Tabby Tuesday

PROS AND CONS OF BEING TAILLESS

A Tale of No Tail on Tabby Tuesday

When I  joined the Kitties Blue family, my new mom knew very little about Manx cats. She knew we originated on the Isle of Mann and that we didn’t have tails. She started doing a bit of research and discovered that Manx cats are not necessarily tailless. We can actually be born with a full tail or a stub of a tail as well.

It is a naturally occurring genetic mutation that gives Manx cats the potential for being born without a tail. This gene is an incomplete dominant gene, and kitties born with it can have any of these tail types. In fact, all of these can occur in the same litter. Manx kitties with no tails, like me, are rumpies. Cats born with stumps, which can be curved, knotted or kinked, are stumpies. Kitties with normal length tails are known as longies.

So that’s a bit of information about Manx cats and tails. Now I want to tell you my pros and cons of not having a tail. For me, the pros far outweigh the cons.

But first, here’s a close up of my butt in this photo where I am playing with Cooper Murphy. As you can see, no tail. I do have a tuft of fur growing where my tail would me.

 

Manx Sawyer has no tail.

 

PROS:

  • My fursibs cannot play with or bite my tail, which Cooper Murphy might have tried when we were playing.
  • If I ever encounter a little kid, they can’t pull my tail or try to pick me up by it.
  • My humans cannot step on my tail.
  • My tail cannot be shut in a door or caught under a rocking chair.
  • I can spend less time grooming with no tail to wash.

That’s a pretty good list. Can you think of any other pros? Let me know in the comments.

CONS:

  • I cannot use my tail to cover my eyes and block out light when I want to nap.
  • I cannot wrap my tail around my body to keep warm.
  • My humans cannot tell my mood by watching my tail movements. I can wiggle my butt, which makes the tuft of furs move around but that’s not helpful.

As you can see, this is a pretty short list. As with the pros, if you can think of any cons I missed, let me know in the comments.

In the future I will post other facts about the Manx breed and how those things pertain to me.

Purrs and paw-pats, Sawyer

 

PLAY HARD…SLEEP HARD

Doozy of a Snoozy on Tabby Tuesday

We haven’t done a snoozy post in a while and so thought you might enjoy seeing the two youngsters having a snooze.

 

Doozy of a Snoozy with Sawyer and Cooper Murphy.

 

Cooper Murphy took the last of his medication Sunday night, and he seems to be close to 100 percent well. He and Sawyer are back to playing and wrestling. Both slept really soundly yesterday afternoon—Sawyer on the bed and Cooper Murphy on the catio after it warmed up above freezing. The above photo was taken Sunday night.

C.J. Update

Calista Jo’s eye is beginning to look a bit better, but she still has lots of medication and eye ointment to go before she can rejoin the family. Dad Tom has been spending lots of time in the living room with her while reading his book. We know she is lonely and feeling abandoned. We just cannot take a chance that one of her uninfected fursibs contracts this. Mom says that the vet bills are “eating” into our food, treat and litter budget. Pffft!

We’ll see you again right here tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday.

We hope that wherever you live, you are staying warm.

Purrs and paw-pats, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer

 

IT’S OFFICIAL!

Tabby Tuesday: Introducing Sawyer Blue

If you joined us for Sunday Selfies, you met this kitten, who had taken up residence in our living room. Chris discovered him when Mom and Dad were in Atlanta for Thanksgiving. He was hanging out on the deck of the vacant house next-door.

 

It's Official...new kid brother for Kitties Blue.

 

Mom posted “found” cat notices on all the appropriate web-sites but received no replies. So today, this 3.9 pound, grey tabby Manx officially became our kid brother, Sawyer.

He visited Dr. Neel this afternoon. He was checked for a microchip, and none was found. Sawyer was also tested for FIV and FeLV and is negative for both. He does have an upper respiratory infection, which we knew. He’ll be getting medicine in his eyes for a week and oral amoxicillin for ten days. When Sawyer is well, he’ll start getting his vaccinations. After the first of the year, he’ll have his boy bits removed.

 

It's official...Sawyer's first trip to the vet.

