CREWS' VIEWS

Eavesdropping on the Aunts

2009-07-15T05:29:00.000-05:00

MISTY

George usually talks about our Blurpy Girl but I want to talk about her too!!

Mom says The Crew are Aunts & Uncles and we have to be careful around the Blurpy Girl when she visits. That means no stepping on her and no licking her food or those bottles with the funny things on them that she drinks from.

Tipp, what do Aunts have to do?

TIPPER

I'm not really sure. I've never been one before now.

Maybe Aunts play with you and teach you everything you need to know. Like what color collar to wear or the best way to catch a flying feather. But wait a minute, I don't think Blurpy's play with feathers.

MISTY

Maybe Aunt's play mousie with you or throw a glitter ball for you to chase!!

TIPPER

Well, I've seen Blurpy's toys and there aren't any we'd like. They don't smell like catnip and some of them make loud noises and play music! Plus remember that time she chased me under the table? I don't know if I want to get too close to her 'cause I don't think she knows how to play with anything but baby toys yet. Maybe we should just watch Mom and do what she does.

MISTY

Right. (nods head in agreement) Mom's always knows what to do.

Happy Purrthday Mom Robyn

2009-07-14T08:29:00.003-05:00

Today is The Hotties Mom, Mom Robyn's (over at House of the Mostly Black Cats) purrthday.

The Cat Blogosphere just wouldn't be the same without all her hard work.

Won't everyone stop by and wish her the happiest of purrthdays!!

Best Wishes Skittles & Sly

2009-07-13T06:19:00.000-05:00

Skittles the Huntress and Slycat were married this past weekend. We wish them much happiness and a long life together.

Here is our gift to them, which is a perfect representation of two cats in love. We hope they remember their wedding day each time they look at this sculpture.

Happy Purrthday George

2009-07-10T05:06:00.011-05:00

GEORGE

Today is my purrthday and I'm 12 years old. Dad says I'm a geezer cat and according to the chart Tipper & Max showed on their purrthday post, I'm 64 in human years. That makes me older than Mom or Dad. How can that be? I'm their son...I can't be older than them!

Well, since I'm 64, maybe I should start thinking about retiring.

After undergoing my intensive training for the past 6 years, I think Tipper might be ready to take over my responsibilities soon. Naturally I would retain my position as Senior Cat but turn over the daily challenges of running our household to her. With Max at her side, I'm confident everything would be under control. Of course, I'd be available for consultation in between my naps. (Note to Tipp: Please make an appointment in advance with my secretary. She has my napping schedule.)

Ahhhh...just think of it friends. If I was retired I would only have to work if Dad needed my help with a special project. I could spend all day resting and watching birdies & squirrels in the yard. When I got hungry I'd stroll over to the bowl for a bite then take a nap under the quilt on the big bed.

MOM

You already do that.

GEORGE

Excuse me. Just whose purrthday post is this!!!

MOM

Sorry. Go on.

GEORGE

(ahem) As I was saying, if I was retired I'd have time to work on some new art projects I've been thinking about and could do more visiting. Then, of course, there's Misty's training that has to be finished. Since Tipper & Max would be busy all day running the house, I'd have to step in and spend more time with Misty.

But wait a minute. Misty wears me out! She has lots of friends that come over and has so much energy she's always running around, jumping & playing. And she teleports all over the world to do her visiting! How could I keep up with her and still get my rest?

Hmmm....maybe I should rethink this retiring thing.

While I think about that, won't everyone enjoy some cake & ice cream with me?

A Few Soothing Words for Mom

2009-07-08T05:26:00.002-05:00

GEORGE

Mom is very upset and has been ranting & raving. What's wrong, you ask? Remember when that mouse ran into her closet before we could get it? Well, she saw it again last night.

MOM

Yes, I live in a house with 4...count them...4 cats and 1 husband and I end up having to get the mouse! Does that seem right to you?

GEORGE

Now calm down, Mom...calm down. Remember your blood pressure. Why don't you rest for a minute while I tell the story.

Several times in the past week, Mom has seen or heard us chasing the mouse. Actually it was mostly Misty doing the chasing and she caught it several times. Anyway, one evening it was in the kitchen and Mom screamed for Dad to get it, but he missed and the mouse got away. Another night it was in the corner of the family room, but it escaped under the couch. This is one fast mouse, we're talking about here!

MOM

I just can't believe 4 cats can't kill 1 mouse! I think you're all fat, lazy and over-fed, that's what!!

