Tunnnnaa Dinner at the Kitty Mansion (aka Kitchen)	We are busy!
We are busy! No really, we are! I cannot see past this Tuna Meal.. plate....thing!	Hey! Thief! This is my plate! Git to your own! Mommmmmyyyy!!!!

What happened past that "Mommmyy!!" is unreproducable. I tried with Photoshop, with ImageReady, and then gave up. It is simply a blur of two (I think there were two of them) bunddles of cat fur, tangled, twirled and twisted. With tufts of hair flying around, meowing in general, jaws wide open, claws glinting!

That is it! No dinner for you to! But as you can see, they have already fed on fancy tuna and have all the possible energy to battle it out in some other room or run around in the living room and porch. I refuse to follow!

Curiosity does kill cats! On more humane terms, the 'mouse' drives them completely bonkers! I had a great time using the projector to project my monitor on one of my walls and Duke and Princess had a 'great' time 'catching' the 'mouse'.

They did take turns at it (= ze' mouse). Either one was the winner!

	After being cooped up in the house for all of winter, it was time to step outdoors and take in the warm sun. So, this warm tuesday afternoon, Duke was put in a harness, and leashed on a blue ribbon we stepped on to the deck. At first, he was a bit timid, but you could the curiosity gleam in his eyes, and soon he was exploring the edges of the fence, straining at the leash to run around, following little birds. I think he was a bit scared, because, every once in a way, he would saunter back up to me and rub his head on my calf. If I picked him up, he would melt in my arms and cuddle. But moment a chirping bird was around, he perked up, and wanted to run behind the birdie.
	I think we like the sun.
>	I think we like the blue sky or little flying birdie.

Little kitties had a well-kitty Vet's appointment today. From the 'horror' to 'interesting' stories from other kitty owners, I was not sure what to expect. I knew I was in for at least some amount of circus to get both the little ones in the carrier. 

The day before, the receptionist had asked me to collect the fecal matter for the litte ones. Now, that poses several problems:
a) I have one cat litter box, and how in the devil am I supposed to distinguish whose poop is whose? Perhaps, the size matters as one of them is two year old and the other is definitely more petite year and half old. So, their poop must be in proportion to their size.
b) If I collected the poop from the litter box, then would the test be tainted? Tainted with all the clumping matter? Perhaps technology for poop-test takes into consideration that pet owners are not likely to run around after pets waiting for poop to fall into a neat little collector. Pets are far less inclined to poop into a collector. When my doctor asks me to collect my pee and poop, I am a nervous wreck! Not for test results, but the whole concept of pee- & poop- ing in non 'normal' places pressure wants me to crawl into bed and stay there for a week! So, I can complete understand what kitties might be thinking..... "You want me to do WHATT!? and WHERE?! You have got to be joking!"

The Chase: The appointment was for mid afternoon and we had about 1 mile to drive. So, I brought the pet carrier up to the porch and kept it there open, for kitties to explore (as they are sure to do that.... curiosity always gets them cold!).

Duke: "Hello what is this?! Meow Meow". He rubs his little nose on the door and meows at me, and he walk straight in and plunks down.

I shut the door. So much for a fuss. What a darling little kitty....now where is Amber. If I thought this was going to that easy for Amber, I had another thing coming. Amber was nowhere to be found. I searched upstairs, found her in the laundry room, cooing to her had no effect. She dashed off, running and bounding down two steps at a time. Now, my first floor presents a problem to catch her and she knows it. The rooms are laid out such that we could be running in circles forever, or until one of us gives up. I am hoping it is her. Thankfully the access to basement is closed, but she is smart and will do anything to not be 'caught'. So, I run around in circles, all the time trying to calm her down. Meanwhile Duke who was peaceful all this time, is getting alarmed with all this running around, while he is stuck in a 'cage'.

