Charlie in Charge

Beep, beep, goodbye!

When Mommy gets up, gets ready, feeds us, and leaves the house in the morning, she has a routine. It took me a couple of months to truly understand the routine but now I know what's up.

Right before Mommy walks out the door, she sets the house alarm and it gives a couple of beeps and I come zoooooooming into the living room. I hop up onto the window seat, sprawl out in my favorite puddle of sunshine, and I watch Mommy go out the door! She thinks it's sooo cute and I always get extra goodbye loving!

Feisty headbonks,
Charlie

P.S. Despite my response to the morning routine and setting the alarm, Mommy thinks I might be deaf or hard of hearing. She's wondered about this for a couple of months. I don't really respond to her voice or other noises. I meow ALL the time (not a change, I've done this since I came) and sometimes it's odd and really loud (according to mommy). Plus, I never respond to my name. I never come running or even look at mommy when she says my name (or "here kitty, kitty" or anything else). And I don't come for treats unless I see mommy with the treat bag. I don't notice mommy if my eyes are closed or I'm looking the other way unless she touches me. How would we know if I was deaf?

I'm HUGE!

Guess what? I'm HUGE! Mommy weighed me today and I am almost 10 lbs! MOL! That means that I'm nearly a pound bigger than Lucy and I'm only 8 months old!

And you know what else? This growing kitten is HUNGRY! All the time!

And even though Leo is all juiced up on prednisolone, I outweigh him by 2 lbs! How big do you think I am going to get?

Excited big boy purrs,
Charlie

*Mommy's Note*

He really is HUGE! And he eats all the time. He meows at me from the top of the fridge until I feed him. I'm glad I bought that cat carrier with wheels- I think he is going to be massive! He's only 8 months old and he's already bigger than Lucy! OMC!

DDP kitten!

Wow! Thanks to HQ and all my friends for celebrating my DDP honor today! I'm super excited about it; I'm just a little kitten and I love any reason to celebrate!

Unfortunately, not only does mommy have to work today but she has to work pretty late so my true celebration (Tiki!) will have to wait until tonight. In the meantime, I'm hoping to celebrate with at least 3 nice, long cat naps, one big chase with Leo (that means that he chases me and then I chase him!), and some Lucy-wrestling (whether she wants to or not!).

Purring for all on Veteran's Day.

love,
Charlie

Edible Paws

Oh no! Mommy keeps trying to eat my paws! She says they look like velvety chocolate treats! She says things like, "I just can't help myself! I. have. to. kiss. your. paws!" I'm especially vulnerable when I fall asleep on the top of a cat tree, with my unprotected paws dangling right at mommy's mouth-level.

Leo isn't safe, either! Mommy says Leo's paws are like fluffy marshmellows! She keeps kissing his paws, too! Kisses are awfully close to bites and when she keeps comparing our little boy paws to yummy treats, what am I supposed to think? She's obviously hungry!

Help!!!

love,
Charlie

Busted!

This morning I blew my feisty tough guy cover. Mommy was sleeping and she woke up to somecat laying on top of her, kneading, purring, and drooling. She assumed it was Leo Lovebug because that's the kind of thing that he does.

She opened her eyes and saw...... ME!

That's right. I was cuddling and loving on mommy this morning!

love,
Charlie Lovebug

I miss mommy!

I have a reputation in my family for being a feisty boy. I do lots of meowing, chasing, smacking, and biting. But deep down, I'm just a kitten!

Mommy's been working a lot the past couple of weeks. She tries to eat lunch at home with us and she usually works a couple of hours a day from home doing paperwork. But the last few weeks, she's been gone for longer stretches of the day.

I don't like it. I MISS her! I meow and meow at her when she gets home. Sometimes I act up, too. Tonight I climbed into the fireplace and knocked the fireplace candles over. Then I went to the night light in the hallway and tried to eat it! And then I chased Lucy up and down the stairs; she was grumbling about it the whole time but I think she secretly liked it! Mommy finally got the hint that I needed some extra attention and gave me some extra feather wand playtime.

Mommy says that once she wins the lottery, she won't have to go back to work. I can't wait!!!

love,
Charlie

Exposé

I'm here to blow the whistle on a certain girlcat I know. My sister Lucy thinks she is perfect in many ways. However, she *stinks* at covering her business in the litterbox.

As the cat in charge, I've decided it's my job to make sure everycat's business is fully covered. As soon as I hear Lucy's telltale, manic litterbox scratchings, I come running. I wait patiently until she's finished, both doing her business and with her pathetic attempts to cover her business. She jumps out and I jump right in! Three right paws and a couple of left paws and a circle or two in the box and my job is done.

