Kitten Pictures | Spay and Neuter

Remember the newborn kittens? They are five months old already. We knew that they would get spayed and neutered even before they were born. My family and I are advocates. M was a wreck. She hates taking her precious pets in to get surgery, but as much as she doesn't sleep the night before, she knows it's a good thing. As a matter of fact, originally we kept the momma cat because the person who wanted her refused to spay her. Of course, after the first few weeks of her living with us, she became part of the family and M couldn't part with her any longer. It all worked out for the best. The cat family has formed a close bond. They were even taken for their surgery together. They were also picked up together the following day.

They are still a rather united cat tribe. They function like a group. Sure, the mom occasionally hisses and even growls at her kittens, but she is also very protective and affectionate with them most of the time. She has completely accepted all of us dogs, from the largest to the naughtiest. Project cats and dogs united, copleted. We're an integrated home. Seven cats and four dogs, who would have thought! The outdoor cat enclosure helps a lot, with any crowding issues, plus all the cats absolutely love it out there. They take in the sun's rays, roll on their backs, trim their claws on actual tree trunks, and enjoy their fresh supply of cat grass that M has planted for them. Sometimes, little Pedro, the chihuahua puppy joins them out there, and that's when the laid back kittens jump up to higher levels where they cannot be reached; that's an accurate statement about most, but not all cats. Charlie, the tuxedo kitten remains Pedro's best friend. The two are inseparable and play well together. We can't wait until the kittens are over ten months old and get introduced to catnip. We wonder about the catnip effects and how the kittens will react to it.

Lil' Mama weighs 7lbs, the tuxedo kitten (Charlie, M's favorite) is 8lbs, the pointed kitten (Gigi Smudge) 7.4lbs, and the runt, the calico kitten named Puddles, weighs 6lbs.

Kitten pictures:

 Even after her spay surgery, Lil' Mama remains quite intense.

 We lucked out. While we (the dogs) don't like the deer antlers, Charlie is really fond of them.

 Puddles still spends her days lounging about looking pretty. She only gets upset when someone takes away her mirror.

The Smudge! A rather flighty almost feral kitten nobody likes to mess with.

Be kind, considerate, and responsible: Spay and neuter your pets!

Twinkie

Pet Photo Contest Deadline

National Dog Week | Day 7

Sadly, our National Dog Week is coming to an end today, Saturday, September 25th, at midnight. That's also the deadline for your pet photo contest entries. You have 'till midnight to Show Us Your Tongue. The entries are still coming in! For some strange reason, everything around me appears to be PINK. The good news is, now I know all of your names, I can even spell them backwards, if you like. 

I can't tell you how exciting this mini-contest has been. I have visited a multitude of tongue posts and laughed my tail off. This was an unexpected party in the animal blog-dom and for that we have ourselves to thank. We're one enthusiastic chunk of the blog world.

Most of the entries are already posted. You can check them out by clicking on the tab titled "Show Us Your Tongue" at the top of my blog.

Because of the multitude of entries, I did NOT want to be the sole judge. I can't even come up with a criterion to base my judgment on. Therefore, I am going to post a VOTING POLL on my sidebar. Again, because of the sheer volume of entries, I would like to allow more than one vote. I'm going to rely on your honor and set the rules here:

VOTING BEGINS: this Sunday, September 26th at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (West Coast)
VOTING ENDS: next Sunday, October 3rd at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time

The results and the winners will be announced on Dear Twinkie, on October 5th
May the best tongues win...

LIMIT YOURSELVES TO FIVE VOTES!!! Pup Scout's Honor!

Here are some photos from the cat section of my personal Tongue Library:

 Demo Kitten Tongue

 Clean Kitten Tongue

The Mother Tongue

The curly cat tongue

I only posted kitten pictures today because they are  a minority and I always root for the undercat. 

Have a fabulous Saturday! And don't forget to join us on our Saturday Blog Hop!

Twinkie

Kitten Update | Petrified Chiweenie

I'm sure everyone's used to Frankie, the brindle chiweenie, being scared stiff frequently, but

why-oh-why is the chiweenie petrified this time???

 

 Perhaps it is because the momma cat goes from this to . . .

