the adventures of rupert

Film editing finish!

2011-08-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

I need a nap!

2011-08-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

A Cat on a Typewriter is DANGEROUS!

2011-08-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

Playing Nurse

2011-01-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

All this week, People #2 has the flu and lies in bed most of the day.

I take excellent care of him, as all cats do when their Peoples do not feel well. We sense these things, you know. We rise to the occasion.

I spend most of my time lying on the bed next to him. Sometimes within petting distance, and sometimes not.

People #2 spends a lot of time reading and sleeping. (Hey, I need to take a break to wash my face.)

Sometimes I push against the corner of his book to mark it. This is NOT the kind of "bookmark" that Peoples use, but it sure feels good to me.

This week, the weather is cold at night and almost warm during the day. Today is sunny too, which makes it feel like Spring!

People #2 feels better today, so both of them go outside for a few minutes to get some sun. I accompany them.

As usual, People #2 drags out his camera and takes pictures of me. He must have a MILLION of them by now! But who can blame him? I am very photogenic, after all.

Here I am looking out over my meadow. Yes, MINE! I am King of all I survey.

"Looking to the right..."

"...and to the LEFT..."

Now I am going to walk over towards the barn...

...to nibble on some GRASS! He even takes a video of me. This is special!

How exciting is this? Plenty.

Yum-yum, it tastes good. It is especially nice when the weather is warm. I do not like eating grass when it is cold, wet or worse yet, when it is frozen.

If you look closely, you may see some gnats flying around while I eat. Hey, this is January. You guys should not be out for another month or so!

At the 28-second mark, you can hear dogs barking in the distance and then my reaction a couple seconds later. Also, of course, you can hear the river in the background.

As you can see, I have a very hard life. ;-)

Frosty!

2011-01-14T10:26:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report that it is not raining this morning.

However, it is COLD and FROSTY. At least the sun is out, which helps a lot.

My paws get cold on the cement in the shade. People #2 is holding that darn camera again. He keeps following me with it, waiting for the money shot.

Well, here it IS! This is the famous back door that I come in and out of many times a day.

I am going to hold this pose for exactly TWO SECONDS and then I am going to walk away. There is sunshine just around the corner and I am not going to hang around here!

I want to go OUT!

2011-01-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

"Meow. Rrrr....owww. Prrr. MEE-OWW!"

When my People show the first signs of stirring awake in the morning, I begin my song.

I take my position on the floor a few discreet feet from the bed, and tell them that I want to go outside.

It does not matter what the weather is like. I do tend to come back in rather quickly when it is below freezing, though. Mama did not raise no fool, as People #1 likes to say.

Today it is in the lower 40s and drizzling. PURR-fect for a cat originally from Vancouver.

This morning, People #1 lets me out. I knock at the back door an hour later. I want some nibbles!

People #2 escorts me to my food bowl in the kitchen, and gives me a scoop of Dry. (No Wet for this cat.)

Sometimes I meow before approaching the bowl. It is my subtle hint to give me a heaping scoop rather than the usual level one. People #2 rarely takes the hint, however.

A moment later, I approach People #2 who is now at his computer. I meow. He knows DARN well what I want: to go outside again.

People #2 sighs and heaves up from his chair, and leads the way to the back door. I follow demurely, deliberately. I do not want to seem too anxious (Kitty 101).

This morning, People #2 picks up that awful camera and takes a picture of me standing patiently by the door. He tells People #1 that he is *NOT* going to let me out because it is drizzling, but he wants a picture for today's blog post.

I glare at him accusingly and he does let me out. He had better!

People #2 sighs again and drapes the damp towel over a chair near the kerosene heater, so it will be warm and toasty when I come back in.

Yes, Life is good -- especially when my People exhibit their good training.

By me, of course.

Trying to Keep Warm!

2011-01-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

Folks, it is COLD out here in The Woods.

But I have a thick fur coat.

My People get all frantic and stuff whenever I come in out of the rain, soaking wet.

But I am not actually soaked to the skin, because of the aforementioned fur coat.

People #1 or People #2 dries me off with a towel. People #1 tends to be more rough, because he likes to play with me that way. Almost every time he messes with me, THIS is what happens:

I pretend not to like it. But I do, deep down.

We live in a very "rustic" building attached to a 100-year-old barn. It does not have what my People call 'Central Heat & Air'. Far from it, folks.

They use kerosene heaters this winter. They promise me wood stove heat next winter when they finally hook it up. I miss me some wood stove heat. It is the BEST.

But the kerosene heater in the Music Room does a good job. This is the warmest spot in the whole house. Of course you are aware that us cats know all these spots!

The kitchen is colder than the Music Room, because we do not spend as much time there in the winter. Before People #1 lights the kerosene heater in the kitchen, this is what I look like in the cold:

"Maybe if I scrunch down on this wool blanket I will be warmer!"

I am going to move to another chair...

"I am not totally sure about this..."

Meanwhile, I will do my regal Canadian pose. I originally come from Vancouver, you know. Hamming it up makes me feel warmer.

Cat trick: Place your paws together, wrap tail around body and hunch down a little for increased warmth.

Well, at least I am in a very tastefully decorated space!

I hope all my cat friends are keeping warm this winter.

Hello Again, Friends!

2011-01-11T10:23:00.000-08:00

You all know what a busy cat I am, traveling all over the place for six years now!

These days I do not travel quite so much. Most of it is within a couple hundred miles of home.

This is good because I like staying in The Woods best.

Now I have more time to entertain you with blog posts. My life is endlessly fascinating, and I am very photogenic.

For months, I meow and meow and MEOW at People #2 to help me type my blog. My paws are too big and stubby to type properly. I make a lot of mistakes which takes too much of my time (you all know what a busy cat I am)! I need help from my People.

It will take some training to get People #2 back up to speed on the blog.

Speaking of training, I finally get him to open the back door when I scratch and bump against it wanting to come in for a nibble. People #1 is similarly trained. I put them through their paces at least five times a day.

I am also very proud of training People #2 to escort me to my food bowl in the kitchen, to make sure that it is full. There is often food in the bowl already, but we cats have to keep our People on our toes!

People #2 sometimes tries to pull a fast one by *NOT* filling the bowl and just shaking up the dry food that is already there, and then setting it down. Who do you think he is fooling? Not me!

I humor him by eating it, but then I get my revenge a few minutes later by coming up to him (the 'meow, meow, MEOW' routine) to ask for more food. Yes, I eat it all. Fill 'er up!

Soon I bring you more up-to-date on my travels and life. But for now, just make sure that you go outside regularly and keep your food bowl filled!

At last! Travel video: Tempe to Durham

2009-12-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

I finally post the travel video from our trip from Tempe to Durham!

