And you thought Dolce was cute!

I came across a photo CD from several years back while trying to organize my home office. This was before we had the digital camera and the only way we could get picture of our three kids at the time was to get a CD made when we developed the film. Of course, we did no know how bad the picture were until we had them developed. Trust me, the Flash was not my friend. But what I discoverd was truly special; Bella's kitten pictures.

Bella was a real finicky little eater when we brought her home from the SPCA. She seemed to hate all the food we had bought for her. My wife was worried that she had been separated from her mom too soon so she picked up a kitten nursing kit.

Bella, being the stinker that she was, soon hated this too.

One thing was certain though, she was enthralled with her big brother Magoo from day one. She would follow him around all day. I don't think she had ever seen such a big cat.

From him she learned about going outside and it soon became one of her favourite places. Under strict Mom and Dad supervision of course.

Being that she was the first girl kitten that Smudge had seen in a long time, he was smitten with her from day one. Just as he has been good with Dolce, Smudge showed the same patient older brother tenderness to Bella. He even let her share his catnip.


The sharing of catnip was a good thing for Bella had a taste for the herb immediately. We used to put it into a little bowl for her, but she wouldn't be happy until she had knocked it over and had spent a good ten minutes rolling around in it.


One of the nice side effects of the kitten crazies that catnip causes is the peaceful naps afterwards. Bella would nap anywhere.

She was especially fond of the middle of the floor. We had to watch where we walked in those first months, for it seemed that there was a sleeping tabby kitten in the middle of every floor.

From the moment we saw her in her cage to the moment we brought her home, Bella has had her Dad wrapped around her little paw.

A feat that she has admirably taught her sister Dolce.

To Ullrich

I have tried to write a tribute for each furriend that Magoo, Smudge, Bella and Dolce have lost. Some came easy, some came not at all, but to Ullrich the following was what came to mind...

Before I went to sleep, I decided that the next morning I would go and get a pet. I was not sure if it would be a dog or cat or bird or something else. All I knew was that I needed, no, wanted to share my life with another creature that would accept my friendship and affection.

As I slept, I fell into a deep dream.

There before me sat the most beautiful creature, neither male nor female. To either side of this wonderous creature, there were two indentical waterfalls with deep clear pools at their base. From each waterfall, the most crystal blue water cascaded down. I was entranced. Never before had I seen seen such beauty, such serentity.

Wordlessly, the creature motioned for me to come towards the pools at the base of the waterfalls. I noticed that at each pool, there was a small silver cup attached to a fine silver chain.
"Dip thy finger into the pool and taste." the creature said as it gestured to the pool to its left.

I did as instructed. As the clear cool liquid touched my tongue, my stomach clenched with pain and my heart pounded fiercely within my chest. A hollowness rang throughout my being that I feared I would never recover from.

"This is the Pool of Loss." the creature said and then it motioned to the other pool of water. "Dip thy finger into the pool and taste."

Warily, I drew my forefinger through the water of the other pool of water. As my finger touched my tongue, a joy so deep and pure touched my soul. A wave of happiness and wonder drowned the pangs of sorrow and loss the first pool had caused.

"This is the Pool of Memory." the creature said. "If you take one of God's creatures into your heart, you must be prepared to drink from both pools. Do you accept this as your covenant, your bond with one of God's creatures?"

Silently I nodded yes.

"Then drink from each pool." The creature instructed as it motioned towards the silver cups at the sides of the pools."For now they will bear no taste, but in time you will discover how much you have partaken of each."

The very next day, I went and found a kitten at a local pound. It was the smallest one of the litter and it was the one who seemed to need me the most.

I watched it grow and play and I revelled in the smallest joy it brought to me. But then without warning, it was taken from me in a way most sudden and cruel.

Once again I felt the pangs I had felt in my dream when I tasted the waters of the Pool of Loss. Only this time, I thought the pain would never leave. Then, I remembered the taste of the waters from the Pool of Memory. Slowly the pain of Loss began to subside, and was replaced with the joy of Memory.

Now I realized that I had drank more from the Pool of Loss than the Pool of Memory in my dream. But now I knew that the Pool of Memory brought more than enough comfort to offset the pain the Pool of Loss could cause.

