What's in a name?

Human
Gotham
Sebby
Augusta
Willow
Kenya
Saber
Bronson
************************
You are running out of colours.
I know!
You should add more.
How?
How would I know?
Well I don't know either!

************************

You guys need a name.

We do have names, Grandma is Kenya, Momma is Augusta, he's Bronson, he's Saber, and I am Gotham. 

I know that, I am the one who named you all. 

Oh, then why are you saying we need a name?

When there is a group of cats, I like to give a group name. It helps us remember where you came from. Also, when you are adopted they may change your name.

They can do that? 
Do we get a say?

Uh, no.. you can't talk.

Rats!

Why, did you have another name in mind for yourself?

Jackie Chan!


I have seen your moves. They need work.

Rude! I'm only a kitten and I have been practicing.
Check out my back flip!

Hey, not bad! you didn't fall on your butt this time.

You just wait, I will be Jackie Chan in no time!


You can do it baby!

Thanks mom.


Okay, group names. Throw out some ideas!


Party of Five!

Who's that?

That would be Sebby, he is on the other side of the door apparently wanting to be part of the conversation. 


That's a stupid name! 


Now who's that?

Willow.

Are they always this nosy?

Yes.

So party of five?

I would prefer not to be named after some cheesy old TV show.

Okay.


Cinco De Gatos!

Wow, that is very clever Augusta!

What does that mean?

Five Cats.

I like it, lets add it to the 'maybe list'



The Hellion Crew!

Hahah, biker kitties?
That makes you all sound mean and evil.

Ya, you can't use that.. it's awesome, but the humans are easily swayed.

Sebby speaks the truth.

I love it though.


Where did we come from?

The lane way behind the houses on Lincoln St.


Anything special about that area?

There use to be. When my Grandmother was young, she worked at this place called Plymouth Cordage. 
That company actually built all of those houses along that lane way for it's employees. 

Really? I betcha they would be pissed at the state some of them are in now!

I would agree. 

What did they make ?

Who?

Plymouth Cordage.

Oh, rope. 

The Plymouth Cordage Company

This is actually rather interesting. 
Plymouth Cordage basically put Welland on the map!

The idea of building housing for it's workers was their idea!

Smart, clever, caring, and industrious !

I think we have a winner!

What?

The Cordage Crew!.

I actually like it. 

Me too. 

I vote yes!.

I think my Grandmother would approve.

'The Cordage Crew'

 

Conversation With Sebby

Human
Sebby 
Tango
Willow
Zulu

**********************

What up Human!

Not much, just hanging out with you meows. 

Fantastic meows!

Agreed. 

Super meows! 

Speaking of which..

Here it comes..

Why would you do that? 

You put a child lock on the cupboard that contains my capes!

They are plastic bags, and it's not a child lock.. It's double sided tape. 

A cat lock.

Oh, I see. You were too cheap to buy a child lock. 

Shouldn't you be being nice if you want your 'cape'.

It's against my religion.

Why do you do it? Why?

If all you did was take out 1 bag..

Cape

Instead of removing every bag from the cupboard and scattering them around the kitchen.

That's not me. 

Willow takes them out.

Onyx helps, then he naps in the cupboard. 

The foster meows go bonkers and dive bomb the bags, scattering them across the floor. 

It's very disrespectful to the capes.

Yes, would not want to disrespect a plastic bag! The human who feeds, shelters and loves you..well that is perfectly acceptable ?

Aren't you being a tad dramatic? Does someone need a hug?

Someone may need a drink.

Moving on...

I was hoping we could talk about TV shows. 
Do you like TV?

Do you have a favorite show or shows?


Well, I am kinda bound by what you watch. Or what is on when you forget to turn off the TV.
For the amount of time you spend dedicated to animals, I find it very interesting that you do not watch shows about any of them.

I do not like shows about animals because I tend to get rather upset when they get hurt, or there is a possibility of them getting hurt. 
I blame Old Yeller, and maybe Dumbo. 

Oh, okay. 
I like the fishy channel of course.

The Aquarium Channel or the actual Aquariums?