MAX

Now just a minute, Mom...who are you calling fat?! I helped by watching Misty.

TIPPER

Yes, we were all helping Misty by encouraging her. It's not OUR fault she didn't kill it!

MISTY

Hey, wait a second...are you trying to blame this on ME? At least I caught it. You guys didn't do anything but watch!

GEORGE

(ahem) If I could get back to my story, please.

Anyway, Misty cornered the mouse on several different occasions but didn't kill it. This is understandable 'cause she's young and still likes to play. That's why it got away each time before Dad could get it. Despite being captured several times, it was completely unharmed!

Finally last night when Mom heard Misty with the mouse again, Dad was already in bed. So she got the yellow broom from the closet and went to find Misty.

MISTY

Let me tell the rest now...let me tell it!! It was all very exciting. I had the mousie cornered under the desk in the living room and I was batting it around. Then it ran past me and suddenly, out of nowhere, comes this yellow broom. I was startled and jumped out of the way just in time. WHAM!! Mom whacked that mousie so hard he stopped moving. I never knew she could swing a broom like that!

Then, 'cause she was mad, she made Dad get up and he took my mousie away and flushed it down the toilet.

After that I took a nap.

MOM

It's a sad state of affairs when I have to get the mice around here! Maybe you all should go on diets so you lose some weight and have more energy.

MAX

Oh no (smacks paw on forehead) I knew it! The "D" word!!

GEORGE

Now Mom, let's not be hasty here. Before you get carried away and do something we'll all regret, why don't you sit and put your feet up for a while. Have a nice cup of catnip tea.

Mom, I'm sure I can speak for the entire Crew, and I think you'll agree with us that in the end, it doesn't really matter who got the mouse or who didn't. The important thing is that it's gone and you can rest easy now.

(Tipp, what's taking you so long with that tea?! Hurry up...and put an extra dose of 'nip in it or we'll all be starvation diets soon!!)

Spiked Mancat

2009-07-06T05:12:00.001-05:00

MAX

Mom!!! Stop it. Stop messing with my hair.

I wear my hair smooth, not spiked!

(tsk) Now I have to take a bath to smooth myself down!!

Happy July 4th!!

2009-07-03T05:19:00.001-05:00

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend everyone!!

Of Course!

2009-07-01T05:37:00.002-05:00

GEORGE

Since we know we're the superior species, I think all humans would be lucky to come back as a cat. But especially a cat that is fortunate enough to live in a good forever home!

The Computer Color

2009-06-29T05:42:00.000-05:00

MAX

We have big news. We got a laptop computer and it's RED!! Yessssss!!!! Of course, you all know that's my color and I'm so excited Mom picked my color for our new computer. I'll be posing with it as soon as we get it set up.

GEORGE

You know, I must say I'm very disappointed. Shouldn't I have been consulted about this, Mom? Somehow I thought you'd get a blue one. I am Senior Cat here after all, and I think my color should have been picked.

TIPPER

Blue, red...why not purple? Purple is just as good a color!

MISTY

Well, what about pink?! I really think everything should be pink.

MOM

Will everyone just calm down! I didn't get that color because it's any of your colors. I got red because it's Dad's favorite color and he'll be using the new laptop a lot. If I'd known it would cause this much arguing, I'd have gotten a BLACK one!!

MAX

Well, red or black, it's still my color! When can I pose with my new computer, Mom?

A Short Bug Story

2009-06-26T05:41:00.000-05:00

MISTY

Mom hates it when bugs are in our house, so I try to help out whenever I find one and get rid of it before she sees it and freaks out.

Yesterday I found one in the kitchen so I WHAPPED it hard with my paw!! It flew up in the air and turned over on it's back so I played hockey with it for a few minutes.

After a while it wasn't moving any more so I ate it.

Dare #5

2009-06-24T08:51:00.004-05:00

GEORGE

We accepted Karl's Dare #5 and sent in our idea for more Cat Blogosphere fun. Even if the distinguished panel of judges (Cory, Sanjee, Zoey, Locket, Alexi) doesn't choose us as a winner, we had fun thinking about this.

Karl's dare runs until June 29 at midnight and we encourage everycat to send him your ideas. Do it NOW, before you take your morning nap!

Making Things Clear

2009-06-23T05:59:00.009-05:00

GEORGE

Well, we had a bit of excitement last night.

