Sad News

It is with great sadness I pass on the news that Sue Jackson passed away from brain cancer on Aug. 12. Her blog Edsel The Pooch was one of the first ones we read. Sue came west to visit us several years ago. We got along wonderfully, like old best, friends. It will be a visit I will always cherish. It must have taken a lot of nerve for her to come out like she did, not knowing us or what to expect. Sue, I think of you often, I have missed emailing and reading your blog. The blogosphere has lost a wonderful lady.

CalicomMom Toni

I'm Back!

Yes, I am back, finally! Momma has been too busy at the shelter to help me, Precious refuses to help me, Mittens is always sleeping. But, yes, here I am, on my favorite in all this world place, my sack. It is MINE, ALL MINE. I sit on it, sleep on it, put my toys on it. It is my home base, I am safe on my sack.

~Miracle 4Paws

P. S. Yes, Miss Precious is doing very well, I can pick on her again and momma doesn't get all hollery at me. Well, most of the time.

Me And "The Brat"

I was on my towel, minding my own business (as usual) and the Little Varmit attacked me (like she does all the time.) Now she wants to be all buddy-buddy. She is actually TOUCHING me and I am pretending I don't notice. She is such a nuisance and soooo spoiled. She is really growing, but then, all she does is eat! She is vain as well, likes to look at herself in the mirror. She has Momma fooled, Daddy........not so much. When will she ever grow up???

Precious Flower, aka Squirt

I Love Water!

Yes, momma, please turn the waters on so I can drink. This waters is the best, much better than the waters in the bowl (although Mittens' waters is very good.) I love to put toys in the waters bowls, a sign "Miracle was here." I really do like waters, I must say. I also like chewing on toothbrushes and sticking my nose in your glass. Daddy says I can chew on Momma's toothbrush all I want!!

Miracle 4Paws

My Portrait Photo

I am 4 1/2 months old, almost a teenager! This is my awesome portrait photo. Momma took it because I am graduating 6th grade!! I got the following grades:

Cat Speak .......A
Running and Jumping......A
Balancing and Climbing.....B
Mouse Hunting.....A
Getting Along With Other Cats.....D (Miracle is too overbearing and doesn't respect her elders)
Manners.....C (Miracle needs some work here)
Listens .....D (Miracle doesn't pay attention and is a real cut-up in class)

Momma says I need to work on the the last three............a lot!!!

Miracle 4 Paws

Attack Mode

I am in attack mode, watch out Squirt, I am gonna get you.

Miracle 4Paws

Precious is Home!!

I picked her up at 5:30 today. The vet fed her and she kept it down. We think she just ate too much for her sensitive stomach, no more free feeding. Her blood work all came back great! It is going to be trial and error to find what her tummy will tolerate. She only gets a tsp. every hour, but she still isn't eating much, so that isn't a problem. Thanks for all the well wishes!!!

Calicomom Toni

Precious Update

I had to take Squirt back to the vet today. She vomited 8 times in 24 hours and can't keep anything down. I am really upset and worried as she was doing so good, her stitches were taken out on Wed. and she was her old self. The vets seemed puzzled as well and they are doing blood work and she is staying tonight.

Calicomom Toni

Off To See TED

I went to TED's with Precious the other day. It was for my "well check." I hissed........ a lot!! I hissed when she took my temp, when she listened to my heart, when she looked in my ears, when she putted me on the scale, and especially when she gave me my booster shot! I hissed about a gazillion times and they all laughed at me!!! I was as fierce as fierce could be, but they laughed and TED said I was a "spitfire."

Miracle 4Paws

I got my stitches out (I was furry brave and, unlike Miracle, didn't growl or hiss or cause a fuss.) I was pronounced healthy, even gained 4 ounces!

Precious (Squirt)

Evil Towel

I got you now, Evil Towel.

You are as good as dead.

Tasty

The Winner!

Our New Tree

Looking sweet and innocent.

Demonstrating how to kill the mousey.


Looking sweet and innocent.

Attack!

I Am SOOO Cited!!!

