We Got An Award Nomination

Wow we were given an award from our friends over at Celestial Kitties. Go visit them they have a great blog, I have been following them as long as I have been part of the blogosphere. It is called the “Versatile Blogger Award”. Thank you for thinking of us, much appreciated.

Well there are 5 rules to the award.

1. Nominate 5 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging.
2. Let the nominated bloggers know they have been nominated for the award.
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4. Thank the blogger who has nominated you.
5. Add the Versatile picture to your post.

I guess should start with the 7 random facts.

1. Lil' Bit does not like anything to be closed off from her. She will open the cabinets in the bathroom, I have tried unsuccessfully to block the closet door in the back bedroom. She will still open the bi-fold doors. She even pulls up the foot rest on the recliner to get under it, but does not go just wants access.
2. I am a reading addict and news junkie. My mind is full of useless junk from countless news articles I have read. In conversations I will bring up something I have read and no one will believe me that it is true because they never read it. With it not being major news
3. Squirrels favorite junk foods: Raw bacon, Cheetos Puffs, Nacho Cheese Doritos. I will let her have maybe one chip or puff out of a bag once every 3 to 4 months. Bacon twice a month.
4. When Lil' Bit wants some loving she will just suddenly appear in my lap no warning. Pop and she is there from out of no where.
5. When Mizz Purrzzy wants to play she will come up all loving wanting in my lap, then jumps down again. Over and over until I get up and play with her.
6. Every one wants to join me when I am bathing. Ever have 5 or 6 cats in a small bathroom at the same time?
7. I am not really a big chocolate fan, at least not in candy bars. In a cake or cupcake sure but that is about it. Shocking I know.

Now to nominate 5 others. I am not sure how new each of these are but I do enjoy their blogs. I am not really good at commentary or descriptions so listed in no particular order they are...

1. Musings of my life and being covered in cat fur.
2. Devoted to Willow.
3. Kat's Kats.
4. Spitty Speaks.
5. Life with Fae.

Sadly so many come and go, some of my favorites have stopped posting. A few do not post as often as they used to. Please give these folks a visit and if you like what you see follow them.

Next post more cat pics, plus news about KWF. What is it and what are your thoughts about it.  

  

Time For Loving

 I do not have a picture of this, wish I did. So just some misc pic's of them. Last night after getting out of the shower I sat on the bed to put on my socks. The Martian who always follows me out from the bathroom jumped up on to the bed to be next to me. He does this all the time, so nothing new there. After he walked behind me I laid back to give him some attention for a couple of minutes. When I sat up Squirrel was on the floor at the foot of the bed looking like she wanted to join me.

The Martian following me around the house.

So I got up put on my pants then sat back down. Now she does not usually jump up on the bed when I call her. Even though she looks like she wants to, at best when I give up and get up she will jump up. This time she did come up heading straight for my lap. So now I was petting a cat with each hand. Then Mizz Purrzzy came in wanting attention. She does not usually get on the bed with me, when she does it is just a drive by. She will jump up brush against me then back down. This time I was able to get her to stay.

Squirrel in her sink.

Mizz Purrzzy in a box.

She was at the foot of the bed laying on the edge on my right side, Squirrel was still in my lap. The Martian was on my right nuzzling against my neck and shoulder. What made this note worthy is that normally Squirrel would have jumped down when Mizz Purrzzy jumped up. Not only that, they were almost face-to-face being only about a hand width apart. Then after a couple of minutes of this, PLOP.

In bed by her self.

Lil' Bit in the recliner.

I turned to look, here came Lil' Bit walking around me to get to my left side. She is very energetic and restless so she would rub against my hand walk away then back again. Finally she settled down for some chin scratches. Now I have a cat in my lap, one in each hand rubbing my head and chin against a fourth. Can you say my hands were full. With all the NMK's (Not My Kitties) out side the only one missing was Mittens who was sound asleep in her tunnel.

Her regular night time spot.

Canon SX40 HS 12MP 35X Optical Zoom Digital Camera Black 5251B001

Tired out from play.

This was a very nice peaceful family gathering, of all most the entire group. Knowing that this would probably not happen again, I stayed there for as long as I could. Just giving each of them some love and attention. First scratching one chin, then rubbing anothers ear. This went on for about 10 minutes with the five of us. It only stopped because I had to get up. It made for a special and memorable moment. No sibling rivalries, not cat fights, no one running away, just all of them enjoying the moment. Maybe next time Mittens will join in, I can only hope.  

Disappointed Again

Ever have something that you just felted you need to share. Well here it goes. Last night I was watching a new episode of a TV series that recently started its second season here in the states. It is called “Rizzoli and Isles”, where Rizzoli is a police detective and Isles is the corner. Both good friends, and yes being male I think both are attractive (even if a bit too skinny and lacking in curves). While not surprised I am a bit disappointed at what happened in one of the side stories of last night's episode. I have 2 main bones of contention with what happened, and some minor ones.




