Tabby writes:
Yesterday was my day to go visiting. I've been very good all week, even leaving Starla alone most of the time! I didn't want to miss out on my chance to go on my visit! So when Mommy said I could get to go, I didn't even try to hide. I actually kept asking her if it was time, and following her around the house!
We rode the bus and the MAX (light rail transit) there without any hassles from drivers. It was a beautiful day, but hot. It definitely is the start of summer weather = 80 F. We got there a little early, so we sat in the shade and watched the kids at the fountain in the park. Then, it was time!
R. went around with us this time. The last two times, it's been S., but she had a meeting today. So Mommy let R. know our usual pattern, and we visited with almost everyone on the care floor! Two ladies came down from "Independent Living" to visit with me as well, and one of them had been part of a therapy cat team in Juneau, Alaska! It was great to hear a couple of her stories and tell her about the work we are doing here. She was thrilled that we were here. :)
The lady from Alaska told us an interesting fact. Did you know that cats purr at the same frequency as an ultrasound machine? So we really do sense what's going on inside human bodies!
A new lady, A., was in bed when we visited. Mommy told me to hop up on the bed, so I did, and made myself comfortable stretched alongside her legs, just like we'd practiced at home. Mommy was so proud of me for doing that right away! A. petted me, scritched my ears, and talked to me. She joked that Mommy was taking away her time with me when she petted me too! She had a twinkle in her eye and laughed right away, so it was very clear she was joking, then she petted me more! :)
After our visiting time was over, there was an hour break until a volunteer appreciation buffet. Mommy and I strolled to where she used to work, just a few blocks away, to show me off to her former co-workers at the Starbucks inside the Safeway. Mommy needed to eat something, so I waited while she had a bit of a lunch, then we strolled back.
Unfortunately, I couldn't go to the volunteer appreciation thing because of Oregon's law requiring that no animals (except service animals) are to be in areas where food is prepared or served to the public. I was very sad when Mommy left me in the office downstairs, and I had to watch her go with round eyes! She told me she'd be back, and wanted me to rest for a bit. But I wanted to go too! Too bad I was zipped in my stroller, or I would've just followed her out the door anyway.
Mommy took her digital camera with her so that she could show pictures of me and the video of me walking on my leash. The people who hadn't yet met me were very glad to see those, so they could get an idea what I was like. The volunteer appreciation thing was fun, Mommy said, and she got a candy bar, a keychain, and a pen all printed with the name of where we visit. She spent a lot of time chatting with a group of people from the "Independent Living" floors, and that was a blast for her! They might even come down to the floor that I visit on next time to see me!
The most exciting part of the thing, though, was that another volunteer is the activities director at another nursing home. She wanted to know if we would be interested in visiting there as well! Of course, Mommy said yes, so now it's just setting up the schedule! :) :) :) Yay, another place with people to charm!
S. came down before Mommy did, and opened up the office where I was waiting. I saw her, and looked around for Mommy, but didn't see anyone else. I started crying a bit, wondering what had happened. S. took me out of the stroller and petted me, then strolled me out to the main hallway to sit with me until Mommy got there. She only was about five more minutes, but it seemed like an eternity! Once I was in Mommy's arms, I purred and purred. She cuddled me and told me that she would never leave without coming back for me. I know that, but I was still worried. But I know she would never leave me; she's my Mommy!
We went back home without any trouble, and told Daddy all about the big adventurous day! He was really happy everything went well, and definitely was excited to hear that we would be going to visit somewhere else also! I was so nice when I got back home; I waited until Starla went out of the kitchen before I got something to eat and drink. She wasn't sure what I was going to do, if I was going to chase or not, so she slunk around the kitty tree. I looked at her, looked at Mommy, and walked around the other side. Mommy put her hand on my back very gently to tell exactly which direction my muscles were headed, but I just wanted to eat and have some water now that I was home. Then I took a good, long nap!
Friday, May 29, 2009
No, Daddy! No, Mommy!
Starla writes:
I've recovered now, but for a second I thought Mommy and Daddy were going to get rid of me! They put this thing called a harness on me, then attached a long string to it. I didn't like it, so I slunk around on the couch. Then Daddy picked me up and opened the door! He carried me outside!
Now, it's been since April since I've been allowed outside. I meowed and meowed, wanting down to explore, but he handed me to Mommy and she carried me out to........a TRUCK? You're going to put me in a MOVING VEHICLE? You want to get rid of me, no, no, no, no, no!!!!!!
I squirmed and jumped down, but that leash thing was still attached to me! It kind of hurt pulling against that harness, but I made it to the ground. I was sooooo scared! I tried running under the truck, but I didn't get very far. Darn leash string!
Daddy scooped me up and petted me. I didn't WANT petting! I wanted to be SAFE! This is how you behave? Just like my former home, you keep me for a while then you take me somewhere else? NONONONONONONONO!!!!!!!!
We got back into the house and they unclipped my leash. Tabby and Carbon came out from the bedroom and we sat at three points of a triangle on the floor, commiserating.
I have now forgiven Mommy and Daddy, because they explained that they love me. They snuggled with me, petted me lots, and made sure I was ok. They told me that they wanted to see how I would do riding in the car, because they want to take me with them when they go places. Skylar gets to go to the beach with them this weekend, and they would've taken me if I had not been so scared of the truck.
At least I know they still love me and they still want me as their kitty! *purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs*
I've recovered now, but for a second I thought Mommy and Daddy were going to get rid of me! They put this thing called a harness on me, then attached a long string to it. I didn't like it, so I slunk around on the couch. Then Daddy picked me up and opened the door! He carried me outside!
