Bed Buddy

Leo has turned into a bed time buddy! After Greg goes to work Leo, and Star goes to one of her sleeping spots, he wanders in and curls up on the bed. Sometimes he leans on my legs, but mostly he curls up on Greg’s side, either leaning on his pillows or not.

As long as I’m laying there, I can reach over and pet him and he just loves it. He will purr and give me love eyes. He’s just the sweetest thing. But the second I get up and turn on the light, he takes off like a shot!

Today I got him to come back after the light was on! He rolled around on the bed and got some good pettin’s. Star came out of the closet, her sleeping spot of the day, and saw him. He saw her and kind of went all flat ears. Star hissed, then just left.

That’s the thing about Leo. He never returns her growls. He never hisses back. He just doesn’t react to her fits. Yes, he will sometimes be the aggressor and jump on her, but silently. That’s important to remember as I tell you what ELSE happened this morning!

I have a rectangle hand mirror that I use when I’m doing my hair. A lot of times when Star is on the bed, I’ll hold it up to show her what a pretty girl she is. She always runs to the mirror and tries to find the kitty behind the glass. She looks all around, digs at it if I lay it on the bed. She’s very interested. And not hissy.

I wondered if Leo wanted to see what a handsome mancat he’s turning out to be. So I held the mirror up for him, about a foot from his face as he was laying on the bed. His eyes went wide, and he growled! Leo! Growled! Wow, was I surprised! I’d never heard that noise come from him before.

Then he jumped to his feet and stepped backward and hissed! Leo! Hissed! It was so shocking. I tried to show him that it was a reflection by waving my hand in front of it, but it didn’t matter. He was ticked at this stranger!

I wonder if he thought it was Star right in his face.. Or if he really thought it was a stranger. All I know is I put the mirror away so he would settle down. But the damage had been done. He quit the room in high dudgeon.

Greg said he didn’t recognize himself because he still thinks like a kitten but in the mirror there was a big full grown mancat. Whatever it was, I don’t know that I’ll show him the mirror again soon.

Know what’s funny though? When he’s on the counter in the bathroom, he sees himself in the big mirror and never gives it a second thought! Funny kitty..

Twisty Kitty

Come on baby, lets do the twist!

Birthday Boy!

There's cake!

Niptini drinks for those who are old enough

And Songs!

To paraphrase my very first blog post: On Saturday, March 26^th, 2011, I fell in love all over again. That’s when I met the new man in my life. His name is Leo. Leo the Chinese Lion. And he is absolutely the mostly cuddly, sweet, fluffy, snugglishious grey kitty I’’ve ever seen!

Five months later, and I still feel the same way. And I’m still beyond grateful to Chrystal, first, for rescuing my baby, and second for allowing me to adopt him. It was a two day trip, eight hours each way, to pick up Leo and I cannot think of any trip I was more glad to make!

The kitten I’d fallen in love with on Chrystal’s blog, Daily Dose of Dogs (aka Cats With Your Coffee), was then almost seven months old. I was expecting a teenage sized kitty. Not a tiny kitten, but not full grown. Was I ever shocked when I first laid eyes on him! He was a big boy! Bigger already than my petite Star.

Chrystal left us in our van with Leo in her carrier so we could transfer him to our carrier. I opened the carrier and peeked in. He was huddled in the back. He wasn’t cowering, but he wasn’t walking out on his own either.

From Chrystal's carrier

To my cage (after a little while in my carrier)

I reached in and pulled him out and he melted right into my arms. You have no idea how much I wanted to just sit there and cuddle him. He didn’t struggle, he seemed happy to be in my arms. But Chrystal was waiting, so I reluctantly moved him into our carrier and gave hers back to her.

If you’ve ever met Chrystal, you might feel like hugging the stuffing out of her like I do. I don’t think I could do what she does, what she goes through. She’s so special, caring for the poor neglected, sick, abandoned, feral, misused and/or tossed away animals.

This amazing woman took time out of her extremely busy schedule to drive over three hours to meet us and entrust Leo to our care. I just love her, how could I not? She rescued my baby and his five sisters from a feral life of fear and mistrust and most probably it would have been a short life devoid of love.

