I'm now a teenager

I have reached my teenage years. In cat years, this means I'm now in my twilight years. Mom looked it up, and this makes me 68 years old if I were unfortunate enough to be human. I was born and came into this family 8 weeks later, when the human kids were practically babies themselves. We have grown up together, all now teenagers. They in their youthful prime, me with hyperthyroidism and renal disease in senior citizenship. But, I can't complain. I have never been homeless. I have never gone without a meal. I have been priviledged to have the freedom to be a hunter, mom calls it 'Pest Management.' Yeah, I'm living the good life. And what did mom give me on my 13th birthday? A flea treatment of advantage multi on the back of my neck. Really, mom? Am I going to have to yowl the blues at midnight? I walked around with my neck hair shooting straight out like an unclean punk rocker. Oh the indignity! And just when I lost all hope, my mom smiles and gives me a handful of treats! That's the mom I know and love. "You look good for 68," she says. I always knew she had good taste.

Mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery

The humans have continued to be dazzled by my talents, even going as far as trying to record me on their phones. Yes, that's right. I'm going to have a recording! Anyways, the human boy has kept mom busy this week with something called a Prom. He went last night, and do you know what? He came out of his room in a tuxedo! He was dressed exactly like me! It was like looking in a mirror. How mom could stand 2 classy men in one house, I'll never know. I'm flattered that he chose to see the style that exudes from every fiber of my being, and mimic my greatness. Only the great ones can pull off the distinguished tuxedo: Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, although we can't say that name around mom or she will break out in hives she loves him so much, Frank Sinatra, and my personal favorite, Dean Martin. My brother and littermate also got the tuxedo markings, but not in black unfortunately. Mortimer's tabby tuxedo makes him look like Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor singing "Fit As A Fiddle" in Singin' In The Rain. Poor chap. But anyhow, I just want to congratulate the human boy on his choice of apparel for this Prom thing. I'm glad I could inspire such magnitude. Fernando Lamas said, it is better to look good, than to feel good....or was that Billy Crystal?

SPRING TAG!

I have been tagged by my amazing, whimsical, and completely delightful friend, Samhain. You are a doll, Samhain. Anyways, all there is to do is change the answers and tag 5 more wonderful friends!
Five Things I Like About Spring:
1. Warmer nights mean less warm-up time for my yowling performances. (I'm yowling now, as my secretary writes this.)
2. Cantalope scraps.
3. Sun brings all kinds of creatures to life, so that I may hunt inbetween naps.
4. The humans dig around to plant flowers, and I love to play in fresh dirt.
5. The apple tree sprouts and makes for delightful climbing.
I am tagging:
Uboo
Pete
Merlin
Georgie
Mr. Nigel

Cat of the Day!

I had a nice, lazy day today. Watching for birds, taking naps in the sunshine, practicing my voice scales for my nightly shows. Then, mom came home from a 10 hour work day to find that I was Catsters Cat of the Day. I was famous the whole day and I didn't even know it! The outrage! But, I rapidly got over the anguish when I saw all the wonderful things my fur friends had done for me. I have to say that I have the best friends a cat could ever ask for! I'd love to thank those that sent rosettes and stars: Rex & Bugsy's family, Frankkie & Grace & Casey & Leo, Reanan, Samhain's family, Milo Blue Eyes' family, Mac & Ivy & Jax's family, Mista R.I.P.'s family, Edwina's family, Simon & Rueben, Big Bob & Platelicker's family, Forrest Grump, Georgie, Mr. Nigel, Uboo, and Smiley Cassanova! I'd like to thank those that made me photos: Friday, your black and white makes me look like Cary Grant; Samhain, your kite makes me look like I'm on a Pink Floyd album cover; Manytoes~DB #120, your blue birds make me look like I'm in a Disney movie; and Sammie, you've given me a page keepsake! I'd like to thank those who sent me pawmail: Angel Buddie, Abby, Sammie, Jameson - DT #26, and Samhain! I'd like to thank all those who visited my page and left me treats, and those who asked to be my friend! I'd like to thank Catster for making my life extraordinary today, and making mom proud of me. I really do have the best friends ever! I think there may be an extra spring in my step for tonight's show. Watch out Michael Bubble!

Thank you for this honor

A star is nothing without his fans, crew, and groupies. But enough about my family, I'm here to honor my friends who honored me as Diary of the Day on catster Thursday. It is my belief that this wonderful group of furs deserves their generous recognition also. *steps up to the mic, taps the top, clears his throat. squints in the bright spotlight.* I'd like to start by saying thank you to the diary lady, I'd be nothing without you. I'd like to thank Friday, Manytoes ~ DB #120, and Jameson DIT #26 at KCK for creating commemorative pictures of my special day. I'd like to thank everyone who sent gifts: Grace, Casey, Leo & Frankie's family; Platelicker and Big Bob's family; Smiley Cassanova; Elmer (my fellow admin at Black Beauty; Simon and Reuben's family; Mac, Ivy & Jax's family; Pete; and Angel Baby. I'd also like to thank Cali and Angel Buddie for sending me pawmail. You all are wonderful! Many of you also know my fur members Percy and Bijoux, and we adore every one of you. Please stop by and see a performance sometime, they are nightly showings. I even graced my family this morning after breakfast at the bathroom & hallway junction. Proof that a full stomach can't even slow me down. I'm the one in the tuxedo. See you there!