I'm a big helper and it's an important job!

Charlie Buttercup

Who is this kitten? And, Charlie chatters, too!

My brother Leo is like a whole new kitten these days! He must be feeling a lot better and all those steroids are obviously pumping him up! He's getting bigger and he's getting braver. He's started jumping up to and down from really high places in the house, all MY favorite places! And whereas he used to just let me take toys away from him, now he's persistent in keeping his toys! He even hissed at me last night when I tried to swipe his mousie! MOL!

I kinda like this healthy version of Leo- he's a lot of fun to play with! He likes to chase me and take diving leaps off the stairs and the furniture to try and tackle me. Lucy isn't a big fan of being tackled but I LOVE it!

But don't be confused, kitty friends, Charlie is still in charge! I run this house and I've found my voice and I meow at mommy constantly!

Meow! "Feed me!"

Meeeew! "Play with me!"

Meee-wow! "Open this door, NOW!"

Mrrrr, Meow! "Stop kissing me!"

Mrrrreooow! "Feed me or play with me, NOW!"

I like to stand on top of the fridge and scream orders at mommy! Sometimes I don't even know what I want so I meow and yowl until mommy picks me up and then sets me down next to my favorite blankie on the couch. Then I knead and purr and nurse from my blankie! Mommy is FINALLY figuring out what my meows and yowls mean!

Charlie Buttercup

Catnip and Wrestling = Fun!

I think I like catnip......


* Helloooo Catnip! *


Charlie Buttercup

Ambushed!

I don't like to have my nails trimmed. I give mommy my best tough guy attitude! I cry and meow and yell at her. I wiggle and worm my way away from her. I even nip at her!

Smarty pants mommy decided to try a new tactic. She waited until I was busy nursing and suckling relaxing with my favorite blankie (as seen * here *). And then she ambushed me and trimmed my nails!

Totally unfair! I wasn't prepared as I was all moon-eyed and kneady and totally zoned out! I couldn't fight back with all my tough guy, Keanu-moves!


Charlie Buttercup

Buttercup?

There are lots of kitty and doggie nicknames floating around our house. Lucy is called Noona and Nooner, Sophie is called Snowpea and Groper, and Leo is Lovebug, Foxy, and Mr. Fluffypants, just to name a few.

What about me? For some bizarre and unexplainable reason, my mommy has taken to calling me Buttercup.

BUTTERCUP.

What kind of nickname is that for a * tough guy * like me?


Charlie


P.S. And as long as I'm complaining, I'd also like to mention that mommy thinks the markings on my face (the line above my nose) make me look like I have a * bowl hair cut *. I don't even know what that means but I don't think I like it. And she's always trying to give me kisses on my forehead and I definitely don't like that!

Besides, I'm still growing into my markings! Just wait until I'm a handsome tough guy mancat!!!

Still a confused tough guy

Leo and I have always been together. We've slept together, eaten together, and played together since we were babies. But the last two weeks have been really scary and confusing for me because Leo developed a horrible condition called peripheral neuropathy.

I got so scared when he was sick and smelled like a bunch of different vets, I started hissing at him and smacking him. I didn't even recognize him sometimes! I've been hissing and smacking mommy too, just to let her know how upset I am about Leo.

Over the past 5 days, Leo has started feeling better and he is able to use his legs again. We've been playing a little but mommy stops it because sometime I am too rough with my brother. But I've been going crazy; I need my brother to help me burn off all this crazy kitten energy!

Sure, mommy plays with me and that's fun, but I like to wrestle and chase Leo! Lucy plays with me, too, but she's been scared and confused about Leo and she's been extra hissy and mean. I can't always tell if she wants to play with me or if she wants to eat me for dinner! It's confusing for a little kitten like me!

I do have good news to report today; Leo has started really playing with me again! I walked past him this morning and he dived on top of me, wrestling me to the ground! He didn't cry or anything, just played with me like we used to play. It was fun! Mommy didn't separate him when she left for work, either. And we all did great! Lucy hasn't hissed at me or Leo today, not even once!

I think things are starting look up for Leo, Lucy, and for me!




Charlie

Confused Tough Guy

Life has been confusing for this tough guy! My brother has been sick. I didn't like when he smelled like the v-e-t and hissed at him a lot. But then I realized that he couldn't stand up or walk and I got really worried about him. I've been meowing a lot lately to let everyone know how worried I am. For the past two days, I've sniffed him and licked him but I haven't tried to chase him or play with him because I may be a tough guy but I love my little brother.

