Two Tuxedos

Side by side: the tale of two tuxedo girls. Abby on the left; Boo is on the right.

Whiskers

Boo Just like eyelashes, a girl always appreciates long whiskers.

Dreamland

Jinx

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No kitties were disturbed while taking this photo. A combination of Widebody Wednesday and Tummy Tuesday!

I Cross My Heart

Yesterday morning Abby decided to come and sit with me in the den. You may think that this is a normal everyday occurrence. But, she has shied away from the den in part I feel because the other cats have claimed it as theirs. She must have gotten tired of being by herself in the other room so she came and jumped up in the chair I was in and decided to curl up on top of my chest right over my heart. This is not her normal 'spot'. But she curled up into a neat little ball of fur and began purring. I thought to myself, that she has really claimed my heart and it's reassuring beat in rhythm with her purrs confirm the love between her and I.

To Have Or Have Not

I was thinking the other day about which movie star Abby reminded me of; and I knew it would be a tough talking dame who was really a softie on the inside. Although Abby doesn't have the cool blonde looks of Lauren Bacall, she personifies Abby tough cool little exterior and soft and sensual interior. Who does your cat remind you of? Ok now that Abby has taken her screen test, it's time to go and pay a visit to all the other wonderful superstars over at the Ark. Don't forget to drop in for a nice long visit this weekend over at Scribblings to see all the superstars!
From To Have and Have Not (1945): "You know you don't have to act with me, Steve. You don't have to say anything and you don't have to do anything. Not a thing. Oh, maybe just whistle. You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow."

Giving Thanks

Abby

I'm thankful for being in a good home where I am loved and cared for.

I am also thankful for all of my brothers and sisters, even though I fuss at them a LOT!

And for my furry special friend Sammys! I never had such a special friend before.

Gracie

I am thankful for being taken in and saved from having to go into Animal Care and Control. Thank you Momma and Daddy for taking me home that day and not letting me have to go into that place. I love it here.

I am also thankful for Ping, my big brother. He is my idol!

Ping

I am thankful for the love and acceptance from Momma and Daddy. I am very insecure, but you have accepted me and loved me in spite of my shortcomings.

I am also thankful for all my sisters and brother, but I am especially thankful that Gracie came to live with us. She is the one I watch over.

I am also furry thankful for my sweet Gemini. I think of her and my little heart goes pitty pat.

Boo

I am thankful for having someone to care about me. When we were abandoned I lost faith in humans, and it took me awhile to believe that you would not throw me away. Thank you for restoring my belief.

I am also thankful for my quiet room. I am furry shy and I need my special space.

Jinx

I am thankful for a warm and safe home.

A good place to snooze.

A screen porch where I am lay and watch everything all day.

And food. LOTS of food. I am very thankful you are cooking turkey for Thanksgiving because it means I will get some of it!

Roll Roll Roll

Boo gets comfortable for tummy tuesday.

FEV-VERS!!!

Anyone want to play?

