Aby-a-Day – October 31: Halloween at the Hospital

Today, of course, is Halloween, but it’s also Thursday, and Thursday is when we visit Pratt 2 at Tufts Medical Center.

Of course we went in costume. I’ve been planning this for a year!

Jacoby wore his cowboy outfit, and I swore I’d do last year, I cobbled together a cowgirl outfit to match. I found a genuine made-in-Texas fringed cowgirl shirt that just happened to have leopard print on it. I also found a leopard print cowboy hat, and I have leopard print boots…I thought we coordinated pretty well.

Jake loves to visit so much…and of course, he doesn’t mind wearing an outfit.

As long as he gets attention, he’s happy!

Vincent is the OT who runs our visits, and of course he and Jake are old friends by now.

I also found some patient artwork that had been left behind in the room we visit in. Now, I don’t know if Jake inspired this…but I like to think that he did 🙂

Trick or treat!

Abys are Everywhere! Happy Halloween!

You know me…I am ALWAYS on the lookout for greeting cards starring Abys. So imagine my squeeful delight when I found this little cutie:

Isn’t he adorable!? This is the inside:

But that’s not all! Today a friend shared this article about dressing up your cat for Halloween, and look who the headliner was!

That little guy gets around, eh?

Congratulations Boston Red Sox! 2013 World Series Champions!

Aby-a-Day – October 30: Wordless Wednesday (Let’s Go Red Sox!)

Aby-a-Day – October 29: “Put that thing back where it came from or so help me” (Cartoon Tuesday)

At our cat show a couple of weeks ago, it was fun to see the humans and cats dressed up in their team costumes. Some cats love to dress up.

And some…just DON’T.

(Click cartoon to embiggen, or you can view all cartoons in Slideshow mode on Flickr.)

Aby-a-Day – October 28: A city holds its collective breath (Hipstamatic Monday)

When the Red Sox are in the World Series, Boston holds its breath. Especially after Saturday’s game.

Usually, things don’t end well; we’ve been spoiled in the past nine years, though. Before 2004, the Red Sox didn’t win the World Series much.

What’s nice, though, is that EVERYONE is into the games. From little kids to grandmothers, everyone in Boston is watching the Sox play the Cardinals.

And everyone is wearing whatever Red Sox gear they happen to have.

Everyone.

Including cats.

Happy Ending! Ronica has found a home!

I’m sure you all remember the urgent post last week about poor Ronica, the Aby who was slated to be euthanised if she didn’t get adopted within 24 hours.

Well, I am VERY happy to report that Ronica was rescued! Thanks to the Aby Rescue Network on Facebook, Ronica has a home in Maine.

She is very thin and she has a URI…but as you can see, she already has a new comfy bed and was very content with it..just look at her smile! I am so happy to be able to pass this good news along!

Aby-a-Day – October 27: Ready for his close-up

One of the best things about cat shows is the raffle table. Some of the prizes are really great, and there’s actually a decent chance of winning the prize you’re interested in. At the NEMO show, I bought 100 tickets and really wanted to win two prizes: the Thundershirt on Saturday, and the photo session with Bille Axell, the show photographer, on Sunday. Coincidentally, these were the two prizes I won!

The photo shoot was the most awesome prize I’ve ever won at a cat show raffle. Jacoby’s had a few professional sessions at shows, including two with my idol, Chanan, but this was one of the most fun.

Part of the fun was that the raffle winners were announced before all the judging was completed. Bille is a candid photographer as well as a studio photographer, so he was more than willing to take some extra photos as part of my prize package.

Russell Webb’s finals hadn’t been announced yet, and Jake has historically done well in Russell’s rings. This year, we’ve seen him at two shows (Seacoast in Concord, NH back in May, and Sanguine Silver/Half Moon in Boxborough in August) he was Best Cat in Premiership and Second Best Cat in Premiership. So I asked Bille to wait to see how Jake did in Russell’s shorthair specialty ring.

And it was worth waiting for…Jake was Best Shorthaired Cat in Premiership on Sunday!

Bille was also very open to suggestions and improvisation, which made it that much more fun. When he asked what colour background I wanted, I suggested we use Jake’s signature leopard print instead of the conventional solid. Bille thought that was an awesome idea…and I think it turned out really well.

Bille also thought it would be fun to take a few shots of Jake with my camera. I love these.

Bille also let me take a few photos of him taking photos of Jake.

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it looks like behind the scenes of those amazing studio portraits you see of cats online and in magazines…well, this is what happens! And be sure to check out Bille’s website to see more of his wonderful photos!

