“Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.”
The pic above is Bo in a dramatic, artsy moment – I think he wears it quite well. My daughter, Steph, loves to try out different things with her digital camera – and Bo’s her favorite “model.” He accepts this fact and has decided that it might just feed his ego.
The framed print, above, is from Art in a Click.com – a GREAT place for art lovers to get their groove on! When I saw it, I knew I had to blog it. Too cute not to.
Our newest family addition, our dog Wednesday, is still trying to figure out the rulers of our roost (the felines, of course). They aren’t even trying to get a handle on him – that would suggest they actually cared. But there are times when the cats will sit back and watch him from a distance as he goes about his canine activities (snapping at flies, chasing after his tail, panting). They’ll watch him for a minute or two with what looks like a cross between amazement and stupefaction (that was my word of the day – can’t believe I worked it in). Then they’ll look at me…. then back at him. I”m not sure if they’re looking for my reaction or letting me know that I can feel free to take him away anytime I choose. (Come to think of it, they do glance toward the Caravan every now and then.)
Bo is especially entertained by him. I’ve looked out the window before and seen Bo lying on top of one of the vehicles just staring at Wednesday. I’d love to know what goes through his mind – but I’m sure it isn’t anything too profound. He’s probably just picking the right time to raid his leftovers or something.
There has been a lot going on in our lives this year – some good, but most about as bad as it gets. The worst was in March, when my mom suddenly decided she wanted a bigger house – as in Heaven. (Honestly, the day before she passed away, she told me that “…by summer I want to move into a bigger house.” To which I said, “Okay, I’ll help you!” Turns out she didn’t need my help.)
We also lost two cats who we loved very much this year. One (Renee Elise), we hadn’t had very long at all. The other (Carly) was a well-established family member. Then, last month we had a close call with Bo that nearly did us all in…
We did get an addition to the family when we inherited “custody” of my mom’s MUCH beloved and very sweet dog, Wednesday. He’s become part of the family and we love having him around. (The cats have adjusted better than I thought they could or would.)
But I think all the losses and the stress that comes with it has taken a toll on all of us. I know I’m just now getting to the point that I feel relaxed….and almost my old self. For months, very little mattered – and I’m realizing that now as I’m trying to “clean up” some of the things I’d let go! My laundry room and flower beds may never forgive me. And I can’t say that I blame them.
I was thinking earlier about how our cats have been affected. Animals are very sensitive to change, as well as to human’s emotions. When they see one of us cry, for example – they know something’s wrong. My babies have seen a lot of that this year, because whenever I feel my emotions getting the best of me, I go outside. They, of course, come running and we all sit down on the porch or on the patio (sometimes in the driveway!) – it’s as though they intentionally try to cheer me up and/or comfort me. Adam and Svenn get as close as possible to me and purr louder than I’ve ever heard any cat purr. Alexa and Bo like to keep me busy….trying to save my feet from being mauled or my fingers from being chewed. It’s hard to feel sad when your cats are pouncing and stalking your houseshoes.
Prissy is a cuddler/purrer like Adam and Svenn – she’s just a lot older, so she falls asleep about 2 minutes into the comforting!
Until I really started thinking about it, I didn’t realize how many times they’ve lifted me up.
I’ve been trying lately to just chill with them like we used to do. No tears, no sadness – just smiles whether we’re just sitting around (praying for a breeze!), grilling, playing with tennis balls, ribbons, or sticks, taking walks around the yard, or doing yard chores like picking up fallen apples and tossing away the bad ones. (Bo’s favorite chore. When I walk out the back door with plastic bags, he heads for the apple trees ahead of me.)
I think we’re all learning how to live normally again. It’s just something that we sometimes forget when we should always remember – animals have emotions and they can feel stress just as we can. To make matter worse, their coping skills are even worse than ours! They rely on us to help them out, and often in doing so, we help ourselves as well.
Joi
The image above is available on t-shirts from . The website has a great selection of t-shirts, jewelry, calendars, frames, etc for those of us proud to call ourselves cat lovers!
We recently inherited a new member to our family of 5 humans and 6 cats – - – - – 1 dog. We got custody of “Wednesday,” the sweetest dog you could ever meet, when my mom passed away. He was her baby – she absolutely adored this dog! So, needless to say, we’re doing our best to give him as great a life as possible. Thing is, we’re cat people – so we’re still trying to figure out dog needs! One thing I’ve noticed is the fact that the heat is a whole lot harder on him than it is the cats.