The channel. 
Your fish taunt me. I don't like that stupid orange one.

They taunt you? What do they say?

Nananananana you can't eat me! stupid cat can't even lift a lid!

Both true.

I see, you are on their side!

Who's being dramatic now?

Sebby!

You shut your fur face!


Okay, calm down. 
How about a movie?


Batman!

No.

Donny Darko?

That Bunny gives me nightmares.

Lion King?

Too predictable.

I'm thinking...can I wear my cape?


Sure.

THOR!

Yay!


Okay, but if any of you start pretending to fly off the couch I am shutting it off!

I don't want a repeat of last time....Sebby.

I was not flying.. HULK SMASH!

Sorry about the glass. 
BTW that was The Avengers.
Get your movies straight!

Do we have a deal Sebby?

No flying, no smashing, no levitating, no acting out any super powers.

Boo

No deal, no movie or cape.



Deal! 
Now get my cape human.






Amazon sells DVD's for cats. 
Can we get that?
No, but I may get more Marvel movies.

OOooo sweet!

 

Surgery for Kenya

    Human
    Kenya

*****************


You look exhausted. 

It's been a difficult few days. 

Actually it has been a difficult few years, but we wont get into that. 

Last time I saw you, you were in a Live Trap.

Yup. 

I don't know if I should thank you, or hiss at you. 

Your daughter went with a thanks. Your grandchildren opted for hissing. 

Young mothers.. Sometimes they have difficulty raising their young.

Well she did teach them how to fear the human.

That may have been me.

In my defense, I was born and raised on the streets. Humans did not help me, nor did they shelter or feed me. I did that all on my own. Raising my children.

Augusta is a sweetheart.

I know. She is the last of my children.

Where are the rest? 

I have no idea. I hope they are well.

When we were informed about your crew, they told us an old man was caring for you?

He gave us some shelter. 

The children stayed in there. 

Us adults had to hunt. 

He didn't give you food?

Every now and then some food appeared. I don't think it was him.

What about water? 

Puddles.

What if it didn't rain?

Then we didn't drink.

No wonder you guys were so dehydrated!

Ya.. I was informed that didn't help my issues. 

I heard! 
You poor girl! 
That had to have been so unbearably uncomfortable.

Painful, but I am strong. 
Also I had my family to care for. 
I had to keep going.

Humans get worried when only a few days go by without .. How do I say this and not ick people out? 

We are about to get into a conversation about poop. They will have to grow up and deal with the ick.

Everyone poops!

Ha! You should read that to me.. Well not yet, I don't want to jinx it.

I will! 

So, ya I was unable to go to the litter box.

I could pee no problem but my body would not allow me to poop.

I wonder why? 

Probably something I ate.. Then didn't eat.. 

I know they took part of my colon. 

I have no idea what that is.

This is the human version, but it does the same thing.. just in a much smaller feline body

Okay, so they took out a part then put me back together after cleaning me out.

I had forgotten what it felt like to not feel constant pressure and bloating.

I forgot what it was like to poop as well. 

That scared me. 

Had to be done though, or I would still be at the vets office. 

Can you thank them for me?

Absolutely!

They could have passed me off as another wild kitty and I would have been stuck in a live trap. 

They could have been scared of me for trying to run out of the room. 

But they believed in me.
Cared for me and I am forever grateful. 

Though I kinda wanted to hide their food for a bit. 

Why? 

They restricted my food to such a minimal amount that I was always hungry. 

They had to, your system could not handle much food. 

I understand, but I am a cat.. If I don't at least say one negative thing the other cats will shun me. 

Tough group. 

It's tradition. 

I have to do the same thing in regards to the food.

I understand.

I have to put you in a cage for a bit as well. 

Crap. 

Also, you will have to wait awhile to see your family.

This sucks. 

The good part will come after you are healed. 

Whats that? 

A home. 

What is a home? 

A place where you can live inside where its nice and warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

You will have food and water every day. 

You will have toys, treats and someone who loves you.. Everyday.

You will be part of another family. 

You will be adored.

I would like that. 

