The Easter Miracle

So much to catch you up on! It's been crazy around here with all the caring for Scruffy Gray. Last week Scruffs went in for his annual (birthday!) exam and started immediately hissing at the vet. The vet (who is really a nice lady and didn't deserve this behavior at all!) offered to sedate Scruffers so they could give him a full exam uninterrupted and end with a spa day of bath, nail clipping and the shaving of his matted back fur.

Heather agreed and left Scruffers at the vet for the day. But later that afternoon the vet called to inform us of a big surprise: Scruffy Gray isn't a boy kitty, he's really a she! No wonder she's been in a bad mood most of the time she's lived her - we've been calling her by the wrong gender!

But then Scruffers came home and she was scared and hid for a day and a half. And when she walked her right front paw buckled under like she was missing a bone in her front leg. (It was very reminiscent of when Harry Potter had his bones removed from his arm by accident). Heather had to call the vet repeatedly over Easter weekend (poor vet!) to give her an update on Scruffy's status.

First the vet thought Scruffy suffered a stroke. But Sunday night (Easter) Scruffy remarkably returned to her normal self, as if she rose from the dead. But then Heather fed her another pain killer (for the arthritis pain in her back) on Monday and the weird behavior started all over again. Very PTSD-like. She hid for almost two days this time and was scared of everything.

So now we know it's a very rare reaction to the pain medication. Since then, Scruffers has returned to her normal self.

Except that he's a she.

Happy birthday, Scruffy Gray

Happy birthday Scruffy Gray! Now wait one second - Scruffy, don't you know how birthdays work? We're supposed to surprise you, not the other way around.

Do you want to hear Scruffy's big surprise? My brother is really a SISTER! No wonder he/she looks distressed all the time. We refer to her as Mr. Scruffy Gray. And Mr. Robust Snuggles. Yikes! And Craig calls her "my little guy."

Well, no more of that! Luckily, Scruffers is a great unisex name, so it's not a big deal. Not like a certain someone (who shall remain nameless to protect her identity) who named her kitty Candy and then found out it was a boy. And that poor cat was stuck with the name Candy his whole life. So, Scruffy, be thankful on this Good Friday that Heather (oops!!!) didn't name you 'Candy'. Think how distressed you'd feel then!

GOOOOAAAAL!

Scruffy Gray won. Fair and square. It was just like a soccer game, long and drawn out with a lot of posturing and scrambling and changing of positions without gaining anything. But finally, it happened: Scruffy Gray 1, Heather 0.

Heather had arranged a visit with the vet - Scruffers needs his nails cut and his back needs to be shaved. Poor guy, he's so arthritic he can't clean the fur on his back. And no matter how much time Heather spends brushing out the mattes, the fur just keeps getting worse. And on top of that Scruffy has been doing his pirate trick again where he lifts one side of his upper lip funny like he's saying "Grrr, matey!" So the pulled tooth site probably needs to be looked at since the pirate look should have ended months ago after the broken tooth was pulled.

So Heather began by pulling the dreaded kitty carrier out of the garage. Scruffers took one look at it and hid behind the couch. Heather moved the couch and Scruffy ran (limped quickly, really) upstairs. But Heather was quick and had already closed the doors to all the rooms upstairs. Scruffy was trapped. "Should be no problem now," Heather thought. Except that the door to her office wasn't really closed all the way and Scruffy snuck in and hid behind a heavy desk.

Well, after a lot of hiding and trying to lure Scruffy out, Scruffs somehow escaped and ran under Heather's bed. Heather slunk in under it and tried to pull him out. And that's when Scruffy hissed at Heather. But she was determined. So she pulled out the green towel to wrap him up and he lunged at her. And scratched her pretty good all over her hand, enough to draw some blood. And then he hid for the rest of the day.

That was Tuesday and Scruffy has yet to sit on her lap again. He'll sit next to her, but doesn't really want Heather to pet him and he won't purr for her. And every time she walks into the garage he runs behind the couch - just in case.

I don't know what his problem is. I sat in the kitty carrier no problem. In fact, I watched almost the entire game from inside the kitty carrier. Pretty good view and I was guaranteed not to be approached by Scruffy. It was probably the safest place in the house for me to watch the fun.

Be careful what you wish for

What can I say? Perhaps Be careful what you wish for would be a good place to start. I spent the past two months waiting for the weather to get decent. I have been moping like the rest of you in Washington, done with the rain, the gray, the never ending 60-degree days.

