Curious Cali - Human Step Ladder - or What I Did to Get Her Attention ^..^!

Hi Curious Cali here....(yawn)!  I was just outside playing in the field chasing a few mice!

I'm a natural climber and have no problems about heights, I leap and bound on furniture traverse across cabinets
and spy from above!

My kitten voice sends out the odd 'meep' when I want something, but I never disclose my
hiding places!!!! LOL


The spring air has given me lots of energy .......
I love to stand on my hind legs (I guess watching too many dog cartoons - LOL).

Did you know that your 'human parent' makes a great step ladder.  That's right...you can.   A vertical jump in stages is the best, just make sure your claws are nice and sharp to dig into the clothing!

I always like to see what MY human is doing, especially a meal times, when I want to see what I'm getting for my meal!  This brings you closer to the food and to use all your senses: eyes, nose and paws if you can get that close. LOL

I'm naturally athletic by nature, and I dine on on my own space called a Credenza!  It comes complete with a table cloth and I'm left to my own devices to 'eat' and 'wash up'
after (that is my face).  I don't do dishes and will never learn
despite the fact I am smart. ^..^.

Now the first time I made this leap into the heavens was bit scary,
I don't have a safety net and like great human acrobatics....
it's all in the nerve..and my whiskers help that along nicely!


The funniest thing was when I got caught in my pet parents clothing!

 
I was literally stuck, I thought she had arms like an orangutan -- not so  ...as I found out.  I meeped and let her know and she managed talk to me softly with reassurance. Then gently secured me
to safety. 

Jemina from Cats

After all
that excitement, I ate and ate....like there was no tomorrow!


I know my mentor "Jemina" from cats would have been impressed with my efforts  Cat "Moonlight"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwfbPc4K9Og.  

After a few days, I managed to get my 'kitten nerve' up again and with practice was able to make the leap in three stages: legs, upper back and mid back.    This was great fun and if you are going to practice the 'step ladder' make sure you try it with your kitten friends but don't hurt yourself.  

Life as a kitten can be quite fun, no need for 'fancy' toys, when you have: a sideboard, sofa, wall unit and a human to provide plenty of playtime.  When you get tired you can 'cat nap' or chase that ball of paper around the living room at 3 a.m. to impress!!!

Cali - Nap Time

Food time: Well, attention seeking behavior is always in your best interest when it's food time.......^..^....!

I thought I'd better get my paws moving, by writing today - otherwise I may not get (supper)???  (Yeh, I know my pet parent too well........she is too good to me LOL)!!!!

Put your PAWS together and come on over and visit, play and share some food here.  We love to have your comments too.   Send me a PAW note if you have story ideas or want to share!

http://divapaws4advice.blogspot.ca/

Post 99: Cali's Corner: In the world of kittens - it's just another day

Hello MY Darlings:

I have been away on a little cat sabbatical
and enjoying the purfect time to revive, relax and get my paws on track.

I've invited my intern to reflect on her life as a kitten, it is by far a unique purspective.

It has been quite a while since I was her age and like her human counterparts (toddlers) they have their own ways of doing things!
We had a gathering around a 'warmed bowl of milk and decided her first post would be (short and sweet)!!!!  

Enter stage right:  "Cali"

Hello everyone (Cali here.....yawning stretching and gives a kitten meow, although voice is immature but her energy isn't).

More milk, more sleep PLEASE

 Well, I feel a bit shy, getting my paws wet (although I generally don't like water, especially when my human has a shower - it is far too noisy and it makes me jump).  I prefer to hid behind the shower curtain and make her jump when she comes out. I running and try to bit her toes .....meooowwww. Well, what else do with a 'moving object'.

She has one of those cool bathrobes with a long belt that I love to climb on she is not looking. I've seen children at the park swinging from ropes doing belly flops, forgetting to hang on tight and then doing big thud in the water!  I laughed so hard that I rolled around laughing, twisting by body from side to side, I had a good view from the tree.

It was very windy yesterday, lots of strange weather living near the lake.

Last night it was too quiet at home, so I created my own fun:
(I've been trying out my stalking routine' on my human, the 'crab walk' and 'evil eye' routine -meow that is so much fun).

