California

My trip to California was great. It seemed to go by really quickly, but I sure did miss my cats! I've never left them that long before, so I was excited to see them when I returned (and I think they were equally excited to see me!)

I was able to get my cat fix by visiting with my Nonnie's bengal (Allie-the one I brought to cali last xmas-Rowan/Declan's sister). I haven't seen her in a year and she turned into a beautiful cat (my pictures don't due her justice because they were from my cell phone). She looks and acts a lot like Rowan in many ways, although she is much lighter colored than he is. Anyways, her time in California has turned her into quite the DIVA! Expensive taste and kinda stuck up....LOL. I think I won her over by the end of the trip, but it seriously took a week of playing with her almost daily to get her to warm up to me. She is very different than my cats...she doesn't get as many visitors as mine do so company seems to stress her out a bit and she doesn't like to be held. However, she is very much a typical bengal. She is talkative, playful, curious, and very active. She is on the go all the time. I miss her!

Resting with the wand toy I got her.

I got her this bed, but she would not go near it! I halfway coaxed her in with the wand toy, but she wasn't having any of it.

Loving the wormy toys!

When I arrived home Nori and Rowan were waiting for me. I gave Nori some snuggles and Rowan was sleeping in the cat tower. I called his name and I heard his purr turn on very loudly. He jumped down to start following me around. I gave him lots of hugs and pets. I showed him and Nori the new toy I got them...its an interactive mouse that sense them and runs away. There is a blue chip that hooks to their collar so that it knows when the cats approach. Nori was semi interested in it, but Rowan loved it. He was determined to catch that running mouse and kicked its butt.

He really can put himself into a tiny ball to make himself fit in these hanging baskets.

Happily grooming herself while keeping her rabbits foot safe.

Evan Hunter was excited to see me...or he just was excited to get back into my room and use my cat tower...

And today, Rowan was being very loving. Came in and out a lot today just to "check in." He even tried to follow me into the shower, which is very out of character for him. He was in such a silly mood. He has always liked to put thing in his water dish and "fish" them out and occasionally he will "paddle" in the water like he is trying to get something out when nothing is in there. However today he was more persistant about the water situation. He was walking along the sink while I was trying to brush my teeth so I left the water on for him to drink a few sips, which is usually all he wants, but today he full on decided to play in it! I caught the cutest video of him making a mess splashing around in the water and at one point he even puts his head under the water. Normally he is very curious about water (likes to watch me fill the water dish up or likes me to turn the bathtub on to watch the water come out of the facet) but runs away if the water splashes on him or if its raining outside...but now water might be his new favorite toy...

Cheers & Happy New Year!

December Updates

We have been so busy this holiday season. We have 4 foster puppies right now and they are a HANDFUL! They are sweet and adorable, but very naughty! Prior to getting the puppies we got the house all festive with Christmas decorations and a beautiful tree.

Last year was crazy with Rowan and the tree, but he did must better this year.

As we brought in the tree he was in his loft (known as Heaven now).

It instantly got his attention...so he made his way down to investigate further...

Meanwhile, Nori was keeping the tree skirt safe...

Rowan went right in, but thankfully did not try to climb the tree this year.

Finally, Nori decided it was safe enough to check out as well.

And once the tree was decorated and the train was in place, Nori took her post. She has taken the job of guarding the tree very seriously. She has basically not left the tree except when I pull her out to go to sleep.

The stockings are filled and hung for the humans and the pets.

And last but not least...here are the adorable foster babies:

Autzen, William, & Sheldon 9 week old Masstiff/English Setter mixes

and

Penny 4-5 month old Collie/Shepherd Mix

Unamused!

In the name of Christmas spirit, I dug out an old santa suit for Rowan. It was much too small for him, however he tolerated it fairly well. Overall, he was less than impressed and wanted it off ASAP, but I had to snap a few photos first.

Santa

Pet night at the local mall was a hit!

Rowan and the dogs were definitely the most behaved. People could not believe Rowan was leading a pack of dogs on leash =)

My Bengal is a super star!

Kodak Moments

I woke up in the middle of the night and found these two piles of cuteness!

They still love each other, but don't have as much of these "Kodak Moments" anymore.

So of course I grabbed my phone and snapped some pictures, the flash woke them up and they started grooming each other.