Then suddenly the temperature shot up from 60 to 92 last week. Whoa! I said I wanted nice weather, not heat stroke. And for those of you who may not understand: no one in their right mind would purchase A/C in this part of the country. Why waste your money? For what, one week a a year? So last week we suffered. Scruffy Gray hid under the guest bed all day for 3 days in a row and was so stressed from the heat, the frightening overhead fans whirling overtime and the open windows letting in the sounds of barking dogs that he threw up his dinner all three days.

And me? Come on, I'm a long-haired kitty. Half Maine Coon. Do you think for a second that I enjoy baking in my fur? So we suffered.

But there are many positives that have come from the heat wave:

1. Summer's finally here! Believe me, everyone's mood improved.

2. Now I am happy that it's 60 degrees and gray outside today. I could use a little sun break.

3. The garden is finally taking off! And biggest bonus of them all: I got to go outside and play!!!

With the leash on, dang it.

My new camera!

I couldn't believe my good fortune today - Heather came home with a new digital camera! I liked the old one, it took decent shots. Though it was hard to operate since I have no thumbs. But the camera was never the same after it rolled off the side of a mountain last fall. (Oops!) I had been trying to convince Heather to buy a new one but she wanted to wait until the old one died. Well, RIP old camera.

It finally passed away last week. Heather was taking photos and the viewfinder showed a grid on the screen and then turned itself off for good. But now we have a new camera (still not easy to operate without thumbs!) and I've been learning all the settings. Here's Scruffy Gray posing for his first portrait on this camera! Ooh, we're going to have a blast with this baby!!!

Meet Scruffy, the Tweaker

I'm not sure who came home with Heather yesterday, but it wasn't the Scruffy Gray I know. That Scruffy Gray likes to sleep all day and lie across Heather and Craig's laps as much as possible.

So who's this guy? Scruffy came back from the vet (after getting a tooth surgically extracted) and was a completely different kitty. According to the post-op info sheet, he was supposed to want to stay in his kennel for a few hours and sleep off the morphine. Uh, no. That's not what happened.

Scruffy was thrilled to escape from his kitty carrier, even though he could barely stand. He was swerving around like a drunk trying to walk from room to room. He fell partially into the litter box and then couldn't figure out how to get out. I watched him trip over his own feet and fall over trying to squat down in front of his food bowl. And his pupils were HUGE. Scruffs finally had to resort to lying on his side to give himself his post-dinner bath because he realized he couldn't have three legs on the ground and stay upright to lick the fourth.

He somehow got the hang of walking up and down the stairs (sideways!) and began doing laps around the house, like he was coming down off of a drug high. That started around 5 last night and here it is 8 a.m. and he's still doing laps.

Scruff's attention span isn't so good, either. Just like a tweaker. "What was I doing? Oh yeah, I was hungry, I'd better beg for some food. Oh, the food bowl is full and right in front of me? OK, I'll eat. Wait, what was I doing? I'm hungry, I'd better ask for some food." Last night Heather sat in front of his dinner bowl and tapped it every time Scruffs forgot what he was doing so he could eat his meal.

Me? Yeah, OK, I admit it, I was glad to see him come home. I was pretty worried about Scruffs. He is my brother, you know. Now, it's time for my post-breakfast nap. Watching Scruffy do all these laps around the house is tiring me out.

Positive thoughts for Scruffy Gray

Thank you for all of your positive thoughts and encouragement. Yes, you know who you are. You people on facebook who told my human that after their kitties had teeth pulled the kitties then hated them. And so now Craig is super freaked out that Scruffy Gray will hate him after tomorrow's procedure.

That's right. Tomorrow Scruffy Gray officially goes under anaesthesia to have two broken teeth removed. Sounds like fun, eh?

Scruffy Gray, I'll be thinking of you. As I'm eating breakfast and taking my nap in my soft snuggle bed. Good luck, ol' boy! I'd have your share of breakfast too, but I'm too busy snubbing my own meals.

The ultimate kitty betrayal

How could it be? I thought we were kitty friends. Best kitty friends (BKF!), in fact. But then, I spotted it - the ultimate betrayal.

Sure, I know I like to drop dookies in Scruffy's kitty box. And he does it to me too. It's just part of the game we call "Turd Wars." But this, dios mio, was downright mean.

Ok, ok, get to the point Giuseppe Gattino. I went to lie down in my fleece snuggle bed and, gasp, someone was already in it. In MY snuggle bed. Scruffy - how could you?

I tried to alert Heather, but she thought Scruffy was missing. She and Craig searched all over the house for him while I stood by their bed meowing my complaint. Finally, Heather looked under the bed and saw a strange sight. Something gray sticking its head out of my snuggle bed. And then - it gets worse! - she started laughing. Ooh, that just made me even more angry.

