angel

NO MORE GRUMPY OLD MAN

Sunday Selfies: Week #192

I cannot believe I have not done a selfie since March 3. I have changed a lot in those five-plus weeks. I’m still a crazy kitten at heart, but I no longer look like a grumpy old man. Mom recently learned that Manx cats do not mature until they reach the age of four-and-a-half to five years old. Mom and Dad do not know if they have enough energy in their advanced years to keep up with me. MOL! You can bet I’ll continue to test them.

Anyhoo, here is my selfie.

Mom asked me if it would be okay if I shared my post. I said, “of course.” After all, Mom is one of the people who feeds me.

Another Sad Good-Bye

Today, we are remembering a kitty you may not know. Foxy was a Cat Scout and friend of Mau and Cooper Murphy. She also spent time living with Lisbeth’s boyfriend, Charles’, family when she was unable to live with her dad. They all loved her very much.

Foxy was a beautiful tortie girl and received her wings yesterday at just 12 years old.

Foxy had a blog, but she didn’t post very often. You can find it at FoxysLife.wordpress.com. If you’d like to visit her blog and leave condolences for Dad Ed, that would be great. If you would rather leave condolences here, we will make certain to forward them to Dad Ed, and Charles’ mom, Inge.

Blog Hop

Now it is time for you to share your selfie and join our blog hop. We hope you realize, all of you are the cutest anipals on the internet, so come join in the fun and show yourselves off.

If you are new to hopping or just need a refresher course to enter our hop, here are some pointers.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below.
You also will find below the code to use if you’d like the hop to appear on your blog.
Posting on Sundays is not necessary to join.
You do not need to be a cat to enter. All anipals are welcome regardless of species.
The hop remains open for entries through Thursday midnight.
Please be so kind as to display our badge and/or link to The Cat on My Head.

Thank you for joining us.

Purrs and paw-pats, Sawyer

A SPARK OF HOPE

Sparks: Week #24

Samuel Smiles (23 December 1812 – 16 April 1904), was a Scottish author and government reformer. His masterpiece, Self-Help (1859), promoted thrift and claimed that poverty was caused largely by irresponsible habits, while also attacking materialism and laissez-faire government. It has been called “the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism,” and it raised Smiles to celebrity status almost overnight. (Wikipedia)

Angel Fiona and I are joining Annie at McGufffy’s Reader for her Sparks blog hop. In establishing the hop, she wrote, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week.

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

Sparks badge

Thank you from Giulietta

Giulietta and I are grateful to everyone who joined the Sunday Selfies blog hop yesterday and left birthday wishes for her and our precious angel, Fiona. As Fiona is unable to say, “thank you,” personally, it seemed appropriate for her to deliver today’s Spark. Fiona was already ill when this photo was taken, as you most likely can see from how thin she is. In spite of that, she still was able to enjoy a sunpuddle and the warmth of the sun on her face.

March 19, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Sparks 24

SAWYER’S SLEEPY SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #186

I can’t believe I am back here again. I was a totally purrfect kitten all week…well, except for the little pooping in the PTU incident. (But more about that later.)

I was having a nice snooze on the catio when Dad Tom showed up with a camera, woke me up and forced me to take several selfies. This is just one of them. I suspect Mom will be showing the others in weeks to come.

You might think I am yelling at Dad, but I was only yawning.

Now to that PTU pooping. It seems our pal, Raz, Allie’s brother (Friends Furever), has a similar affliction. (Our Fiona did as well.) In light of this, my fellow Gingersnap’s mom, Pam, made us this badge. Pretty funny…don’t you think?

Blog Hop

Here’s a little information for anyone who is unfamiliar with our Sunday Selfies blog hop.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below.
You also will find below the code to use if you’d like the hop to appear on your blog.
Posting on Sundays is not necessary to join.
You do not need to be a cat to enter. All anipals are welcome regardless of species.
The hop remains open for entries through Thursday midnight.
Please be so kind as to display our badge and/or link to The Cat on My Head.

