Friday, December 26, 2008

Siren's Happy Day

Christmas Day was also Siren's birthday. He turned 6.

If you're not familiar with Siren's Story you can read it HERE

The short of it is that Siren was abused and neglected and then abandoned. He was rescued by an NYPD officer who found him under the GWB.

Each birthday reminds me of how far he has come. From the cat who couldn't be touched at all to this guy ...
Trying to give me a kiss while I'm taking his picture

He had a great time opening his presents

And he really enjoyed investigating each one

He did want to make sure there was nothing left in the bag

He even moved the bag to the floor and watched it for a while, just in case something new might pop out.

And then he settled in with this one

If you want to give yourself the best gift of all consider adopting a shelter animal.

57 comments:

Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said...

LOL, sorry I'm laughing but I read that "George W. Bush" the first time around.

Ok, so um... that's all that needs to be said on that. I'm sick.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIREN!!!

maryt/theteach said...

Read Siren's story - Martha Stewart blankets and all! Enjoyed it very much! Dianne, you're such a generous, loving person! :)

Jay said...

Happy Birthday to Siren!

Anonymous said...

Happy B'day Siren. You're a lucky chap to live with Dianne. Don't worry, you're not the only one who has a thing for the bag - have a look at my Sylvester here

Sleepypete said...

Happy birthday Siren :-)

Our last 3 dogs have all been rescue dogs. From Scruff who appeared on the back doorstep with starved ribs showing (followed me sister home) to Goldie who'd run off, got lost and met us at the vets waiting to be adopted and finally Ben who was given up by a couple of people who couldn't cope with him ...

All three turned out really well. A little bit of love gets returned with interest by an animal who lets you know that they appreciate that you're giving them a good home.

Sylvia K said...

Oh, this guy is the most! And what fun he is having! I got a serious case of the giggles looking at your great photos. Thanks for caring, there are so many animals out there that need homes so badly, that have been so mistreated! It breaks my heart! You really made my after-Christmas day!

Jeni said...

What a great birthday post for Siren! How lucky that little cat is too that he found you and came to settle in to live with you too. Loved the pics -really great shots of a cat doing what they do the best -exploring!

storyteller said...

I love a happy ending. Happy Birthday to Siren ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Anonymous said...

wonderful story! And I agree about totally about adopting from shelters - two of my four cats came to me that way, tow from a friend. We're one big happy blended family now!

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Dianne! I read your post on Siren's arrival. I laughed my ass off picturing you in full riot gear entering his room. He has come a long way under your loving patience. Happy Birthday Siren!!!!

Growing up, most of our dogs were shelter animals. The best dogs we ever had. I think they realize they've been "saved" and returned the love ten fold every day.

My baby came from a friend who's daughter developed asthma and allergies. The kittens, mama cat decided to have them in the shed. Life is just full of furry lovin. Wouldn't have any other way. Lisa

Melli said...

Awww! Isn't he adOrable! Having so much FUN on his Purrday!

Maithri said...

Happy Birthday Siren!

What a handsome cat he is...

I was talking to my cousin the other day and she said that our pets contain a part of our lives...our story... our history...

They are the silent witnesses...there with love to see us through it all...

Hope youre havin an awesome holiday my friend,

Love and laughter,

M

Dianne said...

mrs c - found under George W Bush!!!! that is hilarious

mary - thanks!! it was just the past couple of months that Siren started sitting on my lap and his birthday kiss to me was only the second time he's ever done that!! made my day

jay - thanks :)

Dianne said...

rob - sylvester is adorable, he's got such a wonderful face :)

pete - they do return the love so many times over!!

sylvia - thanks!! Siren is a character :)

jeni - Siren was positive more stuff would come out of the bag if he waited long enough ;)

storyteller Siren is definitely a happy ending, thanks :)

deborah - I love your one big blended family story :)

lisa - furry lovin!! it's the best!

melli - I know it sounds a bit silly but I think he knew it was his day ;)

maithri - I am positive that cats, most animals can read us so well and are in many ways far smarter, certainly kinder than we are.
Siren gives me these looks that just touch my soul

RiverPoet said...

Siren is a cutie! We have 3 cats (plus the one our son took with him...4, because she'll always be ours!). Two of them came from rescue/no-kill agencies, and two were adopted from friends. I second the motion for people to adopt shelter cats. These little guys don't have much of a chance unless people are willing to give them one.

