Remembering VT

Sunday Morning Strolling

Its a beautiful Sunday morning. We had friends over last night, so I was very busy, and we stayed up a little late. So I tried to be patient with Mom, 'cause I knew she was tired, but I really wanted to go out. I have a new leash that really makes my walks so much more fun. Sitting here looking longingly out the patio door finally got me what I wanted....


My new leash is called a Aspen Pet Walkabout Retractable Leash. Mom got the one for small dogs up to 18 pounds, and, of course, in royal blue. It extends up to 16 feet! Mom lets me have a little more reign when I'm stalking bugs in the grass....

Or when I want to run a little and jump on our neighbors stone fence. Mom can never keep up, so it lets me have a little more space. Now, unfortunately, Mom still has control, and I've hit the end of the 16 feet a few times, but I'm getting the hang of it. I even know how fast I can run allowing Mom to kind of keep up......

so she can get a picture of me sitting pretty. All of you poodins who like to go for walks in your harness, beg for one of these. You will get the hang of it really fast, and it really allows you to be a little more of an outdoor kitty.

Thinking of our friends....

Its been a hard month with all the recalls and the loss and sickness of our friends. Lots of information on the Cat Blogosphere on the recalls and current links, and today is the Keep our Pets Safe nationwide march. I'm joining virtually, I hope you will too.

UPDATE: Artsty Catsy has reminded me that there are far more victims than shown on my banner. They are joining a post card blitz, urging everyone impacted by this terrible recall to send a post card TODAY to the FDA and their senators. See their blog for more details.

Fashion Friday

In anticipation of Lilly Lu's first Fashion Friday back, I got a new pink muscle shirt with a cool paw on the back. And you know what? Lilly Lu is also sporting a pink muscle shirt, that says "Talk to the Paw" on the back! Us Pink Ladies think alike!

Well, this muscle shirt is great for exercizing! But before you exercize, you need to stretch and warm up.....

Then you need to pick the toy to stalk. I picked my favorite orange feather toy....

I chased it into my favorite tube....

Then over into Dad's shoes (aren't they hugh? and he called me toady...)

Then I had to go cool down...and take a nap. Exercize is a lot of work, but it makes Dad happy 'cause it will keep my backside from getting too big....

Thinking Blogger Award

My good pals at Forty Paws (they throw one heck of a party, by the way, that chicken pot pie will add a bit of weight to your hips!) nominated me for the Thinking Blogger Award! I'm so honored! This is a great meme, and the participation rules are simple:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog). That was that! Please, remember to tag blogs with real merits, i.e. relative content, and above all - blogs that really get you thinking!

So now its my turn to nominate five blogs that make me think. This was hard, as so many of the great blogs in the cat and bean blogosphere make me think. And, since on Thursday's I'm always behind in visiting my favorite blogs (mom plays her fiddle at the pub Wednesday night, so she is always out late), I'm sure I'll nominate some that have already been nominated (I know Latte, Luxor, Daisy, and Dragonheart have all been nominated, so I'll make sure not to nominate them again). But I guess if you get nominated more than once, it really shows that you have a blog that makes you think! So, without further thinking, here are my nominations:

1. Chey's Place. Chey is a great Siamese cat that is running for president. Her interests range from the environment, to voting rules, to the recent cat food recall. Even though she is marrying Latte on May 5 and they have adopted me, I promise I'm not biased!

2. Cat Banter with Kimo and Sabi. I know, I know, Kimo was my valentine, but I really promise I'm not biased. They give great tips for cats, have knowlegeable thursday thirteens, and often comment on current events.

3. Melange, a Medley of Life. I discovered this blog from my participation in the Saturday Photohunt. Its a lovely blog with wonderful observations on life and nature. I usually catch up with it on leisurely Saturday mornings. It makes me think of the meaning of life.