So you think someone will want me? 

100 % yes! 

I hope you don't get offended, but I am going to sleep in my litter box tonight. 

You seem very nice, I am not hiding from you, but this feels very safe to me. 

At least for now.

Thank you for allowing me to be your roommate. 

You are very welcome. 

 










******************

Here is some information about:

Constipation in Cats

A Cats Prerogative

Human
Rocky
Sebby

*************


Hey, hey , hey heyheyheyhey HEY!

Lemme alone.. No nononono

I don't wanna

No don't wanna

Hey hey hey hey no no nooooo

Stop, I don't wanna go! 

You have to go Rocky! Stop running around.

No I am perfectly fine! 

All better!

You were hallucinating.
There is nothing wrong with my belly.

You know very well this happens every summer. 

Summers over. You are to late. Must leave it now.

Stop right now!

No thank you!

Crap. 

Dammit!

I always catch you. You just upset yourself. 

It's my prerogative.

I don't wanna go! I don't wanna!

No no no no no no no.

Rocky stop!

Never!

This is cat napping!

Give it up.
And its nabbing, not napping. 

Lets just go back. 

Please?!

No.

Come on!

No. 

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!

What!

We can still leave. 

We are not leaving till you see the vet.

I wanna go home! 

I wanna go home!  I wanna go home! 

I wanna go home!  I wanna go home! 

I wanna go home!  I wanna go home! 

Holy crap Rocky! Enough! 

I wanna go.. Oops..

What?

Nothing. 

It's our turn. 

Booo

Ahh Rocky!

Sorry.

I got it all over me. 

Sorry.

See what happens when you get so upset? 

Sorry sorry sorry.

It's okay, I will clean it up. It's just pee. 

I hate this. 

We are almost done. 

Ouchy

Good boy, you did great. 

Yeah, needles don't scare me. People places and things scare me.. But not needles. 

Tough guy eh.

Toughest. 

Toughest chicken I know!

Hey! 

Are we there yet?
Are we back yet? 
Huh are we?? 
Hey human pay attention to me. 
Now now now now hey hey hey HEY!

WHAT?!

Thanks. 

You're welcome. 

Love ya!

Love you too.

Now run.. Leeyah wants to chase you. 

.

Ack!!

See you later.

Back off doggie breath!

**************************

Rocky

That picture makes me look fat, I don't like it. 
Post the baby one, when I just got home from the vet after my eye surgery.
I am all sad and adorable. 

Aren't you gonna tell them what happened to me and my brothers?

I can. 
I found a litter of kittens under a bunch of garbage and boards out in the bushes behind a rather crappy neighbourood. 

There were 5 in total. 
Rocky, Apollo, Creed, Jesse, and James.

A few of them had some open sores on them, that we had treated at the vet. 

Unfortunately, James had more internal issues that we were unaware of and he passed away. 

The remaining kittens, including Rocky had to deal with being exposed to pesticides.   
This was more than 10 years ago, so it was still legal to use the highly toxic pesticides.

Rocky no longer had the use of his one eye. It had ulcerated so badly that it was destroyed with zero chance of regaining any sort of vision. 

This tiny little kitten had to have his eye removed and then the eye socket closed as if he never had a second eye. 

Glad you did not post the before picture. 

Never, nobody needs to see that. It's too sad.

And icky.

Yes, also icky. 


I adopted Rocky. Technically my family adopted him. I was still living at home at the time. I think this was in 1999 or 2000?

Apollo and Creed were adopted together. 

Before I could adopt out Jesse, he came down with Pneumonia.
I do not recall it ever being just a cold, or the cat version of the flu. It was bad. 

I wonder if the pesticides had compromised his lungs? or his ability to fight off this serious infection. 

After spending a few nights sleeping on the floor in the bathroom with him.. giving him IV fluids and force feeding him small amounts of food and supplements as directed by the vet. Jesse passed away in my arms. 
He went peacefully. 
His heart must have failed. 
He did not gasp for air..I am very thankful for that.
I hope he knew I was there with him.

You never forget do you?

