Saturday, December 24, 2016

Merry Christmas

My sister and I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
May you get all the cat nip you dream of! 

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Stivali's Story

My little sister came to live with us six years ago today.

The story of Stivali is a little different than mine.

She did not select Mamma to take care of her the way I did.

Mamma tells us our adoption stories often - maybe it is to guarantee we never forget how we all found one another and why we now have such an awesome and safe life together.

Stivali was not born in Searsport, Maine like I was.  She was born in Lake Wales, Florida.

Late in the evening on November 29, 2010, our phone rang.  I could hear Ma's friend, Miss Ashley, ask, "Assunta, do you want another kitty?  We just picked up the tiniest most adorable black and white kitten at the Eagle Ridge Mall."

Mamma was at first, very confused. . . Miss Ashley had a couple of dogs, and a cat - and she got another kitten tonight at the mall?

Miss Ashley explained that there must have been a cat with kittens on the sidewalk area of one of the entrances to the mall, because she witnessed this little runt of the litter walking off the curb into the parking area.  Miss Ashley had to retrieve the tiny kitten because it was liable to be killed.  And so after she explained the entire story, she asked again, "Do you want this sweet little kitty?"

Miss Ashley took care of the little kitten for one week while Mamma prepared (me) for her arrival. Miss Ashley called the kitten "Boots" because of her fashionable white booties in the front and thigh high white boots in the back - Ma would get along great with her - clearly already having one thing in common: fashionista!  Miss Ashley and her mother arrived at our Winter Haven, Florida home with the scrawny cat six years ago today - December 06, 2010.

We kept the kitten's given name of "Boots", however, we prefer it in Italian, pronounced, "Stee-Vah-Lee".

The doctor we took the little kitten to approximated that she was found at only a couple of weeks old! We had to wait until she was heavier to get all of her shots and to be neutered (at least two months old).

So not only is today the day we celebrate Stivali's Adoption Day - but also her birth - since she was found so tiny and young, it is not too far off from her actual birthday.   Perhaps, she was born on Thanksgiving in 2010 - we do not know - but because of her (and Miss Ashley) we do have a lot to be thankful for.

Happy "Birthday" to my sweet and shy little sister, Stivali.  We love you very much!

 First photo of Ma & Stivali: 12-06-2010
Stivali proving she is not heavy enough to go to the doctor! 12-06-2010
...and how she appears when Ma is on her computer these days...







Sunday, November 27, 2016

Happiness is a new tree!

Mamma came home with a new scratching post tree for my sister and I.

She barely got it through the door before we began inspecting it.

We are so blessed!! We love our Mamma. 




Happiness is a new cat tree!! I just hope she doesn't throw out the old one - we still wanna use that one, too. :) Meow! 

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Grateful for my life.

Today, my mother saw a different stray cat, walking along the highway. She pulled over to try to help him.  Maybe it was a feral cat. Maybe it was someone's cat that got out by accident.  Maybe a mean person no longer wanted the cat and dumped him - - and now he was confused, scared, and wandering up Route 78E feeling afraid and alone.  People reprimand my mother and tell her to STOP putting human feelings on animals. That they don't feel.

It hurts her heart when she learns that people do not take unwanted animals to a rescue shelter.

So even though this cartoon is cute, funny, and may put a smile on your face, I need all of you readers to know, I am grateful for my life, I love my mamma very much, and I will snuggle her tonight as she prays to St Francis of Assisi for all the stray animals, wild animals, and discarded/abused animals.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Hug your animals and humans tight! XO

Friday, October 28, 2016

I don't know why there are so many toys...

There's a phenomenon going on in my home.

Toys are available everywhere.  Every month new ones mysteriously arrive.

Some are remotely enjoyable.

You may notice some toy balls are under various furniture throughout my home.  Sister Stivali and I have about a dozen toy balls of various sizes and with a myriad of noise making devices inside them. These are fun, for one second a month when we decide to use them.



