Last week of January 2021

The last week of January always gives us great pause.

It brings to us a heavy heart as we are reminded that another year has passed without our beloved Stray Cat. 

We honored him last year at the two year mark: Two Years

We honored him the year before, at the one year mark: One Year

And here we are, at year three, and it seems still so incredibly sad. There is a huge part of our hearts that wants to not remember, to not recognize the anniversary, to just eat ice cream, and take a walk and not talk about it.

Last week of January. 

The month went fast. The year before went slow.  

If you pray, please say a pray for our friend, Michele, who on the anniversary of Stray's passing, we also recognize and honor the loss of her sweet Myles.

To make a donation in honor of Myles, please do so here: https://www.kidsandcars.org/
Thank you.

Hug your loved ones tight. 

Purr & Paw,

-Stivali. 🐾

Our belief in brightness is what guides us through the darkness. - Sunta. 

Two Years

At 4:45pm today, it will officially be two years since Stray Cat tragically passed away.

Mamma marked one year in this blog post.

This year, she is letting me do the writing.

On (what turned out to be) Stray Cat's last day, I kept him company in the sun room while mamma was at work. She came home early to finish her work day from home. We followed her into the dining room, and stayed with her while she worked. My big brother's breathing was labored, and mamma got very concerned that he had too much fluid on his lungs.

She took him to the animal hospital for another chest-tap so they could remove that fluid in hopes he would feel better. She seemed a bit frantic, and very sad. She reassured me they would both be home soon.

Two hours later mamma returned with Stray's empty carrier. She was sobbing so hard I did not know what to do to help her.

Since that day, Stray Cat has never returned home. I felt depressed that Stray Cat wasn't home anymore, and I did not really understand why - but the answers to all of my questions were not as important as making sure mamma got up in the morning and to not leave her alone when she would cry. Naturally, I did my best to give mamma more affection, and pay more attention to her needs.

I did not know what to make of all of this. I still don't. The emptiness we both still feel and the new silence that is ever so present in our home because of Stray Cat's absence.

Stray was a good big brother to me. As soon as I arrived, he treated me like a baby sister and took me under his paw and showed me the ropes of life in Florida.

Today is a solemn day.

January 26 will always be for us. Eight years prior to Stray Cat passing on this date, Myles crossed over into heaven. Our only solace is that they are together with Jesus, playing, having fun, and just waiting to see us all again.

To make a donation in honor of Myles, please do so here: https://www.kidsandcars.org/
Thank you.

Hug your loved ones, Readers, hug them often.
-Stivali. 🐾

What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us. -Helen Keller.

The truth about cats

Stivali here.

I am usually too busy sleeping most of the day to be bothered to write this blog, so sometimes my mamma does it. Plus, I really don't want to write about how much I love my new little brother (even if I do). I was here first and let me just say, he is absolutely nothing like my big brother, Stray Cat. Stray Cat was a total mush, and very loving. He never tried to attack me the way Pasqua does. *Sigh

I also really miss how I could snuggle up against Stray Cat. Pasqua only snuggles with mamma. Which usually means, I only snuggle with mamma at bed time because Pasqua stays at her feet.  This is becoming quite the habit here at night. Pasqua at her feet, and me, happily, by her head. It is getting colder where we live, and she is not putting the heat on yet. The past two nights I slept right beside her instead of an arm's length away. I know she is very happy about that. I only do it to get warm. She really needs to put the heat on so I don't have to be so close. 😹

I look like a majestic supermodel here.🐱

Pasqua looks a bit tubby here.😺

We had a good week. Sleeping. Waiting for Grigio. Eating. Playing. Sleeping. Eating. Playing. Waiting for Grigio. 

Mamma even went to a street fair and brought us back a new toy. One shaped like a bird, but we are not fools. We know it is a toy and not real. We see real birds every day from the windows and they are too quick for us to catch - considering, ummmm, ma doesn't let us out. 😿

Did you ever wonder why cats sleep so much? If you want to read this article our mamma read to us - it is very enlightening: Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?  Apparently, one of the reasons is to conserve energy between meals. And man, do we like to eat! Speaking of eating, I am starting to feel irritated by how much we feed Grigio our food. It is OUR FOOD. Now we have asked our mother to stop with the insanity and buy specific food for Grigio so he is not eating OUR FOOD. I hope she listens to us. This is important. I am not good at sharing food. It seems very unfair to us.😿

The article also mentions that sleeping is critical for our ability to regenerate itself and stay healthy. That is enough information for me to know that I have written enough today, and it is time to fall in to a deep sleep, and have some good cat dreams!

Nap Well, Readers!

Purr & Paw, 🐾
-Stivali.

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true. Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops, high above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me. Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can't I? If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh why can't I?- Yip Harburg.

Happy August

Happy August, Readers,

August is one of our favorite months around here. We celebrate mamma all month long since she was born on the very last day of the month!

Also in August, we celebrate our friends: Jeff, Corinne, Ryan, Lisa Marie, Dan, Elaine, Bob, Peter, and our cousin, Michaella. :) If you were born in August - we also celebrate YOU! 🎂
Happy Birthday, Everyone!

We also honor mamma's orange tabby, Kismet, and her German Shepherd, Zoe, who both passed away in August of 2009. Pasqua and I never met either of them but mamma often speaks about them and shares stories of all the funny things they did when they were with her on earth. ❤

This week, I began waking mamma up before her alarm and would ask for cuddles. This makes her very happy, and I hope it reminds her of Kismet and Stray Cat - her two sweet boys who used to offer morning cuddles often.