Today is a different story! I can tell that he feels better so I've been trying to get him to play. He's a big cry baby though and mommy keeps rescuing him from me. She says he's not ready to play yet. So I tried to play with Lucy. Well, she's been a big grump all week. She hissed and smacked me! And then she twitched her tail and bunny kicked with her feet, meowing "Come and get me, tough guy!" And then when I "got" her, she growled and smacked me again! I just want to kitty-play fight with my siblings!


Charlie

P.S. No "cute kitten discount" for me at the v-e-t. I sure showed them who's boss!

Teddy Bear Hunt Video

Mommy posted a new video of me! The video documents me in all my tough guy glory!

* Watch me * as I hunt the vicious teddy bear!




Charlie

Feeling better

I'm feeling better today. I was a little lethargic last night but no more vomiting. I ate some food late last night and that was a good sign for my recovery from the ingestion (and up-chuck) of a large piece of plastic. Mommy's decided to stay home from her training today to keep her eyes on me closely for another day.

Because my tummy hurt and I was a little lethargic and tired last night and this morning, Leo took over some of my "Charlie in Charge"
duties. For example, he woke Mommy up this morning in Charlie-fashion: He bit the inside of her elbow and then bit her shin. It's good to know that if I'm a little under the weather Leo can can take over.


Charlie

*Mommy edit- When does the teething stage end???? Ow!*

That wasn't edible?

Mommy has been gone a lot this week. She was in an all-day training for three days and was visiting with extended family in the evenings. Tonight she was supposed to go to a 5 hour workshop for work and another all-day training tomorrow.

She was all dressed and ready to go: shoes on and purse in hand. She set the alarm and was walking towards the front door to leave. But then she saw me near the front door, vomiting. Me vomiting! It's the first time that I've ever thrown up amd Mommy was really surprised.

Mommy cleaned it up and realized I had vomited a big feather and a big chunk of broken black plastic. Not good : ( There was no blood or anything but it was a big, kind of jagged piece of plastic and Mommy's worried about me.

Guess what happened next? Mommy called and talked to the v-e-t and then Mommy called in to her workshop ("kitten emergency")- she's not going tonight. She's going to keep an eye on me to make sure I am okay and obviously take me into the er vet if needed.



Charlie

P.S. Mommy finally figured out where the plastic came from- I bit off a chuck of plastic from the end of my feather wand (the plastic that the feathers are attached to). Luckily the piece I vomited was a perfect match for the broken part of the feather wand so there's no plastic in my tummy. But hopefully it didn't cause any damage on the way down or way back up......

Teething Kitty

I feel like biting. I can't help myself! Last night I chomped on mommy's ankle while she was sleeping. She didn't like that. Then, right after she went back to sleep, I bit down on the underside of her upper arm. It was just so temptingly exposed! I couldn't help myself! She REALLY didn't like that!

I am a tough kitty but I'm not a mean bitey kitty! Mommy thinks I am teething. She went out today and got me some new meaty treats so I can bit and chew without making mommy yelp. I ate my treat and then ran over and bit mommy's calf! I just couldn't help it!

We'll see how tonight goes...


Charlie

A Whole New Level of Charlie

I persuaded mommy to remove everything from the top of the fridge. I just kept pushing stuff around and chewing on things. Plus, there really is no need to store Sophie's treats in a cutesy little basket up there; that space should be a Charlie-boycat cave!

In other news, I've started playing a new kind of fetch. Don't get me wrong, I like regular old fetch, too. But Charlie-Just-Call-Me-Keanu-From-The-Matrix-Fetch is super fun!

Here's how to play. When your mommy throws your fetch toy (I'm partial to the little flippy rings) up high, jump UP off the ottoman and try to catch it with your paws and your mouth while you are IN THE AIR! (But dudes, take it from me- be careful about the landing!)!

I'm like a cross between a surfer-dude skater-cat, always searching for the next rush! And believe me, I can get some air playing Matrix-Fetch!. I haven't actually caught the toy in the air yet but I've been working hard at it tonight (and no, it didn't hurt when it landed on my head. I'm tough).

After a few attempts at this radical new fetch game, I dragged a feather wand to mommy and asked to play fetch with that. She said no, it's too dangerous.

How's a dude supposed to improve his skills when his mommy's always saying no? *pouts*


Later,
Charlie

Elbows

When I first came to my forever home, I tried to nurse off of mommy's elbows (and her nose, ears, shoulder, and fingers). I still have a thing for elbows. Sometimes if mommy's elbow is exposed, I walk right up to her and bite it. Hard. That's how I woke her up and told her good morning today!

