Redefining the Meaning of “Family”

Recent events have caused me to examine what the word “family” means to me and who it describes. Traditionally one’s family is thought to be those you are related to by blood and by marriage. But that’s genealogy. After what happened this weekend, I now believe that for me, merely sharing the same blood does not give someone “family” status.

To me, family means those who uplift you, those who add joy and love to your life, those who are there for you when you need them. Family does not forsake you. Family does not beat you emotionally until you crumble, bloody and broken. Family does not kick you when you’re down. Family does not unapologetically treat you badly, and expect you to carry on the relationship as though nothing happened.

So with this new definition, I had just one family member left—my sister. She was the only one who supported me when my 87 year old mother (who I believe has advancing dementia) started treating me like she hated me this summer. The meanness inflicted by the one who brought me into this world was incredibly difficult to bear, but the complete lack of empathy of my so-called family magnified that emotional pain a thousand-fold.  At least I had my sister. Or so I thought.

This weekend, she got mad at me and for a good half hour she ripped me a new one; actually several new ones. We’ve only had one fight our entire adult life, and that was nothing compared to this. She said such demeaning, hurtful things that I wondered if she’d become possessed because I couldn’t fathom how all of that loathing could be inside her all this time and was only now coming out.

When she was done with her diatribe, she said “You know, you do have family who care about you.” I pointed to my three cats and said “I know I do. One, two, three.”  This enraged her and she stormed out. But as I looked at my precious, sweet and loving earth angels with fur, I realized it was the truth. Annabelle, Mickey and Rocky are my only family.

That does not make me sad, though. I feel so blessed to have these three family members who will always love me, who will always be there for me, who will always offer a comforting purr when I’m sick and an uplifting head-bonk when I’m sad. The human beings I’m related to by blood or marriage are not my family. Blood is just blood. It does not determine who deserves the title of family.

Our Christmas Card!!

That wonderful Ann from Zoolatry has done it again. She made us this adorable Christmas card that matches our holiday header! Isn't it lovely?

We would be honored and thrilled if you wanted to copy our card and put it on your blog with other holiday cards you receive.

We would also like to post your card on our blog! Please email it to me or post it in the comments if you prefer.

Burr

Hi my furry peeps, it's Rocky! The Warden said to ask you a question, so here goes:

"How do you know when it's really cold out?"

Answer: When the pet door has iced over ... on the inside! MOL. Yes, this is what the pet door looked like this morning from inside. This happens every winter when it's really cold (below zero). The pet door has panels on the inside and outside, but it's still drafty. We don't use the door even in summer because we don't get free access to the outdoors since the Warden is a worrywart. I don't mind but Mickey, oh boy does he fuss in the summer. In the winter, he doesn't step paw outside.

This is where we all spend the winter -- in front of the wall heater. The Warden says it's an eyesore but we kitties just love how warm it is there. I hog the soft little cat blankie that the Warden puts down in front of it.

Usually it's just my brofur Mickey and I relaxicatting in front of the heater, but sometimes we allow that spoiled girl kitty Annabelle to get warm, too.

The Warden titled my post Burr because she had a good laugh -- at herself -- the other day. People were using it to mean "cold" and she said to them, "Don't you mean brrrr, as in brrrr, it's cold out." But then she Googled it. Lo and behold, burr is now listed in the slang dictionaries to mean the same thing as brrrr!! 

So whether you write burr or brrrr, we agree. It's too cold for kitties to be outdoors! Please stay warm.

Love and kitty licks,
Rocky

What is Wrong with Me?

Recently I asked myself that question, and I looked inward for the answer because I sincerely wanted to know. I was certain there must be something wrong with me. Surely I must be an evil, awful person, that my own family didn’t invite me to join them for Thanksgiving. Right?

Wrong. With a bit of introspection, I realized there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, and it was not my fault that my half sister thought it was perfectly acceptable to exclude me from her holiday dinner. Even if we were in the middle of some huge family feud – which we aren’t – her actions would be less than kind. Given that the only reason she didn’t invite me is that she just doesn’t like me very much, I find her meanness reprehensible.

We’ve never fought or exchanged harsh words, and I have no idea why she feels the way she does about me. But by not inviting me, she’s shown me what’s inside her heart, and it’s not pretty.

