Back home!

Hi everyone,

Well, I'm back home now, and I'm just as active as ever. Yup, even after 2 surgeries!! Mom really isn't surprised, but I have her terrified because I am not supposed to jump or run, but I am still acting like a little acrobat, despite my many stitches (in and out!) Because of that, Mom has me in my carrying case, but it isn't big at all, so she's worried about what she should do. After all, I can't stay in there all night and all day tomorrow! She will just have to cross her fingers really tight that I won't hurt myself! I usually just sleep while she's at work anyway, so I don't think she has anything to worry about.

I was such a good girl at the vet, and all the staff just loved me. Mom also dropped when they told her how cuddly and friendly I was with them! The staff also told Mom that while I was in the hospital, I made a little friend! Another girl kitten had the exact same operations I had the same day as me and her mommy was picking her up today too! I'll sure miss her!

Anyway, it's great to be home! As soon as I heard Mom's voice at the vet, I went CRAZY meowing!! Mom said "that's definitely Prada!!" I'm looking forward to spending the weekend with her!

Prada's operations

Greetings,

Well, I dropped Prada off at the vet yesterday right after work. She was such a brave little thing, and didn't meow once when they whisked her away. I hated to have to bring her in so early since her operations were only today, but I had no other choice. It turns out that I ended up taking a sick day today because of a nasty cold. I'm sure she did ok last night though.

Ok, so you may be wondering what I mean by operationS. The spay is a given, but I had to make the difficult decision to have her declawed. I really did NOT want to have to resort to that, but I had a VERY hard time trimming her nails without having my arms shredded. I really needed to have someone else hold her down, but I don't have that luxury since there's just the two of us here. Soft Claws were not an option because she would have had those ripped off in no time. Visiting my mom's was a hassle because I couldn't let her loose without having her claw my mother's expensive chairs. She also loved to climb my back, and my back and shoulders were starting to look like a scene right out of a gory horror movie. I tried everything with her to change her behaviour, but it did nothing. Sooooo, this is what led to the decision. That, and a lot of pressure from others. Mr. Fluffy was also declawed, and he was perfectly fine (as far as I know). I trust my vet that he is skilled at performing these surgeries with minimal pain.

I just called the vet to see how my baby did, and they said she did fine and is eating and drinking. (I will believe everything when I see her. The last time they reassured me everything was fine, I had to put my cat down.) Anyway, Prada has to stay at the vet until Thursday because of the declawing. The apartment is so empty without her here. I can't wait to have my baby girl home with me.

-Monique

Almost a month!!

Dear readers,

Wow, Mom and I can't get over that it has been a month since we last posted!! Ironically, everything and nothing is going on with us. I'm still a growing girl (and so is Mom, but sideways. HA!) I'm actually scheduled for my spay in exactly a week from now. I'm very nervous about this, but Mom assures me I'll be ok. I sure hope so. She actually more concerned about me going nuts and ripping open some stitches. She wishes she could stay with me for a couple days, but she must work.

Speaking of work, Mom is now teaching high school. She says it is a HUGE adjustment from teaching Elementary kids, but she does enjoy it. Most of her students are great and participate very well. Of course, it would be completel unrealistic to expect all 130 of them to be excellent. She is very busy every night, but is trying hard to stay on top of everything.

Anyway, it is getting late, so we are off to bed now, but I will update later with pictures and more info.

Nighty night all!

Ms. Prada

A few random facts about me...

Mom was wide awake at 3:30am because of worries and tummy issues, and I got up with her. It's now 5am, and she still can't fall asleep again, so we thought we would put together a few random facts about me (some of Mom). Here we go...

Thinking about getting another cat:

1. Mom could not stand a catless house after sweet Mr. Fluffy went to Rainbow Bridge. After all, a cat is what makes a house a home. :)
2. She wanted a female in order not feel that she was stepping on Fluffy's territory, and the love she had for him.
3. She wanted to get a kitten from a recognized breeder in hopes of purchasing a show cat and a very healthy and tame kitten ("BAAAAA HAAAA HAAAA!!!" says Mom.)

Choosing Prada (ME!):

1. I come from Patricia Deschamps' "Simply Rose Himalayan" cattery. Mom had her heart set on a female Seal Point Himalayan. I'm very close, but my features are a little more rare. *See #2
2. I am a Seal Point Tortie Himalayan with Lynx Coat Pattern.
   
