Thursday, February 28, 2008

Close encounter!

So Snoopy was so hungry when she came home and in her groggy state she staggered into the kitchen looking for food. Curious Sakaura could not resist sniffing of her, but she was not going to stand around and wait for Snoopy to finish eating. It's obvious that she is not nearly as brave as she tries to pretend she is.

Hunger was a driving force here. So what do we do? Keep Snoopy in a semi-starved state so she will come out from hiding?

She's actually come out several times - walking around like she's the top cat in the house.

But will it last? I feel that once she is no longer in her drug induced stupor she'll retreat back to the darkness under the bed. And once again Sakaura will have the upper hand.

I actually thought tonight they might both eat in the same area but that won't happen (yet anyway).

SPA Day

It won't exactly be an enjoyable SPA experience for Snoopy, since she will be sleeping, but today she goes in for a haircut and a bath. She'll come home all groggy, but clean!

Her hair has grown out and the big mats on her back have got to really make her uncomfortable. I tried using a Furminator and was able to get some of the out, but it really is almost impossible to groom this cat. And she does not groom herself once the long hair comes back.

This morning she was not supposed to eat but she must have been frightened badly because she did not even come out of her bedroom to attempt to cross over the hall to the bathroom where we feed her. Poor kitty.

She is usually most mellow after her haircut. It's almost like she feels pretty and wants to be out and be sociable with us humans again. I am wondering how all this will play out now that we have The Terminator in residence. The other two cats used to sniff at her and hiss and growl when she first came home from the vet. Things may be more tense than ever tonight.

Calgon, take me away!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Not enough hours in the day

I just was thinking I'd not updated this in several days. It seems I am always out of time.

The Kozy Kitty Klub is still not fully functional. They don't fight - but Snoopy lives in total fear and Sakaura makes sure she does not let her forget that SHE is the boss.

The water fountain arrived last night and I put it together. I wondered if Her Highness would drink from it but this morning while I was drinking my morning coffee I noticed her approaching it. As is her usual habit, once she'd eaten she'd run over and drink from the decorative fountain. She walked up and examined the new drinking water and all of a sudden she jumped back like she was afraid. It took me a minute to realize she'd seen her reflection in the black plastic fountain and thought there was a cat in there! She did drink but she sneaked around and drank from the side instead of head on. Silly cat!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Girls Just Want To Have Fun

That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls - they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun


Maybe not girls - maybe just girl. Sakaura so wants to play and I doubt she will ever get that wish fulfilled. Snoopy is just NOT a friendly cat. We knew that but thought maybe we'd teach her a new trick.
She will come out to the sofa IF someone carries her, but then she is afraid to leave, so she has to be carried back to her room. When she tries to make a move on her own, Sakaura rushes after her totally freaking her out.

Sakarua is bored! She is also a very picky eater. Yesterday we went to PetSmart in search of the Purina canned cat food that we'd brought home from Tufts for Snoopy. It was really pretty gross stuff - pieces of fish in aspic, but Snoopy loved it. I don't think we found it, but we did bring home an assortment of foods to try on the cats, and Miss Picky promptly turned her nose up at this morning's offering. Snoopy woofed it down, so I put Sakaura's serving back in the can and it can be Snoopy's dinner.

On a positive note they both ate the inexpensive Friskies that we tried last night. Of course, if I buy more than one can of that they likely will not want it.

We are creating two monsters here! They do give us an occasional chuckle though, and keep our home from being "just another piece of mundane architechture".

Saturday, February 23, 2008

How to prevent cat fights

That is the subject of my research this morning. Earlier we had to literally force Snoopy upstairs to eat her breakfast which is most unusual for her. Then when she finished and thought she could sneak from the bathroom into her bedroom hideout, Sakaura spotted her and chased her under the bed.

But all my research says is give it time. I did find this interesting quote from one of the advice givers.
Just to give you some of my background experience with cats, when we lived in Las Vegas, my wife and I had a total of 42 cats. (not all at once) Only four of them were our regular "family." Needless to say we were cat lovers. My wife is now gone, but I still can't live without a cat. A home without a cat is just another piece of mundane architecture.

