Monday, November 28, 2011
Tabby's Cyber Monday sale!
Tabby writes:
My new calendar is out! Some pictures are from last year's calendar, but there are some new ones from this year as well. Zazzle, the site we use to sell our calendar, cards, and other products, is having a Cyber Monday sale and will give you the code once you are at their site. You can click on the calendar (above) or the Christmas card (below) to get there. There will be a "Catmas Greetings" stamp available in a day or two that matches the card, plus other winter and holiday products that are available now. Thanks for looking!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
The PDX pride Mommy and Daddy are thankful for their furmily and for all their friends in the Cat Blogosphere!
Blessings to you all!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Mini Mancat Monday: I coughed up a monster!
Hemming writes:
I coughed up a monster in the litter box! It was icky, squirming, and bad-smelling. Foster Mommy said it was something called roundworms and my half-eaten food. Whatever it was, I wanted it gone and buried, so I buried it! Foster Mommy scooped it out of the box right away and threw it away, along with the poop that I was doing when the monster came out of my mouth.
She then took me into the bathroom and gave me a big pill to swallow. I tried to get rid of it, but she said I had to swallow it. I finally did, but my eyes got really big when I swallowed! She said that pill was for tapeworms, but I had to take it because I had a flea on me also. Just one flea, and I had to take that big pill? What would have happened if it had been more than one flea? Foster Mommy says that the flea can have tapeworms, so I needed the pill. Good, because I don't want more monsters!
After I swallowed that pill, Foster Mommy gave me some liquid medicine. I had the liquid medicine before, a few weeks ago, but obviously I needed more. It didn't take care of all the monster wormies the first time, so we're trying it again. I kind of like the caramelly taste of the medicine, but I don't like it for the time it takes me to drink all the liquid. It's too much after a while. Foster Mommy tried mixing some of my food in, but I wouldn't eat the food after the medicine soaked into it. She looked for a syringe or an eyedropper, but couldn't find them. Finally, she got the idea of a straw! I love straws, and will carry them around the house. She put it in a mug, then poured my medicine into the mug. I played with the straw while she did that, and sniffed the contents of the mug. Then, she put her finger over the hole in the top of the straw and trapped some of the medicine in it. She lifted it up for me to drink! Wow! I got to drink out of a straw! Boy, did I ever lap that up. I got most of the medicine that way, so she thinks I got enough to kill those bad roundworms. I drank most of it myself, but she had to put the straw into my mouth for the last bit because I was done with that flavor. She said I was a good little boycat, though, taking my medicines! I just hope the nasty roundworm monsters are gone this time.
I coughed up a monster in the litter box! It was icky, squirming, and bad-smelling. Foster Mommy said it was something called roundworms and my half-eaten food. Whatever it was, I wanted it gone and buried, so I buried it! Foster Mommy scooped it out of the box right away and threw it away, along with the poop that I was doing when the monster came out of my mouth.
She then took me into the bathroom and gave me a big pill to swallow. I tried to get rid of it, but she said I had to swallow it. I finally did, but my eyes got really big when I swallowed! She said that pill was for tapeworms, but I had to take it because I had a flea on me also. Just one flea, and I had to take that big pill? What would have happened if it had been more than one flea? Foster Mommy says that the flea can have tapeworms, so I needed the pill. Good, because I don't want more monsters!
After I swallowed that pill, Foster Mommy gave me some liquid medicine. I had the liquid medicine before, a few weeks ago, but obviously I needed more. It didn't take care of all the monster wormies the first time, so we're trying it again. I kind of like the caramelly taste of the medicine, but I don't like it for the time it takes me to drink all the liquid. It's too much after a while. Foster Mommy tried mixing some of my food in, but I wouldn't eat the food after the medicine soaked into it. She looked for a syringe or an eyedropper, but couldn't find them. Finally, she got the idea of a straw! I love straws, and will carry them around the house. She put it in a mug, then poured my medicine into the mug. I played with the straw while she did that, and sniffed the contents of the mug. Then, she put her finger over the hole in the top of the straw and trapped some of the medicine in it. She lifted it up for me to drink! Wow! I got to drink out of a straw! Boy, did I ever lap that up. I got most of the medicine that way, so she thinks I got enough to kill those bad roundworms. I drank most of it myself, but she had to put the straw into my mouth for the last bit because I was done with that flavor. She said I was a good little boycat, though, taking my medicines! I just hope the nasty roundworm monsters are gone this time.
Therapy Cat Tales from 11/15/11
Tabby writes:
Mommy got to go to H. twice this week, but I only got to go once! She got to play with rubber stamps there on Friday, and a lot of people asked where I was. I would've gone, too, but Mommy had to go to work after that, and her work won't let me go there.
When I went to H. on Wednesday, though, I had a lot of fun! The leaves are falling from the trees here, and one hit me on the nose as we were walking through the park. I looked up, surprised, because it had woken me up from a nap! The leaf was gentle, but it still surprised me. I sniffed it, then looked at Mommy and she removed it from the stroller. Since I was awake anyway, I kept a lookout for more leaves. No more fell into my stroller, but I saw a lot falling around us.
It was definitely a day for looking up! Actually looking straight up! Besides the leaves. A man was fixing the ceiling at H., right across from the office. I saw the ladder first, and then saw the man's shoes on the ladder. I thought that was funny, so I looked up to see the rest of the man. He was moving a ceiling tile, so I could see his arms and shoulders but not his head! Then he looked down, and I stared at him. Why was he up there, and what was he doing with the ceiling? Why was there a hole in the ceiling? I never did find out why.
At the floor we visit most, I looked up at the ceiling the second we got out of the elevator. It had all its pieces, no hole and no man on a ladder. Good. I like when things make sense.
Most of my friends were awake this time. I met some new friends, too. B. is a new friend who broke both ankles, so she had both legs wrapped up. I didn't know what to do about her legs, which were sticking out from under the blankets because she had been doing her exercises. I didn't know whether or not it was ok to lie down on her legs, so I lay down beside her. She talked to me, and to Mommy, for a while. Then she said it was time for her to continue with her exercises. I chose that point to climb onto her stomach and curl up. I didn't want to leave her! She let me snuggle for a bit like that, but then it was really time for her to do her exercises.