Girl Kitty.



Part of the side story was that the detectives brother came home, just released from prison. In one scene it was brought up that her dog had been constantly licking its paws. She was not at all concerned with its behavior but her brother was (at least someone noticed). He wanted to take it to the vet to get checked, she could hardly be bothered. I felt that the pet owners lack of concern was bad.

Later in the show she received a call and had to run to intervene with what happened. Her brother had taken the dog to the vet. There being a bit of a hot head he was arguing with the vet, one issue was the price of the check up. After stopping the fight she offered to pay asking how much. When told $300 she started yelling at the vet.

There is several very good reasons why it costs so much. First being a litigious society here in the states, every one wants to sue. The new American dream get rich by suing some one, any idea of what malpractice rates are. Second school ain't cheap they have earned their degree like any other professional more so than some. Third pets are part of the family now, the care and equipment borders on what a human gets. When I took Girl in for her first visit she desperately needed to have several teeth removed. It cost me just over $600, they had to put her under. A charge for EKG (they have to pay for the machine somehow), anesthesiologist, and so on. Just the same as if I was put under for surgery. Disappointment # 1 no support for the fine veterinarians taking care of our loved ones.



Very rare moment. Girl at play.



The other part of the argument carried on through out the rest of the show. According to the brother the doctor called the dog crazy. He wanted to put it on Prozac for depression. They both thought it stupid that the dog might have emotional issues. Again a serious subject treated lightly. The only voice of reason, other than the vet was Isles the medical examiner. She brought up information and statistics on the issue.

 

Making a public appearance.

This is something I am very familiar with. Animals can have emotional issues, due to stress, neglect etc. Over grooming and other symptoms can be either physical or emotional and not to be taken lightly. Again I turn to Girl as my example. Girl is my special needs kitty. After listing to me describe the problem and a routine exam my vet agreed with me. We believe that Girl is having issues with stress. We both feel that is why she only uses the litter box to poo. I have found a way to deal with it, providing her with the help and support she needs.

This was disappointment # 2, that this common problem was taken so lightly. As I mentioned before the subject was mentioned a few more times through out the remainder of the show. Finally at the end, during a gathering of family and friends, another officer noticed that Rizzoli's mother was feeding the dog chicken. He asked if it was constantly licking its paws, then informed them that some smaller breeds have allergies to chicken.

Now while the dogs health issues were resolved, they missed out on the greater good that could have been achieved. A lot of animals are abused, abandoned and put down due to such issues. Many healthy pets that could be happy with the right care, treatment and love. Ones such as Girl who pees outside of the box, needs her own place to eat and who spends a lot of time hiding away from the others. Still she has lots of love to give. I just wish there was some way I could get this message to those involved with the show. At least I was able to get it off of my chest and share with you. Thank you for listening to me rant.



Room for me in the middle, sometimes.



On a different note something else I just have to share. During the night if I have to get up for any reason before I can get back into bed I have to turn on the light for a second. The reason for this is to make sure I do not lay down on top of a cat while I crawl back into bed. Sometimes they shift positions while I am gone. Last night when I did it this is what I saw. Normally I will have 3 maybe 4 in bed with me. What made this special is not only is Girl in bed but also Squirrel has joined us. With the usual 3 Pretty, Ugly, Martian already there TJ also joined in making 6 total. I just had to stumble out and find the camera. I know the bed is a mess etc, etc, what do ya want I am a bachelor after all.
 
 
     

Sleepy Sunday

I know it is mid day Sunday I am posting a bit late. I took a cue from the kitties and decided to sleep late. Then stayed lazy all morning. This week the cats are everywhere, with everyone spread out in a different part of the house.

                                 Ugly is staked out by the back door.

                           Mittens is on the counter. (Squirrel stopped by)

                                       Mittens moved to a new spot.

                                    The Martian was on my chair.

                           Found a new place after I made him get down.

                                        Lil' Bit next to the cat tree.

                     Pretty in her tunnel with Ugly checking out the camera.



Hope you all have a nice lazy Sunday. Remember to get plenty of cat naps in to recharge your self for the upcoming week.
 
     

A Plea for Votes

I have some updates and news to share, but first a plea for votes. Catster is having a contest on Face Book called “Hey Kitty, Strike a Pose”. I entered Squirrel in the contest, the prize is a flip camera. If I win I promise to post some movies of her striking some of her most interesting poses. Not only that I will also include some of Lil' Bit going wild tearing through the house, along with Girl using her paw to “eat” her milk. Now how can you pass that up, it is a win-win situation.

Winning entry.

All you have to do is click on the link find her picture and vote for her. I am using the above image of her in the contest. If everyone asks their friends and family to vote, then she is sure to win. 

