In Trouble Again!

Well I knew it couldn't last. I just couldn't be a good, sweet, loving kitty 24 hours a day, every day. I just had to try once again to get my people up before dawn.

You see, I had actually forced myself to adapt their schedule, even though it was never my desire to sleep until daylight. And I've been as good as gold. But today. Today! I just had to jump into the middle of them and make a nuisance of myself until they were fully awake. Oh, and mad. Did I mention that? They were almost rabid.

Who knows why I decided to wake them up long before daylight today. Maybe I was feeling neglected because they forgot to feed me my canned food. Oh yes, my dry food was plentiful, but they just plain old forgot about my good stuff. And maybe I didn't realize it until the middle of the night. Hey, I can't analyze myself to know what I was thinking.

Now I'm not speaking to my she-person because she swept me out of the blinds and onto the floor. Bah Humbug! I'm not even enjoying my view outdoors even though it is a beautiful day, and its all because my feelings have been double-hurt. So I'm still hiding in a corner, asleep. I'll bet they'll miss me after a while and feel sorry for me and feed me double tonight. They had better or there will be trouble!!! G-r-r-r-r-r.

There Are Cute Kids, Then There's ME

Here's another of those cute stories my people received in their email about kids and their versions of life. My people sure have some funny friends who send these things to them.

A kindergarten pupil told his teacher he'd found a cat, but it was dead.

"How do you know that the cat was dead?" she asked her pupil.

"Because I pissed in its ear and it didn't move," answered the child innocently.

You did WHAT ? ! ?" the teacher exclaimed in surprise.

"You know,"explained the boy, "I leaned over and went 'Pssst!' and it didn't move."

And speaking of cute kids, my people went to a school concert to watch their grandniece, Maddison, perform. Her kindergarten group walked out on stage and sang a number, then little Maddison stepped forward to a microphone and belted out the lead to the song "Down By the Bay." She would sing a verse, and the rest of the group would repeat it. Gee, we all knew she was awfully cute, but who knew she could so confidently stand in front of an auditorium full of strangers and sing in a clear, strong voice. I hear she was the hit of the evening. Wish I could have been there. You go girl!!!

I had a rough night, so I'm catching up on sleep today. My she-person kept bouncing around because she was uncomfortable, so as a result, and since I was snuggled next to her legs, I suffered all night long. A sweet little kitty-boy like me can't catch a break around here, so it's back to my favorite daytime spot on the dashboard! Nobody bothers me there . . . Z-z-z-z-z.

Robins and Grandmas and Sleeping Bags

That annoying little robin has been back tormenting me. I think it knows I can't get out, so it hops around chirping as loud as it can, right under my nose! Oh how I would love to get out and chase it. I couldn't hurt it because I don't have claws, but I'll bet I could grab a mouthful of tail feathers.

I met my grandma person yesterday, but she doesn't like animals so I didn't get near her. I only looked at her and she looked back at me. I've heard how she has never touched any of my peoples' past dogs or cats, even when they snuggled up right beside her. And I've heard how they tried to get her to love them by lying beside her and looking up adoringly at her.

I don't think she really doesn't like animals, I just think she's never had one of her own and is a little scared of them and me. Sad.

Besides the robin, my other trauma today was getting rolled up in a sleeping bag. My she-person wanted to make up the bed. Meanwhile, I had claimed my spot on the rolled out sleeping bag, so she decided to start rolling it up to encourage me to move. Only I didn't -- at least not right away. I just looked up at her and stayed put until she got impatient and rolled me right up in it. I promptly wiggled my way out and laid down on the top part that hadn't been rolled up yet.

Usually I enjoy lying on top of the rolled up bag in the sunshine, but this morning I felt lazy so I wasn't about to make it easy for her to roll it up. Besides, the sunshine was kinda puny this morning, so why bother.

Another day in the Evergreen State, another day of gray! Meow-w-w.

Oops! Yippee! The sun just peeked out. I'm heading for my post in front of the door where I can see what kind of critters might come out in the sunshine. Purr-r-r-r.

Too Big for My Harness

The temperature is in the 60s and the door is open so I can look out. Woo-hoo! This place may not be the greatest environment for wildlife, but a plump, yummy-looking robin just landed on our picnic table and chattered at me. I love it, but I sure wish I could get outside and chase it.

My people are once again threatening to take me to Petsmart so they can get me weighed and buy me a new harness since I promptly outgrew the first two they bought me. They want me to try them on so they can get one big enough to fasten around my girth.

