Sign of Hard Times

The other evening I looked through the classified ad of our local newspaper. It's something I do when I've read both daily papers and still want to read. Anyway, I was surprised to see the number of pets listed in the pet section. Usually in that section there will be one or two listed for "free" and several for sale, but that particular day there were at least 20 ads for free pets and each ad listed multiple animals. I wonder if this is a further sign of our worsening economy. In times before, people would have kept the litter of pups or kittens, but now must get them off their hands. I certainly hope that with the new leadership that we will begin to see a turn around in our economy soon for all our sakes.

Cats Exercising

I read a few blogs faithfully and always enjoy. I found a cat video on one of them this week and have laughed so much. I want to share it with you. I CAN'T GET IT TO LINK. I'll get it on sometime today. http://www.sonnyradio.com/treadmills.html

How Soon He Forgot Me

I had the opportunity to visit the house where my cat, Pepe, now lives. I didn't go there to specifically see him, but checked him out anyway. He came into the room to see all of us, be petted, played with, squeezed by my granddaughter, etc. He did come up to me, but did not do his usually loud, snorty purr. I thought maybe I would have thoughts of wanting to take him home, but alas, my feelings for him had gone also. He is just a pretty cat that someone else must feed, groom, change litter, clean up hair, etc.

Oh, Where Has My Big Cat Gone?

It's been a week since I gave my cat away. Pepe' went to live with my future daughter-in-law. I miss him, but I don't miss the long cat hair in my eyes, nose, and on my clothes. I will survive without him. And if I really want to see him, I have visitation rights.

Listen, While I Whisper in Your Ear

Our granddaughter, Toots, came over the other night for a short visit. She loves our cat, but the feelings are not mutual. The only time he pays attention to her is when she gets to feed him. She doesn't get that connection, but she does love to feed him. Well, that night was no exception. She ran into the kitchen, looked over her shoulder, and beckoned the cat to follow. When he didn't budge from my lap, she returned to the living room and announced that she would "whicker" in his ear that she was feeding him. The cat didn't recoil, but seemed surprised that she would be so near him without food in hand. It wasn't till the cat heard the food rattle in his dish that he moved. I sure if Toots were at my house more often, the cat would weigh much more than he does now. And perhaps he would learn to "whicker" in her ear that it's time to eat.

Cat Answers the Call

Our cat makes many different sounds in his cries, just like a baby. I can usually tell what he wants by his cry. Well, last night he was wandering the house doing his desperate cry for his long-lost family when the phone rang. At that point I heard him say "Hello." Even my husband thought the intelligent feline said hello. Now if we could only get him to make a sound that would get rid of those calls from colleges asking for money.

Sound the Alarm

Our alarm clock is one of those fancy ones that plays radio, CD, has dual alarms, flashes colors when the power has been off, snooze, weather alert, etc. Also it displays LARGE digits so I can read it during the night without my glasses. Hubby sets it for me, just in case I should sleep-in past my usual 4:00 to 5:00 can't-sleep-I'm-too-hot-my back-is-killing-me-get-up time. I usually try to remember to hit the button to turn off the alarm so he isn't awakened at 5:45. I did remember yesterday, but the alarm has 9 silver, similar buttons on top of it that I can't read in daylight without my glasses let alone in the darkened bedroom. I try to feel for the right shape of the button, but alas, I pushed the wrong one. Music came blaring! I quickly pushed more buttons making the face turn several different colors and mine too. Finally I found the right button. Or so I thought. Sometime later I heard the music meaning the alarm was accidentally placed in the wrong mode. I hurriedly crossed the bedroom and frantically searched for the right button. No success so I unplugged the temperamental thing. An hour later while preparing for my shower, I heard this loud beeping coming from the unplugged alarm. Alarmed myself, I scurried to find the correct button to stop the noise from the powerless contraption. Success, but too late. Husband was awakened. (He doesn't get angry, but I do try to be considerate.) By the time I am in the shower, I begin laughing right out loud at the whole scenario. Even without its power source the stupid alarm doesn't give up its job. So together hubby and I decide to relieve the fancy machine of its duties and replace it with the old, simple, but reliable alarm clock. I am satisfied because now I can use the CD player in another room where I have light and bifocals. Well,...during last night's repose I hear our cat meowing loudly next to my bed. Groggy still, but awake, I hear the beeping noise again. It's 12:30 a.m.!!! I leave my bed in search of the noise and find it is the CD alarm in another room! Man, this thing doesn't give up. I search to see if it is plugged in. I search for a button to push until it stops. Then I search for batteries to kill it. Satisfied that it will not disrupt my life again I retreat to my bed. The only good news about the whole situation is that I know I have an alarm cat who can awaken us in the event of a catastrophe. Unfortunately he believes that his hunger pains qualify for this.

The Purr of Death

Just read a story in two different newspapers about a cat named Oscar. The two year old cat lives in a nursing home in Providence, RI. Seems the cat has correctly predicted the imminent deaths of 25 patients. Due to Alzheimers, the residents are unaware of the cat's presence in their rooms as they hoover near death. Sounds mighty creepy. But then dogs have been known to predict seizures, diabetic episodes, and even cancer. So why wouldn't a cat be able to predict someone's death? Only one family requested that the cat be banned from their loved one's room. Seems the cat paced and meowed in the hallway during that time.

Unwaivering Devotion

No matter what I look like, no matter what I have done for the day, or still need to do in the night, I have a devoted friend, my cat. He seeks me out as soon as I arrive home. His pleasant twirp lets me know that he is pleased that I am back home. Later in the evening, when I've had a chance to sit on the couch and read the paper or grade school work, he announces his arrival with another chirp, then, jumps up on my lap. His purr, louder than the television, tells me that he is happy that we are there together, no matter what.