Sleep Is Important

After running around the yard for twelve hours straight, the divine Miss R collapses where she lands.



So does her brother in his usual laid back style.



One night the whole tribe, (including two footers) were so tired we all hit the bed at 8PM and skept through until 6. We woke to this arrangement.



And today, B and the missus enjoyed a nice lie in until 9.





"She a babe , isn't she?" says B.

Three Faces

This is Junebug



Maybelle



and Mugsy

Three little shelter kittens. They all have applications filed and should be adopted out as soon as they are old enough. Wicked cute, aren;t they?

Mr. B

I had to take Brendan in the vet on Sunday. Brendan showed me there was blood in his urine again, like at Christmastime. The vet said he should get better. He had some fluids and some shots and I am giving him Clavamox, Cosequin and the Chinese herb mixture. I didn't know this, but Cosequin is good for our old fellows with kidney issues. It helps the lining the of the bladder.

He was up to inspect the builing progress with Olof and he did walkabout in the fenced in territory and now he has gone upstairs for his morning nap. His appetite is down a bit but he seems ok.

He's old, yanno. Our vet says, ":Brendan is happy but he's tired." When you think of his age in people years you realize he is very old. In cat years 17 and a half, going towards eighteen. In people years, what, 90?

He is such a wise being and all of you who read Caturday I think get a feeling for what this special creature is like. A while ago he was napping with his head on Mrs. B's butt.

I take Brendan to the vet, it's a 45 minute drive. I just put him in the seat in his car seat and he looks out the window with calm curiosity. He's calm at the vet but of course he doesn't like getting shots. He doesn't get fearful, though his eyes were quite large the last time we were there and a Great Dane was woofing away near us. Still, he has been with us since he was eight weeks old and all he has known from people is kindness. It's a perfect kind of life. He's been lucky and we've been lucky to live with him.

It's not over yet and we'll take the best possible care of him and watch over him.

I was reading a new story over at

Then There Were Four

about what happens to us when we lose a Beloved animal companion. I think he really hit it in this one. It just tears a chunk out of your heart but I love the way he describes it as a cord that keeps us connected. Pop on over there and read it.

Where the Wild Things Are

The door is open all day long and the kittens (young cats now really though they still act like kittens) run in and out. Ramona cries when the door is shut around 6 PM.

"I'll never be Out again! I just know it!"

Then she collapses and crashes out until the next morning. She runs up the apple tree and hides under the bushes and stalks little creatures. Harper and Ramona chase each other through the vegtable garden. She did get out one more time and then I added some fencing around the few trees we have the fence staked to. And a raccoon got in once so we check the perimeter every morning.

Brendan goes out too. We had a down spell with him and we gave him fluids for a week and that has really perked him up. Also we found a new food he just loves so he has put weight back on. It's the new Fancy Feast in the blue cans. He is nuts for it. It probably isn't as good for him as Wellness but hey, I'd rather he eat.

I went home to Cape Cod to see my family. Did a little research on the ancestral mansion which was built in 1845. Found out some fun family tree stuff like the town my great great and so on mother was born in in France and that the father of that same period was from Prussia. I wish they had all left journals!

We're still working away on the studio remodel. Everything is upside down. And it's going to be a real international summer with guests arriving from Ireland, France and Sweden. It''ll be fun.

This time when I got back Harper let out one loud meow "You're back!" He didn't forget who I was like last time. Then he slept next to me with his paw around my neck. He's a love.

I figure Harper and Ramona are my consolation gift from the universe for losing Fergus. They are both sweet and very comforting companions.

Breakout!

This just in from the A.P

There was a breakout at Caturday Lane yesterday. No injuries were reported.

"I don't know what happened," said Mrs. Brendan (aka Miss Ramona), ""my brother and I were in the from yard watching chipmunks. They were stealing seed our people put down and we were warning them away. I had my nose to the ground and suddenly the Boundary slipped over my head and I was Outside. Brother followed me at once to assist. Then we realised we were Outside and we couldn't get back in! Brother said we should follow the Boundary until we found a way Home. We were doing that when our people called us. Brother was rescued by Herself and I ran to the Very Nice Space with the Big Things that go down the road are kept and I yelled at the door until Herself came and let me In."