Hey, how about getting me that cool looking cat walking jacket that I saw on the Internet? It looks way more like my style! And I'll bet it wouldn't have to go over my head, like the harness. I do hate to have my hair spiked up by having something shoved over my ears and head. I work too hard keeping it sleek, shiny and perfect.

Someone had the nerve to ask my people if they give me baths. Puh-leeze! I'd like to see them try that! I'm perfectly capable of giving myself all the baths I need!

By the way -- while my people are out of earshot, let me tell you a little secret about them. They love to eat as much as I do. When they've been out for awhile, they always, always come home reeking of food. And for all their complaining about my weight, I can tell you that one of them is not as svelte from behind as she could be! Maybe I ought to take her to Peoplesmart, if there is such a place, and get her weighed. Now that would be justice!

I'll just be hanging out until next time, watching for a warm sunny spot where I can sun myself. Meow-w-w.

Hello! Eastern Washington

After two days of traveling, we're finally in Eastern Washington. And guess what--it's raining!!! Can't a cuddly little kitty get away from all this rain? Could this be why they call Washington the Evergreen State. Should be the "Ever-Gray State" if they ask me!

The trip was mostly uneventful, and I hung out on the bed in the back of the motorhome where it was nice and cozy. Now I go there automatically when the motorhome starts up. It was very warm and sunny for the entire two-day trip.

We stopped in Moses Lake and my people met their friends who live there for dinner, then went to see their new home and their dog, Benji. Of course, I was left home to wonder whether I would ever see them again. After all, they had drug me for 200 miles that day and I didn't have a clue where I was, or whether they knew where we were. For all I knew they just drove and drove, then stopped in a strange place in the middle of nowhere. I don't want them go off and get lost somewhere, then not be able to get back home to me.

Now we're settled even further east in a park that has some grass (read that, about 3 feet of grass) and trees between units, but mostly, there is blacktop here. Still, I love to sit at the door and watch for birdies. At least that's what I did yesterday. Today it is cold and miserable, so I'm catching up on my beauty sleep on the upper bunk. I can hear the pitter-patter of the raindrops just above my head, so I'll be the first to know when it stops and can jump down and resume my usual play routine.

My people still have to download pictures of the wildlife in Tacoma, but as I've said before, it's hard to get good people who'll do what they're supposed to! So we'll see how long it takes them.

Until next time, snore-e-e-e.

Wildlife Sighting

I know I haven't posted in a few days, so this morning I gave my she-person one of those looks that says, "I need to let all my fans know about the exciting stuff what's going on." So she's typing while I dictate.

The exciting news is that I'm seeing more and more wild things outside my window. A great big crow flew in between our rig and the one next door and was pecking at the ground. I could just picture making a feast out of him. He's been back a few times now and sometimes he even lands on the picnic table. Then I saw a plump little robin hopping around on the ground. Now that's something I could get my teeth around, given half the chance.

Today a fat little squirrel sat up on its hind legs facing me. Golly, I'd love to chase it up a tree. I was busy daydreaming about what a lot of fun that would be, but then those two big fat waddling Canada geese came over honking their brains out and scared the squirrel away. Let me tell you, they kinda scared me, too. I jumped backwards when they came too close and stared towards my window. I don't need that kind of harrassment. When they walk away, I can picture myself chasing them. Just as long as I don't have to look them in the eye. They're just a little bit bigger than I would want to tackle head-on.

That's all for now. I'm still demanding that my people post pictures of the Canada geese on my blog, but they're kinda lazy so it may take awhile. Until next time, purr-r-r-r.

Abandoned Animals - A Serious Problem

I heard something on the TV news the other day that really, really upsets me. Apparently people are losing their homes all over the country and because of that, lots of pets are being abandoned. For some reason, people are taking all their stuff but leaving their animals behind. Maybe they can’t take their animals with them, and maybe some of them become homeless and have no money to eat much less feed their pets. But these people made a commitment and they’re just walking away from their responsibilities to their family pets as well as their loans. How can they do that? Why can’t they take their animals to an animal shelter or contact someone before they move out of their homes to take care of their four-legged family members?

In addition to cats and dogs, farm animals are being abandoned, too. Beautiful and proud horses are left to starve when they are left behind. I know what it is like to be hungry because someone abandoned me, but I was just a little kitty and it didn’t take as much to feed me as it does a horse, or a pig or goat. Plus I was awfully cute and people were bound to feel pity for me.

So what can you do to help these abandoned animals and pets? If you can adopt a homeless animal, please do. And if you can only give money to help animals, give to your local no-kill animal shelter.