Charlie


P.S. I'm teething, I can't help it.

I Admit It

I admit it. I miss my mommy when she's gone. I miss her a whole bunch. Everyday, when mommy walks in the door, I'm ALWAYS first in line for kisses and I cry and cry give manly meows letting mommy know that I missed her and she needs to pick me up and give me loving NOW.

When she's gone, I usually just sleep all day in the window seat and wait for her to come home (yeah, right!). Today while I was most certainly sleeping peacefully ALL day, somecat knocked over the big cobalt glass vase on the kitchen table (who leaves a big glass vase on the kitchen table, unattended, when there are two kittens in the house?). Somecat, probably the same cat, then knocked all the stuff, including dog treats, out of the special basket on top of the fridge and on to the floor.

I wonder who was responsible for all of that chaos?

Charlie

Tough kitties still get kisses

As a tough guy kitty, I run this house. With one exception: Mommy and her kisses.

She kisses the top of my head. She kisses my nose. She kisses my tummy, she kisses my paws. She kisses my stripes, she kisses my spots.

It doesn't really matter where I am. I am constantly at risk of mommy-kisses. If I'm sleeping, mommy kisses my tummy. If I'm hanging out on top of the tallest cat tree, mommy kisses my dangling paws. If I'm on top of the fridge, mommy picks me up and kisses the top of my head as she sets me down on the counter.

At first I wasn't sure about all these kisses. I looked to my big sister Lucy for guidance. It turns out that she gets lots of mommy kisses, too. She told me it's best just to submit and get the kisses over with.

So I guess I'll just let her give me kisses. I'm still a tough guy.


Charlie

Here I am, Tooth Fairy!

Mommy saw me batting something strange around on the floor so she came to investigate. At first she had no idea what it was and then she exclaimed, "Oh Charlie boy! You lost a baby tooth!" That's right, I lost a baby tooth!

What's the scoop on the Tooth Fairy? Does it matter if I've been good? I mean, OF COURSE I've been a good boy! (The top of the fridge really did need rearranging. And that roll of toilet paper I destroyed was truly evil.) But I just want to make sure that there isn't any kind of misunderstanding that might keep the Tooth Fairy away.



Charlie

P.S. Is it weird that Mommy kind of wants to keep my baby tooth?

Suspicious Kitten

Leo and I have the run of the house. Well, the run of most of the house. There are a couple of rooms with closed doors. Mommy doesn't like us in the laundry room because she's afraid we might get stuck behind the big machines. The second she opens the door, Leo and I bound right in, looking for trouble.

She also keeps the downstairs bathroom door shut because I am a toilet paper addict. Not only do I like to attack toilet paper rolls with my claws and teeth, but I actually like to chew and swallow it, too! Mommy doesn't like that. The downstairs bathroom is also where lots of big vases with flowers and beaded things are hanging out until kitten proofing is no longer necessary. MOL! As if I will ever outgrow my interest in attacking and chewing on flower and bead decorations!

Anyways, the downstairs bathroom door is always shut. As soon as mommy opens it, I rush in and hunker down in the narrow space behind the toilet. Mommy has a hard time getting me out from back there! For awhile she was redirecting me by throwing my favorite toys out of the bathroom door. I'm a kitten; therefore I was defenseless against this tactic. I HAD to chase after my toys and give up my special spot.

But I'm growing up and gaining wisdom. Redirection no longer works with me. I just watch mommy from my special spot while she throws my toys and tries to trick me. Nice try, mommy.

Until recently.

Mommy no longer tries to throw my toys. Instead, that darn red dot is showing up near the bathroom door! Of course I must try to catch it so I dart right out of the bathroom, chasing after it. At first that was kind of fun. But now I KNOW that the red dot must LIVE in the downstairs bathroom. I am obsessed with being in that bathroom. I dart in there any chance I get and hunker down, waiting for that red light to appear!

Oh, and I'm starting to get suspicious about Mommy's relationship with the red light. There seems to be some sort of a connection between Mommy and the mysterious red light but I haven't quite wrapped my kitten brain around it. Any ideas?



Charlie

Just call me Keanu......

Sometimes when Sophie is outside at the back sliding glass door, waiting for mommy to let her in the house, I pretend she's an evil beastie trying to break into my house. I MUST protect mommy, Lucy, and little Leo from the evil beastie!

I run at the door as fast as I can and then jump up so I'm higher than her big evil doggie head! I twist my body in the air, all Matrix-like, punching and bunny-kicking at the evil beastie. Protecting MY house. And then I run away. My job as protector is done.

