Happy Thanksgiving from Phantom

All of us in cat haven would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. There are so many things that we here in our house are thankful for. Our mom who rescued us from shelters or other places. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and fat furry mice to play with. We are petted ,cuddled and loved beyond measure, even though we drive our mom crazy some days. but she seems to take it in stride. So this Thanksgiving we are very happy to have a home. Sorry this is late but I had to figure out how to use the computer, and wait for mom to go shopping, wonder what we are getting for Christmas. Doesn't matter we are happy to be here. Happy Phantom.

Sister Love

Sometimes the stars and the moons align, and the cats are calm and loving towards each other. Okay I lie. But just when it's been hectic and everyone calms down I see a special moment. Jinx and Jezzebel curled up and grooming each other. For cats this is a sign of affection or maybe just tasting the other one to see if that spot is yummy enough to bit later. Yesterday I had the a surprise and saw two of my battle cats sleeping peacefully on the couch together. I can only guess that Jekyll had creep very carefully to Jezzebel and laid down by her, his nose touching her. But truthfully cats do not always need companionship. This is very clear in my house. But all in all I am happy to report that things have been calm so far. Happy Mom

Cats and the internet guy.

Today we had new internet service installed. Got a great price. Yay. Only one problem the poor guy is allergic to cats. It is always the first question I ask of service techs. Usually I get lucky and they are not, but I have to say the last two were. So of course I cannot lock all five cats in one room. I had the dog in another room, he only barks, but the cats different story. Well Jezzebel, Jinx and Sophia were are very good girls and stayed away from the service tech. But of course the boys Phantom and Jekyll had to be in the thick of things and be right at the man's side. I kept picking them up and moving them, tried to put them in the one room, but they can get the door open, I need to fix that handle. But the tech was very good about it and said as long as he didn't get cat hair all over him he was fine. Now you can guess I vacuumed before he got here and cleaned the surface the new equipment was going on so I figure I was good. Okay so when he put his tablet on the table to check something outside, one of the cats rubbed their face all over it, I hurried up and cleaned it off before he came in and cleaned the table all over again. Cats. You know I think they had this all planned, before he got here they just knew what they could do to make me crazy. I'm exshusted from chasing them away from the tech. Time for a nap. Happy crazy cats.

The Plot Thickens, or Who Did It

On any given day I wonder what my cats are thinking. Surely it is all good thoughts. Right. Take for instant the cat on the nightstand looking at me when I am sleeping. What's that all about. Do I look like dinner, or are you just concerned I might not wake up to feed you on time. Jezzebel will get this slit eyed look as if to say I am the ruler you will bow down to me, or you will pay dearly. How will I pay, hmmm, probably fresh salmon or tuna. But seriously do you not wonder? With dogs it's easy they just want to go outside and pee on a tree or run around like the nut jobs they are. Cats a whole different story, they are deep thinkers, just look at one sometime, and don't let that cute little cat playing with a fluffy toy fool you, because you just know they are plotting to do something evil. Like the cat who throws up their cat food in the middle of the night, who did it. Nobody knows and they sure aren't going to rat each other out, they will just sit back and grin. Happy Plotting Cats.

It's a trap I tell you, it's a trap.

On any given day someone is trapped by another cat or so they think. Lets see under the table, in the bathroom, the backroom, the litter box, on the bed. It can happen anywhere. The most favorite spot to ambush another cat is in the litter box, where of course who wants their business interrupted. How about the box. That is always a good spot to attack another cat, they don't even expect it. Wham another cat jumps in or on the box and the cat inside the box gets the heck scared out of them. Then the chase begins till one or the other gets bored. The famous trapped in the bathroom is my favorite. One cat goes in tries to come back out and another cat just sits in the doorway so other cat cannot pass without paws and claws flaying around trying to hit each other. Or they have a staring contest which no one wins. Finally this passes too as someone always gets bored and moves on to the next cat to irritate. Of course the sleeping cat is a fun thing to attack or scare. Goodness there are plenty of places to sleep but someone always covets that one spot. Well as I sign off, it is all quite on the cat frontier. Happy Mom.

