Friday Flash

Originally posted November 22,2005

Here Abby is asleep in my lap at the kitchen counter. She has a habit of getting up into my lap when we eat dinner ( or breakfast as was the case in this instance). The first thing she does is knead my legs and then she wants a few tiny morsels of food, which she eats from my hand.Then she will curl up on my lap and fall fast asleep. Just like she is here. I know I spoil her, but she loves it and I must admit I do too.

Kneading you with his paws
Most people realize that when their cat kneads your stomach with his paws, he is showing his love for you. Usually, the cat will have a very special, loving expression on his face; he may be purring, and he may even be drooling slightly. Your cat is back in touch with his instincts as a kitten when he does this, and feeling the same sense of comfort and warmth that he did as a kitten when he was with his mother. Young kittens knead their mother’s nipples to stimulate the “let down” reflex in her so that her milk flows for the kittens to suckle. If his kneading behavior is uncomfortable for you, be sure to keep your cat’s nails clipped short, and maybe keep an extra towel around to pad the area he is kneading!


When she is kneading, she does have a loving expression and purrs loudly ( full throttle) and she will drool when she is especially happy, and I do need a towel to keep from getting too nicked up from her claws. But it makes her a very happy kitty, and makes me a happy kitty Mom.

Friday Flash

Originally posted October 17,2005

Ping & Gracie asleep together on the foot rest.

Gracie has only been with us since July. She was abandoned at the door of the Animal Care & Control. They had not taken her in because they didn't want another mouth to feed, and to be fair I believe they were hoping someone who came in would take her -- for free. Of course, we were those "someones". Gracie is only a kitten with a big PERSONALITY. She is a very loving girl who just wants to be loved back. We felt strongly that she wouldn't have any trouble fitting in with our expanding family, and she hasn't. At first, Ping & Jinx were standoffish to her, but she is so infectious, that it wasn't long before they were all frolicking and playing like long lost brothers and sisters. Gracie has a habit of headbutting anyone or anything as her way of saying "hello". She began walking up to her brothers and doing this which shocked the heck out of them, they didn't know what to think. But, they soon realized she was only warmly greeting them and they began accepting her welcome with kitty kindnesses of their own. As you can see Gracie warmly snuggled up to Ping suggests they have really accepted their youngest sister. She has had less success with acceptance from her two sisters. Boo is skittish, and since Gracie likes to romp it scares her. So they are still adjusting. Abby hasn't taken to Gracie at all. She is the oldest cat and is settled into her ways. It will take some time, but I believe that sooner or later (probably MORE on the later part) they will form an acceptance of each other. But for now, Gracie is quite happy to be totally accepted by her big brothers.