by Rondo, aka Chatty Charlie

Just a short blog after many months.  All is well here.  Etude and I have settled in to a life of eating, sleeping and demanding cuddles from Grammy.  It's pretty much the 'Good Life' let me tell you.  

Four to five meals daily, any number of beds to sleep on and at night one of us gets to snuggle beside Grammy while the other, usually Etude, sleeps by her feet.  And  Grammy pets the back of my head as I nod off into dreamland.

BUT, the reason I'm writing today is to tell you that our Mummy who birthed us monster babies, is coming for a visit.  We are so excited!  Maybe she'll groom us. We used to fuss but really loved it when Whiskers washed our dirt faces.  Since she passed we've gotten progressively dingier around the muzzle.  This, despite the efforts of Mousie and Sweetie AND Grammy.  Maybe Mummy Ursula will do a better job.

So, for 10 days we'll try to be on our best behaviour but no guarantees.  Grammy is a little apprehensive but someone needs to care for Ursula while her mummy, Grammy's friend, recovers from surgery.

Enjoy our slideshow of life with Mummy Ursula then, and at her new home and after her visit we'll follow up with some new photos.

By Grammy  - using Sweetie's voice

Good morning, Everyone.  Do I have a tale to tell  about those brothers of mine!   It might be their birthday but there's no way I could pass this up... a chance to tease my big brave brothers. 

First one:.... Our Balcony Awning.  
Note:  Grammy & the boys live on the top floor of our condo building... (We girls lived there too, obviously, but now we live amongst the stars above.) and every year awnings are installed so the balcony can be enjoyed rain or shine.   

The installers suddenly flop/toss the awning over the frame then lower a ladder down and jump onto the balcony, lace and tie the awning to the framework.  Finally, with grappling hooks and ropes they return to the roof taking the ladder with them. Sometimes a pair of them do the task, other times they do it solo.   

In the past I, Sweetie, have always stood in the doorway to the balcony, paws on hips and shout my displeasure at the intrusion to our space.  Well!  This year, I'm not there to protect those big, brave boys.  What did they do to protect Grammy?  

THEY HID BEHIND HER NIGHTDRESS.  Grammy's gown was flapping like crazy from their tremors you'd have thought she was going to levitate and fly like a demented butterfly.  Then those brave boys made a mad dash - Rondo scampered behind the sofa and Etude made a bee-line for the bedroom - leaving Grammy unprotected.  *sighing and shaking head in dismay*  
  
Item Two:  The Fire Alarm   
Monthly Fire Alarms tests are done in our condo complex on a monthly basis and once a year a full check of all alarms and smoke detectors in each unit is completed as required by law!

Well, Thursday was the BIG DAY...   Grammy gave the management personnel  permission to enter as she might be out when they came.  Let me tell you... she was home but in the shower.  Wouldn't you know it? They knocked loudly three times, unlocked the door, called out again two or three times.  Grammy responded to go ahead, that she was unable to greet them in person so 'Just Carry On' and they did. All was tested and they left, locking the door behind them.  

BUT, when the boys saw big boots, heard the stomping of a massive Fire Inspector as he stepped through the door calling in his booming voice, "Hello, anyone here?"  they freaked.  Both ran for cover behind the sofa, Rondo, into the drawer beneath it and Etude on the floor huddled as close to him as possible.  Grammy hinted that they were shaking so badly that the sofa shook. 

Can you imagine it?  Even food didn't entice them out.  Well, Etude did come out but, belly to the floor slinking to beneath the table, ears flattened and eyes wider than saucers.  But, he refused to eat.  A FIRST!   Rondo was so deep into the drawer Grammy couldn't even pry him out once she located him. BUT, at least he hadn't been kitnapped and would feed when he was hungry enough. 

THEN, hours later when Grammy returned they were both still spooked and back in hiding.  At least they had both eaten some food. 

Those poor fellows have led such a sheltered life.  So, the question is..."Who's going to protect Grammy?"  I think she might have to adopt another feisty girl kitty, just to protect them.  Yep!  That's what I think.

AND Grammy's response???  Not anytime soon.  Not until she recovers from the feline medical expenses of the last 4 years and maybe much longer.

​Comments are welcomed.                                                                    

by Rondo, aka Chatty Charlie,

Well, folks, this has been quite a week!!!  As you know we, all but Gentle Mousie, were on an adventure to see Dr. Whitecoat recently.  It was time for our rabies shots and annual checkups two weeks ago.

Well, I don't like to brag but I am a healthy boy.  Weight stable, all bloodwork normal and nails trimmed.  You can call me Mr. Perfect, if you like.  *Giggles*  Yep, that's me. Mr. Perfect.

As for Sweetie, we'll leave that for another time.  BUT....

Let me tell you about my brother.  Etude, like me had a weigh-in, blood work and his nails trimmed and that was all good... but he hasn't been brushing his toofies properly.  He had to go back last week to have a whole bunch (well, it was only 5) removed.  I think the doctor said it looked like he'd been smacked in the cheek and cracked a few.   Surgery went well and dopey Mr 3-Fangs Gummybear has been on meds and will be until he goes back for his follow-up appointment next week. 

