Mancat Monday

 TBT:  Sometimes the best things happen when you don't expect it.  And yeah, no pics of the event.

Just a few minutes ago, I walked into the bedroom and Laz did his "I want some attention flop" on the bed.  Usually this means a minute of scritchies and then he runs away because he still isn't really used to attention.    But this time I got my fingers under his chin.  He likes that, but he still isn't feeling completely safe with anyone's fingers at his neck.

But this time, he stayed flopped while I rubbed his jaw, under his chin, and around his ears,  He stayed put for almost 10 minutes.  He even purred.  And a Laz-purr is rare!

He loves Lori.  He likes Marley.  He is cautious around me.  He still wants to annoy Ayla, but it is not bad like it was at first. Sometimes, I think Ayla has the longer memory and hisses first...

But he settled on the bed and accepted a lot of gentle scritchies for longer than I can recall.  Some days are better than others for him but this was a good time.  

I suppose that someday, I will even forget his bad days because he will fully adjust to "peace" and who knows what I will remember about his first years in 10 years.  That's partly why I write.  It is my memory in print..

But this was a really good thing to save to remember.

I looked for a picture of Laz happy but alone.  I found this from The Mews Room...

Easy Like Sunday

 We are all relaxin today in our good spots!

And after dinner.  Notice all the clean empty food bowls.

Caturday Saturday

 LORI:  I caught a birdie.  IN the house!  It was weird.  TBT opened the deck door and I returned for lunch.  And a birdie FLEW RIGHT IN THE HOUSE after me!  

Well, of course TBT was confused.  Birdies don't fly into the house,  They normally hit the door and if they are annoying ones like sparrows, he lets us out to play with them.  

But this one was inside an all confoosed and all.  I reacted immediately!  It tried to fly out the kitchen window but I was right at it and grabbed it.

I was so excited I even walked all over the mayo-covered sandwich TBT was making.  He was not thrilled about that, but IT WAS A BIRDIE!

Naturally, he had no time to take a picture.  And I didn't care about his sandwich.  IT WAS A BIRDIE!

I grabbed it.  But TBT carried me back outside with it.  I went to paw it down, but it escaped.  I dint bite it hard enough in the right place.  😖

Ive GOT ta get better at that.  Marley just gave me a 😏 look after.  I sure have a lot to learn about hunting!  I am annoyed...

And I had ta lick mayo off my paws!

Flashback Friday

This week, back to this week 2009...

Iza had been spayed.  She hated the cone...

So I cut up undershirt to fit her.  It allowed her to poop and pee.  I tried to decorate it, but I'm not very good...  Mostly though, it covered her surgical spot and kept her from licking at it.  What works, works.

Considering that she was wearing it, though, it could have been worse.

After she didn't need it, she went back to her toys.  She loved these.  Got into "rattley mice" later.

She and Ayla were getting along well those days.

Ayla and Iza were great "together Meezers" even though Iza was a Tonkie.  Well, they didn't know the difference.

From original hissy-fights, they were happy together for some years.

Plus, today I put 8 month Seresto flea collars on The Mews today.  The Vet found a flea and flea crap on Marley. So they all got the good collars just to eliminate the problem.  Putting on the collars was an adventure they did not love.   But they will appreciate it later.  Fortunately, they accept collars... 

Thankful Thursday

A love letter to Lorelei Lee -

I saved you for last because you are the newest Mews.  You dear sweet girlcat...  I love you to pieces.

Lori, you are a lovey cat.  You never met your predecessor Iza, but you would have liked her.  She was a lot like you.  Attached to me, minklike fur.  Meezerlish fur colors.  Got oohs and ahhs from the vets as you do too.  It sure took me a while to get you here.  Over a year on the breeders waiting list for a litter that had you in it.  The wait was worth it!

Don't get me wrong, cherished girlcat.  You are different from Iza.  Beautiful aqua vs blue eyes, lighter color fur, different personality.  While I loved Iza for who she was, I love you too for who you are.  Braver outside too.  You have caught birdies and mousies!  And you walk the fence top.

