First time

I'm ecstatic! Finally, I witnessed Boe and Pozzy enjoy playtime without the stressful territorial fights and irritating hisses. At last, they both sat quietly enjoying the elastic string on a wand that I made for them and a new toy I bought from Petsmart.

According to Petsmart's survey, the Cat Track is one of the most popular cat toys sold last year. Given their storewide sale, I got it for $4 from the regular price of $9. What a steal. As shown in the picture, an enticing yellow-green lightweight ball is "trapped" inside a perfectly shaped blue-colored circular track. Curious cats like Pozzy and Boe can see the ball from every angle making it irresistible not to grab or swipe the ball with their paws. They would both attempt to scoop out the ball but just can't seem to "fish" it out. The ball would scoot out of reach just when they thought they've captured it. This toy offers not only great exercise for both of them, but a lot of mental stimulation as well. Cool toy!

My cats love to play. I enjoy watching them run after the elastic string when I swing it around. They would leap and move with grace and agility, extremely focused in catching the string and chewing on it once they manage to "capture" it like a prey. Cats love this catch and grab game and I'm really happy that their feline curiosity and love for play drew them a little closer now. I'm looking forward to more peaceful playtime between them.



Boe: Yipee! We have a new toy Pozzy...
Pozzy: Hmm, interesting shape. Let's observe it first Boe..


Boe: I love this dangling string Pozzy..oops, it slipped
through my paw. Grab it Pozzy!
Pozzy: Hold it right there Boe, let me try and catch
it...


Boe: Whew! That was fun Pozzy. Wanna play more?
Pozzy: I need a break Boe. This green ball intrigues me..


Boe: Why don't you try and scoop it out Pozzy
Pozzy: Later Boe. Hey look, I caught the string!!!


Boe: Good job Pozzy! Why don't we plan out a strategy
to capture this green ball, Pozzy?
Pozzy: I'm not much of a thinker like you Boe. I'd rather trust
my instinct, it never fails.


Boe: Well you're right about that Pozzy. Alright then,
no more strategic plans.Go ahead and catch that string.
Let me know if you need help...
Pozzy: I have a better idea Boe, let's just sit out here
and chill...

Shifting Hues

I love weekends. This is the only time I get the chance to make changes to my blog. And as you have now noticed, I have given my blog a major facelift so to speak.

Not that I had anything againts the color scheme green and yellow(sabi nga ng feng shui experts, swerte daw ang green this year) but I felt that given the variety of colors available out there, I can make a shift to something a little bit better. And yes I admit, I'm the type who likes to change things when I feel there's a need to. And this weekend, I was in the mood to transform this blog into a more visually appealing page.

I've experimented with several color combinations, tinkered with the hex html color chart and finally went with my personal favorite: Purple. I combined this with shades of blue, pale red and yellow. I was torn between the blue and purple shades early on but after hours spent on trial and error, I managed to make a decision to go with purple. And so, voila! As a result, I'm pleased to offer a more visually pleasant blog page for everyone.

I have also added an email link for those of you who want to correspond with me re: my blog and whatever comes to mind. The pet photo and cat information marquee I added on top of the page definitely gives movement to the blog making it a little more interesting.

I honestly had fun tinkering with the blog template and will definitely continue finding ways to improve the overall look and feel of this page. This is just the first of many changes ahead. And like I always say, there is no limit to one's imagination and no limit to what can be done to make something better.

Here's to a fun week ahead. Meow!

Changes

You guessed it right. I made the necessary shift from Science Diet Advance to Science Diet Light. I've surfed and read tons of information enough to convince me that this is what's best for Boe. And what perfect timing, Petsmart is having a sale right now so I rushed back to the store and grabbed 2 - 4 lb bags of the Light formula.

Boe should only be limited to 1/2 cup of food a day. If she finishes that half the day, then that's it. No more refills. But I'm surprised that after giving her the Light formula yesterday, the trips to the foodbowl drastically dropped today. Not that it's less palatable but based from the information, this formula keeps her feeling "full" given the high fiber content and more importantly, it's low fat and low calorie food for cats. This way she eats less but still gets the necessary dietary requirement for the day.

