Mancat Monday - Black Cat Rescue

The mancats have been in support of a rescue group called Black Cat Rescue for many years now.  We have them listed in our ResQ Walk App and closely follow their adoptions and fundraisers.  Not long ago, a post came through facebook showing an Etsy Shop that made bowties, and some of the products supported the BCR.  Of course, I went shopping!  The tie we chose came in last week, and the boys have tried to show their support by wearing it.  They were not thrilled!

Get ready for a chuckle as the boys model this new tie for you!

Flynn wasn't too upset, but was ready to take it off!

Harrison started out rather curious...

Then I jingled the keys to see if he would look at me!  Mistake!  Look at those eyes!

Harrison settling down a bit after the key fiasco!

Oliver was not happy at all about being caught and subjected to this strange torture device!

Note: Each boy wore the collar for less than a minute, so no long-term harm was done :)  I can see though that Oliver and Harrison are going to look very similar when they get to be the same size...I am in trouble!

Mancat Monday - Flynn

This week will feature Flynn.  He is such a sweet boy and tends to step aside when his more rambunctious brother Harrison wants something.  It is important to find ways to give him special time and attention.

Flynn is a big helper...here he is watching as I work on his scrapbook.  Make sure I choose only good photos! 

He enjoys time with Tanner.  Look how big he is getting!  He weighs 7 lbs 8 oz already, which is a good two pounds heavier than Harrison!

He loves to vacuum!  He will follow you around and get right in front of it...He doesn't even mind if the wand attachments "gets" his tail!

After working on his scrapbook, he crammed himself in this small box and took a nap!  It won't be much longer before he doesn't fit.

I finally moved him to a more comfortable spot where he could stretch out!  He worked hard this weekend and deserved his nap. That sun streak accentuates his length.

Well, that is sweet Flynn's weekend in a nutshell.  He is a quiet boy that just loves attention, but will not always seek it out.  He wants you to acknowledge him.  He reminds me of Smokey in a lot of ways.  He is my sensitive boy.

Black Cat Appreciation Day

I have always loved black cats, but it wasn't until I adopted my first one that I was totally smitten!  Smokey came to me after the kitten I had originally adopted died the day she came to my house.  She had a bad reaction to her vaccine...it was very tragic and sad.  I searched the newspaper for a kitten and ended up with Smokey.  This was the best thing that could have happened to me!

Smokey was such a silly boy and I loved snuggling with him.  He shared my pillow at night and was such a love bug.  He has been gone for almost two years and I still miss my gorgeous goose!

Smokey was 5 when Devon came along.  They tolerated each other, to say the least, as Devon was always trying to be just like his big brother!

Devon and Smokey just hanging out.  Devon died in 2012 at the age of 11.  He was a nut and always doing something crazy!

Devon sent Oliver to us in 2013 and once again Smokey had a pesky little brother.

Harrison and Flynn joined the family in June and they have been wonderful additions!  They fit right in with the household and are such sweet boys.

Oliver has decided they are not so bad and enjoys hanging out with his younger brothers.

I love all my black cats, past, present and future!  They deserve a loving home as much as any other cat, and should not be treated differently simply because they are black.  Here's to the fabulous house panthers in my life!

Mancat Monday

This week we will focus on the special bond between mancats.  Harrison started feeling puny on Wednesday of last week.  He would vomit after eating and just sat around not wanting to play.  We knew he didn't feel well if he wouldn't play!

Harrison tucked himself under this blanket on the couch and slept one evening.

Flynn didn't know what to make of his brother not playing.  You could tell he was lonely and worried.  He stuck close to brother when he could and offered support to him.

Harrison went to the vet on Friday and was given some fluids, an anti-nausea injection, and some anti-diarrhea medicine.  He definitely felt better by the time we got home!  He actually ate pretty well that night but still rested.  The next day, we had to start his medicine at home...he was not impressed!  He doesn't fight or anything, but the liquid is quite bitter tasting to him.  He gets his medicine twice a day until Friday morning!