I love that you want to be near me all the time.  Not a lapcat, but you are always close to me.  The back of the TV chair, the ottoman, the bed.  Somehow you are always close to me.  When I come home from food-hunting, you are right next to the garage/basement door happily waiting to see me again.   The others don't wait for me at the door like you do.  I cherish that.

And you always stretch up to invite my attention.  And I give you attention in return which you return yourself with more stretches to me.  You are so wonderful! 

And at night, you come under the covers and snuggle against my knees or back and purr.  It helps me sleep sometimes.  You even tolerate a lot of my tossing and turning at night.  You just adjust your position and settle back down again.

You helped make Laz whole.  I will never forget what a change you caused in him after you arrived.  Do you even remember the first time you napped with him?  You just approached him so easily while he was napping on the waterbed after you came here. and he was surprised.  But he loved it when you did.  It changed his whole life.  It was like flipping a switch in his brain.  He had a friend!  Laz became a happier and more whole cat after you joined us.

And I have to say that you (and Laz) are probably my last lifelong cats.   So as the youngest, you better stay a while.  I want to love you for many years to come!  You deserve a long time and I want it too.

Love,

The Big Thing

And that ends the "Love" posts for February...  A love letter to each, ending with the newest Mew (Mews?).  All deeply loved and cherished...  I have been so lucky with all of you.  

Womancat Wensday And Thanks

AYLA:   

As Princess and Senior Member of The Mews, I speak on behalf of all of us when I thank so many kitties and beins for all the good wishes and advice about Marley's FIV+ diagnosis!  We know the purrs/prayers/thoughts will help him and lift his spirits.  He was really bummed to be told he has a Problem.  

The Vet gave TBT a summary paper about FIV.  He looked up stuff on the computer, too.  But it is the practical experience in so many of your comments that encourages us about his future.  We are going forward on the hope that he will never actually suffer consequences from it.  But we will watch his health carefully.  

For a disease that seems to strike only 1-5% of cats (and those mostly ferals and fighters), there sure seem to be a lot of them that are mostly indoors cats in our community!  Also, TBT may have Marley retested soon with an eye toward "false-positive".  TBT says he will go through Marley's medical records.  He is old enough to have been vaccinated against FIV before the vaccine was discontinued in North America.

You are all wunnerful!  😍

Two Vet Visits

TBT:  Well, I got behind on pictures, so we had 2 Vet visits a few weeks apart.   Lori had a 2nd visit for a followup shot for something,  I don't ask a lot of questions, I just let the Vets do whatever they think necessary.  I took a few pictures...  The place is nicely-designed and well decorated.  I liked the picture of cats all wearing headphones.

The place is nice.  It's also a busy place, well well-staffed and organized.  I mentioned before the Head Vet as won awards.  I don't mind that he posts those on the walls (not seen here).  But the several Vets and the technicians are also very friendly, knowledgable, and caring.

So Lori got great care and accepted it well.

Though, of course, she would rather have not been there.

Marley and Ayla had their turn at the new Vet Friday.  Naturally, I forgot to bring my camera.  I am sorry to say that did not go as well.  Marley hissed and struggled some and that was unlike him.  Not that the Vets were not equally kind and caring, but we got some bad (but not horrible) news.

First (and least), Ayla (15) and Marley (12) both have some dental issues.  Both have some gingivitis problems and both have 2 teeth that will (probably) need to be extracted.  When they return for tooth-cleaning in a week or so, the Vet will know more, but she said the extractions are "likely".

I can handle that (about $1500 for the worst possibilties), but I regret them undergoing surgery and losing some teeth.  Still, it's not like canned cat food requires much chewing...

The sadder news is that Marley tested positive for FIV.  The Vet gave me a summary of FIV and I've looked it up on a few trustable sites.  I know some of you have FIV+ cats.  Any experience about that is welcome.

So far as I can tell, Marley (at 12+) has a good chance of living a normal life for a normal length of years.  "BUT" maybe not.   He is otherwise very healthy, so unless he catches some other disease, he is OK to 16 and that is about normal for a DSH cat.  

