Tabby writes:
I'm excited to announce my children's book! You can preview it below. It's 26 pages of photographs and text, about my life and my work. The cost is $19.43 for this softcover square book. To purchase, click "Book Info" at the end of the preview.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Spooky 2's diary from Catster
First of all, Mommy can't believe she forgot my Bridge anniversary on the 6th! It's ok, Mommy, I forgive you.
As our family moves from Catster to Cathugger, we are each publishing our previous diary entries here so that we will still have them and others can read them if they like. These entries are mostly previous to the creation of "Furry Tails of the PDX pride", and are from earliest to latest, organized by cat.
The new house!
December 30th 2009 2:58 amFun!!! I got to be on harness for the first time, and ride in a car! Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy were so proud of me and impressed with my car-riding skills. I sat on Foster Mommy's lap the whole way to the new house and purred!
I didn't know what a fireplace or a fire was before I came here. I've only tried to climb the screen once, and that was when there wasn't anything inside. I talk to Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy about the fire, and am mesmerized by the whole thing.
I love the wide open spaces and dash from room to room. Foster Mommy throws my jingle balls down the long hallway, and I run after them happily.
They adopted me!!!
January 14th 2010 1:32 amI'm at my new forever home! No, I didn't go somewhere else. I got to stay right here with my foster family, who are now my REAL family! Mommy and Daddy had a serious talk tonight, and they told me that my new last name is the same as theirs now. Yay!
Happy snuggles,
Spooky T.
CH? What's that?
February 4th 2010 1:27 amMommy 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. We put a question up in the "Answers" part on here, but that was before Mommy noticed my almost-imperceptible head bobbing, which is 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!
-- Spooky, one happy, floppy kitten.
I love music! Music means snuggles!
March 11th 2010 1:50 amGuess 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.
What happened?
June 6th 2010 6:26 amYesterday afternoon, I was curled up in the dining room in my favorite spot, when all of a sudden I felt weird. Something was happening, and not a good something! Mommy was sleeping, and Daddy was taking a shower, so I ran to Daddy since he was closest. I skidded to a halt in the hallway just as he came out of the shower, meowed my concern long and loud, then flopped over and started drooling, dripping a small puddle onto my paws and the floor. Daddy cleaned me and it up, then set me on the couch so I could snuggle with him and Skylar.
Then, it happened again! My eyes went wide and unseeing, my body went rigid, and I started drooling heavily again! After it was done, I meowed a complaint and my confusion.
Daddy called for Mommy, who woke up and came out. They both petted me while they tried to decide what to do. Daddy called our friend Kellee, who's a vet tech, but she couldn't come until the next day.
About an hour later, I had another seizure. This time, I was sitting on Mommy's lap when it started. I looked helplessly at her, then lifted my tail and peed. I couldn't help it! Then the wide-eyed seizure, then drooling again, and my confused meowing. Mommy and Daddy tried to get me to relax afterwards, petting me to calm me down again. That helped a little, and I took a bit of a nap for a couple hours.
While I was asleep, Mommy searched online for vets that were open on a Saturday evening. Of course, many were not. She found one that was, and called them. It was a 24-hour place, so when I woke up (and had another seizure) she and Daddy packed me into a carrier and drove to the hospital.
The people were so kind! I had a seizure again as my purrents were filling out the paperwork, and the people immediately took me back and put me on a big table in the open room. I looked at them and meowed, and one of them went to ask my purrents if they could give me something to help calm me down. Of course, Daddy said yes, so they gave me Valium.
The vet came out to discuss options with my purrents. She said that I probably had sustained brain damage from the seizures, and there was a poor prognosis if I survived. The vet wanted to keep me in for 24 hours at least, give me i.v.'s and do bloodwork. Even then, it would be the same prognosis: not likely to survive, or very brain-damaged if I did survive. Mommy & Daddy said their goodbyes, and Mommy stayed with me and petted my head and cheek as the shot was given. :'( The hospital needs to hold my body until Monday so that the state can release it (standard procedure for anyone who comes in with seizures), so my purrents will bury my body then. My new profile picture is my picture superimposed on the bag that the vet did for my purrents to take home, containing a bit of my fur and the heart from my catheter wrap.
:'(
Mommy & Daddy loved you, Mr. Spooky kitten! R.I.P. July 2009 -- June 6, 2010
My burial
June 8th 2010 2:15 amDaddy brought my body home from the vet's yesterday. He put it on a blanket on the living room floor so my aunties and uncles could all say their goodbyes. Tabby, Little Bit, and Skylar came over, looked at my body, sniffed it from head to tail, then touched noses with each other, conferring with each other. Rori hid, because she mourns in a different way and never has needed to see the body to know. Carbon had been having fun with a catnip toy, so he wasn't keen on going to see what was on the blanket. He was more interested in the box that Daddy had brought home. But Daddy said he couldn't jump in the box, and wanted him to look at the blanket. He didn't quite know why. Mommy picked him up and placed him nose-to-nose with my body. He was kind of afraid of me while I was alive, because he doesn't consider kittens to be cats until they are at least a year old, for some reason. But he sniffed because he was that close, then realized what he was sniffing. He looked at Tabby, who was right beside him, touched noses with her, then looked at Mommy and Daddy and walked away to the other end of the house.
After everyone had sniffed and said their goodbyes, conferring with the others about it, and even Starla had come to say her goodbyes (Mommy brought her out to see and sniff), Daddy carried my body out to the backyard. He and Mommy buried my body in a corner of the yard, at a spot where you can see and hear the geese in the marsh next door. I loved to see and hear the geese, and even got to see one fly one day when I had gone out on leash to the back deck!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Happy Birthday to Tabby!!!
What, you mean it's my birthday again already???? Wow! Mommy says I'm 6 years old today. I don't feel like I'm 6 years old! Today, I'm going to sleep on top of the folded laundry on the dresser until Mommy gets up, then I'll watch for Tuxie & Leopard to come eat while I eat my breakfast. After napping a bit more, I'm going to play with Heimdall, Freya, Little Bit, and maybe our foster cat Missy if she wants to play. Then, I'll nap with Mommy when she takes her nap. After that, who knows what I'll do for the rest of the day? Probably more of the same. If it's nice weather, Mommy will take me out for a birthday stroll like she did yesterday. Well, yesterday was my visiting day, but I walked almost half a block y myself on the weay back! It was just such a nice day to walk and feel the sun on my fur! I'll write about my visit later on today.
Love,
Tabby.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Happy Birthday to Carbon!!!
Happy birthday to me!!!! This is how I'll spend my birthday: wake up and annoy Tabby and Rori by leaving a stinkbomb in the box in the bedroom, then run around playing. Crash on the bed until Mommy wakes up, then watch as she brings Starla into the bedroom. Then I'll run out to the window and see if any friends are in the backyard, followed by eating and playing with everyone. I'll try to get Missy Kitty to play (she played with Freya a little yesterday), but I'm still wary of her because she's got a strong left hook. Then running around playing with some of my favorite toys, snuggling with Mommy and Daddy, and snuggling with shoes. Yep, I'm looking forward to enjoying MY day! :) Mommy and Daddy say they can't quite believe I'm 6 years old already!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Baby-Dot & Baby-Tuxie's diary from Catster
As our family moves from Catster to Cathugger, we are each publishing our previous diary entries here so that we will still have them and others can read them if they like. These entries are mostly previous to the creation of "Furry Tails of the PDX pride", and are from earliest to latest, organized by cat.
Gone too soon
September 22nd 2009 12:26 amBaby-Dot here. I was only with my last foster family for a week. I left for the Bridge when I was 2 1/2 weeks old. Foster Mommy was worried because I never ate as much as my brother, and wasn't as active as he. I was nursing from the bottle when I died, in Foster Mommy's hands. She had taken us to her work so she could feed us after her class, so she called Foster Daddy and he came and got her. My brother was snuggling with my body, so Foster Mommy picked up my body and petted it, kissed it, and arranged the fur. She settled the tiny paws and set the body back into our tote.
At the same time I died, even though I was away from home, Skylar knew. He woke up from a nap and walked over to sit with Foster Daddy in the chair.
Foster Daddy dug a hole by where Lydia and Sara are buried in the backyard, burying my body there. He stroked my fur and both of them told me how sorry they were that I had to leave so early. They told me they loved me, and how they had tried their best to give me what I needed. I know they did their best for me.
Foster Mommy called the lady who cared for me for the first 1 1/2 weeks, and they both cried while talking.
Both brothers are angel kittens now
September 22nd 2009 2:39 amBaby-Tuxie just left us as well. I took him out to feed him, and he barely meowed. He had been screaming his lungs out, but barely made a sound this time and he was so cold. My husband held him while he went through the same things his brother had.