Amber, poor thing, is getting nervous and is meowing her head off, almost crying. That breaks my heart, and I have no idea, what to tell her, to assure her that it is alright and I am not going to hurt her. Finally, me in tears and poor thing frightened, she gives in. She stops short in the middle of the kitchen, sinks to the ground and crying and now pooping and peeing on the kitchen floor.  Poor poor darling! Little baby! So Sorry, is all I can say to her. I let her finish, all the while holding on to her scruf and reassuring her. I clean the poor thing, she is too petrified to do anything. Once cleaned, I pick her up and hold her close, she just clinks to me as if there is no tomorrow. I hold her for next 15 mins and when she more calm, I get her to cage. By then all fight is gone and she nuzzles up to Duke. Both Duke and Amber are nervous and frightened, I try giving them treats and Duke gobbles them up (he is a bit of a dope), Amber is too mad at me to bother.

The Visit: The drive not far, and all the while, I talk to them, calling them 'good kitty', and 'not going to hurt you'. The meowing subsides and both are scared, perhaps too tired to meow.

At the Vets, the initial registration and transfer of paperwork from the previous pet care medical center, goes smoothly. I constantly talk to the receptionist and also to the little kitties. The wait for the doctor is not more that 15 minutes. We finally let them out in the visiting room and pick them up. They are as floppy as a soft rug. I guess too petrified and limp to do anything. The poor babies are extremely docile when poked and prodded by the doctor. Duke is first to get a shot, there is not one meow from him. When the nurse brings him to me, there is a small meow and he cuddles up into a small ball digs his head into my neck and stays put. This is the singlemost, comforting moment, when I realize that the kitties do know me. He did not cuddle up to anyone, not the doctor, not the nurse, but me! It was now Ambers' turn, she was equally docile, limp, petrified and quiet. She gets her shot. By the time she is done, Duke, is wriggling so I let off and he is ready to explore the room. This is good, so he appears to be less scared, so I can concentrate on Amber. Amber cuddles up straightaway, but is not limp anymore. She digs her claws at my neck and chest and tries to dig her head into my armpit.  I let her bury her head in the armpit of my fluffy sweater and there she stays.

Aw! It is sweet, both of them recognise me as a safe zone. It would be nice to that affectionate under 'normal circumstances and not under fear. The ride home in uneventful. I think I am calmer and so are the kitties.

The Aftermath: When I get them home, I take them straight up to my room, and close the door, and let them out. I curl up on my bed and both the little ones curl up with me! Thankfully the next few hours, I have a book to read and take a nap, and the kitties are more than happy to do the same. After a while I hear them purring and completely zonked out with the mid morning excursions. By evening, they are back to their normal selves, running around, eating, meowing, and purring. I think they are past their day or their memory is shortlived!

SO, until next time, the visit is done.

Amber (left) and Duke (right) are insanely royal. They have pretty much taken over the home. They are the owners and I am the tenant. This is one of their favorite morning spots, in the living room over the couch facing the sunniest window. They love to nap in front of this window, as it also gives them a birds eye view to... er.... birds, cars and general hustle bustle outside.

 

 

This is what Duke is upto when I hold him over my shoulders. He loves to clamber over and as I bend over, he take a 'short' walk on my back.

A week ago, I adopted two kitties and the initial reactions from people are in.
(NOTE: These are actual quotes from people that emailed me back when they were informed of my decision.)

Kerri S: "They are beautiful!  Congrats!"

Valerie W: "You did it!!!  Yay!!!!  They're gorgeous... hope everyone is settling in nicely."

Li W: "congrats! i hope to meet them soon"

Virginia V: "So cute!!!"

Tara S: "Very cute"

My Uncle: "From all the things I have seen and read and heard  - -  single lady with cats =  not a pretty picture...... the cats come afterwards."

My Aunt: ...
(My uncle mentioned that she would reply, but I haven't heard, so it could be anything. I am not going to even venture speculation)

My brother-in-law: "Congratulations on being adopted by your feline companions!"