But it is hard for me to concentrate on this project because I am smitten with Miss Kitty.

Yes, it is true.

I CAT-ch glimpses of her through Airstream's front window. She is so nice and pretty!

People #1 takes pictures of her on Saturday. He says that Miss Kitty is a natural poser.

I can hear her short little meow by the door when my Peoples come inside. She seems to know that I am here, but my Peoples do NOT let her in. I am very disappointed!

Oh well. I will take my mind off Miss Kitty by watching the travel video yet again....

I do hope you enjoy it.

Miss Kitty & "The White One"

2009-12-01T12:34:00.001-08:00

I have kitty neighbors! One People next door tells my People #1 that three cats live in the trailer next to them, on the other side. So this is two-boxes-on-wheels away from me.

The pretty one with mackerel and white markings has the name Miss Kitty.

The Neighbor People do not say what the white kitty's name is.

Or the black one, who is VERY shy. My Peoples do not get a picture of it today.

Whenever my Peoples step outside Airstream, the neighbor kitties come to visit.

Miss Kitty is the most friendly. She comes right up to my People #1 to be petted. I do not like this but there is nothing I can do about it.

People #1 sees the white one before but today is the first time People #2 sees it.

The black one is nowhere in sight.

Miss Kitty and The White One know that I am inside Airstream, looking out the front window, which is open to admit the mild air. We can smell each other!

Miss Kitty walks away. I think she is bored because I can NOT come out to play. I look at her one last time before she disappears...

The memory of her sweet face lingers. Ah, parting is such sweet sorrow!

People #2 has that darn video camera out again. He is really good at making something out of nothing! This video will not win any awards but you'd think that People #2 is submitting it to the Cannes Film Festival, the way he carries on about it!

Tempe-Durham Trip, Days #3 & #4

2009-11-29T07:15:00.000-08:00

We pull out of the rest stop at the western border of Oklahoma at 9 a.m. on November 24th, and the road is VERY bumpy!

I meow a lot whenever the road makes me bounce up and down. It is noisy, too. I do not like it.

We stop at a place that has a lot of Airstreams. I do not know that my Airstream has brothers and sisters! I wish I could find mine.

People #1 buys several parts for Airstream. This is the first time I hear of her needing new parts. Something about a new water pump.

I am glad that all my parts are working fine. They do not need replacing.

We leave the spot with all the Airstreams and come up to a place called Oklahoma City. It has the usual tall things sticking out of the ground.

The road is very bumpy here.

It is a relief to leave the city and return to peace and quiet of the open road. I share a special moment with People #1 to remind him that yes, I do like him sometimes.

OH! I forget to post pictures of me at the rest area in New Mexico, before the big traffic jam. Here they are:

People #2 calls the next one "artsy". It just does not have any color, is all. Whatever!

Now that we have that out of the way, I return to the trip in progress.

We finally cross the border into something with the name Arkansas.

I am stretched full out on the dashboard since the road is smooth and I do not bounce around. You can see I get VERY tired now!

It gets dark and we are still driving. Will we EVER stop?

My Peoples say that they need to "make up for lost time" because of the traffic jam delay in New Mexico.

We cross a big area of water with the name Mississippi. This sounds like a hiss and a spit at the same time!

Truck finally stops and my Peoples bring me into Airstream for a much-needed dinner. Then they leave me for a while. They go somewhere named "Olive Garden" and come back smelling like garlic.

Back on the road, but only for a moment. We stop again so soon, this time for "gas". I do not like starting and stopping much. It is better when we keep going.

I get my wish! We keep going for a very long time. People #2 finally drives while People #1 sleeps. (People #1 does most of the driving.)

Truck makes a loud purr when we go over mountains.

We stop for gas and People #1 gets behind the wheel, and it is People #2's turn to sleep.

The sun comes up. I do not believe that we travel so long. We usually stop somewhere for the night, but this time we keep driving.

We cross over into Virginia.

Just when I think we NEVER stop, we pull over into a parking lot by a place with a sign "Cracker Barrel" which looks very quiet. We all go into Airstream and nap for a couple of hours.

But we do not sleep nearly long enough. Back into Truck, where I start meowing a lot.

Yes, I am very tired, and I want my Peoples to know it! I have a great deal to say on this part of the trip. My Peoples do not really want to hear it, but they have to listen. They are a CAT-tive audience!

As we get close to the last state on our travels, with the name North Carolina, the view outside Truck suddenly gets scary. The ground in the distance is very far below us!

We stop just over the border at the usual place where Peoples and Cars and Trucks gather.

There is an unusually large number of them because it is "Thanksgiving Weekend", my Peoples say. They do not seem too excited about it. I think they are very tired, too.

People #2 does get excited later on when we pass a big hill, Pilot Mountain. Something about a famous show on Idiot Box with whistling at the beginning.

We go through a bunch of big places with buildings sticking up, and the traffic gets really heavy sometimes.

I am SO tired! People #2 insists on taking one last picture of me. I am resigned.

We FINALLY stop at a place with lots of tall trees and other houses with wheels, sort of like Airstream. She is smaller than all the others, but way prettier!

I hope against hope that we do not drive again. (At least, for a while.)

I think that we are here for a long time because we do not leave the next day.

I sleep even more than usual. It feels so good not to be bumped around on the road!

Here is where we are staying:

Soon I tell you about my new kitty neighbors! They live two trailers to the left of Airstream. They get to be outside and I am jealous!

I have arrived!

2009-11-28T08:56:00.000-08:00

I am safe and sound in Durham, North Carolina.

What a LONG trip I have!

On Monday, we drive through the rest of Arizona and then into New Mexico.

As you can see, I am feeling fresh and happy that day. I am in the car only a few hours then.

People #2 brings out the video camera and gets excited when we get to the border between Arizona and New Mexico. There are funny looking buildings in the middle of the desert. I never see anything like it!

People #1 turns on the Radio and the strangest sound comes out. You will hear it in the video I post soon. But let me tell you now that it is something called Navajo chant. This yelling and wailing sounds like a cat fight! But there are also drums which is NOT like any fight I ever have.

After the chant, some Peoples talk in a language I do not understand. I am proud to say that I understand everything -- and I mean everything -- that my People say. But these Navajo Peoples on the Radio I do NOT understand!

We drive and drive until we get near a big place called Albuquerque. Suddenly Truck stops! What is going on?

Usually we turn off the big road before stopping. But now we stop right in the middle of it!

We sit there for the longest time.

I get a little scared and hide under the seats for a while. I am not used to this new routine.

My Peoples get out of Truck in the middle of the road and talk to other Peoples who also get out of their Cars.