Another day, another diagnosis

I've been having some delightful evenings, waiting until it is dark and quiet...the wee hours of the morning. Waiting for my special moment to be heard. Then, the yowling begins. I even wander down the hall yowling, making sure that every audience member awakens from their cozy slumber to hear a glimpse. Yes, it's been a regular showing, almost like Celine Dion in Vegas, minus the sequins. My vocals are really blossoming, and I know the humans appreciate it because they talk about me. "Did you hear Jacks last night?" they ask each other. "What a set of lungs!" Mom even went so far as to speak of me at work. Word is spreading about my midnight shows, and one of the doctors told mom to bring me in! I wanted to practice my autograph a bit, but to my dismay, mom has also been discussing some indiscretions. Private matters, such as my increased urination and thirst. Apparently, the doctor wanted to do some blood and urine tests...she didn't want my autograph. And another blow to my ego, she suggested my midnight crooning could be signs of disorientation and...dimentsia. So, the tests came in. To add to my hyperthyroidism and senior yowling disorder, it has been discovered that the early stages of kidney disease are creeping in. Yes, my friends, old age is nipping at my heels, but I'm still kicking. If you'd like to see me, I will be performing at the corner of the living room and hallway, starting at the midnight showing. To yowl, or not to yowl...that is the question.

Livin' Large

It's been a little over 2 months since my thyroid medication has been increased. I am very proud to tell my friends that I now weigh 9.6 pounds! I actually look like my old self again, not boney. And, mom was in the kitchen and said, "Where's Jacks?" I wasn't on the fridge begging for treats. She was a little worried, but I was curled up sleeping in a blanket. I was content and at peace. Mom wondered if it was really me. I had to reassure her that it was, but she still had her doubts. She even posted a picture of me on my page. Someone may look at it and say, "Big deal." But it is a big deal. You could sing, "One of these things just doesn't belong here..." because it is the only picture of me that is not in the kitchen! That's right, mom got a picture of me on the couch, with my brother Mort, in the living room!!!! It's madness. I actually feel like the relaxed mancat I used to be, taking naps on blankets, not appliances. Saying hello for social gratification, not food. My whole world is opening up. I'm free and living large, my friends!

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had as good a New Year's as I did, my friends! The family was home, the fire was crackling, and I was so happy. I spent the night curled up on my mom's lap next to the fire. I ask, can it get any better than that? Just recently, I have started to come out of the kitchen, literally, to be with my human family. I used to sit on top of the fridge, begging for food, never to come down. I have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, as my good friends know, and just recently have been responding to my medication so that my appetite is beginning to not control my life. I actually enjoyed myself with my humans this year, and I'm not too proud to admit it. This morning I was yowling at full volume, but I was telling everyone, "Happy 2013! I love you!" I don't think it got interpreted correctly though, no one shouted back, "I love you, too, Jacks." But, mom gave me a delightful breakfast, so I know she got my message of yowling love. Happy New Year my friends.

Twinkling lights

It's cold and rainy outside, and the humans have decided to bring a tree into the house. They put strings of lights all around the living room and kitchen. There are so many lights that the whole place is lit up! The tree that they brought it has hundreds of twinkling, flashing lights. It's almost hypnotic. And the fire in the woodstove makes it so cozy, I don't think I ever want to go outside again. Percy went under the tree and tried to chase the lights, he just about lost his balance. I laughed, but I prefer to sit back and lay under the lights and take it all in. The humans have really outdone themselves. It is one of the prettiest winters I think I can remember.

Purrs for my brother

I am proof that getting old is difficult, but my dog brother, Zane, is in the hospital. He has been there since Monday. Mom has not been playing in my groups lately, and wants everyone to know she misses all of my furrends. Zane's issues have taken a toll on mom. Luckily, mom works at the vet clinic and can spend time with him throughout the day, but she comes home emotionally spent. She even cried Tuesday night. Zane still remains undiagnosed. He has undergone testing for Cushings Disease, daily BUN blood tests, monitoring every urine sample, water deprivation test, x-rays, ultrasounds, cystocentesis, prostate exam. His symptoms are so odd that the doctors are stumped. Today, he is undergoing a bile acids test and a leptospirosis titer. A urine test yesterday showed an even higher increase in protein, even after taking antibiotics. Zane has been very brave and gentle through everything, never growling, biting, or resisting. He always seems to be in good spirits. Mom is very sad. She wanted me to let all my catster friends know how much she appreciates you. I even sat by her last night after work and made her feel better for a while. Cats are magical that way.