New Baby Kittens

I was so busy when the new baby kittens came here that I didn't get a chance to post pictures. So, now I'm catching up.

 These kittens were ferals found up in the hillsides of Royal Oaks on the border of Santa Cruz County California, when they were about five weeks old and nurtured for a month before I met them in the bathroom of my friend Patty, who I had visited for a Memorial day get together.

Patty had the turned her bathroom into the "Kitten Nursery and Infirmary". As guests arrived we were invited to view the kittens. The moment I laid eyes on Pinky, I knew I wanted him. His brother stayed hidden in the shadows. He was a bit of a shy guy.

I once had a kitty like Pinky when I was a little girl, and here was my opportunity to take this one home. As it turned out, I took them both. They were so young and it seemed a crime to separate them.

I found it very difficult to get good pictures of them. So tiny. The light in my bathroom was less than ideal, and I just didn't want to use the flash on their little baby blue eyes. Therefore the blurry pictures.

Photos taken on May 30, 2012

Feral Kittens New Home

These are the feral kittens, Pinky and Shadow. 

Shadow on the left seems quite scared. 

He's not really as tiny as he looks. 

They are both the same size.

Shadow yawning while Pinky looks on.

Shadow has longer hair than Pinky. 

They both have blue eyes, but Shadow's are changing.

Sniffer Cats

We are so curious! We can't help it. We is sniffing at the door! We know there's something on the other side that wasn't there before!

Buffy da Bampire Flayer and Timmy da Timid gots to inbestagate!

Ninja's Tummy Better

Now that I'm feeling better, I thort I'd write and let Mom have a break. She needs it, those other lazy cats have kept her busy all day with their demands.

First, Buffy rolled all over her this morning when she was trying to sleep. She's funny that way. Mom wants to give her petting when she's up and awake, but Buffy snubs her. Then, when Mom is all helpless and sleeping, that's when Buffy decides she wants her loving. Funny thing is, I think it's because Mom has a REALLY LOUD PURR when she's sleeping. So, maybe Buffy thinks it's time for a purring fest. Purrsonally, I find it quite annoying and leave the room when Mom gets that noisy! I can't blame her, though. Try as she might, she simply is NOT a cat!

Then, Timmy trails Mom into the baffroom insisting on attenshun when Mom has important purrsonal stuff to do. We all think he's crazy. Who wants to sit on the edge of that big porcelain pond filled with water while Mom is in there? None of us but that silly Timmy! He says it's the only alone time he can get with her. But, that's a fib. He's snuggled up to her right this minute. Let's face it. Timmy was a slough kitten before he was rescued, so he thinks it's natural to hang out at the edge of all that dangerous water!

Queen Bambi keeps Mom busy with all her royal requirements. Mom does NOT allow any fur on top of the fish tank. But, Bambi is always challenging her on that. Bambi jumps up. Mom puts her down. Just as soon as Mom is busy with something else, Bambi jumps up again. And so on and so forth. Bambi has her reasoning, which I'm sure she will tell you about later. I'm not allowed to speak for HRH (unless she makes a decree for me to make an announcement).

Now the important stuff! I want to thank effurrybody fur all your well wishes, good purrs and head bumps during my recent ailment. Truly, I am feeling much better. No more of that up-chucking! And Mom gives me a little squirt of tuna flavored medicine to settle my tummy she got speshully made just for me by the furmacist at the Compounding Furmacy. I was gonna put a link, but they don't have a website. Guess they are too busy making good kitty medicine.

And thank you to my wunnerful Monk fur bringing me the get well flowers! Mom says I don't look very happy about them. She's right. Does anybody ever think of bringing in a big bouquet of catnip? But, I can't complain about the roasted chicken I have been dining on all week, so I wont say anything grumpy about them flowers.

Miss Handling Cat Paws

This is Buffy da Bampire Flayer. If she weren't all tired out from flaying bampires she would flay me with her many claws. So, whilst she sleeps, let's take a look at her polydactyl paws.

Ninja's Tummy

Ninja's Vet has called to tell me that Ninja does not have kidney disease.

He does have one enlarged kidney and one shrunken kidney but apparently the enlarged kidney is functioning.

I wonder if other kitties out there have the same??

Ninja does not have diabetes and does not have thyroid disease.

All that is good news, and we are all happy about that. But, we still don't know what has caused his vomiting and huge amount of weight loss.

