Post by Honeylioness on Mar 2, 2009 22:49:24 GMT -5
02 March 2009
Neither cat will speak to me except to say "Meout", TJ pulled up a patch of sun and is snoozing on the deck and Onyx is dancing across the yard to find what she can find (and spooking the birds hiding in the grapevine).
03 March 2009
I let her out this evening for a little while. It was so beautiful here. Then I realized the two neighborhood "bad boys" were in the yard threatening/taunting TJ. I got the squirt bottle of vinegar water and gave them a taste. The tomcats scampered out of the yard with you know who hobbling right after them. Then I come hobbling and stumbling after her in the dark. She was about two feet in front of me, I'd catch up and start to pick her up and she hobbled another two feet ahead of me. Why is it adolescent females always have to go after the bad boys? Of course, when I gave up and walked back to the house she followed about three feet behind with pauses to check if the bad boys had come back. They hadn't. So she came in for the night. TJ just watched from his chair as soon as I came out to take over.
ETA: for the newbies Onyx is a handicapped (cerebellar abiotrophy) kitten that my 18y.o. cat TJ adopted last summer. She has mobility issues that make walking awkward. But she is a real lover with personality plus and has been a continuing source of entertainment since last July.
04 March 2009
I was doing some research on line today about Onyx's mobility problem and learned what I could about feline cerebellar hypoplasia. I even found a clip on YouTube (This is Charley). I guess it is more common than I knew. She is in no pain and should live a normal life.
This afternoon she gave it her best shot. Both cats were sunning on the deck when the two neighborhood "bad boys" showed up. Something set them off and they started fighting and rolling and tumbling with each other. As soon as I came out with the spray bottle of vinegar water (and was there for backup) TJ had to jump in to give his opinion on the topic. All the while Onyx was puffing herself up and starting to grumble and growl. Don't know what she thought she could add to the situation--but she was ready. I snatched her up before she could leap in and show them all how to settle things. With rumbles like this, retirement is not nearly as staid as it might be.
10 March 2009
I will also be glad to get away from Onyx for a day. She is becoming such a princess. Total attention must be on her all the time. When I am in the desk chair she will jump up almost to eye level to get my attention. Sort of reminds me of Tigger and his bounces on his tail. If I let TJ outside while she is napping she will hear the door no matter where she is, then whine and pout because she is inside and he is out. Let her outside and TJ comes in. Then TJ will "tattle" if she gets to stay out longer than he did.
Last night when they were both inside and I was in the recliner without a book (signal that it is lap time) TJ jumped up for a snuggle. About five minutes later Onyx came into the den and saw the situation and was very upset. She did one of her mega jumps straight up in the air and swatted his haunches on the way down. It startled him so much he jumped down and ran to his basket for safety while she jumped on the chair beside him and just glared and growled at him. I am surprised that his basket is truly "off limits." I have never even seen her look longingly at his basket.
20 March 2009
We also stopped in a pet store to get another sweater for her little dog. I half heartedly looked at harnesses for Onyx. I've been thinking about taking her with me when I go visit my sister. I'm not sure I want to leave her and TJ without adult supervision while I am gone. TJ alone would be fine but I wonder about them together.
24 March 2009
Onyx really pushed the limits of her curfew last night. She was out about an hour later than normal. When it is such a dark night i worry about her not being visible due to her dark coat. I guess next months budget will have to be tweeked to include some "bling" for her, maybe a glow-in-the-dark collar. It is time to get her used to a collar, especially if I want to train her to a leash. I have found a lightweight vest(kind of like a little doggy jacket) that I think would work better than a harness. I have realized she will have to board at the vet's or learn to travel with me. I can't leave them both alone without adult supervision for more than a few hours. I trust TJ to "play well" with the friend who cares for him when I am gone--he has done it so many times over the years, but I am afraid Onyx might be a bit high maintenance. We shall see. Who knows she might end up seeing Las Vegas!
30 March 2009
Blowing snow all day continuing through the night. Onyx snored away beneath the comforter all day and is now using the entire house as her private racetrack. TJ just huddles in his basket hoping she will ignore him, I am sure.
