Tuesday, February 10, 2009

What's on Fluffy's mind


Q. One of our customers wanted to know a few things about her big grey and white cat named Fluffy. She wanted to know: If he understood that her husband had to travel frequently with his work and did he know that her husband was going to come back each time? Was there anything that he or his younger brother needed that they weren't getting? Does Fluffy feel that he's the favored cat in the house by his parents?

A. Fluffy understood that his dad had to travel often. He wasn't happy that he had to be away like that. He said he thought his father would probably come back from each trip, answering me 'that he will, he may' , but I could sense that he had some doubts about that. I spoke with his mother. I asked if his dad had gone away and not come back when he was supposed to, when he had told Fluffy he would be back? She told me that it had happened once, due to weather conditions, that he was held up a few extra days. That was the kind of thing that I had suspected put doubts in Fluffy's mind. She also said that when her husband leaves on trips, he'll say in jest to her, 'I'll come back. Maybe.' That could be part of it. I didn't ask him further.

I asked Fluffy to describe his own personality to me. He said he was 'proud, bold, handsome, Dapper Dan, mostly calm, In the moment. I asked him what he meant by that, he said 'clear thinking'. He said he liked his brother, they liked each other. They would talk about: ' Dad, when he's away, when he's back, and discuss being able to go outside'.

Fluffy did seem to feel that his parents favored his brother more. I could sense a bit of jealousy or competition for attention on his part. He described his younger brother as ' big man, ego maniac, wants attention all the time, wants to take over, stubborn, free-willed, not fun to play with, he plays hard and rough with me, bossy all the time. He said his brother was 'dumb, not smart. I asked why he would say that? He told me 'I watch him, not smart, no ideas. But, all the while, he did seem to genuinely like his brother's companionship and friendship...

This is how Fluffy described his brother to me. I know, from his mother, that Fluffy is in fact the dominant cat in the house. He said that his brother is favored because he is 'more playful and energetic with his parents'.

When asked, what he needs that he's not getting, he mentioned 'candy... the Swedish or Norwegian one'... His mom said that her husband often brings cat treats home from his European trips, but they are from Germany. He said that he needed to be brushed more often because 'more off, it's nice, calms me, relaxes me, it's nice, that's all. When asked if his brother needed anything, he said ' not at all!'.

The things that make him laugh: 'Falling snow outside. His dad sometimes, goes outside, waves up at me'. His younger brother makes him laugh because ' he runs around chairs, the house, speeds by so fast.
His favorite things: 'outside on the balcony, high up, birds go by, sing to me songs. What kind of songs? 'lullabyes, melodies'.

What makes him sad? 'Saying good-bye. To who? 'Sergeant Major.. Who's that? dad, of course!'
I asked the woman if this was her husbands post in the military. She said that he was a Captain, but that his father, was a Sergeant Major... Fluffy described his dad saying that 'He's a man! He's tough!'
When asked, What scares you? He said nothing really.
He said that he is quite happy with his life and his brother. He said, in reference to their health, that they are 'pretty good, fine really'.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Orange, for as far as the eye can see!



(Left) Little Punkin (kitten orange/white) looks like he's mimmicking a larger version of himself... Both look so content.. must've been near nap time when this was taken..

((Above) Our girl Casper (white/grey) takes a well deserved time-out... She's another kitty that likes a snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug, cozy basket... Just an expression Casper... no offense intended.. You're just too cute.. that's what I meant!



(Left) Here we have Ella again.. This time inside of the boat... while our little old girl Maddie (Mademoiselle) walks past her 'port hole'... Big Boy Thor (orange tabby) was walking past but took an 'about face' to come over and give the camera a close-up shot.


(Left) Harry & Smokey look like they've know each other for weeks already... time does fly when you're on Holidays.... n'est pas!


Sunday, February 8, 2009

Welcome & Welcome Back!



(Left) Shrodinger came back to visit us for the weekend... looking very handsome surrounded by more of Erin's handy work... I think, if we just put a little red bow tie on him, he'd be all ready to go out on the town... very dapper little fellow..


(Left) Young siblings Rags (Ragdoll) and Punkin (orange/white), spared no time in checking out the big bi-wing airplane once they arrived Friday for their first visit... They're all of 6 months old... and they already have the 'curious cat' thing down pat!

(Left & below) Ella's family sent her a big Ola! from Cuba. That is Ella playing with a piece of bailer twine on top of the 'hay bails' .... I have been remiss in posting more pictures of the little cutie... She's very friendly but not a big keener for the camera always.... (Below) Ella sits atop the 'pirate boat' and observes as my little old friend Spencer navigates 'the waves' below...





Saturday, February 7, 2009

A new vantage point..

(Left) I came across this picture that was taken a few weeks back... I thought I had already posted it but hadn't.... Oh, Sneakers (grey/white).... You're always thinkings.... 'How would you guys look upside down?!' He is a bit of a comedian...