When Mom was getting ready for bed she heard us running in the kitchen & hallway and she thought we were playing thundering herd. The bedroom door was still open and suddenly she saw a MOUSE run down the hall into her room with Tipper chasing it. It ran into the closet, which is a mess by the way, and by that time all 4 of us were in the bedroom!

Mom asked Dad to get up to look for it, but he refused so she took her pillows and went to the bedroom upstairs and shut the door. She said she refuses to sleep in a room with a mouse in the closet!

Today, both Mom & Dad gave us strict orders to dispatch the mouse before they get home from work, but friends, if you saw their closet you'd know just how much of a problem this is going to be. So, on behalf of the entire Crew, let me just say this, Mom...our job is to catch mice, not clean closets. I feel it necessary to familiarize you with the pertinent sections of the lengthy job description each kitten/cat has to memorize when it finds it's forever home.

Alright, we'll skip over the stuff about litterboxes, food, toys, companionship, blah, blah, blah and go right to Section 4, Paragraph 10 which reads: "As part of your room & board, your human will expect you to keep the premises free of unwanted rodent infestation. This may include, but is not limited to, mice, rats and chipmunks, both indoors and outdoors. You will patrol the premises and quickly dispatch any rodents found, presenting them to your human as proof of your work". You'll note Mom, there is no mention of cleaning out a closet to find said rodent!!

The Crew will be happy to send that mouse to mousie heaven, but YOU need to clean out the closet first! Once this is done, get back to us and we'll take over. And may I remind you there is no mention of a time frame in the contract, therefore any mousing will be done at our convenience. After we get the mouse, we will consider the subject closed and there will be no further discussion as to why 4 cats couldn't get one mouse before it ran into your bedroom.

International Box Day

2009-06-19T05:12:00.005-05:00

MAX

We didn't even know there was such a thing as International Box Day. Thanks to Zoolatry for telling everyone about it.

So, in honor of the day, here are our cat and box pictures.

First is me with a scratcher box.

Then there's me in our litterbox when we did our Fresh Expessions litter review. I don't think this is cheating, 'cause I am in a box...just not a cardboard one!

GEORGE

Well, let him think what he wants. I know a real box when I see one!!

Anyway, here's some of me in boxes.

TIPPER

Here's me when I got my great, new apartment recently. See Misty trying to horn in on my space!!

Get away...this is MY box.

MISTY

THIS ISN'T FAIR!! How come there are no pictures of ME with a box, Mom?!

MOM

I'm sorry Mist, everyone else is older than you and we have more pictures of them. You can wish everyone Happy International Box day though, OK?

MISTY

Happy International Box day, everyone.

(mutters to self) It still isn't fair!!

Oh No, Grimm!

2009-06-17T05:29:00.000-05:00

GEORGE

OK, I'm not going to take personal offense at this, but I'm sure everycat knows that we felines do far more than sleep all day!

Why, I'm so busy here and have so many responsibilities, I can barely get in a full 18 hours a day of shut-eye and have to rely on 3 siblings to be sure everything gets done. I'll tell you, it's just exhausting!

The Answer is "No"

2009-06-15T05:54:00.000-05:00

GEORGE

Aahhhhh, it feels good to do my daily stretches. Hey Max, how about sharing the top perch with me?

MAX

You're kidding, right?

Everyone knows I own this shelf.

GEORGE

I know. I didn't think you'd say yes, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

You can't blame a guy for trying!

A Battle of Wills

2009-06-12T05:04:00.001-05:00

GEORGE

Mom, can you open the window? I want to see out.

MOM

But George, it's raining out. We can't have the windows open when it's raining.

GEORGE

I don't care about that. I need to see out!

MOM

Fine...here. I'll lower the storm window. See, it's raining.

GEORGE

(munchmunch chewchew)

MOM

I thought you wanted to see out.

GEORGE

(slurp...munchmunch) What?

MOM

(lifts shade pull away from George) See out. You said you wanted to see out.

GEORGE

Oh, yeah. Hey, did you know it's raining?

MOM

I think what you really wanted was to be up there so you could chew on that shade pull!

GEORGE

That's totally not true, Mom. Um...can I have it back now?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T05:50:00.000-05:00

AP Exclusive

2009-06-08T06:05:00.001-05:00

AP Whisk-onsin - Until now, these previously unseen still photos of the famous Mancat wrestler, Maxwell Smartkitty, had not been released to his legions of adoring fans. We are privileged to be able to show them to you here.

