What is it about, Cats ?

[Riverwind (imported)]

Soft or wet food however tasty or good for them nutritionally is not good for their teeth. Vets at least every one I have ever talked to would rather you fed your pet dry kibble. its better for their gums and teeth. And when they get that special treat, it is Friskies as he is a very picky cat and does not just eat any old thing. Now a Mouse is always acceptable.

River

[Riverwind (imported)]

At night I tuck my little dog in a blanket, it was a nice lap blanket that she took as her own the first day I got her, (what we do for our pets) Rupert sleeps on the chair. My bedroom door is closed and there is a good reason for this, but about 6 in the morning usually the dog starts scratching at the door, so I let the two little rug rats in. Nelly loves to snuggle and give kisses, Rupert likes to sleep on the pillow. So back to sleep we go then after an hour or so Nelly will move to the foot of the bed and Rupert will get his turn to snuggle after another hour we will finally get up and start our day. Both demand equal time snuggling. Then its time for breakfast.

River

[moi621 (imported)]

Solly, named Saul because he was the biggest kitten - one of the brothers

has been eating like a pig over the last couple of days but, today - not so.

He maybe took a bite or two out of habit then went to a guest bedroom and worked his way under a bedspread at the foot of a bed. He does that when he wants serious sleep time.

He slept 11 hours. I was getting concerned but saw breathing motion under the bed spread.

He emerged a bigger cat! This 15 year old cat keeps growing. I don't mean fat. It reminds me when a baby of small child goes to sleep and wakes up bigger. Just amazing.

As I was composing this Solly "felt the vibes" and came over for love time as little brother Izzy and OFBK sleep.

Izzy and Solly announce in their own way when they want "love time". Izzy has standard time of day such as when I get into bed, I am his.

But, OFBK really doesn't know how to signal it. Generally she likes to be a few feet away. When she is outside she will invite me to pet her as she stretches in the sun, but in the house she is lost for communications. Somehow I pick up she is unsettled and well fed - then approach her and engage love time. There is usually a plaintive "meow" followed by purring. She doesn't know how to do the normal cat things like jump on me or rub against me thereby saying, "ok, now".

:kittygray and Moi

[considering (imported)]

Locally i work with a group who attempt to control feral cats with a program of spaying and neutering. These are not cats that could be domesticated but over the several years I've been involved, we've noticed a fifty percent drop in their numbers. Some kind persons have even allowed their grounds or a barn or two to be used as areas for the ferals to occupy. Admittedly, I live in a largely agrarian part of the country so open space is more easily found. We know that we can never completely rid our town of this problem as each day another cat is abandoned to become feral or the target of a feral pack. Still, it's better than having them roam all through the city. During the recent record setting blizzard special efforts were made to have clear drinking water, extra food and, in some places, hay bales and used horse blankets were put out for their shelter. I'm often asked if I think they appreciate what we're doing and, obviously, I cannot know that. What I can observe is that they stay close to feeding areas and are tolerant of us when we need to move near them. We use traps to catch them as opposed to trying to catch them by hand when they go to the Vet. As best we can, we try and keep their vaccinations up to date and we use microchips very successfully. ( I have them on my pair, Flip and Flop-currently asleep on my bed and wondering why I don't take advantage of day time sleeping and join them.....)

[moi621 (imported)]

All three cats sleep. Eat. Sleep s'more. What news could there be?

OFBK seems to be getting a little more tolerant of the Siamese brothers, just not within her reach.

:kittygray

[moi621 (imported)]

OFBK

:kittygray

is probably stuffing herself on so much hill meat, she brings some to the back patio and doesn't mind if they get away.

The hill meat eats the loquats and the kitty eats the hill meat.

I don't mind it until the coyote eats the the kitty. And they do in my n'hood.

The brothers sleep.

Moi

Cat Whisperer

[moi621 (imported)]

Within five minutes I saw OFBK :kittygray laying on the sun warmed pavement now in the shade.

Then that mournful "meow" as if hurt.

The call of hill meat about to be consumed.

Nature in action.

It just really hurts when "the Coyote" treats the kitty as "hill meat". A few months ago it got a Pug dog.

[moi621 (imported)]

All 3 cats, OFBK :kittygray and Solly & Izzy

have really been in feline standby mode.

Lots of immobility in lite nap mode.

They all eat, drink water and maintain bodily functions so I am not so worried.

Sick or hurting cats don't drink water well.

Our weather is like the rain that didn't happen. A bit overcast and unmotivating.

We are due for a Santa Ana Wind and heat up event.

We'll see if the cats are more active when their coats spark when pet.

BTW someone should ask River about Rupert's coming adventure to H-i'i. Good story.

Moi

Cat Whisperer

[moi621 (imported)]

Since OFBK :kittygray down day mentioned above, she has hung around inside the house more and outside time is nearby.

But, really interesting is she has always been a cat that at her most social sits four feet away from me.

Now she is closer. Even sleeping "on the bed". Something she never did before. She is also sleeping in the bed room at other areas too. This requires her to be a little more tolerant of the brothers but, they stay out of paws reach.

She is also preferring to be in the TV room and seemingly is watching TV sometimes.

She is healthy. The last time she was so clingy to me was when she first came into the home against the objections of wife and mother-in-law. I haven't seen the later two for 5+ years.

Outside she is much friendlier. A roll on the back and belly up inviting attention.

Solly calling for food. Gotta go.

Moi

[fhunter]

Looks like nephews diagnosis of being mildly allergic to cats was beneficial to everybody .

Nephew was told to stay away from the cat. Zuhel () is not harassed by nephew, and so became much more cuddly and calmer (and stopped trying to retaliate for his harrasment). Sister stopped cursing about "damn cat, who once again ....".

Win-win situation. Who said that allergies are bad ?