Purrrrrrrrfect Patter

Remembering Dougal

2011-09-11T07:54:00.002-04:00

Remembering Dougal on his birthday. You would have been 10 years old today. We miss you.

Thank you sweetie

2011-02-15T06:55:00.000-05:00

You are still much on our minds, sweetie. Thank you for the Valentines Day card. Your spirit is still very strong in our hearts.

There are some new Kittenz in town

2010-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

http://tigerlilyandjeanluc.blogspot.com/

2010-10-18T06:47:00.002-04:00

still missing you . . .
Saw a neighborhood black cat yesterday--and he wouldn't come say hi--just cruised through the autumn leaves.

we miss you Dougal

2010-07-30T08:21:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was a sad anniversary. One year since you left us. And also Dad's birthday. He misses you so much, Dougal . . . but we feel so very grateful that you came to us, chose us, when you did. You were needed. You blessed us.

We will always love you.

2010-07-22T07:14:00.002-04:00

Thinking of you this morning.

I miss you.

I think of you often.

2009-09-17T17:41:00.002-04:00

I miss you Dougal.

Dad got you a beautiful birthday card for your 9/11 birthday.
And we toasted you. We still miss, you. Very much.

With much love,
Mom

I have been lucky

2009-07-29T06:35:00.004-04:00

I have been doing poorly lately.

On Monday, Mom took me to see Dr. VanHeusan. He did more blood work up and took some x-rays. He was very nice and gentle.

The blood work up looked better than a month ago.

The x-rays did not.

Mom and Dad made an appointment for Tuesday to go see Dr. Becker, who is a specialist. They another exam and reviewed the x-rays. Dr. Becker also found a lump on my leg.

Mom and Dad left me with Dr. Becker at the hospital. They put an IV in to help me rehydrate. And they did some xrays of my leg and TWICE took cells from the lump in my leg to examine under the microscope. Dr. Becker felt that whatever the leg lump stuff was, could most likely be what's in my lungs and around my heart.

After they examined the cells--Dr. Becker called mom.

It is cancer.

Mom and Dad are picking me up from the hospital today.

Today is Dad's birthday and I want to be there for him. I love him very much. And I know he loves me.

This is going to be hard. Kitty cancer (as Jon noted) is not something that the universe should allow . . . yet there are lots of things in the universe that aren't fair.

I'm only 7 . . . almost 8 years old. And that may seem too young for cancer and too young to deal with all this heavy stuff.

But I know that it's also 7, almost 8 years I almost didn't have. My mom died in a housefire, trying to rescue me and my siblings. I was so very young--nearly newborn, that I don't remember her. I know of her from what the Vet's office and my new mom and dad have told me.

I was lucky to be rescued by the firemen.

I was lucky that one of the fireman's moms worked at a vet clinic and she was able to nurse me to health, feeding me with an eye dropper.

I was lucky to pick my new mom and dad when they were in the waiting room, worried about Chester.

I was lucky to live in this home . . . with Tiger and Chester as brothers. With Jon and Jim as brothers. I was lucky to have mom--who babies me and helps me blog . . .

I was lucky to have my dad, whom I love so very much.

We could be there for each other over the years.

I know that you're going to miss me dad.

I'm so sorry that it's going to hurt for awhile.

Dr. Pillow says it will be like a hole in your heart--something missing that will always be missing. I'm sorry for that.

But I don't regret loving you or being loved.

I know that you have done everything anyone could do to make me happy, healthy, loved and cared for.

While I am not gone yet . . . I think this will be my last blog. Unless a miracle happens (which becomes more and more of a long shot every day) there really isn't a lot more to say.

I love you all.

I am sorry to make you sad, yet if you didn't feel sad, then it wouldn't be love. I wouldn't be remembered.

When the sadness eases a bit. . . . remember me for what I am and always was . . . the best cat in the world.

We have had some really good times.

Remember those when you think of me.

2009-07-26T07:01:00.002-04:00

I hear NPR reporting the news.
I hear a train whistle and the rhythmic thump of the cars on the track--it's over a mile away, yet I can hear it so clearly this morning.
I hear the coffee pot brewing the Starbucks Italian Roast.
I hear Chester reminding mom it's be hours since he last ate.
I hear birds--some Robins I think
I hear a cicada--lonely cicada
I hear NPR now starting a new show . . . music transition . . . "Speaking of Faith" . .. .
I hear the tapping of the lap top.
I hear

mom

say

get

OFF

the

counter.

Can't a cat have a little butter in the morning?
Jeezeopete

Mom cleaned the garage out this morning

2009-07-24T11:19:00.002-04:00

She's all dirty and sweaty.

We are not friends when you're icky, mom.