We have decided to feed extra food to Ninja separately, in the kitchen. He has full access to his regular dry food, Blue Buffalo. But now he has a couple spoonsfull of specialty wet food, too.

I asked the Vet what else the problem could be. He said that cats have tummy problems just like people do, stomach ulcers, for example.

Perhaps this is Ninja's problem. So, he has ordered Zantac for him to take daily, also known as Ranitidine.

Since he weighs so little, he cannot take Zantac for people and has to have a specialty compound pharmacist to create his medicine.

Fortunately, Ninja likes the flavor and allows me to give it to him without a struggle.

I have been giving Ninja his medicine for almost a week.

He is having less episodes of vomiting. So, I am hoping it is working and he will get better.

Ninja and the Vet

When Ninja came to live with me, he weighed 11 pounds, He was 8 years old. It wasn't long before he fattened up and weighed 13 pounds. That's when he got too heavy to jump to the top of the armoir where I fed the kittens full calorie food.

Ninja and chubby Bambi had a lower perch for their weight loss diet food. This worked out quite well. Though Bambi doesn't seem to have lost weight, Ninja began to turn into his old svelt self. It wasn't long before he could jump up on the armoir and that was the time I let him eat the same food the young cats ate. They were no longer kittens and just on regular diet by this time.


Lately, I've noticed Ninja not being able to hold down his meals.

At first I thought maybe hairballs, so I gave him Petromalt weekly. Still he continued to up-chuck a bit of his food. Then he began to up-chuck a watery foamy stuff. Now it's happening every day.

Suddenly, I've noticed when I pick him up he is lighter than any of the other cats. I became alarmed!

Diabetes? Kidney Disease? A tumor blocking his intestines? After reading up on all the possible symptoms, all the treatment options, and warnings to get him to a vet and not wait until he is too weak, I called the vet and made an immediate appointment.

Ninja really didn't complain too much about putting him in his carrier and he was quiet enough in the car, and such a GOOD BOY during the weigh in not complaining or struggling.

I felt horrified when I learned he only weighs 8 pounds 4 ounces.

With tears in my eyes I told the vet we had weighed him two weeks ago at home. He had weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces.

And that was what triggered my researching and making the decision to see the vet.

The vet thoroughly examined Ninja. I'm really worried now. Apparently he only has one functioning kidney, and it is huge. The other one has deteriorated down to a nub.

He has also lost muscle mass. Not a good sign at all.

I know he wasn't always this way. The vet would have noticed it on previous exams. At this point, he is not saying Ninja has kidney disease. He's saying that might be the most obvious possibility. But, he could also have diabetes. Or Thyroid disease. Or a combination.

I hope it's Thyroid disease! The vet says that is the easiest and least expensive to treat.

The vet has ordered blood tests which cost me nearly one quarter of my month's income.

If it is kidney disease or diabetes, I may have to make a very painful decision.

Buffy da Bampire Flayer at Rest

Kitty Vs. Feathers

.

Dis is Buffy da Bampire Flayer at play! Enjoy!!

Confessions of an Overweight Ninja Cat

A ninja should never have to face shame. It is inappropriate. Yet, when I met Jeffery, I learned I might have to swallow my pride. He would laugh and tell me I didn't know half of it, and I had so much more to learn of life like he did. After all, I was less than half his age. I understood and respected his wisdom, but I sure would become shamed for my failings. I have not been faithful to my martial arts training, I must admit.

It all started when Jeffery let me eat his food. Then when Queen Bambi came along, she stuck her nose up in the air at the kibble and I ate whatever she left behind. Of course, when Spyder came to live with us, that increased the problem because he needed special kitten food, high in nutrition and calories. Both Bambi and I would nibble away at it at every opportunity even though we had our own adult food. It didn't take long before Mom discovered our indiscretions, so she fed Spyder on top of the refrigerator. Naturally, as a ninja I could fly up there in a flash and steal whatever I wanted. But, I had grown out of proportion to ninja jet propulsion talents and had to find other ways to assuage my appetite.

It is a tricky thing with meals around here. Whenever Mom feeds Spyder and Little Sister, she closes Queen Bambi and me into another room. When she opens the tuna can the sound is so tantalizing it is hard to retain one's dignity. I have done my share of lying on the floor with my nose pressed at the bottom of the door. I would slip my paws beneath it to dig a hole in the carpet to squeeze myself through however, my squeezing ability is lost! As you know, this is a very advanced technique of ninjas. I did not have the opportunity to practice it much at my previous abode. The Dojo was quite large and had no closed doors. The humans called it a basement. I had to compete with the dogs for my food, and learned quickly how to gobble. So, gobbling took priority over squeezing, you see.