(because they were moving and licking each other they turned out a little blurry)

Oh course within a few minutes, they were awake and frisky...their little groom session turned into a play session...

Overall, still a pretty good "Kodak Moment!"

Lost Nori

In the midst of dealing with the foster kitty, Thanksgiving, Pet sitting and Black Friday Nori got lost. I came home very late after Best Buy black Friday shopping and let her, Rowan, and the dogs into my room and then headed out for a few more things at Walmart. Upon returning home I let the dogs out to potty one last time before bed. When I woke up I didn't see Nori, but figured she might have slipped outside when I let the dogs out or in. When she didn't come home by Friday evening I started to get worried. It would not be the first time she had gone on an extended adventure, however it's been so long since she's been gone multiple days that I was starting to worry. Saturday morning rolled around and it was raining when I woke up. She was still no where to be found. She hates the rain so of course I was getting worried. We went on a search party calling for her and walking the neighborhood, but still she was no where to be found. By 1:30pm I started searching my room. I was thinking the worst by this point...maybe she was sick and curled up somewhere and never woke up...I started checking high places such as the kitty lofts and under things such as my recliner and my bed. No luck...I started checking drawers of my entertainment center and finally the two drawers connected to my bed frame where the dog beds are. As I pulled out one of the drawers out pops Nori's head...SHE HAD BEEN STUCK IN MY SOCK/UNDERWEAR DRAWER FOR 36HOURS!!! I could not believe it!! She never goes in drawers, I do not know how it got shut (maybe the dogs hit it?) but she was snug as a bug in a rug. Luckily the drawer is pretty big! She never meowed or made a peep, but boy was she hungry when I let her out. She ate a ton, drank a lot, and peed forever in her litter box. I felt so bad, but I was so relieved that she was found. I am so lucky I checked that drawer...I had a clean basket of laundry in my room that I had been pulling clothes from, I don't know when the next time I would have opened that drawer would have been....Needless to say I check to make sure the drawers are fully shut after each use now. Nori was so happy to be reunited with the family she even spent that night cuddling with her mama Sage, something she doesn't do much anymore (as a kitten she was alway with Sage).

And she even let me tuck her into my bed recently

Foster Kitty

Almost two weeks ago, I was renewing my First aid and CPR for work. I was walking up to the building where I saw a woman standing-I thought she was also waiting for the class. As I got closer I could tell she was holding something close to her chest. As I approached, she asked me if I was with the vet. I told her no, that I was waiting for CPR class (there are no vets nearby, I think she was a little mentally unstable). I could see that she was holding a young cat and she frantically explained someone moved out and left this cat who attacked her cat. She told me she was going to let it go. This was on one of the busiest roads in town (that is all business, not residential)! I told her I'd take him and asked her please to put him in my car instead of letting him go. After my CPR class I jumped in my car and was happy to see he hadn't peed or destroyed anything. He was very scared, but beautiful. I took him home and he was quite wild. I don't think he was used to people and he was very hungry and under weight. We set up him in a dog kennel with a bed, litter box and food and water. We kept him covered for almost two days because he would attack us through the kennel and scream if we got close. After a couple days we opened the kennel. We would let him have the run of the house during the night so he could explore more confidently. Finally after a week we were able to touch him. He loved toy wands and the laser pointer, so that helped distract him a lot from being scared. Every day he was a little more friendlier than the last. He still has more recovery to do, but I already found him a home who will continue to work with him. He went to his new home yesterday and I hear he is doing well. Soon he will get fixed and vaccinated and he will be a wonderful cat. He is a great looking cat, reminds me a lot of a cat I used to have.

Since he is clearly some sort of siamese or siamese mix (with big blue eyes) we called him Simon.

Hard at work

Today was bring your cat to work day, so Rowan came to the office with me this morning. Hunter stopped by as well so he could reunite with his sister, Alice. The boys got along fine since they live together, but Alice wasn't having it.

Hunter spent the majority of the time meowing, while Alice stayed close to her mama and slept under her desk. 

Rowan on the other hand, checked out the entire office. He liked the storage room the best since there were lots of things to smell and explore and the boxes were fun to climb on.

Checking everything out was hard work and a much needed nap was earned.

Geez....one day in the office and he is already calling himself the world's best boss!