Blest Sunday: Blessings In Spite Of The Darkness

Hurry Raena, it’s Blest Sunday and we need to get our posty out. It’s your turn fur mommy watch.

 

 Blest Sunday purple kitty clip art graphic

 

 

 

          I’s comin’, sissy. I’s been so worried ‘bout mommy. Let me get a good stretch here on this new Catit scratcher we got last month from Chewy. I’s wanna give mommy a nice relaxin’ massage. Maybe it’ll help.

 

Raena scratches on the catit zebra scratcher

 

 

 

Me’s sure mommy will ‘purreciate that Raena. She knows how much we’ve both been worried ‘bout her. Seems things went from bad to worse last week at mommy’s dental ‘pointment and she’s been cryin’ ever since. Me’s furs haven’t gotten this soaked in a while.

 

 Dezi lays in mommy's lap

 

 

 

          Yep sissy, I’s couldn’t believe that after everythin’ she’s been thru and everythin’ they’ve put her thru, they had the nerve to tell her she still owed money. And not just a few dollars either, but a whoppin’ $800.00. I’s should’a known somethin’ was up when I’s didn’t recognize anypawdy when we went back in February. I’s mean, we knew they went thru dentists like a hot knife thru butter; but the office staff had always remained constant. Well, till this year that is. And now they’re sayin’ that mommy paid fur a temporary lower denture but the purr-manent one was never included in the plan. Somethin’ ‘bout only billin’ fur services they’re purrvidin’ at the time. Mommy tried showin’ ‘em her paperwork that showed the purrmanent lower denture, and the paper that said she had a zero balance. But they said they don’t use those forms anymore and even tho it was listed, it was never included in the purrice. And, since the lady that told mommy it was, is no longer with the company, they can only go on what their new paperwork says. And, it says mommy owes them fur the purrmanent bottom denture. But hey, it’s cheaper than the partial she was gonna get. She kept callin’ mommy “my love”, as ifin that was gonna make it all better. Hisssssssss 

 

Raena lays on catit zebra scratcher

 

 

 

Yeah Raena, me doesn’t know how they kept a straight face. Or how many more peeps have they done this too?. Ya’ know, they’ve got ya’. Ya’ can’t argue with peeps who don’t have a clue, and they know you’re gonna pay cuz ifin ya’ don’t, ya’ don’t get your teethies. (Dezi and Raena both shake their heads) It’s just so upsettin’. Mommy’s so tired of fightin’ and bein’ alone in all this. She just wants to give up on everythin’. Like, where’s she s’posed to get $800.00? Even ifin she gave ‘em her whole check it wouldn’t be enuff. ‘Course, mommy would never do that, cuz that would mean we wouldn’t get any noms fur the month and would purrobably be evicted fur not payin’ the rent. Me gets why mommy’s so upset, me just doesn’t get how these peeps can do this. 

 

 Dezi gets love while laying in mommy's lap

 

 

 

          Well, I’s don’t like it sissy. I’s want mine’s happy mommy back. Ifin she’d just have let me at ‘em, I’s would’a gave that my luvs babblin’ lady the o’l whacky paw of correction and a bitey she’d never furget. Anyways, even in what seems like one of mommy’s darkest hours, she continued to say we are Blest. She held each of us and told us how much she luvs us and how Blest she is to have us. And, I’s did see a smile last night when you took your big o’l paw and wiped away her tears and stretched your head out fur a kiss. She says it’s so cute how you poke your mouth out and close your eyes like you’re actually kissin’ her.

 

That’s cuz me really is kissin’ her, silly. Me luvs mommy so much. Sometimes our duties are to just make mommy feel better.

 

 Raena lays sleeping in mommy's lap

 

 

 

          I’s luvs luvvin’ on mommy, sissy.

 

 

 

Me too, Raena. No matter what else may be goin’ on, luv can conquer all. We are so blest to have a luvvin’ mommy, a furever home, food in our tummies and the bestest furiends in the universe. What a meowvelous life we have. We’d like to remind everypawdy to take a minute today and every day to give thanks fur the Blessings in your life. Fank you all fur bein’ our furiends. And, ifin ya’ can spare a purrayer or two, we’d really ‘purreciate it. 