They find out that there is a huge accident with two Trucks. One Truck hits something called a Paint Truck. I know what paint is! It is that smelly messy stuff. It gets all over the Road and takes THREE HOURS to clean up.

The sun is very low in the sky by the time we start moving again.

We drive for many more hours before stopping. Finally we pull over just past the Oklahoma border.

It feels so good to go back inside Airstream, have a nibble and a nap.

My paws are tired from all this writing so I save Day #3 for tomorrow. I just want to tell you that my trip is done and that I am fine, even though I am pooped!

Tempe-Durham Trip, Day #1

2009-11-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

I am unusually quiet as People #1 loads me into the truck for our long journey. For some reason I do not feel like meowing.

(Secret: It is slightly less traumatic to travel at night. No hot, glaring sun.)

We pull Airstream out of the RV park at 9:15 p.m. Sunday and I will NOT miss Barking Dog!

We pick up People #2 in front of the theatre and it is good to see him.

We drive for a few hours and finally stop at a KOA kampground at 1:30 a.m. It is KUTE that they spell it with a "k" -- just like "kitty"!

It is in Holbrook, AZ in case you want to track our long journey.

Here is Airstream resting at the KOA this morning. She is not too tired yet.

I go into the bathroom to wait for the inevitable picking-up-and-hauling-me-off-to-the-truck routine.

I get a brief sniff of the outdoors on the very few steps between Airstream and Chevy Truck, then put inside Truck. Back to the LONG day of travel thing. I am used to this.

We plan to go all the way to Oklahoma City before stopping for the night. It is a twelve-hour drive from Holbrook but we have to cover 2000 miles in only three days!

A-PAW-lo-gies for not having time to visit all my favorite kitty blogs to make my usual clever comments, for the next several days. I look forward to reading about all your adventures after we finally reach our destination of Durham, NC.

CAT-cha later!

Just to let you know...

2009-11-22T15:54:00.000-08:00

After my previous post, several kitties ask me where we are going.

We start our cross-country trip from Tempe, AZ to Durham, NC tonight after People #2 finishes his last show here (Phantom of the Opera. He plays French Horn. It is noisy!).

People #1 packs up Airstream and she is almost ready to go!

I sit on the truck's console when we pick up People #2 in front of the theatre. Then I usually go to his lap. It will be especially nice since he is wearing black! It contrasts well with the kitty fur I leave on his pants.

We plan to arrive in Durham sometime late Wednesday. It is a 2,000-mile drive. I may or may not be able to blog along the way. But you can be sure that I take videos and pictures of our trip. BYE!

In Search of Sun

2009-11-22T09:16:00.000-08:00

Mornings are nice here in Tempe because the bathroom window of Airstream faces East.

I like to jump up on the sink to catch a few rays.

Barking Dog is only a few feet away but of course I ignore it.

I can sit here for hours. At least until one of the Peoples needs the bathroom.

I have a feeling that we leave here soon. People #1 is looking at a Google map of the country, which is always a bad sign!

So if I do not post for the next several days, it is because I am ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!

My Trip Across The Country: May 4-9, 2009: DAY #2

2009-11-20T11:37:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I am back to tell you about my big trip all the way across the country from Connecticut to California!

May 5th: We are very happy to leave the Motel 6 in Columbus, Ohio. It is the dirtiest one we ever stay in! I do not hide under the covers for a change. It does not smell nice.

I will think twice
When a bed does not smell nice
Because it might have lice
I much prefer mice
(But they are not usually in bed.)

Today I try to sleep as much as possible. It is very difficult in a moving vehicle. Sometimes we go over bumps, other times we slow down and Chevy Truck changes his purr. This wakes me up.

One thing which REALLY bothers me is the sound of the turn-signal. Do not ask me why, I do not know! I always meow when it comes on.

I think it bothers People #1 too, because he often talks about how loud it is.

People #2 thinks it is GOOD that the turn-signal is loud, because then you never leave it on accidentally. He hates it when people drive down the road doing that.

He calls this a "Pet Peeve". Watch your language, sport!

When People #1 starts getting tired, he turns on something called "Talk Radio". This is Peoples talking out of something in the dashboard of Chevy Truck. It is as noisy as Idiot Box in the corporate apartment but there are no moving pictures to go with it. How boring!

Yap-yap-yap, all the way through Ohio.

Okay, we are leaving Ohio. Will you please turn the radio off?

It is so considerate of Ohio to let us know that we are leaving. Some states do not even say goodbye.

I meow again about the radio but People #1 says, "Not yet".

Now we are in Indiana.

Finally I get used to the noise and go back to sleep, on the console in-between the seats. It is a nice perch when I am awake too.

The best perch, however, is the dashboard. My Peoples are always amazed that I like it up there. Chevy Truck has a nice, wide place for me to sit.

After a while we come up to a big city, with tall things sticking up out of the ground like in Hartford.

Its name is Indianapolis.

A couple hours later (are we in Illinois?) I see a HUGE thing coming up! What is it?

The afternoon wears on. Suddenly we are over water. People #2 says that it is called Mississippi, and it is a VERY big river.

Then we are in another state, which means another picture of a sign. I do not quite understand what the big deal is. This piece of dirt looks very much like the last one. At least at first.

Just north of St. Louis, both my Peoples get excited. They see a big place at the side of the road where they sell Airstreams. My Peoples buy their first Airstream from this company in 1998, from a different location. They often talk about visiting the new store, but I am glad they never do. I like my Airstream #2, thank you very much!

Here is another river. This one's name is Missouri.

All these new names to remember!

We get across the state and arrive in Kansas City. We go to the Kansas side and finally stop for the night, in nearby Merriam. This is where we stay for three weeks before going to Hartford. We leave Airstream here while we are in Connecticut.

We are so glad to see Airstream again! Back to familiar surroundings. (No more Motel 6's!)

If you look closely you can see People #1 getting us ready to leave the next morning.

To be continued: Day #3!

I have a LOT to say on Wednesday!!

2009-11-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

I take a short break from telling you about our cross-country trip last Spring, so I can talk about NOW.

It is Wednesday and many cats are wordless. Why? I always have a lot to say, especially on Wednesdays!

For example:

Airstream is now parked in Tempe, Arizona. People #2's work takes us to many different places.

It is late November and the kitties in cyberspace talk about being cold. Well, I am NOT cold here.

People #2 says we are in the desert. Isn't this a special treat after dinner? I need to tell him that he is saying it wrong.

I like to jump into People #2's lap while he sits in front of the computer. Well, truth be told I do not actually JUMP up -- this would be far too undignified -- but I stretch my front paws up onto his legs to let him know that a visitation is imminent.