I really feel bad for Snoopy, but she is not in any danger. She is just afraid and all we can do is wait for her to realize that she doesn't need to be scared. Will that sink in? I am not sure but I will still hold out hope.

On a positive note, Sakaura let me clip her nails this morning. And we also put more ear mite drops in. During the night I heard her several times shake her head and scratch, so I know the mites are still bothering her. She's back to sleeping most of the night at my feet. And, seriously, who can resist this little face? The tongue just slays me!

Friday, February 22, 2008

So much for peaceful living

Just when I said the new litter box is working out, it's become a battle area it seems. This morning started out with cats running downstairs and upstairs and hissing and growling - they HATE each other.

When they are in the same room with us there to referee there are just these glaring looks. Sakaura is definitely the aggressor - and I think a lot of her aggression is simply the desire to "play". Of course, she may just be a very good actress and be a really mean cat. Time will tell.


There are moments when she can just lie there looking angelic. Right now Snoopy is in the bathroom - the lights are out, so I think she thinks she is hiding. Better there than under the bed. Sakaura is peacefully sleeping under the coffee table. But if either starts moving around the other will react. So much for thinking the plug -in diffuser makes any difference . It may though, and maybe they would kill each other if I unplug it. I am afraid to try that!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The Cat Police

I must get a video of Sakaura policing the house looking for her nemesis. She is hilariously funny, slinking around - sniffing in the air.

She really wants to play with Snoopy so bad, but the old grouch will have nothing of that (for now).

They manage to sleep quietly - even in the same space at times. But there is still fighting and squealing, and the ominous growling going on.

The one litter box is working though, which is wonderful. I was afraid the newbie would not take to the new litter box, but she has, and it is so much easier to keep clean!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

What a spoiled kitty she is

Just ordered Miss Sakaura a water fountain. She will only drink from a decorative fountain I had put out for my fern - which she ATE and I had to move to the basement. I don't think the water in this fountain is really safe to drink long term, so I order this fountain for the princess.

Petmate® Deluxe Fresh Flow™ Pet Fountain Medium Black
Petmate® Deluxe Fresh Flow™ Pet Fountain Medium Black
Petmate® Deluxe Fresh Flow™ Pet Fountain Medium Black
Item# #029695248400
$24.39
Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Fountain is a purifying fountain that adds oxygen, reduces bacteria and filters your pet's water. It has a translucent reservoir for water monitoring and automatically adds water as needed. This deluxe model has a medium capacity that holds 50 oz. of water. On/off switch with low voltage safety system which uses standard 120V outlet. Includes 2 replaceable charcoal filters for removing contaminants. Shipping weight: 4 1/2 lbs.

Back to work

My little chow hound will miss me today. She is such a beggar! And a nibbler.

Don said there was a battle going on downstairs around the litter box this morning. They are still requiring a police presence unless they are sound asleep!

Snoopy's hair is getting way too out of control, so she may get a day "off" and go to the vet for her lion cut. When she used to come home from her "day at the spa", the other two cats would hiss and growl at her, so this will be no different - just one cat hissing and growling.

I must remember to ask Don to make her appointment. Sakaura so far has been a good groomer and has no matted hair to contend with.

Monday, February 18, 2008

President's Day

I am off today for President's Day, but did we sleep late? No, we didn't but it was not on account of the cats (for a change). When I got up Sakaura was sitting in the middle of the kitchen where she has a good view of my bedroom, patiently waiting for signs of life. The minute I walked into the hallway, she was purring and rubbing against my legs.

I turned on the light in the kitchen and then peered into the living room and saw some big eyes staring back at me from the sofa. Snoopy had slept on the sofa again last night. She'd not voluntarily come out there, but she had stayed put and, I suppose, Sakaura must have slept under the table most of the night. Whatever - they were quiet!