Abys in Need – Ramsey in MI

I just got this email through one of the Aby Rescue lists, so there’s not a lot of information beyond what I’ve got here…

I am reaching out to you in desperation to find a home for my husband’s cat Ramsey. My husband passed away in late July of Leukemia. I am in a situation where I must move in with my parents now and find a home for our cat. I cannot take him with me because my parents cannot handle it. it breaks my heart and I cannot take him to the humane society for adoption.

All my efforts to find him a nice home have not succeeded. Please let me know if you can help in any way. I am out of options and appreciate any help.

Sincere thanks,
Karen Paciocco
Howell, MI
248-614-6486

Aby-a-Day – October 26: “Stir” (Saturday Photo Hunt)

This week’s Photo Hunt subject is “Stir.”

Jacoby likes to stir things up with Angel.

He tries to play with her, but she just hisses and runs away.

That is, if he’s lucky.

Sometimes, she stands her ground and smacks him.

Jake may be bigger than her, but Angel is still stronger.

And in case you were wondering who taught Jake his bad habits…

Aby-a-Day – October 25: Jacoby’s Escalator Accident (Friday Flashback)

Jacoby’s escalator accident was three years ago this past Wednesday. I’ve got a lot of new readers, so I thought I should remind you all about this red-letter day in Jake’s history.

It started out as a simple errand to pick something up from my office on a Saturday morning. I took Jake along for company. When we got home, he wanted to run up the escalator (he loves stairs) and I let him. At the top of the escalator, he let out a horrible SQUAWK!

One of his back feet had gotten caught in the step as it went underneath the landing! I had no time to think, only to react, and I didn’t immediately see the emergency stop button for the escalator. There was also no MBTA personnel at the gate, so I just pulled Jake’s foot out and, not even stopping to look at it it, I held it tight in one hand and went up and outside…to wait for a bus. For about thirty seconds, until it occurred to me that I should take a cab. Thankfully, our vet is only several blocks up the street from us.

He was such a great boy while they were working on him! He didn’t need restraining or sedation, he just lay there calmly while we fixed him. He was extremely lucky: he only had a tendon-deep cut to one toe. It could have been so much worse.

Jake didn’t actually even get any stitches. The vet just used surgical glue and bandages to close the wound. And on the bus ride home, Jake was fairly alert, watching the cars out the window.

I made a little sock to cover his bandages so he wouldn’t bite at them and had all the girls sign it.

Isn’t it cute? The first time I put it on him, he went through a range of emotions…

“Oh, woe is me!” Jake can be very dramatic when he wants to be.

Then, his bandage became a toy.

Finally, he decided to try the Coyote Ugly approach. It didn’t work, thanks to the bitter “no-chew” bandages I used under his sock.

He even got flowers!

We had to visit the vet several time to check the healing and change his dressings. He took it all in stride, of course.

We even incorporated his bandaged foot when we dressed up for Halloween. He was an Egyptian mummy cat.

His foot remained bandaged for about a month. As you can see, he didn’t even notice it after a while.

Finally, the big day came! No more bandages! You can see the tiny scar between his toes.

He was so happy to finally be able to groom those toes! I wonder if it itched, the way a cast does?

He healed quickly, as you can see – he was bandageless by Remembrance Day! But he was so, so lucky. Boston escalators – especially the ones in MBTA stations – have killed people! Apparently, they have warning signs in LA about just this sort of thing:

Photo by Gruntzooki (Cory Doctorow) on Flickr

Jake’s so lucky that he didn’t lose his foot. I know I’ll never take an escalator for granted again.

Aby-a-Day – October 24: There can only B one

So last night, the World Series started. Kind of a big deal here in Boston…

It was also our “Halloween” visit to Fuller, so we went in costume. I was torn between the Red Sox unis and the Egyptian set, but given the current climate…

I thought wearing the Red Sox stuff was more appropriate.

Jacoby actually wore his hat for most of the visit.

He may not love wearing his hat…but he definitely doesn’t mind it.

The staff really enjoys seeing Jake every other week, too. This is Jake with one of the occupational therapists, Keith.

And here’s Jake and I in our matching Red Sox outfits.

I just wish I’d had time to make Jake his own beard…and gotten one for myself as well. I also need to get him some red socks…well, there’s always next year.