I'm so pleased that Boeboe didn't reject her new dry food formulation. I trust in the product guarantee written on the package which confidently state "Great Taste 100% Guaranteed" and the years of research that went into the making of this product. Most cats hate changes in their food but based from Boe's reaction, she didn't even notice the change at all. Being creatures of habit, cats hate any form of change. But being a responsible cat owner entails decision making especially when the changes directly apply to their health. I look forward to a leaner Boeboe in the coming months. Wish us luck!

********

You bet, I have my share of personal changes too. I decided to end that sickening sight of dust building up on my Total Gym...time to utilize my 2 year old investment. Ha! That's right, it's been 2 years since I had this equipment at home but due to umm lets see, sheer laziness?! I haven't really maximized the use of this powerful fitness tool. What better way to go into this thing with a fitness buddy in Boeboe to remind me of the goals we've set for ourselves.

It is time to trim away the unsightly flab in my abs for a more muscular, leaner and yes, sexier me. And do take note that this is NOT part of any new year's resolution. I don't believe in that crap. But I do believe in people making things happen and resisting the temptation of putting aside matters of great importance such as health. This means putting an end to a longggg list of my favorite high calorie food stuff(like pizza) and setting aside time for exercise. So wish me (more) luck!

********

Yipeee! Finally I managed to replace that darn twin size mattress I've been sleeping on for over 3 months now with a brand new twin- sized Simmons mattress. This much needed change has been a long overdue one. I'm tired of waking up feeling like a thousand people kicked me in the back. Trust me, it's that bad.

Have you ever experienced Thoraco Lumbar pain caused by a worn out bed? It sucks! Imagine sleeping on a mattress with a defective springset. Not only will your neck hurt, your spine would suffer as well. This is why orthopedic doctors recommend orthopedic beds. It's perfect for back related problems and avoiding sleep related pains. I had a tough time looking around for a reasonably priced twin size mattress. I don't want to spend USD 500-700 on a Queen size bed yet so, the next best move is replacing the worn out, hand-me-down twin size mattress that came with the Day bed. Luckily, Costco decided to sell twin size beds this season. I've been shopping there for 3 years and this is the first time they sold twin size mattresses. What perfect timing.

Thank heavens for the pleasant sleep this weekend. What a difference really. Oh and the cats love the new mattress too! It's a good thing I have my camera phone beside me to capture this fun moment. For the first time, Boeboe and Pozzy peacefully leaped in my bed to sleep minus the fight. I'm covered with the red flat sheet while my two babies peacefully snore away.

(More) Pussy Thoughts and Cat Tales

As expected Boe's dry food ran out earlier than expected. I had to rush to Petsmart to replenish her food supply. She normally consumes a 4 lb-bag of Science Diet in less than a month. Hopefully, the 4 lb bag will be enough for 6 weeks given the new feeding method I'll introduce this week. No more free choice feeding for Boeboe. This type of feeding is similar to having a round-the-clock buffet setup, meaning Boeboe can go back and forth her foodbowl anytime she feels like eating. Now you know why she gained weight. Well that has to change. I want to see her leaner in the coming months. Wish us luck!

********

In a way I'm fortunate to have adopted a cat who's into dry food. Some cats prefer being fed with the wet kind. In other cases, fed with human food. This is a big NO-NO! What's even more shocking is that some cat owners allow their pets to eat ice cream, cakes, hamburgers and what ever they have in the fridge. This kind of feline "pampering" is similar to giving your cat a daily dose of poison.Table food is way too fatty for the digestive systems of cats(and animals in general) and can lead to severe stomach upsets. This can also trigger a possibly fatal pancreatic inflammation. Imagine feeding your cats "bulalo" everyday, do you think the poor thing will live long enough or beyond its normal lifespan? Certainly not.