We buried him in the backyard next to his brother. We think that they had some kind of infection, and had no resistance because they never nursed from their mama cat.
Rest in peace, little ones. We loved you both!
KMR powder warning!
October 7th 2009 1:36 pmEveryone who fosters needs to check the smell of their KMR powder! If it does NOT smell like milk, call PetAg (the company that makes it) at 800-323-0877 and tell them. They will send out a replacement in liquid form.
The rancid KMR powder is due to excessive heat while shipping! It is NOT a manufacturing issue or anything related to PetAg. It is the fault of the shipping companies letting the product sit in enclosed trailers in the summer heat.
There is no way to tell which packages will be rancid before they are opened. It is not by lot number or by expiration date. It is by when and how they were shipped.
PetAg is being very nice about this issue. Our foster mommy called about our can, and the lady was extremely polite and kind. She is sending liquid replacement that can be stored for up to a year and a half, and sending a call label so the rancid powder can be sent back free of charge.
They are going to reformulate KMR powder so that it stands up better to extreme heat and doesn't separate as much. The liquid wasn't affected at all.
The lady said that some of the symptoms we had (diarrhea, listlessness) could have been caused by the powder, but since we didn't have the vomiting usually associated with food poisoning that it wasn't the whole story.
Please, please, PLEASE pass this on to individuals and organizations who foster!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Missy Update: Back from the vet, and I'm NOT a kitten!
Foster Mommy put me into a box today and Foster Daddy took me out to the car. I thought they might be getting rid of me, taking me back to where they found me, but they said they were taking me to the doctor to see if I had any icky diseases or not. Then, if I was negative for diseases, I could start meeting the other cats in the household! I thought that sounded ok, so I crouched in the box (carrier) on Foster Mommy's lap and yelled at the cars. I liked seeing all the cars on the freeway.
At the vet, I did extremely well, not talking much and going right over to the vet. His name is Dr. Bob, and he loves kitties. He sat on the floor and let me come right up to him and sniff him! Wow! He checked me over, and I purred for him. Then the vet tech took me into the back and the vampires took some of my blood and shaved my tummy.
The good news is that I'm negative for diseases. The ok news is that I've not been spayed. The surprising news is that I'm about 2 1/2 years old! I'm just a petite cat! The vet gave me a tentative birthdate of Jan. 1, 2009. I'm 6.5 lbs, and about the same size as a year-old cat, but that's a pretty healthy weight for me.
I'm hanging out on a blankie in the living room, under the end table, now. I've met the other kitties here, and hissed at most of them. Tabby came a bit too close, so I swatted her, and then she backed off after going to Foster Mommy for reassurance. Freya keeps her distance, but I can tell she's curious about me. Heimdall isn't sure about me so isn't coming too close. The rest are taking their time investigating, which suits me just fine.
At the vet, I did extremely well, not talking much and going right over to the vet. His name is Dr. Bob, and he loves kitties. He sat on the floor and let me come right up to him and sniff him! Wow! He checked me over, and I purred for him. Then the vet tech took me into the back and the vampires took some of my blood and shaved my tummy.
The good news is that I'm negative for diseases. The ok news is that I've not been spayed. The surprising news is that I'm about 2 1/2 years old! I'm just a petite cat! The vet gave me a tentative birthdate of Jan. 1, 2009. I'm 6.5 lbs, and about the same size as a year-old cat, but that's a pretty healthy weight for me.
I'm hanging out on a blankie in the living room, under the end table, now. I've met the other kitties here, and hissed at most of them. Tabby came a bit too close, so I swatted her, and then she backed off after going to Foster Mommy for reassurance. Freya keeps her distance, but I can tell she's curious about me. Heimdall isn't sure about me so isn't coming too close. The rest are taking their time investigating, which suits me just fine.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Therapy Cat Tales from 5/18/11
Tabby writes:
So sorry this note is a week late, but we've been busy with our little visitor! ;)
Last Wednesday, when Mommy said it was visiting day I went to eat one more bite of food and then she put me in my stroller and away we went! One of the bus drivers laughed at my stroller, because he'd never seen a cat stroller before. I just looked at him and meowed!
At H., my friends who normally greet me before I start working weren't there, but I saw someone else I knew. Then, I went up in the elevator to do my rounds. P. was sitting by the fishtank, and giggled when I paid more attention to the fishies than to her. But they were interesting! Then I went over to see D. on the other side of the wall, and saw more fishies! A big, black one was waving its tail just out of reach, taunting me!
T. was sitting in a chair with her walker in front of her when I strolled up. She invited me onto her lap, so I hopped up, but then I noticed her walker. I walked on her lap to her knees, then jumped over to the seat on her walker and curled up. She loved it! She kept telling me how everyone loves me. <3 <3 <3
Some people were sleeping, and others were not there, so we didn't visit as much as I'd have liked to. We did see one new person, though. H. (the person, not the place) has a new hip replacement, so she was in bed with a bag of ice on her leg. She was sooo glad to see me! She lives on one of the other floors, but because of her surgery she was on our floor for recovering. I curled up inbetween her feet for a bit, then walked up and sat on her so she could pet me. Then back to her feet. Her daughter, C., came in for a visit after a while, and was glad to see me there! C. had seen "Tabby the Cat" on the schedule for the floor, and wondered what that could be! It was me! Even when H. gets better, she may still come down to see me on my visiting days. Purrrrrrrs!
So sorry this note is a week late, but we've been busy with our little visitor! ;)
Last Wednesday, when Mommy said it was visiting day I went to eat one more bite of food and then she put me in my stroller and away we went! One of the bus drivers laughed at my stroller, because he'd never seen a cat stroller before. I just looked at him and meowed!
At H., my friends who normally greet me before I start working weren't there, but I saw someone else I knew. Then, I went up in the elevator to do my rounds. P. was sitting by the fishtank, and giggled when I paid more attention to the fishies than to her. But they were interesting! Then I went over to see D. on the other side of the wall, and saw more fishies! A big, black one was waving its tail just out of reach, taunting me!
T. was sitting in a chair with her walker in front of her when I strolled up. She invited me onto her lap, so I hopped up, but then I noticed her walker. I walked on her lap to her knees, then jumped over to the seat on her walker and curled up. She loved it! She kept telling me how everyone loves me. <3 <3 <3
Some people were sleeping, and others were not there, so we didn't visit as much as I'd have liked to. We did see one new person, though. H. (the person, not the place) has a new hip replacement, so she was in bed with a bag of ice on her leg. She was sooo glad to see me! She lives on one of the other floors, but because of her surgery she was on our floor for recovering. I curled up inbetween her feet for a bit, then walked up and sat on her so she could pet me. Then back to her feet. Her daughter, C., came in for a visit after a while, and was glad to see me there! C. had seen "Tabby the Cat" on the schedule for the floor, and wondered what that could be! It was me! Even when H. gets better, she may still come down to see me on my visiting days. Purrrrrrrs!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Up for Adoption: Missy the Torbie!
Hello! Foster Mommy said I can write my story here in hopes of getting adopted faster. So, here's my story, as much as I've told the humans:
I was hanging around Norse Hall, just south of the Franz Bakery, in Portland, OR, on Friday night. It's a busy neighborhood, with four bus lines, major streets, a lot of industrial buildings of various kinds, and near a highway. There are some houses, but not many. Anyway, I was outside Norse Hall, telling the world that I needed food and attention, and hoping someone would listen. Foster Mommy was teaching a class, and her whole class stopped when they heard me yowl. Everyone looked at Foster Mommy, knowing that she was going to investigate the cat outside. Sure enough, she came out to see me.
I was a bit scared of her at first, although she looked like someone who wouldn't hurt me. I have some bad memories of humans, though, so I was wary. I looked at her, went toward her, then ran away under a dumpster. She followed me over there and knelt down to look at me and talk to me, so I came back out and sniffed her hand. She picked me up and scruffed me, asking a passerby to go inside and tell Foster Daddy (who was in the office) that she'd caught me. Foster Daddy came out and held me, asking her what she wanted to do since I couldn't go inside the building. I was still talking, telling them I wanted down and wanted some food. They decided to put me in their car until after Foster Mommy's class was over, then take me home with them. They could see that I had a deliberate cut on my left ear, done by a vet to mark me as a spayed feral, but I'm not feral.
I was put in their car and immediately explored the back seat, then the front seats, then hopped up into the back window to look out. The humans went inside the building again, so I sniffed around and found some cat food on the floor of the back seat. I wasn't sure about it, since I haven't had kibble that many times, but I tried it because I was so hungry. Then I curled up in the driver's seat for a snooze.