I did get comments about they being my 'children' and not 'pets' and 'where is the father of the kitties? if you are the mum to them'. My father did not comment too much. Most of my friends were happy for me.

Duke: Hello, I am Duke....
Amber: ..... and I am Amber.

Duke: You probably don't know who we are, so Amber, lets introduce ourselves to Coolkit's friends and family. Ladies first!
Amber: Hi, I am Amber; I am 8-month old young adult cat. I was found by a kitty shelter. I stayed at the kitty shelter with my elder brother Duke and several other kitties. But I wanted a home to call my own. The first time coolkit came to see us, I remember hiding behind the bookcase and did not want to see anyone (I guess everyone has a bad day and I was frightened with the new voice in the room). So, Coolkit did not even see me. She was happy playing with my brother and getting to know other of my siblings. Ah well....
Duke: I remember that visit. She (Coolkit) appeared normal and was happy to pet and play with me and other siblings. I was a bit tentative about being held, but I think I liked her. After two hours, she left. I wondered then if she would come back. And she did!!
Amber: Yes, she did, after three days, this time she had her father with her.
Duke: You (Amber) finally did come out of hiding to play with her and I could see that the two of you bonded so well.
Amber: I was scared, and still am, but she is slowly earning my trust, I loved to run around her, butting my head on her arm and have her scratch my neck, and head and tummy. I think we should keep her, what do you think, Duke?
Duke: I think so. I wonder how she really is
Amber: Did you see her sign any paper work? What is happening?

Saturday, 11/25/2006: 4PM
Duke: I see her, I see her. Meow!
Amber: I am so scared. Is this her car? Where is she taking us?
Duke: It is going to be okay
Amber: I am so frightened.

Saturday, 11/25/2006: 5PM
Duke: Is this your house?
Coolkit: No, Duke, it is your house too.
Duke: I am going to check it out. Leave Amber under the stair for a while. She is going to be scared.
Coolkit: Sweetie, this is the basement and there is the litter box.
Duke: What is upstairs, may I go?
Coolkit: All yours, go on.
Duke: This is upstairs, wow, so many windows. May I go further up? I am not waiting, I am going. You can take a look at Amber.
Coolkit: Amber, sweetie, welcome home, come lets see the place.
Amber: Whhhaaaa!!! Who are you? Get away from me. (Coolkit picks and holds me), Ohhh! it is you. I am frightened and jumpy, please give me time. I am going to find all possible places to hide first and make you come looking for me. Coolkit brought me to a huge room (living room), and I am still scared. I run and hide in the basement. She brings me back and shows me the food.... hmm Salmon, I am too worried to be thinking about food. Water.... what you want me to drink!
Duke: Say, come take a look, it is wonderful.
Amber: Where is the couch? Is there space behind that bookcase or behind that couch? What about under the dining table? How about behind that huge TV box? I need to hide.
Duke: Hide? Hmmm... behind the couch it looks nice warm and dark. But basement is your best bet. I am going there.

Coolkit: So, on and on for the next 12 hours, it was hide and seek game for me. I barely got 3 hours sleep, between worrying where they are, every so often, Duke goes down to the basement and meows soulfully as if it reminds him of the industrial place where he was found and is looking for the other siblings. We are going to have to work on this one. Amber meanwhile found all the hiding places possible. All Sunday, I had to find where Amber and Duke were, and simply pick them up. There was no hissing, no scratching me, nothing. Once they see me, they are happy to play around in the open. They are still a little skittish and not used to the noises of the heater, doorbell, me suddenly jumping up and running for something and they scamper off to their favorite hiding places. They have become very attached to my sofa and thank goodness it is a old one, they are already scratching it.... I need to get them a scratching post and we need to work on this one. They have already found the two small tennis balls (bought for Van Burren and Baxter) and enjoy playing toss, catch and tumble with them. This morning as I was preparing to leave for work, they were up and around and not hiding.... :) So, they are settling in well. They are not ready for more people right now, but give them a week and they will be fine.

