Vila SpiderHawk’s Furry Companions
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Cadeau (left) and KC on my bed. AWWW! |
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Freckles also looking adorable |
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Her Miminess napping on “my” corner of the sofa. |
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KC cuddling with Puck, which is why the bed isn’t made |
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Cadeau supervising Daddy’s game |
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Callie just being Callie |
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Clearly Freckles sees something that disturbs him. Probably a Callie |
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Callie acting as paperweight. |
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Callie doing her gargoyle imitation. |
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Cadeau likes to be sure that all things digital are working properly. |
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Mimi, who is very interested in a spider at the moment. |
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KC pretending to be Freckles. That’s usually Where Freckles hangs out |
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And so Freckles is reduced to joining Cadeau on the cat condo. Oh, the shame of it all! What will the neighborhood kitties say! |
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Freckles has decided my desk chair is HIS! |
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Callie checking out a closet |
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Cadeau having a snooze on my bed. |
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Cadeau having a bite. (We have to keep our strength up donchaknow) |
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KC and Puck. Don't get used to this. Puck doesn't cuddle with other kitties all that often! |
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Her Miminess |
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Meet Callie. She came to us on 5 October, declawed, hungry, and homeless. We worked very hard to find her family and couldn’t. So she’s becoming part of our family now. She’s very healthy and active and curious and sweet. So now we’re back to six cats. The others find her intimidating, even though she’s half their size. So she’s queen of the house, a position that pleases her. |
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Callie grabbing a snack. Boy is she ever an oinker! |
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Cadeau lying in the pass through between the kitchen and the laundry room. |
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Cadeau. I like his dark against the pale floor. |
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Puck likes to make sure my printer is always working in top form. |
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Puck’s worried because he can’t figure out what mischief to get into next. |
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Finally, having worn himself out, Puck settles in for a nap. |
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Freckles posing prettily! |
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And, speaking of pretty, here’s KC! |
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Mimi feels it’s her job to make sure I can’t make my bed, and she takes that responsibility very seriously. |
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KC is just SO TENSE! What to DO! LOL! |
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Puck likes to make sure I’m aware that he’s ignoring me. |
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Her Miminess in HER sun! |
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KC being elegant |
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Cadeau has claimed Skitter’s chair |
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Freckles admiring the view |
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Cadeau helping Daddy play solitaire |
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Puck on Daddy’s desk chair |
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Her Miminess on her throne |
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KC doing what he does best |
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Skitter on his special chair. I still look for him there. |
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KC had been giving Skitter a bath, but he stopped the moment I got the camera! |
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Cadeau on the chair; KC on the footstool |
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Cadeau LOVES the backs of chairs! |
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Freckles and Skitter. Skitter’s death has been hard on Freckles! |
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KC (left) and Her Miminess (right) getting ready for an afternoon snooze |
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If Mimi knew she was sharing the window with Puck she’d have a royal hissy fit! |
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Freckles wanted a glamour shot. |
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Cadeau. I think there’s a squirrel in the tree. |
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For Skitter, In Memoriam by Vila SpiderHawkA lump of sunlight on the sill, rumbling orange and gold, yellow eyes devouring butterflies and bees. A fit of laughter turned to tears, a life of merely fourteen years, yet time enough to fatten my anemic soul. And now we send you to Bastet into the summer’s glowing field to chase the crickets and the gold and orange leaves. Be well, sweet furry friend. Be happy and free. We keep our promise. We release you before you’re wracked with pain. It is so much, and yet, for all the love you gave us day to day, it’s just a whit. And it is all that we can do. A poem for Skitter by Diana DiazLes chats enrich our lives so much, It's impossible to gauge the gift they bring It's shown by their soulful eyes, their touch Accepting our love, and acknowledging That we belong to them, and so, as such They allow us to enjoy their company And permit us to enter their guarded trust
So Skitter has lived and loved your home Your care, her fare, affection you've shown. From baby beginnings 'til now she's grown To become an old, sweet feline crone
She's ready now for that journey alone Traveling away to parts unknown Leaving your hearth & hearts to bemoan Her absence. Yet even though her soul has flown
