Cat in the Box

Jimmy cleaned out the garage and in the process brought an old piece of furniture in that we hadn't used in awhile. He pulled out the drawer to be cleaned and after I washed it Lulu promptly got inside.

Cats love getting inside drawers, boxes, cupboards - you name it, if they can curl up inside it they like it!

Felix went back to the vet earlier this week and his kidney's are fine!!!! They still do not know why his urine is so concentrated but at least his kidneys are ok!!!

Trip to the Vet 2

While waiting at the vet to see the doctor we met the two cutest little kittens! Meet Thelma and Louise!

They were very little and very cute. Well, at least I thought they were cute. Simone would not exactly describe them that way.

One was REALLY feisty and fiery like little Lulu. Fearless! She jumped right up on Simone's cage and just sort of messed around while Sickman hissed and cursed and put up a dramatic display of displeasure.

The other one was more mellow and would always try to snuggle with the feisty one. They were precious. And they need a home! If anyone has the heart and the room for two beautiful, adjusted little kittens these are the two for you. They need to stay together, but that means less work for you to try and keep them entertained! Come on . . . . they need a home! They are at the Cat Vet Clinic and can be reached at 713-523-5171. (If you are looking for a good vet, this place is the best!).

This post will have a part 3 because there are some concerns about Felix and his kidney's again. He has been fine the last three times we have checked his PH but the vet was worried this time because of the color and concentration of his pee when they took a sample. We should hear back tomorrow but I will be out in the middle of the dessert at a thing called Burning Man! I cross my fingers Felix is ok!!!!

To the vet!

Yesterday Felix had his annual appointment at the vet, got a rabies shot and had his PH tested to see if the crystals in the urine are back. Simone came along, with a lot of fussing and fighting, to be weighed. She was getting a little chunky (Jimmy sneaks her too many treats, since she is his favorite!) and actually lost 6 oz. in about a month. This is them waiting to be seen at the vet.

Simone made it VERY clear she was not happy to be there and did not appreciate the car ride over. Poor Felix just edged to the back of the cage in silent terror. Ever since being very sick with the crystals in the urine he really, really dislikes going to the vet. Poor thing gets so scared.

More on that in a minute, but the good news was the Felix had also lost some weight and is now down to 12 pounds, which is a good weight for him. We will keep them all on their diet and keep the Black Radishes lean, mean, gatolino machines!

Snuggly

This is Lulu and I waiting to go pick Jimmy up from the airport! Finally he is coming home from Stockholm!

Occasionally, Lulu gets it in her mind that she needs attention, it is a very specific and immediate need. She expresses it by leaping into your lap and curling up close and tight to you. Her desire is for you to stay still and keep warm and some under chin scratches would be much appreciated.

(The fact that a lap is warm is a very important and under noted piece of information. I think this, more than a need to express love, is what brings a cat to a human lap!)

When she does this she is 100% into the cuddles just as much as she is 100% into scamping about or bugging Simone when that is what she is doing. I guesss that's the lesson from Koof, go in all the way and do everything with 100% devotion!

Climbing the Post

Back at home, within the first twenty minutes of being here Lulu and Simone were both trying to climb up the bookshelf post right at the same moment! It was so funny.

This picture doesn't tell enough of the story, but I think you would have thought it was funny too.

Lulu ran really fast to the bottom of the scratch post and got about a quarter of the way up and then simone, with just as much fiesty britches energy leapt up the scratcher. But simone didn't quite know what to do with lulu ALSO on the scratcher so she kind of awkwardly leapt off while Lulu scooted on up the post to the top!

Never a dull moment. I wonder what we miss when we are not home??? They must have some very good times!

Regal Nimbus

This weekend I was visiting my family in Irvine and my sister Lara brought her beautiful, regal cat Nimbus along. Do you remember Nimbus from previous posts? Well . . . he used to be about double this size! (Please see previous posts.)

Anyway, you can see here he is sporting a kind o of Dr. Suess haircut but regal nonetheless. He has done splendid on his diet and looks much healthier (despite the weird haircut!). The odd haircut comes from a visit to the groomer where the groomer ended up having to do "the best they could" given the situation. I guess Nimbus put up quite a fuss. He ended up getting most of the top hair cut, the bottom (under the belly) remained long and the tail was half done. Lara had to hide her laughter from him when he first came out of the cat carrier.

Anyway, Nimbus was a great listener when we were listening to Jonathan's latest compositions. He sat with us quietly and moved his ears from side to side. I think it was his favorite moment.

It sure beat getting poked and prodded from the little munchkins (my other sisters kids!).

Alabama Ice House

Saturday night we took Bill and Maxine to the Alabama Ice House, a traditional Southern style ice house here in Houston. We happened upon a pretty good band and I think ended up turning it into a Hootenanny (by participating in the music). It was a lot of fun.

Maxine of course makes friends everywhere she goes. This is a little girl and her brother who wanted to get to know this beautiful animal.

Maxine of course hated every moment of it.

What she didn't like we made up for in fun!!!

Bad to the Bone

Before you get excited, although this is a hilarious picture, Koof was NOT smoking and was not exposed to nicotine for more than a few minutes. I promised her vet she would quit.

Now down to the good stuff!

So Friday night we had a Hootenanny. We invited all our musician friends, and dear friends who could appreciate some good times, and threw us a good old fashioned Hootenanny. What is a Hootenanny, you ask? Well, let me consult the internet . . . "1. An informal performance by folk singers, typically with participation by the audience." And I will add that it usually implies some down home fun.

Anyway, Bill Zen was of course the star of the Hootenanny and a good time was certainly had by all.

You should have seen your Uncle Jimmy on the mudstick! Look it up on the internet! He made his own instrument and soulfully played it all night long.

This did result in a pack of cigarettes being left strewn about (unintentionally, and NOT OURS, we DO NOT condone smoking! YUCK!). Well who do you think suddenly comes running out of the office looking like this? You guessed it, KOOOOOOOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say, it was very surprising and then to take this picture and have her look like she is strutting around with her smoke. It is just too funny.

Children, please keep in mind, smoking is GROSS and not healthy at all. Also remember she is not smoking, she was playing with it like a toy.

Uncle Bill

It was a long week for the Black Radishes. My Uncle Bill, I prefer to call him Bill Zen, rolled into town last Thursday from California. He is in a bluegrass band and plays all kinds of music. We had a great weekend, although the cats may have thought there was a bit too much music in the air and Maxine definitely felt that way!

This is them chilling before the festivities began. I love these sunspot pictures! It is kind of the calm before the storm.