Secret Paws 2013

 Our Secret Paws package arrived last Saturday, but the boys had to wait until Christmas to open it...we were excited to see that it was from Wally, Ernie and Zoey - The Island Cats, because we had their name too this year!

 Everything was so neatly wrapped and packed...Ollie is showing off the goodies...he loves sitting in the box!  You can see the squeaky mouse toy swinging in the photo, which is keeping him still for a few minutes.  He loves that toy and jumps and chases it for long periods of time.  Let's just say, mom gets tired before he does!

 A new purple cube was in the box!  Cubes are great fun and Ollie and Georgie love to turn theirs into hamster wheels...these cubes go all over the house!

 Georgie was a bit overwhelmed with all the Christmas activity, but enjoyed putting the bitey on this new nip nanner!

 Tanner loved the nip nanner too, but laying on this paper seems to be the best present of all this year!  I can see it will be a while before we can clean up the living room.  

Here's a look at all our goodies...we got many toys, our favorite treats, a new cube, a super soft and warm blanket, and the mom got some candies and a new cat scarf!  Thank you Island Cats!!

Here's one last picture of a tired kitten loving his new blanket...

Ollie loved Christmas...he loved playing with all his new toys, he loved playing in the wrapping paper, he loved pulling tape off of packages (he kept us on our toes), he loved chewing on boxes, and he loved getting all kinds of attention from our parents who were up for the day.  Ollie was wiped out by evening, and a snuggly warm blanket was the perfect end to a great day.  Thanks again Island Cats for making this baby's first Christmas so special!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone! 

We will be opening our Secret Paws present tomorrow...post will be forthcoming!

All about Ollie

Ollie hasn't had a post about just him in a while, so here goes...

 Here's the first picture I was sent from the home that rescued him from the shelter...look at that milk crusted face and neck! He lived with this angel for three days.

This is the photo from the shelter that won my heart...this baby needed me!

 Here he is now...3 months old and thriving!!  Ollie is learning about the finer things in life, as well as all the rules that go with living in a house.

1) Don't sharpen your claws on anything other than the cat furniture (he does very well with this)

2) The bathroom/litter box room is a business room, not a party room.  We don't bother others when they are in there!

3) Don't attack the older black cat

4) Don't rip/shred pages from books on the table or magazines

5) Don't get in the litter box when you have wet feet from playing in the tub

6) Wet feet are slick feet, so you need to be careful when jumping and running

7) Don't swing on the shower curtain

8) Don't chew on any type of cord (power, blinds, etc...)

9) Don't eat random things off the floor

10) If your brothers or cousins are squealing, you are biting too hard!

 Ollie has discovered the purple puff...I find him laying in it pretty frequently, even during the night.  You can see from this photo, and the next, that he is almost lost all the stripes he had, and has gone mostly solid black.

He is long and lanky and loves to contort him self...notice his back feet touching the top of his head!  He is a love bug, when he can slow down enough to rest.  He has discovered a few new toys, and I am going to try to get some video of him playing and jumping because he is crazy wild!

 

Medically, he has had two FVRCP's now.  Will get his third one and rabies in January, and be neutered and micro chipped early February.  We will also re-run his FeLV/FIV test just to make sure all is still negative.

 



Two on Tuesday

Today's two on Tuesday makes me one happy mom!  I love when my boys snuggle together, but what makes these photos so special is the fact that SMOKEY went and got in the chair with Tanner!  He is normally not the one that joins another cat, so I was very happy that he was seeking out companionship.

Sharing the chair...this has become a favorite spot for the cats for some reason this winter...might be the wool blanket!

 Smokey got comfy and put his legs up on Tanner...yes, Smokey's legs are almost bald again from over-grooming. 

 I took advantage of the opportunity and put Ollie in the chair as well to get a group shot!  Love these boys of mine!

Packing our Secret Paws Gift

We were excited to shop for our secret paws recipients this year. This is a blog we read often and feel we 'know' these cats :) We hope they enjoy their presents!

Ollie and Georgie made sure the box was suitable..Ollie added his own personal touch to the corners of the box!

Cousin Pirate checked out all the goods to see if they were of the highest quality for our friends...

No need to fear...Ollie made sure the wrapping paper roll was good and dead!