She'll always be part of a life you've known, Living in memory. Your hearts are her home. Rainbow BridgeJust this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together......." Jo Gray, Author of Cat Tails and Catastrophes To My Dearest Friend Vila, In Memory Of Your Loving Feline Skitter A Poem I Found To Honor Dear Departed Skitter.... I Wish Him Blessings of Love and Light on His Journey To The Rainbow Bridge! They will not go quietly, the cats who've shared our lives. In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survive. Old habits still make us think we hear a meow at the door. Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor. Our feet still go around the place the food dish used to be, And, sometimes, coming home at night, we miss them terribly. And although time may bring new friends and a new food dish to fill, That one place in our hearts belongs to them.... and always will. ~ Linda Barnes ~ Skitter was lucky enough to have belonged to a compassionate, Loving Woman who cared for him well!!!! If only all cats had someone like Vila SpiderHawk! What a wonderful life they would have!!!! With all My Love, Debbie Vila, I am not as poetic as your friends on your page (the poem is wonderful), but I did want to convey my feelings. I am so very happy that you were chosen to share your journey with such a beautiful friend as Skitter. She was privileged to be part of your journey as well. I know that the two of you experienced love, sadness, joy, and peace in each others' company and that both your lives were more complete thanks to your partnership on your paths. Goddess Bless, Hugs, Shiro Your Skitter will be happy now. May I say a few words for your Skitter? 'May the Great Lord and Lady receive you into their care, and may they comfort you and prepare you to be born anew. May the realms of Luna give you all that you desire, and may you find peace and pleasure, and reunion with those who have gone before. Farewell dear Skitter. Blessed Be. Rob Morini Hi Vila, I went your site and viewed all your wonderful pic's of your feline family members. It was beautiful and I cried for your loss and mine. I lost my beloved dog two years ago and I miss her greatly. Our loss is their gain because my dog was in pain and her life was not what she had once had. I hope she is in a better place but I know she is not in physical pain anymore. BB, Rhiannan11 Skitter
Someone came knocking On my door one dark night Looking like a ragamuffin Lost and so forlorn With no one to love And no one loved him. He became ‘mother’ to two wee kittens Helping them on their way to a happy life. His humans were loving He passed that love on To the younger ones in the family Sunshine and meals were the next best thing To the sunshine coming in through the window Friends with all the family He gives baths to a few. Guarding is his special task None shall enter without his say ok He checks his human’s food, It must be edible, you see. He came to me last night Once I had gone to bed He curled up beside me His purr was so loud He shook the bed His love for you is never ending As your love for him will continue on KCJ Windsong, Author of Healing of the Spirit & Mind: A Poetic Guide of My Journey KCJ Windsong © July 29, 2009 Dearest Vila, May your beloved Skitter be welcomed into the eternal and loving arms of Bastet. Indeed, it feels as though he is already there, and his spirit already running free among the Summerlands of meadows, forests, streams, and many loved ones who have gone before us. I've put out a call to my cat Rosie to welcome him, and be his friend. Rosie loves to perch herself on a huge old tree trunk in the middle of a Summerland meadow surrounded by forest. Many other furfriends and their humans who have all passed over before us, love to come there and play as well. Rosie keeps loving, watchful eye on all of them; just like she watched over and 'ran' things among our wild and domestic friends on our ranch and the surrounding forest many years ago, lol. Rosie lived to be 17 years old when she lived with us in this mortal incarnation. She will be a great friend for your Skitter, and help to watch over him as well. Love and Comforting Thoughts, ~Kay The red rose whispers of passion, The white rose is pure love. The red rose is a fire, The white rose is a dove. So I will give you a cream white rose, with a flash of red on the tips, for the love that is cleanest and purest, has a kiss of passion on the lips. This is for you Skitter. Love, Elena and cats We are sorry to hear of Skitter's passing. We have enjoyed his love of life and occasional outbursts over the years and feel we could have recognized that face had we walked into your kitchen. While I am not exactly a fan of revisionist history, I do offer one piece of advice--remember the kitten, the prankster, that ball of occasional attitude. Let go of his pain and suffering. He has. You loved him well and will surely shed some tears. That's okay, too. Love, Bill & Melinda Vila, I am so sorry for your loss. Skitter Boo was always a favorite, walking around with his loud, persistent meows, and being such a sweet friend to the other kitties. Such a charming fellow. Love, gentle hugs to you both, and The Five. Helen M. Collins I did not know Skitter personally but I know his human companion, a kind loving person. As long as Skitter lived I know he was well loved and a dear part of the family. May he rest now in the Goddess' arms, run in meadows and chase butterflies. Lady Bleu The worst part about having animal companions is having to let them go and knowing when it is their time. And you definitely knew...it would've been selfish to keep him alive and in pain. You gave him a blessed life and I'm sure he knew it in his own kitty way! BB Lauren Curtis, Artist  This is actually Skitter’s picture that Deb turned into a comment on one of my “spaces”. Cats are one of nature's most wondrous animal;, let me correct that, human spirits. You will never find two with the same characteristics. One may like to lay on you, almost anywhere on you. Others my sit beside you and rest just their head in your lap. Still, others will just jump in your lap and curl up. I don't believe we choose them, I believe they choose us. They are a spirit half to us. Knowing us, understanding us, loving us in their own special way. I remember one of our kitties when I was a child crying on the front porch. "Snoopy-I'm sure embarrassing for him-came right up to me and rubbed his nose on mine. He did not want to see my tears. When let outside, they will bring you gifts. Field mice, sometimes little birds. It is their nature. A way to say, "Hey, thanks for taking care of me, I love you!" One can not help but smile after the screaming of finding one of these treasures on your doorstep. The feline, what a companion for us-we need them sometimes more than they need us. No matter the size or color, male or female, they make their way into our hearts. Even