Goodbye Jack

We are so sad. One of our friends had to go to the bridge today. He was a greyhound who lived with his mommy and daddy and grey-sister, Scout in Missouri. Jack loved camping, playing with Scout, and watching Judge Judy. He broke his leg today and when they took him to the vet, it was discovered that he had cancer that had spread throughout his body. We are crying that he's gone, and know his family will miss him terribly as will we. Goodbye Jack - have fun running at the bridge with Camie.

Hello again

Wow, we can't believe it's been over two months since we've posted. So much has happened in that time. Mom has changed jobs, and has gone on vacation for the first time in forever. We know she's gone to Washington DC almost every year, but that was always work. This time she went on a real true vacation. She left us for a week to go to Zion National Park. She went with our Papa, her brother, sister-in-law, nephew, niece and niece's husband. She said she truly felt like she got to relax for the first time in forever. The only thing she said she worried about the entire trip was us (we had someone coming in to feed us, but she still likes to worry). She said she posted all her pictures on facebook if any of your beans are interested.

We do have some other big news to share regarding a certain grey kitty in our house. It seems like this grey kitty has truly discovered how nice pets can be. He comes up on the bed for treats at night and will let Mom give him pets. He's even been heard to purr every night for the last week. Cody has even let Mom zoom groom him, but that scares him a bit.

As for me, I am still the same. I still love my Mama, and still like to prick her with my claws when I am loving on her. I really need to stop pricking her because it just makes her give me clippy claws that much more. I still am not fond of Cody, and he's still scared of me, but he will come on the bed when I'm up there ( he's been too scared to do it for a long time).

Mom says she's trying to save up to get another pair of Tonks. She went to a cat show put on by the Tonk association, here in CA. The breed has changed a bit in the last 18 years, but just in looks-they are still the same loving puppy cats that they've always been. She says she misses the constant lap kitty presence - I will sleep on or near her, but only if she's laying on the couch. I won't sit on her lap, and as far as Cody has come, he'll never be a lap kitty - afterall, it's taken 11 years just to get him to like bring petted.

Well, we think that is all that's happened in the last two months. We hope we are able to blog more in the upcoming months. Mom hasbeen slacking as usual. Bye for now.

Gotcha Plus One

Yesterday was my gotcha day. This is one of the very first pictures taken of me. I was still unsure of what being in a house and having a bean to love was all about. That has certainly changed. I now love being inside, and hate having to go outside.

I have started to sleep on Mom almost all the time on the couch, and I love to lay on her and turn my head up towards her so that I am looking at her upside down. I also have started to sleep with her more than I used to at night. I will sleep on the bed, but haven't really liked to touch her when she's asleep, which Mom thinks is funny, since when she is out on the couch, I love to come up and sleep next to her. I love to sleep on my back cuddled up right next to her with all my feet resting on her. I refuse to do that in bed tho.

I asked Mom for a special gift this year for my gotcha/birthday. I asked Mom to donate some money for the kitties and woofies that were left hurt and homeless in Japan. We donated through World Vets. We are purring for all the animals and beans in Japan and everyone affected by the tsunamis all across the Pacific.

A sad day

We are so sorry to hear that Mickey ran off to the bridge. We know how sad his mom and siblings must be. We will be purring for them.

We are also purring for everyone in Japan and everyone who has been affected by the earthquakes and tsunamis.

You'll Never Guess

You'll never guess what that woman who calls herself my mother did to me!!! She picked me up (which I hate) and took me outside and let a sticky person touch me. It was horrifying.

I suppose I should tell you everything. We live in an apartment, and I like to sit in the windows that face the middle of the the two buildings (the two buildings form a U with a pool/grassy area in the middle). Anyway, one of our neighbors has a sticky person that likes to say "Hi" to me. That's not so bad because he's on one side of the window, and I'm on the other. Tavi didn't mind saying "Hi" to him up close and personal, but I haven't been outside since I was adopted.

So, anyway, this sticky person gave Mom a box and bag of food for us, so she made me go out and thank him in person. I could have thanked him very well from inside where I was safe from all the scary stuff outside. Besides, while I like to sleep on Mom and lay next to her, I hate being picked up. It has to be my idea to get in her lap.

I was so traumatized after my experience, I had to come in and curl up in my favorite blanket and take a nap.

