PhotoHunt: Paw! Also celebrating a birthday

Tabby writes:

It was my 11th purrthday last Thursday!  I went visiting on Wednesday in my party dress, and everyone loved it.  I'm having to go on shorter visits now that I'm getting older, because of my arthritis, but I still can visit for an hour easily and 1 1/2 hours at my regular place.  That's plus the bus ride there and back!

Our humans have been rearranging all the furniture again!  Almost everything in the living room moved, and two bedrooms got switched almost completely!  I got to ride on a shelf as it was being moved, and the kittens we've been kitten-sitting didn't know what to do when the futon mattress came off so that could be moved.

We're posting our photohunt pictures late this time, because of all the rearranging.  Have fun guessing whose paws are whose, and we'll tell you on Thursday!  Carbon and Little Bit declined to pawticipate, because they wouldn't stay still for their paw pictures.

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Saturday PhotoHunt (on Sunday): Night

Niss writes:

Usually I eat at the back porch food bowl, but sometimes the raccoons get there first.  When that happens, I go hang out by the front door of the house, because sometimes the humans will put a little pile of food out here.  They were coming home when I was checking, and startled me!  Once they were inside, they got food for me and put it out where I was waiting, then called for me.

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Saturday PhotoHunt: Cat

Dare writes:

This is feeding time at our house, when we get special treats!  This time, we got tuna, but sometimes we get canned cat food or pouch food.  Everyone comes running, meowing our heads off for the plates to be put on the floor faster!  Once they're down, we all jockey for position.  We eat by pecking order, so Carbon and Rori always get plates first, also Tabby and the twins.  The rest of us get to eat with them or when they're done, unless there are more plates put down for us.  In this picture, Carbon, one of the twins, Starla, and Missy have the plates.  I'm getting ready to ask Starla if I can share a plate with her, and Tabby and the other twin have the cans.  Bit's waiting her turn patiently, and so is Panther.

I love being part of a clowder!  That's what a group of cats is called, and we have 14 in our clowder.  Some of us are fosters, some are outside ferals, and most are forevers.  Regardless, we're all part of the gang!

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Therapy Cat Tales, Walk your Cat Day, and Saturday PhotoHunt: Wheel

Tabby writes:

Hi!  Happy belated Valentine's Day!  These are my "wheels", my stroller for visiting.  Since we visited a week ago Wednesday, we went with a Valentine's theme for my stroller and outfit.  I wore my "Mommy's Sweetheart" pink dress/shirt over my pink harness.  It was very comfy, especially in the wind when we were outside!  Mommy and I stopped at the Dollar Tree on the way to H. to get the decorations.  The puffy fabric hearts on the top part of my stroller are actually stickers!  Autumn attacked them the moment we got back home, and actually ripped them in half, but they looked very cute while I was visiting.  Once Mommy put them up there, I had to sniff them to investigate.  I then asked her what she'd done to my ride!  She assured me it was just temporary, so I left the hearts alone.  Mommy and S. had a good laugh over my worry, though, and so did I after I thought about it.  I kept on looking at the hearts and purring contentedly.

The red blanket is actually a hand towel, once again from the Dollar Tree.  We love shopping there!  We also got some plastic boxes that are shaped like conversation hearts, except they don't have anything written on them.  We gave them to my friends for Valentine's Day, and they loved them!  Some people were going to use them to collect coins, and others were going to use them for rings.  Some didn't know what they were going to use them for, but liked the idea.  One of my friends just found it amusing to keep opening and closing the box.  That works, too, because it's fine-motor therapy for her hands!

On the way to H., we rode the MAX light rail as usual.  While we were waiting for the train, Mommy was getting me ready and dressed.  One man took out his camera and took photos of me getting dressed, because he couldn't believe he was actually seeing that!  He asked our permission to put the pictures up on Instagram!  Wow!  Mommy doesn't have an Instagram account so we can't find the pictures, but it's really cool to think about that those are out there!