4. Diva Kitty and the Fluffies. Sophia (the Diva Kitty, or DK), her mom (DKM) and her buns (bunny rabbits Fiona and Orlando), have taught me lots about bunnies and knitting, how to take it easy on Sunday mornings, and how to cook up something great on Fridays, not to mention binkies!

5. Yao-lin's Yawnings. He makes me think about what it truly means to be a royal meezer!

Wordy Wednesday: Back at Dad

So I'm toady, huh Dad? You want to play? You want to play with your hand in my tube? You think I'm "toady"? I'll show you toady. Do toads have claws? Do toads have teeth? Oh, was that your hand in my mouth? Did I bite down a little too hard? I see a little dribble of red running towards your wrist. Yes Mom, I know how to pull my claws and teeth WHEN I WANT TO. What, you want to play some more? This is a little fun....maybe I shouldn't be so rough...oppps...gotta run, I need to yak up that big crane fly I ate in the backyard tonight. I had to eat it...you aren't giving me enough Evo...now I need to take a bath, that crane fly yak is pretty disgusting. Maybe I'll snuggle in bed a little later...maybe...

Tubby Tuesday

So, I've been feeling pretty smug with alot of kitties talking about weight issues, thinking I didn't need to worry about the camera adding 10 pounds. I turned 8 months old on Sunday, and I was feeling pretty large and in charge.

Well, I overheard Dad telling Mom I was getting a bit, well, eh, toady. Can you believe that?? Me, toady!!! Humph. So I gave Dad the laser eyes....

So Mom decided to weigh me, and I weighed, eh, hum, 9 pounds! hmmm...maybe I am hitting that Evo a little bit too hard. But do I really look toady?? Maybe the camera does add a few pounds...

Well, at least it got Mom to go out and buy me a mouse track toy for some additional exercise (I told her it was working wonders for Jeter Harris). I had to check it out at first...

But then I really went nuts, I just couldn't get that dang mouse!

Mom finally had to put the mouse track in the closet, as I was wearing myself out. Well, I know where it is at, and I'll get that mouse next time!

Meezer Monday: Tips on Changing Sheets

So, one of the things I'm learning for my PhD in Meezology is the proper way to supervise common household chores. So I thought I'd give a lesson on the proper way to supervise changing sheets. For some reason, humans feel compelled to do this frequently. I'm not sure I understand why, just when they start to smell really good, they get changed. But since humans insist on doing this, it is important to know how to make sure they are doing it right.

So first, once the bottom sheet is on, get on it and make sure it looks right...
Check the top sheet to make sure it matches....
Then check the underside of the top sheet to make sure it smells OK...
Then, before the top sheet is pulled over, make sure the bottom sheet is sufficiently taunt...

Usually at this point the humans throw you off the bed. That is too bad, 'cause if they would let you stay on it while they pull the top sheet over, you could do a complete inspection of the underside. Since this is usually not possible, a sample of the underside will have to do. So take that step seriously!

PS See the post below to check out Lilly Lu's card!

Card for Lilly Lu

Thanks everyone who posted a comment for Lilly Lu during my commentathon! I got 92 comments! At 50 cents a piece, that is $46!! I put together a card for Lilly Lu in which I put all the comments I received. If you left a note for Lilly Lu, I included that. If you just left a message for me, I just put your name. If the same kitty commented more than once, I only included one comment, but separate kitties got their comments added.

Here is the front and back cover of the card...


Here is the inside of the card...


Its going out as soon as I verify Lilly Lu's snail mail address. Let me know if you want me to email you the electrons of the card.

I'm so glad she is feeling better!

Earth Day

On this Earth Day, I make a wish. I wish that the humans will have the wisdom to care for our planet home.

I wish that the plants will always bloom....

that the birds will always fly......

and that the grass will aways be green.

I make a wish for all that inhabit this wonderful place that they may be here for years to come.

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!

Photo Hunt: Steps

The PhotoHunt theme this week is Steps. These are pictures of me the very first night my human parents brought me to my forever home. The first step in my new life.