I fixed the food and then had to offer Snoopy "police escort" in order for her to walk from the living room down the hall into her "dining room" (the bathroom). But we made it with no confrontations.

Later, I noticed Sakaura heading downstairs, and, since I suspected Snoopy was down there, I followed her down. Late yesterday we'd taken away the "regular" litter box and only left the seed litter box, so I was interested in seeing her reaction. She was most puzzled and sat and sniffed for some time before she jumped in and I heard loud scratching. I left and came back upstairs. A few minutes later, I heard this scream and Sakaura ran past me like a bat out of hell. Snoopy must have been down there.

So I went back and there she was - inside one of those kitty condo things that was strategically placed right outside the area where the litter box resides. I imagine when Sakaura walked by her she growled, and Miss Chicken took off running. Never a dull moment!


Yesterday when we left to go shopping, Sakaura's beau was sitting on top of Don's car. He did not want to budge - enjoying the warm sunshine from a high and dry vantage point. Don had to lift him off, since even starting the car and slowly moving in reverse did not even phase him. Poor kitty - he is all full of matts and hair balls.

But I do not need any more cats! I vacuumed with my Dyson Animal yesterday and was amazed at the amount of extra fur an extra cat produced.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Why am I up so early?

Don left a box and the packing material from a scale we purchased out in the hall last night, and at 5:30 Sakaura decided she needed to start wrestling with it. After several attempts to stop the racket and get back to sleep, we just got up.

Last night after dinner, Don brought Snoopy into the living area and put her on the sofa. She had to sniff the blanket Sakaura had made her own for about 10 minutes before she finally settled down to rest sit there. The two cats did manage to stay in the same general area with no fur flying, and when we went to bed Snoopy was still there on the sofa, with Sakaura under the dining room table.

After all the hubbub this morning, I turned on the lights in the living room and Snoopy was sitting on the sofa peering around the corner trying to see what all the noise was about. She immediately made her way to the spare bedroom to go under the bed until she realized I was getting out food for breakfast.

So that is sort of a bit of good progress. They've both eaten their fill, and Sakaura is again under the dining room table, and Snoopy's gone downstairs and Don says she's "sleeping on her own private futon".

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Bed Buddy

Surprisingly enough, Sakaura has become my bed buddy again. Even after I treated her ears yesterday with the ear mite medication.

Last night when we turned off the tv and rolled over to go to sleep, we heard the screeching and screaming coming from the spare bedroom - or as it's more commonly called "the cat's bedroom". Snoopy had started the night sleeping on top of the bed instead of under it. So the Tiny Terror must have attempted to get into the bed with her.

I flipped on the lights and caught Snoopy all puffed up and growling at a cowering Sakaura who was making her escape. It's funny how brave she was until Snoopy stood her ground. Maybe this is how we will make progress.

So she may have come to sleep with me to keep her safe from the big bad Fat Kitty.

There is only one common ground for these two - food! No matter where they are hiding the magical sound of the pop top being pulled brings them both running and purring! Of course the come to a dead stop before actually meeting, but they are almost congenial at this point.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Tiny little wails

Snowy, icy day and I am working from home. Sakaura is sleeping on the sofa next to the love seat where I have my laptop set up.

From time to time she lets out these little meows - almost like wails. I am not sure what they mean. Is she dreaming - bad dreams? Or does she have some sort of pain somewhere?

She's not digging in her ears any more, but I think it's time for another few drops to make sure those mites are all dead and gone. She won't like that at all.

Just when we make a bit of progress we lose ground. I'm waiting for Don to finish his lunch so he can hold her while I "torture her". Poor baby.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

She wants to play so bad

But Snoopy will have none of it. Don and I try to play with Sakaura, but she really really wants to romp and wrestle with old lady Snoopy.

She's taken to eating the Fancy Feast now so that is progress in that area. She still likes to cry and beg for food every time we go into the kitchen.

She's letting out these little cries when she sleeps sometimes and I am wondering if perhaps I need to put more drops in her ears. Not a pleasant thought, at all!