People #2 reaches down with both hands and pulls me up, supporting me near the back legs. He makes sure not to squeeze me, because I tend to screech bloody murder if I am squeezed.

(Another secret: I am a big cat who looks really tough but actually I have a very high meow.)

I sit on his lap and enjoy having my head scratched for a minute. But then it is time for treats! Stop the scratching and get busy with the vittles already!

Then People #1, who sits right next to People #2 with his computer, brings out a pencil and lays it on the counter. Now it is time to play with that.

I reach out an exploratory paw and push the pencil. Sometimes I grab it with my teeth. Whatever I do, the end result is the same: PENCIL ON FLOOR.

Objective achieved. Now what?

I am bored, and jump off People #2's lap.

I go back to sleep on the couch. Here's a shot of me here in Tempe.

See the thing named "Mobile Home" through Airstream's window? The Peoples that live in it have been fixing their porch. They finally stop hammering on it a couple days ago. Thank you.

Now let me tell you about our neighbors behind us. This will excite me for a minute.

People #2 tells me that Airstream is at an "RV Park". It looks just like all the other ones with this name. Other boxes -- not as pretty as Airstream -- are parked nearby.

RV Park has a brick wall separating it from what Peoples call Trailer Park on the other side. That place is not as nice as RV Park.

They have the same last name. Are they in the same family?

Here is a picture of Airstream where she sits now.

Behind her are the Peoples who live right behind us in Trailer Park. They have a dog.

A small, yappy dog who never shuts up!

You do not believe me? Here is the video to prove it:

Every time my Peoples open Airstream's windows, I have to listen to this dog. But then it gets hot and the Peoples close the windows and turn on the air conditioning. I do not hear the dog any more, hooray!

It makes me miss our dog Ringo, who never barks unless you ask him to.

Ringo going away is another story. I save up all these stories since January.

You are in for a TREAT. Speaking of....is it lap time again?

Well, I use a lot of words on Wednesday. I hope you are okay with that.

My Trip Across The Country: May 4-9, 2009: DAY #1

2009-11-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

Just when I think I cannot hide under the bedcovers at the corporate apartment in Hartford another day, we leave.

I am MORE than ready to go home to The Woods. I need to be outside! I can hardly remember what this is like. I am not allowed outdoors for six weeks now.

I do not meow (too much) when People #2 puts me on the passenger seat of the truck. I know that I will get home....eventually.

People #2 takes videos of the scenery flashing by. Especially when we come to places with different names. He likes to photograph the welcome signs on something called "States". I do not know what the big deal is -- you see one sign, you see them all.

Watching the scenery makes me dizzy sometimes. But it is not so bad when I sit up on the dashboard looking back, towards People #2. He usually says something nice to me, like what a cool and brave traveler I am.

Here are some still shots from THE VIDEO.

Yes, my fellow Pawpers, if I cannot be famous in Hollywood maybe I can be famous here, on The Kitty Blogs!

I milk this for all it is worth, and then some. I may spread these freeze-frames over a few days. So it is like you are with me the whole way across the country!

HERE WE GO!

On the morning of May 4th, we leave the corporate apartment and drive down Big Noisy Road. Here we see downtown Hartford, where People #2 recently works.

I sleep. It starts to rain as we cross the border into a place called New York State. There goes People #2 with his video camera again.

I ask, "Are we home yet?"

Ringo says, "No, Rupert. Try to be patient like ME!"

People #2 sees a truck pass by and he starts to laugh. He whips out his video camera and takes movies of it. What's so funny about this truck anyhow?

Later he nearly misses the Pennsylvania sign, which flashes by in a blur. (Wait til you see the video! (which I post after I show you all the pictures).

Many hours pass. When the sun is low in the sky, we cross over into Ohio.

In Ohio, all the trucks suddenly slow down. They usually stay in the right lane. People #1 says that the speed limit is slower for trucks, but they go a bit faster than the sign says. It is just the wrong speed for People #1 to manuever around them!

A couple hours later, we finally stop for the night at a Motel 6 just north of Columbus.

The room smells bad. Then my Peoples are very upset when they find bedbugs! They tell me not to say anything about the sheets in this blog except that they are NOT clean.

End of Day #1. Come back tomorrow for the next installment!

Spring Road Trip Continued

2009-11-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

Now I tell you about our time in Hartford.

We are there in late April. Two things happen that scare a lot of Peoples. I see this on something they call "Idiot Box" which is in the corporate apartment we stay in for two weeks.

My Peoples do not think I understand Idiot Box but I actually do. Please keep my secret!

We do not stay in Airstream (where there is no Idiot Box) in Hartford, because there is no convenient place to park her. People #1 says that the Northeast is not "RV-friendly", whatever that means.

So we stay in another corporate apartment. Back to the strange noises coming from the walls and ceiling!

I like the carpet and I like sitting on top of the couch. I dig my claws into it when my Peoples leave. Shhh, please do not tell!

My Peoples spend a lot of time sitting in front of Idiot Box, watching the images flicker on the screen and listening to the blare of Peoples voices. I sit on the back of the couch and pretend to ignore it. Just like I do with the dog.

Idiot Box is like a computer on steroids. Very noisy and obnoxious.

Anyway, the first scary news is this thing called Swine Flu. In April the story just gets bigger and bigger. I am very sensitive to Peoples' tone of voice, and the ones inside Idiot Box sound more and more scared as the days go by.

It is almost as though they LIKE being scared. Are they bored too?

I wish they call it "Piggy Flu", which reminds me of the story I hear about these pigs in their houses made of straw, wood and brick.

The other scary news is more local to Hartford. Suddenly Peoples find dead microbes in the water supply! They are little animals in the water which die and leave their skeletons behind. However they are supposed to NOT be harmful to Peoples.

I am offended that they say nothing about if it is harmful to cats. What are we, chopped liver? (mmm...that makes me hungry!)

So why do the Peoples in the Idiot Box scare everybody?

I do not like bad news so I hide under the covers a lot, just like in L.A. in the video. I do not have pictures of the bed in Hartford because a lump is a lump is a lump. If you see one you see them all.

The water scare lasts for a week. Finally the microbes go away. Bye-bye dead skeletons!

Finally we leave. I actually do not hate going back inside the truck so much this time. It means something new to see somewhere down the road! But of course I pretend to be upset. I have an image to maintain, you know.

People #2 puts me in the truck. Then People #1 brings out the dog. As Ringo jumps in the back seat, I look at him with just the slightest hint of contempt. Just to keep up appearances.

The view of the parking lot through the open door makes me curious but not enough to jump out. But a fellow can dream.