P.S. Mom is thinking of changing our blog name - we aren't sure about it. What do y'all think?

Hello Again

Hello again! We are all doing okay. Mom is home on winter break. We haven't been doing much of anything. Mom has been reading a lot, because it's been rainy and windy and cold outside. We got 7 days of rain in a row. That never happens around here. They have been saying that it was one of the worst set of storms California has seen in years. Mom just laughs because it really wasn't stormy, just rainy. But then again, there is that belief that it never rains in Southern California. Mom is weird because she likes the rain.

We also wanted to send a big thank you to the friend who sent Mom this wonderful pendent. She got it the Saturday after she helped Tavi to the bridge. She has only taken it off when she showers because she doesn't want it to get wet. The person who sent it to us got it from the esty shop Oliviamoon.
As you can see, it is one of Mom's favorite pictures of Tavi, with a beautiful sentiment on the back. We love it.

We are doing okay without Tavi. We all miss him of course. Both Cody and I miss sleeping with him. We don't like each other, but we both liked him. I have been trying to cuddle more with Mom because Tiki and Tavi were the cuddlers. I don't alway sleep on her, but I am trying to more.

In case we don't get to go online again before the new year, we hope you have a safe and quiet New Year.

Happy Christmas

We wanted to wish everyone a Happy Christmas!

Goodbye My Love

One of my favorite pictures of Tavi.
June 25, 1993 - December 1, 2010

As most of you know, I helped Tavi to the bridge today at about 11:30 am PST. He stopped eating almost two weeks ago (only eating a bite or two twice in all that time) and even then, would jump up to sleep with me, or lay on my lap. When I came home last night, I knew it was time to help him take the journey to the Bridge. He was lethargic, and while he would get up, he was extremely wobbly on his feet and had to fight hard to keep his balance. That was the first time he had to fight so hard to stay upright. It also exhausted him, and he would breathe heavily after getting up to get a drink. I had to lift him back up to the couch with me. It was also the first time he sounded like he was in pain.

He tried so hard to fight this terrible disease. He fought it right to the end. He tried to take three gasps even after the vet put the medicine in. He has now joined his litter mate, Tiki, his sister, Jade, and his woofie sister, Camie. I buried him in my dad's front yard, next to Tiki and Jade, and I put Camie's ashes in with him. He was so close to her while she was alive that I felt that they should be together even now.

Thank you for all of your purrs, prayers, good thoughts and encouragement. It has been a very difficult 2 years and I know that your comments have helped me cope with all four losses a bit easier than I would have without you.

One Last Update?

Hello, I've decided to update everyone on how I'm doing, and the short, quick answer to that is not good, but it could be worse.

On Sunday, I decided to stop eating. I just don't seem to want to eat anything. As a result, I've lost more weight and am getting cold a lot. Mom has left her heating pad on low with a thick blanket over it so I won't get too hot, but I do like to curl up there and stay warm, especially in the morning. I also like to snuggle into her newest afghan. It's very warm. In fact, I'm laying on it right now.

As I said, on Sunday, I decided to stop eating. Mom made me eat a little watered down baby food, but I struggled with her. I also kind of didn't know to get up to use the litterbox while I was sleeping, so I got mom a little wet, and another time, got the blanket I was in wet. I really wasn't feeling well at all. I was very lethargic, and stayed curled up under the blankets all night. Mom stayed up all night with me. She had to go into work on Monday, but came home on her lunch break. By then, I was feeling a bit better and I decided I wanted to go outside and sit in the sun a bit. I am usually only allowed out when it is time to get the mail, and then Mom carries me most of the way. Anyway, she let me out, and sat with me on the stairs for a while, but then she had to go back to work. When she came home after work, I again wanted to go outside and wanted to explore a little. Mom was very happy about this because she said she thought she was going to have to take me into the v-e-t so I could go on a trip. I am not quite ready for that trip just yet.

On Tuesday, I decided to try a little more food. I ate about 2 mouthfuls, and decided to try to steal some of Mom's quesadilla. It was buttery, and I really like butter. I also met her at the door again when she got home from work to go pick up the mail, but she wouldn't let me sit outside because she said it was much to cold out there. She had stopped by the v-e-t to leave a message about how I was doing.

