Lorelei Lee Has Arrived

Lori is now safely  here, staying in The Mews Room to get used to the sounds and smells.  Ann Adamus visited to take part in the Grand Arrival.

More tomorrow.  Lots of pics.

But here's one Ann made previously just for today...

 

We Are Back

TBT:   I had to take a few days off because I was feeling unimaginative, didn't have pictures, needed to get some house and yardwork done, but MOSTLY I was getting all warped up about IF and WHEN 'New Kitty' was finally going to arrive.  I even stopped visiting favorite discussion forums.

I spoke to the breeder (who has had a difficult year herself) yesterday.  It seems we have a firm delivery date Sunday Oct 31st.  Aside from the fact that it has been over a year since I first asked about adopting a female Tonkinese kitten with colors "generally" like Iza's (there was a waiting list and some discussion of my qualifications as a "Cat-Daddy"), there were some breeding problems.  

One Queen miscarried, there was a failed mating (I think), another litter was all Burmese chocolate colored.  I was tempted by the Burmese color Tonkie kitten.  It would be an interesting color, but I wasn't sure the "Iza" personality would be there.

The Gotcha Date is (as Spock might say" "fascinating".  I got Skeeter as a kitten on Halloween Day 1992 and LC the same date in 1993.  It wasn't deliberate and neither is this new arrival the same date.  Sometimes things "just happen".

I should explain why I sought a kitten who would look and maybe act like Iza.  I have gone beyond the idea of a "single" heart-cat .  Skeeter was for sure and I will never forget him.  LC became one, after she missed Skeeter and turned to me for comfort after.  It was only a year, but time doesn't define love.

The truth is that all mine are Heart-Cats in their own ways.  If one leaves a hole in my heart, another heals it.

When Skeeter and LC went Over The Bridge, Ayla healed me.  She had a hard start, needing 3 spay operations before things got right (the first two by the breeders vet). Many were the nights we struggled with her in heat while she set her claws in me "needing" something she did not understand.  When my OWN vet finally fixed her she became a lovey heart cat.  She seeks my attention.  She is aging. She went from "crazy" to "loving.  She is nearing 15 and when she crosses The Bridge, she will become a heart cat as an equal to Skeeter and LC...

Marley is going to be a legitimate Heart Cat someday.  He is special.  The friendliest cat I have ever had.  He puts up with anything and eats whatever I offer.  He loves to sleep under the covers with me at night (but not pushing against me).

We will see about Laz.  He needed a LOT of comforting and socializing for nearly a year after he first arrived and I almost gave up a few times.  He is still healing from the bad first home, but getting better every month.  He is STILL kinda of nuts sometimes.  But he is only 4 and has time to develop into a Heart Cat.  He has some promising traits (he loves Under The Blankets pressed against me).  I sometimes wonder what he will be like at 10.   

I'm not saying every cat is a Heart Cat.  When I was younger, I had a couple who were just plain MEAN.  I've been luckier since the 80s.  

But to end, I am SO looking forward to the new female Tonkie kitten arriving Sunday.  Laz came from a harsh home.  Lorelei Lee will be from a happy positive home and I can give her love and attention that Laz was cheated of in his early years.

And I'll continue to give Laz, Ayla, and Marley all the attention they can take...  'Mark's Mews' will continue to be of Happy Cats...

On Vacation

 We are taking a brief vacation...

It's My Birthday!

LAZ:  I'm 4! TBT says I am in the prime age of my life.  So I deserve ta have a PAWTY.  

I don't care much fer toys or games, I'm meowing about FOOD!  I asked TBT about MEAT and OUTSIDE and he obliged.  Because I love both so much...

(No spices)

(TBT wll smash the shells away)

And more shrimps!

And we have Nip and treats all over the house.  But they are hidden, so ya have ta find them.  It is part of the fun...

And OF COURSE we have games.  But MY games...  (well, I'm new at this)  We will paw into the puzzle box fer treats and whap the egg thing where Nip falls out iffen ya hit it hard.  And we will run around hard.  

Wand toys for those who love them (I just like ta chew on the strings)

TBT says I "hurl myself through life".  I don't quite understand that as I almost never toss up what I eat. But I do crash around a lot and even bounce off his legs when he walks along the hallway.  Well, what can I say?  He just gets in the way of me sometimes.

