Catz and Best Of

Dubby's Diary

2012-01-23T05:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Diary,

I'm proud of my kitten, Agatha. She's doing great with learning to lapsit, chasing paper balls and snuggling. Every cat should have a kitten for a pal!

Before Agatha was my kitten, I thought I would never have a friend. My cat Whistle and my dog Sister both left me. Fish is a contemplative in the Order of Grumpy Cats so he doesn't need me. He says mean things to me and tries to hit me with his paw.

Agatha loves me and I love her. She calls me "Mom", "Dad", "Uncle" and "Mr." I don't think she knows much about titles.

Oh! She is learning to meow in her big cat voice. You should hear her!

Love,
Dubby

Emergency Letter to Santa Paws

2011-12-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa Paws,
I know you are busy today on Christmas Eve but I need your help! You got letters from me, my brother Fish and our dog Annie but I don't think you got a letter from my kitten, Agatha. She is new and this is her first Christmas.
She came to be my kitten from the mean streets. She didn't have a round tummy or a good smell. She was tired and scared. Now, she has a tummy full of cat cookies and smells like I gave her a baff which I did. I love her.
She will like anything you bring her. If your sleigh is full already, take out some of my gifts and put hers in my place. Bring the gifts to my house because she lives here with me.
She looks good in every color, has bright green eyes and loves to dance.
Please Santa Paws, don't forget my Agatha.

Love from your,
Dubby

A Note from Professor Whiskers

2011-12-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

To Whom it May Concern:

We are delighted to have Agatha enrolled at Cat School. She is a happy kitten and a good student. Agatha receives good grades in her courses: Vocalization, Dance, Pouncing, History of Cats and Snuggling. We would like to see her work on Staying Off Counters and Wearing a Collar. She works well with her peers and has many friends among her classmates. Agatha's participation in Bottle Cap Soccer and Chase the Scrunched Up Paper Ball is very good for a kitten her age.

Agatha's teacher, Miss Frisky Whiskers, sends along this comment:
"Agatha knows her name, maintains eye contact when spoken to, purrs sweetly and likes to snuggle. I enjoy Agatha as a student in my Cupcake Kittens Class."

If we may be of assistance to you, please contact us by calling the Cat School office.

Sincerely,

Professor Whiskers

Dubby's Diary

2011-12-15T05:51:00.001-08:00

Dear Diary,
This is Dubby. Fish is grumpy and won't blog. Agatha is too young. Our dog, Annie, is busy.
Do you remember how my heart hurt when Whistle died? I had a big hurt in my chest that three dozen cat cookies couldn't fix. Everyday felt slow and sad like a day filled with hissing and head swipes.
Then, the best thing ever happened to me. I got a kitten named Agatha. She is little and has green cats and black fur. She took medicine when she first came to my house and had skinnyness which our human family doesn't allow. Now she is shiny like Fish and me and has a round tummy like....well, maybe somebody like me.
Anyway, having my own kitten makes me very happy.
My job is to help her learn cat stuff. Her job is to be my snugglebunny. And, clean my ears.
She knows how to do most stuff but sometimes she makes mistakes like jumping into the toilet when the lid was left up by that boy. Ewww.
Ooops! It's nap time. See you later, tater.
Dubby

Raindrops on Roses, Whiskers on Kittens

2011-09-18T04:43:00.001-07:00

Dear Diary,

Things to ponder: why do humans wash themselves with water? Spit is better. Why do human laps move just when I get comfortable on them? Why do they get up when I'm comfortable? Where does my litter go when I'm through with it? Why don't humans have good fur? If humans love me as much as they say they do why don't they stay home all day? Why can't I go in Her closet?

Things to enjoy: a good scratch on upholstery, getting my head licked, finding a bug,eating cat cookies, eating breakfast, eating elevenses, eating lunch, eating mid-afternoon snack, eating dinner, eating evening snack, eating in the middle of the night, a good tummy tickle, books about jungle cats, being called "Adorable"...

What I am doing at Professor Whiskers this semester: Great Cats in Literature, Paw Swatting as Artistic Expression, The History of Napping, Bottle Cap Soccer and I'm in advanced placement (!) with Lap Sitting and String Play.

Love,
Dubby

Thank You

2011-09-17T04:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Thank you for your kind words about Whistle. He was the best litter-mate and brother ever. I miss him everyday.
I miss seeing him working the bathroom counter looking for Q-tips to chew.
I miss hearing him purr.
I miss watching him working the cat cookie angle because he was all cat cookies all the time.
I miss him.
Dubby wants to keep the blog going. I have things to say and so does Dubby. Maybe his entries won't be the caliber of mine but he is a nice lil fella and deserves to blog when I'm busy traveling under the turtle blanket.

Thanks again,
Fish

Whistle August 28, 2005-August 21, 2011

2011-08-21T15:15:00.001-07:00

Whistle, a ginger cat, died today at home. He was born the day before Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. His mother went into premature labor and delivered her kittens in an abandoned house in the northern part of Hancock County. Whistle and his litter mate, Fish, were rescued and weaned by a kind woman. In October of 2005, Whistle and Fish went to live with a family who needed them. There, the kittens grew up with a rescue dog, Sister. Later, they were joined by Dubby, a homeless kitten.

Whistle was known for his good humor and loud purring. He was a content cat. He made his dog, Sister, his nanny and loved her. He welcomed Dubby by grooming the kitten and taking long naps curled up with him. He kept a close eye on his brother Fish and they were not separated for even a day until Fish went into the Louisiana Veterinary Hospital for a leg operation. When Fish returned, Whistle groomed all of the hospital smell and homesickness off.

Whistle loved his birthday. For his first five years, he announced his August birthday as early as December to remind his friends and blog readers of the celebration. He received gifts from all over the country.

He enjoyed eating cat cookies. He preferred Greenies Cat Treats until he discovered health food cat cookies. He believed the health food cat cookies meant he could eat several human hand fulls each day. He learned to eat from his human's hand as a kitten then began to stand on his hind legs to grab a cat cookie.

Of the memories Whistle leaves to those who loved him, we recall how when picked up, Whistle leaned against us and purred. He was a big cat of 14 lbs. and his body warmth and attention healed.

His story is told on this blog. His subscriptions to The New Yorker and Ophrah Magazines will be cancelled. His red collar will be placed in a shadow box. His memory is precious to his brothers, his dog and his people.

Whistle is survived by his littermate, Fish, his brother Dubby and his dog Annie, and his humans.

He will be buried on August 22, 2011 near his uncle, the Great Cat Rusty in the kitchen yard close to the birdfeeder.

We thank God for every memory of Whistle the Cat.

2011-03-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

Dear World,
Life gets better and better. First, I know where She keeps the Cat Cookies! Second, We have a new bag of Cat Cookies! After I say "third", I'm stopping with the counting thing because it's awkward and confuses me. Third, I'm making great grades at Cat Film School!
I'm going on a school field trip to see "Puss 'n Boots" starring the ginger cat from "Shrek". Can't wait! We'll have water bowls and Cat Cookies in the theater!

Later Tater,
Whistle (this is MY blog but some brother named Fish changed the pass code then I got on secret double probation because of a total misunderstanding...)

My Birthday: Whistle

2010-08-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I will be 5 years old. I was born in an empty house the night before Katrina blew through my town. My Mom went into labor with me and my litter-mates as the barometric pressure rose. We all came into a new world of downed trees, no power and a ruined homes.
It's best to be a kitten when hurricanes come. We were safe and dry, left alone in a house with food and water for our Mom and a comfortable place for us to snuggle with her. My eyes weren't open yet so I couldn't see the sky or even outdoors. I didn't know our Mom kept us close because she was anxious. I was warm and dry and ready to nurse.
Several weeks later, my owner brought me to the family I have now. I don't remember much about my first owner but she must have loved us because our family now is great.
I've learned so much in five years.
*a full food bowl inspires confidence
*having my litter-mate and other brother by a different mother close-by makes me happy
*if you love a dog like my dog Sister, you can learn to love a new dog
*having friends everywhere is fun and they don't eat your cat cookies
*some people think my magazine subscriptions are odd. I'm taking Oprah's mag now. My New Yorker sub ended.
*cat cookies are great 24/7
*sleeping with my people is good
*if you use your litter box exclusively you get in less trouble
*Cat University is more fun than Cat School
*being a Ginger Cat means I am beautiful
*nose freckles are admired greatly

I'm sure there is more. I can't think beyond the canned cat food I'm getting tomorrow at my Birthday Bash.

Thanks for you support of my bloggage,

Whistle, this is my blog

Special Message from An Important Cat

2010-07-07T19:39:00.001-07:00

Only 52 days until my fifth birthday.