I now bear the knowledge that each time I open my heart to one of God's creatures, I drink from the Pool of Memory and the Pool of Loss. How much I partake depends on each creature and that, in the end, the power of Memory is so much more powerful than the power of Loss.

Dolce is 1 year old!

In one day, Dolce leaves her kittenhood behind. She will soon be the age that marks her life as an adult Cat. It does not seem possible that the last 10 months have flown past since she came into our house. I tried to tell her how happy she has made us and how much fun she has brought into our lives, but she was a little preoccupied with a box we brought home.

Did you hide some toys in here, Dad? Oh wait I see one. Come here you little fuzzy mouse. Oh You don't want to come out. Fine, I'm coming in after you. Mouse must meet a toothy death!


Like I was saying Dolce was everything that a kitten is supposed to be: cute, playful, overly energetic, curious, destructive and precocious. But in between all that, she managed to wrap my wife and I around her little paw. A plant knocked onto the floor could be forgiven with a tiny little meow. A shredded sock could be forgotten by a well placed sandpaper kiss. A tipped over garbage could be overlooked by a rumbling little purr. She is our kitten and like her brothers and sisters, we love her.

What was that Dad? Where you saying something?


Just thinking out loud, my precious Dolce.

Are you sure? Becuase if you are thinking that the kleenexes that got pulled out of the box in the bathroom was somehow my fault, I want you to know that I was in here the whole time.

Dolce still has that mischevious kitten energy or spunk. In some ways I think she is rekindling it in her brothers and sisters. I may wish for peace and quite at three o'clock in the morning when Dolce decides that she needs to yell at her toys or the sock that she has dragged out the laundry basket. But in my heart, I know I would mourn the silence more if she was not here.

Dad...


Yes Dolce?

I love you, too.

You Tah? You Tah What?

Oh...

You tah a puddy tat!



Mom and Dad tells us that this is our cousin Odie. They stayed with her before they left for their big adventure in America. She's an old kitty at 16 years, but she likes chin skritches and to play. We are not too sure if we can approve of Mom giving another kitty chin skritches.

Dad:

Just to correct the cats' misunderstanding, I did say You Tah, but I meant Utah. We accompanied my aunt and uncle (Gruffy McGruffypants from the camping trip) down to Ogden, Utah for a week for some golf, site-seeing and some shopping (The Wife loved this part the most).



Since we had never been to Utah, we had to make a trip down to Salt Lake City and see the Mormon Temple, even though we are not Mormon.

It is an impressive structure, especially when you consider how long it took them to build it. It took forty years to complete the construction in the 1800's. In those days, that would be a lifetime. It reminded me of a book by Ken Follet called "Pillars of the Earth". It was about the construction of a Catherdral during the Dark Ages in Europe. In it, one family is tied to the construction of this church through three generations. In this day and age is is hard to imagine focussing on one result for your entire lifetime. But sometimes, you just need to see the outcome of such dedication and singlemindness.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

By Dolce


DAY ONE:
(Actually it was Night One)

Dad came by and asked me if I was ready. I thought he was asking if I was ready for some stinky goodness or some whipped cream, so I eagerly purred and rubbed against him. He scooped me up an put me in my carrier and took my out to the truck. "No!" I cried, "No Truck! I said yes to stinky goodness!" I looked back at the window and saw Magoo sitting in the window. He was being very smug and he gave me the paw as I was leaving. Big Brothers can be so mean.

Dad placed me into the truck and then he waited for Mom to show up. She said that she have given the other cast their stinky goodness and that we were ready to leave. "No!" I cried, "I was supposed to get the stinky goodness!" Suddenly, the truck started to rumble. I remembered the last time I was in the rumbling truck: it was to go to that stupid V-E-T who hurt my eyes the last time. "No!" I cried, "I don't want to go to the V-E-T!"

Mom asked if I was ready to go camping. Camping? I had forgot that we were going camping. I asked if I could come out of my carrier so that we could discuss the rules of this camping thing. Dad said not until we were out of the city. He said it was not safe to have excitable little cats running around the truck in the big city. But still I asked to get out of my carrier over and over again.