T. is in a wheelchair now instead of a walker. She invited me to sit on her lap, so I did while she cooed at me. She always tells me how much everyone loves me, which just makes me happy and purry. T.'s roommate, P., had grabbed my harness and pulled last time I visited, so I didn't know what she was going to do when she wanted to touch me this time. P. was very gentle this time, though. She wanted Mommy to move her hand for her so that she could stroke my fur with the side of her hand. She went for my eyes, to pet my face, but that kind of scared me because I thought she was going to reach for my harness again. I held very still, like Mommy said to, and was a very good girl. P. didn't hurt me this time (although I know she didn't mean to hurt me when she pulled last time), and she just petted me for a bit. That was fine with me.
We had a few people to visit on another floor, so we went up to that floor. On the way up, someone suggested we visit someone not on our list. We knocked on her door, and she answered after a few minutes. She wasn't wearing any pants, but she was holding them up next to her. She had just gotten out of bed to answer the door, so she was wearing her nightgown but no pants. She liked the idea of me visiting with her, and let me come in, but Mommy stayed out in the hall and held my leash. I rubbed up against her legs and she laughed, talking to me. We'll visit with her next time, if she's awake.
I wanted to go visit my good friend I., but Mommy reminded me that I. wasn't there anymore. I tried to head down to her room anyway, certain that she was going to be there. Someone saw me do that and said that a lady had moved into I.'s room that day from another room. She suggested we visit V., so off we went to I.'s room. V. was supervising the hanging up of clothes in her closet when we got there, but she said to come in. She sat on her walker and I hopped up on her bed. It was weird being in I.'s room and having V. there instead. Everything was different, because it was V.'s room now. I kept looking around at all the new things. The ladies putting the clothes in the closet were careful not to move the clothes too near me, although I sniffed a few that were on the bed next to me. I like V., and she loved seeing me. She told us all about cats that she'd had, and she found where I like to be petted and scratched. I rolled over for tummy rubs, and she loved that!
On one of the buses back home, a lady from OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) helped Mommy brainstorm places to ask about visiting. Of course, those places will have to wait until we have either a little more free time or a car available, because right now we're only able to visit on one day a week. If one of the places would like us to visit on alternating weeks with H., we could work that out, though. We'll just have to see.
Mommy got to go to H. twice this week, but I only got to go once! She got to play with rubber stamps there on Friday, and a lot of people asked where I was. I would've gone, too, but Mommy had to go to work after that, and her work won't let me go there.
When I went to H. on Wednesday, though, I had a lot of fun! The leaves are falling from the trees here, and one hit me on the nose as we were walking through the park. I looked up, surprised, because it had woken me up from a nap! The leaf was gentle, but it still surprised me. I sniffed it, then looked at Mommy and she removed it from the stroller. Since I was awake anyway, I kept a lookout for more leaves. No more fell into my stroller, but I saw a lot falling around us.
It was definitely a day for looking up! Actually looking straight up! Besides the leaves. A man was fixing the ceiling at H., right across from the office. I saw the ladder first, and then saw the man's shoes on the ladder. I thought that was funny, so I looked up to see the rest of the man. He was moving a ceiling tile, so I could see his arms and shoulders but not his head! Then he looked down, and I stared at him. Why was he up there, and what was he doing with the ceiling? Why was there a hole in the ceiling? I never did find out why.
At the floor we visit most, I looked up at the ceiling the second we got out of the elevator. It had all its pieces, no hole and no man on a ladder. Good. I like when things make sense.
Most of my friends were awake this time. I met some new friends, too. B. is a new friend who broke both ankles, so she had both legs wrapped up. I didn't know what to do about her legs, which were sticking out from under the blankets because she had been doing her exercises. I didn't know whether or not it was ok to lie down on her legs, so I lay down beside her. She talked to me, and to Mommy, for a while. Then she said it was time for her to continue with her exercises. I chose that point to climb onto her stomach and curl up. I didn't want to leave her! She let me snuggle for a bit like that, but then it was really time for her to do her exercises.
T. is in a wheelchair now instead of a walker. She invited me to sit on her lap, so I did while she cooed at me. She always tells me how much everyone loves me, which just makes me happy and purry. T.'s roommate, P., had grabbed my harness and pulled last time I visited, so I didn't know what she was going to do when she wanted to touch me this time. P. was very gentle this time, though. She wanted Mommy to move her hand for her so that she could stroke my fur with the side of her hand. She went for my eyes, to pet my face, but that kind of scared me because I thought she was going to reach for my harness again. I held very still, like Mommy said to, and was a very good girl. P. didn't hurt me this time (although I know she didn't mean to hurt me when she pulled last time), and she just petted me for a bit. That was fine with me.
We had a few people to visit on another floor, so we went up to that floor. On the way up, someone suggested we visit someone not on our list. We knocked on her door, and she answered after a few minutes. She wasn't wearing any pants, but she was holding them up next to her. She had just gotten out of bed to answer the door, so she was wearing her nightgown but no pants. She liked the idea of me visiting with her, and let me come in, but Mommy stayed out in the hall and held my leash. I rubbed up against her legs and she laughed, talking to me. We'll visit with her next time, if she's awake.
I wanted to go visit my good friend I., but Mommy reminded me that I. wasn't there anymore. I tried to head down to her room anyway, certain that she was going to be there. Someone saw me do that and said that a lady had moved into I.'s room that day from another room. She suggested we visit V., so off we went to I.'s room. V. was supervising the hanging up of clothes in her closet when we got there, but she said to come in. She sat on her walker and I hopped up on her bed. It was weird being in I.'s room and having V. there instead. Everything was different, because it was V.'s room now. I kept looking around at all the new things. The ladies putting the clothes in the closet were careful not to move the clothes too near me, although I sniffed a few that were on the bed next to me. I like V., and she loved seeing me. She told us all about cats that she'd had, and she found where I like to be petted and scratched. I rolled over for tummy rubs, and she loved that!