changing those who don't like them into people who will love them back. Cats share our souls with us and when they leave us it's not unusual to feel that chilly electrically current run through our very souls. So, rest little friend and visit me in my dreams and one day I know we shall meet again and know each other. This is our sacred bond. Blessed be the Goddess who has bestowed on us the laughter and love of this beautiful animal. Pheonix Heart ie, chia's Phoenix I am sorry for your loss AWWWWW...Villa, I am so sorry for your loss....I am sure that Skitter is being well entertained and watched and no doubt he will be visiting you every so often just to say HI and let you know he is still around...watching over you. Cats are very good at making themselves known when they want to be Hugs and Love.....Selenna Vila, I was so sorry to hear about your poor kitty Skitter. I know it has to be a sad loss for you. I went through the same thing with my kitty Isis over a year ago and I still miss her very much. If your Skitter was anything like my Isis and I believe she was, then she was part of your family and a companion too. It is so hard to make those kinds of decisions but we have to put our friends welfare first. Our kitties are our best friends and confidants. They are always there for us and comfort us and make us laugh among other things. I know the great Goddess Bast has taken Skitter into her fold and is taking good care of her and is honoring her for the wonderful cat she is. Just as in your own way you honor her. I am happy that you have the other kitties there for you so you won't be alone as you work through your loss. May Bast bless you and yours at this time. Love and Blessings My Dear Friend, Dee At 2:41pm on July 31, 2009, NYTEWYND© said… AW,THAT'S FUNNY.WHEN MY CAT PASSED I HEARD HIM RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE HALLWAY FOR A FEW NITES.MY KIDS THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY.IT WOKE ME FROM A SOUND SLEEP.WELL NOW I KNOW I WASN'T CRAZY.THANX FOR SHARING UR THOUGHTS HUN.I KNOW HE WILL BE WITH U FOREVER IN SPIRIT.I HAVE MINE IN MY YARD TO KEEP HIM CLOSE. BITES,NYTE Oh Vila, I'm so sorry, I know first hand how you feel and the pain you feel. Even though they aren't able to "talk" to us they still _talk_ to us. We see it in their eye's, each time they grace us with their presence by jumping up in our laps, and the contented purr with half closed eye's, they are most assuredly talking. The only thing we don't want to hear them say is "I have to go". You showed your beloved Skitter just how much you truly loved him by giving him the gift of release. He knew, and still knows how much you loved him. That doesn't help the hurt you feel or the sense of loss, but know that I'm with you and even though I didn't know him, I will miss him too. I have a candle going for you and Skitter and asked Danu to catch him up in her arms and welcome him and see that he finds Bart and Boomer so that he'll have companions to play with. All my Love, Pam |
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Cadeau and Freckles enjoying the high life (so to speak) |
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Back to front: Skitter, Mimi, and Puck |
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Freckles and Skitter. They really are inseparable |
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KC checking out the birds in the bush outside. |
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Skitter looking ashamed over something! |
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On the other hand, Cadeau is busy. |
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And KC's on a mission. |
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KC and Cadeau deciding what they want for dinner |
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Mimi curled up with Puck!? HELLO! Don’t get used to this. Mimi cannot stand Puck! |
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Well, when you’re gorgeous, you’re just gorgeous. Ask Freckles. |
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And there they are—the conjoined twins—Skitter and Freckles. |
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Puck making sure that the printer is operating properly. |
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KC—Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful. LOL! |
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The Fab Four: From left to right, Skitter, KC, Her Miminess, and Cadeau. |
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Freckles and Skitter in yin yang mode. |
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It’s not easy being Freckles! |
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KC (back) and Cadeau (front left), and Skitter (front right) |
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KC supervising the goings on in the kitchen from the laundry room. |
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Puck has claimed my shopping bag on the island in the kitchen. |
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Nobody can drape himself over furniture quite as well as Freckles! |
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One of these days Her Miminess is going to climb INTO the fireplace! |
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Cadeau on top of the refrigerator. Oh yeah! He’s KING OF THE HILL! |
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Puck, having exhausted himself with the little orange mouse. |
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Cadeau plotting and scheming |
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Her Miminess in all her glory |
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Freckles snuggled under the afghan on my desk chair |
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Having rearranged the afghan, Skitter and KC take a little nap |
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KC unsure why I want him to come inside. It’s COLD! |
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This is a comment that a wonderful woman made for me. Is this cool or WHAT! |
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Puck and Skitter. Puck really does have to learn how to relax! |
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KC squeezing Skitter into the pillow. |
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Skitter finally all by himself but he's IN A MOOD! LOL! |
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Mimi has places to go, people to see, and things to do! |
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Cadeau guarding the living room from his watchtower. |
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Freckles chilling in the cat condo |
