Hours Later……

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Cosmo is right, I have been rewarding them for staying out of the kitchen, when needed, on their ‘mats’ or beds for years. Easy technique, great results, and keeps felines out from under feet while cooking or eating meals with company. As soon as I plop down beds or towels anywhere, everyone fills the spots hoping for something tasty. I have faded the rewards though over time and only give treats on occasion or when I really want them to stay in place. The adult crew is good for about 30-45 minutes on any spot without a reward (unless they fall asleep….then who knows how long). If I want them to stay longer, I just treat before they lose interest, and they are locked in place again.

This technique I use mostly for Dexter though, he is the food monger of the house. So rather then tripping over a meowing cat all day while cooking, this is a great redirection of his energy. He gets to watch me right off the kitchen, and I keep my sanity!

Here is the crew when I first set up the beds right on the edge of the kitchen tile…they rushed over and assumed the position. Asia is still in training, she is less food motivated so it takes a little longer (hence why she is missing from the picture).

The weather has changed, and the basket above the fireplace is getting more use again.

There are two sleeping spots in the basket, but of course they still insist on piling into one bed (well, at least Asia insists on it).

I am pretty sure sleeping with Asia a lot of times is like sleeping with a toddler……

Pretty sure that last look from Bayou is one of “it’s about dang time!”

Okay, so found this in the camera, forgot I had accidentally caught Miss Asia in a moment.

Any thoughts on a caption, I think it needs one??

If you have ever taken photos of animals, you know that 1% of the photos if not less usually come out as you want. I am learning techniques, but my best option so far, is just to take LOTS and LOTS of pictures. You can always delete ‘em I say.

Here was a series I tried to get as it happened, but alas, I did not have my camera settings quite right, and no time to fix em (that pretty much sums up 98% of my photography right now as I slowly learn some sort of ‘skillz’).

This group of shots made me laugh even if they didn’t come out well, so I decided to post them as it happened, as it looked, in all its unfocused glory. You can click on photos for the larger version.

Here we are in a normal ‘help mum work’ mode (love Bayou’s big paw…note to self, need more photos of it…..and whats with Asia trying to look all growed up again?)

Shortly after the above pic was taken, and I am trying to get back to work, someone did not want someone laying in someway……or something.

This would be the ‘stare down’

“Imma gonna bop you!!” (nice flinch)

“Imma gonna bop you BACK”

(notice Asia’s head disappears here, Bayou was shoving it out of the frame quite nicely)

At this point, Bayou jumps out of the bed, but as would be the norm, Asia will continue to try and push buttons….

…and push buttons….

Ahhh….gotta luv ‘em!!

Having two bengals, and two, well…… shall we say ‘normal’ activity level cats, sometimes the difference in my crew is pretty drastic. Sometimes the noise alone around here makes me wonder what I got myself into. Thought I would share the schedule for a typical day around here:

Cast of Characters

Asia – 6 Months old – Bengal

Bayou – Approx 7-8 yrs – Bengal

Dexter – 10 Yrs – American Shorthair/Devon Rex X

Cosmo – 14 Yrs – Domestic Shorthair

5:30 AM
-Bengals: Streeeetch, follow mum into bathroom, closet, bedroom, kitchen, laundry, kitchen, office, bathroom….you get the idea
-Dexter: Meow, get food, eat, meow
-Cosmo: No need to get up yet according to her clock

6:30 AM
-Bengals: Continue following mum, but stop off in kitchen to take bite of food in between following mum to the next room, and now checking on Da
-Dexter: Meow
-Cosmo: Stretch, the princess will eat now, thank you

7:30 AM
-Bengals: Mum went to office, time to play chase
-Dexter: Lay in bed on desk, Meow
-Cosmo: Still eating

9:30 AM
-Bengals: Chase complete, help mum at desk… attack paper inside printer, relocate all pens to the floor, bite holes in paperwork, dash back and forth over keyboard, run from mum as she shoos us out of the office
-Dexter: Lay in bed, observe everything, meow just in case
-Cosmo: Debating on if its time to use the litter box