After a good laugh, and some photos, Craig pulled out the treats to entice Scruffy to get out of my bed. They tried to offer us both treats but I refused. No way. You can't buy your way out of this one. I waved my tail in annoyance and stomped off to Heather's office. When Heather followed me in and brought in those stupid treats I showed her what I thought and tried to bury them in the carpet. Take that, Heather!

But I can't hold a grudge for long. Heather got me some of my favorite treats and brought them to the windowsill where only I could eat them. I enjoyed them and then, when Heather wasn't looking, I ate the discarded treats that Heather threw in Scruffy's bowl. And now that I'm full, it's time for a little kitty nap. But maybe on my throne, since my bed still smells like Scruffy.

Scruffy's Story

The time has come. Yes, it's time to share the story of Scruffy Gray. The Humane Society of Skagit Valley has requested stories of animals that have found homes because of the shelter. And it's time for Scruffers to spill his guts. Scruffy, come on, it's time to tell us what happened to you!

I have pen and paper ready and I am preparing to interview him right now - ok, as soon as he wakes up from his afternoon nap. Stay tuned!

Mid-afternoon ramblings

I am so upset I can barely enjoy my nap. How can I be an indoor kitty, with all the food, love and toys I could ever want while there are people starving in Haiti? The unfairness is eating away at my conscience.

Not that I'm unhappy with my lot in life. No, quite the opposite. I love my life as an indoor kitty. I love Craig and Heather and my buddy Scruffy Gray. I love my bowl and my fleece snuggle bed and my yellow mid-day napping chair in the living room. And my toys.

But I'm having a hard time staring at photos of people who are obviously living in extreme poverty, suffering even more than they were in everyday life. Look at them. Roads, buildings, lives - completely destroyed. And yet, here I am, getting ready for my afternoon nap and the most difficult thing I have to do is decide where to spend my afternoon.

I guess the only thing I can do is feel thankful for what I have.

New year, same old routine

Us kitties never follow calendars. Why would we? It's not like we ever have to be somewhere on a specific date. And if we do (the vet), I don't want to know about it ahead of time, that's for sure!

January, shmanuary, it's all the same to us. Here's Scruffy Gray following his new year's resolution: to get enough sleep.

Happy whatever date to you!

A Christmas wish come true

Scruffers and I like to take turns sleeping under the Christmas tree. Of course, when Scruffers is under the tree Heather and Craig "ooh" and "aah" about what an adorable kitty he is. But when I am under the tree Heather pulls out the squirt bottle ready to aim when I taste test the needles.

Of course, when I am under the tree I like to mark the area with my pheromones by rubbing my face against the tree. I'm not really eating the needles; I know they were made in China (by small children). But Scruffers, he's different. When he gets under the tree he stares off into space for a while (usually till he starts snoring and we wake him up with our laughter). Then he gets settled in and takes a long nap.

What is that little guy thinking? Here's what we have decided: Scruffy is still feeling thankful that his wish came true. Remember, just a year ago he was living on the streets in the snow and freezing temperatures, barely getting enough food to survive. And then one day we took him and and nursed him back to health. And now here he is - living indoors, with two square meals every day, two down comforters to sleep on, a fleece snuggle bed, a kitty friend (me!), and two warm laps to choose from. If Christmas is about being thankful for what we have, then Scruffy Gray is celebrating Christmas more than all of us. Merry Christmas, little guy!

Feeling thankful for all I have

This is the perfect week to begin a season of feeling thankful for what we have. As an indoor kitty, I have been sheltered and naive to what could happen to me if I were living on the streets.

In the seven months that Scruffers has lived with us, he has taught me a lot about how other animals have to survive fending for themselves. So here's what I'm thankful for:

• My humans - Craig and Heather
• This warm house with many good snuggle spots (and views of the swans and geese)
• My bowl, which is replenished with tasty food twice a day (sometimes requires a lot of meowing to get it filled)
• My kitty brother Scruffy Gray
• My snuggle bed
• My dingle ball
• Belly rubs
• Catnip
• Tasty tuna treats

(Photo: Scruffy Gray enjoys a moment of catnip-induced euphoria in his new home.)

Happy Thanksgiving to Canadians and Scruffy Gray

I talked with Scruffy Gray this morning and he told me he wanted to celebrate a late Canadian Thanksgiving since it's too early to celebrate it here. "Why?" I asked him and here's what he had to say.

