Single Snuggle on Sunday!

Tama-Chan: Guess what? With one thing and another, #1 didn't really get any snuggle shots of us in the past week. Can you believe that? Her excuse is that it has rained a lot and the light inside the house has been bad. Hmmmmmm....

Anyway, she did catch me as I moved in to Tommy for a snuggle:

 

She also got a shot of herself giving little Héloise her first human snuggle! 

 

Héloise is now a week-old and looking gorgeous!

 

Now, since I have your attention and I am the only one who came through with a snuggle shot this week, I thought I would give you a treat and share a couple of baby snuggle shots with you. When I first came to Poupounette Central my big brother Sen-Chan welcomed me with open paws. I was a scared little girl and he was so gentle and caring. Here I am, at less than 5 month old, firmly held in his paws as we both napped:

A month later, Sen-Chan was gone forever and, seeing how sad I was, Tommy did everything he could to comfort me:

 

Now do you see why I love my Tommy so much?

Swapping Tommy on Saturday

Tommy: Here I am, having swapped days with my sister Sei-Chan who was conducting an experiment to see if she got more traffic on Thursday than Saturday, and indeed she did! She got more comments than on the previous three Saturdays! So, not sure if she is going to want to swap for good or not. We shall see.

I have had my usual busy week. The weather has been so-so, and we have had quite a bit of rain and wind, but #1 and I usually manage to get between the raindrops when we go out, so I have some nice photos to share with you.

 

 

#1 and I went to a different part of the big field beyond the big field This is where Hotesse & Co are when they are here. Look how big it is!

We have a three-day weekend over here, but #1 has a lot of work she needs to get done before she heads overseas again, so I am not sure how much time we'll get to spend outdoors.

Violette and Vidock Vendredi

Violette: I know that #1 mentioned it in last Sunday's post, but did you hear the news? I have been neighing it all over! I have a new little sister! My Mama, Hotesse, had a little filly early Saturday. She is all black and she will probably stay black as her daddy (not the same daddy as me) is all black. Her name is Héloise and she is beautiful!

 

 

Both Mama Hotesse and little Héloise are doing well. #1 is going by every day to give Hotesse apples and carrots. Héloise will probably stay black as her daddy is black. I guess not everyone can look like me!

 Vidock: One day, there will be little Vidocks running around. You mark my neighs! In the meantime, I am busy being naughty...

 

Munching on lovely grass:

 

And generally looking dreamy!

 

Thei-Chan on Thursday

Thei-Chan: well, it's been a while, right, since I used the old Thei-Chan ruse. But you see, I am realising that Saturday is often a low traffic day so I thought I would try this for once.

I have to tell you that #1 put me through a harrowing experience. On Tuesday night, I was grabbed unceremoniously and shoved into the guest bathroom. No food. Just a bed, litter box, toys and water. She came in to see me several times but I hid as well as I could. Wednesday morning, she came in and instead of giving me my food she grabbed me and stuck me into the carrier. She told me that my sister Tama was coming too but she, Miss Goodie-Two-Tamas, actually goes and sits in the carrier, waiting to leave. Can you believe that?

Anyway, both of us gave #1 and Tommy a rousing 45 minute chorus of the Aby Road Song all the way there. We were both due for our boosters, but I also had to have a blood test since it had been a year since the last one and #1 wanted to see how my kidneys were doing. You may remember that I was diagnosed in March 2016 with early stage renal deficiency and put on Semintra and Virbac renal food.

"Is it safe to come out?"

 

 

"I knew it was going to end badly!"

 

Anyway, we got the blood test results back. My BUN levels were up over one year ago, but still well below the levels when I was first diagnosed in March last year. The creatinine levels were also up a bit but remain at the high end of the normal range (they were pretty high in March 2016). And the good news is that my weight is stable (I never thought I would hear anyone say that!). Dr. C and #1 think it would be a good idea to start me on Ipakitine (Epakitin in North America) to lighten the load on my kidneys some more. Overall, I am doing well and enjoying life (except for vet trips). They have threatened to test me again in about three months, just to keep a close eye on me. I guess that means they care, right?

By the way, #1, my hammock still needs fixing...

Wheel-Turning Wednesday

#1 here. The last few weeks have been tough on the blogging world. Two legends of our community, Nellie and Flynn have left for the Bridge over the past few weeks, and they will be sorely missed. Closer to home Tommy lost both his Mama, Minnie, and his aunt, Cora.

A couple of days ago, a friend of ours in Japan lost her beloved cat, Kirimaru. The name means Fog Boy and the cat was found wandering alone in a mountainous area in 2004. He was clearly a pure-bred cat who had been thrown away for some reason. They never knew his exact age but estimate he was at least 17 when he made his final journey. The reason for talking about it is that I would like to show you how beautiful the Japanese crematorium for animals is, how full of kindness and love the environment and process are.

Kirimaru was carried in in a box filled with roses:

 

There was a lovely Buddhist altar, just like for humans:

And a beautiful photo of Kirimaru:

 

Sometime ago, I featured a magazine that was dedicated to "Japan, the Cat Country". It really is, isn't it?

Run Free, Kirimaru. You will meet Nellie and Flynn, Minnie and Cora,  and so many others at the Bridge. 

Tama-Chan Tuesday

Tama-Chan: I am keeping a close eye on my #1. Rumour has it that she is planning something truly horrendous, such as being away for weeks on end. Aaak! What shall we do?

Should I sulk now or later?

 

I shall ponder the matter in a sunpuddle as I wait for her to brush me

Or maybe spend some time in my favourite kitchen chair

 

Do you notice how that blue boy often photo-bombs my shoots? 

I suppose I need to resign myself. She says she will still be here for next Tama-Chan Tuesday, and the next one too.

It is with great sadness that we just learned that our dear friend FLYNN left for the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. He has now joined his brother Eric and together they are gambolling in those very special fields. Our heartfelt condolences to Jackie and Ivor.

 

Manly Monday

Da Genj: I think it is pretty manly to hang out with Queen Tama!

 

And to bathe in the sunshine!

 

 

Da Beebs: You remember how I supervised #1's meeting last week? Well, he came back and I supervised again!

 

Nothing gets done without Da Beebs! 

But that was tiring work, so back to my beauty sleep!

 

Tommy: I went out to restaurants twice in one day with #1 last Friday!

 

 

Vidock: I was supposed to try on my new finery yesterday but the weather was so bad that it was postponed till next Sunday. In the meantime, if anyone has treats, I am open to all offers!

 

You may also kiss the pink nose spot if you like... 

We do have a couple of special guests on this week's Manly Monday. Firstly, our neighbour Basha wanted to send this pic to the lovely Loustiquette:

 

Secondly, #1 went to visit one of the most famous Percheron stallions on Saturday. He is 21 years old which is getting on in years for a heavy horse, but he is in great shape and looks fabulous, His coat shimmers, making him look magical. Please meet Ingao:

 Wishing you all a wonderful week.