(Left) The girls, Soleil & Suzie Q made friends recently... 'Meet you on the top bunk... we'll chat!'



(Above) Mr. Smokey (grey), just left yesterday.... His friends will miss him, til the next time... He's quite the 'live wire'... and loves the camera...



(Left) Our gorgeous African girl, Kima, could be 'part ferret'... she loves to burrow under covers and pillows and fit herself into 'too small' boxes and beds.... but only when she's ready to sleep.. otherwise, she spends a lot of time hanging out on the airplane, on the window sills or up top of the loft on one of my cat beds....



Thursday, February 5, 2009

Hi! From everyone...


I just wanted to thank Jane Heintzman, senior writer for the New Edinburgh Newspaper, for the lovely article that she did on our New Monthly Art Contest.... It was very well written and we've actually had enquiries from it already... Very nice work Jane. We really appreciate the NEN's community support in regard to our new endeavour. The local charities thank you as well. For those of you that are interested to read her article.. we will have it posted to our website later this week..

(Above) Here is one little girl that is not afraid of the camera... Lily waves Hi to her Mom... and looks forward to seeing them again on the weekend...

(Left) Here we have our girl Maji (tortoise shell) and .... poka dots!! I think Erin has been here before us.... very cute... The white & red makes me think of the trunk of a cartoon mushroom... I like it!

(Left) Sassy (Siamese) just went home this week.. she's been coming in for a few years already... very gentle... loves attention...



(Left) Tanucki (dark tabby) just went home again too... She always explores about when she's in...She especially liked our latest structure.. the 'tractor and wagon load of hay bails...' ... Yes, just like it sounds... but, for cats of course!


Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Ottawa Felines in February...



Another gorgeous sunny day in Ottawa... That always puts a smile on everyone's face...
(Left) You can tell that Erin has been very busy while I was out of the office yesterday afternoon working on techie stuff... She got the paints out again & the funny structure that I put up before Christmas now appears to have a name.... very cute... I've told her that I fully expect to see a 'Graffiti Art' entry from her for our February Art Contest!!! She just laughed.... I was serious!

(Left)Casper (grey/white) hangs out with Zipper (orange/white).. He's getting very adventurous.. each day we find him checking out the view from a new play structure... Haven't found him in the airplane yet... He may take a pass on that one.... but, you never know..

(Left) Little cutie Harry (white with orange) has been in before... He liked draping himself over that whicker high-chair last time too... People would be surprised at what sharp memories they have...


(Left) I know, it's shameless!! I couldn't resist posting a picture of my own 4 at home yesterday.. It's rare that you find the 4 of them posed for one shot... I know... Shameless!! But, aren't they adorable...?


Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Winners of the January 2009 Art Contest

Our January's Art Contest was to design a Car Bumper Sticker for the Pet Bed and Breakfast..

The first place winner for January's Art Contest, 19 years of age and over, was Jen Mercier, aged 24. Her charity of choice for the cash donation portion of her prize, is The University of Ottawa Heart Institute... Well done Jen! Nice take on 'The Army Wants You!'

The second place winner for the 19 years and over age category, was Mitch Stein, aged 20. Nice work Mitch... The cats have a couple of airplane structures to fly around on at our Cageless Cat Kennel too...


The first place winner for the 18 years and under category, was Heather Jones, age 16.5. Her charity of choice is the Friends of Abandonned Pets.... Good job Heather. Very clean & simple & cat-chy..



The second place winner for the 18 years and under category, was Amber Stewart, aged 12. Cats, cats, cats... that says it all Amber.. Nice job!

A big thank you to all of our participants this month. We had quite a few more entries in January compared to our debut launch in December 2008.

The February 2009 Contest details can be found through our weblink on the right hand side of the blog homepage or though our website http://www.petbedandbreakfast.ca/ . Our Subject Matter for the February Contest is ' Animal Graffiti'... no writing, no slogans.. just pictures...

We are starting to get some local media coverage for our Monthly Art Contest so this will help us to grow it into something very fun and big...Remember, There aren't only 4 winners each month.. there are 6 winners... Two first prizes, 2 second prizes and the 2 selected charities that receive a cash component as well... Lets go Ottawa! Show us your talent! Don't be shy!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Lots of new faces at the Pet B&B


There are always lots of familiar faces at the kennel and each week we get a whole bunch of new ones.... that end up being familiar ones... and so on, and so on...

(Left) Choufleur (orange/white) was very happy to see his adorable little buddy Sophie (dark tabby) in again... They've met before... no doubt, in the airplane, just like this time...

(Left) Zipper is joining us for the first time... He's what I refer to as a 'big marshmallow kitty'.... Mr. Schmoozie ..... just like the majority of other male orange tabby cats..