I heard Momma talking to Daddy about "putting a tree together today that is arriving in The Big Piney Woods." Squirt told me a man in brown shorts and a noisy truck is going to come deliver it! She said it will be in a box (yeah) and comes in pieces, but when Daddy puts it together, I can be a monkey again! I am soooo cited!!!

Oh, Precious Squirt is doing much better. She said she will probably snoopervise Daddy putting the tree together. ME too! I wanna helps!!

Little Naughty Miracle 4Paws

Any Ideas?

Precious Squirt isn't eating real well although she seems to be feeling pretty good. I have the wet food I mix with water and she will lap up a little if I offer it to her on the bed. The same with some dry food, she will only eat it if I offer it and then only a few. She used to eat non-stop and I was thinking of not free feeding her, so this is so out of character. I don't think, if I didn't offer the food under her nose, she would eat. Am I being too impatient, seeing what she went through? Any insight sure would be appreciated as this worry wort mom would love to hear from you.

CalicoMom Toni

New Cat Tree

I bought the girls a new cat tree, it should be here on Friday. No more carpet, this one is made of faux fur with sisel rope. Go HERE to view. Amazing price and free shipping. I bought one identical to this one in tan, for the shelter, several years ago and it has held up really well. Baby Miracle is lost without her jungle gym. Yes, it needs to be assembled, good thing I have a husband that is great at that sort of thing, the instructions really stink. I will be passing the blog back to the girls.

Calicomom Toni

Precious Update 9

My girl is home! She is purring and talking to me. I have a cage set up for her but she really doesn't want to be in it. Dr. Kathy says she needs to get a little exercise but she seems happy just to be on the bed, her favorite spot. She is Happy, I am Happy! Miracle keeps wanting to jump on her so she had to go into time out.

CalicoMom Toni

Precious Update 8

Dr. Kathy did the exploratory surgery on Precious and found she had ingested carpet fibers that had packed at the entrance to her large intestine. We have wood floors, the carpet fibers came from the cat tree. Each time the cats scratch, small pieces of carpet are shed. I am constantly sweeping them up. I never knew she was eating them and I guess I never would have thought it would have caused a problem. She also has a lot of fat build up around her insides and will probably go on special food to help eliminate this fat pad (she is 9 pounds, down a whole pound from last week,so she is not fat by any means.) This extra fat causes pressure on her intestines. The vet also suggested a lion cut to help with the ingesting of fur. She took a biopsy of something, but I failed, in my excitement, to write it down. She is coming out of the anesthetic and might come home tomorrow!!! Thank you so much for all your support, your purrs and thoughts helped get Precious and me, too, through a real trying time.

CalicoMom Toni

Precious Update 7

Took her back to the vet this morning. She is going to have exploratory surgery later on today. I am numb. My poor sweet girl, purr for her.

CalicoMom Toni

Precious Update (6)

I just picked her up from the vet where she was very stressed and unhappy (she was there 3 days.) The vet told me it is possible it is a huge hairball (she has always had them, maybe a couple a week that she would vomit up) and will pass through. She still hasn't had a bowel movement but the vet felt confident that she would if she came home to familiar surroundings. She is very happy and settling in nicely. I gave her a good brushing and will be giving her the greasy hairball stuff. Her and baby Miracle did some nose kissing before play boxing. Irritable bowel is the tentative diagnosis. I will know more when the barium passes. She is eating!!! Thanks to all you wonderful people for your concern!!

CalicoMom Toni

Precious Update 5

Precious continues about the same, no poop, but at least no bloody diarrhea and no vomiting. If she hasn't gone by this afternoon the vet is going to force feed her and then take another x-ray and try to find out what is going on. Her appetite is nil. I am hoping I can bring her home tonight, that something positive happens. Thanks for all your support and well wishes.

Calicomom Toni

Precious Update 4

The vet called earlier this AM and told me she hasn't vomited but hasn't passed the barium either. So, it is a waiting game. Now I don't know if she will be coming home today or not. Still no diagnosis. Thanks so much for coming by and giving your support. Will let you know when I get some news.