On one of the buses back home, a lady from OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) helped Mommy brainstorm places to ask about visiting. Of course, those places will have to wait until we have either a little more free time or a car available, because right now we're only able to visit on one day a week. If one of the places would like us to visit on alternating weeks with H., we could work that out, though. We'll just have to see.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Happy 6-month Birthday to Hemming, Miss Marble, and Striped Girl!!!!
Foster Mommy just told me it's my 6-month birthday today! Wow, I'm a half-year old already? Right after she told me that, I ran into the bathroom and pawed the treat drawer! It's my birthday, so do I get treaties? Foster Mommy said I do!
I got a special half-birthday gift a few days ago. Someone named Kayla wants to adopt me! She's going to move close to where I live, so she'll be here on the 28th. After she's unpacked the major things, my foster parents and I will go meet her. I hope she's nice and has good hiding spots for me in her house! My foster parents made sure that she knows I will hide at first, and she said she's willing to take the time that I need to get used to her and come out of my shell. In fact, she was looking for a cat who would need extra love and attention, so she sounds like she'll be a really good mommy for me! I hope so!
I'm 6 months old? Wow, that seems old! I'm still a kitten, though, right? I can still play and have fun? My daddy, Tux, says I can. He even still plays, and he's a lot older than me! I sleep in the rose bushes under the humans' bedroom window now, with my sister Striped Girl, so I hear when the humans wake up and know that it's going to be food time soon. Then, I go over to the window-door and wait on the deck. I meow when I see them, talk to them to tell them that I'm ready for food, and then they come out to refill the water dish. They go back inside and get the food, then put two scoops of food on the deck. That's the cue for my sister to come running from the rose bushes for her breakfast. Sometimes our daddy joins us, but sometimes he's off hunting or doing other important things.
In the evening, we wait until it's time for the human daddy to leave in the car. Then we wait on the deck, patiently, until they see us. I go right up to the glass and meow again, but this time the human mommy comes over to the glass and talks to me. She puts her finger on the glass, and I put my paw on it. Then, she gives us food and water.
Are we really 6 months old today? Really? I love being outside with my sister Miss Marble and my daddy Tux, but I miss my mommy Leopard and my other littermate. My other littermate would be 6 months old today, too. I wonder where they are, and if they're still alive. It doesn't bother me much anymore, but it's in the back of my mind sometimes.
My life is pretty good right now, but the air is getting colder and it's getting more rainy. I don't like being wet! I hide under the deck in the big rainstorms, but most of the time I like being in the rose bushes. I used to hang out in the backyard or behind the fence, but it's too muddy back there. I sink down in the marshy grass! As long as I have my sister and my daddy, plus food, water, and someplace dry, I'll be ok.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Happy birthday at the Bridge to Skylar & Lydia!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tabby got her sponsorship!
Tabby writes:
I'm now being sponsored by Canidae, which makes the cat food Felidae! :) >^..^< I'm featured on their website, and will be doing some publicity for them. I love their food, so I was thrilled when they asked to sponsor Mommy and me in our therapy work!
I'm now being sponsored by Canidae, which makes the cat food Felidae! :) >^..^< I'm featured on their website, and will be doing some publicity for them. I love their food, so I was thrilled when they asked to sponsor Mommy and me in our therapy work!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Halloween visit to H. on 10/19/11
Tabby writes:
I got to wear my candy-corn witch costume to H. on Wednesday! It was our last visit to H. before Halloween, so S. suggested that we both dress up in our costumes. Yep, that's right! Mommy dressed up in hers, too! She and I have matching candy corn witch costumes. :) >^..^<
We got a lot of attention on the bus and MAX train. But there was someone way more worthy of attention who was riding our first bus. There was a mobility puppy-in-training on her first bus ride ever! She was soooo well-behaved, lying down under her trainer's seat, although she got up a couple times to sniff my stroller. I just stared at her and went back to sleep, and she settled right back down. She's going to be a good service doggie for someone who needs her help!
There was another service doggie, fully trained, who got on the bus after the puppy got off. The guide dog wanted to pay more attention to me than to his person, which was a no-no. I know it's more important to pay attention to your person than other animals, but that doggie needs some more training on that. He wanted to sniff me the whole time he was on the bus, so his person had to keep him on a very short leash and hold on to his harness to make him sit down. Mommy and I felt sorry for the person! Most service doggies are more well-behaved than that around me, so I think this one just hadn't been trained around kitties originally.
On the MAX train, we sat next to a man who spoke a few words in Hungarian and one who spoke Vietnamese. Everyone was talking about words and translating them into those languages, English, and Norwegian (which Mommy knows). That was a fun conversation to listen to! I learned that mao is Vietnamese for kitty and cica is Hungarian. Norwegian is katt, and I already knew that one from Mommy.
We stopped at a store to get pencils to do reverse trick-or-treating. In normal trick-or-treating, you go around to people's houses and collect candy or other small treats. Reverse trick-or-treating is not usually done, but Mommy likes to do it to surprise friends! Instead of getting candy, she gives people something small as a treat! Since people at H. are sometimes on restricted diets, we chose to give out Halloween pencils instead of candy. :) >^..^<
H. was all decorated for Halloween! There were fake spiderwebs over the vases in the lobby, pumpkins on shelves and tables, and indian corn next to the pumpkins. It looked great! We went into the human litter box room, because Mommy needed to use it, so I sat on the couch while she did that. All the ladies who walked by were exclaiming over me, making a fuss over how cute my costume looked and how well-mannered I was. I loved all the attention and comments, and the petting, too.
S. took a couple pictures of Mommy and me together, in our outfits. Mommy's kneeling because I didn't want to be held in her arms when she was standing up, but she's got striped long stockings on and black shoes. I wore my hat for the pictures, but I don't like wearing my hat. It's got a chin strap that I don't want. I wouldn't mind it so much if it just sat on my head or ears, but I want that chin strap off. After the pictures were taken, I glared at Mommy until she took the hat off me again. S. thought I was a chicken originally, because the hat was almost over my nose! *giggles* Nope, I was a candy corn witch!
