Cat Growls!

Buffy is a cat with extra toes.

Today, Buffy announced to CatMom that someone had driven into the driveway. She had been curled up on the bed, snoozing.

We all have acute hearing. Queen Bambi and I also heard the truck drive up. Bambi went to the window to take a look, and I went underneath the couch to hide. But, it was Buffy who woke right up and growled out loud. In fact she growled twice!

It was enough to make CatMom pay attention. She realized though Buffy appeared to be asleep, she was very alert!

I might point out that Buffy is a smart kitty. She's got more sense than to get up and go running to the door and bark like a dog. She knew CatMom would get up and go take a look. CatMom has us cats all figured out. And there was the new visitor, CatMom's friend, John Pianavilla who came to the house last week and measured up the space in the backyard just off the big sliding glass doors where we like to look out at the birds every day. We wonder what he was doing there.

But, we had a surprise tonight! We were all snuggled down on the bed with CatMom watching the TV.

Can you see how disturbed her royal highness is about the growl!

 All of a sudden we heard a very big and long growling!

Buffy and I looked at each other.

We knew it wasn't us. And we knew it certainly wasn't Bambi who did that deep long growl. Because Bambi jumped up from her spot all upset.

She had been laying on CatMom's belly and she could hear the growling loudest of us all. Pretty scarey for us all!

CatMom laughed at us for being so alarmed. SHE was the one who was growling! Or... actually, I should point out... it was her belly!!!

This is Timmy da Timid reporting.

Flea Bath Horrors

Princess Royale, Buffy da Bampire writes: Because of Timmy comin' home all loaded wif fleas, it wasn't long B4 Queen Bambi and I were itching and scratching too. Den, of corse, CatMom taked us all to the VET and we getted baths. Yes, Baths!!!! It is hew-mew-liating and mortifying! I shudder when I think of it! I've spent all week trying to get my furs all rearranged how they belong.

CatMom and Princess Buffy

Of corse I'm mad at Timmy! I mean, dat's my right as the Princess Royale. Isn't it?

When he was lost I had my ryt to the throne guar-ant-eed. I had best snuggle spot in da left arm-pit of CatMom. And Queen Bambi had da ryte one.

Den da prodigal prince come bak home and I hafta let go of my in-hair-itance? What? I don't think so, bruther!

Okay! Okay! Well, now dat yoo all know and.... I am sure... unnerstand my purrsition, I will tell yoo how mag-nan-i-mouse I am being purr-zently. I even letted Timmy do da nose to nose wif me yestaday. And when him jumpt on da bed, I purr-tended I dint even notice. Behav-yor be-coming dis princess, I assure yoo!

Timmy finallee smells lyke one of our clowder again. So, I can accept dat he belongs here, but I still not so sure I want ta share my CatMom wif him, 'speshally since her is pampurring Timmy so much since he camed home.

Buffy the Pillow Cat Marks Her Spot

So, when him's watching da humming-birds at da feeders, I just moves into da middle of da bed up dere between da pillows where CatMom sleeps, and I stays dere all day, just ta make sure Timmy gets da message about who belongs where!

That guarantees my purrsition, and reminds Timmy that him is not yet off the hook, entirely.

What's fair is fair. Ryte?

When TImmy was Little

Judge Me Not

Buffy da Bampire Flayer
"Princess Royale"

All this fuss about the return of the Prodigal Prince, and no one has bothered to learn how the Princess Royale (moi, Buffy da Bampire Flayer) feels about it. No they haven't!

Of course I was upset! Timmy never said a word to anyone before he left, didn't tell us where he was going, let us worry for days and days without so much as a mew.

Then nine days later he comes home smelling of "stranger danger" and everyone is surprised that I'm not welcoming him with open paws.  Come one peeples! I'm telling you, Timmy stank, stunk, stinked!

Plus, he was acting all weak, and you know what that means! I HAD to growl and hiss at him and give a bit to warn him to stay away from me.

LOVE BITES BETWEEN SIBLINGS

Yeah, yeah, I admit he was skinny and sunken in at the eyes, and had those sores on his paws from trying to escape where he was locked in and CatMom had to take him to the vet to get well.