When the humans came back and opened the door, I made a break for it, running under some trucks in the next driveway. The humans followed, and eventually I came within reach again, but only after going behind a chain link fence where they couldn't get me. They talked me out of there and caught me again, bringing me back into the car. The whole way to their home, I was wedged between the driver's seat and the door, where I felt safe but could still have Foster Daddy pet me. That helped calm me down somewhat, even though I talked and talked.
They brought me into their house, and I saw and smelled the other cats (and hissed at them). I was scared about being in a house, but I didn't struggle much. They took me to the office room (computer room), where there was a litter box already set up, and brought in food and water bowls. I ate a few bites, then huddled under the computer desk.
Later on, Foster Mommy came in to type, and she brought another kind of food. This new kind smelled like what I'd had before, or at least smelled like food to me, so I gobbled it up from its little container. Foster Mommy was so happy that I ate something, because I'm really skinny (and a bit dehydrated). Later on, I drank a lot more water, ate a lot more, and used the litter box, then curled up on a fabric-covered binder that I found on the floor.
Saturday, Foster Mommy and Foster Daddy each spent time with me. Foster Mommy especially spent a lot of time in the room, and she brought in her cereal. I'd never smelt it before, but her soymilk seemed yummy enough that I jumped up on the computer desk to try to steal it. She petted me, and I curled up in her lap for the first time and purred. When she came in again to type for longer, I hopped up again on her lap for more cuddles and petting. Today, I even sat on Foster Daddy's lap for a few minutes while he petted me.
Here is my description:
Female tortoiseshell/tabby (torbie), approximately 8 months old.
Left ear recently cut to mark her as a spayed feral.
Recently spayed.
Flinches when left ear tip or spay area is touched.
Loves to be petted and held, will let you pick her up by her front shoulders. Loves chin scritches and neck rubs.
Very talkative, wanting someone in the room with her all the time.
Hisses at the other cats when they peek under the door at her or put their paws under.
Was found in the vicinity of the Franz Bakery in Portland, OR, on 5/20/11. Had been hanging around for at least 2 weeks before she was caught. Was fixed within the last 2 months, probably.
I am definitely NOT feral!
No one has put up flyers or put ads in the paper or on websites about me, so I was probably written off as a feral.
If you or someone you know would like to adopt me, please leave a comment here so my foster parents can contact you. We are asking for a small adoption fee, the name of the vet you use, a brief history of your pet ownership, and (if you're in the area) a home visit where I would come to your home to meet you and check out the place for potential hazards (electrical wires, plastic bags, string, etc.) to see if I would be the right cat for you.
I'm only adoptable to an inside-only home. No more running the streets for me.
Here's a nice slideshow that Foster Mommy put together for me. Feel free to share it with any potential adopters.
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| Slideshow made with Smilebox |
Friday, May 13, 2011
Feral Friday: Update on Leopard
Leopard:
I came by this morning and surprised the lady! Well, she surprised me, too! I was pawing at the food place, trying to get some food out of the space in-between the boards where it had fallen, and looked up and there was the lady. She put more food out, but I decided to come back for it later. I had my kittens, but I'm not telling where my nest is. I may bring them by when they're old enough to come to the food place.
I came by this morning and surprised the lady! Well, she surprised me, too! I was pawing at the food place, trying to get some food out of the space in-between the boards where it had fallen, and looked up and there was the lady. She put more food out, but I decided to come back for it later. I had my kittens, but I'm not telling where my nest is. I may bring them by when they're old enough to come to the food place.
Mommy's kitty tattoo!
Mommy got a kitty tattoo yesterday, in memory of Skylar & Lydia! A friend picked her up from the house, and when she came back she was wearing a bright blue bandage. She smelled funny, but she wouldn't let us sniff the bandage closely. Later on, she took it off and then we could see the design! Wow, it looks like them, and like Freya & Heimdall, too!
Concept drawing by one of Mommy's friends, based on a design Mommy suggested.
Transferred to Mommy's right arm just below her shoulder.
Outline tattooed, and then the final tattoo.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Almost-Wordless Wednesday: Portland Pet Expo!
Tabby writes:
Last Saturday, I went to the Portland Pet Expo with Mommy, Erin, & JJ. We had a blast! I got to see lots of doggies and I also saw lizards and snakes! Plus, there were a lot of people who wanted to say hi to me and pet me. I stayed in my stroller most of the time, relaxing but watching everyone and everything.
Last Saturday, I went to the Portland Pet Expo with Mommy, Erin, & JJ. We had a blast! I got to see lots of doggies and I also saw lizards and snakes! Plus, there were a lot of people who wanted to say hi to me and pet me. I stayed in my stroller most of the time, relaxing but watching everyone and everything.
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| Slideshow design made with Smilebox |
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Therapy Cat Tales from 5/4/11
Tabby writes:
Wow, today was so warm that I didn't need my extra coat! I had a snuggle blankie, though. On the first bus, I heard about a cat who went through a dryer and lived, and one that didn't. Please be careful that your pets don't get into your laundry as it's going into the washer or dryer! The first bus driver wasn't sure he could let me on the bus in my stroller, so he kept on calling his boss on the radio to make sure it was ok to have me riding in my zipped-up stroller. He'd never seen a stroller designed specifically for pets before. On the second bus, I heard all about a bird that lived at a nursing home. It would fetch slippers, put itself in "time out", and greet all the residents by name. Wow, that's one smart bird!
I met some new friends today, and one lady came down from her room on another floor specifically to visit with me! I sat on laps, made nests on beds, and got lots of pets, chin scritches, and tummy rubs. Yay! I was kind of sad, though, because a couple of my friends didn't want to visit with me today. Mommy and S. asked them if they'd like to see me, and they said, "No, not today." G. didn't know I was there to visit with her. She thought that S. was asking if I was her cat, rather than asking if she'd like me to visit. When we left, the receptionist thought that I might not be feeling well because I curled up in a fur circle in my stroller. Mommy tried to explain that visiting takes a lot out of me, but we don't think the receptionist quite got the idea. No, I wasn't sick, I was just very tired!
After we got off the last bus, I jumped out of the stroller and walked alongside Mommy, looking at the grass, road, sidewalk, marsh, and everything else around me. I walked a long way! Mommy took some good pictures of me, and the tip of my tail was wagging in excitement!
Wow, today was so warm that I didn't need my extra coat! I had a snuggle blankie, though. On the first bus, I heard about a cat who went through a dryer and lived, and one that didn't. Please be careful that your pets don't get into your laundry as it's going into the washer or dryer! The first bus driver wasn't sure he could let me on the bus in my stroller, so he kept on calling his boss on the radio to make sure it was ok to have me riding in my zipped-up stroller. He'd never seen a stroller designed specifically for pets before. On the second bus, I heard all about a bird that lived at a nursing home. It would fetch slippers, put itself in "time out", and greet all the residents by name. Wow, that's one smart bird!
I met some new friends today, and one lady came down from her room on another floor specifically to visit with me! I sat on laps, made nests on beds, and got lots of pets, chin scritches, and tummy rubs. Yay! I was kind of sad, though, because a couple of my friends didn't want to visit with me today. Mommy and S. asked them if they'd like to see me, and they said, "No, not today." G. didn't know I was there to visit with her. She thought that S. was asking if I was her cat, rather than asking if she'd like me to visit. When we left, the receptionist thought that I might not be feeling well because I curled up in a fur circle in my stroller. Mommy tried to explain that visiting takes a lot out of me, but we don't think the receptionist quite got the idea. No, I wasn't sick, I was just very tired!
After we got off the last bus, I jumped out of the stroller and walked alongside Mommy, looking at the grass, road, sidewalk, marsh, and everything else around me. I walked a long way! Mommy took some good pictures of me, and the tip of my tail was wagging in excitement!
We're almost home! *sits up big and tall in the stroller*
Wow, what's that car doing? I know I'm safe on the sidewalk!
Ready to walk again
Relaxing in the sunshine
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Shadow's diary from Catster
As our family moves from Catster to Cathugger, we are each publishing our previous diary entries here so that we will still have them and others can read them if they like. These entries are mostly previous to the creation of "Furry Tails of the PDX pride", and are from earliest to latest, organized by cat.
Watch out for flying cats!