When he was a feral kitten, Chrystal and her family caught him and his sisters and tamed them. They caught their mother too, but she was too feral, too wild, to tame so she was neutered and released. It was over the course of a few days that they got all six of the kittens and the mom. Leo was caught on the first day. The look on his little face in the cage just got me. I wanted him from the minute I saw his first picture. I thought I was just being silly. Getting another kitty wasn’t even on my radar. But oh that face!

Leo on the first day at Chrystals (and possibly Glitter?)

And those paws! How can you not love those big old paws? And then they named him. Wow, that was kind of perfect. I wrote about it in one of my early posts. That my gramma, who I adored and lost, and I were Leo’s and we joked about being the Leo club because we were both born under that sign and love kitties.

I find myself wanting to tell the story again of why I got him and how and everything from all those months ago, but I’ve already said most of it in other posts, and seriously, it would get realllllly long winded! So let me just reiterate that I’m thrilled that I got my big little boy and that I’m oh so grateful to Chrystal for everything!

They didn't know it then, but these two little sweeties had new homes to go to in the future!

Homes with mommies who would love them sooooo much!

There's only one more thing that would make their lives perfect..

So now Leo’s a year old! And boy is he even bigger than he was when we got him! He’s settled in so well. Yes, it’s still touchy between him and Star, but he honestly doesn’t care. He goes where he wants and just ignores her when she goes all Hissyface.

He is the biggest snuggler. He curls with me whenever he can, and when he sleeps near by, he has to have at least one paw touching me. He’s my heart kitty. He’s my boy. And today, he’s my birthday boy!

I gave him a present a day early because I wanted to post some pictures of him with it. If you’ve been reading many of my posts, you know how he loves feathers. And that he’s nibbled the feathers off of every toy that came with a feather. So guess what he got??

FEDDER BALL!!!!!

I got you fedder ball! *chomp*

I see you there fedder ball, don't think yous hiding from me

Watch me pretend to ignore you, fedder ball.. Lulin' you into a false sense of security

..Den I pounces!! Mwahaha!

Soon as I catch my breath, fedder ball, I's gonna pounce you again!

One more Birthday plea. Leo and Trixie's sisters are still looking for their forever homes. Please please look them over, and the other kitties waiting in the cathouse, and take one or two for yourself. Just like us, you will never regret it!

Happy Birthday Leo the Chinese Lion! I loves you!!

Degu Take Two

Tomorrow is Leo's birthday! yay! My baby boy is growing up! Say, as a present to him, why don't you wander over to Chrystal's blog, the one Leo came from, and check out the kitties and doggies up for adoption! I can't think of a better gift!!



Niece 2 brought over her baby Degus again today. I think Leo thought they were an early birthday present and couldn’t figure out why we wouldn’t open the lid for him. Wasabi and Habanero were completely unfazed by the drooling looks they were drawing. They even went nose to nose with the kitties at the glass.

They were here for quite a while, and even had a romp in their hamster ball and went about unmolested. They’ve gotten quite strong and can roll the ball even on carpet, they work together to get it moving and seem to really enjoy it.

I have to say, they are growing on me. They are getting kind of cute. And I’m so proud of my niece working so hard to save them. They’re really thriving now.

First Star had to have a look at what they were doing.

I will figure out how to open this thing.. That's my snack in there.

Then Leo had a long look.

They look delicious.. Why are they behind the forcefield?

I just want a lick... that's all, I promise..

Then they both had to watch the Degu TV.

Star in front: They tease me...

Leo in back: Yeah, me too.. Not fair that mommy won't open it.

In their ball together, the Degu's are irresistible. And completely not afraid. Nothing scared them, they must know they are safe.

I don't get it.. I has opposable thumbs.. why can't I open this ball?

See you tomorrow for the Birthday!

By the way, today is my nephew's birthday! Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Feathers and Sunbeams

Saturday is going to be a special day around here. My sweet baby Leo the Chinese Lion turns one year old! It’s so hard to believe because in some ways it seems like we just got him. He was nine months old when we got him, but I still thought of him as a kitten. So three months later, I’m still thinking kitten, even though he’s HUGE. He’s just a really really big kitten!

