Snuggling with the kittens

Last night was the first time I've ever let the kittens snuggle up with me in a tabby-cat pile. I was sleeping next to Mom and next thing she knew this had happened:


I'm sandwiched in between the boys and they are all loved up on me. It is hard to see with all the tabby fur and me being short-haired and all their floof. Mom outlined me so you could see better:



This lasted for a little while, until Loki couldn't help himself and tried to play with my tail and turned my growl on. He's such a kitten! But this made Mom so happy.

Heated cat bed

Mom got me an early Christmas present -- a heated cat bed. This is the very first cat bed I have instantly taken to. It feels good on my 14-year-old joints that have been a little achy lately. 

The intervention

Dad came downstairs apparently to find the kittens preparing for an intervention. 

Little brothers

So yeah, I let this happen. Loki wore me down and he needed to snuggle. 

Aslan can pose too

Aslan wanted to show that he can pose for cute close up pictures too. I've got some handsome little kitten brothers. 

Kitten update

Loki is so cute (he stays more still than Aslan so we get a few more pictures like this). These boys think I'm the coolest thing ever and I'm getting more comfortable around them. We'll spend time all three of us in bed with Mom and Dad or resting on the couch. But sometimes I need to hiss, growl, and go to another room. And that's ok too. 

I've been on an NSAID lately to help with my achiness and arthritis. I can get pretty stiff but I'm noticing a good difference with the meds. It makes me much more comfortable and better around the boys (and more snuggly with Mom and Dad). I'm glad Mom realized I needed something and took the initiative to get me help from our great vet (even though I don't like the trip). 

Cute little Loki

Loki is a cute little stinker too. He's a little smaller than Aslan and he is super sweet. He's a little weird because he's not afraid of water so he likes to hang out by the sink, especially in the kitchen when Mom is cooking. 

Handsome Aslan

Sure he can bug me sometimes by loving me too much some days but I have to admit that Aslan sure is a handsome boycat. 

I am not a pillow

Hey, Aslan, would you like to take one guessed why I growl at you? Just one, maybe? No, little brother, I am not your pillow. 

Big progress

I made a very big step yesterday with my brother Aslan. We were all watching football with Mom and Dad and he came and curled up with me on the couch. I didn't get up and move, or hiss, or anything, and just let him hang out with me. This made Mom and Dad so happy. 

Double Decker Kittens

The boys really like the glass coffee table. They think it is funny to try to get each other through the glass. 

Three in a row

I forgot to upload this picture earlier. The kittens are learning that this is the ideal spot to watch the action at the entrance to the house and still see what's going on upstairs too. Someone suggested this would make a good 90s rap cd cover.

::sigh:: my tail is not a toy

So the kittens have decided that my tail is a toy. Aslan will get on the coffee table and swipe at my tail. Loki will try to bite it. He got whapped on the head by me for that move. In the picture Aslan is just hanging off the side of the table thinking I'm going to come back. He'll learn. 

Taking care of Mom

Mom wasn't feeling good tonight. She's got a migraine and feels like something from the litter box so she got adjusted and now she's resting on the couch with an ice pack on her head. I'm curled up at her feet doing my part to get her feeling better. We kittens have important jobs. 

You Got This

Aslan likes sitting by the window watching the neighbor kids play basketball. 

New skill

It looks like Aslan had learned a new skill! And it's enough to drive Mom nuts with worry that he'll fall off on the high side of the banister rail and hurt himself. 

Not quite a sink

Aslan hasn't discovered the sink yet but he has found this cool metal tray on the coffee table and that's a close second. I'm sure down the road he'll be a sink cat like Jasper was. 

Snuggle bugs

These kittens are very snuggly and sweet. I've warmed to them a little too the point that I've shared the same space with them without hissing. I'm still not back up in bed with Mom and Dad at night which makes Mom sad but Dad keeps reassuring her that I'll be back. The stinker Loki keeps getting banished to the bathroom in the middle of the night because he bites Mom's nose while she's sleeping. I think he's worried about her and trying to give her CPR. 

