Ouchie! & The Cat's Meow

Gwyneth was 4 months old on Sunday.

She is teething now. Ouchie...

She is grabbing things, holding her torso up and rolling over.

Life is fun for Gwyn except for the teething. :(

Oh yes, and she laughs out loud now; a good hardy laugh, mom says.
I do hope the teething is over soon.

And what is going on around here today?
Lots of this. It is very, very cold outside.

Sierra dreams of her mornings sitting on the porch waiting for her mailman to arrive.  I'm sure the love-affair will pick up where it left off come Spring.
But as cold as it is, the sun is shining. That changes everything. :) I'm heading out.

Annie & Audrey are not interested in the sun today. They have a new toy and that takes priority.

The Cat's Meow

I recommend this toy highly. You just press the button on top and the mouse tail starts to move . It really grabs their interest and gets them moving, too.

You can imagine Annie is in her glory.

It's called the Cat's Meow and can be purchased here at Walmart and Giant Tiger.

Stay warm and bake some muffins.
hugs, Deb

Tea-time Tuesday

It was time to send some 'little cakes' over to my grand-daughter, Riley's house today. These are her favorite and I know she will share them with her little brother, Bradley.
But before they left it was time for tea and a 'little cake' for us.

Black tea in my favorite tea-cups from Anthropologie.

I used my white elephant tea-pot.

The 'little cakes' are actually pumpkin muffins but Riley can call them anything she likes. I always sprinkle a little cinnamon and brown sugar on top.

We have put all the Christmas things away now and although the house looks a little 'drab' it will be nice to have some space to play with again.
Kane finally got his walk yesterday when the temperature rose to just above freezing. What relief. And now, one day later, it is plummeting again and it is like a skating rink out there. Not good for walking an old dog, for sure. I guess he'll have to have a few extra car rides for awhile which will make him VERY happy.
I know I'm Canadian and I'm supposed to love this crap but I just want one degree above freezing for awhile. Is that too much to ask?

Stay warm.

I'm joining Sandi at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca/ for Tea-cup Tuesday

hugs, Deb

not quite so innocent

Oh yes, she's the picture of innocence.

On this wet and cold windy day here in Ontario, Annie finds a warm spot on top of the dryer.  She's tired as she had quite a busy morning. Now, I thought this was the only mouse in our house.

 But, living in a 120 year old clapboard home, it is unheard of to get through a winter without at least one mouse finding it's way in somehow. We do live across the street from a field,  afterall.

I came home and walked into my office to find 'the mouser' standing over her trophy. I imagine I was to be the recipient of her gift. *groan*

Well, a cat is a cat so I patted her on the head, the mouse was removed promptly and that was that.
But, somehow this has changed how I look at Annie as her innocence has dimmed just a little.
I guess she feels quite proud, and now, after joining me in watching Downton Abbey last night, she has requested a new title in our house of four cats.

Her Ladyship, Madame Annie, Sovereign of the Distinguished                                              Service Order. 
  (I do believe we shan't be able to live with her now)

hugs, Deb

Lap cat

It is finally warming up a little and the idea of starting back to my daily walks is becoming a reality. 

Kane needs to exercise or at thirteen and a half he begins to seize up a bit. Come to think of it, so do I. haha! Gosh, I hate getting old.

But that all changes quickly when a 5km walk is added to the daily routine. Kane does 2kms easily if the weather permits but it's a slow walk.

Mornings are pretty lazy around here now that the holiday cat-sitting has come to an end. I have cats booked in for January and February but the pace is much slower. It's time to get back to other projects that were left hanging before Christmas.

Annie loves when I have time to enjoy a second cup in the morning.

She is the most lovable, trusting, appreciative and soulful cat I have ever known.

She is a lap cat through and through and mine is her favorite.

The tree came down today (what a job)

It's always a little sad to see the Christmas season end

 but I think I am ready for Spring.

Hope it's warming up where you live. At least for a little while.

Here's a link to help your cat become a lap cat.

http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/cat-affection-moves-the-lap-cat/163

hugs, Deb

Remembering with love

I often receive comments about being a cat-sitter and how much fun that must be for a cat-lover. Well, it is fun and it is so rewarding to be able to make a stay-at-home kitty's life comfortable and less stressful while their owner travels. Some of my clients have been under my care for years and have become almost like my own. I love them and think of them often.  But, just like most jobs (can I call it that?) there is a down-side to it. Some of my clients move away and some of the cats pass on. It is very hard to hear that one of my charges has died. I am flooded with memories of our times together knowing that I will not see them or hold them again. It is very emotional for me.

