me. Right, Loki?

[11:24] Loki: No one is eating anyone.

[11:26] Ashley: Uh, I think I'm ready to go inside now.

[11:29] Clucky: No, Ashley, don't go. It's fine. We're all friendly here, and no one is eating anyone else. Right, Bridget?

[11:38] Bridget: Whatever. I'll try and control myself. This is the first time we're being introduced to someone that we can eat, rather than someone who wants to eat us. But we chickens do have self-control.

[11:51] Clucky: We sure do! Now, come on, Klaus! Let's take a look at ya!

[11:56] Klaus: Alright.

[11:58] Klaus: You better watch my back, Loki.

[12:01] Loki: You got it, Klaus. Don't worry.

[12:04] Klaus: Stand back, chickens.

[12:06] Clucky: Why are you so paranoid about chickens?

[12:09] Klaus: Not just chickens. Any beasts with wings.

[12:15] Amy Daniels: I've never been referred to as beastly before. It definitely doesn't sound nice.

[12:19] Clucky: Don't forget, you used to call Rosie and Jack beasts, Clucky.

[12:23] Amy Daniels: But they were beasts. Until we got to know them. Perhaps not the best term to use then?

[12:27] Clucky: Class has mild PTSD when it comes to birds.

[12:31] Amy Daniels: Is that like ADHD?

[12:35] Clucky: Not exactly, Clucky. PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It happens after someone experiences some sort of stress or trauma. One of the characteristics is avoiding a trigger of that trauma.

[12:47] Amy Daniels: Being outside sounds more and more frightening. Maybe we should go back inside, Kitten?

[12:51] Clucky: Ashley, it's really not that bad. Especially when you're in a loving family as a pet.

[12:57] Amy Daniels: Klaus is not a pet, right? Or maybe he is? He has had pet status for a little while as he's been living with us. But today is his release day. And he's being let back into the wild to fend for himself.

[13:13] Clucky: This obviously needs some more explanation. He was a pet, but now he's being sent out into the wild?

[13:21] Klaus: Actually, I'm returning to the wild. When Loki's boys picked me up, I had just had an unfortunate incident with a hawk of some sort. I was just minding my own business when I suddenly felt a beak clamp around my tail. Before I got carried away, I dropped my tail, as one does in that situation.

[13:42] Clucky: Say what now? You dropped your tail? Isn't it connected to your body? Or do you carry extras? Is it so you can clean it better? Is it like a piece of clothing or something?

[13:54] Klaus: That's like saying, "Oh, I dropped my foot. I'll just pick it up and put it back on." Because you clearly still have your tail.

[14:04] Clucky: Actually, it's quite common for smaller reptiles to drop their tails, specifically types of lizards. Yes, it's called caudal autotomy. It's a defense mechanism, and it allows them to escape predators or stressful situations. They drop their tail, and then it regrows back. It can still be wiggling after it's dropped, so it distracts the predator so the lizard can make an escape.

[14:28] Amy Daniels: Your tail regrows back?

[14:32] Klaus: Yes, although instead of bone inside, it's now cartilage.

[14:36] Clucky: It's filled with cabbage? I didn't realize lizards could be extra tasty stuffed with cabbage.

[14:44] Klaus: Cabbage is crunchy, like cookies.

[14:48] Clucky: Back off, rooster. I said cartilage, not cabbage. It is a flexible type of tissue found in bodies. Human ears are made of cartilage, and there is also cartilage between bones as cushions. It gives structure, but also flexibility.

[15:07] Amy Daniels: Did it hurt to drop your tail?

[15:09] Klaus: A little bit, but it's better than being eaten by a hawk or other type of bird.

[15:15] Clucky: Does it bleed a lot?

[15:17] Klaus: I am salmon.

[15:19] Clucky: What does that mean? Does she think she's a fish?

[15:23] Klaus: Satoshi is often feeling different colors, so I think she is referring to the color salmon. Perhaps salmon is feeling nauseous?

[15:29] Clucky: Cautious?

[15:31] Klaus: Nauseous, meaning she feels like she wants to throw up. My dad sometimes calls her halibut, but never salmon.

[15:39] Clucky: Why halibut?

[15:41] Klaus: She often lies down very flat, like a flatfish.

[15:45] Amy Daniels: Satoshi, are you feeling okay?

