Archives for October 2008

The Travelin’ Litter Box

October 24, 2008 By Eve Leave a Comment

When Miracle first got here, we had set her up with her own litter box in the office. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was not going to be a good long term solution. I started work one day and walked by the reeking smell of poop in the litter box. And I said, “Oh heck no! That’s not how it’s going to be”.

I devised a plan to migrate the box day by day towards the bathroom, where Tulip’s litter box is. The plan is this: for each new day, I would move the litter box a foot closer to the bathroom AFTER proof that Miracle had used it. Eventually, I will get those two to use the same box, which means I will have to clean it very often. It’s a small price to pay for avoiding the alternative.

Up until today, the litter box had been creeping its way along the right side of the hallway. Today, I moved it directly on the opposite wall. Miracle has been so on-spot during this migration time, never having a problem locating her traveling litter box.

What a smart kitty!

Filed Under: Behavior Tagged With: Litter Box

Three Square Meals

October 23, 2008 By Eve Leave a Comment

I think this new routine will be good. I am changing the meal frequencies from the usual twice a day to three times a day. This will allow these two kitties to spend mutual time together, as their food bowls are on the same place mat with a water blow in between. Secondly, the portions are small enough so that they both finish their food in one sitting. Thirdly, I’m hoping that Miracle’s metabolism will increase as a result of eating more often but in smaller portions.

They are able to eat together hiss-free and growl-free most of the time. And usually, Tulip would get a few seconds of lead time to get to her bowl, with Miracle following close behind. Being that Miracle is over-weight, she would finish eating before Tulip. When she finishes, she stands back a couple of feet away and behind Tu, waiting patiently for Tu be satisfied enough and walk away with some crunchers left behind.

Today was the second day with feeding them three times. And to Miracle’s disappointment, Tu has finished every single bit of her crunchers. Miracle is a good sport about it, though. She doesn’t complain but just hopes that she will get more by being the very last one to leave the kitchen, even after Renee and me have gone.

Filed Under: Firsts

Dinner time truce

October 22, 2008 By Renée Leave a Comment

Last night the girls ate dinner together for the first time. Tulip has a place mat on the kitchen floor where her food and water bowls are. Mimi has been eating in the office. Last night, both had their food bowls on the place mat together. They were so interested in food, that they sat there side-by-side and stuffed their little faces. Cute! We have it on video. I will try to find time to post it this evening. I’m hoping that they will come to associate being together with dinner, and they’ll learn to enjoy being together. But that’s just my amateur kitty psychologist analysis.

FYI, Tulip is considerably less sneezy today. Both kitties have good appetites. I’m thinking we will take a wait-and-see approach on whether or not to visit the vet. Both appear to be getting better.

Filed Under: Behavior Tagged With: blind cat, miracle the blind cat, pet friends, tulip kitty, tulip the blind cat

Reluctantly getting closer

October 20, 2008 By Renée Leave a Comment

So last night was the first night that the girls slept on the same bed together. After we all watched the Red Sox lose, I decided I was disgusted and wanted to curl up in bed. I went and picked up Tulip off the rug in the living room. I think she may have a kitty cold, as she’s been sneezing quite a lot. When I picked her up, she rested against me, and let me plop her down in bed. When I crawled into bed, Miracle was still running around the living room. She was batting one of the foil crinkle balls all over the place and howling at the top of her lungs. Just what I needed! After she finally settled down a bit, Eve brought her in and set her on the bed next to me. Tu hissed at her. Mimi pretty much ignores it now, thankfully. She just lets it roll off her back. She curled up next to me and went to sleep. Tu got over it and went to sleep on the other side of me. Cute!

Several times throughout the night Mimi stirred around and woke Tulip up. Tulip replied with a hiss, but they both went back to sleep, just a few inches away from each other. Mimi is a little love bug. Tulip is like a sullen teenager, but she’s trying her best. I still think she’s a little bit afraid of Mimi.

This morning Mimi was already up and roaming the house. I put Tulip down and we went to the kitchen together to make coffee. Mimi came strolling into the kitchen and another hissing match ensued. Tulip sat down and sulked in front of the fridge. Mimi walked all the way around her, then snuck up next to Tu to smell her. Once she figured out exactly where Tu was, she scooted over and sat down right next to her. They were only about 4 inches apart. Mimi was very proud of herself. Tulip didn’t even realize she was there. I wish I got a picture, because it was hilarious. Finally Tu felt her presence and left with another hiss. At least they’re getting a little bit more comfortable. Crazy cats!