We have wretched weather forecast for the overnight and early morning. If things do not improve, I am likely to work from home tomorrow and I will attempt to get a peek in those ears then, if I don't feel brave enough tonight.


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Monday, February 11, 2008

Monday Madness

Sakaura was feeling her oats this morning for sure. Running from room to room - jumping at imaginary "bugs", chasing her tail - typical young cat stuff, but strange to the house of geriatric cats.

She was all about chasing Snoopy, who attempted to come out from under the bed for some treats. I gave her the treats, but once Tiny Terror realized that she was not hiding she had to run in and scare her back into the dark underworld again.

It was bitterly cold this morning, and lots of wind, making strange noises outside. I'm thinking this is what got Sakaura all riled up.



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Sunday, February 10, 2008

Two weeks and two days later...

We have a miracle here! Okay I am not waiting for it to last long but they are actually sleeping together in Don's basement cave office.

Don came upstairs to alert me and we tiptoed down so I could actually see them sleeping together.

And it didn't last long because "Sporky" as Don now calls Sakaura just came back upstairs. I don't see any missing fur and no blood, and we didn't hear any screeches or screams, so she made a graceful departure. Are we getting there?

What's in a name?


Esme or Esmé is a name (usually a first or given name) which may or may not be spelt with an accent on the e. Although more commonly a feminine name there are examples of male Esmes.

The name possibly means "esteemed" or "loved" in Old French. Possibly originating from French root word 'aime' meaning like or love (as in j’aime). Esme, could also originate from Esmeralda meaning "emerald" in Spanish. In 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' by Victor Hugo, Esmeralda is the Gypsy girl loved by Quasimodo.

So the boys at Devereux School thought that Esmé was not an appropriate name and changed her name to Sakaura.

Sakura or Cherry Blossom (Japanese kanji and Chinese character: 桜 or 櫻; katakana: サクラ; hiragana: さくら) is the Japanese name for ornamental cherry trees, Prunus serrulata, and their blossoms.

I have a feeling that the veterinary records of this cat started when she was first taken in by the animal rescue officer and her estimated date of birth is 01-01-04, making her 4 years old instead of the 2 years old we were first told. She's still a kid, as her behavior prooves. So we did get the records and she has all her vaccinations, etc. up to date until the end of May.

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Saturday, February 9, 2008

Up too early on Saturday

Yesterday when Don was getting garbage together Sakaura got into a box we'd brought stuff home from BJ's in. It's almost tempting to leave her in the box and toss her in the trash!

She was on the prowl again in the middle of the night...just enough to wake me and cause me to lie awake for hours afterward. Finally, I just gave up and got up for the day. The beauty of a Saturday is that if I need a nap, I can always take one later.

I got the toxic plants out of her reach, so let's see if she decides she wants to eat some of the other varieties. She's such a picky eater that it amazes me she wants to try to eat the green stuff.

Snoopy has positioned herself on the futon in Don's basement office. Sakaura went downstairs and walked all around but never spotted Snoopy, although Snoopy was well aware that her nemisis was roaming around. As long as these two stay out of each other's way, I hope we can have a peaceful weekend.

I was able to speak to the woman at the shelter about getting Sakaura's medical records. They are supposed to be "in the mail". Hopefully, we won't see that's she's been a patient in a cat insane asylum!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Fighting again!

So I bragged about the Aromacat Cat Nap and tonight when I got home from work the cats had their biggest squabble yet. It was way more than a squabble - there was screaming and clawing and I'm sure fur flying. I was trying to listen to my voice mail, and Sakaura took advantage of me not being there to "referee".


She is so devious! I don't know what to do except just hope that Snoopy does not get badly hurt since she has been declawed and is at a great disadvantage in these fights.

I hate the fact that she has taken to hiding under the bed most of the time. But I can't blame her with Big Meany waiting to pounce on her when she sticks her head out.