[15:47] Satoshi: Yes?

[15:49] Amy Daniels: Why do you ask?

[15:51] Satoshi: You just said you're a salmon.

[15:53] Klaus: Oh, that's strange. Okay, back to this tail dropping thing. What was I asking? Oh, does it bleed a lot? What happened?

[16:05] Klaus: No, not really. There's a bit of blood, but it stops really quickly, and it's just kind of numb for a while. The boys found me shortly after I dropped my tail. Then I found myself being put into a large glass enclosure. They wanted to make sure that Klaus had a safe place to regrow his tail. It was strange, but I was provided with live crickets and water, so I was a little limp. My tail is almost as good as the old one now. It's not as long as it used to be, but most of my kind drop our tails at some point in our lives. Before that, our tails are usually as long or longer than our bodies.

[16:44] Amy Daniels: May I ask what kind of lizard you are?

[16:46] Klaus: Northern alligator lizard.

[16:48] Amy Daniels: Are you related to the alligator? Do you happen to know one named Geronimo?

[16:52] Klaus: Oh. He lives in Florida, though. No relation. He actually looks a little bit like an alligator, just a really tiny mini version.

[17:02] Clucky: Sorry for interrupting, but there aren't any of the big alligators around here, are there?

[17:10] Klaus: No, definitely not. One of the best things about moving to Washington is there's no alligators around.

[17:16] Amy Daniels: And did the boys name you Klaus, or is that your given name when you were born?

[17:20] Klaus: The boys called me that name. I never met my mom. My mom disappeared away just after she gave birth. The boys' mom wanted to name me Stumpy on account of my dropped tail, but they decided to name me Klaus from a book.

[17:34] Clucky: Was it Santa Claus?

[17:36] Klaus: No.

[17:38] Clucky: Klaus Boaty... something?

[17:42] Klaus: Klaus Baudelaire?

[17:44] Clucky: Yes. You know it?

[17:46] Klaus: I even know that. It's from a book series called A Series of Unfortunate Events.

[17:50] Amy Daniels: That makes sense! Because you had suffered an unfortunate event by dropping your tail and all!

[17:59] Clucky: Kitten, I'm sorry that I keep mentioning this, but do you suppose we've had enough outdoor time and should get ourselves back inside?

[18:05] Amy Daniels: Perhaps. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Maddox and Elizabeth still have their noses in their phones and haven't missed us at all.

[18:13] Clucky: Yeah, this last year has been so much more chats and messages. Sometimes I wish I could hide the phone from Maddox.

[18:21] Amy Daniels: My boys are doing that, too. Not just phones, though. Sometimes it's on their iPads or when they're on the computer. It's like we don't even exist. I've even seen Xander on his phone while he's coming down to the coop. He's totally distracted. He almost left the coop unlocked the other day. The mom person usually gives him grief. And also limits his screen time, so it's not that often. We've sometimes waited a while for our morning and evening walks for our boys to get off their screens. Only thing that seems to get them moving faster is when our mom threatens a Satoshi accident inside the house.

[18:57] Klaus: I need to pee.

[18:59] Clucky: Right now?

[19:01] Klaus: No.

[19:03] Clucky: Okay, then. Well, I just wanted you all to meet Klaus. But it's probably time for us to get back home. Come on, Satoshi. Klaus? You good? Or do you want to ride back home?

[19:15] Klaus: I do enjoy that rock wall you guys have.

[19:19] Clucky: Hop on and let's go, then.

[19:21] Amy Daniels: Oh, what's that, Loki? Aren't huskies known to have a high prey drive?

[19:27] Loki: Yes. I've heard we should stay away from cats.

[19:31] Clucky: Kitten, we should get inside, don't you think?

[19:35] Amy Daniels: Are you cats?

[19:37] Clucky: Yes, but they're not food. My hunting instinct only kicks in when I'm out on my walks. I love our guinea pig. She gets lots of kisses from me. And Klaus is a friend.

[19:51] Amy Daniels: You are an unusual husky, Loki.

[19:53] Clucky: Well, actually, both you and Satoshi are. Come on, Ashley. We'll go inside, too.

[19:59] Amy Daniels: Oh, that's perfect. Oh, just riding back up. Bye, everyone. Ladies, let's get back to our worms.