But, honestly, I sort of didn't recognize him. So, please don't judge me for being a cat! (a royal princess calico polydactal cat!)

Outdoor Cat Enclosure

I've decided I'm getting a "catio" built for my cats. Essentially it is a chicken coop for cats. Okay, let's be nice... a safety enclosure.

My boyfriend, Kats, also known as "the Monk" was going to build it but he had to have surgery on his cervical spine. He had brought over a metal pergola frame and set it up. But that was all he could do before going in the hospital.

With all the distress and anguish I went though while Timmy was missing, I just don't want to ever go through something like that again.

Getting this Catio built is expensive. But vet bills for cats who have been missing and need treatment is expensive, too. I've got to put my money to keeping my cats safe. It will also be an investment in my sanity. Timmy is not my only furbaby. I've already gotten some financial help from three people who wanted to help me. Thank you, dear ones!

I put the rest on my credit card. But. paying it off will be challenging but worth every sacrifice. I found a local contractor who builds "Cat Condos", and he will be doing the work. This is an example of something he built.

His name is John Pianavilla. His company is called Purr 'D' Cat Condos, located in Santa Cruz, California.

No Place Like Home

A note from MomCat: Timmy is so glad to be home. Princess Buffy da Bampire Flayer is finally being more tolerant of her wayward prince, and has stopped growling, hissing and chasing after him (well, not so much as before, that is.) 

Timmy da Timid Scallywag says:
"Dere's no place like home!"

I love cats because I enjoy my home; 

and little by little, 

they become its visible soul.

~Jean Cocteau

The Prince Returns

Queen Bambi here. I'm proud and relieved to announce that... ta da! Timmy's Home! Timmy's Home!! Yes, indeed the young prince has returned!!!

Last night our CatMom was determined. She had already done everything she could to find Timmy.

She posted and handed out flyers to the neighbors. She posted online to all the local sites. She placed an ad in the newspaper.

She drove up and down the streets calling our fine boy until her voice stopped. But all to no avail!

You know CatMom has a condition called leukemia. It makes her very tired and exhausted a lot. It was hard for her to get out and do all those things. She would have done so much more if she had been feeling more like her old self.

But, she is clever for a hooman. So she recorded her voice, calling Timmy, onto her cellphone. Then she set it to go off in her alarm clock app every ten minutes for three hours straight last night. She hooked it up to a speaker and aimed it out the window to play over and over again.

She knew if Timmy was anywhere in the neighborhood, he could hear it, and hone in on the location and find his way home.

And it worked!!!

Just a few hours later, I heard a thump about six o'clock this morning. So I jumped on the bed, waking up CatMom while I leaped up to the window to look out.

She joined me and called Timmy. Lo and behold! He answered!

How to Call a Lost Cat

I went to Kinko's and had a hundred Lost Cat postcards made.While looking up all the addresses on the streets surrounding my neighborhood, and writing them onto the postcards, I played the recording of my voice calling Timmy.

 I had previously recorded my voice calling him, high pitched and loud on my cellphone. I had been playing it whenever I was able to walk the neighborhood this last week since he's been missing. A couple times when I was too unwell to walk, I drove around the neighborhood holding my cellphone out the window playing the recording.

 But last night while writing up the postcards for three hours, I set my cellphone alarm to go off constantly, so that my frantic calling "Timmy.. Timmy.. Where's Timmy?" went off every three minutes. I plugged it into a cube loudspeaker. It may seem a lazy way to do it. But, calling out loud as if I were at a sports event cheering on a player is exhausting even while driving through the neighborhood!!! Besides if he heard me while driving, it would be confusing as to where I was located.

So, I got almost all hundred postcards labeled and stamped and out to the mail. Last night was productive! I'm hoping that wherever Timmy is he could hear me. If not, then my neighbors got a "cat serenade" in a new way.

Is Microchipping Your Pet Useful?

A very interesting thing happened today. I got an email from "HomeAgain" which is where Timmy's microchip is registered. 

