Meowy Christmas

Boy, it has been a long time since I wrote in my diary. It has been a busy year for mom and dad. My brother and I are going to be in the American Orchid Society magazine February issue. They are featuring us and how we got our parents involved in the Miami VA Hospital's orchid garden. This will be the first time ever that an article in the AOS magazine has featured something other than orchids! Dad wrote the article and it will be called "Cats to Cattleyas". We're all very excited about this. We just love our veterans and still visit them at least twice a month.

Otherwise, we have been continuing to train our little Doberman sister (she's NOT very little anymore). She is OK for a dog. She just wants to play a bit too much at times.

Busy, busy, busy...

My family has been so busy this summer. Diesel and I were on TV again about a month ago for our therapy work. Then we were interviewed and filmed for our local newspaper, the Sun Sentinel. We had a wonderful article on Sep 2 - front page of the Lifestyle section (above the fold)! Our video is at http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/video/southflorida/?cli pid=1718553&topVideoCatNo=75393&c=75393&autoStart=true&activ ePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage
Not sure how long it will be there. We've had calls and e-mails about our work. Mom and Dad are setting up a non-profit corporation for us since we've been offered a grant. Its been very exciting. Diesel and I went to our local hospital yesterday to talk to people at the grand opening of a newly rennovated floor. It was fun. We got to schmooze with a lot of different people. We even got to walk around the halls a bit (usually we're in our strollers for safety when we visit patients). It was a bit strange not getting into bed with anyone.

Our Doberman sister is growing up (a little bit). She is a bit of a pain. Doesn't know when to back off. That big black nose is always poking at me. Oh, well, she is fun when she's alseep!

My TV appearance...

I just had a great suggestion from Sissy. To post the web address of Diesel and my tv debut. Our news story is at:

http://cbs4.com/health/local_story_137160533.html

It was fun. Next Wednesday, we're being interviewed by our local newspaper, the Sun Sentinal. A lot of people are still surprised to find out that there are cats doing animal assisted therapy.

A new sister...

What a day we had yesterday! Mom and Dad brought us a new sister. She is a Doberman, about 20 weeks old. Diesel and I are still trying to figure out her language. I do hiss at her if she comes up to me too fast. Otherwise, she seems pretty nice. She doesn't bark or fuss at us. I've been nose to nose with her a couple of times. We lay down in the same room. I think we'll be friends pretty soon.

We're famous (at least a little bit!)

Diesel and I made our tv news debut last week. We were on the CBS local evening news. We did our taping at the hospital two weeks ago and they finally aired our segment. It was exciting to see ourselves on tv. I looked absolutely gorgeous on camera and Diesel was quite the man. Mom and Dad are very proud of us! If you want to see us, go to cbs4.com and click on the Pets page. Our story is called Purrrfect Therapy. The reporter was very nice. She had never worked with cats before and didn't know what to expect. We were our normal selves and cuddled up with the patients. It was fun!

TV News...

We're all excited! Our local CBS news station is going to tape a show on a new animal assisted therapy program we just started. We go this Wednesday morning for the taping. Diesel and I will get a good bath tomorrow so we look really nice for the camera. We go Wednesday morning to do the show. We're happy that they are going to show some good news for a change! Visiting people at the hospital is such a good thing. We get to lay on the beds with the people if they want or just let them pet us. Even the hospital staff enjoys visiting with us. Not sure when this will air, but either Diesel or I will update our diary when it does!

Busy, busy...

My brother and I have been busy this past couple of weeks. I'm feeling really good (I'm even attacking Diesel sometimes). We've been out to breakfast and shopping.

Last Friday we kicked off a new animal therapy program at a local hospital. We got to meet the therapy dogs that will be going there too. I hissed and growled at them a couple of times to make sure they knew that I'm a proper lady. No one gets to sniff my rear end - even my brother! They had us all in a big auditorium so that all the humans that work at the hospital could meet us. Diesel got to go into the hospital while I stayed and met with people. He might get his picture in the newspaper. We got lots of attention. Our visits start officially near the end of the month.

My coat is starting to grow out now. I'm not sure if Mom will get me another lion cut or not. I sort of like it and I look really cute. Its getting warm enough that I won't need a sweater if I do get another cut.

monster cat...

Mom and Dad say my vet has created a monster! I have been getting into everything since my surgery. I have gotten on the dining room table to chew the artificial flower arrangement - never did that before. I've also been attacking my brother for a change. I climb up the side post to get on top of my condo! I feel good! Really, really good. They're worried that I'll break my right hip, but I just can't help myself. I've been chasing lizards outside too when I get my sunshine. I can't get enough of everything.

Mom and Dad went to a cat show on Sunday and bought us a nice comfy bed. Its for both of us, but I've sort of taken over it. Diesel can share it with me, but I'm usually the first one in it. He comes and lays on top of me. If he squishes me too much, I growl and hiss at him. Its a fun bed, though I still like Mom and Dad's bed at night.

Out and about...

Diesel and I got to go out for breakfast on Saturday. We met some very nice people. We get quite a bit of attention from passer's by. And we get to watch all of the birds. They are very cheeky. They hop around under our chairs. We'd really love to chase them, but we know we're not allowed to. Diesel always talks to them. He chatter and chirps, but those birds always take off too soon.

We visited the Miami VA Hospital on Sunday. This is my first visit since Novebemer. Between Mom breaking her leg and me having surgery, neither one of us has been fit to visit. Everyone was really happy to see us again. We saw a lot of our old friends there and met new ones. I got a lot of petting and loving. I really like to snuggle on my patient's beds and take a nap with them. It makes me feel really good.

I am healing up very well. I don't limp too much. Only when I first get up. I've been playing with my toys a lot and I've even attacked my brother (can't help myself). Mom and Dad will break things up if he gets too rough. I'm able to get up on things pretty well too. My leg doesn't hurt!!!

Mom's birthday...

Today is Mom's birthday. We took her out for lunch to our local Longhorn Steakhouse. They have nice outdoor seating and love to see Diesel and I. Its one of our favorite restaurants. It was so nice outside this afternoon - in the low 70s. I didn't even need my sweater though we had it along. Diesel did high-fives for everyone who came by (for treats of course - he doesn't work for free anymore since he joined the union). I talked to a couple of the people. We both got some petting. What a nice time. Mom enjoyed her lunch.

My hair is growing back in a bit. I've been sleeping under the covers at night since its been cold. I climb in with Mom and Dad and snuggle up. The only bad thing is that Diesel sometimes pounces on me. I have to holler at him.

I look real cute with my lion cut. I think I'll get another one the end of next month. It'll make swimming easier when Mom and I hit the pool for rehab. I'm walking pretty good already. I've put back on some of the weight I lost when I had my surgery.