Your Cat Magazine

Well she has done it.

My "mum" wrote a letter to Your Cat Magazine attaching a photo by email and it has been published today showing "Yours Truly" lying on my scratching post complete with toys.

It is worth doing these things as there may be some treats coming my way.

Best wishes

Missi

When is it going to end

For the last few weeks I have been hiding at night due to the fireworks going off. Tonight there are so many loud bangs I am in hiding again.

I wish people would be considerate and let my owners know that this is going to happen and they can look after me during this frightening time as I am completely confused as to what the noise is or why the bangs are so loud.

There is no point giving me a cuddle I don't understand my surroundings and everything seems different and weird.

I just wish for some consideration and the duration of time these bangs will go on.

I am now totally fed up as this has been happening for well over six weeks. How much more has my little heart got to endure.

I just want to play and purr.

Missi

Bangs and Flashes

Last night there were bangs and flashes going off at random intervals. Mum tried to find me, Dad went out and left the door open (WHOOPS). Mum shut it before I had a chance to escape.

They searched high and lo for me but couldn't find me. Mum was frantic calling me, I stayed in my hiding place. Once Dad returned Mum told him off about the door.

When they were looking for me in a different direction I slunk up the stairs. They followed me reassuring me all the time.

I then slunk downstairs stuck my nose in my food bowl and ate some food.

Another flash and bang, I shot under the sofa and refused to come out. Eventually peace came. The television was turned off and it was time for bed. Thought I could stay hidden under the sofa. Mum was having none of it.

Dad lifted the sofa up and mum picked me up reassuring me all the time. I nestled in her arms for a bit then hissed, to calm me Mum got my brush and started to brush me, I hissed and snarled, I was scared but wasn't going to do any harm. Mum realised this and kept brushing me. Eventually I crept into the bedroom and lay on the floor unsure of where the next bang was going to come from.

Mum told Dad to fetch my food bowl which had some ham torn into pieces in it. They put it in front of my nose, I sniffed but was unsure of what to expect. The ham aroma soon got me on my feet. At last I ate.

A loud purr emerged, mum was relieved. After I had eaten my fill. Dad took the bowl back downstairs. Mum stayed with me, stroking and reassuring me all the time, I jumped on the bed purring loudly. Mum started to look relieved.

I managed to sneak onto the bed in the night and stay sound asleep until 4.30 am I tried to beg for food but they were having none of it. I knew I would get fed later so sat on the bedroom windowsill looking out watching dawn break.

At least the bangs and flashes have gone for now.

Not my Day

I mewed to go out this morning. I really wish I hadn't as there was wet damp stuff in the air. I set foot outside determined to explore. Oh dear the wet damp stuff got all in my fur. I really don't like it, but I wanted fresh air.

A couple of minutes out in the cold in the damp was enough for me. I have decided I don't like the damp wet stuff dripping from the sky. Now I know when they say it is raining you won't like they are right. I am now sulking on the top of my scratching post trying to dry out. YUCK.

I think if I was to try and get on mum's knee it wouldn't be very comfortable and I would make her wet too. So I am going to sulk until I feel better. GRRR.

At least the house is warm and I am safe now.

Two Months

Ive been in my new home for two months now. Mum never thought I would settle in this well. I was having a mid morning nap this morning and they caught me at it. Here is the proof.


I never thought I would find a loving home and settle in this well. I am allowed virtually anywhere I please. I mew if they disturb me and if they go to pick me up I let them know whether I am happy to be moved. I am far more placid than I was when I first arrived.

This is me smiling while having my photo taken. I am pretending to be asleep but purr at the same time.

Unsettled

Mum has been busy rearranging the house so I have become a bit unsettled. It didn't help either that I had to put with two adult strangers and a 15 month old.

Mum worried about me and the baby. She needn't have done I behaved myself. I could have pulled on the travel cot mesh but was more interested in watching the small wriggling mass, who cried rather than talked.

"OW OW" he kept saying at me. I mewed back. He sat on the floor, I sat on the floor too wondering what he was going to do. I decided to clean myself as my head went up and down so did his. He was nodding so I just carried on nodding as I cleaned myself.

The visitors only stayed two days now the house seems empty. Where is the little one who made all the noise, where has he gone? I keep looking and mewing but he hasn't come back.

It was lovely having small company who got attention too. Each time the little one got attention I got some. Now he has gone.

At least I have more space. Mum has moved the rug but I know where it is and I put my claws in it still.

I have been around most of the furniture and rubbed my neck up and down it to ensure it smells familiar to me.

