10-MAR-2015
My Own Personal Snowcone
After we finished sweeping the garage, dad carried me out to an open patch of yard. Finally, after weeks of cold weather I can walk on grass again!
I couldn't resist taking the edge off a small pile of melting snow. I was making short work of it but dad got worried that I was going to make myself sick, so I let him carry me back inside.
12-MAR-2015
Kitty Needs Food
This is my, "I'm just a poor sad little kitty, give me food" face. It works every time! In mere minutes I have a saucer of wet canned food delivered at my paws, always served with a smile as dad says, "Here you go, angel." Isn't that sweet?
And here's the big trick all you kitties out there should know. DO NOT TELL HUMANS OR DOGS.
Sometimes your people will be slow and keep you waiting. If you feel they've had adequate time to deliver the goods but food has not arrived, WALK AWAY. Yes, that's what I said. WALK AWAY and do not respond as they call your name or run after you with food.
I know if you're hungry that this seems counter-intuitive, but it is very important for training purposes. Walking away will create a mild sense of failure and guilt in your humans and to avoid these unpleasant feelings they will deliver service much faster the next time. Trust me, this works.
15-MAR-2015
In Dad's Lap
Resting in dad's lap on a Sunday afternoon. I didn't feel well this weekend and it now looks like I'm going to need two Cerenia injections a week to keep my inflammation under control.
16-MAR-2015
BOGO Keeps Dad Company
While I was getting my glucose checked at the vet's office, BOGO (Buy One Get One) came in to keep mom and dad company. He likes to lay on my wool blanket. Now he is quite a hefty fellow, but he is NOT as big as he looks in this photo. Dad says it has something to do with "foreshortening." He looks like a giant because he is closer to the wide-angle lens.
18-MAR-2015
With My Best Man
I like to lay in dad's lap and stare at him while he tells me how wonderful and beautiful I am!
My glucose was highly elevated at the vet's office the other day, but it came back down to tolerable levels within a few days. I also got my Cerenia shot for inflammation, and a B12 injection to give me an overall boost.
19-MAR-2015
Blackie Waits for Food
This is our friend Blackie. He is a stray kitty that visits us for food, sometimes twice a day. Then he disappears for weeks or months and we wonder what happened to him. Then he shows up again, patiently waiting at the back door for food.
Our hospitality is somewhat limited because he sprays urine to scent-mark "his" territory, and he is dominant and aggressive toward other cats. We help him the best we can with food, water, and a few kind words.
As you can tell, he is kind of a rough character, which is of course who and what he needs to be to survive in his outdoor environment that includes foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and other stray males. We like to think of him as a noble warrior, just doing what nature designed him to do.
Dad tried to catch him a few winters ago when he was in particularly bad shape, but he was too wily and too fast.
21-MAR-2015
TLC for Mom
Mom needed some extra Tender Loving Care this morning so I slept on her shoulder for awhile.
21-MAR-2015
Jaymo Has Breakfast
Our very dear, longtime friend Jaymo came by for a light breakfast this morning. He has the most piercing green eyes, wouldn't you agree?
22-MAR-2015
A Quick Sip Outdoors
I've been burrowing under my comforter quite a bit over these past few days so dad brought me outside.
Historically, I can stay outside for as long as mom and dad can allow before they need to do something else. These days I enjoy a sip of "outdoor" water, then walk around the bushes along the front walk and immediately go back inside. This is another indicator that I'm not feeling well.
23-MAR-2015
Breakfast in Bed
Mom brought me breakfast in bed. I know this looks like I'm being spoiled, but here's the story.
I've been losing an ounce of weight a week for some time now, so mom and dad push food in front of me as often as possible. I usually don't eat much at one time.
The good news is at this afternoon's weigh-in at the vet's office I've actually gained two ounces! It doesn't recover what I've lost over the past few months, but it's a positive development.
23-MAR-2015
Enjoying the Warmth
After breakfast and my post-breakfast nap, I found a warm spot by the patio door. You may have guessed it, yes, I took another nap.
24-MAR-2015
Our Friend Notch
This is our friend Notch. Her eyes are actually green. The turquoise glow is from the light of the flash reflecting off her retina.
If you look closely, you can see that the top of her left ear is missing, and that's how she got her name.
We think this is because she was rescued from the streets, spayed, and then returned to the streets. The missing ear tip is a visible marker that she's been neutered, and hence, does not need to be re-captured for the procedure.
Typically, she only shows up well after dark, or less frequently very early in the morning before sunrise. She is very shy and never comes close unless the patio door is closed. This is the best photo we've ever been able to take of her.
Even more so than Blackie, she disappears for months at a time and we wonder if she is okay. She and Panthor seem to have some kind of special relationship. There is always a kind of recognition that occurs each time they see one another.