He shouldn't go outside, the Vet says, to protect other cats.  Well, he doesn't really go out much these days anyway and hasn't had the fight off an intruder cat in years.  He mainly stays on the deck, so he isn't going to spread it to intruder cats.  

If Ayla gets it from him, it won't really matter much.  She turns 16 in April and FIV does take some time to affect a cat.  It's the younger  Mews I worry about.  Lori tested negative as did Ayla.  Laz tested negative in June last year.  He will have a regular Vet visit for annual shots in June.  I will bring him in soon just for an FIV test.

I didn't post Saturday or Sunday because I was trying to understand this FIV diagnosis.  I think we are ready to go go on posting regularly.  I've never had a cat with a known disease, so this is new to me.

But oddly, I can't stop thinking of Iza and (back in the 80s - Mischief) now.  Mischief (12) was simply dead one day when I returned home from work.  Iza (12) was two days not seeming hungry and wanting to lay on the heated cat mat.  Then suddenly one morning, her backside was covered with blood and the Vet couldn't save her.  I had a "wellness" check scheduled for her that morning about the lack of appetite.

I don't want another surprise at 12 quite yet...

Later today, I will schedule Marley and Ayla for the dental work, and add Laz for an FIV exam.  I think I should find out if Laz is FIV+ ASAP!

Caturday Saturday

THE MEWS:   

It seems like good day to answer questions in comments since it is rainy outaside, so here goes...  We use blog names for this, BTW.

The Meezers said Marley would make a great therapy cat.  Sadly, Marley is terrified by strangers.  And sudden noises like opening plastic bags makes him hide under the bed.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said "You did a great job on those shrimpies, Lori".  She does a great job on TP too.  

But Iza was the master of tearing toys and cardboard.  She could turn a cardboard egg carton into shreds in minutes.

Raging Moon said "Looks like "The Ballad of Big Al" regarding what Laz was watching on TV.  I have that DVD.  It might be.  But it also looks like one (from memory) of Dino Trap.  Laz thinks they are all about 10" tall and he could grab one.  😀 

And from Megan  (about the same dino pic) "I bet you could take him, Laz!  😁

Zoolatry said "Ayla, "got for cheap" ... worth a million! "  Yeah.  Purchase cost means little after the fact.  Love means a lot more.  And maintenance isn't free.  LOL!  Vet visits,  And they eat good stuff.  

Pilch said "You do look like a princess in that bed",  Ayla makes everything her throne.  She is "royalty".  While she still avoids Laz, she does rule over some parts of the house.  The bedroom is HERS in daytime. 

Brian said:  "That's too funny, little Lori and the big honking duck, fun".  Lori is fearless.  Big Marley runs from the Honking Duck.  

Mickey's Musings said   "Awwwww! I love the story of how you integrated into the Mews gang.  They love hearing "awws".  

Flashback Friday

Looking back at old pictures is always fun.   Sometimes, they even surprise me!  So today, we revisit this week in 2014...

Ayla could get up anywhere.  Here, she is looking for a cozy spot behind books in the upper part of a bookcase with no apparent way up.  She just levitates...

Ayla and Marley were enjoying the double cat trees.

Meanwhile, Iza was enjoying a box.  She considered the sides "a bit low" but it was after all, a box.

Returning from a Vet visit, Ayla oddly didn't want to come out (maybe a bit woozy from some shot), so Marley guarded her.

Later, Ayla went out on the deck to watch the squirrels struggle through the snow.  

Back to the carrier (out of order, but moving the pictures around is fighting me), Marley got in the carrier and Ayla guarded him.

And later, Iza got in.  She needed no guard.  Given how much The News generally hate the carrier (PTU), this sequence has always baffled me.

And finally, there was a brilliantly sunny day.  The Mews all collected together to enjoy the warmth on their furs.  It was actually quite cold outside, so they made a good choice.

Thankful Thursday

Love letter to Marley...

