Paw it Forward

Our Paw It Forward box arrived on Thursday, but mom kept forgetting to charge the batteries for the camera, so we didn't get to open it until Sunday. She kept us waiting all that time, can you believe the nerve of her? We wasted no time in checking out the box, once she opened it. Tanner and I were the most curious...Smokey could not be disturbed from his nap to help us.

Here's me and Tanner laying with the loot...we really lucked out! Thanks to the Kitty Krew! In case you can't see everything because mom is not great at taking photos, there are some treats, a neat catnip duck, some fun balls, catnip socks and other toys, and Kitty Krew also included two crochet 'nip balls', from Shadow's mom and a jelly bean from the Casbah Kitten, an Etsy site! There's also a pouch of wet food that mom said she'd let us try tonight. Mom bean got some really nice note pads too!

Tanner loved the treats...anything that isn't on his diet the fat boy likes!

Cousin Sophie demonstrates the proper way to crunch the treats! She thought they were quite tasty too.

Tanner playing with one of the nip balls...these were a big hit!

Sophie claimed the jelly bean...later we found her using it like a pillow!

Here I am...mom was taking so many pictures, I finally had to give her the 'if you don't get that flashy box out of my face, you'll be sorry' look. She got the hint and moved on to someone else.

Here's Tanner...he's such a brown noser, posing nicely with most of the toys propped up against him. Mom bean says to ignore the carpet...she gave us a bunch of dried catnip this weekend, and has not passed the vacuum yet!

Tanner even thought the catnip bags were fun to chew on...mom took those away!

Do any of you like to chew on plastic? We both love it here, and can't get enough because mom keeps putting it away.

A huge THANK YOU shout out for the Kitty Krew - Bugsy, Sassy, Callie, Roxy, and Pixie....we loved our Paw it Forward box, and look forward to playing with another family. So, if you have never participated in the paw it forward, just leave a comment and we'll get in touch. I'll take the first two families that say they would like to play.

Devon

The craziest of them all :)

LOL Featured Cats

WOW - What a day for us!! We have just been informed that we are featured on the LOL Site today. Please pop over there and see what Wendy has come up with for us...it is fantastic! Thanks Wendy for LOLing us today...we feel honored and loved!

Contest - Free Ugg Boots

The Creek Cats told us about a contest to win a free pair of Ugg Boots, so we are entering. These boots look super warm and comfortable, and we would love to try a pair!




If you want to enter for a free pair, just click on the link above, and follow the directions on that site.

Good luck!

T. G. I. Friday!

We are all excited about this weekend...our Paw it Forward box arrived yesterday, from "The Kitty Krew" and today we get to open it! We are pumped and ready to see what our friends have sent us...In order to prepare for all the fun and excitement, we've taken a few precautions...one can never be too careful with something as important as a box of *paws crossed* toys!

We've eaten extra, so we'll have plenty of energy for playing!

We've sharpened our nails so we can attack anything and everything in the box!

We've rested up, so we can play for hours on end, while mom tries to get some good pictures of us!

Check back and see what was in our Paw it Forward box...we can hardly wait!

It's our season!!

Well, October 1st is here and that means we are now officially in the Halloween Season! Halloween is very popular at our house. Our mom has been collecting black cat stuff for 13 years now because of Smokey! She thought it was so neat to go into stores and see black cats, so she started collecting. Then Devon came along and bats were bought becase Devon looked like a bat when he was a baby. He also likes to play with his 'bat hands'. Tanner completed the Halloween Oreo and now we also collect pumpkin things...because in all honesty, Tanner is round like a pumpkin! She loves when she finds things that have all three symbols...the black cat, a pumpkin, and a bat.

Tanner would like to point out that it is because of his pretty orange color that pumpkins are collected, not because of his rotund shape.

Notice on the table, that this tree has a toy for each boy...A black cat for Smokey, a bat for Devon, a black and white cat for Mojo, and a pumpkin for Tanner!

Mom's friends have also taken to giving her black cat things...they know she'll love it! The tall bobble head cats in the picture below were a Christmas gift from a friend! They are a great conversation starter...

This past weekend mom and Auntie started bringing down orange boxes full of black cats and other stuf to 'decorate'. We were right there to help, and I know they appreciated our efforts.
Devon lays with a few decorations in the floor...