"It was verwy scarwy.""

All were reported safe and resting up from the ordeal.
The Boundary has been reinforced with extra protection.

Spring comes to Caturday

The fence went up, the old shed came down. The garden went in and the cats went out. Yup, May flew by in a rush of activity. I'm down to two maor studio projects and about a zillion outdoor projects.

First, the fence. It is a black plastic deer fence with long steel stakes you pound into the ground and attach the fence to with those plastic pull tie things. There are stakes to fasten the fence to the ground and you can pile rocks on it in places where you can't get stakes in. Below is the web site for the company I bought it from. They are on Cape Cod but they ship the fence from a warehouse. You might be able to find the same stuff locally. Because it is so thin it is hard for a cat to climb and when you put it up you can leave the top kind of loose so there is no footing for a houdini. We stapled some of ours to trees and left the top loose. If you put it on the front of the tree it is hard for a cat to get his paws through the fence to climb. Our guys so far show no interest in trying to get out. They have enough to do inside their yard. And they tend to stay right around the house if we are not out in the yard. Last night we saw a raccoon in the yard so Olof followed him. He had no problem climbing out. But the cats wouldn''t be able to do it as easily. And the fence is black to it blends in against the trees and you hardly know it is there.

http://www.invisible-deer-fence.com/



Ramona walks over the cat sized bridge that crosses the creek between ponds.

Being able to go out has made a huge difference in the cats well being. Before they were content. They slept during the day and ran around at night hunting for mice. (and often finding some). Now they can't wait for the cat door to open around 7 AM and they spend the entire day running in and out until we set the door to in only around 6 PM. They will come in on their own by 6:30 if we are in. Then they sleep like exhausted children. Life has become exciting for them. They get to fufill their inner tigers, stalking frogs (usually rescued by me), bugs, leaves and the occasional rodent. Ramona springs up the apple tree and sometimes just lies in the tall grass napping. They used to cry when we finally shut the door at night but I think they have learned the routine. Cats like routine. And Harper used to yell in the morning trying to get me to open it but today he is still asleep. I generally walk around the perimeter when I let them out because we do have bear and moose here and either of them could simply crash through the fence. Though Olof saw a bear a couple of weeks ago put his nose to the fence and walk away. So it also keeps out creatures we would rather not have in the yard.

We've got a lot of other projects underway, the biggest being a complete renovation of our studio building.



Yes, it is big. The room with the big windows up top is our new editing room. It will be really really nice with a fantastic view. A nice place to sit if you are working on something. Yesterday Olof and I put that horrible fiberglass insulation up in the roof and half of the walls. We'll finish this morning. But there's still the rest of the garden to plant too.

Tales from the Outside

Don't let them fool you looking sad, they get to go out too. This was just taken early one morning when Brendan was on Dawn Patrol. I don't want the kittens to learn about Dawn Patrol (the 5 AM out the window to check the territory thing)



This is the gate to the Land of Happy Cats. Olof built it from fencing. We still have a roll left which we will use to connect the two buildings (house and studio) when Uncle Sid moves in next door. I'll have to post some photos of the studio under renovation. It is a huge mess at the moment. Big hole dug for the garage, roof partly on and stuff all over the yard. It is easier to build a new place then it is to tear an old one apart. At leas it is neater.



The kittens are just thrilled with Outside. They have expanded their area and go up the hill to the vegetable garden and to the edge of the woods behind the compost. Today it is pouring rain so they were out for a bit and then I shut the cat door and Harper started yelling like only a Meezer can. "You gave me Outside and I want it back! Now! Now I say!" Imagine a Meezer saying this and you get "NEEEAAAHHH NEEEAAAHHH!!!!" I opened the door for him (probably a bad idea since I just taught him how to get me to open the door). He went out and sat on the porch and looked at the rain coming down.