Dad finally told Mom that I could get out of the carrier. Finally, I thought. He had taken far too long to come to that wise and important decision. I had to let him know exactly what I thought about the excessive delay.

We drove for a couple of hours. My mom tried to get me to sit on her lap, but I figured Dad needed more help with driving then she did with navigation. I laid in his lap and tried to sleep but the rumbling truck kept waking me up. I then tried to sleep sitting up on my haunches with my front paws on Dad's chest. But then something called a Jackass came too close to the rumbling truck. Dad was very upset.I think that these Jackasses are far more common where we live than Vishus Deer, because we saw a few more according to my Dad.

We finally arrived at the campsite. Dad disappeared, and Mom put my leash on. I was not allowed to run around on the ground yet. There were so many new smells for me to investigate. Before I knew it, I was passed over to a person known as Auntie. She nuzzled and snuggled me. She thought I was so very cute. "Of Course, I am." I said, "But I do appreciate you noticing." I also met someone named Uncle. He was very good at chin scritches and head rubs, but he kept saying that little cats need to know whose in charge. I think he was just playing Gruffy McGruffpants with me.

Then the big moment came: Mom and Dad took me into my new home, The Trailer. They showed me where my litter box was and where my food and water was. Mom then gave me my surprise: a brand new toy just for me.


This is me playing with my new toy. I called him "Zeppy" after my new home. Mom had placed him some catnip so he was all sorts of rubby, chewy, and tossy kinds of fun.



DAY TWO:

I woke up bright and early. There was some serious things to do. First and foremost was to leave a really stinky poo in the litter box. Mom and Dad's noses really scrunched up so I know it was a real good one. Now that I had cristened the litter box, it was time for some exploring.


Dad took me for a walk on my leash around our part of the campsite. This was a good idea, because there were some very young boys who were kind of bratty. One kept trying to pull on my leash and the other tried to tug on my ears. Dad told them not to do that because it was not nice and that I was not used to little boys. One of the little boys says that they do that to their puppy all the time. Dad told him that little puppies do not like it either. By that time, I had had enough of walks and bratty boys. I wanted to go back to my new home. I started to go inside, when I realized that Dad and Uncle were laughing at me. It turns out I went to the wrong house; I was at Uncle Gruffy McGruffpants' trailer. I did not care as long at it got me away from the Bratty Boys.

Dad put me in our trailer instead and they opened a window so that I could lay in the sun on the table and still see them outside. Later that night, Dad brought me out to the campfire, but I really did not think it was a great idea and I let Dad know. Soon, I was back inside my trailer playing with Zeppy, and leaving another gift for Mom and Dad in my litter box.


DAY THREE:

First thing Mom did was complain that I was awake and playing at 6:30AM. Dad also was not happy that I made him open the big cabinet next to his side of the bed for me to play in. Hey a cat's got to do what a cat's got to do. They might have been mad at me, but I was very purry and loving so they forgave me pretty fast.

Dad took me out for some more exploring today. Thankfully there was no sign of the Bratty Boys. There was however a wonderfully dusty dry road next tot he campsite and I got to roll and flop around in the dust.


We came back to the campsite and Dad let me wlk around with the leash fully extended. I got to chase bugs and flies and bees. Scout was right chasing bugs is a squillion types of fun. Afterwards, I laid on the picnic table and gave my self a good bath.



DAY FOUR:

Unfortunately, like Summer, Summer Vacations also have to end. This is me surveying Dad and Uncle packing up all the camping stuff. I was also keeping an eye out for those Bratty boys.


Mom and Dad packed me back into the rumbling truck, but because I had my leash on, I did not have to go into my carrier. Soon we were saying good-bye to Auntie and Uncle. I actually really liked Uncle. He talked a lot tougher than he really was. I looked out the window and watched the campsite disappear around the bend. I laid in my Dad's lap or on the seat between Mom and Dad for the entire trip home. Mom and Dad said that I was such a good cat that I get to go with them on all their camping adventures.

That was my summer vacation. By the way, Magoo, Smudge and Bella did not even miss me while I was gone.

