Oh, Christmas Tree!

We'll get to the bottom of this!

Mommy has been working on these twinklies fur-ever and can't get them all to work at the same time.  Looks like a job for two adventurous kitties!

I think I see the problem right here...

Yep, here's the problem.

A Visit to the Doctor

Here's how my day started:  Mom brought the travel carrier in from the garage and I took off as fast as my 15-year old legs could carry me.  I tried to hide behind the chair, but didn't quite make it there before she nabbed me.  So, here I am, caged like some kind of animal...

Behind bars - so humiliating!

Of course, I knew where we were going.  The only place I ever go is to the doctor.  I used to really hate it, but I go so often now that I'm getting used to it.  And, the people there are not that bad.  I like that they have two separate doors for kitties and doggies so I don't have to see any of the barking species when I go.

A very welcoming front door.

The waiting room is all about kitties, and Mommy always shows me pictures from cat magazines while we wait.  I, of course, turn my head away as if I'm offended that she would look at any other cat besides me. 

Nice atmosphere in the waiting room.

We were called back to an exam room, and the vet tech asked Mom a bunch of questions.  I never can figure out why they don't just ask me.  I'm pretty sure I'm more knowledgeable of my own eating and litter box habits than she is.  I guess it's a human thing.

I don't really feel like coming out, I just got comfortable.

When the doctor came, she drew some blood from my arm and tested it.  She said that even though I've been eating special food, there's still too much of something called glucose in my blood.  She showed Mom how to give me a shot that I'll need twice a day, and said for me to keep eating my special food.  I'll need to go back in about a week and stay all day long, so they can see how my levels change throughout the day.  

After getting all of our supplies, we were ready to go back home.  When we got there, Chloe and Cheerio had figured out that I was gone, and thought they had total freedom.  Who knows what they had been up to, but you could see mischief all over their silly little faces.

As soon as Mom sat my carrier down and opened the door, I bolted out of there.  Chloe and Cheerio decided to explore the carrier.  They think it's a toy.  If only they knew...

OMC - What Did They Put On Me?

So, the people were out doing some shopping, and I was having a nice peaceful rest.  When they came home, they told me they had a surprise for me.  Catnip, I hoped.  Or maybe a nice crunchy sounding mouse.  All of mine are too far under the couches for my little arms to reach.

They said this surprise would help me since I don't have much chur (you know, chub and fur) and I'm always snuggling into blankets to keep warm.  That sounded great!  I wondered what it could be.

Little did I know that the surprise was going to be an instrument of torture.   As soon as I saw it, I started running.  The maid/mommy held me down and put it over my head.  I, of course, put up a good fight.  She somehow got it on me anyway.  It was terrible!  How could anyone do this to any kitty they supposedly love?

When she turned me loose I rolled and wiggled and tried to push it off.  I was successful in getting it off of me pretty quickly, but she put it right back on.  I started slinking around the house like I was fighting this thing that was wrapped around me.  But then I realized, this doesn't feel too bad.  In fact, it's kind of warm and cozy.  It's like being wrapped in a blanket and still being able to walk around.

Wow!  This must be the greatest invention ever.  A blanket that moves with you...  I wonder what it's called?

Bread Addiction

Okay, I'll admit it...  I have a problem.  It's actually a pretty serious problem.  I'm addicted.  Addicted to bread.  It doesn't matter what kind of bread, I'll take what I can find.  It could be the sandwich bread that's up on a high shelf in the pantry.  It could be the biscuits that have been left on the table after breakfast.  Any bread will do.

In this case, it was the leftover crescent roll that was in a plastic sandwich baggy on the kitchen counter.  It was sitting up there calling to me.  I could almost hear it say, "Chloe, you know you want me.  Mommy's not looking.  No one will ever know if you eat me."

So I jumped up on the counter, grabbed the bag that held the crescent roll, and quickly carried it upstairs.  I ran straight to my room, sat on my scratch mat and started tearing into it.

It smells soooo good!

The more I tore into the bag, the better it smelled.  Soon I was tearing plastic and nibbling bread faster than I could have ever imagined!  It was a terrific feeling.  And the best part was that I was safely hidden upstairs away from anyone who could fuss at me.

I can't take my face out of this bag.