 

 Dezi gets loving while laying in mommy's lap_selfie

 

 

 

          One last thing sissy…let’s link up with the Kitties Blue fur Sunday Selfies. We’ve had lots of time to spend in mommy’s lap lately, so we’ve got purrlenty of lap selfies/plandids. 

  

Till the next time…………………………………………..Be Blest!!! 

 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

Raena: Navy Blue

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle 

Service Cats: How Long Does It Take To Train A Cat Pt. 2

MeOW and welcome to a new installment of Service Cats and Everything Feline. Keep the questions coming. ‘Member, there’s no stupid question, we can’t all know everythin’ all the time. We do want to remind you to be as specific as pawssible when askin’ behavioral questions. We want to give you the best Training Tips to correct the unwanted behavior. Well bahaved kitties mean more kitties stay in their furever homes. And yes, a lot of mommy A’s Training Tips can be used to Train dogs, horses and other species, not just the finicky feline in your life. You can ketch up on any of the posts in this series by clickin’ on Training Tips and Everything Feline on our menu bar. There you will find the links to all our Educational posts and Training Tips. Today’s posty is a continuation of last weeks post where we began to address the question, “How long does it take to Train a Cat?” Let’s get the business out of the way and get this pawrty started.

 

Dezi laying in cat tree in new harness

 

 

 

 

The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards.

Raena sits posing in her tiger harness

 

 

 

Last week we explained that we couldn’t really put an exact time table on Training because there are a lot of factors to be considered, such as age, breed, abilities/disabilities and personality. But, all kitties/cats can be Trained and actually enjoy Training. We briefly told you about how long it took Shad, mommy’s first Service Cat, to Train herself. You can read all about Shad here. We then moved on to Lucky and sis Lexi,  mommy’s first “driving” (wheelchair) kitties. The greatest thing you have when it comes to Training, is an animals’ curiosity and desire to please their human(s). A Bonded animal will go to great lengths to get their human’s approval and love.

 

 Lexi lays in wheelchair

 

 

 

So, let’s take a look now at how long it took sis Lexi to learn to drive mommy’s first wheelchair. As we mentioned it took about 3 months for Lexi to get over her fears of the wheelchair. You have to remember, a wheelchair isn’t just a big chair, it’s a big, heavy moving piece of furniture. Unfortunately, many a kitty has probably had their tail run over more than once by someone in a wheelchair. Unintentionally of course, but me’s sure it hurts just the same. So, we left off with Lexi trying to push the joystick one morning after having watched her brother move the chair the night before by doing just that. Altho’ the chair was plugged in and wouldn’t operate, mommy praised Lexi for her attempts and told her how proud she was. Once mommy was in the chair herself, she held Lexi in her lap while letting Lexi rest her front paws on mommy’s driving hand (mommy could still move her upper body well in the morning’s at that time). As mommy’s hand and Lexi’s paws pushed the joystick forward, mommy continued to praise Lexi and say “Good girl. Let’s go to the potty room.” yes, the first thing mommy ever needs to do in the morning is hit the bathroom. Seems everybody including the kitties all have to take advantage of the facilities first thing in the morning, so Lexi had jumped out of the chair and after using the litterbox took up her watchful place on the bathroom sink’s vanity.

 

 Lexi's signature pose

Mommy did well under the ever watchful eyes of sweet Lexi.