Love,
Whistle This is my blog and I approve this message.

Dubby Goes to the Movies: A Review of Twilight Eclipse

2010-07-06T05:32:00.001-07:00

More wuff in this movie. I like it.

Dubby,
Movie Reviewer for this Blog

Awards Day at Cat School

2010-05-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

Whistle here.

Before I report on Awards Day, I need to tell you that our dog, Sister, got really sick and went away. We won't get her sickness and she loves us very much but she is not here anymore. We are supposed to think about her and remember her but she isn't here which is the point I'm trying to make and we can't do anything about it. She is the best dog Nanny, ever. My cat kibbles taste all wrong and so do my brother, Fish's cat kibbles. Dubby walks around meowing. At all the wrong times. We are doing the best we can and are putting one paw in front of the other.

About Awards Day:

Awards Won by Fish
Mr. Class President
Best Reader of Books on Camping
Most Likely to Go on Great Adventures

Awards Won by Me, Whistle (this is MY blog)
Class Favorite
Best at Being Fed Cat Cookies by Hand
Top Blogger for Class
The Happy Cat Award, 2010

Awards Won by Dubby
Most Improved at Being Fed Cat Cookies by Hand
Most Eager to Practice Being Fed Cat Cookies
Mr. Snuggle Bunny, 2010
The Singletary Buzzard Award for Original Thought in Philosophy

This Fall, Fish and I will be in the Upper School at Cat School.

Love from Whistle

From Dubby

2010-04-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

If you see my dog, Sister, tell her to come home.
She left on Saturday and I can't find her.
I need to tell her something and give her a head bunt.

Love from your Dubby

Dear Sperry Topsiders

2010-03-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Sperry Topsider,

Please send me shoes. I think Sperry shoes' leather shoe laces are the best. I give the leather stings the WHISTLE PAW of APPROVAL. Really, I mean it. I've chewed plenty of shoe laces but your shoe laces are the best. Just send shoes to chew on. The type I like are the ones marked womens and mens. Either type is great with me.

(I am a bit miffed with my people. They began wearing the Bluefish style. Those laces are cord, not leather! Yuk!)

Love forever,

Whistle

Lent for Cats

2010-02-17T07:48:00.000-08:00

Management gave us a surprise this morning. We will be celebrating Lent. "It's Ash Wednesday", she said, "you will observe Lenten practice until Easter Sunday."

We were napping on her bed when she called the meeting to order. Fish and I woke up to pay attention while Dubby snuffled out lil snores. He's out like a light due to inappropriate Mardi Gras behavior yesterday. I won't give details, let him tell you, but he overdid everything and went to bed late, after Letterman Fish says.

Lent for Cats? We will stop trying to run out the kitchen door. We will stop clawing furniture. We will not wail meows after Lights Out.

I'm not sure I can do this. Fish says running out the door is his privilege as "Adventure Cat". Clawing furniture is cat manicures. I wail at night to relieve the Universe of excess grief/sadness/angst. It's my calling.

Does SHE realize we don't do self-reflection, sacrifice or repentance? We are cats and part of God's created order. We never bit that Apple, don't even like apples. We aren't heirs of original sin nor do we need to reflect on our deaths or grieve our sins.

Fish says if She says we are doing the Lent thing, then we are doing it. Rats! She waved a spray water bottle at us saying, "if you try to run out the door, claw furniture or wail, you will get a blast of water mist."

Someone report her. Now.

Here is what I'm willing to do for Lent: wear a purple collar; eat more fresh fish; give up chocolates and sweets (yuk!!!!); stop smoking; stop drinking; and refrain from cat cursing.

She says Lent means taking on correctives to one's souls behavior, too. My soul is a cat soul which no human understands. I'm on good ground with God who made me and loves me. I don't need correctives. I believe most cats would say they are perfect just as they are.

But, to show that I love her, I will: be a sweet companion when I can work it in my schedule, purr when she holds me, eat as many cat cookies as I can and keep Sister's ears clean.

Living in a religious household really chaps my tail at times.

Yours,
Fish, this is my Blog and I approve this message

Cat News This Week by Dubby

2010-02-13T09:23:00.000-08:00

*We heard about Ouzo and we feel sad.

*Whistle's right eye was inflamed. He looked like a pirate. His vet prescribed eyed drops. His eye is well now.

*Andy walked over to the Methodist Church for a funeral to pay his respects. The funeral director likes cats and tried to pat Andy. Mom asked Andy to stop pandering after the Methodists. Again.

*Whistle weighs 16lbs. His vet says he handles his weight well and isn't fat. As. If.

*I had cat cookies all to myself twice this week for Cat Cookie Hand Feeding Practice.
I made an "A".

*Fish called me a name.

*Sister is the best dog Nanny ever.

Love,
Dubby

Goodbye, Ouzo

2010-02-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

Dear My Sue,
I am sorry about Ouzo. Ouzo was a great cat. Living in a place with ice and snow, Ouzo remembered the pals of the Deep South.
Ouzo was a good friend. When I had cat cookies, Ouzo was glad. If Whistle acted like a cookie pig, Ouzo didn't like it.
Ouzo had friends all over the world. Ouzo never hissed at me or any other online cat pal. Ever.
My Sue, if you need to hug my turtle blanket, you can. I spend hours under it thinking deep cat thoughts. Today I am thinking about Ouzo and you.

Love from your,
Fish

Looks Like Dubby

2010-01-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

This cat in I Can Haz Cheezeburger picture:

looks like Dubby

thinks like Dubby

is too thin to be Dubby.

Love from,
Whistle

Whistle Here

2010-01-05T04:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year all Ye Kittys!

Our Aunt Songbird is here! She brought ME a copy of the Aristocats! I'll watch it today with her. Just me and maybe Dubby and Fish. Sister can watch too but not on Aunt Songbird's lap. Just me.

We have new weather here. It's cold here. Yes, not hot like we have most of the year. This new weather makes my fur upset and my paws chilly. Adventure Cat went outside today but didn't stay long. He said he had emails to write but it was too cold even for a cat who loves Adventure. Sister likes the cold. Andy slept inside with us because he was cold. Mom says 22 degrees means water bowls free up into little ice rinks for birds.

Our birds are beautiful. I watched them at the bird feeders yesterday and counted thirty hundred twelve birds eating. Some eat at the feeder while others pick food off the ground.

If you don't mind, I need to go tell Fish something so I have to go.

Love,
Whistle This is my blog. Just me.

Dear Diary: Dubby

2009-12-28T05:12:00.000-08:00

If I die before I wake, throw my diary in the lake.Dear Diary,

Hey! How have you been? Things going ok for you?
I'm great here. Christmas was the best ever! Really! I didn't write to Santa and he brought me great stuff anyway! Whistle and Fish changed the password so I couldn't send Santa my list but here's what I got: canned cat food, cat cookies, wrapping paper, string and boxes! I got Christmas canned cat food this morning, too!!!

Since this year is almost over, and I'm three years old, I'm writing you about what I learned in 2009:

*If you are heavier than your opponent, they don't pop you so hard in the head.(1)
*I love studying birds and squirrels. They are my friends and I hope to hug each one of them.
*If She kisses me, I don't have to move or wake up from a nap.
*How to eat cat cookies: open my mouth wide!
*Every cat likes you if you can open closed doors and untie knots.
*Snuggling with Whistle is comfy.
*My dog, Sister, is my best friend.
*It's OK to be a cat and smell like a dog.
*Whistle and Fish get in trouble more than I do.
*I like to hide under the dining room table.
*Cat School is easier if you don't sit next to Fluffy Catsworth.
*I can shred fabric, especially upholstery fabric,with my claws!

I can't think of anything else.
Love,
Dubby

(1)I don't know why but this year some people called me "Lord LardBotton" and "Dump Truck"

Santa, this is Whistle

2009-12-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,
Hi. How are you? How's it going up there in the North Pole? How is Mrs. Santa Claus?
Tell the reindeer I say, "Hi!"
I've been a good cat again this year. Everybody says I am a good-natured cat. I turned four in August. I make good grades at Cat School. I think I will be Class Favorite this year but if someone else wins, I'll be fine with that.
The picture looks like me in my Halloween costume. I have a collar just like this good-looking ginger cat. I wore my Halloween costume for hours and hours and didn't complain.
Maybe I should give you my Christmas List: I'd like a big bag of Greenies, maybe two or three of the giant size would be good. Please ask Mr. Greenies to make me the poster cat for Greenies. I love Greenies! I would like a few toys but not the toys with batteries because battery cat toys are scary to Dubby, my brother. I would like for my cat bed to be just for me. If you wrote a note to Fish and Dubby saying it was my cat bed they might leave my cat bed alone. Just a hint!
Please bring my dog Sister, a beautiful chewy bone and some tennis balls. She is the best dog in the world.
Love and thank you,
Whistle

My Christmas List: Fish

2009-12-16T05:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,
I am a good cat. I made an A in lap sitting this semester. I play well with my brothers and I keep my fur very clean. Please bring me:

a book about camping
a real cat tent
Greenies
a book about Cat philosophers
Aristocats DVD
Stuff to chase

Yours Very Truly,

Fish

New Moon: The Wuff Movie A Review

2009-11-24T06:04:00.000-08:00

This is Dubby.

