Forty Paws

Dorf's Steps

2012-01-24T00:58:00.000-05:00

This is what Dorf bought from making Ham-Micks. These are steps so that he can climb onto the bed since he can't see real well anymore. And the bed is a bit high off the ground. He was jumping from the bean steps, but sometimes he would miss and fall and hurt himself. So Maw ordered him these steps from Dr. Foster's and Smith. And he paid for them from his Ham-Mick making money. Isn't he a smart poodin? He uses the steps all the time now to climb up and down.

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2012-01-22T01:45:00.000-05:00

Sally, Dorf, Reno, and Smokey taking it easy on the couch and blankets and pillows.

Luf, Us

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-12T00:16:00.000-05:00

Here is Obi sitting on the chair at some point after his exploratory surgery. He seems to be doing a bit better, although he has lost some weight. He is now on Chlorambucil in addition to his daily prednisolone tablets, and his daily Zeniquen tablets, and his poop is a good bit more firm than before. He still appears cold a good bit of the time, and lufs to be held by Maw. He is eating and drinking regularly.

In other news, Maw took Jenny in to have her nails trimmed because she was sticking to the carpet, and can't pull them out because she is getting a wee bit older in age. So, Maw is holding onto Jenny by the scruff of the neck, and Jenny is NOT A HAPPY CAMPER. Remember that Jenny is still mostly feral, and it is only because she is not as strong as in her younger years, and can't hear ANYTHING at all, that Maw is able to catch her to put her in a carrier. Now, she has had her nails trimmed before by the v-e-t, and all went fine. But this time, Jenny reached around and bit Maw on her hand during the trimming. And Jenny escaped from Maw's hold, and only had 3 paws trimmed rather than 4 paws!

So Maw scrubs her hand with iodine a few times, and then goes home and soaks it in iodine in water for 1/2 hour, but still calls the bean v-e-t and asks for antibiotics because she knows that a bite from a poodin is not a good thing. And yes, the bean v-e-t called in a prescription for antibiotics, and even the next day Maw's hand was a little bit swollen, and Jenny didn't even bite too deeply. And the bean nurse asks what we are going to do with the cat that keeps biting Maw, and Maw tells her that this is a different cat from the one who bit her last June. (That was Orinch last June.) So, always get those antibiotics people! Call your bean v-e-t or go to see them immediately!

Luf, Us and Maw

An Award!

2012-01-02T00:54:00.000-05:00

Callie, aka Trouble, and her sweet mom gave us the Liebster Award. Thank you!!

Liebster is a German word that means favorite or beloved. It is to make known those blogs that are not too well known. Receiving this award is an honor.

1. Link back to giver.

2. Paste the Award on your blog.

3. Choose 5 blogs with less than 200     followers.

4. Comment with leaving the Award     mentioned.

5. Name 5 blogs on your blog to pass     this Award to.

Goodness. We don't know who has received this award, and who hasn't. So if any of you bloggers out there have not received this award, then we will dedicate it to you! There you go!

Luf, Us

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:48:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Glitter Pictures

Formerly Feral Friday

2011-12-30T00:40:00.000-05:00

Here is Jenny, hanging out under the Chrissymouse tree in the office. She likes it because it is nice and warm under there.

Jenny is getting a bit rickety in her old age. She'll be 18 in March. She isn't grooming a lot and has mats accumulating on her hind quarters and back. She doesn't care much for brushing or being messed with too much. That would be the formerly feral part of her. We just let her be and she enjoys life as it comes. The poor girl can't hear anything at all anymore. If we walk up next to her, she doesn't know it unless she glances in that direction. Then she gets spooked and dashes off, or crouches down. Bless her little heart.

Luf, Us

Obi's Diagnosis

2011-12-29T00:01:00.002-05:00

The pathologist says that Obi has IBD. Well, we knew that! He's been on pred for a few years. At any rate, we are going to try him on another immunosuppressant drug, and he will get a shot in his intestines to help calm it down some and we will see how this goes. He is starting to eat dry foods now, so he is feeling a bit better. He is having trouble jumping on things, and today he tried to jump onto a counter stool, and fell, and got his leg stuck in the stool's leg opening, and was howling. Luckily, Maw was right there to rescue him. Bless his little heart.

Thank you for all of your purrs and purrayers and hugs during this difficult time! Please continue to purr for Obi so that he can get back to a somewhat normal state.

Luf, Us and Maw

Secret Paws Package!