 

 

 

The next stop mommy always makes is the kitchen to prepare a kitty feast. Again, Lexi sat in mommy’s lap with her front paws on mommy’s driving hand as they headed to the kitchen. And again, mommy praised Lexi and said “To the kitchen, it’s time for brekky.” Yes, mommy’s always used a lot of baby talk with us. This pattern was repeated off and on during the day for the next several months. Training sessions lasted about 15 minutes each time for each kitty, Lexi and then Lucky. Remember, Training is ALL about Repetition and Rewards. In this case, taking kitty for rides and praising them throughout each session. Lucky caught on much quicker than Lexi and was driving without mommy’s hand in about 4 months. Lexi took her successful, no help from mommy drive about 2 months later; for a total of 6 months Active Training. That means a total of 9 months passed from the time the wheelchair entered the house to the time Lexi successfully maneuvered it by herself. When we say “by herself”, we mean that mommy’s hands were no where near the joystick. However, mommy did and still does use her hands to steady and support us on her leg.

 

 Dezi checks out the new Powerchair

 

 

 

The joystick extends anywhere from 6 to 12 inches from the arm. The wheelchair’s arm is approximately 2 to 3 inches wide, so there’s technically not enough room for us to stand, lay or sit on the arm and drive. We must remain in mommy’s lap and stretch/lean forward to connect with the joystick. This “stretch” makes us a little unsteady, especially when the chair is in motion. Because the chair can continue to move slightly even after pressure on the joystick stops, means that it can be extremely dangerous if we were to fall, thus the need for some support from the rider/mommy.

 

 Baby Dezi looks up at Lexi laying in the wheelchair

35mm camera image

Hey sissy, how’d you get up there? Me wants to be just like you.

 

 

 

Let’s move forward a bit to the time me joined mommy, and sis Lexi. By this time, sis Lexi was 10 years old and pretty much everything was old hat to her. Meaning, she was fully Trained and wasn’t learning anything new. At least that’s what mommy thought. We’ll come back to this a little later. So, me came to live with mommy and sis Lexi when me was about 2 1/2 – 3 weeks old. Me was very tiny and very sick. Thankfully, me was in the purrfect home with just the right mommy. Me had picked mommy instead of her picking me, so me bonded with her right away. Oh how me loves and adores mommy and me’s then sis Lexi. Me wanted to be just like sissy. Even though she was huge compared to me, me tried to do everything she did.

 

 Baby Dezi her first week at home

35mm camera image

Yep, me was so tiny the only potty box me could reach was a foil bakin’ pan.

 

 

 

 

Mommy remembers one of the first showers she took after me came to live here. When mommy would get in the shower, sis Lexi would automatically jump into the shower with her and stand at the back or on the other side of the shower curtain that was in the tub. This time, mommy had just stepped into the shower accompanied by sis Lexi when she heard a banging echo on the tub. She pulled back the curtain to see little o’l me trying desperately to jump into the bathtub with her and Lexi. Me wasn’t even as tall as mommy’s ankles, so the tub was certainly to tall for me to get into. And, ya’ know what? Those tubs are slippery. There’s nothing for a kitty to grab onto for climbing. But me had watched mommy get into the shower accompanied by sis Lexi for a couple of days, and remember, me wanted to do everything sissy did. Anyways, sis Lexi jumped on the edge of the tub and laid down to comfort me while mommy continued her shower. Mommy says shortly after she got into the shower, she could hear me meowing me’s squeaky meow like crazy. And, when she came to, she found me laying under her wet hair on the floor. Little did mommy know at that time, but me had been trying to tell her that she was going to pass out.

 

 Lexi lays in bathroom sink while Dezi lays on vanity beside her

Me sure did luv me’s sis Lexi.

 

 

 

Mommy says this topic is lengthy, so we need to wrap it up fur today. But, we’ll be pickin’ up where we left off next time. We know you want to know all ‘bout how me learned to help mommy and how long it took, so be sure to click that follow button ifin you haven’t already done so. And don’t furget to submit your questions, whether about us, Training, Health issues or Anything Feline in the comments or via email thru our contact page. Mommy has experience with other animal species as well, so just leave your questions and we’ll try to give you an answer. And, you can ketch up on any post you may have missed or just want to re-read by clickin’ Training Tips and Everything Feline from our menu above. Well, that’s it fur now, see ya’ soon. 

       

Till the next time……………………………………….Be Blest!!!