New Moon is the best Twilight movie! More Wuffs! More growling! Less Sparkle!

When I look at the Wuffs, I see myself because I am a Wuff, too. Grrrr!

The movie is very short, only about two hours. That girl is in the movie. No need to see her at all!

The Wuffs are strong and brave! Big!

I sat with my dog Sister at the movies. We ate popcorn and drank water in cups!
Sister told me to not to growl or meow so I didn't except during the fight scenes.
Sister wore sunglasses and a hat. She carried her Big Movie Purse. I hid in her purse.

I saw NEW MOON THE WUFF MOVIE!

You go see it. Ok? It's the best movie ever.

Love from Dubby, the Wuff

I am a Wuff and a Bearnaise Sauce Mountain Cat AT THE SAME TIME. It's like magic but different.

Letter from Management

2009-11-17T04:35:00.000-08:00

To Inside Cats:

It has come to my attention that throw-up was found in HER closet on a pair of HER shoes. Please, remember Rule #4 if you must toss your cat cookies, hairballs or such, please find a washable surface (brick floor, tile) to use as your toss goal. Cease and desist blowing cat cookies in any closet or near human possessions. While it may be difficult to determine human possessions in a home, use your judgement.

Further, Management requests that loud meows be reserved for hours when the bedroom is lighted, not when bedroom is dark. While humans appreciate your rich interior lives as Mr. Adventure, Wild Cat and I am a Wuff, when the room is dark, be quiet.

Please allow the pantry door to remain closed. You will not be able to claw your way into the pantry. Beating on the door with open paws while wailing will not open the door. The pantry is off limits to any orange cat or grey and white cat. THIS MEANS YOU.

You are on the grazing meal plan. This means food is available 24/7 so you may eat
small meals throughout the day and night. Parking yourself next to the food bowl to eat all of the kat kibble two or three times each day is not good. You live in a state where obesity is an issue. The Dept. of Cat Concerns says overeating may lead to muffin tops from the neck downwards, diabetes and general slovenly appearance.
Remember, the phrase "fat cat" means someone with money, not overweight feline-age.

Finally, Management will be away for a few days. As a courtesy, please behave. The contest, "How Many Loud Things Can I Try to Break" isn't until August 2012. Do not practice while Management is out-of-town.

Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Sincerely,
Your Management Team

Dear Diary...

2009-11-14T17:46:00.000-08:00

dear diary
this is dubby only five days until NEW MOON. all of my cat friends are going!
we are all wuffs who love jacob black who is a human who turns into a wuff. i wish my people could be wuffs but no luck there.
i am sneaking in here to use the computer. whistle is sleeping on the bed. fish is sleeping in the laundry basket. heh heh they are NOT going to the movie. no way. they are not wuffs and don't want to be wuffs. my brothers are not cool.
love from your dubby

A Word from Whistle: Halloween

2009-10-31T06:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

This black cat reminds me of Cousin Bea in NC. She's shiny black furred like this pic. Some people fear black furred cats. THIS IS FURISM and is WRONG. All cat fur is beautiful, even those fur less kitties.

Cats don't want candy for Trick or Treat. Give Cat Cookies instead!

No Halloween Costumes for Cats! Ever!

Make Halloween a GREENIES holiday! Place open bags of Greenies around your home!

People who are mean to cats go to you-know-where.... See Cat Scripture, 2 Fluffy 12:3-7.

If you have a younger cat, the youngest brother like Dubby, you may MAKE HIM WEAR HIS MOUSE COSTUME FROM LAST YEAR. All day, just sayin'

Whistle, I know this stuff. I am four years old.

Is it Creepy?

2009-10-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

for me to be a cat blogger? I read somewhere it is creepy for cats to speak.
I meditated on this for weeks, discussed it with fellow cat bloggers Fish and Dubby who said "who cares?".

We've been busy. Cat School is tough for older cats like us. Dubby has it easy because he is a kitten-type. He's making string pictures with knots and gluing macaroni on construction paper...

I am NOT dressing up for Halloween. Not! Not! Not!

Love from,
Whistle

Mom thinks this LOLCat is hilarious. What do you think?

School Report

2009-09-17T05:19:00.001-07:00

Things I See When I Look Out the Window, a list by Whistle
For Prof. Whiskers September 17, 2009

Doves
Blue Jays
Cardinals
Hummingbirds

Geckos
Grasshoppers
Love Bugs
Yellow Jackets
Bugs with Orange Pants

Snails

Sister, my Dog
Andy, my Brother
Fish, on his daily Courtyard Rounds
Opossums, if I stay up late at Night

Note to Professor Whiskers, Please sir, give me an "A" on this list. Love from Whistle

Editorial by Fish

2009-09-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

School started early in August here. We're getting up early, packing our book bags for Cat School with Professor Whiskers and his faculty. Summer projects are over!

My younger brother, Dubby, is caught up in a cultural maelstrom of silliness! He thinks he is a dead ringer for the Wuff in New Moon. He growls, leaps and poses all day long, except when he is texting, chatting or twittering with his Twilight pals.

Yep, THAT movie cult!

Yesterday, Dubby wore his underwear rolled over at the waist just like Jacob Black in the picture above. Really! He didn't start wearing drawers or working on his six pack until he saw the movie. He memorized all the dialogue. He refers to himself as "the Wuff".

Oh please. He's trying to raise money to go to the Cat Twilight Con! His Con group, Twi-Cats#10 Gulf Coast, voted for him to represent them.

Let him go! We will have "Wuff-Free" days while he's out there debating "Bella, Is she the best character ever?" and "Do Wuffs Like Greenies?"

Make him stay home! Get that cat to wise up! Pay attention to Cat School! Focus!

Arghhhh.

by Fish, Wise, Smart, Mature

The Best Birthday Ever!

2009-08-28T20:33:00.001-07:00

Fish here.

Really, this was the greatest birthday I've ever had. We each got a can of cat food to eat, cat cookies whenever we wanted and I heard "Happy Birthday" all through the day!

I feel so four-ish. Competent, able, wise, all the things one finds in a great 4 year old cat. I feel as if I can take on the world!

If you put your nose to the monitor screen right here **** you can smell cat cookie breff and canned cat food breff. Nice, huh?

What a wonderful day!

Love from Fish

Tomorrow is MY Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

Hey! Tomorrow is my 4th Birthday! Fabulous, huh?
Everyone is coming to my party for a cat cake and games.
We are playing string, flying fishies and bag pounce.

If you haven't gotten a gift for me, it's NOT too late.
Send your big gift to me, Whistle, at this address:

Whistle
My House, U.S.A.

Here are a few ideas for you:
A pallet of Greenies
Catnip Mice (please note plural)
A tall climbing perch
Silk sheets for my cat bed
A guinea pig
laptop so I don't have to share
a collar (breakaway/safety) with a sterling silver whistle charm
cat bowl with MY name on it. ONLY for me

You get the idea. Just something simple to say, "Whistle, you are such a fine catty".

Love,
Whistle This is MY blog and I approve this message.

My Birthday

2009-07-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

Only 38 days until I am 4!!!!

My birthday is coming soon!

Get my presents ready! Just a friendly reminder!

Love,

Whistle, this is my Blog and I approve this message

5th of July

2009-07-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday wore us out! People! More People! Meals! Snacks! Cat Cookies! Birds! Rain!
Dubby and I nap to keep our strength up.

Sister is worn out from yesterday's funder and fireworks!

Love from Whistle

P.S. We recall Mom's big ginger cat Rusty today. He died four years ago. He was 21 and ready to go to back to God. We have a loving home because Mom loved him and because Assumpta and Dibley went to live in N.C. with LLS and LSinL after Katrina. Mom needed us for comfort after the storm and we needed a home with our nanny Sister and cat cookies. It all works out, doesn't it?

P.S.S. Fish is reading books about camping. He said his fur was a mess and wouldn't let us take a picture of him.

A Dog like Sister!