I won’t lie. It did hurt that my half sister, her husband and kids, my step Mom, my brother, his wife and kids would all sit down to a Thanksgiving meal and think nothing of not including me. But life is all about those teachable moments, and this was one for me.

I learned that there is absolutely nothing wrong with me. I am a good person, and I deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. That my family couldn’t do this on Thanksgiving … well, that’s their problem, not mine. 

I cooked a big turkey, and my cats and I feasted on that tasty bird for hours. I did not wallow in self pity, and I did not spend my day feeling bad that my family excluded me from their holiday table. And besides, my cats are far better company than any of them! LOL.

Do You Have an "Attitude of Gratitude" Every Day?

My kitties and I just wanted to wish each and every one of my dear blogging friends a very Happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for all of the usual stuff, and then some.

My life is not perfect by any means, but I know that compared to many I am truly blessed. And I try very hard not to forget that. I think it's wonderful that Thanksgiving inspires people to be thankful for all the good things in their life. I do that too, but I also try to maintain the "attitude of gratitude" all year long.

According to the Law of Attraction, giving thanks for what you have causes more good to flow into your life. So every morning when I wake up, and every night in bed, I have a little ritual, a short period of thanks-giving where I verbally state what I give thanks for.

I always give thanks that my cats and I are safe, healthy and happy. I say this even when our health is not 100%, because I choose to focus on the positive and state how I want my life to be despite what the circumstance is. I also give thanks for a beautiful, perfect, happy, wonderful, productive day.

Having an attitude of gratitude helps to set the tone for my day, and even when things don't go smoothly it helps to maintain balance. Do I fall off the wagon and forget to be grateful, and find myself wallowing in despair when life throws the inevitable curve balls? Sure. I'm human. But my morning and evening thanks-giving ritual helps restore harmony.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, and a blessed life.

Who Could Say No to This Face??

Oh hai, it's Annabelle today! Don't I look pretty?

Every parent thinks their own baby is the cutest one to have ever been born. No other child could possibly compete, am I right? Even an ugly baby is beautiful in the eyes of its own parent!

The same principle holds true with hoomins and their fur kids. You may not have given birth to your precious four legged baby, but in your eyes they are the cutest kitty or woofie on the planet. We know this, and we take full advantage of it. Yep, we use the fact that you are smitten with our cuteness for our own selfish benefit. As in, who could resist that adorable face when we're begging for another treat even though we've already had plenty? We know you can't!!

In my Warden's eyes, I am the cutest cat she has every laid eyes on, since the beginning of time... well, since the beginning of HER time here, which is almost the same thing. MOL. She is powerless to resist me when I want something -- cuddles, pets, brushing, treats -- I get what I want just by being cute.

She wanted me to ask you guys for a little favor, because if my charm works even a smidgeon as good on you as it does on her, there's no way you can say no! She was wondering if you might kindly put her auction link on your blog for just one day, to make sure everyone knows about it? If so, she would be very grateful, and I would too!

Auction for Annabelle: http://auctionforannabelle.blogspot.com/

How Do You Like Me Now? (Meow?)

Rocky chilling on an easy Sunday

Pet bloggers are the best kind of peeps, I think. If not "the" best, then certainly in the top five. That's been my experience, at least. I have met so many caring, kind, wonderful people since I began managing the RPO pet food blog 4 1/2 years ago and now having my own personal blog this year.

Everyone is so nice, and one of the nicest is Ann from Zoolatry, who you may remember did the Halloween photos for my three fur babies that I posted here. Ann also offered to do a custom header for my new blog, for FREE (!) and I readily accepted. I was just using one of the Blogger templates and my blog had no style, no freshness or uniqueness.

Look at it now! Isn't it purrty? She asked me what my favorite colors were (pink and purple) and took it from there. I love the new look. As an extra surprise, she even did a holiday header for me, which I'll switch to in a few days. Thanks, Ann! Your generosity and talent is much appreciated.

Another wonder blogger, Alasandra from Alasandra, the Cats and Dogs made a great graphic for me to help publicize my auction for Annabelle's vet bills. Isn't it cute? If you have kitties, doggies, kids, pet lovers and just "regular" folks (MOL) on your Christmas list, I hope you'll take a peek at the auction here.

Today I am thankful for all the good friends and lovely people I've met in the pet blogging world. You are all simply the best, and I feel blessed to know you.

Whoa! I Got Furminated!!!

