Slowly, but Hopeful

Mommy is still dogsitting and won't be officially home until Sunday. She misses us so much, she's pretty much stopping by every other day.

Our profiles are bare now. She's hoping to make us some personal themes sometime, when she can find the time. I know we've been neglectful over the past year and we're sorry. We have lots of great memories from Catster from back in the day... we wish we could go back.

Anyways, mommy's gonna be overly busy until her dogsitting is over. Hope everyone is doing good! Sending thoughts and purrs your way!

-Leo

Popping in Real Quick

Hey guys,

It's me, Leo! Yeah, it's been about a year since we were here last, huh? Mommy has been super busy with classes and life and everything else in between. She's been wanting to get on for awhile, but just could never remember.

Well, tons have obviously happened. The only significant moments for mommy though was May 22, '11 when one of her older turtles, Venus, passed away. It was so sudden, too. She was listless and clearly weak in the morning and by night, she was gone. Mommy was heart broken. The other 3 turtles are doing good.

And the other impact on mommy happened this past Monday September 19, '11. Simba had to be put to sleep... He was losing weight at the beginning of the month and his first trip to the vet was alright, but they did some blood work to be sure it wasn't hyperthyroidism. Well, his results were normal and they were focusing on getting his muscle mass back, but he continued to worsen. He disappeared for 2 days last week and mommy was afraid he passed away under a bush, but he showed up early Saturday morning and mommy rushed him to the vet. He had an X-ray done and they found a tumor in his tummy. Nothing could be done, even if surgery was done. He would have suffered. So mommy tried spending a lot of time with him over the weekend until his day on Monday. She misses him very much, but she feels better knowing that he isn't in pain anymore.

Mommy actually just took Luca to the vet this afternoon to have him checked out. He got all his shots and was given the all clear to join me, Saki, and Sicily inside. But Luca won't be joining us for at least another week because mommy is dog sitting.

But some good news, mommy got a job this summer and she's enjoying it. It's not at the vet like she was hoping, but it's still a job and money, so all good. And mommy is trying real hard in her classes this semester and she's hoping to transfer next fall to UTK and maybe get an apartment. She's got lots to do, but that's what she's hoping for for next year.

Alright, that's pretty much it for now. Hoping to be around every once in a while!

-Leo

I'm a Finalist?!

Mommy checked her email and a new pal commented on one of my photos that we entered into the World's Coolest contest and they were congratulating me on being a finalist. Mommy, stunned and surprised, flew over to the site and there was my picture in the list! Wow! Never expected this! There are tons of cool photos in the long list of kitty finalists. We love them all and mommy had a good laugh at most of them.

I know, we haven't been on in a long time... shame on us, huh? Mommy is very busy, but she's hoping to be able to find some time to, ahem, fix our profile layouts. We're a little stuck in the summer... plus this is the first time in years that we haven't had Catster Plus. It's all really different without it. We feel a bit naked.... mommy hopes to go back to it in the future, but for now, saving money is our best bet. So our profile layouts may look a but wonky.

As a quick update (mommy needs to get to sleep!) we're all doing great! Sicily is still on her medicine, Saki and I are doing good, still finding ways to complain with Sissy. Luca and Simba are excellent boys and are almost always home. Patches is still crazy. Amber and Olly are aging and mommy is trying to be ready for a call from her dad one of these days, saying that Amber can't go on or has passed. Amber's in good health, it's just age. Age has finally caught up to Olly, very sad. And Baxter is just a nuts as always.

Ok, well I need to be going. Let mommy get some sleep... she hasn't been sleeping well for 2 weeks. We hope to stop by again soon! We haven't forgotten about any of our pals or Catster! Always thinking of you guys and sending love!

-Little Man

Ta Ta for Now

Mommy actually decided on this sometime last week or the week before, not really sure, but she's decided to take a break. She's been very busy and hasn't been able to put the word out, so here we are. We're sorry for missing anything and we apologize for anything in the future that we may miss. We had a great run with Catster and Dogster! We miss all our friends but they, too, have been very busy like we are. Most of our pals are no longer active, some of them still come on every now and then. We don't know if any of them are as active as they were when we first met them.