April 25th 2007 4:43 pmThe she in the green house saw me out on the porch and fed me a little bit ago. I got the shock of my life! I knew there were others like me in the house, because they sometimes come to the door to check me out and I can smell them (and their used litter). One of them has even come out the door once and started to eat my food. This time, a huge cat (I think it was the same one who ate my food) flew at me from inside while I was eating!!!!!!!!! I ran one way, it ran the other, and started eating grass. Outside is supposed to be my domain, not that cat's! The she picked up the offending cat and put it inside, then told me it was safe to come back to eat again. She tried to pet me, but I only let her stroke me once.
A few minutes later, I saw two other cats coming towards me and the porch. I thought they were going to eat my food, so I ran a little ways away and watched them intently. I saw the he watching from the door. After they were gone, I came back and finished.
I AM eartipped!
May 4th 2007 6:07 pmThe she in the green house just got confirmation from the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon that I am eartipped according to state guidelines! Yay! That means that I have been spayed, and had all my first shots. My she is so happy for me! :)
Thanks, Catster!
May 8th 2007 1:20 pmWow, I'm one of the picks for Diary of the Day! Thank you! My she got me a new food bowl, white with multi-colored paw prints on it, that I absolutely love, but the best thing in the world is having a porch to stay at and people to care about me. :) *purrs*
Tagged!
May 23rd 2007 7:08 pm1. I am eartipped on my right ear.
2. I live under the porch.
3. I always think the he is out to get me when he comes to put the trash outside.
4. I meow at the door and paw the door for food.
5. I'm friends with most of the other neighborhood cats.
6. No one knows where I came from.
7. I wander the neighborhood.
The rules: Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog.
Tagged cats:
Paddy
Moose
Elliot J. Somers
Tangie
Mario
Kotek
Merlin
Getting used to my humans
May 25th 2007 12:40 amI'm getting used to my new human family! I love them now! Erin comes out and takes pictures of me, and I love posing for pictures as long as she doesn't have the thing right up to her eyes so she looks like a scary monster (I think the camera up to her eyes turns her into one). Daddy is funny when he sees me through the door/window he taps on it until I look up and waves at me with a goofy grin on his face, and he talks to me constantly when he's outside taking out the trash (doesn't want me to run from the trash monster). Mommy always calls for me when she puts the food out. They're great.
In the house? Maybe later?
June 7th 2007 12:05 amWhen Daddy went to work this evening, I was outside by the front porch to say goodbye to him. I always know when he's leaving or coming back from work, and drop by to say hi. :) He waved and talked to me, but I was on my way to the back porch to be fed. Mommy was there, but I beat her to it, and was meowing at the door. I didn't run when she opened it like I usually do, but stared into the space, trying to figure out if I was brave enough to venture in. I walked around a little bit, trying to decide, then put one paw over the frame. Nope, didn't want to go in today. Mommy, this is what I want! (pawed the food bowl) She bent down to try to coax me over, but I stood my ground this time. Suddenly, my eyes got wild again for a minute, and Mommy turned around to see Skylar crouched right behind her, not wanting to come out this time (no food in the dish for him to guard from me, I guess), just watching me and checking me out. She closed the door to get the food scoop, and opened it with Carbon looking out the door at me! Carbon doesn't want to come out and play, because he's as scared of outside as I am of inside, but we had fun communicating in our non-sound little way, sniffing and body language. Then the big outside tom who's my best friend came, and I greeted him happily, rubbing along him because he's my bestie, and we ate together.
Two paws inside!
June 19th 2007 12:41 amTwo days late writing this entry because Mommy hasn't had time to be meowed to until now.
I went two paws inside! :) Houses are scary, but I think it'll be ok. The cat who flew at me before, Skylar, was coming to see me as I was thinking about coming inside, so Erin put him into another room and closed the door. I looked around, just to make sure he was gone, then cautiously put one paw over the doorframe. I looked up at Erin to see if this was ok to do, then put my other front paw inside. Uh oh! Black and white cat alert! I thought it was Skylar, and ran back outside, but my nose told me it was another cat who just looked like Skylar. I haven't officially met this other cat, so I was being safe and ran. Erin told Mommy and Daddy, and they all are so proud of me for adventuring in!
A close call!!!
February 11th 2008 11:37 pmSpongebob and I had a close call on Friday! Karen was just leaving the house, and we were across the street. Of course, we came running to say hi, and I rolled over on the street because I was so happy! :) We got to the other side of the street after greeting her, then realized she wasn't following. A truck was a couple houses away, but Spongebob knew he had time to get back across before it got there. I didn't look (! I usually always look!), just followed along behind Spongebob, and Karen shouted and waved. Luckily, the lady driving the truck was paying attention and slowed down, but it was too close and shook up all involved. Karen made sure to call Scott and watched while he put food out and we went and ate. Karen called us goofs for almost getting hit! I'm so glad she was there to protect us! *shudders*
A shaken up
Shadow Kitty
Interlopers!
October 28th 2008 1:00 pmI thought these new ones would be gone soon, so I didn't think much of sharing the porch with them. But now it seems they're here for good! They eat from MY food bowl, drink from MY water bowl, and barge in when it's MY turn to be on the porch! Mommy lets them inside and pets them, so I guess they're ok, but they can be annoying. She calls the little ones Baby Chiba, Fluffy Girl, and Smokey, and the mama one Mama Chiba. I tolerate them, but I also have to show them who's boss. I've hissed, swatted, told them off, but still they keep coming back! I don't mind when the other ferals eat there, hey, we all have to have a food source, but these other ones have another home. Why do they need to eat here?
The white stuff is here again!
December 14th 2008 8:16 pmOh no! When I woke up this morning, the cold white stuff was coming down from the sky! I have to jump through it or plow through it, because it's up to my tummy. I came and ate this afternoon, but the snow had almost completely covered the food bowl. NOT HAPPY!!! When the lady opened the door and called to me, I actually came in to the kitchen a little ways, then saw Tabby and headed back out. She put Tabby in another room, then opened the door again. I came in about a foot, but didn't feel comfortable staying inside. At least I was warmer for about two minutes while I stood there, though! She put food in a protected area of the porch, on the bottom of a shelf that's under the kitchen window, so we'll have food still during this storm.
We now have a blogspot!
January 29th 2009 6:21 pmWe now have an actual blog! You can read it here. Of course, we're still going to be updating our Catster diaries as well.
Not seen
March 3rd 2009 1:06 pmThe people in the green house haven't seen me for over a week. I may be coming when they're not looking, but they usually see me out and about. SpongeBob's been around, but not me.
I'm here
March 4th 2009 7:04 pmMommy saw me this afternoon. I'm doing fine, just very hungry. She thinks I may have been hiding from all the construction people.
Breakthrough!!!
September 29th 2009 2:49 amYesterday I had a great idea! The other people who feed me and take care of me haven't been around as much, so when I went over to the green house for my usual meal I stared at the lady for a while without eating. She figured I wanted some water, so she came out with the mug to fill the bowl. Nope, that's not what I wanted, but I head-butted the mug to tell her that I appreciated the thought. She asked me what I wanted, and I rubbed up against the porch step then stared right at her. Finally, she got the idea!
I let her put her hand up to me, and then sniffed it and arched my back a little. She put her hand on my soft fur and petted me ever so gently. We were both shy about me being petted, but she was gentle and I turned around and around to be petted on both sides and my back. I even let her pet all the way from the back of my ears to the tip of my tail!
Then, finally, after about 5 minutes of me allowing her to pet, she said she had to go back inside. I didn't want her to stop petting me, so I followed her up the porch. She pet me one last time, and then went back inside. I stared at the door, wanting her to come back out again.
Later on, when I went back for my next meal, the man was there watching me from the door. I looked at him, then looked around for the lady. He said she had gone someplace else, but she'd be back later. Maybe today she'll be there and pet me some more?
Not quite sure what's going on....
December 29th 2009 12:11 amI'm not quite sure what's going on. The people in the green house haven't been around as much as usual. A few days ago, they were trying to get me to eat out of this big green box, so I did. Not too bad, same food. Then today, as I was letting the lady pet me and was purring for her, she took the back of my neck and lifted me up, then tried to put me in the green box! I realized I was inside it when I was halfway in, stretched out my legs, and the lady was caught off-guard. She didn't close the door quickly enough, and I scratched her on the way out. I didn't mean to scratch, and I was very gentle, but I did leave marks. I just was so scared, and ran toward the back fence.
The lady said she was sorry and said she'd be back to pet me again in a few days. I love her, and love her petting me, but I wasn't at all sure what was going on today!
Spongebob (my friend cat who lives across the street from the green house) said the people in the green house may be moving. He went inside their house today, and called for their kitties to come out, but there were no other kitties inside anymore! The lady said they had all moved to their new house! She told Sponge that they want me to move with them. Maybe that's why she wanted me in that box?