I forget so many things on a day to day basis, but the suffering or sadness of an animal tends to imprint on my brain. 


If the person at the beginning just brought us to the Humane Society, or called and asked for help. Instead of dumping us in the bushes this never would have happened. 

I know, it sickens me. 

Some people suck. 

They sure do.

Not you though, I am glad you found us. 

Thanks baby boy.

I am 13 pounds and like 15 years old! When will you stop calling your baby boy?

Never.

I'm okay with that.





**********************************




Hey human...

I know.

You smell..

I know.

Like cat pee!

I KNOW! 

I don't like it. 

Yes Sebby, I know. 

Fix it.

Unlawful Confinement

     Human
     Zulu
     Charlie
     Willow
     Sebby
     Cubby
 *******************

Let me out let me out let me out!!!

Chill Zulu.

Nooooo let me out!! 

Yeah, I am with him on this one.. LET US OUT!

Will you calm down. It hasn't even been an hour.

That's 80 miniutes to long!

Good thing you don't have to count as a cat.

It will not be much longer.

What the hell is going on?! I demand an explanation! 

You demand an explanation? 

Yes. I have talked it over with everyone and we have decided you owe us an explanation.. And treats.. And wet food.

Catnip. 

And catnip!

I gave you treats. You will get food later and no.

Why no?

Because you are annoying me! Now get away from the door and stop trying to pancake yourself to fit under the door. It will never happen.

Ignore these children, can you let us know whats going on? 

Zulu is about to spin his head and spit green stuff.

House stuff. There is someone coming into the house and I don't want you guys in the way.

Are you embarrassed of us? 

Yes.

Whaaat?

I'm kidding. I just don't need Sebby all up in the guys face trying to help and I have no idea what you guys would do.

Protect you of course. 

Oh ya, I would feel so protected with you fur balls.

Besides, Sebby is my guard kitty. If anyone would be allowed out it's him.

Outta my way.. My human needs me. 

Not so fast. You are staying in here. 

Boooo

Wait.. Where is Cubby? 

Uhh

Where is he!

Another room?

Lies!

Ha ha

Shh

What? 

Nothing.

Not fair!

He's old, and is not inclined to help or run around all crazy.

Hes so gonna get it!

If anything happens to him NO wet food for anyone!

That does not seem fair!

You are right.

So we still get wet food?

No, I just agree its not fair.

Sebby if you do anything I will take your cape and pee on it.

You wouldn't

Wouldn't I?

Fine. The grumpy old man is safe.. For today.

When are we getting out?

When I let you out. 

Mean.


******************

A cat is a very unique creature.. by unique I may mean annoying at times.

If there is a closed door, you better open it. 
If you are in the bathroom, you better let them in.
If you close a door for any reason, you have to explain it.
If you go in a room and not let them in with you, how dare you!

Sometimes we have to herd them into an area - safety, sanity, sickness. There are many reasons why. 
So here are some things to add to their area of confinement 

She meant jail.

No I did not.

•  Scratching Post

Does not have to be elaborate, this one was actually a pretty good price..because it is rather light...because it is made out of basically cardboard like material. 

It does its purpose, may just have a shorter lifespan than something with
solid wood or even MDF.
 

• Roller Circuit

These toys are rather fun, and interactive. Also you can change it up.. kind of like the old hot wheels track!

• Crinkle Balls & Coils

It doesn't have to be these things, it could be any small toy. My felines fancy these

DO NOT  add any toys you do not feel would be safe for the kitties when you are not able to see them.
Any toys with a string - wands, elastic string that makes the toy bounce, toys you hang over the door, toys you hang on the door knob. 
These toys can, and have choked cats and kittens. 
If for some reason you put a collar on your cat - make sure it is a break away.
If you use flea collars - for the love of catnip...STOP...but at least take it off when you confine them.


*Water -  Food - Litter Box*

They better have not needed to be reminded of those things.

• If you are putting more than 3 cats in one room it would be a good idea to have at least 2 sets of those things. 

• Sometimes we have to put cats together that do not get along.. Give them both places to hide, something like a scratching post on one side of the room with a cubby.

