~ A New Day ~

Dear Diary,

‘A New Day Has Come’ (the tune mom keeps humming) and
there’s a great feeling of gratitude and lots of love in the air throughout my kingdom. Even Queen Nakita seems to be trotting around in a good mood and keeping her paws and claws to herself.

As I mentioned in my last diary entry, my Sissy C had a baby boy, and on my birthday! I already share my birthday with my Auntie M and my Auntie K’s son, Ryan. In fact Ryan and I not only share the same day, we are the same age! ** although somehow I feel so much older and wiser than him…. giggles ** So now I am thrilled that I also get to share my special day with my precious new human nephew. *purrs*

Mom is so grateful that as I turned a healthy 12 years old, that Lil‘ T came into the world a healthy, happy baby! Sissy C is mom’s only child and it was thought for many years that her having any kids was not going to happen. But it now has and we’re truly blessed with little baby T!

Another nice thing I am grateful for is that my friends remembered my birthday and stopped by my room to help celebrate my day! That was so kind, as we haven’t been around for quite awhile. I quickly pawed out a diary expressing my thanks and explained the distracting and exciting news about Sissy C, only to later discover that it became a Daily Pick! Many more purrs of ’thanks.’ Mom said that I could trot around later this evening and give out my proper ‘thank yous.’ Hurray, time in catsterland, I can’t wait!

All is well here in my kingdom. Chico and I still spend the days wrestling and from time to time we are able to go out and explore the outback. Nakita has adjusted well to losing most of her eyesight, in fact if you didn’t know it you wouldn’t be able to even tell. And Lil’ Muppet has been off of the pain meds for several months now. She has mostly good days and is just as adventurous as ever, keeping mom on her toes. *smiles*

I hope my friends know how much I appreciate them and I hope they too are all doing well.

Happy, Happy Purrs & Headbonks,
Sampson

PICTURE OF BABY T
SISSY C & BABY T

What a wonderful day.... thank you!

Dear Friends,

My Sissy C is at the hospital right now having a baby boy! Mom’s first grandbaby ....and being born on my birthday! Hurray! I am very grateful for everyone who has stopped by to wish me a great day, even though I haven’t been around much. Big kitty hugs & love to you all!

When things settle down here, I will trot around and give my personal thanks. I appreciate each of you for making this happy day even brighter!

Headbonks & Love,
Sampson

Everything is MINE! This, that & you too! :)

Dear Diary....I wrote this a few months ago and for some reason I failed to post it? (mom says you'll know why if you take a moment to read this...blushes) Just found it in my diary archive and wanted to share as mom is still amazed and in shock by my recent 'tail twitching' behavior...

It has been very tiring over the past few years, to say the least, to try and remain the King of my Castle. Aah, to reminisce about the wonderful days when it was just Sebastian and I. Sebastian had a few belongings which, for the most part I allowed, but everything else belonged to me, myself and I! Sebastian unexpectedly left us one sad day and everything within my castle’s walls became solely, and rightfully, mine! Then Chico came along and all remained peaceful as I allowed him to have a few treasures for which he could claim as his own and we were both blissfully happy. All that has changed since mom started rescuing pathetic, needy kitties and bringing them into my castle! I have finally had it, and this King has undeniably decided to make a stand!

At first it wasn’t too bad as most seemed to be quarantined to mom’s and the spare sleeping quarters. They seemed to take shelter here, get well and then move on to their own castles. But then, and I can’t put my finger on the exact day, things slowly began to change. Some decided to stay long after their welcome and were actually bold enough to start trotting freely around my domain, trying to conquer and claim everything in sight as their own! Yep! My favorite sleeping spots were suddenly scented with their icky aromas left behind on their tufts of fur. The nerve! My food and water dishes had another’s smell of saliva emanating from them! Ick! My precious jewels (toys) were disappearing right and left only to be later found tarnished and relocated throughout my kingdom! Thieves!! And don’t even get me started about my once private throne! (litter box)

Enough is enough and I am reclaiming everything as MINE!

* My favorite spots to sleep…. Now once again covered in MY fur…only!
* My favorite serving dish….. Now just a dab of my regurgitated food left in it, just enough to make the other’s bypass it and feast out of the other dishes. Score!
* My favorite jewels….Now well hidden and I’m sentencing harsh paw lashes to any others who dare discovers them and attempts to steal them!
* UPS & USPS Boxes that have been claimed by other’s to play in…. A quick spin around, a bit of tail twitching and they are marked as garbage by mom! Ha! Take that!
* The newest cat tower and cat posts…. More tail twitching. MINE! (Reads note to self…. “Must rethink this strategy as mom becomes highly upset with me.”)
* My Sissy C thinking that she can non-stop text another male and ignore ME? .... a bit of tail twitching… done… she is marked as MINE! (Reads another note to self.. “Must NEVER do this to a human again, Sissy C is now also psychologically marked by this and mom is ready to have me committed for insanity!”)