Not going anywhere
January 14th 2010 1:42 amThe people in the green house haven't been around in a while. They don't come home anymore. Spongebob's dad, George, said they left a note with him that they really wanted to have me come live with them, but they would have to trap me to do that. They asked him to help them trap me. He hasn't called them back about it.
The lady who types my diary for me is the lady from the green house. I'll let her tell what's going to happen next.
Karen here:
We're going to let Shadow stay with Sponge & George, because she's happy there and she and Sponge are best buds. George will feed her and take care of her the best he can, and hopefully she'll learn to trust him more. Scott's going to go over and talk with him one of these next weeks and explain what techniques we were using to get her to trust us more, and so hopefully those will work for him as well.
It breaks my heart to give her up, just as it breaks my heart to give up the rest of the Trailer Kitties, but it's best for them to stay where they are. We'll never forget you!!!
Love,
Mommy/the lady who lived in the green house.
Trixi's diary from Dogster
As our family moves from Catster/Dogster to Cathugger, we are each publishing our previous diary entries here so that we will still have them and others can read them if they like. These entries are mostly previous to the creation of "Furry Tails of the PDX pride", and are from earliest to latest, organized by cat (or dog, in this case).
I miss you.
November 10th 2006 11:46 pmTrixie, it's been twenty years today since you died. I miss you so much! I still think of you as my sister, the only sister I ever had. I'm starting my own family now, of four fur kids and a soon-to-be-husband.
I remember how you were on the day we took you in to the vet for the last time. You were so sick, it hurt to look at you. Torn leg and scratched, bloody eye from trying to get the fleas away (you were allergic to them). Ear mites on top of the other things. Mom wasn't home when Dad and I came to get you, because she couldn't take the thought of seeing you leave. It was a Wednesday, and a school holiday for me because of Veteran's Day. Dad and I came and got you, and Dad had gotten you a whole bag of fresh green beans at the store. You gobbled them right up, your favorite! I cried, because I knew it was your last meal. I know you knew what was going to happen. I could see it in your eyes. You knew, and you were glad the suffering was going to end. You were 13 years old. Dad and I took you to Lieser for a run, and some rough-and-tumble play. We couldn't agree on who should play with you the most, because we both were going to miss you terribly.
We put you in the car with the seat down in back so you could ride with us, and you put your head down in between our seats in the front. Then, off we three went to the vet's. You walked in and sat down right by the counter, as you always did, and got a dog bone treat from the lady at the desk. One of my teachers, Mrs. Short, was there with her cat (for a regular appointment) and she came over and met you and gave Dad and me hugs. You, too, and you licked her back on her wrist. When your name was called, Dad and I went in with you and the vet took you with him to the back room. He came back with your collar and tags. Dad and I both cried so much that we couldn't leave for a few minutes, so we sat there in the office crying. Then we went out to the car and cried some more.
We still tell stories about you. I have one of my favorite pictures that Mom made into a magnet, on the fridge. It's from one of our many trips up to Mt. Hood, and we're coming back from filling your red plastic water bowl. I was about 5 or 6, so it was in the last two or three years of your life. We're looking at each other, probably talking, and you're smiling that doggy smile of yours that I loved.
Your people-puppy sister forever,
Karen.
My birth family
December 22nd 2006 8:54 pmI know you're not supposed to start out an autobiography with "I was born", but so what! :)
I was born on St. Patrick's Day 1973. My mom was a beautiful Golden Retriever, and my dad was an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix. I had at least three siblings, one sister named Taffy who was all cream-colored, and one sister who was brown and white (typical Australian Shepherd) with different-colored eyes.
My first human family was really nice, but all the puppies were too much for them! I don't blame them; we were very rambunctious! They decided to adopt us out, and one of the first places they asked was the grocery store where they shopped: Grand Market in Vancouver, WA. Mom's human She took us to the store in a box and showed us off as soon as she could, and we met everyone! It was so exciting, and we got lots of pets and smiles and gave lots and lots of licks! One of the humans who worked at the store would always say hi to mom when she came with her people, and he said that he would ask his wife about getting a puppy when we were old enough.
When I was old enough to find a home of my own, the wife of the man at the store came to our house with one of her friends. Our She had just vacuumed, so I was hiding underneath the couch as far back to the wall as I could be. I hated that vacuum until the day I was died. The new Shes petted and played with all of us, and took Taffy and me in the car with them to a new house with a yard, trees, and a fence. The He met us at the door, and was quite surprised to see both Taffy and me. The Shes couldn't choose, so they surprised him with both of us. Neither of us had a name yet, but Taffy was named because of her fur coloration, and I was named "Trixie" after Trixie in the "Hi and Lois" cartoon strip.
Happy for Natalie puppy!!!
January 18th 2007 10:17 pmMy earth puppy friend Natalie got her new forever home today, and tomorrow's her 3-months woofday! What a great woofday present!!! Her first human mommy, Nancy, is going to keep her page on Dogster and keep everyone updated on how she's doing! WOOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Dogster HQ!
January 21st 2007 10:31 amThank you, HQ, for the honor of being Featured Diary of the Day! WOOF!!!!!
Tristan's in the hospital!
January 27th 2007 4:38 pmOur little 4-year-old human friend is in the hospital! Please bark a prayer for him. Updates are in the forums under "Get Well Soon" and on Cadillac and Boots' pages in their diaries.
Tagged!
June 7th 2007 1:27 am1. I am a bridge doggy.
2. I lived in Vancouver, WA, USA, with my Mom, Dad, and human sister.
3. I understood English and Norwegian, and did my tricks in either language.
4. I herded ants, making them stay on the sidewalk by putting my paws down between them and the grass.
5. My favorite food was green beans, and I would do every trick I could think of to get them, without even being asked to!
6. My Dad knew my doggie mom, and I got to go on visits to see her and one of my sisters/littermates.
7. I lived to the ripe old age of 13!
The rules: Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Dogs who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven dogs to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog.
Tagged dogs:
Bridget
Star
Coosa
Minuette
Rocko
Peanut
Harley
I've got wings now!
July 19th 2007 3:30 pmThank you so much, Kadie, and the A-Team, for my new wings picture! I love it. :)
Embarrassing cake story
December 21st 2008 11:56 pmThis happened in Spring 1985.
When my human “people puppy”’s great-grandma died, human Mom baked a chocolate cake to bring along for the gathering after the funeral. I knew I wasn’t supposed to eat it, and I normally was very, very, very, VERY good about leaving things alone (even food alone) that were on the counter. But that smell of freshly-baked cake was just too delicious to resist! I didn’t even touch the counter, just stood on my hind legs and bit just the tiniest piece off the corner of the cake! My human mom came back in the room and saw what I’d done, and I got a talking to, while licking my lips. I was ashamed, but it was so good! Human mom cut around the cake where I’d bit off, frosted it with a little extra frosting at that corner, and took it anyway!
Human mom vs. the cocker spaniels!
December 22nd 2008 12:06 amAnother time, I had gotten out to go play in the neighborhood, and human Mom went to look for me. Well, she found me alright, but I was surrounded by a pack (5 or 6) of cocker spaniels! Now, cockers are alright, as long as there’s only one or two of them, but they were nipping at me; this was too much and I wanted out of there! Mom saw my predicament, and went in screaming and kicking. It’s just a wonder she didn’t get bit! She was so afraid they’d bring me down that she went into the whole pack to save me!
It's my birthday!
March 17th 2009 9:10 amIt's my birthday today! I'm celebrating at the Bridge with my friends here, and watching my human grandma and my human uncle celebrate their birthdays on Earth. Sis and Dad are going to go out to dinner with Grandma and the family for birthdays tonight. For part of the drive to Grandma's house, Sis and Dad will probably tell "Trixie stories". That's their little tradition to keep my memory alive.
Happy Birthday to me and family!
March 17th 2010 2:54 amOnce again, it's my birthday! Happy St. Patty's Day, everyone! May the luck of the Irish be with you, even if you're not Irish. :)
Sis and Dad are celebrating Grandma's birthday tomorrow, but Sis will call her today and wish her a happy birthday. Same with Uncle Bill, who also shares today as a birthday.
When I was alive, I'd always get a bit of corned beef as a special treat on my birthday. I could smell it out, no matter how hard they tried to hide it! One time, I almost ate some foil because I was eating the beef out of the foil package, BOL!
Sis' cats do something I did, that makes her laugh every time. You know those trays from t.v. dinners? Well, that was a special treat for me. I'd get those after my people were done with them, usually from mac & cheese with spiced apples & green peas. I'd put my left paw in the spiced apple section and lick the tray clean on the other side. Then, I'd chase the tray around so that it was headed the opposite way and put my paw in the pea section and clean the rest of the tray. Then, of course, I'd lick my paw. I just LOVED those food trays! So do Sis' cats. Her husband puts the tray on the floor and they go crazy for it!