 

As Mom predicted, Dr. Neel confirmed that Sawyer is about four months old.

Mom also is certain Fiona sent this little fur ball to us. It will be one year this Friday since she left us and flew away to the Bridge. Mom was sure of it when Sawyer pooped in the PTU on the way home from meeting Dr. Neel. That was always Fiona’s way of letting her and Dad know her displeasure about yet another trip to the vet’s office.

I hope you will join us in welcoming Sawyer to our family. He was unplanned, but most good things begin as surprises!

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy

 

INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY 2017

International Cat Day with Cooper Murphy

 

International Cat Day

 

This is my first International Cat Day, and I am taking a short time away from Cat Scouts Summer Camp to talk with you about it. For starters, I think I am going to like having 24 hours dedicated to me, me and ME! Oh yeah, and my sisfurs and brofur Mau as well. Our humans try not to play favorites. But I am the new kid, and as I said, it is my first International Cat Day. That should get me a little something extra!

Anyhoo…International (World) Cat Day was established in 2002 by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare). It certainly took them long enough to recognize the 500 million or so cats living around the world. The IFAW says cats are the most popular pet on the planet. I could have told them that. (The mission of the IFAW is to rescue and protect animals worldwide, including safeguarding populations and preserving habitat.)

Not all kitties are as fortunate as Kitties Blue to have loving humans to care for, feed, house and protect them. So today, my siblings and I would like to remind you that lots of kitties are waiting in shelters, in every corner of the world, for their happily ever after. If you need an excuse to adopt a cat, consider these facts: Cats can help relieve anxiety, stress and depression as well as prevent heart attacks; petting a cat has been shown to lower blood pressure. Of course, if you can’t adopt or foster, consider volunteering at a shelter and bringing some love and attention to those who aren’t as fortunate as Kitties Blue.

Of course, all cats want to be pampered, admired and revered. In fact, we expect it everyday. After all, we deserve it. But do a little something more today. We’ll always accept some extra kisses and cuddles, treats, catnip or a new toy.

Wishing all kitties a happy International Cat Day!

Purrs and paw-pats, Cooper Murphy

 

DO YOU HAVE A GOOFY BROTHER?

Giveaway Winners

Before we answer that all important question about goofy brothers, we need to answer another one. Who won our blogoversay giveaway? We are excited to announce that the Animal Shelter Volunteer Life kitties (Zoe and Gracie) and humans (Kevin [meowmeowmans] and Tracey) are the winners of a prize package containing BlogPaws Conference swag and exclusive The Cat on My Head loot. Concatulations to these great friends.

Our Goofy Brother

Do you live with a goofy brother (or sister for that matter)? If you do, you are not alone. We have one too, and his name is Cooper Murphy. We realize that according to Dr. Neel’s estimate Cooper is not quite two years old yet. Mom believes any kitty younger than two can be expected to act like a goofy kitten sometimes. Purrsonally, we think no matter their age, all kitties can and do act goofy when the mood strikes. But Cooper Murphy takes it more seriously than most.

 

Cooper Murphy is a goofy cat.

 

This is our brother on a recent, purrticulary scorching hot day. We think he’s more crazy than goofy, but Mom said it wouldn’t be nice to use that word. What was he thinking, crawling under the catio rug and stuffing himself into that much-to-small-for-him, plastic cat cubby? And that belly-up bathing could’ve been taken into the house where it was much cooler.

Do you know that phrase, “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun,” from a Noel Coward song? We know Cooper Murphy isn’t a mad dog, so maybe he’s an English cat. Oh, MOUSES! Now Mom says that we may have offended some of our English cat friends. If that is the case, purrlease forgive us. That was not our intent. And we didn’t intend to offend any of our woofie friends either.

Comment-a-thon

Mom has reminded us that none of us is purrfect. Say what? She says we best keep our mouths shut now except to remind you about our comment-a-thon in honor of Allie and Mau’s first wedding anniversary.

Anyone leaving a comment on their anniversary post, “Allie & Mau’s 1st Anniversary,” prior to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, will be entered in a drawing for the opportunity to have a donation made to a 501 (c) (3) shelter or rescue of the winner’s choice. For every comment made Kitties Blue will give one green paper with no cap on the amount. If you haven’t commented, please do. We want to donate oodles of dollars.

