Sharing

The big scratching thingie is one of Siren's most favorite nap spots.

Isadora came around 

After what seemed like hours of staring Isadora made a move

After what seemed like hours of Isadora sniffing the scratchy thingie and Siren not looking at her ...

... Isadora tempted fate

Neither one of them was pleased with the situation but no one wanted to be the first to move on.

Eventually they both left.

You might notice a stream of drool coming from Siren's mouth. He does get drooly a lot because of his meds but usually he wipes it away. Since Isadora required his full attention he just ignored his drool.

I posted some pics of Hope over at The Photo Blog

Open Letter To My Cats

Dear Siren and Isadora,

You know I love you very much and I'm sure you love me too.

Yet sometimes love is not enough.

What a clusterf**k of a weekend you two handed me. I know it stinks to have health issues and that at times you're uncomfortable. It makes you difficult and grumpy; trust me, I get it.

Of course you'd feel better if you took the pain meds without gagging, shrieking, hissing, and flailing about with all claws extended. Just a suggestion.

Your vet and all his assistants are the best there is. Siren, you're like Norm from Cheers; everyone knows your name. Unfortunately it's followed by get the heavier gloves, maybe we need sedation and I think we need more people in here. You have made German Shepherds cry and Pit Bulls hide. Children think you're a bobcat.

Don't get too full of yourself Isadora; you're no picnic either. Knowing that you freak out in small carriers I got you one big enough for a large dog or 2 cats - god forbid you should just share with Siren. Of course not. The carrier weighs a ton Iza, and you're not exactly a tiny girl so thrusting yourself around like a crazed dancer doing a bizarre Merce Cunningham routine does not make it easy to transport you. Neither does sticking out your paw and digging your claws deep into my carrying hand. I do appreciate the pain though, it balances out the pain in my back and ankle.

You are always going to need meds. You will visit the vet once a month forever.

Let's work together eh?

No more hiding in the coils of the sofa.
No one is trying to kill you.
Wherever we are I will stay with you and I will always bring you home.

Can I get an Amen

Must Love Cats ... and Dogs

Purina is hosting  America’s Pet Debate  where you can vote for either cats or dogs as America's favorite pet. Vote once each day between now and Election Day and Purina will donate $1 per vote to organizations that provide our veterans with service dogs. Considering that Congress has not approved further funding for the service dog program this is a worthy cause. Check out the links on the debate page. You can also see the 2 "attack ads" run by the candidates. They're running on TV as well. I love the cats portraying dogs as slobs who spread germs and the dogs showing all the ways that cats get into things.

At the moment cats are leading by about 20 points.

Isadora is pleased by that but she has an issue to share with you all.

Hi everyone. I've been feeling better and enjoying my top perch by the window.

That is I was enjoying until ...

The envious one appeared, coveting my view and wishing to disturb my comfort.

I can be nonchalant for only so long

 He is getting on my last nerve

 Mom usually tries to let us work things out

 But I'm tellin' ya, I'm getting agitated

And I will rip that ear off if I need to

Mom says just settle down; that's fine for now but I'm sleeping with one eye open

thanks for bearing with my whinging in the previous post and for all the supportive comments

Isadora is much better. Siren not so much but he is eating a bit and he's comfy.
As the vet says - we play the hand we're dealt.

And on we go

Siren on Katz

Stop watching me! I'm fine. The meds worked. I'm trying to sleep.

Before I turn around and settle in I want to tell you about Ellen.

She has a blog called Katz Tales

She helps lots of cats in her neighborhood and is offering her e-books to help raise money for them. They are very very reasonably priced. I can't read but I imagine they are good since they make Mom laugh. She's difficult to amuse.

This post will help explain what Ellen is doing.

All the e-books are right there on her blog sidebar.

In addition to all the cats she helps Ellen is Mom to ...

Au

Guido 

Target 

I like orange cats. They're so easy to find and bite. Gently of course.

Mom likes Ellen because they are alot alike. I know this is true since without people like them I would be in a world of trouble. I probably wouldn't be here at all.

OK, I'm getting misty now.

Have a Good Weekend Everyone

Nap

Eat

Nap

Siren Is In Love

For those of you who know Siren's story this is an exceptional statement. The neglected/abused/thrown away cat of 9 years ago who had to be sequestered, handled carefully, sedated for vet appointments is in love. The cat who would not be carried or cuddled. The cat who would only stand on my lap for fleeting moments. That cat is in love.

With me.

All day long. Everyday. Treats or no treats. Hungry or full. Sleepy or frisky.

