Tanner Tuesday

Tanner is enjoying the good life right now.  His next trip to the vet should be in July for his annual visit!  We love normal and routine!

This bed on the ottoman is one of Tanner's favorites. Even though it has a Christmas pattern on it, we leave it out all year!

As you can see...he has almost completely grown back in his fur.  It is barely noticeable where he was shaved for all those months.

 

Sweet boy enjoying a relaxing weekend.

Tanner discovered corn on the cob the other year and how yummy it can be.  This weekend we had corn for the first time of the season...Tanner loved it still!

Mancat Monday

The boys have been having a great couple of weeks.  They love tissue paper, so we have been keeping some on the floor for them to play with and destroy!

One of their favorite games is Pokey Stick.  Tanner has loved this game since he was young!  You have probably played this game, but didn't know it had a name :)  Here's Tanner giving a demonstration.

Here is the link to Tanner's video on YouTube.

Oliver and Cousin Georgie are learning how much fun it can be too!  Oliver plays a bit differently and is the main reason we have put out new paper almost daily!

Oliver's YouTube Video.

Tanner just chilling on the paper...notice anything funny about him?  I have never seen him do this before...

Cross his feet!  So precious!  Love those pink toes.  His fur has almost completely grown back in as well...just a little thin.

Have you played Pokey Stick before?

Thankful Thursday

Last weekend the boys had a bit of an adventure as we hosted some kids from Uganda in our home.  They are a part of the Daraja Children's Choir of Africa.  They have been in the US since October and have been traveling around performing at churches and school.  Auntie and I signed up as a host home when they came to our church.

We picked up our kids and chaperones on Friday night...we were blessed with from left to right, Scovia, Sydney, Margaux, and Mable

On Saturday, the kids had school in the morning.  We tried to play putt-putt that afternoon, but it started to rain.  Mable just couldn't stay awake with the rain and a car ride! 

We came home and worked on our homework.  It has been a LONG time since I have done long division!  We persevered and finished all the problems! 

We rewarded ourselves with milkshakes...Mable loved hers! 

Scovia gives it a thumbs up! 

The video of their performance is too large to put on blogger, but here is a link to it on YouTube.  They performed at both morning services and then did a concert that night for our church.  Auntie and I felt like proud moms seeing our girls on stage!

Daraja Video

Tuesday morning, it was time to take the kids back to the church for them to leave.  We were sad to see them go but so thankful for our time together.   

Our whole group...we will never forget you or this experience!  Safe travels as you return to Uganda next month.

I was very proud of Tanner and Oliver too...they loved the kids and did quite well with the changes in routine and extra people.  The kids were not sure what to think of the cats in the house, so they didn't interact with them much.

Tanner Update

Tanner has put on his bow tie to thank everyone for sending purrs his way this week.  We just received the call from the vet and TANNER IS ALL CLEAR!!  

The mass is an over growth of gum tissue, not commonly found in cats.  It is usually created by a trauma or dental disease.  The vet feels that since we have removed it and cleaned the teeth that the mass won't reappear.  We of course will keep a check on his mouth each time he visits.

Wacky Wednesday

We again feature Oliver on the Wacky Wednesday post...anybody noticing a trend?

Last week, Tanner had surgery and a dental.  He was not supposed to eat hard food for several days, so we did not leave out bowls of it for everyone to munch on.  Oliver LOVES hard food and prefers it to the canned stuff.  He was in a tough spot because he is also a dainty grazer when it comes to eating and likes to keep coming back to the bowl throughout the day and eating a few bites.

He heard me pour a bowl of cereal and jumped on the island to see what it was.  I thought he was just move on when he smelled that it wasn't his, but no, next thing I hear is him crunching away!

Here is a quick video of him as well...the cereal is Life, so I don't think it is too terrible for him.  I hadn't put the milk on yet.

Here is the YouTube link as well...

What is the wackiest thing you have been caught eating?

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner had the mass inside his mouth removed last Friday.  They also did a dental cleaning while he was there.

He did great during his visit, but was still quite loopy when I picked him up...glad to be going home though. 

