postings of a professional redhead » cats

Thank goodness that’s over with!

Sidney — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:53:20 +0000

So for the first time I have voted in a presidential election (this was my 3rd for those of you math-challenged) the person for whom I voted actually won! Not only that, but I was passionate about the candidate, as opposed to my previous attitude of “well, at least it isn’t George Bush.” I still think “thank goodness it’s not going to be George Bush,” but that is probably because I’m slightly traumatized at the past eight years of having a president who had not a care in the world for our basic civil or human rights. Too dramatic, even for me? I don’t think so.

In other news, last week my vet had photographers taking photos. They had the sign up sheet out a week after Mischief died, and so I signed up Bandit and Binky to go in and get photos taken. One thing that bothers me is I didn’t get enough pictures of Mischief before he died, so I figured professional ones would be great. Personally, I go bananas trying to take photos of them at home – even with my Canon EOS 40D and Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash, trying to take photos of black cats is a big pain in the ass. Plus, the pictures were going to have a fall theme which I thought was perfect for them. I’m inserting a “more” tag in case you really don’t want to see a dozen photos of my cats.

Reasons cats shouldn’t be in the bathroom

Sidney — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:10:26 +0000

I’m sure every cat owner out there as experienced this phenomenon: cats HAVE to come in the bathroom with you. They’re terrified there is some secret door in there, and you’ll abandon them when you go for a pee. Mischief, poor kid, used to actually SIT ON THE SEAT IN THE SHOWER with me sometimes – he liked playing with the water. He loved the water from the sink, too, and one of his legacies has been the kitten chases me in there and jumps up on the sink, wanting me to put the water on. He also does cute things like what you see below:

Yes, that is the kitten…playing in my shorts. While I pee. yes, I changed my underwear after that. But after recently losing Mischief, and the kitten being so ridiculously affectionate, who am I to deny him of a little mommy time?

But that’s not all. I mean, the kitten isn’t the only one who needs to check on me in the bathroom:

This is what I woke up to the other day:

Swarmed by black boo-kitties, it was hard for me to get up and go to work. They’re just so cute when they’re sleeping.

I miss Mischief. I think his brothers do, too. But at least he isn’t sick and suffering anymore.

PS, I lost my charger for my good point and shoot. I can’t take decent photos of them short of pulling out my 40D. ::sigh::

Kitten fluff

Sidney — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:07:21 +0000

Here is Bandit and the new baby on the first night he came to live with us as a foster kitten:

Mischief, 9/2007-9/2008

Sidney — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:44:30 +0000

This Friday after a rapid deterioration of his illness, Mischief died at Tufts veterinary hospital after 30 minutes of CPR. Attached is the last photo I took of him after giving him his medicine the night before I took him to Tufts to try and find out what was wrong with him. Judging by his symptoms and rapid deterioration it is most likely he had FIP or lymphoma but we won’t know for sure until the results of his necropsy come back, which could take 2-4 weeks according to the doctors there.

To those of you who already know thank you for all your kind words. I really miss my little guy and wish I could have made him better. Bandit and Binky both know something is wrong, but I don’t know if they realize Mischief isn’t coming home this time as he has been hospitalized a few times over the course of this illness.

Everyone that met him knew what a special, sweet, playful cat he was. We’ll remember and miss him always.

Are you my mommy?

Sidney — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:31:55 +0000

Just call me mom. That’s because I offered to be a foster mom for the shelter I adopted Mischief from. I’ve not had to deal with such a baby kitty in…ever. When Catherine and I brought Bandit home, he was just shy of 6 weeks old. “Lucky” – as my mother has dubbed this little baby cat – is just around (or shy of) 4 weeks old. She (I am told she’s a she) was rescued from a litter, rejected by their mother, and found covered in ticks. She’s got normal baby blue eyes, which are still very cloudy and unfocused. She walks – sort of. She kind of totters around. If I walk away from her, she’ll hip-hop along to follow me, but mostly she eats, sleeps, and needs to be put in the litter box every few hours. Essentially, it’s like having a baby around, except one that can fit in your hand. And doesn’t cry as loud as a human baby (but cri-cri she does).

Bandit and Mischief:

Bandit and Lucky (he cleaned her from head to toe about five minutes later):

Just Lucky:

EDIT: Lucky turned out to be a boy, and he has been named “Binky” due to the small woolen stuffed animal he carries around with him whenever he goes anywhere.