Ohh I feel an energy serge after eating:

Laces were invented for Kittens

7:30 p.m. peep from behind the sofa and observe the human in the kitchen (she is going to the fridge;
7:35 p.m. tip to into the kitchen and jump on my humans back to the shoulder (her cue to respond and get me my dinner);
7:45 meow in her ear and purring... (that get her all the time);
7:50 point to the food being dished out and meow
7.52  Human says "mat mat"  I fly like a bullet into the living room, running through her feet and she tries to stand up juggling the food on the plate;
7:55 I gobble down the food like a vacuum cleaner....
8.00 She eats dinner, I run behind the soft running up and down (like a Wiesel)
8:10  Trying not to choke on her food, she yells at me, I ignore her LOL;

Well, are you going to throw the paper??

 
8:11  I run behind the sofa and run up the back and scare her silly (she jumped out of her skin, while holing onto a cup of tea)!!!!

8:12  I bolted on the living room chair, then onto the table, jump on the sofa arm and run behind the back.  I land on the table onto the other chair, standing on my hind legs to reach the nicely position pots of 'greens' (known as plants);

8.14 Human rattles a bag to get my attention, she chases me around the room, I make sure she gets her exercise - she needs it....humans are slow and not athletes;
8.17  I pick up my 'teddy bear' kick my back feet and bit the top of her head; I then carefully carry her across the room like a kitten hiding her in my 'tunnel' bed.
8.18 Opps time for a nap.........I look satisfied with myself. The room is full of catnip toys, a cat tent, pieces of rolled up paper (these are rejects from writing in the muse)...they are for me!!!!  ^..^!!


I'm learning how humans work and each day gets more exciting.

My first blog....meooow

After all, in my world, it's just another day in the world of an
'urban curious kitten'

^..^  Next week: I'll tell you what I did when ordered the Spider Plants...he he...^..^

^..^ CATS: The Art of Sleep Deprivation 101 or PAWING FOR YOUR ATTENTION ^..^ -

Anticipating SPRING!

   

Hello MY Darling!

Welcome to another story from my files!

(Yawning and stretching).  Finally it's SPRING, I never thought it finally come to  "Great Far North".

Are we  'furry creatures' destined to keep their winter coats on until summer?  Mother Nature's Circadian Rhythm was way off LOL ^..^.

As a result of the early change of clocks before April, there have been some hillarious  musings in my in box! Thank you for all of you who have shared your stores!  This one goes out to Vanessa Rose.  I'd love to meet your beloved companion.....or would I......LOL

She writes:

Bed time MANIPULATION 

"Well, the night time routine of getting my ALPHA FEMALE  (Little Lady)  was uneventful.Apart from the usual .....simply trying to get her to bed before 1:00 a.m.     The turning off of the television to the command "Bed Time, time for snacks".  Massage and a little brushing followed by kibble in 'HER MAJESTIES'  dish.

Sipping on my warm milk I envisioned a restful slumber.. As she proceeded to in hail the food like those 'mini hand held vacuums'  for quick clean ups.    Gobble, smack smack ..in dog like behavior!!!! Well, who else is here, did she think I WAS GOING TO EAT HER FOOD!!! The dish is as shiny as a new penny!!! LOL.

Oh yes.....

 A little pat on the small of her back to "Go to Sleep, Settle".  Go far so good........^..^ The rhythmic  kneading (booying, booying...a bakers dozen in the making), fluffing up the bed sheets and comforter into that purfect nest.  !!  Umm this could be a while..(sigh)

I anticipated a long nights sleep and for once. I didn't have to get up; or stir to hear her rooting around in her toy box or hear items on the dining room table being knocked in a succession of PLONK, PLONK making it HER OWN..little did I know.


I was dreaming of an English village, enjoying a coffee around 11:00 a.m. daydreaming waiting for a friend to join me.   Off in a intuitive MUSE thinking of my next article. Reality came as a  rather loud, rude pursistent annoying  'tap, tap, tap'  Like a tea cup making contact into the saucer in a reckless heavy handed style devoid of any social graces associated with this gentle art of tea drinking!!! 

Step 1:  HUMAN you will NOT SLEEP!!