You can earn a second entry by leaving a comment on Allie’s Sunday Selfies post. In addition to the second entry in the Kitties Blue drawing, you will earn an entry into Allie’s drawing for an Amazon gift card. So, jump on over to Allie’s blog at Friends Furever. Random.org will be used to select the winners.

That’s it for us until tomorrow.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, and Calista Jo

p.s. Cooper Murphy says he is not putting his name on this as we maligned him. MOUSES…what a sourpuss!

 

TABBY TUESDAY WITH MEMES

Tabby Tummy Tuesday with Cooper Murphy

Wow, had I’d known that I was going to be maligned in such a cruel and insensitive manner, I am not certain I would have selected Kitties Blue to be my furmily. Well, it isn’t really Kitties Blue that are the problem. It’s the humans. First Dad Tom took this photo of me, and then the petretary turned it into two memes. Check these out for yourselves. As you can see, I was merely trying to air out my belly furs on a warm day.

 

memes - I'm not fat!

 

memes - I am not indiscreet.

 

No kitty should be treated with such disrespect, and especially not one with a cute heart right on his belly. My humans should delight in my sharing that with them.

The petretary wants me to ask you to tell us in comments which of these memes you like best. If you are my friend, you will tell her, “neither.” Please stick up for this itty-bitty, tabby boy. And if possible, please send treats. I am fairly certain I won’t be getting any from my humans in the near future.

Other News

Last week for Thoroughly Poetic Thursday Mom wrote another poem, “Yesterday,” about our angel sisfur, Fiona. She asked if she should add that poem to the sidebar. Those who responded said, “yes.” She added it yesterday, along with a new badge for Fiona and a statement about our blog being dedicated to her memory. This has brought Mom some comfort and peace. She has decided that this will remain as a permanent part of our blog. We hope you won’t mind seeing this each time you visit.

Thanks for stopping by to see me.

Purrs and paw-pats, Cooper Murphy

SNUGGLE BUDDIES

Doozy of a Snoozy

In a previous post showing Mauricio and Cooper Murphy snuggling and touching paws, I asked if it was a Burgeoning Bromance or Accidental Encounter. Well a bromance it is not, but the boys are getting closer—at least while they are snoozing. And less ear and neck biting and smacky paws are happening. Before I snapped the following photos both Cooper and Mau took the opportunity to touch each other on the head a couple of times. The taps were tentative and light with no malice. Progress!

 

Snuggle Buddies

Snuggle Buddies

 

I did not add that mouse for cuter, more “squeeable” photos. It was already on the bed, and the boys ended up curling up around it.

Cooper rarely sleeps on our bed. If he does join us, it is usually only for an hour or two and then he retreats to his bedroom ham-mick. Some nights he doesn’t even come upstairs. Instead he sleeps on one of the ham-micks in the dining room. I really miss him on those nights, as I enjoy watching him sleep. He’s usually on his back with legs akimbo and just as cute as can be.

Feeling Puny

Mauricio is not feeling well. He did not eat his dinner Sunday night or last night and only a couple of bites of breakfast yesterday. I offered him some kibble and Temptations mid-day, but he turned them down. He’s been curled up in a ball most of the day with his head buried in his paws. He got really hissy when I picked him up and tried to hold him. I’ve checked him over as best I can and cannot find any external clues as to what is going on with him. Just as I am finishing up this post, he ate a few Temptations, but if he doesn’t eat his breakfast, I’ll be taking him to see Dr. Neel.

I know a trip to the vet will really make him extra grouchy. If you can say a few prayers and send some POTP that he’ll perk up, start eating and acting like himself, Mau, Dad Tom and I would be most grateful.

With many thanks.

 

 

NATIONAL PET DAY 2017

 

National Pet day 2017

 

We Kitties Blue are wondering what exactly is National Pet Day? We thought everyday was National Pet Day, or at the very least, National Cat Day. The resident authority on this type of thing claims we were well aware of this day. But as a reminder to both us and our readers, here’s what National Pet Day is all about, according to the NatonalPetDay.org website.