Ollie helped with the wrapping of the gifts...

Ollie performing one final inspection before we take it to the packing store for shipping...

We can't wait to see what our kitties think of their goodies! Merry Christmas everyone!

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner had another good week of weight loss...he now weighs 16 lbs, 5 oz...a loss of 6 ounces for the week!

 

Tanner's annual visit to the cardiologist went very well too.  His heart is stable and we do not have any medicine changes. 

 

Life is looking good for Tanner these days!!

Weight Loss

Tanner had an ok week considering it was Thanksgiving.  He simply maintained his weight, so we are still as 16 lbs 11 oz.  Tanner loves sweets and was given a few tasty morsels of pie crust, sweet potato casserole, and of course turkey. 

 

Tanner goes on Monday, Dec 9th to visit the cardiologist at the vet school.  We are hoping for a stable heart again this year.

Two on Tuesday

Today, we have a two on Tuesday...Two kittens!!  As you know, Ollie has been with us since he was three weeks old.  He has done very well, but kittens need friends their own age and size to play with.  Ollie needed to learn more about being a kitten.  Tanner was doing a great job, but it isn't the same.  So Auntie adopted a kitten Ollie's age...his name is Georgie.  We have had Georgie for a week and a half now, and he and Ollie are fast friends!

Ollie wiped out after some play time with his new cousin.  These two love to run and play and wrestle.  Ollie is learning more about acceptable play, and does not bite as much as before!!!  He is still a momma's boy and I love that!

 This is Cousin Georgie!  He is a love bug, and super sweet and snuggly.  He is a very floppy kitten and just melts in your arms when you hold him.  He loves to lay on laps and has been comfortable in the house from day one.  We had a bit of growling and hissing, but that has all stopped now.  He loves to play with Ollie and can hold his own in the wrestling matches.  He is short and stocky and weighs a few ounces more than Ollie.  

Here are the two boys after a play session.  We laid them close to one another while they slept, so they would get used to each other.  Georgie, who grew up with other kittens, decided it was better to lay on top of Ollie than beside him.  Ollie had never experienced this behavior and was purring up a storm!  Everyone deserves a best friend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!  We have so much to be thankful for this year.  As the mom, I am thankful:

1)  for my boys. 

2) they are getting along now

3) for weight loss and good health

4) my job, car, house and necessities to be able to take care of my boys and myself

 Ollie is new to the whole thanksgiving idea, and will be traveling with me to my parents house. 

 

Ollie is thankful for:

 

1) A loving family and being adopted

2) Two new brothers

3) A warm snuggly blanket to sleep on

4) TOYS!

Smokey is thankful for:

 

1) Snuggle time and belly rubs

2) A soft pillow to sleep on at night

3) His brothers, even if they annoy him sometimes

4) Long weekends when mom can be home

5) High calorie food and appetite stimulants!

Tanner is thankful for:

 

1) Weight loss and feeling better

2) His new brother Ollie and that Ollie is attacking less :)

3) His brother Smokey

4) Low calorie treats

5) Fresh catnip

6) Snuggles



Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner's weight is down again this week.  He lost 2 ounces bringing his current weight to 16lbs, 11oz.  I was a little concerned about what his numbers might show because he has been having a few extra snacks and treats as rewards to being nice to Ollie.  I had hoped we hadn't over done it!  Two ounces is a good amount and I'd like to keep him at that pace...nice and slow.  He goes to the cardiologist in a couple of weeks, and I know they are going to be pleased with his weight!!

 

He was rewarded with a bit of fresh air last weekend because we were having such lovely weather.

Two on Tuesday

Ollie is slowly winning Smokey over...So glad to see these two enjoying each others company. 

Smokey is not one to go and snuggle with someone else, but he is used to others crowding in on him.  Devon used to weasel in next to Smokey all the time! 

I don't know how long they stayed like this, as I had to leave to go to church, but it was cute while it lasted and I hope it is something I see more often!  

Mancat Monday

Tanner wonders what happened to his cube?

Weight Loss Wednesday

It's time to break out the Nip Tini's because Tanner has now lost over Three pounds!!!  His current weight is 16 lbs 13 oz. 

Put on your party gear and let's celebrate!!

