HouseOfPurrfection

The House of Purrfection is quietly in mourning for our beloved Onni.

Always the first one at the door whenever anyone walked into the HOP, including Mom and I, Onni became the official greeter of the HOP. She did her job proudly and happily. Looking up at guests as soon as they entered the house with her olive-green eyes, she seemed to say, “Hello, my name is Onni,” her inimitable face beaming as only hers could, her tail high and curled above her back “And, what’s your name?” She loved greeting everyone and wouldn’t stop rubbing on human legs until she was scratched on the head.

I believe St. Peter’s job just got a lot easier because Onni’s up there helping him. Onni loved everyone. After all who rise to Heaven, then stand before St. Peter, I’m sure that Onni’s very happy greeting all those entering the Pearly Gates and lovingly walking them through. Perhaps that’s why God took her so early from us; He needed her kindness and warmth to help all those entering Heaven. I can’t think of a more perfect job for Onni.

On Mother’s Day, Onni died due to an enlarged heart. She was treated for several hours at our local emergency animal hospital, but in the end her body could no longer go on. Her passing was quick, and she didn’t suffer. I thank God for that. But, Mom and I miss her terribly and our hearts are broken over this sudden loss of an absolutely wonderful cat.

Onni was always happy (her name means happiness in Finnish) and healthy and showed no signs of her enlarged heart until Sunday afternoon. I understand that this is common in cats afflicted with this condition, and cats usually don’t live as long as Onni. She was eight years and ten months old, and we were so lucky to have her in our lives for that time. Cats naturally hide their suffering or illness. They are extremely good at hiding the fact that they don’t feel well. Her happiness kept her going. We always knew she was special.

The HOP is quiet. The cats have been very solemn. Ever since Saturday, the cats have been very quiet, so I think they knew. Michette had been cuddling with Onni for a couple of weeks, licking her face and head, so maybe she knew then as well. With one of them gone, the cats are grieving for her. There have been no squabbles, fights, and not even one hiss has been heard. Even Toby has been unnervingly absent in the living room. Usually he’s running, playing, or trying to get one of the other cats to play with him, but he’s lying around with all the other cats.

I thank God for her. I thank God for the time we had her in our lives. And, I thank God for allowing me to be surrounded by and helping so many cats. We are truly blessed. I know I will see her again as she happily greets me and walks me through to Heaven.

I love you, Onni.

“Bruce!” I shouted at Bruce after he swiped at Mars’ face, missing his nose by the width of a whisker. Mars ran off, and Bruce turned, stood his ground and looked up at me. It was his way of retaliating after I closed the kitchen window that opens to the outdoor enclosure for the night.

“Yeah,” his expression said to me, “what da ya want?”

I smirked down at him and then laughed, “He doesn’t seem too impressed, does he?” Pasha and Omar looked at me not knowing what to say.

From behind the bathroom door Mom laughed too.

OMGKitty!!!! is a blog that features the cutest Scottish Fold I’ve ever seen, Katamari. I could stare at pictures of her all day she is so cute. Those almost non-existent ears, incredibly huge, green eyes, and tiny nose and mouth are a winning combination. When I first found this site, I spent lots of time enjoying the archives because I was so enthralled by Katamari’s cuteness. Beware! Once you see her, you’ll be hooked. Have fun!

Whisper It, Some Friendly Cat

What creatures are these,
Which so amiably salute my view?
They are the redolence of freedom;
An incense to Adam’s soul.

How delightful is its whisper!
Neither so strong,
I am soon cloyed at an impressive scene;
Nor so lenient,
As to forget them.

Their delight never loses
Its delectation,
Never dulls the desire;
Ever, the cat is innocence! And, -
This savoriness
Is inept of excess.

Whisper it, some friendly cat,
In the ear of every one,
Who is now sunk in sleep,
And loft to all the
Refined gratification.

Keeping your sanity as a multi-cat owner isn’t always easy. We’ve come close to pulling out our hair in frustration. But when it comes to housecleaning, staying one step ahead of the cats ensures that we don’t go through every day terrified when the cats disappear behind the sofa or down the hallway and out of sight.

A few days ago, Bruce disappeared down the hallway heading towards one of his favorite haunts: either the corner at the far end of the hallway or the linen closet. Luckily there are two bath towels stuffed in the corner, protecting the laminated floor from the urine that he sprays there. Ever since the weather’s been beautiful, he’s been infected with Spring Fever and reeking havoc on the house and the other cats. So, we’re prepared.