In short, every cat owner should RESIST the temptation of feeding their cat whatever's on their plate. Companies like Hill's, Purina and Whiskas spend billions in research and development in order to come up high quality cat food. Cat food is designed to meet the dietary requirements of a cat.This is why it's a MUST to feed them ONLY with cat food.

Oh and before I forget, don't ever make that mistake of giving chocolates to your kitties. It is ultra toxic to them.

********

Having a cat entails commitment. It requires educating one's self constantly by reading books on cat care or any cat related literature for that matter as well as participating in discussion groups/online forums to learn how other cat owners handle problems with their feline companions. One has to take the time to know these things otherwise you won't understand what your cats are saying(and believe me they do communicate a lot). The motion of their ears and tails and even the direction of their whiskers mean something. Unless you equip yourself with the necessary knowledge, then there is no way you will bond seamlessly with your pet.

I noticed some people get carried away with the thought of having a cat of their own after seeing how beautiful Boe and Pozzy are but forgetting the responsibility attached to having them. I encourage those who are sort of "enticed" by the idea of having a cat to really take the time to look into themselves and find out if they are indeed ready to take responsibility for these feline creatures(or any pet for that matter). Getting a cat is similar to having a child where loads and heaps of patience and love is needed and required. If you think you have what it takes to be a cat owner, then by all means get a cat. You won't regret it.

********

Darn weekend sale. As a result, I bought a new sleeping basket for Pozzy(I wasn't even planning to get her one, err but i did). With it came a soft pillow and a thermal blanket to keep her warm this winter. It was fascinating to see her carefully inspect, sniff around and constantly rubbing her cheeks againts the basket. This is the cat way of saying "THIS ONE IS MINE" or Pozzy claiming the basket as her own. In less than 15 minutes, Pozzy comfortably lay inside her new bed (and eventually dozing off). What a lovely sight.

The next few nights thereafter, I noticed that Pozzy hasn't been sleeping in her other bed except that one particular night when it was freezing cold. Instead I would catch her sitting beside it for a while then moving straight inside the room to jump inside her basket. It seems to me that Pozzy now prefers the basket over her foam bed. Well I don't blame her. I'd pick the basket too if only for the thermal blanket that goes with it(not to mention the leg room).

********

Boe has a basket of her own. She sleeps there every now and then(or whenever she feels "safe"). Boe started to feel uneasy sleeping in her basket after several incidents of Pozzy sneaking up on her. She hates Pozzy for that. So I decided to make a pillow bed as an alternative sleeping station for her and made sure it is elevated to deter attacks from naughty Pozzy. I placed it next to my PC table so I could conveniently reach out to pet her whenever I want to. She in turn gets the pleasure of watching me surf the internet, and occasionally leaping straight to my lap to take a nap and get kisses on the forehead while sleeping. I love it whenever she tries to reach out to touch me with her soft paws whenever she feels like stretching. I would usually tease her with a bird's feather, swishing it in front of her face fast enough to prevent her from swiping it with her paws and biting it. She enjoys this game immensely. There are times I would catch her reaching out to play with the wires attached to my DSL modem, a ploy to get my attention(which works all the time).

What I enjoy most is seeing her sleep soundly beside me. It's rewarding to see one's pet sleeping contently. What a blessing it is for me to sleep each night with the thought that I tried my very best to make them happy, and to provide for their needs. I'm blessed with two awesome cats who always brings a smile to my face no matter how tough the day has been and I certainly look forward to many more happy days with them.

Here's to a purrrfect weekend ahead. Meow!!!

********

I promised to post Boe's latest pictures on a previous entry, so here is it. Enjoy!

Hmm, I wonder what Pozzy's up to...

Don't even think about it...

I'm feeling blue today...

