I have trained my Mom quite well! We have developed a routine every day when she comes home from work. When I hear Mom's car in the driveway, I immediately run to my scratching post to trim my claws so I won't hurt mom.
"Aw, Mom, Did you have to get my backside?"
I meet her at the door (some would say just like a dog) and welcome her with my small meow. Before Mom even has the chance to pick me up, I go around the corner straight to the couch beside my treats! Of course, Mom is talking to me the whole time and I just keep saying, "Give me treats!"
Mom has recorded a short video of the first stop to my treats below. I am ashamed to admit that I have a fur mat hanging down on my floofy chest that Mom didn't brush out before taking the video. I think she was too excited to film me in action. We will try not to have this type of oversight again. The first treats I always get are my "prescription" treats. Because of all of my floof, I have had some blockages in the past that have required some trips to the VET, so I have to have extra fiber in my diet. I just love these prescription treats because I can have up to 20 of them a day. Mom used to have to go to the VET to get these, but she just discovered they are now available on the Internet to buy. That pleases her with the high cost of gas these days.
I hope you enjoy our little amateur video. Mom just loves my "little meow". If you listen really carefully, you can hear me purring the whole time I am getting treats. You must forgive my Mom's truly Southern accent!
I'm not finished once I get these treats. Mom thought she was tricking me a couple of years ago when she was a college professor. She began taking a bag of my other favorite treats back to her office in the house to encourage me to come back there with her while she was working. She just thinks she was training me - hee! hee! As soon as I get my prescription treats, I immediately head down the hallway towards her "home office" and wait at the door until she comes.
"Come on, Mom, you are much too slow!"
The office door is the last door on the left down the hallway. Mom just realized with this picture that I have left a few spots on the carpet, so she must learn how to use the new Kirby Monster. I will tell you about the Kirby Monster on another post.
Once I get inside Mom's office (she has to step over me to get to the computer because I am ready for my Topini Treats), I wait beside the BIG computer for my Topini Treats.
I have been eating these treats for a long time. Mom is constantly searching on the Internet to find these because they are not as readily available in the United States as they used to be. (Dragonheart and Merlin tell me they are in Germany. Perhaps, I should take a trip there!) There are three flavors: trout (the blue mice), cheese (the pink mice) and meat (the brown mice). I don't like the meat flavor, so Mom doesn't buy those anymore because it is a waste of her money. Mom has tried several other treats, but I will just sniff at them and look at her and walk away!
As you can tell, I am quite a spoiled little kitty, but I think I'm worth it!
I've told you that my Mom can be a little crazy sometimes. Well, she has prepared for the upcoming University of South Carolina football season by decorating our guest bathroom in Gamecock colors! I pity the poor guest who doesn't like garnet and black and a bunch of "chickens" all round when they want a little privacy. Jasper - tell your Mom and Dad they better watch out! They will know what I mean . . .
All kidding aside (not really), Mom was at home today and decided to use the guest bathroom instead of her bathroom. I always like to jump from the toilet to the cabinet to watch her in the "blue bathroom" once she gets out of the shower. However, today, I didn't have that extra 2 feet to leap because my "perch" was occupied. You can see that it is a long way from the floor to the top of the cabinet, especially for a little old lady like me (almost 13 years old). Well, Mom did her usual thing and tapped her hand on the cabinet and said, "come on, Praline. Jump up." I looked at her and then looked at the cabinet. I decided it was too tall for me. I walked out of the bathroom. I came right back in and looked at that cabinet again and decided I just couldn't do it. I walked back out two more times and when I came back in, I decided, "what the heck, let's try it."
Guess what? I actually made it! Mom was so thrilled and she just laughed and gave me all kinds of praise. I looked back down and couldn't believe that I actually did it! Wow! I didn't stay up there too long because Mom had the nerve to leave the bathroom once I got up there. She was saying something about getting the flashy box! I decided I had enough, so I jumped back down. I must say, I am pretty proud of myself.
Mom celebrated by giving me an extra treat! Hmmmm. Maybe I will try another amazing feat if this is what I get! I have been eating these "Topini" treats almost my whole life and Mom has to search the Internet to find them. Note from Mom: I wish you could have seen the determination on Praline's little face. I really felt bad that I was asking her to jump up on the cabinet. She literally walked out of the room and came back in three times, looking up at the cabinet everytime she came in. She scared me when she actually attempted it. I don't think I will try that again. I don't want to take a chance on her getting hurt.