We got our pictures taken again once we got to the floor we visit. One of the nice nurses there (everyone's nice there) took our picture with her camera phone. I forget the nurse's name. That's not the one that's posted on my FB page. My friend Crystal took the picture that's on my Facebook page when we saw her after I got done visiting. :) The other one, the one that was taken while we were visiting, is of Mommy standing and holding me. I wanted to get down and walk, though, so I kept looking away from the camera. Sorry, lady who took the picture! It's just so much fun to walk down the long hallways there and see all my friends!
I visited with some of my friends, but others were sleeping or off doing other errands while we were there. I'm glad I got to visit with some of my friends, though. I went into the physical therapy room, where the bike and a mirror are. I thought the bike pedals were interesting when they moved, so I started toward them, but then I saw myself in the mirror. Wow, is that what I look like in my Halloween costume? I just had to admire myself for a few minutes, while J. and the others watched me watching myself! Then I went over to one of the ladies for pets and to look out the window. J. rolled over a small stool, and I thought it was some kind of a monster! I'm used to rolling things, but I'd never seen something that small roll before. I walked past it once it stopped moving, looking back at it to see if it still was stopped. Then I disappeared behind my stroller to hide from it! I didn't stay scared for long, once there were more people to visit, though. Mommy handed out pencils to everyone who wanted one, which they all liked. Many people thanked me for their treat, and I purred at each of them! You're welcome, everyone! Happy Halloween!
After we were done at H., we went to "my" store: Furever Pets! That's the place the Halloween party was at last year. We won't be able to go to the party there this year, because we've got things scheduled for that day already. Furever Pets has a video showing on their tv screen of last year's Halloween party, and I'm on it with my costume! A couple times, because there's one of my costume and then one of the doggie sniffing me! It was very strange to see myself on the screen. The lady there said I was famous because I had the picture on there. Really? She also said that I was the only one allowed to try out the scratching posts, because I don't scratch them. I just sit on them and admire the view.
I got a new, pink harness! I'm outgrowing my old one, and so it doesn't fit right in the shoulders anymore. The new one is very comfy, and easy to wear. Once it got on and adjusted, I started purring to let Mommy and the lady know that it was fitting properly. Then I got to wear it home!
On the way back home, we listened to stories of a cat and kitten who are being harness-trained. The mama cat slips out of the harness, but the kitten likes wearing it and keeps it on. The mama cat knows where home is and always comes back, but the kitten likes climbing trees! So it's good that the kitten is the one who likes the harness.
I got to wear my candy-corn witch costume to H. on Wednesday! It was our last visit to H. before Halloween, so S. suggested that we both dress up in our costumes. Yep, that's right! Mommy dressed up in hers, too! She and I have matching candy corn witch costumes. :) >^..^<
We got a lot of attention on the bus and MAX train. But there was someone way more worthy of attention who was riding our first bus. There was a mobility puppy-in-training on her first bus ride ever! She was soooo well-behaved, lying down under her trainer's seat, although she got up a couple times to sniff my stroller. I just stared at her and went back to sleep, and she settled right back down. She's going to be a good service doggie for someone who needs her help!
There was another service doggie, fully trained, who got on the bus after the puppy got off. The guide dog wanted to pay more attention to me than to his person, which was a no-no. I know it's more important to pay attention to your person than other animals, but that doggie needs some more training on that. He wanted to sniff me the whole time he was on the bus, so his person had to keep him on a very short leash and hold on to his harness to make him sit down. Mommy and I felt sorry for the person! Most service doggies are more well-behaved than that around me, so I think this one just hadn't been trained around kitties originally.
On the MAX train, we sat next to a man who spoke a few words in Hungarian and one who spoke Vietnamese. Everyone was talking about words and translating them into those languages, English, and Norwegian (which Mommy knows). That was a fun conversation to listen to! I learned that mao is Vietnamese for kitty and cica is Hungarian. Norwegian is katt, and I already knew that one from Mommy.
We stopped at a store to get pencils to do reverse trick-or-treating. In normal trick-or-treating, you go around to people's houses and collect candy or other small treats. Reverse trick-or-treating is not usually done, but Mommy likes to do it to surprise friends! Instead of getting candy, she gives people something small as a treat! Since people at H. are sometimes on restricted diets, we chose to give out Halloween pencils instead of candy. :) >^..^<
H. was all decorated for Halloween! There were fake spiderwebs over the vases in the lobby, pumpkins on shelves and tables, and indian corn next to the pumpkins. It looked great! We went into the human litter box room, because Mommy needed to use it, so I sat on the couch while she did that. All the ladies who walked by were exclaiming over me, making a fuss over how cute my costume looked and how well-mannered I was. I loved all the attention and comments, and the petting, too.
We got our pictures taken again once we got to the floor we visit. One of the nice nurses there (everyone's nice there) took our picture with her camera phone. I forget the nurse's name. That's not the one that's posted on my FB page. My friend Crystal took the picture that's on my Facebook page when we saw her after I got done visiting. :) The other one, the one that was taken while we were visiting, is of Mommy standing and holding me. I wanted to get down and walk, though, so I kept looking away from the camera. Sorry, lady who took the picture! It's just so much fun to walk down the long hallways there and see all my friends!
I visited with some of my friends, but others were sleeping or off doing other errands while we were there. I'm glad I got to visit with some of my friends, though. I went into the physical therapy room, where the bike and a mirror are. I thought the bike pedals were interesting when they moved, so I started toward them, but then I saw myself in the mirror. Wow, is that what I look like in my Halloween costume? I just had to admire myself for a few minutes, while J. and the others watched me watching myself! Then I went over to one of the ladies for pets and to look out the window. J. rolled over a small stool, and I thought it was some kind of a monster! I'm used to rolling things, but I'd never seen something that small roll before. I walked past it once it stopped moving, looking back at it to see if it still was stopped. Then I disappeared behind my stroller to hide from it! I didn't stay scared for long, once there were more people to visit, though. Mommy handed out pencils to everyone who wanted one, which they all liked. Many people thanked me for their treat, and I purred at each of them! You're welcome, everyone! Happy Halloween!
