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.

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.

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.)

Notes from the snuggle bed

The day started out sunny. I stared out the window in the morning to watch the snow geese play in the lake by my house and enjoyed the quiet. Hmm, quiet? - that means the main road's been closed!

Yup, November brings plenty of rain, which translates as flooding opportunity. The snow geese love the rain because it offers them more ponds to play in when the fields flood. And we love it because the road closes by our house and the traffic noise is lowered significantly. And it gives Heather and Craig a quiet road to run on to check out the snow geese. It's a "win win" situation as you humans would say.

Well, even though the road closed, the noise level has increased because we're in the midst of another wind storm. Time for me to crawl into my snuggle bed and listen to the wind howl while I enjoy a little cat nap. It's another good day to be an indoor kitty!

Modelling in bed

My modelling shot. What do you think? Very demure. This pic is my favorite for the week.

Now that the weather has cooled down I can hang out in my fleecy snuggle bed again. Except not right now because Heather threw it in the wash. Now I have to claim it as mine all over again by rubbing my scent and fur all over it. I don't know why she wanted to wash my bed; it was perfect!

The Chance Encounter

Ah, yes, you have caught me while I was catching up on some paperwork. What? You want to ask me about Scruffy Gray? Sigh.

OK, if you insist. On Monday I heard the door to Heather's office open. Must have been the wind - plus someone didn't shut the door all the way. So I snuck in to check Scruffers out while he was curled up in his snuggle bed.

It was mid-afternoon, which is when he likes to sleep (really he likes to sleep all the time), and he was in a deep sleep when I tiptoed in. I sat about two feet in front of his little bed and just stared. He opened his eyes and stared back, but didn't move. And we just sat that way and checked each other out.

Then Heather came in and shouted for Craig to come look and Scruffers got all worked up. He stood up a little in his bed and I snuck around to sniff his behind (come on, when will I ever get to meet him properly?) when Heather scooped me up and carried me out of the room. Darn! Foiled again!

He didn't hiss at me today so that's a plus. Maybe someday he'll get to come out and play with me... I'm still hoping!

A Kitty Conversation - a little one-sided if you ask me

That's right, I've been trying to chat with Scruffy Gray through the door. I know he's nervous still and I can't meet him but at least I can try to calm him down.

Last night Craig didn't really go for it. Come on, Craig we're night kitties. So what if I was talking to Scruffy at 1:30 this morning? That's when everything is quiet and we can talk without any interruptions.

What do kitties talk about? Well, I have been trying to convince Scruffers that I just want to play. You know, run around, play chase, bat at him a little playing tag -but not fight. I am a Maine Coon. We don't like to fight. It's not in our genes. I'd rather have a belly rub any day!

And I've been trying to get Scruffy to tell me his story. You know, how he became a homeless kitty and how he learned to survive on the streets. So far he's been mum. Hopefully I'll be able to get it out of him. I can't imagine living outside and fending for myself. I mean, I've never been out there without a freakin' leash on and I've never had a meal that Heather or Craig didn't prepare for me. I wouldn't stand a chance alone. And really, how could I live without my early morning belly rubs or my snuggle bed?

Scruffy Gray Comes to Life

Scruffy's feeling better. On Saturday and Sunday he spent almost the entire time in his little fleece bed, hiding from moi (not like I could come in his room since Heather has the door shut).

Heather and Craig commented that each morning Scruffy would start out wandering around the santuary room, looking around to get acquainted with his surroundings, and eat breakfast. And then as soon as he remembered I was on the other side of the door, he would retreat into his snuggle bed and hide for the rest of the day. Heather was relieved when she realized that Scruffy was hiding because he was afraid of me and not because of the unspoken thought they both had: "What if he's sick?"

Monday came and Scruffy wandered around his room a little more and ate at a normal speed. And Monday night he didn't want Heather to leave him alone in the room. When he caught sight of me, he still stood up in his snuggle bed and hissed at me a little, but I didn't take it personally.

And today Scruffy Gray has turned into a different kitty altogether. He was waiting outside of his snuggle bed when Heather went up to feed him breakfast. He had been climbing around on her work chair and up on her desk. He came to the door and looked out at me and he didn't hiss this time. I heard him climb up on the windowsill and meow at Heather's mom while she was packing her car. And I heard him get into trouble for knocking stuff off Heather's desk while she was trying to work. Wait a second - that's my job!

I hope we get to meet soon. I am kind of looking forward to having a playmate. As long as he doesn't take all of Heather and Craig's love. I am king kitty of this house, not Scruffy.

Scruffalino - the real deal

Scruffy Gray - "in the flesh!" That's right. He had all of his matted fur shaved right off (at the shelter) before Heather picked him up last night. Yes, sigh, it's true. Scruffy Gray and I are now in the same house. He's behind the door inside of Heather's office and I am periodically camped out on the other side. You know, just so I can keep an eye on the situation.

Scruffy seemed pretty excited to come to our house. He walked around the office, sniffing everything in sight, and seemed to settle right in. He ate dinner exuberantly and then that's when I knew he was stressed. He immediately threw up his entire dinner, completely undigested, and then came to the door and hissed at me. And then he hissed at Craig and hid in his snuggle bed.

I know we're supposed to hiss at each other a little (got to keep Heather and Craig on their toes, you know. Wouldn't want them to think we were ok with sharing the house.) But hissing at Craig, well, obviously it was a hard day for Scruffy. Leaving the shelter, going for a car ride with Heather (that's always an adventure, I tell you), then plopped down into a new room in a new place that smells like another kitty and listening to all new sounds. Don't worry, Scruffalino, I'm camped out in front of your door to make sure you're ok.