This thing came on so fast, no warning. From a healthy, vibrant cat who loved playing with kitten, to a sick, despondent cat. In the back of mind I keep wondering if she ate something. I am so careful and she doesn't seem to ever chew on things. She is 100% indoors.

CalicoMom Toi

Another Update on Precious (Squirt)

I took her back to the vet tonight at 7:30 after she vomited again. She is there for the night. She was given fluids, something for nausea, and barium. If she vomits the barium, there is an obstruction, if it passes through there isn’t. It might be a case of bad stomach flu and it will just take time to heal. She isn’t running a temp, never has. I will know more tomorrow, taking it a step at a time. Thanks for all your concern and well wishes. Will keep you posted.

CalicoMom Toni

Precious Flower Update

Precious' blood work came back fine, except for low white blood count, indicative of a virus. She is being treated for a viral infection (intestinal.) This encompasses giving fluids and an anti nausea vaccine (this was done when I took her to the vet tonight.) She told me to withhold water and food for 12 hours, then give her water, followed by boiled human chicken. We need to get her gut working again, hopefully that is all it will take and she will be 100%. She is looking at me with the saddest eyes, begging for something to eat. She is playing and very happy now, hope it continues. Thank you all for the wonderful comments, what a great bunch of people the catblogosphere has!!! I love you all!

CalicoMom Toni

I Am OK,Precious Flower (Squirt)....Not So Much

I got spaded but I don't remember much of anything. Momma said I did good and gave me chicken and treats!!

Squirt has some problems, we hope they aren't real serious. Momma took her to TED today after she vomited (4 times) yellow liquid and she had tar poop with blood in it. TED did an x-ray and blood work. The x-ray shows her organs are pushed over, the blood work is due back tomorrow. If the blood work comes back normal she will be first treated for IBS, if that doesn't help an ultrasound. Momma is really worried, it came on so fast.

Miracle 4Paws

I Am Not Broke!

Momma says I have to go tomorrow to get fixed. But, I am not broke! If it ain't broke, don't fix it.......right? What does she mean? She says I will be going to TED's until the afternoon and I will have a sore tummy and be sleepy. The best part is, she promised to adopt me and make me her kitten on Toosday. Please let me know what to expect. Thank you kindly.

Miracle 4 Paws

UPDATE: Miracle is home. She did just fine and ate a little chicken. She has to be confined to her carrier for a while, at least until evening.

Helping and Nicknames

First I helped Momma make the bed. Then I helped her sweep the floor and my final contribution was folding laundry. She told me I was a big girl!

Momma calls me all sorts of things. Baby Baby Baby, Monkey Butt, Turtle Butt, Wee One, MeerCat. Daddy calls me Little Varmit. They call me No..........a lot. My real true name is Miracle 4Paws thank you very much!

Miracle 4Paws

Chips

I has to go to the shelter place next week and get a chocolate chip in my neck. Momma says it is so if I get lost, they will be able to find me, but I never go outside. I suppose it is because I can disappear and Momma looks all over the house for me cuz I am good at hiding. Do you think I won't be able to hide when the chocolate chip is in my neck? Will my neck taste good? Mittens told me she has a potato chip in her neck and Precious said, "no it is a gambling chip." They are probably all wrong and it is a wood chip. Then, I has to go to TED and get sprayed. Then Momma says she will adopt me and I will be her little girl forever and ever!! THE END

Miracle 4Paws

Do I Look More Mature?

Momma says I grow a lot when she isn't looking. She says I am getting to look like a miniature cat, do you think so?

Miracle 4Paws

Mittens Here

Hi everycat! I just wanted to let you know I am still around and still doing pretty good for almost 18 years . I stay on my blue bed most of the time but I do sit on Momma's lap when she is eating. I give Momma a lot of love, I always have a purr for her. I have good days and bad days, but I still have a great appetite.

There is a little monster cat here. She is colored a lot like me, but the resemblance ends there. She is a nuisance, but I kind of like her.