. . . THIS!

Or perhaps even . . .

. . . THAT!

It is true, furiends, we're under cat siege.

We are sentenced to live with seven felines!

The other day, M put the chiweenie and me in the outdoor cat enclosure for "socialization" purposes. Somebody call the humane society.

The kittens are now three months old. They are healthy, playful, curious, and mischievous.

Here are some recent kitten pictures:

Charlie Chuckles

The tuxedo kitten. The only male of the litter.

He is the leader. He is a terror in disguise, but M dotes on him. He knows about her weakness so when she calls him he comes running and screaming. I hope Charlie and M live happily ever after together.

Puddles

Our calico kitten.

She's beautiful and she knows it. She spends her days lounging around, mostly on her back, sucking at her paws. I think she's a bit "slow," if you know what I mean.

Clorox

Our muted tortie.

Clorox, aka Alley Alarm, aka Squirt is the one to watch out for. She's the wildest of the bunch. If I didn't know for a fact that she was raised here, I'd call her a feral kitten. The chiweenie and I need to be careful around her because she snaps.

As you can see, the little kittens are all growing up fast while developing their personalities. M had made an appointment with an animal behaviorist, but it was simply too expensive. In lieu of, she decided to recruit her human friends that she equips with squirt bottles and the ultrasonic pet trainer (the PetZoom) the minute they step through the door. She says instead of paying an animal behaviorist, she'd rather spend the money taking her friends to dinner as a way to thank them for helping out. Any volunteers?

We are one nutty mixed household and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

Twinkie

Dear Twinkie | A Dog Advice Column

Kira The BeaWootiful asked...

Wooos! Mum is giggling, ( I did not know she could still do that, being rather ancient)Oh Puddles, I want to too that apology... and Twinkie, great advice as always, Mum is wondering where all the cute kitten pictures are.....
~husky kisses~
-Kira The BeaWootiful

TVT: I would love to respond with: "Big mistake" but because it's for your mum, I'll go with, "Ask and you shall receive."

You can watch from here

Kitten pictures for my furiend, Kira who is so NOT banned from my blog ;)

 Lola asked...

Thank you, Twinkie. You are truly the little dog with the big brain. I hate to be an advice hog, but I do have a new issue. Now your next column won't be out in time to prevent my upcoming disaster, but maybe for the future... You see, I just learned that Alpha Mom is leaving us again, and this time for TWO nights over the weekend! She seems to think that just because Blog Mom and Daddy will be here she's free to run off at will. I really prefer all three of them to be in more or less constant attendance and I'm very much afraid this is becoming a pattern. I think it's the second time this year. Is there any way I can prevent future defections without resorting to being a Bad Dog, which I really think is beyond me? I was hoping for something clever and passive-aggressive, but will listen to anything you have to say.

Thanks so much,

Lola

TVT: Tsk tsp. Apparently I was wasting my ink when I came over to suggest you do to your Alpha mom what Bolo does to his cousins beds. I didn't read any stinky posts, or did you just skip posting about that? Hmm, I think you were bribed. Yup, yup, they took you to the expo for once and next day you are all: "horse shows are fun but they are for horses" etc etc. I'm afraid the passive-aggressive trick you were hoping for was played on you. One last thing. There are no advice hogs, just inquisitive minds.

Time to stop being so agreeable, Lola

The Thundering Herd asked...

Excellent advice as always, but Ruby over at The Thundering Herd Annex wants to know why all of the humans have become so careful about putting food up. It is seriously cramping her style. Any advice for her?

TVT: I'm afraid Ruby should have asked me before Frankie Furter's Name Game. It's too late for Ruby now. The cat is out of the bag. We are painfully aware that(excerpt taken from the Herd's blog): "Ruby is an extraordinary counter surfer and has snarfed the most amazing food choices.  She talks back, is stubborn, harasses Tartok all of the time (who eats up the attention), and generally considers herself the life of the party.  In other words, she is a Siberian Husky." In my other words, your family answered this already. 

Have you figured out how to break into the bread box yet?

Mango asked...

Holy crap, Twinkie, that was so much advice that I am feeling dizzy.

