11.30.2010

Jimmy's out and about!!!

Sound the trumpets and the fanfare, Jimmy has been sprung!!!! 

Last night after work I took Jimmy to have a check up with his vet and got the okay to to let him socialize with the boys.  As soon as Robert got home we opened the door to Jimmy's bedroom for his first foray out into the great beyond.  During Jimmy's time here I've been letting him see the boys through the bedroom door so they are a little familiar with each other, but this was the first official meeting! 

Here is a peek at what happened....
Of course Casper, who is our goodwill ambassador, was first on the scene.  He is so gentle and generous it really is amazing to watch every time he welcomes a newcomer into our house!
Benners was fantastic too and I knew he would be.  When we introduced Archie back in February, Ben watched over him like a mother hen for weeks!  Archie however was a bit of a wild card.

I think Archie was scared of Jimmy!  I was keeping a close eye on things and trying to reassure Archie, but he growled and spat at Jimmy who is probably a quarter his size.  Then he backed away and sat in the corner while Jimmy explored the living room.  I'm not going to push anything, I think that Archie will come around once he sees Ben and Casper interacting with Jimmy.

All in all I think it was a great first encounter and we will just build on this slowly.  Every day I will increase Jimmy's time out of his room and I think the comfort level will grow for all the boys :-)

11.26.2010

Friday Fun

This is not cat related, but it is wonderful and happened at a shopping mall in Welland (population 50,000) which is a small town in Ontario (the province that I live in).  Please take a look and partake in some early Christmas spirit :-)  Volume up....

Flash Mob at Seaway Mall in Welland, Ontario by Niagara Chorus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

11.25.2010

Thanksgiving & Santa Paws

We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving back in October, but seeing as Jimmy is American by birth, we thought another thanksgiving post was in order.  So on this special holiday I would like to say that I am thankful for all my good friends in the Cat Blogosphere, without whom I never would have met Chrystal or adopted little Jimmy. I am so deeply thankful for ALL my wonderful kitties who bring joy into my life every single day!

Yesterday it was posted on the CB that Jimmy had won the draw for Derry's Thankful Photo Contest Fundraiser and the prize was a fabulous selection of goodies paw-picked by the lovely Miss Gracie!  Well, being a youngster and never having won anything before, I must say Jimmy was thrilled when I told him. 
See Jimmy's winning ribbon!
However after a little thought Jimmy felt that in the spirit of Thanksgiving he would like to donate his toy winnings to some less fortunate kitties. He said that since he now had all the toys he could ever hope to play with, he would feel better if his prize went to some kitties who were still waiting for their forever homes! We contacted Gracie to see if that was okay. She thought it was a great idea and mentioned the CB's friends at Santa Paws.  I immediately sent an email over to them on Jimmy's behalf and I'm just waiting to hear back so I can give Gracie the details. 

I would like to wish all my feline friends and their parents a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!

11.23.2010

Friends at the Bridge

It was a very sad weekend around the Cat Blogosphere, we lost some cherished kitties.  This got me thinking that I would like to do a tribute page for my friends.  Blogger lets you have up to eight added pages (I think), so I created a tab for Our Friends at the Bridgeperhaps you would like to start one too? 

I know there are many more kitties who have passed on than those I have included in my page, but I wanted to post remembrances of kitties I knew personally.  I began blogging in March but only really started meeting people after July 2nd when Huffle (Mawson) kindly introduced Cat's Cats on her blog. 

I hope when you are visiting my blog, you can take the time to occasionally look at the "Our friends at the Bridge" tab to see the kitties who were special to me and the boys, chances are they were special to you too...

"I count myself in nothing else so happy
As in a soul rememb'ring my good friends."
- William Shakespeare

11.20.2010

Update on Jimmy with Pictures!