2011-12-26T01:37:00.000-05:00

We opened our Secret Paws Package! It came from Purrchance to Dream! It was totally awesome! And Dorf played with many of the toys, and was lying in the box and efurryting! They love the wooden balls! Dorf and Reno were chasing them around the room. And the many meeses to chase, and the Whisker Lickin's Crunchy Tuna Variety treats! And the soft little balls that Reno lufs to play with! And the sparkly balls that Reno carries around the house and meows when he is carrying them is wonderful! We were having tons of fun. It was efurryting that we requested on the Secret Paws wish list! Purrfect shopping NTM!!!

Then we crashed. Because we were tired. Crissymouse time is the best!

Update on Obi: Obi came downstairs today and slept on Maw most of the day. This is the first time he has come downstairs since Maw brought him home from the vet clinic on Friday. And last night he slept on the bed with Maw, and that is the first time that he came out from underneath the bed since Friday. He isn't eating very much. Just a few morsels now and then. He is just mostly sleeping. Poor ol' guy.

Luf, Us and Maw

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:10:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas Glitter Graphics - Glitterlive.com/Save and Bookmark

Exploratory Surgery on Obi

2011-12-22T00:01:00.007-05:00

Update: The v-e-t said that most of Obi's insides looked very healthy and normal. However, his colon and large intestine were lumpy and his lymph nodes were swollen in there as well. So the v-e-t took 2 biopsies and took one of the lumps to send off for histopathology. The v-e-t said it might be cancer, but we can put him on drugs to help him out a bit better than what he has been on. We should know more next Tuesday or Wednesday from the biopsies. Please keep Obi in your purrs and purrayers and send him tons of hugs, okay?

Obi hasn't been feeling well lately. He has had OLB (outside litter box) issues for quite some time, both the poop and the pee type. He is on Metamucil to help firm up his stools, on 5mg Prednisolone daily, and he was put on Prozac a few months ago to help with the OLBs. The Prozac helped quite a bit, but he was still going outside the litter box more than we had hoped. He has always had loose stools. When he initially came to us, he, Sally and Smokey all had horrible diarrhea. They were on Flagyl for months to clear it up. Obi's never became really hard stools, and hence the various meds that he is on. Plus, he had a perineal urethrostomy when he was a couple of years old because he was blocked and he was in the vet clinic for a week on a catheter and fluids.

So, long story short, Obi has lost a good bit of weight, he is becoming incontinent, he is losing fur, and he sits hunched up all the time. He is hiding under the bed, which he has never done before. His blood work is all perfectly normal. His X-rays are normal. He has no masses that can be felt. But he doesn't feel well at all. He is only 9 years young.

So he is getting exploratory surgery today. Please, everyone send tons of purrs and purrayers and many hugs to Obi and let's all hope that the v-e-t finds something that can be fixed!

Luf, Us and Maw

Feline Friday

2011-12-16T00:24:00.000-05:00

Sally and Dorf snoozing on the couch. There are numerous blankets and throws all along the couch. This is for the cats. No humans ever sit on the couch. Period.

Luf, Us

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T00:49:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2011-12-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

Orinch actually climbed on the couch to lie next to Dorf! They get along well, and have since we lived at our previous house. This is great news that Orinch climbed up to be with Dorfington Fish Stanley!

Luf, Us

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-30T00:01:00.001-05:00

Luf, Us

Mancat Monday

2011-11-28T00:17:00.000-05:00

G.T. chillin' out.

Luf, Us

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

Glitter Graphics, Thanksgiving Glitter Graphics

Oops!

2011-11-22T00:26:00.000-05:00

And no, that is not a Rick Perry "Oops". That is a Forty Paws Oops. We forgot to tell you that Zoolatry designed the lufferly Chrissymouse header for our blog. Isn't it truly special? We putted it up last night, and found a Chrissymouse tree at Shabbyblogs and put that up too! Ain't we special?

Luf, Us

'Trooder Likes Beans

2011-11-21T01:09:00.000-05:00

The 'Trooder likes beans. He rubs up against Maw when she goes over to his house, and sometimes he comes over here to see what Maw is doing when she is outside. And today, when Maw looked out the OPEN WINDOW upstairs, he was back in the woody part of our yard, and Maw says, "Hi Hairy Cat!" But we really try to ignore Maw when she is doing any of these things with the 'Trooder poodin. And do you know that he actually has put little holes in our window screens because his toenails do not get trimmed, as ours do monthly???

Luf, Us

'Trooder Needs Friends

2011-11-20T00:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, all of you are quite correct. Hairy Cat wants friends. His brother was likely "taken away" by a coyote last summer, and he doesn't have any feline friends to hang out with. And he can't go inside the house he lives at because one of the beans is very allergic to poodins. So he lives outside and in the garage overnight, so he is lonely. So yes, we feel a bit sorry for the poor guy. BUT HE AIN'T COMING INSIDE OUR HOUSE!