Lydia's diary from Catster
As our family moves from Catster to Cathugger, we are each publishing our previous diary entries here so that we will still have them and others can read them if they like. These entries are mostly previous to the creation of "Furry Tails of the PDX pride", and are from earliest to latest, organized by cat.
I miss my snuggle buddy!!!
October 9th 2006 10:14 pmMy snuggle buddy (aka Scott) has been gone for two days now. Karen says he's on a trip to Idaho and will be coming back tomorrow. I'm going to ignore him when he comes back, to show him how mad I am that he's not here.
I had a substitute snuggle buddy this morning: Karen's head. I slept on her pillow curled around her head purring. Tabby was curled behind her knees, but I didn't want her there, so I told her to go away. I was too sleepy to put up much of a fight, though, so I went back to my pillow and ignored her.
Playing
October 14th 2006 11:10 pmI decided to play with Tabby this morning. I usually stay away from her, since she's a little kitten (well, she used to be, so I treat her that way still). I wanted to play today, so I ran into the bedroom and hopped on the middle of the bed, then went to the side and chirped at her from the edge for a few minutes. She looked up, wondering what I was going to do, then I leaped down on her and let her chase me into the kitchen. I got bored, and swatted her, but it was fun until then. Sometimes I wish I could play more, but I'm too proper to do that a lot. The others play rough-and-tumble, and I want to keep my fur clean.
Gramma and Grampa came today, and I played with Gramma's shoelaces. They're fun to play with, and she didn't even notice right away! When she noticed, she took them away, but it was fun for a little bit, anyway. Scott and Karen like when I play, and encourage me to have fun. Scott played tails with me a lot this evening. That's the best game ever! Tabby played tails with Skylar's tail, and everyone was laughing because it was so fun. After Gramma and Grampa left, I moped around the house and snuggled with Karen. I like Grampa, and miss him when he leaves.
String
October 24th 2006 11:13 pmMom was playing with string today, and she wouldn't let me play. Bummers! :P She's making fleece blankets, and sewing them with string, so I jumped on the table to get closer to the string. She knew what I was going for, though, so I just lay down on the blanket. I got bored with that after a while, and sat on her pattern so she had to pay attention to me! The blanket was cozy.
Birthday notes
October 26th 2006 1:21 pmWe got our present: a "Crazy Circle". I love watching the little ones make fools of themselves trying to chase the ball around. I like the noise it makes, but haven't tried it yet. Even though it's my brother's and my present, we're letting Tabby and Carbon play with it most, because it's fun to watch them being silly. Skylar's tried it once, but mostly watched. There's pics of it on the others' pages, just not on mine because I was sitting on my basket watching, and that's too far away for a good pic.
Mom didn't change the kitty box on time today, so I was naughty and peed on the towels to show her it needed changing. She rubbed my nose in it! I'm mad now, but at least the box got changed.
Mom's sick
November 16th 2006 4:57 pmDad went away to that Idaho place again last Friday. Mom says he'll be back next Sunday. Gramma came for a long visit this time. She's one of my favorite people. I snuggled with her and gave her licks while she slept all the nights she was here. Mom got sick the last night Gramma was here, REALLY sick. We've all been very worried about her and snuggled with her on the couch when she's lying down. She's up right now, so we're doing our own things, but I'm waiting for her to lie down again so I can make her feel better.
Happy
November 25th 2006 8:23 pmDad and Mom are both back home. Mom came back smelling like turkey, but she didn't bring us any. Dad got us a big bag of food today, though, and my bro thinks it's all his.
Snow and Gramma
November 27th 2006 11:08 pmIt snowed today, and we got door time. Skylar and I wanted to go play in it, but it was just a bit too cold, so Mom wouldn't let us out. Gramma's here for two days, so I spent most of the day snuggled with her.
Snuggles for everyone
December 15th 2006 12:09 amMom's been really stressed lately, so I've been constantly snuggling on her lap to try and help her feel better. Today she was lying on the couch and I snuggled on her side. Yesterday, Jenelle and Tristan came over with a new person, and I knew the new person would be kind, so I went over to her and meowed. She didn't know what I was saying, so Mom had to translate. I wanted to sit on her lap, and she let me, so I snuggled with her. I was right: she is kind. I guess she lives with Jenelle and Tristan now and is Tristan's new babysitter.
Thank you, Secret Santa!
December 18th 2006 2:16 pmA box came for Tabby and me today from our Secret Santas, from the same family. Dad put it right up by me, because it was my gift (well, both of ours, but he wanted me to know it was mine, too). Mom opened it for us, because it was taped. I got a kitty teaser and a white yarn puffy! I picked the yarn puffy out of the box myself, and Mom got a pic of me doing that! I love the kitty teaser (strings, meow!). We got a bag of Temptations treats each, and other fun toys, and a stocking each, but I was most interested in the two I picked out. Thank you, thank you, Secret Santa! *sleeping now, tired out from playing*
Summer was my Secret Kitty!
December 18th 2006 11:48 pmSummer got my name for the Secret Kitty, and her brother and Tabby got each other's names!
I drew Toffy's name, but I don't think he's gotten his gift yet. I hope he likes it when he opens it!
Merry Christmas!
December 27th 2006 8:43 pmDad was very sick on Christmas. Not a nice gift to have! He's feeling better now, since we've all been snuggling with him to help him get better. Mom's feeling sick now, but not as sick as Dad was.
Dad felt better yesterday, and went out and got us our Christmas present. It's a new kitty house! I tried it out, sitting on the top nest, and then curling up for about five minutes in the bottom hollow. It's got two "rooms" besides the nest on top.
Tristan's in the hospital!
January 27th 2007 4:37 pmOur little 4-year-old human friend is in the hospital! Please purrrray for him. Updates are in the forums under "Get Well Soon" and on Cadillac and Boots' pages in their diaries.
Uff! Medicine!
March 28th 2007 6:21 pmI had to go to the vet today. I've been really hurting for a few weeks, but I've tried not to let on that I hurt, because I didn't want to worry anyone. Dad figured it out, though, and Mom took me in today. My right hind leg/foot hurts, and twitches unexpectedly. I was calm during my vet visit, even when they took my temperature (I didn't flinch at all!). Mom left me there for a couple hours while they tried to run tests and feel my leg to see what was wrong. They tried to take x-rays, but it was hurting so much that I protested. Didn't scratch, just told them in my no-nonsense way that it hurt too much. Mom came and got me, and gave me icky medicine for the pain and Clavamox for infection (my teeth are really bad, too). When Mom and Dad can afford it, they will take me in again for x-rays and a dental cleaning under anesthesia.
Hating my foot
April 19th 2007 2:30 amI'm off my meds now, and still able to jump up into bed with Mom and Dad. Our friend Erin moved in with us, and I've been sitting with her sometimes, too. She took new pictures and video for our pages. Sometimes I need help to get up into the chair with Mom or Erin, but they help me without hurting me. Today, I sat with Mom while she was playing computer games, and figured out a way to sit where my foot was out straight and propped up on the computer keyboard shelf of the desk so it was stabilized. It'll be about two weeks before I can get into the vet for my dental and x-rays (doing all of it at the same time so I only need to be anesthetized once). It was going to be sooner, but Mom has to go to the dentist and have a root canal done, so that takes the money. She wishes it were the other way around and I could go in first, but Dad says no. Since Mom and I have both been hurting, we've been snuggling together. One day, she was sleeping and woke up to me climbing under the covers with her and curling up against the small of her back. Comfort to both of us. :) *purrs*
Tagged!
May 23rd 2007 6:55 pm1. I hate being picked up or held.
2. My littermate Skylar and I have been together since we were born.
3. My favorite human is Dad.
4. I LOVE to snuggle!
5. Tabby chases me a lot.
6. I have my own sewing basket to rest on.
7. My favorite place to be petted and scratched is between my shoulderblades.
The rules: Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog.
Tagged cats:
Orbis
Justin
Stinky Sargent
Fawn
Bear
Nefertiti
Ellie
Funny snuggles!
August 31st 2007 11:18 pmI usually snuggle under the covers with Mom and Dad, and purr and purr, falling asleep with my chin on a wrist or an arm. But today when they were napping, I first fell asleep with Dad under the blanket, snuggled against his arm, then woke up and went over to Mom and put my neck and head under her chin and fell asleep with my ear around her nose. I woke up, and she was breathing right into it! :)
Whaddaya mean it's my birthday?