Today the house is very quiet so I am having a nap. If I am quiet mum will think I am upstairs but no I am sat right behind her.

I love company and knowing where everyone is. My usual vantage point is the top of the stairs that way I can see the postman arriving, any visitors, or if the fridge is going to be opened as I can see it all.

I am so lucky in my new home. I can do as I please.

I just wish mum would let me out late at night but I am only 3 years old so I suppose she is worried about me especially with the other cats around.

Mum spoilt my fun the other night I was trying to say hello to two cats. One was my previous encounter with the neighbour's cat, I was determined to get the better of. Mum intervened by gently patting my behind to which I turned and shouted at her.

As I turned around so fast little did I realise I ended up by the front door that was it, mum patted me again and in I went. Safe at last behind closed doors.

Now I plan to stay asleep on top of the sofa. Mum doesn't seem to mind. I can see out of the window too. So nothing is going to disturb me.

Meow

Mind the mess Missi

In the middle of painting Missi crept downstairs avoiding the open lids facing upwards to ensure her paws did not touch any paint.

After a while she decided to go back upstairs she had been on my lap on the sofa while I was having a coffee break. She leapt from the sofa to the bannisters wandered half way up the bannisters ensuring she was well past the protective sheet on the stairs to protect the carpet and then jumped off.

It just shows some cats can be clever.

Hopefully it won't be long before all the painting is done.

A month in my new home already

It is four weeks ago today when I was collected in my pet carrier from the RSPCA centre and what a month this has been. I have been really good and I think my new parents are proud and happy with me.

I have all the comforts I put possibly want plus my lovely new toy which I sleep on mostly. My favourite game is to lie across the stairs and see whether I can bop them with my paws.

My other favourite place to sleep is right across the bedroom doorway. Here I can see everything that is going on including the post arriving.

Today mum let me out for the first time since I arrived. I think she was more worried than I. I crept slowly to the front door then lifted my paws over the doorway and turned to the left where a lovely neighbour lives. I didn't stay out for long and ventured back in again.

This afternoon after the stair carpet had been fitted I begged to go out. I really wish I hadn't I came across a neighbour's cat. So I drew myself up as large as I could to intimidate her. She was submissive and I ventured forth to say hello. She mewed at me so I ventured closer. She took no notice so I turned my back to head home. That was a big mistake. She chased me to the front door along with her claws digging in my side. Luckily mum had left the door open for me and was waiting for my return. As soon as she saw the other cat she shooed her from the front door so I felt protected once more.

So I sat on the stairs licking my sides which are a little bit sore. Mum has tended to me very well. I have already been fed and now I am off to sleep in my favourite spot. The second layer of my new toy.

Boo

I can now see what you are all doing. So beware this cat has attitude and is aware of all that you are doing.

Quick I am going to make a phone call.

(I wonder who to?)

Well I have just been reading the newspaper and this is what I have done. I have spoken to the Editor.

(Well done says mum)

Looks like this cat is going to have a good career.

Its me Missi

My mum has gone off to bed. Bless her looking after me and doing all she can for various charities to ensure life is better for everyone else that follows her horrid journey and experiences.

Now she turns her attention to me and look what she has achieved so far. You can slowly see me appearing through the tapestry. Watch out I am going to get you with my long teeth and claws. I am not really nasty I just love playing but not too sure how far I need to retract my claws into my paws.

She adores me and I know that but I really play her up at 2am in the morning when I play for at least half an hour. This is the reason I have my lovely large new toy. I know I destroyed my old scratching post by pulling off the rope. Mum forgave me and bought me another to suit my needs much better.

I love my new home and my "parents" they are good to me.

It is a shame I am so fussy but my name is Missi!!!

Anyway I am off now to sharpen my claws so that I can get my little pesky mouse which keeps hiding in its little hidey hole. I think it must be on elastic because one twang as I let go back it goes into its hole.

Anyway must paw off now in case she catches me on the laptop lets hope I don't do what her previous cats did which was erase one law assignment except for two words. I think they got away with it as she had a back up of it in handwritten form.

Making Progress

Work In Progress

This is the start of the tapestry inspired by Missi.

Now there is an eye appearing

I am slowly getting there with the design. Last night I was able to make more progress as Missi was lying in the living room and I was able to study her head far better than the photograph I am using today.

Motivation from Missi

I love doing tapestry and having looked around on ebay I found a tortoiseshell tapestry but the cost of it was so expensive I decided to look around to see what kits I could find.

My husband kindly took me to Shrewsbury last Thursday to visit needlework shops to see what I could find.