I have taken my stand! This castle is now once again conquered and claimed as ALL MINE! ** Glances at computer and notices that mom is researching insane asylums for cats. Scampers off and hides.** MOL!

Headbonks & Kingly Purrs
Sampson

~~Note from Sam’s mom… Has anyone ever heard or had the experience of a cat ‘marking’ them? I’m beside myself with Sam’s recent behavior, especially peeing on Courtney!!! He’s healthy and these have all been deliberate acts, I swear he runs off giggling. He has always been an oddball, but this is beginning to appear like he is going senile!~~

~ thanks, good news & sad news ~

Dear Diary,

I hope everyone knows how grateful I am to those who stopped by to say congrats on my DDP today. We were all thrilled to see that Mazel was the top diary pick of the day! Congrats to you sweet Mazel, your wonderful foster parents & your new mom, Julie!! Congrats to all of the DDPs today!

I wanted to update on Chico. He’s doing very well and I am so happy! We’re very grateful for all of the prayers and comments regarding my brofur. *purrs* He’s eating, drinking and is pretty much back to his normal self and mom says that the day she sees us wrestling on the floor is when she’ll know that he’s completely fine.

I also want to say a sad farewell to SWEET SOPHIE. LUCY‘S doggy sisfur received her special angel wings this morning. We’ve had our paws together purring many prayers of comfort for Sophie’s wonderful mom, and for Lucy, Charlie & Leo who love and will miss her so much. Rest in Peace, beautiful girl.

Headbonks & Love,
Sampson

~one very grateful kitty~

Dear Diary,

Last week was a very sad week for me as my best buddy and brofur, Chico, fell really ill. Mom thought it best that we didn't mention it on here as we really haven't been around too much to keep up with all of our other furr-friends.

Chico made it through surgery, however the outcome wasn't as great as what had been expected by the vets. The infection was very close to his brain and they were unable to get it to drain. They explained to mom that his condition was very serious, but they released him to her and he was able to come home. Even while on two different antibiotics and pain meds, Chico's condition was going down hill. He didn't want me near him, and finally found a spot to hide in Saturday morning that not even mom could reach him. He remained in there for the next 32 hours. We were all extremely worried that he might not make it through this. It was the weekend, no vets available, but if mom could have gotten to him she would have rushed him into Las Vegas as they have 24 hour emergency clinics.

Then yesterday afternoon, Chico came out, and for the first time in 5 days, drank something!! (A liquid supplement) By yesterday evening Chico still did not care for me to be near him, but was cuddling in mom's lap!! :) Then today, although he still is not interested in food, he took a short walk with mom outback. He plopped down, rolled around on his back and purred! We all cheered.... Chico is obviously feeling better, and on MY birthday! What a most special gift!! Hurray! I can't wait until he feels well enough to resume our daily wrestling matches! I've missed him so much!

I want to thank all of those who knew about my brofur's condition and purred and prayed for him. (On FB) The POP worked miracles again.

I also want to say a big thanks for my birthday wishes from my pawsome Catster pals. (grateful hugs) Mom and I tried to get all of our thanks out tonight, but it's late and she said I could finish up tomorrow. I really appreciate all of you for thinking of me! I'm now 11 years old and still the King around here! *hears a faint giggle from Chico in the background* :)

Happy Spring and Easter,

Headbonks & Love,
Sampson

Grateful for the votes, I'm a finalist! :)

Dear Diary,

Mom really let us boys take advantage of the perfect weather we’ve been having for the past couple of weeks. She let us romp around outside in the mornings, afternoons and evenings and Armani, Chico and I had so much fun! But now it’s turned much cooler and the droplets keep drizzling down from the sky, no more sunshine so no more outside time. *pouts* Although, this ol’ boy does appreciate the warm indoors and cozy places to nap when it turns cold outdoors. I think I’ll just snooze until the sun decides to come back out.

Speaking of the outdoors, I want to thank everyone who voted for me on my outdoor photo, I made it in to the finalists in The World’s Coolest contest!! I am so excited that I was selected, I’ve never been chosen before! Sunshine and grass truly are two of my most favorite things. *purrs*

Congratulations to all of the wonderful finalists and my family and I wish you all the best of luck!