Can you spot Smokey on the table with the stuff yet to be put out? We really need to get more furniture to have a place for everything!


We'll have to get some pictures of the stuff around the house, now that it is all organized...does your family decorate for Halloween? Have they started yet, or are they going to wait a while longer so they don't seem so insane like my family?

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Smokey is down for the count...Smokey snuggles are the best :)

Tuesday Travels

In November 2008, a friend and I took off for a vacation in Japan. I had never been before, but she speaks the language fluently and has been multiple times, so we were set. We were there for 18 days, and visited 12 cities...it was a whirlwind tour for sure. One nice thing about the country is their love of cats. We saw cats in several cities, which was a nice reminder of my boys at home!

This is Himeji Castle...it is one of the only castles left that was not bombed or destroyed by fire. It was fun to explore inside. You had to take your shoes off before walking around inside, and it was a cold day!These ladies were outside the castle having a picnic when all the cats appeared. I loved it because many of them were black like my Smokey and Devon (although not near as beautiful). These ladies enjoyed their company, and probably wondered about the crazy American taking a picture of their lunch!

This beautiful orange and white kitty is near Tokyo. He is in the Ueno park. There are many cats in this park just roaming around, but I did notice that most of them had a cropped ear, so at least they have been spayed or neutered. Someone is obviously taking care of them because he is not overly thin.

This is just a pretty bridge in the Imperial Palace Grounds in Tokyo...not too far from where orange kitty was hanging out.

This man, along with several other folks, was hanging out in the park sketching. I don't think he was drawing those two cats sitting near him, but they seemed to enjoy his company.

This trip is coming to mind again more now that the weather is turning cooler. We had beautiful weather while we were there, although some days it was a bit cold. It is a wonderful county, with great food and friendly people. I highly recommend it to everyone! I hope to go back in a couple of years, once I get some money saved for the trip!

Where is one place that you visited that you were surprised by the number of cats you saw? Where is a place you've traveled to that you would go back to in a heartbeat, and would like to recommend to our readers?

Mancats do Dishes

Doing dishes is a multi-step process. I will explain to you how dishes are done, so you can help your bean...

First you need to scrap off any remaining food on the plates...it helps if this is something you like anyway, like cupcakes!

Then you hang out at the sink area while the bean puts the dishes in the soapy water...be careful not to fall in, or you will get a wash too! You also need to be mindful of the kitchen angel on the counter, as she is very fragile, and will break if you knock her to the floor. Mom says she won't be able to glue her again if we knock her off! This can't be good luck to have an angel keep losing her head! LOL

It's important to smile at the beans and offer encouragement while they work. They like to be appreciated too.

When you are done, beg for canned food so you can create some more dirty dishes to wash...this keeps the bean busy, and then she will enjoy her snuggle time with you on the couch later all the more.

Finally it's Friday!

What a week this has been! I need a vacation from my vacation...it's so hard to tackle a full week of work after a week off. Not to mention I got a bit of a cold upon my return, so that doesn't help matters any. I am tired and ready for a relaxing weekend. I think Devon and Smokey have the right idea...this is what our weekend is going to look like. Well, I may not try to squeeze in their beds, but I'll take the couch!Devon is in the green bed, and Smokey is in the blue...Smokey likes to lay on that animal print pad...it actually heats up with his body heat, so he loves it!

Have a good, restful weekend everyone, and we'll see on Monday for...Mancats do Dishes!

Thankful Thursday

Hey everybody, it's Tanner! I'm going to tell you what I am thankful for today.

1. Good yummy food, although I don't get as much as I want...something called a 'diet'
2. That momma plays with me everyday...sometimes I have to remind her though
3. For fun toys, like the one I'm going to demonstrate in this video below
4. For my brothers, even if they bother me sometimes
5. That I can look outside and see the wildlife...we have birds, some mice, a couple of squirrels, and now a bunny rabbit
6. For all my friends that read this blog!

Now here's my video...mom says I do something funny with my head when I playing and calls me a 'bobble head'. It happens about halfway through, and then a little bit at the end. Enjoy!

