Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Tabbies in Trees Tuesday

I first want to thank everyone for their well wishes regarding Smudge. As I write this, he is in for surgery. We won't know anything until 2:00pm MST. Once we know, I will post the news, good or bad. UPDATE: 12:00pm Smudge's surgery was cancelled. His levels are right back up and he has lost another 11 percent of his weight. Dr. Nick does not think that Smudge would survive the procedure. He has advised us to start looking at managing the remainder of Smudge's days as best we can. Who knows, Smudge might even surprise us.

Constantly writing about Smudge and his critical health issues is as depressing to me as it is to the readers of this blog. So in order to remind everyone that there are three other cats in our household who have been doing their darnest to bring levity and laughter to our lives, I present to you Tabbies in Trees:

Our Christmas tree went up last week to get everyone used to it. We always hope the novelty of the tree will wear off before the ornaments actually put on it. Every year, the cats lull us into thinking that is it now safe to begin the decorating. Now in previous years, we have tried to have a natural tree which by its sappy nature has a built in defense mechanism against overly inquisitive cats. This year, my wife wanted an easy to maintain artificial tree, a rotating artificial tree.

Can you see where this is going?

Now Bella being the oldest girl-cat in the house took it apon herself to begin the required exploration and investigation of the tree. Not too much of an issue as it was not rotating at this point in time.

This require some sniffing of the stand, chewing of the plastic leaves, and climbing up the center of the tree. We did not witness this, but one of the benefits of having four different coloured cats is that you do not need CSI to figure out whose fur you found on the branches five feet of the floor.

Dolce is a sponge. She learns very well from her siblings. She saw Bella pawing at the branches; she pawed at the branches. She saw Bella chewing on the plastic, she chewed on the plastic. She saw Bella climbing up the center of the tree, she climbed up the center of the tree. Just a second though, wasn't the tree stationary when Bella climbed it? That was one detail Dolce chose to overlook.


This is Dolce on one of her passes as she sat on the branches of the tree as it rotated around. Kind of like her own Christmas themed carousel. In our moment of worry and fear, these two took it apon themselves to bring a smile to our faces.

I shudder to think what will happen once there are ornaments on those branches.

25 comments:

  1. That is vary sad nooz, and we will keep yoo and Smudge in owr thots and purrayers. Thank yoo for taking the time to share "Tabbies in Trees."

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  2. I am so sorry that Smudge's surgery had to be cancelled. I hurt just thinking about him having to keep dealing with that stone. I hope he does surprise you. Tabbies in Trees was delightful. I can just imagine Dolce going round and round and enjoying the ride.

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  3. We like tabbies in trees. We are sorry that Smudge was unable to have his surgery. We hopes that things start going better for him.

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  4. Tabbies in trees are wonderful! I'm a tabby but I haven't figured out the whole tree thing.

    I know how hard it is to keep discussing VET issues. When Latte was the broken little kitten he completely upset the Woman and she did kind of forget that I was still there for her. We all are praying for Smudge and Latte is throwing in what he calls a "magical meezer song". Whatever...

    Chase

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  5. Meowm and I will keep purraying for Smudge! I am sending gentle headbutts and lots of purrs for you and your family.

    Thank you for tabbies in trees.....it is very cute!

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  6. Let's face it, Christmas trees are for cats!
    Our thoughts are with Smudge.

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  7. We're keeping Smudge in our thoughts and prayers. It is hard to have a kitty feeling sick and I know how it weighs on your heart.

    Tabbies in Trees is ADORABLE! Very nice photos!

    from your friend,
    Icon

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  8. Your family (feline & human)are in all of our thoughts and purrayers. We continue to think the best for Smudge.

    Thank you for Tabbies in Trees - great idea! Our mom wishes we would show some (but not too much) interest in the tree. Basically we act like we don't see it - that drives her nuts!

    Take care & please give Smudge a big hug and a kiss on top of his head from us & our people.

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  9. So sorry to hear the news of Smudge's cancelled surgery. :( We will continue to keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

    Love the cats in the C-mas tree! Ditto to what Skeezix said!

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  10. Very cool tabies in trees!

    We wish the best for Smudge. Headbutts & purrs.

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  11. Our love to Smudge, and hats off to the other kitties to try and lift everyone's spirits.

    ~J&B

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  12. We're sorry Smudge wasn't able to have the surgery, but we'll keep praying that he does well without it.

    We think your tree is beautiful just the way it is - with the precious furry ornaments. just purrfect.

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  13. we hope that Smudge and all of you will enjoy the holidays. it's all about family. and love. and you have lots of that.

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  14. I am so sorry to hear that Smudge's surgery got cancelled. You are in OC, Carma and the rest of our family's thoughts. I know the sadness and hurt you are feeling and I am heartbroken that you're having to feel it. :(

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  15. We are fuury sorry to hear about Smudge and hope he is not in lots of pain. And you don't have to add more ornaments to the tree, you already haf some. ~Merlin, Shadow, Ko KO and the Poiland Tribe

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  16. oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear about Smudge. You are right, he might surprise you. We will continue to purray for Smudge, and you, as you try and manage this.

    Cats in trees. No trees for us this year, Miles was being bad before the tree was even put up!!

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  17. Wow, what great photos! "Tabbies in Trees" is excellent. We were afraid of having a "Torti in Tree" at our house, but the poor little things doesn't know about climbing trees.

    We are saddenend about Smudge's news. Our purrs and prayers to you both.

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  18. Wow, what great photos! "Tabbies in Trees" is excellent. We were afraid of having a "Torti in Tree" at our house, but the poor little things doesn't know about climbing trees.

    We are saddenend about Smudge's news. Our purrs and prayers to you both.

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  19. Wow, what great photos! "Tabbies in Trees" is excellent. We were afraid of having a "Torti in Tree" at our house, but the poor little things doesn't know about climbing trees.

    We are saddened about Smudge's news. Our purrs and prayers to you both.

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  20. Wow, what great photos! "Tabbies in Trees" is excellent. We were afraid of having a "Torti in Tree" at our house, but the poor little things doesn't know about climbing trees.

    We are saddened about Smudge's news. Our purrs and prayers to you both.

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  21. How sad to hear about Smudge; we know how loved he is and will continue to be. How good to focus on the joy and laughter that Tabbies on Trees brings all of us. A rotating tree? With a Dolce in the middle? How funny! We stayed with the "real" one again this year here and it doesn't rotate easily; although not for lack of effort by certain resident felines.

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  22. Good luck to Smudge plus healthy karmic thoughts are headed your way.

    Love your tree ... Our tree is twelve feet tall, but does not rotate. The bottom ornaments are ours and they're plastic balls that we use for soccer every night. Our ornaments are fun ones ...

    Happy Christmas ... Keep your spirits up and your thoughts positive. Smudge is strong and will fight this problem with the kidney.

    DaisyMae Maus

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  23. Prayers coming your way that Smudge "suprises" us all, and is healthy and well again very soon. The cats in trees story is VERY funny. We have an artificial tree. I (Beau) just had to taste the bristles and the drummer boy ornament! Take care!

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  24. Bella & Dolce look just beautiful among the branches. We didn't even attempt a tree with 4 cats (including 1 kitten)!

    Our best thoughts for Smudge and the decision you may face.

    The Crew

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  25. You gots a carousel just fur tabbies? Oh, I gots to come try that sumtime. As far as Mom knows, I hafn't climbed the tree... yet. But I tried to bite a candy cane. Them's the only omanints on it yet.

    Purrs to all of you.

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