Animal Communicator?

Ok, so I am not an official animal communicator, cause I have no idea what they are thinking at any moment in time - but I can generally figure out what they are about to do by their body posture - but I am starting to believe I have the ability to TELL the cats what to do..

now for the most part my kitties are much like other kitties, they don't listen.  They take a message and get back to you sort of thing.  Often if you want them off something they are on, you have to walk up to them and threaten physical removal in order for them to care.

but recently I have started asking my cats to to get down, or come here, or leave their sibling alone... and it worked!!

I am sure it has a LOT to do with my tone.  If I tell them to get down in a sing songy happy voice, they just bask in the praise they think they are getting.. but there is that no nonsense tone I have that means *I have absolutely had it with whatever you are doing and the next time I speak you are NOT going to like it*.  You know the one, when you say, no, get down, no, go away, leave my food alone, no, NO, GEEZE  COME ON!!, no, down, sit down.. and THEN you get the tone, so you could pretty much tell them to fly to the moon and they'd slink down and sit somewhere close and watch you.  Maybe I've come to be able to use that tone the first time, but I got Kit to lay down on the first command the other day when she was so excited over seeing DH that she was about to step in his dinner for the fifth time.  I got Fleurp to get off the counter, twice.  I got Ollie and Muffin to drop their little scuffle (those are interesting.  Muffin is 1.5 times the size of Ollie, but Ollie is older and meaner.  They've never actually fought, but they have been having quite a few vocal scuffles lately)

I also haven't been able to do anything in my house with out an entourage.  DH thinks it is quite funny when I walk down the hall with at least four cats following me around.  Last night when I got home from work, I had six, and they were all squeeking and whining wanting my attention.  I was in the kitchen trying to talk to DH and I almost couldn't hear myself from all the hubub.  I told them to be quiet a few times, but not in "the tone" finally I had it, and told them to leave us alone! and surprisingly a moment later there wasn't a kitty in the kitchen (they were all on the far side of the island which I refer to as the dining area of our great room kitchen/living room/dining room room) no crying, no noise of any kind.  I almost went giddy with my power.  If I could get Jack to not cry for treats, could I take over the world??

I then went down to exercise, and my entourage came with me.  Fleurp has taken to sleeping in a blanket that is on the floor in the basement where I work out.  She comes down with me and takes a cat nap while I work out.  I have not worked out alone since... well since I can remember :).  But last night I had Skippy running around playing with a ping pong ball and trying to goat Fleurp into playing.  Muffin was there too, doing her best to distract me with her beautiful belly.  She so loves to flaunt that thing at me when I'm busy knowing I have a very hard time resisting it. Life according to Muff is that NOTHING is more important then paying attention to Muff - unless she's busy. 

We do have a little bit of a situation though.  Twee has ended up with a few scabs on her head, so someone is not playing fair.  She had a tiny one at the base of her ear on the back side last week, and on Sunday I found a rather large scrape/scab under her chin.  I see her playing with Skippy and Muffin (ok so Muffin doesn't play she tells her to go away with some rather aggressive tones but I can't see her getting physical) and I've never seen anyone trying to hurt her.  Not quite sure what is going on.  She's lost several patches of fur on her head previous, but with no scabbing, no irritation of any type.  Just a small round patch of fur missing (maybe the size of a pea) and smooth white skin peeking through.  *shrug*  I'll have to keep an eye on it and see what comes of it.

drive by licking

There are times in my life when I know I want to have no idea what my cats are thinking....

then there are others when I think.. that was so cute, why did they do that?

Well Fleurp does something that slays me each and every time.  I feel a little bit like the Grinch and my heart grows two sizes.  She doesn't do it often, but often enough that I know it is on purpose.

She does a drive by licking.

She'll walk up to me as I'm standing some where, and just give my calf a little lick.  She's then off doing something else which is why I call it a drive by.

Last night she found a packing peanut in the basement and dragged it upstairs and proceeded to kill it.  DH found her splayed out with bits of peanut splayed around her and she was looking quite content.  It was a good kill.  Of course we didn't know she did this until we found her like that and we proceeded to pick up the pieces to make sure she didn't accidentally eat them (nor did Tweedle who has a habit of eating inappropriate things) Well apparently we missed one because Skippy was having fun with it this morning.

I have been giving her eye drops to try to reduce the scar on her eyeball.  I'm not sure if it is working or not  I'll have to get a real good look in there soon.  We are coming to the end of the first 10 day cycle.  I so hope it helps her because her depth perception is still off.  She adjusts very well for having one half cloudy eye, but if this will help I want to help her.

the cutest thing

I am sick today.  The kind of sick where just going to the kitchen to get a drink wears you right out.  Heck standing up is quite a feat for me today.  I've been dealing with sinus issues and it moved into my lungs so I'm congested and coughing up quite a bit of mucus.  Breathing is a bit of a struggle.  It is not much fun.