Another pose.

As you may have noticed I now have a badge for a Face Book page. I recently joined FB and have already meet some of you there. If you would like you can friend me there. I am still learning all the ins and outs of it. 

I wish to thank everyone for their comments and suggestions in recent posts. I have taken the advice about creating a fund raiser, and asking for help. A few days ago I created a widget on chip-in which you can see on the side bar. Any one that wishes to post it on their blog I would appreciate it. I also created a page there with info about it http://bryanscats.chipin.com/help-keep-a-place-for-strays . I have been posting and sharing this on Face Book. I also created a page there http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bryans-Cats/107754762655335 that links to the chip-in page. I will also use the page to keep updates on the cats going forward. 

Girl on the Bed.

I don't know what is happening with Girl lately. I think she has lost some weight, she has always been skinny but appears more so. Also her hair is starting to mat, I am not sure if it is because she has lost interest in grooming or maybe something else. I am starting to get worried about her. 

 

Girl eating milk.

The rest of the kitties are still happy and healthy. With Blackie stopping by more now that it is getting hotter. Ugly and pretty are still sleeping with me. This morning I had an unusual group of companions, Lil' Bit, Squirrel and The Martian were in bed with me. Maybe they are starting to get used to him.

Lastly I wanted to mention that I have been having problems with Java working on my computer. Just noticed this so for the past couple of weeks some of my emails, comments and other communications have not been working. I will try to catch up over the next couple days.

  

    

Sleepy Sunday

I know it's mid day, but every one slept in this morning.

                               The NMK's were getting some sun today.

                                     Mittens & Squirrel on their tower.

                                 While Martian hides in the kitty bed.

       

Sleepy Sunday

This weekend I have Sunday off, I think I might join them this afternoon for a nap.

                                              Mittens favorite pillow.

           A bath before bed time. Mittens tells Mizz Purrzzy to wash behind her ears.

                                             Squirrel in the box.

                                            A Pretty pair of pictures.

                                       Brave Girl napping in the front room.

 Taking turns. (They only sleep in the bed when I pick it up to vacuum) That’s Ugly in the first pic, just a big ball of fur.

      

Why So Many Cats

I an not very good at social interaction, that is partly why I started this blog. To improve my social skills. I failed to fully develop them while growing up. I am not anti-social just not very sociable. So if I seem to ignore your comments, fail to visit, or leave a comment when I do, I apologize I am still learning. I am never quite sure of what to do, I don't want to seem rude either.




What's for dinner?



Being currently unemployed and not having any family near by, not much happens. Don't get any visitors. So most days are the same. Kind of makes it hard to have something to write about, when not much is going on. No trips, new toys etc. Most of my posts wind up being descriptions or about behaviors. Things should improve soon.



I'm not going out!



People do ask me why so many cats, and how I can do it. I always believed if you are going to have a cat you should have at least 2. So they will have company while you are at work. I believe 3 is ideal 2 can play with each other while one sleeps. That gives them 4 ways to pair off (AB,AC,BC, or all 3 ABC) I always felt that 3 was my limit, but with Girl being such a loner I made room for a fourth. That gives 3 cats that get along with each other with Girl being alone.



Our bed now!



I am not very soft harted and some people think of me as cold (back to lack of social skills). But I have always been one for the underdog, so to speak. Cats just seem to be the most neglected, abused, and misunderstood of all pets. Watch TV or a movie, when something gets thrown off stage it is a cat you hear holler. How many famous cats can you think of? Even jokes are anti-cat “I like cats they taste good”. Then there is the whole witch thing not to mention black cats. They just have a bad rap all over, so I guess I am kinda of their advocate.



Squirrel's nap spot.



I have outlived a few family members without shedding a tear. Watching those commercials with homeless, abused animals seeing the cats will bring a tear to my eye. Seeing all the cats running around in my neighborhood got to me. Some of them just looked mangy and under fed. Plus I am more aware of problems feral cats have, now that I am older. So I felt I needed to do something to help stop the over-breeding.



Lil' Bit catching a few rays.



To me a dog is just a robot, pre-programed to like you being of a pack mentality. Anyone can be a dogs friend. But to win the approval and friendship of a cat says something about the person. People that want to be god-like and controlling have dogs. People that want friends, companions, equals have cats. I just have more respect for them. I like dogs they are OK, but so does everybody else. Who looks out for the cat. Very few.



Mittens sittin' pretty.



I have the room and as long as I have the money I will continue to care for the unwanted ones. It does get expensive sometimes, but I make sure they are taken care of first. All they need is a chance. It is rewarding to see a timid fearful cat like Girl come out of her shell. Or a mean wild outdoor cat become a loving indoor cat like the Martian. With his fierce independence I did not think he would ever adjust to becoming an indoor cat. But as soon as I let him the first time he has hardly wanted out. Or take Squirrel she used to pick fights with all the others, even had Twinkie afraid of her. She is now a content loving lap kitty. All any of them needed was a place and a chance to let their true personalities to come out.