A Long Weekend and No Dolce

Mom and Dad took Dolce with them for the long weekend to go camping. That means we, the first three cats of the house, finally get to do something without Dolce crashing in and ruining it.

So what shall we do?

Smudge: We can chase each other around the house without Dolce cannonballing us from the bed!

Bella: We can look out the windows without being pushed off them by Dolce.

Magoo: I know what we can do. It's something we can never do without Dolce charging in and trying to wrestle and bite us...



Magoo: Oh sweet, merciful peach and quiet. Thank you Mom and Dad. This was one of the bestest presents ever.


PS: Dad says we're getting real close to our 10,000th visitor. This is very exciting he says. He has something special for the poodin, woofie or bean who is the lucky one.

My Big Adventure

Mom and Dad told me a secret today...


I'm going camping!!!

I don't know what "Camping" is but it sure sounds like fun. They said that they bought me my own bed and some toys for the trailer and that I get to ride in the truck like a big girl. I asked my Mom why I get to go and the others don't. Mom says that it is because I am still little and will adjust better to the excitement.

I have to wear my pretty collar all the time, which I do not think is such a great idea. But those are the rules, Dad says.

Magoo (coughing under his paw): Cough! Leave her there! Cough!

Dad: Did you say something Magoo?

Magoo: Nope. Not me.

PS: We are getting close to our 10,000 visitor! It might happen while we are gone so keep track and let me know in the comments who it is!

To Trixie, May You Dance Forever Amongst the Stars

The Dance
by Garth Brooks



Looking back on the memory of
The dance we shared beneath the stars above
For a moment all the world was right
How could I have known you'd ever say goodbye
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Holding you I held everything
For a moment wasn't I the king
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey who's to say you know I might have changed it all
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Yes my life is better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance.

I didn't know how to pay my respects properly to a furriend that left us, then I read the Meezers post about Trixie dancing. The above song came back to me, and it seemed to say everything I have ever felt about short term love.

As humans we can measure our lives in quarter-centuries, given that the average human in our society lives to 75 years or 3 quarters of a century. Our feline furriends were blessed with a fraction of that. We take them into our hearts knowing that we will outlive them. We know that along with the joy and happiness they bring, they bring the understanding that someday there will be a final goodbye.

If you own a cat (or any other pet), pick them up, hold them close, and ask... May I have this dance?

And who might you be?

Yesterday, I let the cats out to enjoy some sunshine in their backyard. After about ten minutes I went to check on the rascals, since Dolce and Bella have discovered that hoping the fence is a fun thing to do. Bella was sitting at the backdoor, and was quite willing to come inside without much fuss. I found Dolce on the deck and instead of taking off as soon as I made a move to pick her, she simply allowed me to carry her into the house.

That is when I noticed or shall I say heard Smudge and Magoo talking to a new visitor in our back yard.




Both Magoo and Smudge were marrooing at her. I say her, because neither one of them made an attempt to chase her out of the yard. Magoo has shown himself to be quite willing to put the fear into any strange males that wander in our yard. Both boys just sat and talked to this young lady. As for the visitor, she laid there and actaully closed her eyes and had a bit of a nap.

She didn't take off until I opened the window directly above her to check on Magoo and Smudge. Then Magoo got really ticked off and he growled at Smudge. I swear it was like watching young men in a bar trying to pick up girls. Everything is cool until the girls leave then the accusations fly.

I could just see Magoo saying "Smudge, you are such a dork. You made her leave."

Oh the indignity of it all.

I really don't know what gets into my Mom's head sometimes. If God had wanted to me to wear clothes he wouldn't have given me so much fur.

The worst part of this whole mess, is that the shirt is blue. It makes me look like a boy! I am a furry beautiful girl cat. Not a Boy!

5 Things

Smudge was tagged by Edsel to describe the 5 weird thing he things he does. What Edsel forget is that there are four felines in this household. If one cat gets to do something then all four have to do it.

