Sashi 1991 - 2007

My beloved Sashi died this morning. She was my aunt's cat until my aunt died, and she lived with me after that. She had a rapid decline over the past couple of days. I'm glad she didn't suffer too much, but now I really miss her.

Luci

Luci adores the new woven painting! I've never seen her sleep on a painting before. There much be something extra comfy abut this one.

Nelson's Lion Cut

Nelson got his summer lion cut today. Doesn't he look handsome?









Here's a short video of him accompanied by music drifting in from the neighbor next door on electric guitar.

Mooney 1995 - 2007

We love you and we miss you so much Mister Moose. You will hold a special place in our hearts forever. I remember when you lived here and you got to stay up late with the "big cats," how you loved to play with dental floss, and how you had to get right in Enzo's face. It hurts so bad to have to say goodbye to you now. It's such a sad day. Peace be with you, Mooney.

Home Movies

I recently discovered that I can put videos of my cats on YouTube! These are like bad home movies from the 1950s, but they're fun to do. I spend half the day surreptitiously stalking the cats with my digital camera, hoping to catch them in some adorable behavior. Most of the time they stop whatever they're doing when they see me, so it's not easy. I have to be stealth.

Here's a classic 24-second clip of Nelson and Luci playing through the slats on the glider. Luci lives next door, but hangs out at my house all day. Wouldn't you?



And check out this 21-second video of Sashi screaming in the bathroom. I have no idea why she does this.



This 1 minute 5 second one of Alex and Nelson is really cute.



I can send links to all of my friends so they can see my bad home movies, and everyone on YouTube can watch them as well . . . not that anyone does. This is just way too much fun!

You can see all of my cat videos on my YouTube page.

Carrot Top Dye

For some reason Alex is fascinated with a bunch of carrot tops that are soaking in water in an attempt to extract color.









He keeps sticking his paw in, and licking the carrot-water off of his paw. Then he tried to lean over and drink the water. Yuck! It's been sitting there soaking for over a week. He has a bowl of fresh spring water about ten feet away, but nooooooo. He has to drink the putrid carrot top tap water. Cats!

Cats

Rain makes strange bedfellows.



This is an extremely rare sight -- all three of my boys together -- Nelson, Enzo and Alex. They were all huddled under the Norfolk Island Pine tree because it had started to rain. Otherwise they would never all be within 20' of each other, except for Alex, who adores Nelson.

Nelson and Alex

I came home from hiking this morning, and was stunned to see Nelson and Alex sleeping together in the yard. This was the best picture I could get, because I didn't want to go outside and disturb them.



This is a huge leap forward for both of them. Alex is a feral cat who doesn't trust anyone, and Nelson was afraid of him. It's so sweet to see the two of them together. I've never had cats before who liked other cats.

Meet Alex

I'm back! I took some time off to do marketing, and I'm just now getting back to painting. I thought you might like to meet the newest member of the family. This is Alex, a semi-feral cat who's been coming here for dinner every night for several months, despite the fact that he was terrified of me. Then the weather turned cold, and I put a bed out in the yard for him. He hasn't left the yard since. Now he allows me to pet him a little, but he has approach me. I can't approach him. He growls at the other cats, but so far no fights. I'm hoping I can get him to come into the studio before it starts to rain.

Cat Wins Lottery

I had a dream the other day that Nelson won the lottery. Now if I could just get him to tell me the numbers!

His coat is all grown out since his lion cut last June, and he's ready for winter.

Enzo and Nelson

Nelson loves other cats. Unfortunately other cats don't feel the same way about him. He likes to sneak up on Enzo when Enzo is asleep and snuggle up right next to him. This only lasts until Enzo wakes up and discovers he's sleeping right next to another cat.

Cute Cute Cute

Nelson sleeping with his paw covering his eyes -- to block out the light? Who knows what they're thinking!

Cat Changes His Stripes

It's been less than a week, and already Nelson's fur is growing back. And he has tiger stripes! You couldn't see any stripes in his fur when it was long. He was a solid orange cat, and he's changed to a subtly striped cat.

The weather has been warm, and he's appreciating his new lion cut. It took him a while to get used to it, but now he seems to like it.

The Lion

Nelson got a lion cut today, because the summer heat has been bothering him. So far he's not too happy about it. He's all jumpy because he can feel things on his skin, and I guess it feels weird to him. He walks through the yard and he leaps in the air every time a blade of grass touches his skin. He can't settle down because whatever he touches feels strange. And he's grooming himself obsessively.

Enzo and Sashi can't believe their eyes. He's half the cat he used to be, and they're not sure it's the same cat. I feel sorry for him because he looks so vulnerable now. Hopefully he'll get a little fur back soon. But not too much. I don't want to have to go through this again any time soon.

Cinnamon's Birthday

Today is Cinnamon's birthday -- she would have been 17 today. She died three months ago, and I'm missing her a lot again right now. Happy birthday, Cinnamon, wherever you are. I love you so much. You brought so much joy and happiness to my life, and I miss you terribly.

Mr. Photogenic

Look at these great pics of Nelson that Alex took when she was here painting. Does she have an eye for photography, or what?

Nelson Helps with Painting

This is Nelson, helping out with the house painting. The blue-green on his paws is the color of the trim. Photo by Alexandra Iorgulescu of Shannon Painting. I'll post pictures of the house when it's done -- probably later this week.

Funny Guy

Look at this guy! He looks like he owns the place. Nelson adores this chair in my studio. He is also fond of the painters' ladder. He sleeps in a different square created by the rungs everyday. He's a very funny cat.

Tribute to Cinnamon

I received a very touching letter today from Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Feline Health Center. It reads:

Dear Ms. Tondro:

We learned of the loss of your cat, Cinnamon, through a very thoughtful monetary tribute made to the Cornell Feline Health Center by your friends at the Westside Hospital for Cats in your pet's memory. We are sorry to hear about Cinnamon's passing, for all of us who are involved with pets know how dearly they are loved and how quickly they become true members of the family.

Though Cinnamon is gone, we hope you will be comforted through the knowledge and significance of this pledge, which will help the Center continue seeking to improve the health of cats. There certainly could not be a better way to preserve the memory of your beloved pet than this meaningful tribute.

Sincerely,
Dr. James R. Richards, Director
Cornell Feline Health Center

I was deeply moved by this letter, and I am speechless.

Cinnamon 1989 - 2006

My beloved Cinnamon is gone. She died very quietly and peacefully this evening. I miss her terribly, but I am thankful that I could spare her a painful death. She would have been 17 in June, and I loved her so much. She was a beautiful and loving companion.

Thank you to everyone who provided me with so much support and love. I wouldn't have been able to make it through this without you.

Nelson

Nelson likes to sleep in the center of the coiled up hose. This is one of the stranger cat sleeping places I've seen.