So I wrote a new post, then had issues uploading the photos. And let's face it, the photos are what make food blogs exciting. So until I get a little photo-to-computer help from J, we will cover other topics!
So in one apartment, my roommate T and I have a bit of a zoo going on. 3 kitties and 1 sleepy dog! It's time for them to make their blog debut:
Clio (Calico) The grandma of the bunch since she is a happy, healthy 14 year old lady. Clio was rescued from Animal Care and Control shelter in my hometown. She was very insistent that I
pick her and very vocally let me know she wanted to come home with me. I should have known from that moment that life would not be quiet with her around! I sometimes call her the 'duck' because she meows like a quack when she is hungry. But she is also the smartest of the bunch and very sweet and cuddly. She was always very easy-going when I was fostering cats and never gave me any trouble. When new people come over, she is always the first to greet them and make friends. She will always give YOU a head rub and seems to actually listen when you talk to her.
Tanger (Orange) My middle guy, who must be about 7 (or maybe 8?) now. When saying his name, think about a 'Tanger'ine.....yes he is the orange one! He was a foster cat that I got when he was just a tiny, sick little guy. He was found with his 7 brothers in a bag that someone had thrown away. They all had ear mites, and other conditions that required them to have lots of med
ications. I agreed to foster whichever kitten from the group needed a home and ended up with him, the runt of the litter. I decided to keep him since he was too adorable, and he has made himself a happy home. I sometimes think that his traumatic kitten-hood has led to his strange behaviours. He loves metal and will go out of his way to chew on necklaces, earring, zippers etc. He has a fondness for over-grooming and as a result, looks a bit like a scruffy alley-cat at times (we are working to stop this). His other quirkiest like, is ear wax. He MUST chew on used Q-tips and if you don't let him, he hunts through the garbage to find them. He always finds a comfy spot and will burrow under the covers to make himself a nest.
My old roommate moved out and took her cat with her 2 years ago. This was pretty upsetting to Tanger since she was his best buddy and playmate. He moped around and was quite despondent for a while. So I decided to get him a new friend to bond with, which brings us to........
Stella (Black & White) Oh little Stella....she is a year and a half now and still full of that kitten energy! Playing in the bathtub in the middle of the night, climbing onto bookshelves and knocking paintings off the wall, instigating chase games up and down the halls at full galloping speed (and full volume!). She was a stray rescued by Toronto Cat Rescue, along with her brother and sister. I wanted to get a younger, fixed,
female who was not shy to become friends with Tanger. You never know with cats if they will get along, but the plan worked perfectly. Stella and Tanger are best friends and often snuggle together, play and groom each other. She brings out the kitten in him, which helps since he is a little too fond of food! Her cutest quality, is playing fetch. She loves her purple hippo toy (from my sister!) and will fetch it when thrown from my bed into the hall. She is always so proud when she retrieves it and loves to hear that she is a 'good girl'. (check out the video below!)
We also have another
Stella...the dog. As if we ended up with two pets with the sam
e name! Stella-D is a 12 year old chihuahua. She was a puppy mill dog that T rescued a few years ago. She is just so full of love and wants to be cuddled. I didn't think I would like a small dog since I associate them with being 'yappy'. But she is so well-behaved and hardly ever barks. And since she sleeps pretty much all day, you hardly even know she is there! The cats and dog get along pretty well...except when Cat-Stella wants to play and bites Stella-D's ear. They can even all sleep on one bed together and no fighting! This is a photo of her ready to go in mom's purse.
So this is our zoo, quirky habits and all. They all eat natural food, Natural Choice for the dog and Wellness for the kitties. I have researched cats and veganism and decided it was not in their best interest. Wellness foods seem to be one of the best options out there with high quality ingredients and less by-products or questionable additives. I use a corn husk based litter so they won't breathe in clay-dust fumes. I even toyed with the idea of toilet training them after reading someone else's blog, but have put that idea on hold for the time being. I know some people have issues with being vegan and living with pets. But I see it as providing a healthy, happy home for my little ones, where they are safe and loved.
