Longest TimeOut Ever!

That's what my granddaughter Hope called it when Siren and Isadora were restricted to "their room".

Whenever there are a lot of people in the house or if the doors are opened and closed often it's safer for the cats to be contained. Siren is anxious about everything and Isadora brings a whole new meaning to curiosity.

During Hurricane Sandy they spent more time in there than usual since it was dark and there were generator cords everywhere.

Hope was concerned. They would paw at the door and cry to her. She sang to them and told them stories.

She would mumble as I passed - "this is the longest timeout ever!"

The screen door was originally installed when Siren came to us with all his wild aggressive behavior. It's a great way to keep animals restricted to an area while allowing them to feel part of the scene.

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Ready for His Close-Up

Psst ...

Come closer ....

It's me, Isadora.
Everyone knows I'm the friendly one but lately Siren has been mushy. He hasn't been feeling great, nothing serious, just some stuff that needs a new diet and some medicine.

When Mom person brought out the camera he actually cooperated.

I am helping Siren feel better by eating giant heaps of his very expensive special food with him. Now Mom doesn't have to ever use her PetSmart coupons again, she can just drive all the way to the vet and use her plastic thingie.

See how things work out!!

Macro Monday

Cats on Tuesday

Isadora Is Three

My sweet and loony girl Isadora celebrated her third birthday this past Thursday.

Here are a few shots from the past year ...

She was still hiding a lot as her 3rd year began

But curiosity did draw her out more and more

She got cozier and cozier

Siren was still not so pleased

Isadora learns to speak up for herself

Sometimes she even starts the trouble

One of my favorite things about Iza is how she thinks we can't see her if she can't see us

Cuddling is still in the future but Siren and Isadora will calmly share the same space

Siren will even turn his back or maybe he's just saying kiss my butt

Earlier this year Isadora had surgery to remove all her teeth from the canines on back

This was in response to an autoimmune disease that created severe gum inflammation

I'm so pleased that she's healthy and happy

A lot of people celebrate the gotcha day of their adopted family members but I prefer to calculate when they were probably born and then chose a date that has some meaning

I chose August 4 for Isadora because it is the President's birthday

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Isadora and the Incident

mid week blues is right below

This week's ABC Wednesday is I


A crash came from the bedroom and then the pitter patter of 4 little feet.

Isadora - Iza - Queen of Chaos had struck again ...

As I got the camera I asked her what she had done ...

Of course I forgave her.

Deep Thoughts In The Shadows

Thanks everyone for the get better wishes, they are much appreciated. I am having one hell of a time kicking this bug. I read that the flu is widespread in NY right now but I'm in NJ. I guess once a NYer always a NYer.

Christmas Day was Siren's 9th Birthday. He spent some time in his cozy spot pondering the meaning of life. He promises to let me know when he has it all figured out.

SHADOW SHOTS

Mid Week Blues: Cats Will Be Kids

Isadora got to the toys first so Siren needs to decide his next move. They stared at each other for a very long time. Then they both left.



MID WEEK BLUES

Shadow Shots: Catty Behavior

The sun filters in through the blinds as Siren messes around with Mia's toys. Mia sits in her "house" and ignores him. I love the expression on her face.

Siren will only dare go near Mia's stuff is she's inside her house. Otherwise one hiss from her sends him running. This is especially funny since Mia is half Siren's size and many years older than him.

Girls rule!



SHADOW SHOTS

Camera Critters: Isn't It Ironic

Apparently my life dance of 1 step forward, 2 steps back applies to my cats as well.

Siren has been with me since he was a few months old - 6 years now . When he came here he terrorized sweet old JR to the point that I had to keep them separated - if Siren was around JR wouldn't eat and would often vomit from sheer fear.

When JR passed I waited a bit to adopt another, looking for the best possible sibling for Siren.

Along came Mia. The shelter was so full that she was living in a barn and I was told she ruled the tomcats. They followed her and never messed with her.

And that is true ... Although Mia is half Siren's size and several years older she is the boss. All it takes is a look and a hiss and Siren takes off.

It's been over a year and Siren wants to be friends. Mia is not interested.



"I'm playing here Siren, come any closer and you'll be sorry"



"I just want to hang with you. Most of those toys are mine, you don't see me being nasty and selfish"

Until last week this has been as close as they get and they don't stay that way for more than a few moments. Siren makes a move, Mia hisses, Siren leaves.

