Levi the Larger - and Leash-Walking Cats

So, the kitten is no more - in his place is a large, well-padded CAT who still adores his soft food and has also taken up the habit of begging for dog cookies, along with the dog. He gobbles his little piece of cookie or scoffs down his food, then looks for more! Eagerly, rarely patiently, waiting for the other cat (Shoga) to finish his food and walk away; Levi is delighted when the special breakfast or dinner happens to be a flavour Shoga does not like. As soon as the big red cat walks away, Levi is in like Flynn - gobbling up the rest. 
Hence: Levi the Larger!

Yesterday, while driving down my street, I saw a lady walking her beautiful Bengal cat on a leash. The cat trotted along so nicely, so doglike, I had to run back with my daughter, after parking the car. Oh yes, with the camera too!  This cat is bold, happy, curious and slim! Her name is Zena - and she greeted us both without hesitation.  We really enjoyed talking with her lovely human companion.  Both Daughter and I determined we should attempt to accustom our large cats to leash walking.  As if we don't have enough to do - however, for their own good it shall be done!
Here are a couple of pics of Zena, the elegant; and Levi the Larger:

Levi the Large!

Since my Levi was sick - and recovered just fine (sorry not to post sooner!), I've managed to be under the weather for a few weeks and still trying to take care of the family, so I've neglected the Levi updates. Sorry!
Levi, who was a kitten, is now a 12 lb CAT! Still loving, affectionate, playful; still whining and crying for his breakfast and supper. Still the delight of our family.

I'll dig up some photos to post in a few shakes - just gotta get those kids of mine cracking for the school bus on time!

Levi is Under the Weather

It struck me with great concern this morning that my (not so) little guy did not greet my early morning footsteps with his usual crying and whining for food. In fact, there was no sign of him, even after the fridge door opened; nor indeed after the food was distributed into their dishes. I searched the house for him, opening closed bedroom doors, thinking perhaps he'd slept in a family member's room all night perforce. No Levi.
I checked in his 'bunk bed' box, situated outside my bedroom door.  Sure enough, he was curled up and sleeping in the 'bottom bunk' - a box on its side with a towel for padding (the top bunk is an open, low sided box). I picked him up, unresisting. He seemed warmish... I set him in front of his food but he turned away, uninterested. He meandered to the basement to use the box, then went straight back to his bunk bed.
I phoned the vet by 8:30 and had an appointment by 10:20.
The vet gave him a shot to take down his temperature (yes, he had a fever), antibiotics for the next 10 days and a very tasty food to stimulate his appetite.  Levi took the visit quite well - he was even affectionate with the vet, though not his usual energetic self.
Levi ate the food alll up, which was gratifying to see. He's spending the next couple of days in isolation in my Studio, with his own food and water dishes (and litter box, of course).
I'll get a photo up soon... its been a busy day!

Finally, here are a couple-three pics from May 2, when Bek and I stayed in isolation with him to keep him company...
 He slept all day in our arms and Kiah kept us company (she who refused to be left out)...

Please Respect My Copyright

Do I go into your home and take things from you?

Do I wander in, a guest, only to pick up your lovely Tea cup or tea pot, saying "how delightful - I could sure use this, it would brighten my home" and pack it into my purse and go away with it? 

Do I pick up your cherished creations and, without so much as a 'by-your-leave' or thank-you, take them away with me, to use how I see fit?

Then Why are you doing it to me?

I understand that you like the photos I've created, I LIKE THEM TOO!

But when you download them, or screen-capture them, you are stealing. Plain and simple.

Don't.

Didn't your momma teach you right from wrong?

I Talk Stupid To My Cat

I can't seem to help myself - I talk stupid to him. Well, to all of them.  They seem to love it and turn into mushy balls of love when I do. Its part of our relationship now, inescapable. Nevertheless, when you catch yourself talking baby-talk to the cat - or the dog - its a bit embarassing, isn't it? Ah, well. Just thought I'd confess it (and I don't think I'm alone, here, am I?)
After all, with a face like this, who wouldn't talk silly?

Here's Levi as either the Easter Bunny imposter OR as was suggested by a friend, he's in disguise waiting for the Easter Bunny to show...You decide!

9 lbs! My Baby is Growing Fast!

Its a little difficult, perhaps, to see just from photos how my little cat is growing. But let me assure you, he is definitely growing!  He weighed in at about 6 lbs and a couple of ounces when I picked him up from the pet store (where they feature cats and kittens for adoption through Cats Anonymous).  He now weighs in at about 9 lbs! Wow!  He looks so lean and muscular, but there is a definitive heft to his body when he jumps on my chest or he gets scooped up for a snuggle. He's gonna be BIG, methinks!

Playing Catch-Up!

I realize I have some catching up to do on posting about our little guy.  Sorry for the hiatus - but we've been a bit busy in the family as well as taking some time for a family vacation.  We certainly missed our fur babies - and returned to a seemingly much larger Levi!
Here are a few from before our trip (I'll try to process and post a few from after too, just to see if there is a difference in size!)

A Few From this Week...