So come ta the pawty.  It is sure going to be a wild time.  There are many ways ta arrive.  The long tunnel is set up, the TV is on but set to  no channel, the dryer door is opoen for those who prefer that, and TBT is watching the deck door  (between keeping the litter boxes clean and spreading bowls of food around) for anyone who misses the inside by a few paws...

At daylight, those who feel OK outside are welcome ta join Marley and I outside.  The fence is high and safe.  We have mousies all over the place.  But yer welcome ta stay inside too.  Ayla will be hostess inside.

LET THE PAWTY BEGIN!

New Kitty Update

TBT:  The new female Tonkinese kitty was supposed to be available Oct 12th, but a family medical issue required the breeder to return home out-of-state the week before.  She emailed saying she would be back to deliver it here Oct 30-31.  I do appreciate being spared a 3 hour round trip... 

The kittens are being cared for by a partner, but I am sure she wants to meet me personally before handing one over.  And if she wants to check out the living conditions, I wouldn't blame her for that either.

I just wanted to let everyone know the status...

She sent some pictures:

Flashback Friday/Toctober

We missed Tocktober Day pics, but conveniently happened ta look at the very year this week in 2011 when we had some of our best.  Its Ayla, Iza and Marley, but since Laz hasnt quite agreed to this kind of pic, it works out well enough.

Also, Ayla and Iza were getting along and sometimes napped together.

Ayla was still a bit cautious though...

But peaceful is peaceful...

Womancat Wensday

 AYLA:  I like sittin on the top of the aquarium.

I'm not after the fishies.

But the hood is warm from the lamp.

I like that.  

Warmth is good!

Twofur Tuesday

 LAZ:  I sure love nappin with Marley.  

He is such a good Big Brother.

Sometimes we get apart.

But I know he is close, an that is OK...

I'll edge up closer later.  He doesn't mind.

Mancat Monday

MARLEY:  I'm having a good Mancat day relaxing on The Lap.

I can stay there a long time.  Even when TBT shifts his feet around.

He says I get heavy.  How can he say that?  It would take 10 of me ta equal his weight!

Well, I DO weigh more than Laz and Ayla together...

But thats HIS problem.  Im a cat.  Im entitled to The Lap!
 

Flashback Friday

 Today, we go back to this week 2013...

It was a varied week to be sure.

Ayla had adopted the Ess for sitting and watching...

Marley was showing off his tummy.

The Caladiums were fading but still colorful.

The Zinnias were in full flower.

The Autumn Joy Sedums were reddening up...

The ferns loved the damp Fall rains.

And Iza was enjoying time outside chasing the falling leaves...

I think the fluttering motion of the leaves made her think of butterflies.What cat doesn't love the challenge of random motion?

Garden Tour Thursday

We have decided we will pretty much end the Garden Tour year together.  And waiting at the deck door for you to teleport inside where TBT will guide you to the door...

The Mums are about all that ius left, but they have done very well!  Good reds...

This is their 2nd year, so maybe they are the kind that last many years.

Good pink ones...

Orangy-reds...

And real orangey...

A combination...  Well, TBT guessed wrong about the early buds on those last 2.

And now it is SNACK TIME!  For a change, it is all treats this time.  Might as well finish the season with a BANG of flavors.  TBT mixed up 3 differnt types of treats in a BIG jar and they are all fer yer pleasure!

Need we mention that there are chopped NIP leaves sprinkled in?  Our 3 Nip plants went great this past month, so we are spreading the wealth.

Thank you so much for coming along on a last tour for the year.  We are hoping to be more scheduled about it next year.

 

Womancat Wensday

AYLA:   First, I wanna apologize fer my face bein hard ta see.  Even the flashy doesnt do good at it.  

This is about the best we can get.  

I sometimes envied Iza.  The camera sure loved her...

And we had our spats, but I miss her.

We might be irregular the next couple weeks.  TBT has lots ta do outside and inside before it gets dark outside an inside earlier but still warm outside.  But we will nibble his ankles if he goes too long...

OK, he got the hint...

Easy Like Sunday

MARLEY & LAZ:

We are nappin.  We get along great.   

Two Brofurs...

Close...

That's gotta be EASY, right?

Thankful Thursday

AYLA:   AAHHH... 

Glorious...

Womancat Wensday

AYLA:   Ive been drapin across TBTs shoulder lately.  I like ta change things up sometimes.

An I like it when he holds me close.  

I mean I love The Lap and the back of the chair, but when he is supporting me I feel even CLOSER to him.  I can feel his heart beat...