Come see me when you've had a shower and cleaned up.

I'll just take a nap on the laptop while you're goneoi;iiiiiiiimkimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmoi'ppommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Inquiring kittens own it all

2009-07-23T05:43:00.002-04:00

Investigating today.

Dad made some comment last night that he was pleased to see me demonstrate some curiousity again.

Well . . . yeah.

I've always been curious. Just didn't feel like doing anything about it for awhile.

Feeling better now. So . . . .

What is this?

Why is it over here?

It smells . . . kind of nice.

It's mine now.

Oh . . . what's this over here?

It's kind of . . .. .well, no matter, it's mine too.

Hey! don't touch that!! I believe that's mine as well!

names to keep in the file

2009-07-22T06:08:00.002-04:00

Watched TV with Mom and Dad last night. It was a biography of Walter Cronkite . . .Walter.

Hey Jon, and Jim--Walt would be a good name for a nephew. Walt Disney ...WalterCronkite--very creative, trusted name.

Or how about Bond? James Bond? I've always liked that name too.

Just sayin' . . . . . . . .

WHERE are the Sardines?

2009-07-21T06:05:00.003-04:00

Feeling much better this morning. The hunger strike is over.

I could only hold out for SO long . . . mom was pulling out all the stops. Pancakes, sour cream, ice cream, cottage cheese, IAMS, 9Lives, Disney Aristocrats--Appeteasers, cat treats, crackers, tuna on toast. . . .

but you know what? . . . . .no sardines . . . .

What is up with that?

She must have forgotten there are 2 tins up in the cupboard.

2009-07-17T06:30:00.002-04:00

Dad's home!

and now he's off to work again. . . .

I'm at a loss . . . he's supposed to be HERE. Holding me.

He seems to think that I can nap on his PJs and that will feel like he's holding me. These pjs. Here. Right here. I mean . . . . well . . .yes . . .they are comfy.

And oh . . . it does feel good to settle in . . . kind of curl up in a little kitty nest of comfort . . .

But it isn't the same . . . azzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

~~ssshhhhhhh~~

Cat napping

2009-07-15T06:56:00.002-04:00

No more pills.
The pills have run out.

FINALLY

~~sigh~~

Just need a few more day sof delicious napping and I'm sure I'll be fine.

2009-07-14T06:18:00.002-04:00

I don't feel like dancing yet, but I am feeling better.
Thanks for all the good wishes from friends and family.
I'm sorry I worried you.
I really didn't like being sick.
There's just no energy for pranks or kitten hijynx.
Mostly I've just wanted to lay around in the sunshine.

Low energy.
Sleepy.
But putting weight on.

It's seriously hard to be finicky when Mom and Dad will try ANYTHING to get me to eat.

2009-07-13T18:03:00.002-04:00

Dear Dad,

I have been very good today.

Love love love
Dougal

PS
You left your PJs on the floor.
MINE NOW!

thanks

2009-07-12T06:33:00.002-04:00

Dear Dad,

I promise to eat.
I promise to drink.
I promise to get better.

Please don't worry about me.
I've just been feeling a bit out of sorts. It's this bald belly thing. It is such a bummer.

PLEASE DON'T TAKE ME BACK TO THE DOCTOR!
I don't know WHAT he'd shave next, and I don't WANT to know!!!!

Love love love
dougal

Sockington's been found

2009-07-11T12:01:00.000-04:00

Whew!
Phew!
Mew!

So relieved

OH NO!

2009-07-11T08:15:00.000-04:00

RT @sockingtonHELP - SOCKINGTON IS MISSING :( http://bit.ly/OSe8d

2009-07-10T12:38:00.000-04:00

licklicklicklicklicklicklicklick
love your new pedicure mom
licklicklicklicklicklicklicklick

Plans for today

2009-07-09T05:46:00.002-04:00

1. Cruise the counter tops while mom's not looking. SCORE butter dish! SCORE peanut butter spoon!
2. Call for Dad. Randomly. room to room . Until he wakes up.
3. Cuddle in Dad's lap and nap.
4. Make pathetic mewing noises if Dad trys to dump me from his lap.
5. Consider sunbathing--however, the sun's rays are . . . odd on my bald belly. Mom says I need sunscreen.
6. Talk dad into taking me outside to nap on the hammock.
7. Whisper movie ideas to Dad while he thinks I'm sleeping, so we can watch Cat From Outer Space.
8. Check out mom's coffee . .. is that cream? Ugh! skim milk. So not worth the effort. . . oh . . . sorry for sneezing in your coffee . . . you got a problem with that?
9. Draw pictures of Dad's new car so he can put them on the refrigerator
10. Prepare for rematch with Chester for a marathon game of Risk. I SHALL rule the world. Especially if you stop cheating!

raison d etre

2009-07-06T20:22:00.002-04:00

The reason I won't eat the tinned mice.