I spoke with the vet who is treating Jimmy on Friday and got the all clear regarding the ringworm culture...it was negative after three weeks...Yippee!!!  So we were able to take off his cone that night.  We washed his head and ears to remove any remnant of the cream, then he was free :-)
Nom, nom, nom, I'm getting big and strong
However...he still has a tapeworm that was not killed by the Revolution that we treated him with two weeks ago, or the Program that Chrystal's vet treated him with back in October; it needs specialized meds.  It lurks in the body and does not show up on any fecal exams (I had one done when he arrived), only when it is mature does it start to shed segments.  This is pretty much how it is diagnosed, by visual identification when the segments come out - yick.  So he started a new medication for the tapeworm.  We are keeping him in his bedroom for another week (maybe two) to hopefully get the worms under control and prevent transmission to the other cats and also make sure there is no recurrence of the weird skin infection; but on the bright side, no cone!
no cone :-)
He was so good when we were washing his head.  He had a little freak-out initially when we took him from his cozy bedroom into the bathroom, but he quickly settled.  We trimmed his nails, gave him his worm pill and washed his head and ears.  When we were drying his head with the towel, he snuggled into my lap and was purring so loudly.  Back in his room, sans cone, he ran and leaped and threw himself on the bed, all fours in the air wriggling with delight, it was so much fun to watch!
Ben is on the other side mewing to Jimmy
He is still purring and patiently waiting until he can leave his bedroom.  I'm sure he is lonely, but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel now.  He continues to be a happy boy and has taken everything that has been thrown at him with such a good nature
We rigged this because I was afraid the cone was interfering with getting to his water dish.  Jimmy still likes to use it.
.

11.19.2010

Meet Jimmy

Before I get to my post today, I would like to draw your attention to my fab new header.  Sammy and Andy's generous mum Judi took time away from unpacking her new home to whip together this wonderful header for Cat's Cats which incorporates the new addition to our clan and even has maple leaves in the background... 'cause we're Canadian :-)  Thank you Judi for your kindness and creativity!

I have been thinking about why I feel the need to change Ash’s name.  I know his coat is truly the colour of dark ashes, and the name is therefore apropos, but strictly speaking ashes represent mourning.  I think I would like this little cat to have a happier name to carry with him throughout his life.  Ellery and Winston both mean joyful so they were in the offing for a while, but I was never entirely sold on either of them. 

In my head I went through all sorts of names trying to match something with our baby: Daniel, Vern, Isaac, Reginald, Rufus, Desmond, Dexter, Fritz, Lloyd, Tavish, Roland, Jeremiah, Jed, Zach and Jack but I didn't get that special feeling from any of them. So I toyed with Otis, Arnold, Wendall, Giles, Gabriel, Cecil, Tobias, Thomas, Beau, Earnest, Wilbur Wally and Martin. I hovered around Otis for a while, it means prosperous, which doesn't really hold any great significance but I liked the name. 

Then last Sunday Robert and I were with my family for lunch and they were all asking after Ash and wanting to know what we had decided to call him.  I started to tell them some of the names we had been considering and they threw out a few suggestions of there own...all of which were atrocious - lol!  Then Robert (who btw has never named one of our cats) said "What about Jim"?  Well I have always loved the name James which also lends itself nicely to many nicknames (the other cats have at least three each) and it just seemed to suit him once we said it out loud!

So, ladies and gentlemen...I would like you to meet James, Jimmy, Jimmer, Jimbo, Jim!  

11.18.2010

Thursday Three

Afternoon snooze time...
Casper and Ben keep an eye on young master Archie


Because you never know when he will want to rassle!

11.16.2010

Casper speaks to Artemisia

Yesterday on her blog, Artemesia said that she had no suitors.  Casper was astonished that such a beguiling ladycat would be unattached and immediately leapt into action composing the following post for her:

"Lovely Artemesia of the black tail and beautiful spots, would that you could be interested in a lowly prince like myself when you are an Empress AND an Imperial Majesty?   I am but a humble mancat...

My mum says I am gentle and I have never raised a claw or shown a tooth even when I go to the vet.  I am the Goodwill Ambassador of our clan.  But I am also strong and powerful and can jump to the top of the fridge and beyond, I am brave and have stood against the vacuum cleaner many times!  I spend long hours at the windows patrolling for intruders and keeping our house safe for my family. 
All good in the back yard
Sometimes this entails late night caterwauling if I see a stray tabby in the garden, but it is my duty to waken the household if I sense danger! 

I know I saw something out there!
I am helpful around the house and often assist with the cooking...

