I Miss Tekoe!

My Visit to Florida was so much fun.  I sent my buddy Tekoe a catnip mouse and by the looks of these pics, she loved it!

A Little Did you know about Cats"

If Cats had their own way, they would eat small portions of food throughout the day, just as their ancestors did, but most will settle for two good meals a day with dry food set out for "grazing".  If your cat eats mostly canned food, it is advisable to to add a dry, crunch food to his diet for chewing excercise and teeth-cleaning benefits.  I feed my kitties "wet" food in the morning and again in late afternoon.  I also keep a dish of high quality dry cat food available during the day.  This way, if I leave for a day or so, they just eat the dry and I dont need to worry about them.  MEOW!

Spring is in the Air!

Spring is in the air!  Its still cold out, but you can feel it...and so can the animals!  My indoor kitties are "frisky"!  Tearing around a little more than usual.  Ricky tries to slide out the door every time I open it.  I think they all have cabin fever...

I also have noticed that our town feral cats are getting amourus.  I know its time to begin trapping.  We may try this Thursday night.  We will put a trap in Sow-a-Seed's Courtyard.  If sucessful, we will take the kitty in for its neutering or spay on Friday morning.  This is always nervewracking.  I want to do it, but I hate scaring the cats.

"A Little Did ya Know about Cats"

Just like about everyone else, cats enjoy a home that feels safe and offers no surprises, which is why establishing a daily routine is essential.  Setting meal, play and sleep times whenever possible should be a priority! Meow! 

Cats in Trees!

Tekoe Loves Her New Tree and me!

My trip to Pensacola to spend ten days with my friend and her new little kitty was so fun.  I made a new friend in Tekoe.  She is fondly known as "Psycho Kitty" to many who know her, but to me, she is a sweet baby that is just a tad testy and particular! Most likely taken from her mother too soon and undersocialized with humans, Tekoe is a bit strange and hard to figure out.   BUT...she is a wonderful feline and a good friend to my best friend Kathy.  I am so proud of Kathy for taking her in and giving her the home this sweet kitty deserves.    Tekoe lost her owner and was kept in a kennel for several months before finding a good home with Kathy.  She is fearful.  She will give you one good swat it you try too hard to love on her and she will give you two if you persist.  She is very good at hissing and giving you the "horned owl" look that says      " "you better stop or I will rip you to pieces" and you believe it!  But while there, and after deciding to leave her completly alone, she warmed up and began seeking my company on the couch and finally spending each evening on my lap.  I talked to Kathy today and she said Tekoe is curled up sleeping on the couch on the spot I "hung out" on while there.  I am so glad she knew I loved her!

She is one spoiled kitty!  Kathy bought a new kitty tree for her while I was there and it is a great hit.  She spends most of her day "perched" on the top shelf, looking out the window.  This is one fortunate cat to have someone to love her and care for her like my friend does...

These pictures are the first day on the "tree" and her first friendly approach to my knitting spot!  I am so blessed!

A Little Did you Know about Cats....

... Many cats (like Tekoe) were not handled by humans much between the ages of 2 and seven weeks of age.  These kittys may not tolerate handling well and may lash out and bite and become quite upset with human contact.  Unfortunatly there is not a lot that can be done to socialize them.  Try handling  them frequently for short periods of time, being sure to stop before they become agitated.  Let them "be" and realize that they may need to be close, but not touch their human and that must be ok.    Flattening of the ears and twitching of the tail and restlessness are all signs that your kitty wants you to stop whatever you are doing.  R-E-S-P-E-C-T is the key here.  Respect her and she will love you...kitties are very independant animals...They need you but they may not need your touch or cuddle...let that be ok.

It's In the Bag!

Im getting ready to take a few days off from my blog and go to some warmer weather for a week or so.  

I just wanted to issue a warning.  Please, please be sure to keep all plastic bags (like the ones you get at the grocery store) completely out of reach to your kitties.  I had one laying on the table yesterday as I had just emptied it.  Ricky was rolling around trying to figure out what might have been in it that he could enjoy and ....oops...head got in the handle "loop" and there it stayed!  He couldnt get out.  It occured to me that I often leave those bags laying around, either empy or with something in it that I havent used yet or take care of. Our kitties are just too curious to leave them lay.  What if I hadnt been home?  I have been going thru the house all morning attempting to "kitty-proof" my house.  Being a quilter/sewer I have lots of dangerous items around here, like pins and thread.  Also be sure you keep the items up that you dont want to find "hair-ball" stuff on too.  I know that sounds gross, but about the time you leave that favorite quilt on the floor, that is where they will decide to dispose of the ball. Ask me how I know. Yuk!  

Visions of What Could Be!

Lucy and Ricky watch my baby Boo eating his food from the outside dish.  Boo has been sleeping on the front porch and makes daily appearances to eat.  What must be going on in the heads of my kitties? Ricky for sure is wishing he could get out there with Boo.  He has escaped out the front door 3 times in the last few days.  He has cabin fever in a major way.  I put him out on the balcony yesterday for an hour or more and that seemed to help, but he sure wishes he was an outdoor cat.  Maybe they are wondering what it would be like to live outside.  One thing is for sure they would rather have Boo's food.  I feed them all natural, expensive stuff that is good for them, and just like humans, they would rather have the junk food!

A Little Did Ya Know About Cats

According to an analysis by Veterinary Pet Insurance of 450,000 clients, MAX has been the most popular name for cats and dogs over the past five years.  A spokesperson for the company speculated that not only is it an easy name to say, but it cant be confused with ordinary one word commands.  The next four favorites on the list: Chloe, Lucy (yeehaw!) Tigger and Tiger.

MEOW!

Baby Possum

Baby Possum Helps me sew!

Just like our kids, we love looking at old pictures of our pets too.  This was so cute.  Possum, just a tiny little thing, had to be in the center of my sewing experience.  Things havent changed.  As you know most of my photos of quilts and other projects include a cat!  

A Little Did Ya Know About Cats

This hint comes from my heart.....I do a lot of sewing and quilting, which of course means I have pins and threads and other objects that can be dangerous to our kitties.   I have watched my Lucy sit on the quilt machine and pick ALL the pins out of the take up roller and drop them one by one onto the floor...she usually does this when she wants attention.  I know she could swallow one or get one caught and it terrifies me.  One other time, Ricky was making a funny smacking noice with his mouth and I found thread in there that he was dragging down from the attic!  The spool was up there on my table, about two feet was down his throat and the rest was strung thru out 3 floors of house!  If it wasnt so dangerous it would have been funny!  Please be careful with your hobby items.  They can be deadly to your pet!  Meow!

This is Pathetic, not Pitifull!

I wonder if Ricky and Lucy and Possum know exactly how fortunate they are to have found my house!  Not only are they warm and fed, but I make them their own quilts and toys!  Oh brother.  This little creation, I'm calling a Kitty Play Pad...is actually a small quilt with attached ribbons so that you can tie on toys or just leave free to dangle...My kitties love it!  Especially when I filled the little "pillow" with fabric scraps and catnip....I have a video on my personal blog if you are interested....wwwhumantouch.blogspot.com  Check it out if you are bored.  These play pads will soon be available for sale at my Etsy shop at www.katsfabricsnmore.etsy.com  Oh! And when you aren't using it on the floor with toys and catnip, put it on the chair or sofa back a cozy place for your kitty to rest and protect your furniture.

A Little Did ya Know About Cats!

You don't have to look very far to find some simple items that make fascinating toys for Kitty.  Save the tubes from inside paper products and let her roll them around to her hearts content.  Or string plastic shower curtain rings together and let them hang down within Kitty's reach!  Meow!