Yuh, that Puddles is up to no good. Like I totally just met her and already I am in trouble with Tank for associating with her.

As for Bunny's new sissy. That is so not a greyhound for sure. I saw that thing trying to herd hapless Bunny around the yard.

So many mysteries.

I do have one small question... why did momma rate my nard cooling video R? It is all Mango. Suitable for puppies, right?

Slobbers,
Mango

TVT: Dear RH, there's nothing small about your question. Have you watched the VIDEO in question? I mean, come on, my furiend, your left nard is colossal and way bigger than me! The R rating in dog channels is purely used to prevent dog envy. Your momma is aware of your ginormous nards and wishes to protect you from less endowed doggies. Kk? 

Peek-A-Boo! My blog is rated PG

Frankie the brindle chiweenie asked…

Yo, sis. I've a question for you. How come Linguini didn't freak this year with the fireworks? I thought she fared pretty well compared to other years.

TVT: Good question, Frankie. It's because she's losing her hearing. Senior dogs are that way. They mellow down, get dog arthritis, and they get reduced hearing. I think it's rather fortunate for our Linguini since now she doesn't have to listen to you flapping your mouth. 

houndstooth asked...

Ms. Van Twinkerson, your advice column today was hilarious! It's like reading a soap opera, almost, what with the mysterious knocking and sneaking about.

I am really enjoying having a new sister, but she seems to have some sort of kissing compulsion. She's always kissing Blueberry, me, Mom and Dad. I'm not so crazy about her macking on my mom. Giving her my best hairy eyeball has not helped so far. How do I tell her that she's crossed the line without hurting her feelings?

Bunny

TVT: Is your dog a compulsive kisser? Let me explain the psychopathology behind this genuine manifestation of true love. Sensitive dogs, the good kind, when stressed (Morgan is fairly new to your pack) compulsively groom or kiss to relieve their anxiety. They are known to groom themselves to the point of injuring themselves, but having studied Morgan closely, from the time she moved in, I'd day that this is a case of l-o-v-e and gratitude! All you can do for now is, if she overwhelms you, just say "blah" or "gross" and walk away. She'll get it. She's a "special" greyhound after all (or did you tell her about her breed yet?)

Ms Morgan Annalise Von Owen's debut

JackDaddy asked...

Dear Twinkie,

If you could ask yourself one question, what would it be?

TVT: Unlike you, who is still tormented about how to escape the neighborhood dog area, I am an old soul and I like to occupy my mind with serious issues. After world peace, the one issue that puzzles me, and many generations before me, the most is: why do we not get dog treats all the time? It's a legit question. Dog treats keep us well fed. There are plenty of dog treats with dog glucosamine and other supplements that are good for us. Dog treats keep our figure nice and rounded. They are the best option to keep us in the yard because they make a great incentive and because we can't lug our big bellies over or under fencing. As you can see, I am rather perplexed about this issue. 

And so are you

Madi and Mom asked...

Twinkie what great answers... Mom said she can tell you are a very 'thoughtful' Chidog.

We have a question for next week?

Where did you get your degree in common sense, how long did it take and do you have to be certified yearly?

Madi and Mom

TVT: Do you have a question? I can't tell because you seem to be questioning yourself, Madi (cats can never make up their mind). I have graduated from the school of life. I may not have a Canine Good Citizen certificate or any other papers to show but I do get my state license updated annually and I am in good standing with the University of Common Sense that awarded me an honorary degree. I was also the first (and so far the last) teacup chihuahua to graduate from the University of Southern California (USC). Any more questions?

Madi, just graduated from beauty school

My credentials

Now go take on the day! (Note for Ruby: You go surfing)

Twinkie

Cat-astophic Kittens

WARNING: Another post about the newborn kittens

The newborn kittens are 3 weeks old today. No, they can't get into anything yet. They still paddle on their bellies making valiant attempts to stand on their four legs. Then why-oh-why did I call them cat-astrophic? Because they've taken over my dog life and my blog. And since today our friends Amy, Barney, Stella, Gus, Lola, Virgil, and Kirzon from the world famous House of Cats, posted about us, I felt that I should at least talk about the kittens. But first, a public and heartfelt thank you to Amy for helping my mom along the way.