We found a lovely lady who suggested I drew a photograph of Missi onto canvas and obtain a few threads at a time to do a tapestry of her.

So I bought some blank canvas and thread threads and came home.

I found a photograph of Missi's head and set to work. I haven't drawn on the canvas instead I have started the tapestry as if I was drawing it straight on to the canvas.

My husband has seen my efforts so far and is really impressed. I won't be happy until I see the end product but so far it is going well.

So long as I am happy with what I have achieved that is what matters most.

Best wishes

Fee

Forgiven

We had a power cut this evening.

A friend telephoned to see if we had power and was relieved to discover she was not alone in being left in the dark so to speak.

They were wondering what to do about food so my husband suggested going to our local to see if they were cooking tonight. They were so we telephoned our friends to let them know. They then asked if we would like to join them. Nothing else going on with no electricity so that was it spur of the moment night out.

When we returned Missi was purring loudly and was even happy to be picked up and cuddled by me. She is now purring loudly lying on the mat by the front door.

I think this means we are forgiven for her ordeal earlier.

Bless her paws.

Fee

Outwitting Missi

It was time to worm Missi today. I had a hospital appointment this morning so with the tension from that we decided to leave this task until this evening when Missi would be wanting her food.

We deliberately avoided a lunchtime snack for her so that she would be hungry.

Missi kept miaowing wanting food. She is not a cat that wants much fuss and it has to be on her terms otherwise teeth and claws appear.

She was in fairly placid mood so we got the tablet out of its hiding place and then we placed the cat between us with a blanket in place should we need it. I held Missi by the scruff of the neck and she then started purring. This was unusual for her and we did feel for her. We got the tablet into her mouth but she immediately spat it out. We then got it back in and held her mouth closed and stroked her throat to encourage her to swallow. This didn't take long and didn't hurt her. I then held her for a while to ensure the tablet had in fact gone the way it was supposed to.

As a reward her tea was then ready for her. This again ensures the tablet has been swallowed and as Missi was hungry she kept swallowing with anticipation of her food.

After her tea she then wandered into the living room. I put my hand down to her but as we expected she was having none of it. Instead she galloped off up the stairs to play with her toy mouse. I went to stroke her but she hit me with her paws (luckily no claws).

I am glad we don't have to do this every day but at least this task is done for now.

Steve suggested putting powders on her food next time. Oh no you don't I said she won't eat it and then you never know what dose a cat has had. I have learnt this over time with many cats.

At least the flea treatment is easier as it just gets put on the back of her neck.

The cat is now lying in the bedroom at the top of the stairs in her usual place so let us hope she calms down soon and I know in time she will forgive us.

Cats are canny creatures but humans know how to outwit them at times.

Best wishes

Fee

Missi the Motivator

I had thought I would stay in bed this morning and have a lie in. In came Missi charging up and down the stairs. Heading for the windowsill to look out at the rain.

Miaow "When am I having my breakfast?" Hoping to delay her having breakfast didn't work her miaowing meant I had no choice but to give in. Once fed she ran up the stairs and lay on the bed.

She really knows how to motivate me.

Having her as a pet has been good for all of us. Missi has a new home, we have a new pet which motivates me and keeps me going. She also inspires me to write.

Motivating Missi

I was concerned when we brought Missi home as the scratching post we had acquired was smaller than she was used to. Within a few days she had managed to pull the rope off the top platform.















As Missi is active I wanted to ensure she was well motivated and happy.

I have never been so thrilled in being outbid on a certain auction site. I had been looking for an activity scratching post for her. The one I had bid on didn't have many toys but had plenty of layers for climbing on and a few scratching posts.

After looking around I found this activity centre and was waiting to see what would happen with my bid on the auction site. If I had won the item tonight I was going to keep the scratching post but I really wanted what I had found.

This morning I discovered I had been outbid so off I went to obtain the activity centre I really wanted. After both my husband and I assembling it we called Missi down to see what she thought of it.

The photos speak for themselves Missi is really happy with the new purchase for her. The other scratching post will be going to a very good use at the RSPCA centre as many of the cats there haven't got bedding or scratching posts.

We have cleaned it up and will take the scratching post along with the food that we discovered Missi doesn't like to the RSPCA centre in the very near future. Hopefully they will be grateful for the donations.

Missi Madness

We went to Oswestry Show today. It hadn't been planned just a spur of the moment thing.

When we got back I fed the cat and settled her down.

Now she is charging all around the house up and down the stairs on and off her scratching post. She even managed to pull off her piece of rope from the scratching post but I have managed to reassemble it again.

I have no idea why cats tend to have mad moments like this I put it down to the weather.