2009-06-25T20:46:00.000-07:00

I like seeing tiger kittehs sitting with their Dog Nanny.
We have Sister, the Greatest Dog Nanny in the World, at our house.
I love Sister! We all love her!

Excuse me, I want to go head bump Sister because I love her.

Love,
Whistle, this is MY blog!

Reporting In: Summer Activities

2009-06-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Whistle: I'm taking an online class in Cat History! You wouldn't believe me if I told you how many ginger cats helped in the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, Civil Rights and the Hula Hoop Craze! Seems like you can't have good history without a ginger cat!

Fish: Reading books on Cat Camping! I am Adventure Cat! Professor Whiskers asked me to write a song for Cat School Opening Day! My song features ME!, beating up rats!, being brave! and handsome! Everyone will love it!

Dubby: All I do is keep up with my tribe through FB and texting. I've finished my Summer Book list. Now I'm reading books I like: the Twilight Series, Bearnaise Sauce Mountin Cats in History, How Cats with Great Toes Saved Egypt and Cat Cookies: How to Get Them. Mom opened a door and smushed me last night. She said it was an "accident". I hope so because I got scared and ran away to eat a bit of cat kibble. I ate a bit more to keep my strength up.

Whistle: I have a new cat bed! No one else may sleep in it. It's mine! Fish! Don't get in my new cat bed!

Dubby: My head hurty is healing! Everyone says the shaved patch looks cool!

Fish: Hey Whistle! Your butt DOES look big in "your" new cat bed! HA!

An Important Message from Whistle

2009-06-09T03:37:00.001-07:00

81 Days Until My Birthday!

Just a friendly reminder! Preparation is Everything! Planning Now Saves Sorrow Later!
Don't Forget! Get Ready! Be Prepared!

Love from the Birthday Boy,

Whistle This is MY blog and I approve this message.

Cat School Librarian Suggestions

2009-06-03T05:49:00.000-07:00

To: Sister, the Dog
From: Librarian Fluffy C. Holmes-Southerd

Re: Request for Summer Book Suggestions for Fish, Whistle and Dubby

Dear Sister:
Thank you for your kind note requesting help with finding books for the boys to read.

Having heard of Fish's devotion to the Twilight series, I suggest he read the Father Tim books by Jan Karon. These books are the sequel to the Mitford series of several years ago. Father Tim's gentleness and perspective will help Fish focus on good cat behavior.

Whistle found Bird Identification Finals a bit difficult. Perhaps Whistle would enjoy reading Roger Tory Peterson's North American Bird book ONE MORE TIME. Quiz him about the birds at the kitchen bird feeder. Make a game of it!

I suggest Dubby read "Don't Let Your Brother Bite You" by Furry Choate.

Professor Whiskers sends his best regards and looks forward to seeing the cat boys in the school library this summer. We are open 24/7 and have fresh bowls of water available. Remind the boys of the "Read a Book---Get a Cat Cookie" event all Summer.

Regards,
Librarian Fluffy C. Holmes-Southerd

Dubby's Fierce Bad Day

2009-06-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,
I'm glad I can tell you stuff because around here, there isn't privacy. A brother is close by all the time!
You know how Fish and Whistle read those Twilight Books? About vampires biting animals? Whistle has two new lip freckles he says look just like vampire teef. Then Fish runs around outside in the courtyard yelling, " Say it! Say what I am!". It is upsetting I'm telling you.
Saturday, Fish grabbed me and bit me on the side of the head. He was pretending to be a vampire in those books! He took a chunk of my fur off with skin attached! It hurt so bad but I didn't say anything. Blood!
Fish got bored and went off to check his Twitter messages on his FB.
My girl saw my owie and told Mom. Mom cleaned it out with hurting stuff then gave me a HAND FULL of cat cookies.
Today, it was awful! I went in the car in my cat carrier to the Vet!!!!!!!!!
So scary! Even with my girl and Mom along.
Now I have to take ant buy optics. Now I have a shaved place on my head. Now Fish is being nice to me but I am worried.
Don't read those Twilight books, Diary. You might bite a kitten.
Love from Dubby

P.S. I cannot show you a picture of my owie. I can't hold the camera so it points at behind my ear. I tried. Love from Dubby

P.S.S. Fish is a bad kitty. Don't tell anyone I said this.

2009-05-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

What do you think about this article in Scientific American about kitty cats?

We live with people because people do better when we are nearby.

Love from Whistle,
This is my bloggage and I approve this message

News from Around Here

2009-05-17T06:33:00.001-07:00

Whistle here.

Cat School finals have everyone in a tizzy. Dubby is convinced Fluffy will be his lab partner next year. He says he is quitting school to become a drop-out and get tattoos. Mom says "NO".

Fish won the Catzinger Longtail Award for Best Behavior, Cat Citizenship, the Rotary Scholarship for Nappage, the Blue Ribbon Hairball Hacking Award and the Chat Prize in French. We aren't supposed to know this until Awards Day but Fish told us. Several. Times.

I'm passing my courses, doing well in String Play, Whiffle Ball and Midnight Meowing.
I'm the year book editor with Blast next year. I need two new cameras!

Today we are practicing Hair Ball Hacking. Mom says if she sees one more attempt left on the floor, we are in trouble. This doesn't make sense! Hacking hairballs is nature's way of cleaning out fur and detritus, like beads and tiny Leggos.

Dubby lost his only friend. According to Dubs, Frank the Flea, was a great friend and chatted Dubby up all day and night. We got flea treatment yesterday. Dubby tried to save Frank who died a horrible chemical-tainted death. I don't mind flea treatment. Mom gives us Greenies when she puts the stuff on us.

Fish got stuck under the bedcovers last night. He complained in a loud Meow until Mom freed him. He's so strange.

Verbena wants privacy. Fish wants to pat Verbena. More later because I see this as a real problem.

Frances the Turtle is moving by the windows. She looks great. I wave at her and she ignores me.

Mom has her suitcase out. I hate this. No Greenies during the day time. Water bowl doesn't get filled and we won't get to listen to Urban Contemporary or Classical music all day long. He's OK but doesn't wait on us hand and paw.

Mom says she heard people meowing at LD's school. She says they are pretending to be at Cat School. Go figure. I wish LD stayed home. She goes and comes and goes again.
I love her. Everyone loves her.

Love from Fish. I approve this post. Everybody else (that mean You Fish and You Dubby) stay OFF my Bloggage!!!

A Memo from Verbena

2009-05-13T05:55:00.000-07:00

To: Sister the Dog, Fish the Cat,etc., etc.

Dear All:

If you wish me to remain as the Resident Courtyard Toad for the Summer of 2009,please do not approach me with your cat nose or even look at me. Sister the Dog, if you have influence, please speak to your cat about this.

Do not post pictures of me or discuss me on teh internets. I am overwhelmed with print journalists, TV cameras and bloggers looking for me, at me and being near me.

Fish the Cat: if you wish to look at pictures of Toads, order the Guide to All Things Beautiful and Froggy for your Kindle. Leave me alone.

I hope I make myself clear on this issue.

Verbena, V.A.T.*

*Very Attractive Toad

A Prayer from Whistle

2009-05-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

Dear God, this is your Whistle.
Thank you for this day. Thank you for all I see around me.
For what is above my head, what is below my paws.
Thank you for everything!

Thank you for my brothers and my nanny, Sister the Dog.
Thank you for my humans.
Thank you for the big clay pot of catnip growing outside the window.
Thank you for all the birds out side; squirrels, too.

Thank you for Greenies, cat food and clean water.
Thank you for fresh litterboxes.
Thank you for the strength to jump high on the Study bookcases.
Thank you that no one saw me knock over the lamp in the dining room.

Thank you for my friends near and far.
Thank you for my green collar.
Thank you that I am dressed in clothes once a year on Halloween.
Thank you for ear scratches, purrs received with delight and bugs.

Thank you for making me and placing me in my home.
Amen.

Paws Up! to Lenny's

2009-04-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

Lenny's Deli has an Orange Cat named "Curious" on their kid's meal cup.

I love seeing Orange cats!

I can't show you a picture of the cup because Dubby is wearing it as a hat.

Go Lenny's!

Whistle, An Orange Cat
This is my blog and I approve this message.

Dubby: How I am Doing

2009-04-27T05:54:00.001-07:00

When I grow up, I'm going to be a Bearnaise Sauce Mountain Dog, just like Sam!
Here is how I am doing:

Have big paws. CHECK

Have a soft fur coat. CHECK

Look just like Sam. CHECK

Ride in the Car. NOT SO GOOD

Go to Church with Momma. NOT SO GOOD

Bark at strangers. SORTA GOOD

Eat lots of food to be BIG. CHECK

Join the Berner Group. (I'm having trouble with this one. The Berners don't see as much resemblance to Sam as I do. Will work on this. Get a moustache or something. Maybe sunglasses.)