He’s like 900 years old, with failing site and hearing – so we keep him on a runner that we fixed in the yard. I move it around to different parts of the yard to keep things interesting for him – and to locate him in the shadiest parts all day long. But one day last week, Steph (youngest daughter) and I were caught out running errands later than we thought and when we got back, he was not only in the sun – but had turned over his water bowl. Steph and I nearly croaked – we took it a lot harder than poor Wednesday did….but he enjoyed all the fussing and the nice cool bath.
I’ve been reading up online about dealing with pets in the summer – I already posted one link to an article here on the blog, and I’ve found another one that I found useful. (I love the idea about an automatic pet waterer.) Here’s the link >>>>>> Tips to Prevent Heatstroke in Your Pet
By the way, Bo is doing great after his ordeal. He’s back to his old, affectionate, playful self…..just a little jumpier than he used to be. I hope to be back to normal one day, too – his disappearance took an awful lot out of me! Pets become such a part of your life and family that it just turns your world upside down when something happens to them. Thankfully, everything worked out okay, and our world was put back right.
Joi
After countless tears and hours spent looking, calling and praying, our baby came home. I was sitting outside tonight, hoping and praying that Bo would just walk up – and guess what happened? Bo just walked up. Another of our cats, Svenn is shaped an awful lot like Bo, but there was no mistake in my mind – I knew immediately who it was and hurried over to him with an, “Oh my God!” My husband, who was in the yard swinging a golf club (and I know, in his macho way also hoping for Bo to walk up) said, “What?”
Carrying Bo over to him, I said, “Look at this!”
This, as it turns out was a little boy who’d apparently been stuck somewhere. he smelled like a cow pasture – and his lower section, from his waist down was black. He’s lost some weight, and is understandably a little jumpy. It’s been storming here for a few days straight, which is another reason we’ve been in such agony. Bo, like his mother Carly was, is scared senseless of storms. Whenever it storms, we have to get him and hold him – most of the time Steph distracts him with cartoons! Wherever he’s been the past 4 days, though, he didn’t have Steph, me, Bugs Bunny, food, or water.
Steph was at the computer when I brought the dirty little boy in – I walked up behind her and, not wanting her to scream and scare the bug out of Bo, I said, “Steph, stay calm, but…” – to which she said, “Hmmm?” – then turned around with an expression I’ll never, ever forget. As soon as we can, we’ll take a few pics of him, if he consents to it – he’s a very proud cat, you know…..very into his appearance.
Showing just how smart cats are, even though he’s obviously starving, Bo isn’t stuffing himself. He’s pacing his eating and drinking, so he doesn’t get sick. Even though, admittedly, I’m throwing everything at him but French Toast.
I was anxious to post this message – I’ve been SO hoping for the opportunity. You’ll excuse me, I hope, I have a dirty, stinky cat to go hold.
Hug your cat!
Joi
One of the sweetest natured and most beautiful cats in the world – our much, much loved “Bo” has been missing for 3 days. Needless to say, we are pretty much beside ourselves. We’re hoping like mad that he’s off doing what boy cats do and is just taking a vacation from celibacy. An extended vacation.
But hope is wearing thin because of his nature. He’s very much a “big baby” and craves attention. He has never missed a meal and shows up for our evening stroll like clock work. Except for the past two nights. And he LOVES the routine of eating breakfast, then coming in to wake up our daughter Steph (pictured with him above). The past 3 mornings have been pretty lonely for her. No one has ever loved an animal more than she loves that cat.
We all love him like crazy and are hoping and praying that he shows up. His mother, my beautiful Carly, disappeared in January and never showed back up.
We’re counting on a happier ending this time.
Please remember us in your thoughts and prayers –
Joi
1. Like a genie in a bottle, you gotta rub her the right way. Namely, the spots she can’t reach herself. My cats look like the picture of ecstasy when their rubbed under the chin, around their cheeks and at the base of their tails.
If you get a soft-bristled brush, they’ll think they’ve gone to kitty Heaven.