Now, it's been since April since I've been allowed outside. I meowed and meowed, wanting down to explore, but he handed me to Mommy and she carried me out to........a TRUCK? You're going to put me in a MOVING VEHICLE? You want to get rid of me, no, no, no, no, no!!!!!!
I squirmed and jumped down, but that leash thing was still attached to me! It kind of hurt pulling against that harness, but I made it to the ground. I was sooooo scared! I tried running under the truck, but I didn't get very far. Darn leash string!
Daddy scooped me up and petted me. I didn't WANT petting! I wanted to be SAFE! This is how you behave? Just like my former home, you keep me for a while then you take me somewhere else? NONONONONONONONO!!!!!!!!
We got back into the house and they unclipped my leash. Tabby and Carbon came out from the bedroom and we sat at three points of a triangle on the floor, commiserating.
I have now forgiven Mommy and Daddy, because they explained that they love me. They snuggled with me, petted me lots, and made sure I was ok. They told me that they wanted to see how I would do riding in the car, because they want to take me with them when they go places. Skylar gets to go to the beach with them this weekend, and they would've taken me if I had not been so scared of the truck.
At least I know they still love me and they still want me as their kitty! *purrrrrrrrrrrrrrs*
Cats who have owned/are owning Mommy
Mommy did this hub article on cats who have owned her as part of her HubPages challenge. :) So far, she's done 13 out of 30, and the time is halfway up. Better get writing, Mommy!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Little Bit had her babies!
Little Bit on Monday, big with kittens.
Little Bit writes:
No, I'm NOT telling where they are! The lady and man in the green house want me to tell, and even watched me when I left their house to see if I would go right to them, but of course I'm too smart for that. They may be at my "real home" two houses down, or they may be down in the basement of the green house, or somewhere outside.
Yesterday (Tuesday), the people in the green house didn't see me at all, so they figured I might be having my kittens. Then, this afternoon, the man saw me hunting in the backyard. He told the lady, and they've kept a watch for me all day since then.
Tonight (Wednesday), at about 10 pm, the lady went to do laundry in the basement and I came out to greet her. I looked thinner, so she petted me and there were no babies in me! Two of my mammaries are milk-full, so she thinks I did have two kittens. I came inside to eat, and rolled over for long-awaited tummy rubs, meowing happily. I munched and munched, and let Tabby sniff my head, then wanted out again.
And, no, I'm not going to bring my babies around until they're old enough! But then I will, because I love the people in the green house!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Have a peaceful Memorial Day!
Today, I remember the true cost of freedom, and give thanks for those who worked and work to ensure that freedom, in all arenas and all places.
Thank you.
I pray everyone has a peaceful day.
Why I didn't say "Happy".
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Summer dangers!
For Mommy's most recent article in the HubPages challenge, she wrote "Summer Dangers to Pets". If it makes a difference in one pet's life, it's worth it!
For more on the 30 hubs in 30 days challenge, and to see how Mommy's doing on it, click here.
For more on the 30 hubs in 30 days challenge, and to see how Mommy's doing on it, click here.
PhotoHunt: Plastic
The plastic kitty house Daddy made for our Sara when she was an outside kitty, before we brought her inside. The ferals sometimes use it now. It has a snuggle-safe heating pad and flannel blankies.PhotoHunt
Friday, May 22, 2009
Foodie Friday: Pet Food Recall
This is not a regular Foodie Friday post, but it's important enough to be mine for this week. Nutro has issued a voluntary recall of some of the varieties of their Natural Choice and Max foods. If your dog or cat eats a Nutro food, please read this article!
Foodie Friday posts
Feral Friday by the Trailer Kitties
Food bowl rollcall:
Little Bit, Shadow, Spongebob, Precious, grey striped kitten, Boo-Boo Kitty
The grey striped kitten has seen the lady looking at him through the window, and not run away! He was also investigating under the porch steps, and the lady could only see the bit of his tail and one leg as he dove under there. Then, he surfaced and was eating, but stopped to watch the lady and Tabby looking at him through the window. When Tabby jumped down, the kitten ran away under the trailer.
Boo-Boo Kitty is scaredy right now. We don't know why, but it took about five minutes of the man calling her to get her to come over for pets. Then she was shying away from the food bowl until the man went inside the house.
Little Bit, Shadow, Spongebob, Precious, grey striped kitten, Boo-Boo Kitty
The grey striped kitten has seen the lady looking at him through the window, and not run away! He was also investigating under the porch steps, and the lady could only see the bit of his tail and one leg as he dove under there. Then, he surfaced and was eating, but stopped to watch the lady and Tabby looking at him through the window. When Tabby jumped down, the kitten ran away under the trailer.
Boo-Boo Kitty is scaredy right now. We don't know why, but it took about five minutes of the man calling her to get her to come over for pets. Then she was shying away from the food bowl until the man went inside the house.
Photo Friday: Shiny
This water from the fountain is so shiny! Mommy and I (Tabby) went there after my therapy cat visit to the nursing home last Friday. (See this post for the details of the visit.)