After we were done at H., we went to "my" store: Furever Pets! That's the place the Halloween party was at last year. We won't be able to go to the party there this year, because we've got things scheduled for that day already. Furever Pets has a video showing on their tv screen of last year's Halloween party, and I'm on it with my costume! A couple times, because there's one of my costume and then one of the doggie sniffing me! It was very strange to see myself on the screen. The lady there said I was famous because I had the picture on there. Really? She also said that I was the only one allowed to try out the scratching posts, because I don't scratch them. I just sit on them and admire the view.
I got a new, pink harness! I'm outgrowing my old one, and so it doesn't fit right in the shoulders anymore. The new one is very comfy, and easy to wear. Once it got on and adjusted, I started purring to let Mommy and the lady know that it was fitting properly. Then I got to wear it home!
On the way back home, we listened to stories of a cat and kitten who are being harness-trained. The mama cat slips out of the harness, but the kitten likes wearing it and keeps it on. The mama cat knows where home is and always comes back, but the kitten likes climbing trees! So it's good that the kitten is the one who likes the harness.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Happy National Feral Cat Day!
Happy our day! I'm proud to be a fixed, eartipped feral girl! When the lady opened the window today, I was right there waiting. I curled my tail around my paws and sat pretty, a foot from her, just like my momcat Leopard used to, and waited for the lady to put food out for us. I talked to her the whole time, telling her how happy I was, and she talked back to me. Then, I called to my daddy Tux and my sister Striped Girl and they came to get food, too. I could see my brother Hemming through the window, and he was eating from the inside plate with the inside kitties. He and I talk and play through the window a lot, but we're both happy with our separate lives. He says he may have another home soon.
Happy our day! I'm proud to be a fixed, eartipped, former feral kitten! I have a good life inside now, and hope to have a forever home soon. I'm still up for adoption, and no one else has passed my foster parents' tests for forever homes, but I'm still hopeful. Until then, I've got my foster family to play with, the humans to snuggle with, and my family to watch out the window.
Happy our day! I'm proud to be a former feral who chose to ask for help from humans. I was out on the streets by myself in an industrial area, then all of a sudden I had foster parents and foster siblings! I still bite occasionally, but I love snuggling and playing with everyone.
Happy our day! Yes, I was a feral kitten! You wouldn't know it to look at me now, because I came inside at 4 weeks old and am fully socialized thanks to my family. My mommy-auntie Lydia and my auntie Tabby took care of me and taught me, and my uncles Carbon and Skylar played with me and taught me. Mommy, Mommy Erin, and Daddy helped me grow and become Lady of the House and Big Kitty of the House. Feral kittens can make great inside kitties if you catch us when we're little enough to learn how to be inside kitties!
Happy National Feral Cat Day, everyone!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Therapy Cat Tales from 10/05/11
Tabby writes:
I have been visiting, but haven't been writing about it because I've been busy taking care of Daddy. His back is really hurting him. Something about a crushed disc. Is that a cat toy? I have a disk that I like to play with. Is it similar? Whatever it is, it's hurting Daddy so he wants it out of his back but can't have surgery yet. I snuggle on the couch with him and purr to help him feel better.
Mommy and I went visiting to H. today. It's fall here now, after a short summer, so it's rainy again and starting to get colder. I wore my fleece raincoat that I got last year, and people on the bus liked it! I met two new bus drivers today, and one had never seen a stroller like mine before. She had to call C-Tran to see if it was approved to be on the bus, and of course they said it was. One bus rider was mean, though. She thought someone had pooped on the bus, then she covered her nose with her scarf and walked to the middle of the bus, loudly complaining. Everyone else on the buses were very, very nice to me and to Mommy, though, and some even told her about their cats! We love hearing stories about other people's kitties. Today, we heard about a litter of kittens that were born in February a few years ago, on a deck to a first-time mama cat. The cat's human saw the newborn kittens, picked all of them up, and took them inside to rub them warm and feed them. All of them survived, but some of them had brain damage. Another person told us about a kitten that his roommate almost ran over with the lawnmower! The roommate stopped the mower as soon as he saw movement, picked up the kitten, and brought it inside. The now-grown cat now freaks out at different things, but is a good cat. I'm glad people were so nice to those kittens! That makes me purr with happiness. :) >^..^<
At H. I saw my friend T. and met a friend of hers who had come to visit her. Her friend didn't stay long, because she didn't want to interrupt my visit with T., even though Mommy told her that we were only going to be visiting for a few minutes. T. was singing and talking to me, and I was lying very nicely on her walker seat, my favorite place when I visit with her. I didn't even roll off this time!
B. was delighted that I visited with her today, and gave me ear rubs while smiling the biggest smile I'd ever seen from her! S. came down from the next floor up just to see me, and said that I was the highlight of her day. I met a new lady who had fallen a few days ago and needed some extra care to heal. She had a very strange towel that I didn't like. It was rolled up and duct-taped together! Mommy said it was to help the lady's ankles. I didn't want to lie down on the bed until Mommy picked up the strange towel and let me sniff it, explaining to me what it was. Then it was fine to be on the bed. G. is another new friend who had a crocheted blanket over her. I hopped right up on that blanket and snuggled in, very relaxed, and let her pet me for a while. I could tell she loves animals, although she said she prefers dogs. She did say that I was the nicest kitty she's ever met, and that made me purr even louder and longer for her! She's one of the nicest people I've ever met, too.
One of my friends, I., wasn't there today. We go to her apartment to visit her, on another floor. When we got to her door, S. knocked but there was no answer. S. opened the door and peeked in, and I. wasn't there! Why wasn't she there? S. closed the door and I hopped out of my stroller. Walking over to the door, I put my nose right up to the crack between it and the frame and sniffed, trying to look in. I looked at Mommy, then at S., then back at the door, and sat down, very disappointed. Mommy picked me up and told me that I. was probably out on an adventure. Not fair! I wanted to visit with her! I got back in my stroller, curled up, and pouted. :(
When Mommy was signing us back out, I ran as fast as I could to catch up with and pass S. so that I could get into the office to say hi to R. I made it to the door before S. did! I can run very fast when I want to, even though I'm a big girl! I said hi to R., but I can't stay long in the office because she's allergic to me now. At least I got to see her, though!