So here it goes:


Smudge
1. I have a gutter mouth. I can't seem to enter a room without going "Phhhht" at something.
2. I like to pee on stuff.
3. I barf like a supermodel.
4. I will pull the covers away from my dad's face in the middle of the night to let him know that I need to be petted.
5. I have a fetish for Q-Tips. I will even pull them out of the garbage.


Magoo
1. My water must be elevated at least four feet off the ground. (IE Bathroom sink is an excellent location.)
2. If my food or water dish is empty. I will start pushing things off the bathroom countertops until someone wakes up and fills whatever is missing. PS I don't tell them what it is.
3. I like to sleep under the covers between my Mom and Dad.
4. I have a thing for Opium. The perfume not the drug.
5. My paw, when my claws are fully extended, is the width of my Dad's hand.


Bella
1. I love Whipped Cream.
2. My meow is so quiet, the my Dad's says my lips move but they don't make a sound.
3. I like to lick my Dad's goatee right after he gets out of the shower.
4. I like to surpervise my Mom as she puts her makeup on in the morning. With stripes like mine, who better to give advise on mascara.
5. I like to hop the fence and go and torment the two cats who live behind us through their window.


Dolce
1. I like to yell at my toys. Especially at socks. They just don't seem to listen very well.
2. Whenever Dad tries to bring me in from outside, I will run like a demon to the far side of the yard.
3. I like to love-bite everybody.
4. I used to giggle in my sleep as a kitten.
5. I hate mirrors.

Since I think everyone else has been tagged, I will send out a blanket tag to anyone who has not yet participated.


Here's the rules: The player of this game starts with "5 weird things/habits about yourself ". In the end you need to choose 5 people to be tagged and list their names. The people who get tagged need to write a blog about their 5 weird things/habits, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. Don't forget to leave your victim a comment that says "you're tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

Feline Remembrance Day Update

When I was born,
I had Nine Lives:
One, I gave to my mother
Who brought me into this world;
Seven, I spent
Pursuing foolish adventures;
The Last, I lovingly entrusted to you
for safekeeping.
And to your heart you held it
Until the time came
For me to take it back.


The blog is ready. All I need now is you...

If you have a cat you want included in the Feline Remembrance Day, send the picture and the story you want told on the blog to ninelivesihad@hotmail.com .

I will load your picture and paste your story into the blog and post them in the order that I receive them. All entries will be dated 09/09/2006 at 9:09AM MDT.

The blog url is Nine Lives I Had.

I have no good ideas for the links section, so if anyone has any ideas or suggestions please post them in the comments section.

They're back!

Sorry about being away so long, but mom and dad were on vacation and Dad locked down the computer before he left. He said something about not wanting any repeats of last year's online ordering spree from Petcetra.com. It seems that in the abscence of Dad's heavy handed guidance, Smudge and Bella thought it would be a good idea to corner the market in Catnip Mousies. It turns out their command of Supply and Demand Economics is limited to: We Demand It, You Supply It.

While Mom and Dad were gone, our Grandma (Mom's mom) and our Grandpa (Dad's dad) came and looked after us. Grandpa really isn't a cat person, but we were nice to him. (IE Magoo did not bite him this time.) Grandma is a cat person and she would sit and play and talk with us. She is owned by a tortie named Cloe. She is the one Magoo bit several years ago and she had to get a tetanus shot from a doctor. She likes Magoo, but he scares her sometimes. Last year, he didn't want her to leave so he cornered her in the kitchen. Mom and Dad told her it is because of her perfume; Magoo has a thing for Opium perfume.

Smudge loves his Grandma. She said that he would follow her around the house and tried to cuddle up with her whenever she sat on the sofa. Grandma loves Smudge right back, but we are not to tell him that because he might get a swelled head.

Bella was in her own little world. She is very independent modern female cat. But she sure missed Mom and Dad.

I personally helped Grandma whenever she came over to check on us. She thinks I'm cute, but she doesn't always appreciate my assistance. But seriously, how can you check to make sure the Stinky Goodness is being shared equally between all four cats unless you are right there on the counter supervising?

Dolce

Smudge Speaks

It is my opinion that Dolce has been given too much time on the blog, so I have decided to speak up from my Cube of Deep Thoughts...