1. YOU are having smoked trout.
2. I get more attention when I appear finicky.
3. My tummy bothers me. When I lean down to eat out of the dish, my bare belly touches the cold floor. ICK!

The reason you need to love me more.
1. I am (cough cough) so delicate.
2. I am handsome.
3. I am dangerous!

What?

2009-07-05T08:40:00.001-04:00

You talkin to me?

KFC?

2009-07-03T22:41:00.001-04:00

You and me dad
You and me
We're best buds
Remember?

Weekend planning

2009-07-03T05:51:00.001-04:00

Reading the paper this morning.
Goodness? It's almost Independence Day.

Dad and I need to take a drive to Ohio. I'm all out of bottle rockets!

Tummy report--no hair . . . still . . . no hair

2009-07-02T06:18:00.002-04:00

Mom says she knows I'm not 100% yet.
Apparently she expects me to spit pills out if I feel healthy.

Takes too much effort.
And then she catches me again and we go through the whole process over and over until I swallow the pill.

Whatever.

Considering a long game of Risk this afternoon. Trouble is . . . Chester cheats. Or rather, Chester cheats better than I do.

Woggly Wednesday

2009-07-01T19:34:00.001-04:00

Still not feeling perky.
Rainy and cold out.
Just want to snuggle up with Mom.
~~heavy contented sigh~~

It's so hard to be warm when your belly is bare.

2009-06-30T18:27:00.001-04:00

Chilly this afternoon.
Mom noticed I was having trouble keeping warm without my fur coat.
She got the heating pad out and put it under the afghan for me to sleep on.

Ohhhhhhhhh yessssssssssssssssssssss
This is nice.

Sing Songs to Dougal

2009-06-30T06:17:00.003-04:00

Dad says I have a song.
He even sings it with all the words.
I know the song.
Mom doesn't know the song. She sings a different one to me.
I think Dad made up the song.

I should have more songs sung about me
Let's all sing songs to praise the black cat so handsome and beautiful . . . well USUALLY handsome and beautiful.

Hair grows really really slowly.
You might not realize that . . . but when you're bald and you're waiting for it to come back.

It is really really really really slow.

2009-06-29T18:46:00.000-04:00

In the meadow we can build a snowman.

Just sayin' . . . . .

Movie Time

2009-06-28T07:25:00.002-04:00

So mom and dad went to see Star Trek.
And there was this ship
And it was in space
And a bad guy went blam blam blam
And they blew up
And a baby was born
And he nearly drove off a cliff
And he hit on a girl
And he got hit
And he went to school
And . . . can I have some more popcorn please . . . thanks
And he kissed a GREEN GIRL! ewwwwwwwwwwwwww
And he cheated
And they took the kids into space
And he got left behind
And he was sick
And he got on the ship
And the doctor gave him shots
And he yelled
And he got dumped
And he yelled again
And there was this icky beast
And I closed my eyes
And then there was an old Spock
And then there was a young Spock
And there was a fight
And Spock stepped down and the kid took control of the ship
And there was warp drive
And Scotty was there
And Chekov
And Sulu
And Ohura
And a red shirt
And the red shirt died
And there were physic anomalies
And there were explosions
And . .. . . gak . .. gak . . . chuf chuf chuf . . . sorry . . . popcorn stuck in my throat
Dude . .. . turn your cell phone off. We're watching a movie here!
And there were more explosions
And there were fights
And there were more explosions
And he hangs from a cliff again
And then he rescues the old guy
And then Spock meets Spock
There isn't a timeline paradox . . . huh . . . that's odd
And then there are gratuitious shots of the cast . . . all together.
And the music swells
And hey . . . I recognize THAT music.

Then it was time for fish at Kruse and Muir.
I love fish. and crab. and bread. and ice cream. . . . . .

Saturday morning

2009-06-27T08:58:00.003-04:00

Watcha doing?

Can I help?

I've turned the corner

2009-06-26T06:00:00.003-04:00

Feeling much better today.

Last night mom opened two mini-cans of Disney Aristocats Cat food. New stuff. She was trying to tempt me. So I sniffed the salmon. It was the consistancy of Salmon Mousse/Pate . . .
I turn my nose up at salmon.
I bury salmon in my litter box.
See . . . burying it . . . nasty stuff salmon. I just can't eat a thing. Not a thing . . . not a . . oh wait . . . what's THIS?