October 26th 2007 5:06 am*yawn* I'm going to go snuggle with Dad in a few minutes, but just thought I'd write a bit first. Skylar and I are 8 years young this morning; and, as usual, he made a big deal about it already, even though it's still really early. He came out and got pets and kisses from Mom. I got a few pets too, but preferred to sleep through it all. I get pampered every day, why should today be any different? Mom's taking us to the groomer's this weekend to get our fur done as our birthday present.
I hurt
December 6th 2007 11:06 pmI went to see Dr. Bob (our vet) yesterday, and stayed there for almost the whole day. I was very groggy after they gave me my shot, and I don't remember a lot. When I woke up, my mouth felt funny but better, and I knew I would be better. Dr. Bob told Mom I have acute stomatitis, which means that I have chronic gum disease, probably a condition I'll have the rest of my life now. My teeth are very healthy, but my gums are very inflamed (looks like masses rather than tissue). I'm on steroid antibiotics now, going in for my first shot treatment for them in two weeks. I'm on pain medicine now, and supposed to be on Clavamox but the vet tech forgot so I get that starting tomorrow.
Mom's very sad and feels guilty for not taking me in earlier, but I headbutted her hand last night to tell her it was not her fault. She says hopefully I'll learn to be better about taking my medicine, and that she hopes I'll respond well to treatment.
I scared Mom and Dad!
January 17th 2008 12:35 pmMom took me into the vet this morning, because I had tarry poop and wasn't eating much or drinking much! I did have my steroid shot for my gums a couple weeks ago, and they are doing a little better, but then on Friday this other happened. I didn't have any energy either, and Mom could see I was very, very dehydrated!
Dr. Bob took blood samples, and my blood was almost as dark as my fur! VERY dehydrated! They gave me sub-q fluids and medicine for home for the next few days, and Mom got me canned food to get my weight up and get me eating again.
The original blood test for Felv/Fiv was negative, the only good thing about the visit. The other sample's being sent out and Mom will get a call when they get the results back.
Results of my blood test
January 18th 2008 5:35 pmMom got a call from the vet today, with the blood test results. I have a VERY high white blood count, off the charts as far as the vet's concerned! That means I either am having a very bad reaction to my mouth infection, or it may be the big C. I go in for another blood test on Monday morning to see if the white cell count is better, then we'll go from there.
I'm eating my special canned food really well, and tried to eat dry food but couldn't chew it. I love my canned food, though! My eyes, though still sunken, are brighter and I'm moving around a little bit better.
Doing a lot better!
January 24th 2008 6:15 pmI've had to go into the vet's a bit more, for fluids and for more blood tests. The latest blood test (two days ago) came back with VERY GOOD RESULTS!!!!! My white blood cell count is almost back to normal! I'm not dehydrated anymore, my coat has returned to normal (actually better than normal, because of the oils from the canned food), and I've been eating and playing a lot.
The vet says I have to have at least four teeth pulled (back molars), because my infection was caused by my body rejecting my teeth! So, Mom and Dad are getting the estimates and deciding when to have that done for me.
Toothless me!
April 29th 2008 6:20 pmMy teeth are gone! I still have my canines (Mom's dad says it should be "felines", hahahahaha), but my other teeth are no more. Now my gums and mouth should be healthy, as should I overall, because they're not there anymore to reject!
It was raining today, but I missed most of it. It was dry on the stroll to the vet's, then I was inside all day. I was in the rain on the stroll back home, though, but Mom did her best with a cover over the stroller so not much rain made it in to me. Now, I'm home, a bit groggy still, in my spot on the top of the kitty tree, lady of the house once again.
I have medicine to take for a few days, and different food to eat (though I was so hungry when I got home that I started eating the crunchies right away, before Mom fixed my plate up). I know it's all for good, though, and I'm sure I'll feel back to normal, or better than normal, soon.
Mom and I had to laugh when we were going to go home from the vet's. There was a new vet tech there, who didn't know me, and she asked if I had a carrier. Rose said, "She has a STROLLER!!!" with a huge smile on her face. The new lady carried me out, and I hopped right in (of course), to her surprise! She said, "She knows where she's supposed to be!" Mom said, "Yep, and she loves her stroller."
Well, off to hide from Mom, medicine time!
Love,
Lady Lydia of the near-toothless mouth.
Mom's got a kitty job!
May 31st 2008 10:12 pmMom started her new job today, and she gets to hang out with cats and dogs three days a week! She came home smelling like dogs today, but they all smelled friendly. Of course, I had to check her hands and clothes to make sure. She is now working as a demo lady for a pet food, and goes to three different Petcos to tell people about the food. I'm not sure if the Catster HQ will let me say which food, so if you want to know you can p-mail me. I pawmise I won't give you the whole spiel, though!
Along with the money she gets for working, she also got a "sign-on bonus" of a whole bag of cat food, plus coupons for every month she works for them. We love it, because it's one of our favorite foods anyway! We're so happy that Mom's doing something she loves, with a company she loves and we love too!
Along with the normal brochures and cat food bags on the table, she gets to bring along pictures of us to share. Today she brought a picture of Tabby, but the frame broke because she accidentally dropped it showing it to someone. Now, she's got a sturdy red frame with fishies and "MEOW" on it, which is purrfect for a picture of Carbon! Eventually, she'll have pictures of all of us on the table with her at work, so she'll feel like we're there even though she can't take us to work with her.
I'm dying :'(
October 11th 2008 12:31 pmI was throwing up a lot yesterday and this morning, and have lost a lot of weight, so Mom and Dad took me to the doctor today. I have a mass about the size of an egg between my liver and my stomach, and have lost over 2.5 lbs. The doctor gave me an antibiotic, fluids, and took bloodwork samples.
Mom and Dad were crying buckets, and decided to wait until we get the results of the bloodwork back. When I got home, I was up on the couch and let my bladder go, having no control over it right then. Dad put me on the floor, and I just lay there. Mom put a special blanket down for me, and I walked over to it to lay on it, and she wrapped me in my yellow blankie. That's where I am right now, and Mom took a picture (it's my main pic now).
When the bloodwork results come in, Mom and Dad will decide exactly what to do. They want to be sure it's not anything else, but right now it's 99% certain it's cancer. They don't want me to suffer anymore, so they'll make the tough decision, but they want to have the results back before they say for sure.
The other kitties know, and they've been coming to check on me, especially my brother and Rori. My brother even snuggled with me and groomed me.
Update: 3:00 pm Saturday
October 11th 2008 3:03 pmI threw up again, not as much as before, but it still racked my body. I fell over twice, and had to have Mom help me to stay upright so I wouldn't choke on my vomit. I lay down again afterward, and Mom lay down right by me so I could be petted and have a hand to rest my chin on.
Now, Carbon's curled up where Mom was, resting by me so I won't be alone. I'm resting, not sleeping, just taking it easy. I don't have much energy at all.
Update: 10:30 pm Saturday
October 11th 2008 10:51 pmMom made fish, but I wasn't even interested in the smell enough to lift my head. She put a small bite by me, but I didn't lick it. She also put some water there, and I sniffed it, but didn't drink any. Rori came over and sniffed me, then tentatively reached out a paw for the fish. I let her take it. She tipped the water over drinking it, so Mom put a new pee pad down. When she lifted me onto it, I lay down, but my front legs were too weak to put them in the right spots. Mom straightened them out for me, and I lifted my head and looked at her, meowed once, then put my head down again.
Carbon and Rori have each been spending time by me, letting me know they love me. I had to pee, so I meowed loudly to let Mom and Dad know beforehand. I don't have the energy to clean up after myself, let alone go to the box.
Mom made some very watery canned food, put it in a bowl, and tried feeding me with a syringe. I got about 1/2 ml in my mouth, and swallowed. That was in three tries, but at least it was something. Mom and Dad's friend Kellee, a vet tech, talked to them on the phone and said to try that, so we tried. Kellee's going to come tomorrow (out of town today) and see me, see if there's anything she can do to make me more comfortable until Monday.
Skylar kept on stealing the watery food out of the bowl when Mom was trying to feed me!
Update: 8:00 am Sunday
October 12th 2008 8:22 amI made it through the night, and am awake, moving my head around. I tried to switch how I was lying (currently on my tummy with my paws under me), and rolled over, but got back to my current position. When Dad left this morning to deliver firewood, I looked at him. He woke Mom up so she can watch over me. Tabby and Rori came and said hi to me. They don't know what's going on, but they're concerned. Skylar knows, of course; brothers always know.
