by Mousie, 'giggling all the way' blogger Good morning, friends. I'm having a great giggle today even though the topic at hand isn't really funny. But my imagination has run wild with this. Firstly, you all know that Etude has suffered from PTSD since Grammy's accident last August. As we've mentioned before, he clings to his brother or Grammy like Velcro. AND despite the fact the ol' girl rubs topical Gabapentin to the inside of his ear flap to calm him. Still, he chews the fur off his legs when Grammy isn't watching. He looks pretty goofy from behind with his pink 'udder' swaying side to side. It is whitening as fur regrows but still looks ridiculous. *stops typing to roll on the floor laughing* Add to that his bare spindly legs and it is totally hilarious. *stops to giggle again* SO, like the helpful kitties we are, we decided maybe a onesie would be the answer. Great idea, don't you think? So, we've passed the task to Grammy to find a onesie for a sixteen pounder with long sleeves and legs. Oops, I mean, a onesie with long sleeves and legs for a sixteen pounder. Well, she went searching and found the greatest onsies. - pink flowers for a pink tummied boy, or covered in llamas or bunnies, or maybe even bumble bees or dragon flies. Oh, no, those are too much. Go for the flowers, Grammy! Then, the image *giggles uncontrollably* of Grammy trying to dress him in it was too much. Can you see it? Grammy wrestling with a slippery-furred dude with claws like knives and razor sharp teeth? *suddenly sobers up* but then I thought, what if that makes his PTSD even worse? Can't take a chance. KITTEN WHISKERS Oh, too bad! Thought we had a solution. I guess Grammy and Rondo will just have to put up with velcro-cat clinging to them. Well, that's it for now, folks.
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by Etude, mischief and cuddlecat Tomorrow may be groundhog day but let me tell you this. We have a more pressing matter than whether the groundhog predicts another 6 weeks of winter or not. Much more pressing. What could be more pressing than that you say? Well, let me tell you. We have a bed hog in our abode. Yes, someone of the people persuasion, name withheld to protect the guilty, who takes over our sleeping spaces... and at the most inopportune times. And she's sneaky. Lately, as you all know, she's had a physiotherapist coming in to loosen up the ligaments, tendons and muscles in her shoulder. AND they have taken over our afternoon napping space to do the physio. The physiotherapist has a 'bed' she can bring for this unnamed person to stretch out on but does she? NO! You ask why? Well, we've asked that too and here's the answer. This bed hog says there is no need to drag and lug and haul this massive thing from her car up the elevator and down the lonnnnnng hall when there is a perfectly good automatic bed to stretch out on... especially when it can be raised and lowered to suit the needs of the physio. And, the exercise must be good for her too, don't you think? Keep her in shape for the therapeutic manipulation? Can you believe it? No, I agree. It is so selfish of the bed hog person because that means we, sweet loveable and sleep deprived kitties get turfed to the floor. Yes, turfed! Unceremoniously, I might add. And for a full 45 minutes each time she visits. Do you see how that cuts into our nap time... Major sleep deprivation! Not only that, she (the bed hog) insists on taking it over every night for 7 - 8 hours. No taking turns, no giving us a break and sleeping on the sofa for a night. No consideration whatsoever. What's that you're saying, bed hog? No! 16 hours a day of uninterrupted bed time isn't sufficient for our needs. Our internal clock demands 22 hours of sleep, 1 hour of pets and cuddles and 75 minutes for meals. That is more hours than those in a day and so we are 15 minutes sleep deprived to begin with. To be bed deprived too is unconscionable abuse. Here she comes with another excuse... Repeat that Grammy? Oops. Ignore that last sentence. Repeat that bed hog? When the physio is working on your shoulder we hop on the bed and interrupt? Well, of course we do. Someone has to tell her that she's interfering with our well-being. That she's abusing our hospitality. That we are sleep deprived and *whispers so bed hog cannot hear* and starving! Falling down faint starving! I tell you. Those two... the physiotherapist and the bed hog are cut from the same cloth... both unmerciful abusers of 3 generous, lovable and considerate cow kitties. No, not Mousie. Scamp that she is... she makes a headlong dash to the livingroom to take over the sofa for herself. Says it's the only time she gets uninterrupted and undisturbed by us sleep. The little traitor. By Sweetie, fitness trainer and mischief Good morning, dear friends. As you can see I, Sweetie, am the blogger this week. Like last week we at Mischief and Mayhem Central don't have much to say. I know this is unusual. More often than not Grammy thinks we have too much to say , too many opinions, suggestions and demands. At the moment we are at a loss for words. Yes, a dearth of opinions, a paucity of suggestions and a lack