Cats in Hats

We really aren't the kind of people who dress our cats up....REALLY. But, we were shopping in Target today and saw this adorable little winter hat especially made for cats and we just had to buy it. Thankfully, our boys are good sports because we got a good laugh out of trying it on them!

I think it's a natural fit for Coodie - he looks like he is about to do some serious outdoorsy activities! Although they look a bit grouchy, I can assure you they were purring the whole time...

Happy Birthday Mom!

Hooray for my mom for so many things but especially for raising me....a stubborn, slightly know-it-all, do it my own way type of gal. I'm not sure how she or my dad put up with me growing up (especially in the pre-teen years) but they did put up with me and they always fully supported me. I will never forget the time when I was decorating for the prom and I encountered a bit of a stomach issue. My mom drove over from work, brought me home until I felt better and brought me back to school after so I could finish what I am sure was an amazing display of confetti, candles and crepe paper in our school gym. That's just what mom was all about, I always knew I could count on her. So, here are a few photos to celebrate her throughout the years:

Happy Birthday mom! Thanks for always being there.

Holisti-Cats

As everyone knows, our big boy Coodie has had a lot of health issues this year. He is only 4 and we love him enormously so we have done a lot of research on his issues which led us to research information on overall health for both of our cats. As it turns out both of their diets were....well, not so good. Coodie was even on a prescription diet for his urinary blockage issues but as we started reading the label we wondered, "what the heck are these ingredients?" As it turns out, cats should not have grains and should especially not have corn. The first ingredient in Coodie's prescription food was CORN!

A friend from work recommended that I go to "America's Pets" in Hudson, NH where they sell holistic food for pets and are extremely knowledgeable about diet and health issues. It made sense because we have been trying to buy more organic and whole foods for ourselves why not our cats? When I mentioned our cat had calcium oxate stones, they knew exactly what I was talking about. They researched his current issues and food and were able to recommend food much better for him. The bonus was that we could feed both cats the same food.



The recommended food was Weruva: http://www.weruva.com/. Not only does the food look like stuff I would eat...huge chunks of fish and chicken in a hearty stew ... but the cans are also BPA free. I also double checked all of the nutritional info for Coodie and it checks out. These people know what they are doing.

So, now you know that mom and dad are happy with the new diet...but how do the boys like it?



I could barely get photos with the food in them because their little snouts were buried in the food. They LOVE it and they also both seem so much more energetic and bright eyed. Now, we can sleep a little sounder at night knowing that we have done the right thing by our little furry guys (and it helps that they agree!).

Coodini - Master Escape Artist

I need my sleep or I can be a straight up grumpapotamus. For the last 3 nights, I have been woken up at 4am....by the cats.



We put the cats in our semi-finished basement each night so we can ensure a good night's sleep. We kiss them goodnight, lock the cat door and head up to bed. So, we were stumped when they came waltzing in the bedroom at 7am Sunday morning. At the time, I figured I forgot to lock the cat door.

Then came Monday morning at 3:45 am. I woke up to Coodie on my chest and Gus behind my head. Half asleep, I put them back in the basement only to find them back in the bed as soon as I fell back asleep. The same scenario occurred Tuesday and Wednesday morning. So now we realize that they are somehow getting through the locked door (I know, it took a few nights but I don't think well when tired!)

I told a friend at work yesterday about our dilemma and her comment was, "So, you mean your cats are outsmarting you?" Snap.... yes, yes they are.

Well, I was able to record the culprit last night. Apparently Coodie has some sort of superhuman strength or he is an escape artist because I cannot push the door through with my hand. Gus just happens to reap the fruits of his labor - his henchman of sorts as he silently encourages and follows him through to freedom.

This morning, "Coodini" showed up on my dresser around 5am...whew, got an extra hour in! I promptly brought him to the basement, locked the cat door and secured it with packing tape. I then put a large box in front of it just in case he broke through the tape. We were able to keep the boys in the basement but the incessant banging on the door woke us up again.... Maybe we'll just board it up or get a new door or something...

This makes me smile.....

...and sing and dance. Not even kidding, every time I hear it my shoulder starts moving, then my head starts bopping and before you know it - I'm dancing. Who knew Sesame Street could still have that impact on me?