At the vet... BIG laughs.

You know what friends? I forgot that the start of April also means our yearly visit to our vet. I saw the carriers come out. I was cautious but not fearful. BIG mistake !!!
I did know something terrible was in store for me though when I got grabbed up and taken into the bathroom, where awaiting me were papertowels, and my floofy pants comb...
That's right. I was robbed in my own bathroom of my 'fluid of expression.' Any time that my tail is in the air, I will usually "express" myself. Combine 'air tail' with a floofy pants brushing and it's an absolute certainty that I will deliver an expressionist expression.

If that were the extent of my indignity this diary could end right here... but no, it gets worse. After the bathroom debacle, I was put into the green carrier. (why does Sweets get the pink one?) I started meowing my displeasure with my situation the moment the door was closed on the carrier. "I see what you did there" I meowed. "I know what this means. Let me out now and no grudges will be held. All will be forgiven." My cries of distress went unheeded.

I watched Sweets get bundled into her carrier and she joined me in our loud meowing protest!
I watched Nuk be captured and put into his harness. I laughed as his harness had to be adjusted (BIGGER) to fit around his chest.
I should not have laughed....

ALL the way to the vets Sweets and I alternately cried and looked as pitiful as we could through the spaces in our carriers. I would start the cry and Sweets would echo or the other way around. It was truly a cooperative girl-cat moment.

Finally at the vet's we sat for a little while in the 'waiting area' while people remarked on the big baby in his harness that was hiding his head behind Papa's back. Finally we were taken back into an exam room and the real fun began. Nuk gets to be examined first. (Once we're in our carriers Sweets and I are not so eager to come out again, until we're back home.) Nuk, knows how to turn himself into a rock. A rock doesn't do anything except sit there. It would seem that a rock doesn't mind to have his temperature taken, or to be weighed or have injections. A rock doesn't mind to be groped and stethoscoped.

While Nuk was being examined I let Papa coax me out from my carrier. BIG mistake! "Oh you're pretty" the vet said to me. "Such a pretty girl." Then she lifted me onto the scale and she grunted (as if I too were a rock. A heavy rock.) "Feels like this one doesn't miss any meals" she said about me. (and all the humans wickedly laughed at me...)
A laugh that wasn't really warranted. Out of the three of us, I am the only cat who has maintained her weight over the past year. Sure, I didn't lose any weight, but I also didn't GAIN.
The "rock" is the heaviest cat in the house now, but wasn't subjected to any derogatory comments about his weight (discrimination!) It was even pointed out that Nuk has a waist while I (apparently) do not.

I'm not a fan of having my feet off the ground (surface) and so each time I was picked up and transported to table, to scale, and back to table my little legs paddled helplessly in the air. More humiliating laughter from the humans.

The final verdict though is that we're all healthy but we have to start on the "moderate calorie" version of the food that Sweets (makes us all) eats. (At least *I* know that it's not *my* fault that we are being calorically downgraded.)

Blessedly the ride home always seems shorter than the ride *to* the vet. (and since Sweets and I had nothing further to protest) we were quiet all the way home.

Living with a three and a half year old.

I'm young. I'm amused by everything around me. Everything I see has the potential to be a toy. I'm also food obsessed. (I've been on restricted food for about a year and it's on my nerves)

I've found a way to combine these two things! When I want to eat... (which may be only 10 minutes after the last time I ate, or an hour later.) there are a few tactics I try. Cry, meow, be extra affectionate (in the hope of trading "love" for "food.") Try to trip any moving human or at least "herd" them to either where my daily food allotment is kept or where my sad and empty food bowl sits.

If these tactics do not procure me food (and the success rate of these tactics varies wildly) I have now learned that I can knock things off the coffee table. Oh, that tactic gets my family's attention quickly. (it does not however, often get me fed.)

The little cups that Ari gets his oats, groats or other extra protein delivered to him are perfect to start the "knock off" game.

Mama usually has a book (or two) on the coffee table as well and those are fun to either bite first and then push off the table, or just push off the table.

Any papers on the table are fun to send sailing to the floor.

The remotes are a little harder to push off the table, but with sufficient effort can be done (and you can be certain that one really gets Papa's attention.)

There's a pack of small batteries on the table too and those are best knocked off while also being on top of the table. Being on the floor and reaching up to knock the batteries off can result in the batteries hitting you in the head. (A very undesired consequence, that will get you laughed at.)

By evening, Mama has already picked up the things I've knocked off of the table during the daytime and thinks "it's Papa's turn." Papa usually picks up my knockings with a little laugh and a smile. "Who says, I don't have children?" he says or "children must play." He usually doesn't feed me either though, without first consulting the clock.

I bet if I could reach the clock and knock it off the speaker stand, I might have more success.

