Pinkie the Guinea Pig and Perky the Kitten, September 1978 Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

Alexa hates for me to use the word “precious” on this blog.  She has an image to maintain and says that the name, frankly, lessens her position in the animal kingdom.  I’m afraid I have to break the rules this time, though - I mean come on!!

I can’t imagine anyone looking at the art print above and not smiling with every muscle in their face. But I do know one thing, if the person exists, I hope to never meet them - they’d be the sourest almost human alive!

Now to face Alexa’s wrath… She has an rss feed for this blog, of course, so I’m about 3 minutes away from a cold front.

If you think you’ve seen everything, I’ve got something for you. Check out the Smart Chime - Wireless Pet Doorbell. Too, too clever and too, too cute.

From the Web Site:

You don’t need to stand around and wait while your pet goes outside. The Smart Chime is a wireless doorbell that your pet can easily be taught to use to let you know when he’s ready to come back inside. You can also place the doorbell trigger inside for your pet to tell you when he needs to go out. The kit even comes with a standard door chime that your visitors can use, as well. The interior door chime is powered by three AA batteries; the pet switch requires a 9-volt battery, and the door switch is powered by a 12-volt 23A battery. Batteries are all sold separately.

Select Dog or Cat to hear barking or meowing when the chime is triggered. The Smart Chime has a 100-foot range, so you’ll be able to place the interior door chime in a convenient location.

All mounting hardware is included in the kit. Pets can be trained to use their paws or noses to activate the wireless doorbell. Some pets may require more training than others, but using treats as rewards, you should be able to teach your pet to use the Smart Chime system in a week or two.

Amazing!

And just why should birds have all the fun?!  According to my crew, they shouldn’t.

This brilliantly adorable and functional Nest Pet Bed isn’t just an ordinary cat bed.  It’s a special cat retreat that’d impress even the most pampered of pampered pets.

This floor-level sanctuary is perfect for curling up for a nap, storing favorite toys, or falling asleep mid-purr.  As any cat lover worth their weight knows, cats love nothing more than having a place all their own - a special spot to “retreat” to when they’re in need of a little shut eye or when they need to unwind from all the stresses of keeping up with their humans.

Nest Cat Bed Features:

• Soft-touch construction of molded foam with fabric laminated on both sides
• Sherpa fleece-lined interior for maximum coziness
• Protection from all sides
• Chrome-plated hardware
• Removable top rim can be removed and used as a support base to accommodate jumpers and non-jumpers alike
• For cats and small dogs.  Holds up to about 50 pounds.  (Michael, no comments about Alexa…)

Click the following link to read more about this very special pet bed - for very special pets. Nest Pet Bed

 

Oh, this is clever. Right up there with opening a Starbucks in my grocery store.

You Pet has created a MySpace type of community for pets and their owners, of course.  Pets need supervision - do you know how much trouble one could get into left to their own devices in an online community.

Svenn would be arrested inside of a week and Bo wouldn’t make it that long.  Truth be told, our male cats are unappologetically nefarious. As for the females, Prissy’s too old to raise much hell (it has to come to her these days) and Alexa…. well, since her operation, she’s not much of a player.  For either team.

From the website: 

Hey, we love our pets and we like meeting new people that own pets. We thought, “Let’s share our love and interest that our adorable animals bring to us.”

That’s why we decided to develop YouPet.com, so pet owners could have a safe and informative place to meet other pet lovers and have fun exchanging pictures, videos, blogs, and having discussions on our forums, or chat live in our chat rooms.

YouPet.com is an online social network devoted to Pets and their Owners who regard their pets as family. Pets are an important part of our lives, and we want you to share the joy and love your pet brings to you with all of us.

Have fun and don’t forget check out our online store where you can shop for cool YouPet.com products.

You can create a free profile and be on your way to meeting other pet lovers.  You can also find out how you can Win a $100 Petco Gift Card on YouPet.com! That last part has me reconsidering letting Bo and Svenn join. If I give in, be sure you keep an eye on your girl cats. And dogs.  And boy cats.  And dogs.  I’m just saying…

Alexa has already put her request in for one of these.  The Omega Paw Ripple™ Board Scratch’n Massage Bed™ (16″ L X 5.5″ W X 17″ L; Green) features organic catnip flakes and catnip oil, both of which rev her little engine.

From the website:
The fabulous ripples massage your cat paws leaving him in a dream state. In addition, we’ve made our scratcher eco-friendly by using 98% post consumer and diverted materials.