My People close the doors and we are moving! I am on People #2's lap and put my front paws on the windowsill. I am kind of glad to see Hartford in the rear-view mirror.

What's next? Our trip all the way back across the country, home to The Woods!

CAT - (ching) UP!!

2009-11-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hello Peoples!

This year goes by VERY fast.

I'm a bad kitty. You can probably guess why. It's because I do not post since January!

I try to remember all the places I go. It is very confusing. I am truly a Cat on The Road.

I start with where I leave off, or maybe just before. Try to stay awake as I recap the year, Peoples!

JANUARY
The Beach is nice in early January. No snow. But I can't go outside of this little shiny box. People #1 & #2 call it "Airstream". What a stupid name! Rupert is a good name for a cat.

Then we go home to The Woods for a little while. It snows there. But at least I can go outside.

Then I am put in the car AGAIN and we drive to Hollywood. I do NOT become famous. I am devastatingly disappointed. How's that for a dramatic Hollywood phrase? See, I am very talented. Oh well, it's THEIR loss!

We stay in a huge corporate apartment. (I must admit I do like carpet!) I get a little more exercise waddling from room to room. I hide under the covers of the gigantic bed, as you see in the video from previous post.

I'll let you in on a little secret. I hide under the covers of these corporate apartments mostly because I do not like the strange noises coming out of the ceiling and the walls. I cannot identify them, so they scare me.

When I am not scared I am bored.

FEBRUARY
We go back to The Woods. More snow. I like being outdoors even when it's cold. Much better than being warm and a Kitty-Potato indoors!

But sometimes it is nice to be warm indoors. (Yes, I can change my mind!) It is warmer this winter inside Airstream. The winter before it is cold in the Music Room, attached to the barn.

People #1 hides under blankets sort of like I do. But it's pretty warm on top of the stove too.

In this picture we still have that darn dog. But he is gone now. I must tell you about that later.

MARCH
Still in The Woods, hooray. The white stuff goes away and the grass comes. I LOVE EATING GRASS.

Just when I start to think that we stop traveling, we leave again!

I hide under the bed but People #1 drags me out. Then he takes me out of Airstream. I know what's coming next!

Yes folks, you guessed it! They put me in the truck. OH NO! I know what this means. Long days of movement, roaring whooshing noise from the truck and sitting in People #2's lap. No food, water or litter box when I want it. Just a lot of bouncing around and harsh sunlight.

Sometimes we stop, and People #2 carries me into Airstream. (What a stupid name!) and I fill up or get rid of. Or both. 'Nuff said 'bout that!

Oh did I mention that Rupert is a good name for a cat?

We drive and drive and drive and drive!

Two days after we leave The Woods (I think it's March 29th), we are somewhere in the middle of Nebraska. People #1 & #2 decide to stop at a McDonald's for lunch.

Yum, I like meat! But they're mean and don't give me any. In fact, they don't even let me go inside Airstream. They make me stay in the truck. SO WHAT if I just ate a few hours earlier? I might want a nibble!

We pull into the McDonald's parking lot. People #1 has to go inside Airstream. Then People #2 takes videos of People #1 coming out of Airstream. He says it's "artful". I don't THINK so!

Here are a series of still shots from the video. It's like a little story:

People #1 is locking Airstream's door. I SEE HIM!

He's coming!

I watch intently as he comes closer...

Why is he sticking his finger in my face? I'll go ahead and sniff it, very nonchalantly of course.

Okay, I admit that I'm a sucker for a kiss!

Where are you GOING? Don't walk away!

They leave me for a few minutes. They come back with a white bag which smells like chicken. They are rude and don't share. Okay, I'll go back to sleep!

A few hours later we stop overnight. Still in Nebraska I think. It is an endless piece of real estate.

The next afternoon we are finally in Missouri, only a couple hours from our destination which is called "Kansas City". Sometimes I like to ride on the dashboard to get a better view.

I always try to look handsome in my pictures but you can sort of tell that I'm OVER this whole thing.

This is enough cat-(ch) up for now.

I promise not to wait ten months to post again. I have more interesting travel pictures to share!

Traveling Cat

2009-01-30T16:00:00.000-08:00

MEOWS to all my feline friends, and many thanks for your good wishes after my surgery last month!

I am now fully recovered and wait for my fur to grow back. People #1 says that the "asymmetrical look" is back in fashion but I am not so sure. I think I look a little strange.

It's one of those things where you have to see me "in cat" in order to appreciate. This picture doesn't do it justice, but People #2 insists on documenting it here.

Since last month I am one busy cat. I sure travel a lot! I go from the beach to the valley and then back home to the mountains. I stay in the trailer all that time and it is home.

People #2 puts my food bowl on a ledge in the trailer shower so the dog doesn't help himself to my precious snacks.

But now I am in a corporate apartment in LA-LA land.

I am confused.

I do not like corporate apartments. They are big, unfamiliar spaces. They smell funny. There are strange noises in the walls and the ceilings.

I am bored with the sound of the idiot box. We don't have one at home.

But my People have it on almost all the time, so I think that they are bored, too.

My favorite thing to do in corporate apartments is hide under the bedcovers. People #2 is amazed that I can breathe under there. No problem, dude. I can stay there for hours on end.

Sometimes I come out and lounge on the smaller sofa in the livingroom while my People sit on the larger one. We all watch the idiot box and marvel at all the commercials about fitness, training machines, weight loss programs and even reduction surgery that are so popular here in Southern California. It is a very strange place.

The dog is here too. We have minimal contact. I pretty much ignore him, except when he gets too close to my face. Then I either I reach out with my claws or we touch noses. I like being unpredictable!

I hear my People talking about going home on Monday. I look forward to being able to go outside. It has been a long winter indoors!

Waiting for Christmas Dinner!

2008-12-25T20:24:00.000-08:00

I get back from the V-E-T several ounces thinner from all the fur that THEY shave off me, and I thank the Cat Goddess that THEY finally take that darn tube out of my neck.

Merry Christmas! The only present I get this year is something THEY take away. Whatever -- it's a blessing in any case. I'm feeling so much better now!

Twice a day, People #1 keeps sticking another tube into the corner of my mouth. At least it doesn't stay there long. It spits out this nasty tasting stuff, but I take it like the mancat that I am.

Except the few times that I manage to spit it out. Ha ha ha!

I'm training my People to give me treats as soon as that tube is out of my mouth.

Now I'm sitting here waiting for my special Christmas dinner. A word starting with an "h" might freeze over first.

People #2 picks me up and puts me on another part of the couch while HE eats off that plate. Oh well.

I'm a little bit annoyed but at least he pets me all the time while he's eating, and I purr in contentment, despite my best efforts to remain aloof.