On Wednesday, Dr. Martini (the v-e-t) called Mom and they talked about me quite a bit. Mom told him that I had stopped eating (except for the two mouthfuls) but that I was still meeting her at the door for my daily trip outside, and that I still seem interested in finding new places to sleep. He agreed with Mom that I will probably get to see my brother, Tiki, and sister, Camie, before too long. He also told my Mom not to force any more medications on me, except my Pepcid (because the renal failure causes high acid amounts which could lead to a sore tummy) and my fluids to keep my hydrated. He said that he could tell I was a fighter and so was Mom because my numbers were so high 2-1/2 weeks ago, he was surprised I wasn't at the Bridge already. Basically, he told my Mom to keep me comfortable and happy, and to bring me in when it was time for my trip to the Bridge.

Today, I didn't meet my mom at the door for our trip because it was a bit cold in here, and I was curled up in our favorite afghan. Mom picked me up anyway and took me out to get the mail. I've been up and walking around tonight and going to a couple of my favorite places to sleep. I jump up with Mom and sleep on her lap until she either has to get up or I get too hot (the afghan is really warm) and then I jump down and sleep in my ham-mick, and when I get cold again, I jump back up on the couch and sleep with Mom again. I am hanging in there, and fighting as much as I can. I even ate a couple of licks of butter again tonight, and took one lick of the juice from the cat food.

As you can see, my bones are really prominent and I have almost no fat left at all. Mom is calling me her skinny, little man, or little old man. I don't mind as I am both.

As, always, thank you for being our friends and thank you for always making us laugh or cry - usually just when we need one or the other the most.

Update - Tavi

Tavi here - Mom was trying to put up a picture of me, but she is too lazy to get her camera, and there is something wrong with her ability to send pictures via her cell phone. Anyway - we thought we would update you on what's been going on.

As you know, I have been diagnosed with CRF. I had to go back to the V-E-T a week ago, and they said my numbers are very high which is bad. Mom was at work when the V-E-T called, so it went to her cell phone voice mail. Mom called back to get some more information, and the V-E-T said something that Mom can't quite figure out if it's good or bad... he said that my numbers were so bad, he couldn't figure out why I was still alive... Mom doesn't know whether to take that as "Your cat is really a miracle because he should be dead," or "Why don't you just let your cat die?" He also said I shouldn't feel like eating. He called twice after that and left messages asking if I was eating and how I was doing. Mom is kind of under the impression that he thinks I am going to run for The Bridge any moment, but I am proving him wrong.

I am still asking to go get the mail with Mom, and the appetite stimulant really worked on me, because I keep asking for food. I even stole a piece of pepperoni with cheese on it today. Mom wasn't too happy about that - something about not being good for my tummy, but it tasted yummy. I am also still demanding pets and love from Mom and am still hopping up onto the counter to get to the TV stand so I can sleep on top of the Blue-Ray and wireless router. It's very warm up there. I've even sneaked out of the house a couple of times when Mom was leaving for work - that was fun, except I got caught too soon each time (I don't go anywhere, except to the end of our little hall and wait for Mom to pick me up - it's how we go to get the mail everyday).

Anyway, I am getting sub-q fluids every day. I also have to take blood pressure medicine so I don't have another stroke. I've been okay with the medicine, but I really don't like getting the sub-q fluids. I don't really fight Mom, but I definitely let her know I would rather be elsewhere. One day, I jumped down after she stuck me, and pulled the needle out. I don't think I will be trying that again because I just got stuck again. All in all, I am doing remarkably well for a cat that shouldn't be alive.

As for Gracie and Cody, they are both okay. Mom just got a new throw from Sam's Club that Gracie absolutely loves. She kneads on it and suckles it and goes completely gaga over it. Cody has his days where he will jump on the bed for treats and let Mom pet him (she almost gets misty eyed every time it happens because of the long wait to be able to do so.) She says his fur is very soft and he will now stop eating his treats for a few seconds at a time and just enjoy the pets. He is still a scaredy cat about everything else tho. He's so cute because he raises his behind in the air to get more pets. Mom says this is proof to never, ever give up on trying to win over a cat. It's taken her 10 long years to be able to touch him, and she doesn't think he will ever get much beyond where he is now, but just being able to pet him for 2 or 3 minutes is a miracle she never thought would happen.