At H., my friend S. took us around with the list of people to visit.  Some were at the social hour, so we had to wait until they got back home to visit with them.  I wondered why they weren't in their rooms, but then it made sense when I saw them later.  One of the nurses stopped us to take pictures of me in my stroller (at the same time Mommy took the pic I posted here).  I love the paparazzi!  I posed for the cameraphone, and even "asked" for my picture to be taken!  See my paw?  That's how I ask for things, petting, and to ask a question of someone.  I taught myself how to do that when I was about a year old, and it's a very useful skill to have!

After our visit, Mommy took me to a pet store to get some new toys.  I found something I wanted to take home, but Mommy said we couldn't do that.  Bummer!  Does it count as a wheel, too?  It didn't roll, though, but it was fun to be in.  We did get a new crinkle ball and a big kitty straw to take home.

Walk your Dog/Cat Day is tomorrow.  Our friend Summer reminded us of that!  Are you going for a walk?  If so, please stay safe with your human!

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Happy Birthday to Mommy! and PhotoHunt: Rest

Happy birthday to our mommy!  We love you, Mommy!

Today's photo hunt theme is "rest".  We all, being cats, love to rest!  Here's a picture of Carbon resting on Mommy.

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PhotoHunt: Humble

 Panther is very humble about his newfound ability to sit on chairs.  (Notice Tabby laughing at him in the background?)

 See, Panther?  This is how you pose on a chair for the camera!

 Fine!  The lady with the flashy box won't see that I know how to sit on these chairs under here!

Panther, you don't need to be humble about sitting on chairs!  See, I can even sit on the table!

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PhotoHunt: Swanky

 

The PDX pride Mommy ran off to this retreat center in the Puget Sound area of Washington state for a Norwegian dance workshop. Pretty swanky, we think!

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Foster Friday and Two Honors!

Rori:  Calm down, Panther!  It's only Mommy with the flashy box again.  You'll get used to it.

Panther:  No, I won't!  I don't like it!  It's scary, even when it's not taking pictures!  *tries to get out the door behind him*

Mommy:  Panther, it's ok.  Can you please play with the catnip pillow like you were just doing?  I want to get a picture of you with your first favorite toy!

Panther:  No!  I don't wanna do that for the flashy thingy!  *turns his back on the catnip pillow*

Mommy:  Please?

Panther:  NO!

*Mommy lowers the camera.*

*Panther rolls over and starts licking the catnip pillow and bunny-kicking it.*

*Mommy starts to raise the camera again.*

Panther:  Oh, no!  Here she comes with the flashy thing again!

Rori:  Come over here, Panther.  You'll be safe by me.

*Mommy puts the camera away.*

Rori:  Before you go outside, Panther, I want to tell you something.

Panther:  What?

Rori:  You remember Miss Marble, who was outside for a while with you?

Panther:  Um, yeah?  She didn't like that I was in the backyard.  It was her territory, but she let me be there.

Rori:  Yep, that's right.  Well, she's got a very sweet memorial over on the Our Rainbow Friends blog today!  They made a gorgeous frame for one of Mommy's favorite pictures of her, with a rainbow and everything!

Panther:  Wow!

Rori:  That's not all.

*Panther's eyes widen.*

Rori:  We also had an interview with the Funny Farmers this week, and the article's posted on Mousebreath today!

Panther:  Cool!  That's great!

Rori:  Yep, it is.  All us inside forever cats are thrilled, and we mentioned you and Dare, too, as our fosters!

Panther:  Thank you, Auntie Rori!  Hey, do you think it might help me get a forever home?

Rori:  It might!  You never know.  First, you need to have more inside time with us, though.  You can start by having some dinner and then you can play some with the toys in here, including my catnip pillow.  I'll share with you.