Case in point; he plays so hard! Toys are not safe around him! He’s destroyed several of the attachments to his newest wand toy. I don’t think that was as well made as it could have been, but still, he’s rough. Then there’s today.. His maroon feather toy is really well built and tough. Yeah, it’s not on a string, but that’s probably why it holds up so well.

My fedder! I’ma getchu, fedder!

Until now.

He was going banana’s, attacking it, chewing feathers when he got hold of it, batting at it. Generally being a big playful goofball. He got a good grip, and whoopsie! He pulled a feather out of it! What a little brat! But I guess as long as he’s having fun... The silly bug.

Poor sad fedder...

Of course, that just gave him another toy to play with.

As soon as I has you dragged under the Royal Footstool, yer gonna get the bittin’ of a lifetime, fedder! Bwahaha!

Star had a pretty good day. She found a spot in the sun to lay in. Nothing is better than sun pools. Kitties are solar powered, you know, their tummies are solar panels! There was a chair in this particular sun pool, but she didn’t want the chair. Most of the sun pool was on the bare cement, but she didn’t want the cement either. She laid on the tiny little swatch of sun that was on the edge of the carpet. She was quite content with it.

Yes, this is exactly the right spot.

　

Of course I’m aware that it’s only covering about a quarter of me. My lasers are only down about a quarter of a charge.

　

You may go about your business now. I have some warm sun grooming to perform.

While I have your attention. Can I direct you to Chrystal's blog? She has a full cathouse and needs to get some of them into new forever homes. Three months ago I answered the call to adopt a Winnie's Wish kitty and I couldn't be happier! Neither, if I can speak for him, could Leo. It's so important for these kitties to have good, permanent, homes. Yes, they are taken care of and loved in the cat house, but nothing can substitute for a home of your own.

If you have ever thought about adding a kitty to your home. Or if you think you have enough kitties, but one of them touches your heart. Or if you know someone who needs the love and companionship of a sweet kitty. Then please, please, go to her blog, look over the kitties, and bring one into your home. Daily Dose of Dogs (aka Cats with your Coffee) has some great kitties, and a few doggies, that need you. Please consider adoption. (And send over people you know who can adopt too!)

Remember, distance is no object, the cat blogosphere will work hard to make sure any kitty gets into it's new home, no matter how far!

Wordless Winder Wednesday

Leo

Star

Tall Boy

Leo is so stinking tall that it’s hard to hide anything from him... Seriously, he can reach just about anything he wants. And he wants whatever he can reach.

When petite little Star is feeling lazy and wants to be put on the counter rather than jump, (she is getting old, and sometimes she just can’t bear to make the leap), she will stand up, stretch and reach up toward the counter. She’s scratching when she does that, but I know.. just can tell.. that what she’s really doing is asking for a lift. When she does that, her paws come sorta close to the counter top which sticks out over the vanity. (She gets a drink on the bathroom counter every day. She’s not spoiled. Much)

When Leo is being... well, Leo, he will reach up and wrap both paws around the corner of the counter with ease. When he does that, he’s not necessarily looking for a lift, though he is not a good jumper. When he’s asking for a lift he will stand with his back to me, slightly arched, tail in the air. I call it ‘Assuming the pick me up position’ when he does this. He’s very scoop-able when he stands like that.

You’ve seen the pictures of him reaching up for bugs near the wall lamp, which is way high on the wall because it used to be above a tallish cabinet. He really stretches for that. But the other night he thought he saw a bug a little way over. It was not a bug, it was a nail from a painting that was HIGHER than the bottom of the lamp!

He’s tall, is what I’m saying..

So what happened tonight should not have surprised anyone. Snack time, and Star was not having any of what Leo was having. There was fish in his chicken. Ok, fine, he doesn’t have to share, he can have that all to himself. So I gave her a tiny can of one of her standby favorites, all chicken, no chunks.

Leo ate some of his and decided to see what Princess Hissyface had in her bowl. She was not at all in the mood for this today. Greg had pity on her and went to shoo the infidel invader away from her and her dish, but she must have thought he was after her for being such a growler and she ran.