Love from Dubby

Kitteh Update

2009-04-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

Whistle

I got a new piece of yarn! My birthday is coming up in August!
Momma came home and gave us Greenies!

Fish

I'm singing in the Catty Chorus this year! I'm singing a solo of "There are Greenies in Gilead" and get to wear a choir robe! My paper, "Why Cats Are So Great" won 2nd prize in the Essay Contest! I think my grades are good, as always!

Andy
Busy. Spring is busy. Monitoring squirrels and birds. Later, tater.

Dubby
I hate Fluffy XXXXXXXX! She says I am stupid! She is mean to me everyday at Cat School. She told Mrs. Velvet Paws that I was the kitteh who ate the birthday cookies! I did not!

When we practiced our choral song, one of the younger kittehs pointed at my paws and laughed. I started crying and Prof. Whiskers asked me to go to his office! He was nice to me and licked my head but I feel sad.

I WILL NOT wash my nose! Nobody can make me. That dirt looks just like nose freckles.

I do not like anyone but Sister, my dog. I want to stay at home with her. I don't want to go to Cat School ever ever again.

Mysteries of Life Together

2009-03-31T03:12:00.000-07:00

I don't know why the silver candlestick on the mantle got to the floor. I heard the candle had toof marks and scratches, but how would I know?

Many mysteries around here.

Why does Dubby walk between the faucet and the faucet handles under running water?
He gets wet every time and surprised.

Why does Fish run through the house hollering?

Why does that squirrel at the bird feeder run away when I jump at the window?

I'd like answers.

Whistle, my birthday will be here before you know it! I love Greenies!

I Enjoy this Blog

2009-03-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

Go see our pal, Maru, whose blog appears here.

He lives in Japan.

Do Japanese cattages have Greenies?

Love from Whistle

This is my blog and I approve this message

Pet News

2009-03-25T04:54:00.000-07:00

Sister the Dog: Received certificate from Miss Barky's School of Canine Vocalization.
Top of class in: protective barking, various vocalizations

Whistle: I'm busy with Bottlecap Soccer and Pushing Around the Plantation Blinds. Extra points for games played late at night!

Dubby: Keeps pretending to need tutoring with eating GREENIES fed by Mom's hand. Geez! That cat is a mess! Need to mention he is learning Lap Sitting and doing well, according to Mom.

Fish: Wrote a blistering review of Naughty Naughty Kyle, a book about a Ginger cat who leaves good things around his home for his human. Got an "A" on the report!

Whistle, I don't miss much and this is my blog

My Birthday

2009-03-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

1 6 5 Days until my birthday.

Prepare yourself.

I will be 4 (Four) years old.

Love,
Whistle, this is my bloggage

Raccoon Butt Shelf

2009-03-13T05:28:00.001-07:00

This could happen to anyone!

Go here to see how to help a raccoon.

I wish all people were kind to animals everyday.

Whistle, I have new lip freckles. Looking Good, if I say so myself!

How Sister Got A Night Off

2009-03-12T05:13:00.000-07:00

Sister, our nanny, slept a long, snoring dog sleep last night. She was all alone without any cat company!

Our humans can't get their clock thingies fixed so they know when to get up. She went through the house playing with the clocks on Saturday night. I do not know why she did this.

The humans go to bed earlier and forget to get up on time.

How odd! If only humans were cats. Time for cats is easy. When you are hungry, you go to the food bowl. Sleepy? Drop on the bed for a nap. Humans look at clocks to know what to do. Silly! Around bedtime last night, they got confused.

Last night, Fish got outside and stayed outside until this morning! He is exhausted and smells like outdoors!

Dubby and I were shut up in the pantry all night. What's with that? Listening to Dubby read the food labels is boring. No litter box! No water!

With Fish outside, Dubby and I in the kitchen pantry Sister had a night to herself.

love from Whistle, the Ace Cat Reporter

Whistle Took My Cuteness Without Asking!

2009-02-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

First, Whistle comes home from Cat Hospital and everyone is like, "Oh Whistle! We are sooo glad you are home. Here, have a handfull of cat cookies!"

Then, he takes my special trick and runs into the bedroom dragging MY fish toy meowing JUST LIKE I DO.

I am so OVER him! Really, he is a pain in the paw.

Love,
Fish, who is reading Plato and not happy with Whistle

I'm back from the Cat Hospital!

2009-02-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

Dr. Redhead let me come home this afternoon. I was ready to go!
I don't have a fever and I'm not dehydrated. I feel good and ready to eat all the cat cookies I missed getting.

Fish says he missed me so much he snuggled with Dubby last night. Hard to believe.
Dubby says he felt lonely and miserable without me.
Sister says, "I've been missing you, lil fella" She gave me several good sniffs and licked my head. I love her.

I have to take five more days of pills but no one knows what is wrong with me. I had a fever of unknown origin. I think I was so tired of February that I got sick.

Mom says she understands as she is tired of February, too.

Thanks for thinking of me. What would I do without my friends like you?

Love,

Whistle, this is my blog

Fish: Guest Blogger Whistle in Hospital

2009-02-21T10:42:00.000-08:00

My brother, Whistle, was admitted to the Edgewater Cat Hospital this morning with fever and weight loss!

His ears were warm!

He stayed under the ottoman in the living room for a day and a half!

He ate three cat cookies this morning but didn't enjoy them!

Dr. Red Head Who Loves Cats will give him meds and fluids!

We are all worried! Dubby is making Get Well Whistle Cards!

I feel sad and odd because my brother is NOT AT HOME WITH ME!

Love,
Fish

P.S. I found this picture on teh internets. Whistle does not have a hurt paw. This pic is for illustrative purposes only.

A Note from Cat School

2009-02-17T03:26:00.000-08:00

The Faculty of Cat School met to discuss Dubby's request that he be allowed to bring Sister the Dog to Show and Tell. While we appreciate the close relationship between Dubby and his nanny, Sister, we feel that Sister's presence at Cat School will be disruptive. Very few, if any, of our students live with dog nannys. While we hope for the day when all animals may gather in peace, that day has not come to Cat School. We hope you understand. Please call me if I may be of help to interpret our decision to Dubby further.

Sincerely,

Prof. Whiskers

Guest Blogger: Sister

2009-02-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

I'm writing today about a dog I never sniffed.
Molly is Aunt Songbird's dog. Molly and I had several things in common: we are RevGalDogPals, we love Milkbone Dog cookies and we love Aunt Songbird.

When I was a puppy, Aunt Songbird helped my mom to learn to love me. Mom wanted to love me but a puppy is not a kitten. Mom is cat-oriented. I stained hardwood floors when I couldn't find the bathroom. I chewed stuff to make my teeth feel good. Mom doesn't like these things. When Aunt Songbird visited, I knew she would shine her dog love on me. In her reflection, Mom began to see me as me.

Before long, Mom loved me and says about me, "Sister is a good dog!" She values my work as a cat Nanny. She likes the protection I offer her by barking at strangers. She likes me to sit near her feet while she sews.

Aunt Songbird taught Mom how to make me sit when I get a dog cookie.

Isn't it funny how love flows around? Molly taught Aunt Songbird to love dogs, Aunt Songbird taught Mom how to love me and I taught my cats how to love me and each other.

I miss Molly already. She is now in the beautiful place where a dog can sniff, eat dog cookies and take long naps feeling great. Molly can walk and not feel weary, run and not faint. No elbow or paw pain anymore for Molly. When I go back to God, as Molly has, I will find her and give her the Great Sniff.

Aunt Songbird, we love you. I send you a long, mournful bark and tail subdued into stillness in honor of Molly. She was a fine dog.

Love,
Sister

2009-02-04T06:11:00.000-08:00

Fresh litter, how grand!
Either particles or sand,
the artist in me
makes piles or just pee
a canvas for expression
make hills or depressions?
Kick or flick it all out
stand still or turn about?

by Whistle, a cat who knows his litter

2009-02-02T18:42:00.000-08:00

We went to the vet today.
We had to get in our cat carriers and ride in a car.
I had to share the cat carrier with Fish. Dubby was in the other carrier.
Fish and Dubby weigh 16 lbs. each. I weigh 15 lbs.
Everyone got two shots.
We had our temperatures taken in the wrong place.
It was so bad I can't discuss it further.

An entire bag of Greenies can't make me feel better.
But, you could try.

I may never be the same again.

