Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Photo Friday: Children
Feral Friday
Carbon writes:
We have a feral at our new house! No pictures of him yet, but he came last night to eat. I was at the back sliding glass door (aka large window), the same one in the raccoon video from yesterday's post, watching the grass blow in the wind, when all of a sudden I saw someone! My tail started twitching like mad, so Daddy came over to see who it was that I saw. This black & white cat, the same one that Daddy had seen a few days ago, and that had come to eat but ran off, was out there. He/she came up and ate some food, while I watched excitedly through the window. I thought maybe he would stay to talk, so I was chirping at him, but he got kind of scared by my tail wagging. I think he thought maybe Daddy would let me out to meet him, but what could've scared him about that? All I would do would be sniff and try to make friends! Anyway, he ran off, then came back and finished eating. It was all very exciting! I spent the rest of the night at the window, waiting for him to come back. He's not a classic tuxedo, but looks very much like our feral Tux from the old house, so we're naming him "Tuxedo" for lack of a better name at this time.
We have a feral at our new house! No pictures of him yet, but he came last night to eat. I was at the back sliding glass door (aka large window), the same one in the raccoon video from yesterday's post, watching the grass blow in the wind, when all of a sudden I saw someone! My tail started twitching like mad, so Daddy came over to see who it was that I saw. This black & white cat, the same one that Daddy had seen a few days ago, and that had come to eat but ran off, was out there. He/she came up and ate some food, while I watched excitedly through the window. I thought maybe he would stay to talk, so I was chirping at him, but he got kind of scared by my tail wagging. I think he thought maybe Daddy would let me out to meet him, but what could've scared him about that? All I would do would be sniff and try to make friends! Anyway, he ran off, then came back and finished eating. It was all very exciting! I spent the rest of the night at the window, waiting for him to come back. He's not a classic tuxedo, but looks very much like our feral Tux from the old house, so we're naming him "Tuxedo" for lack of a better name at this time.
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Thursday, March 18, 2010
Window Views: the Nighttime Version!
For our Window Views on Thursday post this week, we feature our nighttime visitor: a raccoon! He or she started coming by on Saturday evening, and the next night we got a video of him. We had put out food on the deck for a feral tuxedo cat that Daddy had seen running around in the yard, and the raccoon noticed the food so he stopped by to eat. The cat came two nights ago, but is feral so ran when it noticed all the activity inside. The raccoon, on the other paw, has no problem with us watching! Last night, Little Bit jumped at the glass trying to get the raccoon to play, and scared it by doing that, but then the raccoon walked right up to the glass and lowered its head, crouching down in a similar way to a play bow! So we think it's probably lonely and wants some friends, so it comes by to eat and enjoy our company. We sure enjoy it! Here's our video below! :) Featuring: Rori, Little Bit, Tabby, and the raccoon.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
No, Tabby really isn't grumpy; she just wanted down and Mommy wouldn't let her until the picture was taken, MOL! Hope you all have a great day, with lots of feasting and snuggles!
Erin go bragh!
P.S. Mommy's also celebrating the birthdays of her grandma (her dad's mom) and her uncle (her mom's brother). She's also remembering the birthday of her first pet, our angel "auntie" woofie Trixi.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Photo Friday: Nightlife
Thursday, March 11, 2010
I love music! Music means snuggles!
Spooky writes:
Guess what?! Music playing on the computer means that Mommy has a snuggle lap for me! Tonight I was flopped on the floor of the dining room after eating, when all of a sudden I heard a song coming from the computer in the kitty tree room. I knew Mommy was in there, so I went running at top speed, came around the corner, skidded to a halt in front of the computer chair, and jumped up in her lap! Snuggles, loves, and singing, all equal a happy ME!!!!!! And a happy MOMMY!!!!!!
Oh, and a jealous Carbon kitty who spat at me as I raced by and then he went and hid under the bed, MOL. I was too focused on getting my snuggles that I didn't chase him this time.