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Rori's Tabby Tuesday
Rori writes:
I now have a favorite music style! When Mommy was choosing music for the dance at the Sons of Norway lodge on Sunday (for Norway's Constitution Day), I was kind of listening but more interested in playing. Until I heard one song. I jumped up on the back of the chair, walked across the top, and sat on the arm turning my ears, eyes wide. I stared at the computer screen, knowing that the music was coming from there (because Mommy was burning it onto a cd). It was pols music with a Hardanger fiddle, a special kind of fiddle with double strings! I listened to two songs of that style, then hopped down and went back to playing when a waltz came on. The waltz was still the same instruments, but I liked the pols!
røros pols 3 -
I now have a favorite music style! When Mommy was choosing music for the dance at the Sons of Norway lodge on Sunday (for Norway's Constitution Day), I was kind of listening but more interested in playing. Until I heard one song. I jumped up on the back of the chair, walked across the top, and sat on the arm turning my ears, eyes wide. I stared at the computer screen, knowing that the music was coming from there (because Mommy was burning it onto a cd). It was pols music with a Hardanger fiddle, a special kind of fiddle with double strings! I listened to two songs of that style, then hopped down and went back to playing when a waltz came on. The waltz was still the same instruments, but I liked the pols!
røros pols 3 -
Monday, May 18, 2009
Mommy wrote another cat article
Mommy took up this crazy challenge, and has written a few articles so far. The most recent one is titled "The top 5 things no one tells you about cat ownership". You can read it here if you want to, and see if you agree or disagree with her. It's pretty funny from a human standpoint, and very truthful from a kitty standpoint!
If you would like the complete list of hubs she has completed so far, or want to suggest a topic, click here.
Friday, May 15, 2009
A sunny visiting day
Tabby writes:
Yesterday was a very sunny visiting day! It was nice to be out of the house, but WARM! Mommy and I had a little time before we actually had to be inside, so we visited one of her former customers from when she worked at Starbucks last year. He begs in the park and collects cans. It was a slow day for him, so we spent about 15 minutes chatting and meowing with him. He petted me, but didn't want me to climb onto his motor scooter-chair. That's a very funny kind of chair! I sniffed it and my ears went straight up! The man and Mommy laughed at that.
When we got to the retirement center, Mommy checked for our sign-in sheet and her nametag, but they weren't there. We're so new visiting that they haven't made one for us yet. So she signed in the regular visitors' log and up went went. We had to wait a little for the nice lady who walks around with us, so we visited with a couple residents who passed by in the hall. Then, she walked out of the elevator with a nice lap quilt to put down so I didn't shed on everyone's clothing.
I visited with a lady who just turned 103 years old! She knew just how to scritch my head. I was interested in one resident's bed, but she didn't want me to hop up on it. Some residents didn't want to visit with me, but that was ok. One lady had a very small lap. When I tried to roll over for a tummy rub, I rolled off! Mommy rearranged the quilt and set me back up, putting her hand as a guard in case I tried that again.
There was a tiny puppy in the lobby when we went downstairs again. She was only 12 weeks old! She had never seen a cat before, and I'd never seen a dog that tiny before! She was as small as a 4-week-old kitten! Her person set her down, and Mommy took me out of the stroller. I went up slowly and sniffed her; she sniffed back, then sat down! It was too cute! I went over and sniffed her again, then she tried to sniff my butt but I had my tail down so she couldn't. She followed me around, then wanted to play with my leash. I turned and sniffed her again, so she sniffed me back. Then I head-butted her and she almost fell over! She sniffed me again and lay down, so her person picked her back up.
After our visit, we went to the park again. Mommy's friend in the power scooter was talking with some other people, but we found a fountain to watch. I was getting REALLY warm, so she rolled the stroller into the shade and sat taking pictures. A min-pin came by with his people, so he and I sniffed while Mommy and they talked. The min-pin gave me a tongue bath! He kept wanting to hop up to lick me in the stroller!
Yesterday was a very sunny visiting day! It was nice to be out of the house, but WARM! Mommy and I had a little time before we actually had to be inside, so we visited one of her former customers from when she worked at Starbucks last year. He begs in the park and collects cans. It was a slow day for him, so we spent about 15 minutes chatting and meowing with him. He petted me, but didn't want me to climb onto his motor scooter-chair. That's a very funny kind of chair! I sniffed it and my ears went straight up! The man and Mommy laughed at that.
When we got to the retirement center, Mommy checked for our sign-in sheet and her nametag, but they weren't there. We're so new visiting that they haven't made one for us yet. So she signed in the regular visitors' log and up went went. We had to wait a little for the nice lady who walks around with us, so we visited with a couple residents who passed by in the hall. Then, she walked out of the elevator with a nice lap quilt to put down so I didn't shed on everyone's clothing.
I visited with a lady who just turned 103 years old! She knew just how to scritch my head. I was interested in one resident's bed, but she didn't want me to hop up on it. Some residents didn't want to visit with me, but that was ok. One lady had a very small lap. When I tried to roll over for a tummy rub, I rolled off! Mommy rearranged the quilt and set me back up, putting her hand as a guard in case I tried that again.
There was a tiny puppy in the lobby when we went downstairs again. She was only 12 weeks old! She had never seen a cat before, and I'd never seen a dog that tiny before! She was as small as a 4-week-old kitten! Her person set her down, and Mommy took me out of the stroller. I went up slowly and sniffed her; she sniffed back, then sat down! It was too cute! I went over and sniffed her again, then she tried to sniff my butt but I had my tail down so she couldn't. She followed me around, then wanted to play with my leash. I turned and sniffed her again, so she sniffed me back. Then I head-butted her and she almost fell over! She sniffed me again and lay down, so her person picked her back up.
After our visit, we went to the park again. Mommy's friend in the power scooter was talking with some other people, but we found a fountain to watch. I was getting REALLY warm, so she rolled the stroller into the shade and sat taking pictures. A min-pin came by with his people, so he and I sniffed while Mommy and they talked. The min-pin gave me a tongue bath! He kept wanting to hop up to lick me in the stroller!