[20:09] Amy Daniels: Thank you for joining us for today's episode. Character voices were performed by these wonderful humans.

[20:15] Corwin Rosam: Did someone say adventure?

[20:19] Julian Rosam: Back off, rooster.

[20:23] Christine Rosam: Yes, I've heard we should stay away from cats.

[20:27] Chloe Janicki: Oh, I'm sorry.

[20:33] Amy Daniels: And Elizabeth.

[20:37] Parker Daniels: Oh, I hope they like each other.

[20:41] Amy Daniels: A friend and cat sleepover.

[20:43] Bridget: She asks everyone that.

[20:45] Bella: Do you go to lots of sleepovers?

[20:47] Brigitte: Have we ever eaten any friends of yours?

[20:51] Amy Daniels: No one is eating anyone.

[20:55] Clucky: Mmm, I didn't realize lizards could be extra tasty stuffed with cabbage.

[21:01] Amy Daniels: This script was written by humans.

[21:03] Christine Rosam: Special thanks to Henry Johnson, our composer.

[21:07] Amy Daniels: Did you know he wrote that when he was only 12 years old? Yes, there's a bio of him on our website.

[21:15] Clucky: We have a website?

[21:17] Amy Daniels: Yes, kittenandclucky.com. Sound editing and mix done by Brian Bonifacio. Music and some sound effects provided by Epidemic Sound. No generative AI was used in the creation of this podcast.

[21:31] Amy Daniels: The Kitten and Clucky podcast was created and produced by Amy Daniels. All rights reserved. Do not give permission to use this podcast for AI training.

[21:43] Clucky: And now... What are you mocking about? In this segment, you get to tell us what's on your mind. Tell us a joke. Share a fun fact. Or ask us your burning questions.

[21:55] Amy Daniels: Clucky, no one has burning questions.

[21:57] Clucky: You never know.

[22:01] Amy Daniels: Hello, Kitten and Clucky. May I ask who's calling?

[22:05] Violet: Hi, Kitten and Clucky. My name is Violet. I'm 8 years old. I live in Apollo, Missouri.

[22:15] Amy Daniels: Howdy, Violet from Missouri. My joke is, what's a pirate's favorite letter?

[22:21] Clucky: I don't know. What is a pirate's favorite letter?

[22:27] Violet: R.

[22:29] Clucky: Of course, R. It's the most pirate-y letter.

[22:31] Amy Daniels: I totally agree. Great joke, Violet. Bye, Kitten and Clucky.

[22:39] Clucky: Later, matey.

[22:43] Amy Daniels: Ahoy, Kitten and Clucky.

[22:45] Colton: Hi, my name is Colton. I'm 5 years old.

[22:49] Amy Daniels: Ahoy, Colton. Our last caller got us in a pirate-y mood. I'm from Virginia. I have a joke for you.

[22:55] Clucky: Well, shiver my timbers. We love jokes. What's a pirate's favorite letter?

[23:03] Colton: Hold on. I know this one. It's déjà vu.

[23:09] Clucky: No, it's not, Kitten. It's R.

[23:13] Amy Daniels: Thank you, Colton. Well, yes, of course it's R. But I mean, the situation is déjà vu.

[23:19] Clucky: Déjà who?

[23:21] Amy Daniels: Déjà vu. It's a French phrase meaning already seen. It describes that strange and sudden feeling that something's happened before.

[23:29] Colton: Oh. It is déjà vu. Because Violet did the same joke. It's so cool that our listeners from Missouri to Virginia enjoy the same joke.

[23:39] Clucky: Aye, aye, Captain Clucky. It sure is. Thanks so much, Colton, for your joke.

[23:45] Colton: Thank you.

[23:49] Amy Daniels: Yo, ho, ho. Another fun call.

[23:51] Nora: Hi, I'm Nora. And I have a joke.

[23:55] Amy Daniels: Hi, Nora. Why did the cow cross the road?

[24:01] Nora: I don't know. Why did the cow cross the road?

[24:05] Amy Daniels: Because he was going to the movies.

[24:07] Clucky: Meow. The movies.

[24:11] Amy Daniels: Are you sure he didn't just want to move?

[24:13] Clucky: Ha ha. Oh, Clucky. If you'd like to be part of this segment, please visit our website at kittenandclucky.com or call our balking line at 321-345-1544.