Cat Tunes

My day starts. Jekyll get off the keyboard. Don't eat the plastic, get off the counter. Geesh this is how it goes, every time I start a project I have a cat or two join me. Today it is Jekyll, he is needy. This morning before the alarm went off I felt a thump on the bed, it was Jekyll, and he was headed towards Jezzebel who hates all things cat. At least all the boy cats. So up I get grab him and put him on the floor. Off to the bathroom I go and here comes Phantom. Did I tell you he almost landed in the toilet last week? Yup I opened the lid and up on the rim he goes almost head first in the toilet. He is lucky I'm fast. So up on the counter he goes, it is not easy putting on mascara with a cat bumping your arm. You know I am sure some days it is not worth looking gorgeous when you have a cat or two helping or is that hindering. So down he goes only to have Jezzebel want me to turn on the faucet so she can get a drink. Lord give me the patience to go on. Some days it's great to go to work. Still want a cat? Happy Cat.

I am Phantom

I am Phantom. I came to live with this family in July, I love it here, except for that cat Jezzebel. I am for the most part a very happy boy. I like to play and chase Jinx around the house, she is fun, Sophia ignores me and Jekyll and I play sometimes but he likes to sleep a lot. I entertain myself quite well. All I need are furry mice and hey give me that ring off the milk jug, no don't throw it away, hey I want that, ahh yes it's mine. You can do really cool things with the milk jug ring. I like to throw it up in the air, carry it around in my mouth and there is a rug in the bathroom that I can hide it under. You have to understand Jezzebel likes them too, but hey she's mean to me. It's mine all mine. I have a favorite spot to sleep, and a blanket that is all my own, I said my own, get off of it Jekyll. Sometimes I jump up on the bathroom counter just to keep mom company while she gets ready for work. I really liked to be petted and snuggled. Life is good. Happy Phantom.

I don't do storms.

Hi I'm Jekyll and I don't do storms, I don't do windows, basically I don't do anything. I am the big cat of the house, for being a big cat I am very afraid of loud noises, sudden movements make me jump two feet off the floor, and thunder and lighting terrify me. The state we live in has very crazy weather, kinda like some of those Syfy movies mom likes to watch about killer storms, yup living the dream here. Yesterday was so mild and mom opened the windows to air the house a bit and I sat in the window sill just taking in the fresh air. It was wonderful, then the wind picked up the sky got really dark and it started to rain, not just rain, sheets of water hitting the house then it happen thunder so loud I about wet myself. I ran under mom's bed where it's safe, or so I hoped. It was crazy outside. Jezzebel hid also, not sure where she wasn't sharing my spot though. Mom tried to comfort me, sorry lady not leaving from under the bed. The storm finally stopped, wow I made it. Now maybe I get a nap. Happy Jekyll.

Serious Matter, Fleas as told by Sophia.

I hate fleas. They are an annoyance and bothersome especially to me. I am very allergic to them. I also cannot tolerate certain flea medications. My poor mom goes into a tizzy when the dog brings them in the house. We never had fleas till he showed up. Now don't get me wrong I really like Jake, but he is a big pain in my mom's neck. He is allowed to go outside so he brings them in. I swear I must be very sweet as the fleas attack me first and I itch and itch so much it makes my mom cry. So off she goes to the pet store and buys the flea stuff for us, and I know it makes her crazy because that stuff is so expensive, someone should make the dog pay. He really should get a job, don't know what he can do but I think it's a great idea. But anyway my mom takes good care of me and makes sure I get the good flea medicine so I don't get sick. It's very important to take good care of us and we really are sorry when we get sick or don't like the canned food she buys, but mostly she loves us and takes it all in stride. Thanks mom, we love you. Happy Mom.

Sleeping babies.

What you see is not always what you get. Kinda like be careful of what you wish for. On a good day these two cats are a snarling mess. One cat cannot ever walk by the other one without someone hissing or striking out to nail the other one, it just doesn't ever happen. So when I saw the two dominate cats sleeping on the back of the couch so close I almost didn't believe it. They slept so peacefully until I went to bed then it was cat fight to see who could get the prime spot next to mom. Well for someone who gets up early I have no time for this. Guess how I solved it, didn't have to. Jekyll came up on the bed and they both left, hey who argues with a 24 pound cat anyway. So he just curled up in a nice cozy spot according to him anyway, my pillow and went to sleep. I give up sometimes. Yes they own me. So you still want a cat? Happy Cat.