I'm glad you're such a great pet mommy and that Siren had a wonderful Christmas - Peace - D

Queen-Size funny bone said...

He looked like he had one heck of a birthday celebration.

Ron said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SIREN
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOOOOO YOOOOO!

MEOW!

What a sweety he is, Dianne!!!!!

oh....and I also wanted to stop by and wish you a MERRY BELATED EVERYTHING!!!!

Love ya, dear lady!
XO

Shelly said...

Happy Birthday to Siren! Siren won the cat lottery when he ended up at your house...just like Bergie won the dog lottery landing at our place, I took her snow surfing today, ohhhh did she ever have fun! I had a great time too.

Linda said...

Now that is one happy looking cat! I especially like the picture where he's watching the bag on the floor just in case a mouse pokes its head out or something!

Unknown said...

Oh, Siren is the sweetest Kitty! Happy Birthday to him! He's really, really cute. I love the marking on his nose. He's so lucky to have you!

He looks like a slimmer version of our old pal Timmy, who is now pushing daisies. :-( sniff. He was the most interesting cat. I miss him. We got him from a litter of barn kittens that the grandmother of a classmate of my kids' was trying to give away.

We also had Charlie for 10 years. He was from the shelter and had been abused and neglected, like Siren. He was very friendly and loving but entirely neurotic, poor thing. He had to be put down.

I can't take on a pet but if I could, I would adopt a kitty. I love cats.

Dianne said...

riverpoet - it's so important for people to adopt, not buy, especially now - the economy is hitting shelters so hard. thanks for being an advocate :)

queen size funny bone - he always gets his special time, even though it's Christmas morning. He loves to unwrap lol

ron - love ya too!! hope you're getting a bit of rest
I sang to Siren for you ;)

shelly - I remember all the stories of Bergie's first days with you - she is a very lucky girl. I'm coming over to hopefully see snow pics of Bergie :)

linda - he had a very good time! He took the bag down there and sat forever watching it. It's still sitting on the floor, I think he thinks it is one of his toys

pagan - every cat I've ever had has a special place in my heart and memory. JR was the best, he was the gentlest creature ever. He's been gone for almost 3 years now and the vet still talks about him and neighbors and friends still miss him. He lived for 16 years and was a lot like a puppy.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

He sure is a cutie pie! So pretty...And what fun he had opening his presents...lol....There is nothing like seeing a rescue animal blossom over time....! You Did Good, my dear!

Bear Naked said...

Happy Birthday Siren.
You look like one contented cat in that last picture.

Bear((( )))

bobbie said...

Happy Birthday, Siren! I love the pictures of him with that bag!

Dianne said...

oldoldlady of the hills - blossom over time - is the perfect way to describe my little guy - thanks :)

bear - he had all four paws wrapped around that toy and he was kicking it with all his might while purring up a storm ;)

bobbie - it is 2 days later and he's still checking the bag lol

Farmer*swife a/k/a Glass_Half_Full said...

How adorable! He looks extremely happy!!

fermicat said...

Hooray for Siren! Wonderful post.

My three kitties got a remote-controlled mousie (which also seems like a big hit with my husband), and a new feather-on-a-string-attached-to-a-stick toy (the old ones are all in tatters). They are having lots of fun with them.

Reb said...

What a beauty! Happy Birthday Siren!

Debo Blue said...

Each of our animals have come from shelters or strays that "found" us.

Congrats on showering Siren w/love.

Dianne said...

farmers wife - he is still so happy ;)

fermicat - I have to confess that I enjoy the mouse toys as much as Siren does lol

reb - thanks :)

debo - how cool that you're a rescuer too!! It doesn't surprise me - you're a good soul :)

CG said...

Happy Birthday to Siren. Rescue pets are the BEST!!

Shea has been poorly over Christmas but is perking up a bit now.

Raven said...

Belated Happy Birthday to Siren. Looks like he had a great day! What a joy to see how far he has progressed and what a happy kitty he is now. Angel and Tara Grace send purrs and head butts and I send an ear scratch. Hope you too had a wonderful Siren's Birthday and Christmas and Chanukah.

Dianne said...

CG - I hope Shea continues to perk up!

raven - his happiness makes me happy :)
hugs to you and the girls

meno said...

Looks like you saved someone who became a friend. Awww, i'm a sucker for rescued animals.

Anonymous said...

Siren is one very lucky cat...

Natalie said...