His main moves are pretty predictable

He circles wherever I might be

Finds a spot to watch me

The sofa is his favorite spot, especially if I'm on the laptop

He establishes contact

Let's me know he won't be moved

And then he attaches himself

If any of these shots are less than stellar it's because I was using the camera with my left hand while trying to keep Siren from grabbing it while making sure he didn't push the laptop off.

He loves me but he's still Siren

I have watched Siren mellow over the years but have never seen such huge changes over a short period of time. I'm guessing it's because of his health issues and that I'm the one who puts her hands into the carrier and nuzzles him at the vet no matter how much he hisses and growls and snaps.

Big Birthday Day

Three August 4th Birthdays 

My dear friend Sylvia

photo is one of the many custom headers created by a friend just for Sylvia 

Sylvia always has a kind comment to leave along with hugs for Hope - and me. Her posts are full of beautiful photographs and uplifting quotes.

Happy Birthday Sylvia

Today is also President Obama's birthday. My wish for him is re-election and a Congress that gets its head out of its ass.

Last but not least is Isadora. I believe she's 4.

A lot of folks who adopt prefer to celebrate the day they bring their new family member home but I like birthdays.
The assumption was that she was born some time in early August so I decided she should share with Sylvia and Barack.

Cake

Catnip

For Everyone

Some Summer Stuff

It is so freakin' hot. Triple digit heat index expected today.


I haven't been feeling all that perky this week.

Isadora loves it when the laundry piles up

She discovered by getting stuck in the hamper that she must wait for the clothes to reach critical height before settling in

I took a drive down to the beach early one morning before the temps reached sizzle

Good heavens were people being crucified!

The well part of my mind assumes banners for some summer something

Stay cool everybody

Dogs in the City

is a TV series that premiered this past Wednesday on CBS.

The one hour show features segments about dogs and their humans. In the first episode we met ...

Charlotte - she has an aggression issue and has bitten both dogs and people several times. Her human, a very stubborn and opinionated young woman, insists on continuing to bring Charlotte to work each day regardless of the risk.

My favorite scene is when the dog trainer sits on the floor in the corner to watch over the new behavior he has suggested to the human only to have her still screw up.

Then there's a newly married couple and their bulldog Beefy. Beefy belonged with the husband before the wife came into the picture and Beefy is not at all pleased with being part of a couple of humans. He will not walk on his leash for her and barks incessantly when the couple goes to bed.

The third segment is especially lovely. A retired NYPD detective and his young daughter have a giant dog named Rosie. They are concerned that Rosie is too fat and need help in feeding her better and giving her more exercise.

There are so many things to love about this show - the dogs, wonderful scenes of NYC and even the humans.

And Justin

Justin Silver is a stand up comedian who turned his love for dogs into a business and a charity. Justin has a company called The Language of Dogs and is founder of  Funny for Fido  where he brings comedians together to raise money for grants to animal rescue organizations.

Although he is official human to two dogs - Chiquita and Pacino, Justin fosters many homeless dogs and will often take in a dog he is working with until he feels sure that the situation is safe and happy for both the dog and the dog's people.

After watching the first episode of his show and seeing him interviewed many times I will admit to absolutely adoring this guy. He's a born NYer. He has an incredibly big warm smile, not to mention incredibly big shoulders and arms. While he definitely has a bit of NY swagger and attitude he is so patient and loving. Especially with the humans who are so often the cause of dog issues.

So take a look at Dogs in the City - Wednesday at 8 PM EST on CBS.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Those Cats

that's what my granddaughter Hope calls Siren and Isadora. as in "what are those cats doing?" and "those cats are fighting" and "those cats won't play with me"

At the moment we are in one of those magical time periods where both Siren and Isadora are doing well. I've been waiting for this since I last posted about them back on April 26.

I'm going to let those cats fill you in

You home for good Iza?

So, she's the sick one and I have to be locked up too?

we put a screen door on my extra room so those cats could be contained without feeling isolated

You're like a freakin' shadow, I'm never sure where you are

Holy catnip! I don't want to see that.

If you let me out I swear I won't hide for 3 days. Really I won't.

Iza? You asleep? I'm up here if you need anything

A few days later the saga continues

You have that I'm going to scoop you up look on your face Mom

Of course I'm not trying to escape

Aw hell Siren, she's taking you. I won't mention that your carrier is smaller

Oh, and your towel is pink

Of course I feel imprisoned. Doc said I have to come in every 3 weeks.

Stop sulking Siren, you're home and I'm home and there's roast chicken

And on those cats go