Still not going out.



Most of the cats I write about are adoptable. I try to get them socialized with people and other cats. Anyone in the Tucson area interested let me know, I can answer any questions you have about adopting one of the cats. I have taken some to the Humane Society, that is where Mizz Purrzzy's kittens went. Kittens get adopted easily. But we have an over abundance of cats. I just checked their website with 191 animals 116 are cats. Craigslist is full of posts for cats. Currently there is no one else to take care of them.



Feed us.



I would like to find them homes. Sometimes it is almost to many. Especially when they keep pestering me while I am trying to work. LOL

        

No Privacy

Mittens & Mizz Purzzy at the door.

As many of you proud feline parents probably already know, one thing cats abhor is a closed door. As a general rule I have an open door policy, meaning I leave all the doors inside the house open at all times. They trained me well. The doors leading outside are naturally closed to my 5 babies. They stay inside where it is safer and healthier for them. Don't want anyone getting hurt or lost.



Mizz Purzzy walks in.



At one time I used to close doors. Girl would not eat if she saw another cat, instead she would run and hide. At first I would feed her where ever I could find her. Weather it be under a bed or the couch. I grew tired of this and started to make her eat in my bedroom only feeding her there. I would catch her, take her into my room and shut the door. I would open a can and place it on the floor for her next to her water. With the door closed it was not long before one or two sets of paws would appear under it. Trying to pull it open or get in.



Mizzy Purrzy watching the water run.





Squirrel getting a drink.



 

Hearing the sound would trigger Girls flight response to run under the bed and hide. I would sneak out trying to draw the others away from the door. Letting Girl out after an hour or when she would start to holler. Only to find out she had not eaten. Once the door was open the others would run in and eat the food. Soon this became frustrating. I started practicing tough love with Girl. I will put the food out and if she eats good. If not, well she will learn to. I decided to quite babying her. I believe between this and other similar actions it helped her. She has made most of her progress since then, now tolerating the others.



Full house.



 

That was the beginning of the open door policy. There are some disadvantages to it. If I go sit on the toilet and look up I have anywhere from one to four cats staring at me. If I sneak in and take too long (brushing my teeth, shaving, etc) Squirrel will appear and jump up on to the sink. She will look into the mirror to see what I am doing, walking back and forth getting in the way. Most of the time she will jump up onto the sink and want me to turn on the water. She likes to drink from a slow stream. She does not care weather I am sitting, standing, or in the tub, she still expects me to turn the faucet on.

 



Squirrel in the tub.



Now for Lil' Bit everything is play. She will run in at full speed jump up on the edge of the bath tub to scratch her claws on the bathmat. I hang the mat over the edge of the tub to let it dry, she thinks it is her personal scratching post, as she is the only one to use it. Then she disappears behind the curtain at one end of the tub. Popping out at the other end, then back around the way she came. Pausing only to use her scratching post. They all like to play in the tub.



Lil' Bit in tub.



 

Mittens, Squirrel, Lil' Bit will run and just jump into the tub without looking first. Sometimes I want to fill the tub and leave it full. Just to surprise them. I know, I am a mean daddy for thinking of that. They will race me into the bathroom getting there before me. Once a week or when my hands and feet are cold during winter. I like to run the tub full of hot water with the door shut to keep the heat in and just soak. If I shut them out there will be 3 or 4 sets of paws poking underneath, one or two sets at a time.

 

Squirrel noticed the camera

and struck a pose.

 

Sometimes someone will follow me in and I will close them in the bathroom with me. Then it is a kitty free for all. Everyone bating at each other under the door. I let in Mittens and Ugly once. Laid back in the water and closed my eyes. Soon I felt something on my face. Opening my eyes I found Ugly walking back and forth along the edge of the tub sniffing at the water. Wondering why in the world I would get into the tub when it was filled with water. Ugly just could not understand it. She was the brave one, me I had my hands protecting my sensitive areas. Mittens was asleep by the door, with Mizz Purrzzy's paws poking underneath.

 



Lil' Bit starting to sharpen her claws.



Currently I am single so it is not problem. I just wonder when I get a lady friend and she comes over how she will feel about being watched all the time. Especially in the bathroom or bedroom. It is normal to have 2 – 4 cats in bed with me with most of the others on he floor. I am never in any room by myself. My every move is watched, rated for appurrval. Oh well I guess that is what you get when you have kids.



Lil' Bit says "This
is my scratching post"



I walked into the bathroom just to take pictures. Naturally the first several times no one followed. Typical, LOL. I flushed the toilet to get their attention, it worked. Looking at the photos I noticed how dusty my walls and baseboards are. Well I am a guy what do you expect.