Ramdom Thoughts and Ramblings of a Pussy Lover

It's winter time. As expected, my cats have been sleeping longer than the usual. Playtime has been set aside to give way to their extended sleeping hours. I've been watching them in their sleep, observing silently. Boe usually has a certain curl position where she covers her face with one of her paws. She doesn't like the light from my PC monitor when she sleeps(hates it in fact).Pozzy on the otherhand sinks herself right smack her cat couch with her tail touching her face(uses it just like a scarf to keep her warm). Both her front paws extend as far as she could, strething it as comfortable as she can. I love watching them snore away. Every now and then I would run my hand across their backs, petting them gently just like a mother does to a sleeping child in a cold winter night. They would purr to encourage me to pet them more, and I would. It's their way of saying, "Thank you for watching over us."

There's this not-so-secret wish I have eversince I adopted them; to actually see them sleep snuggly together(better yet, on my bed). I would be pleased to see them sit side by side enjoying the outdoors while seated on top of the window ledge.

It's a known fact that it takes a longer time for cats to get used to the presence of another cat. I don't know how long this so-called getting to know stage would last between Boe and Pozzy. Maybe another month? Three months? A year? Hell, no one knows. But it's not just about the waiting. It's about hoping for things to get better, and believing that the animosity will cease. In life, we all hate the "waiting" part of things and find it tough to exercise patience in having to wait for something to actually happen. But when we really think about it, there are things in life we certainly cannot rush. We just have to believe that one day, the waiting will end. Just believe, period.

Maybe this winter would draw them to one sleeping spot, curled side by side minus the hisses and paw fights. Maybe this winter will make them seek each others warmth to make it through the many chilly mornings ahead. I shall wait...and believe.

********

I decided to transfer Pozzy's couch in the living room, right behind my PC chair.She can't stand the winter's chill inside my room(and i can't either). Now she has complete access to me.Funny that she somehow mellowed down a bit when I did that. By this I mean she lessened the attacks on Boeboe and appeared to be more relaxed and secure. Somehow I know the attacks are rooted on jealousy. She hates the attention I give Boeboe*rolleyes* Now that she sleeps where she can see me, she's so much calmer and is less bitchy. I've been giving her tons of attention lately, petting her more than usual. It's good to know that Pozzy has somehow adjusted to the reality that Boe won't go away and no amount of bitchin around would change this fact. I'm glad I moved her sleeping couch in arms length so that during breaks, I could just turn around and pet her(and take pictures too).

Lesson learned:

1. Never isolate the poor thing any longer than necessary.

2. Be fair. Never show the other cat that you favor the other one than her.

3. Spend EQUAL play time.

4. Praise them constantly when they behave well(especially when the day ended WITHOUT a cat fight).

********

Eversince I moved to a new apartment, I noticed Boeboe's body weight drastically changed. Yes people, Pozzy is right in saying Boe's err,a little overweight(like me hihi).Boe's weight noticeably increased from the time we settled in our new place. And lately,I experienced difficulty in carrying her in my arms. Ang bigat na nya talaga. I expect her vet to freak out the moment she steps on the scale. Kung pwede lang ba sabihin na "Pasko kasi eh, kaya ayan tumaba sya."

I really don't know how this happened. Maybe it was less stressful for Boeboe now. Maybe she's happier in this new place.And please don't think it has something to do with the amount of food I give her. Trust me,she gets the same amount/portion and I've been strict about measurements when it comes to her food.I've never even given her wet food(believed to be more fattening than the dry variety). The good thing is that she became more alert and playful eversince I changed from the regular Science Diet formula to the advanced formulation. I suspect that the new formula tastes much better which explains the increase in visits to her food bowl.

I started to worry when her belly pouch appeared more visible(kung sa tao pa, obvious na ang "bilbil" nya). Whenever she leaps from her couch to the floor, I would hear her struggle with her breathing(Imagine an overweight person jumping, di ba mabilis hingalin at maingay ang paghinga?).Kung dati hindi ko naririnig ang paglalakad nya, ngayon naririnig ko na. In short, she gained weight. When I got her from the pound, she weighed 14 lbs. And now I suspect she weighs around, err 20?( this is a just a conservative estimate).

