Christmas Kitty 2011

Gracie has experienced her 1st Bang Christmas & I think she had a ball!!  She seemed very familiar with the tree, decorations etc & appeared in the living room much more frequently :)    Payton , of course didn't know what to think...as she often took his favorite spot by the window.

                           Gracie now has her own route to the kitchen table......

                           She often stops to inspect what's on the snack counter :(

Once on the kitchen table ...she does a lil cleaning...after she rubs around the plant - which was  from Pud's funeral.....eerie, huh??

                       Pate is always trying to figure out the best position for an ambush :)

She obviously felt very comfortable under the tree - we found her there several different times.

                   The coveted spot....her window to the world.....safe & secure by Trev.

                                  She frolicked w/  the holiday bow I received.

                           And she LOVES her bags - any size...any where :)

                           Pate watched all this from his vantage point on the floor.

         Where he & Kyle were putting the finishing touches  on  a playful Christmas game.....

                         GG was not going to be out done & had holiday wrap too!!

Then it was GAME ON....Pate was underneath the paper & Gracie waited & waited....til..Pate moved a smidgen......... then she went straight up in the air & tore thru the living room & back to her haven in Trev's room...where she remained the rest of the day!!!

Pate was once again KING of the living room & stayed perched on his tower - aka book shelf - & waited for her to again step onto his turf.  Of course, she didn't b/c she was fast asleep on Trev's bed, but Pate was taking no chances :))

Oh, That Gracie......

As we are getting into the holiday mode......so is Ms. Gracie Grace :)  When Trev & I decided to decorate last week & put up our lil tree  ( don't ask )  Missy Miss decided to join in on the fun.  The living room looked like a yuletide bomb exploded & she could not have been happier!!

                                         Notice a lil feline on the back of the couch???

                       Notice another feline on the floor - Pate couldn't believe his eyes!!!

                             Look between the 2 lids......see a tail?    Yep.....so did Gracie !!! 


They ended up chasing each other around, thru & over the many Christmas obstacles & after a few
" rumbles " went their separate ways......that is GG to Trev's room & Pate to the loveseat.  Apparently, he felt he chased her out of the living room & regained his region...they are just too funny :)

Buddies @ Last :)

Well, it's finally happened....my 2 lil orange kitties are getting along nicely.  They sometimes eat together, sleep in the same room , look out the same window, & follow each other ( sometimes VERY quickly ) from one room to the next.

Looks like you are seeing double, but you aren't......they are both enjoying the table top eatery Trev has on his dresser for their dining pleasure :)

     This time she is on top of Bru's dresser watching the sights from above - and yes .....Payton was on the floor!!



Since her first vet visit in April, she has gained 1.5 lbs & her coat is nice & healthy looking.  They did suggest a teeth cleaning, which I will do in the future.  She was super quiet going to the vet this time & in the exam room....why?   She was placed in her own cat carrier from Chillicothe (instead of one of mine) & I'm sure she could still smell & sense  Pud all around her :)

What's This??

I've always heard that cats take  l o n g e r  to adapt to new situations than their fellow canine pals.  It has been over 6 months & Pate & Gracie are actually playing together....... whether it's in the hall bath  ( I see remnants of their claws in my shower curtain ) -  or in Trev's room w/ the beloved door. 

  Here they both are in the living room enjoying the view from 2 different angles.

            The Pug is always willing to share his couch w/ his Cuz :)

                     They switched positions w/o a rumble!!!

Family sticks together when there is something fun to watch in the outside world:)




Trev has told me that lately she has a 10pm visitor - a big black & white cat from down the street.  At first, she growled & hissed plus doubled her size by puffing up!  Now she is kind of used to him & they talk to each other thru the window when he jumps up on the outside sill  &  are face to face.  I often wonder if she thinks  it's  her arch enemy SOCKS from Chillicothe & how he found her????

Needless to say, I'm very happy she has finally accepted having another feline in her life & seems pretty content to be residing in Arlington Heights :)

Cheddars gets a Chance......

Since it gets below 40 degrees in October....Cheddars comes indoors to reside til Spring when it warms up again.  Usually, she stays in Trev's room, altho now w/ GG's cat tree - there is no room @ the " inn ".  Next possible choice.....Ky's room - she lasted 2 days before my son approached me w/ bags under his eyes - & pleaded she be moved during the night time hours so he could get some slumber.  Rabbits are the most active early morning & late evening - ergo not a good match.

Here is her highness in my kitchen & on a wood floor for the 1st time in her life.

She did manage a few steps...before her feet disappeared from underneath her!!!

Trev was in charge of my exercise mat - which served as a barrier to the living room.

I took a seat in the middle of my kitchen & called to her - all I got was eye contact b/c she was NOT going to chance this slippery shiny floor!!

Once she was safely back in side her cage, we released the other 2... Festus missed all the action & is wondering what happened :)

Payton was interested in nothing but the sun to bask in - besides he sees her all the time.  Gracie Grace was sleeping the entire time in Trev's room & we didn't even have to close his door :)

Gracie - on the Move.....

