My Precious Furbabies...

Taxi, on their balcony. This is the only "outside" access they have, and they love it. They get to spend some time in the sun, they don't get fleas, and they can't get lost or hurt by accident!

Baby Magic surveying the balcony before heading out. It didn't take her long to get out there at all, I just kept the door shut till I felt she was big enough to be able to judge the height of the balcony and not fall off.

An almost 6 month old Magic in my cupboard!!!

Greebo, on the balcony. He took a long time to go out onto the balcony- much longer than Taxi did- but now he loves it too!

I often leave the sliding door open overnight and they come in in the morning when I call them so that I can close the door.

Notice

Posted very low on a refrigerator door:

Attention Dogs and Cats

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw underthe edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:
TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't hang out with drug-using people
(7) don't smoke or drink,
(8) don't want to wear your clothes,
(9) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children

Happy Valentines Day!

Here're some loved-up-purrkids to make you say "aaawwwwwww..."!

Greebo and Taxi
Taxi and Magic

Taxi and Greebo

Taxi and Magic

Greebo and Taxi

Oh Shut Up FFS!!!

Ugh!
Yesterday morning when I woke up I discovered Taxi had gone walkabout sometime during the night… perhaps when I had gone out at 10PM to make sure my car was locked- I’m not sure when he went. He follows me everywhere- literally- and even more so since we came back from our holiday, so its possible he slipped out the door and I didn't notice, even though I am very careful to check where they all are all the time.
I knew something was up that morning when there was no Taxi on my bed, and Greebo was sitting looking at me with big, worried eyes.
After walking downstairs, I found Taxi was at the front door when I eventually heard him calling over my calling (he doesn’t have much of a voice).
He’s such a narna when he does get out! He doesn’t go anywhere- he just sits at the door he finds first and asks to be let back in. I checked all the windows and doors again, to make sure he doesn’t get out again.
And then when I mentioned it to someone they said perhaps I should let them go outside (and I quote): “…well, if he wants to go out he’ll get out, you know…”

I nearly lost the plot, and it’s not the first time someone has said this to me.

So let me just quickly make something irrevocably clear, before someone tells me again that I should let them go out and I’m doing them a disservice by keeping them in.
My cats have not, and will not, ever be allowed to go outside unless they’re on a leash with me.
In South Africa especially, keeping a cat indoors is unusual, and I regularly get told that I am being cruel or spiteful by not letting my furbabies roam.
I disagree completely.
And I researched this whole thing years ago when I decided to adopt a cat the first time. There’s huge international debate about which is best for cats- indoor or outdoor- and if you Google it you'll find plenty of arguments for and against. You have to make up your own mind.

For one thing, Taxi has FeLV (feline leukemia virus that attacks the immune system) and this is a problem in that he can infect and be infected by other cats with all sorts of illnesses.
Magic and Greebo are “safe” because they don’t fight, which is how the disease is transmitted if they are not already carriers at birth like Taxi was.
Statistics all over the world also show that cats are healthier and safer if kept indoors. In fact- most of the planet’s pet cats are indoor cats, or “window watchers”.
And anyone who’s met my cats will know that there’s nothing wrong with them at all. They’re happy, healthy, highly intelligent and lovable.
And I have the bonus of never worrying about them being hit by a car, or going into someone else’s house or garden, or being accidentally "adopted" by someone thinking they're strays.

Now keep your fargin opinions to yourself. Just because you allow your cat to roam doesn't make it right.

Here're some links where you can read more on this debate:
1. HARPSIE'S WEBSITE
2. Indoor VS Outdoor
3. If you are thinking of getting a cat, or already have one, there are some things that you should know…
4. THE INDOOR OUTDOOR DEBATE

I AM THE CAT AND I HAVE CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS

I have the right to walk over your face anytime I wish, day or night.
I have the right to observe and comment on any and all bathroom behavior. Further, I have the right to be highly offended by any closed door.
I have the right to smell your shoes to determine if you have been fraternizing or cavorting or frolicking with any highly questionable animals.
I have the right to assist in any food preparation, cooking, cleaning or eating event that may occur in the home.
I have the right to wake you at three in the morning if I find my food dish is not to my satisfaction.
I have the right to tip over any water container I deem unsuitable for consumption.
I have the right to meow at squirrels and birds that may dare to pass my windows.
I have the right to inspect any grocery items that come into the home. Further, I have the right to inhabit any paper bag or cardboard box that you bring home for as long as I wish.
I have the right to nap at any time and place I darn well please, without the distraction of being called or moved just because you want to sit down, wash your hands or use your computer keyboard.
I have the right to assist in the changing of bed linens and to chase the phantom creatures that hide beneath the sheets.
I have the right to look aloof when scolded for mistaking your toes for one of those pesky phantom creatures that hide beneath the sheets.
I have the right to kill paper towel rolls that otherwise might sneak up on you
I have the right to sleep on top of any appliance that is warm.
I have the right to your complete attention anytime you sit down to read or work.
And, finally, I have the right to be loved, petted, pampered, and entertained, for, as you know, the best things in life ... purr.

And, should you err in your ways, I will graciously forgive you. After all, you are only human, but I love you anyway.

Signed,

The CAT

I got this off my Yahoo Indoor Cats Group!