Good vet check

Mom took me to the vet today for a check-up. It's not that I was showing any real illness issues but I have been showing some discomfort and Mom and Dad were suspecting arthritis. My bloodwork came back excellent for a 14-year-old cat. They did give me an NSAID to take every other day to help me out some. It was nice to go to the vet and get good news because the last few visits weren't great for my siblings. 

Now, kitten stuff -- look how tiny Loki is! His head is barely the size of Dad's thumb! He loves to snuggle, too. Such a sweet baby. (Don't tell him I said that; I still hiss at him.)

All kittened out

The boys have been playing hard and are all tuckered out. Loki fell asleep on Mom's lap and Aslan fell asleep all stretched out and relaxed. 

We've had better encounters with them. We have shared some treats without hissing and we've exchanged nose bumps. I'm still not completely sold on them yet though. The other day Mom was petting both Aslan and me and I decided to clean his bottom. So I cleaned him then I'd stop to growl, then clean him again, then growl. It made Mom laugh a lot. So yeah, 50/50 on these boys. 

Big helper

Loki likes helping Mom play her games on her iPad. 

The silly boys also think Mom is a cat bed. 

One year without Josie

Today marks one year since Josie crossed the Bridge. She would hiss at me (probably because I liked to pounce her), so I know how the boys feel. We all still miss her, but having these kittens sure has helped Mom and Dad.

Nose bumps

Aslan really wants me to love him. I'm warming up to him a little. He will walk straight up to me and bump noses with me. Tonight I allowed him to bump noses without hissing but then he tried to put his stink on me and I wasn't having that and had to hiss. He needs to know who is in charge. 

This weekend we had company (in town for the KISS concert -- I'd rather see HISS personally). Aslan showed off by getting a fuzzy ball toy and carrying it around the house for everyone. They were a hit with everyone, of course. 

Intruder Update -- Downstairs Invasion (part 4)

Loki found my toy stash but left them alone -- too much else to explore. 

See, I was being very good and let them explore

Intruder Update -- Downstairs Invasion (part 3)

Aslan checked with Mom before going all the way downstairs. 

They liked playing around the spindles of the banister rail. 

Intruder Update -- Downstairs Invasion (part 2)

Continuing the post from last week that didn't upload ...

Loki heading to the dining room and Aslan heading to the parlor. They couldn't decide which way to go.

Loki on the prowl. Loki has a white tip on his tail in case you're trying to figure out who it is. 

Intruder Update -- downstairs invasion (part one)

I tried to make a post last week but apparently it was too large for a mobile upload so here it is in parts ...

Last night the boys were allowed to explore beyond the bedroom. I was lounging on the couch, snuggled up on my blanket. You can see Aslan right at the base of the couch and Loki heading to the kitchen. Aslan went right in front of me on the floor and I didn't hiss or growl. That's an improvement for sure. 

Toward the end of their time exploring Loki did find my food bowl. That's about when Dad decided to scoop them up and bring them back to their bedroom. The kittens were acting a little overwhelmed by all the new space. They will have more wander time each night, I suspect. We have company coming this weekend so it would be nice if the kittens could roam and visit. 

Little stinkers

Aslan and Loki were playing in Mom and Dad's bedroom last night when Aslan got worn out and he decided to nap in Mom's computer bag. Well it didn't take Loki long to realize that Aslan had found a good napping spot and he wanted his turn too. They are such stinkers. 

I'm still working on warming up to them. They may get to explore the entire house on Sunday. They may work better than me being trapped in the bedroom with them. 

Intruder update -- Third night meeting the kittens

Tonight is my third night learning to be with the boys. The plan that Mom and Dad are trying is to bring me into their bedroom where I can retreat to the closet, then to let the kittens out of the bedroom. 

Tonight I ventured out of the closet to try to go to the door (and dig at the carpet until Mom and Dad get annoyed enough that they let me out). And look what happened -- Aslan poked his head out from under the bed. I froze, hissed, and went back into the closet. Not yet buddy. 

At one point I went to the door and Loki was playing with the big two story scratcher Mom found them (it's right by the door). He was less than a foot from me but he was on my blind side so I didn't fuss at him. 