Guess what?! Music playing on the computer means that Mommy has a snuggle lap for me! Tonight I was flopped on the floor of the dining room after eating, when all of a sudden I heard a song coming from the computer in the kitty tree room. I knew Mommy was in there, so I went running at top speed, came around the corner, skidded to a halt in front of the computer chair, and jumped up in her lap! Snuggles, loves, and singing, all equal a happy ME!!!!!! And a happy MOMMY!!!!!!
Oh, and a jealous Carbon kitty who spat at me as I raced by and then he went and hid under the bed, MOL. I was too focused on getting my snuggles that I didn't chase him this time.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Therapy Cat Tales
Tabby writes:
(from yesterday's diary/visit)
Such a bright, beautiful day today! It was still cold enough that I had a fleece blankie in my stroller, but not so cold that I had to have a jacket. There are so many things to sniff and look at now that spring is coming: cherry trees, magnolia trees, rhododendrons, trailing flowers, people and dogs out and about.
H. was a busy place today, because there was a formal party for all the residents. The party wasn't until after our visit, so we had plenty of time before our friends had to get dressed up, but the decorating started early. I sniffed decorations while Mommy put our things in the office (my carrier and her book bag), then we went to see who we could find. On the way, I visited with one of the ladies in the office, and with the receptionist.
There are more people on the floor! Lots of new faces, hands, and laps! I met a little human boy, his mom, and his grandma. The grandma is living there, and the rest of the family came to visit her. The mom pointed me out to the boy: "See the kitty?" Mommy told them all they could pet me, and they all three had the biggest smiles! The grandma had heard about me, but not met me yet, so she was overjoyed to actually meet me! Then I created a traffic jam in the hallway by the elevator, because more people wanted to visit with me, and one of the ladies' security alarms made the elevator alarm sound. That was soooo loud, but I was ok with it. I basically ignored it, which made Mommy proud.
I saw all my regulars, except for one of the ladies whose name starts with P. had died. We are sad about that, but happy that she isn't suffering anymore. I guess that's what happens when you work where I do. There was another room that didn't have anyone in it, but the bedding was being changed, so that means that there will probably be new friends there again next time I visit.
I got to visit with C. twice. She got a new wheelchair, so now her legs are raised up more and she has more of a lap for me! I settled right down on her lap this time, and she was so incredibly happy! She had a huge smile, twinkles in her eyes, and petted me as she watched everyone going by to see if they saw that she had a cat on her lap! A couple people stopped and mentioned that I was on her lap, and her smile got wider and wider! :) Of course, I just settled in more and purrrrrrrred away! Then, after she went to her room to lie down for a while, we were making our rounds and stopped to see her roommate. After her roommate visited with me, I got to visit with C. again on her bed. I lay down alongside her, and she petted me, smiling.
I wanted to play with G. today! I love her bed, and she gets quite a kick out of that. As she was petting me, I reached out and tagged her hand (without claws, just batting it)! Then, I reached out again and touched her finger with my paw. She picked my paw up and moved it a little, then went back to petting me, laughing. We did that game a couple more times, then I rolled over for tummy rubs on her bed while she made jokes about the bed being too big for me. I thought it was just the right size!
M. was getting a little mixed up with her chronology today. She told me that her cat, the one she always tells me about, had been lost but had just come back home. Other than that, she was making sense. She's in her mid-80's, and doing really well for her age! Mommy told her that, and she smiled and said it was because she knew her limits and knew when to ask for help. We believe that! We love visiting with her, and she loves me.
Well, EVERYONE loves me, and I love EVERYONE! :) >^..^<
A., another new person, had family visiting as well. Her niece and nephews were there. As soon as I came close enough so they could see who/what I was, one of the men said, "Is that a therapy cat?" Mommy was happy that he could tell that right away! They all petted me and talked to me, and I did some of my tricks for them. The lady (the niece) asked for the name of somewhere to get a cat certified for therapy work, because she has a cat at home who she says would be perfect for this kind of work too! Yay, another working feline! I'm proud to have inspired another probable cat team. :)
Another lady had her granddaughter visiting, but I walked right in anyway. They said it was just fine, and the lady patted her bed, so I got up there and charmed them completely. Her neighbor in the next room was in her wheelchair in the hallway waiting for me when I got back out there, and didn't want to hold me but wanted to ask a million questions about me, my training, and my harness. At this point, I was out of the stroller walking on my leash. I wear my harness all the time, with Mommy holding my leash, for safety reasons. Sometimes I walk, sometimes stroll, and sometimes Mommy carries me. It all depends on how long we're there and how many people we visit. I love to both walk and stroll, but sometimes I get too tired to walk around.