"No good. You fix it"

So they understood Outside was No Good today. Tomorrow is another day.



Ramona still loves her apple tree. And it's blossom time.

Outside

We can go out? Really?



Yes, kittens, out is yours. Three of us worked on Saturday afternoon putting up the cat fence. It goes all around the back yard, and the vegetable garden. When Uncle Sid moves in next door it will be extended to the walls of that house. The cats are safe from the road and other animals. Jakey the Barn Cat next door is fenced out. Brendan thinks it is cool.

And yesterday Olof was sitting out by the pond when a bear popped his nose up over the bank and into the fence. It was enough to make him change his mind. A bear could easily knock the steel bars holding it down but he'd probably need a good reason, like when the plum tree has fruit. Until then all shouldbe well.

The fencing we used is called deer fence. It is a sturdy black plastic seven feet tall. You install it by pounding steel stakes into the ground and tying those plastic wrap ties to it. You can't even see it along the trees. I can never remember the name of the company we bought it from but I will look it up and post it if anyone is interested. I really recommend it, it is a great peace of mind to have the cats running around exploring and having a great time and not worrying about them. It is good for Warrior cats too (Magoo, I'm thinking of you here) because your territory is fenced off to intruders.



Ramona just loves the outdoors, even more than Harper. They have spent the last two days of beautiful weather outside and then they were exhausted by TV time, when the pride all gathered together.

Home Again

We have been away and now we're back. It's finally spring and there is so much to be done here. Olof is tearing the studio apart for the remodel and my keyboards are all over the place. I am trying to get some video projects wrapped up and that long audio script. Today I am just wiped out from not sleeping so I am going to try to take a nap and then attack the housework and work work.

When we got back to Portland the kittens didn't know who we were. Brendan of course knows that we return. But the little guys, as far as they knew we had been eaten and were lost forever. I picked Harper up out of a deep sleep and he just didn't remember me! But then, twenty minutes later, I lay down for a nap and both of them arrived and the Big Purr began. They had been in Portland for six days.

When we got home everyone was wiped.

Things will get back to what passes for normal around here soon. We did start planting the garden anyway. And one thousand feet of cat fence is arriving to make the entire back yard and garden safe for felines. Good thing, since Mona really wants to get out there.

One thousand feet of cat fencing. Twelve hundred dollars.
Knowing the precious ones can be out in the sunshine, happy, safe and secure.

Priceless.

Call Me Irresistible

This little girl, six weeks old popped up at the shelter on my last visit. She's got the personality to match. Her story is a little odd, two women had to surrender their cats and they also knew about this one, stashed in a car somewhere. So they brought her in too. She's been taken from her mommy way too early but she is the happiest little thing you ever saw, playing with balls and huggy toys and eager to be picked up and played with. Not afraid of anything, she stares right at you. Her nose is raw from pushing against the wall of a cat carrier she arrived in. It will heal and be pink.

Reminds me quite a bit of a rascal named Fergus.

I asked Brendan if he'd like another little girl kitty.



Surely you jest, says he.



These two wouldn't mind though.

Sigh. Yeah four is probably a bit much right now. Though we have wondered if Ramona would mother a kitten the way she looks after Brendan and her brother. This little girl will have no problem finding a good home though. Everyone at the shelter is already crazy about her.

I've finished my audio script. It is almost fifty pages long. I'll have to see how long it takes to read. It has to fit on one cd. After typing all day I wasn't exactly up for blogging. And then we were right smack in the middle of this storm. I didn't lose power but my in-laws in Portland did. Their house got down to 40 degrees. And friends here had their road wash out so badly it was impassable. Ours is washed out enough to require some repair.

I think watching the rain and snow pour down for days on end kind of does you in. And the school shooting just makes me wonder where we're going in this country.

I am heading to Florida to meet Olof and do some video shooting in Georgia.

Hidden Beauty

This sweet creaturem currently named Patty (she deserves something more poetic, I think), is at the shelter. She came in pregnamt and unwed, as so many do. She is just past being a kitten herself. Her kittens should be there when I go over tomorrow to get some photos so I will post them if I get them.