Please keep your thoughts and special purrayers going for my Mom! She was back at the doctor's office today and he put her on a second round of antibiotics and gave her a shot in her backside. OUCH! I'm glad it wasn't me. Hee! Hee!
Mom's not really into all of this horoscope stuff, but she ran across a website about Cat Signs of the Zodiac and we were amazed how much my horoscope truly reflected my personality. Thought you would enjoy this just for fun!
Libra:
The Libra Cat will demand love and attention. Brush her/his hair. Clip his/her nails. Even a bath might be demanded as this cat knows it is beautiful and expects the person in his/her world to make sure that beauty is appreciated. Sensuous this is a cat that will adore a velvet pillow and needs a scratching post to keep nails looking good. Don't forget to tell him/her that it is beautiful or you may see some sulking around the house. Libra cats do not do well left at home alone so it might be good to consider a companion animal.
I was one of the Funny Picture Friday winners sponsored by Texas at Fractious Cat Central. Mom says this picture is priceless because I am usually looking so lady-like or cute, but this expression makes her laugh every time she sees it. Even though you can see the picture at Texas' blog, we thought we would post it here too. Okay, have a good laugh on me! HIGH FIVE SATURDAY RECOGNITION Maggie and Zoey recognized me on the High Five Saturday on their Zoolatry blog. This was a really neat graphic that Miss Ann did to show the comparison between my name and the Praline candy that is so sweet. We always appreciate all that Miss Ann does for us and appreciate the recognition today.
Mom took some time for herself today and drove up to Asheville, North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains for a friendly cookout and party. I think Mom really needed this trip. Between her health, the computer crashing, and now she can't find her camera, between you and me, I believe she needed a break! It also gave me some snoozing time!
And NOW . . .
Easy like a Sunday Morning. I grabbed the big couch/sofa for my nap today. Don't even think about moving me! You can sit in the chair, Mom.
Grrreta has tagged me for the Six Unspectacular Quirks Meme. I think I have been tagged for this one before (see June 26 blog), but I will take this opportunity to tell you a little more about my self.
Meme Rules: Link to the one who tagged you. List the rules on your blog. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours. Tag some blogger friends with links. Leave a comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.
Well, here we go again!
1. I like to sleep on the toilet seat in mom's bathroom. I also like to lie here while mom is taking a shower and surprise her when she opens the door!
2. I am a very, very, finicky eater. When Iams changed the formula for my stinky goodness, I made Mom buy 6 different brands of food before she found one that I would eat.
3. I just LOVE closets. I can be in one end of the house and hear Mom open a closet door and I am like a lightening bolt. Whoosh! I am in the back of the closet before she can say Praline. I really like the linen closet because I can lie down on the soft blankets.
4. I love to lie on my back and expose my belly for Mom to rub. Even after 12 years, all it takes is for me to roll over and expose the belly, look up at her with my big eyes, and she goes Awwwww and immediately rubs my belly. I give her a loud purr while she is doing it.
5. It gets very HOT and HUMID here in South Carolina. I love to lie directly underneath the air condition vent and stay cool. I have two favorite spots: this one between my scratching post and litter box and the one that is underneath Mom's bed. I have been known to face the vent directly and let the air blow right on my face. Mom hasn't captured that with the flashy box yet.
6. Mom calls me her Phantom (after Phantom of the Opera fame!) cat because only 3/4 of my face is the seal-point color, which I got from my seal-point Himmie Mom. I got me red/cream color from my red tabby Persian Dad. Also, Mom just loves The Phantom of the Opera. She has seen it 2 times on Broadway and watches the movie all the time. Mom is a little crazy sometimes!
I think I have been tagged for another meme while Mom's laptop was down (it's still broke and she is still waiting for the Dell people to contact her!) and will get to that meme this week. Have a GREAT weekend!
Hey Mom. . .The TV is saying there are some storms brewing. Where is Texas? Does our fur friend Texas live in Texas? Will he be safe? Weren't you born in Corpus Christi, Texas?
I am guarding the remote control so Mom doesn't change the channel to watch the soap opera.