Happy-happy, All!

A Challenging Week

2008-12-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

My People are working my nerves big-time this week.

First they bring out these noisy sticks which they blow on one end and make ugly sounds together. (They call this "recorder music".) Whatever. It's disturbing my naps in any case.

I get out my iPod and listen to Enya's version of the song "How Much is that Kitty in the Window?" with the repeat on until they stop.

These sticks sound like birds trapped in a cage. This gets me all excited. My People don't know if my meowing is because of wanting to eat birds (always!) or whether it's because I want them to stop playing.

Let them figure it out!

The second thing is that they take me to the dreaded V-E-T to fix this little problem with an abscess I have for a while now.

As you cats can imagine, I do not like the V-E-T. Who does?

My People take me out of my comfortable, tastefully-decorated Airstream space, out to the cold car, then down the noisy highway to the animal hospital. I do not like strange places. They look and smell funny and I don't like the garish institutional lighting.

The worst part is when my People leave me with this strange person in a white coat with funny thingie hanging down her neck (which I am NOT in the mood to play with!) and then she pokes and prods me. She does pet me to try to calm me down but I am a monster.

I rule!

The next thing I know I am in a cage, in a little room with a lot of cages with cats and dogs in them, and I've got this tube sticking out of me where the abcess is.

Talk about unsightly. And definitely undignified.

My People finally come to pick me up and I am feeling spacey from the sedative. I do not even meow to greet them. Plus, I am mad.

People #1 sits behind that round thing in the car, twisting and turning it around, while I sit in People #2's lap on the other seat.

I am so glad to be back in my familiar space. Now if I can only get this tube out of my neck...

Here's a couple pics from happier times the day before:

"So, ya wanna take my picture -- AGAIN?"

"Okay, you can post these pictures because they're BEFORE I go to the V-E-T!!"

Bird Hunger

2008-12-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

I see birds right outside my window and they look so DELICIOUS!

Plump. Yet sleek. Tasty. Delectable.

YUM!

Is this FUN?

2008-12-06T17:56:00.000-08:00

People #1 likes to play with me by tickling my belly sometimes.

Because he is Alpha Guy, I allow this. But I don't always like it. Yes I do. No I don't.

It's tough to decide.

On one hand the belly rubbing feels good but then I get too excited and start kicking. People #2 calls it my "bunny kicks".

That term really helps. (Not.)

So there's People #1 playing with me while People #2 points that metal box at me. How much can a cat take?

It's hard to be dignified during such moments. Above all, we cats must maintain our dignity. We do NOT like being made fools of.

But yet...I like to play and the rubbing does feel good. No it doesn't. Yes it does.

Please visit my brand-new kitty friends!

2008-12-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

Kat Mortensen, one of my favorite poets and bloggers, has a wonderful brand-new kitty blog to showcase her feline family.

Please check it out! Have the honor of posting comments on the blog on their very first day!

4 Cats Ruffin' It!

If you're so inclined, check out Kat's other blogs on her profile page. She is delightful reading.

Thanks.

Paws 'n Claws,
Rupert

My New Scratching Post!

2008-12-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

I wake up early this morning and my paws itch.

My claws are getting long and dull and I need to sharpen them!

This is done by scratching on something. When I'm in The Woods, there's lots of various kinds of old boards and logs to whale away on. When I'm indoors at home, I have a scratching thing made out of cardboard hung on the wall of the Music Room.

But my choices are rather limited in this small silver bullet. I can scratch on the carpet, but it's too close to where my People sit in front of their little black boxes at the desk. They might get mad.

In fact, I can count on that.

Anyway I gotta do something -- I'm going crazy here!

Maybe I should scratch on the sofa when my People are asleep, when it's folded out into a bed.

What a GRRREAT idea!

So I do it really early this morning. Scratch-scratch-scratch-scraaa....

"Stop that, Rupert!" both People scold me. Darn, I think they are asleep, but I'm wrong.

Their ears are unusually sharp whenever I do something they don't like. It never fails. I can't get away with squat!

My People leave me alone (again!) today and then they come back with a box with a picture of a kitty and scratching board on it. I suddenly catch a whiff of catnip and I am *ON* this thing like white on rice!

OH yeah. I love catnip. Who doesn't?

People #1 is the handyman of the family. I think he's getting ready to do something. He's looking at this blank wall...

He takes out that yellow thing which buzzes like an angry bee and starts making holes in the wall by the door with it.

He opens the box and takes stuff out, and I smell the catnip even stronger now. He sets one of the things by the door and I casually jump off the couch to investigate. Don't pay any attention to me!

I sniff from the bottom and work my way up. It's a good technique. Try it sometime.

The buzzing is louder now and I don't like the sound.

So I jump back up on the couch and do my most handsome poses, again very casually of course.

I decide to scratch quietly and ever-so-subtly on the couch one last time. Maybe They won't notice me. Ooops! Darn.

People #2 tells me to stop scratching on the couch; he says that I'm going to get something much better to scratch on very, very soon now.

Then People #1 puts down that yellow buzzing bee thing and comes toward me with a plastic bag. Suddenly the smell of catnip grows MUCH STRONGER!

People #1 takes away the bag of catnip way too soon. Bring it back, will you?

He spreads some of the herb on the cardboard.

He attaches it to the wall. Okay, now it's time to jump off the couch and check this out up close and personal!

"Ringo, you stay back! Give a cat some space!"

Here's a short video of my new scratching experience. My People are happy, and more importantly, *I* am happy!!

I want this kitty as my friend!

2008-12-04T11:53:00.000-08:00

I see this funny kitty video today and want to share it with you all:

I am sorry if you already see this. But it is worth watching many times. I wish this kitty were my friend! She (or he) is a cat after my own heart. I would do the same exact thing to this machine!

Trip Video!

2008-12-02T09:04:00.000-08:00

My People are gone and they take the dog. I don't miss Ringo.

Okay, maybe a little.

I sleep by myself all night and am not disturbed, but will still give Major Cattitude when they come back!

Here is a short video of our trip to the beach. As you can see, I am the paragon of patience. I am such a good cat.

You will also see this big pond I am talking about. I still don't know what it is. It sure makes a lot of noise though.

At The Beach!

2008-11-30T10:17:00.000-08:00

My People end up driving me to the beach last Sunday.

I am a very good kitty in the car! I meow a few times, but mostly just sit quietly on the passenger seat.

Usually, People #1 drives and People #2 is my lap seat. This time, People #1 drives the truck towing the trailer in front of us, so I can't sit in People #2's lap. He's got his hands on that round thing which he turns this way and that. When I try to crawl in his lap, he tells me to stay in my seat.