It just so happens that my membership with them has just expired. Thank heavens they reminded me. I had forgotten I can enlist them to help find TImmy. So, I paid my membership fee, and now have filed lost pet report. 

A friend of mine who also gets Home Again reminders told me she got an email today with Timmy's lost cat information on it. Cool! It really does do what they say they will do.

Now the only problem is, when I spoke to the vet, he said he doesn't check the microchips on all animals that come in to see him unless he thinks the story of the pet owner seems fishy. For heaven's sake! Timmy is such an unusual looking cat, I would think he would realize just by looking at him that he's one of a kind! 

Hopefully this will help others! http://foundpets.homeagain.com/

Lost Cat is the Mailman's Friend

Kats told me that he spoke to the mailman today and told him my cat was missing. 

"Timmy?" the mailman said. He's going to keep his eyes open. 

Funny. He knows Timmy's name and Timmy gets no mail addressed to him. 

But, I betcha anything he knows Timmy quite well from being greeted everyday when he brings the mail. Timmy loves to sit in the kitchen window right where the mailman has to walk to get to the mail box. 

I learned a long time ago that mailman was a cat lover. Oh, I do hope some windowsill will have Timmy sitting on it tomorrow when he delivers the mail. Perhaps someone has thought TImmy was a stray and took him in.

Placing an Ad for Lost Cat

I just drove over to the local newspaper office and placed a classified ad for $25.

 It will run for a month. Bonus? It will be accompanied by handsome Timmy's photo!

Buffy is missing her sweetie as much as I am. Now she clings to me. Perhaps worried I will be gone, too. This is an old video I took of the when they were both younger.

Canvassing the Neighborhood for Lost Kitty

I was unable to canvass neighborhood today. But, Kats took some of the flyers I made and went door knocking and handing them out. 

Got a call later from a neighbor just to touch base and let me know she's keeping her eyes open for Timmy. 

Right now, I wonder if he is even in the neighborhood anymore. His vet says, he could be anywhere. Though most kitties don't travel too far from home. Occasionally they are found quite a bit away. I worry!

Placing Lost Pet Ad in Craigslist

Today I posted a Lost Pet ad in Craigslist out of desperation that someone nearby might read it and have seen Timmy. Will it work? I hope so!

A friend of mine even opened up a facebook page to follow up.
https://www.facebook.com/LovedCats

Lost Cat Watsonville California. Please Help!

Reward for finding my odd eye white cat. Watsonville near Bridge Street off Bronte. Call 831-7869795 if you see him. Check your backyard and garage just in case he is injured. Tuesday morning Aug 12, I discovered that Timmy was missing!

I have a "cat flap" that leads from the laundry room to the garage. The cats like to go hang out in the garage climbing boxes and shelves and seeing who can be highest. Timmy was the king of the castle in there.

I can go out the garage back door to get into the back yard. I didn't realize the latch on the door was not all that secure. Apparently the last time I went through, the latch did not click.

There's a bird feeder out there. I know the cats always like to watch the birdies from the many windows in that door. So the temptation of going through that door when it was not properly latched would have been strong.

The fence to the neighbor on the right is within 5 feet. The neighbor in the back (20 feet?) feeds birds on her patio floor.

The temptation, I'm sure, might have been stronger than his fear. Unfortunately the next neighbor over had the carpet cleaners there that day. BIG NOISES! I imagine that's what scared him further away. There's also construction going on in the neighborhood.

I am going out of my mind with worry. I have leukemia and though my chemo pills keep the disease at bay, I have little stamina. I made flyers. I went door to door for about seven houses and talked to each person there. The heat got to me and I had to go home to rest.

That evening I went out with a neighbor and we were able to do a few more houses. But, it was still quite challenging for me. Today I have a doctor's appointment and need to save my energy to drive there and see her. I cannot live my life any other way, but to measure out how much energy I can use at a time.

I am wracking my brain trying to figure out ways to get him back. I've posted in all the Watsonville (California) Facebook groups about the situation and asked for help. I've been to the local shelter and filed a lost kitty report as well as posted flyers in English and Spanish. I've notified my local vet's office, dropped by another vet's office and gave them a flyer, too. Now, I'm posting this. Please share with others. Call me at 831-786-9795

Yes, Timmy has a micro-chip. He's neutered. Doesn't have a collar. He always chewed them off or got them caught in his teeth.

