"Just A Cat"

Just A Cat

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a cat,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a cat.”
They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a cat.”
Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a cat.”
Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a cat,” but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a cat,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a cat” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it’s “just a cat,” then you will probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”
“Just a cat” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
“Just a cat” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of “just a cat”, I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a cat” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
“Just a cat” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a cat”, but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man or woman.”
So the next time you hear the phrase “just a cat” just smile… because they “just don’t understand.”
by Richard Biby

HAPPY Boo

Miss Boo is all smiles because her lab work all came back completely normal! She must have just not been feeling particularly well over the Memorial Day Weekend. So, we all breathe a sigh of relief to know that everything is purrfectly normal.

Wordless Wednesday

Miss Abby

Tuxie Trouble

Our sweet Boo has not been feeling well over this holiday weekend. Why is it that anytime something happens it is always on a Friday or a Holiday weekend? Sunday after Boo had had her dinner she proceeded to bring it all back up. At first I wasn't too concerned about that because I thought she had just eaten too much. But she threw up again later on that evening. Then I noticed that she was favoring her right eye again. She just wanted to keep that eye shut. Yesterday she threw up again and she was still showing signs that her right eye was bothering her. The cornea of her right eye was scratched last year and it was very painful for her. I am afraid someone has scratched her eye again. I don't know quite what to make of the vomiting. She held her dinner down last night and she also kept her breakfast down this morning. She wants to eat and is using the litterbox. So, we'll make a call to the Vet today. Hopefully she can get in today if not as soon as possible.

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When all of this started happening I was very worried about Boo, and I made sure to keep her in the bedroom all night, which kept me up most of the night, because Boo likes to move around in the bed and get attention. Once I finally fell asleep I had the most horrid dream. For some reason I dreamt that I had to leave all 5 cats with someone to watch over them while I went away and while I was gone they took them to a Vet and said they were strays and to put them all down. I came home to find all of my cats gone and then I woke up in such a disturbed state from that nightmare. I hope I never have another dream like that again.

UPDATE:
Boo got into the Vet first thing this morning. Good thing, there is no scratch on her eye. The Vet said that there is a small irratation but that Boo would take care of that. She found no apparrent problem, but she has lost 1/2 of a pound. So to be sure that this is not a problem, she took blood work and a urine sample. We will know the results tomorrow.

We've Been Tagged!

Marilyn MonREOW started a meme on her bloggie called True Kitty Confessions where we gotta confess naughty stuff we do. The rules are to write as many things as we want, any way we wanna write 'em, and tag as many kitties as we want. Bonnie and Victor tagged us!

Jinx:

1. Every morning when Momma gets up I have to go into the bedroom even though I am not allowed.
2. I am always hungry. I have never forgotten being put out on the side of the road with no real food for a week, until our 'real' Momma found us.
3. I sleep very soundly. Sometimes I sleep so soundly I leave little poo piles. Momma always knows it was me.
4. I have to have the top spot in the cat condo.
5. I race Ping to see who gets out back door first to the porch.

6. I love to play 'wrassle' with my brother Ping.

Gracie:

1. I love to shred the paper towels.
2. I will take Momma's socks all around the house.
3. I am a very small girl (only 6 pounds) but I sound like a herd of wild buffalo when I run across the floor.
4. I beg for food while my Mom and Dad eat. (I always get something...last night I hadda some shrimps!)
5. I am very skittish.
6. I love to head bonk.
7. I love to play 'chase' with my big brother Ping.

We've listed our true confessions, what are yours? Any kitty that hasn't been tagged please join in and let us know your confessions!

Friday Fun

Ping is my own personal shredder.

Who needs a machine?

When you have Ping around. Take a look at that clawing power!

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It's time again to go and visit this week's edition of Friday's ARK and don't forget and stop by for a nice long visit over at the Carnival of the Cats .

Curled Lips

Abby

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The other day we were talking with Fourty Paws about curled lips and missing teeth...well here's proof of how Abby looks with her little curl.

Abby arrived with a broken front left canine. It took me several weeks before I saw she had a problem (Abby was 'training me'). She had a hard time eating and finally when I was able to look in her mouth, I saw that canine had been broken off at the gum line. I felt so bad that she was suffering, so off to the Vet we went. I know she probably thought I was really torturing her but I could only imagine what that must have felt like to have a tooth broken in your mouth. So we had that extracted and of course she got all her toofies nice and sparkling clean, and she has done real well since. But, her lip will catch where that tooth once was and she looks like she is snarling. What a cutie patootie!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Tuxie Tuesday

Boo: Mom why are you putting that flashy thing so close to my face?
Abby: Can't a girl have a private moment?

Abby: Ummmm that looks really yummy!