She has a personality to match the loveliness, outgoing, curious and friendly. I'm sure she won't be there long. She's a sweet girl

Of course, I already have a sweet girl so all I can do is help someone else find her.

Spring in NH

Yup, we got fifteen inches of snow a few days ago. Spring in the White Mountains. It's about half gone today but still cold and raw out. So we are doing the cat thing since nobody feels like going skiing, though we could.



The Tiger Tribe gathers peacefully in front of the friend (our kerosene heater and the coziest spot in the house unless I have the wood stove going)



H shows his beautiful self.



Not to be outdone, here is the lovely Mrs. B



Who sometimes gets to cuddle up with her old man.



And always keeps a watchful eye on him. If hs sneezes she comes running.

Brendan Speaks Up

Olof, over the seventeen years we've been together I've seen you do a lot of peculiar things. There's all the stuff you do banging wood around and cutting it in pieces and putting it back together. And the perfectly good trees you cut down. And the way you dig up some plants that look fine to me and replace them with other ones. And of course, there is that strange thing both you humans do I've never understood, drenching yourselves with hot water. But this is really weird.








Ok, so I really don't get this. But you seem so pleased with yourself. And Herself is real happy. It's still the floor we walk on, is all I can see. It's shinier though. Is that why you went to all this trouble and noise?

People. Alway amusing.

Your Man Cat
Brendan

We Are Family

There is something really really wrong with people who don't love kittens.
Just my humble opinion.
These three little orphans are waiting for a home at the shelter. Wouldn't it be nice if they could all go together?
Instant family!

Ramona Cleans up

It's very important to be clean you know.



Every little bit must be attented to.



Good for my health and my feline beauty.



I am a Beauty, you know. Everyone says so.



I clean around every claw.



And then I go do Brendan too. He needs a little help.



There. Done!

It's Good to Have A Sister

Ramona was sleeping peacefully in the circular, Harper next door in the bigger bed, when suddenly he seemed to get a little lonely. So there's the two of them, ying yang. I'd never adopt s single kitten again. And if I find one in the back yard I'll go get it a friend. They are so content when they have a bud and just like people, it has to be the right one. The shelter we got the kittens from was smart enough to know that these two were a pair. That's why when I asked for Ramona as well as Harper, they gave her to me even though there were other applications for her, because they knew she and Harper were bonded.

Not much going on here this week. Ramona caught mouse five and did her imitation of Growl Tiger around 3 AM. I found one pitiful remain in the kitchen and now there is a distinct oder of Eau de mouse morte in the bedroom. I can't find it but I guess I'll have to get out the flashlight.

The score? Ramona/Harper five. Mice zero. Not even a scratch on the Tigress or her back up guy.

We almost lost our snow. Shoveled out a path to the sitting place and enjoyed one day in the sun. Then we got about eight inches of heavy wet white stuff. Once you're in the mood for spring it might as well melt, especially when it is too funky to use your good skis. Or, like us, you're passing the wicked bad valley cold back and forth.

I'm working on this audio tour project so I get to curl up with my mac, my cats and a stack of library books looking up exactly where all those grand hotels were and how tall was Ethan Allen really (seven feet, they say). This area has a lively history of settlers and characters, people who trekked miles through the notches, up and down the mountains, building farms and running hotels. These mountains were a hotbed of tourist travel in the 1800's when people wanted to connect with Nature as a spiritual activity. There was a huge hotel on top of Mount Washington and there is still a road to the summit you can drive up and a cog railway going up the other side. Bit of a disappointment, if you don't know about it, to hike up the 6200 feet and then find a huge modern building (the Observatory) and tour buses unloading to the cafeteria and snack shop. It's a long story. When the audio is done I'll post a link to it for anyone who is interested. I've made videos about Mount Washington so I know most of the stories.

I know they are not kittens any more at 13 months but these two still act like kittens which is fine by me. They run around the house up and down the stairs playing hide and seek. They're up much of the night hunting the mighty mouse and they cuddle up from about noon till evening. They're both sweet.