Okay. That should make it clear to all the beans around here at our house.

Luf, Us

'Trooder Alert

2011-11-17T00:43:00.000-05:00

This is the next door neighbor cat, looking inside OUR HOUSE! Can you believe it? He sees all of us poodins' in here, and he wants inside with us! The nerve!

Luf, Us

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T00:17:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

Formerly Feral Friday

2011-11-11T01:14:00.000-05:00

Here is Jenny, chillaxin' on Maw's pillow.

Luf, Us

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T00:38:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

Dona Nobis Pacem

2011-11-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

Luf, Us

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T00:08:00.002-04:00

Halloween Glitter Pictures

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-26T00:16:00.000-04:00

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2011-10-23T00:02:00.000-04:00

Yes, this is Orinch lying upon Paw's leg. Now, Orinch doesn't climb upon us, but when he is lying on the chair, and we pick him up, we can put him on our laps and he does pretty well for a used-to-be-feral cat. He moves around quite a bit during his settling down, but then he will hang around for a bit before he leaves and goes behind the blanket covering the sofa to hide again.

Luf, Us

Live Strong Day

2011-10-02T14:05:00.001-04:00

This is for all the beans, and the cats and the dogs and any living being who has ever had cancer, and who is recuperating from having cancer, and any future beings who might have cancer that we will find a cure for cancer and that you won't have to suffer in the future.

Tons of purrs and purrayers and many hugs to everyone out there who has suffered from cancer and the many pains and problems that it causes.

Luf, Us and Maw

Mo Cats Day!

2011-09-09T12:39:00.000-04:00

So here are all of us for Mo Cats Day! Whoo hoo! What a Par-Tay!

Luf, Us

Our Windows are Open!!!!!

2011-09-06T00:01:00.005-04:00

Yes indeed. After almost 4 months of having the a/c on, with NO OPEN WINDOWS, today Maw OPENED THE WINDOWS!!!! This is a miraculous occurrence and we were SO HAPPY!!!! The windows will remain open for several days, because it is going to be in the 50s overnight, and in the 80s during the day!!! We are SO EXCITED!!!! Today the high was 85F! It has not been this cool since May 16th. We are very excited! Open windows, hay fever, dust blowing. What a life!

And, the JoAnn store opened on Friday, and Maw went. Maw wasn't as excited as she expected to be. It is not as big as she thought it would be. And the fleece selection was not that great. Although she did get one fleece and here is a picture of it! She is hoping that they get additional fleeces in the future. Just sayin'...

Luf, Us

Tabby Tuesday

2011-08-30T00:08:00.000-04:00

This is Dorf on the left, and G.T. just chillaxin' in the evening.

Guess what? It might get into the 90s this weekend!!!!! Whoo hoo! Almost time to open the windows!!!!!

Luf, Us

Dorf Goes to the V-E-T

2011-08-19T00:05:00.000-04:00

Well, Maw thought she was done for a couple of weeks. G.T. saw the dermatologist on Monday. Obi saw the v-e-t yesterday for his eye ulcer, and everything was clearing up fine, so Maw thought that maybe she would have a couple of weeks without any trips to the v-e-t.

But NO. Dorf was going to various litter boxes today and not leaving any deposits, and then standing without a litter box and trying to go, but nothing was coming out! Good grief. So Maw calls the v-e-t, and off they go. So Dorf likely has cystitis, and he got a steroid shot and a bunch of clavamox pills. And Maw forgot that Dorf spits out pills as fast as she puts them in his mouth.

Paw says, "Don't you remember that Dorf is impossible to give pills to?"

Maw says, "No."

Maw tends to forgot these various nuances of the numerous poodins in this house. It's been about 4 or 5 years since Maw gave Dorfie any pills. So Maw cuts Dorfie's pill in half, and tries numerous times to pop it down his throat. And the whole time good ol' Dorfie is growling and hissing at her. Luckily, he has no TEETH, so if he bit her it wouldn't hurt too much.

So there you go. Another trip to the v-e-t. Good grief.