So to make my day a little brighter, my little Fleurp has been hanging out with me.  All except for about two or three hours (during which I ended up taking a nap) she has either been on my chest letting me pat her, or licking my nose, or being close by on the bed.  At one point she got up from her end of the bed, walked up to my chest.  Laid down as if to give me a hug, then got up and went back to her end of the bed. My heart just melted.  I've gotten up a few times to get some more fluids, and each time she walks with me into the kitchen.  Often in front of me going very slowly as if to remind me to take it easy.  she then sat up on her perch and watched me, and followed me back to the bedroom.

The other cats have come and gone.  The come for a little attention and lovin, but what Fleurp did was special and quite unique.

a few photos

I interrupted Fleurp when she was grooming. She looks like this a lot, as she spends a lot of time grooming, and is easily interrupted.



Skippy carving out a little sun bathing time. Looks so relaxed doesn't he?



Quality time with the kitties. Fleurp in the far background. Eli to the left, Twee to the right and the Skipster lounged over my thighs. I had the worst time taking this photo since he is on my upper thighs, angling the camera and seeing through it was impossible, so I kept taking shots and trying to reposition the camera to make sure they were all in the shot.  Eli got annoyed the flash going off so much that he left shortly after this photo was taken.


This is the whole crew.  I can't hand feed them treats as doing so often ends up with me shedding blood (claws in the thighs, teeth in the fingers) so I toss them on to the ground.  This is the ONLY way Twee eats treats.  If I ever catch her alone and try to offer her something individually she completely ignores it.  If I am bold and try to hand feed treats and toss one in front of her, it usually bounces off her nose and she completely ignores it.

Photos

 

Fleurp is turning into quite a beautiful young lady.  I took her collar off to get some good photos of her "mane"  I just feel bad about that eye of hers.  I don't know if anything can be done for her, but I am going to ask at her next vet visit.  Poor thing was trying to catch a fly that made it into the house, and with very little depth perception there was just no way.

Skippy is totally miserable hun?  I guess I shouldn't be that sorry about adopting him :)

*headpalm* or why 8 kitties is a bad idea

Ok, seriously, I know owning Skippy would be a bad idea.  Doesn't mean I don't want to do it anyway though....

but this morning my kitties showed me very clearly why.  Mostly it would be that there would be more of them then I could handle.

So in the wee hours of the morning I woke up.  Not one of those *oh crud I'm awake in the middle of the night and I can't get back to sleep* bits.. but I had left my heating blanket on and I was a little warm, so normally I would have rolled over, shut it off and fallen back asleep.  But there were kitties on the bed who were missing me terribly, so when they realized that I might be conscious they sprang into action, and surrounded my head purring up a storm.  15lb Muffin, 12lb Jack and 6lb Fleurp were all there.  9lb Twee showed up a few moments later jockeying for a position to worship at the head of the sleeping mom.

Now if you have never had this experience, let me tell you it is a bit overwhelming.  I have blogged about it before, but it really is something to have four cats up in your face when you are barely awake... not to mention the fact that their bodies are the perfect length for their noses to be all up in your face, and their back feet to be targeted to your bladder.  *sigh*  off they all go as I stumble towards the bathroom.  I hate kicking kitties off me, but sometimes the bladder wins.

I stumble back into bed, get comfy, and once again there are cat noses where there shouldn't be cat noses.  Those things are COLD when it is cold in the house.  I finally convince all the kitties to settle down somewhere around the area of my legs, and drift off to sleep (but not before annoying the daylights out of DH who went to sleep on the couch.  Kitties were happy - more room for them)

Morning begging is reserved for DH who feeds them since he gets up first.  But when I got up, Jack was all up in my business begging for attention.  Fleurp dug out a superball and was playing with it.  I picked it up and realized that someone had chewed chunks off it.  I probably should have put the ball in my pocket to be stored in a drawer (ok I admit it, I really like superballs.. and yes it is appropriate to give me a gift of one) but I bounced it into the other room, and watched Fleurp fly at it, and look so adorable doing it.  something between a rabbit and a flying squirrel (I so wish I had video proof of it).  The ball ended up back at my feet, so I bounced it again, and this time she was so intent on getting it she missed the fact that the ball was bouncing towards the fridge, and she ran right into it.  Yes, Fleurp makes me laugh every single day.

But later, after I exercised, I went back into the bedroom to get dressed for work, and realized that a flipflop I have not work in over a year (wore them the summer previous) was on the middle of the floor.  I shook my head, knowing my Fleurp thought it was irrisitable and some how had dragged the thing from my shoe rack in the front of the house, through the kitchen, down the hall, and into the bedroom.  I KNEW it was her, only from the evidence of the lone flop on the floor.  Sure enough a few minutes later, she came and flopped next to the shoe and proceeded to "kill" it. I got a photo, but it only looks like she's laying on it.

Then I went to feed the rabbit.  Her water bottle was empty, so I bent over to take it off the cage, and went and filled it.  I bent back over to reattach it to the cage, when Kit in all her claws decided to jump up on my back.. OUCH!  I had been saying for a few days I needed to trim claws, well now was the time!!!