Sadly,
Whistle, this is my blog and I approve this message

Guest Blogger: Fish

2009-02-02T06:49:00.000-08:00

I take as my text, the Gospel lectionary passage for this week, Mark 1:37b-38a:

"they said to him, 'Everyone is searching for you'" He answered, Let us go to the neighboring towns"

I take this to mean I am NOT GOING TO THE VET THIS MORNING NO MATTER WHAT. YOU CAN SEARCH FOR ME BUT I AM GOING TO NEIGHBORING TOWNS!

Love, Fish

Going to the Vet

2009-02-02T03:37:00.000-08:00

Hello. You've reached Cat Care Veterinary Hospital. Our hours are ... For emergencies, call ..... Please leave a message.

"ello, this is Dubby, I mean this is my Mom. We can't come to the vet today. We are busy. Please cancel our appointments."

Whistle: Dubby! You got it wrong! You said you were Mom!

Dubby: You told me to say I was Mom!

Whistle: No, you said you were Dubby then you said you were Mom!

Dubby: Oh. I used my Mom voice!

Whistle: We are in big trouble. Go hide! Go hide right now!

Dubby: What about breakfast?

Fish: This is ridiculous.

Whistle: Who asked you?

Fish: We are going to vet! No way out!

Whistle: The pet carriers aren't indoors. Are you sure?

Fish: I heard Her make the appointment.

Dubby: I feel sick.

Fish: Guest Blogger

2009-01-30T17:53:00.000-08:00

more animal

This is why I can't go to the Vet next week
This isn't a picture of me. I'm ADVENTURE CAT!

You get the idea anyway,

Fish

Cat School: Take Home Exam

2009-01-29T06:32:00.000-08:00

Cat School Take Home Exam
Class: Human Interaction
Instructions: You may use Chapters 1-5 of Dr. Fluffy Tendertoes' Human Interaction for House Cats, 2007. Carrboro Cat Press books.
Student: Dubby

1. When your human is working on either a technical, craft or housework project, you:
a. stand where the human is working
b. sit where the human is working
c. play with tools, string or material of human
d. take a nap in another room

2. To wake up your human, you:
a. bite nose of human
b. put fresh litter box paws on human's mouth
c. start a Cat Party!
d. wait until the alarm clock sounds

3. If your human is sewing, knitting or crocheting, you:
a. play with thread or yarn
b. try to sit on human's lap or working area
c. pay no attention

4. If your water dish is empty, you:
a. stand in bowl and wail
b. kick bowl with paws for noise
c. wail
d. wait until the bowl is filled to drink

5. When a human enters the bathroom, you:
a. insist on coming into the bathroom
b. want to sit on human's lap if human sits
c. stare at human with amazement, every time
d. allow human privacy

6. If your human is reading, you:
a. keep the human company by sitting on the reading materials
b. yell for food
c. dash through the room acting terrified
d. curl up on the floor and take quiet nap

7. You are accused of bad cat behavior, you:
a. look innocent
b. refuse to move from offending area
c. take a good long bath
d. roll on your back, paws in the air and ask for forgiveness

8. When humans are away from your home, you:
a. do whatever you wish
b. find projects you are denied when humans are home
c. play with toilet paper or paper towel rolls
d. write poetry about how lonely you feel

9. Where is the highest place you can jump to to knock things off?
a. bedroom bookshelves
b. bookshelves in family room
c. pull down linens in linen closet
d. take a nap instead

10. How often do you try to run outdoors?
a. every time the exterior doors are opened
b. every day or so I make a run for it
c. tear the weather stripping off most exterior doors
d. never

Bonus Essay Question: Why Cat Contact is Important to My Humans. One page, single spaced.

****Dubby made an A+ 110 points

Shhh! Top Secret Diary Entry

2009-01-23T05:17:00.001-08:00

Dear Diary,
this is dubby. guess what? mom is cleaning LD's room. i went in there to help and mom left me in there with the door closed. oh,it was scary. then, i needed to do my daily constitutional. i was stuck without my litter box. the only litter i could find was in the dust pan. that's where i did it. mom came in later and i ran out. she was mad because she smelled cat business. then she saw where i did it and gave me a hug for ingenuity. don't tell anyone because this is a secret.
love, dubby

New Yorker Cover

2009-01-09T15:33:00.000-08:00

Woo! Woo!

Whistle, a New Yorker subscriber, is featured on the cover of the newest issue!
We are so proud of him. He's never been to NYC but somehow he's on the cover!

Fish, his brother

Dubby Completes Christmas Cat Cookie Tutoring

2009-01-03T05:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Prof. Whiskers:
Dubby learned to eat cat cookies from a human's hands during the Christmas Break.
He is a fine young cat who works hard to do his studies.
Sincerely,
Sister, Cat Nanny

Dear Prof. Whiskers,
Dubby is bogus! He pretends to need tutoring in cat cookies! He just pretends!
Signed,
A friend

Dear Professor Whiskers:
I know how to eat cat cookies from my human's hands! It's fun!
I am a big cat now.
Love,
Dubby

Cat Report

2009-01-01T04:36:00.000-08:00

Whistle: I've had a great time with my gifts and Greenies. I wish the President of Greenies would make me the Poster Cat. I'd be good at it. I've visited with Aunt Songbird. She loves me best. She brought a ball of string to me! I have to be "supervised" because I am a "string/ribbon eater" according to my people. I am not ready for Cat School to begin.

Fish: Loved being with my Aunt Songbird! She loves me best! She understands contemplative kitties who are serious by nature. She thinks I am very smart. I spent most of my holidays under the covers thinking deep thoughts about avoiding all of the Boy's friends. It's noisy here all the time. I finished my paper on Scottish Cat Saints days ago so I'm ready to go back to Cat School.

Dubby: My Aunt Songbird thinks I am so smart and wonderful! She likes me best. You can tell she understands me really well and thinks I am a great Bearnaise Sauce Mountain Cat. I learned how to eat Cat Cookies from Mom's hand. Prof. Whiskers sent home a note about cat cookie tutoring during the holidays. I practiced over and over!
Mom thinks I'm studying cat cookies! Hee Hee. I want to go back to school to see my friends.

Andy: Worked hard. Came inside to eat and take a few naps. Avoided the Gingers and Tappy Toes. Can't stand these cushy indoor cats. Chased squirrels, terrorized the birds and kept the property free of vagrants.

Best Christmas Ever!

2008-12-26T04:29:00.000-08:00

This is Fish.

Christmas! I love it!

We got a bag of Greenies each!

On Christmas Eve the Treat Bucket fell over and we cleaned it up!

I found string and balled up paper for cat soccer!

A long nap Christmas afternoon!

Fish, loving it all

P.S. Some cats broke 3 Christmas tree shiny things. Not me! I wasn't even in the room when #4 hit the bricks this morning!

A Picture of Dubby

2008-12-22T05:52:00.000-08:00

Here I am sitting with my pal, Sean Connery, back in the '80s.

Hee Hee,

Dubby

Our Christmas Lists

2008-12-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

Whistle
Cat Cookies
String
cardboard box to sit in

Fish
Adventure Cat red cape
Warm water on my cat crunchies for Breakfast
Someone to play felt fish on a string with me

Dubby
Cat Food
Cat Cookies
A freckle on my nose like Whistle and Fish

Sister
I would like to go to see "Marley and Me" about the yellow lab
I would like to sit in the theater seat with Mr.C. and eat popcorn with him
an afternoon off from taking care of the kitties

2008-12-12T04:52:00.000-08:00

Whew! Yesterday was wild! Snow fell in Little Church Town and at LD's Art School Town! Snow! I don't know what it is but it looks like confused rain and I hear it is very cold.

The picture is from our newspaper.

We cats kept Sister, the Best Cat Nanny in the World, calm yesterday and last night while the church people across the street put on a live nativity. No camel this year!
We are happy because Sister does not allow people to walk in front of our house or other animals to be near us.

I took turns playing with her so she wouldn't run outside to bark at the frozen children who were pretending to be Mary, Joseph and the wise guys. I saw girls in white wearing angel wings when I looked out the kitchen window. It was too cold for cats or children to be outside!

It was a good night for being warm indoors.

Adventure Cat leapt outside this morning into the cold. What a nut~! He'll be mewing at the door soon complaining that his paws are icy.

We worried last night about cold and hungry pets and for that cat who lives behind the Mexican restaurant and doesn't have a home.

We had cat cookies and a warm bed last night. I don't know why some cats have goodness and other cats have hard lives.

Love,
Whistle

Christmas!

2008-12-10T06:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas! Live Tree Indoors with GLASS Ornaments! Bows and Gift Wrap! Stockings!
Cat Cookies!

I love Christmas. Advent I don't understand.

