This is Why They're Called "Trouble-cats"

Yes, that's the changing table they're sitting on!

Mama Lena's Story

Lena came to the animal shelter in April 2007. She gave birth to a litter of kittens and nurses them until they were ready to be adopted. All her babies went to loving homes. After raising her own kittens, Lena then became foster mom nursing a little of kittens who did not have a mother of their own. They, too, were adopted.




A cat who's a lactivist! How could we leave her there, especially after 8 months? Lena is a very petite cat, even smaller than Zuzu (who only weighs 6 1/2 lbs.). She has an incredible amount of energy, which thrills Nunzio. He finally has a playmate who can keep up with him. (Zuzu is very low-key and ladylike-- at least when one's watching.)

The shelter warned that after being caged for so long, Lena could have a hard time adjusting to freedom. Well, they underestimated her. Right from the moment we arrived home, Lena has been all over the house, loving to cause as much of an uproar as she can! She and Nunzio are having a tussle right now! She's a tough little cookie and can stand up for herself against three bigger animals!




Welcome to the family, Lena!

Outnumbered

Zuzu (The Princess)

Nunzio (Everyone's Buddy)

Lena (Unholy Terror)

Woodstock (The Dog)

Doesn't this sound like fun?

Taking two cats to the vet by yourself on a day when the thermometer is registering zero?

I don't think so either.

DH brought the carriers up from the basement for me this morning before work and Nunzio took one look and was outta there. He does not do well in the carrier or in the car. I have never heard such horrifying noises. Zuzu does pretty well, however, and they're both so friendly with the doctor. They won't eat his treats, though. I've never seen cats that refuse all nourishment but their specific bowl of food. It's bizarre. I’m used to gluttonous monsters.

Anyway, the only thing that may save this situation is that DS is going to stay home with Grandma. I took him and Zuzu to the vet over the summer, and there's no way I could manage two cats and one toddler! It's interesting to note that on that occasion the mercury was around 90 with 100% humidity. Today it's zero. I can't win.

Christmas Cat

Zuzu enjoying the day.

Wishing all my readers continued blessings during the Christmas season!

Boy's Best Friend

Contemplation

Nunzio ponders the Stations of the Cross.

The Piano Arrives!

Now that my sister and I have moved out, and no one plays the piano anymore, my parents generously asked my husband and I if we would like to have it. My husband has a full-size keyboard, but no piano. Finally, today, it arrived to join the organ, books, cats, and guitar in our living room!

For context, here it is placed in the room. The view is from the corner near the entryway.

For those cat-lovers among us, Zuzu is hidden in the picture below. I had no idea she was there until I was editing it! For the bibliophiles and librarians among us, there are eight bookshelves in this room (one is only 1/5 full) and the books are roughly cataloged according to the Dewey Decimal System. Old habits die hard. Or not at all, as the case may be.

More Zuzu

I discovered DH took these yesterday:

She's just so cute and so little!

Where's Zuzu?

There she is!

Continuing with her recent trend of sitting in off-limits and odd places (the washing machine), here is Zuzu perched on the shelf in DH's workshop. As far as we can make out, she hasn't stirred from this place in nearly 24 hours! Must be cooler than the rest of the house. Cats are...cats.

Who's in charge here, again?

I've had a very sick baby on my hands this week, so please forgive my absence! He's feeling much better now and actually slept for more than 45 minutes at a time last night, so we're getting back in the groove!

On Monday, I took DS to the emergency room and this is what I found when we returned home:

Yes, that's Zuzu, perched and sleeping in a place where she is clearly not supposed to be!