I also think one of the other kitties has convinced Twee to play Hide and Seek, because she has taken to hiding behind the curtains in the kitchen.  They are floor length, and mostly sheer.  When I went to pat her through the curtain, she was quite disturbed that she wasn't properly hidden, so I pretended I was just fixing the curtain so she could be happy.

Ollie is still quite annoyed with life.  He's annoyed that the other kitties want to do what he wants to do, and there for are in his way.  Doesn't matter if they were there first, and he walks in on them, if they are in the spot HE wants to be in, they get smacked.  If he offers his head for grooming and they don't groom fast enough, the smacking will commence.  Not quite sure who I feel worse for, him or them.

They definitely bring a depth and richness to my life.  The love, the cuddles, the laughter.  They do add a certain emptiness to my wallet though, the annual vet visits, the $800 surgery for Ollie, then the $500 revisit this year.  Eli needs a dental.  He has for a while, but I put it off, well I can't put it off any more.. Jack is having issues with his bladder.. at least I'm assuming his bladder is a little uncomfortable and he doesn't just like the Brazilian look.  All of my kitties are under 10 years of age, so I'll have multiple seniors at the same time in a few years.  Being proactive costs money, not being proactive either means more money or the loss of my kitties too young.

I just wish my heart understood all that..

Happy Belated Birthday Fleurp!

I'm going through my Photobucket account and labeling the photos of my own cats for future referance.  I realized that I had Fleurp at the begining of November, so I went back and looked at her history.  Apparently she came to me on 10/20 already at least four weeks old, so I don't think I would be out of line calling October 1st as her birthday.

I can't believe she is a year old, she still looks so kitten like... although not quite as small as she used to be..

picts

The kittens are growing like weeds. The boys have lost their cords and are fat and cubby. The girl still has hers, and is smaller and petite compared to them.
KITTEN BELLY!!
Then they were screaming and Lula came to the rescue.
When I went upstairs Fleurp was being adorably cute and wanted her photo taken.
I got up this morning and saw this, it was just too cute and had to share. Jack (gray) Ollie (black & white) and Muffin (white and gray)

The Crew

So I got a coupon for some free digital prints, and I have some cute photo frames I want to fill up with photos of the crew, so this morning I took my camera (yes, the stupid Kodak one who will NOT focus on the cats no matter how hard I try) and took about 100 photographs of the kids. These were the only ones who came out half decent (and one that isn't half decent but is too cute anyway)
Click on any photo to view the larger format:

So first I took photos of Ollie. Sitting on the fridge I figured I had a half decent chance of getting a good photo


Then Fleurp decided she wanted in on the action


Then I took a few of Jack that did not come out at all (the rug he was on was clearer than he - the item in the CENTER OF THE PHOTO) and Fleurp was not amused she wasn't the center of attention


So then Muffin came around, and I got one of her on the chair. Unfortunately that was all blurry too, and the first one of Muf and Kit was bad, but this one was cute.


seriously, you would think this kitten never gets any attention!!



Tweedle walked by, and the first few of her were all blurry, but I got this one


Eli's first photo was horrid, the second was good, and he was out of there, because he knew I was going to want to clean his face


More Fleurp.. I swear...


So then Muffin jumped up on the cat tree and proceeded to pose for me in the MOST DIFFICULT POSITION POSSIBLE. I love her.. really I do, and she totally makes me work for it


so I got her to turn around with a few well placed complements and some begging



but then she decided she needed to wash up.


and because that picture was just so priceless, a few close ups



Then I thought I'd go get a photo of Brianna, the Bunny. and guess who showed up


Tried to get one with out Fleup. Tried...

*hangs head*

I am a bad kitty mommy today. I think I've been forgiven, but I'm still kind of ashamed.

Jack needs to get some medication every day. I can either force him to take it, or sneak it in a little meat snack. He prefers the meat snack - and frankly I do as well because he takes it willingly. I've never been a fan of forcing my cats to do anything. I can, and easily, but if there is another way I'll take it.

So Fleurp, never one to practice self restraint, needs to be distracted so Jack can eat his "treat". She will steal anything from anyone and not show a second of fear or remorse or anything. She wants, she gets, period. So she gets a little to distract her, then I give to anyone else standing around, then Jack gets his. Usually by the time Jack has his, Fleurp is done with hers, and is in everyone else's face, but I have time to grab her and hold her.

Today though, she wasn't cooperating with the distraction, and clawed me when I tried to offer her a second piece. i'm trying to teach her that she will get food if she is calmer about it, but she's just not into that. I try to show her that other kitties get food for being calm, but she just goes and steals theirs. I'm making some headway, but it is much like moving a beach with a teaspoon.

So today Jack took his treat and ran off with it. Fleurp ran right after him, so I pushed her gently away and guarded him while he tried to get the deli meat up off the floor. I need to remember they don't do well with bigger pieces of deli meat, because it takes them longer and pieces fall to the floor and getting flat meat up off the floor is harder. So I pushed Fleurp away and she immediately ran right back, and because my hands smell like meat, I got nipped.