We took Farrah in, a feral kitty wandering the streets of downtown L.A., (where I was found too) when she was already pregnant. Farrah was being assaulted by the three male cats in her hood who were definitely going to harm the kittens as soon as they were born. We had to take her in to keep her safe and well fed plus we are spaying and neutering advocates, so this was our one shot at witnessing the miracle of a cat giving birth and caring for newborn kittens.
Farrah came home 4 weeks ago. She was tiny and while obviously pregnant, she never got too big.

She gave birth to FIVE healthy kittens a week after we brought her home

This picture of the nursing cat was taken a few short minutes after she delivered her last kitten. She's been a great mom from day one.

I had asked for help finding cute kitten names. Well, all the names you suggested were either perfect or funny, but kittens have a way of naming themselves. This one, opened it's one eye on day 6. Four days before it's litter mates did. It started to get into trouble right away so, we call it for now: Trouble

Trouble is the only boy out of the five newborn kittens

This is calico kitten A, or Puddles

Her calico sister is a dilute calico kitten which means her colors are muted

Life is a basket full of kitten cuteness

with their mom standing guard

As far as kitten development goes, this guy, the only guy, has got the lead.

Trouble was the first one to attempt to walk. In this picture he is paddling.

But the calico kitten is close second in development and she loves giving herself a bath

Picture of fawn (dilute red) kitten sucking, and chomping on finger

Today, the fawn and white girl got strong enough to sit fully up

The calico girl, Puddles can also walk a bit, although she prefers to spend the day on her back messing with her litter mates

And Trouble . . . always a step ahead of the girls

This has been our newborn kitten saga so far. It's been scary at times, terribly disruptive, and tons of fun. Our mom even built an outdoor cat enclosure which I'm afraid is the first step in keeping all the kittens. Help! Until Farrah came over the numbers were equal, three dogs and three cats. Today, since the kitten birth, we're outnumbered. I live in a house with NINE cats. 

For kitten video, please visit MY CHANNEL and have at it. My favorite is Kitten Cuteness - Day 6 because, while it's rather long, it shows you the steps the nursing cat takes to care for her newborn kittens. And as Amy already mentioned, you can view more photos on our other blog pregnantcatinfo.

Twinkie

Newborn Kitten Fever

It was to be expected. Nobody can sustain such cuteness overload without being affected. It hit M big time. She's building an outdoor enclosure for the cats. My worry is that she'll have us live in the outdoor cat enclosure and give the house to the cats. I will share with you photos of the cat enclosure once the project is completed.

The cute newborn kittens are now two weeks old. Their eyes are open and they play with each other. Their mom takes excellent care of them. A funny thing happened last night. Out of the two calico kittens, one started turned muted calico. It barely shows in the pictures but it will become more obvious in a couple of days. M even shot a special calico kitten video, for the cat lovers:

Calico Kitten Video:

We did take into consideration all the cute kitten names you suggested, but so far it's impossible to name them with the exception of the calicos. Calico kitten names: Puddles and Pebbles.

Kitten pictures:

We call him Trouble for now

He's the most active, curious, animated and interactive of the kittens

Hug?

Playtime!

More playing

Playing all day long

The calicos are playful too

The muted one is on top

When they're not playing, they're eating or sleeping

Off to pester M to see if we're going to get dinner today. If it comes down to it, I'm going to start eating cat food soon. How bad can it be?

Twinkie

Dear Twinkie | A Dog Advice Column

A dog advice column

houndstooth asked...

Another most enjoyable advice column, Twinkie!

Lately we've been admiring all the floof on the Sibes on some of our favorite blogs, like The Herd. Is it possible for us to get some kind of hair transplant? How can we grow some floof?

Bunny

TVT: I'm on it, but first I had to rob Thunder, from the OP Pack. Dear, skinny girl, all you need to do is use superglue at this point. I would personally dye Thunder's furs first, to better match my natural color if I was you, but you can always glue first, dye later. 

There are many other options but they're either costly, such as surgical hair transplant procedures, or time consuming, like dreadlocks. I think sibe fur would be a good match. 

Before

After

Cat Mandu asked...

