The adjective 'pending' describes a lot about life at the moment. There are so many things I have to get done and so little time. Like sleep & eat.  But, it seems that Lillibet has her own pending to be done, she is awaiting a package that will launch her new venture of 'Felt Cat Toys'.  I always wanted my own range of toys and indeed, I did have one, a lovely feather filled pillow with my logo on and me wearing my crown and it was filled with crinkly paper and catnip. But, well, to be truthful, Momma doesn't have time to sew. My products were launched and never followed through because they were fiddly. I need a specialist! 

Lillibet on the other paw, doesn't have to rely on Momma, only for the packaging! Much easier!  She was meant to have a little launch party at a local show in Northampton in a few weeks, but she had that reaction to her vaccine and them promptly stole 3 zipper tapes from the bin, so that put an end to her leaving the house whilst Momma locates them in the chocolate gold!

Her little products will be based on things she loves!  Of course the very first thing on her list is GREEN BEANS!  They will be packaged as 'LilliLongLegs Three Bean Salad' - perhaps none of you really know that her pet name at home is actually 'Bitty bean' - It derived from her being 'in-call' and we said she had 'Lilli-bits' when her nipples grew into little hormonal lumps.  Well, the bitty bit stuck (think of Little Britain) and from there on she gets called Bitty most of the time. The beans, most of you know about, she is crazy mad for green beans - or really their strings!  So a three bean salad it has to be!!!

Her other collection is a collection of 6 felted bugs. These are brightly coloured and very flat with cute details.  There will be a worm, a butterfly, a beetle, an aphid, a centipede and a ladybug. These will form part of her 'Bag O Bugs' and then later there will be a 'Gone Fishing' set of creatures on recycled wooden poles. It is quite the adventure and already her logo is designed and the bugs and beans are winging their way from Kentucky! I know, all those air miles, but they are recycled products and organic catnip, so we are doing our bit for the environment and Momma said if she has these newly designed products, they have to be from a small business and NOT a sweat shop. The lady who has made the designs come alive is just a genius!

For now, Lillibet is playing with the prototypes that arrived at Xmas and her and Faith are trying them out for ware and tare.  So far, they are lasting well.  Don't tell anyone, but I love my 'pillows' much more than felted bugs! Herrumph

Watch this space for LilliLongLegs creations.  I for one am insanely jealous.

KS =^..^=

It's been awhile since the smell of cooking has awakened my senses.  It's been all left overs and 'eating from the freezer' since Xmas. I think the Parentals over indulged over the festive season and they were fed up with the whole 'roasted anything'!

But, it seems we are in for a treat today, I spotted a happy chicken laying on the floor of the fridge, he is a Leicester Black Leg, quite the bird. He is bald, just like me and with, funnily enough, black legs... just like me!  Heck... I had better get a jiggle on, I don't want to be mistaken for the roast!

I shall keep an eye on the bird, he is soon to be trussed up and thrown into the depths of the oven and the light is now not working at all in there it's hard to see through the glass, so watching it bubble and brown from the safe distance of the cat post is not an option, this is going to take stealth and wit to get me anywhere near that chook.  If Lillibet didn't feel so groggy after her vaccinations I could have enlisted her help.  Faith, of course is up for most things these days and she has the 'cute factor' and can distract the Parentals bu arching her back and walking on tippy toes around the 'other end of the kitchen', squeaking as she goes to draw their undivided attentions as I make my way to the oven to peer deep into it's belly and check out my chooks progress.

I am a patient cat, I don't have to YAWP as loudly as I have in the past, I have learned (for now) that silence gets you so much more in rewards than screaming at the oven door and tripping up the parentals. It gets you a smidgen of pure white chicken to savour.  I am indeed part of the Stealth Food Team and Faith is my ally. She is turning into a food connoisseur, proved irrevocably by Simon the Vet, who said she was looking a little 'tubby'! It's all this food tasting I tell you! Faith, of course, hasn't spoken to anyone since she was deemed 'rotund' and hasn't noticed the removal of such delicacies from her diet!

KS =^..^=    

We never understand why we have to go to see Simon the Vet, but every year, for the girls, Momma insists on a check up. Because of the 'Neuter-UM' chip and the fact that they need their boosters is a good enough reason it seems.  I understand my trips and quite look forward to them - in fact, I get all excited at the thought of leaving the house with my dress collar on!

