Gotcha Day

YOUNGEST KITTIES BLUE 1ST GOTCHA DAY

Wordy Wednesday

Unbelievably, Kitties Blue have yet another celebration on their paws. Today is Raleigh and Audrey’s first Gotcha Day. They came to reside with us on a rainy afternoon one year ago. I took them in as a favor to a friend, and really had no intention of having them become members of the family. At the time, we called them Kitten #1 and Kitten #2.

A ginger tabby kitten and a torbie kitten wrapped in a colorful towel on their gotcha day.

Within 48 hours they had been to the vet and had received names. They officially became Kitties Blue.

Here they are today.

Youngest Kitties Blue (a torbie cat and a ginger tabby cat) celebrate their 1st gotcha day.

They are as different as day and night, as I have explained in many other posts. While Audrey is gregarious, Raleigh continues to be standoffish; though, he has allowed Dad Tom to pet him some recently.

Cat Writer's Association Certificate of Excellence for the youngest Kitties Blue on their Gotcha Day. In addition to this being the kittens Gotcha Day, they wanted me to let you know that Stinky & Periwinkle are not the only kitties who received a Certificate of Excellence from the Cat Writers’ Association. They received theirs in the Photography (Series) category for the post, “Vet Visit Aftermath.”

Time to Party

Cooper Murphy whipped up two cakes for the celebrants.

Youngest Kitties Blue Gotcha Day cake is face of a ginger cat.

Today, we are serving lemonade, as Audrey and Raleigh are too young to indulge in stronger libations, and a seafood buffet. Please help yourselves and enjoy.

Though we have been very wordy today, Audrey and Raleigh will be joining the Wordless Wednesday bog hop at Comedy Plus. To participate, click on the WW badge.

Thanks for joining us today.

SIXTH GINGER GOTCHA DAY

Happy Gotcha Day Cooper Murphy

Six years ago today this very handsome, approximately 15-month-old, ginger tabby cat joined the Kitties Blue crew. If you don’t know his story, you can read the first installment here, “Ginger Tabby.”

Today that 14-pound cat is a whopping 20 pounds and the eldest of our three male felines.

Orange tabby cat with mouth open shouting, "Happy Gotcha Day to Me," and framed in ornate gold frame.

We are honoring him today with a little celebration! Our wonderful baker, Angel Mau, sent a special cake via Angel Express. I’m not certain if this is cat imitating cake or cake imitating cat.

Orange tabby cat cake. Cat has mouth open and eyes closed.

We also have nip ice cream and your choice of beverages. Please help yourselves and stay as long as you like.

Caturday Art

This being Caturday, we also have some art to share. Kitties Blue and I thought it appropriate that Cooper Murphy should get that honor as well.

Today’s art was created with the Paris effect from Painnt and a favpng frame.

Cooper Murphy will be joining Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. You can do the same by clicking on Athena’s badge.

Puzzle Time

Cooper Murphy talked me into creating two puzzles for you today. How could I possibly turn him down? Hope you enjoy doing them.

110 Ginger Cat Gotcha Day100 Cat Art

Sunday Selfies Reminder

One of the Kitties Blue snapped a fabulous selfie of herself yesterday and will be here as your host tomorrow. That’s all the hint you are getting: It will me one of the six girls!

As I continue to struggle with this stupid email post notification plug-in, which actually sent a notification of a test post to one subscriber yesterday, I hope you’ll find a solution for yourself. You can bookmark our blog or add us to a reading list. As our followers quickly fall away, Kitties Blue and I sincerely thank those who have stopped by to visit. Your friendship means so much to us.

Have a happy Caturday!

January 7, 2023 by Janet Blue Caturday Art Blog Hop Gotcha Day Jigsaw Puzzle 26

KIZMET’S 2ND GOTCHA DAY CELEBRATION

Feline/Friendship Friday

Two years ago today, this sweet girl joined the Kitties Blue family. She has been a delight from day one. Kizmet is sociable and fun and loves to purr and give kisses. She has taken the kittens under her paw, which warms our hearts. Newcomers are not always welcome.

Grey cat with holly and berries around neck, framed in blue and gold with the words: Happy 2nd Gotcha Day Kizmet in red and white candy cane print.

Cooper Murphy was kind enough to bake a cake.

Gotcha Day cake for Kizmet with grey cat emerging from pink and hot pink hatbox with a bow on top.

And please help yourself to hot chocolate, lemonade or iced tea. (Sorry, we have no champagne today, as Kizmet is underage.)

Kizmet is participating in the Feline & Friendship Friday blog hops hosted by Comedy Plus and Create with Joy respectively.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Friendly Fill-Ins is a blog hop hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). On Thursday they each select two sentences to be filled in by hop participants, and you can find those on both blogs. Enter the hop by clicking on the graphic.