We have tried to make a come-back on Catster, but we don't see it happening successfully now. Mommy just doesn't have the time. We are not leaving for good! Our profiles will still be here. Mommy let the Plus Subscription expire so she can save up the money for future references. She may work on some new layouts for our pages so we don't have to worry about decorating them for the holidays or anything, if she finds the time. We may update our diaries once a month or with anything important that we feel the need to share about. If she gets an email about pawmail or anything, we will be sure to check it out.

Mommy just feels like a break from Catster will benefit her. She's often wondering what's going on out in Catster-land and with our pals and then she worries about our profiles being out of season and missing out on things or something happening to our friends and we're not there to help support them... mommy has way to much to worry about now and the less worries she can possibly have, the better. Even if it just means 3 less things to worry about. Mommy has hundreds of worries every day, constantly (anxiety disorder). We love Catster and Dogster! They have done oh so much for us over the years! We love our pals! We just really miss them and hope everything is going great for them!

So, my dear pals, this is a temporary goodbye. Well, not necessarily a goodbye as it is a see you later! We wish everyone the best!

-Leo & family

Checking In

Yesterday, mommy decided to check into Catster and see what was up. We checked in on a few friends' profiles to see how they were doing and mommy had some tears while viewing a few of them. We're not very good with trying to keep touch...

Well, we're doing just fine. Mommy made our summer profiles last month, but she delayed putting them up because she wanted to take pictures of us. She randomly decided to pick up her camera today and went a little artistic. She has yet to work on the dog profiles. She has a feeling she'll be visiting Amber, Olly, and Baxter soon, so if she does she'll take her camera.

Sicily is still taking her medicine and is still managing to pee in random places. She peed on the couch today. Luckily they keep the cushions covered with a sheet. Mommy threw it in the wash and forgot to put it back on tonight, but she'll get to it before she goes to bed. Saki and I are good. We're actually playing with Sissy nowadays. I think we're starting to chill-out and get used to Sissy and her craziness. She grew, too! She was real skinny and smaller when she showed up. Now she's spoiled and at a pretty good weight. Luca and Simba are being good boys for mommy. She seems them lying around in the car port a lot because of the heat. Luca left mommy a present yesterday, a mocking bird. He didn't eat it either, but it disappeared over the night.

Patches is still her crazy self. Her and Sissy have the same birth month. They'll both be turning 1 real soon. I don't think we mentioned that Patches caught a sparrow a few weeks back. It was trapped on the screen porch and she just jumped and caught it. Mommy struggled to get her to drop it but it was too late. Mommy was upset, of course. She's hoping to train Patches one of these days. Just need more of her cookies.

And Sissy and Patches kind of like to play with each other. Patches does, Sissy is the one who kind of does and doesn't. Sissy has always been curious of Patches, so mommy has been giving it a shot for her to see what a dog is like. Patches would get all excited and run at her, but Sissy would dive under the couch and when Patches wasn't paying attention, Sissy would jump out and surprise her then go back under. They're so funny. Sissy has chased Patches a few times! She likes to hide behind a corner and pounce out at Patches and scare her and then run for someplace to hide. But mommy keeps her eyes on Sissy, waiting for the point where she is done with play time with the dog. Sicily will normally start hissing or her swatting will be more of a warning rather than play and her pupils dilate really big. Saki will sometimes stay perched up high and watch. I don't like Patches... I hiss and spit and swat at her every time. So mommy keeps me in her room where I can watch them play through the windows on her doors.

Well, this is all we have for updating. We're hoping to post something every now and then. Hope all our friends are enjoying the rest of their summer!

-Little Man

Stopping By with Updates

Hey guys, we're just popping on to see what's been going on in Catster. Mommy had a crazy week last week. She hasn't been too busy this week, but this weekend will be crazy. Mommy is graduating. She's excited but also quite sad. She's going to miss a lot of people and hopes to keep in touch with her close friends. She's just having a hard time believing that it's over. She will be starting college next year and she's excited to get started on her Veterinary Medicine classes.

