Instinctual Behavior

I think if a big cat watched a domestic one shove a mouse effigy under the refrigerator, he would not understand that "hunt" has taken on different meaning. I wonder about the whole thing myself....After all, the refrigerator, being very heavy, never moves....and the mouse never runs back out. My cats are ever hopeful, though, watching the fridge as if it were a T.V.

My Feline Toddler

I discovered Issey in the guest bath where he had pulled down the shower curtain. (It was his second time to do this.) He looked rather pleased with himself, though he cowered in the corner as I began picking up the mess.

It's been a rough week. I put that in the past tense, feeling hopeful that his week of making trouble is over. Today he did finally allow me to get some good work done on a collage. After half a dozen jumps onto my art table and being placed in an adjacent chair, he stayed there and watched me work.

The week has included his finding and unwrapping my cough drops , ruining three collage starts, and requiring me to make a second 56 mile round trip to the art store for more paper. It isn't that I wasn't paying attention. He is FAST and he loves all art materials. I have had regrets about removing the French doors of my studio, but I know that locking him out of where I work would cause bigger problems.

I thought about his diet, but there were no changes there, and I contemplated a vet visit to see if there was a physical reason for his behavior....when....this morning, I got my sweet kitty back. He snuggled in my lap and purred and purred.....and then allowed me to work! We are back to normal.

The Kids

Nothing has changed here that much. Rudy still throws up. Issey still decides where he wants to sit, and never mind who might have been there first. Santino has become very sociable, flirting with anyone who happens to come over. He and Issey kind of fawned over the Cat Nanny when she came over to collect her well earned pay check...my reaction a combination of delight and a shred of jealousy. And Sophie....she's just happy to be here. So am I.

Visit to the Vet

I've been thinking that maybe "Tiny Tim", the name bestowed on Issey by his former Mom, was a good fit after all. He looks tall, but very thin...like a runway model, which, of course, is exactly like he is supposed to look. But, he and the rest of the kids all look like they have lost weight, I worried.

Well, Issey and I have just returned from the vet and my "tiny" kitty weighed in a a little over 10 pounds!!! Another lesson in perception! :-)

I've put off this vet visit. On the last visit, I was thoroughly scared by the dire diagnosis of stomatitis, and though after a round of antibiotics all symptoms disappeared, I was a bit leery of what other bad (though false) news I would get. But, Issey's eye seemed worse, maybe because the cat nanny had not cleaned it daily, and it was time to have it looked at.

First, I asked about Issey's gums......PERFECT, I was told. Soooo, no stomatitis?, I said gently. hoping to put him on notice about issuing a dire warning about the eye. Manipulative, aren't I?
Maybe.

The runny eye is either due to allergies or herpes.....but, he added, since herpes was highly contagious and the other cats showed no symptoms it could not be that. However, IF it were that, a steroid injection for allergies, would make herpes worse. He decided on a small dosage of steroids, saying that if there's a big improvement, it is definitely allergies and when the shot wears off, I can treat it with pediatric something-or-another. Yes, I forgot! I forgot because I think it's kind of neurotic to pill a cat who is feeling fine. I also forgot what we do if it's herpes, because...I've decided...it ISN'T. Mekuna metata.

Big Cats, Little Cats

One lion rests in the shade while her sister takes a long drink from a small stream. A few minutes later, they were nose to nose and then rolled over onto their tummies.

Having witnessed my tiny kitties do the same.....well, except the stream part....I thought of them and missed them terribly.

Meanwhile, at home:

Big Cats, Little Cats

I missed my kitties terribly on this trip......much, much more than I ever remember having missed them before. I virtually ached for them. But, no....that did not keep me from appreciating the kitties I was SEEING! Cheetahs, lions...even a leopard in a tree.....all were magnificent! I watched and marveled at the similarity of movement, of behavior, except, of course....my teeny, tiny kitties here don't know anything about killing to eat.
When I arrived home, Rudy was all over me, but tiny Santino and Issey played hard to get. It took a few hours before they forgave me for leaving......in spite of the fact that they had the best cat nanny there could be! She even left me an illustrated journal.....oh, but that was for ME, wasn't it? :-)

















































(to be continued)

Good Bye, Kitties!

Rudy, Sophie, Santino, and Issey shown
posing, sleeping, hanging out, milling about, on bird watch, and on bug patrol...

I am leaving the kids with an excellent nanny, and I am sure they will get lots of attention and love. I am leaving behind detailed instructions and mountains of food and litter.

These pictures come with me to Tanzania!