PhotoHunt: Painted
Tabby writes:
Last summer, I painted a canvas bag with my pawprints! It was really fun! There was a fundraiser/birthday party/carnival, and one of the booths was making the bags. The volunteers sponged yellow non-toxic fabric paint on one of my paws, and pressed it down onto the bag. I helped by flexing my paw as it touched the bag! I made a few impressions, then they washed off the paint with a rag. We repeated it with a light green for a few pawprints, then washed that off too.
Mommy has the bag, but it's too big for the scanner, so we'll just put the link to the picture the carnival organizers took. You can see it here!
PhotoHunt
Last summer, I painted a canvas bag with my pawprints! It was really fun! There was a fundraiser/birthday party/carnival, and one of the booths was making the bags. The volunteers sponged yellow non-toxic fabric paint on one of my paws, and pressed it down onto the bag. I helped by flexing my paw as it touched the bag! I made a few impressions, then they washed off the paint with a rag. We repeated it with a light green for a few pawprints, then washed that off too.
Mommy has the bag, but it's too big for the scanner, so we'll just put the link to the picture the carnival organizers took. You can see it here!
PhotoHunt
Feral Friday by the Trailer Kitties
Food bowl rollcall:
Shadow, Spongebob, Little Bit, black fluffy Carbon-lookalike, Black Tom Kitty, Orange-head Kitty, Orange kitty from down the street, Raccoon, Boo-Boo Kitty
Other than Little Bit's pregnancy, no kitty news this week. The dogs next door escaped, and the people spent over an hour searching for them, even driving up and down the streets calling for them. Somehow, the dogs were found.
Shadow, Spongebob, Little Bit, black fluffy Carbon-lookalike, Black Tom Kitty, Orange-head Kitty, Orange kitty from down the street, Raccoon, Boo-Boo Kitty
Other than Little Bit's pregnancy, no kitty news this week. The dogs next door escaped, and the people spent over an hour searching for them, even driving up and down the streets calling for them. Somehow, the dogs were found.
Foodie Friday: Casserole Weather
It's a rainy Spring here (always is in the Pacific Northwest), so it's perfect casserole weather. I write for HubPages as well as this blog, so I often post recipes over there where they will get more of an audience. Here is a link to two recipes: one for the classic green bean casserole with French onions, and another for a broccoli and cheese casserole.
More Foodie Friday posts
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Little Bit's announcement
Little Bit writes:
I'm going to be a mommy! When I was visiting the green house, I was held in place by the lady. I screamed about it, because I didn't want her to touch my baby (or babies), but she held me anyway. She wasn't hurting my baby, and I know she just wanted to see if I was preggie, but I just didn't want her to keep me from eating and relaxing inside. After a minute or so of just resting her hands around my bulge, she felt a heartbeat and two kicks! Then she felt what she thinks was the baby's head against her hand! So my baby kitten has at least two paws and a head that are moving around. I hope it's fully formed with all four paws! The lady thinks that I will be a good mommy to my kittens. She just hopes my people will not let them run wild like they let my sisters and me when we were kittens (and still let me do). She hopes that the people will adopt the kittens out or let them be fostered, instead of keeping them. My people still have no intention of spaying me or my mommy Boo-Boo Kitty.
I hope that my kittens will live, and will know kind humans.
I'm going to be a mommy! When I was visiting the green house, I was held in place by the lady. I screamed about it, because I didn't want her to touch my baby (or babies), but she held me anyway. She wasn't hurting my baby, and I know she just wanted to see if I was preggie, but I just didn't want her to keep me from eating and relaxing inside. After a minute or so of just resting her hands around my bulge, she felt a heartbeat and two kicks! Then she felt what she thinks was the baby's head against her hand! So my baby kitten has at least two paws and a head that are moving around. I hope it's fully formed with all four paws! The lady thinks that I will be a good mommy to my kittens. She just hopes my people will not let them run wild like they let my sisters and me when we were kittens (and still let me do). She hopes that the people will adopt the kittens out or let them be fostered, instead of keeping them. My people still have no intention of spaying me or my mommy Boo-Boo Kitty.
I hope that my kittens will live, and will know kind humans.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
White Wednesday
Starla writes:
Tomorrow, Mommy is going to take away my special litter box! She says the rest of the household is getting better at not chasing me, so she and Daddy want to see if I'll go out and use the big box in the bathroom most of the time again. Hmph! What about Tabby? She still chases me! In fact, she now gets put in "time-out" every time she bothers me. They lock her in the bedroom or the bathroom until she quiets down. Boy does she ever scream for a while until she realizes they're not going to let her out until she behaves! Then I get to explore and really be myself, because I don't have to worry about her chasing and cornering me.
Mommy and Daddy say I need to "whup her furry butt", but I don't like to swat. I do occasionally swat, but only if someone else goes first. The only thing I hit is my string. And that, I ATTACK!!!!
I wanted to snuggle with my best pal Skylar today, so I made my way down from the top of the couch onto the main part, where he was lying. I snuggled down right beside him and it was very cozy for a few seconds, until he woke up and saw me there. Sometimes when he wakes up he's very grumpy. He looked at me, stood up, and jumped down off the couch to go eat. He was all grumpy, and wouldn't even look at Daddy. I was a bit shocked by his reaction, and looked at Mommy and Daddy with very sad eyes. Did I do something wrong by snuggling with him? No, they said. He just sometimes is like that. And they petted me and told me I was a good kitty, and that Skylar still loves me. After he woke up a bit more, he came back and lay down a few inches away from me. I guess he still loves me.