Cooking with Cats

Today I came home full of energy and I didn't have to let the dog out. Ya, that's what I'm talking about. So I decided to try a new recipe. Well that is always an invitation for the dog to get underfoot, a cat to jump on the counter and one to get into the pot cupboard, oh yes and Sophia decided she wanted to jump in the food cupboard, and as I did not see her do it, well I had a cat scare the heck out of me when I when to shut the cupboard door. I think I lost about two years off my life, gosh sure can't afford that. So I got her out of cupboard, not happy (Sophia), knocked another cat off the counter and had to disinfect the counter so I could continue what I was doing. Oh good grief get out of the refrigerator, (Sophia). I just walked over to the counter with one thing turned around and yes she was in there. I had to get a pan out of the pot cupboard and lo and behold Jezzebel was in there, get out now. I wash my pans before I use them again, never ending cycle. Oh geesh Phantom I do not have time to pet you, later. His Highness is now miffed, and if I am lucky he will not hack a hairball on my bed. And on it goes, the recipe was a smash hit, and now I have time to relax, on second thought Jinx I do not need your butt in my face. Happy Cat.

Sometimes I think....

Sometimes I think I have too many cats, well really I do. I spend as much time with each cat as possible and it can be hard. I work long hours I get up very early and come home tired, but I have responsibilities. Cats more cats and so on. Today everyone was waiting for me to arrive home, and I knew that they were waiting for food and the litter box to be cleaned. I always feel like I have so many people and kitty people to take care of before I can relax. Well today I got all of the things I needed to do and took a nap. Now that nap included a couple of cats curled up next to me. Boy are they bed hogs, and lets see they like to sleep on top of me, or on my pillow, the one I want to use. I always have a cat close by, doing the dishes, cat there, sitting in my chair, cat there, doing laundry cat there, getting ready for work cat there. Everything I do I have a cat there. Okay that's why I go to work, oh ya I work so I can feed all these cats and keep them in the lap of luxury. Man do they have it good.

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day. So my Kitty's and I salute the men and women past and present who have fought to keep our country safe. My dad was a veteran and fought in WWII, my grandfather was in an elite group of men in WWI called the Polar Bears. They were stationed in Russia. There was a documentary done about them. I am proud to be their daughter and granddaughter. Both men have passed on but their memories will forever be in my heart for the generous and unselfish service they did for their country. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who serve or served so gallantly. Oh and I have a very good friend who also served our country. She knows who she is, Thank you. Happy Kitties.

Behind the cat, or the butt of it all.

I on occasion will wake up to a cat behind somewhere in the vicinity of my face, you know not such a pleasant thought. Cats seriously have no manners, they think nothing of being in your face and you know where their faces have been. Yes licking their butts. This I am sure that they take great pleasure in, that is being in your face or licking their butts. One of my cats takes great pains to rub my nose with her's or touch my face with a paw, well we all know where those paws have been, in the litter box. All I can say is thank you for soap and hot water. I wash my hands and face a lot. Now of course we don't know what those little monsters are doing when we are sleeping, but I am sure it has to do with plotting against their human parents. I am sure of it. Sometimes I wake up with a cat on the night stand just looking at me and I have to wonder how long they were sitting there and why. I would like to thing they are guardian angels watching over me as I sleep. Okay who am I kidding, they are just thinking of ways to get more food, the litter box cleaned, fresh water or maybe just find it interesting that I'm possibly ready to get up early to pet them. Or they want to really rub their butt in my face while I'm sleeping and just maybe I won't know it has happen. You still want that cat? Happy Cat