This was yesterday....

It is 6:00 in the morning, and I cannot stay away from a computer (promise no work, only play). As I was sipping my coffee, I got worried about my Maidenhair Fern. It is started to turn white. Oh dear! humidity low? water low? I dashed them off to the kitchen watered and misted them. Hmmm, if this is the state in the beginning of fall, I am going to have to be doubly vigilant in later fall and winter. It is going to get dry. One option would be to migrate them to the bathroom, or maybe get a humidifier or humidity trays. What are humidity trays anyways? Perhaps I can make them! I think it is a tray, and a rack to allow water drain off, so the plant does not sit in water. Hmmm, not rocket science. I am going to try making one. Perhaps the maidenhair fern needs some light. So, by 6:30 they are watered, misted, plonked in a white tray and relocated to dinning room window for some east-northeast light.

But, wait, I did not get on the computer to blog about ferns, but to research about humidity trays, when something unexpected happened. Baxter (Bunny), came sat next to me, looked at me, butted his head against my arm, and when I moved to scratch his head/neck, he clambered onto my lap and curled left, curled right, stuck his butt in my face, curled again clockwise and settled himself on my lap. Ohhhhhh! priceless, so utterly priceless. When finally he appeared settled, I asked "Comfy?", I got a very resonant "Meow". How can one not fall in love with him? Something is definitely up, Bunny has been following me all morning and getting quite comfortable in jumping onto my lap anytime I am stationary for more that five mins.

4:45AM: Me, asleep, all cuddled up under fall blankets, catching all the ZZZZ's possible
4:50AM: MEOWW! Purrr! MEAOWWW!
4:50AM: I open my eyes, I see two sets of gleaming eyes staring right back at me. WHOA!! Right over my  head, two cats, sitting and looking down at me, staring at me, commanding me to get up. What a fright!
4:55AM: Ahhhh! After a few mins of catching my breath, being startled out of some dream or the other, into a reality of two gorgeous cats trying to get my attention. I remember, oh yeah, Veebs and Bunny, of course, oh, they are here, so sweet. I think I can retire my alarm. Hmmm, talking of which, how do they know, I will be up in a few mins? I did not tell them. Hey, they seem to be morning people. :) We'll get on just fine and dandy.
5:00AM: Some where in the house my alarm goes off to blaring music from Mike FM (93.7 FM). It was loud enough for all us to jump. And we are all up!!

6:20AM: I am still at home, (usually leave to catch 6:00-6:10AM bus to work), the two meowing their headoff, knowing (I like to think) that I will be gone for the day (I like to think they are going to miss me). I felt my heart thumping with just the thought that they will be alone. Finally,  after a good conversation with them (call me loony!), I head to work.

(Couldn't wait for 3:00PM), ran home (not literally, took the bus), and played with kitties.... :) 

Partners in crime, this is how I find them..... when I get home. Do they really care that I was not home? Why was I worried?

They are here! Oh! My house guests have arrived.

Prep work: I tried to get my house presentable for my guests. This is first time they are seeing the house, and their approval means a lot to me. I cleaned and scrubbed some parts, but could not get to vaccum the carpets. I hope they wouldn't mind. Around mid-morning, I got the initial checkin to see if I was ready for them. I think I was, and conveyed that the house is ready for them and it will be great to have them over. I just hope I live up to their expectations.

They arrive: They arrived will little fan fair, as royality do. I drove over and got some of their luggage and then they arrived. Initially they were tentative about the new space, and needed to acclimatize, and inspect every nook and cranny. But, soon they were up and about the house. Within few hours, they were home, it took me a little longer, to have them around (having two more souls in the house, is an adjustment for me too).

I think this is great! Welcome Veebs and Bunny!

   <== Baxter (Bunny/Sweetie)

   <== VanBurren (Veebs/Pumpkin)