Tomorrow, Mommy is going to take away my special litter box! She says the rest of the household is getting better at not chasing me, so she and Daddy want to see if I'll go out and use the big box in the bathroom most of the time again. Hmph! What about Tabby? She still chases me! In fact, she now gets put in "time-out" every time she bothers me. They lock her in the bedroom or the bathroom until she quiets down. Boy does she ever scream for a while until she realizes they're not going to let her out until she behaves! Then I get to explore and really be myself, because I don't have to worry about her chasing and cornering me.
Mommy and Daddy say I need to "whup her furry butt", but I don't like to swat. I do occasionally swat, but only if someone else goes first. The only thing I hit is my string. And that, I ATTACK!!!!
I wanted to snuggle with my best pal Skylar today, so I made my way down from the top of the couch onto the main part, where he was lying. I snuggled down right beside him and it was very cozy for a few seconds, until he woke up and saw me there. Sometimes when he wakes up he's very grumpy. He looked at me, stood up, and jumped down off the couch to go eat. He was all grumpy, and wouldn't even look at Daddy. I was a bit shocked by his reaction, and looked at Mommy and Daddy with very sad eyes. Did I do something wrong by snuggling with him? No, they said. He just sometimes is like that. And they petted me and told me I was a good kitty, and that Skylar still loves me. After he woke up a bit more, he came back and lay down a few inches away from me. I guess he still loves me.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The HubChallenge is underway!
30 hubs in 30 days! Whew! I've got some good topics lined up, but could always use more ideas. If you have an idea, please leave it in the comments for me or officially request a hub here.
Ideas:
Ideas:
- Leash-training your cat
- 13 uses for empty cat litter containers
- Secrets to a great potluck
- If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you retire? (from Katie and Da Katz)
- Fitting my Life in a Suitcase
- The Day We Died (about a drunk-driving awareness day)
- Looking out the "Nothing Window" (Window Views)
- The top 5 things no one tells you about cat ownership
- The Burning of my Church
- A Simple Way to Destress
- Why Learn an obscure Language?
- Three strangers and a guy named Bob on a quest to kill giant birds for a crazy poacher dude
- Summer Dangers to Pets
- Happy Memorial Day?
- To a Confederate Soldier
- UFO's: The Bane of a Crafter's Life
- Cats who have Owned Me
- Independence Day at Fort Vancouver
- The i who lost his dot (Part 1)
- The i who lost his dot (Part 2)
- The i who lost his dot (Part 3)
- The i who lost his dot (Part 4)
- Events and Adventures
- How to be a tourist in your own town
- Sweden isn't Switzerland! And other travel misconceptions
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all the momcats, human mommies, and moms-to-kitties!
We love you all!
We love you all!
Mommy's gone crazy!
Mommy's decided to write 30 HubPages articles in 30 days, starting on Monday! That's a lot of writing! Each article will be at least 250 words, and one topic per article. Believe it or not, some people are going to try to write 100 hubs in that amount of time, but Mommy's only going to do the 30-hub challenge.We've started brainstorming a list of topics that she might write about:
- Leash-training your cat
- 10 must-see places in Portland, Oregon (already mostly written)
- 13 uses for empty cat litter containers
- What I would take with me in a suitcase if I had to be homeless (in response to a request, already written)
- Looking out the "Nothing Window"
The most recent hubs will always show up on the widget on our sidebar, so you can keep track of her progress if you want. If you scroll down a bit, you'll see it under Mommy's links. We'll also do posts linking to anything she writes that's cat-related and/or that was requested by someone from the cat blogosphere.
*We have a post now that organizes all the brainstormed topics and lists the completed articles. You can find it here. Feel free to keep suggesting topics!*
HubPages is a fun community of writers who are committed to publishing well-written articles. The articles, called "hubs", do have ads but the revenue from those ads is not why I write. I write hubs because I like the challenge of writing something informative and/or funny for others to read, in the format of an article rather than just a blog entry. Hubs are published for anyone to read, and are searchable in Google and Yahoo (as well as other search engines).
If you would like to know more about HubPages, click here. You can even join in the challenge!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
PhotoHunt: In Memory
Friday, May 8, 2009
Project F.U.R.B.A.L.L.
Calling all feline special agents! Project F.U.R.B.A.L.L. is recruiting and has asked me to spread the word. Click the link below to read the referendum and report in.
Project F.U.R.B.A.L.L.
P.S. This was written by a friend of ours on HubPages who also hijacks her purrson's account for special top-secret cat business.
Project F.U.R.B.A.L.L.
P.S. This was written by a friend of ours on HubPages who also hijacks her purrson's account for special top-secret cat business.
Foodie Friday: Desserts
This week's Foodie Friday theme is cakes, but I chose some general dessert recipes instead. May 17th is Norway's Constitution Day, which I celebrate (being Norwegian-American). For the day's smorgasbord, there are lots of goodies, including a traditional assortment of cookies. These are also served at Christmas. Last winter, I wrote an article about the Scandinavian tradition of seven kinds of cookies, "Sju sorter småkaker".
More Foodie Friday posts, including cakes and other desserts.