10:30 AM
-Bengals: Destroy (insert item). Choices are – Cat Tree, Couch, Bed, other cat tree, box left out, trash where lid did not shut, crinkle tunnel, play tent, shoe someone left out, Pen someone left out, belt someone left out, so on.
-Dexter: Sleep with one eye open on Bengals
-Cosmo: Debating if her bed is comfy enough to sleep in

11:30 AM
-Bengals: Commence wrestling and meowing real loud (credit Bayou for the meows)
-Dexter: Lay in bed scowling because bengals are making too much noise
-Cosmo: Lay in bed scowling because bengals are making too much noise

12:30 PM
-Bengals: Crashed in pile somewhere
-Dexter: Snoring
-Cosmo: Debating if she should be scowling anymore

3:00 PM
-Bengals: Still crashed
-Dexter: Meowing as dinner is now within two hour window
-Cosmo: Scowling at Dexter

5:00 PM
-Bengals: Follow mum around from kitchen, to laundry, to kitchen, to living room, check windows and food plates in between, if Da is doing something help him.
-Dexter: Meowing
-Cosmo: Hiding so that SHE can decide when dinner will be served

6:00 PM
-Bengals: Play chase in kitchen over cabinets, under table, through the sink, and dashing from mum as she runs us out of kitchen. Go find all of Cosmo’s hiding spots
-Dexter: Meowing in case there is a chance for more dinner
-Cosmo: Asking mum to be put up to eat, just to make the Bengals go away

7:00 PM
-Bengals: Destroying (insert item, see list above)
-Dexter: Destroying (insert Catnip toy)
-Cosmo: Trying to convince Da he would make a good cat bed if he would lay just so

9:00 PM
-Bengals: Following mum to the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, reading room.
-Dexter: Meowing in case he can get a pre bedtime snack
-Cosmo: Scowling at everyone because it is bed time

10:00 PM
Snores all around

Its busy, crazy, loud, but we really do enjoy it all.

Cosmo does scowl a lot, but she really is a happy ‘princess’ and even plays chase with Asia on occasion (although short lived).

Dexter, I am afraid, really does meow that much, and the Bengals really do get in that much trouble…but we adore them all, and I spend time re-directing their energy in better paths every day (clicker training, interactive play, or just running around for a game of chase myself).

The Meadow around here is not really that silent….more of a frolicking rugby game sorta meadow I guess….

Well, in celebration of two events today, everyone got decked out.

Today is Talk….errr…Meow like a pirate day

&

Catwalk Caturday!!

Thats Misha strutting on the catwalk above!

Not only are we participating in both, we also helped donate to a shelter Misha is supporting!

Misha is competing for New Zealands Top Cat Model, click here to cast your vote!

So after much wrestling and to do, here are the fashion entries for the day:

Here are some additional Piratey Photos:

(yes I know his cutlass is upside down….you try wrestling with a 14lb bengal who is not overly fond of costumes!)

“A parrot….really….are you serious??”

This is what most pictures of Asia looked like…attack pirate?

All I can say is eye patches on cats are easier said then done! Although Dexter will do anything for Bonita flakes luckily

Rainbow Pirate, ARRRR!

Now after wrestling with four cats with costumes, I am off to “yo ho ho and a bottle of rum”!!

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I love cats sleeping in little balls, especially kittens. They can disappear under their legs and feet so that it is hard to tell which end is the right way up. Asia in particular seems to be in a ‘leggy’ stage of growth, seems like all feet sometimes.

Can you identify all the parts in the photos?

(clicking on a photo brings up a larger shot of cute fuzzy adorableness)

“enuff wit da bright lightz already!”

“Iz you okay?”

Boy, if I could take this little one to work with me I can only imagine the amusement (and lack of work) we could find.

I pulled out a file and accidentally left the drawer open. I heard a ruckus, only to find Miss Asia chasing her tail while chilling in a hanging file folder.

(clicking on a photo will always bring up a larger version)

Cosmo has a thing about invading personal space when she says hi. She does it in the morning, where a cute hello turns into a nose in the eyeball sort of thing. Its like one of those close talkers where you find yourself unconsciously backing up.

The kitten is not immune to this from the looks of it.

“How are you doing little Asia there on the yoga mat?”

“Hello Miss Cosmo, I am good…..ummmm….uhhhhh….”

“Uhhh, okay….OKAY….little space here please???”

Way too familiar