However, my ma has a cloth bag, which holds our grooming accessories in it: tooth paste, comb, brush, nail clippers, and kitty wipes.  This bag is of pleasing quality to us. This supple bag has a draw string, which nearly five years ago we were able to pull out (which was an extreme adventure of an objective for Stivali and I to accomplish).  This string is no longer used as a drawstring for our grooming bag...  it is now our very favorite toy, and has been for many years.

We carry it in our mouth and drag it along the floor as we walk with it, carrying it all over the house.

Ma finds it in a different place each time she arrives home to us.

When it is resting on the floor, we stand in front of it and meow at Ma to pick it up and swing it in front of us so that we can play and try to catch it.

It is seriously the best toy ever.  Hours upon hours of enjoyment.

Yet, why do different toys appear in the home month after month when we already own the pinnacle of all toys known to cat?

Does anyone know?

Monday, August 29, 2016

How I lost my balcony privileges.

While Ma was working in the kitchen, she left the kitchen screen door propped open so Stivali and I can go in and out as we please. We are only allowed on the balcony.  She puts a screen in front of the steps so we cannot walk down them.

This allows us to be outside but limited to the space of the balcony.

It is very nice – we get to watch the birds, squirrels, and bunnies from a distance.  We can sunbathe, and breathe in the fresh air.



Mamma checks on us every fifteen minutes or so, a little neurotically, if you asked me – she just worries we would get into trouble of some sort if she didn’t, I guess.

From the kitchen, she heard a loud thump so she quickly ran out onto the balcony to find out what the noise was.  She did not see me right away, only my lil sister stood on the balcony, staring off into the sideyard – eyes as large as teacup saucers…

Ma peered over the balcony, to her amazement, to find me sitting on the awning of the first floor side door.  

 
She was so alarmed, she went running down the balcony steps to come get me, but I was too afraid to jump into her arms, and there was no way I was gonna be able to jump back up onto the balcony railing. 


Ma did not have her cell phone with her so she failed to take photos of me getting into trouble.  She told me later who could think of photos at a time like that – she was scared for my safety and sanity.


She hurriedly went back into the kitchen, opened the window, and leaned practically all the way outside on to the awning where I climbed into her loving arms.

I don’t know why she got so angry with me – you think she thinks I have congestive heart failure or something, like I coulda caused myself to have a heart attack.  I don’t know, but she says I cannot go outside onto the balcony anymore. 

My privileges have been revoked. 

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

The Slipper Series.


Monday
                                                                                        Tuesday

Perhaps Mamma is creating a "Slipper Series" and will share with you a photo of me each day of the week resting on her slippers...

Lately, she is taking more photos of me than usual, and usually she takes lots and lots.

As I have written before, I like to wake my mamma up a little before her alarm, so I can get her full attention and some really nice cuddles.  Recently, I have been jumping on her bed at 5am. Sometimes, Stivali, my little sister, is sleeping on mamma's belly, chest, or by her feet.  Either way, once I jump up, she jumps down.  Mamma and I usually snuggle for 15 minutes, but last week and this week, we've lingered longer into a half hour.

During this quality time, I rest in my little nook - which is the space on her side between her shoulder and hips.  My front paws over her underarm, my head on them, and my back paws over her hip and belly.  She wraps her arm around me, cradling me like a mother would a human baby.

Purr... Purr... Purr...

In March, I weighed in at 21.7#.

Doctors always told us that I was okay, perfectly healthy at 20# - 21.7# was considered a little heavier than I should be.  I am a big cat.  Not fat.  Just big.

Like I mentioned before, for a few days after my annual check-up I felt sick; but once I got my bloodwork, x-rays, and echocardiogram done in March, I began taking medicines, and I quickly got back to my peppy happy self.  I have not felt sick at all since.  However, I keep weighing in less and less.

I don't wanna lose weight.

Mamma is feeling alarmed, and is starting to really notice, physically, that I weigh less.

DATE:       WEIGHT:
March 19            21.70
April 08              20.50
Aug 01               19.11
Aug 16               19.04

The good news is, my quality of life has not negatively been impacted by my disease, I am still playful, joyful, and talkative.  I am loved, and that is a blessing to me. <3  

Your continued prayers are appreciated.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

If love alone could save me, I would never ever die.