Mom hasn’t updated Mupp’s diary yet, but she is finally feeling much, much better. She still is dealing with a slight sinus issue, but other than that she is back to ‘ooh oohing’ and zooming around the house! That’s the power of the paw, I tell ya! Thank you to all who have been purring and praying for Lil‘ Mupp.

Wishing everyone a nice Thanksgiving!!

Grateful Headbonks & Love,
Sampson
xo

~DDP thanks~

Dear Diary,

I was so excited when mom told me that my diary was randomly selected by the robot honorably chosen as one of the daily diary picks today! *giggles*

I’ve been having a pawsome and fun day! Thanks to all who have scampered by to help me celebrate. *purrs* I appreciate you all and will send out my personal thanks this evening. Congrats also to Zoey, Munchkin, Leo & CoCo for also having their diaries chosen today. Hurray!

Hope every fur is staying cool this summer. We’re all appreciating the A/C and fans! Mom feels so sorry for the outdoor kitties. Mystique has been disappearing a lot and losing weight like crazy. And the gray stray still shows up now and then and he is just a bone with fur. I wish they would let mom help them, but they’ve both remained untouchable and proven that they’re too clever to be caught. Mom’s friend from the icky Flock days is in town. Maybe the two of them together can come up with a plan to capture and get them help. ~paws crossed~

Sending out our purrs & prayers of comfort to the families of BLADE, QUINN C, EMILY FELICITY, & MERCY. The Bridge sure has called Home some special angels recently. *lots & lots of love to their families*

Headbonks & Grateful DDP Purrs,
Sampson

~heat waves & potassium citrate~

Dear Diary,

What happened to the fresh air outside? I don’t understand it, it seems to be missing and replaced with some thick, steaming air which makes it hard to breathe! Mom has not been letting us out for our morning romps and is only allowing us to join her in the outback for 15 minutes in the late evening. This was not acceptable for Chico and myself. We pleaded, meowed, followed mom non-stop around the house jabbering away demanding that we be let outside. Mom caught me trying to un-lock the dog door while Chico was trying to figure out how the door handle slides the door open. *hee, hee*

Finally she had enough and stated, “You both really want outside in this heat wave?” And with that she opened the slider and we both zipped out onto the back patio. We heard her giggling as we both suddenly came to a halt and were stunned by the lack of fresh, breathable air. Is this what mom referred to as a heat wave? Yuck! Then we heard the slider shut! Oh, no! Mom, please let us back in! P-L-E-A-S-E!! Mom, still giggling, slid the door back open and we both dashed back inside. So far we have not wanted back out unless mom invites us to. *giggles*

I wanted to mention about my experience with those icky crystals that I had on New Years Eve 2009. I was a healthy 8 year old kitty and those crystals snuck up on me and nearly sent me to the Bridge. They blocked up my…. umm.. *blushes* ‘wee wee’ and I couldn’t go pee pee. I’ve already discussed my ordeal with this back in my earlier diary entries. But what I failed to do, once we found out what exactly caused the crystals, was to update on that subject.

Mom was trying everything at that time to get Muppet to eat and she discovered that Muppet loved tuna fishies and Tiki tuna and sardine flavors. Mom knew in the past that fish is not good for male kitties who have been neutered and they should have very little if any of it. So mom never bought fish stuff for us and I didn’t know what I was missing until I smelled what Muppet was eating! Oh that aroma drove me nuts and every time mom opened a can for Muppet, I would be right there begging for some too. Mom would always give me a little bit, which unfortunately equaled up to a lot in one day because Muppet ate 6 times a day back then. It was this yummy fish that knocked my PH levels out of whack and caused the struvite crystals that led to my blockage and scary stay at the vet hospital.

The people at the vet’s office already know what mom thinks of prescription foods for kitties. They are an over priced bag of icky-ness and have very little in them to promote long term health. We need meat protein, not by products, corn, fruits or vegetables. Struvite crystals are caused by what we eat and I had been on the same diet for years with no problems so mom was baffled. Then she realized that she had also recently been giving me bites of Muppet’s fish everyday and then it all made sense. I have remained on my normal diet for a year and a half now (minus the fish) and have had no further problems with crystals. Later mom found out that Muppet was allergic to tuna so I’m not tortured by it’s lingering aroma anymore. *giggles*


Mom also found out the secret ingredient that the prescription foods have in them to dissolve the crystals. It is Potassium Citrate. My cousin Jo-Jo is allergic to a lot of things and my Auntie P has been on a quest to find him a food that he can tolerate. When Jo-Jo recently went down with struvite crystals, there were no further options of foods for him to try. So Jo-Jo’s vet told Auntie P the secret ingredient in the prescription foods that dissolves the crystals. I’m not a doc, don’t claim to be one, but I’ll tell you what Auntie P did to help rid Jo-Jo of his crystals and keep those icky things from forming again. Jo-Jo weighs 14 pounds and she adds one powdered capsule of Potassium Citrate, 99 mg, to his wet food once a day. He doesn’t even know it’s in there. Almost immediately Jo-Jo stopped crying in the litter box and so far has had no further problems with crystals. PC dissolves crystals and prevents them from forming. Other kitties have now tried this too and have had success. So the next time a vet tries to tell you that ‘your cat now has to be on this over-priced bag of nothing good for the rest of their life to stop the crystals,’ please stop and think what may have caused them, and ask your vet the proper dose of PC to give them.