of ideas for a blog, but never a shortage of demands. Having said that I think I shall fall back on a topic we kitties love so well... picking on Grammy. *giggles* Now, let's see. Over the past year she has knitted less than usual despite being home more. Yes, far less. Disgraceful. Oh she finished a few shawls, a pair of slipperboots, two sweaters for a cat, two lady's cardigans, almost finished a third, but fewer wee gowns and hats for the hospital. Shamefully, nothing for us. No toys! No blankets! I tell you, the old girl is falling down on the job. Oh, and don't think of this as an excuse... She might try it on you but it's a ploy for sympathy. In the summer she imagined herself an acrobat. Yes, she did! Is it any wonder she lost her shoulder and injured herself? What was that Grammy? ... Well, of course your shoulder was lost. What else does 'dislocated' mean but 'lost the location of'? How something that is attached can be lost is beyond us but she did it. Well, we found it for her... and it is back in place now. Yes, we thought we'd velcro the joint back together. Aren't we brilliant? She didn't think so. Ungrateful, we say. Totally ungrateful. But should it happen again, and it had better not, just push those joints back together. Velcro, the wonder fastener. Brilliant! Of course, while it took hold we opportunists decided to occupy her time more, demand extra feedings, sit on her lap, purr her to sleep, stick like velcro to her side, dive into the wools, yarns and needles and create absolute chaos. And we do it all so well. The one thing we don't do is tarry near her when she is on her feet. That is dangerous! Very, very dangerous. Well, that's all for this week, friends. Have a great one.... and NO ACROBATICS! (hint! hint! - you know who you are and I don't mean Grammy!) *Giggles* Whisker kisses and love, Sweetie. We've included a few photos for your viewing pleasure! Comments are welcomed... especially if they are amusing. By Rondo, poet and vocal mischief. Good day, dear friends. Someone, whose name will remain anonymous, is feeling unwell so our blog is unbelievably short, practically non-existent. As a consolation I will share an early poem of mine. Meantime, we at Mischief and Mayhem Central hope you are all well and thriving despite the restrictions and challenges of this pandemic. Crocus Little crocus beneath the snow so deep Wake up from your winter sleep The sun shines down and warms your bed Open your eyes and raise your head. Time to push through, take a peek For winter's almost over and it's you I seek. Comments are welcomed. by Etude, Mr Attitude. Oh brother! Hi friends. Can you believe it? We almost had to rush Grammy into the emergency room this week. Well, not really! I'm exaggerating a bit but that wee Mousie has been so darned cute this past week. And cute interprets into sweet, thus the sugar overload. Here's what's been happening... Mousie spends most of her time in the bedroom and only joins us in the livingroom occasionally - usually when meals are due or overdue, which happens a lot, let me tell you. (Cheap help! What more need we say?) But if Mousie comes snuffling around Grammy responds. We don't understand that. Of course, the tail tickling the back of Grammy's neck might be a clue to her moving but otherwise... When we ask for food she ignores us and says things like, 'you just ate an hour ago!' or 'it's 45 minutes until your next feeding time!' For goodness sake, we're cats. We don't have watches, only tummies that grumble. They are our time pieces. But, while the old girl ignores us she won't ignore the little mouse. Up she jumps and heads to the kitchen! Okay so, back to Mousie and sugar. Grammy has been going into the bedroom more regularly to interact with the wee Mouser (part of her get up and move frequently throughout the day exercise). Lately, whenever she does she leans over the bed and rubs foreheads with Mousie as she reclines in her marshmallow bed and that activates the 'purr machine'. That purring is louder and bigger than the little puss, by far. It is the loudest motor we've ever heard. Louder than mine and even louder than our vocal Rondo. Well, when Grammy hears the motor going she melts. Yes, she becomes a soppy puddle of goohs and gahs. 'Oh Mousie, you are just so adorable! I want to pick you up and cuddle you!' and then the sugar rush begins. Mousie seems to like the attention because now she does it every time Grammy visits the bedroom and the glucose levels are rising further and further. Pretty soon we'll need to get insulin for the old dear. Women! The other thing the little Mouser does is pose for Grammy in the cutest ways. These cause further sugar rushes. It's so disgusting! Of course, it isn't disgusting when we do. (Well, don't tell Grammy but we think Mousie's a cutiepie too BUT, so are the rest of us!) Pictures of Mousie (and us) to follow. by Sweetie, motivator and fitness trainer. Good morning, dear friends. Not sure if you have made resolutions for 2021. If not, I'd be happy to help you with some. Grammy, as usual, hasn't made any... so I've put together a few for her. 1. Feed us on demand... ours... not hers, 2. Play with us every day at least 5 times a day, 3. Share the bed - not take it over, 4. Cuddles.... give us lots and lots of cuddles, snuggles and kisses, 5. Groom us daily, 6. Feed us on demand... ours... not hers. And the resolutions we furballs have set for ourselves ... 