On the bus home, we met a very nice family with three girls. I was playing peek-a-boo with the almost-2-year-old! She was funny! It started raining just as we were walking the last bit of the way to the house, but Mommy let me walk along the side of the house anyway because that part was dry. I rode the sidewalk part, though, where I usually walk. I stepped in a puddle and made wet paw prints on the sidewalk in front of the house!
I have been visiting, but haven't been writing about it because I've been busy taking care of Daddy. His back is really hurting him. Something about a crushed disc. Is that a cat toy? I have a disk that I like to play with. Is it similar? Whatever it is, it's hurting Daddy so he wants it out of his back but can't have surgery yet. I snuggle on the couch with him and purr to help him feel better.
Mommy and I went visiting to H. today. It's fall here now, after a short summer, so it's rainy again and starting to get colder. I wore my fleece raincoat that I got last year, and people on the bus liked it! I met two new bus drivers today, and one had never seen a stroller like mine before. She had to call C-Tran to see if it was approved to be on the bus, and of course they said it was. One bus rider was mean, though. She thought someone had pooped on the bus, then she covered her nose with her scarf and walked to the middle of the bus, loudly complaining. Everyone else on the buses were very, very nice to me and to Mommy, though, and some even told her about their cats! We love hearing stories about other people's kitties. Today, we heard about a litter of kittens that were born in February a few years ago, on a deck to a first-time mama cat. The cat's human saw the newborn kittens, picked all of them up, and took them inside to rub them warm and feed them. All of them survived, but some of them had brain damage. Another person told us about a kitten that his roommate almost ran over with the lawnmower! The roommate stopped the mower as soon as he saw movement, picked up the kitten, and brought it inside. The now-grown cat now freaks out at different things, but is a good cat. I'm glad people were so nice to those kittens! That makes me purr with happiness. :) >^..^<
At H. I saw my friend T. and met a friend of hers who had come to visit her. Her friend didn't stay long, because she didn't want to interrupt my visit with T., even though Mommy told her that we were only going to be visiting for a few minutes. T. was singing and talking to me, and I was lying very nicely on her walker seat, my favorite place when I visit with her. I didn't even roll off this time!
B. was delighted that I visited with her today, and gave me ear rubs while smiling the biggest smile I'd ever seen from her! S. came down from the next floor up just to see me, and said that I was the highlight of her day. I met a new lady who had fallen a few days ago and needed some extra care to heal. She had a very strange towel that I didn't like. It was rolled up and duct-taped together! Mommy said it was to help the lady's ankles. I didn't want to lie down on the bed until Mommy picked up the strange towel and let me sniff it, explaining to me what it was. Then it was fine to be on the bed. G. is another new friend who had a crocheted blanket over her. I hopped right up on that blanket and snuggled in, very relaxed, and let her pet me for a while. I could tell she loves animals, although she said she prefers dogs. She did say that I was the nicest kitty she's ever met, and that made me purr even louder and longer for her! She's one of the nicest people I've ever met, too.
One of my friends, I., wasn't there today. We go to her apartment to visit her, on another floor. When we got to her door, S. knocked but there was no answer. S. opened the door and peeked in, and I. wasn't there! Why wasn't she there? S. closed the door and I hopped out of my stroller. Walking over to the door, I put my nose right up to the crack between it and the frame and sniffed, trying to look in. I looked at Mommy, then at S., then back at the door, and sat down, very disappointed. Mommy picked me up and told me that I. was probably out on an adventure. Not fair! I wanted to visit with her! I got back in my stroller, curled up, and pouted. :(
When Mommy was signing us back out, I ran as fast as I could to catch up with and pass S. so that I could get into the office to say hi to R. I made it to the door before S. did! I can run very fast when I want to, even though I'm a big girl! I said hi to R., but I can't stay long in the office because she's allergic to me now. At least I got to see her, though!
On the bus home, we met a very nice family with three girls. I was playing peek-a-boo with the almost-2-year-old! She was funny! It started raining just as we were walking the last bit of the way to the house, but Mommy let me walk along the side of the house anyway because that part was dry. I rode the sidewalk part, though, where I usually walk. I stepped in a puddle and made wet paw prints on the sidewalk in front of the house!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Thanks for the birthday wishes for our daddy!
Thanks for all the birthday wishes for our daddy! Every one of the comments made him smile. He's having a tough time right now because he's got a crushed disk in his lower back, so he's hurting a lot. We all curl up with him and purr, helping him to feel better. He always pets us and tells us how much we're helping him. He'll have to have surgery on his back, but that will have to be a few months from now.
Mommy's grandpa isn't doing well either right now, so she hasn't had the time to keep up our blogging. We'll blog more in a while, when we can.
Missy snuggling on the couch with Daddy
Monday, September 19, 2011
Ahoy! It be Meow like a Pirate Day!
Ahoy there, Mateys! It be Meow like a Pirate Day for all this fine day! We be sailin' for calm seas, as it be too rainy here for the likes of me and the rest of the crew. Cap'n Rori threw Carbon in the brig this mornin' for tussling with Starla in the bedroom doorway while switchin' rooms. I barreled in to try an' stop the fight, but became part of it, so I got myself outta there an' remained on the edge offerin' comments. Cap'n Rori stood alongside me an' bopped Carbon on the head each time she saw him. Mommy clapped, an' Daddy barged in an' grabbed Carbon by his scruff. Mommy got Starla from under the dresser and then the switching of the rooms was completed without further nonsense from any of the crew. Starla is now in the crow's nest on the kitchen counter, while Carbon will be confined to the brig in the bedroom until sunup.
Missy keeping a watchful eye belowdecks.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Hemming update: I'm back home!
Hemming writes:
I'm back at my foster home, with my aunties and uncles! I'm so happy to be back here! I've been running around for the last half hour, getting reacquainted with everything and getting lots of loves from my foster family, humans and other kitties.