Luf, Us

G.T. and His Allergy Test

2011-08-16T00:01:00.006-04:00

G.T. went in today for his 2nd allergy test. This is where they shave off a portion of his side furs and then stick a bunch of needles into him to see his reaction. This test was done back in 2005, and he was allergic to a bunch of stuff. Well, today he was more allergic to the same stuff, and to additional stuff. But he wasn't allergic to mold this time, and he was allergic to mold in 2005. And now he is allergic to cat dander, so apparently he is allergic to himself. The v-e-t said that G.T. tested like a dog. Maw says, "Huh?" And the v-e-t said that G.T. had high percentages on all of his tests, and that he scored for all trees tested, all weeds tested, and all grasses tested. And he got +5 on all of those! Whoo hoo! So G.T. is like, super allergic to like, a whole bunch of stuff! Oh, and he is allergic to dust mites, and house dust. Geez. Maw might have to clean more often. "Yuckster", Maw says. So G.T. now has new serums to help him be less allergic and so that he won't be chewing his forearms and cheeks raw.

Luf, Us

Pee Ess. It is Maw's birthday today. We won't say how old she is, but it's a boatload of candles, and she's been getting her hair dyed for years...

More Things Occurring Here

2011-08-11T00:02:00.001-04:00

Since Obi has been on the increased prednisolone and antibiotics and Prozac, he got an eye ulcer. So, Maw had to put a drop in his eye 3 times a day. Obi does not appreciate this AT ALL. And then some other drops came in that have to be refrigerated, and Obi definitely doesn't like those drops either. But his eye is looking better, and he goes back for a check-up on Friday. Maw REALLY hopes that she doesn't have to give Obi anymore eye drops after Friday! Obi runs from Maw when he sees her even approach his area. Poor ol' Obi. The eye ulcer is likely due to his feline herpes problem, and perhaps the increased prednisolone for his going outside the litter box and bladder infection issues.

And Reno somehow came down with a limp on his front leg over the weekend. So he went to see the v-e-t on Monday, along with Jenny who was getting her stitches removed. And there didn't appear to be anything wrong with his leg(s), since Maw really couldn't tell which leg it was that was hurting him. But now she thinks it is the right leg since he seems to favor it more. Originally, Maw thought it was his left leg that was bothering him. And then Maw asked how his teeth looked because she didn't think they looked real great with all the redness on the gums and such. The v-e-t said they were ok, but needed to be cleaned at some point, and Maw said it is hard to catch Reno since he was in a cage for 11 months after he was born at that horrible foster mom's house. So, the v-e-t kept Reno and did his dental the next day and said that his upper left molar looked pretty nasty and to keep an eye on it to see if it gets nasty looking again. So, Reno still has a limp, and is getting some meds for it, and we'll see how that goes.

So, as you can see, Maw makes a ton of trips to the v-e-t with various poodins from our place. Yep. Never a dull moment in our life!

And yes, it is still WAY TOO HOT. We will be tying the previous record of 42 consecutive days of over 100F perhaps on Saturday of this week? Anyway, it's WAY TOO HOT.

That's our news for today, and we're sticking to it.

Luf, Us

Maw Went Shopping

2011-08-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

So Maw went to JoAnn's again this week. Can't you tell? The first print is of Angel Kitties. Aren't they precious?

Luf, Us

G.T. and Dorf's 11th Purrfday

2011-08-03T00:42:00.002-04:00

Today is G.T. and Dorf's 11th Purrfday!!! Efurrybody needs to come on over to get tons of food and hammock snoozing, and real live grasshoppers out on our catio!

We also have real live dead shrimp, and Chick-Hen, roast beast, ham, cheese, salmon, meowgaritas, and milk for the youngsters.

Come on over and Par-Tay!!! You'll probably want to stay inside mostly because it is supposed to be 110F today. Yes, we luf the air conditioning!!!

Luf, Us

Jenny's Tumor was Benign

2011-07-30T01:50:00.000-04:00

Jenny had a benign apocrine adenoma tumor, and it was totally removed during the surgery. So all should be good with her. Providing she doesn't scratch out her stitches. Although it is very difficult to tell if she is scratching them because Maw can't get close enough to tell, and when she picks her up, Jenny puts her head down so that Maw can't see how her stitches look. Such is the life of a mostly feral kitty. It's a very good thing that Jenny has been extremely healthy all of her life until this last year when she started catching colds, and needed antibiotic shots, and then she had this tumor. In the past, it was very difficult to catch Jenny to put her in a PTU. When Maw would catch her, Jenny would pee and poo from all of her fear. So Jenny would only go to the v-e-t about every 3 or 4 years to get her shots. If Maw could catch her. Now that Jenny is not as quick, and doesn't race away from Maw, it is much easier for Maw to catch her and stick her in the PTU.

Luf, Us

New Fabrics for Ham-Micks!