This was the last can of, well, of any of the stuff we know she will eat, so Greg picked it up when Leo tried to go face down in it. She’d hardly had any of it so we knew she’d be back and would be highly disappointed if her dish was empty when she did.

Greg set Star’s dish on the table and put a little more of Leo’s in his bowl so he wouldn’t feel left out ether. Leo had a few more bites and then went to see where the other stuff went. Stubborn boy.. I heard Greg say "Hey!" and looked up to see Leo standing, one paw on the table, the other reaching for the dish about half a foot from the edge.

He tapped the food in the dish with his paw, and while still standing holding onto the table, he licked the stinky goodness from his big ol’ toes. Then he reached again, got another pawful, and licked it. For pity sake! What a goober! And why why why are the batteries out of the camera EVERY stinkin’ time something funny happens???

It looked like Leo the Goofball was going to try to eat the whole dish this way! Of course, tall as he is, his head is over the edge of the table as he’s doing this so he looks like an adorable dinner guest. With the bad manners to eat with his hands, er... paws.

But no! He was not content to eat this way. He used that big ol’ mitt of his to try to drag the dish to the edge! Presumably to knock it to the floor where he could get at it better! That’s when Greg stepped in again. He moved the dish to the dead center of the table so Leo couldn’t reach it! We hoped..

Greg then put Leo’s dish where Star had been eating earlier so he would be fooled into thinking it was her dish. Not sure how well that worked, but he did go face down in it again. Until a truely gigantic moth fluttered by! Mothra?? *shudder* He spent the next 20 minutes tracking, leaping at, stalking, talking to, pouncing and generally going nuts for this new tasty morsel. Which, I’m relieved to say, he finally caught and hopefully completely munched! I’m pretty sure he did, because he stopped talking to it..

Goodness, he’s a very active dinner guest!




So I have no pictures of Leo’s silly snack behavior. But I do have yet another silly sleeping position of his... how could he breath?? He slept like that for a good twenty minutes!

*snuffle snort snore snuffle*

I keep trying to get a pretty picture of Star’s face. She’s such a lovely kitty but she squints when I get the camera out and looks all ticked off. Leo squints at the camera too.. Darn flash.

I dislike your bright light thingie. Stop using it or I will chew it into one thousand five hundred and thirty two different bits.

For this one I put my finger over the flash, but I got this weird pink hue.. From flashing through my skin, eww. Still, kinda artistic? Filtered? Oh well, she’s pretty no matter what color.

I’m so glad we understand each other now. You may view my profile.

More paint on the walls! A little darker than we thought it would be.. We'll have to look at it in the daylight tomorrow to see if we're going to keep it that color or make the second coat lighter.

Star was sporting one blue whisker earlier, and I'm not talking the blue as in her shade of gray is called blue.. I had a heck of a time catching her to wipe it off so she wouldn't lick it. I don't know if it's toxic to kitties, but it can't be good for them.

Playin' Hard!

Before I get to the cute pictures and stuff, is anyone else having a problem with blogger not keeping the blog roll updated? Mine gives the title of previous day’s posts and says they were posted like 20 minutes or something odd ago but if I go to them anyway, there’s something new within hours.. If it’s just me, might be my computer, if not then must be blogger. Anyway.. just curious.



The other day, daddy played with Leo. And Leo wasn’t skiddish in the least! He’s really coming out of his shell. In fact, let me digress here... When Greg came home from work a few days ago, Leo ran TOWARDS the door. He sat about two feet from the door in an alert position and watched Greg get the mail. When Greg opened the door and came in Leo bounced away, not ran, but goofy boy bounce. He jumped on the Royal Footstool like he was waiting for some petting attention. At the last minute though, he jumped down and moved a few feet away, not ready for welcome home pets after all I guess. Still, it was progress!

So Greg had one of the toy wands and Leo leaped and bounced around like a mad kitty and played with Daddy!

Look at those wild eyes!

Got it! Bwahaha!

Gettin' ready.. gettin' ready.. aaaany second now..

Yeeha!!!! ....ooo where'd it go?