A different reality --- fussy headed, time was distorted....I was waking up. (charming@@@!) Disorientation,  ...the loss of a  purfect sleep...what's going on!!! Rubbing my uncoordinated fingers over my eyes....to "Little Lady" staring at my with wide eyes of inquisition' FEED ME NOW!

Step 2: I have you UNDER MY SPELL......

 Ignoring HER....covering my head with the sheets......all quiet .....ha bliss!!!!  Cat plonks herself on my pillow taking up all the room;  pushing her back feet into the back of my head......I was hovering on the threshold slipping off.

Step 3: Tap Tap, Tap I will WAKE YOU

Drifting off, again.....why is it sound so magnified when it is so quiet. There it goes again, tap, tap, dish, cup what? I tried to make sense of it all...in the dark.

Step 4:  IT'S WORKING

[Muttering &&&@@@!!! jibberish]. Reaching over to the jar of kibble, dolling out some into her dish. OK OK once she is fed that will be it 'slumber returns'...think again!.

Intuition is easy..... I was smart enough to place a small bowl of water on the bedside table. She is agile and self -serving when it suits HER . (I've seen stand on the edge of the bed balancing like a ballerina, anchoring her nails as a barnacle).

My voice cracks splitting the silence again....."Divva what is it now pray tell".  Looking around into her intuitive /intelligent eyes."Momma, I want water now"
......I remarked "Then go and get it, I'm not wet nursing you".   Her eyes glowered back.  (I knew that a look too well). I brought the water bowl over TO THE  pillow, wedging it carefully...holding it with my hand...(like an obedient servant she expected) Looking into my half slit eyes. The message was clear as mesmerizing eyes...trapped again thought I "Oh good I've got you UNDER MY SPELL".    My brain was trying to wrap my head around this BRAND NEW BEHAVIOR.

As a good pet mum I had always tried to be flexible to the Circadian Rhythms of MY cat....didn't I?  To be truthful, it didn't do well with my Diva Scottish ( peppered with Italian) temperament.   

Step 5 : the VICTORY LICK! 

 She finished drinking....phew.....what time was it 5:30 a.m. (thank you very much)!! Great 4 hours sleep.......!!!!!!! I put the water dish back of her on the bedside table....covered myself yet again and told her to "settle" she new this command as it kitten....it has always worked...(yawning  I drifted into semi conscious state).

"Tap, tap, tap (oh not again, was that the clunk of the morning paper hitting the threshold of the door).  In the half twilight of the morning....there again...Divva...tapping to the purcussion of the dish!!!!


 Relentless to WIN over this Divva as the last ditched attempt to prove I was the MORE intelligent species.  I then got more kibble and brought it over to her towel the bed and placed her catnip ball...this should do it...

Step 6:  Be nonchalant always WIN over YOUR HUMAN

What lesson did I learn that fitful night/morning!  "Never underestimate YOUR CAT".  Exceptional and highly intelligent. With every lit of cunning as a illusionist ...the master of deception.. She will always twist the situation to HER own advantage!!!"


Well, MY Darlings......remember a good scheme is worth the wait....

^..^  remember to follow me ^..^.

We love to hear your stories..........remember to follow the Divva more about antics and food here (click on the link)  Acrobatics food and more!



Find me here too:  FB  https://www.facebook.com/jenni.divva?fref=ts

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^..^Summary:  Relationships are so very important, whether they are human, feline or canine.  We share our lives with our precious friends we call devoted companions.  Blessings come in the form of life's lessons.  Alpha female or males can bring out the best revealing their individual characteristics in any species.  The challenge is to fine the humour and enjoy it!! ^..^

The Sunday File: Acrobatics, food morsels and more!

Hello MY Darlings!

Welcome yet again to the "Sunday File".

As I paw through my fan mail, one caught my curiosity!   What read through as something mundane and ordinary, turned into a comedy skit.

Mary writes, "It was a REGULAR  Sunday afternoon - so I thought. It had all the air of a  lazy quiet .....book reading kind of day.  Sun streaming in the window, with dancing shadows on the wall.  Cat curled up on the table, soaking in the sun....or as I thought....!!!