Cats In Heat

We wuz all lying around enjoying da warmth today.
Den we decided to share the secrets of kitty happiness... HEAT!!!

Queen Bambi says,
Direct Sunshine while walking the garden.
Indirect Sunshine while sitting in the doorway.
Indirect Sunshine from behind the screen door.
Direct Sunshine while rolling on mother earth.
Direct Sunshine while rolling on the sidewalk.
Indirect Sunshine while lying on the sun warmed carpet.

Buffy da Bampire Flayer says,
Electric blanket heat while lying upon it.
Electric blanket heat while lying beneath it.
Electric heater heat while backed up to it.
Electric heater heat while nose to nose with it.
Gas heater heat with belly exposed.
(Of course that means scorched fur!)

Me? Timmy da Scallywag? 
What I say?

Da ONLEE best heat place is snuggled up beside my MomCat.
Da ONLEE second best heat place is snuggled up beside CatDaddy.
Him gives da bestest ear scrubs!

Time to Wake Up

We were anxiously awaiting for CatMom to get out of bed.
Seemed like she had been resting all day!

I guess her working in the catnip garden with Queen Bambi yesterday tired her out!

I, Timmy da Scallywag (previously da Timid), stands in doorway and repeetedly gave my best “it's time get up” yowls! But she just snuggled deeper into her pillow!

Why she do dat? She not appreesheeate my singing talents??? Bambi sez nope. She sez it cuz my singing voice is too squeeky. How cheeky of her to say that... even if she is the queen! But, methinks might be troo!

Buffy gets to go lie down on CatMom's bed all da time. In fact that exactly where Buffy is ALL da time. She never move! She just one big lump of cat fur. Usually she not move. But when we came in to check on mommy dis meowning, Buffy gave us da Evil Eye and Low Growl!

But da Queen, she not put off by da stare down! Bambi, she got real sneaky! She slinked under the bed, then stood on her toes and nudged CatMom's hand which was hanging there just waitin' for it. But, Buffy wasn't about ta let us wake her up. Buffy ran right across Mom’s belly to challenge Bambi. Thwomph! Thwomph! Thwomph!

See what I means? Is dat not the Evilest Eyes you ever saw?

So, Guess what happened next?

We were, ALL three of us, put out of the room and the door shut in our faces! How could CatMom do that to her precious furbabies? Later she got up and finally tried to give us attention. But you can have the satisfaction of knowing, we were having none of that!

Timmy Remembers the Young Feral Kittens

Since da weather has been nice, MomCat has been letting Queen Bambi go out in da garden with her. Bambi is a Wild One! But, me and Buffy would rather stay inside where it's safe. Today, we watched Bambi through da window. She wuz rolling in da dirt! Phew! You wouldn't believe how she smells when she comes back inside! Ya'd neber know her wuz a Queen!

She tells us dat Shadow is outside buried deep in da dirt and she always goes over to his rock pile to say hello to him. But, Buffy and I know dat even though Shadow's body is buried, he is not dere because he left for da Rainbow Bridge. And who knows? Maybe he is already back into his new life as a kitten again. We sure hope he will be a healthier one this time.

Dat's Buffy an' me sniffin' da door

It was two years ago when we first realized CatMom had brought home Shadow and his brother, Pinky. We had our nose at da door of the room day was in. We could smell der sweet kitten smell, and were so curious. We wanted ta get in der and check them out. But, CatMom was very protective of dem. She dint want us to scare dem.

Dis is Shadow and Pinky when dey first came ta live with us. They were about six weeks old at da time. Ain't dey da cutest widdle kitts ya eber did see?

We sure do miss those widdle guys!

A Queen's Preogative

I really got annoyed with my momcat last night. First, she didn't give me fresh water, just that old stale stuff from yesterday.