Thankfully, on Saturday morning, he was feeling much better and asking for more and more food.  Here he is chowing down on a plate of Trout and Pasta.

YouTube link here

Oliver was so happy that he was feeling better.  He gave him a nice long bath while he slept!

Flynn came over and snuggled with him some more too.  They are all good friends and it was touching to see how they cared for Harrison when he was sick.

Wacky Wednesday

Today's Wacky post will once again feature Harrison.  He is a goof ball and full of energy!  On this particular evening, Auntie brought a cat scratcher out of her closet for the boys to play with.  It normally stays put up because Tanner likes to eat the carpet at night!  Well, there is a metal chain hanging from the loop that drove Harrison crazy.  There used to be a toy attached to the chain, but it is long gone!

Here it is on YouTube.

Mancat Monday

Thanks to everyone for purring for the mancats-in-training.  They went last Thursday for their big day!  Warning: Girl cats should not scroll all the way to the bottom :)

These boys are so great...I opened the carrier at the house and they both jumped right in!  They traveled every day with their foster mom to and from work, so they don't mind getting in the carrier.  I used the larger carrier so they would have more room.  I also packed a second one in the car, in case they didn't want to ride home together after their procedure.  Sometimes sedation makes you a bit angry :)  These boys were great though and rode home together without problems! 

The vet had collars with their names on them so they could tell them apart.  These collars were made of paper and were huge!  The technician was going to cut off the excess in the back.  She said some dogs require two of these collars!  I can't imagine something that large.

Harrison just hanging out.  The boys were scheduled to get their neuters and their microchips.

When they got home we realized they had gone a bit wild with the shaving!  This is poor Harrison :)

Flynn's was worse though!  He walks around with his tail in the air too, so it looks like he has a monkey butt!  We are hoping this grows in quickly!

They did great though and slept hard that evening and night.  By the next day they were playing like normal again.  They were given 5 days of pain meds, but of course did not need that much.  I gave them two doses each and called it good.  

These boys are now finished with their routine vet care until next July!

Wacky Wednesday

Today's wacky post will feature Oliver and his mini-me Harrison.  Don't worry, you will still be able to see Flynn as well, but he is looking at the others thinking, Why are you doing that?

Oliver and Harrison LOVE the water.  They don't mind being wet, and enjoy drinking from and playing with the sink faucet.  They will both get in the shower at times too.

This is Harrison in the sink.  He cannot figure out where the water goes!  I can't figure out how my sink is constantly marked with water drops!  

YouTube link

Oliver has always had a drinking problem :)  Here is a cute sneeze after snorting some up his nose.

YouTube Link

Here is another one of Oliver drinking.  Harrison is trying to figure out what he is doing.  Flynn makes an appearance in this one near the end.

YouTube link

Another video of Harrison playing in the sink...this is a several times a day event!

YouTube link

Mancat Monday

The mancats-in-training will be going this week to take another important step in growing up...they will be neutered on Thursday!

They are not worried in the least and are just enjoying their carefree days! 

Harrison and Flynn enjoy hanging out with Tanner.  They are getting so big!  They were at the vet last week for their final shots and the vet thinks they are closer to 18 weeks for Flynn and 16 weeks for Harrison. 

Flynn is a big boy and weighs almost 7 pounds!  Harrison is a wee thing and is still in the 4-pound range, but close to 5.

Here is a shot of all 7!  Catnip brings the family together.

Flynn and Tanner...they both love their catnip treats.  Harrison still isn't sure what to do with it.

Here is a quick video showing the after effects of the catnip.  Flynn is high as a kite and Harrison still has his piece :)

Here is the YouTube link.

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner has big news to share today...it has been TWO YEARS since he was diagnosed with Renal Lymphoma!

Tanner continues to do well, with minor setbacks here and there.  He definitely feels better and is recovering from his pancreatitis.  He gained weight again this week, so his thyroid levels should be back in the normal range.  We will test him in a couple of weeks to make sure. 