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Her Miminess in HER chair! |
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Oh can you see the wheels turning in Cadeau’s head? |
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Puck in his favorite window(yeah his wheels are turning too!) |
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KC at the water bowl inside the shower. We keep water bowls in the shower, in the tub, and in various other places, since Skitter likes to bat the water out of them all. At least in the shower and tub nothing that matters gets wet. |
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Front to back, Freckles, Skitter, and KC. |
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Freckles finally agrees to share the afghan with Skitter. |
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A box of KC |
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Freckles just being beautiful (it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it) |
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Puck can be so subtle when he’s ignoring me. |
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Her Miminess in HER chair (thank you very much!) |
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And Cadeau on that chair’s mate |
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Sometimes Skitter just doesn’t want to have his picture taken. |
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Skitter enjoying the porch in warmer weather |
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And then Freckles takes center stage. Poor Skitter can virtually never be alone. Mercifully, he’s a very loving kitty! |
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But every once in a while Freckles does on a solitary mission. |
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Yeah Puck will pose for me every once in a while. But I have to pay him (tuna is the currency of choice). |
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But KC cannot be bought. He needs his beauty rest, after all. |
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Cadeau practicing his “regal” look |
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Her Miminess being fashionably aloof |
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KC just LOVES to pose for the camera! |
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Skitter’s all set for a hand out in the dining room. |
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Mimi in HER chair! Don’t even think about it! |
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Skitter and Freckles, heavy on the AWWWWWWW factor! |
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Cadeau is occupying the kitty chair in my office. I have to have two chairs in there, one for me and one for the kitties. |
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Puck’s taking KC lessons. I think I’ll send him to charm school too. |
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Freckles stopping by for a snack. |
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Quelle surprise! Freckles and Skitter are cuddling! |
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Her Miminess curled up under the comforter |
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Clearly Cadeau is on a kitty cat mission |
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Oh yeah this looks like a guilty conscience to me! |
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KC Posing nicely for the camera |
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Skitter in the cat condo |
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KC likes to rearrange the furniture to suit HIS needs |
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Cadeau and Freckles looking out my office door. There’s nothing there, but that doesn’t seem to matter. |
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NOW somebody’s there, and Freckles clearly wants at ‘im! |
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Oh yeah! Freckles REALLY wants that squirrel! |
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Puck posing in the dining room |
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Her Miminess working VERY hard at ignoring me |
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Cadeau posing in the cat condo. Oh yeah! He’s king of the hill! |
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Mimi, ever hopeful, in her place by the hearth. |
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Puck wondering what mischief to get into next. |
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A kitty’s life can be SO HARD! But Freckles does his best to cope. |
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AWWWW! KC and Cadeau making nice! |
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AH! The comfort of the porch in spring! Skitter and KC are VERY HAPPY! |
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And now for some wildlife. Aren’t these lovely spiders? |
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GEES! I wish KC and Skitter could learn to get along! |
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Freckles LOVES watching Kitty TV! |
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Cadeau’s a STAR! (Or at least he’s on TV) |
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We should put books up there so Puck and Freckles could be bookends! |
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Her Miminess having a little snack |
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Billy Bluebird |
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Freckles hanging out in the cat condo |
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Her Miminess! |
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Skitter in a moment of indecision |
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Puck guarding the bay window in the kitchen. It’s a dirty job but SOMEBODY has to do it! |
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KC understands that sometimes you just have to hide your face! |
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Cadeau: I DIDN’T DO IT! I PROMISE! |
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The pet cemetery |
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AWWWWWWW! A box of Cadeau with his favorite holiday ornament! |
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Puck was posing beautifully for me but the MINUTE I whipped out the camera he turned his back and walked away! SHEESH! |
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Skitter and Freckles on the porch. As usual, you can hardly see Skitter for his buddy! |
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