At home he was just so happy.  I gave him a tiny amount canned food because he was hungry, but I wanted to make sure he would keep it down.

The mass was on the right side of his face, and you can see he is a bit swollen.  He also had a bottom, back tooth removed on the left side.  Poor boy has stitches on both sides of his mouth!

They didn't get the first IV in properly, so he has two shaved arms and two pretty nice looking bruises.

By Saturday his arms were looking better and he was still just happy to be home.  We were able to open the windows for some fresh air and he found a warm, sunny spot.

He eats well, although he cannot have hard food for a few days.  We are softening it in water because he loves his hard food.  He is on antibiotics and thankfully he hasn't started having diarrhea with these.  Fingers crossed!

Sunday was another beautiful day, so Tanner thought munching on some Sage in the garden would make him feel better.  He is still on pain meds, although I will probably stop them tomorrow as he seems to be doing well. 

We will not find out what the mass is until late this week, probably on Friday.  I will post when we know...

Thank you all for your purrs...Tanner has done well so far...hoping there will be good news to share!

Wacky Wednesday

Oliver loves the fish!  The feeling may be mutual as the fish seems to enjoy playing with Oliver too.  This is featured under Wacky because of how Oliver uses his paws to try and touch the fish...

There are two videos, but only one will post here. Their links on YouTube are Here and Here.  The second video is a touch longer and shows Oliver doing his paw thing twice...the fish is also more engaging.

Tanner Tuesday

These photos were supposed to go up yesterday for a Mancat post, but this human is a slacker, so they will be presented today :)

Tanner and Oliver are the best of buds...I loved that was able to catch them lying close together and even touching paws... 

Sweet brothers 

Love these boys of mine!

Tanner could use some purrs this week, especially on Friday.  Over the past several weeks, he has been itching more and pulling at his fur.  He has had a runny eye and some sniffles too.  Although he hasn't suffered from environmental allergies in the past, it was determined that he is being bothered by them this year.  He has been getting lysine in his food to help with the eye, and antihistamines to help with the sniffles and itching.  Although it wasn't really helping like I thought it should.

Yesterday, I went ahead and took him into the vet to see if there was something stronger we could give him.  He has woken me up in the night numerous times washing and licking and pulling his fur, even though he just had an antihistamine.  It was time to look for some relief.

The vet agreed it was seasonal allergies and said many first-timers were coming in this year.  We talked about antihistamines and he said sometimes they just aren't effective in cats like we would hope.  We discussed steroids and agreed to do a depo injection.

He continued his exam of Tanner and found a suspicious mass in his mouth.  We are scheduled to have it removed on Friday and they will do a dental while he is under.  The mass will be sent off for biopsy.  Tanner could use some purrs, specifically:

1) For the antihistamines to help him this week, since we couldn't do the depo injection yet.  We are increasing his dose though

2) For an easy removal and dental cleaning on Friday

3) For Tanner to remain comfortable this week (mass was bleeding after vet messed with it) until it is removed

4) For Tanner to be comfortable after his surgery

5) For the mass to be benign

Thank you all...we have pulled Tanner through a lot over the years, so let's try again!

Happy Birthday Tanner

Today, Tanner turns 14 years old.  It is hard to believe that we have made it this far, with all the medical adventures we have been on!  I am so proud of my boy, and pray that he will continue doing well.

As many of you know, Tanner was my first bottle feeder kitten.  He along with a sister, Riley, were 13 days old when I got them.  Tanner was born to a feral mom and she buried him in the litter box.  The foster mom came home in time and found him.  She pulled all the babies, 4 siblings, and put them on another nursing mother.  They did ok, but with the bigger kittens around it was hard for these 4 little ones to get everything they needed.  So, Tanner and Riley came to my house, and Syrah (black and white male) and Chardonnay (Calico) went to another house. 

Tanner was a sweetie from the start and there was just something about him.  I knew immediately that I wanted to adopt him.  I just had to convince Auntie that I needed another cat!

Tanner has had a lot of change in his 14 years.  We have moved twice, and he has experienced the loss of three brothers.  He has seen numerous foster kittens come and go.  He has been to been to the vet more times than all the others combined!  He is a fighter and a cancer survivor.  He also gained a new baby and brother in Oliver.  Our family is complete once again... 

