Mancat Monday

Gabriel here!

Wow, it's been a LONG time since I've seen you all!  The Monkeys' Mommy is very bad about blogging, but I insisted I needed to update you all about how things are going at The Monkeys II household (Sweet Pea and I).

As you can see, I'm as handsome as ever.  I take the tuxedo cat look to a whole new level.  It's a combination between a sleek wetsuit and a tux.  Very classy.

How you doin'?

Sweet Pea and I are doing very well together.  Our love story continues...

Sweet Pea: O Gabriel, Gabriel, wherefore art thou Gabriel?  Gabriel: Right here, Pea.  What's your problem?

...even though Daddy says I'm still a little immature and 'kitten aggressive'.   I say she just needs to learn to be a little less dramatic.

Dramatic or not, she's too pretty to ignore.

Sweet Pea and I will be going over to The Monkeys' house for Christmas day.  It's been awhile since we've been there because the last time we went I got very mad and peed on things.  I didn't think that would be such a problem!  Sheesh!  The Monkeys' Mommy is hopeful this time because she brought that weird looking new grey guy here for a visit recently and I didn't pee on anything!

We'll see...it could be a snooze-fest and a little well-placed and well-timed urine might be just the right thing to shake things up and make it interesting.

If we don't get a chance to speak to you before the holidays, we wish a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Gabriel
xoxo

Montreal Cats Need Homes

A friend of Mommy's sent her a link to a newspaper article about a man who passed away and left behind his seven beloved cats in need of a home.  The man's family is desperately looking to find wonderful homes for them and so we thought maybe we could help by spreading the word.

These cats are in Montreal, but if you're outside the city, Mommy will definitely help with transport.

Here are their descriptions:

Lars and Sven are 8 year-old brothers. Ideally, these two giant black and white beauties would be adopted together. They’re both extremely friendly and outgoing. Lars has short fur and is a big, fat, cat. Sven has long, luxurious fur and loves being carried around like the furry emperor he thinks he is. Both are fabulous, charming, wonderful, healthy, neutered, accustomed to being brushed (Lars isn’t really TOO keen but Sven is) and have all their shots.

Sven

Lars

Precious (Presh-Presh) is a charming female, neutered, 8 year-old tabby cat. She deserves to be the center of attention and mistress of her own domain and family. She would enjoy being the only four-legged pet in her new home. She’s very sociable and playful, despite having been bullied by the other cats. She likes to observe what’s going on from a high vantage point and loves curling up in a good box or basket. She meows most expressively! She’s the kind of cat who owns her master so an experienced cat owner is preferred. She’s healthy and has all her shots.

Precious

Cirrus. 8. Female, neutered. Cirrus is a bit skittish but inquisitive, and VERY, VERY chatty (with a quiet miaow). She’s friendly once she’s accustomed to you. She’s delightfully good-natured. She gets along with dogs but is indifferent to small children. She loves it when someone brushes her soft, gray long fur. She’s healthy and has all her shots (She’s sister of Voodoo and Mandrake below.)

Voodoo. Female, 8. Neutered. She’s one shade paler than black and LOVES being brushed. She’s such a wonderful! Expressive! Super-friendly cat! She communicates with meaningful and expressive meowing, but not so much as to annoy her human friends. Voodoo needs to be courted to get over her initial, lady-like reserve; once she knows you she’s very friendly and curious about what you’re doing. She’s healthy, glossy, good weight and has all her shots.

Mandrake. Male, 8. Neutered, healthy. Mandrake is a very beautiful, slim black puss with the most gorgeous, silky short fur. He prefers the indoors. Mandrake is very shy, leery of strangers and nervous of unusual activity. He needs a good hidey-hole to which he can retreat when disturbed. He needs a patient, cat-savvy owner who can earn his trust and he’d probably be happier if he were the only cat in the household. He’s had all his shots.

Tristan is 17-years old and needs a very special person – someone who has the love, time and patience for an old and demanding cat.

To see more images – including some movies – of these wonderful cats, please go to: their Flickr page

We will be posting a link to this blog post on our Monkeys Facebook Page.   We would really love it if these beautiful cats could find new homes so please contact us if you are interested or know someone who is.  You can contact us using the 'Contact Me' button in our 'About Me' section at the top of our sidebar, or by leaving a comment with your email.

Thank you, friends, for reading and sharing

Samson

xoxo

Wordless Wednesday - With Iggy

This is how we prepare for Winter in Canada

Squashies

Our sweet friend Squashies will be leaving today and we are so very sad.  Her family could use some purrs if you can drop by her blog.