One of the last people we visited was Mr. G. He had some papers he was working on, but he quickly put them aside when we walked in. He loves cats and had quite a few growing up and as an adult. I sat on his lap and he petted me. He said one of the saddest things, but also one of the happiest, that we have ever heard. He said, "I'd forgotten how soft their fur is." Imagine forgetting what kitty fur feels like! I'm so glad that he can remember, at least for a few minutes, while he pets me!
(from yesterday's diary/visit)
Such a bright, beautiful day today! It was still cold enough that I had a fleece blankie in my stroller, but not so cold that I had to have a jacket. There are so many things to sniff and look at now that spring is coming: cherry trees, magnolia trees, rhododendrons, trailing flowers, people and dogs out and about.
H. was a busy place today, because there was a formal party for all the residents. The party wasn't until after our visit, so we had plenty of time before our friends had to get dressed up, but the decorating started early. I sniffed decorations while Mommy put our things in the office (my carrier and her book bag), then we went to see who we could find. On the way, I visited with one of the ladies in the office, and with the receptionist.
There are more people on the floor! Lots of new faces, hands, and laps! I met a little human boy, his mom, and his grandma. The grandma is living there, and the rest of the family came to visit her. The mom pointed me out to the boy: "See the kitty?" Mommy told them all they could pet me, and they all three had the biggest smiles! The grandma had heard about me, but not met me yet, so she was overjoyed to actually meet me! Then I created a traffic jam in the hallway by the elevator, because more people wanted to visit with me, and one of the ladies' security alarms made the elevator alarm sound. That was soooo loud, but I was ok with it. I basically ignored it, which made Mommy proud.
I saw all my regulars, except for one of the ladies whose name starts with P. had died. We are sad about that, but happy that she isn't suffering anymore. I guess that's what happens when you work where I do. There was another room that didn't have anyone in it, but the bedding was being changed, so that means that there will probably be new friends there again next time I visit.
I got to visit with C. twice. She got a new wheelchair, so now her legs are raised up more and she has more of a lap for me! I settled right down on her lap this time, and she was so incredibly happy! She had a huge smile, twinkles in her eyes, and petted me as she watched everyone going by to see if they saw that she had a cat on her lap! A couple people stopped and mentioned that I was on her lap, and her smile got wider and wider! :) Of course, I just settled in more and purrrrrrrred away! Then, after she went to her room to lie down for a while, we were making our rounds and stopped to see her roommate. After her roommate visited with me, I got to visit with C. again on her bed. I lay down alongside her, and she petted me, smiling.
I wanted to play with G. today! I love her bed, and she gets quite a kick out of that. As she was petting me, I reached out and tagged her hand (without claws, just batting it)! Then, I reached out again and touched her finger with my paw. She picked my paw up and moved it a little, then went back to petting me, laughing. We did that game a couple more times, then I rolled over for tummy rubs on her bed while she made jokes about the bed being too big for me. I thought it was just the right size!
M. was getting a little mixed up with her chronology today. She told me that her cat, the one she always tells me about, had been lost but had just come back home. Other than that, she was making sense. She's in her mid-80's, and doing really well for her age! Mommy told her that, and she smiled and said it was because she knew her limits and knew when to ask for help. We believe that! We love visiting with her, and she loves me.