Yarrrr Mateys, I Be Plunderin' *yer breads*

This day Papa brought shoppin' bags home when he came home on break. In 'tis bag o goodness i could smell delicious breads. I said "breads, stand a ready, I be plunderin ye."
'n i chomped chomped chomped right through th' bag 'n th' bread bag. How's that fer some fine feline sharp 'n toothiness. Th' vile papa caught me 'n takes away me breads. How can i be a scurvy pirate wit' no booty?

Big hearty thanks to cap'n Sigmond Sparrow, Novi & Ingen, Capt Coldcut aka Monida Cristo and DA TABBIES O TROUT TOWNE, The family of Sally ♥ Sweet Angel, Lucy Nooner, Sophie ♥ Sweet Angel, Charlie Chocolate Paws The Family of Wanda, Norman, Tess, Rupert, Mitchell, Beckie, and more!~

Ye messages brought a smile to me face ~ I be a blessed lass to have such wonderful mateys!

Kitty Kat Talk Tag

I read about this new game called 'Kitty Kat Talk Tag' in Colette's diary it seems like it's really easy to play as there are no rules!

You just have to answer a few Questions. So please PLAY ALONG, everyfur!

1. Your Meowmy or Dad is asleep and you are furry hungry; You would.....

First, take a position on the bed near their heads. Pawing their hair works to get them awake, but not always out of bed. If I want to eat, the best way is to find one of their faces and lick it ! (They're up and out of bed in an instant and I get fed)

2. You are furry sleepy and are sleeping on a top ledge; Meowmy or Dad would say..........

"Oh look at that floofy belly" and then they would [oh horrors!] touch it. Which would probably cause me to recoil in revulsion and roll off of the ledge.

3. You saw a dog who wants to chase something; what's the furry furst thing you would you say or do?

Do you lick ears?

4. Your Meowmy or Dad wants you to stop tearing the furniture. You would...

Stop, give them a guilty face and back away from the furniture. (All of this is preceded by the words "No Gabby, we don't do that." in a stern tone.)

5. Your Kitty Kat emergency box, full of fur fashions, is locked. Oh No! You would....

My *What* ?!? ~ If I have a "Kitty Kat Emergency Box" you can bet, it's got food stashed in it! (and if it was locked, I'd cry, coo and try to trip a human)

Okay, I don't "Tag" ~ But if you liked reading my answers and want to show me yours, consider yourself "Tagged"

HAVE FUN!!

Headbonks…

Not Me!

*Test* for link insertion into a diary.
Cat Eye Macro Photography

Did your eyes get wide at this one? Not me!
Mama gasped (before noticing that my 'eye freckle' wasn't in this cat's picture.)
I know I'm not the only cameo buff tabby in the world, but that picture is so much like one my family has of me. I can forgive their momentary wide eyes.

Enjoy the photographs!

Lovebug Tag! (Tagged by Leo)

1. Meow! Are you a noisy kitty or a quiet kitty?
I have a quiet "meow" but I constantly make cooing, chirruping or trilling noises.

2. Litterbox! Cover your business or let some other kitty cover?
I cover! (I have manners) I didn't use to cover some of my business, but I picked up the skill.

3. Happy! Favorite Daily Routine?
I must pick only one? Let's see... I love being fed, but it's also nice (when it's cool weather or the air conditioner is on to go under the covers with the last human to go to bed. I circle around like a dog, find a nice resting spot and groom whatever human skin I can find.

4. Hiss! Least Favorite Routine?
Keep that brush away from my armpits, belly, hips and floofy pants.
Baths would be a second 'least favorite' routine. (but I've only ever had one of those)

5. Ding-Dong! What do you think about visitors to your house?
That depends... Some people I like and some people I don't.

6. Friends! Do you like other animals?
Nuk is fun to play with (to a point) Sweets is ok, I like her, but I think I 'get on her nerves.'
I had a doggie at my first family's house who would clean my ears.... I miss Chief and his ear cleaning attention.
I'm not allowed to get to close to the rodent family members, but I think I'd like them. (maybe in my mouth!)

*** If you've enjoyed reading my answers and would like to "play" ~ Simply consider yourself "Tagged by me." You can title your diary "Lovebug Tag" and copy the questions and answer them. I love reading and learning more about my friends !

Something is Creeping !

While the "Mighty" Man-Cat sleeps, some animal is creeping around our backyard !
I used Sweets' two level 'step' thingy to climb into the kitchen window and watch it. Whatever it is, it's dark and kind of slow and low to the ground. I couldn't really see a white stripe on its back so I don't know if it's a skunk or what.

Then Sweets came up to the window and took over "the watch" ~ It's not time to eat yet, so I guess I'll clean my toes.

Shelley Sue Needs Some Catster Luck

Shelley Sue is not very different from me...