We will miss you, friend.

xoxo

Saturday Sweethearts

Iggy here!

I've been living here for 3 months now and things are mostly going well.

When Mommy came to the shelter to adopt me, she promised me three things.

1.) I'd be loved for as long as I live (so far so good).

2.) I'd always have food, fresh water and medical care when needed (so far true)

3.) Bella will be my girlfriend (LIES!!).

Bella is GORGEOUS!  I can't stop watching her.  I love the way she stomps around.  I love her adorable little doll-face and I've even grown to love her little singing performances with various articles of  laundry.

Look at those smouldering eyes and fluffy forehead!  I'm head-over-heels in love.

The problem is - she wants nothing to do with me!

I asked Samson for advice on many occasions because he obviously has it going on with the ladycats.  Deli is crazy about him.

I've tried everything Samson has suggested.  I've tried being gentle yet persistent, saving some treats just for her, telling her 'Mommy said you were supposed to be my girlfriend' and I've even used Samson's signature move - exposing myself completely while acting indifferent...

...Bella remains unimpressed.

I need help wooing the girl of my dreams.  Any advice is welcome!


Iggy
xoxo

Sweet Pea is 3!

Sweet Pea here!

My Daddy can hardly believe it - but I'm 3!  He said it feels like just yesterday that I was a tiny kitten that couldn't even snooze without trembling.


We won't be having a party over at the Monkeys' house this year because Gabriel didn't behave very well the last time we were there.  He got angry and peed all over everything!   Mankittens are dumb!

Oh well, we can still have a party here.  The nice and talented Mommy over at Mishkat made me this beautiful quilt with sweet pea flowers all over it AND I've got a fresh nip banana.

I may even allow Gabriel to share with me!

Thank you all for coming by to visit on my birthday!

Sweet Pea
xoxo

Urgent Request for our Friend, Squashies

Our dear friend, Squashies needs our help!

Here is what is written on her blog:

Urgent Request!

If your cat has been blood typed, and is Type B (Rare but prevalent in Asian breeds,) we need your help.  Squashies is in desperate need of a transfusion. We can't find a Type B donor.

We will pay all expenses to bring the cat and you here to Baltimore.  With a very generous bonus for your time and discomfort. Call Dee @ 443-527-9226.

Our little girl is running out of options.
Thank you!

If anyone you know can help, please visit her blog HERE.  Squashies had a rough start to life and we purr that she will be able to continue to be happy in her forever home!

UPDATE:  Donor found!  Please visit her website for a more detailed update 

Mancat Chat Monday

Iggy:   Hey, Samson.  Thanks for letting me co-host Mancat Monday with you.

Samson:  No problem, buddy.  It's all about sharing in this house.

Iggy:  I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but where was the 'sharing' when Mommy was handing out treats?

Samson:  Dude, I've lived here for six years and you've been here for six weeks.  I figured since you came from a house with so many cats that you'd understand the concept of hierarchy.  Besides, don't think I didn't see Mommy slipping you some extra food behind my back.

Iggy: Yeah, that's why I like her so much.  I just thought that since you need to lose weight and I need to gain weight, we could come to an agreement with the treats.  That way Mommy doesn't need to sneak around.

Samson: errr...no. 

Iggy:  Alright.  We'll leave it like that then.  How about giving me some pointers on how to deal with Bella?  All I'm getting are angry stares.

Samson:  If you're only getting angry stares without hissing, she might actually like you.  Other than that, you're on your own.  Good luck.

Iggy:  Uhhh, gee thanks, Samson...

Samson:  You're welcome.  Just doing my part to help out.  Now as I recall, we were about to have a snooze.

Iggy: {sigh}

Samson & Iggy
xoxo

Sunday Updates

Iggy here!

Before I tell you how I'm adjusting, I want to let you all know that Bella is back to perfect health.  She is eating on her own and her tummy problems are gone.  I am new to the blogosphere, but those purrs really work!

I am also doing well.  I'm eating a lot and my eye is fine.  It turns out it wasn't even infected.  The cloudiness in my left pupil is only scar tissue.  The vet put green dye in my eye and turned out all the lights to check and he said it doesn't affect my vision and it was probably from a long time ago.  Mommy thinks I'm adorable, scars and all, so I'm okay with it too.

I am also getting along very well with my housemates.  Mommy thinks it's because I used to live with a huge amount of cats so I seem to know how to handle any new cat.