Yesterday, August 01, I went to the vet.  This little photo shoot of me was a few minutes after my return from the animal hospital.  Mamma thinks I don't know how sick I am because I look great to her - and now that I have been on medicines since March, my behavior is totally back to normal (for me).




I am sure you would agree that I am completely adorable. 

For those reading who did not follow my updates on my now-deleted FB page - here is a small recap:

On April 30th, 2007, I wento the vet for the first time: I weighed in at 7.9# and the doctors approximated I was about 8-12 months old.  I was living with Mamma for about a week at this time, but had been hanging around her house and business for more than a month ... the rest of that part of my story is essentially her falling madly in love with me quickly, and keeping me as little brother to puppy girl, Zoe, and a big boy orange tabby-cat, Kismet. :)

Together we lived in Searsport, Maine; Ocala, Florida; Lakeland, Florida (where sadly Zoe and Kismet both passed within a week of one another); and Winter Haven, Florida (where we (thanks to Ashley) introduced Stivali "Boots" - the little tuxedo cat as my lil sister).

Fast forward to March 19, 2016 - I wento the vet for my annual check up. I got a clean bill of health. Pure green light, weighing in at 21.7#. The beautiful and friendly doctor laughed that my motor is so loud, she could not get a clear heartbeat reading through her stethoscope.  Mamma and my doctor laughed and laughed - Mamma told the sweet smart doctor that no doctor has ever been able to hear my heart because I am way too happy and I'm purring all of the time.

It is true. I purr all of the time. I am an incredibly happy cat.  Mamma has raised many cats in her years and no other has ever purred as much as I do. She tells me all of the time. I am just a happy and purr-filled cat.  It sure helps that Mamma is a joy-filled girl, because it really rubs off on me.

When I returned from the March annual exam, Mamma noticed I was not eating, I was not sleeping in my normal manner, and I was not purring, playing, or trilling (I tend to chirp and trill a lot, after all I am a Maine Coon).  That first day she attributed my lethargic and odd behavior to going to the vet.

The following day, she monitored me closely, and noticed my breathing was heavy and noisy.  She became concerned and called the vet.

The vet thought perhaps I had contracted a cold during my visit and made an appointment for me for the following day (March 22nd) for a re-check.  The vet asked Mamma if I have ever had an asthma attack.  Mamma never realized that whenI sound like I am coughing up a hair ball which does not come up actually may be an asthma attack.  The doctor did blood work and x-rays.

The x-rays revealed I had fluid on my lungs - so the doctor ordered me to go on a diuretic (Lasix) and ordered an echogardiogram and a blood pressure test - which I had done on the 24th of March.

The non-invasive ultrasound, echocardiogram, revealed I have congestive heart failure.

Which, by the way, is a specific gene mutation in Maine Coons.

On March 25th in addition to the diuretic, I started taking a heart pill, Enacard (to dilate blood vessels and help my heart work more efficiently).

The prognosis was guarded when I went for follow up x-rays on the 8th of April.  The diuretic seemed to be working minimally, as my condition did not worsen, but did not get much better,

A follow-up echocardiogram was scheduled for August 01.

During the time between my initial diagnosis and today, my mood has elevated, I have returned to my happy purrful self, but today I received notification that I am in heart failure.  This is the progression of my disease.  I weigh 19.11#.  My heart contracted 47% in March and is now at 31%.  The doctors want to increase my Enecard intake and add a third medicine, Pimobendan - which will help my heart contracting since I show signs of decreased systolic (pumping) function in my left ventricle.