Happy Birthday Siren! I love his story (and his name!). Siren and Mia, like so many of our rescued pets, are so lucky to have a warm, loving home this winter. It also doesn't hurt that our pets are spoiled rotten. But they deserve it, so many of them have had such rough starts. Birthday wishes from Siren's four-legged (and three-legged) cousins in P-town!

Travis Cody said...

One of the best things I did 7 years ago was to find my way to PetsMart to adopt Mr Tucker. I don't recall if I blogged the story. If I didn't, I should.

Happy Birthday to Siren!

Dianne said...

meno - that's a good kind of sucker to be :)

rambling - thanks!! of course being a cat he doesn't realize that lol

auntie babe - Mi/Si send love to all their legged friends in P-town including the 2 leggers ;)

travis - you definitely should and if you did you should re-intro it and link it :)

Ken said...

Great pictures......Makes me wish we got some of Luca opening her toys this year.

Daryl said...

I always react the same way. I want to snuggle him and kiss his nose. I do this to both of mine ... all the time much to their pleasure, I hope, as much as mine.

Dianne said...

mickey - you could always wrap them again and take some shots :)
we won't tell
Luca is so damn photogenic :)

daryl - I love Si's nose - his little black mustache thingie -

Jeff B said...

Great shots of Siren. Happy Birthday to mew!

Lu' said...

Happy Birthday Kitty. Very good pictures. I like the feather lick, HA! We don't know Isabelle's Birthday. We rescued her outside a shelter and took her to the vet. When we took her he said it looked like she was born in April and was about 10 weeks old. So we just say Happy Birthday to her every day in April :)She is 9 now. We know when Angelina was born, we got her from a pet shop. She is 5 now.

Cheesy said...

What a little sweetie!

Dianne said...

jeff - Siren says Thank Mew ;)

lu - Isabelle and Angelina - such cool names. And I think we all should celebrate our birthday month :)

cheesy - thanks!!

RW said...

LOL what a great kitty! Hope your holidays are going well Di! :D

Hilary said...

Aww what a sweetie. I have two cats for Benny to torment. Thankfully they forgive me when he leaves at the end of each weekend. ;) Happy birthday, Siren!

Dianne said...

roger - he is a great kitty, thanks!
Happy New Year hot stuff ;)

hilary - I remember a video you posted of Benny and one of the cats - Benny is hard to stay mad at lol

Bobkat said...

Thank goodness that somehow he found you :) He looks just like my cat when he was opening his Chrsitmas gifts, LoL . In fact in one of your pics it looks like a snowman is trying to sneak a peak over Siren's left shoulder :D

Sparkling Red said...

Please give Siren a belated Happy Birthday kiss from me! Lucky boy - he got a lot of gifts! :-)

Dianne said...

bob-kat - I just noticed how the snowman is leaning a bit
that's hilarious!!
everything and everyone in this house is nuts lol

sparkling - I gave him the kiss, thanks :)

Patti said...

Awwwww...I love these photos. You got some great captures.
I seem to be late to everything these days, so it's only fitting that I wish Siren a happy (belated) 6th birthday four days late.

Siren had a good Christmas and birthday, I can tell. Now what about Mia??

Ivanhoe said...

Happy belated Birthday, Siren!
Sam got his first presents ever this Christmas. He was sooo excited. His BD is next month :o)

Dianne said...

patti - late is OK, I don't even notice late since I'm always running behind lol
Mia could care less LOL
I put her gifts in front of her, she never bothered. I put them on the floor and tried to play with her and she smelled them and walked away
there is one toy she likes now that I opened it for her - she's happy - she's just far too sophisticated to show it
Mia's birthday is Valentine's Day

ivanhoe - I'm so glad that Sam enjoyed his gifts :)

Anonymous said...

A belated happy birthday to Siren. We got our Chester a year after you got Siren. We picked him up from North Shore Animal League. He's the bestest dog ever... but I'm biased that way.

Dianne said...

spartacus - I used to do rescue work with a shelter that worked with NSAL. I made many a trip to Port Washington. They're good people.
Hugs to Chester :)

Peggy said...

Diane;

Nice to meet you, I got your blog from Lisa's list.
I have been lurking around and I think that I will be back often.
We had dogs and cats all my ADULT life...after our Lab died last year we adopted a cat,(Gracie)
She does own us and I have never regreted it for a minute. Nice to meet another cat owner!