Mittens Pollypaws

Mistrie Rose Here

Just wanted to say hi and tell everyone I am happy, healthy, and fit. The fairies are starting to come out of hibernation. Come on ofur if you want to watch them whirl and twirl and celebrate spring.

Mistrie Rose

Putting My Paw Down

Somecat has to show her who is boss! She needs lots of training, she is so out of control.

Precious Flower (aka Squirt)

Too Skinny?

Momma says I am all legs, ears, tail and eyes! Daddy says I am lanky. I say I am kitten, with tons of energy, no time to eat or nap, must explore, chase, harass and then start all over again.

My favorite toy is a plastic drinking straw, followed by Precious' tail. I also have a paper sack that won't stay up anymore, but it is my "home base." I am an easy keeper.

Miracle 4Paws

Momma, please

I am trying to nap here.

Miracle 4Paws

Chilling

with my Daddy.......

Miracle 4Paws

Snoopervising

I have to help Momma in the morning get ready. She puts beige cream on her face and then some pink stuff on her cheeks. She puts black stuff on her eye lashes and sprays stinky stuff on her fur. She is always telling me what a great job I do putting on my eyeliner; I think that is why she likes it when I help her. I am good about helping, that is the kind of girl I am.

I am getting more patient with the little monster. Daddy got mad at me when I bopped her too hard on the head, but she had it coming. I really like her and she has helped with my depression over lossing Miss Patches (I hid upstairs all the time, but now I am out and about.) Momma didn't know us cats get depressed, jut like people, when they loose somecat they love. But, I am all happy again.

Precious Flower

It wasn't me

who knocked the vase over, I am trying to pick it up.

Miracle 4Paws

I Am 2 Months Old

and interested in everything! I am practicing being a lady.......Precious is always harping at me to be more ladylike. But, I would rather catch a fly..............and eat it! Is that ladylike?

Miracel 4Paws

Just Little Me

Doing what I do best, looking innocent and planning the next naughties I can do.

Miracle 4Paws

Fun and Games

Me loves to play, play, play. I think Precious is starting to like me. She doesn't hiss anymore and she actually played tosies with me today. I am the best jumper, Momma says I have jumping beans in my feets. She says I am spring loaded. She also kisses on me, wayyyyy too much!!

Miracle 4Paws

I Am Crabilated

This little monster that everyone thinks is so cute, is really making me a little....no a lot, upset. Today she tried attacking my tail. She wiggles her little hiney and jumps at me, then runs back. I get no respect.

Precious (Squirt)

My Purrday is Today!!

I am two months old today!!! Happy Purrday to me.

In other news, I get stuck up in the cat tree. I can get up, but I can't get down so good. I cry and cry, Momma says too bad, you got yourself into this situation..........then, in about 5 minutes, she takes me down. So I just run right back up there!

My two favorite toys are the crinkle ball (that was my momma's favorite) and my green mousey. I carry green mousey between my tiny teefe and talk about it. I losted the crinkly ball. Momma says it is somewhere, along with three straws that have disappeared. I loves straws too!!! I loves to play. I have to go now and play......

Miracle 4Paws

A Middle Name For Me

I am pretty sleepy in the photo. I am on my Daddy's lap (of course) and just got done with a play session. I love to curl up on his shoulder and give him a good purr.

Momma gave me a middle name.....it is 4Paws. So I am Miracle 4Paws of the Big Piney Woods.

In other news, I climbed up on the dining room table again. Momma kept saying a bad word to me (no) but I ignored her. She put me on the floor, I ran around like my butt was on fire, and climbed right back up. She said it is a good thing I am so cute! Then she sprayed me with a water bottle. I ignored that, after all there were batteries on the table that needed to be knocked around. Let me see.........what can I do tomorrow.....

My Cat Momma is doing great, but I sure do miss her. Momma and Daddy really miss her, too.