Massage…dream state…cat-nip….eco-friendly…  Is it any wonder Alexa wants one?   Okay, so she doesn’t give a rat’s patootie about the eco-friendly part - that’s all me.  But the cat-nip and the massage - oh yeah!  My girl’s all there.  She’s even willing to overlook the “…leaving him in a dream state” comment. 

Right now Miss Alexa has a little thin scratching pad and, after a nice session of scratching, she likes to lie down on top of it.  Problem is the ratio of Alexa’s size to that of the scratching pad……  Uh, yeah, you get the picture. 

Spillover doesn’t lead to good napping.  Not a problem with the Omega Paw Ripple™ Board Scratch’n Massage Bed™ (16″ L X 5.5″ W X 17″ L; Green) - there’s room for even the chubbiest of cats to nestle in and get all comfy cozy.

Click the link or the image to take a closer look.  Your cat will love you for it.

Prissy has lost just about all of her vision. We often thank God for the fact that she has long whiskers, they’ve saved her from walking smack into furniture, walls, people, Alexa (which wouldn’t go over that well)….

While it’s heartbreaking to see our little girl like this, I’m thankful for each day we have with her. She’s quite an antique and has lived a very fun, happy life. She’s been a lot of places and seen a lot of things. You name the cat toy, she’s had two. Name a new cat treat, she’s given it a taste test. She has watched ballgames with my husband, cooking shows with me, cartoons with our girls and American Idol, Survivor, and LOST with all of us.

She still is every inch a very happy cat. She purrs as much as ever, possibly even more - probably because someone is always holding her, talking to her, telling her what a good girl she is. I’d purr, too.

She wanders every now and then, especially in the morning, but, aside from that, she hasn’t changed that much. She wants to be where the action is now, more than ever, and she’s never happier than when someone’s in the living room on her couch with her reading the paper or watching tv…complete with lots of head rubs, chin scratchings, and sweet talk. She never tires of the sweet talk.

When I’m working at the computer during the day, I’ve found a way to keep her close so we can enjoy each other’s company. I put a bean bag on the floor beside my desk. I cover it with one of my old fuzzy robes and put my girl on top of it. She sinks down into a warm little nest and she sleeps as I work.

She used to lie on top of my desk - right in front of me, but I don’t let her off the ground too much anymore. So, Prissy has agreed to give that spot to Alexa. Besides, she likes her special little day bed. A special bed for a very, very, very, very special cat.

Alexa, Prissy, and I were doing a little research earlier on the IAMS website and we found a great article.  It tells how chicken is a complete protein source for cats.  My girls were thrilled to hear it and celebrated by having a little chicken for lunch.  Actually, Alexa had a little - Prissy gorged.  Their eating habits are hilarious.  When you look at them, you’d think Alexa was quite the pig, yet she’s a dainty eater.  Prissy, on the other hand, is tiny but outeats all 3 of our other cats combined.

They’re healthy, thankfully - they just have peculiar eating routines.

Click the link below to see the article for yourself;  it’s really interesting.  While you’re on the website, take a look at the other articles.  There’s a wealth of information there.

Chicken:  The Complete Protein Source for Your Cat

Keep in mind, I’m a proud and deliriously happy mother of three beautiful daughters, but, yes, I think this plaque is hilarious. 

The only thing is, the author obviously never met a cast of characters like the ones I live with.  Alexa often asks for money, Svenn would wear my clothes in a heartbeat if I let him (Even skirts?  But of course.), Prissy could outeat an entire camp of chubby kids, and Bo….come when called?  Are you kidding?  He’s like, “Take a number.“

I’m also not so sure about the “driving your car” line.  My gas tank is never as high when I get in my car as it was when I get out.  I can so see Bo taking Svenn for a spin - cruising for girls.

Fortunately, they don’t touch cigarettes or and water’s all they drink. Good think, actually, because Svenn would be a ridiculous drunk.

To see the larger version and/or purchase, click the link below. 

Once you’re on the site, type Prefer Cats in the search box - also, be sure to look around at all the amazing goodies on this website.  I absolutely love random things and this site is full of delicious randomness.

I could spend two forevers (and three fortunes) there.  

If, that is, Alexa lets me have my money back.

I was thumbing through the newest issue of Cat Fancy in our local bookstore a few days ago when I came across an article that had my angel, Prissy, written all over the subject - “Older Cats.”  Our beloved little girl is going on 20 and is really beginning to show her age.She’s still a beauty, of course.  There’s always been such a graceful elegance about her.  When she was younger, she didn’t walk, she glided.  The glide has kind of disappeared over the past two years, though.  I think her little bones must ache sometimes because she walks with her back legs kind of spread and it’s closer to a gallop.  Adorable?  Definitely!  But, graceful?  Not very.The article was a must read for anyone with an older cat.  I recognized Prissy in a few of the areas the author addressed, but she was nowhere to be found in others.