Samson is the easiest to get along with.  I can tell that he is just starving for a buddy to hang around with.  The girls in this house are very headstrong so he definitely needs my help.

Hey buddy, any room on that chair?

Bella is a little more difficult.  I'm sure Mommy told her that I'm supposed to be her new boyfriend, but she pretends I don't exist. 

I know you know I'm here, Bella

When she does finally look at me, she gives me a dirty look.  Hopefully I'll win her over eventually, but it won't be easy.

Delilah is a tough tortie, but at least she is direct.  She is constantly performing surprise butt-sniff tests.  I'm sure my butt smells the same as it did an hour ago, but Deli is always careful to make sure it didn't suddenly change to indicate a security threat.  I once tried to do a butt-sniff test on her but I quickly found out that wasn't allowed.  She sometimes sniffs my face...I prefer those times.
 

The humans?  Well, I don't have to tell all of you how easy they are to win over.  Putty in my paws!

A little to the left, please.

Iggy
xoxo

Tortie Tuesday

I am feeling better now that I'm home, but I'm still under the weather. 

I wouldn't let Mommy take my picture because they had to shave my neck at the vet, but here is an older photo.  It's actually quite appropriate since one of my symptoms is toilet-related.

Mommy is still force-feeding me a little bit but I am eating on my own.  I tend to get a little sick feeling at night until she gives me my anti-nausea pill which is every 24 hours.

I appreciate all of your purrs and I feel they are helping me get better.  I love all my friends!

Bella
xoxo

Bella Update

Bella here.

Well I'm home.  I'm still feeling crappy (pardon the pun) and not eating on my own, but Mommy just couldn't leave me at the vet.  I was too miserable and not improving much.  She thinks I'll get better easier with her syringe-feeding me at regular intervals at home.  I think she's right, because being in that cage made me feel like I was back at the shelter before I got adopted.  When Mommy came to get me today, I perked right up.  I was so relieved and happy that she came back for me.  If I don't improve by Monday morning, I will have to go back for more IV fluids so Mommy is doing all she can to make sure I get better before then.   


Thank you, ML, for my graphic and to everyone for your purrs.  I know it will help to make me feel much better sooner.

Bella
xoxo

Update Sunday afternoon:  The Mommy here.  Bella ate a little bit on her own!  She isn't drooling as much and she looks like she feels much better.  She is still under the weather but it looks like she's well on her way to feeling better.  Thank you for all the purrs!

Purrs for Bella

It's been a long couple of weeks for us here!

We think that when Iggy arrived from the shelter, he brought a long a bit of a bug...and not the fun kind of bug that you can chase!  Samson and I both had the flu, but we're over it now.  Unfortunately Bella got it too and she had stuff shooting out of both ends of her!

Mommy brought Bella to the vet today and they wanted to keep her over night for IV fluids and some medicine that will help her tummy.

Bella and I don't always get along, but I'm asking for purrs for her mostly because Mommy is very sad when she's not here.  Also, I saw the photo (bad quality) that Mommy took of her at the vet's, and I can tell by her face that she's not happy at all.

Not happy is an understatement!

We would appreciate some nice strong purrs so that we can have our grumpy girl back home with us.

Delilah
xoxo

Wordless Wednesday

Samson's 6th Birthday

Hey, hey!  It's my birthday!

That photo was taken a few weeks ago when I was feeling great.  I actually don't feel much like celebrating right now.  I'm in the middle of a kitty cold and my nose is so runny that I licked it raw.

Deli and I think that maybe that's why she was drooling too!  We must have caught a bug from that new grey guy that's living here.

At least Delii and I can be together with our sniffles.

I'm sure I'll feel better by the weekend so that we can celebrate in a more appropriate way.

Samson
xoxo

Tortie Tuesday

I am posting today because I had a bit of an incident over the weekend.

On Saturday night, Mommy noticed that my bib was all wet and I was drooling profusely.  She called the emergency vet and they said that as long as I was eating and eliminating normally, she could wait until Monday to bring me in.

It turns out that the drooling is still a mystery.  I have a moderate amount of plaque, but it hasn't increased since my last visit 8 months ago.  I also do not have any abscesses or wounds in my mouth.   The vet was stumped but couldn't rule out a bad tooth so he gave me some anti-inflammatory medicine and we will wait to see if the drooling returns.  If it does, I'll be getting dental x-rays and a possible cleaning.