Well, EVERYONE loves me, and I love EVERYONE! :) >^..^<
A., another new person, had family visiting as well. Her niece and nephews were there. As soon as I came close enough so they could see who/what I was, one of the men said, "Is that a therapy cat?" Mommy was happy that he could tell that right away! They all petted me and talked to me, and I did some of my tricks for them. The lady (the niece) asked for the name of somewhere to get a cat certified for therapy work, because she has a cat at home who she says would be perfect for this kind of work too! Yay, another working feline! I'm proud to have inspired another probable cat team. :)
Another lady had her granddaughter visiting, but I walked right in anyway. They said it was just fine, and the lady patted her bed, so I got up there and charmed them completely. Her neighbor in the next room was in her wheelchair in the hallway waiting for me when I got back out there, and didn't want to hold me but wanted to ask a million questions about me, my training, and my harness. At this point, I was out of the stroller walking on my leash. I wear my harness all the time, with Mommy holding my leash, for safety reasons. Sometimes I walk, sometimes stroll, and sometimes Mommy carries me. It all depends on how long we're there and how many people we visit. I love to both walk and stroll, but sometimes I get too tired to walk around.
One of the last people we visited was Mr. G. He had some papers he was working on, but he quickly put them aside when we walked in. He loves cats and had quite a few growing up and as an adult. I sat on his lap and he petted me. He said one of the saddest things, but also one of the happiest, that we have ever heard. He said, "I'd forgotten how soft their fur is." Imagine forgetting what kitty fur feels like! I'm so glad that he can remember, at least for a few minutes, while he pets me!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Happy Gotcha Day to Meeeeee!!! :)
Today's my Gotcha Day!!!! Last year at this time, I was a scared outdoor kitty who had been living in Mommy & Daddy's basement after being abandoned by their neighbors. They brought me inside, then had me spayed the next day. As soon as I was brought home from my spay, Skylar curled up with me to reassure me and keep me warm. He looked at me, looked at Daddy, looked at me again, and snuggled close to me. Daddy said to Mommy, "Well, it looks like Skylar wants to keep her!" And that was that! :)
Now, a year later, we are in a new, bigger house, and I have a little snuggle buddy of my own: the new kitten, Spooky. I'm not sure what he wants me to do, but he snuggles close to me, and sometimes right up against me. I'm ok with that, but sometimes he lowers his head and Mommy says he wants me to wash him. I don't know how to wash another kitty, never having had the opportunity before. My purrents are sure I'll learn eventually.
I love my family!
Love,
Starla.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Photo Friday: Self-Portrait 2010
My life's not complete without a kitty or two (or more) around or on me. In this case, the two pictured were a couple weeks old. They were fosters from last year. I love this picture, but it makes me sad at the same time because we lost the tiny tuxies. They were just too young.
The joys in life and the sorrows. It all is a part of life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
The joys in life and the sorrows. It all is a part of life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Our entry for the Bird & Squirrel Watching competition

Thanks to the Furry Bambinos for hosting this competition! At our old house, we had lots of things to watch: birds, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, dogs, and the other cats. So here's some pictures of us looking at them, and some of them looking at us.
Little Bit (l) and Starla (r) looking at each other. View from out the same window as the top picture.
Baby Possum, whose mommy brought him when he was kitten-sized. He came back as an adult (as pictured) to eat almost every night.
The raccoons and possums were very polite and always let the feral cats eat first. They would watch us, and watch our humans, but we always told them that it was just fine for them to eat the food. We'd rather they ate that than stinky old garbage! We loved the outside friends, and miss them, but now we've got a whole new backyard to watch!
Therapy Cat Tales
Tabby writes:
Today we got to go visit at H. again! We haven't been for about a month, because of my being a brat to Starla (Hey, Mommy, you weren't supposed to type THAT!!!) and because of getting settled in our new house. It was a beautiful day, but a cold wind. I had my brown jacket and a fleece blankie, though, so I was ok.
We got there, went in to see the wellness directors first, but they weren't in their office. I really wanted to see them! I looked and sniffed around for them, but they weren't there. Why not? Where did they go? Mommy said we should just go up and visit with my friends, but these are my friends too and I wanted to visit with them first, so I growled low when Mommy said that and picked me up. Just then, one of the ladies came around the corner and greeted us, so I was soooo happy!!!
All three of us went up to visit with my friends. I must've visited 80% of the floor! Of course, everyone loved me. How could they not? They missed me as much as I missed them, for the ones who remembered seeing me. A lot of our people are Alzheimer's patients, so they don't always remember seeing me. Mommy told me that a lot of the people we visit are as old in human years as my "auntie" Sara Kitty was. Wow! She was 19! My human visiting friends are doing really well for being 19 kitty years old.