Kitties! Would you just look at that humongous pile of fur! That's all from me, Annabelle, and it is ONE day's worth of Furminating.

Awhile back the Warden had a birthday (her elebenty billionth I think) and a friend gave her one of those Furminator thingys. Now you might be askin' yourself what kind of friend would give someone a crappy gift like a cat brush. But the Warden will tell you, a VERY GOOD friend! Because the friend knew it was something the Warden has been wanting for a long, long time.

Yes, it's true. The Warden is a crazy-for-cats lady. She had read that those Furminators brushed long furry cats like nobody's business, but she wouldn't buy it for herself (well, really for me) because we're kinda on a budget and besides, she already has a gazillion brushes and combs.

But here's the thing: despite using an arsenal of grooming tools on me every day, my fur has a curly undercoat and it was always getting knotted up which required the dreaded scissor attack. So the Warden wanted to see if the Furminator would help with that.

Meowza! It really does. She gets that much fur offa me EVERY DAY! And I have not gotten a mat ever since.

I like getting Furminated. But as for the Warden's twisted sense of humor, making me wear a fur hat? Not so much. Although I must say, it does look good on me don't you think?

=^..^=

Auction for Annabelle

Oh hai my furry peeps! It's me, your pal Annabelle.

I am aghast at how long it's been since the Warden or I posted to this blog. I don't know where the time has gone. One minute I'm napping in my cat bed and the next, entire weeks have disappeared!!

I have looked for them under the bed, in the closet and even where lots of other things disappear -- inside Rocky's stomach! I cannot find those weeks anywhere. <sigh>. I sure hope they don't go missing again.

Anyhoo, the Warden asked me to tell you that since her CB auction for my vet bills never happened, she decided to have one herself. Now that she sees how much work goes into an auction, she fully understands why they do not happen very often. Meowza, that took years off her life!! MOL.

We have lots of goodies in our auction. Great stuff for kitties, woofies and humans too. She thought she had more items, but some things didn't pass my strict quality control, MOL. If you have something you'd like to donate to our auction, we'd be delighted to include it. Just let us know!

We hope you will take a look at the auction, and if you see something you like, please bid. And maybe, paws crossed, the Warden will be able to pay off my bill before the New Year!! Our wonderful vet has been so very patient, but even she has limits.

Here's the auction link: http://auctionforannabelle.blogspot.com/

Mickey as Count Catula

Doesn't Mickey make a superb Dracula?

This is the last of the three Halloween costumes Ann from Zoolatry made for us. I loved them all but this one is my favorite. He looks so scary!!

I know Halloween is a dangerous time for all black kitties, especially those that are allowed outside. Thankfully, my two black boys will be safe inside. 

I do not get any trick or treaters here, so don't have to worry about little monsters disrupting their stress-free life. My cats will spend Halloween like any other day -- lounging in front of the wall heater, on their cat tree in front of the window, or on the back of the sofa. What a cushy life. Yes, I am jealous of my cats. MOL.

Have a safe, happy Halloween!

Rocky the Kidd

Butch Cassidy? Sundance? Billy the Kid? Jesse James? Oh sure, those are all legendary outlaws of the Wild West. But I submit -- they have nothing on this feline desperado!

Ann from Zoolatry made this Wanted poster for us. I think it fits Rocky to a T, and I just adore it.

Rocky the Kidd is the naughtiest outlaw cat on the planet, and I'm sure he actually thinks his name is "NO!" because I say it daily, multiple times.

Rocky the Kidd stops at nothing to get what he wants: food! He will open the kitchen cupboard and then stand on his hind legs on top of the coffee maker so he can get treats down from the top shelf.

Rocky the Kidd steals food off MY plate right in front of me, sometimes even off my fork as it is moving from my plate to my mouth!

But I ask you -- who could ever stay mad at that beyond-adorable face? Not I!!

Mini-Annabelle and her Mini-Mouse

The lovely Ann from Zoolatry volunteered to make Halloween costumes for all of us kitties here at Purr Therapy. Here's mine!

 The Warden says I make the cutest Minnie she's ever seen, and for once I agree with her. I love my mini-mouse, too ... so much, in fact, that I will probably eat it. Yum! MOL.