All the plants have been removed. Sakaura seems to be over her little tummy upset. I'm sure she will find something to get into overnight though. Last night she overturned a wastebasket. CALGON take me away. This is like having a toddler around.

Eating Plants!!

So the latest from the battlezone includes a nasty habit of eating plants! Rusty ate plants so I was always watchful. Snoopy's only ever been interested in silk plants so I have some plants in the house now that I've really not been very mindful of whether or not they were edible.

Yesterday Sakaura had a bit of diarrhea and this morning I woke to a little pile of fern leaves thrown up on the floor right near my spot on the sofa. So I moved the Boston fern, and today did a bit of research on poisonous vs. nonpoisonous plants.

I found this list that indicates that the fern is non-toxic but eating it could cause those symptoms. However, I did find a list of toxic plants that was most revealing and I will need to really make an effort to keep this cat away from some of the plants I now have. I brought an English ivy in trying to save it through the winter - and it is on the toxic list, as is my Peace Lily and my Aloe Vera.

I sent Don an email to move the ivy plant outdoors - the Aloe Vera is out of reach unless she does some climbing but I'll move it to a better place when I get home. I've not noticed her trying to nibble on the peace lily, but without her fern to graze on , it might be next.

Now I will worry all day that she's going to eat something that will really make her ill.

Sakaura - what a challenge you are!


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Thursday, February 7, 2008

Aromatherapy?

Last night I stopped into Pet Barn near my house. It's a local store, not one of the big box chains. They have mostly organic foods, so I thought perhaps they might have the spray bottle of Feliway that I wanted to try along with the electronic diffuser I got at Petco. I looked all around and could not spot it, so I waited for the clerk behind the counter.

She did not have Feliway, but did have an assortment of "natural and holistic" remedies made locally, which I found interesting. I purchased a bottle of spray called "Cat Nap" which was basically made from chamomile and lavender. It has a nice scent, and I do think it may be helping.

Okay so the cats are not best buddies BUT there was no screeching, hissing, growling, etc. last night or this morning.

And the lady also gave me a bag of "organic catnip" that is being distributed by the owner of the Pet Store. I offered some to both Snoopy and Sakaura. Snoopy had no use for it, but Sakaura began to EAT it. I did some research online and apparently some cats will eat catnip, and also found that not all cats respond to catnip. It's a genetic thing. Who knew?

AND I just discovered another product that I may order from Cat Faeries. It is called Multi Cat Household Harmony. This could become a new obsession ... trading purses for cat home remedies.

I took new pictures this morning but time got away from me and I had to clean snow off my car which took up some extra time so I didn't get any uploaded. Will do that later today.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

How did she do it?

How can a stranger cat come into your house and totally wrap you around her scratchy nailed paws?
  • I need to be treating her for the ear mites but I can't stand to see her shaking her head and running and then hiding from us.
  • I need for her to stop being like Attila the Hun and let poor timid Snoopy come back into the living area and spend time like she did before. But I can't lock her in the bathroom.
  • I need for her to eat what I give her and not look at it and then follow me around crying for her beloved (smelly!) Purrfectly Fi$h.

But what I need is being overshadowed by her cuteness - this is one adorable cat and she knows it and I am sure she secretly basks in her success of making a fool of me.

I think the aroma therapy may be working on Snoopy - but not on Sakaura. But I'll not give up. There must be a way to tame her enough for Snoopy to rejoin the family again. If not, I will be on a huge guilt trip.


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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

3 o'clock in the morning?

That is when the scream came from the kitchen - I suppose the two cats crossed paths and Sakaura screamed - Snoopy growled (and ran and hid). So I tried to get back to sleep. Surely they will realize it is the middle of the night, right? Wrong. Sakaura walks across the dresser by my bed, knocking stuff around and then comes and sits and stares at me, purring LOUDLY. That won't work? How about jumping into the bed and walking around? Still not getting me up, cat!