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

I see the boy's name everywhere since he has passed...I like to think it is his way of telling me he is happy! This car was in a parking lot where I had lunch one day...just looked over and there was my boy! Still missing you Mojo...you were the best :)

Gifts for the kitties

Vacation was wonderful, even though I missed the boys terribly. I need to find a place at the beach that will allow them to come with me...I think they would enjoy smelling the ocean! One day I would love to own a beach house, or a camper :)

We had beautiful weather while were there, and spent a lot of time just laying on the beach and playing in the waves.


The waves were good sized when the tide was coming in...we loved to ride the waves on our floats!

We visited an old rice plantation, that has been converted into a sculpture garden, wildlife refuge, and small zoo. It was very interesting and beautiful. The nice thing about it was once you had purchased your ticket, you could visit for 6 more days! So we went there two days and just wandered around...it was very relaxing.


I love Spanish Moss in the old trees...I learned that Spanish Moss is neither Spanish nor moss! It is actually part of the pineapple family...can you believe that?

My sister and I took a day for shopping while our dad stayed at the house. I found a neat cat store in one of the shopping areas, and bought a very strong smelling catnip toy for each of the boys. Devon and Tanner loved theirs! Smokey sniffed and then moved on...has anyone else noticed with older cats that they don't care as much for catnip? Smokey is 13, and I've noticed he doesn't get as crazy with it as the other boys.

Tanner was a happy boy when I got home...he loved his gift, and was in need of many snuggles. The petsitter said he had played with her some, so maybe he is getting better :)

Auntie's cat Pirate enjoyed his catnip toy too...he only has three legs. AARRGGHH!

Devon washed his toy to death...it was soaking wet when he was finished :)

All in all the time away was nice. The boys loved having me home and they slept hard all day on Saturday...they were worn out! Everyone came in the night for snuggles, which I was happy to give them. It's nice to be loved :)

Happy Birthday Devon!!

Being 8 wears a baby out! Happy Birthday handsome boy :)

Devon Likes:

• Catnip toys
• Watching "Planet Earth" on the Discovery channel (he will sit and watch for hours!)
• Hair product and make-up
• Snuggling, actually gets in your lap sometimes now, but still prefers to sit beside you
• Wrestling with his brothers
• Being told how pretty he is, on a regular basis :)
• Butter
• Being talked to in general

Devon Dislikes:

• Having his feet touched
• Sharing
• Being disturbed in his sleep
• Turkey flavored canned food
• Squatting to pee (He is a dancing fool!)
• Being brushed

Did I hear you correctly?

Tanner: What's that? The pet sitter is coming, starting tomorrow? For a whole week?

Me: That's right, Auntie and I , along with our dad bean are heading to that big litter box by the shore :)

Tanner: Well, where does that leave me?

Me: At home!

Tanner: You know I don't like that pet sitter, I may refuse to eat for the whole week. Won't you feel bad then?

Me: If you would give her a chance, she could be a good friend. She just wants to play with you. If you chose not to eat, that is your problem...you could stand to lose another couple of pounds anyway.

Tanner: I can't believe you just said that...don't you love me anymore?

Me: Of course I do, but you are being irrational. 7 year olds should be a little more mature about things.

Tanner: Will you bring me a gift?

Me: Do you think you deserve a gift?

Tanner: Of course, I am your favorite orange boy :)

Me: I'll see what I can find for you all, now fix those ears before they stick like that!

All of us at Four Crazy Cats want to remember the families of the victims from that horrible day 8 years ago. May God Bless America!

Happy Birthday Sophie

Today is Sophie's 8th birthday. She belongs to my sister, usually referred to as Auntie in this blog, which makes her a cousin to my boys. :) We got Sophie shortly after Devon, to help Devon learn some manners. Devon was a single, hand raised kitten, and was a little terror as a baby. He did not know how to play with others or share food or toys. Our vet recommended a kitten friend for him. Since I had adopted Devon, which at the time made two cats for me, my sister adopted Sophie, so she would have two as well. We were a happy, and well balanced family once again! Sophie did wonders for Devon. She would fight back and stand up for herself. Devon wasn't sure what to think, but they are good buddies. She is still his favorit wrestling partner!

Sophie likes asparagus, so we celebrated last night with her favorite food. She also got a catnip banana or a 'nip nanner' as some of you call it :) She loved it!

Happy Birthday Miss Sophie...may this year bring you all the happiness you could ever hope for in life!

Great Etsy Find!