As long as I am confessing my over indulgences, I have to admit the full truth of it... after the door is open and the young ones aren't looking I have been stealing Little Sister's food, too. All this holiday indulgence has got to stop!

Luggage Cat

If only we could catch a ride in some luggage, 

we would go to the UK and visit Milo and Alfie!

Please note: The kitty is NOT Buffy, but our dear departed cousin.

Buffy Hogs the Catnip Mat

She sure has grown! Not a kitten anymore! 

The Cat's Favorites

Queen Bambi started to do the answers, but all she would write about was herself. And the kits have such bad grammar and spelling I decided to do the job for all of us.

Here are the answers to the following:

1. Favorite color:  Queen Bambi likes pink, just like her collar.  Buffy likes red, like her feather swish toy. Timmy likes yellow, just like Mom does. I prefer black, like my handsome fur.


2. Favorite animal:   Queen Bambi and Timmy  both like flies. One time they both were chasing one and bammed into each other! Buffy likes birds. (That's her in the window watching birds ).  I like dogs the best because I was raised by them. I know, I know, I sound like a traitor. But, the only time I'm interested in animals is when the dogs next door are barking.

  3. My favorite number:  Queen Bambi likes one. She says it's the only number that counts because she is number 1. (Phooey on her!) That leaves three for the rest of us. We are the 3 mousketeers. All for 3 and 3 for all!

4. Favorite drink:  We all like best the water from our upside down water bottle bowl. But, Queen Bambi has a nasty habit of licking the sink after Mom washes the dishes! Well, and Timmy likes to lick from the bath tub. How dishonorable! Ninja's would never do such a thing!

5. Social media:  You already know about our blog (otherwise you wouldn't be here). We also like Catster even though Mom doesn't let us get on there much.

6. Our passion:  Mine is welcoming visitors who come to the house. Timmy's passion is hiding in the closet when visitors come to the house.  Buffy's passion is chasing after and attacking all of us! She's such a frisky little pesk! We all know Queen Bambi's passion is her highness herself.

7. Getting or giving present:  We all love getting catnip, except for Timmy. The vet says he doesn't have a catnip receptor in his brain. But, he does like to give toy mousies to Mom. I like to give myself over to The Monk for petting. Buffy likes to give us all a hard time. Queen Bambi? Well, you know she doesn't like to give anything.... Oops, she says she honors us all with her presence and that's the best present of all. I stand corrected.

8. Favorite pattern:  We all like the criss cross pattern of the window screen. If you stare at it long enough, it becomes invisible!

   9. Favorite day of the week:  We all like Sundays best because that's when The Monk comes to visit us.

  10. Favorite flowers:  Buffy and I all like the jasmine that grows outside the kittchen window, especially in the evenings. Timmy and Bambi like the Alstromeria. But, Mom can't bring them in the house anymore because they eat them!

Our friends Milo and Alfie did this on their blog and said we could do the same. And if you haven't already done it, go ahead and let us know you did. That way we all get to know each other better!

Kitty Cat Tea Party

The Royal Tea Party was a success! The table was set with all our favorite pieces.

The table cloth was hand embroidered by Grandma Deane. Notice the lovely kittens!

You will notice our favorite tea pot was in attendance, flanked by her two blue kitty creamers. As everyone knows, you never can have enough cream in your catnip tea!

We each chose our own favorite tea cups to adorn the table.


And as you can see, CATNIP, fresh from the garden!!!

Timmy, the Timid. was first to inspect the delights of our table, but as you will soon learn, the poor boy does not have the nose, nor the palate to have a gourmand's appreciation of catnip, neither straight, dried, nor as liquid refreshment.

He is strange that way. Don't you think?

Whoever heard of a cat that does not enjoy partaking of catnip, especially when fresh from one's own garden?

Nor, because of his awkward shyness, did he care to partake of our company.

A travesty, I say! Oh, what a queen has to put up with these days! Our youth have no manners!

Therefore he left the tea party early and took his cream privately as he is wont to do. Poor boy!

Perhaps, being a gangly boy cat, he is too young for such goings on.

Though you would never know he is still a kit from the size of him!

He towers over us all! We are sure you can tell just by looking at the picture. Yes?