~Love and kitty licks, Annabelle

The Unbearable Unfairness of Life

Yesterday was a very hard day for the pet blog community, as we lost our beloved Pip. No, Pip didn’t “belong” to me, or to the pet blogging community at large; he had a loving family and furever home. But this adorable little doggie was “ours” in the sense that he openly shared his life and love with all of us, through his blog. Pip was one of the sweetest, kindest and cutest woofies I’ve ever known.

I never met Pip in person, but I adored him just the same, and the news of his passing unleashed a torrent of tears. Those who question how someone could cry over the death of a pet they’d never met, will never understand the deep bonds that pet bloggers forge with other pet lovers and their pets. It can be every bit as profoundly special as the bonds we have with our own pets. These blogging woofies and meowsters use words to bring them to life. They let us in, let us see every part of their life while sharing their joys, triumphs and sorrows with us. And when they run off to the Rainbow Bridge, the gaping hole in our heart feels much the same as it does when we lose one of our own.

Not a week goes by that we pet bloggers don’t have to say goodbye to another cherished pet. Sometimes there are more than one in a week. It reminds me of the old saying, “Life isn’t fair.” It’s a fact that no human journeys from birth to death unscathed. Tragic things happen. We deal with sorrowful circumstances as best as we can. We soldier on, because we must.

But for pet lovers, life can seem even more unfair because those we love leave us much too soon. I often wonder how it came about that animals have such infinitely shorter lifespans than humans yet they create for us such life-altering emotional experiences. We love them with every fiber of our being, despite knowing that one day, we’ll experience the soul-searing pain of losing them.

Even when we’re lucky and our pet lives to a ripe old age, it’s never long enough. Surely this is one of life’s greatest examples of unfairness, that we humans can have 80 or more good years on the planet, yet our four legged friends rarely have 20. But it speaks to our resilience and emotional capacity that we love them deeply all the same.

I will admit, there are times that I think “I hope I die before Annabelle, because I don’t know how I will ever be able to cope with that loss.” Each week that I say goodbye to yet another treasured woofie or meowster in the blogging community brings fresh pain and fresh fear of that day I know will come. And I’m not ready. I will never be ready to say goodbye to my beloved heart cat, but I can hold her close today and tell her how much I love her. I don’t know when that last “today” will come, so I have to cherish every precious moment I have with her.

As I say goodbye to the wonderful woofie Pip, I will try not to be sad and dwell on the loss, but be uplifted by the fact that knowing him made my life richer. Yes, Pip has gone too soon…as they all do. We can only love them as much as possible until that final day, and keep them close in our heart forevermore.

We’re Alive!! (sort of)

Oh hai my furry peeps. It’s Annabelle. Did you wonder where I disappeared to? The Warden lost her blogging mojo and she said I was not allowed to post either. She didn’t mean for us to stay away for so long, but before we knew it, several weeks had passed.

To tell the truth, I am a little worried about the Warden. She has been having a rough go of it (“life”) for awhile now, and every so often that dreaded monster we call The Big D rears its ugly head. She has to fight that awful thing with all her might, and it chases her down into a big black hole where she has to claw at the walls to get out. It’s so dark and gloomy down in that cave and she gets scared that she won’t ever get back out. I give her as much Purr Therapy as I can, but sometimes the monster is just so strong. For now, the epic battle continues.

The Warden had to put Purr Therapy on hold because it was making her sad and giving the monster more ammunition. She had met so many wonderful folks the past four years managing that other, company sponsored blog some of you know about. Well, some nice folks associated with the CWB said if she started a personal blog, they could hold one of their auctions to help her pay off the huge vet bill from when I was really sick. So she did, because that bill was making her feel really bad. She started gathering up a bunch of cat things she could put into the auction to help, and she was hopeful for the first time in a good long while. But then the auction never happened. We weren’t popular enough, apparently, for an auction.

The Warden was upset to hear that, but she knew in her heart it was true. For months she’d spent hours every day reading a gazillion other pet blogs and being genuinely interested in their kitties and doggies, but not many came ‘round to visit us. Some furriends migrated here from the other blog but then they quit reading what she wrote over there.

She was disheartened. She just couldn’t keep spending so much time on what seemed like a fruitless endeavor. So she stopped. She’s so very grateful for the dear blogging furriends she has made and maybe one day, it will be okay with her that there are just a few Purr Therapy readers.

In the meantime, I’m giving her lots of purrs and headbonks, and hoping she can send that D monster packing and get out of the cave soon. A dark, cold cave is no place for a good-hearted Warden OR for a kitty. We miss you, dear furriends.

