Why We Don't Take Cats to Work

Why My Cats are Scoundrels: Part 1

Sometimes I eat my dinner in the car in the garage.  Why you ask?  Because of my cats.  They are so demanding and annoying when I get home and meow meow meow until they are fed.  It takes me a few minutes to get their food prepared so sometimes when I am really hungry and have take out, I sit in the car in the garage to eat it before going inside so I can eat in peace.  Trust me, you don't want to make these two mad.

My Valentine

This year Manny is my Valentine.  He is so sweet and such a good sport about taking his medicine.  I have to trick him a lot into thinking he's getting a treat, but so far we've been doing well.  He has to take anywhere from 6 to 9 pills a day.  Poor little guy. For that reason, he is my Valentine.

Here he is as a kitten.

And look at the amazing fluffy tail he used to have.

 



My Cat...The Dog

I have always said my cats are part dog and the chart below proves it! 

 

Manny LOVES having his belly rubbed. He even lifts his leg and asks for it sometimes...he finds it soothing. In fact, you can pet my cats anywhere and they vary from loving it to tolerating it. The face/head/chin and the base of the tail are very very popular though. Manny loves a good scratching on his hind quarters too. The feet are not so popular, but they tolerate it.

Now Minky takes the dog thing to a new level.  He is a trash digger and is obsessed with food.  When he first started opening the cabinet door and digging through the trash, he was very focused and we found it amusing.  All he wanted was the wet food can.  He would surgically remove the can from the trash and lick the can clean.  He was not good at closing the cabinet door behind himself though.  Then this eventually evolved into the the contents of the trash ending up on the kitchen floor every morning.  I had to be really careful what to put in the kitchen trash because he would dig for it so I was making multiple trips a day to the garage trash can.  This eventually got to be too much and we now have a child proof lock on the cabinet...because of the cat.  Every time I try to open the cabinet door and I forget about the lock, I curse Minky's name!  I also cannot leave any food on the counter over night because he will either knock it on the floor or chew through the package.  He can even chew through the dry cat food bag...

Oh, and let's not forget the drinking out of the toilet.

I thought cats were a little more civilized than this, but they are really scoundrels at heart...who like a good belly rub.

Anatomy of a Cat Lady

I have 7 out of 10...does that make me a cat lady or just 70% cat lady???

The Holiday Hangover

What is it about the end of the holidays that leaves me feeling down?  Call it a holiday hangover or the post holiday blues.  Whatever it is, it sucks.  Today is my first day back at work after eleven days off.  It was nice to have a break, but getting up early and wearing something other than lounge pants was a downer.  For some reason my pants don’t fit me like they did before the holidays either!  I’m going to start Weight Watchers, again, tomorrow.  The weather doesn’t help.  It’s been grey and cold.

 

Yesterday I took down all the Christmas decorations.  It was particularly sad to me because my cats love the Christmas tree and we just recently learned that one of them is very sick and likely won’t see another Christmas.  His meds are helping him feel better though and he sat in a pile of tissue paper and played with an ornament while I put everything away.  I was happy to see him having fun though.

 

 My cure for this is to start planning vacations to warm and exciting places!  What do you do to beat the post holiday blues?

Kitten Hugs

This is just too cute. 

Minky Update

Minky is very much enjoying the cooler fall weather and stays out much later than I'd like him to.  He hasn't brought home anymore critters yet, which I'm happy about.  I'm not sure if he hasn't caught anything else or if he's taking his winnings somewhere else since Chris takes them away when he brings them in the house.  For all I know, there is a pile of chipmunks under the deck.  I always knew Minky was a hunter, but now he's defending his territory as well.  I saw him go after another cat in our yard tonight.  He came back just fine though and got a drink, then back outside to continue his work.

Get that Boy a Bell

Grasshopper Slayer has become a full blown critter killer.  As I was getting ready this morning, C came up to tell me Minky was standing outside the door with a chipmunk in his mouth.  This made me so sad.  I like the critters in the yard and never wanted him to kill anything.  I couldn't go downstairs until the ordeal was over because I didn't want to see the poor little chipmunk.  C told me he took it from Minky, made sure it wasn't just playing dead, and then disposed of it.  Minky is going to get a bell on his collar if this happens again.

Grasshopper Slayer

The situation with Minky going outside is going well so far.  I realize it only takes one time for something to go wrong though.  He usually only goes out after his dinner or a little bit during the day on the weekends.  A lot of the time he is outside he is just sitting on the table on the deck.  I'm good with that since he's outside and getting fresh air, but is out of harms way.  Minky is a hunter and wants so badly to catch something...especially a squirrel.  I like the idea of him having fun chasing things, but don't want him to actually catch anything since I like all the critters in the yard.  Unfortunately I saw him catch a grasshopper last night...I had to look away while he was eating it. 

Who’s the Crazy Lady Yelling for Her Cat???

Oh wait…that’s me.

