Therapy Cat Tales from Yesterday

Tabby writes:

Whoa, you mean I actually got the letter T on the right day?  Cool!  T is for Therapy, and for Tabby, and for Tale, and even for Thursday!  Paws up!

Yesterday, Mommy took me to visit my friends at H.  This means I got three outings in one week, two to the pet fair and one to H.!  When Mommy and Daddy said that I was going to visit my friends, I didn't really think they were telling the truth, but they were!  I'm way luckier than any of the other kitties in the household.

There was a little dog at the MAX light rail station.  She knew I was in the stroller, but couldn't see me because she was too little to look up that far.  She sniffed my carrier bag, which was on the ground, but I wasn't in that, either.  Her person asked if it was ok if she said hi to me, and Mommy told the person it would be ok.  The doggie grew up with a kitty and still looks for him every so often, but no other kitties want to play with her.  Other kitties run or swat.  I wouldn't do that to a friendly woofie!  She was very friendly, and even stepped around my tail instead of on it when she put her front paws in the stroller to sniff me.  We exchanged sniffs and I even let her snuffle in my shoulder fur!  Then her person said she had to get down again.  You're a nice woofie, Jessie doggie!

We had some extra time once we got to H., so Mommy sat with me on my favorite brown couch for a few minutes.  I was so happy to be there, I kept on giving Mommy leaning-hugs and asking for more pets!  She didn't take any pictures this time, because she wanted to be sure I knew what a good girl I was being.  Besides, she didn't think I would hold still for any pictures!

S. walked around with us for a little while this time, but then she had to go put up some flyers on a few of the other floors (and in the other building).  That was fine, because we can go visiting by ourselves.  S. did tell us about a toy poodle who goes visiting totally by itself in another facility!  That's pretty amazing!  I don't think I'd be brave enough to do that all by myself.  I'd much rather have someone on the other end of the leash!

We visited 6 or 7 friends, and some family members of those friends.  Two of them were new friends!  I always like seeing everyone, whether they are old friends, new friends, family members, or staff.  They're all friends to me!  We were coming out of one room when we got flagged down by the daughter of the neighbor.  Her mom loves all animals, so she wanted us to visit with her.  Yay!  At each of those rooms, I checked out the hurt knee (the opposite one for each of them) and purred for them.  All the humans said I was running my own CAT scan, because we kitties purr at the same frequency as a deep muscle tissue healing machine!  The ladies thanked me for purring for them.  I heard about Oscar the therapy cat, who's pretty amazing.  I'd heard about him before, and I still think he's amazing every time I hear about him sitting with people who are dying.  He's in another part of the country, but I follow his page on Facebook.

After those two ladies, I went to see some of my friends I've visited with before.  Some were there and some weren't.  Two friends were sleeping.  M. was sleeping also, but we woke her up because we knew that she wanted us to.  That's what she tells us to do, so we do it.  If they don't tell us it's ok, we let them sleep.  At A.M.'s room, there was a giraffe stuffed animal!  It was staring at me from beside her chair, so I stared back.  A.M. asked me if I wanted to say hi to it, so Mommy got it down and had it say hi to me.  I sniffed its face, then nosed it and gave it whisker kisses.  I looked down at its paws and saw that it had hooves instead!  I looked at Mommy and at A.M., and they said that giraffes don't have paws like kitties do.  I guess that makes sense, but I still think it should've had paws.  Even humans kind of have paws!

The little boy feral kitty was waiting for his dinner when we got back to the house.  He was lying on the deck with Tigress, but got up when Mommy opened the door to put food out.  I'm glad we got home in time to give him his dinner at the usual time!  I got to sniff at the door when it was open, put I sneezed in the little one's face.  I hope he doesn't hold that against me!

PhotoHunt: Sweet

Is there anything sweeter than babies? Look closely at these three pictures. Who are the cats?

Twins? No, but related.

Is this the same kitten that Tabby's snuggling with in the first picture? Nope!
The first picture is Rori as a kitten 2 1/2 years ago with Tabby.
The second picture is Rori last year with her half-brother Little Guy.
The third picture is Tabby cleaning Little Guy.

PhotoHunt

Foster and Former Foster Friday

Kai's obviously doing well at his new home!

His new mommy says the purse is his favorite spot, and she takes him everywhere in the car with her, so no wonder!

And tucked in bed, snoozing away. He also does his share of playing with her and following her around the house, of course!