Eventually I started to get really stressed and Dad let me out. He followed me down and I let him give me treats and then sat on the couch with him and purred. 

The dilemma is, even without the kittens, I just don't like being locked in the bedroom. So I think we're getting to a point where maybe the kittens will get to roam parts of the house for a little bit. It might be better so I can escape and not feel trapped in the room. 

(Also don't judge the clutter. Dad thought he was being smart by blocking the underneath of the furniture so the kittens wouldn't get under everything. It worked except for the bed where the little stinkers still figured it out.)

Long post so here's another kitten picture of Aslan making air biscuits while Dad pets him...

Intruder update -- Night encounter

Tonight I had another trial encounter with The Intruders. Mom and Dad put blankets around all the dressers, night stands, and the bed so the kittens couldn't get under anything in the master bedroom and hide. Then they brought me up to the bedroom and opened the bathroom door so the kittens could explore. I was at the doorway and have a hiss and aggressive growl at Aslan who quickly retreated to his tent. I went into the walk-in closet and curled up on the blanket Dad had put in there for me. Dad fixed me some Purely Fancy Feast (they used to be called Appetizers). I only drink the broth but I really like it. 

Well the boys eventually ventured out of the bathroom and started exploring the bedroom. Dad lost track of Loki and they realized he had come into the closet with me. (Mom and Dad were trying to give me my space but decided to see what happened.) A gave a low growl and a slight hiss but allowed them to explore. Aslan came in and worked his way over to my leftover food (the shredded chicken) and helped himself. I hissed and growled low but not too aggressively and let him eat. 

It was a promising start. The boys explored the room some more, got a little nipped up from my scratcher, then went back to their bathroom. I napped in the closet for a little bit then went back downstairs to the exact opposite side of the house from the kittens. We'll try again tomorrow, little by little, but at least it gives Mom and Dad some hope that I'll accept them. 

Intruder update -- Day 1

It has been an entire day since "The Intruders" entered the house. They are very cute, and getting all kinds of love from Mom and Dad, but I'm still having a little trouble warming up to them. I was premature in my first post about no hissing, because shortly after that the hissing and growling started -- all me, not them. We'll try another meet up with them later tonight and see how it goes.

Early on they smelled like the house from the shelter/foster, and definitely not our house. Mom and Dad gave them a bath last night and I think that will help. Either way, I'm getting lots of treats out of the deal.

New brothers

I'm excited to introduce my new brothers Loki, on the left, and Aslan, on the right (although he looks like a Hank to me). Mom and Dad adopted them today from a local kitten rescue. Loki has already turned his purr on for Mom. Aslan is being a little cautious. They are very affectionate and snuggle together and comfort each other. 

I went into the bathroom and sniffed them when they were in the carrier. They are in the big bathroom getting comfortable right now. I'll slowly be introduced to them and they'll slowly be introduced to the rest of the house. Baby steps. But no hissing is a good start. 

Mom was very worried about me being lonely. They hope this will give me some company. I was always the one who cleaned Jasper and Huggy Bear, especially HB, so these boys should give me a project. I have a lot to teach them. Wish me luck. 

In tent

I have a new favorite spot -- it's what Mom and Dad call "tent" ... basically, they are in bed, usually sitting up, with their legs bent up and the covers over their knees. So I will get under the covers and under their knees. It is so warm and cozy. I'll stay there for a while, sometimes up to an hour, until eventually slinking back out from under the covers.

This is a trick I learned from Josie. This used to be one of her favorite things. Years ago she would sleep under the covers tucked up tight against Mom. Being the youngest of the McKitten-Cats I learned a little trick here and there from the other three. It is nice for Mom and Dad, since we lost Jasper, Josie and Huggy Bear in the last year, to see me replicate some of their traits and habits. I think it's very comforting for them (and me too).

Cloud life

Mom and Dad recently washed the duvet cover. This was right before they left for a long weekend with friends so the duvet ended up in a fluffy pile on the floor of the walk-in closet. I've turned it into a napping cloud. I don't think they'll get to make the bed anytime soon. 

Nose and toes