Saddled on SEIturday!

Sei-Chan: Believe it or not, it's still rainy and it's still cold. We are but a few days away from July and #1 is wearing her chunky Idita-Wak 2012 sweatshirt as she writes this. Not good...Farmers are worried about hay because there is no "no rain" period announced in the forecast.

Wondering about today's title, are you? Well, #1 has been shopping... But more on that a little later. Let us start with some photos of me as it is my day after all:

#1 says I look a little dishevelled in this one. It's probably because Tommy had just been giving me a bath...

Believe you me, when the weather is iffy, there is no better place to hang out for a nap than chez Tommy!

So, about this saddle thingy... #1 went out for lunch yesterday to some friends who live on-site at a show-jumping facility. There were several tack shops, and look what she came back with!

Apparently, it's called an Australian stock saddle. It's sort of a cross between an English and a Western saddle, more comfortable than the former but lighter than the latter. She got a great deal on it! And it looks great on a Percheron! Here it is, being modelled by Toune de Prainville, a half sister of Vidock's who now belongs to the people #1 was visiting.

A Friday Farewell to BOLO

Tom: Today, all of us at The Poupounette would like to bid a sad but very fond farewell to our dear friend, BOLO, the Chinese Shar-Pei.

Bolo was one of the early friends we made on the Blogosphere and we loved his sweetness, zest for life, and love for his family. He was always such a happy (or HAP-PEI!) boy, enjoying a series of "Noseventures" with his Mom, Dad, and his very own Puppy.

Like every good dog, he realized that cuddles were very important:

When his "Puppy" was born, he became #1 buddy and supervisor.

Each year, he used to run the famed "Nosevember" contest which we always enjoyed entering. BOLO, we are really going to miss you. It all happened too quickly and it's just not fair. But we know there are lots of good guys over at the Bridge who are excited at the arrival of someone so very special, and we will see you again one of these days.

Thundery Thursday

Bibi-Chan: The air is very heavy today and we have been warned to expect first thunderstorms, and then hailstorms! I am sitting by the window, keeping watch, so I can warn #1, the other Chans, and Tommy:

Personally, I think this is no way to celebrate the start of summer, but a mancat has to do what a mancat has to do!

Tommy's Wordless Wednesday

Tama-Chan Tuesday

Tama-Chan: Life is beginning to get back to normal although #1 (and Tommy!) have been out rather too much for our satisfaction over the past few days. How to entertain oneself during such times, you ask? Well, I have been giving young Genji lessons in walking the high beam:

He watches attentively but I don't know yet how proficient he will become.

I have also been spending some time in the run:

But the weather still can't seem to make up its mind. We've continued to have rain and it has been very cool. So, the best place to hang out remains on #1's desk!

I have been informed that today is International Box Day. Funnily enough, we don't go in too much for boxes at Poupounette Central, except for little Genji, so here he is, representing us all:

Mancat Monday - An Award!

Bibi-Chan: I am being featured today because I won an award. Yes! Just me!!! Thank you, Oui Oui and family at Twinkletoe Tails for thinking of my Beebster self in passing on the Illuminating Blogger Award!

I am supposed to tell you an illuminating story about myself and then pass the award on to 5 friends. I have been thinking what I might share with you... This is a little bit embarrassing but I am a proud man cat after all, so here goes: When we were totally weaned from Mama Tama, she made it pretty clear to all of us kits that the milk bar was closed for good. But I was still a tiny kitty (and later not so tiny...) and needed the comfort of a little suckle from time to time. And that is when my utterly wonderful big brother Tommy stepped into the breech! In him, I found all the comfort I needed, and even located a nipple I made mine! I think he was a bit non-plussed but he was really good about it. Thanks, Big Brother!

He is absolutely the best brother ever!

Now, for passing it on... I am not quite sure who had had it yet, but here goes:

Tanaka at Cat Tales

Lishy at Forever Foster

Siena at Cat with a Garden

Tiny at Weez Da Bad Cats

and

Maxx at Maxx The Ponpoko Tanuki

ENJOY!

So-So Sunday...

Tama-Chan: #1 has been back for three days and today is Sunday, our day for snuggles, right? And guess what she is doing today? Going to Paris!!! She says a dear friend of hers from Canada is in town and she simply has to go down and have lunch with her and her traveling companions. I say why couldn't they just get on a train and come here?!

Anyway, with all this being busy stuff, #1 has not managed to take much at all in the way of snuggle shots over the past few days. We do have Sei-Chan with her Tommy:

And here is Velcro Genji with #1:

Sei-Chan enjoying a snuggle with #1:

And our very cuddly Violette with #1!

And that is all we have for you this time!