Happy Birthday to my sweet orange boy.  Tanner James you are one of a kind and I am so thankful and blessed to have you in my life.  Here's to many more years with you buddy!

Wacky Wednesday

Oliver loves to destroy cardboard boxes.  He rips small bite sized pieces off the edges.  No box is safe!

Here's a quick video of him doing his thing...

Here is the YouTube link.

Mancat Monday

Since we posted a video of Tanner going down the stairs last week, Oliver wanted you to see him walk down the hall.

He loves to go upstairs and cry like he is lost so you will call to him.  Sometimes when he comes down, he is carrying a jelly bean or his favorite stick.  This time though, he is alone...

It is here on YouTube.

Wacky Wednesday

Today we have a Wacky Wednesday post featuring Oliver, of course.  The boy is a nut!  One of his favorite things to do is to wash his humans.  If you pet him, he will probably lick your hands.  If you lean in close, he will lick your face or lips or whatever is closest.  He also loves to wash your hair...here is a quick video...normally he does this at night while I am trying to sleep, but here he is on the back of the couch.

If this doesn't work...here is the YouTube link.

Do you cats do this??

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner has had a great week...

First, his food order from Chewy.com came in, and we all know they have the best boxes!

The boys turned it over and made a mancat cave out of it!

Later, we all shared some Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream...it seems to be a crowd favorite.  Auntie is sharing with everyone...will there be any left for her? 

Don't worry Tanner...your turn is coming!

Thursday Travels

Our last day in Kenya and it was another day full of activities...here we go...

We started out with a wonderful breakfast at the Sarova Lion Hill Park.  We were all so happy to have more "American" type foods...french toast and bacon! 

Then it was time to pack the bus for the last time... 

We hit a snag when we left the safari park...a huge rock had lodged between our back wheels.  It took about an hour to free it... 

We stopped along the road back to Nairobi to shop and view the Great Rift Valley... 

Me with one of the shop keepers... 

We finally made it to Nairobi and visited the Kazuri bead factory.  They had waited on us so we could have a tour of the factory.  The clay comes from Mount Kenya. 

The mission of Kazuri is "To provide and sustain employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of Kenyan society."  There are over 340 women employed, mostly single mothers.  Kazuri is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization.

Every bead and piece of pottery is hand made...The guide said that each woman can make 900-1000 beads a day! 

They receive and send orders to over 20 countries around the world.

Here are some of the days beads ready to be fired in the kiln...they fire at night because it is so warm. 

Beads being glazed before firing...

Finished beads being turned into beautiful jewelry.

After the bead store, we spent some time at a hotel before heading to the airport.  The airport had a major fire a few years ago, and it is neat to see all the progress being made to restore it.  It looked much more like a regular western airport this time than last...a much better experience!  Auntie and our friend Brigitte posing at a beautiful mural. 

We made it back to London and had time for breakfast...again, so happy for pancakes, eggs and sausage!  We hung out in the airport for about 4 hours and then it was time to head home.  

Thank you all for taking this journey with me...if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.  I hope you have enjoyed these posts.  Kenya is a place I would recommend visiting and I am already looking forward to my next trip!

Tanner Tuesday

Tanner continues to do well.  He asks to play and of course joins me for dinner each night.  He is always hopeful that I will be having something he likes!  He is the only one of my boys that begs for food.

These photos are from last year, but as soon as the plate is on the table...here he comes! 

Is this something I like?  He can be rude about asking for food... 

I try to make him sit and wait patiently...

Looking at these photos from last year, I can see how far Tanner has come.  He has filled out and his fur looks much better now!

On a different note, cats going down stairs are quite comical!  Tanner does more of a bunny hop whereas the younger boys walk.  Tan is pretty stiff in his back legs from arthritis, so I'm sure this has something to do with it.  Here is a very short video of Tanner and Cousin Georgie going down the stairs.  Notice the different style.  Which style is more like your cats?  Have you noticed a change as they age?

Here it is on YouTube in case it doesn't work on this page.