Dec 30, 2012

Here Comes 2013!

Hope everyone out there had a wonderful holiday season! We did down here in FL, except some cooler weather would have been nice. It did get cool enough on a few days (including today) for us to lite a fire. Which means Smokey was happy, he really loves sitting in his bed next to the Christmas tree, in front of the fire.

As mentioned in our last post, I have my new kitty here. This is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Its great having her here with us, she's just like a shrunken Smokey, but a little watered down. Nimueh has been here for about 3 weeks now, and they are just starting to warm up to one another. Or I guess I should say, Smokey is starting to accept that she is going to be here, like it or not.

 Despite having Nimueh around, Smokey had a good Christmas. Cat nip and cat treats, what else could a cat want for?

I'm also exited to announce I got a new camera for Christmas. It will allow me to take even better pictures of Smokey (and Nimueh), as well as great HD videos. So far I've gotten some great shots of both of them.

Also with New Years only days away, I'm sending out my new years cards and thank you notes for Christmas. I had mine from last year with Smokey, but since there is a new cat in the neighborhood, I had to modify it slightly. Granted it isn't very good, but as a first rough I'm pretty pleased with it.

 These pictures are so special. You can see them beginning to get 'along' or at least Smokey tolerating Nimueh's presence more than he had been. At first they couldn't be in the same room. Here's hoping by my next update I'll have a shot of them together, not just next to one another. Cat introduction can be a long an tedious process. Every cat takes it on in a different way.





Dec 15, 2012

Christmas Season- Part 1

I apologize for the lapse in posts, been having some issues with my Internet connection.


Smokey is doing well, though unfortunately when we returned from our cruise, he came back from the vet with pink eye. While (stupidly) the vet put him on pill antibiotics, it has only come back and is now in both his eyes. Instead of giving the vet more money (as they caused this...), we're trying a home remedy. Apparently apple cider vinegar works really well (the kind with "the mother"- organic). So a few times a day we use a watered down version on his eyes, and straight vinegar on his paws and between his shoulder blades. Crazy as it may sound, it seems to be working. (Update, vinegar did not work, now having to apply gel, Smokey does not like...)

The holidays are upon us and Smokey is prepared (despite not feeling himself...), wearing his festive holiday collar, and enjoying a few nights buy the fire. Sadly the weather down here has not given us many cold nights, but it looks like we may be in store for a few. I hope so!

Even with the joy of the holiday season, I'm sad to say my uncle arrived, but the kitten he was bringing was stolen from his hotel room... We are all very sad about it. (I'm sure Smokey probably is too...) Despite the sadness of her loss, I couldn't bare looking at the kitten collars I had, and the toys and bed... So I searched for kittens needing adoption, and found one I just had to get. She is somewhere between 1-3 years old, quite tiny compared to Smokey, but looks so much like him. She is a polydactyl (front only), Russian blue/British short hair mix. I haven't come up with a name yet for her however, I'll take suggestions. 

While I've bonded with her the moment I saw her, her big brother Smokey hasn't taken to her just yet. We also have to keep them apart as I can't risk her getting pink eye as well. All I want for Christmas is my two babies to get along and Smokey's health to improve.



Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!
Please see links below for stocking and sweater patterns, as well as where the collars were purchased.
Anyone interested in the modified 5-toed stocking, please let me know, I'm happy to provide instructions.

Stocking: http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/cat-paws-christmas-stocking
Sweater: http://diymaven.com/2009/09/09/crochet-a-candy-corn-pet-sweater/
Collars: 
(Smokey's)- https://www.etsy.com/transaction/101374779
(New kitty's)- https://www.etsy.com/transaction/101374904