If Boe we're human, I'd surely look into liposuction(para instant result). I know people will tell me exercise is the key. If there's such a thing as cat gym, I'd get her a membership. I'd even check out the market for a possible cat treadmill. If only there's a cat version of Total Gym, then I'd get her that too. But the question is, does she really want to exercise? Would she really enjoy the process of losing weight and be motivated enough to workout on a daily basis? Hmm, maybe not. Cat's love to sleep. And like human beings, they hate exercise plain and simple.

There must be another way, the so-called "cat-way" of losing weight. This type of concern calls for professional help.Time to call her vet. It's her job to figure out how to bring back my Boe's shapely body. I'm not a vet, therefore I shouldn't be squeezing my brains out trying to find the right solution for her weight problem. Ha! Problem solved*wink*

********

Yipeee!More good news my friends. I decided to submit the very first blog entry I wrote about Boeboe here at Blogger and fortunately, it got accepted in the journal entry section of the pet site I mentioned on my previous posting. In return, we we're given a one year subscription to Cat Fancy Magazine. Cool isn't it? For those of you who failed to read my first blog entry here, then here's your chance to read it(instead of digging through the archive section of this blog). Here's the link:

http://www.apetsblog.com/pets-journal/pet-adoption.htm

********

I checked out Catster(thanks to the suggestion of a new blog friend Dom)and opened an account for Boe and Pozzy. It is catdom's version of "Friendster". It's fun finding friends for my feline companions. Currently, they both have 100 plus friends since I signed up(and counting).
Check Boe and Pozzy's Profiles here:
Boe: http://www.catster.com/?104209
Pozzy: http://www.catster.com/?104230

Sleepyhead Pozzy is a WINNER

Sleepyhead Pozzy
Originally uploaded by PussyLover.

Yippeee! I participated in an online photo contest just this afternoon and sent this photo I have of Pozzy and fortunately, my entry won. I feel so proud.

Anyway, I'm planning to participate in the journal entry category as well and hopefully win that free subscription to Cat Fancy Magazine. Wish me luck! Here's the url of the site in case you want to check it out

http://www.apetsblog.com/pets-photo-album/index.htm.

Going Digital

A close friend of mine urged me to get a digital camera about a year or so ago. I kept putting off the purchase. Then I started this blogging thing recently and that's when the need for a digital camera suddenly start to pinch me more and more in the butt. In reality, my Nokia 6600 camera phone cannot capture the real beauty of my feline babies given its technical limitations. When I started blogging, one of my objectives was to share photographs of my beautiful cats. Finally I shall put an end to mediocre pictures(can you tell i'm certainly unimpressed with the pictures i've taken and uploaded prior to the one i've taken using a digital camera?) I guess you can see with your own eyes the obvious difference in picture resolution.

And so armed with a brand new Canon S500, I literally spent New Year's Day taking pictures of Boeboe and Pozzy. I enjoyed it immensely. To a certain degree, I actually hated myself for delaying such a necessary investment. Then again, had I bought this camera earlier, I wouldn't be getting it at it's discounted value. It always pays to wait before investing in something pricey. It also gave me time to research which digital camera to get. I was torn between getting a Sony W1 and Canon S500. I had to read tons of customer reviews and see actualy print outs from both camera models to reach a decision. I am more than certain that I made the right decision by choosing Canon over Sony. Sure, it was a pricier than Sony. Then again, pricing wasn't my main buying consideration and I have a long list of reasons why I believed Canon was the way to go.

To my friends and recent blog acquiantances, many thanks for taking time to visit my blog. Here's to a purrrfect year. Cheers!

Here are some snapshots of Pozzy. I shall upload Boe's pictures next time. Enjoy everyone!

Hmm, inis na Pozzy(Hindi ko kasi tinatantanan sa kakakuha ng picture e)

Sleepyhead Pozzy

Pozzy showing off her tongue(actually she's sticking her tongue out at me)