Dear Sons and Daughters:

A Letter To Our Pets

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

Dear Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

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The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than you can run.

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I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

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For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years — canine or feline attendance is not required.

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The proper order is kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat’s butt. I cannot stress this enough!

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To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here.You don’t.

2. If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That’s why they call it “fur”niture)

3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

4. To you, it’s an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn’t speak clearly.

Mancat Monday

Ping helps out with the laundry.

A KittyBug In Rug

Gracie: What is that BIG lump?
Jinx: Who is she calling a lump?

Gracie: I'm calling YOU a lump, you big lump!

Gracie: How can I become a lump??

Well it's time to join the weekly roundup over at Friday's Ark and don't forget to stop by and visit all the wonderful kitties over at this weekend's Carnival of the Cats being hosted this week by the Cat Blogosphere!

A Blur In Furr

Gracie was moving so fast I couldn't get her in the frame.
She wrapped herself around the cat post.

She bunny kicked.

She stopped for a moment to 'freshen' her look.

Huh? Why do you keep flashing that thing in my face?

One more time around the bottom. This is our Miss Gracie!

The Quality of Life

Abby:

Yesterday there was a box waiting for Momma when she came home. Inside there were two books she had ordered. One of the books was called A SNOWFLAKE IN MY HAND by Samantha Mooney. Momma said she was intrigued by this review:

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Lyrical, poignant, tender, this is a book clearly written by a cat lover. A slim memoir of her time as an veterinary research assistant in the oncology department of NYC's Animal Medical Center, the author is above all hopeful, despite the inevitable early demise that awaits most of her patients. She knows that while the doctors may not be able to cure the cancers of their feline patients, they can certainly improve the quality of life, allowing the cats to live out their lives as happily as medically possible. Highly recommended.

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So she bought the book. She read it in just a few hours yesterday with me purring on her lap. I saw her eyes leaking a few times, but she told me that the book was well worth those few tears. She highly recommends it to anyone who loves cats, and isn't that everybody?

Tuxedo Girl

Full alert mode!

Lift Your Wings And Fly

Miss Cinders

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This Old Cat

I'm getting on in years,

My coat is turning gray.

My eyes have lost their luster,

My hearing's just okay.

I spend my day dreaming

Of conquests in my past,

Lying near a sunny window

Waiting for its warm repast.

I remember our first visit,

I was coming to you free,

Hoping you would take me in

And keep me company.

I wasn't young or handsome,

Two years I'd roamed the street.

There were scars upon my face,

I hobbled on my feet.

I could sense your disappointment

As I left my prison cage.

Oh, I hoped you would accept me

And look beyond my age.

You took me out of pity,

I accepted without shame.

Then you grew to love me,

And I admit the same.

I have shared with you your laughter,

You have wet my fur with tears.

We've come to know each other

Throughout these many years.

Just one more hug this morning

Before you drive away,

And know I'll think about you

Throughout your busy day.

The time we've left together

Is a treasured time at that.

My heart is yours forever.

I Promise

- This old cat.

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Rest in peace sweet lady and join all of our friends at the Bridge. Let your spirit soar and your soul is free. Farewell Miss Cinders.

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Cinders was our bestest friend from BEST FRIENDS. She passed over to the Rainbow Bridge and joined all the others who greeted her with opened paws, she was 22.

We'll miss her greatly.

Sleepy Mancat Monday

Ping: Huh what's going on?

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Abby: Holy smokes! We're surrounded. Please send rain.
The following pictures were taken at different points from my home. There is a large (20,000+ acre) fire burning several miles from our home, the smoke was the heaviest it had been. Thankfully right after I took these pictures, we had a brief (like 5 minute) shower, but it cleaned the air and the smoke lifted a little.


My front entry.

Looking up.

We hope it's not smokey, or that you are not troubled by terrible weather conditions in your area. So today we are not going to worry about it but join all the other animals over at this week's Friday Ark and then continue on with all the wonderful cats over at the Carnival of the Cats this weekend. Everyone pray for us to get rain. We really need it badly.

7 Random Facts

Abby: We've been tagged! I got tagged by my sweet handsome mancat Sammy and the lovely Stella and gorgeous Kaia.

Here are 7 random facts about me:
1. I am the alpha cat
2. I want to be fed first
3. After I am fed, I always scratch whatever is left over like litter in a litter box. It's time to clean it up. I am very fantanical about cleaniness.
4. I have my own baby blanket in my special chair. It is nice and cozy.
5. Every morning I have to sit in Momma's lap and lick her before she gets ready to get into the big metal monster and leave me for the day.
6. I always wait for Momma by the door, so I am the first one to greet her when she comes in.
7. Momma belongs to me. So everyone else better stay away.