Filed Under: Behavior Tagged With: miracle, miracle the blind cat, pet friends, tulip kitty, tulip the blind cat

Status report

October 17, 2008 By Renée Leave a Comment

Sorry I haven’t posted on things in a couple days. I’ve been very busy, but I wanted to give everyone a quick update. The tigers have met face-to-face. Actually their first meet up was accidental. Tulip was in the living room. Miracle escaped from the bedroom and darted down the hall and Tulip was darting towards her. They actually just missed each other. Both seems a little shocked to realize that “someone” just passed by them. So Tulip let out a big hiss, just for good measure. Then I split them up again.

Yesterday Eve decided it was time for them to start getting to know each other. She let them into the same room together. There was a little hissing and posturing. Then they pretty much decided to leave each other alone.

Last night we decided it was time for a somewhat normal night’s rest. I crawled in bed, and Tu came with me. Eve came to bed and Mimi was out cruising around the house. I went out to check on her, and found her asleep on the couch. Everyone minded their own business all night. Some peace!

This morning, Mimi heard the alarm clock go off, so she came in to investigate. She’s already learning the morning routine. Tulip heard her and leaned over the edge of the bed to hiss at her. Mimi was unimpressed and walked away. I put Tu down on the floor and she followed me out to the kitchen to make coffee. As soon as we got in there, Mimi came in too. Another hiss from Tu. I told her to knock it off, and she did. They sat in the kitchen together while I made coffee. Tu had a sour face, but she behaved nicely.

After I got out of the shower, I took a quick tour to see what the girls were up to. I found Miracle asleep on the couch again. After searching around, I found Tulip behind the couch at the exact spot where Mimi was. They were like 6 inches apart, separated by the couch. Funny how they quite often don’t even realize the other one is there. I would think they’d communicate more, but they seem to be on very different wavelengths, at least so far. At least they’re willing to be together some of the time now.

Filed Under: Behavior Tagged With: blind cat, introducing a new cat, miracle the blind cat, tulip kitty, tulip the blind cat

Miracle discovers the kitty tree

October 14, 2008 By Renée Leave a Comment

I came out of the office into the living room and discovered this:

Miracle likes to climb (and climb up on top of) things. She apparently didn’t have any trouble getting up into the crow’s nest. You can view more photos of her kitty tree adventure in the FlickR photo stream to the right. For some reason FlickR puts the photos in reverse order, so you’ll have to start at the bottom and work your way up.

Filed Under: Behavior, Firsts Tagged With: blind cat, miracle, miracle the blind cat, tulip kitty, tulip the blind cat

Introducing Miracle

October 14, 2008 By Renée Leave a Comment

That’s right. TulipKitty.com now comes with 100% more blind cats!

This is Miss Miracle. She just arrived this afternoon. As you can see, she is already making herself quite at home. As soon as Tonya opened up the pet carrier, she popped out and made her way around our house like she had always been here. She and Tulip haven’t met yet. They have remained on opposite sides of the door. However, they are already talking to each other a bit and checking out each others belongings. I’m really hoping they’ll hit it off nicely.

Miracle also came from the wonderful folks at FOCAS. Thank you Tonya, Dana, Janet, and Frances for bringing her into our lives.

Filed Under: FOCAS, Renee Tagged With: blind cat, miracle the blind cat, pet friends, tulip kitty, tulip the blind cat

Baseball time again

October 12, 2008 By Renée Leave a Comment

Here’s Tulip and I watching the Red Sox / Rays game last night. Someone is learning to be a lap cat…

Filed Under: Pictures Tagged With: blind cat, tulip kitty, tulip the blind cat

Fuzzy Alarm Clock

October 9, 2008 By Renée Leave a Comment

Miss Tulip was full of love this morning. When my alarm clock went off, she woke up. She walked up the side of me and proceeded to lick my face and rub her little head all over mine. I hit the snooze button and told her “Not yet, Tu.” So she went back down and laid down between my feet.

The alarm went off again in 8 minutes. Kitty came back and went through the whole routine all over again. It was so sweet, I couldn’t take it. I got up, and she walked down to the foot of the bed and “waited for the elevator”. She purred as I picked her up and placed her on the floor. Then we were off to make coffee.

Sometimes that little tiger is the best part of my day.

Filed Under: Behavior, Praises Tagged With: blind cat, tulip kitty, tulip the blind cat

Me and Tu Kickin’ It On the Deck

October 8, 2008 By Eve Leave a Comment

Here’s a song for Tulip (to be sung to the tune of “On Moonlight Bay”).

Me and my Tu. We kickin’ it on the deck.
Me and my Tu. It’s warm outside so I said, “What the heck”.
Me and my Tu. Now she giving me the “No Pet”.
Me and my Tu….

I like to sing to her and make up crazy words and tunes. It’s one of our special things we do together.

Filed Under: Eve Tagged With: tulip song