Cloud is adjusting well to his new home now that his new mommy consolidated his world to just the upstairs. He was having a hard time getting used to all the space and two floors! He got dewormed, and was so relaxed that he fell asleep at the end of getting his claws clipped for the first time! So he's definitely in his forever home now!

We don't have pictures of Boo and Michelle at their new home, but they're doing fantastic and have been permanently adopted by their family! They play all day and snuggle all night with their new human sister and brother.

Little Bit's enjoying her "me" time now, but she continues to nurse Squishy and Little Guy (even though they're now 11 weeks old)! She's taken to snuggling in bed with Foster Mommy at night, purring up a storm. She also has started pushing against knees to be picked up again, and playing more. She loves playing with a shoelace when one or both of her boys are at the other end of it, and they all will play for about 30 minutes like this! Last night, she love-bit and groomed Foster Mommy's hand as she was going to sleep, and fell asleep purring with her mouth around Foster Mommy's thumb.

Squishy (picture last Wednesday) is growing into such a handsome boy! His nose is starting to grow longer, but still looks kind of persian-like. He's got more white around his ruff than we thought, which makes him look like he's wearing a grey-tipped collar, and is reminiscent of his Auntie Michelle's white fur spots.

Little Guy (pictured with Cloud last week with the bucket) has become quite the leader. He's definitely learning from watching his "auntie" Rori and "uncle" Skylar! He follows his foster parents everywhere, and won't let Foster Mommy get ready to go someplace (climbs up her jeans leg for attention, which behavior we're trying to stop).

Little Bit, Squishy, and Little Guy are still up for adoption. We hope to have some serious inquiries by the beginning of September.

Little Bit's Kittens' Wordless Wednesday

Foster Friday

We're still looking for homes for Squishy, Little Guy, and Little Bit, but here are some cute pictures of everyone from this last week.

Cloud's Adoption Day!

Cloud had a home visit yesterday morning, and everything went very well! I'll let him tell you about it, because at the moment he's the only kitten awake (and on my computer desk), while his brother Squishy sleeps on the desk next to him and his brother Little Guy sleeps in my lap.

Cloud writes:

I went to visit a nice lady called Becky yesterday! I was very, very scared when Foster Daddy and Foster Mommy took me out to the truck. I was stress-purring really hard, and shaking all over! I had been in the truck on a ride with them when I was 4 weeks old, but I barely remembered that. All I knew was I didn't understand what was going on, and I was outside!

We got to Becky's house very early, so that gave me time to calm down before we went in. I climbed all around on Foster Mommy's lap while she and Foster Daddy talked to me and petted me. Then, Foster Daddy picked me up and we all three went up to the door.

When we got inside, I climbed onto the top of the futon and hunkered down, getting my bearings in this strange place while Foster Mommy and Becky talked. After a while, I felt comfortable enough to let Becky sit by me and pet me. She wanted to pick me up right away, but I wasn't ready for that yet.

Foster Mommy put me down on the rug, because I was looking down but couldn't judge the distance properly. I'd never seen or felt a rug before! It took a few minutes to get used to it, but then I was off exploring underneath the futon and behind the electronics. Foster Mommy and Becky sat on the floor, while Foster Daddy stood watching me. Becky got a shoelace and everyone tried to get me to play with it. Nope, not interested in that; I wanted to explore more! I climbed back up the futon cushions, then jumped down again.

Finally, they got my attention with the shoelace by dragging it slowly around on the floor in front of me. I pounced after it, stalking it then swiping. I saw Foster Mommy's hand, and went running over to head-butt it for pets. Then I sniffed Becky's shoes. Circling her, I rubbed against her and meowed a little. She reached out her hand and I stretched my head up, wanting her to pet me, too! She did, then picked me up to give me kisses and cuddles. I wasn't expecting that, but let her. Then, I decided to climb onto her shoulder and then on her back. Luckily, Foster Mommy told her that's what I was going to do, so she leaned over and let me walk on her back to the floor. I circled around to have her pet me again.

Everyone was impressed that I wasn't at all scared of exploring this new place. I walked tall, with my head up, and didn't shy away from the new furniture, smells, or sounds! Becky got supplies yesterday afternoon, and called to say she was ready for me to come for my week trial period today! So, my foster parents will drop me off at my new home today, where I will live for a week and see how it goes!