The Great Escape

As normal I have a routine I follow when I get home from work. Jake the dog gets to go out as he has waited all day. Wish he would use the litter box. Out the door he heads and to the back yard, then on to the neighbors to pee on her rock garden then to the other neighbor's house to go on her bush. All this time I am following him around to make sure he doesn't run to far, on this day he stayed in our yard, after he is done I tell him house and he races to the porch. Well he is always faster than I am so I hear a thud and as I come around the house see that he has hit the screen door which is wide open. I hadn't shut the main door, so of course all I can think is Her Highness has headed out that door. She loves going outside. Nope it was the big cats Phantom and Jekyll. Jekyll was headed down the driveway and Phantom was frozen in fear. So I scooped him up and then grabbed Jekyll. I then proceed to take a head count, Jinx was running around the house her tail two sizes bigger than normal, Sophia was sitting on a case of water, well wouldn't you know Her Highness was in the bedroom on the dresser. I swear she looked like she had something to do with this. It was like, I didn't tell them to go outside but really hoping that they would forever be gone. She seemed really pleased with herself. So the moral of the story is make sure the screen door is closed tightly or Jezzebel gets her wish, the big cats finally get lost. Sorry Jezzebel. Not Happy Cat. Still want a cat?

Sophia's Pet

Jake is Sophia's pet. Stranger things have happened. Jake is my son's dog, but Sophia thinks that he belongs to her. He is a Gordon Setter and is much bigger than Sophia is, but she loves him never the less. It is a strange relationship. But then again these things happen in all walks of life. She will follow him around the house and as cats do rub up against him. Now being a dog he has actually taken to all the cats pretty well after all it is their house and he is a guest. Sophia will sleep next to Jake on the floor or curl up on the couch with him. When he has had enough of her he just moves, and sometimes she follows sometimes not. Cats and dogs can get along in the same house sometimes not so well but it is possible unless you have a little six pound cat following you all over, I imagine you may get sick of it. I actually think Sophia likes the dog better than everyone else who lives here in the house. But don't get near his dog biscuit, those are fighting words, right Jake? Happy Dog.

Feeding Time

Feeding time at our house is either a big production or who cares. I give the cat clan canned food to supplement the dry food that they have free reign over, yes I leave three bowls out for them every day. Hey so the bag says give x amount per day to cats of a certain weight a certain amount. Now if you have five cats it is very hard to say okay Jezzebel you get a quarter cup, Jinx here is your quarter cup and so on, unrealistic at our house. But the can food is another story everyone gets one heaping tablespoon, and those that don't want their's someone else helps them self. Some days Jekyll gets extra, but usually its Sophia who gets to lick the bowls clean. Now if I don't watch them, the dog comes along and swipes the bowls and carries them to his room. He has yet to turn into a cat, but it will happen. Tomorrow we will tell you about Jake and his girlfriend Sophia. Happy Cat.

All is calm on the cat frontier.

Sometimes I just get really lucky and no one in the family needs my attention. All of the cats are sleeping peacefully, the dog is in his room. All is well. So this means I have caught up on my email, did some important things I needed to attend to and now I can sit back and watch three hours of The Big Bang Theory. Granted someone will require attention I am sure within the next few minutes. Lets see Her Highness will want me to turn on the water in the bathroom sink, she will only drink fresh water. I'm not kidding. Jekyll will decide the litter box is not clean enough,(I scoop that thing twice a day)and stand outside of it with his paw scratching at the litter till I go out there and scoop it again. Mr Attention (Phantom) will want to jump in my lap as he needs so much attention, god forbid I ignore him as he will look at me with his beautiful baby blues and paw at me till I let him on my lap. Jinx and Sophia will think of something to get my attention, probably run through the house knocking things over. But for just this moment all is peaceful. Happy Mom.

Sitting Cats

Cat Antics

Sometimes cats do the utmost goofy things. Jezzebel sits up against the pillow like a little human as does Jekyll. It really looks kinda weird. Jinx thinks that it is fun to crawl into my shirt, really she does it if I have a big old tee shirt on and I am laying on the bed reading or watching television. She crawls all the way up and out the neck of my shirt. Okay so you are thinking really, ya really. Or Sophia just waiting for me to get up from my chair so she can get in it and go to sleep. No I don't move her I just let sleeping cats lay. Besides if they are sleeping I know what they are not up to. Phantom thinks it is always a good idea to be in the middle of whatever I am doing, like typing, so lets sit on the key board. Also lets see who can run through the house faster, jumping over the dog giving him I'm sure a puppy heart attack. He tolerates the cats, after all he is a quest here. Cats do not care if they look silly, and I think that the joy a silly cat brings to my life is a good thing. so if you have a silly cat you have Happy Cat. Enjoy.