This is the chair I like to sleep on, next to the back door. Sometime Magoo will sleep on another chair next to this one. This gives us the best vantage point to go outside when our Dad decides that we go and play in the yard. Of course, to me playing means going outside and peeing on the trees. I have to time my peeing very carefully, because Magoo will pee on the trees too. He tells Dad that he doesn't but Dad knows he does.


After playing outside, I go to the bathroom to get a drink of water.


I also love to play in boxes. This is box from last year that Dad got a portable DVD player. (He says the movies on planes are so bad, he is tempted to walk out of the theatre.) Dad put some catnip and a couple of toys into this box. I played for almost an hour trying to fish the catnip mouse out of the box. Dolce came tried to play but I would not let her. This was my playtime.


Now that I have had my say, it is time for me have some more deep thoughts.


Smudge

Dolce's Scratching Tree

Sanjee of Hot(M)BC was asking Dolce about her awesome cat tree. The truth of the matter is that the tree has been handed down from Magoo to Smudge to Bella and finally to Dolce.

Magoo was not that crazy about it. He thought the dangling balls were fun, but he tried to sit on the upper ledge once with disasterous results. He was a little too big for this toy, and it dumped him onto the floor quite unceremoniously. Just think of it as a dunk tank for cats.

Smudge scratched on it very briefly. Too many dangling things. I think they spooked him.

Bella used to play on the cat tree like Dolce, but as she grew up she decided that it was too unladylike to cavort around it. She will still scratch on it though and her and Dolce will play a game of paw slaps around it from time to time.

Dolce has offically claimed the tree as her own. She will play and climb on it at least two three times a week.




As a kitten, she used it as her special spot where she could sit and watch the other cats.


This leads me to my two cents of the day. People who complain about cats scratching furniture are blaming the cat for doing what comes naturally to it. We have had four cats from kittenhood, and have had very few problems with our furniture getting scracthed up. When we got Magoo, we took him to the pet store and placed him amongst the collection of small scratching post. He sniffed several of them and finally settled on a green carpettesd teepee. That was the one we bought. He will still use it if he sees it. Of course he is far too big to fit inside anymore. We then bought him a large carpetted cat tree to satisfy his climbing and scratching instincts. As each subsequent cat came into the house, they saw the current members of the household using this cat tree. We had to use a little spray bottle correction to remind the cats what was not acceptable scratching, but our furniture has survived intact for ten years. Sure the leather sofa has a couple of scratch marks, but those are from kittens launching themselves off the couch as they played.




I think letting her use a climbing tree as a kitten gave her far too many skills. It also made her far too bold and daring for mine or my wife's tastes. Here is the little monkey on top of the roof.

Dear Dolce, Dolce (Que Sera Sera)

When I was just a wee kitty
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be furry, will I be cute
Here's what she said to me.



Dear Dolce, Dolce,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Dear Dolce, Dolce,
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I was adopted
I asked my human what lies ahead
Will I have cat toys, food every day
Here's what my human said.



Dear Dolce, Dolce,
Whatever will be, will be
Your future's with us, you see
Dear Dolce, Dolce,
What will be, will be.

Now I am all grown up and big
I tell my humans, come cuddle with me
Am I not playful, Am I not fun
I tell them tenderly.



Dear Human Bean,
Whatever will be, will be
The furniture's safe, you see
Dear Human Bean,
What will be, will be.

My, What big eyes you have!

Bella was once the baby of the family, but has since been usurped in that position by her little sister, Dolce. But she has something that none of our other cats have, eyes as big as saucers. It was her eyes that made her look kittenish for so long. Right up to the point when we got Dolce, Bella looked so very young and petite because of her eyes. Even now, she has to stand next to Dolce for us to think of her as a mature four year old.

As you can see, she has temporarily recieved her yard privileges back. She and Dolce got a visit in the backyard from this gentleman. I don't know if he actually came down into the yard for a visit, but I did catch him scrambling back along the fence. Magoo was in the house and was unable to protect his sisters virtue.

Grandpa is doing well!