Aunt Songbird is coming soon!

I am so happy!

Love,
Whistle, this is MY blog despite repeated pirating by other cats in this house.

2008-12-02T04:17:00.000-08:00

When you live with two brothers, the Best Dog in the World and Andy*, you can be happy all the time.

If you want to snuggle, find Sister or Fish or Dubby.

If you want to play, find Sister, Fish or Dubby.

We are never lonely because we have each other.

Fish takes time to meditate on his Turtle quilt or on the linen closet shelf. He likes to think Deep Thoughts. When he isn't being contemplative or brooding, he's a fun guy.

You can count on one of us to be annoying, too. What would the world be like without annoyance? I'm not saying who is the most annoying because Fish told me I could be the King of Annoy most days.

*Andy is busy 24/7 with his work. We love him but he doesn't want to play often or be snugly ever.

I love my family.

P.S. I was not the one who broke the Christmas Tree ornament yesterday. I think the wind blew it off or something.

love from your,

Whistle

2008-11-27T18:15:00.001-08:00

Hi.

School is out this week for the Thanksgiving holidays. Mom forced us to watch Dubby's Potlach Program at Prof.Whisker's. Dubby wore a Native American outfit but it looked goofy on him. His class meowed songs. Dubby stopped during one song to yawn and lick his rear end. Fish and I laughed our heads off until Mom gave us the EYE.

I made good grades. Fish did great, too. Dubby does really well except in catching cat cookies.

Today is Thanksgiving. We got fussed at every time we went into the kitchen. Mom stayed in the kitchen for hours and hours.

Sister, the Best Dog in the World, got two bites of turkey. We don't eat turkey. We eat Cat Crunchies and Cat Cookies. That's all.

Our boy and girl are home! We love them! Sister loves the boy best but thinks the girl is wonderful. I slept on the girl's pillow last night. Fish makes her play the fishes on the string game until he is too tired to jump.

I am thankful for:
Fish
Dubby
Sister
My people
Cat Cookies
my cat pillow
bugs
squirrels outside
birds outside
fresh water
ear scratches
my beautiful nose freckles
and all of you who are my friends.

Love,
Whistle

this funny squirrel sign is from the Guardian U.K. website

2008-11-12T18:29:00.000-08:00

Dubby here.

Why I like Flavor by Dubby

I enjoy all flavors, especially things to eat like food. I eat Cat Crunchies, Dog Crunchies, and any human food I can find. Today I licked the mixer blade in the sink.
Mom says I am not supposed to lick cookie dough on mixer blades or eat any human food. I do not understand this.

Flavor is my life. I love to eat. I am an Epicurean Kitty.

I am trying to be like my big dog friend, Sam. He is a Bearnaise Sauce Dog and lives with Aunt Songbird. He is big. I want to be just like him.

Sam throws up. I can learn to do this, too. Just like Sam.

I love Greenies but my Ginger Brothers are better at eating Greenies than I am.

I want to learn to eat off a sterling silver fork like Sister.

I love food.

Mom? That's all I can think of to write. OK?

Love,
Dubby

Watching Humans

2008-11-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

After three years of close living with humans, I don't understand people. Last night, we ran through the bedroom playing Cat Patrol. Humans fussed at us. When we were tired of playing we napped. Later we played Pop Your Brother where you pop Fish on the head with open paws. He popped me back and we both popped Dubby. Humans fussed at us. Early this morning, we played Scratch the Wall and the new game I invented. I call it Phone Beeping. Put your paws on the land line phone buttons to make beeps. Humans fussed at us. I think the Mama pushed me once! She has gentle hands so this made me feel terrible!

Can you explain?

Love, Whistle

2008-10-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

This is my dog Sister the best cat Nanny in the World.
She's dressed in her Halloween costume. She's going as a butterfly.
Isn't she beautiful?

Love from,
Whistle

2008-10-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

We knew this already.

Cats are a pleasure of human life.

Whistle, this is MY blog

Guest Blogger: Dubby

2008-09-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

My girl came home for not much time. Whistle and Fish say she lives somewhere else. I don't think this is true. I go into her room waiting for her. I get sleepy. I fall asleep. When I wake up, I can't find my girl.

She was here! She held me, talked to me and fed me Cat Crunchies!

She held me to get a pic of my Halloween costume. I'm trick or treating as a Big Mouse!

Whistle and Fish have costumes, too.

The weirdest thing happened today! Sister, my dog, went with my girl and Mr.C. to see my boy. We cats were left untended!!!

Whistle and Fish were very bad. I was good. We had the house to ourselves without Sister. I'm glad Sister came home. It's happier when she is here.

Love,
Dubby

2008-09-27T03:32:00.000-07:00

LD is home!

She came back last night. We feel happy and full of purrs!

To get ready for her, I put tiny air holes in this wingback chair.

She loves me!

Whistle, one happy kitty

This is MY blog and I approve this message.

Cat News Sunday Edition

2008-09-21T13:11:00.000-07:00

Dubby has a new red collar. The jingly bell is red, too.

We have a big, big bag of Cat Crunchies. Gives me confidence.

Somebody cut his paw. He left bloody paw prints on the Study bathtub. We think it was Fish but he says cats hide pain. He's not telling.

Fish made an "A" on his paper, "Litter Boxes: The Indoor Cat's Dilemma." He wrote about how we use multi-cut shredded newspaper in our litter boxes because we are living Green around here. We put his paper on the refrigerator. He got an extra Cat Cookie.

Dubby heard about cats who live with bunny rabbits. He wants a bunny rabbit for a buddy.

Fish howls about the stock market. I told him what I heard on the Motley Fool, "if you aren't retiring in the next 3-5 years, pay no attention to the market." I don't think his stock in Greenies is in danger.

I've knocked the fake orchid plant off the Mantle four times! Each time it looks worse and worse! Maybe Mom will throw it away if I push it off again!

Dubby and Fish took a nap together last week. Can you believe that?

Andy killed a mau wus for Mom. He meowed until she came outside to praise him.

Sister is at Mr.C's office this afternoon guarding him.

Love from your Reporter,

Whistle, this is MY blog

2008-09-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

This is my dog, Sister. She is my best friend in the world.

This is Andy. He is an outdoor and indoor cat. He is strong and brave.

Love,
Whistle

2008-09-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Fish is in big trouble. He came in from being outside all night long this morning. He is an indoor kitty.

Mom asked to speak to him in the Cone of Silence. They went into her study and she closed the door.

Immediately, Dubby and I pressed ourselves to the closed door so we wouldn't miss a word.

Perfect Fish is getting blasted out by Mom!

She said:

"Fish, I know you are Adventure Cat in your heart. You were outside in the danger all night long. We have dogs, mean cats, squirrels, foxes, opossums and snakes in our neighborhood. We have speedy cars, too. You are not allowed to go outside at night and stay outside. You are in big trouble.

I know you like to take off your green collar when you go outside. You believe that Adventure Cat would not wear a kitty collar. This is dangerous, too. If you get lost or hurt, no one will be able to find us to help you if you lose your collar.

As punishment, I am going to trim the tip of your beautiful ginger tail fur into a straight line. Long ago, when my Grandmother was a child, her nurse told her that if you trim a cat's tail, the cat will not run away. If you disobey me and go outside at night, if someone finds you, they will know you are family cat because of the trimmed tail.

I want you to grow up to be big and strong. I want you to be our kitty for all the years God has for you. I expect you to stay indoors."

We heard "snip, snip" and then Fish yelled "Adventure Cat" and leapt out of the room.

You heard it here first.

Yours,
Whistle

2008-09-17T03:32:00.000-07:00

Fish ran outside last night. He wouldn't listen to anyone!
Everytime they tried to get him, he ran away more.

We didn't sleep well because we worried about him.

This morning, we heard a little "meow" at the kitchen door.

It was Fish!

He's home with us again! He ate a big bowl of cat crunchies, lapped up a bowl of water and is now asleep.

We can't be happy when our brother is away from us.

He was lost and now is found.

Whistle, a happy brother

2008-09-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Truffle and Ouzo,

We are studying Cats of the Cold White Stuff at Professor Whiskers. We don't have school today because the cat who ride the bus have flooding at their homes. We don't have flooding here but YOU MUST COME HERE RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE!!!

We have hot, blowing wet BREFF outside today!

Yes! Outside feels like the sky has breff with humidity*.

We think you haven't felt this kind of wind.

We don't know about Cold White Stuff except in books.

You can have some of Fish's Cat Bits to eat when you get here.

And, some of his cat cookies.

Love,

Whistle

*Hat tip to Fish who remembered this word!