The main thing is she is happy and settling in well.

Lonely Layabout

We went out for a committee meeting tonight. I was worried about leaving Missi on her own for the first time since we brought her home.

I needn't have worried. Absence had made the heart grow fonder. When we arrived home she was purring loudly and rubbing around our legs. We had fed her before we left. She was eating from her bowl when we left her. I thought she would have finished before we got home.

Not much had been eaten in our absence not sure what she had been doing but her pink mouse was on the living room floor so I can only assume she had been playing with that in our absence.

So our first venture out since obtaining Missi has gone well.

Playful Puss

This playful little thing is our new arrival Missi. She is self motivated and will play with absolutely anything.

I got her a scratching post which she uses a lot (much better than scratching the furniture).

Missi moves very fast one minute we know where she is the next we have to look for her.

I wonder what that is hanging down if I tap it will it move? She grabs it and bites it, drops it and it moves again.

Don't worry she hasn't got her head stuck this is her favourite vantage point to play. If either of us walk underneath her she taps us on the head.

or tries to grab our hands if we go to touch her.

Missi

Missi doesn't need much fuss she prefers her own space. She has discovered the stairs and is more than happy to sleep there.

I think this means she is settled in her new home.

Meeting Missi

We have been extremely lucky with our new arrival. She is settling in really well.






























She is really active and moves very fast when she wants to.

We have a scratching post with a perch on top and a piece of rope underneath. It took her a while to find this and now she is happy playing with it.

I am so glad we decided to give time to our pet to help her settle in.

She is ignoring her own bed at present but we will wait and see what bedtime brings.

She has made it known she likes sitting on the stairs and poking her head through the bannisters she seems to smile at us.

It is nice to hear her purring.

Meet Missi

Finally we have got the cat home. She was pretty docile compared to other cats I have carried in a pet carrier.

I held the container on my lap and reassured her on the way home. She didn't need much reassuring bless her. When we got home we unloaded her bedding and took the pet carrier indoors. Having made sure the doors were firmly closed behind us we let her out. Initially she didn't leave the pet carrier and yet when I was undoing it she seemed really anxious to get out.

We let her wander around to explore her new surroundings. Her bed and blanket already had her scent as she has used them the last two days to sleep on. She wasn't stressed at all.

The bottom picture was taken within half an hour of her arrival. We have a very happy cat who is constantly purring.

We all fell asleep for a little while this afternoon. We had no plans to do anything other than settle Missi in. She certainly has done that I think by the time the month is up that we have to keep her in for she will be fighting to get out the door.

I think she will end up being the boss of the household.

She has been fed and has found her water bowl.

So the first afternoon has certainly been a pleasure having her here.

Best wishes to everyone.

It pays to shop around

I love bargain hunting for anything. With the prospect of our new arrival I certainly did some bargain hunting yesterday. The RSPCA do an adoption kit which includes litter tray, litter, scoop and food for the cost of £20. I hadn't thought this was too bad until we went shopping around. We managed to secure a cat litter tray, cat litter, scoop and litter freshner all under £5. I was unable to find the food that the cat is fed on at present so will stick with the food from the RSPCA for now and possibly change the cat's diet in the future.

So apart from the cat food we are prepared fully for our new arrival.

Good News

We received a telephone call today at 12 noon to inform us we will be the lucky new owners of the cat we have chosen.

We were asked to confirm the date and time we would like to collect our chosen pet. Saturday 12 noon.

So all the preparation has been worth it.

Being Prepared

We are nearly ready to accept our new arrival.

Today the cat scratching post arrived by parcel post. I took one look at the package and thought I won't be able to put this together.

As you can see in under 5 minutes this was put together and is now ready to accept our new arrival.

As you can see we decide to buy a treat for the cat so when she arrives we will find out she reacts to catnip. We already know she is a playful cat and have taken this into consideration when planning for her.

Having visited her everyday since we chose her we have seen her sleeping, playing, wanting fuss and when she has had enough. It has given her a chance to bond with us. Unfortunately today we are unable to visit as I have a hospital appointment and tomorrow the centre is closed.

So we are waiting for the telephone call to say whether we are suitable to have our chosen pet.

The RSPCA centre have a funday on Sunday starting at 11 am for those that arrive by car there is £2 donation for car parking. As it is a charitable organisation we can understand why they are doing this. The funday is a way for the centre to raise much needed funds for the care of the animals in the centre and those waiting to be accepted in.

There will be other charities at the event as well.

So we may end up visiting the centre on Sunday as well.