So we’ve been letting Minky go outside in the daylight when we are home. He’s a much happier cat now, but I do still worry about him. Normally he doesn’t stay out too long and likes to come and go. On Saturday evening he was outside and we wanted to go out to dinner so we couldn’t leave until Minky was back inside because it was going to be dark by the time we got back. I went out on the deck and yelled really loudly, “MINKY MOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Since there are not fences between the houses, my neighbor looks over at me like I’m a crazy lady. I didn’t know he was out there, but too late, I already looked like a fool. So then I yelled over that I was just looking for my cat. His mean dog starting barking and I saw Minky. Oh no! Minky has to go through their yard and by the dog (who was on their deck) to get home. I yelled over to ask neighbor guy if the dog was on a leash and he said he can’t get out. Then Minky comes running full speed with his fur all poofy down the lawn toward me. I’m cheering him on and patting on my legs for him to come to me. I’ve never seen him run full speed for so far. It was the Minky 50 yard dash. I was so proud of him for running to me. All this happened so fast but seemed like it was in slow motion as I was watching Minky run to me and hoping the dog didn’t jump the gate on the neighbor’s deck. Then Minky came in the house and had his attitude back like nothing was wrong. I wonder how long he was out there trying to figure out how to get past the dog.

Intimidation - Minky Look Alike

Letting Go

He says I need to let go. I don't see it as not wanting to let go, but wanting to keep them safe. It's a big bad world out there that is dangerous for a little kitty. My husband wants to let the cats go outside, preferably full time since he is upset about them ruining furniture and peeing outside the litter box. We have occasionally taken them in the back yard and watched them, but now he's letting them go out and not watching them. They are more adventurous when we go with them. Now Minky goes by himself and comes back after a few minutes, but each time he stays out longer. Yesterday when he didn't come back after his usual time I went out looking for him and couldn't find him. I thought for sure he was gone and I'd never see him again. By the time I got back to the house, practically in tears, he was waiting by the door to be let in.

Mikey

I usually don't look at the kitties in cages at the pet store because it makes me so sad. A week or two ago I did though and one kitty stole my heart. I saw him from far away and he caught my eye because he looked like a short haired version of my Manny. I walked to over to see him and he was very friendly, rubbing his head on the side of the glass and meowing at me. I wish I could have pet him, but he was in an enclosed area. I could tell he was lost from a home because he had a bit of a belly. Today I was back at the store and I checked to see if he was still there...unfortunately, he was. He was sound asleep. I hope his owners find him or he gets a new home soon because living in a cage at Petsmart isn't much of a life for a cat.

Cute Overload

I saw this picture on Cute Overload and couldn't resist posting it here. The title is, "Congratulations, it's a kitteh".

Kitties in Cages

It breaks my heart that so many animals live in cages in shelters. I can't even walk by the cats in cages for adoption at the pet store because it makes me so sad. If I ever win the lottery or become very wealthy I want to set up cage free shelters for homeless cats. Until that day comes, I try to help kitties in other ways.

I looked up some local cat rescue organizations to see what I could do to help. Fancy Cats Rescue Team has cats in four local pet stores and said they needed these stretch & scratch pads so I bought a case and sent them to them. Next, I'm going to get new toys and bedding for these kitties.



If you have the means, please donate time, money or goods to one of your local pet shelters or rescue organizations. Every little bit helps!

Not Again

Looks like it's time to call Critter Control again. My cats are staring at walls and something is scratching from the inside of a built in wall unit. Time for Minky and Manny to get to work and earn their keep. I just hope my husband finds whatever they catch instead of me.

Surprise!

Not one of my kitties...but so cute I had to post.

The Magic Machine

My husband and I are taking this week off work for a much needed break and to do some fun things. Sunday morning we went drove down to Charlottesville, did some wine tasting, ate some good food and stayed the night at a hotel down there. We were going to do more today before driving home but since it's raining we decided to just drive back home. Later this week we are going to spend the night in DC for Thanksgiving. We all know how I adore my cats and don't want them to have their perfect little worlds messed with...but I didn't want to deal with getting the cat sitter to come just for overnight trips. For each of these little trips, we are away from the house for only a little over 24 hours. I can't leave a big bowl of food for the cats though because they will eat it all immediately and then have nothing to eat the rest of the time so I bought two automatic feeders to take care of this problem. I tried using it for their breakfast yesterday before we left, but it didn't work right (it only dispensed a tiny amount of food). I worked on it for about a half hour and got it working right and got both in sync to dispense at the same time. What still worried me though was that only Manny went to it to get the food when the little bit of food came out. Minky didn't even go near it so while we were gone I was worried Manny was eating both and Minky none. Well, when we got home today it was clear that they had both eaten and were just fine. I'm used to coming home and them being all friendly because they want to be fed. Now they don't really see my purpose anymore. Instead they now hover and rub all over the feeders that we have named "the magic machine". Can't wait to see this in action at 5:00.

Dog and Cat Diary Excerpts

I found this amusing and it seems like my cat Minky wrote the cat part. I don't know who wrote it to give them credit.

Excerpts from a Dog’s diary:
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's diary:

Day 983 of my captivity...

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now......