Birthday Wishes

Today is a special day for our friend, Teddy from Two Spoiled Cats. It is his second birthday. Teddy is Angel Sammy’s brother. He and Cooper Murphy are best pals and two of the three Cat Scout Gingersnaps. So, of course, we couldn’t miss wishing him a happy birthday.

Teddy is having a party over on his blog, and we know he’d love it if you would stop in and enjoy the fun. You can get there by clicking on the link in the above paragraph.

Saying Good-Bye

This part of our post makes us all super sad. We are saying good-bye to another dear friend. Kali (The Canadian Cats) has received her wings and flown off to the Rainbow Bridge. Kali was the co-founder of the Crotchety Cougars along with Phoebe from 15 And Meowing. Unfortunately both of them are now gone, as are members, Kit, Ellie and our own, Lily Olivia. We are certain most of your already know of Kali’s passing, but as she and sister, Shoko, are faithful selfies hoppers, we knew we needed to honor and remember the sweet girl here. If by some chance you haven’t visited Kali’s family to leave your condolences, click on the link above to visit their blog.

Purrs and paw-pats, Sawyer (on behalf of all the Kitties Blue)

March 3, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Birthday Crotchety Cougars Club Kitty Written Blog Sunday Selfies 44

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN

Wordless Wednesday: Lily Olivia’s 19th Birthday

February 28, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Birthday Wordless Wednesday 31

RARE GIULIETTA SELFIE

Sunday Selfies: Week #183

When Mom told me I had to take the selfie and host the hop this week, I was not amused. I am not inclined to show-off, especially as I no longer have my sisfur by my side. In fact, I am really an introvert. I spend almost everyday in my hidey hole. In fact that’s where I took my selfie.

I stuck my paw out and snapped my selfie while frowning at Mom. She did say that you all will enjoy seeing my feeties, even without the toe beans.

Saying Good-Bye

We all are nursing our hurting hearts as we remember and honor Mr. Jack Freckles (Meezer’s Mews and Terrieristical Woofs) today. We really loved that woofie. His health had been fragile for a very long time, but he and his fursibs always joined us for Sunday Selfies. MJF earned his wings last Monday, February 5.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Jack Freckles. You were and will remain loved forever.

If you have not had the opportunity to leave your condolences for MJF’s family, click on the link above.

We just found out that we lost another dear friend, just yesterday. Sister Kit from Brian’s Home is the latest Crotchety Cougar to get her wings and fly off to the Bridge. If you haven’t done so already, please visit Brian’s Home and leave your condolences. We will honor Sister Kit on next Sunday’s blog hop.

Blog Hop

If you are new to hopping or to Sunday Selfies, here are some simple guidelines. If you are a regular, skip over this part.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below.
You also will find below the code to use if you’d like the hop to appear on your blog.
Posting on Sundays is not necessary to join.
You do not need to be a cat to enter. All anipals are welcome regardless of species.
The hop remains open for entries through Thursday midnight.
Please be so kind as to display our badge and/or link to The Cat on My Head.

Thanks for joining in the fun. It is raining here, so we’ll be snuggled in with Mom watching the Olympics today. How about you? Do you have a favorite winter sport? I think I’d like to try Slopestyle snowboarding. My feeties are so big, I probably wouldn’t need the board.

Thanks for joining us.

Purrs and paw-pats, Giulietta

February 11, 2018 by Janet Blue Crotchety Cougars Club Sisters Sunday Selfies 42

SLEEPING KITTEN ART

Caturday Art

I hope you are not getting tired of seeing the newest member of the Kitties Blue crew. I actually began creating this week’s Caturday Art with Giulietta but was unable to achieve a result I liked using LunaPic and Painnt. My current plan is to have her take a selfie for tomorrow. She doesn’t receive much blog time.

To create this art of Sawyer, I used Painnt again, as you can see. The effect I selected is entitled, “Nippur.” I couldn’t resist as it seems that name was created just for kitty art. I tinkered with the saturation, contrast and color a bit, but otherwise stuck to just one effect. The frame is also from Painnt.