On the other side of the room maybe a few boxes that are low enough for the cat to see out of, but high enough to feel like she is protected without being cornered. 

2 water and food dishes - you will  be dividing the room in to two imaginary spaces.
2 Litter boxes - If one cat is more aggressive than the other you may want to keep it basic, no hooded litter boxes. The cat could get cornered and then the fur could fly.   

*********************
They will all still complain- It is their job. 


I decided it would be simpler to just find everything on Amazon.ca. This means only one link.

Amazon  

Black Cat Conspiracy

   Human
   Cubby
   Onyx
   Willow
   Sebby 
   Laya
 ****************

You have heard it, we all have. Black cats are bad luck.

Hey!

I don't believe this theory, simply because it is ridiculous ! 

Good.

Why do humans think that?

Cuz they are stupid.

That's not nice Onyx.. It may be right,, but it's still not nice. 

So some people think that the colour it's self is bad? Or only cats that are black?

Not gonna lie, sounds kinda racist if you ask me.

It has something in common with racism.. to think that something is bad because it is born a certain colour.. That is just irrational and mean.

I am glad you think that way human. 

How could I not? 

So where does this black cat thing come from? 

Think old time stupidity, crossed with fear. 

That does not narrow it down. 

She's a Witch!!!

Oh, yeah.. That kind of stupid. 

Salem.

Well technically this story was from Lincolnshire in the 1560's..but the whole Witch debacle came to the forefront in Salem. 

 This is just what I have read.. Was not actually there. 

Cubby could have been, hes old enough. 

Watch out little man or I will put a curse on you! 

I guess the idea of a 'crazy cat lady' is not new, they have been around for ages.  Mainly because it was the old ladies that would take the time to feed and care for the stray cats around her.

Saint. 

It is sweet when you think about it. Poor defenseless creatures in need of a hero.. Little old ladies coming to the rescue. 

One night..

One dark and stormy night?

Moonless. 

Ah, so no werewolves.

A man and his son were out for a stroll. They saw a black cat cross their path and decided to throw rocks at it.

What? Why?

Douche Bags.

Ah yes, continue. 

They hit the cat with the rocks and it ran away limping into a 'crazy cat ladys' house.

Did she come out and get em? 

Naw, at least the story does not say that. 

It says the next day, the same father and son saw the crazy cat lady in the town bruised and limping. 

Humans are stupid.. The morons figured she was the cat, didn't they? 

Yup. 

So now the lady was not only a 'crazy cat lady' she was also a shape shifting Witch. A Witch that could turn into a Black cat at night.

If this were true, don't you think they would have done something about all the nasty stake burning? 

Or maybe.. Just maybe. Use their cat abilities to bribe some rats to go chew on their dumb faces. 

You would like H.P. Lovecraft.

Why?

The Cats of Ulthar

That man is strange.. Consider me a fan.

So that is where all of this came from? Two douche bags with rocks?

Seems so.

Well that's a perfect reason to fear black cats... If you happen to be an asshat who thinks throwing rocks at a defenseless animal is fun. 

Indubitably.

Who are the smart ones?

What do you mean?

Well, you told us about the dillholes who fear black cats. Are there any that think we are good luck? 

-In Japan, they believe a black cat is good luck.
Oh and apparently if owned by a single woman a black cat is  supposed to bring her many suitors. You must have to be Japanese for that.. or live in Japan.

-A black cat given as a wedding gift to a bride in the English Midlands is suppose to bring her good luck.

-In Scotland, if a black cat arrives at your home it is though to signify prosperity.



-In Germany, if a Black cat crosses your path they at least have options. From the Right is bad luck, but from the Left is good luck!

-Some fishermen believe that it is good luck to have a black cat on their ship. Also to have a back cat waiting with their spouse at home as luck that they will return from their voyage.

I think we are good luck, not for mice or bugs .. birds.. sometimes other tiny creatures.. but for humans that love us, I think if we could.. we would bring them all the luck in the world.  

To the ones that hurt us..if there is reincarnation .. you are so coming back as a mouse.