Merry Christmas

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

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...

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! 

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

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?

Why my mom should not keep the linen closet door open...

I work out.

Cat Yoga...