Happy New Year to you all! A bit late I know, but it’s the thought that counts 
!! I’m currently trying to sort through my photos and transfer them from my laptop to my external. When I have that done, I’ll post some of the photos I took of the two fur babies over Christmas!
They got lots of presents of course, but I think they had the best fun playing with the sweet wrappers from the Roses and Quality Street, hehehe!
Here are some others who want to say ‘Happy New Year!!’
The fur babies, enjoying the festive atmosphere! Oh, and the Christmas tree! More on that to follow!!
Amidst my already busy life I suddenly feel the need to take up a new pass time. Perhaps not so much take up a new one as revisit an old one! Spurred on by friend and fellow blogger Lou, over at CraftyRainbowhead, I’m considering taking up knitting again. The funny thing is, I was put off thinking I don’t really have the time to commit to a big project like a jumper or something. I left a comment on Lou’s blog page saying as much, in her response she mentioned ‘I’m sure there are moggie related knit designs!’ Hmm I thought to myself, that could be interesting! I would never subject the fur babies to wearing clothes mind you, let alone something I might produce, they are far too dignified for that. Me on the other hand, I’d happily wear a kitty inspired creation, hehehe! However I found something even more exciting!
I simply Goggled ‘knitting patterns cats’ and found ChristineLandry.com. The perfect starting point for my knitting, little cute animals and even an adorable Bumblebee cat toy! This lead me on to further wonders and possibilities for knitting and cats. Catnip Mice over in Wilderness Witch Knits, and for when I get a bit more experienced the Cozy Cat Crescent found on Orange Fish Knits. For anyone else interested in knitted pet projects I recommend checking out Knitting Pattern Central, there Pet section has a huge list of links for dogs and cats.
Hopefully this is not how Poppy & Oliver will end up 
!!!
I must say I am inspired and excited by all these little projects and can hardly wait to start on one. Here’s hoping I can tell my plain from my purl!!!
Oliver looking evil last Halloween!
I’m reminded that Halloween is only a short few days away by the (illegal) fireworks that go off every now and then outside my window as I write this. It’s a time of year I enjoy and look forward to, but as an animal lover it also fills me with dread. Too often over the years I’ve watched the news reports of animals treated cruelly and killed by young people for fun. Or innocent animals hurt unintentionally by mishandled fireworks, thrown about carelessly. I’m very grateful at times like this that our babies do not go outdoors. At least I know they are safe. I urge all of you out there who are pet owners, to be especially mindful of your animals at this time of year.
Things to Keep in Mind:
*Remember they can be scared by loud noises such as fireworks and bangers. Do your best to reassure them and maybe keep them in one room to help them feel more secure, if noise is very bad where you live.
*Also if you are in an area that gets Trick or Treater’s, keep your dog or cat away from the hall and door area. At the very least they may be distressed by the flow of strangers at their front door! Or worse they might run out through the open door and become disorientated and lost.
*If you have lighted candles around your house, do not leave them unattended as nosey cats and dogs can burn themselves with wax etc or (as in the case of what my cats would do!!) they may knock over the candle and burn you!
*Most importantly of all I recommend keeping your animals in on Halloween night and being very watchful of them on the days leading up to the celebrations.
It’s sad to have to think along these lines. I would love to believe that every human being has basic goodness in them and would not harm an innocent animal. Unfortunately I know this is not the case. I also know that cruelty happens everyday, not just at Halloween, but it seems to be more commonplace and sadistic at this time of year.
So look after your fur babies. Make sure they have a Happy Halloween.
Photo of Jinxie by Boered
The Kitten and the Falling Leaves
That way look, my infant, lo!
What a pretty baby-show!
See the kitten on the wall,
sporting with the leaves that fall.
Withered leaves – one – two and three
from the lofty elder tree.
Though the calm and frosty air,
of this morning bright and fair.
Eddying round and round they sink,
softly, slowly; one might think.
From the motions that are made,
every little leaf conveyed
Sylph or Faery hither tending,
to this lower world descending.
Each invisible and mute,
in his wavering parachute.
But the Kitten, how she starts,
crouches, stretches, paws, and darts!
First at one, and then its fellow,
just as light and just as yellow.
There are many now – now one,
now they stop and there are none:
What intenseness of desire,
in her upward eye of fire!
With a tiger-leap half-way,
now she meets the coming prey.
lets it go as fast, and then;
Has it in her power again.
Now she works with three or four,
like an Indian conjuror;
quick as he in feats of art,
far beyond in joy of heart.