Here are the rules. Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog!7 Random Facts About Me…

Ping: I got tagged by Beezer another gorgeous ginger, Pumpkin, who is also another of my handsome brethen and sweet Obi from Fourty Paws.

Here are my seven random facts.

1. I was abandoned with Jinx and Boo in the summer of 2004. Thankfully Jinx picked the right house for us to come to.

2. I am on springs. I can jump 4 feet in the air standing still.

3. I am the muscle cat. Momma says I would be the star athlete if I played sports. Hey Momma I can play any sport! (Psst what's a sport?)

4. Gracie is my bestest friend in the whole wide world. I love Gracie

5. I eat little meals all day long. I have to maintain my 0% of body fat.

6. I am a patrol cat. I romp through the house with my tail straight up all the time on patrol.

7. I talk all the time. I have a very sweet high pitched 'meow'.

Oh I hafta add one other thing....I am Daddy's cat. Everynight I sit with him in his chair and we watch TV together! I love my Daddy.

Gracie: I got tagged by my special mancat friend, Chase!

Here are my seven random facts.

1. I was abandoned by someone at the front door of the Animal Care and Control Center.

2. Momma and Daddy had come to the ACC to try to find their other lost kitty and ended up taking me home.

3. I am very soft. Momma says my fur feels like velvet.

4. I have a teeny tiny 'meow', unless I am threatened (by the alpha cat...did you hear me Abby?) and I can roar like a lion.

5. I am very skittish of everything.

6. I love to headbutt everyone.

7. I love everyone!

So we would like to tag 7 of our favorite friends!

1. Annie

2. Emma

3. Beau Beau

4. Gemini

5. Patches

6. Gree

7. Meep

LOOKIE!

Gracie is moving in on her prey.

Lift Up Your Wings

And open Heaven's door, let another angel in.

Go run and play with all the buggies and butterflies little Teacup.

Be whole and happy, watch over your Momma.

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Please drop by and give Megan a hug.

Whisper Wednesday

Angel sleeping....

Truculent Tuxie Tuesday

Abby

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I'm going to close my eyes, and when I open them I hope there is a nice plate of salmon in front of me, for your sake.

Greensburg

My heart and prayers go out to the people affected by the tornados that struck Greensburg, KS this weekend. Along with the torn lives, so many animals were affected as well. Here is a brief article about animals that are being found.

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5-7-07 - More than 163 animals have been found alive in Greensburg, and the state of Kansas has stepped in to help volunteers reunite pets with owners. Officials set up a shelter in Greensburg on Monday to help the lost and injured animals.

Many animals were originally sent to shelters all over Kansas, including several dogs who ended up in Valley Center.
if

On Monday afternoon, the State Animal Health Department officially set up a temporary shelter for cats and dogs at the KDOT grounds in Greensburg, complete with a vet and triage unit. Meanwhile roaming livestock will be held at the auction house in Pratt.

IMPAWTANT NEWS: From the Humane Society

Pets are part of our families, and millions of American families were shocked by the recent pet food recalls. The deaths of pets from tainted pet food tragically demonstrate the need for greater oversight of this industry. Fortunately, Congress is listening, and you can take action here.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced the Pet and Human Food Safety Act on May 1 to provide more oversight and regulation of the food industry. In a remarkable demonstration of how important this issue is, the U.S. Senate approved a Durbin amendment on pet and human food safety on May 2 -- just one day after the bill was introduced -- by a resounding vote of 94 to 0!
You can help make the food supply safer.

TAKE ACTION
Make a short polite phone call to your U.S. Representative, Cliff Stearns, at (202) 225-5744. Urge Representative Stearns to support and quickly enact the DeLauro/Durbin Pet and Human Food Safety Act.
Making a call is easy. A staff member will take your message and pass it to your legislator. When you call, you can say:

"Hello my name is [your name] and I'm calling from [your town and state] to urge Representative Stearns to support the DeLauro/Durbin Pet and Human Food Safety Act (H.R. 2108/S. 1274). The ongoing pet food recall has revealed that there is very little regulation of the pet food industry. We need to change this to ensure that the food consumers are feeding their pets is wholesome and safe. Thank you."

After you make your call, send a follow up email in support of safer pet food.

Tell your friends how they can help. The more people who contact Congress, the more support this legislation will receive and the better its chances of being quickly passed into law.
Here are some details on what the pet food bill will do:

Help regulate the industry by establishing mandatory processing and ingredient standards and requiring more inspections of pet food processing plants.
Create an early warning system to help identify possible contaminants earlier and penalize companies that don't report possible contamination.
Ensure that any future recalls are conducted quickly by giving the Food and Drug Administration the power to order mandatory recalls of tainted food.