But then, one magical morning last week, I came upon this ...



Now Mia is deaf and Siren is stealthy so I assumed he got up there while she slept and it would only be a matter of time before hissing would ensue and hair would fly.

I was wrong ...



"Hey! Mom-Person!! She's awake and looking at me and I'm still alive, how cool is this? She likes me, she really likes me."

And they stayed there together for hours ...



I would like to direct your attention to their blankie. It is from the Martha Stewart Nursery Collection, part of the nursery rhymes motif.

We may be savages but we know decor.

Where's the irony?

Well Mia got sick a few days later (I wrote about it on the other blog) and when she returned from the vet Siren couldn't bear her "vet smell" and immediately went back to skulking mode. Mia is so out of sorts that she hisses even when Siren is in another room.

Oh well ... tomorrow is another day.

Go to CAMERA CRITTERS to read about more critters, most of whom are not nearly as nuts as we are.

Camera Critters: Honest Scrap From Mia and Siren

My friend Lisa of VILLAS GIRL PHOTOS and her merry band of furkids gave Mia and Siren the Honest Scrap Award.



As part of accepting the award Mia and Siren need to post 10 honest things about themselves. Of course they got into an argument about who should post but I stepped in and told them they had to share the spotlight. Treats were offered and they agreed.

1> As hard as our person tried to introduce us to each other we really do not want to be friends



2> We both really hate being groomed. She tries everything. These groomer gloves are cozy and delicious but no way will we sit still for grooming. Hair was meant to be swallowed and thrown up, preferably into shoes and on carpets.




3> Siren – “When that other cat first got here I will admit I was curious. I swear I wasn’t going to do anything to her if I had managed to get that door open.”



4> Mia – “I love how nervous I make that punk. Look at him! Peeking out at me. I rule the hallway.”



5> Siren – “Oh please! She needs to get over herself. Talk to the tail. I’m not afraid of you, I’m just annoyed that you exist.”



6> Mia – “It’s hard to admit I’m a bit arthritic. The person put this box here to make it easier for me. I never did say thanks; at first I wouldn’t even use it.”



But …

“I really do appreciate it. And she never even said anything about how I scratched the bed frame and tore up the bedspread.”



7> Siren – “Sometime when I get a feel for the old days on the streets I get a little wild, aggressive even …



… the person put a screen door in the spare room for me so I can have a comfy time-out.”



8> Early in the morning when the person is in the shower we get together to plan the day. Thank goodness the person doesn’t know about this – she’d be there with that camera of hers.



9> We don’t do laps. We know that bothers the person. She’s such a hugger and cuddler. Sometimes we sit close, very close. It’s our way.



10> Wow! Blogging is harder than we thought. So much to share. It left us dizzy …



… and exhausted.



Thank You Lisa and Lovey and Mr. Handsome and Pretty Girl.

And don’t forget to check out all the CAMERA CRITTERS

Camera Critters: Mia's Birthday

Mia turns 9 today. She joined the family a year ago this month.

This is the photo the rescue site sent me. They told me she never left her bed except to use the litter. She wasn't eating much either. I love her heart shaped nose. Perfect for a Valentine birthday



It wasn't much different when she got here. She had a respiatory infection and her eyes were infected. She spent the first few days trying to disappear into the sofa cushions.




Even when she did venture off the sofa she immediately found a hiding spot



Given that she was so tiny and weak I wanted her to be as comfy as possible so I moved her food and litter into my bedroom. She immediately took over and demanded purple towels to sleep on



During this time I kept her apart from Siren. I slowly introduced them in a safe and calm manner



Over time they have come to tolerate each other. I'm still hoping for some love between them but that's really up to them. Cats have a pace all their own. At least we don't need the cage anymore



She also moves around a lot more.

She spent days walking in and out of her new bed deciding if it worked for her



Eventually she decided she liked to come down to the basement office and inspect the work I was doing



She is more concerned about her appearance now that she feels better and allows me to brush her - as long as I use her favorite glove and move very, very quickly



And then she settles back in - to a place where she knows she is safe and loved



Happy Birthday Mia!

To meet more wonderful animals visit CAMERA CRITTERS

And please visit THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE. A click each day helps many homeless animals. It's all Mia wants for her birthday.