Saturday, September 19, 2009

Nena and her dog toys

Nena by far is the one that plays with cattoys more than any others. Her favorite actual toy (non straw or other normal household item) is a rubber squeeky pig (dog toy). She carries it around in her mouth and squeeks it to let you know she is behind you. But she has started a game between me and Joe.

One of the things Nena does is inevitably leave the toy on the ground near our bed. So when one of us wakes up in the middle of the night, we step on it creating the loudest squeek possible followed by halfasleep laughing. This process is now called "getting pigged". Now it is common to find the pig (or the rubber chicken) hidden under a pillow or in a pocket. Like bad parents we always seem to blame it on Nena. This has led to "pig paranoia" as well. We often get into bed only AFTER we have inspected the bedding and pillows.

The joys of animals!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

So much for Bengals not being lap cats

When I was learning about the Bengal breed, I read over and over that Bengals are not typically lap caps and maybe 1 in 50 turn out to be. Well of the 4 that I have had, only 1 isn't.

Dazz is a certified mama's boy and loves that I work from home. He waits in the doorway of the bedroom until I wake up, follows me into the computer room, and sleeps on the floor next to my chair for a bit. Well I am sure you are saying "how does that make him a lap cat??" Once he wakes up, he whines at me, jumps up, and then plops himself down between the keyboard and me, kneading my arms and/or chest, and then finally tries to sleep while cuddling as close to me as possible. He does not mind that I type as long as I dont move a whole lot or make any noises. Then he whines at me (and I do mean whine) until he settles down again.

At least hes not like Tea who takes it upon herself to headbutt every hand within reach of her even when I am typing.

Good times!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Shrinks for Pets

I often thought while Ariel was sick and Prowler was reacting to her illness that he needed a shrink. While browsing the web one day, I came across a "Pet Communicator" that helps deal with pet issues.

I looked over her site and it was very interesting. I suggest giving it a whirl!

http://www.rachaelresk.com/

Carolyn

Long Absense

I know it has been a while since I posted. I could not bring myself to come here because the pain from losing Ariel was too fresh. I am going to try to post more here as this is a great way to communicate with all my friends, old and new.

I wrote this for my Creative Writing class and I wanted to share it.

Ariel,

her claws
poke out to knead,
puncture through skin.
I stroke
along her soft fur,
scratching down the cat's spine.
Heart beating
strongly against mine
then
the memory fades
and I still miss her.

Her life: cherished from adoption to eternity

Thursday, February 26, 2009

GLBR on Facebook

Hi all,

Great Lakes Bengal Rescue has made it to Facebook. FB members and non members alike, head on over there and show your support for this wonderful organization.

Adopt a Bengal!

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/221356/47772772?m=6d54c0aa

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Its been a while

I know it has been a month since I have posted but after losing Ariel to Kidney Disease, I really have been dealing with my sorrow. Non pet lovers may look at me crazy for how I feel but those with beloved animals know they are members of the family.

With time also comes healing and progress. So my pledge is to come here and be more active again.

Carolyn

Monday, January 19, 2009

Weirdness

Tea has always been weird and a tad bit obnoxious when it comes to being petted at 3am. But she by no means is the most odd of the bunch, that title belongs to Nena. I guess it is no shock then that when Tea gets around Nena, they act really bizarre.

They have this weird mommy kitten thing that they have been doing since the beginning. Nena walks over to Tea and wails at her and then Tea begins licking and biting her and wanting her to submit and Nena licks Tea and its really weird.

But lately Tea has been picking up Nena's other habits. Tea has started carrying toys around in her mouth while meowing. Granted she still wont chase anything and will only swat at it if its in front of her but still. Now Tea has begun laying on her back and sleeping with her feet up in the air just like Nena. It has only happened a few times but for Tea this is really odd. She has always curled up as much as she could in the past three years.

She is becoming less of a cow and more like a cat !

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Gotta love the snow

It has been snowing here pretty regularly (thank goodness I have a stay at home job now ...) so the nature channel has been very interesting.

All three kitties have been fascinated by the falling snow but especially Nena. She has been sitting in any and all windows just watching the flakes float by and is so curious. Her little head and eyes just bob up and down watching the snow fall.

The last few weeks, all three kitties have been extra close and clingy. For Tea and Dazzler, this is nothing out of the ordinary as they have always been the non typical Bengal lap cats. Nena however has always been the type to spend some time alone and the other time close but not too close. Right after we lost Ariel, she would not leave either my or Joe's side. She began sleeping in our room or when I was working during the day, sleeping right near me. She is still not a lap cat by any stretch but she sure has picked up on our grief.

Thank you everyone for the kind words and thoughts after my previous post.

Love to you all,
Carolyn

Thursday, January 1, 2009

The end of the era and beginning of a new one


As the year came to an end, so did Ariels battle with kidney disease. Her condition rapidly deteriorated over the past few weeks and yesterday was one of the hardest days of my life.

Ariel was a wonderful pet and unfortunately we only had her a little less than 3 years. But in that time, she brought such joy and love to us and we gave her the same in return. I will forever remember those blue eyes and the first day that she crawled into my arms wanting to be held.

Shelter pets are wonderful animals. Open your heart to a shelter pet if you can.

Ariel, you are forever in our hearts.

Carolyn