This time last year, Faith had her final booster after she had the kittens and that meant Lillibet was due hers too. Well, last year, it all went OK and no one had a reaction.  Simon used the same vaccine as before and by the time we reached home, little Lillibet was sneezing and coughing.  I mean, what is all that about. She then went on to have a fever late at night (after the Vet was closed of course). She had to sleep in with the Parentals and Momma administered fluids and by morning she was tucking into tiny 'first' kitten biscuits and wetfood which are both high in protein, vitamins and pro-biotics as well as copious amounts of 'Maimor Vitamin cream'. She was fine, but just felt 'off colour'... but could manage large amounts of kitten food... Mmmm funny that!

The effects of a reaction like this is sort of unheard of and that's why Momma chooses a Vet who uses the PurVax product. It is the only vaccine on the market to have Non-Adjuvants*, it's good stuff, but poor Lillibet, despite this, still feels pretty rotten.  It will possibly take her a few days to get over the 'fake flue' but whilst she is doing so, she is being spoiled rotten with the best of everything AGAIN! I purrsonally think that the 'Neuter-UM' chip, followed by the Pyometra, followed by blood poisoning, followed by a large dose of vaccine has tipped her little body into overdrive and her immune system is in turmoil.  But what do the Parentals do? Leave her unvaccinated to catch whatever lurgy is going around and then not be able to go out on visits, exhibitions and holidays... ? 

Well, needless to say, Momma feels pretty rotten!

KS =^..^=
*Adjuvants are additives that increase the immune response and may present potential risks to feline patients, such as injection site reactions and chronic inflammation.

I actually enjoy my visits to the vets of late, I get weighed in first, have my eyes, ears, mouth and tummy checked, then my ticker gets a good going over. My Grade III murmur* makes me special because you can hear my ticker without a stethoscope, Momma loves to lay her head on me and listen to my cardiac cycle, swooshing and whirring.  I used to cough and wheeze with it and sometimes, I do get a tiny bit tired if I run about too much, but since my new diet, it all seems to be a bit easier and I have more energy and my ticker doesn't sound so loud. 

When I eat bad things, well, things I have stolen or licked (which is NOT my fault) I get a skin reaction, the 'pink tray' is usually required and then my belly swells. It also makes my kidneys swell, especially my right one. Simon the Vet tells me it is possibly part of my reaction cycle as it's only then it happens. If you remember, in the Summer, I did a 'tinkle test' and all came back 'normal'. It's just the way I work I guess.  I am unique after all.

My food is now weighed out everyday, this is annoying as I can't even have a tiny bit more.  I have two types of food, one is a very pricey kibble from Hills in the form of Venison & Pea. If I only eat this, my stools are too big and I can't cope with all that biscuit. I am also STARVING! I am on steroids as well, so they make me feel hungry.  So Momma devised a food that is bulky, yet made of all protein and steralised. Interesting huh! It makes me feel super full and I still get my vitamins and minerals from the hills and I am, for the first time, putting on weight and keeping it!  I weigh a mighty 4.18K. For my family, this is a good weight!

My meal times now go like this:-
Brekki:- 50g protein & 10g hills & 2.5mg Prednisolone  
Treat:- 2 x hills biscuits (the girls get dreamies!!!)
Lunch:- 10g hills
Nom time:- 50g protein & 10g hills & 2.5mg Prednisolone  
late supper:- 20g hills

In these small amounts, I am getting my much needed 'bulk' to make me feel full as well as my daily amount of Hills at the lower end. And, I am not YAWPING! I don't really even ask for food like I used to. Every 5 minutes.  So, my skin is a tiny bit sore on my shoulder, my eye is a tiny bit puffy, but when your body rejects every protein going, I feel this is a good compromise to go forward with. hey, and it's only taken 5years to achieve this perfection and a lot of hard work. I don't require as many baths as I used to and the Malassezia dermatitis** is staying away as is the Urticaria Pigmentosa.*** My kitty colitis is brought on by allergies and these other things I have just get exacerbated by anything I have an allergy to, in and out of my body... and that is even dust, wool, flowers and smells. 