Now it wasn't that hard, but it did shock me, and with out even thinking I cuffed her. Now she's been tapped before, and told "NO" but she's always gotten lots of warning before it happened. This time she just got hit. I could see the shock in her face, and she was immediately fearful of me, hiding behind a chair.

i felt horrible. I did it out of reaction, not out of malicious thought. It wasn't that hard of a smack, no damage was possible, but it was enough to shock her, and all I accomplished was to make her fear getting hit again. I am pretty sure at this age she just can't make the mental connection of why she got hit.

So I went and got another slice of turkey, and gave small pieces out until she could not resist, and I offered her piece after piece. I *think* she's either forgiven me or forgotten about it, but I won't know for certain till I get home tonight.

This is the second time I've lashed out at my kitties with out thinking. I did it years ago to Ollie when he smacked me on the face leaving marks. I felt absolutely horrible about that one too.

And people wonder why I don't have kids..

for the love of all that is Fleurp!

I now bring you some gratuitous photos of Fleurp..

I shall call her... "Mini Me"

Ok, I'm kinda getting freaked out by Muffin and Fleurp's relationship. Fleurp is showing so many of the characterizations of Muffin it is really starting to show. Fleurp is showing Muffin's devotion to me. They walk around visiting the same things together. Muffin does not mind in the least when Fleurp follows her around (but when Twee does it it is *JUST WRONG!!*)

Muffin, who has always been very much her own kitty, and who wouldn't mind if all other kitties disappeared off the face of the planet (except maybe Jack who helps her beg for treats) so she can be worshiped and have the people's undivided attention, actually doesn't mind spending time with Fleurp.

and surprisingly things have always seemed to just work out when it comes to curling up on my chest and getting attention. Muffin has always loved crawling up on my chest or under my arm and hanging out with me. She gets jealous and reacts violently when others come near during her "mommy time" - hissing and lashing out. Either Fleurp knows better than to invade this space, or luck or fate or who knows, but Muffin has never done that to Fleurp. Fleurp has raised Muffin's ire when she gets a little too rambunctious, prancing on the bed wanting to "play" and Muffin isn't in the mood, but Fleurp was quick to figure out if Muff doesn't want it, it doesn't happen (unlike Twee who continually asks, much like a child in a car ride asking "are we there yet")

While I wouldn't quite go so far as to call them Best Buds, I never thought Muff would develop a feline bond, and this still amazes me.

Good Morning Mom!!!

Ok, seriously, I so wish I had the ability to understand my cats.

Why oh why were ALL SEVEN cats in the bed this morning waiting for me to wake up?

Ollie was *right in my face* (whiskers up the nose in the face) on the left. Muffin was on my chest. Jack was on my right. Right behind Jack was Eli waiting his turn. Twee, Fleurp and Kit were behind the first line just sitting there amusing themselves.

Ok, so I wake up. Pat Ollie, pat Jack, snuggle Muff. Jack leaves, I pat Eli, and then pretty much I'm alone.

seriously. It isn't like I feed them in the morning - or ever. DH takes care of that. I understand the "We are STARVING! Dad forgot to feed us this morning" plea when I finally do crawl out of bed. can't blame them for trying to get more.

I must say I am amused and dismayed by one new development in the house. Fleurp has decided to bring her toys into the bed. Now she's done this in the past, but never to PLAY with them. She has started sitting on top of me and playing with things. yes, when I'm asleep. Yes, at some unseemly hour of the night - no glasses on so I have no idea exactly when. It has been belled balls, but I immediately take those away from her so she's started bringing toy mice into the bed. During the day when she brings them, we play fetch. Fortunately I'm not asleep enough to think that if I throw the toy off the bed she'll go away. I know that she'll just bring it back :)

I finally schedualed their annual exam. May 2nd. I'm still not sure what I am going to do about vaccines. I'm thinking Ollie is done since he had that growth. Rabies is required, but FVRCP isn't. The new vaccination guidelines say no sooner than every 3 years. Well I believe I'm at year three. Since I have fosters in the house, there is risk of exposure, but there are a lot of people who believe that once vaccinated that they are protected for life.

I believe in vaccines. Completely. I think every single cat everywhere should be vaccinated unless they have a vet approved reason for not being (aka known health issues that cause vaccines to be riskier than the possibility of the diseases) but our cats have been so over vaccinated over the years. I'm not 100% convinced that 3 years is when vaccines 'run out" or need to be boostered.

Guess I have a few more weeks to think it over. Although since my vet is the shelter vet, I might have to if I want to continue fostering..

Easter Love

Click for larger images

This was really cute. Fleurp walked over to Kit and flomped down on her. Kit wrapped her arm around her, and started giving her a bath.

I didn't want to get up and get a real camera for fear of disturbing them and losing these sceen. So I took these shots with the cam in my laptop, with the cruddy lighting I've got going on here. But that's ok. You can see them.

Now Fleurp is grooming Kit. This is just too friggen cute!

Flying Fleurp

Ok, honestly, I have no idea where the name Flerup came from. I was driving down the road, approaching a bend in the road (I can't believe I remember where I was when the name came to me) before I even brought her home. But the name is so perfect for Fleurp it isn't even funny.