Wonderful, glorious, delicious bread!  The smell, the taste, the texture; it's all so overwhelming to me.  Sometimes I wonder, am I the only kitty with this problem?  

Is it really all that strange, as Cheerio and Daffy tell me, that I prefer to eat the bread of a sandwich that we have bummed from one of the humans, while they eat the meat and cheese?  Cheerio tells me that bread is inedible, that it's just the "wrapper" for the meat.  But I'm sure he's wrong.  Nothing this delectable could be merely a wrapper.

Oh, no!  Some one's coming!

Are there any other kitties out there with this same problem?  Am I the only one addicted to bread?  

More importantly, is there anyone with easy access to fresh, warm bread that they are willing to share?

Mommy is a TRAITOR

I just found out the worst news: my mommy is a traitor.  And, she's a traitor of the worst kind!  She just spent days and days with other kitties.  Other.  Kitties.  None of which were me!

Well, first I need to start at the beginning.  She started putting her changes of fur into a big blue box.  Cheerio and I thought the box seemed interesting - it had zippers and compartments and even wheels.  But I knew something wasn't quite right.  That's why I watched Mommy's every move while she was doing what she called "packing".  Cheerio just hung around to get in the way. 

 

She tried to explain to me that she would be gone for three dark times, but I was so confused.   Why would she be gone during dark time?  Where would she sleep?  More importantly, who would I sleep with?  Mommy said some things about the grandparents who had visited us here a little while back.  Maybe she was going to their house?  I'm not really sure.  I just couldn't get past the part about MOMMY LEAVING.  

Finally, she said Daffy could explain it to me later, because she has been with Mommy for a long time and understands completely about the dark times countdown.  And, Daddy would still be here to take care of us.  He would be gone to work most of the time, but at least we would be fed and our litter would be cleaned.  And he is good at brushing me.  Maybe I would be okay.

Well, I took a few naps and lost track of the lights and darks pretty soon, so I decided to start waiting for Mommy in all of her usual places. 

I sat in her seat at the table.

I looked for her in the kitchen.

I waited at her computer desk until I was so tired of waiting.

When she FINALLY came home, she smelled so very different (kind of like other cats, actually).  In fact, even though she looked like Mommy I couldn't be quite sure.  I did not want to go near this mommy look-alike person until she took a shower and changed clothes.  Then I realized it really was Mommy after all.

You don't smell like my Mommy.  I'm not coming near you!

I was starting to warm back up to Mommy until Cheerio showed me something.  He loves to play in the garage and he saw something strange out there after Mommy came home. After going to play for a few minutes he came back and told me to go take a look.  This is the evidence that I saw all over her car:

Lots and lots of kitty tracks!

The tracks alone might not have been so bad, if I hadn't also seen the pictures on her phone.

Barn kitties!

Kitties in a basket!

Now there is no denying the fact that she spent time with other kitties instead of me.  I can't believe she did that!  I feel so betrayed.  How could I ever forgive her?  It's going to take a lot of brushing, petting, and treats to make up for this.

Mommy does make a good lap, though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oops - The Cat Was Almost Let Out of the Bag!

The Cat Was Nearly Out of the Bag Kitty Cube

Take this as a warning, kitties...  You have to be careful when you're sneaking around using the humans' computers.  Sometimes it gets back to them.

Thank goodness our human has some memory issues, or we could have been caught.

You see, we've been doing this blog and following others for about a month now, without raising any suspicions.  We even got bold enough to enter a few contests on the really great blogs that we like to read.  Well, let me give you some advice.  If you're trying to keep your internet activities on the D-L, be sure to get your own email address.  We put the human's email on our entries and then she got notices that we had won two different contests.

We heard her mumbling to herself "I don't remember entering any contests..."  Just as we were trying to come up with a good cover (our best idea was aliens), she said "Oh well, I guess I must have entered them.  How else could I have won?"  Whew.  That was close.

What did we win, you may be asking?  Absolutely, cat-tastic stuff, that's what!

First, we won the Gourmet Cat Food Giveaway from Hill's on the Pawsitively Pets blog (an excellent blog to follow, btw).  The prize is a gift basket of dry food, wet food, and treats made by Hill's Science Diet.  It's supposed to be better for our kitty tummies to get all of our nutrition from the same brand, instead of mixing it up too much.  We can't wait to try these yummy treats!