 

 

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Chatting Cats: Pussy Willows And Features

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. A muggy wet RaenaBelle. I’s so tired of these storms!!! I’s wanna see the sunshine again. And go fur strolls. And… 

 

 Dezi hangs over the edge of the liberty tree and looks down at Raena

 

 

 

          Raena, we’re all tired of the storms and ready fur some warmer weather. But, you went and broke the stroller, so there ain’t gonna be any strolls till we can get a new one. 

 

Raena in stroller

 

 

 

I’s thought mommy was just kitten, sissy. I’s sure didn’t mean to break our stroller. 

 

 

          Me’s sure mommy knows you didn’t do it on purr-puss. After all, me doesn’t think any kitty’s ever luvved strollin’ more than you. Me luvs strolls, but me thinks you could do it all day every day. Besides, we’re just big kitties who need things that can actually hold up unner our weight. 

 

Oh sissy, I’s do luvs a good stroll and spendin’ time with mommy. I’s think mommy could use with a good stroll and some furesh air. She seems so stressed lately.

 

 Dezi gets loving while laying in mommy's lap

 

 

 

          Well Raena, all this dental stuff is really gettin’ to her. She thought she was almost finished and then they pop up and tell her, “Oh, by the way, when are you gonna schedule your appointment to have those 2 teeth we talked you into keepin’ fur crowns?” Mommy only kept ‘em cuz they told her those teeth were good and didn’t need any work and would help anchor her bottom denture.

 

Yeah, she was purretty upset on Monday when she got that mews. She told ‘em that ifin she’d been told the teethies were bad in the furst place, she would’a never kept ‘em. So, now she’s gotta figger out how to get ‘em pulled and change that bottom denture from a partial to a full. Seems it just never stops.

 

 Dezi sniffs the catkins sent by awnty Ellen

 

 

 

          So true, Raena. She’ll be addin’ another 4 months fur purropurr healin’ to all this. Mommy said she couldn’t believe that nopawdy ever said anythin’ befur. After all, this thing has been goin’ on fur over a year now. But, there was a ray of sunshine in our Monday. We usually save these blessings fur Sunday’s posty, but it helped to pick up mommy’s spirit so, we wanted to say a meowsy big Fank you to awnty Ellen today.

 

Raena sniffs the Pussy Willow catkins

 

 

 

Oh sissy, when mommy opened the box we got from awnty Ellen on Monday evenin’ she let out a squee like I’s never heard. I’s didn’t get it till you told me how much mommy luvs willow trees. We don’t have any, but willows be one of mommy’s faves, ‘specially the Pussy Willow.

 

 Dezi rubs against the Pussy Willow catkin

 

 

 

Dezi sniffs the catkins

 

 

 

          Of course mommy’s fave would be the Pussy Willow. After all, it’s named after us kitties. Y, Even the blooms are called Catkins.

 

 Raena sniffs the Pussy Willow catkins

 

 

 

I’s don’t think it was named after us kitties, sissy. It doesn’t look anythin’ like a cat. Anyways, when mommy opened the box she saw a big bunch of those wrappin’ bubbles. Mommy luvs pawppin’ those things. But that wasn’t even the good pawrt. When mommy opened those bubbles, she found a whole bunch of Pussy Willow cuttings inside. ‘Course she had a good cry and then called up awnty Ellen to say fanky fank ya’. Then mommy hit google to see ifin she could grow her one of those Pussy Willow trees from the cuttings. She found that they’re s’posed to root easily in water so she put several stems in a jar of water and saved the rest fur decoration. 

 

 Dezi sniffs made with love toy from ellen

 

 

 

          ‘Course, awnty Ellen didn’t furget ‘bout us either. She included a couple of her Made With Luv toys just fur us. Ya’ know what else mommy learned ‘bout the Pussy Willow? She learned that the blooms are one of the furst signalers of spring. Ya’ couldn’t have known awnty Ellen, but gettin’ that box when we did made mommy’s day.