I love being me, I am unique. People have leered at my baldness**** and said some very mean things, but I can't help being bald, it's in my genes. Does it make me any less lovable, nope. It makes me tolerate a heck of a lot of abuse, especially from other Devon Rex owners and breeders.  I am lucky that my original breeder was so caring to find me a special home where I could have all this care and attention from Momma. These things happen - genetics are never perfect - I am a unique and special character who loves fuss and attention - but only to those who worship me!

KS =^..^=
*Grade III—intermediate loudness; most murmurs which are related to the mechanics of blood circulation are at least grade III. - That's me - but I don't have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - my test results are negative on that!
** a single-celled yeast that causes ear infections, greasy skin and itchiness, which is treated with antifungal drugs or in my case - anti dandruff shampoo!
*** a dermatological problem that causes crusty sores on the body and is treated with prednisolone and essential fatty acids.
**** Congenital hypotrichosis, otherwise known as hereditary baldness. 

Last night, Lillibet had her very own visitor, except her visitor was a small person and she is somewhat terrified of small persons.  But this small person is a cat girl herself so shouldn't be intimidating.... but poor Lillibet just couldn't cope!

When Lillibet was small, we had a number of small people visit and the first one was a very small boy who wandered into the kitchen and Lillibet had gone to 'see what he was up to'. Unfortunately, she was right behind him and he screamed and Lillibet didn't have any where to go and they both became trapped in a tangle of chair legs with no escape from each other.

The next time, two very vibrant small people visited who are always very enthusiastic about seeing us cats, but we are not so enthusiastic about seeing them, even though they are so terribly well behaved. They like to stroke us and have their dollies ride on our backs and play house with them. I just hide whilst Faith entertains them.  Really, it was always Mr. Zeus's job to entertain this excitable duo, he was fascinated with them.  Well, Lillibet took up residence behind the sofa, never to be seen again, her fear of small people affirmed!

So, last night was quite a shock for her system and even and bolshy and as bold as she is, this is one thing that really has her heart racing.  But last nights little friend played with her with the 'cat frenzie' toy and she nearly forgot her worries until Little 'E' stood up to take her coat off and that was it...Lillibet was GONE!  So, Momma and Little 'E' ventured upstairs and got out the dreamies and tried to tempt her to coming forward (after she had done 3 full circuits of the top floor) - Faith came upstairs and Lillibet plucked up the courage as Little 'E' averted her eyes whilst holding out a cat treat on her hand.  Bingo, Lillibet was brave and came forward to take the treat, albeit having a nibble of little fingers in the process. Little 'E' even had a stroke of her silky fur. Momma said it felt like her heart was about to pound out of her chest, but a few quiet minutes with a cat minded small person and she was won over... brave LilliLongLegs and a very kind Little 'E'!

KS =^..^=

When you are feeling low, Faith is our Chicken Soup.  She is the special ingredient that makes you want to laugh.  Now that she is well into the Neuter-Um chips dose of hormones, she is as happy as she was at 8 weeks old.  Funny and quirky sense of humour.

Momma has been a tad peeky for last part of yesterday and all night.  It was an allergy attack, the kind that renders her virtually speechless.  She thought she was coming down with the flue, but nope, it was some rogue barley something hidden in a food source that said it wasn't, but Momma's fat tongue and ulcered throat and shaking said otherwise!  It does remind me so much of my self, except Momma doesn't need the pink tray!  She sympathises wholeheartedly when she feels like this and I get even more kisses whilst I comfort her.  But it's Faith who is the Princess of love at this time and her and ManSlave cook up a big pan full of chicken soup between them.

After she has tended the sick, she demands the ingredients to make that person better, using whichever human can help her.  Of course it's always me that is the poorly one and Momma and Faith make their special soup just for me.  Faith NEVER tastes it, she doesn't really like it, but she is partial to the chicken breast slithers that are for her and her alone. ManSlave was a little perplexed at his helper.  She really does get herself involved and likes to watch every process with interest, with really, no gain for herself.  After it is made she races to your bed side squeaking and creating and waits patiently whilst it's supped and never asks for any herself. 

After you have eaten your soup, she spends the rest of the time either snuggled up in beside you or dancing a merry jig, trying to make you laugh.  She has had Momma in hysterics this morning whilst she did a balancing act along the bookshelf, then chattered out of the window to non existent birds on the roof and wiggle her bottom and raced all over the bed jumping on invisible critters... then crash headlong onto Momma's chest purring.