We also won a beautiful ornament for the Christmas tree from the Fancy Feast Feastivities 2013 contest on the Adventures of a Suburban Kitty blog. (You really should follow Pumpkin's blog if you don't already.  That is one insightful kitty!)  We know the ornament will look so nice on our tree.  Maybe we can get the human mom to hang it low where we can see it best.

So now it's time to just sit back and wait for our packages of goodies to arrive!

Thank Goodness Our Cover Wasn't Blown!

Kitty Yoga Tutorial

This is a special segment for you ladies who, like me, are conscious of your overall health and well-being.  Follow my routine each day and you will see noticeable results in your flexibility, core strength, and mental sharpness.  Remember, before beginning any new exercises you should consult your vet!

First, you need to lay on a flat surface and stretch as completely as possible.  

I call this my "Super-Kitty" pose.

Then, while sitting on your bum, try to touch your toes.  Stretch only as far as is comfortable!

Next, lay on your back, and roll from side to side.

This should get your spine nice and loose for the next pose. 

You will need a good place to do the next pose.  Find anywhere that is about the width of your body and that you can hang across.  I really like the back of this office chair, but the arm of the couch would also work well.  Just relax your body and let gravity do all the work!

After all that hard work, you need to find somewhere to just relax and meditate.  I prefer to use my Mommy's papers as my mat.  You could hold this position for hours if you would like.

Remember to repeat this routine daily for amazing results!  Also, I would love to hear your success stories.  Please feel free to share them in the comments.

Can I Get A Little Privacy Around Here?

So Mommy said I needed a bath today.  I don't mind baths so much, really.  I used to throw a hissy fit - complete with the hissing, scratching, climbing and crying.  But, honestly, I can't keep myself as clean as I would like to anymore and I don't like to be dirty.  Also, I kind of like the way warm water feels when Mommy pours it over my achy joints.  So bath time is actually going pretty well until HE shows up.  That Cheerio does not understand about privacy.  Actually, there are very few things that Cheerio does understand.

Cheerio was walking back and forth on the edge of the tub, checking out everything.  He wanted to know what was going on, even though he has had a bath before.  How does he not understand?  I'm knee-deep in water and bubbles because I'm taking a bath.  A bath is a private situation.  Not a spectator event!

What are you looking at, kid?

That's ok.  I'll take care of you once I get dry...

Throwback Thursday

Well, I guess I'm the only kitty around here old enough to even have a "throwback" day.  This is me at about 4 weeks old, back in April of 1998.  I knew how to strut my stuff, even at such an early age.  Sorry about the quality.  My human granny took it on a Polaroid to send to my mom to show her how much I was growing.  Mom had seen me when I was just born, but lived about 4 hours away so she didn't get to see me that much until I was ready to leave my litter.

I was in a litter of four, and our kitty mom was a black and white tuxedo cat.  I had a sister that was also a calico, though not nearly as pretty as me.  She was mostly white with just some calico places here and there.  I also had two brothers that were yellow tabbies, like Cheerio.  My human mom says she picked me right away because of my beautiful colors, and how symmetrical my face is.  She has a thing about symmetry and balance.  I think she's a little OCD...

Even though we were a litter of outside cats, granny let me come in the house and even gave me my first litter box so I would be ready to live with mommy.  This picture is of one of the many times I was strutting past the glass door, showing everyone that I was on the inside and they weren't.  Do I feel bad about it?  Not really.  I was and still am a special girl.

Cheerio is Sad

Poor Cheerio... No one wants him around.  The girls didn't want to play.  Then, the worst thing of all...  Brother put him out of his room and closed the door.  I thought brothers had to stick together.  Cheerio just wanted one more chance to be a good boy in there.  He's only been given about 394 chances, what's one more?  It's not like he was chewing things again.  Well, actually that was exactly what it was.  But why are those little cords so important anyway?  It's not like Cheerio has already destroyed three sets of ear buds, two laptop chargers and a charger for a 3DS (which was only a week old, by the way).  And it's not like the people are trying to keep me from hurting myself by taking me away from electrical cords.