Where her antics played in the eye,
of a thousand standers-by,
clapping hands with shout and stare,
what would little Tabby care!
For the plaudits of the crowd?
Over happy to be proud,
over wealthy in the treasure
of her exceeding pleasure!
William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
It’s too late for the couch, there’s no hope there. But I’m hoping the purchase of a shiny new nail clippers will save some of our other furniture from ‘Claws’ aka Poppy! We have the scratching posts scattered around in all the right places, but the Popster just walks past these ‘obstacles’ to satisfy her need for a good scratch on a) The Leather Sofa b) My Fancy Storage Boxes or c) The End of the Bed or our least favourite d) Toes hanging out under the Duvet at The End of the Bed!
I’ve yet to gather enough courage to introduce the clippers to either of The Fur Babies. I’m sure it will be met with hostility. I’ve decided the best thing to do is to get them used of holding their little footsies and stretching out their toes and claws I’m going to wait until they are relaxed and chilled out on the shredded sofa before I attempt this!
Updates on progress and possibly pics of the finished result to follow. Wish me luck!!
News Flash!!!!
I have a fall back plan Found these at The Shopping Blog. Cool cats or what?!!
As all cat lovers know, cats do things on their terms. Full. Stop. This disposition is not improved by cat owners tendencies, I’m putting this mildly, to over-indulge their feline friends! Now I’ll be the first to throw my hands up and admit Poppy and Oliver call the shots in this home. Nowhere can this be seen clearer than in the cat food situation!
It started out innocently enough. Oliver was never much of a jelly lover, preferring his meat in gravy. Later when Poppy came on the scene, she too expressed a preference for gravy, all normal enough so far. Of course it goes without saying they wouldn’t even entertain the idea of cheap cat food! No, unless it’s ‘As Good As it Looks’ or ‘8 out of 10 Cats Prefer It’ our fur babies will tell you, FORGET it!
Maybe this is where I made the fatal mistake. I accepted this, thought it was sort of sweet. I’m a bit of a foodie, at the very least I like my food(!), and I thought, ‘Aww, my cats can recognise quality!’ However, Poppy has grown out of her Foodie label and is now a full fledged Picky Eater!!
Now not only will she only eat food in gravy, if it’s Oh Soo Meaty, it has to be Oh Soo Meaty Chicken! Rendering multi pack boxes useless, resulting in us looking like total cat loons at the supermarket with our basket full of individual pouches of said Chicken Flavour. She will eat Oh Soo Fishy, preferring the White variety flavours, but still hates the Sardine! Cans of Tuna are always a winner, but cooked chicken, not for her!
Oliver, though not quite as choosey has his own little quirky food things. Obviously he enjoys the Chicken variety Oh Soo Meaty, but he prefers real cooked chicken. He also has a real weakness for burgers! Whenever we have burgers from a take away, (there goes my foodie image, lol) he sits and begs, tapping with at you with his paw if you are not feeding him little bits quickly enough! As I’ve mentioned in past posts, he loves Olive and Tomato Pasta with Chicken, pasta and all!! He also loves cheese and butter I think he would be a real Fast Food Junky if he got half a chance!
With all this said and done, I know I will still cater to their picky palettes ! If anything I actually find myself looking for food that is tastier, more nutritious and better for them (though this is usually more expensive also!). After all You Are What You Eat must apply to kitties too !
I was reading this weeks Limerick Post and while I browsed through my favourite section ‘For Pets Sake’ (put together by Catriona Tierney) I came across this lovely letter from Helen O’Brien in the Letters Section. Helen wrote in to The Post with the piece as she feels “it really says how a pet should be treated”. Well Helen I agree with you and I would like to share it with anyone passing through this blog
To You From Your Pet
1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15yrs. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you buy or adopt me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Don’t be angry at me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends, I have only you.
4. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words I understand your voice when it’s speaking to me.
5. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
6. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could crush the bones of your hand but I choose not to bite you.
7. Before you scold me for being lazy ask yourself if something might be wrong with me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, or I’ve been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.
8. Take care of me when I get old: you too will grow old.
9. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, I can’t bear to watch it or let it happen in my absence. Everything is easier for me if you are there.
10. Stay with me till the end. Remember when I am gone I will never forget you and thank you for all you have done for me, I love you…..
Handsome Oliver
Ollie
Cutsie Poppy
Poppy checking out my shoes!
Here are a few recent pics I took of the fur babies
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I Can Has Cheezburger? Pets
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