Yeah, so there's a big glass door between us. So what? The evil beastie knows what's up and who's in charge. Me.

Tough guy,
Charlie

P.S. If the evil beastie started sharing more of her treats, I might ease up on her a bit.

I hate that red dot

I hate that red dot. It makes me cry. Not cry like a baby (obviously not since I'm a tough guy) but cry out of total frustration. I KNOW I am a good hunter. You should see all the fuzzy pink mousies I have corralled in my house. But I can't catch that dang red dot.

I hate that red dot.


Charlie

Not Such a Tough Guy/ Updated!

Okay, so some people (I'm not naming names) use adjectives like "feisty," "tough," and "crazy" to describe me. That's cool. I like being a tough guy.

Mommy totally blew my tough guy cover. Check out this new * VIDEO *!

But don't tell anycat what you see on that video; I have a reputation to uphold!


Feisty and Tough Forever,
Charlie

It's official. I'm a monkey.

Mommy was eating banana yogurt today. I went crazy in my attempts to possess that yogurt. I leapt across the room, landing in her lap. I mewed like a wildcat. I smacked mommy's spoon-holding hand. I smacked the spoon. I couldn't control myself. I WANTED that banana yogurt!

But mommy said no. Repeatedly. *pouts*


Charlie

The Secret Life of a Tough Guy

I'm a tough guy. I've worked hard to develop this reputation and let Leo and all the girls in my family know how tough I am. I chase Lucy, I wrestle and pin Leo, I help myself to Sophie's treats and food. I eat first and I guard my food from Lucy and Leo. If I see somecat playing with a toy, I grab it and run! When the red dot invades the house, everycat can line up behind me to try and catch it- I'm first in line!

When I first came home, I did some snuggling with mommy but only on MY terms. Leo was more of a snuggler and I was more of an independent tough guy who could only tolerate a little bit of loving. I didn't like mommy to touch my head, face, or ears. I didn't like her to pet me for very long. Sure, I liked to try to nurse from her but if she snuggled too much with me, I moved away.

But I have a secret to tell you......

I'm a tough guy *whispers* with a softer side. I'm the first one at the door to greet mommy when she gets home. I mew at her until she picks me up and snuggles me. When she calls my name, I come running! I sleep as close to her as I can and I let her pet me and give me kisses all over my face! I love my mommy!

And yesterday, I let Lucy give me a serious grooming! It lasted nearly 5 minutes! It ended when I decided to pin Lucy down by chewing on her neck. I've still got my tough guy reputation to uphold!

manly headbonks,
Charlie

Want to see me steal Sophie's treats?!?

Mommy posted a new video of me and Sophie! * Watch me * as I use all sorts of stealthy kitten ninja skills as I claim her treats, over and over and over again!

And then watch Mommy take the treats away from me...... *pout*


Charlie

Tough kitty (part two)

I am obsessed with the dog. Today Sophie the dog was walking past me. I ran in front of her, did a sideways hop about two feet in the air, and then ran away. Did mommy get it on video? Noooooo!

While Sophie was eating her breakfast, I attempted to sit in her dog food bowl and eat her dog food. Mommy picked me up and set me by my food. Then Leo tried to climb into Sophie's food bowl. Mommy picked him up and moved him. So I ran back to her food dish and tried to climb in! Sophie just stood there, looking at mommy. She didn't know what to do! Mommy picked me up and held me while Sophie finished her food. *pouts*

Later, mommy was petting Sophie. I ran up, stood up on my back legs, and boxed Sophie's tail! Then I wrapped myself around her back leg! MOL! But once again, mommy picked me up and tried to "redirect" me to a toy. As if I am a baby!

I'm not a baby! * I'm a tough kitty! *

And I * LAUGH * in the face of danger!


Excuse me. I've got to go try to nurse on mommy's shoulder and take a nap. It's a lot of work being a tough kitty.

Charlie

That's mine, too!

I've decided that if I have to share my house with a doggie, then everything that is hers is mine, too. Her treats are mine. Her doggie bed is mine. Even her bowl of food is really my bowl of food.

Last night I ran at her while she was eating a doggie biscuit. My quickness surprised her and I took the opportunity to actually pick up her doggie biscuit in my mouth and drag it away! Of course, once again, mommy ruined it by taking the treat away from me.

This morning, while Sophie was eating her food, I put two paws in her bowl and grabbed a piece of doggie kibble! I took a step back from her bowl and ate the kibble. Mommy saw me (actually she heard me crunching on the dog food)finish the kibble and then jump back IN Sophie's food dish while Sophie was trying to eat. Mommy came over and picked me up, out of the dish! I growled at her! But it wasn't a loud growl because my mouth was full of doggie food! I grabbed a mouthful and took it with me! MOL!