Here’s the original photo of Sawyer. It’s a little “muddy,” which is why I decided to use it for art. Whereas Cooper Murphy prefers to sprawl on his back when he sleeps, this belly-sleeping with legs stretched out in front is Sawyer’s position of choice. He’s asleep on my feet in this photo, which is one of his favorite places when not snuggled with Cooper Murphy.

This is our entry in Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. To join in the fun, just create an arty picture. An abundance of free photo-editing apps are available to give you inspiration and a way to achieve your artistic goal.

To join the hop, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

As I announced above, I plan to have Giulietta here tomorrow as your host. We look forward to lots of old and new friends joining in the hop with us. If you don’t join the hop, please do stop by, as we will be remembering and honoring our friend, Mr. Jack Freckles, from Meezer’s Mews and Terrieristical Woofs. Sadly he received his wings a few days ago. He and his fursibs are long-time Selfies participants.

Have a great Caturday.

February 10, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Caturday Art Blog Hop 19

A SPARK OF THANKS

Sparks Blog Hop: Week #17

The outpouring of condolences after Lily Olivia’s death truly touched my heart. Those who make up the community of pet bloggers are the most loving, empathic, kind and considerate individuals I have ever come to know. This comes as no surprise to me. Those who love animals are generally nice humans to know.

I wanted to thank everyone individually who left us comments or sent e-mails. But it still remains too overwhelming. Until I can do this, my Spark today is my way of letting each of you know just how grateful I am for your love and support.

As I have stated many times now, Lily Olivia was my constant companion. She may appear to be sleeping here, but she has her paw on the trackpad in an attempt to orchestrate my every move. She spent hours each day sitting in my lap while I worked on this blog. I would remove her paws from the trackpad over and over again or move her head aside so I could see the laptop screen.

I sometimes still take get too many bowls when feeding the other Kitties Blue their breakfast or dinner. Lily had to be first to get her food and sat right on the counter yelling at me to hurry up. And she always licked the inside of the can lid.

I continue to call the other cats by her name, and I look for her constantly, wondering why she is not pestering me or trying to get Dad Tom’s and my food when we eat. The house is quiet and empty without her huge calico personality.

The remaining eight do keep us on our toes, but their antics will never take away my missing her or my Fiona (or all the others who have gone before.)

I am joining Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) for her Sparks blog hop. In establishing the hop, she wrote this, “I believe we are meant to be lights in this world. If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!” This is what makes Sparks so special and why I look forward to participating each week. I believe my Spark with Albert Schweitzer’s quote completely speaks to Annie’s intent.

If you’d like to join the hop, click on the Sparks badge.

Health Update

I had prayed I would not be writing another of these until every kitty was well. Unfortunately Cooper Murphy has had a flair up of the eye infection and now is sneezing as well. It is obvious he doesn’t feel well. He slept all day on Sunday. He has another appointment to see one of the vets at our animal hospital this afternoon. My biggest fear is that he will one again present with a high fever. Some purrs and POTP would be appreciated.

Thank you for your continued love and support as we deal with the loss of Lily Olivia as well as this persistent infection.

January 29, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Health Sparks 22

WANTED: HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Sunday Selfies: Week #181

As we told you yesterday, today’s hop is being hosted by a very special guest. This extremely handsome and adoptable man-cat is the cat Kitties Blue currently sponsor at PAWS Connecticut.

This is Taylor. Look at those stunning green eyes and sweet expression. Can’t you just imagine him sitting in your lap, snuggling and purring?

Taylor first appeared as our guest host on December 3. As we told you then, our previously sponsored cat, Charlotte, had been adopted. We selected Taylor as the next kitty we would sponsor for his resemblance to our sweet angel, Fiona. He’s been living at PAWS for most of his life and deserves that happily ever after in a forever home.

Here’s what we told you about Taylor in December. He is a healthy, male, adult cat. Taylor arrived at PAWS on April 10, 2010, as a small kitten. He was shy and frightened by people. Somehow, he got overlooked time after time when individuals came to adopt. Taylor gets along well with other nice cats. He’s curious and interactive with people. With just a little extra TLC he can become your best friend.