2. An old box, for a cat, is a new adventure. My husband and youngest daughter got a wild hair a week ago and decided to upgrade our tv. They wanted a bigger one, and one that played dvds. Personally I think they just wanted to torture me – more remote controls and what’s its to figure out.
Anyway, I’m not sure who’s happier now – Steph, with her fashion channels, Michael , with the golf channel, me – with my cooking shows, or the cats with their new box castle. Ultimately, everyone’s smiling.
3. Get floored. Lay right down on the floor, or ground, with them. Prissy loves for me to lie down on the floor – she cozies right up next to me and, after a little head-scratching and a lot of purring, she’s out like a light.
4. String them along. Grab some string or a shoelace and watch the party kick into high gear. The cool thing about cats is that they know when to stop playing. Whereas dogs will literally play for hours, cats will, after awhile, decide that they’re above it all.
10 minutes into some great string maneuvering, she might think, “I’d look much cooler over there.” Then she’ll strut off and lie down, giving you a “Yeah, we’re through here.” look.
5. If you have to be away from her for a while, leave something behind with your smell on it. A shirt, a pillow, a robe – something that’s distinctly you. Prissy has always loved sleeping on our bed – and if my husband tosses a top or his pjs on the bed, it’s where she sleeps for hours.
6. Don’t jack up the volume on tvs or cd players. Their little ears are sensitive.
7. Remember that your cat’s favorite time in the world is dinner time – so don’t feed her with an attitude of “Ewww, this stinks…” or “Here’s another chore I have to do…” – let her hear the smile in your voice. She’ll think you’re the coolest of the cool.
8. Look at her, right in the eye, and talk to her. Cats LOVE to be the center of attention – it’s right where they were meant to be.
9. Be aware of the times that she comes to greet you – and never pass right by without acknowledging her. Imagine how you’d feel if you rushed to welcome a loved one home just to have them pass you by without a word!
10. As with any relationship, don’t take them for granted. We always get comfortable in our relationships – thinking “We had them yesterday, we have them today, we’ll have them tomorrow.” Only two of those can be written in ink – the third’s very much in pencil.
We should never take anything or anyone for granted – we should make those who mean the world to us KNOW that they mean the world to us.
I see Bo at the patio window – I think he’s wanting “mommy” to practice what she posts, so I’m outta here!
Joi
Svenn and Alexa have been buddying up alot lately. Thankfully Alexa’s “fixed” or we’d have Svenn kitties all over the place. (He fancies himself a ladies man.) For some reason Bo has decided he has little use for Svenn, so he hisses at him whenever he lays eyes on him – even if it’s half a mile away. Methinks Svenn just annoys Bo for some reason. Adam has no problem with Svenn….but then again Adam’s so laid back he doesn’t have a problem with anything or anyone – unless they get between him and food! Not even Svenn’s that careless.
Bo has actually gotten a little better the past few days – he and Svenn were even eating fish off of the same plate last night, so maybe they’ve patched their differences. I certainly hope so, I’d hate to take either one of those characters to be “fixed” – Bo would pout for a month and it’d make Svenn suicidal. A suicidal Svenn would be a very, very, very bad thing.
Joi
I bought an incredibly soft baby blanket not long ago and put it in one of our cats’ beds. As you can see from the pic, Adam and Bo are absolutely in love with it.
I think we need to get them a bigger bed – and maybe a few more baby blankets! It’s really a sight when Alexa climbs in there with them.
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Look at this happy guy. Why’s he so ridiculously happy? Because he obviously has never met <a href=”http://www.cat-pause.com/blog/snarly-carly/”>Carly</a>. Therefore, he has no idea what real fear is.
She was sitting behind one of her babies (Adam) this morning and slapped him upside his little head for absolutely no reason whatsoever. I went over to pick her up and she turned her purring motor on – like, “What, mom? I was just playing. The hiss? Oh, that wasn’t a hiss as much as it was a… uh… a giggle. Yeah, it was a giggle.”
She sat in my lap, nicely, for about 20 minutes after that – which is unusual because Carly doesn’t do anything nicely for more than 2 minutes. I’m starting to get worried. I think she’s up to something.
By the way – little Adam never knew what (literally) hit him. He was busy attacking Bo’s tail at the time and never even knew Carly had whacked him. That or her children are accustomed to her ways.
Sigh.
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