Did you know that originally, August was called Sextilis? Before January and February were added to the Roman Calendar, August was the sixth month of the year, hence its original name. But when it became the eighth month of the year, it was later renamed in honor of the first emperor of Rome, Caesar Augustus, to Augustus. Isn't that interesting to know?

Most nights this week our Grigio (grey kitty) has come to the door for food but still won't let mamma approach. We are hopeful he will learn to trust us soon.

Yes, Pasqua named the feral kitten the same name as his favorite toy - the grey mouse. He insisted on naming the kitten "Grey" too.😍

No blog post is complete without pictures of us from this week:

We are very happy kitties indeed, not to mention utterly adorable, too.

Enjoy your week, Everyone!

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali.

August - it's like the Sunday of summer. 

Is Stray Cat bringing us a friend?

About one month ago, Mamma saw what she thought was a stray cat in our yard.

So, she built the kitty an outdoor shelter since we were getting so much rain, and began putting food out for him.

Weeks went by, and we never did see this white and grey kitty again.

One night, when my sister and I were hanging out in our sunroom, a different kitty appeared at our door. We were surprised and alerted Mamma.

A beautiful grey kitty with big green eyes. He was quite thin and looked like he was living outdoors in our woods. Mamma fetched him some fresh water and some of our crunchy cereal. When she went outside to bring it to him, the grey kitty ran away. She called for him but he did not return. We were sad.

When Stray Cat first passed away, we knew we would never truly recover from the tragic loss. Mamma found comfort in her belief that when Stray Cat was ready, he would bring her a different stray to her... That was her immediate thought when she saw the white and grey cat hanging out in our yard. That Stray Cat finally brought us a friend.

So, then, who is this?

Nearly nightly, this little grey kitty has come to our sunroom door asking for food. He does not let Mamma approach him, and runs away when she goes out side with his food, but he returns to eat it.

Isn't he beautiful?

We are elated to be helping this little grey kitty, and we are determining what to do next. Will he let us take him in? Will we have the opportunity to bring him to our doctor to be checked? Will he want to join our family?

Stay tuned! There are exciting things happening here.

😻🙋😻
Purr & Paw,
-Stivali.

"Cats choose us, we don't choose them." - Kristin F Cast.

Happier than gelato!

How was everyone's weekend? We had a blast. We are truly enjoying becoming friends. Even if I get irritated with the little guy, things are pretty good.

Mamma's friend said that we make her happier than gelato... and you know what? I think we do. 😼😼

The latest news about the bathroom sink is... Pasqua is stepping over the boundary here. Ummm, Kitten, I like to drink from the tap, not sit in the sink... He is not a very good student to my teachings.

On Easter Sunday, mamma attempted to do an Easter photo session to commemorate our first Easter with our Easter kitty... they were a total fail. The best of the worst:  

Mamma is gonna have to order this Pasqua solo-photo as next year's Easter card -and right quick, otherwise, she may forget to do it next year. How adorable is this? Buona Pasqua from Pasqua! 

And alas, sleeping is still one of our favorite things to do. Take note of me here. Adorable, as per usual:

Of course, we cannot forget what this month also represents to us. The day mamma first took in little Stray Cat all the way back in 2007. He was a little wee one as you may have noticed in the previous blog post.  After hanging around outside for awhile, she finally let him in on April 24th. About a week later, he had his first vet appointment and the doctor assessed he was about eight months to one year old. So we just celebrate all month long as Stray Cat's gotcha-day and pseudo "birth" day. 

I think of him every day, and I know mamma does, too. I don't know if Pasqua and I will ever be how Stray Cat and I were, but I am willing to try to be nicer in honor of Stray. He was a terrific big brother. We were very close and got along beautifully.

If you have two or more cats and feel like you are dealing with some sibling rivalry, check out this great article from our friends at Catser which shares tips on how to handle it: Cat behavior - do cats get jealous?

Enjoy your last week of April, Dear Readers.

Purr & Paw,
-Stivali.

April is here!

Happy April, Readers,

April is the month we celebrate Stray Cat!
But we also have a lot of friends who celebrate their birthday in April. Maybe you are one of them!
Happy Birthday Month to you!

A lot has been happening here - highlights in photos!

We now share a sink! 

Pasqua Scheggiare is getting HUGE! 

He also likes to sleep. A lot.

Mamma bought us a new HUGE toy!

And I am still adorable AS EVER!

April is a month of transition - what are you transitioning to?
Are you cleaning your home, transitioning from clutter to organized by getting rid old things you no longer need? Transitioning to a new beginning? Transitioning your employment?

We are transitioning from "Dealing with each other" to "Loving one another" - and I am not yet willing to admit I am happy and grateful. 😉

Here is a cute video of Pasqua https://youtu.be/tv8kqsynGNQ kneading his blanket. ❤ I think I love him (shhhhhhh... don't tell mamma!).

Happy April, Readers, remember those around you may be transforming and adjusting this spring, too, so be gentle - be patient - and be nice to the other humans you see from day-to-day.

Purr & Paw,
Stivali.

Loved. Treasured. Valued.

We kitties are loved.
Mamma feeds us and pets us and keeps us in a warm home when it is snowing outside and COLD.
We are blessed.

We both like this weird window chair.

 

Happy Valentine's Day, Dear Readers.

Here's the link to Stray Cat's old post about Valentine's Day. We did not know it would be our last with him when he wrote it.

This year, we are focusing on our FIRST Valentine's Day with little Pasqua. Just one of many firsts we will share this year.

“There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved.” – George Sand.


Don't forget to hug your loved ones tightly! Tomorrow is not guaranteed. 
Purr & Paw,


-Stivali.