Feral Friday by the Trailer Kitties
Food bowl rollcall:
Little Bit, Boo-Boo Kitty, Black Tom Kitty, Orange-head Kitty, Grey Striped Kitten, Marble, Shadow, SpongeBob
Marble is definitely a male. He was yowling and wandering around after Little Bit yesterday. No one has answered our ads or put up an ad about him, so either he was dumped or no one cares about losing him. So sad. We'll try to befriend him and bring him somewhere to check for a chip. He let the lady look out the window at him yesterday, but as soon as she opened the door he was out of there.
For those who were wondering, Marble's coloring is a classic marbled tabby pattern.
Little Bit, Boo-Boo Kitty, Black Tom Kitty, Orange-head Kitty, Grey Striped Kitten, Marble, Shadow, SpongeBob
Marble is definitely a male. He was yowling and wandering around after Little Bit yesterday. No one has answered our ads or put up an ad about him, so either he was dumped or no one cares about losing him. So sad. We'll try to befriend him and bring him somewhere to check for a chip. He let the lady look out the window at him yesterday, but as soon as she opened the door he was out of there.
For those who were wondering, Marble's coloring is a classic marbled tabby pattern.
Photo Friday: Wildlife
These guys, along with a flock of starlings, share the cat food on the back porch with the feral cats and provide hours of entertainment for our inside kitties.
Photo Friday posts
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
White Wednesday
Starla writes:
I've got my very own litterbox now! A couple days ago, Daddy woke up from a nap and smelled something awful under the couch. I was sitting in my own pee, with Carbon a paw away. Daddy chased Carbon away and told him he was naughty, then cleaned up the mess and cleaned me up.
When Mommy got home that night, there were poop nuggets under the couch. Obviously, they'd trapped me under there again, so I couldn't run to the bathroom. She got a box lid from one of the delivery boxes, filled it with litter, and put it under the end of the couch.
Now, whenever I need to go potty, I just jump under the couch and use my own personal box. It's so handy, the others can't use it (I guard it from Tabby, and I swatted her after she tried to get to it), and I don't have to "run the gauntlet" with a full bladder. I've actually been more social since my box appeared. I hopped up on Daddy's lap yesterday and kneaded for a while, being petted. When Mommy took her nap, I ran in and napped under the dresser (a spot I could defend if needed) the whole time so I could be near her.
I've got my very own litterbox now! A couple days ago, Daddy woke up from a nap and smelled something awful under the couch. I was sitting in my own pee, with Carbon a paw away. Daddy chased Carbon away and told him he was naughty, then cleaned up the mess and cleaned me up.
When Mommy got home that night, there were poop nuggets under the couch. Obviously, they'd trapped me under there again, so I couldn't run to the bathroom. She got a box lid from one of the delivery boxes, filled it with litter, and put it under the end of the couch.
Now, whenever I need to go potty, I just jump under the couch and use my own personal box. It's so handy, the others can't use it (I guard it from Tabby, and I swatted her after she tried to get to it), and I don't have to "run the gauntlet" with a full bladder. I've actually been more social since my box appeared. I hopped up on Daddy's lap yesterday and kneaded for a while, being petted. When Mommy took her nap, I ran in and napped under the dresser (a spot I could defend if needed) the whole time so I could be near her.
My new toy
Rori writes:
I have a new toy! I'll give clues, and see if you can guess what it is.
I have a new toy! I'll give clues, and see if you can guess what it is.
- Mommy thinks it belongs to her.
- It's big and puffy.
- It is big enough so that all of us could nap on it if we want.
- I think it's a blankie, but Mommy says it's not.
- It has silver dangly toys on it that I can bite.
- Mommy brings it with her when she goes to teach.
- It goes "sssssshhhhhhhh" when I pounce on it.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Whew!
Wow! Yesterday was ANYTHING but sleepy! First, Daddy got up and went directly out to the store instead of lounging around for a while first. Then, when he got home with all sorts of odd things like paper towels and gloves, he didn't sit on the couch even though Skylar was asking him to. He went and played with the toilet for over an hour! He cleaned it, even cleaning off the litter we so helpfully put around the base of it to stop the small bit of water that had leaked out. Then he scooped out all the water from both parts of it. We didn't even know there WAS water in that top part! Little Bit was inside, so she and Rori watched from the doorway, with Tabby watching from the box in the living room. Carbon and Starla did walk-bys, and Skylar wasn't interested in it (probably because his nose isn't working properly so he couldn't smell it).
We thought he was done, but then he took the toilet off the floor! Wow, we had no idea! You should've seen how wide our eyes got and our ears wiggle at that! He replaced the seal, then put the toilet back. He cleaned everything up again and took all the cleaning stuff out to the garbage. Of course, we all piled in to investigate the floor, the toilet, the bathtub (where he'd set the garbage bag while he was putting the garbage in it), and the counter (where the cleaning supplies had been).
If that wasn't exciting enough, the water started leaking again. This time, it wasn't the new seal, but it was the intake pipe. Turns out that seal was faulty, so Daddy had to go to the store again and get a new pipe. That wasn't as dramatic as the first thing, but we all assembled again (minus Little Bit, who was back outside) in case he took the toilet up.
Then, things settled down for a few hours. All of a sudden, BOOM! FLASH! BOOM! More flashes and booms, then incredible hail and rain! Freak thunderstorm! We all ran around to find hiding places while Daddy laughed and tried to reassure us. Yeah, right, it's ok for you to laugh, but we're afraid it's going to come get us! Rori and Carbon went in with Mommy, who woke up for two seconds then went back to sleep. Something about sleeping better when it rains...she's obviously a Northwest native!
When she did get up later, she tried her computer and the internet didn't work. Daddy looked at it and said the fan was broken. He had a new one already, so he took the case apart and replaced that. Carbon supervised very closely, even getting his whiskers in the case.