I couldn't go too long without posting a few pics of the little guy from this week. I'm still hoping to catch some really great action shots - but lighting is key to getting the results I want. I'll post them when I get them!
He continues to talk to us (me!) about his breakfast and dinner - begging for his soft food.  I've found a canned variety (Holistic) that comes in a larger can, so its not as expensive, but still offers great quality - and he loves it! Now, of course, our Shoga is requiring his share of soft food too.  I've noticed he will move Levi off his bowl and take over. Naughty boy!  So I make sure Shoga sees his own dish again and goes to it - staring him down if necessary, to get the point accross, as I move Levi back to his own dish.  Children! Always wanting what the other guy has!

Happy Valentine's Day!

In keeping with the theme of props, I've just shot this photo to add of our sleepy boy - in a bowl this time!
He continues to enjoy his soft food - either homecooked or tinned.  I make sure to buy the good stuff, when I buy tinned food. But he's also starting to eat his kibble more, now that his adult teeth are in.
My daughter helped with the cat wrangling this time  - a good wrangler makes all the difference!
Well, gotta run! Till next time!
Enjoy!

Playing with Props

I just thought it would be fun to play with props with my little guy - and the others if they'll cooperate!
Levi, however, was in "wildman" mode and just wanted to run after his wee toy mousie instead.  I think I'm really going to need a cat wrangler to do the job right!  Hmmm...there must be a kid around here willing to do the job for a small bribe...Cookies, anyone?!

Feb 10 Adventures

Just had to post a few pics - playing, resting, watching the birds outside.
I've cooked some chicken and beef for the Levi - Shoga enjoys it too, of course - but he still goes crazier for the canned food. I wonder why that is? Hmmmm....
With no further ado...

Updates on the Wildman

Levi has begun to accrue some nicknames.  His first nickname was BP, which stands for either Big Paws or Black Paws (he has both). His second nickname was Thunderfoot, so named for his thunderous galloping through the house during crazy-hours. Amazing how such a small cat can be so loud! Let's see, there are a couple more... Little Man, Trouble-Cat, Monkey-Cat, Monkey-Boy and most recently and appropriately, "Ruckus". 
True to the nature of any kitten or cat, Levi 'gets into things' on a regular basis.  These things often crash to the floor, startling everyone in the house; hence the name "Ruckus".  I think this name will stick!
Here are some updated pics of young Ruckus/Levi, who has grown incredibly in his short time with us.

I'm also trying out my new logo/watermark: RavenwoodStudio.com.  This refers to my art/photography/design business.

Levi Makes His Preferences Known

Levi is a canned cat-food lover. He's made that very clear already!  He talks to me about how much he adores his canned cat food - or people food for that matter! (though his access to human food is severely restricted!).  Levi prefers soft, aromatic tuna, salmon, chicken and even beef over kibble.  I may just have to learn to cook for cats.  He's now convinced his older 'brother' that canned food is the way to go, too.

Not that Shoga requires a whole lot of convincing in the food department.  Shoga has a weight problem (but that's a story for another time).  Levi's new 'sister', Roxy, however, consistently refuses soft food of any kind (except cheese, of all things!). No tinned kitty food for her! I've tried her on vet stuff (when she had trouble with urinary crystals), cheap stuff, expensive stuff, home-cooked stuff: No Go!  She delicately sniffs, then turns her nose up at  it all. A bit frustrating, since she's the one with the potential U.T. issues...

Levi, however, will eat nearly anything, if it holds still long enough, though he takes no pleasure in dry kibble. It becomes somewhat more acceptable if its dampened, however.
(I feed my cats Fromm: Surf 'n Turf - one of the few kibbles Roxy finds acceptable. Levi seems to prefer Fromm: Chicken a la Veg.  Canned food ranges from Almo Nature 100% natural salmon & chicken in broth (a favourite); Carlyle Just Tuna for cats; and yes, even one wee tin of Fancy Feast.  Now, understand, I'm not promoting any of these foods or brands, just sharing what I feed my cats.

Here's a couple of photos of Levi's new family:

Shoga

Roxy

Kiah

Cheers!

A Couple More Photos...

Can't help it ~ must post more photos of our new boy!

~ at play!

~ grooming!

~ at rest

More to come later in the week, probably!

Do you have any cat adoption stories to share? Feel free to comment.

We Adopt a Kitten

As a brief background to our new kitten's story, I'll tell you we have two other cats: a 4.5 year old red tabby (Shoga) and a solid, silky black female part Maine Coon (Roxy). Both were barn kittens, semi-feral, and brought home by 5 weeks of age, before their mothers could teach them the ways of the wild. Roxy came with her brother, a dilute tabby of Maine Coon heritage (and calico barncat mother) by the name of Lexi - but his is a story for another posting. We lost him, tragically, in early December, 2010, and he left a huge, fuzzy hole in all our hearts.

This is the story of Levi, our new baby, Roxy and Shoga's new 'brother', and the delight that he is to our lives.  Levi is a tabby, 4 months old.  He and his sister were from a litter of feral kittens found by Cats Anonymous, in Orton, Ontario.  He and his sister Abby were raised in foster care, spayed/neutered and given their appropriate shots etc, until they could be sent to Ruffins, in Georgetown, to find their forever homes in open hearts.

I'll tell you more of Levi's story shortly...