Mom swapped the plate Chester had been eating (of course she gives the BEST stuff to Chester first?) and it was . . . in . . . teresting . . . verrrrrry . . sniff sniff sniff . . . WHAT is this? I've never had THIS before. Just a little taste and then I'll walk away and . . . oooooooh my . . . that's very tasty.

"Naturally. Yellow White Fin Tuna with Wild Rice. Cat you are a piece of work!"

So I ate most of my dinner and this morning . . .

I feel much better.

Is that Cheerios you're having this morning, Mom? I LOVE Cheerios. Seriously. GIVE ME CHEERIOS . . . oh wait . .. Dad, what do you have there?
Is that Yogurt? I love yogurt.
Special K? I love Special K. Not Special K? That's okay. It still looks darn tasty.
Tea? I love Tea.
Hey . . . seriously. I LOVE OATMEAL. It's my FAVORITE.

I cannot believe how hungry I am this morning. Not enough food in the house.

Well I would GET OFF THE COUNTER if you'd put more food down here on the floor!
FEED ME FEED ME FEED ME FEED ME

I have more doctors than mom does

2009-06-25T06:16:00.004-04:00

Seriously.
Cats do NOT do naked.

I don't want to have my belly photographed! I'm fine! I'm fine! I'm really fine! NO!!! Not the BELLY!!! I look like a freaky poodle.

Dad . . . PUT THE CAMERA DOWN!

NO! NOT THE BELLY!

2009-06-24T19:08:00.001-04:00

Shaved like a freaky poodle.

PLEASE

don't

look!

PS

2009-06-23T22:39:00.001-04:00

Thank you Dr. Van Heusen and Dr. Becker for helping me feel better.
You were very kind today.

The indignity of it all

2009-06-23T22:33:00.002-04:00

They shaved my tummy.

I am now old baldy leg and belly.

Many tests. No lollipops or stickers.

PILLS!!!!

If I had enough strength I'd spit them across the room. I HATE pills.

~~heavy sigh~~

I do feel a little better. After $900 worth of tests, they know that I am not diabetic, not hyperthyroid, not kidney disease, not infection, not parasites, not cancer, not plastic in my stomach . . . . (I do so love munching on plastic bags) . . . not brain cancer, not legionaire's disease, not mad cow disease, not hoof and mouth disease, not parkinson's, not alzheimers . . . .

But they aren't quite sure WHAT it is. Suspecting fatty liver acid syndrome. . . which sounds SO unglamorous. They COULD call it, "The Missed you and made myself sick by not eating," disease. That is more accurate AND it makes you feel guilty.

And you should.

You left me here.

With Chester, who was no fun at all.

And Auntie Val and Auntie Kathy talked to Chester and only told me I looked skinny. They didn't tell me I was the most handsome cat in the world.

I need compliments.
I need love.
I need you.

My stomach is bald.

It's bugging me.

You can't even lick the baldness off.

I am really bothered by this.

Somebody help me! Are there wigs for kittens with bald bellies?

I don't feel good.

2009-06-23T07:25:00.002-04:00

My tummy hurts.
Dad's taking me to go see Dr. Cornwall.

Dear Auntie Val and Auntie Kathy

2009-06-21T14:32:00.003-04:00

Thank you for feeding us while Mom and Dad were dealing with the nuclear fallout.

P.S.
We love you very much.

Don't advertise it

2009-06-16T06:09:00.002-04:00

But I'm feeling pretty happy this morning.
Quite sure that dad's planning to pick up ice cream tonight so we can have treats after supper.

~~scuff scuff scuff ~~

burying this dry kibble stuff . . . it's not worthy.

Do cat's dream?

I won't tell all--but yes, we dream of ice cream.

I have this condition

2009-06-15T06:26:00.002-04:00

When I am very very very happy . . . like when it's first thing in the morning, Dad's having breakfast and he holds me and I'm in the way of the cereal bowl and the hot tea--I just start purring. I can't help myself. I purr really really loud so even Mom, who's playing the radio too loud in the car for YEARS can hear me.

But then the condition kicks in.
I start hacking and coughing.

Dad calls it happy asthma.

Everyone should feel so very happy that they purr too loud and cough.

whoa

2009-06-14T09:29:00.002-04:00

Took a nap
And woke up Sunday

Wow
Where did Saturday go?

Happy Birthday Jon . . . . Strrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch . . . .

turn turn turn
~~settle~~
siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh

nap time.

All Travel is like this. I just KNOW it!

2009-06-12T21:33:00.000-04:00

Mom said

2009-06-11T14:15:00.003-04:00

I can have pizza tonight.
WITH anchovies, which are kind of like sardines.

She's up to something . . . . .