My son Trevor decided Gracie Grace needed a " field trip " of sorts & brought her out into the living room....during day light hours.  This rarely happens due to the fact her " highness " is usually in a deep slumber when the sun is out :)

          Payton was sleeping on my bed unaware of his cousin's whereabouts :)

               She is always up a a neck rub regardless of her location :)

      Soon after...Kyle came home & she wanted his attention too - she's all ready w/ her outstretched neck :)




Gracie lasted @ an hour... but....since Kyle returned home - Payton heard his voice & woke up.  He approached Ky to say hi - ergo non verbally sending GG back to her safety net (aka Trev's room).  I thought it was GREAT progress & hope to see her come out on her own in the near future.  There is something wonderful @ that picture window that keeps felines always wanting more....do you think it could have anything to do w/ that bird feeder hanging in a tree @ 8 ft away???

Are They Actually Getting Along ??

The other day, I passed Trev's room & saw 2 cats.....in the same location.  Could my eyes be deceiving me?  (Note that Gracie is watching him from in her beloved cat tree.)

   Nope...I have it on film.....I should set up a video camera in Trev's room :)




Apparently, there is a unwritten cat law that states if 2 felines are residing in a single home & each have their own kitty litter box.....sharing is permitted.  Lately, Gracie's is for # 1 & Pate's box - in Kyle's room - is for # 2.   Somehow, during this necessary function of life.....few attacks are made.

I still can't figure out if they are trying to imitate each other or are they just  trying to " outdo " each other in the bodily function competition!?!
I am confident these 2 will end up being buddies.....as long as Gracie Grace has the upper hand / paw / tree / box :)

Case of Good Timing.....

The other day while I was minding my own business on the computer.....my son Trevor reported to me that 1 of our critters was committing an act of vandalism in the living room.

Sure enough, I looked down the hall & saw what appeared to be a mound of white diapers (?)  on Festus' cage.  It didn't take me long to ascertain the problem.

 Payton had decided to empty my (newly purchased & very full) box of Kleenex!!
 As you can see he was looking for help from above.....as I entered the room.

 Help came in the form of a nail trim,so further "snagging" could not take place.

   This was the scene shortly after the destruction took place - had Trevor not spotted this vandal in time.....who would I have blamed?  Yeah ....Pate is ALWAYS my first choice, too. 



               Gracie would NEVER think to do something like that :)

Cousin Play???

Recently, Pate & Gracie have been trying to establish a relationship of sorts.  It usually involves a toy OR a door.  Trevor's door goes back & forth frequently as Gracie grabs the bottom of it from inside the room & pulls & Pate rushes it from the hallway & pushes !!!

       The beginning - Payton is in the hall & Trevor sets the stage ....

               Then, a face to face occurs over the desired object

.         Gracie Grace claims the toy .....as well as Trev's flip flops !

                        What the ????  Where is it???

        Pate had made his move & carried the coveted toy ALL the way to the kitchen....where he delighted in his conquest :)

Dudley Returns Home.....

After receiving the test results over the phone yesterday, another appt. was scheduled @ the vet.  He walked past Cheddar's cage & did not even turn his head to look @ her.  He laid down in my front seat of my car while driving the 3 blocks to the animal hospital, never making a sound.  Simply stated.....this was not typical Dudley behavior.....which proved to me how much pain he was living with daily.

When we arrived, I asked for an x-ray to be taken b/c I had noticed his abdomen looked distended.  That is where the tumor was discovered. It showed that his liver was 2x the normal size & the rest of his organs were being pushed back to allow room for the mass to grow. The very low platelet count was b/c his body was trying to fight off this toxin until it depleted itself.  It was a no win situation for the Duds or myself. 

Sadness swept the room as the 2 vets compassionately explained everything to me.....and the really sad thing is....I already knew in my heart.  I called Bru who arrived quickly & Duds was happy to see him - covering his neck with those famous lil kisses.  I then held him & as he gave me my last kiss....he peacefully slept away.

I  miss the Doo Dah....he was a joy, a challenge, funny, respectful & so loving
to everyone - man or beast. Waking up this morning & not be greeted by him was hard & as my tears flow...I know time is the only answer. 

The last photo taken of Dudley in his favorite spot behind Bru's chair....resting.





The ONLY redeeming factor in all this is that he is once again with his Mom up in heaven.  I'm sure Pud met him with open arms & a handful of treats :)

Dudley Health Update......

I have been noticing lately that the Duds is less active & looks heavier.  We have not been walking as much - too hot & humid OR when it rains 5 out of 7 days. But when Bru took Fest & Dud to the infamous tennis courts on our first nice day in a while ( Sunday -  before the Bears game of course )...Dudley did NOT spring into action & run around like a maniac, nor would/could he walk back home.  Bru said the leash was way behind him & Duds was barely making any headway to keep up. Ergo he got a lift home in my husbands arms :)

When it reached the point of refusing breakfast ( altho his cousin was more than ready to " take another bowl full " for the team ) off to the vet we went.