National Pet Day was founded in 2005 by Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert, Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige, to celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives and to create public awareness about the plight of many different kinds of animals awaiting a forever home in shelters and rescues all around the globe.

Dogs and cats are the most popular pets, but lots of individuals have other types of pets, such as bunnies, ferrets, turtles, chickens, fish, snakes, hamsters and horses, just to name a few. And this day is for all pets no matter the species.

The National Pet Day website lists ten ways to celebrate National Pet Day. A few of those are:

  • Adopt a pet from your local shelter or rescue organization.
  • Volunteer at your local shelter or rescue.
  • Buy your pet a fun new toy….or two…or five. (Kitties Blue can really get behind this one.)
  • Donate food, litter, toys, blankets, other pet-related items or green papers to your local shelter or rescue.

For other suggestions, visit the National Pet Day website.

Kitties Blue have some suggestions not listed by the National Pet Day organization.

  • Spend extra time playing with your pet day.
  • Take the opportunity to give your pet a soothing brushing or massage.
  • Give your pet some of their favorite treats.

Do you have any special plans for National Pet Day? Kitties Blue have thought and thought and thought about how we’d like to spend our day. Then we took a vote.  The photo of Cooper Murphy represents our unanimous decision. (We may ask for a few extra treats as well!)

 

National Pet Day 2017

 

Whatever you decide to do today, we wish all our anipals a happy and love-filled National Pet Day and challenge all humans to do at least one nice thing for their pet or another animal.

XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Cooper Murphy

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NEWEST TABBY CAT CLUB MEMBER

Tabby Tuesday

The last tabby kitty who was a member of Kitties Blue got his wings in 2011. That was the year prior to petretary starting our blog. Like Cooper Murphy, MacKenzie was a ginger tabby, but he didn’t have an opportunity to pawticipate in any blog activities.

Since Cooper Murphy officially joined the household, our friend and Tabby Cat Club founder, Gracie, has been trying to get petretary to allow Cooper to join TCC. As other friends, Angel Sammy, Raz and Socks have official positions within the club, prtretary thought it would be a good experience for Cooper to join.

So, Cooper Murphy is now an official member with his very own badge.

 

Cooper Murphy joins Tabby Cat Club.

 

We do hope he has some fun. Upcoming events include a Super Bowl party, Valentine’s Day party and Comedy Club event. Cooper Murphy plans to pawticipate in all these events.

We know many of our friends are members of TCC as well. Cooper Murphy is excited about the opportunity to meet and make friends with our pals and other tabbies.

We are purrty certain Cooper will be sharing about all the fun he has at TCC with all of you.

Purrs and paw-pats, Kitties Blue

 

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GLORIOUS GINGERY GOODNESS

What a terrific Tuesday it is when we can share a little bit of tabby tongue, toes, tummy and tail. Not having a tabby in the family since our sweet MacKenzie (another orange boy) left us in 2011, it is a treat to have this opportunity.

A call from another person hoping to claim Cooper Murphy as her lost cat had me in fear once again that we’d lose him. After much back and forth with phone calls and photos, and our trying to convince this lady that Cooper Murphy was not her three-year-old cat, Simba, she still asked to come see him. Before that could happen, she sent us a photo of Simba, pointing out that he has two freckles on his nose. (She could have started with that detail!) We sent an enlarged photo of Cooper Murphy’s freckleless nose to her. Another CATastrophe averted.

Check out these new photos of our catty cutie.

 

Cooper Murphy-2 - ginger tabby

Cooper Murphy-5 - ginger tabby

 

Not only can Cooper nap like a champ, but he also has mastered waving and giving a razzleberry at the same time. Crockett (Lone Star Cats) better watch out. He could have some competition from the new kid when it comes to his signature tongue displays.

Please feel free to squeee or snorgle at will!

I want all these people who have lost their precious, ginger tabbies to find them, but not at our expense of losing our new best friend and family member. He is the perfect addition to the Kitties Blue gang, and we have fallen in love.

Today is Change a Pet’s Life Day? We hope we did that for Cooper Murphy.

Thank you, Fiona, for guiding this blessing to us.

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