Last week I was shopping on one of my favorite websites, Etsy. I love this place because I believe in supporting local artists and love hand-made crafts and such. There is so much talent in the world that goes unnoticed, but I have found a true gem. I searched for Black Cats just to see what would pop up, and I found a really cool birthday card with a black cat wearing a purple bow, and the balloons around the cat were in the colors of my boys. I'm not sure if I'm mentioned what their colors are before, so here they are...Smokey is purple, Devon is blue, Tanner is green, and Mojo is red. We use these colors for toys, Christmas ornaments, blankets, and leashes/harnesses, but I have digressed...

I bought the original hand painted card, and sent a message to the artist asking about additional customized cards. She was more than willing to create cards to meet my needs, and I had them in hand within the week. I've asked about posting there here, and she has agreed. So without further adieu...here are three of the cards from the shop IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER - Art by Jamdeon

Mojo's card

Tanner's card

Devon's card. Smokey's is just like this, but he is wearing a purple bow and hat.

Stop by and visit Dian's site and see if there is something you like...You won't be disappointed.

Toesie Tuesday

Stretch Smokey!!

Friends Friday

Tanner and Devon finding comfort in one another. Such sweet boys :) Makes my heart happy to see them together.

Allergies revisited

Several people commented yesterday about Smokey's allergies. His allergies present with extremely itchy, swollen eyes. He would rub them so much, he'd rub a bald spot on his arm. They itched something terrible for him. We tried antihistamines, and those worked for a while. Smokey is not the best pill taker, so we had these meds compounded into an ear cream. We called this his magic cream because it worked wonders and he didn't stress getting it! Eventually this cream stopped working for him. We tried steroid injections and saw fantastic results. One shot would last several months for him, at first. Then they stopped working too, and we could not find any way to make him comfortable.

Mojo had been working with the dermatology department at the vet school, and we saw the benefits of the immuno therapy. We decided to give it a try for Smokey too. You can read about his testing and see results at this previous post.

Another special challenge for Smokey is that he also has herpes in his eyes. When he flairs from his allergies, all the scratching, and stressing about the itching lead to ulcers. Which burn, so he rubs, etc...it is a vicious cycle! We realized that Smokey is a worrier. He internalizes everything and stresses. This causes his herpes flair ups most of the time. We have him on an anti-anxiety med for that, and it has truly helped him to be a more relaxed cat. We worked with the dosing until he would not worry, but still had all of his normal personality. He actually needs very little of this med to stay stable. It has been a miracle drug for us!


He has been taking his allergy shots now for almost 3 years and we have seen fantastic results! His shot schedule is one shot every two weeks. He went from needing steroid shots and antihistamines regularly, even though they weren't really working, to nothing at all. We have very small flairs in the summer. We saw it last summer, and this summer too. I am going to speak with his doctor about either testing for something else, or seeing if we can increase the frequency of the shots in the summer to keep him clear. At least we know what to do if we see some swelling or winking. That is a big relief, to know how to address a problem is half the battle.

Here is what he looks like with a slight flair. Notice how the skin around the eyes is puffy. Sorry the quality of the photo is not that great.

This picture is just a few months ago and you can see how his eyes look now. This is what we see most of the time, and hope to continue to see, once we get the summer thing worked out with the dermatologist.

We love our vet school, and feel very fortunate to live so close to it. The doctors are wonderful and really work hard to find the right combination to help your pet.

I don't like that my boys have these special problems, but I do take my role as their advocate for the best care possible seriously. I research their problems and speak with several friends, who are vets, about them. I am willing to do something a bit out of the ordinary if it will benefit my boys and provide them with good quality of life. I also don't have a problem with stopping a treatment if that quality is suffering and trying something else, or at least requesting a different option.

How do you handle medical issues if they come up in your cats? What 'weird' things have you seen or dealt with?

Wordless Wednesday

Allergy Testing

Tummy Time Troubles

Exposing your tummy can be great fun! Devon loves to lay on his back and side. When we moved into the new house, Devon was very smitten with the new stove! He loved to lay on it, especially if it was a little warm, but not hot. We had to break out the squirt bottle to put an end to this bad habit, but not before snapping a few ultra cute photos!

Stretching out enjoying the warmth...love those 'old man underarms' Devon!

Getting a little crazy on the stove...

Back to sleep...such a rough life!