Amos Goes to the Beauty Parlor

A new groomer has opened shop in my neighborhood - Logan Pets. I will be doing a full review of the joint soon, but I took Amos there this past weekend to get him a much needed makeover and I wanted to share the news now.

Though he was quite unhappy with me for the rest of the weekend, he sure is looking pretty (and smells great too!). They bathed and brushed him, trimmed his nails, cleaned his ears and -- my favorite part -- brushed his teeth. I have been quite unsuccessful in this department so I was extremely excited to learn this was part of their Beauty Bath Package.

The groomer said he did quite well, and only made a fuss when they turned on the blow dryer. When I went to pick him up, he was just calmly laying in his carrier and stayed that way during the entire walk home. The groomer said -- and I quote -- "I wish all the cats who come here were that easy!"

That's my boy.












- H

Plants and Cats: It's One or the Other

I do not think it's possible to be a cat-owner AND a plant-owner. Unfortunately, I love both.

Amos recently broke a SECOND potted plant on my one east-facing windowsill. This time it was the yellow pot that the Christmas Cactus has been living in. I had to transport the cactus to the yellow pot after he broke the first one the cactus was living in - with was my favorite, a gift. He loves to sit in that window more than any others in the apartment and it doesn't seem to matter that there are 4 or 5 potted plants on the sill at any given time. He just swings and tail and they go crashing onto the radiator or floor below. Sometimes he prefers to just play in the soil and then track his dirty paws all over the apartment.

When he's not carelessly smashing them or digging them up, he's eating them. And finding the green puke piles on the rugs is super disgusting. A friend of mine brought me a nice potted plant a few months ago. Unfortunately, Amos thinks this particular plant is quite tasty. The plant (we're still not sure what kind it is since the tag simply reads "foliage") is now all know all gnarled and hanging on for dear life.

I refuse to give up my plants. I mean, they are living creatures too! I have already had to give up a couple because so many plants are poisonous to cats, including my favorite (lily). I even had to take my aloe plant to my office in case Amos decided to see what it tastes like. The plants are staying damnit! So I guess it's Amos who must go.

Just kidding.

- H

Amos the Bug Catcher

One thing cats are definitely good at is catching those creepy critters that sneak into your home.

Last night, Amos had quite a good time playing (torturing) this bug who was crawling around the dining room floor.

Then he ate it. Gross.

-H

Amos 2.0 - Part 3

The third initiative to help Amos become all the kitty he can be is to help him to get some more exercise.

Amos is a bit of a lazy kitty these days -- he no longer has furry friends to play with (i.e. chase) around the apartment.

Also, because it's been winter for, well, the last 5 months, he hasn't gotten any porch time.

And my busy schedule hasn't left me with much time to play games with him (I know - excuses, excuses).

To counter all these misfortunes, I have recently purchased this awesome lazer toy - BOLT by Frolicat.

It basically shoots a lazer beam around the room without me having to do any work. Perfect! So far... I think Amos is enjoying himself.

- H

Here Comes the Sun

Amos is happy it's Spring.

:-)

- H

Amos 2.0 - Part 2

The second initiative to make Amos a new happy, healthy kitty is to get those teeth fixed up!

Dr. Duke, Amos' vet, was concerned that he may be getting gingivitis. In an effort to prevent a $400 bill to have them clean his teeth (which requires putting the poor guy under) I am courageously trying to brush his teeth myself...regularly. I went to the pet store and purchased a kit (I did not even know these existed).

He didn't love me prying his teeth apartment and rubbing on his gums and teeth with a big blue plastic finger with white paste on it... but he didn't bite my hand off!

I told him it will just be something he'll have to get used to.

Stay tuned for updates.

- H

Amos 2.0 - Part 1

In the wake of Amos' recent disastrous visit to the vet, I'm on a mission to transform into a happy and healthy cat -- Amos 2.0.

The first initiative is to get him to lose some weight. He is currently at 14.4 lbs, and according the vet, this is too heavy for a cat his age. I am surprised by this news since he doesn't look fat to me -- and I didn't really appreciate Dr. Duke's comment, "Chubby cats are so cute aren't they?"