It amazes me that an animal who is really a wild thing can settle in so happily to a loving relationship with people. I guess it shows you how smart cats are. They know a good life when they get it.

Harper is just the nicest guy. He's an innocent. He has no plans for running the place though he sometimes bosses his sister around (or tries to). She just puts up with it but there is nothing serious about it. When you call his name he flops down and rolls over for a belly rub and says something like "merack!" It's like having a big teddy bear. And when he shows up at 3AM for a hug he hops up and gives a little cry to make me roll over and then he flops down and snuggles up and purrs. His purr is like a tractor idle. Loud and rough. URRRR URRRR URRRR. Though I call it "snorkle snorkle snorkle" He loves to be carried around with his paws on my shoulder. Really, just a big teddy bear of the nicest kind.

Ramona could not be mistaken for a boy cat. She is all girl. Since she is our first girl cat I find it fascinating that she is so female. I think she is the best hunter and she has this wonderful self contained attitude. She doesn't need a hug in the middle of the night but she will suddenly decide that she wants to be near you and she will come either sit close to you or hop up on your lap. She is dainty and keeps herself perfectly clean. Harper has somethings to learn in that department. Her purr is softer and her meows are higher and feminine. If she is sleeping downstairs and wakes up alone she will give out a plaintive call "where is everybody?"

Brendan goes to the chiropractor every month and gets acupuncture. He is an old man but he is doing fine for all that. He has cabin fever and wants to go out every morning. These days we walk around with him. He's been an outdoor going cat all his life but he is slowing down so we feel we should keep more of an eye on him. He smells for the spring. He says it's not here yet. Brendan is very bossy, he runs the tribe and he runs us too. He yells for attention, when he wants food, when he wants to go for a walk and when he wants a nice warm bath. He gets bits of kitty litter stuck in his front paws and I think that is because his paws are spread out more in his senior years, the kittens don't get that. I am switching to the Feline Pine from a clumping Arm and Hammer. I love the clumping one and so do the cats but I am having to clean Brendan's paws everyday and he DOES NOT LIKE IT.

I hope everyone saw the notice about the pet food recall. I am posting the web site for the page with the cat food brands. Do check it out as there are a lot. The web site is rather odd. It is called the menufoods income fund. I think they have taken some stuff down but the list of foods is there for both dogs and cats. They say they have tracked it down to a supplier of wheat gluten. I don't see what wheat gluten is doing in pet food. We use Evo dry without any grain but Brendan loves the new Max Cat Gourmet Classics which does have wheat gluten in it. Nutro was one of the companies affected but Brendan's line isn't on the list. I think Wellness is the best wet food as far as quality but he is 17 and he loves this food and will eat it three times a day. With the Wellness it was hit or miss. And he is thriving at this time.

Maybe I could just add some tomato paste.

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html

If your cats were people what would their occupations be? If you don't comment on Blogger you can email me Zuleme AT zuleme dot Com. Then I'll tell you what we came up with for the Tiger Tribe.

Cabin Fever

It's March and it was something like 20 below with the wind chill last night. Or the night before. Unusual for March to be so cold. We got nice snow, we got out in it, then it started freezing and Olof got a wicked cold so we haven't been out since Saturday. Cabin fever sets in about now in the Frozen North while we read about daffodils coming up in France. The kittens are vastly entertained by the bird and squirrel show going on at the feeder placed outside the window by my painting table. But they need to get out and run around. Harper is a little butterball. And it's not that he's a chow hound. Ok so maybe it's just kitten fat. Ramona is a round little thing too. Not that Brendan minds, he says he likes them Rubenesque.



Afternoons find everyone at the beach. The warm spot in front of the heater. Or on the couch next to it.





As soon as a warm spell hits we shovel out a path to the patio. We still have about 14 inches on the ground. Not much, I've seen Aprils with three feet. We're just waiting for that spring air. Brendan goes out in the driveway and lifts his head smelling for it.

It ain't here yet.