Love and kitty licks,
Annabelle

Our Warden is the Dumbest Human Ever!!

Oh hai, it's me Annabelle again. Now, you know I love my Warden to pieces, but sometimes I think she's just not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Lest you think I'm being too hard on the poor Warden, allow me to tell you a funny little story.

Not long ago, the Warden was delighted to win a fancy schmancy Ipod Touch. She has an Ipod but it's only one of those tiny Shuffle thingys that doesn't even hold enough songs to lull me to sleep (if I were into Ipods, which I'm not.)

So the Warden took her new Ipod Touch out of the box all excited to try it out, but she couldn't get it to play right. She said it only played music if she held the headphone jack in with her hand. Now, I'm only a kitteh but even I know this isn't the way you're sposed to have to use an Ipod.

The Warden was upset. She contacted the people she won it from and they sent her the receipt. But it turns out all she had to do was contact the Apple peeps, who arranged for a box to be sent so she could ship it back to be repaired or replaced.

Two days after sending it off, the Ipod came back (woot! now that's service!) but the note said they couldn't "recreate the problem" and that the Ipod worked fine for the techs. So the Warden turned it on again and had the same problem as before. Uh-oh. I think I saw steam coming out of her ears.

She started to wonder if it wouldn't play because of something she was doing wrong. I was like, Warden... seriously...how hard is it to operate an Ipod? She didn't listen to me, though, and decided to take the Ipod to Radio Shack to ask them for advice. Good on ya, Warden!

She told the guy what the problem was and he asked her if she had the headphone jack pushed all the way in. She said she pushed it in as far as it would go, and that she thought pushing it in farther would break something. The guy took the Ipod from her, gave the headphone jack a nice big push and it clicked into place. Voila! Music! And you don't even have to hold the jack in with your hand!

The Warden said she's never been so embarrassed in all her elebenty billion years on earth. I ask you again...how hard is it to operate an Ipod??

Wordless Wednesday -- Rocky wears "Mr. Bill"

(Inspired by the very funny website, stuffonmycat.com.)

Would Anyone Hire This Kitteh?

Get a job? Oh no, I am not amused!!

Hey there! It’s Annabelle again. The Warden said Labor Day was a purrrrfect time for me to quit my copious catnapping and go find a job. “What? We cats don’t work! It’s against the Cat Rulebook,” I meowed emphatically. She wasn’t impressed that I quoted that book; she said it was written by some anonymous cat which made it invalid. Pshaw!

So then she tried to appeal to my emotional side, asking me if I felt bad eating all that kibble when I didn’t contribute to the household. Um…nope! Cats eat, play, sleep and then, eat some more. That’s it!

She had the nerve to remind me that she was still crazy-short on the green papers… all because of me. You may remember that a few months ago I was really sick. I spent four days at the vets after horking all night long, then refusing every foodables under the sun and looking rather comatose. At the time, the Warden didn’t care how many green papers it took as long as I could get well and come home. So I did…and now she’s paying for it, or trying to anyway.

Yeah… I guess I do feel kind of bad about that. If I could get a job, she’d be less stressed about the bills and I’d get lots more cuddles! (I already get lots, but a kitteh can never have too many cuddles!).

I put my paws together and came up with a few jobs I could apply for.

*Chief Paper Shredder – I just love eating paper – especially the Warden’s impawtant work papers! – so I would definitely excel at this job. Paper has lots of fiber and tastes yummy, too, so this job would have benefits I could sink my teeth into.

*Seat Filler – You know how the Academy Awards hires people to sit in the celebs’ seats when they go to the loo, so the place always looks packed? I’d be a natural at this job. Every time the Warden gets up from her chair to go do something, there is a cat in it – ME!! – when she gets back.

* Office Supply Clerk – I like to keep track of all the pens, pencils, paper clips, erasers, DVDs and sticky note pads by pushing them all off the Warden’s desk…so naturally I’d be a pro at this job from the get-go.

* Treat Taste Tester – Companies that make foodables always need taste testers to make sure their product is up to snuff. I’d be pawsome at this job because I just LOVE all kinds of treats. Even if it didn’t pay much, the tasty treats would make up for it.

* Psychotherapist – I already have experience doing this job!! Heaven knows I have to (pretend to) listen while the Warden tells me all her troubles. I could do the same with anyone else, and if I came home and told the Warden, she might feel better because surely there are people out there with worse problems than hers! MOL.