 

The balloons will lead the way...come on over

We are having Chick-Hen

Fish

The favorite Ham

Small pieces of cake for everyone...this is a party afterall, everything can't be healthy!

And nip tini's or milk to drink.

 

There are places to rest when you get tired...stay all day and enjoy the food!

Don't forget to take a treat with you when you go...toys for everyone!

 

Thanks for coming and celebrating this milestone with Tanner.

 

 

Tasty Tuesday

Today we have a Tasty Tuesday report...

 When we last talked about Oliver, I mentioned that he prefers to eat from your hand...well, as you can see, he is learning to eat from a bowl!!  This is good progress.  Now, he needs to remember these skills during the night.  He still comes over to me and tries to nurse my fingers...there is food available all the time for him, but he either forgets or is just too stubborn to go find it on his own! 

Tanner and the other big cats had a treat last weekend and enjoyed some time outside.  Tanner found the catnip and enjoyed a little snack!  

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner continued to make good progress this week.  He lost 2 ounces, bringing his weight to 17lbs, 3oz. 

Here are a couple of shots to show how far Tanner has come...I am so proud of him!

 This photo was taken in July, just before we started on the diet plan.  Tanner was at his heaviest, 19lbs, 14oz.  This isn't the most flattering of angles for a photo, but I didn't have a straight down shot.

This photo was taken on Sunday, when we gave the boys a break from Ollie and rewarded them with some fresh air and outside time.  You can see Tanner now has a waist!!  He feels much better, is more active, can clean himself, and while he still loves to eat, is doing very well on his plan.  We have added in a bit of extra dry food, to help the weight loss to slow down a bit (aiming for 2-3 ounces a week).

 

Tanner wants you all to 'weigh in' on what his reward should be for getting into the 16 pound range!  He should be there in a couple of weeks.

 

He got a new X Scratcher for reaching the 18's, and some fresh catnip for hitting the 17's. 

 

Our weight goal is to be in the 15's...I think we can do it!

Two on Tuesday

Ollie loves his brothers, but is still learning how to play nice, and not be a pest!  He is curious about them and tries to mimic them when he can. 

 Ollie checking out Smokey's canned food snack...is this something I want to try?  Ollie has now learned to enjoy certain types of canned food.  He is relatively picky with his eating...he has more important things to do and is easiily distracted by things around him!

Ollie remembers our hands as the 'feeding station' and therefore still enjoys eating his hard food from your hand.  He CAN eat out of a bowl, but is a bit stubborn at times.  Right now, this is still very cute and sweet, but once he is neutered, we may need to show a bit of tough love and insist he eat from a bowl!  MOL  Tanner wonders if he could have a piece too?

Weight Loss Wednesday

Tanner is pleased to announce that his weight did go down this week.  He lost 2.5 ounces!  His weight is now 17 lbs, 5 oz. 

Tanner is using Ollie to get the food from his egg!  Ollie loves to play with the egg, and Tanner is reaping the benefits...food without work!  Of course Tanner has to be careful because Ollie will eat a few pieces too. 

We are hoping to another good week for Tanner...so proud of my boy!!

Toysday Tuesday

 

 

Everything is a toy when you are a kitten...here's Ollie playing with the Halloween tree.  He hasn't tried to climb it yet, but I can see we will have fun at Christmas!  Sorry for the blurry moments...the camera has trouble focusing on something small, black, furry, and zipping around!

And yes, once the video taking was finished, the garland was hung high on the tree, away from curious kittens!  :)

 



Play Time

Ollie is doing very well, and the others are all adjusting nicely to him now. 

 The first group photo, taken a few weeks ago.  Quality isn't that great, but I love that all three of my boys are in the shot! 

 Ollie loves to play!!  He is getting more coordinated each day.  Tanner and Cousin Sophie try to play with him, but he still likes to bite and attack, so Tanner spends a lot of time holding his baby down and teaching him!  Sophie doesn't realize how small he is, and she plays a bit rough, or runs too fast for him still...

This is the safe spot...when he's had a lesson from the others, he comes for comfort.

Playing is hard work...he will put himself to bed when he has had enough.  He loved when I put this blanket over him...it was warm from the dryer.  He slept for at least another hour!