This is a proud moment for Tanner and he wanted to look his best!  I am so glad to still have him around and having good quality.  He is a fighter and continues to beat the odds when things are thrown his way.

Here is a quick selfie of me and my favorite orange boy!

This video shows Tanner taking his pills at night...I believe he is getting 4 on this video.  It fluctuates nightly because he doesn't take everything every day.  We are not in our regular spot, so we both look slightly awkward trying to get the pills in, but this was a good place for Auntie to capture it.  Enjoy!

Here is a YouTube link

I want to thank everyone for your healing thoughts and purrs throughout our journey.  We could not have made it without your support and encouragement.

Mancat Monday

Harrison and Flynn needed to get an extra round of deworming this past weekend.  We found two tape worms on Flynn's back end, so figured we should treat them both.

Well, this was a traumatic experience for the boys!  The pill they gave was quite large, but I figured we could just push it down, like I do with Tanner and his huge potassium.  Well, this pill doesn't have the same coating on it, and must be bitter because both boys ended up foaming at the mouth and the pills were back on the counter!

Auntie suggested we break the pill in half and give it in smaller amounts.  She used her slimmer fingers to get the pills down and I was armed with a syringe of water.  Success!

They didn't know what was happening to them and their hearts were just pounding!  I do believe they over reacted just a touch, but our house is known for having drama queen boys.

They both slept well that evening and couldn't even play they were so wiped out.  Thankfully they shouldn't need anymore of that dewormer!

Harrison came and laid next to me on the couch...

Flynn is in his favorite spot on the back of the couch...the other cat is Cousin Georgie.

Glad to have that behind us.  Harrison and Flynn go Thursday to get their last FVRCP vaccination and their rabies vaccine.  We should also be able to schedule their neuters at that time.

Wacky Wednesday

Today's Wacky post is brought to you by Flynn.  Flynn loves to play, and his favorite toy is a catnip pickle.  Auntie received a shipment the other day, so Flynn and Harrison had a box to play in for the first time!  They loved it, even though it took Harrison a while to figure out how to get into it!  The flaps kept getting in his way.

Flynn loved the box and when you combine a box and his pickle, you get one silly boy!  Enjoy.

Here it is on YouTube

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner is doing really well.  We have not had any vomiting and he is eating like normal.  He has been taking his thyroid pills for over a week now, and he gained 5 ounces this week!  Looks like the pills are working.

Tanner and Harrison

Tanner is asking to play more as well and is snuggling in the bed at night.  I believe he feels better.  He will go in a few more weeks to the vet for a recheck.

Thanks for checking on my favorite orange boy!

Mancat Monday

The mancats and mancats-in-training have had a busy weekend...

Oliver showed me where to put the clean laundry...such a big helper!

Harrison thought he would try some tea...Flynn drank some one day too!

Tanner, Oliver and Harrison protecting me while I eat breakfast...did we hear something?

Tanner and Harrison enjoy a snuggle and a bath.  Love how their paws are touching

Here it is on YouTube

Salmon - It's what's for dinner!  Yes, we now have to put out 7 plates of food...the special red dish is Tanner's.  He doesn't make near the mess with it.  It is called Messy Cat.

Cousin Sophie prefers the Florentine food

Cousins Georgie and Pirate, Oliver and Tanner split three cans of Proplan

Harrison and Flynn share a can of kitten food...pretty soon though they will each need their own.

My three house panthers...from left to right.  Oliver, Harrison, Flynn

Well that's what the mancats have been doing lately...

Wacky Wednesday

Today, we are featuring Harrison.  He loves to tote things around in his mouth.  He dances around with things and is just plain crazy at times!  Auntie captured these three quick videos the other day when a can of cat food fell on the floor.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner continues to do well, although we have another condition to add to his list...