(Left) Nikki (dark tabby with white) is in for the first time with her sister Casper (in yesterday's posting)... Nikki is a bit shy so far, compared to her sister, but they are both really sweet and gentle...

(Left) Maji is back to visit us... She is a big cutie... Erin and I were saying that we don't get that many long haired tortoise shell cats in... I think the last one was Kali, from Christmas time... Tortoise shell cats (either the black with orange/ or the muted variety of grey with caramel colors) are always female... as are calico cats (with bigger, sharper colors of black/orange or grey/orange) .


Sunday, February 1, 2009

What are Sundays for?


Lazy, hazzy days of winter... or lazy & bright... depends the day!

(Left) Our little friend Smokey (grey) starts his morning out sprawled out in the spaceship.... later (Below) he launches himself threw the air to end up on the airplane... If you zoom in for a closer look, you'll see just how relaxed this little boy is when he visits... That's quite the pose Smokey! His other friends try to engage him to play, but he's not interested at the moment.... Sassy (chocolate point siamese) , sitting in the window, is a true sun worshipper... loves to soak it up..


(Right) It is very difficult to sneak up on Dimitrie (orange tabby) while he's sleeping... He can be a very light sleeper... He looked so cute all coiled up and toasty... but he heard me tip-toe up the stairs and the eyes caught me out...



(Left) Big girl Casper (white & grey) gets a little unexpected company from a new friend... People often ask, 'Is it alright for us to bring our cat's pillow or blankets?... we always tell people... that's fine, but don't be surprised if most of the other cats want to use it... Quite often, the cat that came in with the pillow will find somewhere else that they prefer to sleep...

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Do you hear that music?



So, there they were, (Left) the 3 cats sitting on the bunk beds... bottom bunk Eins (dark tabby), middle bunk is Gingko (black) and passed out on the top bunk is Suzie Q....

Then, I put some music on for them... Gingko, for the most part is a bit reserved when it comes to picture taking time.... after having spoken to her many times over the last 3 years... I am well aware that she loves, like, really loves music....

That's when she started doing her 'break dancing' / sommersaults on the bunk bed...



I know her mom is missing her terribly from Asia so Gingko and I thought we'd send her a few pics just to say Hi!














Thursday, January 29, 2009

Familiar faces... familiar spaces...



(Left) Big Boy Toto relaxes in his favorite spot while Gingko (black) in the background relaxes in one of hers....

(Below) As you can see, this top bunk is a favorite spot with many cats... Here Suzie Q (tortoise shell) shares the space with Soleil...(calico)



(Left) Thor (orange tabby) came back in today.. He is one of the many diabetic cats that we get in... Just like us humans, he gets insulin shots twice a day... Most animals that require medication are housed in one of our individual rooms so that we can best monitor their eating, drinking, etc.







(Left) Spencer (dark tabby) has been coming in almost since I opened over 7 years ago. He has developed a thyroid condition in the last year and takes medication for that. He's a gorgeous little guy..

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Personal appearances and cameo shots...


Just wanted to apologize for my inconsistent postings this past week or so and for the lack of animal communication stories.... I'm working on my business taxes and am near complete... once they are finished I will be back full force talking to your animals... Fluffy, Monkey and George Bush's dog .... are at the top of the list...

All of our little furry friends were in the mood to pose for the camera today... (Above) Soleil (calico) works on her leg-over-leg walk along side Lily (dark tabby)... making a subtle cameo is Eins (dark tabby) in the background...


(Left) Ferdinand (medium haired grey) shows off his long fit legs ...while his brother TimBit (below) holds a nice still pose...






(Left) Choufleur (orange/white) uses the beaming sun and snow as his backdrop... There are some cats that would look great in a picture, but when they see a camera trained on them, they will always squint or look away... some just really dislike the flash .. keep in mind.. they know what you are up to and they even know when you will press that button...



Sunday, January 25, 2009

How adorable can they be...

Just a reminder that our Monthly Art Contest deadline is Jan 31st 2009... There is still time to put in your Art Work... details can be found in the right hand column of the blog or on our website...There aren't just 2 first place winners & 2 second place winners... There are, in effect, 6 winners.... when you include the 2 charities that each receive a portion of prize money... The 2 first place winners get to decide on their charities of choice...

(Left) It was Toto's first visit with us...Mom & Dad are in the sunny south... 'Cool Cat' ... that says it all... even though 'Schmoozie Cat' would be a more appropriate name for his bed!

(Above) Eins... short for Einstein & his brother Chief (below) visit us regularly through out the year... I always have a lot of fun with these too... they are both very telepathic... strong on visuals... and they love to help me practice my animal communication skills ....




(Right) Cuties Baffi (sitting up) and his buddy Javert (stretched out) hung out regularly together up on the big yellow pillow... they both went home this week...