2013 was no different as I lost two of my favorite cats quite suddenly. If you have been following for awhile you will know these handsome faces.

Darling old Max, a treasure of a cat.

I cared for him for many, many years and he was an amusing little fella. He wanted to be independent and would patrol his woods behind his house by day. At night though, he wanted to cuddle up with his owners and be safe and warm.

He made me laugh out loud when I would carry him or we would snuggle on a big chair. He had a purr that would be heard in the next town over. I'll not forget him ever.

Me & Max

Buddy.

 Yes, my darling Bud. He is gone now and I can't drive by his home without tearing up. He was a wonderful cat full of personality and charm. He is the white cat on my header because I just wanted him there. Buddy was that special to me.

He would flop at my feet and demand a brushing and then roll and drool like a fool in ecstacy. I just ache thinking about never holding him again. He was a fine cat and I will miss him so much.

Losing our beloved Ed only weeks ago has made the loss of these two wonderful cats even deeper. You'd have to be the Iron Lady to not be affected by it all.
So, with a very heavy heart I wish for these two wonderful cats, and of course our beloved Ed,  to rest in peace now and I am so grateful to have been a part of their life. I will close their files now and keep them wrapped in a ribbon. Inside there are many notes and photos that will be reminders of how wonderful these little felines were and how they worked their way so deep into my heart.

My condolences go out to their owners who miss them more than words can describe.

hugs, Deb

Wild turkeys cometh

Around our parts wild turkeys roam the back roads. In my business of travelling from house to house to care for stay-at-home felines,  I have the pleasure of watching these rather homely birds go about their day. As long as they don't dive-bomb my car, which they did years back "Ahhhh!",  then I think they are pretty cool. But we do have a history.

photos taken last week

Four years ago I was driving the back roads and I came upon a flock of them. At the time I was driving a little red car belonging to my friend who was ill with cancer. I was actually heading to her home when I spotted them in the middle of the road. I slowed down so not to hit them and reached for my camera to photograph their charming faces. All of a sudden, one flew up in the air and landed on the car.  Ok,  this wasn't fun anymore. At first I thought they were seeking help and then realized that they did not like the car amongst them. Maybe it was the colour red that offended them. One threw itself against the windshield while others jumped around on the road . It was like I was in a Hitchcock movie.

"Holy Cow! I screamed like a girl and hit the gas. 

Here's what they look like up close and personal.

"Oh my goodness...hahaha! They freak me out!

It's been very cold the last few days. I have gone through 3 large bags of dry food for the ferals but have not actually seen one in weeks. What I do see are their tracks. 

That's enough to keep me feeding them in this freezing weather.

Just a reminder that the 2 hour premiere of the fourth season of Downton Abby is this Sunday night.

Don't miss it.

hugs, Deb

A spot of tea and a New Year's Resolution

“In Ireland, you go to someone's house, and she asks you if you want a cup of tea. You say no, thank you, you're really just fine. She asks if you're sure. You say of course you're sure, really, you don't need a thing. Except they pronounce it ting. You don't need a ting. Well, she says then, I was going to get myself some anyway, so it would be no trouble. Ah, you say, well, if you were going to get yourself some, I wouldn't mind a spot of tea, at that, so long as it's no trouble and I can give you a hand in the kitchen. Then you go through the whole thing all over again until you both end up in the kitchen drinking tea and chatting. 

In America, someone asks you if you want a cup of tea, you say no, and then you don't get any damned tea.

I liked the Irish way better.” 
― C.E. Murphy, Urban Shaman

So, would you like some tea? *grin* You can also enjoy a brownie or two made by my baker-extraordinaire sister, Diane. ;-)

                Today's tea is pretty in pink.
It is Raspberry Ginseng Tea made in England by charbrew and it is amazing. I always add a little honey just because.
ingredients...Raspberry, Ginseng, Rosehip & Hibiscus
It is a fruity red-coloured tea and delicious. 

My New Years' Resolution is to walk more; everyday. If I do this it takes care of my health, my weight and my frame of mind all wrapped up in a ribbon. SO....as soon as this deep-freeze leaves I am hitting the pavement. Then I'm going to drink tea and lots of it. 
Two resolutions I know I can keep.


Annie (aka Peach), well, her resolution is to seek out more sun-puddles and increase her sleep-time.  I'm betting on her keeping this one, too.

hugs, Deb