Nonetheless, I'm following the doctor's orders and started Amos on a new diet last week. I have been feeding him wet food twice a day, supplemented by the usual dry food. Supposedly, by me feeding him only dry food, it has been the equivalent of me eating nothing but bagels. Oops.

Considering he'll put just about anything in his mouth, I was a little surprised that he was so picky about the flavors of the wet food, but can I really blame him? This stuff smells disgusting. After snubbing the chicken flavor, he is going crazy for the "salmon entree". And yes, I'm feeding him the snobby Nutro brand, because that's what type of dry food I buy.

Week 1 = Success

I tried to weigh him at home but he wouldn't stay still on the scale.

- H

Where's My Supper?

Amos sits at the kitchen table wondering where his supper is.

Typical male.

- H

Amos Goes to the Vet

Saturday was time for Amos to take his annual trip to the vet. As far as

animals at the vet go, he does a pretty good job at keeping his cool. I trick him into getting into the carrier by throwing treats into the carrier and shoving his ass in there.

The worst part for him (from what I can tell by his horrible howling) is the car ride there.

Once we get in to see Dr. Duke Amos is a "cool customer." He barely even flinched when the vet gave him his rabies shot.

Unfortunately, the doctor had some strict orders. Amos needs to lose some weight. At 14.4 pounds, he is at risk for developing diabetes later in life. Also, it turns out he has has some gingivitis going on.

Stay tuned to see how I'll be dealing with the doctor's orders.

- H

The FURminator

A few years ago when I had a dog, I came across a small booth at a local art fair where someone was selling an unknown product that was recently patented. They claimed that this tool would replace any brush as the best deshedding tool for long haired dogs. I, the excited owner of a incredibly long haired pooch, was quickly seduced by their claims. The prospect of a solution to the annoying dog hair problem was too exciting to pass up. I quickly forked over the cash and went home to try it out on my unsuspecting dog. (Note: the FURminator deShedding Tool is much more expensive than the average brush, some models run as much as $75.)

The tool worked great, at least, whenever I was able to use it on him (he didn't much care for being brushed). He had a very think coat and the tool was able to grab a lot of the undercoat and pull it out in huge clumps.

I am no longer a dog owner but I still have a furniture-covering hair problem. Amos sheds a ridiculous amount, and not just in the so-called "shedding season." I was excited to hear that the once small company has ballooned into a huge company, FURminator, Inc., with its products being sold at large retailers such as PETCO and PetSmart. They have a number of different tools now, including one for cats.

I recently purchased the cat model FURminator and am anxious to see how it stands up to the one for dogs. I'm not sure if he likes it or hates it (he'll purr a lot but also runs away or flips on his back). I did get a good ball of fur out of him yesterday though (pictured).

I'll keep ya'll updated.

- H

You Scratch My Cat, I'll Scratch Your Cat

When you own cats, you have to have at least one other friend who also owns cats who will check on your monsters when you are away.

I am thankful H was able to check on Washoo and Laci for the six days I was gone. I was able to partially return the favor. As I soon as I got back, H took off for a long weekend.

Pet sitting a cat is a lot different than watching a dog. Sure with both you feed and take care of poop, but paying attention to the pet is different.

A dog is always ready for your attention and willing to play. Just the word "walk" will cause a dog to get excited. You take them out, you throw a ball, and you are done. They are ready at any given moment for some human affection.

However, with cats just because you are there doesn't mean they are ready for the same affection. They'll let you know when they want some attention and it isn't always when you stop by.

When cat sitting, I usually try and just sit and be available to the cat for about 15 minutes, longer if I have the time. Sometimes the cat will wonder over for some pets and sometimes they just go about their business. Dropping in on Amos, he only acknowledged my presence enough to tell me that it was porch time.

- M

Cardboard Makes a Nice Bed

The apartment is accumulating quite the collection of boxes.

I've bought beer, shoes and wedding gifts recently, all which have come in boxes.

Quickly after discarding the box to the floor, Amos finds a new sleeping spot. His actual cat bed, bought specifically for him, has been abandoned.

-H