Is this the right temperature?
laundry ...


I don't know how these fell off the dryer, did you want me to fold them again?
 Helping my younger brothers...
Check under the carpet Ben, you might have left your mousie there
 chores...

I think you may have the wrong drill-bit Dad
Mum says I am a Renaissance cat, I'm not sure what that means but it sounds good.  Artemisia my world is silent but I think actions speak louder than words. Sometimes it gets lonely as the head mancat around the house, I would be honoured if a ladycat as lovely and regal as yourself would allow me to come calling?
I await your answer sweet Artemisia"  :-)

11.14.2010

Ash Update/Worldwide Moment

Hi All,

Darling Ash was at the animal hospital this morning to have his follow-up appointment.  The vet was very pleased with his  progress and thought the fur was growing back nicely on his ears!  I was thrilled because I had told Ash that we would throw his cone away today.  Unfortunately the vet said we had to continue with the anti-fungal/antibiotic cream for another another week.  It is starting to look now like it was some kind of skin infection and Ash got another injection of Convenia, but he can't rule out ringworm until the culture produces a fully negative result which means staying in isolation from the other cats for another week.  Poor lonely lamb, I feel so sad for Ash but I have to do what is best for the household too. 

Today we joined our CB friends to participate in the Worldwide Moment. At 11:00pm GMT, 6:00pm our time, we paused for reflection on all the wonderful kitties who have gone before: Doobie (Mr. Dubois), our very first family cat which I brought home from school, Tiptoes, Tigger, Abby (the amazing Abyssinian), Ally, sweet Max and lovely Molly.  We sent all our healing thoughts and positive energy to those kitties out there who are ill or abandoned in the hopes that they will be well again and that kind souls will open their homes and save a life.  I personally contemplated how truly fortunate I am the live with four wonderful kitties who enhance my life everyday!

11.12.2010

Whisker Watch

Young master Archie does not like to have his picture taken.  He would not cooperate and look directly into the camera when I was trying to document a change in his whiskers....it's like he didn't even realize the gravity of the situation! 

The first picture is of Archie is when we first got him and he was a youngster.  There are no freckles on his little nose (looks sort of heart shaped doesn't it) or at least very faint ones and all his whiskers are white.

I had to take these next two pictures of him in a groggy state hanging his head over the edge of the cat tree when he had just woken up yesterday.  If you look closely you will see two brown whiskers on each cheek and definite freckles on his nose and one prominent brown freckle in the centre of his nose.

can you see my brown whiskers?

can you see my freckles?
I wonder if any other cat households have the kind of fascinating conversations that we do...
me: "hey did you see that Archie has grown a couple of brown whiskers?"
Robert: "I know they're wild!"

***Note:  Just now when I was biggifying the second picture I think I saw a brown eyebrow whisker too...gadzooks, the excitement around here just doesn't end!!!

11.11.2010

Rememberance Day

I would like to dedicate my post to all the brave men and women, the best and the brightest who volunteered to fight for our freedom and paid the highest price: we remember you! 

We remember your sacrafice and we honour you today and every 11/11 and always....

For The Fallen By Laurence Binyon

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Canada's last living veteran of WWI died in February of this year at age 109, his name was John Babcock.

11.09.2010

A Tuxie Secret

Shall I tell you a secret about Ben…whisper it quietly in your ear?