Panther:  Thank you, Auntie Rori!  *goes over and licks her once on the hip, then goes off to eat*

PhotoHunt: Lazy (and Tabby's Doggie Dash Report)

Tabby writes:

Do I look lazy in this picture?  If so, I deserved my rest!  Mommy and I had just gotten done walking the 2.5-mile Doggie Dash!  Well, Mommy walked it and I rode in the stroller, so I guess I was lazy for that part, but it was hot out today and I got a lot of attention because I was the only kitty there.

Because of river traffic holding the bridge up just before we got there, we arrived later than expected and were unable to meet Auntie Diana, who helped make the balloon arches.  She works at the Oregon Humane Society.  Isn't it great that all these people (and more) turned out to help the animals at OHS?

K103, a local radio station, is the main sponsor of the event every year.  The man on the right is from there, the lady on the left is the director of OHS, and the others are also event sponsors.  The man was talking about all the different dog breeds he could see from the truck/stage, then said that he hadn't seen a cat yet but there usually are one or two who come.  Mommy rolled me over to the truck/stage and waited until the awards had been given, then held me up and pointed to me.  The man announced me and Mommy held me up high so that everyone could see the "intrepid cat" who had come!  He was laughing that it was like the beginning scene from The Lion King!

Mommy loves huskies, so she was very happy to see these four!  She tried to get a picture of them posing on some rocks, but it was washed-out because the sun was so bright on the river.  I stayed in my stroller most of the time, but thought that all the doggies were very interesting to sniff.  I touched noses with a few, got licked by some, but put my ears back at a couple who thought they might be able to jump into my stroller with me.  As one lady put it, I didn't want them to burst my personal-space bubble inside which I was invisible (or so I thought)!

Two of Mommy's students saw her and waved us over before the walk started, so we ended up walking most of the time with the "Bad to the Bone" team.  Kelley (in the middle with the little dog) and Julie (at the end in the vest) are in Mommy's Norwegian language class.  It was fun walking with them!  Of course, we had to stop a few times to let other people take pictures of me, since I was a novelty among the dogs, but that kind of goes with the territory.  I had doggies sniffing me out before their people knew I was there, then would hear, "Oh, there's the cat!"  Mommy just smiled and said how I am such a good girl and such a special kitty to be able to do this.  I agree, of course!

Mommy had someone take this picture of us at the finish line.  I look like I'm unhappy, but it's just because I was looking into the bright sun.  I really was sleepy and wanted to be in the shade napping, so that's when Mommy let me lie down on the park bench and rest.  When we were about to cross the finish line, a couple dog walkers were joking with Mommy:  "We'd better hurry up and cross the finish line before the cat does!"  But then those same people pointed me out to the announcer at the finish line, who announced me again!  Wow, and whew!  Glad I'm home now!

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PhotoHunt: ZOOM!!!

ZOOM goes Dare!  When she first came to live here, she wasn't sure about anyone and never stayed out in the open for long.  Now she's a confident young cat around us, and will even peek at strangers from a safe hiding spot.  She is up for adoption in the Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR, area.

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Therapy Cat Tales from 4/17/13

Tabby writes:

I celebrated Earth Day early on my visit yesterday!  The bandana I'm wearing says "Canines for Clean Water" as a reminder that everyone needs to pick up after their pets when they are out.  Please always bring a roll of poop bags with you so that you're ready to clean up after your pet, regardless of species.  Thank you!  If you are a resident of Clark County, Washington, your pet can join the campaign here.

A little girl on the bus called me a "meow-pup"!  She was about 14 months old, and can say a few words.  She thought I was a puppy, so her mommy and my mommy were correcting her.  Then she saw I was a kitty and said "kitty" while petting me.  After she was done petting me, she said "pup-pup" again and got corrected again.  Her mommy said, "What does a kitty say?"  "Meow!"  The little girl then looked at me and said, quite clearly, "meow-pup".