PS This is the same chair that I've claimed as MY CHAIR, even though Mom thinks its hers!

Talking Thursday: A Commentathon for Lilly Lu

(Fashion Friday Post below this post)

04/20/07 6:30 PM PDT UPDATE: Lilly Lu is home! She still needs to start eating, and will go back to the vet if she doesn't, but at least she can watch the sox game, and be home for her gotcha day (that is tomorrow)!

Lilly Lu is very sick (you can get details at Mu Shue's blog), and Mamma Laura is racking up some very large vet bills. So, I'm dubbing this Talking Thursday for Lilly Lu. I want all of you to talk in the form of comments to this post. I'll donate 50 cents a comment to Lilly Lu's vet bills, through midnight (PDT) Friday April 20, up to $50.00. Leave thoughts for Lilly Lu, and I'll collect them into a card to send to the family.

All of us Pink Ladies are showing our support and love, this post is Pink, Lilly's favorite color.

I've posted many times on the cat food recall, how nervous Mom and I have been on finding good, healthy food. To think one of our sweet friends may go to the bridge because of tainted food makes me so, so, mad! But also frustrated, our beans love us and want to do the best for us. They thought the food they fed us was safe and healthy. To think a bean could actually poison a much loved family member is beyond comprehension.

4/19/07 7:30 pm PDT Update: It looks like it is not the food (thank goodness), but her liver. She is doing a bit better, but there is a long way to go. Check Mu Shue'sblog for an update. Still doesn't make me any happier with the pet food companies. The recall expanded exponentially today to include several brands with rice protein. More info can be found here. Dad is down at the store buying me fresh salmon right now....

Fashion Friday-Celebrate Love and Life

Alright, so I'm not really wearing this, but its a great crunch sack that is perfect to end this week on. Pink for Lilly Lu, hearts for all those who lost a loved one this week (Bear, Joaquin, Gizzy, Frosty, Cashmere, the VT families, I hope I haven't forgotten some one....).

Its hard to lose a close, loved one. The pain can seem too great to bear. But, the alternative is to have never loved, to have never shared your life with another, and that is simply not an option. Love is the great gift of life, and lasts even after that life is gone. Its a fabulous, glorious Friday (no matter what the weather), and Fridays are celebratory, the end of the week, the beginning of the weekend. Celebrate their memories, celebrate their love, bask in their warmth. And remember the cycle of life, as one ends, another begins.....


(this little guy needs a home, see Artsy Catsy for more details)

So don't hold back! The pain of eventual loss is worth a life filled with furry love!

Wordless Wednesday

Tummy Tuesday

So I was having the bestest nap in my favorite chair (Mom: wait a minute, that is MY chair)....

And then that d*&n flashy box came out...

I'm going to be very, very grumpy if I don't get my beauty sleep.....

Meezer Monday

Isn't spring grand! I'm feeling a bit guilty. I should be worrying about the polar bears (their ice is melting), water for this summer (not enough snow in the Sierra), the loss of biodiversity (plants and animals just can't move fast enough for the changing temperatures), whether the USEPA will really get off the dime and regulate CO2 emissions (yes, the Supreme's said they could), that I might have beach front property in a few years (Modesto is about 90 ft above sea level), or I may have to head for our mountain house (its almost a mile up). Instead, I'm loving the fact that spring gets here a little earlier and the winters aren't quite as harsh. But remind me about this come July or August, when we are feeling like the Sahara......

Sunday Taste Testing

So I'm really happy with my dry food. I've been eating Natural Balance for the last few weeks and like it quite a bit. Mom bought some Evo yesterday (she found a store in town that carried it), and I REALLY like it! She put some in a small bowl next to my regular bowl, and I scarfed it down. So she is going to mix it with the Natural Balance for a while, then I'll probably eventually just eat that. So I'm not going to starve....