Sometimes I grumble just to remind him who's really boss.

People #2 talks to me and pets me often, at least while I'm awake. I do manage to get in a few winks during the trip.

We finally stop and we are in a completely new place. People #2 takes me in his arms and we get out of the car. I am too dignified to struggle, but I do try to turn my head around to see where I am. People #2 whispers some sweet nothing in my ear and pets me.

I don't see much except smooth gray ground (the stuff cars like to ride on) and a bunch of huge white boxes which look like tiny houses parked all around.

I see the familiar silver bullet which is my first home. People #2 opens the door and takes me back to the litter box which is in the little bathroom at the back of the trailer. Yeah, yeah, I know where it is already! You don't have to keep putting me in it.

What I would like is some FOOD. But my bowl is empty for a few more minutes, which feels like a day.

I hear this strange noise all the time. It's sort of like traffic. But it doesn't stink so much.

In fact, it has a very different smell. Somehow it makes me hungry for fish.

This trailer is a very small space with both People and that darn dog. I have to laugh when they do this little shuffling dance to get around one another. I smirk in satisfaction when the People keep telling Ringo to move!

I, on the other hand, know how to stay out of the way. I thank my lucky stars that I paid attention in Kitty 101.

I like to hide under the couch in the front of the trailer. But I can't do this at night when the People fold it out to a bed.

Sometimes I come out to eat or be fussed over. Other times I sit on top of the couch and look out the window at the water.

I mean, this pond is HUGE! I don't think I could swim to the other side if I had to. (I hate water except to drink.)

For now, I am content to stay inside. The People take Ringo out for walks a lot. This is fine. I don't care one way or the other.

One of my favorite places is the little bathroom in the back. My litter box is on the bottom of the shower, and my food bowl is on the shower seat above that. I like to sit on the top of the commode, when the lid is down of course! I can see everything that goes on from this vantage point.

"Oh, you're taking my picture! Hmmm...."

"First I'm going to ignore you for a little bit."

"Oh all right! Here's a better face."

I hear the People talking about putting me in a harness and a leash and taking me outside. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this now. I look pretty ridiculous in that harness, which they put on me last year but give up quickly because they don't like the way it looks, and I certainly don't like the way it feels.

There's nothing worse than an undignified cat. I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, here's a shot of me with Ringo kickin' back:

I don't like changes!

2008-11-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

Both my People are rushing around taking stuff out of the house today, which disturbs me.

Very much.

This can mean only one thing: we are going on a trip.

I do not like trips. I'd rather stay at home!

But I don't get a vote. I need to keep my cool when I ride in the car.

I'm better at it than I used to be, but I still get freaked out sometimes. Especially when we slow down, or when they use the turn-signal. For some reason the sound of the signal really bothers me.

It looks like I'll be living in that big silver bullet thing again. That is my first home when I first bring my People home from the animal shelter in Vancouver. I am not sure I like the small space. Especially now that we have added a big dog to the family!

But it is fun to hide underneath the couch!

See you on the flip.

My New Roommate

2008-11-21T12:37:00.001-08:00

I saunter up to my computer keyboard and start pawing away. Furiously.

People #2 looks up quizzically from his desk. "Rupert, I don't believe this! Are you blogging two days in a row? This is unheard of!"

Then he hears "Reeeowwww....rouw....meowmeow....prrrrd...rwow" (and so on and so forth) but what I am actually saying is: "I've got all these new kitty friends who want to KNOW about me now! I am just vain enough to enjoy being on display, so why not share my kitty life with the public?"

Vain? Moi?

Yes, cats are natural hams, although of course we rarely admit it. Kitty 101 again.

So let me tell you about my new roommate.

It is a DOG, actually. His name is Ringo. I first see him a few years ago when we live in Arizona. Next door neighbor Cowboy is his first owner.

Cowboy needs to change jobs and locations, and gives Ringo to my People #1 and People #2, who become Ringo's second owners. This happens in August.

When Ringo first arrives, I am not thrilled. "Oh, that dog again," I hiss. I arch my back and bare my very sharp teeth. They are like razors, like my claws. I am proud of what equipment I still have!

"Stay back, dog", I growl. I stand my ground, as I do with all dogs. (In fact, I pretend to attack the neighbor's very large dog when we first move here, but that's another story!)

Ringo looks at me warily. "Oh, one of THOSE cats!" he thinks. "I'd better keep my distance".

Mission accomplished.

People #1 has the irritating habit of picking me up and bringing me close to the dog, talking sofly. At first I make a show of resisting, then get tired. Ringo just sits there, waiting for me to make friends.

He has a long time to wait.

I grow bored of hissing and decide to touch noses with Ringo. Obviously he's going to be around for a while. I don't feel like wasting my energy fighting him. Now that I've got him reasonably trained, he is tolerable to be around.

In fact, he does keep me company when People #1 and People #2 are gone. Wouldn't they like to be a fly on the wall to see what we do?

OH MY I am BAD!!

2008-11-20T19:54:00.000-08:00

"Bad, bad kitty", my People #2 scolds me.

I wash my face and ignore him. It's the very first subject we have to take in Kitty 101.

He asks, "Why do you even have a blog, Rupert? You haven't written in it for nearly a year!"

Meow, I say. Whatever. I'm a busy cat.

People #2 shrugs his shoulders and walks away. I hate it when he does that.

Shame takes a while to sink in, if it sinks in at all. I am a CAT, for gosh sake. We cats do whatever we want. When we want to do it.

When we are not sleeping, eating or stalking (if we are lucky enough to go outdoors, which I am!) we spend our time training our People.

We take this very seriously. It's a noble, worthwhile goal which lasts all of our (nine) lives.

In fact, it's our most important task next to sleeping. These People need to know who's boss. In this house, that's ME.

Sometimes I have to lay down the law:

Other times we cats have to pretend to do what the People want, in order to get what WE want. Sometimes People have good ideas, but we mustn't encourage them or praise them in any way. If the ideas just happen to line up with what we have in mind, then we can go along with it, maybe.

So I put paws to keyboard to write in my blog. Yawn. Stretch. Wash.

Okay, I'm going back to sleep now.

Another Rainy Day

2007-12-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am getting tired of the rain now. Two days of it is plenty.

I don't like going out and getting wet.

But I DO like sleeping. A lot.

The only advantage of rain is that my wet and muddy paws are purrrfect for making cool patterns on the bedspread.

As you know, interior design is my new thing. Fabrics are my specialty.

My art work is done for the day. Now I'm going to stretch and go back to sleep.

I try my paw at interior decorating

2007-12-18T14:56:00.000-08:00

It's raining today. I go in and out many times because I get so wet. I meow to go out, and then I meow to come right back in.