 

 Raena sniffs made with love toy from ellen

 

 

 

It sure did, sissy. We also had another little blessin’. Our story has been featured on Fear Free Happy Homes. We better wrap it up, mommy’s got another ‘pointment with the dentist today fur a fittin’. Fanky fank you all fur bein’ our furiends. you’re always in our thoughts and purrayers. We’re also sendin’ some extra purrayers to Shoko, awnty Jean and uncle Bill from the Canadian Cats. Our sweet meezer furiend Kali had to go to heaven yesfurday. She will be missed dearly.

 

Kali at the bridge badge

 

 

 

Till the next time………………………………………….Be Blest!!!

 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

 

 

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

RaenaBelle and Deztinee

Chatting Cats: 18 Purrfectly Amazing Facts

Hey, is anypawdy out there? It’s me, RaenaBelle. What a pawsum pawrty we had here over the weekend. Celebratin’ milestones such as Blogoversaries can be so much fun. I’s didn’t google it, so I’s don’t know the real nummers, but hundreds of blogs are started each year, and only a few actually keep goin’. So, a Blogoversary really is a purretty big deal. 

 

Raena lays atop the Liberty cat tree looking down at Dezi laying on the edge of the tree

 

 

 

          You’re right Raena. Now, let’s get to some fun today. Ya’ know, those 18 Purrfectly Amazing Facts About Us game we played. Several of ya’ played along and made your guesses. We really luvved seein’ your answers. Now, let’s see what our answers are and see who got the most answers right.

 

Dezi sits pretty atop the liberty cat tree

 

 

 

18 Purrfectly Amazing Facts 

1. Favorite smell: Dezi: Mommy

Raena: I’s agree sissy, I’s luvs the way mommy smells.

2. Last time I hissed:  Dezi: This meownin’ when Raena fell off the side of the tub and landed on me. 

Raena: I’s don’t do a lot of hissin’, but, I’s did hiss last week when the sleet hit mine’s stroller. Mommy says I’s was a little scared. I’s meow that I’s was just makin’ sure the sleet knew I’s was the boss.

3. Favorite pizza:  Dezi: Me thought everypawdy would get this one. But me got to thinkin’ ya’ll may actually think we’re kiddin’ and that pepperoni pizza be mommy’s favorite food and not ours. But nuffin’ could be further from the truth. Mommy’s fave food is a nice steak, baked tater and yeasty roll. 

Rana: Sure ‘nuff sissy. One of our favorite human foods is pepperoni pizza. We don’t get it very offen, but we do luvs it. Mommy doesn’t get her favorite food either. MOL

4. Favorite Flower: Me luvs roses and nip flowers. 

Raena:  I’s luvs nip flowers too sissy.

5. Favorite dog breed:  Dezi: Me’s BlogPaws ‘sperience kind’a made me not care fur doggies in general. But, me does luv our sweet furiend Da Phenny the Weimaraner.  

Raena:  I’s luvs Phenny too, sissy. I’s not really met many doggies, so I’s can’t really meow much on this question.

6. Favorite ice cream:  Baskin Robbins white chocolate and regular chocolate.

Raena: What’s Baskin Robbins, sissy? I’s never had any of that. 

Dezi:  That’s cuz we don’t have one anywhere near us. Our local grocery store used to carry them and when he clearanced them out, mommy bought every last one. It’s her favorite too. 

7. Pet peeve:  Dezi:  Peeps that throw out or return beluvved furry family members when they’re inconvenient. Declawin’ kitties, Irrespawnsible pet owners, peeps that won’t spay or neuter, ‘specially their non pedigreed anipals, and…so many more. (Mommy A waves for Dezi to get down off her soap box and continue answering the questions.) 

Raena:  Ooooh sissy, all those things bother me too.

8. Shorts or jeans:  Dezi:  Neither, me has bloomers 

Raena:  Mine’s bloomers are longer and fluffier than yours, sissy. (Dezi shakes her head)

9. Color of your PTU:  Dezi: Well, we have a stroller, and it’s blue.

Raena:  Mommy says I’s broke it sissy. She’s gonna try to get us a new one soon. I’s want animal purrint, how ’bout you?

