Cat Life in Canada – Sandra MacGregor

Frodo’s Feline Life Lessons: Look on the Warm Side of Winter

February 8, 2016/4 Comments/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

FRODO: Well this is my first winter and I gotta tell you I think it’s terrific! Now I know that Amarula hates Canadian winters but I think that’s just because–between you and me–she can be a bit of a nay-sayer! She tends not to look on the positive side of things. Since the temperature has dropped, mom has started using this indoor fire contraption that I think is just the cat’s pajamas! It’s like having your very own personal sunbeam in the house! Now I am new to this whole indoor, boxed sunbeam thingy, but I have learned a thing or two about how to get the most out of the clever contraption. It’s all about positioning…

Firstly, before jumping into that comfy looking basket, I’ve found that it’s better to get started slowly…one body part at a time to be sure not to get overheated! First the back:

2. Then the toes:

3. Next the tummy (which gives you an excuse for a good stretch!):

4. Finally, just let it all hang loose…become one with the fire…

5. Now that you’ve got a good “base” warmth going on, it’s time to move to the basket. But don’t let the lure of the comfy cat bed distract you from your primary objective: keeping as much of your body by the fire as possible:

6. Don’t forget to lift up your arms to get your armpits in on the warmth:

7. Now comes my favorite part: invite a friend to join in on the fun!

8. Not only does a friend make a fire more enjoyable, but they also provide additional body warmth:

9. Sometimes if you’re really, really lucky, they’ll even give you a fireside bath!

10. Yeah! I don’t know what Amarula is talking about, I love winter!

Nemesis of the Month (part 2): Squirrels

October 22, 2015/2 Comments/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

Yes, yes I know, I know…I already said my nemesis of the month was the harness. And it is! It is! But there are just so many things to be vigilant about and so many annoyances to deal with when you are “Supreme Commander of the World” that some months I just have to do a double-bill. Which brings me to my long-time nemesis: Squirrels. They have been one of my major adversaries since the Human catnapped me from South Africa and took me with her to Canada. Canadian squirrels have been taunting me since I arrived in this maple syrup-infested, snow-loving country. Lately, the creatures have been particularly pesky. Though they have never shown me the respect I deserve, they have become even more disrespectful since the Human got my new collar.

When I’m just sitting around minding my own business, they gang up on me.

No matter where I try to ~~hide~~ relax, they find me.

Knowing that climbing is one of the few skills I have not yet mastered, they tempt me to chase them up a tree and then, just out of reach, they leave me there to be rescued by the Human.

They have even taken it upon themselves to terrorize Zulu! That’s my job!

To make matters worse, they found my secret stash of peanuts and amuse themselves by eating the delicious treats in front of me.

And don’t even get me started about the squirrels’ cousin; that diminutive devil known as the chipmunk…

Curse those little fuzzy balls of fury! But fear not dear reader! I shall have my revenge. I have something planned….soon, very soon…they shall be banished from MY backyard! Oh yes! The last peanut shall be mine!

Spring Has Come Again!?!

March 26, 2015/0 Comments/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

AMARULA: Thank goodness! No one explained to me that because winter had indeed returned so too would spring likewise make a welcome reappearance! That means I can leave the house and survey my domain!

You know what the best part of spring is? Not the fresh scent of the air, or mom’s tulips that need chewing but the site of the kittens staring at me jealously through the screen!! Hee Hee

Wait a minute…does the return of spring mean that those nasty squirrels are back too??

Winter Has Come Again!?

December 1, 2014/1 Comment/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

AMARULA: What’s that you say? This winter thing happens EVERY year?! I wouldn’t have believed it until the snow hit the ground. The cold air and wet snow have relegated me to life indoors again and that means that I am forced to spend time with the kittens. And just as expected, I find them as engaging and intelligent as cardboard. I mean seriously, are we sure these two are even sentient?

I try to hide from them even in mom’s desk (being nincompoops, the kittens don’t like to be near objects associated with the exercise of intellect like desks, books and such)

But no matter where I hide…

They find me…

Nowhere is safe…

Pray for me!

Thank God Winter is Almost Over!

April 4, 2014/0 Comments/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

There are many reasons I don’t like winter—the snow, the ice, being trapped indoors, being forced to endure extra cuddle time with my human, and the slight chill to my morning Friskies pate. But by far the worst part of winter is the time indoors that I am forced to spend with the kittens, Zulu and Biltong. They are relentless in their pursuit of my attention. My hissy fits and tail slaps leave them unfazed.

Biltong has even taken to trying to wash me:

My efforts to hide have been futile:

We even eat together! Underlings should never eat with the Alpha!