Within the next hour, I hear all sorts of noises of destruction, causing me to get up to see what the heck was going on. Sakaura had managed to get into my hall closet/pantry and was nosing around, likely climbing! Anyway, once I was up, there was no way I'd ever get back to sleep, so I started the coffee.

I discovered that the dry cat food bowl was totally empty so that is the reason for the nocturnal prowling and yowling - must make a note to make sure there is always food in there. Sakaura is a grazer, and I guess she was just hungry.

It will be a LONG day here - yawn!


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Monday, February 4, 2008

Mad Kitty!

Miss Sakaura hates to have medicine put in her ears. She goes totally crazy wild. And then she goes and hides.

This makes me very sad. Last night was the first night since we brought her home that she did not spend the night at my feet.

If only she knew that we are trying to make her feel better.

The medicine says apply every two days so today is a day off. But I dread the thought of having to submit her to the "torture" again tomorrow.

On the other hand, we put a diffuser in Snoopy's room that will hopefully cut down on the cat confrontations. Jury is still out on that.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Ear Mites, ugh!

Is this gross or what? I've noticed Sakaura letting out little meows at times like she had a sharp pain and yesterday I saw her scratching her ears madly. A quick inspection confirmed what I thought - she has ear mites.

Snoopy brought ear mites into our house when we first got her at the pet store. I know it is common among cats and highly contagious, so probably the other cats at the shelter are infected. I'm wondering if I should call or if they know this and just failed to mention it?

Anyway some Googling for remedies led me to run to CVS to pick up a little ear washing bulb and some mineral oil. First application last night was not welcomed by Miss Priss. In fact, I got a nasty scratch from the deal.

Today I will try to clean her ears again and we may go up to Petco to see if the over-the-counter remedy looks promising. Otherwise, it's off to Dr. K a bit earlier than we'd planned.

We wanted to have her veterinary records to bring to our vet, but we don't have those yet. I may have to get Don to call the shelter folks tomorrow to remind them we are still waiting for those, and at that time he could tell them about the ear mites.

I've checked Snoopy's ears and don't see a problem, but I may put some drops in her ears as a precaution.

Oh the joys of bringing a new cat into the household.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Quiet Saturday . . . shhhhh

Don't tell the cats but they slipped up this morning and didn't wake us! Of course, after the early bedtime due to yesterday's "alarm clock event" we woke way early on our own.

Sakaura is getting braver and braver. Today she was in Snoopy's "room" - which should be off limits to her - but that's hard. We have a really open living arrangement here that is not easy to isolate these cats from each other.

Again, I am hoping that they will either learn to like each other, or, if not, tolerate each other and STOP the growling!

The mission for today will be to try to find some sort of replacement for Sakaura's Purrfectly Fish - too pricey and she is going to learn that if she can't eat something a bit more thrifty, she'll just eat dry cat food. She is certainly prone to spoiling!

She's a strange one - and now only drinks from a decorative fountain that I have on my hearth to humidify the air for the Boston fern I am trying to keep over this winter.

And she's a sap for catnip. Rusty loved catnip, too. She has a lot of his characteristics, but she has coloring like our Pepper. BUT she has a personality of her own. She really does think she is the cat's meow!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Cat alarm clocks!

So just when we got them together with little or no fanfare, it all falls apart again. Last night they slept on their separate spots in the living room until it was bedtime and then Sakaura took her spot in the bed right at my feet. Snoopy sleeps in "her bedroom", but normally comes out into the hallway around 3 or so to wait for us to get up.

At about 4:15 there came the most God awful screams and screeches as Sakaura decided that she did not like Snoopy laying in that spot and she chased her back into the bedroom. There was no point at that hour for us to try to get back to sleep, so up we got, and today it was all about yawning.

I did come home early since we had some icy rain falling. Right now Snoopy is downstairs with Don and Sakaura is asleep on the sofa. She's already come into the kitchen when I was putting on some rice for dinner and begged to be fed. I swear she'd eat round the clock if allowed. Except she just likes to nibble. I think she just likes the attention of getting new food, not the actual consumption of if. She is a strange little cat.