2008-09-01T05:43:00.000-07:00

Fish here. Whistle is off giving lap time to one of our people.
Everyone is home with us! We slept on her bed and now I'm telling you what is going on.

There is a wet thing outside today. Water is on the windows and floor outside.
We are inside, dry and full of cat cookies.

When a hurricane comes, we give lots of cat contact by staying with our people. I hid under the covers of her bed yesterday for hours. I didn't know what was happening. They moved big green plants inside and stuff from outside, too. I love having green plants indoors! I found bugs and geckos to catch! It's like a big party in here but the people feel stiff and tired.

It's our job to help our people. Not difficult to do because when I feel them getting stiff and tired, they pick me up to snuggle into my fur. She tells me she loves me and that I am wonderful many times.

Sister, our dog, is staying close to the people, too. She is beautiful. She has new flavor because the people took her to a place where she got a "bath". So silly! We groom Sister everyday! She doesn't need to go anywhere!

I try to worry when my people worry but I cannot. We are safe and dry. We have plenty of food. I can go wrestle with Whistle or Dubby anytime I want to. My water bowl is full. The litter box is clean. Really, now, what else is needed? Nothing to worry about here.

Dubby thinks the plants brought indoors are for our birthday celebration. I didn't tell him otherwise. He's young and this is his first hurricane.

Forgot to tell you that she sewed a wool felted sweater scrap cover for me! It's toasty and smells like her hands. I tried it out last night and slept for several hours under it.

If you are a cat, you need one of these cover thingies.

Time to go. I hear the cat food cannister shaking.

Fish, I am sure I am her favorite.

A Note from Fish...

2008-08-28T17:15:00.000-07:00

Fabulous birthday today!

Mugsy and his sister sent us a beautiful package with catnip toys, Greenies and a plate with a beautiful ginger cat painted on it!

I sat up on my hind legs to hold the catnip mouse in my paws and lick it. Best catnip I've ever sniffed!

Whistle is flopped over from eating Greenies and other birthday treats.

Dubby loves the mice and Greenies, too. He licked the heart shaped catnip bag and carried it out of the room.

I'm going to hang the ginger cat estate sale plate in my cat basket. It will be perfect.

Then, a lovely friend sent us a sign. It is beautiful! It says, "You had me at Meow". This is a reference to Catty McGuire, the movie starring Cat Cruise and Rene Catwigger. We love it.

Lovely friend, you didn't put your name on the package! How can we thank you? It is a great present. As an art student, I love having a piece of art as a gift! You are the best! Thank you!

Being 3 will be more fun than being 2 or 1. Three year old kitties are mature, wise cats and, because I get better looking every day...well, the future is great!

Dubby and Sister send their kindest regards. Andy is busy doing hurricane prep outside. Whistle is snoring off a tummy of Greenies.

Love,

Fish, 3 years old TODAY

P.S. We saw Verbena, the VAT, today. She is living in a hole in a big pile of potting soil from an overturned pot. She's doing well.

2008-08-25T16:39:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to Me!
Happy Birthday to Me!
Happy Birthday, Dear Fishy Fish!
Happy Birthday, to ME!

Three days until I am Three years old!

My birthday is Thursday, but I guess everyone on the Planet knows!

I am getting gifts and cookies!

I am very very very very very happy!

Yours,
Fish or "Mr.Cat Cookie Breff"

2008-08-22T04:15:00.000-07:00

School started on August 7. We don't know why our school can't wait until after Labor Day.

Professor Whisker's has many exciting plans for us this year.

First, we are studying birds as our school theme. Mom put up three new bird feeders for us to use in our studies.

Dubby says he wants to study bugs. We did that last year when he was too little to know anything.

Fish is writing a treatise on cats as the reason for English literature. We aren't allowed to speak to him when he is busy with research. I think he is napping. He says he is thinking deep thoughts.

Andy is busy preparing for the height of hurricane season. He comes inside to eat and claw the rug in the family room.

Sister says we must behave in school. We must have clean faces and paws before we go to class. She is the best Dog Nanny ever!

I had to write this post to prove I am not fixated on my Birthday (!!!!!!!!!)

Love,

Whistle (3 in 6 days!!!!!!!!!)

Why My Birthday Is Very Important

2008-08-22T04:09:00.000-07:00

I will be three years old on Thursday, August 28.
Being three means I know many wonderful things about being a ginger cat.
Three is a significant number in a Cat Boy's life.
I will have three candles, not two or one.

I'm having canned cat food on my birthday. I will have big cat breff.

Love,
Whistle

P.S. Really! Who cares about anything but my birthday? No one!

A Package Arrives!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

Guess what? I got a birthday present today! The package is addressed to "W and F". I'm the "W"!

We aren't allowed to open our presents yet. We have a present from Mugs and Mel but I don't know what is in it! It smells good when you stand on top of it and smell it.

My birthday is in ten (10) days!!!!!!

I'll be three (3)!!!!

Yours,

Whistle, I approve this message, my birthday is in 10 days and I am a ginger cat.

2008-08-11T05:04:00.001-07:00

ewwwww!,

Whistle, this is MY Blog

Guest Blogger: Dubby

2008-08-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

How I Became a Bernaise Sauce Mountain Cat, by Dubby

I asked.
Aunt Songbird said I could be one like my Cousin Sam Who is a Big Dog.
I am furry. My paws are big.
I can go to meetings with Bernaise Sauce Mountain Dogs, just like Sam and Molly.

The End.

2008-08-05T06:14:00.000-07:00

Fish said some of you don't know that MY BIRTHDAY is in 23 days!

Makes me want to hurl a hairball!!!!!!!!!!

Please, focus on what is important!

Yours,
Fish, whose birthday is coming soon! I approve this message

Birthday Countdown and Preparations!

2008-07-29T06:20:00.001-07:00

30 days until my birthday!

Fish and I commissioned a song in honor of our 3rd birthday from Ginger "Gingie the Cat" Blakely of Batesville, Mississippi. Because we were born the day before Katrina the Hurricane blew away everything, Gingie turned Mr. Morrison's song into one about us. All rescue kitties remember the Storm. Dubbie says the song is "dark" for a party song.

Be sure you sing this loudly and bluesy.

Kittehs On the Storm (adapted from Jim Morrison's Riders on the Storm, 1971)

Kittehs on the storm
Kittehs on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a cat without a cookie
An human out alone
Kittehs on the storm

There's a killer on the road
Katrina's squirmin' like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your kittens play
If ya give Katrina a ride
Sweet memories will die
Katrina on the road, yeah

Meow!

Kittehs on the storm

Guest Blogger: Dubby

2008-07-23T14:06:00.001-07:00

You will NOT believe what happened today!

Andy found a mau-wus in our backyard!

He played with it and the mau-wus ran around!

Mom and LD ran outside thinking he was teasing Verbena, Mom's courtyard toad!

It was a MAU-WUS!

It was little and grey and ran around!

Love from,

Dubby (Fish says I can blog anytime I wish. Whistle said he wasn't going to blog today even if Fish changed back the password. Fish did.)

2008-07-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

Sister, my dog, has the best looking nose in our family!

Fish, I'm tired of being a bully!

2008-07-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

I am chastened by your comments. I only bite, scratch and kick to get exercise or defend my space. I will try to do better. I think the different ideas about violence are feline v. human because, to me, there is not moral imperative to be gentle. I will try.

Here's a pic of Dubby. He's a fine lil' cat. Mom is worried about his weight. He eats all the time, thinks only of eating and sleeps on the kitchen counter to keep an eye on his food bowl. I think he looks fine. He just has a big cat butt.

Gently,

Fish, This is my blog NOW

2008-07-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

Whistle got a new nose freckle. Not news, in my opinion, but Dubby said Aunt Songbird wants to see the freckle.

Whistle begged for his blog password. Not.Happening.

I'm reading Thaddeus Cattail's The Trouble with Litter Mates. Well-written and illustrated with sad examples of litter mate malfeasance.

I feel great today. I watched Dubby get his extra toe nails trimmed. No one messed with me.

Fish, this is MY BLOG NOW

2008-07-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends:

I am the new blogger. I beat up Whistle last night and chewed on his ear until he gave me the password.

I changed the password.

Whistle's blog postings bored everyone. Always talking about his birthday and himself. He forgot to mention that August 28th is MY birthday. He's my litter mate. Mama didn't wait until another day to birth me.

While Whistle's interests are limited, my brain moves over the arts, literature, history and architecture. He may read the New Yorker, but I read the NY Times.

I will be posting photos and have a contest.

Fish the Cat

2008-07-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

I saw this on CuteOverload. I want my own bunny rabbit.
How do I get one?

Whistle, between nappage