Update: 9:00 am Sunday
October 12th 2008 9:05 amMom went to try to syringe-feed me watery canned food, and I wanted to get up. She watched me walk, and I went in to the bathroom and peed in the litter box! I collapsed on the floor afterwards, but that made her happy that I accomplished that. She picked me up and brought me back to my spot, fed me one syringe full of food, and now I'm curled up resting again. I cleaned myself sometime during the night, because I don't have vomit on me anymore.
Update: 3:30 pm Sunday
October 12th 2008 3:27 pmThank you, everyone, for your kind p-mails, rosettes, and gifts. We appreciate and love every one of you!
I gave myself a bath for my face and ears, with Mom and Dad supervising to be sure that I wouldn't fall over. I've been resting, mostly. Skylar's been sitting with Dad, comforting him, since I can't sit on his lap right now.
Update: 3:45 pm Sunday
October 12th 2008 3:57 pmMom put the watery food by me, and I got up and walked over to where Dad was on the couch. I hopped up by him and lay down to snuggle, but then felt that I had to go pee. I meowed to let them know, and Mom picked me up and put me on the pee pad. I went pee as soon as she put me there, kind of flopping a little (no bladder control again). Then Mom fed me almost a syringe full, getting most of it in my mouth with two tries. Very weak, no attempt to clean the food that missed off my fur.
Update: 5:30 pm Sunday
October 12th 2008 6:08 pmMy friend Kellee, a vet tech, is over with us now. She has been out of the state for a week, or she would've come by sooner. She checked how I was doing, and agreed with Mom and Dad. She said that, if nothing comes up in the bloodwork, that she can be the one to "put me to sleep" at her clinic and take care of all arrangements. They all cried buckets at that.
I was able to hop up in Dad's lap again and snuggled with him and with Mom petting me for about an hour. Then, I jumped down and went into the bathroom, didn't try for the box, didn't need to go pee, just wanted to be in there on the cool linoleum floor. Mom picked me up and brought me back out, under vociferous protests from me. Once she put me on the pee pads, I stayed there, and am there now, resting.
Update: 7:15 pm Sunday
October 12th 2008 7:14 pmMom gave me 3 ml of the watery food, in two syringes. I took most of the first syringe without spilling it.
Update: 11:30 pm Sunday
October 12th 2008 11:32 pmMom just syringe-fed me 4.5 ml. She had to force some of it a little, but I'm not too upset with her. She gave me a blankie again to curl up in.
Update: 12:15 am Monday
October 13th 2008 12:14 amMy brother just came over, sniffed my head, walked around the house, came back and sniffed my head and licked me again. Mom and Dad worry how he's going to react. Already he's acting a bit lost.
Update: 7:00 am Monday
October 13th 2008 7:03 amMom syringe-fed me 3 ml in one syringe. Rori came over and sniffed my tail, and I looked at her. Last night, Sara sat within two inches, nose to nose with me. It looked to Mom like we were having a heart-to-heart talk.
I'm curled on top of my blankie now. I gathered it together, making a little nest out of it, and slept that way in the night.
Thanks for all the purrs, rosettes, and stars. We really apuuurrrrrciate it!
Update: 10:30 am Monday
October 13th 2008 10:41 amMom syringe-fed me 3 ml of watery food. She had to put Skylar and Sara into the bedroom, because they were trying to get to the bowl. She's been giving the bowl to the others after she's done feeding me my portion. She gives me what's in the syringe, but always offers me the bowl, too, even though she and I both know that I won't eat from it. Rori ate a little from the bowl while Mom was feeding me, then sniffed the syringe. She also hopped up to the sink when Mom was cleaning the syringe after feeding me, then sniffed it once it was clean. She's trying to figure out what's going on, but doesn't get it.
Goodbye, my friends! I love you all! >^..^
October 13th 2008 1:58 pmMom just heard from my doctor, with the bloodwork results. It's definitely cancer, my results are all over the place: protein at 1.6, red blood cell count at 8%. Doctor Conradi says she can't believe I'm still breathing, that I made it through the weekend!
We've made my appointment for 3:00 pm today, just a little over an hour from now. We're going to my vet for it. Mom's taking me, and Dad's going to meet us there. They're going to bring my body back and bury me in the backyard. Mom wants to plant flowers there, because I love flowers so much.
Love,
Lydia.
Death and Burial
October 13th 2008 6:24 pmLydia, sweet one, your death day was beautiful: bright sunshine, not too cold. We told everyone to go say goodbye to you, and they all, one at a time, went over near you. I carried you out to the truck wrapped up in a blankie, and you looked around and meowed. Little Smokey kitten from two doors down heard you, and he and Mommy Chiba came running to see. They watched the truck drive away from the house. You lay down on my lap, very interested in what was out the window. You meowed and peed on me because you had no bladder control, but we understood. Your dad and I petted you as we drove to the vet. At one point, you hopped up and looked out the window, fascinated at the cars in the parking lot we went by.
When we got to the vet, we took you inside. There was another cat there, waiting to get a checkup, with two little girls. They thought you were so beautiful, and we told them it was your last day. You meowed at the cat and at one of the resident kitties and looked around. Your dad started crying and had to sit down. I held you and cried.
We went into the room, and I set you down on the table. You immediately hopped down to the floor and lay in the corner. Your dad and I petted you, and told you we loved you, and how much we would miss you. You got up and walked around, while we cried and petted you. You meowed a few times, especially when you heard the other cats meowing. We picked you up to see if you wanted to be on our laps, but you wanted down so we let you be there. We kept on telling you how we loved you and we didn't want you to suffer anymore. I know you understood.
The doctor came in and took you into another room. She gave you sleepy medicine, and then the shot. You went peacefully, just as we had hoped you would. She made a pawprint in clay for us, and brought it and your body into the room where we were. I burst out crying again when I saw your body, and couldn't even look at the pawprint. She put your body, wrapped in the blankie, on my lap, and I just held it, warm but so still. We sat there for a few minutes, then picked up your body and went back home.
When we got home, we unwrapped your body, placed it and the blankie on the floor, and brought the other cats, one by one, to it so they could sniff and know what had happened. Rori wouldn't come, so we moved your body over to her. She sniffed, and then walked away, then came back and sniffed again. I got scissors and cut a little bit of your fur to keep.
Your dad dug a hole in the backyard, and I brought your body out there. Little Smokey kitten, Baby Chiba kitten, little fluffy girl kitten, and Mommy Chiba were out there watching, and Mommy Chiba sniffed your body. The kittens were too interested in playing with the dirt to realize what was going on. Your dad curled your body up in the hole like you were snoozing, and we each shoveled dirt on top. We put the old dishwasher on top of the dirt so that Seven doggie next door wouldn't come over and dig it up.
Your brother is very sad, too, and he's snuggling with us. He didn't want to eat any of my fish sandwich. He misses you. Tabby's very subdued, too.
We love you and miss you very, very much, sweetie. You are forever in our hearts. Thank you for the love, memories, and snuggles of the past three years. It is almost three years to the day since I adopted you, sweetheart. Too short, but it was time, and you are at peace now.
Love,
Mom Karen and Dad Scott.
Thank you everyone
October 18th 2008 11:59 pmMom's not able right now to send out thank yous individually, maybe after a while. But she has read all your rosette notes, gift notes, p-mails, forum posts, etc.
From Mom:
Thank you so much, from all of our family. It helps, knowing that you care and that you cared for Lydia, even though you never met her "in the fur". Eventually, I'll post a couple things that people have sent to me that are especially meaningful, but I can't do that right now. Just thank you to everyone, and know that your caring and friendship eases this burden of grief.
Thanks,
Karen (Lydia's mom).
Happy birthday, sweetie
October 26th 2008 1:24 amToday would be your ninth birthday. Skylar is celebrating by snuggling in my lap, acting like you used to. He, your dad, and I are still grieving. In some ways, I wish you'd made it the almost two weeks to today, but we knew it was time to let you go. Today I will bake the clay pawprint the vet made on your last day.
Happy birthday
October 26th 2009 12:44 amThinking of you on your birthday, sweetie. Thank you for sharing your life with us and accepting the move, our home, and our love. Thank you for the three years we had with you, and for being the best "big kitty" ever! You trained Rori well, and she has taken over where you left off, growing into her role this past year and guarding the household & caring for everyone just as you did.
Your brother's celebrating his 10th birthday with snuggles on Daddy's lap, in the spot that he knows you used to occupy. He took it over when you left for the Bridge. His new companion, Starla, used to live outside and you met her a few times through the door. She's a lot like you in personality, though submissive instead of alpha. She's a total snuggler, just like you were once you knew someone.
Miss you, love!
-- Mom.
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