Foster Daddy and Foster Mommy came over this morning to get me out of the wall behind the basement stairs, but I wasn't hiding there! I found an even better hiding place! It was still in the same area, under the stairs, but I was hiding behind and under a shelf in the pantry area under the stairs. I'm very proud of my hiding skills that my momcat and my dadcat taught me!
Foster Daddy and someone from the house took a mini fridge out, then moved the shelf. The man from the house called to me, and I came running out. I ran around the living space, up on the fireplace hearth, then ran around the living space again. Foster Mommy stood by the stairs to catch me if I ran that way, but I ran mostly around the open space. Foster Daddy followed me, and finally pinned me down as I ran by the couch. He called to Foster Mommy, who brought the carrier over and they put me in it. Foster Mommy took me into the bathroom and petted me through the carrier while Foster Daddy and the man put the pantry area back in order.
I cried the whole way home, wanting to be let out of the carrier. I hate cars! I did lick Foster Mommy's finger and put my paws against Foster Daddy's hand, headbutting his hand, but mostly I cried and tried to dig my way out. When we got very close to home, though, I smelled my marsh! I calmed down right away, started purring, and kneaded away at the carrier with a big smile on my face.
I'm going to be here for a couple weeks, then Foster Daddy and Foster Mommy are going to talk with the other people interested in adopting me. They are going to e-mail the other people sometime this week and tell them what happened, then see if the people who wanted to adopt me are still interested and if they would work with me if I hid again.
I'm back at my foster home, with my aunties and uncles! I'm so happy to be back here! I've been running around for the last half hour, getting reacquainted with everything and getting lots of loves from my foster family, humans and other kitties.
Foster Daddy and Foster Mommy came over this morning to get me out of the wall behind the basement stairs, but I wasn't hiding there! I found an even better hiding place! It was still in the same area, under the stairs, but I was hiding behind and under a shelf in the pantry area under the stairs. I'm very proud of my hiding skills that my momcat and my dadcat taught me!
Foster Daddy and someone from the house took a mini fridge out, then moved the shelf. The man from the house called to me, and I came running out. I ran around the living space, up on the fireplace hearth, then ran around the living space again. Foster Mommy stood by the stairs to catch me if I ran that way, but I ran mostly around the open space. Foster Daddy followed me, and finally pinned me down as I ran by the couch. He called to Foster Mommy, who brought the carrier over and they put me in it. Foster Mommy took me into the bathroom and petted me through the carrier while Foster Daddy and the man put the pantry area back in order.
I cried the whole way home, wanting to be let out of the carrier. I hate cars! I did lick Foster Mommy's finger and put my paws against Foster Daddy's hand, headbutting his hand, but mostly I cried and tried to dig my way out. When we got very close to home, though, I smelled my marsh! I calmed down right away, started purring, and kneaded away at the carrier with a big smile on my face.
I'm going to be here for a couple weeks, then Foster Daddy and Foster Mommy are going to talk with the other people interested in adopting me. They are going to e-mail the other people sometime this week and tell them what happened, then see if the people who wanted to adopt me are still interested and if they would work with me if I hid again.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Hemming's too smart for his own good!
The PDX pride Mommy writes:
I just talked with the lady who has Hemming, and it turns out he's gone in the trap a few times, but hasn't triggered the trip plate because he hops over it, eats the food, then hops over it again and goes back behind the stairs! He's soooo smart! So, she's going to line the bottom of the trap with newspaper and put a towel or blanket over the top of it, per our advice, so that it doesn't quite look the same, and re-bait it. Hopefully that works, but if not, then we'll go over there at 10 am tomorrow and dismantle the fake wall (plywood barrier) to get to where he is and get him out of there. They've already removed the mini-fridge that was there, so it'll be easier to get to the partition wall.
I just talked with the lady who has Hemming, and it turns out he's gone in the trap a few times, but hasn't triggered the trip plate because he hops over it, eats the food, then hops over it again and goes back behind the stairs! He's soooo smart! So, she's going to line the bottom of the trap with newspaper and put a towel or blanket over the top of it, per our advice, so that it doesn't quite look the same, and re-bait it. Hopefully that works, but if not, then we'll go over there at 10 am tomorrow and dismantle the fake wall (plywood barrier) to get to where he is and get him out of there. They've already removed the mini-fridge that was there, so it'll be easier to get to the partition wall.
Monday, September 12, 2011
In the trap and out again. :(
The PDX pride Mommy writes:
Well, these people just don't know how a semi-feral acts, apparently. :( Hemming went upstairs last night, tried to get some dry food out of the closed food box, and used the potted plant as a litter box. All good things! However, he did get trapped but they couldn't bear to see him so sad so they took him into the bathroom for some cuddling. Of course, the second they went to leave the bathroom, he was out the door and back down into his hiding place. The lady felt so bad that she had let that happen again!
The trap is once again baited, and she will call me the second he's back in it. I'll go get him right away this time, rather than waiting until morning. She had thought it was too late in the evening to call me last night, so I reminded her that we're night people and she can call at anytime during the day or night when he gets in that trap. So, keep your fingers and paws crossed!
Well, these people just don't know how a semi-feral acts, apparently. :( Hemming went upstairs last night, tried to get some dry food out of the closed food box, and used the potted plant as a litter box. All good things! However, he did get trapped but they couldn't bear to see him so sad so they took him into the bathroom for some cuddling. Of course, the second they went to leave the bathroom, he was out the door and back down into his hiding place. The lady felt so bad that she had let that happen again!
The trap is once again baited, and she will call me the second he's back in it. I'll go get him right away this time, rather than waiting until morning. She had thought it was too late in the evening to call me last night, so I reminded her that we're night people and she can call at anytime during the day or night when he gets in that trap. So, keep your fingers and paws crossed!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
We will never forget
We will never forget the events of 9/11.
May the lessons live on.
Lessons of courage,
sincerity, brotherhood,
community.
Faith is not a weapon.
Faith in your neighbor,
your brother,
your sister,
your friend.
Faith in your community,
shared values,
the belief that there is something worth living for.
Those are the lessons of 9/11.
