SECOND BEEBSDAY CELEBRATIONS!

OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ! On this, the 4th Day of December of the year two thousand and eleven, The Beebster is celebrating his Second Beebsday!!!!!

Do you wonder, Dear Friends, why we are making such a big deal of this birthday? There is a reason. You see, The Beebs is the first Poupounette boy to make it to his second birthday! We lost Sen-Chan at 18 months and Yuu-Chan at 15 months, so it fills our hearts with utter joy to say that The Beebs is TWO!!!!

Those of you who have known us for a while know that the Beebs is our very own home boy. He was born by Caesarian at the vet's, but came home when he was about 5 hours old and has been with us ever since, nurtured by his mama Tama, his aunt Sei-Chan and his woofie bro, Tommy.

Here is Mama Tama and her babies at one day old:

She was such a wonderful mother!

The Beebs at 3 weeks:

With Mama Tama at almost 4 weeks:

Now the Beebs was supposed to leave, just like his three siblings, and go to a forever home elsewhere, but he had decided otherwise. From about 4 weeks, he ran a concerted campaign to make it impossible for #1 to give him up, and he succeeded!

Bibi at one month:

Hanging with #1:

And so The Beebs stayed and became a full member of The Poupounette Gang.

And he grew and grew... Here he is at almost 7 months:

At 10 months:

Still looking like a kitten at a year old!

At 18 months:

At 20 months:

And NOW! All dressed-up for his party!

Just to remind you that The Beebs' full name is EBISU, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan, representing luck and prosperity. Bibi has two brothers Eifuku (Fuku-Chan) and Echigo (Gogo-Chan) and one sister, Ehime (Hime-Chan). We have lost touch with them, sadly, but wish them a Happy Birthday too.

The Beebs has some huge fans among those who know him personally, probably because he has such a sunny personality. He loves people and is always there to meet and greet. One friend has described him as "The (young) Robert Redford of the Abyssinian world" for his utter charm. He is very vocal, always trying to entice treats out of #1, and sleeps at night under the covers, right by her. He adores Tommy and "nursed" on him for a long time after Tama-Chan would whap him if he came close! In short, he is our shining star!

In celebration of this birthday, we will be making a donation to our friend Chrystal's private rescue, and the more comments there are, the bigger the donation will be! We will also draw the names of those who leave comments for a little prize consisting of the official 2011 Poupounette Desk Calendar plus some toys and treats. We will gladly ship worldwide!

Soggy SEIturday

Sei-Chan: It's raining and blowing out there and #1 was clearly most reluctant to venture out this morning. But Tommy doesn't care and off they went. I think she is very brave. Us kitties are planning to spend our day snoozing in warm and cozy locations. We are also very concerned about our sweet friend Ginger Jasper and purring and purring that he will turn the corner soon.

Of course, I have to spend time on my supervisory perch overlooking #1's work area:

And when I feel that she is doing particularly well, I can wink at her...

It's a good thing we had some sunshine earlier in the week. I was able to hang out with my sister Tama and catch some rays:

But now, I think I am going to resume my position on Tommy's new bed which I do find quite comfortable:

See you tomorrow for Bibi's Birthday Bash!

Flying Ears and Friends on Friday

Tom: We have had mornings that are very heavy with dew and I get pretty wet as I gallop through the fields in the morning. I was pretty pleased with this flying ears shot #1 managed to catch a few days ago!

Remember Crazy Fernant? Well he's still around and crazier than ever! Whenever he sees me, he starts running circles around me, yelping like a lunatic! If I stand very still, he will eventually calm down.

#1 is really looking forward to getting on Vidock's back next spring or summer and she has undertaken a "back in the saddle" course in reparation. The place she goes to has lots of Percherons of course, but also three dogs and a bunch of kitties. We thought we would share a few with you.

Young Faro thought that all of us smelled great and would have gladly come back for a visit (that's #1's backpack)!

Tania, the rescue Rotti, and Big Boss, the mutt:

Nougat the Lab/Sibe mix, and two of the kitties (yes, there is a black one on the back of the chair!)

May I remind you that you are all invited to join us on Sunday to celebrate The Beebster's second birthday?! We will be making a donation to our friend Chrystal's private rescue in his honour and will draw a name from comments for a little prize!

Thoughtful Thursday

Genji: Hi. It's me and guess what? I am 8 months old today! Two-thirds of the way towards becoming an official mancat!

Here is a picture of me with one of my favourite toys:

And one of me napping. Do you like my collar? It has blue and white hearts on it!

I am lucky in that I have such a great family who all love me and play with me and look after me. Of course, the bestest of the bestest (aside from #1) is my woofie brother, Tommy! He gives me all kinds of great advice!

So why did I use "thoughtful" in my title today? Well, #1 has been explaining to me how each and every one of us is like a bight ray of sunlight in the lives of our people, so that when anything bad happens to us, they are terribly sad. I was not here at the time, but do you remember Mr. S and Ms. L who were here exactly a year ago, when #1 went to Japan? They were so kind and looked after everyone so well! Well, one of their kitties, Calvin, had to go to the Bridge this week after a nasty "Big C" diagnosis and we feel so bad for them. Big purrs from all of us to our dear friends, and to Calvin's brother, Hobbes.

Here is a picture of Calvin to remember him by:

Fly free, Sweet Calvin!

WonderBoy Wednesday!

Vidock: Neigh everyone, Vidock here! Sorry about shirking my responsibilities on Manly Monday. I had a terrible attack of the "Hungrumblies" and simply had to stick my nose in the hay bale! Anyway, #1 came to see me again yesterday, and I told her I wanted to make it up to you and was on top form for a photo shoot!

I'm ready. #1!

OK, here is a full view of my "WonderBoy" self...

Actually, I'm getting my thick winter coat so I am pretty Teddy-Bearish at the moment, you know!

OK, a little movement? How about a canter?

And a little "horsing around" with my big brother Tom?

Followed by syncrhronised ogling of the girls as they went past out to their pasture?

So, am I forgiven?

Tama's Terrific Tuesday!

Tama-Chan: Why Terrific, do you ask? Well, #1 is finally on the mend and has promised us that she has no travel plans for the moment! We are all happy to be together and looking forward to December and all the associated festivities, starting with my son Bibi's birthday this coming Sunday!

So, here I am in #1's bathroom. ..

There is a most excellent window in this bathroom from which I can have a great view of the field where the donkeys are. #1 raises the blinds just for me, her precious little Queen!

As it gets colder, I also enjoy relaxing on the radiator in the kitchen. It is by a window and next to the French doors (hah! isn't every door French around here?) out to the terrace, so also has great views. Unlike many of my friends, I actually like having my picture taken and enjoy posing for #1!

As it is Toesday, I will even throw in a toe or two...

Before I leave you, I have one more fun photo to share with you: It's an aerial shot showing me in one of the sky hammocks and my sister Sei-Chan on her Zabuton in the tatami space!

Here's hoping your Tuesday is terrific too!

Manly Monday

Vidock: #1 came to visit yesterday and asked if I would kick off the Manly Monday feature but, you see, I am very busy...

So, I asked my little brother Tom if he would take over from me, and he said yes!

Tom: Here is a soulful Tommy picture that #1 took the other day. What do you think?

And more of a profile shot?

I have to tell, you.. soulful is not easy with that little Genji around...

Just look at this guy! He has no shame!

As for The Beebs, his sphere of interest this morning was how quickly the milk was going to hit #1's cereals!

Wishing you an excellent week!