We think we've had enough adventures for this weekend, don't you?
We thought he was done, but then he took the toilet off the floor! Wow, we had no idea! You should've seen how wide our eyes got and our ears wiggle at that! He replaced the seal, then put the toilet back. He cleaned everything up again and took all the cleaning stuff out to the garbage. Of course, we all piled in to investigate the floor, the toilet, the bathtub (where he'd set the garbage bag while he was putting the garbage in it), and the counter (where the cleaning supplies had been).
If that wasn't exciting enough, the water started leaking again. This time, it wasn't the new seal, but it was the intake pipe. Turns out that seal was faulty, so Daddy had to go to the store again and get a new pipe. That wasn't as dramatic as the first thing, but we all assembled again (minus Little Bit, who was back outside) in case he took the toilet up.
Then, things settled down for a few hours. All of a sudden, BOOM! FLASH! BOOM! More flashes and booms, then incredible hail and rain! Freak thunderstorm! We all ran around to find hiding places while Daddy laughed and tried to reassure us. Yeah, right, it's ok for you to laugh, but we're afraid it's going to come get us! Rori and Carbon went in with Mommy, who woke up for two seconds then went back to sleep. Something about sleeping better when it rains...she's obviously a Northwest native!
When she did get up later, she tried her computer and the internet didn't work. Daddy looked at it and said the fan was broken. He had a new one already, so he took the case apart and replaced that. Carbon supervised very closely, even getting his whiskers in the case.
We think we've had enough adventures for this weekend, don't you?
Saturday, May 2, 2009
PhotoHunt: Walking
Even though this is from YouTube, it's our own video.
Tabby loves to walk on her harness and leash!
PhotoHunt
Friday, May 1, 2009
Fundraising Update
I was busy with everything else last week and didn't post a fundraising update, but..............
We are over halfway to our goal!!!!!
Thanks to the Creek Cats and to Gypsy & Tasha, we now have raised $66 for Cat Adoption Team! Way to go, Team Tabby! You rock!!!
If you still want to donate, the challenge goes until the end of May. All the money raised goes to medical and housing services for strays and ferals at the CAT shelter, and to providing foster care for the baby kittens and the adult cats who need more socialization. For more information, see the widget on our sidebar.
Thanks for helping us support this great organization!
We are over halfway to our goal!!!!!
Thanks to the Creek Cats and to Gypsy & Tasha, we now have raised $66 for Cat Adoption Team! Way to go, Team Tabby! You rock!!!
If you still want to donate, the challenge goes until the end of May. All the money raised goes to medical and housing services for strays and ferals at the CAT shelter, and to providing foster care for the baby kittens and the adult cats who need more socialization. For more information, see the widget on our sidebar.
Thanks for helping us support this great organization!
Former Foster Updates
Starla writes:
I'm still scaredy of all these cats! Skylar and I are friends, of course, but it's taking a little longer with the others. Carbon still thinks I want to play, so he comes rushing at me or swipes at me as I go by. Sometimes he even comes to sit under the couch with me when I'm hiding under there! So I growl and hiss a lot at him.
Tabby wants to check on me to make sure I'm doing ok after things happen, but that's when I just want to be left alone, so I growl, hiss, and swat at her. I know she doesn't mean to scare me, but she sits there and stares, wagging her tail. Mommy and Daddy have explained to me that it means she's trying to figure me out, but it's what the other cats did before they pounced when I used to live outside. It confuses me!
Rori and I have come to an understanding. Mommy was taking me into the bedroom with her when she slept on the nights when Daddy worked, so I didn't have to fend off everyone while she wasn't there to stop them. Rori scooted in one night, a couple weeks ago, and behaved herself after the initial hissing from both of us. So, we made it a nightly ritual, and Rori and I learned to trust each other more. She still does things that put me on edge, but only every few days instead of daily.
This house doesn't have a room to reserve for just me, so that's why it's taking me longer to integrate with the rest of the household. With the kittens my family fosters occasionally, it goes faster because the older cats are more protective of the new little ones. With my being around 2, my "cat behaviors" are set and I'm on edge around the others. I know they just want to be friends, though.
Mommy and Daddy are watching my progress closely, and are encouraged by the small steps: making peace with Rori, coming out from under the couch more and more, sleeping on the couch when Daddy works on his laptop, going to the food bowl by myself, walking (instead of running) especially from the litter box to the couch, purring more, acknowledging petting and turning my ears for rubbing, and playing with the "galaxy ball" that I've adopted and that now lives under the couch.
Yes, you read that last one right! I've adopted a rubber ball! Some of the toys have gathered under the couch from various playtimes, and one day my parents heard a brrrbllllrrrrrll sound. Looking around, they couldn't see anyone playing. Again it went, and the only one not accounted for was me. Then they heard toenails on the floor and the ball sound again. Looking under the couch, they saw a white flash from one side of the area to the other! Then the ball sound again, and the flash. "Starla, are you PLAYING under there?!" In answer, the ball came shooting out into the living room, followed by a quick paw to bring it back to the safe zone. Again, the ball escaped, and Mommy kicked it back under the couch. The third time it escaped, and Mommy kicked it back. When it rolled partway, I hooked my paw around to catch it again. "You ARE playing!" They laughed for a few minutes, so hard that tears were coming to both Mommy and Daddy's eyes!