Well, I'll just go somewhere by myself, if no one wants me around.  *Sniff*  Poor Cheery...

 

Hey, this spot is actually pretty comfy.  This seems like a good time for a nap.

 

What was I sad about again???

** Update 11/24/13:  I can now claim responsibility for the destruction of four sets of ear buds!

Wordless Wednesday

Chloe's Acrobatic Adventure

I'm so embarrassed. I can't believe Mommy came home and found me engaged in such foolishness...

It's all Cheerio's fault, of course.  He's always doing silly things and putting himself in silly places.  But never me.  I'm too dignified for this kind of behavior.

But that boy kept talking about how much fun and exciting it is until I finally had to try it.  I've seen him walk on the railing so many times.  Sometimes he falls, most of the time he gets down safely on his own though.  It did look like fun.  Oh well, I thought, why not give it a try?

But then Mommy came, and before I realized she was there, she saw what we were doing.  She didn't make much noise - I think she was afraid she would scare us and we would fall.  Immediately, I was so ashamed of myself for following along with Cheerio.  I was so mad at him that I decided to give him a little push...  Not a big one, just enough to let him know how I felt about the trouble he was getting me into.

Luckily for him, he was able to hold on.  Next time, he might not be so lucky.

The whole ordeal was so traumatic, that I had to go through my de-stress routine: a visit to the litter box, a few bites to eat, and then a nap in my window seat.  That Cheerio doesn't even understand when someone's upset with him.  He hopped right up with me in my special napping spot.

Oh well, I'm too tired and upset to try to explain it to him.  Maybe later...

Can Cheerio get a little credit around here?

So Cheerio is trying to be a good boy and help the maid a little, and what happens?  He gets in trouble.  Not once, but three times.  You see, the maid (the one Chloe and Daffodil call Mommy) is always fussing about having too much housework, so I figure I can help her out.  She starts putting clothes into the big white box, but gets distracted by something and walks away.  Cheerio can help!

Where do you turn this thing on?  It's around here somewhere... 

I still hadn't quite figured out how to get this thing going when the maid came back and started yelling "Cheery, get out of there!"  Of course, I didn't budge.  I never do.  She was saying things about how I could have been hurt if she didn't see me.  Really.  How in the world could this thing hurt Cheerio?  Beats me.  That's when she dragged me out (as I tried my best to hold on) and set me down on the floor.  I still didn't see how she turned that thing on, but I'll figure it out one day.

A little later, Cheerio saw another chance to help.  The maid (seems like she does everything around here) was taking dishes out of the other big white box - the one that sits in the kitchen.  Once she got everything out, it looked so big and inviting.  I was sure she cleaned it out just for me to do something with all that space and the parts that move inside.  So I hopped in and had a look around.  It was fun to slap the spinning arm in the bottom and push the wire rack back and forth.  I know it makes a noise sometimes, and I'm sure it would fun to hear it from the inside.  Just when Cheerio had almost found the "on" button - I'm pretty sure it's in the very back - the maid had to go and pull me out.  Of course, I grabbed one of the racks and pulled it out with me.  You can't take Cheerio that easily!

Then, after the maid carried the laundry upstairs to put away, she had to set it down for a few minutes.  Here was one more chance for little Cheery to prove he's a big boy.  I wasn't quite sure I could handle this job on my own, so I quickly got Chloe to help.  I showed her where the clothes were, but neither of us really knew what to do with them. 
 

 

 Two brains are better than one?

Just then, Daffy showed up.  She fusses as much as the maid does.   For some reason, she didn't think we should be sitting on clean clothes.  I told her she could help too, but she didn't want anything to do with it.  In fact, she said she was going to tell on us.  That's when I had to do it.  I slapped Daffodil on the head.  I slapped the big kitty... 




 As soon as it happened, I knew it was a bad idea.  Chloe ran away immediately.  You may not have noticed, but Cheerio's not the smartest kitty, so I sat and waited to see what would happen.  Well, let's just say Daffy was not happy.  And let's also say she's pretty strong for her age. 


After getting in trouble three times just for trying to help out, Cheerio finally decided just to give up and get some rest.  Maybe he can get some appreciation some other day...

Cheerio in his peaceful place

Introductions

Daffodil 

 The Dominant Kitty - and don't forget it!