Iggy fared a little better at the vet.  He has gained a half a pound and he passed his FIV/FELV test.  He's negative!  Now he'll be able to assume his role as Bella's new boyfriend and she will be allowed to stay in the room with him when Mommy goes to work 

I think there's a handsome Mancat underneath all the scruffiness.  Bella is a lucky gal.

Bella doesn't quite agree.  She is praying to the great Tortie Goddess in the sky to not have to spend her days with Iggy

She'll come around (heehee)

Delilah
xoxo

Iggy Update

Oh...right.  Iggy.  That's me!

This Iggy name is still new to me but it looks like it's sticking so I better get used to it.

Please forgive my disheveled appearance.  The gunk Mommy is putting in my eye is very greasy and it makes the whole left side of my face look wet.

I am doing much better and eating like I haven't had food in awhile.  The other day Mommy got all leaky-eyed and told me to PLEASE eat.  She looked so sad and frustrated that I immediately hopped down off the bed and ate...and I ate a LOT.  I figured I had put her through too much and that crying just had to stop.  The problem was, she kept crying.  She was smiling while she cried though so I guess it was different.

I was supposed to go to the vet today, but because of my new found love of food, Mommy postponed the appointment until Monday.  She is REALLY worried about my eye, but she wants the antibiotic cream to be finished by the time she brings me to see the doctor.

I don't know if you can see this, but if you look at my left eye, the pupil is very cloudy.

I don't cringe as much when she puts in the antibiotic cream, so maybe that means my eye is improving.  We'll find out on Monday.  Also, we're hoping that I have gained a little bit of weight since last Sunday.  I was a very low 3.36 kilos (7.41 pounds), and since I have a big frame, the doctor said I was very underweight.  

Thank you all for your purrs in the last few days!

Iggy
xoxo

Mancat Monday

Hi.  Iggy here.  I'm a new prisoner member of the Monkeys.

Although my new housemates are not particularly welcoming, I'm not really complaining.  I have to admit that this gig is far better than where I was before.

I used to live in a house with one human and 80 cats.  The human got sick and went to the hospital and asked a friend of hers to come feed us.  When the friend saw how many of us there were there, she called the SPCA to come take us away.  We were all over the news!  A lot of my housemates stayed here at the SPCA in Montreal, but I was hauled off to Gatineau (about 2 hours west) with some of my friends because they ran out of space.  Thankfully my new Mommy came and got me from there on Thursday.  She also changed my name from Grimlin to Iggy.  She can call me anything she wants as long as she keeps those scratches and belly rubs comin'!

Mommy had to take me to the vet yesterday because I haven't been eating right.  They gave me an appetite stimulant and some antibiotic cream for my eye (it's infected).  I also have to go back to the vet this week for tests.  We are all hoping that my low appetite is because of all the stress I've been through and not an underlying illness.

I know I've only just met you all, but I could really use your purrs.

Iggy
xoxo

The Newest Monkey

Yes, you read correctly - our Monkey family is about to get bigger!

Most of you know that Delilah, Bella and I live with Mommy in an average-sized one bedroom apartment and  Sweet Pea and Gabriel live with their Daddy in a small apartment down the street.  Bella had her claws stolen from her by her previous owners, and because Deli and I still have our claws and Mommy once found a bit of blood on Bella, she decided that it would be better for Bella's safety to keep her separated from us during the day when Mommy is at work.

Bella has the whole bedroom and en suite bathroom to herself.  When Mommy is home to supervise, the doors are opened and Bella is free to roam with us.  I actually think that Bella is quite happy alone in her palace, but Mommy worries that she might get lonely.

SO, when our Grandma told Mommy that she wanted a new cat to keep Aunt Mattie company (our sweet Auntie Sally passed away a little while ago), Mommy went straight to Petfinder to look for a companion for Mattie near where Grandma lives.

Instead of finding a cat for Grandma, Mommy ended up finding this guy and was so taken by his photo that she immediately applied to adopt him as Bella's new boyfriend.

Mommy is going to drive to Gatineau (where he currently is staying) on Thursday to meet him and pick him up.  His name is Grimlin (although Mommy thinks he may tell her a new name) and you can read his Petfinder profile by clicking HERE.

Grimlin also had his claws stolen by his previous owners so he will stay with Bella when Mommy goes to work.  He was rescued by the SPCA of Montreal from a hoarding situation and then transferred to the SPCA of Western Quebec because there wasn't enough room at the SPCA here.  Of course we will keep you updated with photos when he gets here.

We are all hoping that Bella loves him as much as we think she will!


Samson
xoxo