3. Mom didn't actually fall in love with me first when she met the litters. She actually fell for a pure white male Persian (EXACT same as Fluffy), but she just couldn't do it.
4. Mom did think I was super adorable and chose me over everyone else.
   
5. She did have a faint "bad" feeling about getting me which caused her some anxiety. For instance, I meowed a whole lot when Mom picked me up while the rest of the litter was very quiet about being picked up and held. Mom suspected I was VERY close to my feline mother.
   
6. When the breeder said I was ready to go, Mom didn't feel I was. She was right. I was VERY nervous and stressed during my first visit home. I threw up, and Mom brought me back. I was very happy.
7. When Mom did bring me home for good, I was still very nervous, but eventually came around. The breeder said that my feline mother was going nuts trying to find me. (Again, Mom was right. She knew Sparrow and I were very close, and I wasn't ready to leave the nest yet. She feels very sad about this. See #12)
   
8. Mom felt that I was weaned too early and considered feeding "formula" from a bottle from the vet, but decided that since I was eating ok (despite my VERY picky early eating habits).
9. Early eating habits: It took a while for Mom to discover how I liked my food. I wasn't ready for dry kibble yet, so Mom had to soak my kibble in water for about 10 mins, microwave for 20 secs, then stir and let cool. (Yes, you can imagine how time consuming preparing my meals was back then!) Luckily, it didn't take long for me to have a preference for dry kibble.
10. I started off with Royal Canine Babycat 34, and am now eating Royal Canine Kitten 36. Still with a mixture of Iams kitten, but Mom is thinking of dropping the Iams after I am fully grown.
    
11. I dislike canned food.
12. Mom now feels as though purchasing a kitten from a breeder is like taking away a baby from her mother. She actually feels very guilty about this, and would adopt from a shelter for our next furbaby someday.
    

These are the Prada days:

1. I am now 5 months and 3 weeks old, and have yet to be spayed. (My date is set to Sept. 28th).
2. I have fully adjusted to life with Mom, although she feels I have some separation anxiety. I throw up from grooming so much when she is away for lengthy periods. This is a symptom of anxiety.
3. I follow Mom everywhere like a little puppy and don't like her being out of sight for the most part. (Another symptom of anxiety).
4. A lot of people think I am very mean and rambunctious, and not sweet at all.
5. #4 is actually somewhat of a myth. I can be rambunctious, but I am a kitten. Mom thinks my reluctance for others to pet me is tied to my suspected anxiety.
   
6. I love to purr when being held (by Mom), and I love to be held by her.
7. I love to give kisses (licks). Especially on the face.
8. Mom doesn't know where I sleep at night. At home, I sleep with her for short durations. When we're away, I sleep with her all night.
9. I go CRAZY at grandma's. I'm actually a lot more mellow at home (believe it or not!)
   
10. I love rats, but I hiss at dogs.
11. My best friend in the world is Maya. Unfortunately, she feels differently.
12. My coat markings are still developing. My tail appears oversized in comparison to the rest of my body.
13. I have an absolutely gorgeous tail, and I LOVE to flaunt it!
14. I get very affectionate and rub everywhere when I'm being fed.
15. I have been in the car several times, and don't mind travelling. (I would rather be out in the car roaming around and causing accidents than being in my travelling bag though!)
16. I LOVE grandma's chairs (they are now showing signs of wear, thanks to me. Oh boy....)
17. My favourite toys are those that are free and ready for the garbage. I do love my tent though.
18. I haven't started eating treats yet. Mom is thinking of introducing some to me within the next week.
19. I don't get fed table scraps at all unless it's chicken or yogurt. I eat whole fat yogurt until I am an adult in order to help me grow. After 1 year, I will not be allowed to eat this type of yogurt. I am actually not a huge fan of anything except my kibble. (Mom is happy. She won't have to feel guilty about not feeding me people food.)
    

Predictions about the future:

1. Mom thinks I will get very excited over Xmas decorations, and I will probably try climbing Grandma's tree a few times.
2. I will remain an active and playful cat well into adulthood.
3. I will not have the right personality to be a show cat (much to Mom's chagrin...)

Ok, Mom is ready to go back to bed now (hopefully.) I guess I am off with her.

Just a few nicknames Mom has for me....

• Prads (that's a given)
• Missy Poo
• Silly Goose
• Little Pumpkin Head (I guess my head is shaped like a pumpkin???)
• Meatloaf ( I do the meatloaf pose, and Mom thinks it's sooooooo cute! Of course I'm cute!)
  