Here are some pictures from after Cloud got back home. He loves this yellow bucket, burrowing into it like there's some kind of trap-door in the back that he can get out! That's Mama Little Bit's whiskers getting in the way of the first shot.






Foster Mommy is still writing Cloud's Catster page until he gets permanently adopted. It's here if you'd like to visit.

Foster Friday/Photo Friday: Eyes

Cousteau and Tabby Boy write:

Being twins is fun! No one can tell us apart (except our mama cat) unless they look at our noses. Can you tell us apart?










Cousteau is the top picture and Tabby Boy is the bottom picture! Our personalities are different, but we look identical (except for a little line on Tabby Boy's nose, and slightly different shade of fur).

Cousteau writes:

I'm going on my home visit today! Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy are taking me to visit the lady and her roommate who want to adopt me. I don't know if I'll like the truck ride, because the other time I was in a car/truck was when I went on the horrific ride to the shelters and back, then to my foster home. I hope I'll like the lady, and she'll like me! I'm coming back to my foster home for another two weeks with mama cat, even if the visit checks out. All of us little boys are now 6 weeks old, but Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy want to wait until we're 8 weeks.

Little Bit writes:

All of my kids plus Boo and Michelle either have home visits scheduled or are in the process of having them scheduled! That's such good news, but no one has asked for me yet. I'm glad my kids will all have good homes, and that my little sisters will also, but sad that no one wants me to be their kitty yet.

My babies are being litter box trained at the moment, and I supervise every time Foster Mommy picks one of them up to put him in the box. There's two extra boxes set up now, each where they have been going potty. They're an Avon box lid and a tv dinner tray, with litter in them. Someone went poop and pee in the tv dinner tray one, plus others have gone pee right beside it (on a lap pad that's set up there). Cloud is adamant about using a spot underneath the couch, so Foster Mommy may set up another box there.

Boo and Michelle write:

We're going to a home together! We have a home visit scheduled a week from Saturday, and we're so excited about it!

Cloud and Tabby Boy:

We're going to have a home visit at the end of the month, and will go to a home together! We're glad we'll have each other to play with at our new home.

Squishy writes:

Foster Mommy hasn't heard back on times for my home visit, but she's got someone else lined up for me if the first lady doesn't come through.

Photo Friday

Foster Friday

Cloud writes:

I've learned where Foster Mommy sleeps! Yesterday, Squishy and I followed her after she used the human litter box, and she went into a room we'd never been in before. She climbed up this big white thing, so after a while when I wanted to snuggle I climbed it too. I found her feet, and walked on her until I got to her shoulder. She felt me, so she put her hand up to pet me. I settled right down for a snooze. After a bit, I wanted to cuddle under her chin like I do with Foster Daddy, but since she was on her side I couldn't. So I tried something different: sleeping on her head. Human hair is slippery! I slid off first one side, then the other. Foster Mommy laughed and kept me from sliding completely off, then put me up over her head on the pillow. I settled right down again and napped there for a while.

We all napped on Foster Daddy later on, all four of us tiny kittens!

I have a lady interested in adopting me! She is in L.A. at the moment, but she will get back around the time I'm ready for my new home. Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy will meet with her and see if she has a good home for me. I hope she does! She might also adopt one of my brothers (either Cousteau or Tabby Boy) to keep me company.

Tabby boy writes:

Our foster parents still haven't figured out a name for me yet. I'm such a little cuddle-bug and a licker. I snuggle with feet instead of climb up to them, and I love to groom anything and everything that moves that comes close (kittens, kitties, and humans). When I'm sleepy, I find someone's feet or I go cuddle with my brothers or my mama. If anyone has an idea of a name for me, I would appreciate it. Right now, I'm being called "Little Guy" and "Brother".

Boo writes:

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(I typed that all by myself!)

Squishy writes:

I have two people who want to adopt me! Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy are going to schedule a home visit with the first lady in the next couple of weeks. If she looks like she has a good home for me, then I will go to her when I'm ready. If not, then they will meet with the second lady.

Cousteau writes:

I adventured into the bedroom as well, and met the big white cat who lives under the dresser. She didn't want me under there with her, so she backed out and hissed at me. Foster Mommy couldn't figure out who she was hissing at, so she took the bottom drawer out to see. I was all the way in the back corner under there, and Starla was curled halfway out trying to get away from me, growling very low! Foster Mommy says she doesn't quite know what we are, so she is afraid of us. How can she be afraid of little me? I wouldn't hurt her! I was just trying to see who she was! I went under there again, but Foster Mommy caught me and brought me out with my brothers.