Aby-a-Day – October 23: Wordless Wednesday (Recalling the Escalator Disaster of 2010)

Cat Scouts – Be purrpared for the adventure of your lives

I discovered the most awesome, most FUN website last week, thanks to Texas the cat. Actually, it’s not just a website…it’s a way of life.

It’s the Cat Scouts! Cats join up, earn merit badges, compete in character-building contests of wit and skill, and meet other swell fellows around the world. Both boycats and girlcats can be Scouts, but girl Cat Scouts are required to sell treats, like Thin Catmints, on a card table in front of the supermarket to raise money to fund Cat Scout activities.

Jacoby even started his own troop, “Abyssinians at Large,” and there are four other Abys in the Cat Scouts right now – including Angel!

But the best news is that Jake was named co-Scout of the Week last week along with a cat named Raz! Here’s what the Denmaster had to say about Jake:

Scout Jake the Strollercat…IS the first Cat Scout to score every single merit badge. He’s been instrumental in introducing a number of new Abyssinian friends to Cat Scouts. And, he’s the founder of the Abyssinians at Large Troop. We’re proud to have a celebricat like Jake in Cat Scouts.

As I said, girlcats can be Cat Scouts, too! Angel is also a member of Jake’s troop, and look at her posing in her cute little uniform!

There’s a Cardwood Car Derby coming up next month, and soon we’ll be able to buy little neckerchiefs and woggles for the Cat Scouts. The Cat Scout Handbook is going to be published in 2014. It’s such a clever idea and it’s so much fun…if you have an Aby who joins, be sure to join Jake’s troop! And always, be purrpared!

Aby-a-Day – October 22 – When the moon hits your eye (Cartoon Tuesday)

This happens. ALL the time. Except I’m usually quick enough to prevent food being dragged throughout the apartment.

Jacoby and and Angel are the worst, but Tessie actually does not wait patiently for a taste, either. But then, she is part Aby.

(Click cartoon to embiggen, or you can view all cartoons in Slideshow mode on Flickr.)

URGENT Abys in Need – Ronica in NYC

This is super-sad and super-urgent as, for some reason, Ronica is on the euthanasia list for TODAY. They say she’s an “Aby mix” but she looks pure Abyssinian to me.

TO BE DESTROYED 10/22/13
Manhattan Center

My name is RONICA. My Animal ID # is A0981918.
I am a female brown Abyssinian mix. The shelter thinks I am about 8 YEARS old.

I came in the shelter as a OWNER SURRENDER on 10/13/2013 from NY 10025, owner surrender reason stated was OWNER HOSP.

MOST RECENT MEDICAL INFORMATION AND WEIGHT
10/20/2013 Exam Type CAGE EXAM – Medical Rating is 3 C – MAJOR CONDITIONS , Behavior Rating is EXPNOCHILD, Weight 7.5 LBS.

showing signs of URI occular discharge present sneezing present nasal discharge present as per Dr.Hughes start on doxycycline 50mg/mL PO SID for 10 days

10/13/2013 PET PROFILE MEMO
Unknown profile

10/15/2013 BEHAVIOR EVALUATION – EXPNOCHILD
Exam Type BEHAVIOR
Basic Obs & Cage Conditions: No change Posture in Cage: Tense Greeting Approach: Remains on the cage bedding Response When Cage Opened: Motionless and retreats Extend Hand: Motionless Stroke: Rubs hand and play nips in place Score: 3

10/13/2013 INITIAL PHYSICAL EXAM
Medical rating was 3 C – MAJOR CONDITIONS , behavior rating was NONE
SCAN NEGATIVE BRIGHT, ALERT, RESPONSIVE PHYSICAL EXAM- Tense and nervous Heavy dental tartar Missing few teeth Geriatric Slightly thin and dehydrated Ear mites positive, dirty ears cleaned, tx by 0.09 cc Ivermectin SQ Flea comb negative Female NOSF

10/20/2013 CAGE EXAM (LAST MAJOR EXAM)
Medical rating 3 C – MAJOR CONDITIONS , behavior rating EXPNOCHILD
showing signs of URI occular discharge present sneezing present nasal discharge present as per Dr.Hughes start on doxycycline 50mg/mL PO SID for 10 days

***TO ADOPT THIS ANIMAL THROUGH THE PUBLIC ADOPTION SITE, PLEASE GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK AND SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM TO LOG IN AND RESERVE THE ANIMAL. THERE WILL BE A $50 DEPOSIT REQUIRED. THIS OPTION IS AVAILABLE UNTIL 12PM TOMORROW. http://www.nycacc.org/PublicAtRisk.htm ***

ALL LOCATIONS:
For more information on adopting from the NYC AC&C, or to find a rescue to assist, please read the following:http://urgentpetsondeathrow.org/must-read/

For more information on a particular cat, email adoption@nycacc.org but ONLY if serious about adopting, and ONLY if you are able to GO TO the shelter in-person. Please do not email for status updates… the only thing you will accomplish is spamming their in boxes and causing REAL adopter emails to go unnoticed.

