Molly's Letter

I was told I have to write a Christmas letter. I dont have time. I have to go outside and check my fence and dig holes.

I have to play with my friend Tuukka. He washes my head.

I cant type. I only have 3 paws!

I wrote a poem.

Let me go outside!

Rain, snow, wind, sun wait, it’s cold

Let me in RIGHT NOW!!!

From the Desk of Bridgette

This was a very busy year for me but I think it was quite successful.

Last year, I was promoted to HC. (That’s Head Cat for the uninitiated.) Actually, I ran unopposed since none of the other family members wanted to step up to take over this important job. 

Few realize all of the responsibility that goes into running a multi-cat household. I have to make sure everyone is eating and sleeping in the appropriate places. If there’s a dispute over who gets the condo in the morning, I settle it. I make sure the cat hierarchy rules are followed and that no feline steps out of his or her role. 

My most important task is to watch over the Mom. I make sure she never is left unattended. Every cat has an appointed time when someone is with her. It is our job to make sure she relaxes and benefits from our presence. It’s a well-known fact that cats help lower a human’s blood pressure and increase their happiness level. Keeping everyone on schedule is a very taxing job. It takes quite a few catnaps to help me make it through the day.

I still am battling some health issues. But I try to remain positive. Yes, I admit I’ve put on a little weight, but it’s the prednisone. And I still try to find a few moments to kick back myself. 

I’m looking forward to another great year in 2013 and wish you and your family a happy year as well.

Seasons Salutations from Hamilton, Esquire

I recently added “Esquire” to my name. For a cat of my lineage, it’s necessary to maintain that class distinction and reinforce that I am not a common house cat. It adds the dignity and status that I deserve and lifts me above the other felines that reside in this establishment.

When I came to this residence three years ago, I was a bit shocked that I'd be expected to  co-habitate with this rag-tag group. I grew up with a silver cat food spoon in my mouth and my mother was a blue-blood. A pampered and spoiled life was my due. Alas, it was not to last. Through some misfortune, I ended up in this cottage. Over the years, I’ve accepted that my lot in life has decidedly fallen. But I’ve come to see that even though I’m no longer an only child, there have turned out to be some advantages.

First, I’ve discovered that I love computers. I love sleeping next to one or on my person while she’s trying to type. 

Secondly, the chap Tuukka is not so bad. Occasionally we go outside and take a snoot of catnip together. 

Or we hang out in the window. I don’t understand a word the fellow says. He’s a cat from the other side of the street - an alley cat.

Thirdly - I had to learn that the bed was not for me alone. I actually was expected to share - and with the human no less. But I’ve become accustomed to curling up next to her on the pillow and it’s oddly comforting.

However, I do not fancy going to the veterinarian to get my blood sugar tested. I ensure they are aware of my displeasure. Loudly.

The one thing I do love is Christmas. There is a special Christmas quilt that is provided for me to sleep on, and the tree is put up and decorated for my benefit. 

For 2013 I would, of course, wish for world peace. And more catnip. 

Have a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas from Dickens!

This year, we've decided to stop letting our owner do the yearly Christmas letter. She never includes the important information and always tried to make us look goofy in some way. Not acceptable.

So, back to me. It was a good year - I turned 20. According to the cat age calculatar app, that makes me around 96 in human years. But some days I feel a little closer to the upper end of 168 years.

The good: no new whippersnappers joined the family this year to disrupt my schedule. I didn't have to put anyone in their place when they took my favorite spot in the sun.

My highlight was stealing the little guy Tom's hot dog. You snooze you lose MISTER!

The extreme low point was being taken once again to the  torture place and besides the yearly poking, prodding and needles, THIS YEAR I WAS HUMILIATED. They said it was a "lion cut." I call it the shaving of my dignity.

And I will NOT admit it felt better during the really hot weather. I refuse to give them the satisfaction!

I'm looking forward to 2013. More naps in the cat bed. More Fancy Feast with cheese bits in gravy. More sleeping curled up on the bed next to my owner - who overall is not all that bad.

Top Cat?

Do you know this cat?

She's the most powerful cat in my house, yet few people have ever seen her - it's Barclee. She's incredibly shy and spends a good portion of her time under the bed. If there's even a hint of a car, she bolts for safety.

Yet she wields in the power in the cat hierarchy in a very important way.  She determines who can enter the bedroom AND, who is allowed to sleep on the bed!

While dogs usually go by the Alpha Dog model, cats are different. They'll have sphere's of influence. So while Bridgette appears to be top cat in most situations, when it comes to bedroom protocol, Barclee makes the call.

When Truman and Spott were alive, Hamilton and Molly were not allowed to even enter the bedroom, let alone look at the bed. Back then, Truman was calling the shots. I figured Molly and Hamilton just preferred to spend the night elsewhere. After Truman and Spott, I noticed that Barclee stepped right up and patrolled the entrance to the bedroom.

