Lessons in catlife-Guest post by Tami the cat

Meow fellow felines

My name is Tami. I am a shorthaired domestic tabby who was abandoned, until the lovely hoomins (aka humans-these are the two legged animals we rule over) at the Lucky Lucy Foundation rescued me. I was recently taken in by my foster-mom (the author of this blog) about a year and a half ago, and things have been going really well. It has taken the hoomin a while to adjust to having a new ruler, but she is now well-trained.

This is me...I'm cute right? 

While this post is being written by mom, she is under my control (more than usual), for the purpose of this post. I feel it is my duty to help you all live a better 9 lives with your hoomin, so I have compiled a list of simple rules to follow:

1.Boxes. Boxes, boxes boxes, boxes. I cannot stress this enough. If you see a box, it is cat-code to sit in it, no matter how small it may appear. Abide by our motto: If it fits, it sits!

Sometimes hoomin will buy things to use for herself, but it will be useful to you, so use it...

 

2. Sleeping. Sleep is important. So whenever you need or want to sleep, do it. It doesn't matter where...

On the table...

 on the newspaper while hoomin is readin...

 on hoomins pillow...

 on the newspaper while hoomin tries to clean...

 on the bed while hoomin is getting ready for work...

 by the window sill...

 on hoomins bag...

 in the sun on the floor...

 and finally, on any item of clothing that belongs to hoomin.

3. Laptops. I won't go into detail here, but all you need to know is, if there is a laptop present, sit on it or next to it...

NB. Your input during thesis/article, and novel writing is invaluable. Make sure your hoomin knows it!

4. Pens/anything on the table. Hit them till they fall off the table and onto the floor. This is fun and keeps hoomin on their toes.

5. Bathroom time.

When hoomin is in the shower, sit outside and meow every now and then...

and when hoomin is on the toilet, you must sit with him/her...don't listen when being chased away and asked for private time.

6. When hoomin is being creative, join in. Your input is important, even if they don't realise it...

And my last point...

7. Selfies. Now my hoomin is not a huge fan of selfies, but every now and then she takes them, and will include me. My advice, go along with it. It lets hoomin think they are in control, and that's funny!

That's it from me feline friends. Good luck with your hoomins!

Hoomins, please check out the Lucky Lucy Foundation, and help out in any way you can. They are an amazing organisation that helps many animals in need! 

And remember "Adopt, don't shop!"

Meow for now! Tami the cat xxx

Artwork by Milly- "Farewll Senorita"

About three months ago, I had to say farewell to a good friend of mine. As a parting gift, I painted (or rather attempted to paint a portrait of us together), and added a touch  of Africa to the mix :)

Now I know it it's far from a Da Vinci, but I am still proud. I definitely need lessons from a professional, but until I have time to spare, I'm going to figure it out for myself :)

(winging it all the way!)

What A Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship

A mothers' love gone wrong...

I recently read the story of Gypsy Rose and Dee Dee last week in YOU magazine, and I was absolutely shocked and sickened. 

 

Gypsy Rose and her mother Dee Dee. Image source: InTouch Weekly

In a nutshell, Dee Dee had been administering an array of drugs and treatments to her daughter Gypsy Rose from an early age. She also managed to convince doctors that her daughter was suffering from a long list of illnesses, including cancer! As a result, Gypsy Rose had undergone numerous unnecessary medical procedures, including the insertion of a feeding tube, and was forced to move around in a wheelchair. She was also encouraged to act years younger than her actual age. Her mother Dee Dee enjoyed the attention, as well as perks that came with having an extremely ill child, which included receiving a new house, trips to places such as Disney Land, and financial support. Gypsy Rose eventually managed to find some solace in an online relationship with a young man she met on a Christian dating website. This relationship allowed Gypsy Rose to express herself, with "guidance" from the troubled young lad, who was very much into sexual fantasies and role play. When the treatment from her mother had finally become too much for Gypsy Rose, and after may conversations with her partner, it was decided that her mother would be killed. While Gypsy Rose did not execute the murder herself, she was apparently a willing participant. I recently also watched the documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest which takes you through the story of this horrific crime, from the beginning of her childhood, to the sentencing of the guilty party. I felt quite uneasy watching the interviews with family members and friends. It is so difficult to even imagine how they felt when they discovered the truth. The mental and physical abuse this young lady endured at the hand of her own mother, is unfathomable, and the individual she has become (which you can also gather from her interviews) as a result is frightening, but expected (in my opinion). The murder of her mother was inexcusable, but not completely unexpected. If you haven't seen the documentary, you should give it a watch.

Gypsy Rose in hospital. Image source: Esquire

The guilty pair. Image source: People-Crime

URGENT: Funding and assistance required for feline furbaby

Hi guys. This is Baby. She is a very sickly furbaby who requires lots of love and treatment. Please share this message and help if you can. Visit this FaceBook page: ROKD Fundraising and Support
#HelpTheAnimals
#AllLivesMatter

Baby needs your help <3

Hidden Figures Official Trailer 1 (2017) - Taraji P. Henson Movie

Heroic Tails Competition- Blake :)

Please vote (http://www.montego.co.za/ht_2016/blake/) for this hunk of a pup! He needs all the votes he can get :)

"At the age of 2, Blake (4 year old Rotti x GSD) had x-rays done. We found out that he suffered from severe hip dysplasia. On 30 July 2016, while running outside, Blake had torn his ligaments and couldn’t walk. That night he wet himself because he couldn’t get up. I took him to his vet and on 2 August 2016, x-rays were done again. I was advised that 6 of his 8 joints were so bad that it would be kinder to put him to sleep than to endure the numerous surgeries that the surgeons would most probably not even agree to do. I got a second and third opinion stating the same.
I then approached Hilton Veterinary Hospital. He was admitted for the weekend to reduce the wind up pain from the ligament tears. During his stay, I kept in contact with Dr Jeanette Oosthuizen who looked at the video of him bunny hopping and read through the opinions and x-rays. She advised me that she’d instead do the knee surgeries to stabilize his knees so he could walk again.
On the 10th August 2016, the surgeries were done. I was advised that dogs usually drag themselves around the first few days after surgery. But my Blakey was so determined that he had actually walked out of his kennel that next morning, despite both knees being operated on the day before! He’s doing really well so far and is proving his will to live, despite the odds! "