Devotional

Dear Abby

My husband and I had no pets, and then all of a sudden in August of 2004 three homeless cats arrived literally at our doorstep and we were suddenly 'new parents'. Not knowing much about cats I had quite an education in store for me. After some months had past I came to understand that the three cats that adopted us were not going to all of a sudden change into lap cats; something I longed for. After reality struck I began my search for this purrfect lap kitty. I had an ideal in mind, I wanted to have another tuxedo girl to be with my Baby Boo, who is our dainty little tuxedo girl kitty. I wanted this ideal kitty to be small, because Boo was, and to have a majestic tail, because alas Boo did not. Those were my four requirements; a small tuxedo girl kitty with a big fluffy tail. I began working with one of the rescue organizations in my local area. Every weekend I would go to PetsMart and visit all the kitties that they brought out for adoption. Each time I would go away without the 4 little paws that my heart longed to have and to hold. The ladies got to know me pretty well, and during our conversations they came to understand what I was looking for. They also told me to visit their website and see if there was a special cat listed that I wanted that was being fostered. BOOM there she was, her name was Gracie and from the small picture on Petsfinder she looked purrfect. I was so excited! So I emailed the rescue group and they agreed to bring Gracie in to PetsMart that following weekend. So my husband and I drive over to PetsMart to see what I hoped was our new baby. When we got there, Gracie was waiting. I felt so bad because Gracie really wasn't ready to show yet. She was so scared, it was her first time at PetsMart. But Gracie was twice the size of Boo. She just wasn't right. I felt so bad that I had subjected her to being put on display when she really wasn't ready . I felt really dejected too. Because I had been looking for months and months and I really wanted to adopt a homeless kitty and I kept wondering if I was being too focused on those four specific things. The following week, I got an email from Beth, the lady who worked with Lucky Cat Adoptions. She said I think I have found the perfect fit for you. The kitty was only 5 1/2 pounds and a tuxedo girl, but she was 1 month shy of her 6th birthday, did I mind adopting an older cat. Sixth, swixth, I didn't care one whit about her age. I had to wait nearly week until we could go to PetsMart to see her. I saw her almost immediately from across the room; Abby was sitting in her little kitty igloo at full alert. Do you believe in love at first sight, because literally it was for me? I thought I was actually looking at Boo the similiarites were so strong between the two of them. Before they even opened the cage Abby was in I knew she was going home with me. When they took her out and gave her to me she climbed right up to the top of my shoulder and hugged me. She stayed there the entire time we were in Petsmart. At that moment I thought she felt about me that way I felt about her. As we were doing all the paperwork, some of Abby's story emerged. She wasn't really a homeless kitty and never had been. But, her "family" wanted to give her up because she was too "affectionate". Beth also told me that the Father had taken her aside and told her if I didn't want Abby to just drop her off behind PetsMart, because he did not want her and but not to bring her back. When I heard that I knew he would never see my little baby again. There was more to that story, but it made me realize that Abby did not need to be in that home, and that the Father did not like her very much. So we took little Abby home. She made not a peep during the trip home, and because she was coming to a house with 3 cats we knew we had to introduce them slowly. Once we got home and tried to settle Abby in she became angry and enraged. Her true feelings were coming to the surface. She was angry about being rehomed, and who could blame her? I found out that we were her third home in her 5 short years. She hated me, she hated being in a new house, she hated not being with the family she knew in the home where she had lived the last three years of her life. I didn't know anything about Abby at that point, and didn't understand her reaction. But, I tried so hard to be friends and to let her know that I would love her and care for her. I remember sitting there on the bathroom floor near her with the tear flowing; what have I done now? She was not going to have anything to do with me, not that night. I was heartbroken, and began to wonder if I had done the right thing at all. I left Abby in the bathroom that night where she must have been so sad. We had set up a nice new bed, new toys, food and water and a litterbox. She must have wondered where am I, and why am I here, and where is my little girl? Yes, that Father had made his 10 year old daughter give up her only cat. I checked on Abby periodically but she did not want me to come near her. My work really began the next day and it continued for many many many months. Slowly Abby began to trust me. She would let me hold her for longer and longer periods of time as the weeks went by. It took more than 2 weeks to get her to come out of the bathroom and into the adjacent bedroom. It took 8 weeks before we could introduce her to the other cats. She actually hated them worse than she hated me in the beginning. It took another month before she would come out of the bedroom on her own, and it was nearly 6 months before I could comfortably leave them all together unsupervised. It is still a work in progress for her and the other cats and she has been with us for nearly 18 months. Abby is now totally devoted to me. She is extremely loyal and loving. She is that virtual lap cat I so longed for. She is small, and petitie, sassy and high spirited. To top it all off she has NO tail. In my eyes and in my heart she is absolutely purrfect. I would not change one thing that has happened along the way, nor would I change a thing about her. I am grateful that the family before me chose to relinquish her, and that she came to me. I was the right fit for her. I sometimes wonder do cats remember, and behavorialist seem to lean towards cats being only in the now. Well, I for one think she does remember, and I believe if she could chose her home,that she would never leave me. I know she is happy and she is well cared for and totally loved and she gives that back to me 1000 times over.