Kitties Blue will sponsor Taylor for as long as he remains at PAWS, as we did with Swizzle and Charlotte. But wouldn’t it be nice for him to have a loving home for Valentine’s Day. If you are interested in adopting Taylor or if you know someone who might be, please click here.

We must confess that Taylor had a bit of help with his selfie. Our dear friend Kevin (meowmeowmans) from Animal Shelter Volunteer Life and his wife Tracey are dedicated PAWS volunteers, and Kevin sent us several new photos of Taylor. Here are a few more.

Saying Good-Bye to Mr. Buttons

We are very sad that another friend received his wings and ran off to the Bridge. Mr. Buttons was here with us just last Sunday as he celebrated his 7th Gotcha Day with his brothers and sisters at TomCat Commentary by Tim. If you haven’t already, please stop in and leave your condolences for Dad Pete and all the kitties.

Blog Hop

It’s now your turn to share your selfie with your fellow bloggers by adding it to our hop. If you are new to hopping or to Sunday Selfies, here are some simple guidelines.

The link to add your selfie to the hop is below.
You also will find below the code to use if you’d like the hop to appear on your blog.
Posting on Sundays is not necessary to join.
You do not need to be a cat to enter. All anipals are welcome regardless of species.
The hop remains open for entries through Thursday midnight.
Please be so kind as to display our badge and/or link to The Cat on My Head.

Thanks for joining. We truly appreciate your support and participation.

January 28, 2018 by Janet Blue Adoption Angel Cat Sponsored Cat Sunday Selfies 35

FRIENDLY FILL-INS FEATURING LILY OLIVIA

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #88

1. I would like to ask God why our pets cannot live as long as we do? Lily Olivia is officially home in the special urn we selected for her. As she was my sidekick and helped me each day on the computer, I probably will make certain I keep her by me each day.

2. My favorite fast food restaurant is Five Guys.

3. If I could go to any concert of someone still performing, it would be Pink. If I wasn’t going to the BlogPaws Conference, I would be able to see her as she’ll be close to our area while we are in Kansas City. (I’d also like to see Eric Clapton.)

4. My Winter pastime is usually staying in the house, because I have serious circulatory problems. This winter has been particularly brutal with frigid temperatures. It’s a good thing I have lots of kitties to keep me busy.

Friendly Fill-Ins is a weekly blog hop started and hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). If you’d like to participate, you can find the sentences to be completed on their blogs each Thursday. On Fridays, you can post a link to your blog at McGuffy’s Reader. To go there now, click on the badge below.

We’ll be back here tomorrow for Caturday Art.

January 12, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 18

ONE OF A KIND

Thoroughly Poetic Thursday

As we do each Thursday, we are joining Teddy and Angel Sammy’s Thoroughly Poetic Thursday. Mom Pam posted a really cool photo last week for inspiration. I had been looking forward to writing that poem, but that was not to be. I have written a poem to and for Lily Olivia.

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.

To find Angel Sammy’s poem, which he transmits each week from the Rainbow Bridge, click the badge below. You can also find links in the Comments to other poems as well as see the photo prompt for this week and next week.

Thankful Thursday

It is beyond difficult to be thankful today. Losing Lily Olivia is not a good start to the new year. I am, however, thankful to have had her in our lives for nearly nineteen years. And I am grateful to everyone who has left comments on our “Saying Good-bye” post as well as on the Cat Scouts and Crotchety Cougars websites and Tom’s Facebook page and sent e-mail messages and texts of condolences. Thank you. I will do my best to thank each of you personally during the next few weeks.

As a tribute to Lily Olivia, I am sharing a few photos from the afternoon of New Year’s Day. These are the last photos taken of her. I apologize for the quality. Lily was enjoying her last sunpuddle, and Sawyer was soaking in all those secrets she was sharing.

Thankful Thursday is a blog hop hosted by our friend, Brian. To share your “thankfuls,” click on his badge.

January 4, 2018 by Janet Blue Angel Cat Poetry Thankful Thursday Thoroughly Poetic Thursday 31

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.