1. Do our daily fitness routine: examples of a fitness routine specifically designed for the M&M crew shown in slideshow below. 2. Accept all pampering with grace and equanimity. Yes, that's it for us. *giggles* Comments are welcomed. By Gentle Mousie, blogger of the mundane and the spectacular. Good morning dear friends. Here we are at the last Monday of 2020. Most people are thrilled to be seeing the end to this year of misery. It has been a challenging year at best. Of course, like most years there has been a mixture of good and bad. For us, the good has been having Grammy home with us almost 24/7/366. That part has been great. The old girl ensconced in her chair, knitting or napping or better yet, cuddling and snuggling with us. We have loved that. In fact, I've actually braved spending more time with Grammy and the cow kitties than ever before. The not so good parts have been Grammy's illness coupled with having to isolate, then losing my mommy, Whiskers, and a month later Grammy's fall followed by Etude's PTSD. Well, we have weathered it all. We may not look or be quite the same but we've come through. Etude's coat is a little shabby... His plucked belly glows pink when he does his prairiedog routine... and his legs are a little moth-eaten... well, maybe not moth-eaten, more like Etude-eaten. Grammy puts the blue collar of shame on him but only when absolutely necessary. Usually just distracting him when he starts to chew is sufficient to stop the chomping for a while. He curls up into a ball and naps until the next meal. Rondo, while looking dapper, is more vocally annoying than ever. He starts calling for breakfast around 6:30 and refuses to let up until Grammy has fed his ever-needy tummy. It seems to be a bottomless pit. A half hour after that first meal he seeks a second breakfast, then a pre-lunch snack, then lunch, mid-afternoon nibbles, dinner, apres-dinner nosh, pre-bedtime sustenance and midnight chowdown. Otherwise, he is about the same - he whines. At least, when he's napping we get some relief. *giggles* He's more like a chow-hound than a kitty. Sweetie has been a trouper through it all. She still seeks out Grammy's lap for naps, sleeps most of the day on the sofa or in her ivory tower then roams the house at night, checking for intruders and making sure we are all safe in our wee beds. She is our intrepid guardian and we love her for it. Me? Well, I miss my mommy but Grammy has been my go to for cuddles and kisses and snuggles and when I'm not with her I curl up on my pedestal or in my nice warm marshmallow bed. Last night Grammy joined me in my bed. No, not her whole body, silly. She curled up on the big bed and used the rim of the marshmallow as a pillow. So, where do we go from here? Well, it looks like the next few months at least are going to be more of the same. Grammy's not been given the go-ahead to resume her pre-2020 life and as long as that bug COVID is out there isolation will be paramount and knitting and cuddles will prevail. Yahoo! And here is our year in review... Kitties and Knitties. *giggles* Hope you enjoy it. Comments are most welcome. From all of us at Mischief and Mayhem Central,
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, Love-filled New Year. Love and Whisker kisses, Whiskers (2008 - 2020), Gentle Mouse, Sweetie, Etude & Rondo oh, and Grammy too. by Mousie, blogger of gentle, sweet memories. Good morning, dear friends. Brrrr. It's cold outside. Glad we have a fire in the fireplace. So, Grammy, where's the hot cocoa, huh? Okay, now onto the blog. Here we are at 11 days to Christmas. This is a time of year when memories can be sad, or sweet. For Grammy they are the latter with just a scintilla of the former. I told the cow kitties that we should remember our fur family members who have passed on. As they scampered to their heated beds they shouted, "What a great idea, Mousie! Have at it!" So, it looks like it is up to me once again. Those scamps! For those of you who are new to our page, we are now a four kitty household having lost my mummy Whiskers this past summer. She was our Matriarch and taught us a lot of mischief, created even more mayhem (especially with Grammy), and kept us all spotlessly clean and well-groomed. While we miss her lots we are happy she isn't ill or in pain anymore. Our first blog is a great example of how mischievous she could be. Check it out and further blogs. You might like the Austria series... Whiskers at her most adventurous. As Grammy says, "She was a caution!" Before Whiskers Grammy had three other kitties... PussPuss, Malcolm and Montague (aka. Monty). PussPuss, like Whiskers, was a Matriarch and ruled the roost. She was a Maven of Mischief too. Oh my, the stories we've heard. You may want to check them out in our Into the Archives series. Here's one of the early blogs. Now, you must know, PussPuss, like Etude and