As always, we thank you for your continued friendship. We are so sorry we are unable to comment or visit as much. Mom used to do a lot of it while she was at work, but she has a different boss now that gets all frowny faced about it.

Funny Video - NSFW based on language

Mom laughed so hard at this video. It does have some words from the naughty list, so be warned.




We hope everyone has a good weekend.

Happy 'Tocktober Day Derby

Today is our good friend, Derby's, birthday. In honor of him, we are posting our best 'tocks. (We don't do 'tocks very well - sorry Derby)


I don't have much 'tocks anymore since I've lost so much weight.


Gracie has lots of 'tocks, but she's such a lady, she doesn't like showing them off.

We hope you have a great birthday Derby. You deserve it.

Tortie Tuesday Tavi Update

I decided to report on today's update since Tavi is just a bit hissed off at the world. He had to go back to the V-E-T again - and Mom made me go too. He has CRF and has to have sub-q fluids, and a special diet. He also got two more prescriptions. One is an appetite stimulant since he hasn't felt like eating, and the other is a phosphate binder - both of which have to be done at a compounding pharmacy. Mom has to take care of those tomorrow. He also got two shots today: one of Vitamin B complex and Vitamin B12 combined, and another of a long lasting anti-biotic.

Mom has to give him 70 mls of fluids each day, and she has to give him a Vitamin B12 shot weekly for at least the next six weeks. And he has to go back for blood tests in 2 weeks.

Tavi was not a happy camper today. Mom isn't sure if it was because he had to go back to the V-E-T- for the third time in as many days or if it was because I was in the carrier with him, or if it was just that he's not feeling well, or a combination of the three. I had to go to get my rooster shots. Mom figured it made sense to take care of it since she had to go there anyway.

Thank you all for the purrs, prayers, and good thoughts coming our way. We really appreciate it.

PS - Mom did buy a pill splitter when she got the pills, but she says it's still a pain in the hiney to split those little things. 1/2 isn't too bad, it's the quartering that's a royal pain.

Meezer Monday

Well, we got back from our v-e-t a little while ago. Mom says we got lucky because I got the v-e-t she likes the best there. He does seem a little bit more gentle and kind when he examines me.

Anyway, they stole some of my furs, my blood and my urine, and are going to send it in to be tested. They also took my blood pressure, and it is high, so they gave mom some medication for me to take at least until they get the report back. It is a very, tiny, itty bitty pill - and I only have to take 1/4 of it once a day. Mom says it's going to be a pain in the hiney to cut it into quarters.

So Not a Sleepy Sunday

We seem to be always apologizing for not getting around and commenting much, and not posting much, so here it goes again. We are so sorry. We are reading about you tho. Here is a bit of an update.

I got hauled off to the emergency v-e-t today. It appears I might have had a stroke. I woke up Mom this morning by dragging myself out from under the covers. Mom noticed I hadn't walked out and got very concerned. She tried to stand me up and I just collapsed back down. She moved me out to the couch to look at me better, and I couldn't move one side of my body. I also had 2 different sized pupils. She took a quick shower, and while she was in there, I tried to get up and ended up falling off the couch (but I didn't hurt myself). She raced me to the emergency v-e-t (I threw up on her shoulder in the car because I got car sick). Once there, they did a preliminary check on me, and I couldn't feel pain sensations in my toes on my one foot, and they agreed with mom about my pupil sizes, but said I was stable for now, and Mom could hold me until the v-e-t could see me.

Once we went into the v-e-t, I had improved noticeably, and was able to stand up and stagger around. I was given a physical exam and neurological exam, and kept getting better. My eyes had improved a lot, but were still slightly different sizes, and when the v-e-t checked my foot orientation (they turned my paw upside down by putting the top of the paw on the table), I could straighten it out, but slowly. I could also see and smell, although the v-e-t said I am starting to get cataracts. I also seemed to have a loss of sensation along my back bone which could be from a couple of things.

I have to go to my regular v-e-t tomorrow for blood work, and a follow-up appointment. I don't really want to go. Today's appointment exhausted me.

Mom was crying both on the way to the v-e-t and on the way home - she said she was first so afraid she would have to help me over the bridge, and then she was so happy. I don't get her at times...how come she was crying because she was sad and happy????

Anyway, I am doing lots better than I was this morning, and am enjoying being back home again.