Anyways, as for us critters, we're doing alright. Sicily is still taking her UTI medicine. The Pill Pockets are working wonders! Simba has another wound on his tail and mommy took him to the vet yesterday. It was swollen and pus was coming out and small black ants kept crawling on him, so mommy wanted to get him in just in case. He's back on the familiar Amixocillin.

Luca is doing great. Mommy brought him for tonight so Simba wouldn't be alone. Plus some unsuspecting storms are starting to show up. Saki and I are doing well, too. We're still trying to get along with Sicily, but we seem to be getting better. Kind of. I actually started to clean Sicily's face one day. She just let me and mommy praised me. I'm such a good brother for my sisters. Patches is doing good, too. She had a fur cut last week. And Amber, Olly, and Baxter are well. Mommy saw them last weekend on Amber's birthday.

And before I forget! Mommy actually applied for a job at the McKamey Animal Center where she volunteers at. She had a interview this past Tuesday and she's just waiting and wondering. It will be a full-time job, too, so kind of exciting. Plus, it will give her some extra early experience with a vet clinic and process, with hands-on work.

That's all we have for now. We're sorry for not being active! We do miss Catster a lot... maybe this will be a wake-up call for mommy to get on more often.

-Little Man

My 4th Birthday

We are MIA to the max, my pals. Mommy has been extremely busy since she got home from Florida. We're so very sorry for not updating our diaries like we said! So much has happened. Mommy took Sicily to the vet 2 days after she got home. Sicily seemed to be having trouble peeing and was urinating in random places, only to leave a few drops. She's been on medication for awhile now and we're hoping she'll be better soon. She's doing good taking her meds!

Saki and I are still trying to get along with Sicily. We're doing pretty good, but we're still not looking like we'll be best friends any time soon MOL. Luca's birthday was April 29th and he turned 5. Mommy gave him some canned tuna to chow on. Luca and Simba are doing great. They're such good boys. They're home in the early mornings before mommy leaves and they enjoy the sunrise for a short moment together.

So, we're all doing just fine. Just slacking away from Catster a bit and we're sorry for that. Mommy is just too busy. We plan to be around more pretty soon, but for now, we'll do what we can to update our diaries every now and then.

Anyways, my birthday was interesting! Mommy woke up and it was the first thing on her mind. She called me Birthday Boy on her way out. She came home and gave me a big kiss, wishing me a happy birthday. I would go relax with her and remind her it was my birthday and that I wanted to be treated like a prince. So much attention! I loved it. Mommy gave me some wet food for dinner. Just me, too. Not the girls. She wanted me to feel special today and I enjoyed it so much. She was at PetSmart yesterday and she wanted to buy me a present but she didn't think of it. She went to get Pill Pockets for Sicily. She's planning to make it up to me soon and buy me some new toys!

Well, that's all I have for now. We didn't expect much for me on Catster today because we haven't been on in 3 weeks or so. We don't mind either. I had a good day today!

But thank you to Samoa and family for my rosette! And Chatty Cats club for the wishes! And anyone else if I forgot you! Mommy's memory isn't that great, heehee.

Lots of love to all!
-Little Man

An Explanation

Hey fellow Catsters, this is mommy Christa writing.

I've been wanting to say something for awhile. I know it isn't much of a big thing, but I think it would be better if I told you. Coming up on April 3rd is my birthday and I will be 18. Yes, 18. I have been on Catster for years and I have made so many friendships since then, I just couldn't get the guts to tell you that I was a kid.

I have been keeping in touch with a few of you ever since we first met. I finally got the guts to tell them not too long after our friendships blossomed and they accepted me for who I am. And I couldn't ask for any better friends. If I hadn't told you before now, it means I was/am afraid. I just didn't/don't know how you would react.