However, instead of marking in the corner, Bruce pried the linen closet door open and heavily saturated the sheets, pillow cases, and blankets lying on the floor. Once Mom discovered the horror, I thought I was witnessing Bruce’s final moments on earth. But, she stomped and fumed and cleaned up the mess and laundered the bedding. I’m happy to report that Bruce was unscathed.

After the incident, we decided to purchase a sturdier latch to install on the closet door. Learning from past experiences is the best way we hold onto our sanity. We know messes will happen. We know the cats will do stinky harm to the house. And, we know that this isn’t going to change as long as we have cats. Just admitting that we have a problem has been half the battle towards stability.

I know that if our cats keep generously teaching us how to better live with them, we’ll be just fine and won’t have to worry about being committed or suddenly sporting fur collars on our sweaters.

As we sat finishing up our taxes at H&R Block, giddily laughing at how much we were getting back, the idea of how to use that money hit me like Zoe jumping off the cat tree and landing on my unprotected stomach,

“Hey,” I said to Mom, “why don’t we use the money for the cats!”

“I was thinking the same thing!” she said. When it comes to the cats, we’re psychic.

“Really,” I answered, “You like that idea?”

“Yes.”

“I figure,” I continued, “if we use that money on food, litter, vet visits, and medicine for the rest of the year that would take the pressure off our paychecks.”

I noticed our tax professional was smiling as she listened to us two cat ladies. I laughed when I noticed her, “We’re crazy,” I said to her, “Aren’t we?”

“No,” she replied, “I think that’s a great idea.”

We received the first of our return two weeks ago. The following weekend we stocked up on Fresh Results cat litter, Feline Pine cat litter, Friskies canned cat food, and Little Caesar’s dog food. During our shopping trip this past Sunday, we joyfully strolled past the pet supply aisle and didn’t look back.

Yawning Cats is a blog that is dedicated to the art of taking a picture of a cat mid yawn. And, the results are hysterical. The cat’s wildly expressive faces will have you LOLing no matter where you are. The funniest pictures are those that have been taken as the cat was either beginning to yawn or as the cat was ending its yawn. Besides being funny, it’s remarkable to see just how far a cat can open its mouth. I congratulate the cat owners who were able to capture this elusive phenomenon. I’ve tried several times, and I haven’t been able to get a portrait of a yawning cat. But, I can enjoy the successful efforts of those who have. And, so can you. Have fun!

1. To cats, the parade of their humans love is the very essence of their happiness, and part of their dearest privileges.

2. Doubt not that God is a lover of cats.

3. The highest style of beauty to be found in nature pertains to the feline form, as animated and lighted up by the intelligence within.

4. There is a power in feline beauty that melts the hardest heart.

5. The softening power of a purr; it is like the angel-whisperings of kind words in the hour of trouble.

6. The feline voice is the most perfect musical instrument ever made; and well it might be, for it had the most skillful Maker.

7. No lethargy can exist in the soul when a cat is pouring forth a tide of musical numbers.

8. The Cat is to sight and to intelligence what strawberries, peaches, and other luscious fruits, are to the taste.

9. No family can afford to do without a cat. It is a luxury and an economy; an alleviator of sorrow, and spring of enjoyment; a protection against vice and an incitement to virtue.

10. A simple purr may be full of music, and stir the pulses to new and better emotions, the soul to higher joys.

When I left the house yesterday to go to work for about an hour, Mom was still lying in bed with a couple of the cats sleeping around her. Monday is actually our Sunday. However, I have a client that can only get to the shop on Mondays, so I make an exception for her.

When I came home, Mom was still lying in bed with the same sleeping cats around her, “Oh, my God,” I laughed, “you haven’t moved!” She smiled.

“You’re just like the cats!”

“I know,” she laughed, “I’m becoming one of them.”

The moral of the story? Where dog owners look like their dogs, cat owners act like their cats.

We laugh at ourselves in the evenings when we’re sitting and watching the television. As we lounge around the living room just like the cats, it’s not difficult to see that their most indicative trait has rubbed off on us a little. We’ve lived long enough with our cats to have started resembling their laziness.

Or perhaps that’s why we love cats? We’re lazy ourselves and find them to be kindred spirits. I have to admit that I have to force myself to walk Avita everyday. I’d rather sit at my computer, typing, or making something in my craft room; however, that’s not physically healthy for either of us.

Even though Avita is a cutie, I’d rather reflect the laziness of my cats than look like my dog.