Dear Twinkie,
A girl cat in South Africa wants me to give her advice on how she should treat her Mom. Do I need a license in order to give out advice?
Mandu

TVT: Are you kidding me? I'd be in jail by now if that was the case. I'm an unlicensed, b.s.-er, and proud of it. I believe you'd make an excellent advice columnist yourself seeing how grouchy you often are. Let us all know about your advice debut and we'll come support or boo you, kk?

You sure look the part

Sallie asked...

Yay!

You rock!

B.T.W. I'm lost in Hawaii. Do you know which way I should go?

Thanks!

TVT: I see you're still stuck, but I also know you're a romantic. Shouldn't you have your mom write you out of Hawaii in one of her romance novels? You can take off into the sunset with a handsome beau. That would be my recommendation. 

Sally Marie has bigger problems

(see alien in photo)

Khyra And Sometimes Her Mom asked...

Khan I win a khytten of my furry own?

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

TVT: By the look on your BroFur's face, No. By the look on M's face when I wrote this: Yes. Please, come help yourself to the khyttens, woo beautiful sweet sibe, woo! Do woo really need more khats though?  

Khyra's BroFur

Mango asked...

Twinkie, you sure set the bar high for some of us doggies. I will try to follow your advice, but it is not easy. Can I help it if there is so much Mango to go around?

Slobbers,
Mango

TVT: In your own words, RH, ehem, you state: I weigh around 230 pounds and eat almost 15 pounds of kibble each week. You could limit your food intake to 14.5 pounds of food each week.

Let's check and see if there's enough Mango to go around

the booker man asked...

awesome sauce advice as always, miss twinkie! i've got another question for you for next time. see, me and my big sis asa are having a teensy tiny disagreement over who gets to snooze in the bigger of the 2 doggie beds. i say i should get the bigger bed cuz i am a bigger doggie. she says she should get the bigger bed cuz she's the oldest and a lady. who's right???
*woof*
the booker man

TVT: You are! Normally I'd say "ladies first" because I'm a lady and I have seniority too, but . . . Asa's got the biggest bed, and she can't hog the bigger one too. That would be greedy. Asa, leave the large dog bed to your brother. 

Asa, stay right where you are.

ocmist asked...

We just really enjoy getting a chance to come by and read your dog advice column, Twinkie! It's always got some chuckles and such great advice! I just wish I knew why pups have to lick the sides of older dog's mouths after not seeing them for a little while. I'm not fond of that as you probably saw in the blog about Pip's Ventura trip last weekend. BG

TVT: It's clear from the photo below, that you're not fond of it, but if you hear why, perhaps you'll change your mind. In the wild, the puppies' fist solid food is offered through their mom's regurgitation. Puppies lick to stimulate and encourage regurgitation. It is also a sign of re-submitting to the alpha dog. Lick on, Pippin!

Lick on!

Frankie the Chiweenie asked…

Where are the newborn kitten photos? 

TVT: Silly girl. You'll never learn. Not only do I have kitten pictures to share, I also have new kitten names to chose from. I'll start with the names: Minet, Cherie, Joli, Lisette, Margot, Miaou (meow!), Gaston, Guy, Remy, Blaise, Cali, Trixie, Lucy, Cleo, Zipper, Stop (BOL), Charlie, Bosley, Sabrina, Kelly, and Vuvuzela (voo-voo-se-luh!). All names are under consideration.

Newborn Kitten pictures

I Saved the Best for Last!!!

M got the surprise of her life a couple of days ago. I must confess, I haven't seen her so emotional before. The reason: Twix's super considerate, caring, and most amazing present. It left us all speechless and barkless, no, not because of the ultrasonic dog bark control device. I think I should be quiet for once and just show you the photo. 

Not only is this an invaluable present, it is incredible. The artist has managed to capture my essence and my micro-expressions, like the slightly raised right eyebrow and the slight upwards curve (snarl) that is permanently affixed to my face. I know the artist's name, Suzy Chow, and I have her FB fan page link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Universal-Stones-and-Arts-Paintings/129043957120766

Thank  you Twix and Ms Chow. We will cherish this forever!!!

Now go take on the day!

Twinkie