SEIturday - Last Post for 2016

Sei-Chan: This year, it falls on me to host the last post of the year. It has been quite a tough year for us at The Poupounette with Genji's pancreatitis, my early stage renal diagnosis, Tommy's cholesterol issue, Vidock's laryngeal hemiplegia ad Tama's heart condition. We are most thankful that we have managed to conquer all so far and are all here to see out the old year, with many hopes of better things for the new one. Tommy and Vidock are both all better. Genji is holding his own although he will always be fragile. And Tama and I are responding well to medication. Onward and upward!

It has suddenly gotten very cold, after being warmer than usual for most of December. Yesterday morning, we woke up to a magic land covered in hoar frost. As you well know, when the weather is like this, there is nothing better to do than snuggle with those you love, so here I am, keeping #1 company on one of her naps:

 

Here are a few photos taken just before the temperatures plummeted:

 

 

 

We would like to wish all of you a most enjoyable New Year's Eve!

Violette and Vidock Vendredi

Violette: As you know, the weather was pretty blah for a while there, with lots of fog and rain, but the sun has now come out. On Tuesday, The Big V and I got our hooves done:

 

I had an opportunity to chat with my pal Diddle:

 

And #1 decided that even though Christmas was last weekend, this would be a good time to do a Christmas photo shoot!

 

I do sometimes wonder about humans. But I got my treats, so whatever makes her happy!

 

Vidock: Yep. I got new shoes too.

 

And this is the nice farrier guy taking me back to my paddock afterwards:

 

Mr. JP is back to working me twice a week, and I am doing well, in a somewhat naughty sort of way...

 

This next one was from one of the foggy days. I am doing my special reverse gear:

 

And of course, I get to go to  the woods!

Tommy Thursday

Tommy: The weather has finally improved and we have been enjoying colder, sunny days. A couple of days ago, #1 and I went for a walk in our favourite woods when Mr. JP was riding Vidock in the woods.

Come on, #1! Lots to explore!

The woods smell so good!

 

And #1 said that the Force was with me!

 

On the way back, we saw the Big V up on a ridge. Can you see him?

And then, I followed him home!

 I hope the weather stays like this for a few days more!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Hanging out with our guests on Boxing Day! Yesterday, you saw a pic of Tama hanging out with one of our visitors, but here are the rest of us!

Da Genj

 

Da Beebs!

 

Tommy!

 

 

Tama-Chan Tuesday

Tama-Chan: We had a most excellent time yesterday with our guests. With the exception of Sei-Chan, we kitties like to be at the heart of the action when we have guests, especially when we know the guests are cat lovers.

I think this picture pretty much says it all:

 

By the way, this little guy and his four brothers have a house panther called Pixel whom we have mentioned before, and whom Tommy has actually met. The great news is that they recently were adopted by a little jet black girl who found them in the forest, so we have a new cousin. Her name is Buffy and she lives in Germany:

 

In other news, I have a couple of "it's a hard life" photos to share with you:

 

As you can see, one can get meals served in bed...

 

So, will things quieten down now, do you think?

 

Merrier Monday (aka Boxing Day!)

Da Beebs: Just a quick post today because we are expecting famiiy to lunch and #1 is of course in a panic, having spent too much time on Christmas Day napping!

But we would like to take the time to say a big thank you to our great friends in Singapore, San and the Amigos, over at Cat Tales, for sending us a wonderful Christmas box which arrived on Christmas Eve!

 

They always pick out the loveliest things: 

 

THANK YOU to San,  Bujang, Akira, Tanaka, Popps and Ninja Rez!

MERRY AT CHRISTMAS!

From all of us here at The Poupounette to all of you all over the world, we would like to send our Warmest Wishes for Christmas. It is above all a time of good cheer and kindness. Not everyone is always feeling celebratory, but please know that you are all in our thoughts.

 

The past year has presented some health-related challenges here at the Poupounette, with Genji's pancreatitis, Sei-Chan's early renal diagnosis, Vidock's laryngeal hemiplegia, and Tama's heart condition. Each one brought much worry with it, but it was probably Tama's illness which hit the hardest. As she struggled to breathe, just a month ago, my dearest wish was that she would get better and be here to share Christmas with us. So, this picture, which I took yesterday evening, fills my heart with joy:

SEIturday Silent Night

Sei-Chan: In addition to the grey skies we have had most of the past week, we  have had thick fog the past couple of days so taking photos has been a real challenge. This is all #1 has managed:

 

It shows me helping #1 with the last of the Christmas cards. 

On the subject of #1, she is in fact abandoning us today and taking the train to Versailles for lunch with cousins. But she will be back late afternoon and will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us! We have family coming to lunch on Boxing Day and will be a dozen then, so she will be spending Christmas Day getting ready for that, with our help of course!

Lastly here is a little piece of nostalgia, a photo of me and Tommy taken on my very first Christmas, back in 2009:

We wish all of you a lovely Christmas Eve. May the spirit of the season be with you all.

Friday Fellowship

Genji: It's me, GENJI, again! Can you believe it? #1 hasn't taken a lot of photos of us this week because we are still waiting for the return of the good camera and it's been very grey and dark. So, we were wondering what to post today when I reminded #1 that she had taken some photos a couple of days ago when I helped her with her work. You see, I practice good fellowship!

I started by hopping onto her shoulders:

 

I then settled down comfortably and offered guidance:

 

But when things got complicated, I had to come down and sit by her, so I could better see what was on the screen: 

 

What would she do without me?

Toy on Thursday

Genji: This is a one-photo post, friends, but it is an interesting one. You see, Queen Tama and I are both huge fans of playing with the laser pointer, and #1 managed to catch us at play a couple of evenings ago:

 

I consider myself a pretty athletic guy but when it comes to the laser pointer, I don't stand a chance! Queen Tama is off after it like a blur. She LOVES playing with it!!!

Wednesday's Working Whinnies!

Vidock: Let's face it, EveryFriend. Yesterday was a testing day for #1. In the morning, she took Tama to Dr. C for a check-up. If you haven't done so you can read all about that in yesterday's post. And then in the afternoon, Mr. JP rode me for the first time since my laser surgery. Everyone was wondering how I would do... and I did GREAT! Of course, having had almost three months off, I was not quite as fit as I had once been, and I confess that I have gained a few pounds, but overall, Mr. JP was very pleased with me!

 

Mr. JP started by lunging me:

 

And he then took me for a quick spin in the woods:

 

Miss Violette was there to admire me as I went by...

 

When we got back, I got to try on the Christmas headcollar that #1 bought us:

 

Pretty cool, I neigh! 

And here is a pic of Miss Violette hurrying to #1 for treats!

We are all glad that yesterday is over!