Today I do this every few minutes to keep my People well-trained. And well-exercised.

They also dry me with a warm towel whenever I come in. I pretend not to like it, but I really do. Purrrrrr......

One of People #1's many talents is as an interior designer. Well, I can do that too!

Watch me!!

I think I have a future in fabrics. Especially for chairs. And bedspeads and pillowcases.

My First Snow

2007-12-17T15:57:00.000-08:00

What's this white stuff on the ground? It's COLD!

I'm not sure I like it. Everyone can see exactly where I go. And I don't like getting my paws wet.

It also hides in the trees and on the roof, and comes down to attack me sometimes.

People #2 is pointing that irritating little box at me while I explore the new white world. I think he's going to make a video of my discomfort.

I will humor him I guess. Anything for fame!

I'm a bad kitty!

2007-12-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

Let me count the ways:

1. I'm too lazy about blogging. (I'll be better about posting my incredible adventures from now on, I promise!)

2. I whine when I want to go out. Sometimes at 4 in the morning.

3. I track dirt on my People's bed.

4. I try to bite People #1 and People #2 sometimes when they pull burrs out of my coat. But not really hard.

5. I disappear when my humans want to leave for the day and want to bring me back in from the Woods.

Purrrrrr....I love the Woods....my People finally get my message that I want to go outside, when they first move here when the weather is very warm.

People #1 is especially smart about this. He says to me, "Rupert, with all this great land spreading out so far and wide with no-one to bother you, you should be able to enjoy the outdoors".

YEAH! It's about time.

I really like catching mice out here in the country. They are more fat and sassy than the town ones in Bisbee, who are wimps.

The mice here give you a run for your money. I like a little challenge. The heat of the chase. The satisfaction of breaking their little necks!

I also catch baby bats. They're just mice with wings.

Word is getting around, though. I am not catching so many mice lately.

People #1 is mad at me now. Early this morning I meow to go out. It is still dark outside. The best time for ME, not for People #1 maybe.

I do not understand this. Why is he still napping in bed?

Why do humans sleep at night? It does not make sense. It is the best time to hunt.

Daytime is the best time to sleep.

I'm keeping a low profile in the other room right now. I will make my People miss me. They seem to like petting me. Well, they can just WAIT!

I've got some pictures to show you. I won't overload you though. There are so many. Seems like People #1 and People #2 love taking pictures of me here In The Woods.

I am told by countless feline (and human!) admirers that I am very photogenic.

I'll post a couple pictures at a time.

Here's a shot of me lounging on top of the sofa in my People's tiny tin house. They call it an "Airstream" trailer.

Here's a picture of me on a bed that my People put out for me in front of the barn this summer. But they take it away after only one day!

I just can't get comfortable...

2007-07-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

...in this HEAT. Hmm....here's a basket....maybe that will help. Especially since I love to scratch that wicker!

Readers assure me that it's a "dry heat". Uh-huh. Yep. Like that's supposed to make me feel better. (Thanks anyway. I mean that.)

But there's something about it which makes my fur clump up. It feels like someone is tying knots all over me.

People#1 keeps cutting on my fur. Every day now. But he always gives me treats afterwards. Pain, then gain. Talk about a mixed message!

Don't look too closely at my picture in the basket, especially on the top of my back. I look like crap. How am I going to attract the ladies in this get-up?

But I'm a sucker for treats. Shameless in my pursuit of them.

Speaking of pursuit....my latest mouse is gone. People#1 tells People#2 that he sees me "going for it" but missing. Thanks a lot, dude! Anyway the critter has disappeared. I hope he didn't die of fright.

Cats don't apologize...

2007-06-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

...for not writing much in their blogs.

It is HOT here! My fur is very thick. The curse of being a Maine Coon. I am from moist Vancouver and this dry Arizona weather makes my coat matted.

I hate being brushed. Even when People#1 gives me treats afterwards. I just don't like it.

I change my meow when I want wet food. I think my People are getting the hint. I hope that this will help my coat be silky and smooth!

Any of you cats out there know of any solutions? PLEASE HURRY, before People#1 cuts out any more clumps of fur. The surface of my coat is starting to look like the craters of the Moon.

I don't like change

2007-04-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

I am happy now that both my People are not running around the house like they're after a mouse. (That's my job.)

They are different these past few Sleeps. Not sitting in their chairs as usual. I miss my lap time. I want attention!

Many new People visiting which keeps me from sleeping. They bring in new bright lights, and new big machines they carry on their shoulders. They keep pointing them at me. Like big eyes. I look at the People for a while from my chair. I am bored, so I leave. They make loud noise when I do that.

New People are gone now. MY People #1 & #2 are sleeping all the time. Why are they so tired?

I am glad the other People leave. They smell funny and move fast. Almost step on me while I'm eating some Dry. I do not like this.

I'm back!

2007-03-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

People suddenly want to know more about me now. Even though I can be fierce sometimes, I am kinda shy. But I am also a ham. So here I yam. On this blog again.

One thing for sure. I like being HOME. No more traveling for a while. I hate staying in corporate apartments. In fact, when I'm in one of those big white cages, I hide underneath the bed covers. Totally.

I don't do that at ALL when I'm home!! This is my castle and I am very generous. My People can stay here with me, as long as they're good.

My People#1 is resting on this day when lots of them crawl onto their beds. NOW he is getting the right idea. Come join me, People#1. Keep me warm!

People#2 is too busy to be sleep-smart. He is sitting in his livingroom chair with that black box in his lap, waving his fingers over it like he always does. Maybe I will attack him again. I REALLY enjoy doing that.

Nawwww.....maybe later......zzzzzzz......

Something's Going On

2006-12-29T12:57:00.000-08:00

For a few sleeps now, both my People act strangely.

They run around the house moving stuff in new places. I like new spots to sit, especially when there's a coat involved. One of the first things to learn in Kitty 101.

But there's something UP. My People don't usually put things into boxes. They most often take them out.

I'm going back on my grand piano perch and lick myself for a while and wait to see what happens.

Publicity Photo

2006-12-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

I get my People#1 to put together my résume, it looks pretty good. These pics show me at my docile best. Claws retracted for the moment.

hairball!

2006-12-26T19:43:00.000-08:00

I get up this morning early as usual. Always earlier than my People do.

I eat the few bites of dry left in my bowl. Doesn't sit well. I hack up a bunch of hair which wanted to come out for a while now. A nice three- or four-incher. Whew.

Better.

I've always wanted one of these things

2006-12-26T19:34:00.000-08:00

I'm doing it. A kitty blog. My People fight me but I finally win. After a LOT of meowing.