Gourmet notes

2009-06-10T06:53:00.004-04:00

Why yes, it is a well known fact that cats hate lemon. hate hate hate.
can't stand the stuff
drives us right out of the room
pheeeeewy
Nasty stuff.

Snuggle snuggle mom
Love you mom
Watcha got there mom?
Can I have some?
Please.
It smells really good.
come on
just a taste?

OH man! That's powerful stuff.
I think I like this a lot
What do you call this stuff?

lemon?

This is lemon?

really

Well

. . . Huh . . . (wrinkled forehead . . .thinking thinking thinking) . . . .

AHA!

LIME, it's a well known fact that cats do not like LIMES

Heh . . .

2009-06-09T20:39:00.000-04:00

Tuesday is MEday

2009-06-09T06:31:00.002-04:00

Sitting on mom's lap, purring, occasionally rewah-ing at the birds outside the window. Heavenly. Mom. You can't go to work. Call in.

It's you and me.

All day.

Shake a leg.

Tonight's Menu is Uninspired

2009-06-08T05:54:00.003-04:00

no
nope
nada

no
no
no

I spurn that option.

you must be kidding

no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no

oh please

What would I like?

I'd like some yogurt.
Sardines
Ice cream

you know . . . the basic 3 food groups

Forget this crunchy cardboard and tinned mice stuff you've got around here. It is not appetizing at all. Which, I have realized you KNOW. Becuase you never eat it either!

So there!

Ha!

I'm so embarassed

2009-06-07T16:32:00.002-04:00

My leg

it's

bald.

I'm all white

and scrawny

under my sleek black fur coat.

This is

horrible!

I would never be a clock watcher!

2009-06-06T06:15:00.003-04:00

2 hours 15 minutes to when I get this bandage off . . . . .

Time keeps on ticking ticking ticking into the future

2009-06-05T06:22:00.001-04:00

26 hours and this stupid bandage comes off.

And then . . . .
I shall have my revenge!

Or

Take my first comfortable nap in over a week . . . .

smARTYcat

2009-06-04T05:39:00.002-04:00

I am feeling creative today.
Mom, can I have some glue, a few stickers, some glitter, oil paints, some popsicle sticks and oh wait . . .

sorry about that
A wee bit a tummy trouble this morning
Must be the plastic bag I was nibbling on earlier.

Nap O'Clock

2009-06-03T06:19:00.002-04:00

sleepy this morning.
Not sure why.
I slept all afternoon, evening and night time.

~yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn~~

Just a wee bit sleepy yet. STREEEEEEETCH

I'm not sure who invented time. I suspect cats were not involved in the process.
If we had had a say, we would have had Nap O'clock and it would be the largest percentage of time in your 24 hour "day".

Aunt Julie sent me a YouTube link to the Monty Python Philosopher's Song.

It's now stuck in my head.

Thanks Aunt Julie!

FINALLY

2009-06-02T06:50:00.002-04:00

That was NOT the flavor of cat food we liked.
It's about time you noticed!

Leave it to dad to notice.

I prefer the stuff for sensitive systems. I am, after all, a very sensitive cat.

That crunchy salmon stuff was just for any old cat. I could have told you that if you'd take me to the store with you, but noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. You say I would draw too much attention. That you don't want to be like Jon and Kate plus 8--and have papparazzi and people giving you more babies to watch, because they don't think you'll notice if they slip in a couple more with the brood.

Even CHESTER was trying to tell you about it, and he NEVER talks. (I believe that's because his first language is German and it's very hard to try and speak clearly enough without an accent for you to understand him.)

Planning a.m. gymnastics followed by p.m. thunderstorm nap-o-rama.

too bad you guys have to go to work.

There's a rule about this?

2009-06-01T06:48:00.001-04:00

......................sleeping on the dining room table .............................
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

do not disturb

Busted!

2009-05-31T12:22:00.002-04:00

Mom and Dad returned from their 3 mile run sooner than I thought they would.
I didn't have time to close out the laptop windows. They'd left the laptop on and hooked up to AOL . . . I found a chat room and a survey to do while they were gone.

Mom said it's a good think I can't spell. That iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii wasn't going to get me into too much trouble.

Yes . . well . . . it's HARD to type with a bum leg.

They may have figured out I can walk on my leg

2009-05-29T19:58:00.003-04:00

What's for dinner? Can I have some?

Shake a Leg

2009-05-29T05:49:00.003-04:00

This leg thing is working for me.

Mom and dad carry me when they come home (like I don't know how to get around while they're at work!) . All I have to do is shake my leg and BOOM they're by my side, picking me up, cooing over my poor poor leg and carry me whereever I want.

I get food hand fed to me.
I get CHOICES if I don't like what they're serving.
I get long uninterrupted naps on mom's lap or dad's lap.