Charlie

Brave kitten (part two)

Today I met my first workman! His name was Steve and he came for our summer air conditioning check up. When he walked in the house, Sophie barked and barked! I'd never heard her bark before. Leo hadn't either. He and Lucy booked it up the stairs and under a bed to wait out the workman invasion (and Sophie's barking).

At first, I stayed close to Sophie. Why was she barking? Who's Steve and why does Sophie think so poorly of him? I meowed at her a couple of times and circled her. She ignored me and focused on Steve and mommy. She was kind of a scaredy dog......

But I wasn't afraid! I'm a brave guy and I stuck around to inspect Steve while he inspected the air conditioning stuff. Now don't get me wrong, when he tried to pet me I quickly backed away! But when he ignored me I bravely sniffed his shoes!


Bravely yours,
Charlie

Hey!

Yesterday I wrote about the total injustice that occured when mommy denied me Sophie's doggie treat after I WON the battle for the treat.

It turns out that Sophie gets tons of treats! Every time she comes in the house from the backyard or a walk, she gets another treat! And her dog biscuit treats are HUGE.

Tonight I battled for one of her treats again. I ran right up to her, smacked at the treat with my paw and howled! That's right, I howled! And this time, Sophie just kept eating her treat while mommy picked me up and tried to redirect me to something else.

The injustice continues.



Still pouting and now slightly irritated,
Charlie

That treat is MINE!

I'm not afraid of the doggie. When she got her treat this morning, she trotted to her favorite treat-eating spot to enjoy it. Well, I've been curious about her treats (i.e., where the heck is MY treat!) so I followed her. I sniffed it as she started to eat it and decided that the treat was really MINE, not hers. I growled at the dog! Then I smacked her nose, growled again, and pulled the treat away from her, to me, and started to eat it.

Sophie just stood there. She didn't know what to do; it all happened very quickly and she's never been around a tough boycat like me. I stood my ground and guarded my treat. Sophie left her treat and retreated.

But then mommy intervened. She ended up having to pick me up and move me away from the treat. I growled to let her know what I thought about that. And then she gave the treat, MY treat, back to Sophie! *pouts* Totally unfair. I WON the battle but didn't get the treat. Mommy gave me some kitty treats instead but I WANTED that doggie treat. Bummer.

Still pouting,
Charlie

Brave kitten

I am a brave boy. Last night our house was invaded by a red dot. The red dot was completely out of control, crawling all over the floor and even climbing up the walls to the ceiling! I did my best to catch it but it was just so darn fast. Lucy tried to catch it, too, but Leo just watched from the top of a cat tree. I don't think he cared about the red dot invasion.

We had our first big thunderstorm of the summer last night, too. Lucy and Sophie hid for hours together in Sophie's doggie den. Leo and I couldn't figure out what they were doing in there so we periodically went over to check on them. Want to know what they were doing in there? NOTHING. Totally B-O-R-I-N-G!

I didn't mind the storm at all until there was a big BOOM of thunder! That sent me sliding across the hardwood floor, up the stairs, and under mommy's bed. I did not like the boom! But besides that, I was a very brave boy!


Charlie

A Cameo!

Mommy posted a new video of Leo and I playing with Lucy. It's actually mostly a video of Lucy and Leo wrestling together but I make a couple of * cameo appearances *!


Charlie

My Rules!

The Rules of Being a Kitten (as I see them!)

by Charlie

If it moves, pounce on it

If a previously closed door opens, run in that room

If your doggie sister is just standing there, jump on her head and then run away (quickly)

If someone else is eating, whether it's a kitty sibling, the dog, or mommy, their food is really your food. Eat it.

If your brother looks at you while you are playing with a toy, growl

If your brother walks within 10 feet of you while you are playing with a toy or eating, growl.

If your brother or sister comes within paws distance while you are eating, show them the "HALT hand."

If that doesn't work, growl.

If mommy tries to pet you, immediately start sucking on her shirt, elbow, finger, or nose. Suck loudly and knead.

Charlie

Feisty!

Feisty! That was how the rescue organization and my foster mom described me. Laid-back and easy-going were the adjectives to describe Leo. MOL!

The truth is, I AM feisty! I like to play, I like to climb, I like to run and jump. I sometimes try to climb up mommy's leg with my claws (OW!) and I sometimes like to pin Lucy and Leo to the ground with the Charlie death-grip until they submit. Lucy doesn't like that game.

