Happy March

Today is a beautiful day in March.

As you may recall, I lost my balcony privileges a while ago.

Today is a beautiful day in March.

My mamma goes outside, to take out the garbage, to leave for a Starbucks, to check the mail, to check the weather… and on a beautiful day in March like today, why can’t I join her?

My sister, Stivali, sits by the window, soaking in the sun, all the while, not having the desire in her heart that I do. I want out. I want to get outside. I want to be out. To feel the wind on my face, the grass on my paws, the cool air on my fur, and the warm sun on my back.

Today is a beautiful day in March.

Maybe you got to go out there and experience it for yourself.  Maybe, just maybe, I will, too.

All day long, I have sat by the screen door in hopes that I could will it open, or sneak out behind my mother…

Sigh... the life of an indoor Maine Coon.

When a mouse toy is murdered.

When I woke up, I was surprised to find a toy I have had my entire life murdered on the floor.
Broken hearted, I tried to play with it to see if there was any "life" left in its fabric and stuffing.  I did not understand how this could happen... did I not protect my mouse well enough? :(



Before my sadness could be lifted, the culprit arrived at the scene of the crime: 

My sister, Stivali, showed no sign of remorse. This mouse was part of our toy family prior to Stivali's homecoming, so she did not have the same type of loyalty and commitment to her, I guess.

Sadness.

What I think of Valentine's Day.

Sweet Puffball Pose 01

Most men enjoy boudoir photos from their companion on Valentine's Day... or any day, really.  Here are my best attempts.  It is not every day you see such seductive photos of a male cat. Am I wrong?

My newest and most beloved nic-name came today from one of my favorite humans, Cheryl: "Sweet Puffball".  

These photos are lovingly named the same.

Sweet Puffball Pose 02

My personal favorite - a pose no feline could resist! 

I really don't have much affection for the day of Valentine's.  My mamma and sister love on me all year long, we don't need a special day to be loving.

I will mention that the actual saint is Italian, like mamma.  He was a martyr who died on February 14. He is the patron saint of engaged couples, married couples, and love.

For those who celebrate today - celebrate love.  For those who feel lonely today - may I suggest rescuing a shelter animal to give your heart to?  They will give you love like no other in return.

Happy Valentine's Day, Readers.  May peace and love be with you today, and always. 

What does a groundhog know that a Maine Coon doesn't?

This week, we celebrated "Groundhog Day" - a tradition that came to Pennsylvania, America via German settlers in the late 1800's.

I do not understand this. If you look at a Maine Coon, we too, can predict how long the winter will be. I have stated many times before, that you don't need a groundhog to predict weather, just pet a Maine Coon - like me.

My paw print on the balcony.

I can tell you how much longer winter will be by the fluff of my tail and the thickness of my coat.

Two local groundhogs gave two different predictions: Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day predicted 6 more weeks of winter as he saw his shadow. Staten Island Chuck did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring. According to his zookeeper, Chuck's record has been 80 percent correct.

I stand by Staten Island Chuck's prediction and declare with the fluff of my tail and the thickness of my coat that we will have an early spring this year.

Let's see what happens next...

Waiting for spring! 

How am I?

It has been nearly 10 months since diagnosed with a fatal heart condition.

I have been diligently taking medicine - three different kinds - twice a day.
I started coughing around Christmas, more than normal.
Mamma started documenting in my illness-journal how often.  Each time I would cough, she could not tell if I was coughing up a hair ball or having an asthma attack, so, she decided to contact my doctor.

Yesterday, I went to have an x-ray done.

I have fluid on my lungs, so I have to take a larger dose of one of my pills each day.  ☹ The doctor does not think I have asthma, but I would need an echo-cardiogram to be sure.  The doctor does think I may have something going on with my GI tract, so I am going to take Pepcid AC once a day for a couple of weeks to see if my symptoms go away.

Please pray for me.

My sister, Stivali, is always so very mean to me when I return from the vet.  She hisses at me and scratches at me.  Mamma researched preventative measures so that this would not happen - and tried three of the suggestions - which all failed, sadly.  So, I keep hiding to avoid Stivali.

Interesting fun fact learned at the vet - - - If I was human, I would be considered a 52-56 year old overweight male with congestive heart failure.

Hmmm...

Thank you, Readers, for your continued prayers.

My first YouTube appearance!

Stray Cat & Stivali

The Law of Increasing Returns

My mamma believes however much you love, you will be loved much more. 

Her three favorite words are: REACH, DREAM, LOVE

She is a dreamer, indeed, always reaching, and definitely loves. 

She believes that if you welcome people into your life, your life becomes richer. That seems to me to only make sense if the people are of value to enrich your life, rather than those who deplete your energy. 
There are plenty of those people around.

She was hurt really badly in her past, and developed a hard core, and built high walls around her for self protection. She became hard and calloused on the inside.  Yet, no matter what her past experience is, or what her present feelings are, she is STILL compassionate toward others. 

It is truly amazing to me how many people have been hurt badly in their past – so much so that they develop a hard core and build up those high walls.  I bet a lot of people are like mamma, but they develop such a hardness and callousness within them that they cannot even feel anything, nor are they able to be sensitive to others needs. I see that mamma is more sensitive to the feelings and needs of others and less sensitive to her own feelings and needs. She taught me, so I learned, and am still learning that any kind of personality, no matter how hurt or hurting, can be presented and projected in a kind, gentle way.  What mamma tries to impart in others, is not hardness (even if it is still deep within her), but understanding.  

Hurting people hurt people, but love can heal and change them. I like to believe I have helped soften my mamma on the inside.  I love my mamma very very much, and she loves me much much more - and that is the law of increasing returns.