May they live on.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Hemming will be coming back here
The PDX pride Mommy writes:
Baby Hemming will be coming back here as soon as he's in the trap again. :( He did go in the trap last night, and they brought him into a smaller room. He was all lovey, rubbing his head on their chins and wanting as many pets as they could give him, so at least they saw his sweet side! The second he saw the door open, though, he was out and ran to his hiding spot again. He's just not happy there, so they baited the trap again and will let us know when he's trapped. We'll go get him probably tomorrow and bring him back here.
I'm just so discouraged, because we really thought he'd do ok with another family! Even though he was born feral, he's just so social that we really want him to have a family of his very own. :( I guess he just needs more time. I think we'll ask the next people on the list if they want to come over here and meet him after another week or so, to give him time to get used to them in an environment where he feels secure.
Baby Hemming will be coming back here as soon as he's in the trap again. :( He did go in the trap last night, and they brought him into a smaller room. He was all lovey, rubbing his head on their chins and wanting as many pets as they could give him, so at least they saw his sweet side! The second he saw the door open, though, he was out and ran to his hiding spot again. He's just not happy there, so they baited the trap again and will let us know when he's trapped. We'll go get him probably tomorrow and bring him back here.
I'm just so discouraged, because we really thought he'd do ok with another family! Even though he was born feral, he's just so social that we really want him to have a family of his very own. :( I guess he just needs more time. I think we'll ask the next people on the list if they want to come over here and meet him after another week or so, to give him time to get used to them in an environment where he feels secure.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Foster Friday: Hemming and the Stairs
Hemming writes:
The people in this strange house saw me! When I was let out of the carrier after my people brought me to this strange house, I ran all around the first floor, then ran downstairs and into the basement. I found a very good hiding place! I'm under the basement stairs, where no one can get to me, but I can listen to everything that's going on. At night, I went back upstairs and found what I think is the kitty food box, and tried to get into it. That's when the person saw me. She said I was at the right box for the food, but I just couldn't get into it by myself. When she saw me, I ran downstairs again and hid in my hiding spot. She followed me to see where I went, then got a plate of something yummy called tuna and put it down by me, along with a bowl of water. I waited until she left, then I came out to eat and drink.
Yesterday, the lady at this house called my people and told them where I'd hidden. My people came with a trap and called for me, but I was sleeping and barely heard them. They put tuna in the trap, put it near me, and then left. I don't know whether to eat the tuna or try to get in the food box upstairs again. If I eat the tuna, it means going in that trap, and the last time I went in there I took a nap and went to the vet! I don't know if I want to do that again, but the tuna smells really yummy! I heard something about being put in a smaller room if I go in the trap, and that sounds like a good idea. I also heard something about maybe staying here and these new people being MY new people?
Note from the PDX pride Mommy:
The new family does want to keep him, so once he goes in the trap he'll be put into a smaller room with a door. They'll get him accustomed to being in there, being visited by his new family, then slowly introduce him to the rest of the house, then to the puppy. I'm so glad they still want to keep him, even though he's scared in his new surroundings. They totally understand that it's because he was born feral and doesn't really know houses yet!
The people in this strange house saw me! When I was let out of the carrier after my people brought me to this strange house, I ran all around the first floor, then ran downstairs and into the basement. I found a very good hiding place! I'm under the basement stairs, where no one can get to me, but I can listen to everything that's going on. At night, I went back upstairs and found what I think is the kitty food box, and tried to get into it. That's when the person saw me. She said I was at the right box for the food, but I just couldn't get into it by myself. When she saw me, I ran downstairs again and hid in my hiding spot. She followed me to see where I went, then got a plate of something yummy called tuna and put it down by me, along with a bowl of water. I waited until she left, then I came out to eat and drink.
Yesterday, the lady at this house called my people and told them where I'd hidden. My people came with a trap and called for me, but I was sleeping and barely heard them. They put tuna in the trap, put it near me, and then left. I don't know whether to eat the tuna or try to get in the food box upstairs again. If I eat the tuna, it means going in that trap, and the last time I went in there I took a nap and went to the vet! I don't know if I want to do that again, but the tuna smells really yummy! I heard something about being put in a smaller room if I go in the trap, and that sounds like a good idea. I also heard something about maybe staying here and these new people being MY new people?
Note from the PDX pride Mommy:
The new family does want to keep him, so once he goes in the trap he'll be put into a smaller room with a door. They'll get him accustomed to being in there, being visited by his new family, then slowly introduce him to the rest of the house, then to the puppy. I'm so glad they still want to keep him, even though he's scared in his new surroundings. They totally understand that it's because he was born feral and doesn't really know houses yet!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Hemming's at his potential adopter's
The PDX pride Mommy writes:
We brought Hemming to his potential adopter's house this afternoon. As soon as we let him out of the carrier, he scooted around the house and then hid somewhere. He hides well! We couldn't find him, even after an hour of searching! The family has had many, many cats and now has two cats and a 10-week-old German Shepherd puppy. Their cats mainly live upstairs, so they wanted Hemming as a playmate for the puppy. The pup is adorable, well-mannered, calm, and happy, so when Hemming emerges and starts figuring out the house and its inhabitants, he's going to love playing with the pup.
We talked for a while with the family, told them Hemming's life up to this point, and gave them his paperwork from the clinic. They're going to call us when he emerges from his hiding place, and we're going to talk with them in a week to see how it's going and how he's adjusting. If he isn't doing well, then we'll take him back. If he's doing well, then the adoption will be official.
We brought Hemming to his potential adopter's house this afternoon. As soon as we let him out of the carrier, he scooted around the house and then hid somewhere. He hides well! We couldn't find him, even after an hour of searching! The family has had many, many cats and now has two cats and a 10-week-old German Shepherd puppy. Their cats mainly live upstairs, so they wanted Hemming as a playmate for the puppy. The pup is adorable, well-mannered, calm, and happy, so when Hemming emerges and starts figuring out the house and its inhabitants, he's going to love playing with the pup.
We talked for a while with the family, told them Hemming's life up to this point, and gave them his paperwork from the clinic. They're going to call us when he emerges from his hiding place, and we're going to talk with them in a week to see how it's going and how he's adjusting. If he isn't doing well, then we'll take him back. If he's doing well, then the adoption will be official.
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