She does the Fleurp Flomp, where she is either walking or standing one second and laying down the next, and the Fleurpy Dance, where she's up on her hind legs squeaking adorably for food, and now she's Flying Fleurp.

an explanation.

I have started dosing Jack with L-methionine to help him with his alkaline urine. I noticed he's been grooming his belly raw, so I tested his urine last week and the stuff was bright pink. (color changing litter) since he hadn't had any treats for several days, I knew that he needed more than the raw food I have been feeding him. (it is premade and higher in carbs than apparently he needs - but it is cheap, and already made, which are two huge bonuses in my book so we are going to try the supplement with Jack and see if that helps him before going back to making our own raw)

The stuff is pretty bland tasting (yes, I tasted it) so I figured I could get away with rubbing a little into some meat of one sort or another... and yes, that works nicely. I did it with some raw steak the other day, and deli meat the past few mornings.

Well if you are giving out deli meat, you can't just give it to one kitty.. every one gets deli meat. Fleurp is the most persistent when it comes to grabbing snacks. She'll take them right out of the mouths of other kitties (why they let her I have NO idea) so she has to have hers first to distract her long enough for the other kitties to get a chance to taste their own treat - and since Jack has to have his piece, she has to be distracted.

Well this morning apparently the piece wasn't big enough to be much of a distraction, because by the time I got around the counter, she had jumped up on the chair that I walked around and "flew" to the other side of the counter. It was so adorable (yes, she's adorable in just about EVERYTHING she does) I don't know if her feet even touched the chair.

She then proceeded to do the Fleurpy Dance to try to convince me to give her more. Fortunately she was distracted enough doing the dance that Jack got to eat his treat.

In case you haven't seen the Fleurpy Dance, here is an encore presentation:

we have packs now

well something intersting has happened now that Fleurp has fully moved in. The crew has now broken into two packs. We have the babies: Kit, Twee and Fleurp. And we have the older crew: Ollie, Jack, Muffin and Eli.

This morning was interesting. we fed the crew early last night (5ish) and went out to the movies. They ate, but they left a few bits on the plate - which is so not like our kitties. This morning I guess they figured their entire feeding schedual had changed because around 5 am they decided to start waking us up.

Us? no. let me rephrase. ME. they decided to wake ME up.

why? I HAVE NO IDEA! I don't feed them.. maybe I'm easier to wake up.. which I do believe. My DH sleeps among the dead.

So this morning I was a play ground, then I was a jungle gym. I ignored it the best I could and got comfortable. I woke up again to a cold nose in my face

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Ok, so I don't scream. I'm used to it by now, but even still this morning was intereting. When I woke up, I realized Muffin was on my side (I was sleeping on my side) and I knew there was a kitty in front of me. Ollie usually sleeps between DH and I, so I thought it was him. I reached out to pat him (eyes barely open and no glasses and it was still the middle of the freakin night so identification wasn't a top priority) as I patted, I realized it wasn't Ollie, because he made a little noise. I opened my eyes more, and realized in the space of my head were three cats. Muffin on my side, Ollie and Jack were all trying to stick their nose on my face. I turned to get my glasses, and ran into Eli laying on the other side patiently waiting. So seriously, in the space of two pillows laying side by side was me and four adult cats. how come they can do this with out arguing, but they can't walk into a bathroom with out squabbling?

I made my DH get up half an hour early and feed them, mostly because I do enjoy breathing. As he was ambling toward the kitchen the kittens showed up and started wrestling on the bed. Fleurp is starting to over power Kit. Fleurp now tackles Kit and pushes her over completely. Kit is not amused. Fleurp and Twee are now playing nicely together, which is so nice. I was so worried about Twee after we lost Em. She just couldn't find a kitty to take her place. She definately seems happier now.

Fleurp is also starting to turn into a preteen. She is filling out and fluffing up. Her tail is very raccoon like. I wish I could capture a photo of her walking because she really is quite beautiful.

I love my cats.. I just don't particularlly appreciate all of them close up at once :)

Weird stuff cats eat

My cats... they are a weird.

the other day I found some baby cookies (human) that were on clearance for very little money, that had good calorie stats, and were banana flavored. I thought what the heck. (actually they are pretty good)

I pulled some out last night, and Jack decided he *HAD TO HAVE IT!!!*

Jack has a horrific scream. ear piercing. Nails on chalk board kind of screams.. so I usually let him sniff what ever he's decided he wants. more times than not it gets a sniff and he walks away - temporarily - giving me enough time to eat what I'm trying to eat.

Well he decided that he had to rub his lips all over the cookie and give it a lick. Now since Jack suffers with crystals when he has too many carbs, I wasn't thrilled with the idea of his eating the cookie, but I couldn't imagine he would. So I let him take it.

Well with all the fussing, Fluerp came over to see what was being doled out. When the cookie hit the floor she shoved Jack out of the way and started nuzzling it. I couldn't believe either cat would actually eat it.. I mean it was basically a banana flavored cracker for goodness sake!!