Look at her page, isn't she gorgeous? You can see from her photographs just how loved she is (and how loving.) Look at the honesty her Mom writes with in Shelley Sue's diary and how heartbreaking it has been to come to the decision to find another home for Shelley Sue.

I was lucky. At the time that my Tennessee family needed to find different homes for some of us, my Pennsylvania family was one cat smaller after Taag's departure to the Bridge. They had a place in their hearts and their family for me. I needed them and they needed me!

I know Catsters are some of the most compassionate, caring, huge hearted people. I know too that most of my friends are at the limit that either their housing or resources will permit.

I'm posting this on the off-chance that one of my friends can help Shelley Sue by giving her just the home her Mom hopes to find for her. I'm also hoping that in amongst the varied knowledge of my friends is someone with just the perfect resource or recommendation to make to help Shelley's Mom. At the very least stop by and let Shelley (and her family) know that you're purring for them. We all know how powerful is the Power of the Purr.

I believe that even now as I type, the new family for Shelley is drawing closer to her !

Movin' on up...

My two year Adopt-a-versary/Travel annifursary is coming next month. I'm either turning three years old soon or have turned three years old already.

I have always been the always hungry/always loving sweetheart of my family and I've always been vocal. Those things haven't changed, but I'm starting to become, what my family calls "emboldened" in regards to Nuk and Sweets.

I didn't want to write anything about this in my diary until it had gone on for longer than a month. But, I'm not so sure I am content to be the "third cat" in our little family. Maybe I want to be "second cat." ~ At least, some of the time ;)

Friends of our family know that "someone" had surgery/was recovering here. That same "someone" was missing from the house for a night and then lived in a cage/crate for nearly two weeks.
That's the same "someone" who also now hops through the house like a rabbit (but she's a cat, so maybe I should call her a "Cabbit.")
Her "Cabbity" hop makes me feel like I want to chase her. When I do, that makes her cranky. She's not one for playing cat games.

This same certain "someone" even got her own piece of two tiered "furniture" for the kitchen, so that she could still reach the kitchen window. She told us (Nuk and me) that "This is MINE. For me and NOT for you." I say "litter links" to that and I've been using that step furniture to get into the kitchen window myself (How do you like that, Cabbit, huh?") I also think that the top tier of that furniture is the perfect Gabby resting place.
("That's right, Cabbit, I'm here and you can't move me.")

As friends of our family also know, there are two humans here and three cats. That means two laps and somecat has to go "lapless." In times past that would have happily been Nuk who was too aloof and independent to seek cuddly lap time. For months now though, he's decided he likes to climb and claim Papa's chest or lap.
I don't see our family getting another human any time soon. So my efforts to make sure that I have a lap for myself have had to step up. Add into this mix, the fact that the Cabbit is no longer baking herself in front of the heat 24/7 and we have an all out "War of the Laps" happening here.

Complicating matters, but in my favor, is the fact that the Cabbit does not like other cats to be "too close" to her. (She will tolerate me, for awhile, but Nuk is not permitted to even be on the adjacent couch cushion without incurring her "stink-eye" and "smacky paw.")
If Nuk and the Cabbit have claimed their laps, all I have to do is wedge between them and wait or sit "too close" to (trying to share a lap with) the Cabbit and she'll vacate her lap.
I'm not above such tactics.

I've heard we're going to the vet on April 1st. That's April Fool's day (day of all jokes) and I'm hoping that this is just a human idea of a "joke." ~ but... I suspect the joke is on we cats.

Tagged ~ 5 Annoying things about humans.

I have been tagged by Tink the Cat
I'm supposed to tag 5 friends, but you know how my family does this... They leave it open. If you've read this and you want to play, I'd love to read your answers.

1) What is your fascination with my furry pants? They're cottony, they're floofy and I suppose irresistible. I do not want them brushed, I do not want them clippered and I most certainly do not want "Floofy Pant Baths."

2) When I'm hungry, I want to eat. In fact, by the time I'm hungry... I probably wanted to eat an hour ago. I want to eat while you're cooking and while you're eating. Restricting me to eat at one time or the other is just plain mean.

3) Speaking of eating... If you can't manage to wake before 06:15 am, I WILL wake you.
I'm hungry and it's breakfast time. Get up and FEED ME (you can go back to bed afterwards, but be aware that when you re-awaken I will have forgotten that you already gave me breakfast and I will want it all over again.)

4) I am very proud of my nails. It takes some time to grow them and I take great care to sharpen them with the sisal. I do not appreciate being gathered up and given *your* idea of a manicure.

5) No matter how you try. Cotton balls wettened with ear cleaning liquid do not in any way simulate the relaxing experience of the Doggy Chief cleaning my ears. Don't even try to compare the two.