Tanner went to the vet last Friday, for his annual visit.  It was determined that he had lost almost 2 pounds since April.  I knew he had been going down some, but didn't realize how much exactly.  The vet was concerned of course, as was I.  His coat has also been looking a bit unkempt for a few days, so I was wondering about him.

You may remember a few weeks ago, I mentioned he was vomiting more.  I mentioned this to the vet and we agreed to do an extra intensive blood panel to see what was going on.  Our vet mentioned he was a bit worried about Tanner...never a good sign :)

I wasn't sure if the results would be in on Saturday or if I'd have to wait until Monday.  Thankfully, the vet called first thing Saturday morning to give me the news...

Kidney Values = all stable

Anemic = not at this time

Potassium, phosphorus = All normal

Pancreatitis = YES, continue with the Pepcid injections daily for at least two more weeks

Thyroid levels show he is now Hyperthyroid.  Two more pills a day for Tanner.

The vet was actually quite pleased with the results as these are pretty normal aging diseases, and treatable.

Tanner has started his pills for his thyroid, so hopefully the weigh loss will stop and he will start feeling better.

For those keeping track, Tanner now takes 7 pills a day, and gets potassium powder in his morning can food.  He is getting one injection daily of Pepcid, and one injection weekly of his Adequan.

He is a happy boy though and loves life.  He plays hard enjoys a cuddle on the couch at night.  I am so thankful he is a tolerant boy!

Mancat Monday

Sunday is a time for special treats, and yesterday was no exception.  The mancats all enjoyed some fresh catnip from the garden.

Oliver,Cousin Georgie and Tanner were all waiting for Auntie to come back inside...It's like they know when she is going out to get something for them!

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Flynn absolutely adores catnip!  He gobbles it right up and rolls all around!

All four of the crazy cats! Harrison isn't so sure what to do with the catnip, nor does he understand why Flynn gets so crazy!

The catnip party moved to the front of the house, so Auntie went out and picked some from the flower bed there as well.  This picture shows Flynn and Harrison by the door.  Tanner on the orange rug, Cousins Georgie and Pirate in the middle.

Do you have a special day for extra treats at your house?

Wacky Wednesday

Today's wacky post is brought to you by Flynn.  Flynn loves his pickle toy and will toss it around and play with it for what seems like hours.  This video also shows Oliver trying to play with Flynn.  You can see how he can be a bit rough with his babies, so we are trying to work on teaching him to play nicely.  He likes to bop his babies!

Here it is on YouTube

PS - The mom should be featured here...she just now realized that her Mancat Monday post was actually posted on Tuesday!  The holiday has messed up our schedule!

Mancat Monday

The mancats are getting along quite nicely these days.  Harrison has bonded with Oliver.  Oliver has overcome his fear of the kittens and is playing with them now.  He still hasn't returned to my bed at night.  I think Auntie is putting catnip in her bed at night to lure him to her!

Harrison seeks out Oliver when he can... 

Oliver hasn't laid like this in a long time...feeling comfortable!  Love those curled back toes. 

Flynn is a sweet and calm boy.  He likes everyone, but seems to be Cousin Georgie's favorite. 

The vet thinks Flynn is going to be a big boy.  He also has a fair amount of Siamese in him because of his face shape and his eyes.  He is a bit cross-eyed, which is super adorable!

Harrison is a wild man..he totes things around in his mouth and talks a lot!  He is like Oliver in those ways which is probably why they are getting along so well. 

The kittens had their second round of vaccines this past Thursday.  They are looking good and growing steadily.  They go back in 4 weeks for their last round and rabies.  We will also get their neuters scheduled then.

Harrison is fascinated with the dishwasher!  He loves to "help" you in the kitchen.  He was talk and talk until he gets picked up to help.  He loves to load the dishwasher, hand wash dishes, wipe off the counters and cook.  He is a very curious boy and is just as content as can be to sit in your arms and watch!

This weekend we had a little girl over.  She is 8 years old.  The kittens did so well with her and let he tote them around.  She loved it!  I hope they will stay this tolerant and easy going.