10. Color of your eyes: Dezi: Blue of course. Mommy says me’s eyes remind her of a blue diamond.

Raena: I’s thought that was mine’s eyes and yours looked like blue jeans, sissy. 

Dezi: Hisssss  We both have diamond blue eyes Raena. Now be nice!!! 

11. Favorite food:  Dezi: Rabbit!!! Me luvs me some Rabbit. 

Raena: Rabbit’s mine’s favorite too. Yummmmmmy

12. Least favorite food:  Dezi:  Sorry Tabbies, we just don’t like fish. 

Raena:  X’cept fur those bonito flakes sissy. We do like those.

13. Favorite Holiday:  Dezi:  Christmas, me’s Birthday, me’s Gotchaday, me’s…  

Raena:  Sissy, It’s mine’s turn. I’s luv any holiday that includes more cuddles and luvvin’ with mommy.

14. Night owl or morning person:  Dezi:  Night owl, just like mommy.

Raena: Me too, sissy. I’s a real night owl. I’s can stay up with mommy till dawn.

15. Favorite day of the week:  Dezi: Any day we can spend with mommy is a favorite day. But, we do luv Blest Sunday.

16. Do you have a nick name:  Dezi: Me has lots of nicknames, mommy calls me her blue eyed angel, baby bear, angel, sweetheart, luv bug, muffin, darlin’, baby… 

Raena: We get it sissy. I’s have lots of the same nicknames, includin’ punkin’, baby girl, punkin’ pie, Rayhahnan, RB and Belle.

17. Favorite music:  Dezi: Me luvs when mommy sings to me. Me also luvs country gospel.

Raena:  Me too sissy. I’s luvs the songs mommy makes up and sings to us.

18. Tattoos:  Dezi: Sis Lexi had a tattoo, so me wanted one too. But, mommy said they don’t do that any more.

Raena:  I’s never seen a tattoo, but I’s know mommy wants one of all her angel babies.

 

Raena sniffs catkins sent by awnty Ellen

We really luvs doin’ these, so we hope CK keeps it up. As sissy meowed earlier, several of ya’ played along. Valentine got 3 out of 5 right, awnty Ellen got 2 out of 2, Travis was spot on that our eyes are blue, sweet Annie got 3 of 4 and sweet Katie got 2 of 4. Since we’re all inclusive kitties, and we could never choose one furiend over another, we had mommy make all of you this great badge. Whether you played along or not, you can put it on your sidebar ifin ya’ want, or just take it and know that we think you’re all the bestest furiends in the universe. 

 

 DezizWorld Great friend badge

 

 

          Fanks mommy fur makin’ the pawsum badge fur us. Befur we wrap it up today, we’d like to take a minute to recognize that today is World Spay Day. Spaying your pet isn’t just ‘bout ending unwanted pregnancies that contribute to pet overpopulation. It’s also ‘bout the health of your pets. Spaying your female anipals helps to minimize the risk of mammary cancer, uterine cancer, inappropriate spraying/marking and aids your pets’ overall health. Contrary to old beliefs, spaying doesn’t make your pet lazy or become overweight. Ifin that happens, that’s on the humans. Spayed felines can and will hunt, play and do everything they did befur with the exception of reproducing. So purrlease, spay or neuter your pets. Even we have a low cost spay/neuter clinic, so check with your local shelter fur one in your area.

 

 Dezi gets loving while laying in mommy's lap_selfie

 

 

 

That’s a pawsum reminder, sissy. Mommy isn’t a fan of altering animals at a really young age, but she’s fur sure all ‘bout alterin’. We’ve both been spayed. It wasn’t mine’s favorite day, but I’s much healthier and happier cuz of it. We’re gonna wrap it up now. See you all soon. 

 

Till the next time……………………………………………Be Blest!!! 

 

Raena: Navy Blue  

Dezi: Vibrant Blue 

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses 

 

RaenaBelle and Deztinee