As I am experiencing web-site issues, some of the Kitties Blue volunteered to lend me their paws. They completed all the fill-ins without me having to do anything more than post their fill-ins here.

They all used teal italics for their fill-ins.

1. Kizmet: My favorite holiday tradition is playing in the empty boxes.

2. Sawyer: On Christmas (or Hanukkah) I plan to fill up on treats.

3. Kitties Blue: ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house we kitties were snuggled up in bed with our humans.

4. Sawyer: Sharing my treats is the best way to spread holiday cheer.

Thanks for joining us today. Hopefully you will get this post in its entirety, as the problem I am having is being unable to save my drafts.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow with some Caturday Art and then again on Sunday for selfies. We will share our Christmas card then.

December 23, 2022 by Janet Blue Christmas Feline Friday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Friendship Friday Gotcha Day Kitties Blue 25

COOPER’S MURPHY 5TH GOTCHA DAY

Feline Friday

This Feline Friday is super special, as we are celebrating a super special feline—our very own Cooper Murphy.

Five years ago today, we brought home a 12.1-pound cat, from the snow and our friends front porch. We spent several days trying to find his people with no luck. It became obvious that he had been “dumped.” Here are links to three of the first posts about him.

There are some other posts from that same time period. You can find links to them on the bottoms of the three listed.

And here’s an early photo, which I don’t believe I have ever posted.

Party Time

Angel Mau baked a cake for Cooper in his bakery at the Bridge and sent it down on a cloud. he did a great job making cake that looks a whole lot like his brofur. Ah shucks, we can’t tell a lie. Cooper had the same cake last year. What can we say other than it suits him purrfectly!

We also have some noms and drinks. Please help yourself and stay as long as you like.

January 7, 2022 by Janet Blue Feline Friday Friendship Friday Gotcha Day 28

KIZMET’S GOTCHA DAY GIVEAWAY

Sunday Selfies: Week #383

I cannot believe I have been a member of the Kitties Blue crew for an entire year. And I never realized what a blast decorating for the holidays could be with my arrival last year coming after Mom had completed all of it. However, I absolutely love helping with everything. The last few days Cooper Murphy had some craft projects for the Cat Scouts Jamboree, and I was a huge help in completing them. He will share those later in the week.

Enough of this preamble, as I know you came to see my selfie and share yours. So, here’s mine!

gotcha day giveaway

As this is the last Sunday Selfie post before Christmas, Mom added some holiday decor to my selfie.

Giveaway

Some of you may remember I was a contestant in the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Superhero Sidekick calendar contestant. I was one of the top 12 vote getters and earned a page in the calendar. I am the August Superhero. If you’d like to see an “artified” version of the calendar photo, check out this post: “Art from Superhero Sidekick Kizmet.” That post also has the information on how to order your very own calendar.

I am giving away a calendar as well to one lucky reader. Everyone leaving a comment on this post prior to Wednesday, December 22, at 5 p.m. ET will earn one entry into the giveaway. The winner will be selected using Random.org. and announced on Thursday.

Mom says that I am not just giving something away for my Gotcha Day, but I also am getting a gift. I have no idea what it is, but I will share that on Thursday as well.

Hopping Time

I hope each of you will give me a gift today by sharing a selfie on our blog hop. Add some festive decorations if you like. As a reminder: The hop is open to all anipals regardless of species. And you don’t even have to post today to join in the fun. The hop is open until Thursday.

All my fursibs and I are looking forward to seeing you smiling faces. And we thank you for being our friends, followers and supporters.

Purrs and paw-pats, Kizmet

December 19, 2021 by Janet Blue Giveaway Gotcha Day Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 33

THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CXII

Surprise!

Stinky is more anxious than usual as he awaits Periwinkle’s arrival. He is certain Periwinkle has no idea what he has planned for today’s adventure. Soon he hears the whoosh of the teleportation tunnel and Periwinkle comes tumbling out. Stinky feels badly, as he is unable to catch her as his paws are full. When she rights herself and straightens her furs, she is ready to chastise Stinky for not breaking her fall until she sees what he is holding.

“Wow, Stinky, are those for me?”

Periwinkle Gotcha Day

“Of course, do you like them?”

“They’re exquisite, but what is the occasion?”

“It’s a surprise, let’s go into the dining room.”

“Sure, are we staying here today?” asks Periwinkle.

In reply, Stinky takes Periwinkle’s paw, tells her to close her eyes, and leads her to the dining room.

When they arrive, Periwinkle hears a commotion and then many voices meowing, “SURPRISE!”

