Another paw study

Let's look from below this time:

Missy update, the second

Missy's mom sent us pictures! We couldn't wait to share, so here they are, along with a note from Sue:

After 8+ days with us, Missy continues to adapt well. By the end of her third night with us, she had found a great place to snuggle -- on our bed right next my husband! No matter where she is as we go to bed, she always ends up there not long after! Just yesterday, while watching the Olympics, Missy decided it was time to check out my lap; she must have decided the blanket looked very inviting!

Missy's vet visit was uneventful and the doc was very good with her. He recommended maintaining the smaller portions you had been giving her, and she is starting to play more, so the exercise plan is kicking back in.

During our recent sunny weather, Missy found a couple of places where she could soak up the sun ...

She is also enjoying watching the birds, especially the hummingbirds that come to the feeder. She has found two window sills she especially likes to watch birds, one in the front and one in the back ...

The last picture is one of her favorite places to relax when we're nearby.

Missy says "Thanks again for taking such good care of me!"

You're very welcome! And thanks, Sue, for the lovely update.

There's something about that front right paw

Missy, were you getting frisky when you were getting your final coat of color done? Methinks somebody's brush slipped ...

Hey ...

You're not going to get up from this couch without giving me a belly rub, are you?


Are you?


I think Dieter is having Missy withdrawal -- he's all by himself at home while I'm away. So these pictures are for him as much as the rest of you wonderful readers!

We also have an update from Sue, Missy's new mom. I'll let her tell you how things are going:

She is doing well. Picked her up Monday night as I'm sure Dieter told you. My 16 year old son, Thomas, sat in the back seat with her and she talked a little on the way home. We kept her in the laundry room the first night and spent time talking with and petting her. She ate her dinner (dry and wet) and had no problem settling into her new bed. I showed her the litterbox and she has been using it without issue since.

Yesterday, I let her out and let her roam the house with the bedrooms closed off for a portion of the day. She had so much to look at and listen to, she kept moving. No problem getting her 10K steps in!

Today she's been out for most of the day and has found several spots to settle down for a nap. We have several toys and she's found one to her liking, but she's constantly checking out things and listening to the various sounds around. Haven't found a good fishing line yet. We found a kid fishing pole and my husband put a nylon fly on the end but she is disinterested.

She's eating, drinking and using the box just fine.

We just went to look for her and found her on Thomas' top bunk of his bunkbed. He'll like that.

Thanks for the update, Sue! At this point, Missy's had her first appointment with her new vet, which Sue scheduled right away for her last week (see what good hands Missy's in?). Hope everything checked out well! We're thrilled to hear Missy is settling in.

On FeLV

Sue over at Pitter Pats of Baby Cats recently posted about one of her darling foster kittens, Myron. She tells his story beautifully, so I'm sending you over there (click the link at left) to read about him. For more from Pitter Pats, you'll find our usual link to this wonderful site in the blogroll at right.

Sue, we're thinking of you and Myron and grateful that places like Leukemia-Land are there for kitties in need.

Come on down, Missy

We promise it'll be worth it. You know why?


It's time to meet your new family!

Yep, Missy had just discovered she could perch on top of the cabinets in the kitty suite when we got the news that she was getting adopted. Her new mom picked her up Monday evening and hopes to update us soon on how Missy is settling in. Missy will be an only kitty with lots of human companionship, which we know she'll love.

I'm out of town for the next two weeks, but don't worry; we have plenty of pictures left to share. And then I think another trip to the SHS is in order ...

Let's make the playing field ...

... a little more uneven. (We thought the Spider was at a disadvantage, given its size.) As you'll see, Missy met the challenge easily.

Windows to the soul

I managed to catch Missy's eyes in the morning sunlight while she was looking for a perch on the back of the couch a few days ago. Those eyes, little girl. They'll win somebody's heart yet, if your kisses don't.

Happy Valentine's Day, all.

Variations on a theme

Missy has been doing very well on Dieter's exercise plan -- she came to us at 13 pounds and is now down to 11.5. With continued activity, she may reach her ideal weight (10 pounds) in another month or so.

We like to make playtime as much fun as possible (more fun means more incentive to move!), so once we've figured out a kitty's favorite toy, we try to throw in new ways of incorporating it into play.

So. We spent Sunday morning trying to get some things ready to sell on Craigslist, which means there were a few boxes in the living room ...


What happens if we take the Spider near one of them?



Now this offers a new perspective on things!


Must -- get -- Spider --


Uh oh. Now what?


It looks like there may be more ways to play with this box than we anticipated ...

Cheek to cheek

Missy's latest naptime habits include snuggling into the crook of my knees when I'm curled up on the couch with my work. And it turns out her favorite position is consistently butt to butt! Mutual seat warming? Hey, I'm down with that.

It doesn't take long for Missy to get comfortable:


Going ...


... going ...


... gone.

A day in the life of the Spider

Missy would like to demonstrate how much fun she thinks one of the more popular toys chez Kittitas is. What's that? You say you've already seen the Spider in action? Not to worry! This time, we're offering you a Spider-cam exclusive. Okay, Missy, take it away ...

Camping out

Dieter is an expert at creating nooks and crannies for our kitties to explore. Last week, while he was passing through the living room, he deliberately folded over the edge of the big blue fleece on the couch to make a tent of sorts. Needless to say, Missy found it irresistible. Now she seeks it out every day for her afternoon nap.

Welcome to Kittitas; may I take your order?

Missy loves to curl up next to us wherever we are -- on the couch in the living room when I'm using my laptop or on the papasan in Dieter's office while he's at his desk. The only time she resists is when she wants breakfast. Then, she sits very close to the stairs and gives us pointed looks until we turn to meet her green-eyed gaze. Once she gets eye contact, she places her order.


Missy: "MROW!" (Rough translation: "I'd like a quarter can of today's special with a side of kibble to go. And some fresh water, too!")

Leslie: "Of course, ma'am. Coming right up."

Fortunately, Missy's not a picky eater, so she tends to be a repeat customer.