Then, I really wanted canned food. I like the dry food, but my tummy wanted the soft stuff, and no matter how much I MEOWED and YEOWLED, she just pretended she didn't know what I was talking about. I ended up having to eat the dry stuff! And she put it in that glass again. She says so I will not eat so fast. She says so I will lose weight! How insulting momcat is!

THAT is no way to treat the Queen of the land! If I had any other servants besides her, I would be able to get my point across more quickly.

As it was, I was quite disappointed. She tries, but she is an idiot. How many times do I have to say, "fresh water" before she gets the hint?

I have repeated it and repeated it over and over again, and she just turns a deaf ear! Then, she is pouty when she picks me up and I don't want to be held.

If she can't do what I want, why should I be nice to her? Okay, so I'm being very grouchy today. But what is a royal purrsonage to do? I am going to go lie on the bed and look beautiful as usual.

Lion Pillow Bed Fit for a Prince

We have been playing Musical Beds, challenging each other constantly.

Timmy has a round pillow bed (with a Lion head!) that he curls up on. CatMom and Kats bought it for him for Christmas.
I understand why. Every one of us has our own special bed, but Timmy only had the space on top of the fish tank to call his own. Though it is warm, it has no softy-ness!

Still... I know the lion pillow is really Timmy's special bed. But, as the Queen, I should have had first dibs on it!

At first, we were all over it every chance we got. Shadow sniffed it up one side and down the other. I've tried it out a number of times. As long as Timmy was asleep somewhere else, we got away with it. Why he doesn't just sleep on it all the time, now that he has it? I haven't figured out!

But Buffy gets nervous if Timmy just opens his eyes. She flies!! It's not that she's scared of him. She's just a flighty cat! Silly Girl!

But, not me! I stand my ground until Timmy gets up to chase me! Then I slip away under the bed and wait! And I come out later when he isn't looking.

Though, now I have been able to sneak up on him and lie down beside him when he is on his lion pillow bed. So, maybe, just maybe, he will relinquish it to me soon.

Maybe if I dub him Prince, he will do the honorable thing and move on over to make room for Her Royal Highness... Me! Looks like I have a chance. See how he's reaching out to me as if to welcome me?

Bambi's Birth Announcement

Bambi made it a point to remind me of her birthday today, Christmas Eve. Yesterday she sneaked out the front door by pushing it open and running outside to roll in the dirt. Of course, when she does this, I have no way to coax her home. She's too smart for that.

Following her through the neighborhood only encourages her to roam further as she knows I "have her back". So, as much as it distresses me. I have to just stay in the house nice and calm waiting for her to come home... a nearly impossible task, since it makes me even more distressed pretending that I'm not at all freaked out!

Usually it doesn't take long. There's no thrill if I'm not out there giving her a fun run for the money. She ran around the side of the house, leaped the fence. (OMC! Queen Pudgeball can still leap the fence!) and headed out into the back yard so she could get to the back door by way of the gazebo. Unfortunately, a neighbor cat, Mr. Poppet was sitting there minding his own business (he does that a lot) when Miss Sassy Pants came along. Oh boy, was he ever interested! And she has nothing to get interested about! And she wasn't going to give him the time of day! Bambi made a beeline for the back door and came right in.

Certainly not the end of the story.

Now began the ablutions. She's not an easy cat to bathe. Sort of like washing a turkey in the sink, except the turkey is alive and struggling with sleek, slinky wet fur. So, the best I could do was use a wash cloth to get most of the grime off. After I let her go, she finished the job herself. Thank heavens. And she does it in such a grandiose way, it is clear to me that she believes I have done it all wrong and I should have left her to wash herself... by herself... in the first place. How dare I do otherwise? No wonder she gave me a hard time squirming!

Afterwards she joyfully grabbed up the sock that has the calming kitty hormones inside of it, and dragged it through the house like she would one of her kittens. She sang MomCat Birthing Songs to it very loudly and drove us all nuts. Then, it dawned on me.... cats giving birth sounds.... Birth... Bambi's Birthday! Of course!!!

Queen Bambi Moonrose of Carita Court in the realm of Watsonville California, USA is now six years old! We shall do something special for her today!