Periwinkle Gotcha Day

“Oh my gosh, what is all this about, Stinky?” asks Periwinkle.

“It is an early Gotcha Day Party for you and Kizmet. Her Gotcha Day is the 19th and yours is the 23rd. I had planned this for two weeks from now, but Mom couldn’t get tickets for what I wanted us to do today, so we will do it next time and celebrate your Gotcha Days early.”

Periwinkle throws her paws around Stinky and gives him a huge hug. “Oh I love a surprise. Thank you, Stinky.”

Stinky blushes and then tells Kizmet he has something for her as well. He gives her a beautiful bouquet from their mom and dad.

Kizmet is equally surprised and runs off to thank her parents. Waiting for Kizmet’s return, Periwinkle asks Stinky, “How did you get Raz and Reesie here without me knowing?”

“They teleported here moments before you, while you were getting ready,” Stinky tells her.

Party Time

As soon as Kizmet returns, Stinky shows her and Periwinkle the party table and then presents both girls with cakes made especially for them by Cooper Murphy.

Both girls’ mouths fall open, and together they run to Cooper Murphy and give him big hugs.

The tabbies and their fursibs spend the afternoon visiting, giggling and munching on the goodies.

Just before it is time for Periwinkle, Raz and Reesie’s departure, Stinky pulls Periwinkle aside. “I wrote a little something for you Periwinkle.”

Stinky picks up a piece of paper and reads a poem he has written.

Periwinkle your love is a gift.
Thinking of you always gives me a lift,
And dreaming of you is pure bliss.
My heart goes pitter patter when we kiss.
I hope you had a joyful and happy time
With all our furblings sharing in your surprise!

“Stinky, you are the best boyfriend. Thank you so much for this surprise and for getting Raz and Reesie here as well. I love you bunches.”

Stinky blushes and replies, “I love you too!”

After many whisker kisses and paw hugs, Periwinkle calls to Reesie and Raz to join her, and they enter the teleportation tunnel together. With waves to Stinky and all his fursibs, they are gone in a whoosh.

Stinky retires to the bedroom to dream of his precious girlfriend.

The End

The entire gang is joining the Happy Tuesday blog hop at Comedy Plus.

December 7, 2021 by Janet Blue Gotcha Day Happy Tuesday Kitties Blue Poetry The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle 15

THANKSGIVING GOTCHA DAY & SAD FAREWELL

Thankful Thursday

Today is my fourth Gotcha Day, and for that I am very thankful. This was my first official photo taken that evening.

Thanksgiving gotcha day

This was my second official photo taken the following day. I may have been just about the grumpiest cat on the planet.

Thanksgiving gotcha day

I have to admit, I am a bit grumpy today, as Mom and Dad are not here to spoil me, but as I now have a second Gotcha Day (the day Mom brought me home from my walkabout) on July 21, I have decided to cut them a little slack. Because I can have a seizure at anytime, Mom has not left the city limits since October 2018. And I am certain she will tell Kit I need to get extra treats today.

I am slowly making friends with Kit. As Kit puts it, Astrid still thinks she’s an axe murderer. On the other side of the coin is Kizmet, who slept with her last night. The remainder of the gang are taking this unusual event of a “live-in” cat sitter with aplomb. As long as they are getting their meals on schedule, they really don’t care who is feeding and looking after them.

Anyhoo, I really am thankful as are all the Kitties Blue that Mom and Dad are spending Thanksgiving with family.

Profound Sadness

We are all in shock at the loss of our dear friend, Dad Pete Cusack, from Tomcat Commentary by Tim. Pete and his furry gang have been our friends and following us from the very beginning. They also were with us on our Sunday Selfies blog hop from week one. We have found that pet bloggers are incredibly caring and compassionate people, and Pete was at the top of that list. He was a kind, thoughtful, generous and loving individual. We are thankful to have known him and had him as a friend and supporter. We will miss him terribly, but he will remain in our hearts always.

I am going to pop over and join Brian’s Thankful Thursday blog hop and then sign-off.

All the Kitties Blue, Mom Janet and Dad Tom wish
everyone a joyful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Purrs and paw-pats, Sawyer

November 25, 2021 by Janet Blue Gotcha Day Holiday Kitty Written Blog Remembering Friends Thankful Thursday Thanksgiving 20

TYEBE’S GOTCHA DAY, FRIENDLY FILL-INS & A POEM

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #258

Friday again, which means it is time for those fill-ins hosted by Ellen from 15 And Meowing and Lorianne from Four-Legged Furballs. Kitties Blue kindly did three of the fill-ins this week, leaving me with the easiest one. As we always do, the kitties and I used teal italics for our fill-ins.