Yesterday, my doggie Sophie was standing in the living room. Just standing there. I came flying down the stairs and I ran up to her and jumped up on her head! In the blink of an eye I pushed off her head, sailed through the air, landed, and zoomed back up the stairs. Sophie just stood there. She didn't know what hit her! Mommy was so surprised, too! She didn't even have the video camera going so you'll just have to take my word for it. Kamikaze kitty!

But don't let my feisty side fool you. I'm a lover, too. I purr and knead for hours each day. I love pillows and I knead and nurse (loudly!) with my eyes closed and my purr motor rumbling.

I guess I'm kind of a feisty lovebug!

Charlie

Sorry Charlie!

Mommy was cleaning up the house a bit tonight. She was in and out of the living room, kitchen, and downstairs bathroom. At one point, she walked past the bathroom and saw Leo camped out in front of the door. He looked at her and gave her a sad little "mew."

"What's wrong, Leo?" Mommy asked.

"mew." said Leo as he stuck his paw under the door and looked up at mommy again.

"What's wrong? Did you lose one of your toys under the door?" Mommy said as she opened the door and turned on the bathroom light to look for the stray mousie.

Guess what she found?


ME!


I got stuck in the bathroom!


"Oh no! You lost Charlie!" Mommy picked me up and gave me some loving. "Sorry Charlie!"

I think she owes me extra treats or something!


Happy 4th of July!


Charlie

P.S. Leo may be the water baby of the family but I like water, too!* Want to see? *

Tough kitty

I'm a tough kitty. Last night, I tried to prove to Lucy that I am in charge. Apparently she's not quite ready to give up her topcat status. Things got a little wild.

We made up today and are currently sleeping in the same cat tree. I'm on the top level. But something tells me that Lucy's just humoring me for the moment. If she wanted the top level right now, she'd probably be up here.

Oh well, I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

Charlie

P.S. Look who's Cat of the Day! My favorite dude!

P.P.S. Mom is working on adding some new video of me, Leo, and Lucy! Wait until you see what we got into today!

Playful kitten

I like to play! I even ventured in the toy basket yesterday and pulled out the toys I wanted to play with. I like to run around the house with a toy in my mouth, growling at everycat, the d-o-g, and mommy to let them know the toys are MINE!

I've also found my new favorite napping spot! It's on the Cat in the Clover butterfly bed. When I'm sleepy, full, or feeling extra lovey, I pounce on mommy and I knead her a couple of times and meow at her with my big boycat meow. Then I hop over onto MY Cat in the Clover bed and knead it while I try to nurse from it.

As with mommy's nose, the bed hasn't produced any milk just yet. But I haven't given up! I LOVE that bed!

Charlie

P.S. I've also decided that the d-o-g isn't so scary. I'm almost ready to call her by her name......

Freedom!

Today is the two week anniversary of our Gotcha Day!

Two nights ago Mommy left the kitten room door open and let us explore most of the house! Woo-hoo! It was a total free-for-all! There were kittens everywhere, myself included. We slept well that night, safely back in the kitten room.

When mommy got home from work yesterday, Leo and I were free once again! This time, Sophie was free, too. At first that didn't seem cool. Every corner I turned I came face to face with her slobbery doggie breath trying to sniff my bottom. MOL! But as the evening went on, I didn't really mind her (as long as she wasn't moving).

And then last night, the ultimate freedom! Mommy left the kitten room door open and Leo and I got to choose where we slept! Well, who has time to sleep when there's an entire house (with stairs!) to explore? We did take a couple of cat naps, mostly next to mom. I also snuggled up next to Lucy for a little while on the Cat in the Clover bed. But she ruined the moment when she went hunting for kitten food.

Mommy said that we get the run of the house whenever she's home because we've done so well (with only one major incident that we are never allowed to mention again because mommy was so horrified! It involved Leo, hardwood floors, and the stairwell- everyone is okay and now fully insured for illness, accidents, and injury). When mommy isn't home, it's back to the kitten room we go! We've been meowing about that everytime she shuts the kitten room door!


Charlie

D-O-G

Today's visit with the D-O-G went better than yesterday's near-disasterous visit (during which I spit at and smacked Sophie, she fell trying to get up on the bed, I thought she was going to fall on me so I jumped 10 feet in the air, cursing, spitting, and screaming. Not good.). Today I didn't hiss or try to smack her. I sniffed her tail and kept a close eye on her but didn't try to intimidate her with my tough boy cat attitude.

