Thankful Still

This weekend was the Thanksgiving holiday. I try to be grateful all the time for what I have, but especially at this time of the year. We in the Cosy Cabin have much to be thankful for, starting of course with the Cosy Cabin itself. I have food and shelter, and enough money to continue to provide those, not just for myself but for the cats who live with me. I am happy that I can make homes for the cats here, and contribute to their care and health.

Certainly, I wish for things I don’t have. I bought a lottery ticket recently for a draw that would bring the winner $76,000,000. I didn’t win. I think I should get my money back, frankly; be that as it may, while such wealth - or even much less exaggerated funds - would be useful, they are not necessary, and my principal gratitude would be, I think, in being able to give most of it away.

At this point in my life, I am more acutely aware than I used to be of how many people do not have the comforts that I do. Indeed, many do not have the necessities about which I need not worry. When much of the world is pleased to receive a bag of rice and a cup of clean water for their daily meal, grousing over the blandness of having to choose between two boring dishes for dinner becomes obnoxious, and that simple choice itself becomes a luxury.

So I and the cats will go on being thankful for what we have, for as long as we have it. If there comes a time when we no longer do, then I hope to remember that I have had it good for longer than many have, and have had plenty while many had nothing.

The Long and the Long of It

At first, I thought this was two Tempos under the soaker pad. But no, this is all Allegro.

I read recently that growth in young cats is determined by ‘growth plates’ in a cat’s joints, which cause bones to lengthen. Bones stop growing when the plates close, but this closure is usually delayed by neutering and spaying. Thus, fixed cats tend to grow for longer periods than unfixed. Males can grow for up to 18 months. The larger breeds can continue to grow for two years.

I’m going to need a bigger boat…

Done For Now

I was able to cut Rhapsody’s claws yesterday. That was not easy. She does not like to be held, however much she enjoys attention from her human. I managed to closet her in the bathroom, thanks to her love of Temptation Treats. With the door shut, she started to panic a bit. That was unavoidable, unfortunately, as I would not have had a chance of capturing her otherwise. She bounced about the room, from floor to counter to toilet to tub and back again, but I was able to calm her just enough to trim the claws. They had been so long that they were catching in fabric, in toys, in cat-trees, so shortening them was overdue. Afterward, she did not seem to hold a grudge against me for my actions and, of course, was rewarded with treats.

I don’t think she will fall for such a trap again, when she needs the claws cut in the future, but that is a problem for then. Now, it is done.

The Memorial Cabinet, At Long Last

It took two years, but I have at last found the right cabinet to display the caskets, urns and pictures of the departed parma-cats. I didn’t want to settle for something that wasn’t correct, though I found a number that would have done. I think this fits the room and the requirements.

Those who have gone on ahead are at last back home.

Rattle-mouse

I have mentioned Presto’s favourite toy previously. Its name is Rattle-mouse, because it rattles, and consists of the remains of a black, fuzzy-mouse.

His behaviour toward Rattle-mouse is interesting. When other cats play with it, Presto appears to become offended. He will either stand back and watch them with what seems to be incredulity, or he will charge ahead and make sure they don’t have it. Andante knocked it across the floor once and Presto came sliding across the linoleum through Andante’s legs like Roy Scheider in All That Jazz, to steal back his toy. Another time, Presto leaped over Allegro to pick up Rattle-mouse before his brother could reach it.

And when Rattle-mouse is missing, Presto goes from closet to closet, from oven to micro-wave oven stand - all the places he has previously batted it and lost it - to find it. Failing that, he eventually follows me about, imploring me - as only a squeaky one-eyed kitten could - for help.

Goodness knows what will happen if Rattle-mouse ever goes missing for good.

Delicate. Refined. Stylish. Messy.

Imogen likes to have some of her meals on the micro-wave oven. That’s fine with me. In a situation in which some cats eat in the back parlour and others at the top of a cat-tree by the house’s front window - as far apart as possible in the Cosy Cabin - the micro-wave oven is centrally located. I don’t even have to bend down.

But Imo can be messy. She has long had the smallest food-dish, once owned by Tungsten. This has not been large enough to contain her spillage. I have responded with one of the largest food-bowls I have. Miss Silky’s response in turn? To take the food out of the bowl and eat next to it.

Sigh.

Coda on Saint Francis's Day

Today is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint and protector of animals, and hero of Trout Towne. I think it's a good day to feature the Cosy Cabin's newest animal.

Coda is now on the rescue-group’s website. He is not ready for adoption - he still has to grow much more accustomed to human interaction - but this will get him noticed a bit.

The pictures on his profile were all taken by me. Normally, a new cat will, after he becomes used to his foster-home, have pictures taken by one of my colleagues in the group, who is much better at photographing the cats than I, and has an actual digital camera. But Coda is too shy for that yet, so these pictures will have to do. Below is his principal profile pictures, which will be included with some ‘candid’ shots.