Smokey update:
Smokey is doing well in her new home. She now sleeps with her 1-year-old brother in the crib when he's sleeping, and runs around the house after him. She has a scratching post and a feather wand that she absolutely adores, but her favorite toys are still her new mom and dad. She hates when her human brother chases her with his flashing, realistic-sounding fire truck, and is scared stiff of the guinea pig! When Truffles the guinea pig is out being petted, Smokey takes one look and dashes under the bed. If it's in its cage, she'll look at it, but if it makes any sudden moves she shoots away.
She is getting a new older cat sibling. Mia is an absolutely gorgeous calico who has been coming to their porch to be fed. Mia's estimated age is somewhere between 6 and 8 years old, and she's had a hard life (teeth missing), but is sooo loving. Right now, they are getting Mia tested for felv/fiv and clearing up her eye cold, but then she will come inside if all checks out.
I'm still scaredy of all these cats! Skylar and I are friends, of course, but it's taking a little longer with the others. Carbon still thinks I want to play, so he comes rushing at me or swipes at me as I go by. Sometimes he even comes to sit under the couch with me when I'm hiding under there! So I growl and hiss a lot at him.
Tabby wants to check on me to make sure I'm doing ok after things happen, but that's when I just want to be left alone, so I growl, hiss, and swat at her. I know she doesn't mean to scare me, but she sits there and stares, wagging her tail. Mommy and Daddy have explained to me that it means she's trying to figure me out, but it's what the other cats did before they pounced when I used to live outside. It confuses me!
Rori and I have come to an understanding. Mommy was taking me into the bedroom with her when she slept on the nights when Daddy worked, so I didn't have to fend off everyone while she wasn't there to stop them. Rori scooted in one night, a couple weeks ago, and behaved herself after the initial hissing from both of us. So, we made it a nightly ritual, and Rori and I learned to trust each other more. She still does things that put me on edge, but only every few days instead of daily.
This house doesn't have a room to reserve for just me, so that's why it's taking me longer to integrate with the rest of the household. With the kittens my family fosters occasionally, it goes faster because the older cats are more protective of the new little ones. With my being around 2, my "cat behaviors" are set and I'm on edge around the others. I know they just want to be friends, though.
Mommy and Daddy are watching my progress closely, and are encouraged by the small steps: making peace with Rori, coming out from under the couch more and more, sleeping on the couch when Daddy works on his laptop, going to the food bowl by myself, walking (instead of running) especially from the litter box to the couch, purring more, acknowledging petting and turning my ears for rubbing, and playing with the "galaxy ball" that I've adopted and that now lives under the couch.
Yes, you read that last one right! I've adopted a rubber ball! Some of the toys have gathered under the couch from various playtimes, and one day my parents heard a brrrbllllrrrrrll sound. Looking around, they couldn't see anyone playing. Again it went, and the only one not accounted for was me. Then they heard toenails on the floor and the ball sound again. Looking under the couch, they saw a white flash from one side of the area to the other! Then the ball sound again, and the flash. "Starla, are you PLAYING under there?!" In answer, the ball came shooting out into the living room, followed by a quick paw to bring it back to the safe zone. Again, the ball escaped, and Mommy kicked it back under the couch. The third time it escaped, and Mommy kicked it back. When it rolled partway, I hooked my paw around to catch it again. "You ARE playing!" They laughed for a few minutes, so hard that tears were coming to both Mommy and Daddy's eyes!
Smokey update:
Smokey is doing well in her new home. She now sleeps with her 1-year-old brother in the crib when he's sleeping, and runs around the house after him. She has a scratching post and a feather wand that she absolutely adores, but her favorite toys are still her new mom and dad. She hates when her human brother chases her with his flashing, realistic-sounding fire truck, and is scared stiff of the guinea pig! When Truffles the guinea pig is out being petted, Smokey takes one look and dashes under the bed. If it's in its cage, she'll look at it, but if it makes any sudden moves she shoots away.
She is getting a new older cat sibling. Mia is an absolutely gorgeous calico who has been coming to their porch to be fed. Mia's estimated age is somewhere between 6 and 8 years old, and she's had a hard life (teeth missing), but is sooo loving. Right now, they are getting Mia tested for felv/fiv and clearing up her eye cold, but then she will come inside if all checks out.
Photo Friday: Casual
This picture is from December 2007, showing a casual day. Tabby is always very protective of our foster kittens, and her behavior toward Spooky was no exception, as this picture shows. Spooky, or "Mr. Pookers" as we called him for a nickname, was adopted out in March of 2008 at around 10 months old. Unfortunately, we didn't know he had only three more weeks to live. He died of an enlarged heart (a birth defect). We still miss you, little one! Here is his website, with his story. If you are a Catster member, please don't send a message or give a gift on his site, because it goes to his adoptive parents and they don't check their Catster stuff anymore.
Feral Friday by the Trailer Kitties
Food bowl rollcall:
Little Bit, Tom Kitty, Orange kitty from down the street, Marble, little grey kitten, Orange-head Kitty, Shadow, Outdoor Fluffy Buddy, black tom cat with the red collar who looks like Carbon, Precious.
Despite the downpours, it's been a good week. Yesterday was very nice, in the 60's, and today will be in the 70's!
Happy May Day! Have you presented your people with a flower today?
Little Bit, Tom Kitty, Orange kitty from down the street, Marble, little grey kitten, Orange-head Kitty, Shadow, Outdoor Fluffy Buddy, black tom cat with the red collar who looks like Carbon, Precious.
Despite the downpours, it's been a good week. Yesterday was very nice, in the 60's, and today will be in the 70's!
Happy May Day! Have you presented your people with a flower today?