Dear Marley - You are the calmest cat I ever had, and  I barely got you at all.  You never met Skeeter, but he is why I wanted you.  There is something peaceful about orange/white cats.  You may not remember how you ended up here, so I will tell you about it while you sit on my crossed legs resting on the ottoman (where you won't bend my knees).

You may recall the lady you first lived with.  She couldn't keep you because she was allergic to cats.  And I was looking for a cat just like you.  Well, OK, I had looked at other orange/white cats but they always came as brothers and I wanted a single calm mancat to get between Ayla and Iza who fought sometimes.

A blogger-friend found you for me.  "Single orange/white young mancat". The lady you were staying with had promised you to a family, but I emailed her saying what a good place I had  (retired, big back yard, great foods, experienced with cats, etc) and she decided I was the better home.

I visited her.  Do you remember how she called you and you came down the stairs in spite of me being a stranger there?  I knew you were a happy and relaxed cat just because of that.  I was sitting on the floor and you right settled right onto my lap and purred.  That was enough for the lady.  She said we were matched forever.  And we have been.

Marley, you are the the one who makes The Mews work as a group.  Any hissy-fight of Ayla and Iza,  you just walked between them.  Sometimes, a raised paw was all that was necessary.  Last two years, you distracted Laz from Ayla.  Let him wrassle with you instead.  

You may not realize how that helped her a lot, but maybe you do.  Your calmness is important.  You are "The Dude" at 17 pounds yet you don't take advantage of your size.  

Do you recall when you were a kitten and spent most nights "under the cover" with me?  I miss that but understand that you are a big warm cat now and it actually gets too hot for you under the blankets.  But you sleep on the corner of the bed at night and that is good too.

You have rather thick fur (and mats) for a "Domestic Short Hair" so I've tried several ways of brushing.  Flea combs, brushes, Zoom Groom, etc.  Sure, you liked them, but when I got the wire brush, you loved it.        You love the wire-brushie and I love brushing you.  I think that if I had saved all your brushed-out fur, I could have a barrel-full of it now!  You sink into purrs and kneading while I do it.  I don't often tell you how much your purring pleasure means, but I do here now.

I also want to thank you for eating anything I offer.  Laz and Lori are fussy.  You eat (happily).  Few things make me happier than watching your enjoyment of food.  

I also want to mention how much I enjoyed watching you outside in the protected backyard to catch mousies, moles, and shrews.  You were a Master-Mouser!  You have become more of an indoor cat these past couple years, but that's OK; you are also great calmly indoors.  You taught Laz how to hunt mousies (as he has taught Lori).  You taught, and then passed the skill forward.    

You are only 12 now and in great health.  You better stay around many more years.  I will cry a lot if you don't.  

Marley, my dear friend, I sure love you heaps...

The Big Thing

Womancat Wensday

LORI:   Did you know shrimps are all shell and meat?  Not a heart or any squishy stuff at all.  Actally, not even heads...  Completely not like mousies!  I know because I gutted 2 of mine.  

TBT says I am following in Iza's pawsteps.  She used ta skin mousies, though.

Valentines Day

 First, Happy Valentines Day to all our friends, Kitty and Human!  

Second, because it is also Twofur Tuesday, we present the two Lovin Spoonfuls...

And finally, for remembrance, Iza and Spitty in their goth outfits...

Mancat Monday

LAZ:   Im watchin the TV.  What am I watchin, you ask?

Dinosaurs!

Easy Like Sunday

AYLA:  Its not often that I feel comfy nappin where Laz can see me.

But he has continued ta calm down for months.

 So thats good...

Caturday Saturday

MARLEY:  

Today was a good day for sitting on TBTs lap.

But then, they all are... 

Flashback Friday

Today we return to this week in 2011.  

Marley was still small enough to squeeze in and out of the hidey-hole. 

Ayla was enjoying a nap on the top of the shoe rack.

Marley was posing on a pillow atop the TV chair.

And having some toy-time.

Iza was taking full advantage of a sunpuddle and the deck door to show off her marvelous silken tummy and was practicing her floaty-toes too!