Lost in my book I delved in. Just then.....a sudden rapid movement caught my right eye."Mischief...was inside a shopping bag. Her head moving back and forth, shaking like a dust mop!!  No verbal noises of loud meows. Victorious  and proud...smack, smack the tongue found its treasure.  Asiago cheese crumb...or a archeological find......[any Calico with a high olfactory sense of smell could easily root it

Let me ENTERTAIN YOU!!!  

out. Especially when she thinks she IS a blood hound].


Oh that is "Miss Mischief", up to her antics again (thought I) shaking my head I returned to my mystery......).  

The bag and contents started to move, not like a wave in the ocean....no, no.

It reared up like an elephant trunk high in the air! The plastic bag surrounded the cat.  Then the cat and object was walking backwards...trying to escape.. Or was this a new circus act repeating itself ....'horses standing on their hind 
legs'.  
 
No, no, no...STOP... I uttered. The book dropped to the floor, shuddering as it fell finding it's resting place on the carpet.  "Bonk". Meanwhile "Mischief" proved HER POINT the show goes on.

 
Bolting upwards, I removed the offending bag...."Miss Mischief's" head looking bewildered and pleasantly satisfied with achieving her goal. The Asiago cheese chip crumbs fell to the floor;as a barnacle swept by an ocean wave. Temptation was her just reward. (Sigh)... I was reminded......never leave anything to chance, cat, dog or child around. Sure enough it will be an opportunity to get your attention...no matter WHAT!!

     
"Miss Mischief" looking bemused, washing her face in the sunlight. Finding herself a  sunlit carpet patch to fall asleep....stretching into yet another cat nap"!!! I think I will stick to this activity next time....(more creative) Paper-Bag-Cat-Puppet and leave the acting the 'Divva Jenni'!!!

Simply:  CAT IN the BAG

Well, that is a lovely story Mary, thank you for sharing.  Yes, indeed the more intelligent the cat or dog.....the more likely they are to get into mischief.  This is also quite true of human children, both of which I have observed. As I did some research on the matter myself.

  

It is quite unusual for cat's to have a highly developed olfactory sense of small. As we know a dog's sense of smell is 10,000 higher than a human, with the cat's a close second.  

Link:  merckmanuals.com


 Cat Senses - Smell

{A domestic cat's sense of smell is about fourteen times as strong as a human's. Cats have twice as many receptors in the olfactory epithelium (i.e. smell-sensitive cells in their noses) as people do, meaning that cats have a more acute sense of smell than humans. Cats also have a scent organ in the roof of their mouths called the vomeronasal (or Jacobson's) organ. When a cat wrinkles its muzzle, lowers its chin, and lets its tongue hang a bit, it is opening the passage to the vomeronasal. This is called gaping, "sneering", "snake mouth", or "flehming". Gaping is the equivalent of the Flehman response in other animals, such as dogs, horses and big cats.
It is commonly assumed that dogs possess a superior sense of smell among domesticated animals. However, new studies have shown that cats average 200 million olfactory receptors (though numbers vary by breed), higher than the average number of receptors in dogs}.

THE CAT WINS YET AGAIN!!!

We would like to dedicate this to all Calicos, and especially Aunt Dorothy who's birthday it is today.  A wonderful cat lady of Amberwood Road!!  


Well for those of you who missed "Never A Dull Moment" a couple of weeks ago you may paw over to: The Sunday File: 2014/01/27

See you next time.....Follow the Diva................................

CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH - STRESS 101 : IT'S ALL ABOUT PUR..SPEC -TIVE AFTER ALL!

Hello MY Darlings!

Well, well, well, it is  drizzling outside, I can see the roads are wet from the glaring lights on the cars going by!

My CAT CALENDAR indicates it is Dec 1st ......

Humans are celebrating around the globe with observances of the First Day of Advent to Hanukkah!!!

How are your PAWS, has your owner been chasing her tail lately trying to get all the chores done!  I here her mumbling as she goes through the long list, crossing off each 'done items'.   LOL

Lots of email this week and clients try to manage STRESS!!!

PUR-SPEC-TIVE

List:
>Christmas gift shopping
> Diva PAWS list (twice as long....) LOL
>Organize Secretary to PUT UP THE CHRISTMAS TREE (see if she stands on her head) LOL
>Go to the Post Office
>CAT CARD LIST
>PURRFECT CAT GALA'S
>FAN CLUB Invitations
>SMOKED SALMON and OYSTERS!!!!