Home Assessment

After not sleeping very well with worry over the home visit assessment tonight we got up and scrubbed the kitchen floor and frantically tidied up the house. We set off to the RSPCA centre armed with a blanket ready for the cat. I thought this would help her settle in as turning up to a strange house may be traumatic enough without having something smelling of her.

The staff were thrilled as this enables them to wash the bedding and use it for another cat. They are desperate for bedding at present for all their animals.

We explained to the staff I had been worried about the home visit and they said we should be ok so long as we don't live by a main road.

We then visited our chosen cat and I was much happier leaving her as you will see from the photo she was content when we left.

The RSPCA volunteer turned up early and we needn't have worried too much. The assessment is just a chat and while chatting the volunteer completes a questionnaire two of the questions were totally irrelevant to cats "who will exercise the animal?" and "How often will the animal be given exercise?"

So we answered these as honestly as possible the first with "herself" and the second "As often as she likes".

So it is paws crossed for tomorrow as we get the verdict from the visit.

Purrfect Choice

We went to visit our chosen cat again today. When we arrived she was in her cat basket and was just waking up. She was extremely pleased to see us.





We were allowed into her cubicle and we sat on the floor. The cat jumped on each of our laps in turn.





It was windy and the cat got a little bit jumpy understandably. She then leapt at her scratching post and pulled on the rope with her claws and started to chew it.





I then tapped the top platform and she looked around at the floor to start with then leapt up and managed to secure a safe footing on the top of the platform. Hanging on the wire cage is a flying fish. This is a toy attached to elastic and is bright orange. She immediately grabbed this with her paws and started to chew it.





She then cleaned herself and whilst concentrating on that the fish dropped down. I then picked it up for her and placed it by her. She grabbed it again until she went to lick herself again. This made me smile.





After a while she seemed to want to go to sleep perched on the top platform. So we decided to leave her.



At least this time I left feeling happier.

Having had a really good day especially on achieving 40 lengths swimming tonight in under an hour we received a telephone call from the RSPCA to say our home visit is tomorrow night.

So it is fingers crossed this will go well.

The Adoption Process

After choosing the cat we telephoned the RSPCA centre to let them know which cat we had chosen. As soon as we did this our cat was reserved for us.

We then had to visit the centre and complete an adoption form. This didn't take long a couple of pages of information. Once this was completed we went back to visit the cat.

Desmond was also awake at the time we went to visit and this really pulled at my heart strings. Luckily a member of staff arrived just at this moment. She could see the dilemma I was in. When she heard our decision she said we had made the better choice from their point of view. Why? The cat we have chosen is tempremental and needs to have fuss on her terms rather than just be picked up and fussed at any time. This is not a problem to me as I am used to cats.

So we fussed our chosen cat and left. I was a bit upset at leaving her behind. The staff informed us we can visit her at any time we like.

Now we are awaiting our home visit.

As you can see we are prepared with pet bowls. I know they are blue and the cat is female but I am sure she won't mind.

We are also awaiting a cat scratching post to arrive and this comes complete with a base and a platform for the cat to sit on and feel on top of the world.

The Pick of the Litter

So I finally made up my mind on Friday morning.

This is the one we chose.

So having chosen her we are now able to visit as often as we like until we have a home visit and once this has been completed we can then take her home.

We have an adoption fee to pay but this covers, worming, flea treatment, full health check and microchipping.

We were asked if I wanted her AIDS checked and to see if she had leukaemia. If these test prove positive the cat would have to be put to sleep immediately. Having just found a lovely cat I didn't want to have to go through the heartache of possibly losing her immediately so I chose to take the risk and rehome her without the tests.

What will be will be.

I had no idea there was so much to adopting a rescue cat and this experience is certainly opening my eyes.

Paws for Thought

Why have I created this blog well this is the reason why. I had a dream the other night about a large black cat. The next day we visited the RSPCA centre in Condover. I don't know what made the urge so strong to go and look at cats but there it was. We were there.

I was on the verge of walking away when we heard a frantic mewing. Steve shouted to me "You've missed one". Well I had to go back and have a look. I know I am a big softy.

The cat shouting was a beautiful tortoiseshell cat and she certainly made herself known to us. The one in the above picture is caged next to her and is called Desmond. I was torn between the two.

In order to look at the cats we had to go back to reception and complete a reservation form. We did this and were then allowed into the cattery to view the cats properly. We made a fuss of both cats at different times. Unfortunately neither will tolerate another cat to be housed with them. So I was torn between the two.

We went home to sleep on it.

The staff were really understanding and sympathised with my predicament. Having dreamt about a big black cat I was completely torn.