Michelle writes:

Boo and I have had a lot of fun with the cardboard tube from a paper towel roll. It makes a funny sound, and we can bat it all over the living room!

Little Bit writes:

I'm working on weaning my kittens more and more each day. Squishy decided he wanted to play with me while I was feeding my smallest tabby boy, so I pinned him down and groomed him. That way, the little one could eat in peace. I'm letting everyone nurse still, but getting up and walking around after they're about half-done so they'll get the idea. I then lead them over to the food bowl. I'm letting the littlest one nurse more than the others, though. He needs it more than the others.

Foster Friday

We're just going to let the pictures and video speak for themselves today! Little Bit's kittens are growing so fast, and the two older kittens are enjoying the company and trying to play with the little ones as well as everyone else.

Boo

Carbon with Boo and Michelle

Michelle

Little Bit's babies are eating the crumbs from the big kitty dry food now! They're still suckling too, but being weaned well. The ones who are eating the dry food are learning how to drink water out of the bowl by watching the rest of the crew. This morning, Mommy got woken up by Rori and the bigger kittens trying to tell her something, and came out to the kitchen to find Skylar with his best "What's going on?" look. The kitten pictured above was sitting in the food bowl eating! So now there is that bowl with the crumbs, and another one with the regular-sized pieces for the adults and older kittens.

We have figured out the sexes of all but the tiny black kitten. The others are three boys.

Daddy has cut a door in the nesting box now, and the kittens are taking full advantage of their freedom: running around the house, sleeping in the cherry bed, and following everyone (cats and humans). Little Bit still prefers to nurse in the box, but will let them suckle elsewhere if she's already sitting down.

Wordy Wednesday

Another kitten has learned how to climb out of the box! It's the other tabby kitten. He/she climbed out yesterday morning, and had a good walk around the kitchen and living room. She even played with a zip tie! The others are trying their best to get out, too. The black one made it to the top of the box, only to come face-to-face with Rori. The kitten quickly backed down; I don't think it was expecting a giant cat to be there!

We're not sure of the sex of three of the kittens, but the first one to climb out (on Monday) is definitely a boy. It's tough to tell when they're so small.

Rori's taken quite an interest in the tiny babies. Whenever one is trying to climb, she's right there watching. I think she thinks of herself as a second mommy to them, so she's stepping into the auntie role quite well.

Starla has decided it's ok now to zoom out from the bedroom dresser to the living room couch now, making a stop at the litter box on the way. She is followed by the older kittens, of course, so we put special food and water bowls under the dresser for her.

Speaking of the older kittens, Michelle and Boo now are playing chase and toys with Tabby. We see and hear them running all around the house three or four times a day! The favorite game for the three of them is to run from the hallway through the living room to the kitchen, at which point Tabby jumps up on the dishwasher and the little ones skid to a halt just before the door, looking up at her until she jumps down to start the game again.

Mommyday

Little Bit writes:

My babies are growing so fast! They are much better at walking, and can almost cross the whole box by themselves without falling down. I have been encouraging them to climb the box by sitting outside meowing them on, while they try to scale the side to me. My grey girl and one of the tabbies have succeeded once, but only got about 6 inches away from the box before I saw them. They know the humans, and cry at them when they see them above the box, because they like being petted. The humans, who I'm learning now are called Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy, have even held my babies. Of course, I have to supervise this, and get anxious after a couple minutes so they let me have my babies back in the box after that. But they are very gentle about holding them, and it's good practice for my little ones to be on human laps. I myself am now allowed on the couch and on the computer chair to sit with the humans.

I don't like being in the green house, and I've rung the bell to go outside many times. Somehow, the doorbell trick doesn't work like it used to. Very confusing! I resort to meowing at them then, but they say I need to stay in with my baby kids.

The other cats in the house are interested in looking at my baby kids, too. Rori sits on the kitty tree staring down at them. Skylar walks by and peeks over the top of the box, as does Tabby. Carbon sniffs at the box. My little sisters look over the edge with their front paws on the top, trying to see the baby ones. My cousin Starla is afraid of everyone, and usually stays under the dresser in the bedroom.

My grey girl and my boy (one of the tabbies) are the most adventurous and the loudest.