He is a VERY sensitive boy and he has a very precious spot in my heart because of that.  Ben is emotional and at times his little face is so expressive it makes my heart ache and smile simultaneously. He is the smallest of my boys (not including Ash of course), young master Archie has surpassed him in size now but he has some BIG attitude. Sometimes he scraps with Casper and Archie in a very un-brotherly fashion trying to show how tough he is, but then the doorbell rings and he hides under the bed (the others don’t run from the bell). He tries to be such a badass, but he really is a delightful mama’s boy. He always has to have special snuggle time for just the two of us and if he doesn’t get it, he comes looking for it, usually at 5:00 in the morning. I’ll wake up in the night and find him rolled into the tightest, small ball and pressed up against me. I’ll stroke him and he purrs and purrs and does happy paws. It was a different story though when Molly was alive and the boys were not allowed into her domain which was our master bedroom. Ben would come to the door in the early morning and scratch on the panes of glass. I would have to get up and find my robe through bleary eyes. When I opened the door he would be sitting outside waiting then he would run down the hall looking up at me to make sure I was following him to the back bedroom. He would stand in the bedroom and I’d pick him up and give him kisses and put him on the bed, he’d go to the window (the bed is pushed right up beside it) and look out while I settled myself, lying down on my side. Once I was ready he would come over to me and curl up like a little spoon against my stomach and lie like that for at least half an hour before Casper or Archie were up. The minute one of the other boys would appear in the bedroom Ben would take off and that would be my cue to go back to bed for a precious few extra minutes. Robert would always say to me when I returned  “you’re endorsing bad habits by giving into him” and I’d reply “Yes I know, but sometimes Ben just needs a cuddle from his mum”.
cuddly Ben

11.08.2010

Ash and the Cone

For those of you who were wondering, I take Ash's cone off when I am with him. I asked my vet about using a soft cone (which doesn't seem to be available in Canada, but I could always order it from the States) but he said they were no good and come off all the time.  So unfortunately it seems we are stuck with the hard cone for the duration.  But we have cuddles and play several times a day without the cone and he runs and jumps and gets a great work out mostly with Amy's "Da Bird" that she gave us. Ash just loves it! But if he starts to scratch at his ears or try to lick them I have to put the cone back on because the vet said prolonged ingestion of the anti-fungal cream can cause liver damage and he has to have the cream applied until the 14th. So I'm trying to be very careful, but still give him some freedom.  Ash seems to take it all in stride, it's me that is the wreck (lol)! The great thing about Ash though is he doesn't seem to be the type to hold a grudge :-)

Ash before the cone

11.07.2010

Some Purrs for Ash Please

Hi All,

Little Ash had to be back at the animal hospital on Saturday to find out what is happening with his ears and head. The furless patches that we noticed on the drive home had grown quite large and I was getting worried. Unfortunately Dr. D. who I trust and adore is out of town (and was away last weekend when I took Ash in on Sunday) but yesterday we saw a new partner at the practice who I felt was very thorough.  Ash is a little bit of a mystery because his fungal culture for ringworm is not growing anything, but this vet said that was what he thought it was.  He treated Ash for what he called "the big three" which are infection, parasite (mange) and fungus (ringworm).  He got an antibiotic injection and the poor lamb has to wear a cone because he can't lick the anti-fungal cream which has to be applied twice a day.  I feel terrible for our little man, he is so lovely and affectionate and doesn't understand whats going on.  If it is ringworm it could be weeks that he has to be separated from the other cats!  As it is I was told to wear gloves when I touch him and when I come out of his room I must change my clothes!  It is a tiresome protocol, but I have to protect Casper, Ben and Archie too.

I'll keep everyone posted on his progress.  The vet said hopefully we would see some improvement by Tuesday and to call him and we can discuss the situation then.  In the meantime, please keep Ash in your prayers and purrs.
poor sweetie!

11.06.2010

Pet Blogs United

Photobucket



Hi All, the nice folks at Pet Blogs United have very kindly done a feature on my blog today.  Please pop over if you get a chance and check it out. If you haven't met Oskar and Pam before it would be a great time to explore their cool blog and maybe make some new friends :-) 

I'm taking Ash back to the vet today to have the fur less patches on his ears looked at again.  They have grown larger and I am concerned.  I promise to have a full update on the little darling tomorrow.  He really is the MOST affectionate boy!

11.03.2010

Wishful Wednesday

Ben is getting all spruced up, do you know why?
Because he wants to invite his lovely girlfriend Clemmie to come over to play!

When I was in America this past weekend picking up Ash, I had time to scout a Target and two Walmarts and I finally found the cat cubes (2) he's been wanting for months now!  I have looked at so many shops in Toronto and I could not find them anywhere.

Now Ben is waiting in his cube for his lovely lady to arrive for an afternoon of fun followed perhaps by a romantic dinner if she is game :-)

It's only a short walk to the beach, I hope you are free to join me Clemmie

 ~ Ben xx