Scruffers: "The weather is turning cold and rainy and every time I look outside I remember how miserable I was last year. Living outside in the cold, the pouring rain, fending for myself, with no one to care for me. And here I am, inside a warm, dry house, with a soft fleece bed to nap on, a new kitty friend (that's you, Giuseppe Gattino!), great humans who love me, and two delicious meals served to me every day. I am forever grateful that I was rescued and given another chance at life."

Wow. Sometimes I'm so busy playing, napping, getting petted and making sure I get fed on time that I forget how lucky I am. Thanks for the reminder, Scruffers!

Dueling Naps

You've got to love Friday afternoons. They're purrrfect days to nap!

The contest is on - ready, set, nap! Whoever gets up last wins!

(Photo: Giuseppe Gattino and Scruffy Gray take over the living room.)

But That's MY Spot

Guess who? Yes, that would be Scruffy Gray sitting in my special spot on my favorite loveseat. I came downstairs and there he was, taking over my space. And then I noticed he had scratched on my scratching post and drank water from my water dish. Sheesh!

Don't worry. I already got him back. Yesterday when he was out of his room, I peed in his kitty box. Take that, little guy!

It Looks Like a Good Week from Here

Yesh! It's a new week and this week looks to be much better. The Fourth of July is over - and hopefully that means all the neighborhood idiots ran out of fireworks (or fingers)! And finally the heat is gone! Yay!

I admit it, the fourth was a little tough. I was OK until our neighbors set off a chain of fireworks and then I was forced to hide under the bed. They were so loud and scary sounding. But the heat is what really got me. Ugh! It was too hot on Saturday and Sunday and I know I whined too much, but I was miserable. Heather could barely move on Sunday too. She just laid on the couch and periodically got up to refill her glass of iced tea.

How did Scruffy Gray fare? Um, not so well. The heat was really hard on him and the firework's forced him under the bed. How do you reassure an abandoned kitty that he's safe on the Fourth of July? He spent Sunday pacing all day in a continued stress response. Then he tried to go downstairs and the evil ceiling fan was on. I don't know what happened to him (he won't tell me the story) but he is scared to death of the ceiling fan. Upon spotting it he ran to the guest room and hid under the bed all day. And he hissed at Craig and Heather.

He seems better today. He snuggled in with Craig so they could read the paper together and then he purred on Heather's lap before it was time for his all-day nap.

And me, I'm much better today too! I feel like playing again and running laps around the house. And trying to coax Scruffy out of bed to play with me...

Kitty Burrito

Here's Scruffy Gray pretending to be unhappy about being wrapped up like a burrito. He knows if he makes a little whiny noise when Heather gets the towel out that Heather and Craig will fawn all over him and maybe give him an extra treat after the eye drop. He's a smart kitty. Tweaky, but smart.

What's he going to do this week since the eye drops have run out? Gasp - live without treats? Maybe Heather will have to hand out treats when we play nicely together. Got it, Scruffs? I know how to get my treat!

Trick Pillows

Which one of these pillows would hiss if you laid your head back on it? I think I will skip the experiment since I like my life...

How does time fly so quickly? I, for one, had a great weekend. OK, besides Saturday, when Heather and Craig left (for Point Roberts) at 6:30 in the morning and didn't come home until after 8 p.m. That was a long wait for lunch. And dinner.

Luckily they both got sick so they stayed home on Sunday and since then they have been taking long afternoon naps with me. So, what can I say? I've been enjoying plenty of belly rubs and my new sock.

What? I didn't tell you about my new sock? The eye doc told Heather that Scruffy Gray needed to relax (duh!) and that giving Scruffers Valerian would help him out. So Heather bought a bottle of Valerian root tincture and put a few drops on an old pair of socks and gave us each one. I've been loving it! Who knows if Scruffy has even noticed his sock. And who cares? I have reached a state of blissful relaxation and I am too busy carrying my sock around the house to even notice Mr. Polly Pants.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I have almost had my fill of that Scruffy Gray. Do you know what he did to me last night?

Heather and Craig took me out to the deck, because they were BBQ-ing they said, but really it was to let Scruffers have the run of the house. Of my house. He came wandering downstairs and sat in the dining room, right in front of me, and ate the rest of my dinner. And here's the worst part: When I walked over towards the screen door to let him know he was eating dinner out of my bowl - he hissed at me. At me! Scruffy was eating my food out of my bowl and he had the nerve to hiss at me. And then (it gets better) Heather and Craig thought the whole thing was funny. Can you believe it? I didn't talk to them all night.

Heather washed out my bowl and brought out new food and water, but I had to make them wait. No way was I going to accept a peace offering from those traitors. This is my house!

I think the heat's getting to all of us. Especially Scruffy's common sense.