Neither cat will speak to me except to say "Meout", TJ pulled up a patch of sun and is snoozing on the deck and Onyx is dancing across the yard to find what she can find (and spooking the birds hiding in the grapevine).
03 March 2009
I let her out this evening for a little while. It was so beautiful here. Then I realized the two neighborhood "bad boys" were in the yard threatening/taunting TJ. I got the squirt bottle of vinegar water and gave them a taste. The tomcats scampered out of the yard with you know who hobbling right after them. Then I come hobbling and stumbling after her in the dark. She was about two feet in front of me, I'd catch up and start to pick her up and she hobbled another two feet ahead of me. Why is it adolescent females always have to go after the bad boys? Of course, when I gave up and walked back to the house she followed about three feet behind with pauses to check if the bad boys had come back. They hadn't. So she came in for the night. TJ just watched from his chair as soon as I came out to take over.
ETA: for the newbies Onyx is a handicapped (cerebellar abiotrophy) kitten that my 18y.o. cat TJ adopted last summer. She has mobility issues that make walking awkward. But she is a real lover with personality plus and has been a continuing source of entertainment since last July.
04 March 2009
I was doing some research on line today about Onyx's mobility problem and learned what I could about feline cerebellar hypoplasia. I even found a clip on YouTube (This is Charley). I guess it is more common than I knew. She is in no pain and should live a normal life.
This afternoon she gave it her best shot. Both cats were sunning on the deck when the two neighborhood "bad boys" showed up. Something set them off and they started fighting and rolling and tumbling with each other. As soon as I came out with the spray bottle of vinegar water (and was there for backup) TJ had to jump in to give his opinion on the topic. All the while Onyx was puffing herself up and starting to grumble and growl. Don't know what she thought she could add to the situation--but she was ready. I snatched her up before she could leap in and show them all how to settle things. With rumbles like this, retirement is not nearly as staid as it might be.
10 March 2009
I will also be glad to get away from Onyx for a day. She is becoming such a princess. Total attention must be on her all the time. When I am in the desk chair she will jump up almost to eye level to get my attention. Sort of reminds me of Tigger and his bounces on his tail. If I let TJ outside while she is napping she will hear the door no matter where she is, then whine and pout because she is inside and he is out. Let her outside and TJ comes in. Then TJ will "tattle" if she gets to stay out longer than he did.
Last night when they were both inside and I was in the recliner without a book (signal that it is lap time) TJ jumped up for a snuggle. About five minutes later Onyx came into the den and saw the situation and was very upset. She did one of her mega jumps straight up in the air and swatted his haunches on the way down. It startled him so much he jumped down and ran to his basket for safety while she jumped on the chair beside him and just glared and growled at him. I am surprised that his basket is truly "off limits." I have never even seen her look longingly at his basket.
20 March 2009
We also stopped in a pet store to get another sweater for her little dog. I half heartedly looked at harnesses for Onyx. I've been thinking about taking her with me when I go visit my sister. I'm not sure I want to leave her and TJ without adult supervision while I am gone. TJ alone would be fine but I wonder about them together.
24 March 2009
Onyx really pushed the limits of her curfew last night. She was out about an hour later than normal. When it is such a dark night i worry about her not being visible due to her dark coat. I guess next months budget will have to be tweeked to include some "bling" for her, maybe a glow-in-the-dark collar. It is time to get her used to a collar, especially if I want to train her to a leash. I have found a lightweight vest(kind of like a little doggy jacket) that I think would work better than a harness. I have realized she will have to board at the vet's or learn to travel with me. I can't leave them both alone without adult supervision for more than a few hours. I trust TJ to "play well" with the friend who cares for him when I am gone--he has done it so many times over the years, but I am afraid Onyx might be a bit high maintenance. We shall see. Who knows she might end up seeing Las Vegas!
30 March 2009
Blowing snow all day continuing through the night. Onyx snored away beneath the comforter all day and is now using the entire house as her private racetrack. TJ just huddles in his basket hoping she will ignore him, I am sure.