This is really working, folks. I highly recommend it.

Weds update

2009-05-27T06:25:00.003-04:00

Wee bit better today.
I'm sitting in mom's lap and making her type for me. See my leg is in a bandage and I can't type real well.

Mom let me go all day and last night without the icky collar . . . so I behaved myself and didn't try to eat the bandage. It was such a relief not to have the collar . . . SUCH a relief.

Goodness.

I do so enjoy sitting in mom's lap.

Mom. You can't go to work today.

I need you.

Love love love
Dougal

Tuesday feels like Monday should be Friday

2009-05-26T06:20:00.003-04:00

Feeling rather subdued.
Sleeping with that dang collar on is very difficult.
Would rather sleep on dad's lap and NOT have a collar on.

I am what I suppose you would call . . . under the weather.

~~heavy sigh~~

How embarassing

2009-05-25T06:53:00.004-04:00

I have had an accident.

Yesterday I was . . . . investigating gravity? Yeah, that's what it was. And I was on the counter doing a tightrope act around the dirty dishes that didn't fit into the dishwasher after mom and dad's dinner with Ken, Marie and the little girls.

I liked the little girls. they were delightful. They thought I was the most charming cat in the world, but I digress.

Back to the counter . . . weaving my way through the dishes. I could smell something interesting up there. I think bbq sauce or rib juice or something like that and I was standing on this board, which was perched on a pan. It had a couple wine glasses and I sniffed one WHEW it was

and life changed

On a dime

Just like that

The board wobbled, I tried to keep my balance, it wasn't working--gravity was too strong. The glasses, the board the roasting pan . . . all of it went down. And I went down too. Glass shattered everywhere.

Mom was on the deck and heard the noise. If the neighbors had been home, they'd have heard the noise too. It was a terrible racket. Mom was shocked and worried at the amount of glass. Chester was napping, but I was interested in what was going on so she put me in the bedroom with Dad, who was also still napping . . .and she cleaned it up.

My heart was beating like a rocket launch, so I climbed up on the bed and snuggled close to dad. it was a very scary scary thing.

Dad held me a bit and then woke up and came out to see what was going on.

Mom had made a sign that said "Dougal broke 3 glasses this morning--Be careful--not all the glass may be up."

And Dad said sleepily, "That explains the blood."

The blood?!!!!

Mom was instantly concerned and they poked my paws and my legs and found a spot that--CRIPES that hurt! Don't be touching me there!

Mom was insistant. She wanted to see how bad it was. So Dad held me and she took a look . . . and she got a very strange look on her face.

Dad looked at her and said, "Let's call the vet."

They drove me down to the M*A*S*H unit near the Home Depot and I spent the rest of the afternoon there waiting for my turn in surgery.

THEN--they put this freaking PURPLE polka dotted bandage on my leg and this horrific martini collar . . .though they call it an "Elizbethan collar." HA . . it's a dork collar and it bumps a stumps and I HATE it.

I hate this stupid bandage.

I hate this stupid collar and I just want it to all go away.

Oh . . . and I suspect there's medicine . . . some icky pink goo . . .

Mom was relieved it wasn't pills . . . she doesn't know I can spit liquid as easily as I spit pills.

What a terrible vacation weekend.

I hear geese

2009-05-24T08:34:00.000-04:00

They are flying over this morning.

Loud honking things.

Woke me up.

Right here mom!

2009-05-21T05:39:00.001-04:00

mom
look at me
pay attention to me
mom
me
me
me
right
here
in your lap
purr
purr
mom
MOM!
pay attention
pets please
mom
mom
mom
seriously
MOM
What could me more important then ME?

New food fad

2009-05-20T05:55:00.002-04:00

Marshmallows.

It's a food
It's a snack
It's a toy

Who invented these? They're awesome.

Finally

2009-05-18T06:46:00.002-04:00

After two weeks of snubbing that new "for fatty cats" cat food, mom relents and purchases new flavor.

MUCH better.

Thank you.

May I have some more, please?

2009-05-17T08:51:00.002-04:00

Yes. It was I who grabbed the ziti and ate it in the living room.
Yes. It was I who walked across Dad as he was watching TV and snagged the extra piece of pizza he had just laying around.
Yes. It was I who snubbed the dry catfood you've been buying. It tastes like cardboard--actually cardboard tastes better.
Yes. It was I who saw the tomato plant get ravaged and then became so rattled I went into the laundry room and created a problem for mom to find in the morning.

I STILL don't think that any of that is worthy of me being disallowed yogurt.

I am still your favorite cat.
I am still your best friend.
I still love love love love love you

So . . .

come on . . . .

spoon over some yogurt

Right over here

right

here

this spot

Here

This delicate little spot . . . just a little wee bit

OH COME ON MOM!