However, the wet food stuff, most of it I just can't stand. Does Mom really expect me to eat that slop? I really like Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys, but it has wheat gluten. Mom tells me wheat gluten is to kitties like junk food is to humans (watch those McDonald’s French fries mom), so I’m not getting any. But come on, can’t I have some junk food every once in a while?

But Mom is really trying. She ordered some Merrick, which came in a cool box yesterday.

And this poppy plastic stuff inside was something else!
Inside, there were a few loose cans, and two variety packs of food to try.
The outside of the cans smelled pretty good. But alas, so far I haven't been impressed. So, I decided I would do periodic PSA on my taste evaluation of wet foods with no wheat gluten. There is a lot of good healthy food out there, unfortunately, most of it taste like {insert bad word here} , and not worthy of a princess meezer. Here are the results of my taste tests to date:

AvoDerm Select Cuts
Chunks of Meat in Gravy-this looked like chicken bits in gelatin goo..not for me
California Natural
Chicken and Brown Rice-this is in my bowl now, I’m letting it age a bit before trying, but so far, I'm not impressed
Fancy Feast Varieties with No Wheat Gluten (need to read label carefully!)
Savory Salmon-Pretty good if canned salmon mixed in with it
Turkey and Giblets Feast-OK sometimes, but I need to be in the mood for this one
Flaked Fish and Shrimp Feast - I used to really like this, now I’m sticking my nose up at it, I just got tired of the flavor
Gourmet Chicken Feast - Yuck, didn’t even like this with canned chicken mixed in
Merrick
Southern Delight - this was reasonable, but not worth eating the entire portion
New England Boil - not really my taste
Thanksgiving day dinner - major Yuucck, looked like brown glop
Natural Balance Ultra Premium
Salmon - a bit too slimy for my taste, but might try it with canned salmon mixed in
Sheba Premium Cuts
Chicken Breast Dinner with Sauce - a nice delicate sauce, this was pretty good
Chicken and Duck Dinner with Sauce - a few bites of this went a long way

Mom has an entire cupboard of different flavors of the above brands she is subjecting me to. I’ll report periodically on review of their taste. If you have ideas of stuff I can try, let me know, and I'll put my discerning meezer palate to work.

PhotoHunt 53: Hobby

The Photo Hunters theme today is Hobby. As kitties and beans who have read my blog know, my very favorite hobby is going for walks in my harness. I have several routines, one for the back yard and one for the cul-de-sac. This is part of my cul-de-sac routine. First, I have to get Mom's attention at the front door so she puts my harness on.
Next, I have to survey the cul-de-sac, and decide which way to go.

I only get to stay on the sidewalk, and into our neighbor's yards as far as my leash goes. This is a favorite flower box to climb on.

You need to stay vigilent, so you know what is going on.

But you do need to stop and smell the flowers every so often!


And a break in the grass is always a good way to watch the world.

A change of view

I decided I needed a change of view. So in addition to watching the family room (usually Dad napping on the couch) from the balcony in my new Millie bed, I decided to give my blog a new look. Although there is not much purple in this one, it has a bit of understated elegance, so I thought I'd try it for a while. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on Dad....

Fab Friday

Ok, so I didn't quite get through all my Thursday Thirteen list (the waterbed is still intact), but I managed a few of them (like checking out the mail). I had it all planned out, I was going to give Mom the cold shoulder and be uninterested when she got home, to demonstrate my feeling about being left home alone. Sigh... it didn't work. I was SO HAPPY to see her! I rubbed, and snuggled, and purred, and rolled all over her! She gave me fresh food, water, cleaned out my litter box, and played with me for a while (even though it was almost 1 am!). Then we snuggled into bed, and this morning, I was even more affectionate, tapping her mouth with my paw to wake her up, snuggling close for some more strokes. YEEEESH!! WHAT KIND OF A MEEZER AM I???? Maybe next time I'll show her whose boss.....