The play behavior, so rarely observed of late in this gentle, unassuming giant, was captured on film after his mother who, after opening the toybox, removed the track & ball and placed it on the floor.

The well-known former cat-olympic gold medal winner, CWF title holder and cat blogosphere contributor can usually be found resting on a colorful hand-made gizzy quilt atop the spacious, privately owned, penthouse shelf of his cat perch. His mother, who was startled to see him bound to the floor after spying the track, reports that he wasted no time in attacking the revolving pink ball, batting at it furiously again and again, honing his already superb agility and eye/paw coordination skills.

The performance continued until his concentration was interrupted by his young sister and former opponent, Misty Everpurr, who came over to see what he was doing.

May we say 'Well done, Smartkitty...well done!!'

My Near-death Experience

2009-06-05T05:46:00.000-05:00

MISTY

5:30AM - When Mom got up this morning I went upstairs to the bedroom where she'd been sleeping 'cause she didn't feel good the night before. She doesn't let us in that bedroom 'cause it's where company sleeps and she doesn't want cat hair all over, so she keeps the door closed.

5:32AM - Hey wait! Don't close the door, Mom. I'm in here!! I hear Mom downstairs, but I'm not worried. I'm sure she knows I'm in here and will let me out in a minute. (waits patiently by the door)

6:15AM - Mom? Helloooooo! Did you forget about me?

(before leaving for work Mom asks Dad if he saw all crew members today and he says yes)

7:20AM - Oh no! I hear Mom leaving for work. Mom...I'm still in here! Let me out!!

9:00AM - Hey...is anyone out there? Hmpppf...I bet no one can hear me up here with the door shut. Maybe if I shout real loud. Help, HELP, HELP!!

10:10AM - I'm hungry and thirsty. Where is everybody? This isn't fun any more, y' know! Well at least there's a comfy bed to nap on and I'm sure Mom will be home any minute.

Noon - I'm HUNGRY!!! I should have eaten more breakfast. Tipper, are you there? If you can hear me, bring some food up and shove it under the door. Each of you carry one piece for me, OK? George? Max? Why isn't anyone coming to save me? Oh no, maybe I'm alone in the house. Where is everyone?? Did they all leave? Oh my Bast...maybe I've been abandoned! (sob ) I'm all by myself in the world now!

1:15PM - (tries jumping in the window) I (jump) can't (jump) see (jump) anything but the park across the street. That windowsill is too small for me to sit on and send a signal. Ooops. Oh darn, my claws tore the curtains.

1:40PM - Maybe I can find another way out. There's probably a secret passageway in this closet. (digs around) Maybe up on these shelves? (jumps up & knocks some things off) Oh no, there's no way out. I'm trapped like a rat!!

2:00PM - Uh oh... there's no litterbox in this room. I have to go really bad. (looks around anxiously)

2:02PM - This is terrible. I always use my litterbox and I've NEVER had an accident anywhere before! What will everyone think of me? Oh, I'm so embarassed.

2:35PM - (sigh) I'm STARVING to death, but does anyone care? Why haven't' they brought me some food?! I'm starting to feel faint. I'm probably wasting away to nothing. (jumps up on dresser to look in mirror & knocks the lamp over) Look how skinny I am already! My sides are sunken in and my face is so thin. (sigh) Do I dare take a another nap or will I wake up at The Bridge?

3:40PM - (sob) Speedy dear, where are you? I love you. If no one rescues me I might never see my Speedy again. Oh, Speedy...you won't forget about me, will you?

4:00PM - They'll probably find my lifeless body next time someone comes into this room. But how long will that be? Hours...days...(sniffle) maybe FOREVER?!

4:45PM - Oh my family. I love you all. I'll miss you so much. Hey...wait a minute...they didn't even try to save me! Will they even miss me after I'm gone? They probably forget about me already!

5:05PM - What's that noise? I hear the door. Mom's downstairs! Mom...MOM!!!

5:07PM - Why isn't she coming upstairs? MOM? Oh no, the phone's ringing and I hear her talking. She'll never hear me calling now!! MOM! MOM!!!

5:10PM - I'm weak from hunger and can barely stand. I don't have the strength to call out again but maybe if I drag myself over to the door and stick my paw underneath, she'll see it. No... I should just rest and conserve what little strength I have left until Mom rescues me. Hopefully that'll be before I pass out.