***

Because every job seeker must carefully analyze their weaknesses as well as their strengths, here are a few careers I’d fail famously:

See? I ALWAYS turn my head!

* Photography Model – When the Warden aims her camera at me, I turn my head. I can’t help it! She says it's a miracle when she manages to snap a shot with me looking at the camera.

* Restaurant Critic – I’d be no good at this job because I love ALL food, so I’d never be able to criticize a darn thing.

* Walmart Greeter – You’ve got to love strangers and be friendly to be good at this job. I possess neither quality. I only love the Warden and a few choice people, that’s it. Strangers? Fuhgetaboutit!

What job(s) would you be good at?

Fur Kids – Forever in Our Hearts

The other day was one of those I dread. Finding out that another beloved furriend had gone to the bridge is never easy, but this time it was a cat I admire so much for his amazing spirit and his ability to teach us about love and acceptance.

Homer the Blind Wonder Cat was just one cat, as Gwen said, but he was one of the most special cats the world has ever had the privilege to know. His story, Homer’s Odyssey, touched the hearts of millions…and inspired countless people to give blind cats a chance.

Homer proved time and again that you don’t need eyes to be worthy of love. He showed us that a physical disability doesn’t define who we are, it’s just one part of what makes us unique. I love that, through Homer, so many people came to understand that every cat deserves a forever home, even one without eyes.

I love that Gwen and Homer’s incredible bond was captured so eloquently on paper for the world to read and understand. If we are lucky, we will all get to experience the kind of life-altering love these two shared.

I know I have that kind of bond with my Annabelle, and when I read Gwen’s incredibly touching tribute post to Homer, I saw so much of myself in what she wrote. This post foreshadows my own future, that fateful day I will have to bid the love of my life goodbye. It’s not something I want to think about…ever…but it’s reality. I know I will feel what she is feeling now, and I only hope I can be as strong.

I truly believe every soul that comes into this world has a purpose. And that includes cats. We’re all here for a reason, even if we never discover what that reason is. Homer was one of the lucky ones. He knew exactly what he’d come to do…and he did it so well, that his legacy will live forever. I know that’s a bit clichéd, but it is the truth.

I was privileged to “interview” Homer for my other blog a few years ago, and one of his answers to my questions has always stayed in my mind:

Me: If you could tell people something about blind cats that they might not already know, what would it be?
Homer: That a blind cat, in the end, is just a cat who is every bit as capable of loving you and living a wonderful life as any other cat. Too many people didn't want to adopt me as a kitten because I was “different.”  But just because someone's a little different doesn't mean they're too different to love.

I know some of you have read that interview, but if you haven’t and want to learn more about how wise and wonderful Homer was, you can read it here.

Happy Birthday, Warden!!

Our Mom, aka The Warden, is elebentyy billion years old today. Ok, we don’t exactly know how old she is, because she says it’s a secret – and apparently it’s more closely guarded than what goes on at Area 51. Hehe.

When she woke this morning, I was curled up next to her in my favorite spot: right underneath her chin. I purred “Good morning and Happy Birthday, Momma. Last night while you were sleeping, I left your present right there on the bed where you’ll be sure to see it. It’s not as grand as the one Rocky left for you on the floor the other day, but I hope you like it.”

I don’t know why, but she wasn’t exactly over the moon about my gift!! So apparently I missed the mark. But it’s the thought that counts, right?



Our Mom is determined to have a happy day today, despite feeling kinda blue. See, her own momma has been so mean to her lately. This evil woman (remember, we don’t call her Grandma since she says we aren’t important because “we’re not human”) has been sayin the most awful things that no one should say to anyone, let alone their precious daughter.

She treats our Mom so horribly, it makes her think her own Mother wishes she’d never been born! I thought Moms were sposed to love their kids no matter what, but apparently non-Grandma didn’t get the memo. Besides, it’s not like our Mom did anything to deserve this. She’s a kind, thoughtful, loving daughter. She gave up a wonderful life in California to move here to help that nasty beast, and was told “You shouldn’t have come here for me, because I don’t need any help.”

She tells our Mom “You don’t have any friends; no one likes you because you’re not a nice person.” Wow, non-Grandma that is harsh! We know it’s not true because our Mom thinks of all of YOU as her friends even though she’s never met you in person.