Gender: Female

Color: Calico

DOB: 3/7/98

I don't let my advanced age and health conditions keep me from showing those other two who's in charge around here.  Even though I have laryngeal paralysis (which makes my breathing difficult), hyperthyroidism, and diabetes I will still lay the smackdown on any kitty that touches my belongings or tries to get too much attention from the humans.  Speaking of the humans, I've been with them as long as I can remember.  My people-mom picked me out from my litter when my eyes weren't even open, then took me home as soon as I was ready to leave my litter.  When I was two years old, she had my little human brother.  I didn't like him very much - he was way too noisy - but I felt obligated to watch over him.  I grew to tolerate him, and over time came to love him.  While he and mom were at school all day (mom's a teacher) I didn't have much to keep my mind or body active.  Mom kept trying to tell me that she was going to bring home siblings for me, but I didn't understand what she meant until THEY came.  As soon as that Cheerio's paws touched MY FLOOR, I wanted to eat him up.  And Chloe, she knew better than to come anywhere near me, and still does.  But Cheerio won't give up.  He has tried to rub against me, and play with me, and cuddle with me so persistently that I sometimes let him get away with it.  You know, just to throw him a bone once in a while.

Chloe

The Pretty Princess

Gender: Female

Color:  Black & White

DOB: 5/29/12?   Adopted: 12/29/12

I don't remember much of my life before Mommy rescued me from the shelter.  I was shy and scared and hanging out in the back of that cage they had me in.  I was so far back, no one seemed to notice me.  When my Mommy walked by, I came out of hiding and she saw me.  She took me out and petted me, and said I was going home with her soon.  I was so happy to know I was getting away from there.  Did you know that the food and the potty are right beside each other???  I was so appalled, I would hardly use either.  When I came to my forever home, I had my own room to hang out in for a while to get used to the house.  Mommy said there was a big kitty that I would need to watch out for, and she was right.  As soon as I started exploring the house, I found Cheerio, a little yellow boy who just wants to play all the time, and Daffy, the big calico girl who runs the house.  I've grown pretty close to Cheerio, but I still walk a wide path around Daffy.  All I really care about is being brushed and petted anyway.  I have to keep myself looking pretty.  I even let Mommy do my nails, unlike Cheerio and Daffy who fight against nail trims.  I really don't like it when the people are gone, maybe it makes me remember being left at the shelter...  Whenever they are home, I have to be right with them at all times.  I sit on top of anything Mommy is doing - her laptop, papers she is grading, laundry she is folding, whatever.  And I always go to bed with my human parents.  I wait politely while they get ready for bed, then hop up to Mommy's side as soon as I hear the "click" of her lamp and the light goes out.

Cheerio 

The Clueless Kitty

Gender: Male

Color: Yellow Tabby

DOB:  7/29/12?  Adopted: 12/29/12

Cheerio is a free kitten.  Yeah, I refer to myself in the third person.  Get used to it.  Like I said, Cheerio is a free kitten.  He doesn't belong to anyone.  He just lets these people feed him and clean up after him, but he's planing his escape.  Cheerio remembers being at the shelter, sitting in a tiny cage, clawing at everyone that passed and meowing like crazy.  For some reason, no one really went for that.  Then the maid came in (Chloe and Daffy call her mom, but I call her the maid).  She saw me and said I was so cute and that I could go to her house.  Cheerio saw this as his chance for escape!  Well, she said I had to have a little operation and couldn't go to her house just yet, but she would come back in a few days.  I still don't see what's so special about their house that I had to have that surgery!  Anyway, the maid came back to get Cheerio and he's been living with her family ever since.  They put Cheerio in his own room for a few days, which did not go well.  I would cry so much that my human brother would stay in my room for hours, maybe doing his homework or just playing with me.  When the time was finally up so I could explore the house I didn't waste any time.  I wanted to see everything at once and figure out how I was going to escape.  Everyone tells me to stay away from the big calico kitty but I don't understand why.  She loves playing with me.  Every time I go near her she tells me to "eat floor" and pushes my head down under her paw.  That's our little game.  Cheerio has made it outside quite a few times, but always gets caught by the people.  He's always on the lookout for his next chance.