Seriously, we do hope all of our fur friends have survived the bad weather. Special purrs are being sent your way.
Please visit Chica and Pumuckl and their mom, Ana, and wish them well as they as they prepare for a new journey in their life. We wish you the best and look forward to hearing about your journey and new home.
I received this special award from Sabrina, Sam and Simon at the St. Lewis Meezers. This award was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creativity and their talents, also for contributing to the blogging world in whatever medium. When you receive this award it is considered a special honor. Once you have received this award, you are to pass it on to 5 others. Rules:
You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogger community, regardless of language.
Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
Award-winners and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
To show these rules.
I am so honored that the St. Lewis Meezers have honored me with this award. I would like to share it with my Mom, because she assists me daily with these blogs. I would like to pass this award on to some special kitties (Some may already have this award!) that visit me almost everyday and always have kind things to say: The Taylor Catsssss, Laila and Minchie, Jasper McKitten-Cat, Chairman Mao (and the Ballicus kitties), and Gandalf and Grayson.
Thank you Sabrina, Sam and Simon.
Mom and I want to thank everyone for their kindness since we began blogging in June. We feel we have made so many new friends and can't wait to get on the Cat Blog first thing in the morning to see what our fur friends are up to. This is a wonderful place to laugh, cry, and communicate!
There is something about the presence of a cat... that seems to take the bite out of being alone. ~Louis J. Camuti
Well, we thought we were going to tell you the story about Praline and the Kirby monster, but Mom has been on the phone with the Dell man for 4 hours about her "new" laptop and it is now after midnight and Mom must travel to Beaufort, SC tomorrow morning, which is over a 3 hour drive one-way. I want Mom to make it back safely, so we will share that story another time.
Instead, we are g0ing to show all of the special places to pet (or rub your noses in ) the floof of a flat-face floof kitty.
The Head, the Ears, and the Chin
A cat must really trust the bean to allow their hands to touch the face, nose, head, chin and ears. I love for my mom to rub her finger along side my sweet little nose and up beside my eyes. I help her to do this by licking her finger and move my head up and down and she washes my eyes this way. I can't reach that part, so this has become a routine with the two of us. It feels so good.
The next part is the back. This is the long, luxurious fur that shines! This is also one of the parts that must be combed or brushed every day. I like for mom to start from the top of my head and run her hand all the way down my back and then to the tip of my tail. She gets some long purrs for that.
The unique spot that many beans don't think about it the floofy tail. You must really know the kitty well and he/she must really trust you, but playing with the tail is a very unique experience.
And the bestest spot for petting a floofy kitty is right on the belly. I know some kitties that don't like this, but I love it. I just spread further and further out and let my mom just run her fingers through my fur!
I have received an award and a meme, and we will get these posted within the next day.
"One reason we admire cats is for their proficiency in one-upmanship. They always seem to come out on top, no matter what they are doing, or pretend they do."- Barbara Webster
Paperwork is a never-ending job around our house. Mom used to be a professor and there were papers all over the house (don't tell Mom, but there are still too many papers!) to be read, graded, researched, filed, etc. Luckily, there isn't as much "take home" work as there used to be since mom has left the teaching field. However, there are still times that she brings work home and being the good kitty that I am, I try to help out.
I lie ready and waiting for instructions to assist mom with the most recent paperwork. Because she was out recuperating from surgery for two weeks, some work had to be completed at home.
I am always ready and willing. Oh wait, there is something on tv about cats. Just a minute, Mom.
Oh, alright! If you insist! I am tired of all this paperwork. Besides, you need to take your medicine and get some rest; Praline's ORDERS (since you don't listen to the doctors).
I've got an idea. I will just lie down on top of the work and the only way for you to get to it is to go through me! And we all know what happens . . .
Roll over, expose floofy tummy, give Mom the "look" and get bunches of belly rubs! It works everytime. I guess I showed "one-upmanship on mom again! Hee! Hee!
"People who love cats have some of the biggest hearts around." ~Susan Easterly
We did it! We finished rebuilding our blog list with the help of so many kitties and their beans! We hope we were able to replace all of our regular fur friends, but we are so thankful that we have met new friends in the process. Mom wants to thank everyone for their well wishes and purrayers! She is feeling a little better today, but she is still very tired. Her foot was swollen and hurting the last two days, but she hopes that is part of the normal process of healing after surgery. We will be back with more stories next week!