As he grows older and gains some social graces, we are quite sure he will develop into a quality gentlemanly cat of breeding.

Needless to say, it was just the three of us attending the festivities.

My Liege, the dark and handsome, Ninja, there on the left in the picture.

Our little Princess Buffy, the Bampire Flayer, on the right.

She is growing up so fast. Don't you think? Hardly a kitten anymore. And such good manners. Just look at her dainty little cup. She took such lady like little sips

And of course, your Royal Highness, Moi.

Cat on Window Screen

This is our friend, John's Cat. His name is Tommy. He was rescued a few months back after John's cat, Cosmo, went to the bridge. (RIP Cosmo). Tommy is full of mischief! He lives in Florida and has lots of interesting things to watch, like lizards, for instance! He likes to wait until John is asleep and then Tommy goes through the kitchen cupboards. We are sure he must be inspecting to make sure there are no bugs in there. What a good watch cat Tommy is!  He likes to hang out at the top of the window screen. Perhaps he can get a better view of the birds that way, or perhaps an insect was taunting him. What a super cat Tommy is! We just love that jet plane on Tommy's chest. Maybe he just wants to fly! He's a handsome boy cat! Dontcha think?

Eyebrow Cat

The repair man came to the house. He took one look at Timmy and said, "Wow! That cat has eyebrows! I've never seen a cat with eyebrows before!"

It's funny. Because we never noticed. 

What do you think? Does Timmy have eyebrows?

Queen Bambi Requests Your Presence

 
YOU are cordially invited 

to attend 

an exclusive Kitty Kat Tea Party

to welcome the arrival of 

HRH Prince William 

and 

HRH Princess Kate 

to California

Event: Royal High Tea
Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: Kitchen Table
Hosted by: HRH Queen Bambi of Carita Court

Watsonville, California

Menu

Catnip Tea

Seafood Scones

Clotted Cream

Catmint Jelly

Please RSVP

The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming!

Queen Bambi has just learned that her illustrious royal cousins, Prince William and his lovely wife are presently visiting Canada and will soon be heading down to the great state of California, where we live.

Queen Bambi is very excited about this and looking forward to having our cousins dropping by for tea.

I am concerned for my Queen's sake. She was so disappointed when they didn't invite her to their big shebang, their wedding. And I hope they will deign to have tea with her. You know how sensitive my Queen is. I don't want her feelings hurt if they don't show up!

I just wish I had connections to make sure such an arrangement could be made. Otherwise this coming week could be disastrous, not only for Queen Bambi but for all of us.

We have had quite a time soothing her from the ravages of all the fireworks that were "bursting in air" the last two days. She finally ran up into the closet and hid herself in my army tent. Needless to say I spent an uncomfortable night without the comfort of my own cot.

Don't purrsons know that those loud noises hurt our ears and shock us? You should have seen the birds yesterday in the midst of all the racket. They were not nesting quietly in their trees, but flying around very disturbed squeaking and squawking their terror. They haven't yet come to the bird feeders yet today, either.

Independence Day Cats

Last night was pretty scary an' we are so glad we are inside cats! For many hours we heard loud crackling an' popping noises an' some big booms, almost like thunder, too! Me an' Buffy sure wondered what was going on.

Queen Bambi say when she was a outside kitten she remember those days when the crackling an' banging happenened. She say she ran everywhere an' could not get away from those loud noises. She even got lost an' had to find her way home. She feel much safer now living here wiff Mom an' the rest of us.

Ninja told me an' Buffy not be worry. Is a way that purrsons celebrate something' important called Independence Day.

It's the birffday of America. This is the country where we live. That's what Ninja say. We like birffdays!

But, we didn't understand 'bout the loud noises. After all, there are lotsa important days an' dere are not all those bangs an' bams going on.

I guess we still has lots to learn.

Tonight, Ninja says, it will be much more exciting. He say if we sit in the window, we will see something very pretty called fireworks. They are like many bright colored flying bugs, only more better, he say.

We have never seen such a thing! We loves watching bugs (an' catching them, too)! We can hardly waits to see them fireworks!

Cone of Shame!

 This is Trouble, otherwise known as Tribble.

He's had a bit of surgery on his tail, but he keeps biting at the stitches so he's now a Cone Head!  

Oh for shame!

We has a furrend who is going through the same thing. 

You can visit Abigail's site and find out what happened

http://abigailsroamings.blogspot.com/