5:15PM - Why hasn't she realized that everyone is there but me?! Doesn't she love me any more? Could she have forgotten about me so soon?! I'm not gone yet!!

MOM

(everyone but Misty is milling around in the kitchen) Tipp, where's your sister? Misty! Mist...where are you? Misty!!! (starts searching) Missstyyy....

MISTY

Oh, I'm saved! Mom, Mom...I'm up here! I'm stuck in the bedroom.

MOM

(opens bedroom door) Oh Misty, my poor baby! Have you been in here all day? Oh sweetie pie, I'm so sorry.

MISTY

(dashes downstairs almost knocking Mom over)

Food!!!

MOM

Oh my God, look at this room!

(To our readers: This really happened. It's just a reminder to do a head count immediately before leaving the house even if you've seen them all earlier.)

The Real Misty

2009-06-03T05:32:00.001-05:00

MISTY

Here I am posing one of Mom's many cat statues.

I know it's hard, but can you tell which one is the real me?

The Birdie Clock

2009-06-01T05:01:00.002-05:00

GEORGE

This is our birdie clock that's in the family room. Each time the big hand is pointing straight up and the little hand is pointing to a certain birdie, it makes the sound of the birdie it's pointing to. It takes some getting used to 'cause some of the birdie sounds are pretty loud.

It's very cool and my littermate sister Gracie who's at The Bridge now liked being held next to it so she could put her paws on the birdies. Either Mom or Dad would hold her and she'd pat the birdies.

(sigh) I miss her. Gracie went to The Bridge 6 years ago today.

Found by the Bell

2009-05-28T07:03:00.000-05:00

GEORGE

(sigh) Where does a guy have to go to find a quiet place to nap in this house?!

I had crawled onto a pile of old towels on the floor of the bathroom linen closet and was quite comfortable. In fact, I napped there most of the day until I heard Mom come home. That was, unfortunately, when I made my mistake.

I was hoping to avoid detection, but when she came into the room, I moved ever so slightly and she heard my bell. "Oh NO", I thought, "now she'll find me!"

And I was right!!

Before I knew it, there she was with the flashy box. Does she always carry that thing around...even into the bathroom?!!

The Super Comment Award

2009-05-26T05:28:00.001-05:00

GEORGE

Our friend Black Cat has given us our latest award, the Super Comment Award. Thanks so much, Black Cat. We truly appreciate it and didn't remember that we were among your first commentors.

About this award: "We give and get awards for having a great blog and being a good friend. What I want to award are those people whose comments have meant the world to me. It takes time to visit a blog and leave a comment ... I wanted to recognize some special bloggers whose comments have made such an impact on me. The “You Don’t Say?” Award is awarded to these special bloggers in hope that they will pass the award along to 5 of their best commenters!"

Wow, this is really hard. How do you choose only 5 commentors from 3 1/2 years of blogging?!

So we decided to look back at our very first post on November 7, 2005 and our very first comment was from Sophia the Diva Kitty, who is also Max's face twin, so she HAS to be first on our list of awardees. Then came some of our oldest friends -- Derby, William, SS & S (Scooby, Shaggy & Scout), Edsel & Kukka-Maria. Sadly, when we looked at the comments from our first several posts, we also found some from friends who are either at The Rainbow Bridge now or are no longer blogging like Oreo, Buzz & Meep, Musette, Ayla the Grump, Chatham and Knightly, Lizzie & Firenze, but we remember them well.

So, we happily pass this great award on to:

Sophia
Derby
William (first awarded by Black Cat)
Scooby, Shaggy & Scout
Edsel
Kukka-Maria
All our friends who came before

Being a Computer Helper

2009-05-22T05:33:00.001-05:00

MISTY

Mom says this is why she doesn't work on the computer much at home and does most of our blog posting at her work.

I'm sure I have no idea what she's talking about!!

I think I'm a wonderful computer helper.

The Latest Blurpy Encounter

2009-05-18T06:33:00.000-05:00

GEORGE

Remember when our Blurpy Girl talked to me? Well, when she was visiting recently I decided to see if she had broadened her vocabulary or had anything interesting to say, but she didn't.

It was still "Ga" and not much else.

Well, at least she knows my name, but since we couldn't carry on a conversation yet, I decided there was no point in hanging around so I went on my way.

"See ya next time, Blurp".

MAX

What are you complaining about? She didn't talk to you but she tried to grab me!! Look at that little hand reaching out for me.

I think Tipper was right about fur grabbing!