That's better.. I'll lay here, you bring it to me. That'll work!

Aww, poor boy got alllll tuckered out from playing so hard. Him needs a nappy poo.

zzzzzz

Do you think he's trying to tell me something by the way he's sleeping?

Shh already mom... tired boy sleepin' here..

Monorail?

You may have noticed in my pictures of late, but because of the work we’re doing on the house, we don’t have curtains on our windows. While this drives me crazy, it did allow me to see something today that I usually wouldn’t see.

I was talking to my nephew’s fiancé, who was sitting in The Chair, which at that time was by the back window. The Chair moves around a lot depending on where the work is at the moment.. Anyway, as I looked at her, something caught my attention out the window. I was flabbergasted and just stared for a few minutes. First, because I wasn’t certain that the critter was alive, it lay so still.. And also because... all I could think about was monorail cat from Icanhascheezburger.

I finally had the presence of mind to grab the camera.. which had the batteries out to save them.. (anyone else irritated at how fast digital camera’s suck down battery life?) I was sure it would be gone by the time I got it ready... but dang if it wasn’t still there! In exactly the same position!

We only managed to get one picture, and he picked up his head... he’d been laying with his chin down on the branch almost the whole time. I think he caught the movement of people trying to take his picture. Still, pretty cute huh?

Here’s a closer crop, same picture.

Do you think he'd had a hard night drinking too many acorn-tinies?

Remember Leo’s fort from yesterday? Today, of course, it got taken down. Needed the table elsewhere. Leo keep pawing at the plastic in a pathetic, you stole my toy, kind of way. Of course, by the time I got the camera ready again, he was on to the next toy. Ready to pounce the last of the feathered balls... becoming less feathered every day, poor thing.

I want my fort back... oooo the fedder ball is tauting me!

You shall pay for your insolence fedder ball!

　

Star probably wishes she could get in the back window to watch the squirrel.. still, she looks pretty comfy. (she looks so fuzzy and cuddly all backlit like that!)

You know, the view would be better if you put

some seed in that snack lure bird feeder..

The Bold and the Playful

Leo just left the building. Well, the room anyway. It seems he has pretty much lost his fear of the Cave of the Growling Creature. Except when he can see her crouching in the doorway guarding her room. He’s been in here a lot since I told about waking up with him on the bed in the Invasion part 2 story a few days ago.

This was the first time I’d seen him in here when Greg was here though. I saw someone jump up behind Greg and it took me a few minutes to realize that it wasn’t Star. She usually jumps up and makes her way over to jump on me, force me to close my laptop so she can lay on it. When I realized that it was Leo, I tried to call him to me quietly. It wouldn’t do to alert Star to his presence as I’m sure she’s on her closet box as she generally is unless she’s, as I said, on my laptop.

It took him a little bit, but he came over and laid down between me and Greg. I’m surprised that the snoring didn’t scare him off... (someone isn’t using his sleep apnea mask tonight...) He seemed like he was going to settle in for a nap down by our knees, but I made the mistake of moving my leg and he took off. Couldn’t he tell it was mine? Silly boy. Still, it bodes well for the future and him sleeping in here with us. I can only hope Star becomes more accepting of him soon.

Speaking of Star, she’s been more cuddly and more playful lately. She still grumbles a lot, but the only smack down I’ve seen recently was when they were both excited about snack time and jumped onto the Royal Footstool at the same time! Yikes!

She found the last remaining feather ball, that still had a bit of feather on it! And played with it for several minutes!

Oh hello feather ball... You look a little worse for wear.

Let me help... chomp! heh heh heh

Flippity flip, toss, chase, bap, chomp!

Leo’s been a goof, as usual. There is a drop cloth covering a table. It was covering the table and The Chair, but hey, we use The Chair every day! Apparently the drop cloth hanging over this table makes an irresistible fort. Leo has made a little tunnel doorway behind it and goes under there a lot. Then he skitters around batting at the edges and generally being.. well, a goof.

Can you see him?

oooohhh, I'm in my fort, in my fort, playin' in my fort!

Ooo edges wiggled! bap! bap! hee hee hee Love muh fort!