Mamma is devastated and disappointed.   She was confident my disease would have stabilized and that the echocardiogram would only reveal good-things.  She is also upset because the vet did not take x-rays yesterday, but asked that I go back today for them ... knowing I have been on a diuretic since March, if the doctors wanted to know if I still had fluid in my lungs, they should have taken the x-rays yesterday!!  Going to the animal hospital is extremely stressful considering how aggressive little girl, Stivali, is with me when I return, as she does not recognize my scent from the doctor and she hisses and is plain mean to me. :(

Mamma told the doctor that she will bring me back for x-rays and more blood work come fall, like October, but the doctor said it should not wait more than 3-4 weeks, if I could not return today for it.

Mamma is beyond upset.  Today is the anniversary of Kismet's passing in 2009.  Remember, "Never put off until tomorrow the hug you can give today."

    Kismet, the King.

You can read about him here: Kismet
 
Me (L) and Kizzy (R)  in Ocala, Florida.                        Kizzy is behind me in this photo taken in Ocala, Florida.


Please pray for me and my mamma during this difficult time, thank you!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Why my name is "Stray Cat".

It was a cold April in Maine, and I kept following behind anyone entering this wonderful smelling bakery/pizzeria espresso bar.  I had been living in the woods for about a year, and was merely trying to seek refuge in a big old barn that had been converted into a business. 
The customers would say to the owner, "Awe, your little kitty wants to come inside!" and the owner would rebuke, "That is not my kitty!".

Although I was awfully scrawny, I was very cute, and very persistent; the owner eventually let me warm up by the pellet stove inside the house attached to the big old barn.

She insisted this was TEMPORARY.  She already had a cat and a dog living there.  But, I instinctively knew this loving woman would be my new mamma, so I made myself very comfortable.

She called a local veterinary office to make an appointment for me to verify cleanliness and health.
When the receptionist asked for my name, mamma answered, "I don’t have a name for him … I do not know if I will keep him… I want to confirm if he is okay…"
"Well, I have to put a name on the schedule," the receptionist insisted.
"Just put ‘Stray Cat’," mamma said with conviction.

Nine years later, I am still "Stray Cat" – many people used to say to mamma, "Ya’ gotta give that cat a name!" but it really stuck – and it suits me very well.

Me and my little sister, Stivali, hanging out today.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

My morning ritual: Wake mamma up five minutes before her alarm, at 5:10am.

Pat-pat-pat her cheek with my paw. Purrpurrpurr meaning, "WAKE UP!".

Cuddle until 5:30.

Then, I follow her into the bathroom and wait for her on the comfy floor mat while she showers, dresses, puts on her make up, brushes her teeth... all the while getting pets on the top of my head each time she passes me ...

Follow her into the kitchen while she makes herself a cup of coffee, and patiently wait for her to be done so she can make me 'n Stivali breakfast. Mmmmm...

Eat breakfast - 7am - and take my two pills (heart pill and diuretic).

Soon after breakfast, I fall back asleep, and my sister, Stivali, stays by my side.

Purr purr purr.

Meaning: happy happy happy.








Sunday, June 19, 2016

Vote for us to be featured in the 2017 Pet Valu calendar! Please! Thank you!

For my entry into the Calendar: http://woobox.com/xrmeic/gallery/A8aK_iD1Gj8 -click link to cast your vote, thank you!

Stivali. my cute little sister, has entered, too.  Check her out here:
http://woobox.com/xrmeic/gallery/vRWdnTAvS0A

Thank you for voting for us!



Sunday, June 12, 2016

My Facebook Profile Has Been Deactivated

My mamma has been on FB for about 8 years.

She created a profile for me a few months ago.

There are lots of animal profile pages out there.

Either someone reported us, or the fact that I gained 400 Facebook friends in such a short time, most of whom I have never even met, caused an alarm to go off somewhere in Facebook land.

If you SEARCH in Facebook, there are other users with the name "Stray Cat" - and they pose as HUMANS. I am a cat, and I wasn't posing as anything other than that - and Stray Cat is my REAL name.

Facebook asked for an authenticity check of my name - I assured them it is a real name - and so, I wait, patiently, for them to reactivate my profile. If it has to be made in to a PAGE rather than a PROFILE, mamma and I are fine with that... but for now, I must get out my writing impulses with my new blog.

Meow!