Now, the main instruction on his returning home was 'NO JUMPING ON OR OFF THE FURNITURE'.  Not a good idea when you've just had mouth surgery and you're still loopy from the meds.  And as he wouldn't obey Grammy was forced to assemble the puppy crate ON THE DINING ROOM TABLE and pop him into it.   Well, you'd think he was at the Ritz.  Big comfy bed - warmed, no less. A curtain to keep out the drafts and 24 hour room service.  Mr Sultan of M&M Central was a model guest at Hotel Ritz.  

Saturday he did give Grammy a bit of a scare though... when he checked out that morning he refused to pee or poop.  Had he figured he's lost enough (his teeth, you know) and wasn't parting with anything else?  Meds bunged him up?  We didn't know.  So, Grammy was on edge all day.  She popped him back into his ritzy room and was on Pee alert ALL DAY.  FINALLY just before lights out bedtime the effluvia in here was thick.  BUT Grammy was over-the-moon happy and relieved. Phew!  So after his 3 night stay he's checked out Sunday morning and we have a dining-room once again.

Only one problem... he skipped out without paying the bill.  What a scamp!

by Mousie, Chronicler of Mischief and Mayhem

Good morning, Friends.
Well, let me see... not much to talk about this week but here goes... 

Unlike Buffalo and surround into Canada at Niagara and across lake Ontario to Kingston and the Eastern townships - areas outside of and surrounding Toronto - we only got a dusting of snow. Oh, it is cold.  That's for sure.  In fact, it is bitter cold.  We are hunkered down in our beds, under blankets, on Grammy's lap anywhere there is a modicum of warmth.  I even have my SnuggleSafe warming my bed.  Grammy is bundled up, under her blanket, warm socks on her toesies , a heating pad at her back and a hand warmer on the arm of the chair. 

The scary part is that it is still autumn.  It isn't even Winter yet!  What's it going to be like when winter gets serious?  We shudder just thinking about it. Time to go on-line and look for fleece-lined onsies for all of us kitties and ask/tell Grammy to knit everyone hats, mittens and booties.   Yep, that's the ticket. "Ohhhhh Grammy!  Get knitting... and where have you hidden that plastic money card?  Grammy?  Now, where'd she get to?" 

Well, folks, that's it for today.  See you next week.

by Gentle Mouse

It's mine!  All Mine!  Wohoo!

You must be wondering what this is all about.   Well, sit back and let me tell you. 

I, Gentle Mouse, have lived here with Grammy for close to 12 years.  Yes, that's right.  It'll be 12 years in 2 months and 5 days since I was brought here with my mummy, Whiskers.

In all that time I have NEVER had the house to myself.  Not once.  Not for a moment, not even for half a moment.  That's NEVER, EVER.  That is, until this past Friday.  I've had to share it with either mummy, other foster kitties, my miscreant brothers, Etude & Rondo and/or Sweetie or any combination of the above. 

Can you imagine?

Well, Friday the miscreants and Sweetie had to see Dr. Whitecoat and I GOT TO STAY HOME, unsupervised, unwatched, undisturbed and free.  It was marvellous.  I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and however I wanted.  Isn't that AMAZING! 

So, you want to know what I did?  Do you?  Well, guess what!  I slept.  Yes, I SLEPT!  I missed that whole 3 hour window while the house was mine, all mine.

I was curled up in my Marshmallow bed, all cosy and warm and dreaming about chasing my toy mousies and crinkle balls. Oh, I heard the wailing and howling as they were leaving but those noises are normal around here so I thought nothing of it. And I dozed on. Not once did I venture out of that snuggily warm bed.  Can you believe it? 

Grammy came home with the three cow kitties, bags and tins of food and meds in tow... and I hadn't shifted in all that time.   Silly, silly me.

Well, that's all I have to say for today.  Except...
Grammy is waiting for bloodwork to come back on Sweetie and Etude. Not sure what's going on with those two but we'll update you next week if we have answers by then. Oh, and Rondo got a clean bill of health AND his claws trimmed. He's good for another 90 days.  He's kind of like an oil change on a car... 90 days or 10,000 miles only its claws.  *giggles*

Comments are welcomed.

by Sweetie, mischief extraordinaire.

Good morning , friends.  
After a 10 month hiatus we are back.  Did you miss us?  We missed you but the old girl has been busy knitting and ignoring us completely.  She's so negligent.  You might want to have a wee talk with her about it. 

So here's the news...
Did you know Gentle Mouse has been with Grammy almost 12 years now? Whiskers and she arrived as foster kitties in 2011 on January 19th.  It was a bitter cold winter and from what Grammy said they were happy to be inside a warm place.  Little did they know then that they'd stay here for the rest of their lives.  