Quote for the Day If we treated everyone we meet with the same affection we bestow upon our favorite cat, they, too, would purr. - Martin Buxbaum
Don't mess up my blog again, Mom! I will give you the infamous Hiss!
I'm so tired, I don't even want to play with the nip cigars!
We have been working for two days on rebuilding our blogging list and are about half-way finished. Mom sends a very special thank you to all of the cat bloggers who responded to our request. The response was beyond "amazing."
Please keep my mom in your thoughts and purrayers! It has been a long week for her. She finally gets back to work this week from her foot surgery (after being out for two weeks) and she gets sick and had to miss more work (the doctor put her on antibiotics and told her to rest!) Mom says today was her worst day - foot hurts, back hurts, head hurts, sinuses hurt, fingers hurt, and her brain hurts! I think her pride was also a little bruised because she messed up my blog list last night. But I forgive her, she's my Mom and she is the best.
Note from Mom to Praline - My Sweet Praline, you give me a reason to keep going when the going gets tough!
Ok, Mom. That's enough sentimental, gooey stuff. Let's make this "Fantabulous Friday." It's the end of the work week. You are going to see that fun movie, Mama Mia. You get to hear Coach Steve Spurrier talk about the Gamecocks tomorrow. You get to sing in church on Sunday. You have two days to play with me. Life is great! It's the weekend! Do I think I see a smile? YES! All it takes is a little push from your furry friend!
PLEASE HELP US! We accidently deleted our complete blog list of our fur friends. We must start over from the beginning and add everyone back to our list who has visited us and who we have visited. Thanks for being patient as we begin the overwhelming task of adding everyone back. (Mom says the postings may be shorter and visits to other sites fewer for a few days until this gets done.)If anyone has suggestions for quicker ways to do this you can email Mom at pag4usc@sc.rr.com. Hey Mom, I think we have company. I heard a car pull up and the security alarm beep. Somebody is coming to check on you (Mom is at home sick again).
It's Nannay! (That's my human grandmother). She has somebody with her . . .
Ooooooo. I don't think I like the looks of her companion. You're not going to let Nannay come in here with him, are you?
It's a CANINE! I quickly got down in my protected mode, gave him the glowing stare, and when he got closer, I hisssssssssssed at him. (Mom says I don't do that often and she even laughed when she heard it because she doesn't hear it often.) Well, this hiss appeared to work, because he never got any closer. Mom says the leash helped with that but I don't believe her. It was the hiss.
However, I wasn't going to take any chances. I quickly moved around the other side of the couch and went to the end of the hallway and kept a look out until he left. I had to protect my Mom's bedroom - we can't have any strange men in there (hee! hee!).
This is Bandit. He is my human grandmother's Shih Poo (half Shih Zu and half Poodle) puppy and he will be 4 months old next week. He came to visit my Mom today because she wasn't feeling too good and the doctor told her to stay at home a couple of days and try to get some rest! It was nice of him to visit, but I can take care of my Mom all by myself without another furchild coming over!
Is he gone Mom? Mom assures me that he is gone and I have the house all to myself again. Mom gave me extra treats today after he left.
Introducing the Allure of the Floofy Tummy. As stated in the National Geography, human beans cannot control the automatic oral response of "Awwww" that slips out of their mouth, the natural desire to just rub their nose and face in all of the floof and the instant impulse to just dig their hands through all of the floof! There is even rumor of people losing their hands in the floof of the belly. So beware!
If a bean is tempted by the belly rub, but tends to have the self control to not reach out and touch, the fur kitties have been known to give you the "look". Those big sorryful eyes just look right into the beans' souls and lures those unsuspecting individuals to move toward the floofy tummy for a soft rub.
Another trick of the floof tummy kitties is to get in the floor right in front of the tv. It doesn't matter what show the beans are watching, one glance on the floor - eyes turned upward, tummy perfectly exposed, and a long, loud purr will weaken even the strongest individual.
This is one of my most effective tummy rub poses! It gets Mom everytime. Don't you just want to take your face and just rub it in all that floof and rub your hands all through the soft fur?
Hey Mom, we could make a fortune selling tummy rubs!