Well moments later Fleurp walked away licking her lips, and no cookie remained on the floor.

Guess that will teach me to assume cats won't eat things when there is a Fleurp involved..

Its Official!!

Well, today I officially adopted my little Fluerpy Face. I went to the shelter with Happy and Joy and the manager asked me if I was bringing back Fleurp. I said no. So she processed the paperwork and I paid my fee.. now she's officially mine.. all mine..

but of course she's currently all cuddled up with Jack..


and she is getting closer to Tweedle which is nice.

More Joy

You know, the problem with being vigilant and noticing issues when they first crop up, is you spend way too much time obscessing about them.

So Joy went to the vet last Friday, and was put on anti-biotics for this swollen lip. Well she is SICK AND TIRED of me looking at it now. So a squirmy kitten is not an easy thing to look at and examine, and try to go from memory if the lump is bigger or smaller or just changed from the previous exam.

She isn't holding her eye closed as much any more, so I'm thinking the medicine is working.. I think it looks slightly better from before.. but it is so hard to tell. Either way, she is absolutely holding her own, not getting worse, active, eating, playing, so I'm not going to worry about it just yet. If it is still a matter of degrees on thursday/friday I'll bring her back in.

After medicating her and poking her last night, I let them run around a bit. They still don't have free run of my office because they still cower when I go to pick them up. I do not want to re-inforce the "MUST RUN" instinct that happens when they are running loose. So what I do is let them run around before a meal, and when I want them to cage up I put food down. What one kitten does, the other kitten does, so one will go sample the food and the other goes in with her and poof, I have two caged kitties. Works out nicely.

But while running around, they decided to share the roll of paper towels with Fleurp. I was sitting at my computer wondering what the weird noise it was making was, and I all of a sudden realized I was also hearing the shuffling of paper towels. Now a roll of paper towels is an amazing cat toy (don't know why, it just is.. always has been, always will be) and I guess they decided to share it with Fleurp, who was helping them get it under the door. When I walked over they ran, and poor little Fleurp was left *holding the bag* if you will.. as I saw her little paws pulling the paper towels. I tried to pull them back, but she dug her claws in. So hard to unclaw a cat from a paper towel from the wrong side of the door, that is for certain! But fortunately I caught it early and only one sheet had made it out, so it didn't take me long to get it taken care of :)

Funny that they would share their bounty (oh the pun) with Fleurp, since they don't much like her when she makes it into the room with them.

giggles

Ok, Fleurp kills me. I was scooping the foster kitten box, and when I do that I go and scoop Fleurp's "Kitten Box" too. When I have kittens under 6 months of age, I usually keep a box upstairs *just in case*

Well this time around the kittne box is well used. Apparently I have very lazy cats, and they don't want to wander downstairs to use the two HUGE boxes they have, they want to use the one lonely overly used box upstairs. One time I cleaned it, I think I scooped out every spare piece of litter in the box..

anyway.

When I scoop out the box, I can either sit on the floor or lean over at the waist and scoop. I prefer to stand. (if I squat too long my legs go all pins and needles)

today while I'm scooping, I've attracted the attention of Kit as well as Fleurp (who loves to be the first one to christen theh box when I'm done) and they were circling around waiting for me to be done, not really able to contain themselves, they both at one point got in while I was still scooping and started digging. I kicked them out and kept scooping. Well Kit (the shoulder riding cat) thought it would be fun to watch from the top of my back *rolls eyes* so she jumps up from the floor to my tushie, and climbs up.. yes, with claws.. Fortunately she doesn't weigh much, so it wasn't THAT painful.. I mean I kept scooping.

So I was finally done and they both jumped in and started digging around. Well one dig landed on another paw, and soon wrestling ensued in the box. THey are so friggen cute.

Kit finally gave up and jumped out and Fleurp had her way. SHe hates it when I scoop before she burries though. I got her BM, but when it came to her urination, she started covering before she was done.. *giggle*

So then Kit jumped in and urinated first and started to leave so I scooped and started closing up the bag. Well since I was closing up the bag, she thought she'd go back in and mark up the box again *rolls eyes* well I fooled her, I only half closed it up, so I was able to open it right back up again and take her stool with me.. ha ha ha :P

very confused

Well when I started thinking I wanted Fleurp, I introduced her to my crew. She was THRILLED to have kitties to play with, loved the whole thing, and didn't show a nanosecond of hesitation.. because that is just the kitten she is.

I was expecting my crew to growl at her, and show me their general displeasure.. which they never did. They all seem to love her.

HOWEVER...

Ollie has gotten excessively grumpy at EVERYONE, including myself and DH.. Jack has urinary issues again - I'm assuming brought on by stress.. and there seems to be general discord in my house.. last night I had to lock up Jack because he was attacking Kit. None of this seems directly related to Fleurp..

Even this morning when I gave out treats, some boiled chicken, no one cared that Fleurp came in and took their piece. She even took Muffin's piece right out from under her nose and Muffin did not react at all. Simply let her take it and then sniffed around for another piece. When I went to take it back from Fleurp, she was quite posessive, but I split it up and gave most of it back to Muff, who chewed it right up.