Headbonks & Purrs
Sampson

~ A Day in the Life of Sampson ~

Dear Diary,

I have been tagged by CHARLIE IN CHARGE to play a new game that he and his mom cleverly came up with. It’s a called A Day in the Life. I am to paw out a description of how an average day plays out in my life. So here we go….

Morning - Patiently wait for mom to wake up and open her bedroom door. Then jabber at her all the way down the hall and into the kitchen where I expect to be fed a plate of wet food 'a feast fit for a King'. Instead I scarf down my minuscule ration that perhaps would be fit for a mouse! *humph*

My next mission is to wait for that perfect moment when mom sometimes becomes distracted and exit’s the kitchen. Then I quickly see how much of my furmate’s feast that I can conquer from them. If it’s a good morning, I’m able to oink down 'enjoy' most of theirs too. Then I strut out into the dining room and proceed to re-deposit all that I just ate and make sure that most, if not all, of it lands on the carpet. *sheepishly grins* Then I get scolded 'praised' by mom as to what a piggy 'fast eating man-cat' I always am!


Mid-Morning - Time for a stroll in the outback, weather permitting. I walk the entire fence line once checking things out, and then mom states that it’s time for this ol’ boy to come inside and take a peaceful nap. Mom says that my exposure to the sun has to be very limited as I am a baby-blue eyed, white furkid and am very susceptible to skin cancer. I say that she’s too much of a worry-wart, but I come inside anyways.

Afternoon - Time to play! Chico and I have our usual wrestling matches and chase each other around the house. Sometimes mom brings out the interactive fun toys, like the feather wands and the cool Da-Bird from sweet TEDDY BEARZ . This usually ends in a tiff between the spoiled Queen Nakita and I. She sure can quickly slap a boy silly when she feels the need! If she believes that it is her turn to play, and I proceed to engage in play at the same time, with lightning speed she busts out some pro-boxing maneuvers on my head! *sighs*

Mid-Afternoon - Nap time. I don’t seem to have a special nap spot. I always choose a place where I can leave the most fur stuck to whatever I lie on and dark colors are my favorite! Mom can brush and brush me and not retrieve one hair off of me, however when I lie somewhere, I leave behind a ton of my white fur. *winks & grins*

Evening - The yummy feast ritual all over again. And then another romp in the outback. My sisfur Muppet usually joins us for this outdoor time and it’s so not fair! She usually makes mom chase her around on the back property because she jumps our fenced-in area. Then mom makes us all come in! So another long nap for this ol’ boy.

Nighttime - Wrestle with Chico for a bit, cuddle with whomever is on the sofa watching TV, cover them with my white fur and then suddenly bite them making them jump with a shocking, ‘Ouch!!’. *snickers* Immediately get set on the floor and so I go find a peaceful place to nap for the night and patiently wait for mom to open her bedroom door in the morning.

Thank you Charlie for inviting me to play. I'll have to think of some furs to tag, but anyfur who reads this and wants to play, please considered yourself tagged also!

Headbonks & Purrs,
Sampson

~Valentine Tag~

Valentine Tag
My good friend and kitty twin BISCUIT tagged me for the Valentine’s Day Tag. Thank you sweet Biscuit!

1. Do you have a valentine?
No, I do not. I am a secret admirer of many cuties in Catsterland though.

2. If not, do you wish you did? Is there anyone particular? Or would you rather be single? Why?
I’ve never wanted to get tied down because my heart belongs to so many. *giggles* I would rather remain single.

3. What's your favorite love song? Who sings it?
Not sure if it’s considered a love song, but I like Jon Secada’s song named Angel.

4. What would be a perfect Valentines Day for you?
Wet food for breakfast, then a romp in the outback, then a cozy nap, then wet food for lunch followed by another cozy nap, play time with mom and my furmates, wet food for dinner and another long cozy nap! Now that would be a purrfect day for this ol’ boy!

Thank you Biscuit for inviting me to play!

Happy Valentine’s Day

Headbonks and Purrs,
Sampson