I really am as mature as I seem. I'm doing great in high school, looking forward to college, and can't wait to finally become a vet. I love my pets to death. I have had many pets growing up and always took and take good care of them. I do whatever I can for my babies.

So yes, the reason about my absence over this past year is because of school. I was losing time for a lot of things because of school work. When they said senior year would be the hardest, they weren't joking. I've been crammed with projects and work, but I'm a very good student and I do my best with it all. My school work comes first, so I haven't been able to get a job yet. But it's also the fact that I must be 18 in order to work at the places I want to work at. I will be working at the McKamey Animal Center on Sundays, and maybe Saturdays. If not Saturdays, I might try to work at our vet. I hope to work at both during the summer, along with PetSmart. I am picking up an application for McKamey tomorrow morning when I go in to volunteer.

Now I ask for your forgiveness. I feel as though I have been lying to you for not getting the courage to tell you I was kid. I'm so so sorry. If you have anything to say or ask, please pawmail Leo. But do feel free to comment.

I do not guarantee that I will be any more active on Catser than I am right now. For the time being, that is. If I get friend requests, pawmails, gifts, or anything, I will surely check and respond. I will be keeping my pets' pages up to date and will post pictures every now and then, as well as diary entries. Mainly because of my school life and another is because most of our pals have forgotten us. As well as a few of our close pals aren't on as often anymore, which I completely understand why. But everyday I think of all of our Catster friends and hope you all are doing well.

Anyways, I thought it would be best for me to explain for my absence. Again I am very sorry for not telling you my age in the first place. Please forgive me.

Thank you and enjoy your weekend,
Christa & kitties

The New Look

Mommy got onto Catster yesterday to see if they changed it on us yet, but they didn't. We got an email from Catster and Dogster telling us about it. We found out through our furiend Mercedes' diary entry. She mentioned she saw it from Samoa's diary so we went to check it out. We've been hearing of the change for a week and so mommy went ahead and remade our profiles to fit the new size.

But she forgot to fix the angels' profiles; Arlene, Garfield, and Digger. She will fix them up soon or this weekend.

It's really odd without the left navigation area. It feels like something is missing and every time mommy looks back at the screen, she keeps forgetting that it's not there. But we like it. Everything is centered and it all just fits purrfectly. It's just gonna take some time to get used to it.

Anyway, Saki and I are still having trouble getting along with Sicily. We're still hissing at her and I'm still running or keeping away from her. But we're doing alright. Sicily is leaving tomorrow morning with mommy's sister to go to the vet and get fixed. So we'll see how she does.

We will be updating some more later on. Hope everyone has a great week!

-Little Man

Ready for Spring

Mommy just finished updating our pages to our spring layouts. This is her favorite group of layouts she's made. Everything just worked out nicely. And we are ready for spring. Mommy is dying for some sunny warm weather. She came home today and she said today felt like a day for some cleaning. It was odd. She didn't get around to do any cleaning, but she will soon.

Saki and I are still trying to get along with Sicily, but we're just not cooperating. So mommy has us on lock-down in her room. She's gonna start over on our greeting progress. I'm really afraid of Sicily because she will chase me sometimes. So we'll see how this goes.

Mommy left her number for CARE to call her back. We need a certificate to get Sicily fixed, and fast. She's crying during the nights and yowling for "no reason" sometimes. Mommy hasn't been getting any full night rests for a few days, but at least a few hours of sleep, which she can run on with no problems during the day.

Luca and Simba are to have their trip to the vet weekend for some shots. Simba got into a scrap sometime yesterday and has more bite wounds near his tail. He had some before and they've scabbed over, but now he has a new set. Mommy gently padded some hydrogen peroxide to help him out a little. She might do it again tonight when she sees him. Mommy is just praying that he won't get any problems from the bites.

That is what we have for now. Hope our pals enjoyed their St. Patrick's Day!

-Little Man

P.S.
In case anyone didn't see, mommy is leaving for Florida on April 2nd and won't be back until the 10th. She will have her computer with her, so if we receive anything, we will check, mainly during the evening hours. That is all!