What's happening

Heath and Cali are stopping by their blog to say "hi". The big development at this time is that Heath may finally get to go to a cat show! (Cali is washing my hair for me as I type) I have been waiting for a local show, and we finally have one in October. I'm still debating about entering Cali, but I don't think I will. I know the problems related to her teeth are an autoimmune issue, and I don't think stressing a cat with autoimmune issues is a good idea. I'm pretty sure a cat show would be stressful to her. On the other hand, I'm guessing that Heath may actually enjoy it!

I'm giving a lot of consideration right now about the Coon's diet. As I've written, Cali in particular is addicted to cheap cat food. I'm reconsidering the wisdom following her wishes. We'll see. I expect I'll be writing more. Meanwhile, here's some new pictures.

Heath's fur has all grown back in. He does think he is looking very handsome!

Can I help you?

Up, up, lift me up! (I couldn't resist a view of Cali climbing my leg and demanding to come up, just like a kid)

Cat tree revised

I wrote a post back in February about my first efforts to buy a cat tree for the Coons. It didn't go very well. I was very unhappy with the Sugar Kitty Gym I ordered. You can read about it here. My husband finally found time to modify the Gym to make it Coon safe. He took out the useless middle condo, which was way too small for them anyway. It is much shorter now, but they seem to really like having it by the kitchen window. It is getting a lot of use, both the top and the condo. So, at least the Coons are happy now. As a  bonus, they use it as a safer route on to the kitchen counter. Which may be good or bad, but that's a topic for another day.

Heath lounges on the modified, and much shorter, cat tree

Grooming

Having long-haired cats definitely involves grooming. Heath is particularly prone to mats under his elbows and in his britches. This naturally means that he is not fond of grooming, in spite of my constant efforts since he first came home. Cali, on the other hand, adores grooming. She grooms herself frequently, and has the scraggly tail hair to prove it. I've found the easiest way to keep up on trying to keep the Coons mat free is to have brush and comb handy. Grooming tools tend to live on the kitchen desk or the coffee table so I can grab them any time I notice a mat starting when I pet the kitties. Heath does not appreciate my efforts. He lets me brush him, but insists that the problem areas are off limits. Which means I've gotten fast at grabbing my scissors and snipping mats. He will actually bite to tell me off (not hard, usually), bad boy, and then gives me loves to make up for it. Cali comes running when she sees me brushing Heath. Coon princesses love their beauty treatment! Keeping her mat free is much less problem. I start out working on Heath, and end up brushing Cali who insists on hogging my attention. She trades off by grooming my hair for me to get me out of bed in the morning. (I don't appreciate her grooming as much as she does).

Cali is relaxing after a good brushing. 

Heath made good on his escape when Cali butted in.

Do you groom your kitties regularly? How do they like it?

Happy 4th - We're Back!!

Dear readers, I am so happy to be posting again. The last two months I was doubled up on my graduate classes, and just could not seem to find time to write the blog. I'm back to a "normal", busy schedule, so hopefully we will keep you up to date with Heath and Cali a little more regularly.

The Coon "kittens" are basically all grown up now, and impressive cats they are! It's the 4th of July, and they want to remind our U.S. readers what a scary day this can be for kitties and their canine friends. Heath and Cali don't seem too bothered by the fireworks going off in our neighborhood, but some of their canine buddies are very stressed and even, terrified. Please keep your cats and dogs safely inside tonight. Heath and Cali suggest they hang out in an interior room with some good music turned up loud. Heath really loves his canine brothers, and is hoping the awful noise ends soon, so his best friends will feel better. Stay safe, and have a happy 4th!

I'm talking to you, have a happy 4th and keep your  dogs and kitties safe inside.

Please, fireworks are scary. 

Hang out with a friend.

Creative Pet Furniture Review

If you have been reading along for awhile, you know how unhappy I was with my first attempt at buying  cat furniture for the Coons. I'm happy to say that round two was much more successful. On the advice of an acquaintance, I looked into Creative Pet Furniture, located in Oklahoma, and found exactly what I was looking for. I saved a bit from my paycheck for several  months, and just in time for their April birthday, the Coons got a cat center that should last practically forever.

I am very happy with all the features about this cat furniture. The most important thing is that it is actually designed to be big enough for Maine Coons! The unit I picked is the Cat Entertainment Center, Small Cattery, with Condo. The carousels on top of the center are 16 inches in diameter, rather than the 12 inch diameter you find on most pet store cat furniture. The free standing condo is also 16 inches in diameter. The condo is fully lined inside, unlike cheap cat furniture. The unit is modular in construction and was easy to assemble. As sections become worn, they can be individually replaced. I choose a custom color in light green, which is a nice change from the standard beige. It still only took about two and a half weeks to arrive. I got an email with a photo of the completed unit when it was on the way. This is a substantial piece of cat furniture, but it doesn't take up an overly large amount of floor space. It fit nicely into the space I had planned for it. Best of all, it is safe. The cats can easily climb to the top and down, and there is no way this sturdy unit is going to move. I'm very pleased.

Of course, it doesn't matter how much I like it, if the cats don't use it. Happily, they do like it. Cali likes to hide in the condo. Heath like to lord it up at the top and not share with his sister, which annoys me since I deliberately made sure there was room for multiple cats to share! Even our old, very fat cat has shown that she can climb up if she feels like it.

The price was amazing for the size and quality of the cat furniture. The only thing to be aware of is that shipping will add a substantial amount. Even with the price of shipping added in, I felt like this was a really good price for this fabulous cat furniture. If I was going to make one tiny change, it would be to have sisal on the front side of the cradles continuing up from the sisal posts. Cali is tall enough that that is where she usually scratches, and sisal would probably be sturdier than the carpet on that section. Of course, being Cali, she may scratch there because she prefers the carpet! Choose a color you love, you and your kitties will be enjoying your Creative Pet Furniture for many years to come!

Heath and Cali pose on their cat center fit for Maine Coons

Sturdy enough to play on

The girls hanging out, Cali and very old, fat cat, DSH, Solara

Condo big enough for the lion king

or for a Maine Coon princess to hide from her brother

Zhu Zhu Pets for Cats

My daughter got out her Zhu Zhu Hamsters last week. The Coon cats thought it was a fabulous toy! I'm rather fond of the Zhu Zhu Hamsters myself. They're the only pets in the house that I don't have to feed or clean up after. If your kitty is bored, entertain them with a Zhu Zhu hamster, the next best thing to having their own rodents to chase!

this and that

The Coon kitties celebrated their birthday with a big present. Probably their only birthday present ever. I'll write a review soon, but if you want to know, it came from Creative Pet Furniture. We're very happy with it. Heath and Cali are both doing so well now. Heath finally has most of his hair grown back in from his surgery in January. He is so beautiful, I'm thinking cat show! I'm not sure when one will be in our area, but I plan to take both kitties when I can. I'll take Cali along, too, at least the first time, and see how she likes it. She is not as adventuresome as Heath. They both went to one show as kittens (where I first saw them). I'm not too worried about Heath, he is confident and likes adventure, so I don't think the lack of showing his first year will be a problem. Cali may prefer to stay home. Adventure awaits!

hanging out on their birthday present! Big enough for Maine Coons

lounging

planning his next move