It took a couple months, but like a bouncer standing at the door to a night club, Barclee finally allowed two new members in. Hamilton and Molly could now enter the bedroom, eat the "private" food, use the personal litter box AND, finally, sleep on the bed.

It became even more apparent that Barclee used her power when Tuukka and Luna arrived. For awhile, she'd attack them if they even WALKED by the bedroom. They were not allowed into the inner sanctum.

Just recently, Barclee let Tuukka in, but so far, he's been sleeping in the closet. I suppose if he follows her rules for awhile, he may be able to move closer. Luna, however, has not appropriately paid the price, and still can't even look in the door.

It's really funny, because Barclee is the last one to eat, isn't allowed in the cat beds, and can only sit on the cat chair if there's no one else in line. But she has her kingdom and rules it with an iron paw!

Grumpy Old Men

Last week I took the two old men to the vet - Dickens and Hamilton. Dickens needed his toe nails clipped and some horrible mats on his back end shaved off.

For years, 19 in fact, I've been hauling Dickens to the vet. He would get so nervous he'd start drooling and would literally end up swimming in pool of his own spit. One time Dr. Parks said "We better get done quickly before he drowns!"

A couple years ago, I ended up taking Barclee at the same time and VOILA! Dickens was fine. All this time he just needed a buddy to go with him.

Unfortunately for Hamilton, he got to be Dickens' buddy this time and he was not happy. He's 12 and because he's diabetic, I like to get him checked now and then anyway. The whole time Dickens was getting combed and clipped, Hamilton kept up a steady stream of caterwauling! Dickens would look over to him apologetically, like "sorry man." And I won't even repeat what I'm pretty sure Hamilton was telling him!

It wasn't a wasted trip for Hamilton though. I got his blood sugar tested and he's fine. So, my special needs diabetic cat is doing fine. Just ticked off!

So, my two old men are just like Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in the movie -cranky & crotchety, but friends deep down. At least I think they are.

The Nose Knows

I've learned a lot about cat noses over the years.

1. Cat air passages are very, very small.

2. If a cat's nose is clogged, they will not breathe through their mouths.

3. Cat's can snooze violent snot and aim it like a weapon on clean clothes, walls, furniture and occasionally my face. (It's not good to look close up when a cat's getting ready to sneeze.)

Several years ago my cat Murphy would sneeze so violently, her whole body would shake, and cat boogers were literally caking my walls. Who knew one cat could create so much gook? After several years, and a couple different vet visits, Dr. Parks discovered poor Murphy had been shot and had a pellet lodged in her nasal cavity! I took her to a specialist in Colorado to have it removed. After that, she had a lovely little scar down her entire nose, but she could breathe again, and the quality of life improved one hundred percent. She lived out the rest of her years breathing freely without that pesky obstruction in her tiny nose.

Fast forward about 10 years, and Bridgette arrives. Her nose is perfect, her only little imperfection is her one club foot. But a couple years ago, she starts sneezing, oozing cat snot, and literally gasping for air. Is it a cat cold? A sinus infection? After trying several different antibiotics, Dr. Parks suggests we x-ray her because you never know what you'll find. She said, "Knowing Murphy's her cat-sister, who knows if the same bizarre situation could happen twice."

It was both good and bad that we didn't find a pellet - it meant she hadn't been shot, but we still didn't know what was wrong. I took her down to Peak Veterinary Specialists in Windsor and after numerous tests, Dr. Prauss told me that Bridgette has a form of chronic rhinitis (or something like that.) It means the membranes in her nose get so inflamed it clogs her nasal passage. Her nose had gotten so bad, I'd get up in the middle of the night to scrape the gunk off her nose in order to help her breathe.

Unfortunately, there is no easy treatment like removing a bb shot. So, they flushed her nasal cavity and we are now treating her with steroids and different combinations of antibiotics. The good news, is Bridgette is feeling so much better, she's now emerging from her bedroom cocoon and actually hangs out with the other cats in the living room and has even ventured back outside. I didn't realize how reclusive she had become. The down side is she has gained a lot of weight. And there are potentially long term health concerns with her on steroids, but I made the decision that the quality of her life right now is my top concern.

So, imagine my concern when Anna pointed out that Tuukka had a big bump in the center of his nose. NO MORE NOSE ISSUES! But, she was right. I had noticed it, but didn't think it was very noticeable. It was. I make an appointment with my new vet, Dr. Novack. She agrees that it's not normal and decide the best course of action is another x-ray. The biggest difference between Tuukka's nose issue and Bridgette & Murphy's is that there's no snot, no sneezing no wheezing. He actually looks like he might have broken his nose.

The good news is right now, it's just a lump! It's not in his nasal cavity. It doesn't appear to be cancerous. I'm hoping that this is the last I'll have to worry about Tuukka's nose.

I felt like I may be a little over protective, but the who knows what's going on with a nose?? I just don't take chances!!