Tigger in the snow

Tigger Suh

Well, Tigger the timid has surprised us this winter by being the only one of our seven cats who isn't freaked out by the snow. In fact, he seems to like it. While the other cats high-tail it back into the house or sit in the carport sniffing the snow, Tigger Suh goes exploring--sticking close to the house, but exploring nonetheless. For a cat who was terrified of falling leaves a few months ago, this is quite a change.

Years ago when I lived in Mount Shasta, Calif., I took Raj, on his leash, hiking in the snow on the mountain. The poor baby was so good, he'd just follow along, just stopping every once in a while to shake the snow off his feet. He'd occasionally let out a yowl, probably to let me know his feet were getting cold. I felt bad about that and carried him back to the car.

I'd love to hear how other cats react in snow. Do they try to catch and eat the falling flakes? Do they shake the snow off their paws with each step? Or just make a mad dash for the front door, like Emily did this morning? I got one quick shot of her,
and then just the trail she left as she ran, low on her belly, back inside.

Emily

Peace -- of a sort -- reigns

Tigger (foreground) and L'il Bit

Here's proof of progress in our blended household -- Bobby's L'il Bit ( the Siamese) and my Tigger actually on the bed together. I just walked in and found them there one day, seeming quite content. This gives me hope that we'll eventually be one big happy family!

We started L'il Bit on Prozac a couple of months ago, after first trying Feliway and Rescue Remedy. The latter did help, but we usually gave it to her to calm her down after she'd already become agitated. When she started pooping and peeing all over the house--something she'd never done before--and became increasingly hostile and aggressive to Bobby and me as well as the other cats, we knew more drastic measures were needed. After a chat with the vet, she got a prescription for Prozac and the results were almost immediate. It took about a week for her to adjust to the meds, during which she was alternately lethargic and restless, but already much more docile.

Now she's back to her old, pre-move-in, self. Not that she was ever Miss Congeniality, but at least she seems much happier and well-adjusted, and the aggressive behavior and territory marking has stopped. Yay Prozac!

Belle's progress

Belle in Daddy's pants

At tonight's weigh-in, Belle has lost 1/2 pound! Not bad for the first two weeks. I was afraid being on a diet would make her cranky--it certainly does me--but she has actually been more playful and active than she has in a long time. That bodes well for future weight loss.

Belle's fitness regimen

Belle, my 4-year-old Katrina kitty, has become too rotund to properly clean herself, just like Otis at his maximum weight of 23 pounds. Like my love for chocolate, her love for shrimp may be her downfall. She's now at 16 pounds, when the vet had said at 13 pounds that she shouldn't gain any more. Knowing from sad experience what a health risk it is to let her get so big, I've decided to start her on a weight-loss regimen similar to the one I devised for Otis. It's based on the same formula I use for myself--eat less, exercise more.

So......a few days ago I started feeding her only half a cup of her Iams weight control food morning and evening, instead of just leaving dry food out all the time. To be sure the other cats get enough to eat, I put a bowl for them on top of a bookcase, where they can get at it but Belle can't because she's too fat to climb up there. When she gets fit enough to get to that bowl, then she'll deserve to have it! They all get about 1/2 can of Friskies wet food around 6 p.m.

The second part of the plan is to take her out for walks on a leash as weather permits. She's already been out twice, and was beside herself with excitement. She just purred and purred, sniffed everything, and after getting over some initial timidity, she walked all over the yard, even jumping up on a tree stump--although it took her a couple of tries! I need to get her a larger harness, as this one won't expand enough to fit comfortably. We've also added extra playtime with her favorite toys to get her running and jumping. She seems to really enjoy the extra attention, too.

We'll try this for a few weeks and see how it goes. Cats shouldn't lose weight too quickly--just like humans--so a slow but steady loss is what we're going for. Before long, she'll have her girlish figure back, and Daddy will have to stop calling her "Orca" and "Shrimpboat"!