Now Muffin doesn't stand for ANYTHING, but she stood for this?!?!?

so is Fleurp a good addition to the house since she plays with Kit and Twee, or should I send her back to find a new home? I've always said my kitties would revolt if I tried to bring anyone else in.. and there does seem to be a revolt going on, but NOT in any way shape or form tied to Fleurp..

I'm just so confused..

testing the theory

Fleurp would very much like to try out the theory I have that kittens can not over eat.

This morning all of the kitties were screaming for food.. I have no idea why. I feel the older ones can wait us out, but Fleurp being so young, I got up and gave her some food.

Ollie was in a particularly foul mood, so I figured I'd give Fleur a large can of food and let Ollie eat the rest of it.. well later when I went to check on how she had done, she had eaten every last drop of food. Wasn't a speck or a crumb. It was like I put down an empty plate. *rolls eyes* I guess she was hungry.

So Ollie got a piece of chicken.. and he's still really grumpy

Merry Christmas Kitties

Buttercup and Wes went back to the shelter on the 27th. Apparently there had been quite a bit of interest in them - as they were featured as pet of the week in the local paper - so I'm sure they are not still there now. I'm glad they got a home for the new year. Wes's adult teeth were starting to come in..

Fleurp had a LOT of fun at Christmas. She loves playing with wrapping and bows. She's been clear since a few days after starting the antibiotic. Today is day #10, so we'll stop it and see what happens.. Part of me hopes I'm so very wrong and the puss / congestion doesn't come back.. but the other part hates to be wrong.. :)

Ollie spent the holidays in a major grump. It's just so sad. I don't know what to do to bring him out of it. I've tried putting him on RR, but he hates it, and I think it is making him grumpier... but I'm still trying. He's back to chewing on the insulation again too. Going to have to make a point to hide all of that and cover up what we can't hide.

Jack - well Jack was peeing in the tub again, so he's back on antibiotics. I found him some of the new color changing litter.. as soon as he's done this next round I'll get him to pee in it and see what's up..

Muffin - I don't know what's up with Muff. I swear she's being haunted. She has been tearing through the house as if she's being chased, but there is no one there. She acted a little off too which is so unlike her.. no one specific symptom I could pinpoint, just.. off.. but she's seems to be back to her ol self.

Eli - Eli is just Eli.. this boy never changes.

Twee - Poor Twee wants more attention than can be given her. She's rather quite annoying about it too. Walks right up to your face and SCREAMS at you.. like that is endearing. I was hoping one of the kittens could give her the attention she wants, but alas, no.

Kit - nothing new to report on Kit either. She's fluffing up nice for winter.. but she's still so small.. it is funny to see this tiny kitty with a huge fluffy mane.

Happiness - she seemed to be better, so I stopped the antibiotic a few days after she stopped weezing, but she was weezing again this morning, so back on it she goes.. Joy - well Joy is SLOWLY coming around. She sits at the front of the cage now, and if I don't look at her, she stays there. I've tried tempting her with treats, but unless I put them right in front of her nose (which by that time is usually in the back of of the cage) she won't even sniff at them. I usually can get her to walk to the front of the cage if I've let her taste that what I have is good.. oh well.. one step at a time.

Benny.. Benny is still at the shelter. *sigh* poor thing. She's in a condo in the lobby, so there is more to look at and more room for her to move around, but with out some serious advertisment on their part, I fear she wont find a home.

Happy is not so Happy

Poor thing is absolutely miserable. Can't seem to shake this cold. She is completely blocked on her left nostril, and her right is getting pretty darn close. Even the nasal drops I'm using don't help her. she's eating, but not enough to sustain her, so I'm forced to keep force feeding her. I don't mind, but it would be nice to not have to. Joy is doing fine, not a hint of illness.

Three things really freak me out about Happiness. first, she's always laying down. I rarely see her do anything else, and usually if she is, it is because I've just handled her. Second, she's usually laying in the litter box. I put a box in the cage for them to lay in, but she prefers the litter box. third, when she is in the box, she's usually propped her head up.. it's really bizarre, and sometimes she looks quite dead. Really, the dead kitten game is old, please stop it, and get healthy!!

Both Butter and Wes had liquid stool, so I tried to get them to eat some Kefir, but it was no go. I tried mixing it into their food, and they each had a few bites, but then it was covered up under everythingn they could use to cover it with, including an old towel, and the shreds from the paper shredder - and lets not forget to mention the paper shredder itself. *rolls eyes* but.. we had a nice formed stool in the litter box this morning, so I'm going with it wasn't a complete waste.

Fleurp is also doing better. She's not breathing as hard, and her ears are missing that o'de puss not to mention the puss itself. So antibiotics are helping.. but will it return when the course is done??

*head bang desk*

I swear one of these days I'm going to stop fostering. I love the challenge of taking care of neo-natal kittens, of sick kittens and kitties, I love watching them learn and grow, and teaching them about the world..

but the down side of dealing with the shelter sometimes really just causes me to go off the deep end.