She must be annoyed with me.

no

yogurt

for

me

Chester smells

2009-05-16T13:20:00.003-04:00

He went for a car ride with mom and came back with dad. And he smells.

I think they went to the vet's office. There's an eau de Isopropyl alcohol about him. ppppppphhhhhheeeeeww!

Mom says he was just getting blood work done.

I feel it is an outrage that you don't get stickers or treats when you go to the vets.

Not that I want to go to the vets.

Even if there were stickers and treats.

Not even.

It's Friday

2009-05-15T18:43:00.002-04:00

Which MEANS . . ..

We do not have to go to bed before the sun goes down.
There will be popcorn.
No alarm clocks in the morning.

cool

I'm learning Japanese

2009-05-13T06:17:00.001-04:00

And I think I should learn the accordian. According to Leonard Nemoy, "You can always earn a living with an accordian."

Tuesday morning routines

2009-05-12T07:05:00.001-04:00

Dear Dad,

I just want to be with you. There, up on your lap. It has NOTHING to do with the milk in your cereal bowl. How shallow do you think I am?

(now if you'd do yogurt for breakfast, like mom . . . we'd be talking SERIOUS LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE)

Your favorite purr,
Dougal

Monday plans

2009-05-11T06:14:00.001-04:00

Today I shall practice my intimidating non-blinking stare.
I shall watch . . . the . . . grass . . .grow . . .

Bring it!

Pill Report

2009-05-10T11:04:00.001-04:00

Chester 4
Mom 0
Mom and Dad 1

FIVE times to get a goal today.
and even with the towel wrap, it took mom AND dad to get Chester to swallow the pill.

And then Chester went and peed where he wasn't supposed to.

Connection?

I'm sure it's just a coincidence.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T08:03:00.001-04:00

Love you mom

and that's not just the yogurt talking.

This morning's Pill Report

2009-05-08T06:58:00.001-04:00

Chester 2
Mom 1

Highlights--the projectile spit out--that bounced off the refrigerator as Chester leaped off mom's lap. Nice. A bit sassy . . .but nice.

Next time it was a subtle click sound on the floor as Chester walked away that made mom suspicious. "you spit it out again? GET BACK HERE!"

Mom finally won . . .

But most amusing.

Learning tips for when it will be my turn.

Crazy Man . . . .

2009-05-07T06:29:00.002-04:00

90% is done with sound samplings from the Disney movie . . . . MORE with the Cheshire Cat please.

Today's Mood: Amused

2009-05-06T06:30:00.003-04:00

Mom found one of Chester's pills on the floor in the great room.
she's on to him. He can hold a pill for quite awhile and then spit it out when she's not looking.

Game on.

2009-05-05T06:32:00.002-04:00

Dear Mom,

I would like to petition every so politely, ever so insistently, that the boundaries of acceptance include the bedroom. I realize that negotiations for annexing more territory may take some time, so in order to speed up the process I intend to go on a hunger strike . . . well . . . maybe not.

Scratch the hunger strike.

I intend to stand here and yell until I get what I want.

MREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWvMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOWMREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW MREOW

I KNOW YOU HEAR ME!!!!

I am NOT needy

2009-05-04T06:41:00.000-04:00

I just want to be loved.
Is that so wrong?

~~HUFF~~

Gee thanks Kate!

2009-05-01T06:23:00.001-04:00

APPARENTLY Kate offered the advice of wrapping Chester in a towel before giving him his pill.

Nice.

Chester 0 Mom 1

No fun for me

Pill+Cat= Hilarious!

2009-05-01T05:41:00.004-04:00

Thursday's Showdown

Chester 2 Mom 0

Chester 0 Mom/Dad 1

As I predicted . . the pill fiasco is most entertaining.

Going to get good seats for this morning's battle.

CLOSE CALL

2009-04-29T21:39:00.002-04:00

Chester went off in the cat carrier . . . . WHEW
Just a quick trip to the vet.

Oh cool!
Comedy show in the morning. Mom has to give Chester a pill. He's a wiley old soul. My money's on Chester.

Morning in the neighborhood

2009-04-28T06:20:00.003-04:00

RANDOM THOUGHT . . . .It's been a long time since Mom baked a cake.
What is up with that?

It is dawn.
Not the crack of dawn per se . . .
Nope. No whipping and cracking and booming . . .

A gentle rain
Birds singing
I so adore the bird radio station
I don't know what happens when it snows.
It's like we forget to pay our PBS bill or something
The bird channel is so muted in the winter.