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Please visit Frend of Skeezix for more Tails of Devotion from other cat lovers.

Also don't forget to make a point to stop over at the Ark to visit with all the other devoted pet owner and their pets.

This weekend it's time for Carnival of the Cats this week being hosted by Mind of Mog.

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Shy Little Gracie

Little Miss Gracie is a real sweetheart. We call her our compact model. She is low slung and high velocity. She only weighs about 6 pounds with short legs and tail. She has the cutest tiniest meow. Sometimes she opens her mouth to speak, and nothing emerges. The funniest thing about her meow is that if she is spooked by one of the other cats, her itty bitty meow becomes a giant roar. She is not as demure as she seems. She has a very quick left jab, enjoys begging for table scraps, playing with Ping, and she just LOVES her little bed. She is a charmer and enchantress. We love our little girl.

The Forbidden Room

Momma was mad at Jinx for going into the forbidden room. So while she was getting him outta the window I told her put him down and I would get him out of the room for her. So she listened to me and when Jinx was on the ground I chased him around the room because he didn't know where the door was. Finally he realized that I wanted him OUT of the forbidden room, so once he was out I chased him down the hall for good measure. I turned to Momma and looked at her with a smile on my face and she gave me my face rub, so I knew I did a good job.
Poor Jinxy is not allowed in the forbidden room.

A Helping Paw

Momma when I saw you got down on your hands and knees to look under the bed for Gracie I thought you wanted me to climb up on your back to help. It was fun to be up there on your back, I could've settled down for a nap if you hadn't jumped when I put my claws out. I didn't mean to leave any scratches on you. Can we do it again tonight?

In Your Prayers

Abby saying her prayers.

Tomorrow my sister in law, KC has to have surgery for more than one herniated discs in her back, please hold her and my brother Ken in your thoughts. She has been through a lot of suffering over the past 5 years with this problem, and with no other option she will go into surgery tomorrow morning. She is a little overwhelmed right now. So please keep her in your prayers. I love you KC!

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Also this weekend I just learned that my stylist sister's cat Socks is very ill. Socks is an enormous Maine Coon kitty with the sweetest purrsonality. He loves everyone and is so special. He has stopped eating and they have had to put a feeding tube in. They've done everything they can think of to get him to eat. Prognosis seems uncertain, and it has them all feeling overwhelmed as well. Please keep them all in your thoughts and hope precious little Socks makes a miraculous recovery.

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UPDATE

I just found on Ebay this morning while looking at some listings an organization called Whisker Rescue that is auctioning off items for charity for cats. All proceeds goes to help fund this charity. In case any one is interested please check out their listings.

Can You Help A Poor Kitty Out?

Adorable male with great sense of humor seeks funny lady for great times. Sour-pusses need not apply.

Hi I'm Ping, a ginger boy who is an affectionate gem of a cat that likes ham sandwiches and grilled chicken. I am an easy going 3 year old gingerbread kitty with boyish good looks and striking physique. You'd never guess it by looking at me but I am quite shy. I like all the cats but my bestest friend is Gracie. She is my tomboy sisfur; she loves to play as much as I do. I promise to keep you laughing with my crazy antics. I have had a sad past. But that's all behind me and I don't wanna dwell on it. I'd rather be happy. Wanna hear a good joke? Uh oh, Gracie's telling me to be quiet. Should I bribe her with some flowers?

So any of your lady kitties who are seeking a nice lighthearted playful gingerbread tomcat for a few good laughs and a frolicking time drop me a line and let’s go have some fun! Oops gotta go… hey Gracie wait for me I wanna play too!

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So it’s that time to board the ARK for this week’s listings of other love lorn critters. Don’t forget to check out this weekend’s Carnival of the Cats being hosted this week at The Whole Kitten Kadboddle. Wish Ping luck on his search for the purrfect princess!