Mommy and I did a photo shoot at H., just an informal one, using the ladies' lounge as a backdrop.  We think the pictures turned out really well, and the staff want Mommy to send some to their publicity director to use in newsletters.  I was mugging for the camera, as you can see!  I always pose for the camera when I see one.

After the pictures, we went into the office to see R.  She wanted to see the pictures, so Mommy took out her camera and I immediately posed again.  R. laughed and looked at the shots.  I got bored, so I asked R. to pet me.  She really got a kick out of that, and had me ask her a few more times, petting me a lot each time I did so.  I love showing off!

S. went with us on our rounds for a few people, then V. took over because S. had to leave for the day.  V. told us that my friend who had talked coherently to me but not to the humans last visit had died.  We were very sad to hear that, because we were looking forward to visiting more with her.  E. was very talkative today, though, and another V. told me that I was the best company she'd had all week!  D. meowed at me again.  I always think it's so funny when people do that!  I just watch them and smile.

My best visit today was with a surprise friend.  When I went into M.'s room, Mommy noticed the name on the door.  She started smiling, let me have as much leash as I wanted, and walked in behind me.  "Hello, stranger," she said.  M. looked up, surprised, after greeting me, and said Mommy's name.  She is someone Mommy knows from her former church!  They've known each other since 2002, but hadn't seen each other for a few years since we'd moved to Vancouver and Mommy had changed churches.  They caught up with each other while I snuggled on M.'s bed behind her (but still where I could get petted occasionally).  Then, M.'s husband and son came to visit her, followed closely by M.'s pastor!  It was a good first day at H. for M.

Daddy was running errands in Portland, so he came and picked us up in the car.  I hadn't ridden in the car since the deer hit us a while ago, because it was getting repaired.  I was very nervous about getting into the car, because I remembered the deer, but Daddy reassured me that there were no deer around to run into us again.  I snuggled on Mommy's lap while Daddy drove.  I think it's very interesting that the cars take turns getting on the freeway.  Did you know they do that?  The lights give the cars turns and they wait in line.  I just figured that out today!  I sat up very tall and turned my head to indicate which car was going to go next.  Mommy and Daddy laughed and told me I was correct!

PhotoHunt: Quirky

My banana's quirky peel!  I thought this was pretty cool.  Some pictures you just have to take, regardless of how strange they seem.

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Fashion Friday: Meowy Catmas!!!

Meowy Catmas from all of us here at the PDX pride!!!!  We purrrray that it's a good one, filled with lots of blessings, snuggles, purrs, treats, and all that makes holidays wonderpurr.

Tabby in her "Santa Baby" dress by our small tree.

Freya wishing for Christmas to come sooner, wearing the "Santa Baby" dress.

No eating the cord for the lights, Freya!  (The reason we didn't get a full-sized tree this year; Daddy says next year.)

Merry Christmas!  Winter blessings!

Tabby's calendar is now for sale!

Tabby Thompson 2011 Calendar by TraceElements
See other Tabby Calendars

I'm soooo excited!!!  Mommy designed a calendar with my pictures on it, for the new year!  :)  If you click the piccy above, you can see all the designs for every month.  Some pics are just me, and some are with other family members.  I'm dressed in outfits in a few, too!

Photo Friday: Best Friend

Skylar and his Mommy Erin, Summer 2007

Photo Friday

Happy Gotcha Days to Us!!!!!

Can you believe Tabby and Carbon were ever that small???  Here they are when they first came to live with us, five years ago!

Carbon sleeping in the kitty stroller, one of his favorite places to take a nap

Tabby taking a walk at the Doggie Dash, wearing her cooling collar

PhotoHunt: Free

Free, and loving it!

Tuxedo is our feral friend, shown here hunting mice in our backyard.

PhotoHunt

Photo Friday: Summer Fun

Last year's fireworks show at Long Beach, WA, USA, was wonderful!

We didn't get to go this year, but hopefully will next year again.

Photo Friday

PhotoHunt: Open

Skylar eating out of the open cat food storage!

PhotoHunt