I love G.'s bed. It's just the right softness to knead on and lay down on, and roll over for tummy rubs. :) M. sang a song to me! It's called "Babyface", and she sang it to me while stroking my face with her fingers. I purred and purred, and pushed my nose into her hand.
After our visit, we went back to the little office and my other friend was there. S. and Mommy told her how I'd growled because they weren't there when we got there, and she laughed at that and petted me. Mommy told them about my new "nephew" Spooky, who's a floppy kitty. Mommy and Daddy say he has something called C.H. (cerebellar hypoplasia). Mommy was telling the ladies that we're training him to be a therapy cat as well. He and I won't be visiting together though, because I want to have all the petting and attention to myself and it wouldn't be fair to ask me to share it. Or for him to have to share either. He won't start his official training for a while, though, because he's not been around wheelchairs or walkers yet. S. and R. liked the idea of another visiting cat, though, so that's very cool!
Then Mommy and I went shopping and then to her class. I got canned food to eat there! Daddy came to pick us up, but I didn't want to leave (of course) so I told him that in no uncertain terms. He said I had to go back home. He held me while Mommy packed up the rest of the canned food (I wanted to eat it all instead of take it home), then I got to look at the cars going by while we drove. Did you know that cars come from behind you and go in front of you?
Today we got to go visit at H. again! We haven't been for about a month, because of my being a brat to Starla (Hey, Mommy, you weren't supposed to type THAT!!!) and because of getting settled in our new house. It was a beautiful day, but a cold wind. I had my brown jacket and a fleece blankie, though, so I was ok.
We got there, went in to see the wellness directors first, but they weren't in their office. I really wanted to see them! I looked and sniffed around for them, but they weren't there. Why not? Where did they go? Mommy said we should just go up and visit with my friends, but these are my friends too and I wanted to visit with them first, so I growled low when Mommy said that and picked me up. Just then, one of the ladies came around the corner and greeted us, so I was soooo happy!!!
All three of us went up to visit with my friends. I must've visited 80% of the floor! Of course, everyone loved me. How could they not? They missed me as much as I missed them, for the ones who remembered seeing me. A lot of our people are Alzheimer's patients, so they don't always remember seeing me. Mommy told me that a lot of the people we visit are as old in human years as my "auntie" Sara Kitty was. Wow! She was 19! My human visiting friends are doing really well for being 19 kitty years old.
I love G.'s bed. It's just the right softness to knead on and lay down on, and roll over for tummy rubs. :) M. sang a song to me! It's called "Babyface", and she sang it to me while stroking my face with her fingers. I purred and purred, and pushed my nose into her hand.
After our visit, we went back to the little office and my other friend was there. S. and Mommy told her how I'd growled because they weren't there when we got there, and she laughed at that and petted me. Mommy told them about my new "nephew" Spooky, who's a floppy kitty. Mommy and Daddy say he has something called C.H. (cerebellar hypoplasia). Mommy was telling the ladies that we're training him to be a therapy cat as well. He and I won't be visiting together though, because I want to have all the petting and attention to myself and it wouldn't be fair to ask me to share it. Or for him to have to share either. He won't start his official training for a while, though, because he's not been around wheelchairs or walkers yet. S. and R. liked the idea of another visiting cat, though, so that's very cool!
Then Mommy and I went shopping and then to her class. I got canned food to eat there! Daddy came to pick us up, but I didn't want to leave (of course) so I told him that in no uncertain terms. He said I had to go back home. He held me while Mommy packed up the rest of the canned food (I wanted to eat it all instead of take it home), then I got to look at the cars going by while we drove. Did you know that cars come from behind you and go in front of you?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Little Bit's back with us as a foster
Little Bit writes:
I went and lived with my sister Smokey and her human mommy & human brother for about half a year, but it didn't work out for me. I was very unhappy there. Everyone thought I was doing ok and that things would get better once Smokey got used to me being around, but she wants to be an only cat. A few days ago, I climbed up on top of the fridge and knocked the freezer door open, then pushed things off the counters & table so there was a big mess on the floor. Mommy walked in after being gone to a dentist appointment to find melted ice cream mixed with olive oil on the kitchen floor!
