Bridgette Visits Grandma for Christmas

It's my annual Christmas trek to Buffalo to spend time with Mom and the Leis family. This year, I decided to let Bridgette tag along.

I took her home when she was a baby, but she hadn't been back since. I figured she'd spend her days hiding in the bedroom from Mom's two frisky kittens, Butch & Sundance. I was hoping they wouldn't pick on her too much since she's still not up to par. But since I have to give her meds twice a day, I figured we'd make do.

We immediately hauled her into the bedroom; set up her "necessities" and proceeded to leave, allowing her time to adjust. She adjusted by bounding out the door and heading straight for the kitchen. She explored the dining room and was off to the living room when Butch and Sundance saw her.

Contrary to what I thought would happen, they both started hissing and bolted for the basement. She just calmly sat there and looked at them, not making a sound. We didn't see them for the rest of the evening! They were cowering in the basement while Bridgette sat on the couch and hung out with the family.

The next day, they inched their way up the stairs into the kitchen, only to find Bridgette calmly sitting in their path. Eventually they worked up enough nerve to slide by her but they hissed and growled the whole way. She retaliated by stretching out across their escape path back to the safety of the basement. She closed her eyes, totally unphased by the two renegades.

By the last day, Sundance had made his peace with her and could actually be in the same room with her. Butch continued to growl and hiss, just for good measure.

On Christmas night, they all shared a Christmas dinner. Mom's other cat Francis had no problems with her cat cousin and no doubt was embarrassed by the rude behaviour of the other two.

Bridgette enjoyed her time with Grandma, getting lap time and a lot of attention. Butch and Sundance enjoyed watching her leave!

A Day in the life of Tuukka

Tuukka's had a rough transition - NOT!

He likes playing with the many catnip toys and checking out the Christmas lights.

He helps wrap Christmas packages and finds time to relax in the little cat condo.

He ends the day by having a meal with the family. All in all, not a bad way to spend a day.

Tuukka Takes on the Cat Doors

Tuukka spent his very first night outside.

Night #1 When I went to bed, he was dozing on the living room floor with his head in the cat toy bag. Since he refused to be locked up, I figured I'd hear some growling and scuffling through the night. But I heard nothing.

About 5 a.m. I woke up hearing a really weird meow from a long way off. I got up and looked around and discovered Tuukka was outside. He obviously found the cat door, but didn't figure out that the cat door worked both ways. After I opened the door, he waltzed in just like he'd been doing it for years.

Night #2 I decided I'd keep him in but "locking" the cat door. This time I woke up around midnight as I heard a really odd crash. Tuukka must have really wanted out and a little plastic lock would not deter him. So, he simply popped the whole plastic door right off!

Night #3 Mike fixed the cat door. I decided if he wanted out so bad, I'd let him go out. No big deal. Unfortunately, I also have to factor in Molly. She ended up spending this night outside because every time she tried to come back in, Tuukka would go over and "regulate" the door. So, she was too scared to come in. I heard her crying outside. So, I got up numerous times to let her in. WHY she kept going back out, I have no idea!

Night #4 New plan. I took the 10 pound box of laundry soap and two tins full of cat food and placed them in front of the cat door to barricade it. This way, the cats would stay in and the door would not need fixed again. I got up in the morning and saw that the laundry soap and cat tins had been shoved aside. The plastic door was somehow perched on top of the laundry soap, so once again Tuukka wins. He was lounging nonchalantly on the cat condo and gave me a look, like "What? I'm inside so what more do you want?"

Tonight - Molly's going to have to get used to Tuukka and learn to come in even if he DOES stand at the cat door. It's every cat for him/herself here!

Meet Tuukka

I'd like to introduce the newest member of my family: Magic Tuukka-Bob Simba Catdog! Everyone who's met him seems to add a new name to the big guy.

Last week I called Dr. Randall to say good-bye and wish her well as she moves on to Minneapolis. It was a bit traumatic - no a Lot traumatic since I've been taking the babies to her for over 10 years! Plus, she gave me Bridgette, Molly and Hamilton - starting me on the road to caring for special needs cats.

As we were talking, I said, "You wouldn't happen to have one last special needs cat that I could take for old times sake?"

"Welllll," she paused, "As a matter of fact I do."

I stopped after work to meet the big guy who has AIDS. His family moved off and left him, and he was on the streets before a neighbor took him in. But her cats were fighting with him, so he ended up at the Cat Clinic. His last stop before he landed at my house.

My cats are not aggressive, so there's little chance that he'll spread the virus to any of them. Plus, all of mine have been tested. Turns out - my house was the perfect destination for him.

Anna helped me bring him home and he really is just a gigantic teddy bear. I'd set him up in the computer room for a "safe place" for him while he adjusted. Turns out - he didn't need to adjust and as soon as I slipped out the door he was right behind me. He cruised around the house, looking it over and walking by several very surprised kitties who just backed up and let him pass. I think they all were a bit in awe over how big he is!

Except Molly. She was outside and saw him through the patio door. She took one look at the interloper and she ran in and attacked him! All 7 pounds and 3 legs were a flying. He backed up looking a little stunned. You could see him go, "Hey, dudette - what's the problem?"

She spent the rest of the evening under the couch growling at him while he discovered the bag of catnip toys and proceeded to play with them.

When it was time to feed everyone, I was going to fix a bowl and feed him in a different room, but he lined up with the whole crew and they all ate together.

Yup - he's adjusted really fast!