Rondo, loved her food and supplemented her diet with the never-ending supply from Grammy's fish tanks. *giggles*. Boy, what I'd give to have seen Grammy's face when she found out. PussPuss had a love-tolerate relationship with Malcolm. Grammy adopted the little scamp to be company for PussPuss when she'd be away for her job...overnight or sometimes longer. Well, that backfired big time, or so it looked. Here's what happened. On the drive home from the adoption agency Malcolm scratched and chewed until his head popped through a hole in the cardboard carrier and yapped at Grammy, "Let me outta here!" She managed to contain him from the car to and through the apartment door. Not an easy task, so I hear. Thinking she'd introduce them slowly Grammy kept Malcolm in the carrier, set it on the floor and called PussPuss. While Puss often met her at the door this time she was caught napping. Bleary eyed she sauntered out of the bedroom, over to Grammy and leaned in for a head scratch. Suddenly, the impatient kitten popped open the lid of the carrier, startled and annoyed the sleepy girl. How dare he! She chased him into the kitchen. Fortunately for Malcolm he scampered out of reach, to the top of the kitchen cupboards and the chubby girl was left behind. He lived there for three days until he decided to brave her wrath. Long story short, for the rest of their lives together he loved her; she tolerated him... when Grammy was around. BUT, to Grammy's surprise, one evening when she returned from a business trip, they didn't hear her come in the door and there they were, curled up together on the bed. But not for long. Jumping apart and looking chagrined, Puss glowered at Malcolm AND Grammy and the love/tolerate relationship resumed. After PussPuss passed Grammy and Malcolm grew closer than ever but both were sad until a friend mentioned a kitty who needed a home. He was going to be euthanized as his family didn't want him anymore and already he'd been in a cage for a few months at the vet clinic. He had behavioural issues and would require patience from his new family to overcome them. Well, Grammy fell in love IMMEDIATELY, brought him home and introduced him to Malcolm. It was a match made in heaven and the best medicine for all. Montague, his new name, brought sparkle back into the eyes of both Grammy and the old-by-now geezer, Malcolm. This little guy (14 months old) was full of life, mischief and silliness. For 18 months they gave him the space he needed to adjust and overcome his issues. In return. he entertained them with his mischievous antics until one day his heart gave out. Unbeknownst to anyone, former family, vet and Grammy he had health issues. What a blow! Such a sweet boy, he is still missed. From then until he passed 4.5 years later Malcolm and Grammy lived a quiet life together. It wouldn't be fair to introduce another kitty. The old boy was now blind, arthritic from his days of living outdoors mid-winter and for the last few years, senile. He'd howl, disoriented, startling Grammy. She would jump out of bed, speak quietly, pick him up then cuddle him into bed with her, Contented and toasty warm, he'd purr them to sleep for the remainder of the night. It was only a few months later that Grammy got into rescue work and mummy Whiskers and I became her first fosters, then a few years later, foster failures. We were soon followed by the boys and a year later, Sweetie. Over a few years others came through the revolving doors, staying a few days, weeks, months before being adopted... but once we 5 were adopted the rescuing had to end. We were at our adoption limit and Grammy's soft heart couldn't be allowed the temptation anymore. There it is.... and here are a few photos to enjoy. by Rondo, blogger and mischief maker Good morning, Friends. Well, Grammy has definitely been visiting the land of nod or more correctly the land of odd. You may have read on our page... her odd behaviour this morning. If not, then read it here... She looked out the window from her comfy armchair and said, 'Oh my! We are living in the jungle! Check out the giraffes!' We all scampered to the window to see what she was nattering on about. Nothing! We couldn't see anything unusual. A bunch of condos, apartment buildings, office towers, the police station we supervise, the daycare and alternative school below us. Same old, same old. What is she talking about? Then between the apartment building and a condo through a gap is a construction site... a new group of condos is in early stages of construction and in there are two cranes working the site. Now, we might think they look like whooping cranes but giraffes? Nah! A beautiful white momma and her dusky orange baby swaying back and forth across the site. So, while we think she must be loopy, we must be too... since while we could see what she was looking at we had our own ideas about what they were. Now back to a little sanity. Here are a few winter photos for you to enjoy of us when we were younger. Comments are welcomed. |
AuthorFive Cats, Five Personalities, One Goal - Mischief & Mayhem. Archives
August 2023
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