1. Sawyer: My day is not complete until I get treats.

2. Cooper Murphy: It is time to wish my beautiful girlfriend Tyebe (The Canadian Cats) a happy Gotcha Day.

GOTCHA DAY

3. Sawyer: When Kizmet joined the family and we became friends, it made me change my mind about trying to make friends with Calista Jo.

4. I simply refuse to pay retail for anything!

Friendly Fill-ins is a blog hop. You can find the sentences to be filled in on Ellen and Lorianne’s blogs on Thursdays. Click on the badge below to join the hop.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

I missed writing a poem yesterday for Angel Sammy and Teddy’s (Two Spoiled Cats) poetry challenge due to my review of Destiny’s Children. So, I have the inspiration photo and my poem today.

QWERTY

Tippity, tappity, click, click, clack!
That’s the noise from this gigantic typing class.
Learning to type to become employable—
None would say the experience is enjoyable.
Being a secretary is preferable to being a waitress
Or a grease monkey cleaning windshields and pumping gas.
Though the typing instruments may have changed,
These skills are now even more important to attain.
Almost every job in 2021 requires computer usage
Without that ability the desired job may remain elusive!

If you’d like to try writing some poetry, check out Teddy and Angel Sammy’s Thursday post each week to find the inspiration photo for the following Thursday. And while visiting, take the time to read Sammy’s poem. He’s a master poet. To hop on over to Two Spoiled Cats right now, click on the poetry badge.

Apologies

Kitties Blue and I send our apologies to Brian’s Home, Comedy Plus and Create With Joy as we are not entering the Thankful Thursday, Feline Friday or Friendship Friday blog hops this week. We’ll be back to a regular schedule next week.

May 7, 2021 by Janet Blue Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Gotcha Day Poetry Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 15

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY COOPER MURPHY

Thankful Thursday

On January 7, 2017, we rescued Cooper Murphy from a snowstorm after he’d been hanging out on a friend’s porch for two days. We know he is thankful we did that, and we are thankful to have him as a member of our fur family. He was about 15-months old at the time. He’d been neutered but did not have a microchip. I placed a notice on all the lost/found pet web-sites. We had some calls, but he was not the cat any of the inquirers were missing. Someone moved and left him behind or he was dumped in our neighborhood. We think that day was lucky for Cooper and all of us.

We’ve made him a special card with a photo from January, 2017, and a photo taken yesterday.

We also made him an extra special cake.

Please celebrate with us and help yourselves to some cake, nip ice cream and champagne or lemonade.

Additional Thankfuls

All the Kitties Blue, Dad Tom and I remain thankful we adopted Kizmet. She is a comic and keeps us entertained. Her purr is thundering, and she cranks it up constantly. During these bleak times, she has brought joy back into our house.

I have two rare thankfuls. Not only was I a First Commenter (one of eight), but I also was the first Right Guesser on the Tuesday Teaser over at Two Spoiled Cats. That has only happened a couple of other times in all the years I have participated. I received these three cool badges.

Our friend, Brian, hosts the Thankful Thursday blog hop. We are participating. If you’d like to do the same, click on his badge.

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

We would normally have a poem today for the Two Spoiled Cats’ (Angel Sammy and Teddy) poetry challenge. The poem, however, will be included on tomorrow’s post.

Hope you enjoy our celebration of Cooper Murphy!

January 7, 2021 by Janet Blue Gotcha Day Thankful Thursday 17

SAWYER’S 3RD GOTCHA DAY

Then & Now

Three years ago today, this grumpy, little Manx kitten came into our lives. To say he didn’t like us would be a huge understatement. It’s taken almost the entire three years, but I believe he finally is happy to be a Kitties Blue and have Dad Tom and I as his humans.

And we are thankful to have him as one of the Kitties Blue crew. With the severity of his early seizures and our inability to get them under control, we weren’t certain he’d still be with us now.

If you don’t know Sawyer’s Gotcha Day story, his alter-ego, Stinky, shared it yesterday on “The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky” post. You can access that post from the link at the bottom of this page.

Sawyer received two very nice Gotcha Day Cards—one from his girlfriend Noelle and one from the Timmy Tomcat gang.

Sawyer sends his sincere thanks for the thoughtfulness. He knows how fortunate he is to have so many good friends.

Cooper Murphy made a special cake for Stinky yesterday and so has cupcakes for Sawyer today. All the Kitties Blue, Dad Tom and I hope you will stay awhile and celebrate with us.

Though this has ben a semi-wordy post, Sawyer is going to pop over to Comedy Plus for the Wordless Wednesday blog hop. You can do the same by clicking on the badge.

November 25, 2020 by Janet Blue Gotcha Day Wordless Wednesday 23

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.