Thanks for all the warm wishes. I just wanted to let everyone know that my Dad made it through his surgery fine. They kept him an extra day, since his appetite hadn't come back yet. For those of you who were curious, my Dad had an Admoninal Aortic Aneurysm (sp?). From what my Mom tells tell me it one more thing they gave besides blue eyes and high blood pressure.


PS. I found the black and white setting on my digital camera. I know there is not much logic in taking a black and white picture of a grey cat, but I think it makes Magoo look even more regal. Or is it grumpy?

Prayers to God

Dear God,

Please take care of my Grandpa. Guide the surgeon's hand and give him the skill to help my Grandpa.


Are you there God?
Protect my Grandpa during his surgery and bring him home to us safely.

Playing in the Backyard

It has been far too long since Dad let us at the computer. Actually, we weren't that interested, becuase it's summer here and the backyard is our favourite place area.



Dolce thinks no one can see her behind this dandelion. (As soon as I can I will try to get some video of her running around the backyard. She has two speeds, off and light-speed.)



This is Magoo's favourite sleepy spot in the backyard. He will lay here for hours in the shade, while his crazy sister is busy chasing bugs or Bella and Smudge.



Smudge wishes he had a sleepy spot where Dolce couldn't find him. Dolce loves to chase him or Bella around the backyard. Secretly, I think he enjoys it too.

If you want to know where Bella is, she is inside. It seems that she did not feel that being restricted to our backyard was acceptable and she went for a visit to our neighbors. Luckily, she picked the nice ones behind us who also have some furriends.

Farewell Sweet Tiffany

A human-made disaster has struck one of our youngest friends...



Tiffany (RB Angel)of Five Cat Flyer has been taken from us far too soon.

The cats and I will not comment on our personal feelings about what happened. No good will come from critizing or condemning now. I just want 5 Cat Style and The Flyer to know that we deeply appreciate what they have undertaken to do.

May God speed you quickly to the Rainbow Bridge
And take you without delay into his arms.

PS. Damn it! I hate for my first post in nearly a month to be a depressing one. Please pick up your kitty tonight and give her/him a loving hug and say "Tiffy ask me to give you this."

Dolce is a troublemaker

I don't have any pictures of Dolce's antics this weekend, but you have to trust me she is a troublemaker.

This weekend was the work in the yard weekend. I hadn't mowed the lawn for a while and it was quite long. We won't go into too many details about how Dandelions became the dominant perennial in our flower beds. My Wife was busy with work this weekend, so I decided to enlist my nephew and the two worked on geting all the yard work done. He is still in High School, and never says no to the opportunity to earn a couple of bucks.

My nephew met Dolce when she was a wee little kitten. She took to him instantly, but then again she is a little heart breaker. She was hesitant at first but then it seemed she suddenly remembered him and they were best friends again. Now that you have the image of two guys working hard outside, with a couple of cats running around and investigating everything we were doing.

Before Dolce was on a leash when she went out, but since we were outside the entire time, I let her go leash free. Well, she ran, and she ran, and she chased bugs, and she attacked bushes, and she ran and she jumped. Of all the activities she did, bug chasing was her favourite. My nephew laughed that she was even trying to chase after a couple of bees.

This leads us to the complaint of Dolce being a troublemaker. I don't mind her chasing bees or wasps. Sooner or later she catch one, and maybe she will get stung. If she does, I'm pretty sure that will end the lure of bee-chasing. But, damn it Dolce, don't swat at the bee flying by while I'm carrying you into the house. All that does is tick off the bee. The bee doesn't separate you from me when he gets whacked by an overeager kitten paw. Now, my nephew and I have to deal with the ticked off bee. Luckily no one got stung. Getting your dad stung by a bee is a real quick means to end your yard priviledges.

Dolce is a genius Part 2

Many months ago, when Dolce was much tinier than she is now, I bragged that Dolce was a genius. I told you how she was pulling magnetic words down on our fridge. I could only assume that she was trying to talk to me and my wife. The following is the proof of her attempts to talk to her linguistically challenged co-dependants.

So Dolce, what word do you want to share with your Dad?



Yes, my beloved little kitten, we are together. You, me, your Mom, Magoo, Smudge, and Bella are together; and together, we shall always be.