And now, an update

Spaghetti and Meatball, the pair of kitties whom we fostered last spring, celebrated their one-year adoption anniversary in late May. Happiness and good wishes to you, girls!

In honor of our former fosters, we have an update with photos from their mom, Laura:

Spaghetti is WEIRD. She is our jittery not-that-little kitty, but she has lost 2 more pounds this year! She was resistant to extended affection/pets/attention for a long time, so we let her be until she told us she was ready for loves. Her and I have a morning routine that involves snuggles that makes my heart go all squishy. Her favorite places to hang out are on our bed in a cave of blankets (when the bed isn't made, she will burrow into the comforter), on top of the couch looking out the window to ensure no birds are in the neighborhood for long (I'm guessing -- I really have no idea what she's looking for) and in the enclosed penthouse of the kitty condo.

Meatball warmed up the fastest and has been granting tummy rubs for at least 11 months. She's a pretty little princess -- fastidiously grooming and adorably prancing around the house. Meatball runs to the door when Adam gets home (and maybe me, but I'm not inside to see it), even if she's in the middle of an extended affection or grooming session. It's very sweet and one of my favorite things she does. She still does the reach up for her meals, which is another one of my favorite Meatball tricks. :) Her favorite places to hang out are in the kitty bed on the window seat, the edge of our bed and on an office chair we have. Her least favorite part of the last year was her haircut; I think she is pretty vain. :)

Delighted to know all is well! Thanks, Laura, for the news.

What's in a name?

As promised, another update on some of our former fosters. This is a little belated -- we received the following the first week of November, then all the mid-month craziness happened -- but I think you'll still enjoy the news.

Here's what Laura, mom to Spaghetti and Meatball, had to say:

I wanted to share a little story and some photos of Spaghetti and Meatball this Halloween.

Imagine my extremely pleased surprise when I saw that Target had a Spaghetti and Meatballs costume for pets! I knew I had to have it, even though Adam [the girls' dad] was NOT supportive -- of this costume, in particular, or costumes on pets, in general. I am stubborn so went on without husband approval. I hope you understand. :)

While Meatball was far more forgiving than Spaghetti, neither of them really liked it so I got about 4 minutes use out of the costume. I couldn't even put the hat (yarn spaghetti! pompom meatballs!) NEAR Spaghetti without her leaping away.

[Before]

[After]

My favorite Meatball photo is the one where she looks the most annoyed.

Thanks, Laura, for the update! Even if the girls didn't entertain the idea of getting into character, so to speak, they certainly entertained us ...

News times two

Yes indeed, we have another update from Spaghetti and Meatball! Many thanks to their mom, Laura, who sent us these wonderful shots of the girls going about their daily business.

As you can see, Spaghetti and Meatball have their own room, complete with kitty condo:







Butler service is included (thanks to their dad, Adam):



Of course, the kitties enjoy having space throughout their new home, whether they're on the prowl ...


... at play ...


... or at rest.


So glad to see you both, lucky girls! Lots of love from our house to yours.

Spaghetti and Meatball update!

In the midst of my trip, I received an e-mail from Laura, Spaghetti and Meatball's new mom. Apologies for the delay in posting -- we've been getting ready for our next guest! But at last, news on our much-missed pair of kitties:

I hope all is well with you and Dieter! The girls are slowly getting used to us, and both of them are becoming much more affectionate -- even Spaghetti let us give her belly rubs last night! I wanted to let you know that I am *still* trying to find my camera cord, so have been unable to get the photos off of my camera and into your inbox. The only ones we have are BlackBerry photos of varying quality.

Here are a few -- they're not really "bloggable" but I wanted you to see how the girls are in their new space. :)






We'll get better quality photos to you as soon as I find that cord (which is likely to be in the last place I check!).

No worries, Laura! We appreciate any photos you're able to share, and we're delighted to see how at home the girls are. Looking forward to hearing about their adventures!

Now, time to go check on our latest resident. Yep, as of this afternoon, we have a new foster in the suite ...

High fives!

Or fours, if you wish -- Etta and Mimi have been adopted!

Our two girls are in the doting hands of parents Adam and Laura, who had their eyes on them much earlier this year but couldn't take them until they could move to a pet-friendly space. So they watched and waited and hoped no one else would claim these sweethearts first! Luck, as it happened, was on their side.

We look forward to hearing updates once everyone is settled in. Happy housewarming!

Life is just dandy

... when your best friend will let you use her butt for your afternoon nap.

Toe floofs

Front ...


and back!

She's got eyes in the back of her head

Etta: "What, Mimi? I wasn't really going to chomp on you."

Do I hear someone coming down the stairs?

Quick! Flop over and look adorable!


(Works every time on Leslie for tummy rubs.)

A paw pile

Little do they know it (or maybe they do!), but Etta and Mimi play footsie with each other while they're napping.

The doughnut

This is Mimi's favorite place to nap on the second floor. She'll hop in and start kneading the sides of the bed while purring continuously. When the purring stops, you know she's out.


Well, mostly out.

The challenger

Mimi contemplated Etta's favorite toy from a safe distance but with great curiosity. Someday she would rise to its feathery temptations. But only after Etta had beaten more of the stuffing out of it.

Preferences

Etta may like our windows for the view.

But Mimi likes them for what comes through.

Where there's one

... there's generally another.


Even though we've now given the girls access to both the first and second floors, offering them space from each other if they want it, they tend to stay fairly close.

Fortunately, there's room for both on the couch. But there's one small problem. At least, according to Mimi.




Etta snores.

Oh!

Mimi makes the kitty equivalent of an "Oof" whenever she flops over for a tummy rub or a snooze, which I thought was the height of her cuteness.


But then she did this.

Pardon me, Miss Mimi

... but might we get a photo or two for your fans?


Mimi: "Mmm, nope, not yet. Keeping this coat white takes work, you know."

She's right. With such an abundance of floof, her fur coat requires regular attention from her to keep tangles at bay. Fortunately, now that she has lots of space to stretch and twist and bend, she's been grooming herself with abandon. She's also happy to accept help from a human in those harder-to-reach places, like parts of her chest and tummy. She rolls over promptly when we offer our brushing services.

Sneaking a peek

This must be what it's like for Etta and Mimi when they peer under the gate at our feet.





We'll let you come downstairs soon, ladies.

Bouncing or pouncing?

So Mimi's reaction to our feather toy was less enthusiastic than Etta's.


But when we brought out the Spider, she sprang into action ...




Her favorite angle of attack appears to be straight up.