This morning the bird channel is coming in precise and clear.
They aren't territorializing so close that it's annoying
Just off there--in the trees
The Robins are the loudest this morning

And some other bird.
A foreigner.
I don't know what he's saying but he's persistent.

Auntie Kathy would know.
I should ask her.

I'd ask mom but that's still her first cup of coffee.
You don't get specific answers until at least the second cup.

First cup is "Yeah yeah yeah." "I hear you." and "That's nice."

First cup is where you confess your overnight sins. The sin of the hidden furball. The sin of the broken candle holder. The sin of riotous games of Pen Hockey. (Which I WON by the way!!!! VICTORY IS MINE!)

You fess up this stuff later in the day and you get looks of recrimination. Scolding and occassionally time outs in the basement.

The first cup, though . . . all you have to do is look sweet and innocent and tell her that you're glad she's up this morning so you could share these special moments of the dawn gently washing over the neighborhood.

Mornings are special.

2009-04-27T06:47:00.003-04:00

today I have an ambitious domestic agenda

Nap
followed by nap
with time in the next 100 minutes for naps

I've checked the perimeter--and the property is secure.

Now to get down to businesszzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I knew it I knew it I knew it

2009-04-26T10:37:00.001-04:00

And Dad said travel IS NOT a party!

Ha!

Travel looks like fun!

2009-04-25T07:45:00.001-04:00

Auntie Val comes home today. Just in time for the really nice weather. Shhhhh, let's pretend it's been like this all week!

At last!

2009-04-23T07:52:00.001-04:00

Dad's home
Dad's home
dance dance dance!!!!!!

Of COURSE you can eat breakfast with me sitting in your lap and purring and loving you . . . hey that looks good . . .can I have some?

He needed a plan.

2009-04-21T17:37:00.001-04:00

what happened to my order?

2009-04-19T09:00:00.001-04:00

Feeling kind of itchy
twitchy
something's coming
something

OH NO!!!

NOT MORE SNOW!!!!

Are you kidding me?

This is ridiculous. I ordered Spring WEEKS ago.

I learned a new trick!

2009-04-18T08:32:00.000-04:00

www.wordle.net (Try your own!)

Very cool art

2009-04-18T07:20:00.000-04:00

http://www.petercallesen.com/index/A4PAPERCUT_000.htm

I could do something like this too . . .
If I had thumbs.

What?!

2009-04-17T05:54:00.000-04:00

A little bit of sunshine improves reception

2009-04-16T06:42:00.002-04:00

Exhausted.

Outdoor Living Channel is just full of wildlife.

Hours spent running between channels to try and see it all.

Mom says I'm losing weight. There's just so much to see and do, I can't keep up with it!

I'm beat! I'd love to nap, but jeepers--WHAT is that?

I wonder if you can see it from this channel too?

Checking my planner

2009-04-15T06:01:00.001-04:00

It's a rainy day
Another rainy day

It's tax day
Another tax day

It's a work day
Another work day

It's a nap day . . . Hooray!

Rainy Tuesday

2009-04-14T06:39:00.002-04:00

Busy day today.

Nap schedule out of control--hard to find enough time to squeeze them all in.

Rainy days make it more of a challenge. Clearly no sunbeams to catch.
Must schedule my day around when the heater kicks on . . . or make a pact with Chester to share the red plaid afghan.

It's important to make a plan.
Work the plan.
Adjust the plan, if needed . . . .

Would be nice if the sun did come out today . . . .

I can hope.

I want!

2009-04-13T07:01:00.001-04:00

Every baby should have one.

2009-04-13T06:57:00.001-04:00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23468308

Enjoying my new quotation book

2009-04-13T06:20:00.003-04:00

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.
--Albert Scwheitzer

A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere.
--Groucho Marx

Cats are connoisseurs of comfort
--James Herriott

Time spent with cats is never wasted.
--Sigmund Freud

These are some very wise men.

Here comes Peter Cottontail

2009-04-11T08:35:00.002-04:00

Hope he doesn't run into Pete the Cat . . .

Mom said there was a bunny puff tail and JUST a bunny puff tail on the sidewalk at work yesterday morning.

"Not a good sign, Dougal," she told me.

I can't quite picture a bunny without a tail.

I can't picture a platypus, either.

In fact, I find it hard to . . . whoa! What's that?

Mom mom mom . . . what IS that?

"Sunbeam, Dougal. It's just a sunbeam--I know they don't usually show up over there, but the sky is clear and it's a beautiful morning."

chuf chuf--bap--chuf--Are you sure mom? It's like it's stuck to the all or something . . . wap wap wap--chuf chuf . . . and it doesn't move . . .

Weird.

I think I am in love

2009-04-09T05:46:00.000-04:00

she is REALLY talented.