Miracle 4Paws

Momma Got Sick

My Human Momma had to take my Cat Momma up to Vet Kathy's right away, quick, this morning. Last night, Momma and I had hearty play, she was feeling fine, except her milk tasted funny, so I didn't nurse her. This morning at 5:00 AM, when Human Momma opened the door to let us out, she couldn't find Cat Momma. She was behind the door, in the litter box, limp, running a fever and very sick with diarrhea. The area around her nipple was hard and hot. Human Momma knew immeditely it was mastitis and before Vet Kathy opened Human Momma had my Cat Momma in the carrier. Vet Kathy opened the door, took one look, and gave Cat Momma a shot and some fluids. She is resting peacefully and eating and drinking. She is on the mend. Human Momma said mastitis is life threatening; thank goodness Vet Kathy opened early and lives so close.

Human Momma is working at the shelter tomorrow and will be making a vet run with one of their sick cats, so she will check in on my Cat Momma and give her a proper goodbye. I think this will involve tears and hugs.

I was maybe a tad naughty today. I learned how to get on the eating table by climbing the back of the dining room chair. Before that, (Momma was gone to the shelter) I spent quality time all day with my Daddy..........ALL DAY......so, as far as he is concerned, I can do no wrong!! And, that is the way I like it.

Little Miracle

My Momma And Me

This is the first photo taken of me, when I was less than a week old, with my Momma.

Little Miracle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Momma is going to live with my vet tomorrow. We will miss her so much. What a pleasure she has been, what a sweet cat. She loves to talk, greet people, play with her kitten, follow you everywhere, touch you with her paw............I am so glad she is going to such a wonderful home.

CalicoMom Toni

Sitting On Daddy's shoulder

Here I am sitting on Daddy's shoulder, helping him with his puzzle. I love to sleep on his lap, too.

I am trying to learn how to drink water, but I must be doing something wrong because it makes me sneeze. I did learn how to do a summer sault and I climbed up to almost the top of the cat tree. (Daddy rescued me because I didn't know how to get down.)

Little Miracle

Update On Mittens

As many of you know, Mittens was diagnosed with stomach cancer 1 1/2 years ago and given 2 months to live. At the time, I was told nothing could be done. Happily, she is still with us, sadly, I don't think she has long, but she has fooled us before. She stays in "her cupboard" (a lower cupboard in the kitchen with blankets in it) most of the time, only leaving to use the litter box or eat. She stil has a good appetitie and eats two cans of Fancy Feast a day. I did find blood in her stool yesterday. She was pretty sick for a while but snapped back. I won't let her suffer and I know she doesn't have much of a life, but it is her life and she tells me with her purrs and head butts she wants to stick around.

Calicomom Toni

Wow!

Momma read me all sorts of letters (I think that is what you call them) from cats on a spider web. Momma said they were all on a line so I think they were fishing. I am a tad confused, but, hey, I am liddle. I would ask Precious what it all means but she growls at me. Anyway, thank you all so much for writing to me!!!

I just discovered sunshine. Oh, oh, oh, and see, I can climb the scratching post all by myself and balance, without falling off (well most of the time.)

A Little Miracle

Exciting News

Losing Patches was terribly devastating to all of us in the Big Piney Woods. It has been almost 5 months and the pain is still so great. I kept looking for a sign from her, something ,anything...........and then a miracle. A momma cat in labor was brought to the shelter where I volunteer. The people who brought her in said it had been at least a full day, no sign of any kittens. I rushed her to our vet, the same vet that set Patches free. She did a "C" section where she was only able to resuscitate one of the kittens. Two were stuck in the birth canal and one died shortly after birth. I fostered Mom and baby, bringing them home 5 days after Miracle was born. She is 7 weeks old tomorrow, now a permanent part of the Big Piney Woods and, I feel, sent by Patches. She is a calico, and has one orange leg and one black leg, just like Patches had. Happily, her momma is being adopted by the wonderful vet lady. So.........meet Miracle

Hi......my name is Miracle. I reside in the Big Piney Woods with my sisters Mittens, Precious, and Mistrie. My hobbies are running, jumping, climbing, playing with my momma's tail, biting everything, getting into everything, purring in my Daddy's ear and being too cute.