Also, there’s an animal sanctuary in Southern Utah called Best Friends that rescues animals that have been seriously mistreated and abused (like Michael Vick’s dogs), or are seriously ill or injured and need lots of medical care, therapy, and rehabilitation. Those animals that can be rehabilitated are put up for adoption. Those that are beyond hope are given a lifetime of loving care, regardless of their problems. Best Friends welcomes volunteers to help out in addition to having a large paid staff of professionals in animal care. Animals live in their own sections with names like Dogtown, Horse Haven and Kittyville.

If you have an RV, Best Friends has a couple of beautiful RV sites at their sanctuary in Angel Canyon in Kanab, Utah, so you can stay there while you visit, plus there are several other nearby RV parks. RV stays in the Sanctuary sites are limited to 14 days. The Sanctuary also has eight guest cottages and additional cabins that can be rented. Members of Best Friends pay reduced rates.

This would make a great vacation for those who want to physically help out, especially families with kids, although children under five are not allowed to volunteer. The Sanctuary is close to several National Parks where you can go hiking, sightseeing, or boating amid breathtaking scenery like that in Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Lake Powell. They are why this area is called the Golden Circle of National Parks, plus the Vermillion Cliffs are nearby and the Grand Canyon is not that far away. The Sanctuary is about 4 hours from Las Vegas and 6 hours from either Phoenix or Salt Lake City.

I put a link to Best Friends on the right—or go here to learn about the Sanctuary: http://www.bestfriends.org/aboutus/,
or here to learn about accommodations: http://www.bestfriends.org/atthesanctuary/angelcanyon/visitorfaq.cfm.
Please, please check their site to learn about this amazing, life-saving, compassionate program.

Stuttering

My people got another of those hilarious emails that they love to read out loud. I thought my she-person was gonna bust a gut laughing. See what you think.

A teacher is explaining biology to her 4th grade students. 'Human beings are the only animals that stutter', she says.

A little girl raises her hand. 'I had a kitty-cat who stuttered', she volunteered.

The teacher, knowing how precious some of these stories could become, asked the girl to describe the incident.

'Well', she began, 'I was in the back yard with my kitty and the Rottweiler that lives next door got a running start and before we knew it, he jumped over the fence into our yard!'

'That must've been scary', said the teacher.

'It sure was', said the little girl. 'My kitty raised his back, went 'Fffff, Fffff, Fffff'...And before he could say 'Fiddlesticks', the Rottweiler ate him!'


Okay, the kitty wasn’t trying to say fiddlesticks, but my people would wash my mouth out with soap if I used the real word. Now what’s so funny about a kitty getting eaten by a dog?

Drunk on Life

The weirdest thing happened to me. A couple of nights ago I started staggering and wobbling like a drunk. And no, I hadn't been smoking any funny stuff or drinking exotic drinks.

The he-person had my feathers on a stick that I love to play with so much, and he held it and twirled it around and around above my head. Well silly me, I whirled around in a tight little circle about six times trying my darndest to catch the feathers until my head was spinning, too. Then all of a sudden I had to stop, but my eyes bugged out and my body kept swaying back and forth. I couldn't figure out what in a fat rat's tail was happening to me!

My people laughed until they were blue in the face, but I couldn't see what was so funny. Now I'm trying to think of a way to get even. Trust me, I'll get them eventually.

We've had a couple of days of good weather and the Canada geese have been extra noisy. I'll put a photo of them on my blog in a couple of days They honk so loud, they've been giving me fits! Between listening to them and keeping an eye out for the gray and white next door and the deer that keep parading behind the motorhome, I'm not getting many cat naps. But then, I don't need my beauty sleep as much as my people do. M-e-o-w-w-w!

Life is Good

Y'all, life is good. It basically revolves around eating, sleeping, checking out the windows for wildlife, and eating. No that's not a mistake--I meant to say eating twice. I just love to eat. My people are threatening to take me to Petsmart just so they can weigh me. I'm not sure either one of them can carry me in my crate. I'm getting as big as a panther -- g-r-r-r-r-r.

That will suit me. Better not no one mess with me then. And that gray and white next door had better not hiss at me anymore. Actually, I'm a lover, so I would probably lick anything to death that attacked me. My favorite time of the day is when I wake up and lie there until my people come stroke my neck and under my chin. Then I purr like a motorboat. I might even lick their noses if they lean in close enough.

Oops, did I say that's my favorite time of the day. I didn't mean it. My really, really favorite time is feeding time. Purr-r-r-r.

We're leaving here in a couple of weeks, and my attitude might change a little when we hit the road again. If I could, I would prevent that from happening. I like the routine better when we're not traveling, but my people promise this will only be a one-day trip, or maybe two. That had better be true. We'll see, growl-l-l-l.