They are EVERYWHERE.

They have even begun to steal my sunbeams! Anyone want a couple of so-so kittens?

What is this Thing You Call a Litter Box?

January 5, 2014/0 Comments/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

AMARULA: You want me to do what in where???

Well, the indignities of life in Canada just keep piling up! The ground is frozen and covered in snow and with it my outdoor commode. So the human says I am now forced to use a litter box. In South Africa a feline could do their business outdoors any time of year! Not in this frozen feline wasteland! But what else could I do but give it a try? And wouldn’t you know it! The undynamic duo decided they too had to go at that exact moment! Is nothing sacred to those two big-eared boondoggles?

Oh how I will miss the soft feel of dirt beneath my paws! I know not if my dignity will survive.

Winter in Canada: I am in Hell

December 17, 2013/1 Comment/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

AMARULA: I am not enjoying winter thus far. I am looking into whether any airline will allow a feline to fly solo so I can get back to South Africa ASAP! There is no snow in Cape Town! Worse yet, I find that the cold seems to have frozen the kittens’ brains (though frankly, it was hard to detect any brain activity in the little fur balls even before we moved to this frozen tundra). They seem to be under the mistaken impression that my imposed time indoors means I actually want to spend time with them! Saints preserve me!

They attack me in my cat condo:

And I wake up to find that, while I slumber, they use their kittenish stealthy ways to sneak into bed with me:

What the heck!??? When will this madness end? I am not certain all three of us will make it to the end of winter…and I bet they would make comfy throw rugs!

Outdoor Life in Canada: Let me inside!!

December 1, 2013/0 Comments/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

AMARULA: Well, as the only outdoor cat in our feline trio (and the only one with looks and brains!) I was really excited to explore the Canadian great outdoors! Mom had warned me about this thing you call “snow” but I was incredulous. Well, I have been schooled:

It started off innocently enough. The temperature hovered dangerously near zero Celsius but I, being a rugged beast, could handle it. I will certainly not let Canadian cats show me up!

Though it started to get a little nippy, I made due and dealt with the cold by making fun of the kittens who aren’t allowed out (mom is a big believer in keeping cats indoors but because I was a stray she could not convert me to the indoor life–I thwarted all her efforts!!) Poor saps!

But then a light dusting of snow fell:

Things got ugly pretty quickly!

Seriously!! How long does this white stuff last? Only a few days right? I can go outside again soon…yes?

Top 10 Rules For Cat Life in Canada

November 15, 2013/0 Comments/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

AMARULA: Well we are all slowly adjusting to life in Canada. I dare say that as the temperature decreases the amount of rules seem to increase! You would think mom would realize that one can not shackle a feline’s freedom! I have assembled a photo journal of the feline Canadian commandments. Judge for yourself how well this trio of tabbies is following them!

1. Thou shall never ever go on the kitchen table:

2. Thou shall never go into the kitchen cupboards:

3. Thou shall not bother Grandpa MacGregor when he is watching television:

4. I said thou shall not bother Grandpa MacGregor!!

5. Thou shall never scratch the couch:

6. Thou shall not distract grandpa MacGregor while he is playing bridge on the computer:

7. Thou shall not lie innocently in the middle of the hallway where humans can trip over you!

8. Thou shall not hog the couch:

9. Thou shall not go into parcels that are not for you and get covered in packing peanuts:

10. Once again! Thou shall not go onto the kitchen table even if it has the best sunbeams in the house!

We’re Officially Canadian!

October 31, 2013/0 Comments/in Hairballs and Hissy Fits/by Amarula

AMARULA: We landed on a cold October 31st day here in Canada! (By the way, what is this thing you call Halloween!? We didn’t have that in South Africa! My human better NEVER try to make me wear a costume or she will personally learn what a scratching post feels like!).

The trip was hell and boy are we happy we landed safely. I, Amarula, got a carrier all to myself but that poor sap Biltong (aka Billy) had to travel in a carrier with his much-too-talkative brother Zulu! Ha ha!

My very own carrier

I can’t help but think it was Sandra (aka human, aka mom) who added “Precious” to the KLM Cargo tag! Naturally I find such displays of human emotion silly and certainly beneath a feline but one can’t argue with the truth of her addition.

Precious cargo indeed!

I am off to explore my new Canadian domain!

Those nincompoop kittens can do nothing more than fall into each others arms and nap the minute they arrive at their new home. Clearly they are not the brains of this operation! Inarguable proof that stray cats are so much better than pure-breeds!

All cuteness and no brains! That’s why I’m the leader!

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