New Mews Update

 TBT HERE:  A slight delay, which is OK because Laz has been getting so much better socially lately and I was a bit concerned about how he would respond to a new kitten.  So about him, first.  

He got up on my lap 3 seperate times Thursday!  Unfortunately, he is still learning how to get off calmly (he simply LEAPS) and I have some wounds to prove it.  It's OK, I heal fast. 

Yesterday, we were both outside.  He has learned to enjoy "outside time" more when I am out there too.  He comes running up and then flops down for some belly rubs.  He even follows me around these days and I haven't had THAT pleasure since Iza left us.  Before, he would just be outside on his own doing his cat-thing alone.  The outside companionship is nice.

Peace generally reigns in the house.  In fact, the last time I heard Ayla hiss was when MARLEY got a bit too playful.  Ayla is still cautious around Laz, but I've noticed that they come in together and sniff each other.  Things are GOOD these days and I think Laz has "settled".

So...  I talked to the Tonkie breeder yesterday about the adoption schedule.  You may recall I mentioned "early August" previously.  Sadly, there was some sort of miscarriage.  But the breeder (there are 2 in combination actually) says that both hers and her friend's Queens have recently had healthy litters of the colors I associate with Tonkies..

Apparently, both litters are of the general type as Iza was.  I am thrilled!  Not that I'm looking for a clone of Iza (she will always be unique in my heart) but I do want the general platinum/mink coloration and the gorgeous blue eyes.  Sometimes I feel guilty about being so specific, but this next one will probably be my last kitten (I've had so many at "just adult" stage) so I am indulging myself.

Anyway, the schedule is 11 weeks from now.  That makes it about the middle of September.  Just about a whole year since I originally inquired about adopting one.  It has been a long wait...

Not to say it hasn't been an interesting year.  Ayla has always been a wonderful kitty even with the hard start of being spayed twice before the 3rd time worked.  Marley came from a happy but allergic home and has been a peaceful mancat all his life.  Laz sure took a lot of attention, but it has paid off.

I've usually had mostly womancats before, so having 2 mancats around has been "educational".  I used to think "two" was enough (and I could be happy with 2), but Laz needed (and deserved) a calm home so then there was 3.  The new female Tonkie will be named Lorelie Lee to go with Lapis Lazuli (from Heinlein).  I like book character names (though Marley came with his own and I liked it).

I can hardly wait.  

There is some karma involved here.  If the Tonkie breeder had had a kitten available right after Iza went over The Bridge, I never would have experienced Laz.  OK, sure, MAYBE he would have gotten adopted into a home LIKE mine and been "purrfectly" happy somewhere else.  But it would have meant that *I* would not have experienced his socialization and adjustment.

I will always treasure that experience.  Yeah, some of you do that routinely.  And I admire that.  But Laz  is unique for me.  I've had a long line of "happy-from-the-start" cats and my time with Laz has been an education I needed.  

I don't mean that I want everyone to have a "difficult" cat (both for the human and the cat), but it sure teaches you a LOT!

The Tonkie breeder says she will send pictures when available.  When I get any, I'll post them.  

Caturday Saturday

LAZ:   TBT pushed me off the deck rail today!  I was rollin on a doormat draped over it and he just PUSHED ME!

TBT:  I did NOT!  You just rolled off the edge...

LAZ:  But you were RIGHT THERE.  You must have had something ta do with it.

TBT:  I opened the deck door to tell you it was dinnertime.  You were so happy, you just rolled off...

LAZ:  It was 12' down!

TBT:  Not my fault Dude!  You rolled over on your own.  Maybe I shouldn't have left the door mats draped over the deck rail though.  I know you like to roll around on them.

LAZ:  SEE everybody?  He admits it was HIS fault!

TBT:  C'mon Dude, I didn't even laugh.  And I gave you treats and some Nip and then tuna when you came in.

LAZ:  Bribery to sooth your guilty conchus conciensus, mind!

TBT:  Would you rather I had given you broccoli for dinner?  Or I could leave the deck door closed all day tomorrow...

LAZ:  OK, OK, I'll "claim" I rolled over on my own.  Happy?

TBT:  No, I was quite worried watching you fall.  I even (unsuccessfully) grabbed at the doormat you clawed at and dragged down with you as you slipped over.

LAZ:  Really?  

TBT:  Yes "really".  

LAZ:  Well...  OK.  But why dint ya take a picture?  And a video would have been better.

TBT:  Laz, It was too sudden.  I don't take pictures just by "looking", ya know.  I need a camera gadget. But I have the picture in my mind.

LAZ:  Sometimes Im not too sure about that!

TBT:  Trust me.  I still remember when LC rolled off the deck once, and I didn't have the camera then either.  And that was a LONG time ago.  I remember things without having camera pictures.

LAZ:  LC did that too?

TBT:  Yeah, but not as far.  She was asleep on the deck and forgot she was at the edge.  Fell right off!  But she only fell 8'.  You set a record here!

LAZ:  And you remember that.  Why dont I?

TBT:  It was way before you were born.  In fact, it was before Ayla was born, I think.  I'd have to look at ancient pictures, 15 years maybe.  But yeah, we Beins remember things without camera pictures.

LAZ:  Wow, I don't remember last year very well.

TBT:  Well, since you mention it, your Gotcha Day is coming up soon.  I will throw a special GOTCHA LAZ DAY PARTY just for you.

LAZ:  I saw Marley and Ayla had one a few Moons ago.  I didn't know I would.  I know I've done a few bad things...

TBT:  You and me (and US) buddy...  Mark And The Mews...

LAZ:  (Whew) OK.  Could ya at least put up ONE picture though?

TBT:  Here you go, Laz.  You and Me...

The Other Side Of The Door!

LAZ:  OMC, OMC, OMC!  I was brought OUT yesserday!  

I WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR!  Finally...

TBT decided it was time.  He wrapped me up in some harnessy-thingy and a rope leash.  And held me while we STEPPED OUT...

So here are all the pictures.  I dint complain about the camera AT ALL.  I was sniffin an lookin and lookin and sniffin!

 He promised to let me wander hold me.

I tried to escape held on for dear life. 

Oh Bast!  All the smells...

The sounds...

I was brave scared...

It was all so DIFFERNT!

TBT never let me go.

I was practly in shock.

I looked around EVRYWHERE!

But also made sure I was protectin TBT.  There BIRDS out here!

I never saw Marley THIS way.  Like AT the door.

He yawned.  I was ecited beyond belleef!

TBT held me for his protecshun...

I mean *I* dint need it...

 But it all was quite a serprise...

 I kept my neck in his hand so he woudnt worry. 

A FIRM NECK of course.

Woudnt want him to get al worried out n the deck...

So to calm him, I sat deep in his lap.

But I did look around more when he seemed calm...

After a while, I let him know it was all OK.  He let the leash a bit loose, and I pulled th harness off.  And when I realized I was loose I wandered around the deck ran for the door to get back inside.

Just so he wouldn't worry ya know?

Not that I was all THAT ecited but I ate a whole can of food afterwards. 

 

Twofer Tuesday

LAZ AND ME:  

Laz got a chair back.  I made sure of it.   He was happy.

And when he is happy,  am happy.  And we ALL are happy.

Laz peacefulness is a good but slow work.  I talk to him a lot.  Mostly soft sounds, but also when he comes to eat, I say "dinnertime" a lot. The sound will eventually come to mean something "good" to him. Worked for all the previous Mews...

And everytime he is calm in the house is a better day.  Increments of peacefulness are good.  Better today than yesterday is good.  It has been 3 months.  Laz is better than Day 1, and he will be calmer a few months from now.  There is slow progress.