She is the best chicken soup ever and can fix anyone feeling a bit out of sorts.

KS =^..^= 

Yesterday there was a delivery from the USA.  Really, Rockville to be exact!  Aunty Kristen and the little Salmons packaged up some amazing and unique gifts especially for us.  There were green beans for Lillibet, which of course she loves and in the summer Momma must be reminded to freeze even more bean strings to take Lillibet through the winter months as she is continually after 'vegetables on the chopping board'. None, I hasten to add, even resemble fresh green beans.  I have my suspicions that it's really the peeler that sets her mind a jangling!  So, she is has been kitted out with substitute winter beans for her enjoyment.

Faith received a set of centipedes and we all know how when she was a baby she use to bring all sorts of bugs and leaves into the house as 'gifts' for Momma.  I feel this is going to continue this year now that she has had the Neuter-UM chip.  Well, already she is back to her old funny self, carrying around her toys and squeaking all and sundry at everyone.  I mean, who can understand her chatterings with a bright orange centipede hanging from her mouth?  I could also say that there has 'been' a little 'bean' frenzie since they arrived and it sent Faith into crazy antics and she didn't stop running around the house for hours.  

I, on the other hand, was sent the most darling of mouses and what can only be described as a kidney.  Momma said it was a heart, but nope, it's red and looks for all the world like a kidney to me.  Because I didn't feel up to playing with the mousie, Momma made me wear it for the photographs.  I am not amused by this and as much as the CatWomen tried to get me to play... I just felt a little grumpy.  Well, a lad can have a day off right? And anyway, when everyones backs were turned, not and hour later, I did take that mousie and gave it a good Thwakking behind the fridge for grinning so much!  ManSlave said I was just being spoiled because the kidney wasn't edible... but it did smell jolly nice of catmint!

We are very lucky kitties and so spoiled really... We are still reeling from all the toys that arrived at Christmas from Aunty Penny and the 4 'E's. Lillibet was ecstatic, because only a week before her squeaker Mousie had died and here was a brand new one for her to play with.  It was the only thing which really floated her boat.  Faith loved the paper and has a new crinkle ball and boy was she happy with that and still runs around the house with it in her mouth calling Lillibet to play - only to not to really want to share it... but kinda does, kinda doesn't.  Me - well, I am more of a vallarian connoisseur!  I like it when my back legs stay grounded and my head sort of falls on the floor and my front legs go akimbo, a bit of racing around and that's me done!  

Not only did we get all this, but from Aunty Carly and the fluff monsters, there was a Frenzie bird toy on our arrival home from our Xmas adventures. Well, that set the cat among the pigeons... Lillibet was hooked and has turned into a growling flying frenzied fiend. I, for one, am steering clear of that little whirlwind for awhile - she can't half twist & shout! 

KS =^..^=

PS. It's a full on post today, because we have friends all over the World feeling sad, poorly and some are in hospital right now and we wanted to cheer everyone up.  Thinking of each and every one of you.
Lots of love from the Maystar Pride

There has been serious amounts of pinching and punching going on in this house today. Not a few minutes past midnight, after the kissing stuff 'YUCK', there was the fight to be the first to be pinch someone and shout 'White Rabbit, White Rabbit - no returns'.  Momma got first dibs on ManSlave, he gave her a lovely kiss and she pinched and punched him right there and then! He was furious as he has held the record for 17 months in a row now of getting Momma just as she opens her eyes on the first of every month... traditions!

I have to say that Lillibet gave me a particularly large pinch this morning and I took it upon my self to punch her right back, I thwaked her good and proper, but she laid into me and I had to be rescued my Momma.  She is becoming a little devil for taking things literally. Yesterday, she beat up her mother. You just wouldn't warrant her tenacity for the whole thwakking thing. ManSlave was pairing socks and she attacked his hands, where he was putting socks the right way around, she just pounced and bit into his sock covered flesh.  Remind me never to wear socks!

Faith of course, stayed out of the proceedings and tried not to be involved.  She ran around the house squeaking 'White Rabbit, White Rabbit'. Not that it did her any good... She got pinched on the bum by me.... well, she does have a cute little butt!

KS =^..^=