Well, as you know we lost Mummy Whiskers in 2020 and since then Grammy has been 'protecting' Mousie from the boys.  She says those chubbies are too rough and the little Mouse is fragile.  For this reason the Mouser spends most of her time in the bedroom, is often bored thus she sleeps a lot.  For instance, she's in there for all meal times and when Grammy is busy cooking or cleaning or has to go out.  Oh and often through the night.  Lately though she and Grammy have been sharing a pillow and snuggle together all night.  The boys don't dare try anything. Grammy is a ferocious protector.

Her favourite place to be when Mousie isn't napping in cat beds is tucked under Grammy's chin, pinning her right arm down.  Not completely!  Just enough to allow Grammy to knit and for Mousie to be comfortable.  One prerequisite though.  Grammy has to kiss her forehead every few minutes. Yep.  Kisses are mandatory.  Mousie has become a little snugglebug.  *giggles*

Now Etude, another cuddler, at last weigh-in, weighs 2 1/2 times Mousie's weight and crushes Grammy if he sits on her lap. Poor fellow only wants a cuddle but makes it uncomfortable when he digs his heels in.  *giggles*  Literally.  Grammy screeches and shifts him off her lap onto the arm of the chair.  Before you know it he sidles  onto her hip and digs his heels in once more.  He's a cheeky one.

Rondo is not a cuddler but does like to have his head petted and will sit on the arm of the chair and headbutt Grammy to get her to stop knitting and start petting.  While he isn't a lap sitter he does love to be brushed.  He will move in and elbow everyone else out of the way to get all the grooming attention possible.  AND he has the thick fur that needs frequent brushings... razor back and all. 

Etude and Sweetie have given up trying to get groomed with him around. When Grammy grooms them she puts Rondo in the bedroom and closes the door.  It's the only way to do a decent job on them.

I love Grammy's lap too but am a mischief.  I demand frequent petting and nip her fingers if she stops, or if she touches my hip or if I've had enough.  I can be quite fickle.  My favourite thing to do when I'm  bored is to steal Grammy's knitting needles and to chew the yarn or run away with both.   I'm a scamp.  Mind you, that's not what Grammy calls me.  (grins mischievously)

Well, for those who haven't heard ... Mousie has had a few health challenges in the past ... but Grammy has been focused on her issues throughout the year and she seems to be doing well. At her last checkup in the summer Dr Whitecoat said she's the best she's been in years and to keep doing what we've been doing.   She is off the hook until January for a recheck.  Wohoo!  Isn't that the best news? 

We three cow kitties are NOT off the hook though.  We have an appointment Thursday for our Rabies vaccines and to do a senior blood panel on each of us... now that we are all over 10.  Yuck!  Rondo goes quarterly for his nail trim but more than a trim this time for the old boy... weight, etc.  *gigglesI  I wonder if he's gained any weight?  We think Etude has.  Not so sure about Rondo though.  Luckily we all love Dr Whitecoat and Grammy thinks we are quite healthy.

Well, that's all for today.   Enjoy our captioned slideshow below.

Comments are welcomed, especially if they are funny.

By Gentle Mouse, Weather Watcher and Cheeky Mischief.

Well, dear friends.  

Here I am all snuggled in my condo, tuque on and mittens at paw.  Note my own personal heaters - one beside me on the ledge and the other under my laptop so it doesn't freeze up on me.  *giggles* 

We thought the cold a few weeks ago was bad.  Now it's cold, snow blizzardy AND we can't get rid of Grammy for the day.  Ooops!  Scratch that.  We are stuck with Grammy at home!  Oh no!  That sounds bad too.  

Okay, let's try this one.  Today is a day where Grammy must stay home and we will all cuddle up together with blankets and pillows and just snuggle and nap in toasty bliss.  Yes, that sounds better.   We might even let Grammy knit between naps. 

Oh GRAMMYYYYYYYYYYYY!  Put on a fresh pot of coffee for yourself, hot apple cider for us and bring kitty treats.  Sweetie and I are piling up the blankets on the sofa while Rondo and Etude pile up the extra pillows from the bedroom.  We should all fit, don't you think?  We promise to shift over for you.  MORE PILLOWS, BOYS!!!

By Etude, writer dude.

Not much to say today.  Christmas was great. Quiet.  Grammy spoke with local friends and some in Austria and tried to speak to another in England but couldn't connect.  Could be the phone lines were too busy or something was wrong with the number.  Not sure.

But, where did the old girl get the 'Silly' descriptor, you ask?  Well, we told her the topic for today and now she can't remember what we told her.  So you only get this brief missive.

What?  No, of course we don't remember.  It isn't our job to remember.  Once we pass the topic on to her it is up to Grammy to type it and post it.  She's the one with opposable thumbs.  And we have more important things to do like napping and eating.

So, since the topic is 'in the wind' this is it, friends.   A few pictures of us and....

Our wish for you.

Hope your New Year is Happy, Healthy and filled with the promise of a better 2022.