I also tried to make my mark on the furniture, which then was followed up by Smokey reclaiming her territory with her claws. On and on and on....
I really am a good kitty, and had no problems whatsoever until I was put at the same house as my sister. I guess we have some major sibling rivalry issues! Now I am with my foster parents again, and immediately greeted all their kitties and explored the house.
I would love a home with small kids, because I like to be carried all over the house and snuggle with little humans. Probably without other cats, and definitely with lots of toys! Do you have a home for me?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Paw is better!
Rori writes:
My hurty paw healed on its own! Yay! Thanks to everyone for their purrs, prayers, grrrs, and well-wishes. No doctor visit for me, and I'm walking, playing, and running normally. :)
My hurty paw healed on its own! Yay! Thanks to everyone for their purrs, prayers, grrrs, and well-wishes. No doctor visit for me, and I'm walking, playing, and running normally. :)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Owie! Hurty paw!
Rori writes:
My paw is owie! It started two nights ago when I was covering up the litter box. Mommy and Daddy think I may have hurt it on the wall or the vanity because I scratch there as well as in the box itself. It hurts to step on it, so I'm hopping while holding it up. I heard something about a doctor visit, but I hope not! They said maybe not until Monday. Mommy and Daddy have both been very gently looking at my paw and have pinpointed which of the pads is being bothersome, but they don't see anything the matter. Daddy thinks it feels a little different when he pushed on it a bit, though. I growled and meowed a little when he did that, but I let him after he reassured me that he was trying to help.
Everyone's following me around wherever I go, so last night I lay down in the litter box in the bathroom to avoid them! When Mommy saw me and asked me what I was doing, I looked up at her, meowed, and jumped out, hobbling out to the kitchen for a bite to eat. I know they're all watching out for me like I watch out for them, and I'm glad of it, but it gets overwhelming sometimes. But that's what comes with the job of "big kitty" of the household!
My paw is owie! It started two nights ago when I was covering up the litter box. Mommy and Daddy think I may have hurt it on the wall or the vanity because I scratch there as well as in the box itself. It hurts to step on it, so I'm hopping while holding it up. I heard something about a doctor visit, but I hope not! They said maybe not until Monday. Mommy and Daddy have both been very gently looking at my paw and have pinpointed which of the pads is being bothersome, but they don't see anything the matter. Daddy thinks it feels a little different when he pushed on it a bit, though. I growled and meowed a little when he did that, but I let him after he reassured me that he was trying to help.
Everyone's following me around wherever I go, so last night I lay down in the litter box in the bathroom to avoid them! When Mommy saw me and asked me what I was doing, I looked up at her, meowed, and jumped out, hobbling out to the kitchen for a bite to eat. I know they're all watching out for me like I watch out for them, and I'm glad of it, but it gets overwhelming sometimes. But that's what comes with the job of "big kitty" of the household!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
CH? What's that?
Spooky writes:
Mommy and Daddy both have been trying to figure out why I fall and why I'm so floppy. Today, Mommy did an internet search and they have been talking about something called CH. It doesn't sound scary. It's just letters, so why does it bother them so much?
CH, cerebellar hypoplasia, would explain my falling and flopping. It took a while, but Mommy noticed my almost-imperceptible head bobbing, which was the only thing missing from a "correct" CH diagnosis, according to what she's been reading.
Luckily, my family loves me ANYWAY, and told me that I'm theirs and that they will never leave me like my first family did. Yay!
Mommy and Daddy both have been trying to figure out why I fall and why I'm so floppy. Today, Mommy did an internet search and they have been talking about something called CH. It doesn't sound scary. It's just letters, so why does it bother them so much?
CH, cerebellar hypoplasia, would explain my falling and flopping. It took a while, but Mommy noticed my almost-imperceptible head bobbing, which was the only thing missing from a "correct" CH diagnosis, according to what she's been reading.
Luckily, my family loves me ANYWAY, and told me that I'm theirs and that they will never leave me like my first family did. Yay!
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