For example, according to the article, a lot of older cats lose their appetite.  I think Prissy’s increases with age!  She out-eats all three of our other cats, who are all much younger.  Sometimes I think she could EAT all three of the other cats….which is why we never let her plate get too empty for too long.  Not taking any chances.

The author said that if your older cat isn’t eating, the problem may be that their sense of smell has dulled.  They suggested dabbing a little warm water on the food - it’ll help release the aroma.  I’ve also heard that garlic powder entices a cat (or dog for that matter) to eat.

Another problem that older cats can face is disorientation.  I’ve seen this a little with Prissy.  They’ll get in a room and look off into space, as though they aren’t sure where they are.  Apparently some cats even get  into a corner and just meow until they’re “rescued.”  I’ll go on record as saying that’ll completely break my heart if that happens!

I have noticed a few “senile moments” with her, though.  When she first wakes up, she looks around as though she isn’t too sure what’s going on.  We always talk really softly and sweetly (as always) to her  - then she starts purring and we know we have our Prissy back.

The article also touched on something else I’ve noticed.  It said that older cats will frequently lose patients for other pets that they once got along with famously.  Prissy has done that with Alexa.  When Alexa first came along, Prissy was amused by her.  It actually wasn’t that long ago that they were playing together.  Alexa would get on bookshelves and knock things down for Prissy to scrutinize.  When I picked up on the game, I’d “plant” things up high like toy mice, tiny balls, etc.  Alexa will still knock things down to Prissy but now she usually just gets hissed at for her efforts!

They also used to run around and sort of mix things up together - then Prissy would go to her favorite bed and Alexa would know the game was over.  Now, though, when Alexa tries to get a rousing game going, Prissy hisses and looks at her as though they’d never even met.  It makes me sad for both of them.

We’ve tried to spend extra time playing with Alexa lately - especially when she’s especially frisky - it keeps her out of Prissy’s hair and keeps her from getting the “HSSSSSSS” (Though I gotta admit, Prissy’s awfully cute when she’s mad!)

Older cats also tend to have “bathroom” issues.  Doctors say that arthritic bones make climbing into and out of litter boxes painful, so they suggest using the flat “pans” that go under a lot of litter boxes instead.  They also suggest investing in several litter boxes, so your cat always has one nearby.

A tip I thought was worth its weight in gold was this:  Since your older cat may be disoriented and confused, gate off a section of the house - a couple of rooms they prefer.  This makes their world much smaller, much safer, and much…well, cozier.  Also, try to never let your older pet on stairs.  Arthritis can make climbing very, very painful - plus falls are always a threat, mostly for dogs.

Personally, I think it all comes down to three words:  TENDER LOVING CARE.  As our babies get older, we should give them all the TLC they can handle.  We want to make their last years as comfortable, as peaceful, and as enjoyable as possible.  If there are any unusual habits or concerns - always take your cat to the vet.  It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

We’ve always spent a lot of time with our pets - after all, there are five of us, so someone’s almost always here (I even work from home and my youngest daughter, Stephany, is always home as well.).  We’ve started giving Prissy EVEN more attention - when she’s awake, that is! 

Even though none of us want to talk about it or even think about it, we aren’t naive.  We know we won’t have her with us forever.  Just typing those words has left me with tears chasing one another down my face!  I can’t even imagine what I’ll do with myself when she moves on to Heaven with Carly…. (And, yes, Michael - I fully expect that IS where Carly went!!!!)  Well, I do know - I’ve been there before.  You live through days that hurt so bad you just want to go to bed.  You miss them like crazy (I still miss Carly terribly), and you cherish the pets you have as you cherish the memories of those you no longer have.

One more thing about older cats.  Naturally, they begin having vision and hearing problems.  I think Prissy has selective hearing.  Some things she responds to (can opener, the pantry door opening, Whiskas packets being ripped…), and other things she ignores.  Her vision’s not that great - I get the feeling she pretty much sees shapes more than anything.  Something we’ve always done, since she was a few weeks old was play a little game of “Nose Beeping.”  I fly my finger around in a little circle, then land it on her little nose with a “beep!“  About a month ago, though, I noticed that she’d jump right before my finger got to her nose.  So, we changed the rules of the game.  Now I just hold the finger out in front of her face, and she brings her nose slowly to it…. I whisper, “beep” and she purrs. 

Then I tell her what a very good and special girl she is.  Because she is.  I also tell her how much I love her.  Because I most definitely do.