Yesterday I allowed them to do blood work - he had tests before they did the dental a few months ago, so I knew they would have numbers to compare to & a thorough physical exam followed ( which he was wonderful during :)     The vet & I both noticed that when he was probing his back legs & hips w/ his fingers...the Duds reacted.  Not growling or biting - he just whimpered & gave the vet a kiss :)
Also discovered @ weigh in ....he had GAINED 1 pound - yikes!!

I will get the results today or tomorrow from the blood work & until then... he is taking a pain killer ( Rimadyl ).  He is already moving more BUT not eating with any real gusto.  Perhaps he would prefer something home made mixed in his kibble - like steak or chicken...I'm sure I'll come up w/ something yummy.

I'll post any findings / results that I receive....until then...please keep the Duds in your thoughts as he just isn't acting like the terrier we all know & love.

Gracie is Where???

Gracie is proving to be a kitty of many locations. We know she roams @ nite b/c just last evening she was spotted on my kitchen table.  My witnesses are my sons who are nite owls, don't forget :)


Payton continues to befriend/attack her - we really can't tell any more :)   Some
times their rumbles seem fierce & other times it looks like play.  Since neither one has much experience in that area....it remains a work in progress.

                             We have gone from this....

                                   To this.....

            To this & yes...she is daring Pate to take one step closer to
                             her beloved cat tree!!!
                      


This latest location is somewhat amusing, as I never figured GG as a clothes horse/kitty (altho she did hang in his closet in the beginning for a while ) - she proved me wrong, as I discovered in this photo.

                Trev was getting ready for work & PRESTO so was GG!

            As you can see...Trev is aok w/ Gracie being quite comfy in his dresser drawer.  I'll have you know - she stayed there even after he left :)


She is SO sweet & loving - Pud should be very proud of her 2 lil waifs - as they have settled in quite nicely. 

Dudley's Prey......or so He Thinks!!

Every time I walk the Duds - he feels like he MUST try & intimidate my poor lil  bunny.  Rest assured she is safely caged & out of danger BUT that does not stop the instincts of this tenacious terrier.  He freezes like a statue .....then the right front paw comes up slowly & BAM ...a quick correction is given & we walk right out of the garage - bunny in tact.  In the beginning, his rapid high pitch barking was also a factor - I'm happy to share THAT has subsided :)



Here is the lil lady Cheddars - she was the token pet for my preschool classroom many years ago.  When I left the school I took her home w/ me for the summer WITH the understanding she would return in the fall.  Imagine my surprise, when the new school director e-mailed me in August saying she changed her mind!!!  The rest is history...

 As you can tell from the photos - she likes to rearrange her "furnishings" on a daily basis - I'm always intrigued where things will be in the morning.

She also receives TLC like the others as far as grooming & nail trimming. Altho her VERY light & soft fur is EVERYWHERE in the garage when she sheds :(




Overall, I'd the Duds is improving on a daily basis & I look forward to his lil face every day :)

Life in the Slow Lane............

Summer is slowly disappearing (altho the next few days are supposed to be in the 90's) & life has taken on a cool prospective.  The dynamic duo - Fest & Dud - enjoy their trips to the tennis court & walks in general now that it has been cooler out.......

              Here is a recent photo of the "fun" bunch after breakfast.....


I guess I never realized before that Bella was the real life of the party - I think she was just nosier than the others & had to check everything out - there fore motivating the others to actually move!!  Daytime remains the quietest span of time for these canine cousins.

Dudley's barking has decreased immensely - unless - the dreaded trampoline is in use in the yard behind us.  When the kids are bouncing up & down...making unfamiliar sounds...he faces them & barks like nobody's business. Then ...when he hears them just talking & laughing...his tail goes 100 miles an hour.  He just does not understand why they want to jump in that contraption & not jump over the 5 foot wooden fence & visit him!!

Guess Who Came...... to Visit????

I was on the computer one morning & my phone rang....t'was a relative wanting to see the transplanted duo & of course, I said when???  She was already on the road & would be approaching Arlington Heights in 30 minutes. 

 Since the Duds was still in deep slumber from his breakfast - Joan decided to greet Gracie Grace first.....it was very sweet b/c GG knew her immediately & wanted her affection.

   And got it!!! Was that a tear I saw rolling down my sister's cheek?  Yep :)

    Dudley finally caught on that there was a new scent in the house & greeted her very enthusiastically. He would come by me - as if asking - is it really who I think it is & then go back to greet her w/ more kisses. It was sight to behold :)  Then we went out to the back yard for some photo time......

         Of course, we couldn't leave out Festus...so he joined in :))



It was strange not having the big presence of Bella around ...as she would have shoved the others aside to get to her beloved Joanie....but...life goes on & we continue to love & appreciate what is in front of us every day :)