Contact the NYC ACC at (212) 788-4000 for further automated instructions.

Evidently her human died and that’s how she ended up in a kill shelter. Hopefully someone can get this poor girl out of there!

Aby-a-Day – October 21 – Showing off to his friends (Hipstamatic Monday)

When we went on our last therapy visit at Tufts, Jacoby brought along one of his rosettes from the NEMO show.

I always tell the patients that he’s a show cat, too, so I thought it would be kind of cool for them to see an actual show cat ribbon.

While we waited for the patients to join in the OT room, Jake modelled his rosette for me.

He seems very proud of his ribbon, doesn’t he?

I took a few shots of him wearing the rosette on his collar, and then we took a few with Jake sitting next to it on his chair.

He didn’t seem to like that as much – I think he didn’t like me taking the ribbon off!

But you see that little shiny drop of water on the seat of the chair? That’s drool. Jake gets so happy to visit and he purrs so hard, he drools!

“Are they coming? Are they here yet?”

Aby-a-Day – October 20: Boys will be boys

It’s so much fun to watch an Aby in a hotel room.

They love hotel rooms.

Jacoby has to explore every inch of the room, from top…

…to bottom.

On this trip, however, Meg and I had an adjoining room with Molly and Teresa. Which meant that Jake also had an adjoining room with Molly’s young Grand* Champion, Nikolai (Pentaclecats Nikolai of Tigrflower). Nik is actually the son of Mosey, who we met when we first met Molly two years ago.

Nik is 11 months old; an adult, but just barely. And he is fearless. When we opened the door between our rooms, Nik just came marching on in.

Jake isn’t crazy about cats he doesn’t know, so of course he hissed at Nik.

Nik didn’t care. He just hissed back. “Whatever, dude.”

But that’s all they did. Just a little hissing.

And you can tell Jake wasn’t too upset at Nik, not with that happy tail!

Meg didn’t come until Saturday morning, so the next night, Jake had an actual roommate in his cousin Fire.

Jake and Fire have shared rooms before, but that was when Fire was still a Champion, so one or the other was always in a tent. This time, Fire was a Premier, so we let them both run loose. And they got along pretty well!

Look at them! They definitely have some sort of project going on.

Once Jake realised that the other Aby wasn’t a rival for my affections, I think he actually kind of liked having a buddy to play with.

They actually stayed up all night playing chase and hide-and-seek games! It was really adorable…but oh, were they tired on Sunday!

*Molly actually called me this afternoon…Nikolai Granded this afternoon! Whoo hoo! Congratulations, Nik and Molly!

Aby-a-Day – October 19: “Zip” (Saturday Photo Hunt)

This week’s Photo Hunt subject is “Zip.”

Jacoby can open zippers from the inside.

It’s kind of a problem, actually.

If I don’t latch the zippers on his house with a clip, and he finishes his dinner and decides he wants out to check out everyone else’s bowls, he just pushes his way out.

And…

…he’s out! He does this every time we feed him now. It’s getting kind of old…

Aby-a-Day – October 18: Cat show fashionista (Fashion Friday)

Today, on a special Fashion Friday, I wanted to show you this really adorable girl who came to see the show on Sunday and enchanted both my friend Molly and me.

Molly even let her cuddle with her boy Nik (Ch. Pentaclecats Nikolai of Tigerflower, who only needs 12 more points to get his Grand)! Molly herself followed a long New York fashion career – on staff at Mademoiselle and Glamour Magazines, freelance writing for Town & Country, wardrobe and speech writing for the Miss America pageants…no wonder they hit it off!

Sadly neither of us can remember her name! I did give her a blog card, so maybe she’s reading this and can help me out. Isn’t she adorable? She reminds me of Zooey Deschanel (in a good way, if you don’t happen to like Zooey Deschanel – which I do).

But what you can’t see in my photos (because I stupidly forgot to take any of them) are the fabulous black cat stockings she was wearing!

Truly one of the best-dressed cat show spectators I’ve ever seen! I just wish I could remember her name to give her a proper shout-out.