Life with my kitties...

At left- Jasper

At Right- Allie

I found this great website that explains what its like to live with a ragdoll. (or 2, in my case). Visit it for details here: http://www.ukrcc.co.uk/right.shtml

Here are a few things I relate to:

· Toes poking out of the bed at 4am are a viable target for biting. (I add: or even if they aren't poking out, just because they poke up, they must be a mouse and pounced upon!)
· Anytime is playtime to a Raggie, regardless of what time it is!
· If it moves it's fair game!
· If I stick claws through net curtains how fast can mummy run the distance to un-attach? (I think I shall need to replace the landlords mesh curtain bits before I move out!)
· They like to be involved in everything you do!
· That those big blue eyes really can get whatever they want.
· Your bed is no longer your own, and how dare you even try to suggest to a Raggie that you want them to move over so you can get in it! (I add: Mine like to take over my pillow, and push me off it)
· Fur lined everything is not optional! It just happens anyway!
· Don't expect to get a clear view of the PC monitor while raggies are awake (Ha ha, except mine are napping in the bedroom at the moment!)
· Even guests can expect to be escorted to the loo when they visit! (And you can't shut the door- because they get upset!!)
· You feel guilty everytime you leave the house as there is always at least one pair of blue eyes looking at you pitifully!
· People owned by Raggies are at serious risk of heart failure, if anyone leaves an outside door open. More risk occurs when said owner runs around the house in search of Raggies which have gone to sleep in the only place you didn't consider looking in! More risk of looking like you need some pyschological therapy when tearing around the garden calling Raggies' names and panicking in sheer terror, only to find your Raggie half an hour later curled up, totally oblivious to it all, in the open draw under the bed!! (Mine go into the backyard- but my fright is if something doesn't get perched against the gate - they'll sneak under it!)
· Your glass of water was made for sharing, especially when you're asleep, but you don't realise until you drink some and find loads of hairs floating in it! (I now have a glass so they can drink water out of that- they much prefer it to a water bowl.)
· If you are on the loo, Raggie wants to come on too.
· Owning a Ragdoll is like having a child that never grows up (not good especially at 4.30 in the morning. )
· If you won't get up, said Ragdoll is going to find one hundred and one ways to make sure you do. Garfield has got nothing on Cadbury but we can't help laughing at him.
· You'll never have a clean litter tray because they're in there as soon as you've cleaned it or even while you're in the process of cleaning it out!
· Clean hairless carpets are a thing of the past, especially if you dare leave them at home for a few days - when you come back there is enough fur to knit a couple of jumpers! (Haven't dared to leave them yet, but it does build up when they play a lot)
· Expect to be much poorer for all the toys they get through and ones you "have" to buy them anyway just because

- Walking into the kitchen means of course that you've gone in there to feed them! you do!

Oh but you have to love them.

I could add my own list- but the above do suit them pretty well.

See how big they've grown?

Anzac Day

I was just reading today's local paper. There were several pages of letters from locals about what Anzac Day means to them.
According to Wikipedia:

"Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, and is commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who died and served in military operations for their countries. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga."

One of the letter writers sent a poem written by his father about a brave man of long ago pinning his medals and marching, as he did years ago. The poem recognises the age of those heroes, who will not be around to put on those medals much longer.

It is all the more important, as they pass on, to never forget. Humans are clearly capable of committing terrible atrocities, but there is also something in us that longs for something more. Looking back almost 90 years after WWI, we remember those who gave their all. We also remember the ideals of freedom and hope, and recognise the great bravery and courage those men and women displayed. We will not let these things die in our hearts.

In the words of Canadian John McCrae:

"In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

Each one of us holds that torch. Let us ever hold it high.

Time Marches On

An update on the kittens:
Jasper has discovered he likes to climb! Whether sitting on top of the high wooden bench, watching the neighbours on the other side of the fence, or strolling along the fenceline debating about jumping on the neighbours roof, he has no fear.

Used to be perfect Allie is shaky and terrified, but tonight for the first time attempted to follow in little Jasper's footsteps. I think she was thankful when I reached out to help her down. She has turned a little annoying in that she is regularly waking me up at 5something am.

Things are different in the new house. They don't have their usual play spots or things, so have totally given up on toys they used to play with. I'm a little nostalgic, not about my former house, but for how the kittens grew up to be 6 month olds there.

Other than the kittens, I am largely settled into the new house. I love the yard and am thankful it is warmer than Roto Street was, however I will miss the double glazing and insulation I had in my apartment last winter.

Mom just sent me a big 12 pack of poutine mix in the mail. I'm so excited! Now I can make poutine. I would think that kiwis, with their affinity for things like bacon and egg pies would love the yummy goodness of fries with cheese and gravy but it doesn't exist here. A big thanks to Mom!!

Anzac Day is coming up this weekend. It's kind of like Canadian Remembrance Day. Poppies will be on sale tomorrow. We will remember them.

I attended a local play- "Footrot Flats" last night. It was only $15, and it reminded me how much I appreciate the theatre and how much I miss the Globe in Regina.

Until next time...

A bird in the hand...

I've moved into my new house. It was a crazy big move. Ugg. I totally don't love moving- not so much because of moving all the stuff- but mostly because of the pain of the house cleaning process. It's been busy since I've got possession. I've been here only 3 nights so far, and have been out every evening since- so I don't yet feel settled in.

Today however I popped in from work for lunch- only to discover a bird in my lounge. I wondered how it could have got in- thinking maybe it snuck in when I went out. Strangely my kittens hadn't attacked it- it was trying to get out the patio doors at ground level. When I arrived on the scene it flew up to a higher window, where I captured it and released it outside. My next stop was the kitchen where I planned to have lunch- but instead discovered broken glass all over the window. It turns out Mr. Bird had flown through the window. Right through. He made a bit of a mess all over the kitchen floor, so my lunch was spent cleaning up after Mr Bird. I also got to contact the landlords agent- only a week in the property- and already they've had to repair something. What are the odds of this happening just after I moved in? Lucky I guess! Or maybe the owners cleaned the windows just a little too clean!

In other news- we changed the time on the weekend. I'm not a great fan of less time in the evenings. We shifted my horseback riding lesson back half an hour which means I dash straight from work- and its still getting dark at the end of the hour. Just think- its another 5 months before it'll get any better. I'm not at all ready for winter, and don't even have the electric blanket on the bed yet. Day time temperatures still aren't bad, but its starting to drop overnight.