MIA

The other day I was pulling out some of my Christmas decorations (can you believe it's already time to start planning for CHRISTMAS?!) and I had to go into a closet to get a few things out. Whenever I walk through the house I always have a trail following me. All of the cats are interested in what I am doing. So I got the things I needed and then went on doing other things. But, all of a sudden I noticed my littlest shadow was no where to be found, and she always wants to go into the forbidden bedroom and when she wasn't step for step with me I knew something was amiss. So I backtracked my steps calling "Abby where are you"...and then all of a sudden I heard that unmistakeable cry for "help me Momma". Abby had scooted into the closet without my knowing. I didn't see her before I closed the door and I am positive she had to wonder why she was been 'punished' by being shut in a darken closet. She quickly darted out of the door when I opened it and all was well. Closets and cats go hand in hand.

Room With A View

Boo loves to sit right at the sliding glass door and look out. She is afraid to go out on the porch because Gracie will chase after her and Boo does not like to being chased by Gracie (or Abby). Boo has a loner streak in her. She will interact with Ping and Jinx, but she avoids Abby and Gracie. She is most content when it is just her and I alone. She can relax and be herself. By capturing this image I feel I have gotten that part of her personality. She is very content to sit by the open door and look out and sniff the breeze by herself.

What's Been Going On?

You guys got some explaining to do. I come home yesterday and the radio is blaring, the closed doors to different rooms in the house where you're NOT suppose to go are open. There's nip all over the place. The house is a wreck...looks like you guys had one heck of a party while we were gone? Did ya'll invite Sammy and Miles, and Gemini, Chey and Georgia and all the Calico girls over for some fun while I was at work? It sure looks like it. What? YOU invited the entire blogosphere? And the neighbors complained because of the loud music? The cops came too?! Kukka got arrested? She did what? Oh my...it's going to be in the tabloids?! Well I guess that means all of you are grounded. No more partying without supervision!

Temptations

Abby doesn't mind a bit helping herself.
Ummm....good....crunch crunch....

Dipping for more.

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Does anyone know if there are any consequences to eating too many Temptations?

Being "Ping-ed"

The great hunter sits with anticipation. He watches his prey with great patience. He gets help from his hunting partner, Gracie. Then he pounces. REeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwww! Undaunted by his inability to slay the monster he sits and waits for the perfect opportunity to strike. :::grumble grumble grumble::::

This is getting to be ridiculous. I think I'll go watch some squirrels.

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Well Ping gave up; but don't let that stop you from visiting all the critters being boarded at the Ark today. Don't forget to stop by the Carnival of the Cats this weekend, being hosted by Crazy Meezer. G'day mates!

Nurse Abby

Last night I had a horrific nose bleed. It occurred while I was sitting at the computer with Abby in my lap. I was concerned mostly about getting any blood on her, and thankfully I did not. But what was interesting about this scenario was how Abby reacted. She knew something was wrong with her Momma. She followed me as I went into the kitchen as I tried to get the bleed to stop at the sink and she began to comfort me. She was right with me trying her best to get close to me. She headbutted me and paced back and forth, she was worried and finally when I got things under control, she crawled back into my lap and gazed up at me with those loving eyes and began to groom me. I think there is a little bit of a nurse in Abby.

Once when Abby was still living with her former family, the little girl who she was deeply attached to decided to play a trick on her. Abby was sitting next to her on the side of the tub, and she submerged herself below the water. Abby became alarmed and thought something harmful had happened. She raced into the kitchen to find the little girl's Mom. To get her attention she nipped her on the heel and made her come to the bathroom to check on the little girl. Of course there was nothing wrong, but it demonstrates to me how she interprets things.

She has always come to me when she hears me go "owwie" and woe be it to any of the other cats if they are nearby. Somehow she seems to believe that they are the one who has caused my pain. She is such a special little angel.

In My Eyes

I just love how the light hits Abby's face and causes shadows to highlight that beautiful angelic face. Her eyes look blue green with the cast of light from the sun, no enhancements other than just cropping this picture. I never tire of looking at my baby girl.