Leo likes her. He lets her sniff him, follow him around, even poke him with her nose. I'm not down with any of that. Mom said I'm a little high-strung. I don't think it's about being high-strung; I think it's about SURVIVAL!

Why in the world would I be excited about a HUGE D-O-G staring at me with big (hungry) eyes while thumping her tail back and forth? I'm not crazy!

Charlie

My, what a BIG tail you have!

Well, I met Sophie. She came into our room with mom. Leo and I hid under the bed for the first 10 minutes while Sophie sniffed everything including sticking her big wet nose under the bed!

I was the brave one who first emerged from under the bed! However, every move, sound, eye blink that Sophie did caused all my fur to stick straight up! And I'll tell you this, Sophie may have a BIG tail but when I fluff mine out, it's pretty big, too!

Charlie

P.S. I wonder if I'll ever feel comfortable enough to attack that tail? Because deep down, that's what I really want to do!

P.P.S. Leo may try to claim that he was the brave one. Whatever.

Obsession

Must. Get. Lucy's. Tail.

It's an obsession. When I see her, it's all I can think about. She can smack me and hiss at me all she wants. I don't care.

Must. Get. Lucy's. Tail.

Mommy says that my playful and persistent nature reminds her of Lucy as a kitten. Lucy disagrees with mommy about that.

Must. Get. Lucy's. Tail.

I'm still having some tummy problems. It turns out that Leo and I have coccidia and we started medication today. I don't like the medicine. Mommy was going to let me and Leo out of the room today to explore more of the house but now she's going to wait until we've had a couple of days on the antibiotic. Leo and I are both kind of bummed- we're ready to explore!

Have a great weekend friends! I've gotta go and GET LUCY'S TAIL!



Charlie

A little kitten ~ Diary of the Day

Wow! Today has been a very special day for me ~ I'm on the homepage as the Diary of the Day! Thanks to HQs for honoring a little kitten like me! Thanks to all of my friends, new and newer, who have celebrated with me!

Today has been special for other reasons, too. Leo and I succeeded in keeping mommy up all night long last night with the kitten crazies and some tummy troubles. Holy kitten, we were all so tired today! Mom went to work and Leo and I slept and slept and slept.

Later in the day as I was snoozing on the bed, Lucy snuck into the room! Mom put me and Leo in our carrier and let Lucy inspect the room. There she was, HUGE, sniffing around with her tail twitching. Leo and I watched with big eyes. Then Leo and I each got a turn to come out of the carrier and meet Lucy. That went okay, I was kind of intimidated for awhile and just watched her closely. Things kind of fell apart when I decided I was comfortable enough to try and catch her tail. She didn't like that! Playtime was over.

I wonder if the tip of her tail has milk in it?

Charlie

Almost Certain

After attempting to latch on to the tip of mommy's nose with my teeth (TWICE!) last night, I am almost certain that mommy's nose does not produce milk. Instead, latching onto her nose appears to produce shrieks and panic.

My investigation into this issue (i.e., Does mommy's nose produce milk?) is almost complete.

I probably need to test it once more just to make sure.

Probably tonight right after she falls asleep.

Charlie

Active Investigations

These are some of the things I am investigating in my new home:

Mommy's fingers, toes, and shoulder have not yet produced any milk? I'm not ready to give up the nursing attempts- I'll keep investigating.

What's under the covers?

Hardwood floors and chase = FUN!

Who is on the other side of the door?

How high can I jump while taking sideways steps? Forward steps? Backward steps?

If I knead and suckle the Morgan's bed, will it produce milk?

Will Leo bounce if I knock him off of the bed?

I'm a busy little guy! I spent part of the night scampering back and forth across mom's face between attempts to nurse from mom's fingers and attack the bed mice! It was fun!


Charlie

Lucy, I'm home!!!

Wow, Leo and I are finally home! We loved our foster mommy but were happy to trade our bathroom digs in the foster home for the whole bedroom in our forever home! We both had a serious case of the kitten crazies for our first 3 hours in our new house!

I'm the leader and I do everything first. I used the litterbox first, I ate first, I jumped up on the bed first, and I even played pawsies under the door with Lucy first (and she hissed at me!). I love to play and am very possessive of my toys (which equals ALL of the toys)! I run around with a toy in my mouth and growl. I growled at Leo whenever he got close to me and sometimes I growled when he wasn't even near me!

I finally got a little tired and I let mom know by meowing at her. She was surprised to hear me meow! I'm also a kneader and a purrer and I've done my fair share of both today.

I'm so excited about all of my new Catster friends! Thank you for the gifts and for your friendship!

Charlie