Our Mom’s sister and nephew came for a visit and they’re staying over at the beast’s lair. Yesterday, non-Grandma told our Mom’s sister “If you’re going to celebrate her birthday, DON’T DO IT HERE!!” Wow again, non-Grandma – that’s harsh even for you!

Us kitties are so thankful our Mom was borned all those years ago. She grew up to be a wonderful person in spite of the beast, and then she rescued us. We love her because she loves us with every inch of her heart, and we know she’d never treat her own children the way non-Grandma treats her.

If you want to leave her a meow or a woof on this special day, I just know it would make her purr!

~Love and kitty licks,
Annabelle

Friday Funnies – When Hairballs Attack!

Yak? What yak?

Warden Julia here. You all know how much I love my three cats, right? To the moon and back. But on the flip side, there are also a few rather…um…repugnant things that go hand in paw with having cats.

For me, hairballs are at the top of that short list. There is only one sound more disconcerting than a cat about to yak, and that sound is…drumroll please…a cat about to yak in the middle of the night.

If there’s anything more terrifying than being woken up from a sound sleep to the disconcerting gurgle of a cat in full yak mode, I don’t know what it is. It happened to me last night. It was dark, I was groggy but suddenly wide awake and I knew that I had less than a minute to jump out of bed and grab something – tissue, towel, piece of paper, anything I could get my hands on – to mitigate the impending indignity heaped upon the poor carpet.

Also, a minute is not nearly long enough for a sleepy brain to decide whether to just lie there and deal with the carnage in the morning, or jump up like the house is on fire. Most of the time I choose not to spring to action. I’m not proud of that, exactly, but I’m just not in peak form when startled awake at 2 a.m. And that pre-projectile minute goes by so fast!! Soon enough I know it’s already too late. Once the damage has been done, what’s the point of waking up to clean? Right?

In the morning, I thought I might have to search for the yak, but there it was in the middle of the bedroom floor – the ugliest, most humongous hairball I’d ever seen. It was the length of a full grown cat, I swear!

It wasn't my yak, I swear

I stepped around the hairball because I was still too sleepy to deal with that atrocious thing. Hairball cleanup before coffee?? I don’t think so. Unfortunately, by the time I’d fed the cats and puttered around the kitchen, I’d forgotten all about that THING in the bedroom. How that could actually happen is beyond me…but it did.

I forgot all about it. That is, until I sauntered into the bedroom on a mission, stepped in something squishy and felt something cold and slimy on the back on my leg!!

Yep, I not only stepped in the yak with my bare feet, but I crushed it with such force that it flew up into the air, hit my back leg and slid down it all the way to the floor.

Eww!! Eww!! Eww! I screamed to no one, because the only witness to this mortifying moment was three very disinterested felines. My life will never be the same, but my cats…they just sat there nonchalantly licking the last trace of breakfast from their furry little faces.

Wordless Wednesday -- Kickeroo Love!

Rocky likes to "rabbit kick" his Kong Kickeroo.

When he's done giving it a good beating, he gives it a cuddle. MOL.

P.S. Please excuse all that fur on the carpet -- we have cats!! 

The Green Bean Cat Burglar

This is my favorite time of year. It’s so nice and warm, and once in a great while the Warden lets me out of my prison cell into the exercise yard so I can feel the sun on my furrs.

Sometimes I sneak over to the garden and stalk the green beans. Those long, skinny things are quite fun to play with when they’re dangling from their mother, but even more delightful to play with once I’ve caught one!

I grab the green bean prey with my teeth and carry it back to the deck. I like to flip it into the air and try to catch it with my paws. Whee! Every good huntress knows the rule – you must play with your prey before going in for the kill!

Sometimes I will give it a bitey, but truth be told, it’s not that tasty. I can play with it for hours, though, before I get bored.

What usually happens is that the other nosy inmates see me having so much fun with my prey that they try to run off with it. But I guard my kill! No one is going to make off with my green bean.

The Warden laughs and calls me her little cat burglar. Say what? Lucky for her, she’s a pretty good gardener and there are lots of green beans to stalk and kill.

There’s plenty to share with her favorite fur child. Besides, she says that green beans are a really cheap cat toy!

Wordless Wednesday -- Weedy!

Can you see me?

Come a little closer!

Ah, here I am, chillaxing in the weeds!