As a Humane Society of the United States supporter, I know I can count on you to take action and help move this important legislation forward. Thank you for all you do on behalf of animals.

Mancat Monday

Mr. Jinx posing with his manly mancat face.

Jacksonville Humane Society Cat-A -Thon

This is a picture of the Humane Society building after the fire. The fire started on the right side of the building which was where the cats were housed. It is amazing that any of them survived. But those that did went up for adoption this past Saturday. Out of 9 cats up for adoption, 7 found their forever homes. Here is the local TV station report on the story.

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Humane Society Cat Survivors Adopted

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By Angela Williams
First Coast NewsJACKSONVILLE, FL --
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Good things can still come out of a tragedy and we saw that first hand here at the Jacksonville Humane Society as people in the community open their homes for cats.There's a home for everyone and for a group of lucky cats that's what happened during the humane society's Cat-a-thon.With four cats already, Amanda Murray says it was time to add a new member to her feline family.“He was one of the ones in the fire and his paw was burned but he's okay now,” says Murray.Many of the cats going home were victims from the devastating fire that clamed the lives of 86 pets, the majority of them cats.“I was devastated but you only have so much time where you've got to soak it in and realize hey you still got babies to take care of, there were still animals that needed us,” says Angela Juarez with the Jacksonville Humane Society.Some of the animals show their scars. Others carry them inside, wanting to find a stable environment and a loving home. Jessica Thorpe came across sox and fell in love.“She's so sweet, she is so sweet. She's just beautiful. If I could get all of them I would,” says Thorpe.But for now even just one makes a difference. If cats have nine lives, this next round seems to be looking up.“It feels good, I'm happy for him I'm glad he got out,” says Thorpe.The Humane Society workers say they plan on having another cat adoption in the near future.

Twisted Tails

Miss Boo

In July of 2004 I would never have thought we would end up being adopted by three stray cats before the summer’s end. When Boo, Ping and Jinx arrived at our doorstep we literally did not know what to do. Since they picked us, we felt we needed to provide a safe haven for them. Each of them has their own unique way of expressing themselves and as time as passed they have revealed themselves to us in surprising ways.
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As the weather changed the cats moved into the garage where they seemed quite content, until they discovered we went into the house and soon it became apparent they wanted to follow us inside. As winter grew closer we decided to try letting Boo in to see what would happen. She loved it and she settled in perfectly. Then we lost Ping (that is a long story) so we couldn’t leave Jinx alone out in the garage at night, so he came in. Again, he loved it and the two of them got along very well inside. (Ping returned and he subsequently moved into the house as well since he had bad penchance for wandering off.)

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Boo has always been one to stand back and watch and carefully assess a situation. She did not like to be touched . She is quiet and shy and ladylike in demeanor, I call her my southern belle. She barely makes any sounds. No loud histrionics from this girl.

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As time has moved on Boo held her ground. She still withheld her judgement, waiting to see what was going to happen. I surmise waiting to see when she was going to be abandoned again.She responded negatively to being touched or being held. She did the typical cat maneuvers when you tried to reach down and pet her or tried to pick her up. She was terrific at cat avoidance!

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Then after Abby came to live with us, it became apparent that Boo needed her own safe room. So, we beagn to put her in the master bedroom while we were at work. She loved it and thrived in 'her room'. She also started staying in our bedroom at night and it evolved into her room.

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I began to notice slow changes in her demeanor. She began to bond to me. She opened herself up and started 'talking' to me when we were alone in her room. She started rubbing up against me and curling her tail around my leg. Then she would fall onto the floor and rub her face against my foot asking for attention.

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Boo moves very deliberately and she saunters in and out of rooms. She always has a crook in her tail. I have finally come to see that she uses her tail as her means of self expression. And slowly it dawned on me what one particular tail maneuver truly meant.

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Boo wraps her tail around me; like a candy cane. When she lies next to me at night and before she and I fall asleep I always have to give my special girl the caresses she seeks. If I don’t she will demand that I do! She will head bonk me, or better yet she will stand on top of me and knead me with all four paws. As I pet her she twirls that tail, she twists and turns and wraps it around and around me.

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I believe that Boo has finally decided she can trust me; she no longer fears that what once happened to her back in the summer of 2004 will happen again. I feel she believes that I will not abandon her on the side of the road and drive off, leaving her and her two brothers alone to fend for themselves. When we are alone she speaks to me and I know that she is telling me her secrets and I feel she knows I listen to her and that I will protect her secrets. She knows that I love her and as she wraps her love tighter around me every time she twists that tail around by arm. It is such a great reward to have won her heart and trust.

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It's time again to join all the wonderful critters over at Friday's Ark and don't forget to drop by this weekend and check out the latest edition of the Carnival of the Cats being hosted this week by When Cats Attack.