It's mostly me. most reasonable people wouldn't have an issue with this (yes, I'm calling myself unreasonable - but hey at least I know it) but I care.. (ok I care too much)

I got a call yesterday about Benny. She's been vomiting. ooh.. big surprise. She was bored at my house and hyper grooming. she was brought over to the adoption center and stuck in a small little cage.. so I'm sure she was bored. while I was never officially asked, it very much sounded like they wanted me to take her back. I can't, as the room she was in is being used, and frankly she needs more than I can give her. Find her another foster home where she can interact with the people.. this is what she needs (short of finding her a home) Not to mention, if you are concerned about her blood sugars, YOU TEST HER!! um.. you have all the equiptment, and it isn't that hard.. I showed you how.. *sigh* I'm ranting. yes.. I know. I know testing is a new skill set, and I know it is intimidating for people who arent used to it..

*sigh*

then I tried to talk to them about Fleurp too. She's got puss in her ears and it has got to be running down the back of her throat because she swallows hard / makes vomiting motions sometimes. Her breathing is very hard. I don't believe it is a simple uri because she's active, eating, and shows no outward sign of illness (other than the heavy nasal breathing) I believe she's got a growth or something in her nasal passage or sinus cavety, and it is creating puss, and it is coming out her ears. Antibiotics helped the first time, and I believe they'll help her again this time (which is what they wanted me to do) but I do not believe it will remove the underlying cause of her issue. Once her round of antibiotics are done, it will come back. I want to be proactive. I want them to take her to someone who can look up her nose or in her ear and find out what is causing the puss.. but.. $$ is always an issue with a public (heck even a private) shelter, and antibiotics are cheap. specialists are expensive.

so all this stress (and the stress of dealing with sick kittens) caused me to have a pretty horrid dream last night (warning, it is horrid, so if you want to stop reading now that's ok) I had a large fish tank, and I bought three inch gold fish. I put them in the tank, keeping two out in a separate area. One of the two I kept separate wasn't doing well - a black and white fish - so I put it in the tank with the others. Soon afterwards the fish all started to die. the little black and white fish died near the pole for the water filtration system. I looked again, and the fish turned into a little black and white kitten (that looked like Happiness) with it's paws wrapped around the pole. I looked again, and the fish all turned into kittens. the one remaining fish/kitten was ok, but I was freaking out, and woke up before I did anything with it. I feared Happy had died over night, but she was ok. I guess I was just stressed that I wasn't getting my way with the shelter - which I need to learn to relax about. These kitties are not going to die because we do things the way the shelter wants and not the way I want. It really is ok.. *big deep breath* but I want them my way!!! rant rant rant

It helps to rant here.. sometiems I know I want the moon and it isn't available. and until I see that I'm asking for the moon.. I can't be that objective. I'll probably end up asking for the moon eventually, but I don't need to be there now.

Just when you think you are at the end of your rope

Last night was NOT fun. I had so very much on my todo list, and none of it was fun..

then Buttercup wouldn't come out from under the chair, she didn't want to be medicated, she didn't want to eat, etc *sigh* Weslee is all depressed that her mom is all depressed.. hopefully I can get them fixed up right quick.

Happiness eats for me when I force feed her, which is good. Joy doesn't so much, but she's healthy and eating on her own, so I can understand that. I just wanted to try to bond with her, and providing food is a quick way to do that. I got both Happy and Joy purring, but Joy still is quite fearful of me

Fleurp is a pip, but she's breathing harder and harder, and she's got puss in her ear again.I hope we can get the shelter to take care of this before I officially adopt her (aaak! that is the first time I said that. I am insane to think I should even try to have seven cats!)

so last night was overwhelming, I kept beating myself up for taking on so much. Even with the little I have to do for Christmas, it is still a lot. and Butter was non responsive to me - if not mad at me for causing her seizure (not that I did mind you) Wes was grumpy, Happy and Joy were hissing at me.. well this morning Butter ate for me, came out and used the litter box.. Happiness ate really well for me, and she's playing (I have the web cam set up to watch them)

*happy sigh* sometimes you do get the silver lining..

how to scare a kitten

I don't know how many of you remember when I scared the living daylights out of Kodi 5 years ago. I was cleaning the house, and found a headband with kitty ears on it. I put it on and forgot all about it. I went to give Kodi some love, and he FREAKED out. I tried to comfort him, it only freaked him out more. took me a moment to realize it was the ears.. I took them off and things were right with the world again.

Well this morning I put on a spritz of perfume. I haven't been wearing it lately since it is a spring/summer scent. Well I spritzed, turned around, saw Fleurp, and she wanted to be picked up. She was thrilled I was picking her up till I got her to my chest... where she flipped out. I thought I had hurt her some how. She sat at my ankles asking for attention, so I picked her back up trying to be very gentle. Well she freaked out again, and I realized it must have been that I didn't smell like me.

Must say, it is kinda heart warming to know she wants ME.. and freaks out when she realizes I don't smell like me..

*head desk*

I won't admit it. I won't.. but notice that the label for this post is no longer just "foster"