OK MY DARLINGS!  Lets get thing into PURSPECTIVE!

All about PURSPECTIVE

You know when kitten are little we tell them to EAT SLOWLY, TAKE SMALL BITES AND NOT TO RUN AROUND AFTER!   CATS KNOW 'COMMON SENSE'


1) DON'T run your tail into knots  and chase it trying to GET THINGS DONE!

2) LOOK AHEAD -- BE SENSIBLE -- BREATHE --- EAT -- DRINK - AND RELAX!  I hate to see HUMANS HYPERVENTILATE (almost as bad as a Cat with a fur ball) LOL


3) YOU CAN WASTE PURFECT TIME - YOU ONLY HAVE ONE PAIR OF PAWS!
4) TAKE IT EASY -- STAY FOCUSED.   HIRE A PART TIME SECRETARY - OR A SANTA HELPER (HUMANS CALL THEM ....ELVES _ I thought this might be a new SNACK)!!!!

5) CHILL OUT WITH CATNIP AT NIGHT AND GET TO BED EARLY (HUMANS ARE YOU LISTING)!

Soon you will feel just like ME

 Well MY DARLINGS - MY last thought - take some time in the EVENING 4 you!
Listen to music, or kittens purring, a dish of warm milk and a pinch of catnip will
put things into PURSEPCTIVE.


You still have 23 days left...........................

The Friday File: PAWS 4 Thought - RNR

Hello MY Darlings!

Well how are you? "Are you dragging your paws, you just want to have a nap...have you been up late chasing too many mice...ummm yes, I thought so"! The evenings are drawing in..shorter!!!

A lot of emails this week on MY cat computer , on the same complaints from both human, and feline community.  Interesting furnominum: felines are picking up the human energies and reading each others body language!

This has given me PAWS4THOUGHT!

Looking at the cat calender it is November firs!!! I'v had my Secretary chasing her tail in circles:  Running out shopping to send my cat cousins gift to over the duck pond in England;  Running back to the theatre getting new costumes for the Christmas parties; making lists and checking them.  She even makes jewellery in her spare time (I had no idea - maybe knew)?? InspiredDesigns4YOU


It wasn't until I was a night-owl on the prowl myself and caught her with the light on!  I tippy toed in a crouching position - 'stealth mode'. While her back was turned bend over the work table...I let out a roar of a MEOW -- "You are a NIGHT OWL -it's now confirmed". (Purring with great satisfaction).   I wondered why the raccoon eyes at 9:00 a.m. ummmm!

Diva: I have Intuition don't you know!

The reaction was quite PURFECT!  She literally jumped out of her human skin, like a rice paper image you often see on fine exquisite candy (Snickering). Her Gin and tonic no more! LOL *^..^*~

Target: Spotted

 





Life Skills Update:

Life can make us extremely busy, chasing our tails in circles...(yes, you humans too). Clients have said  "I try to  over  accomplish,  working long hours, too many errands this time of year" Too many catnip balls, yes, I have to be on the alert too for this!

(•.¸♥´).(•.¸♥t.@^..^@ ! (´*•.¸♥¸.•*    )   Reminder to build in a "RNR Cat Day"  (Rest and Relaxation) into you routine, especially if you are working at home, or have an cottage industry or self-employed.  If you work 7 days a week, set aside Friday as the RNR day(•.¸♥´).(•.¸♥t.@^..^@ ! (´*•.¸♥¸.•*    ).    PAWS and EFFECT.....its all about PURSEPCTIVE after all MY darlings.

If you last missed the last Friday File here is the link again:

Friday-file-who-said-show-has-to-go-on

(•.¸♥´).(•.¸♥t.@^..^@ ! (´*•.¸♥¸.•*    ) - Do this now: Go and have a bowl of milk and take the evening off:

My stand in: She has the right persepctive

 See you on the next  'Friday File'  

(•.¸♥´).(•.¸♥t.@^..^@ ! (´*•.¸♥¸.•*    )

Pin this to your PAWS:  November 3rd, 2013

The Friday File - Aspects of Relaxtion the Challenges of Mechanics

 

Hello MY Darlings (smirking).