• Meatloaf cat
• Pretty in Prada
• CRAAAAAZY Kitty (I wonder why??!!)
  

What a short but beautiful summer!

Greetings all! It is I, the 5 1/2 month old Prada! Well, sadly summer is coming to an end, and we will be returning back home tomorrow. As you may recall, we came to stay with Grandma for the summer for Mom's summer job. She hated it from the very beginning, but she is done now.

Grandma got married on July 3oth in an outdoor wedding, and it turned out very well. The weather was great, and she was beautiful as always. Mom's cake didn't turn out as "professional" as she had hoped, but it was still ok. Eventually, she would love to take cake making lessons, but certainly not quite yet.

Maya and I still don't get along. Well, I try soooo hard to play with her, but she is not at all interested. I've had a few wacks in the face... Mom thinks I should get the point, but I am a very determined kitty!!! We currently also have Auntie's ratties here, and they are great fun to watch. Maya nor I hurt them - we just love to watch them at a distance. They're so entertaining!! What Mom likes most is that we don't fight when the rats are around. Isn't that funny!! Auntie will soon be coming to pick them up. We will all sure miss them!!!!!

Our move date has changed. Right now, it is October 1st. The townhouse is ours, but Mom is still looking at alternatives since it's a little too expensive for our price range. She has an appointment to see it on Wednesday.

In other news, Mom has scheduled my spaying for September 28th. I have NO idea what that is, but if it involves the vet, I'm not looking forward to it. I'll be almost 7 months old at that point, and one of Mom's biggest worries is that I will go into heat before that. She couldn't really get anything sooner with the vet Mom likes, so she's just crossing her fingers. She's also nervous because it's the same vet hospital she brought Fluffy when he was sick, and she wasn't impressed at all with his care and had to put him down right after. It isn't the same veterinarian who will be operating me though, and of course Mr. Fluffy was much older than me. She has a lot of faith in Dr. Hampton. He is the vet who euthanized Mr. Fluffy, and he is very gentil with me (well, except when he tries taking my temperature! I don't like THAT!!!)

Anyway, Mom and I are sort of looking forward to going back home (sort of...!) We'll miss gardening and sitting outdoors, but I'm sure the weather will soon change anyway. Besides, we're coming back on Thursday until Sunday (to check on Maya while Grandma's away, and to attend Mom's cousin's wedding.)

Well, we hope everyone had a great summer! Pics will be posted soon.

-Prada

Joke's on Mom!

I played a little joke on Mom tonight. She didn't know where I was, but as I was walking by, she heard some rustling sounds coming from this box. Who could it be???



I then shot up like a Pop Tart saying "Here I am Mom!" (By the way, these photos are a re-enactment.)




What is with the box? We will be moving! That's right. This is a bit of a crazy summer because Mom was in desperate need of a summer job with a steady income, but there was nothing in our city which pays decent wages, and Mom wanted to avoid working alongside a future student (worse - if this student would be her supervisor! HA!) Anyway, a friend of hers from her hometown found her a job there, so we will be moving in with Grandma and her soon-to-be husband for close to 2 months. Now when we get back is the REALLY hectic part. We move! And the sad part is that we are not quite sure where yet. Mom has her eye on a beautiful townhouse, but it is fairly expensive. She will find out the nitty gritty details early next week and decide what to do. Sadly, housing is just as difficult as jobs in this city. On top of packing and moving at the end of next month, she will be starting her new teaching job! It will be a very crazy time for all of us for sure.

I am looking forward to our brief move to Grandma's because that means I will get to spend lots of time with my idol - Maya! She may not be so impressed... Grandma's tenants will be moving out this Saturday, so we will be moving to the basement. It's not so bad. It's a walk-out basement with patio doors looking over the beach (river), a full kitchen and bath, livingroom and a bedroom. The unfortunate part is that Mom will have to drive an hour and back everyday for work. "Ugh!" she says.

In other news, Grandma is getting married on July 30th! Mom is the maid of honor and Mom's brother John is the best man. I wonder if I have a part! Mom is making the wedding cake as a wedding gift. Here is what she is planning (as long as she can get all the stuff here in Canada). She says it's not as difficult as it looks. ;) They will be leaving for their honeymoon a week later for 3 weeks, so we will have the entire house to ourselves, and Mom will be catsitting Maya.

Time for bed,

Prada -xo-