Well you thought I'd NEVER ASK, the obvious question! What about relaxation?  Mother nature gave this to cats on a 'purfect platter'.  Never ask pur-mission just take it ....like YOU own it!

I've had lots of emails coming across by busy PAWS DESK on dealing with relaxation and personal relationships.  I had to get MY Secretary to sit on the papers as there were so many.  The whirling of the printer was giving such a headache even my whiskers hurt.  EXIT to my secret 'cat door flap' (I use this as a back door, so patients don't see my entering into the front door of the office)!

Stretching I ordered my large saucer of milk. I had a feeling it was going to be one of those days!  My whiskers tell me so....vibrate+ radar =cat sense. MY Secretary is trained so we don't have to natter.......all done by intuition!  That tuned in feeling... LOL)!

  

I had recently implemented a new system into my practice "Catnip Therapy". For those... cat-tankerous clients. Clinically identifies as having cat baggage' From kitten to cat hood.......they never developed the skills to 're-lax'.                 

 Oh, yes paw pointing by human family members, felines too. Meowing: Bengal, 'diva' 'divo' 'cat-tankerous' (variation on human: cantankerous), hissy fit!! 

It doesn't matter how many 'cat degrees' you have or the experience you have....the challenges will always be there!!!

Enter Patient: Count Boris, a Russian Blue ...from Australia. I had done my research..he didn't fit the usual definition given his behavior.

New Patient: Count Boris

(The Russian Blue is a cat breed that has a silver-blue coat. They are very intelligent and playful, but tend to be shy around strangers. They develop close bonds with their human companions and are sought out as pets due to their personalities and coat. The Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed that may have originated in the port of Arkangelsk, Russia. They are also sometimes called Archangel Blues. It is believed that sailors took Russian Blues from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s. The first recorded appearance outside of Russia was in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in England, as the Archangel Cat. The Russian Blue competed in a class including all other blue cats until 1912, when it was given its own class).

"Mr. Boris", saunters into my office stomping, arrogant cat body language (hissing under his breath, mowing and carrying on so loudly).  I managed to catch his stared him down...as I do.

I offered him some freshly brewed tea. Putting my baseball mitt paws of authority on my desk -- looking through my glasses!    I pointed to the huge arm chair where he could chill out!  A few moments to let the catnip take hold (LOL).

Facial Expressions- Catnip 101

Step 1: Gently in hail through the nose

I employed a few facial expressions (breaking the ice just to make him laugh) I'd used this 1000 of times on patients!!

Step 3: roll it around your face - relax

Step: 2  inhail gently

I knew I had to monitor and control him, so I made a game out of it!  His gruff demeanor was softening (just a little)

Step 4: Let yourself GO

 
I had MY secretary record the session (permission given by Mr. B).  She came in on my paw cue. The electric bed hummed lowered to the floor , I said to him. "we don't want you to fall off". I will check on you in 20 minutes".  I trotted into my office, then lapped a small bowl of milk, to gather my focus.

(Chortling) I observed patient through the two way mirror. His front and back paws flat out....he looked like road kill (sorry the only metaphor I could think of LOL).

He had to turn over...lowering himself onto his belly. His right paw out to steady himself. Zoooooooop......to our complete surprise .....the table started to MOVE OUT from THE WALL????? The gap got wider and wider!!! Cooly I meowed...... "Secretary, grab his back paw gently."  He was like a amoeba sliding off a slippery rock!!!!  Bullump.......... he slid onto the floor wedging himself between the table and wall.  It was like trying to hold onto wet spaghetti.

The 4 brakes were not secured?? The cleaners forgot to put them on after last night.!! "Mr Boris" was so relaxed he didn't react, a melodic purr emanated from his belly......we got him to his feet got him to sit, checking him over. In a busy practice, even under 'controlled' environment no one came predict mechanical issues or 'human nature'.  

We got him a 'cat-cat' and called an hour later...........................

 

"Mr. Boris" wearing off the catnip with family

Lesson of the day: Humility often comes at surprising times, both for patient and practitioner alike.........if should happen to YOU...SIMPLY LET IT GO!!!

Move on, get those PAWS moving and chase a few BIRDS.....


Hindsight is often 20/20 mixed in with grace....

See you next time MY DARLINGS...........^..^