2011-07-28T01:03:00.000-04:00

So Maw went by JoAnn's this week and found these lufferly fabrics for Ham-Micks! Don't you luf them? And guess what? The new JoAnn's will open in Rockwall on September 2!!! Oh boy, is Maw gonna have fun with that!!!! She'll be stopping in there all the time!

Luf, Us

Green Heron

2011-07-27T00:38:00.000-04:00

Occasionally, a green heron will come and sit at our pond. It appeared today! Here is a picture of it. You might have to really bigify to see it.

Luf, Us

Other Things Happening Here

2011-07-26T01:05:00.000-04:00

So, during the time while Annie was ill, we also had other occurrences of illnesses with Obi, G.T., and Jenny. With G.T., his allergies are continually getting worse, and although he gets a serum shot every 10 days, he now also needs a depomedrol shot on a monthly basis because he scratches under his right eye and makes it all yucky and bloody. And, if he goes too long without the depomedrol shot, then he makes his forepaws bloody as well. So, he is going back into the Dermatology vets on August 15 and will get another test done where they shave his side and poke him with a bunch of different allergens to see which he reacts to. And then he will get a new serum. His last test was in 2005, so it is possible that he has become allergic to additional items. Especially since this is Texas, and allergies are very nasty here for not only humans, but animals as well. Since G.T.'s last depomedrol shot was on July 5, he can't be seen for 6 weeks. He'll be a bloody mess by then!

Also, Obi has had bloody urine, and has been on antibiotics twice now. He has no stones, and the culture shows no bacteria, so it is likely that he has an inflammation that is causing this problem. He is taking a 5mg prednisolone in the morning and the evening, and Clavamox. Remember that Obi had the perineal urethrostomy which is where they cut out the super thin area of his urethra and reattach it, sort of like making him more unisex. This also causes some leaking after he urinates. Not his fault, and it's a few dribbles across the floor. He doesn't even know that he is doing it.

Oh, and he is also now on Prozac. I was getting tired of cleaning up his out-of-litter box experiences from all over the house! It isn't as if there aren't enough litter boxes for him to go in. We have 17, yes 17 each litter boxes in this house! Granted, only 4 of them are the scoopable type. The others are clay litter. A little bowl full of clay litter dumped onto a spread of newspapers. And when it is used, the whole mess is dumped and a new set of newspapers and clay litter is spread in the pan. This started years ago. Oh, it was Jenny who hated clumping litter! And once cats get used to a certain way of having their litter boxes, they don't want it any different!!!!

So, with Obi being on the Prozac, he is a bit lethargic. But I'm not having to clean up messes from all over the house! He is doing much better, and is on a minimal dosage of Prozac. Yes, Obi gets a wee bit too stressed with 7 other cats around here. After all, he is an orange cat. So, we will see if the Prozac will help him calm down and use the litterboxes appropriately. Oh, and he also gets 1/4 tsp. Metamucil daily to firm him up.

And yesterday Jenny had surgery to remove a tumor from her neck. It is likely a sebaceous cyst or something like that, but it was big, and it was leaking, and her fur was matting to it. So, the v-e-t removed it and sent it off for a histopathology report. And her blood work was doing fairly well. Her thyroid levels are a bit high, but she doesn't always drink up her tuna juice every morning with her methimedazole in it. And I definitely can't give Jenny pills. And her kidney levels are about the same.

So, that is what has been happening around here. Yes, although we were only reporting on Annie's teeth problems, and then her cancer, there were other issues here at Forty Paws. Yes indeed. As our profile says, Maw and Paw spend tons of money on us to keep us healthy! Yes sir-ree!

Luf, Us

We Sure Do Miss Annie

2011-07-11T01:17:00.000-04:00

When laying rubber gloves out to dry after using them for cleaning, I worry that Annie will come and bite holes in them. She used to bite holes in the rubber nipples when she was weaning, and then she started biting holes in rubber gloves after that. We went through many kitten nipples trying to get goat's milk into her on a daily basis! She didn't do so well on KMR, and had to be switched over to goat's milk, with Nutrical and Karo syrup mixed in.

G.T. is wondering where his fresh Costco Chick-Hen is, because he was getting very used to it being available daily since that was all that Annie would eat in her last few weeks.

And Maw thinks about filling up the bathroom sink because Annie would always get her water from the bathroom sink. And Paw was wondering which cat will be the sheet cat to help make the bed and play with the sheets everyday because Annie loved to play with the sheets and hide from the humans.

And occasionally Annie would leave a "deposit" in the tub, or sometimes the bathroom sink. We don't know why, but that is something that she would do. Ok, that part we don't miss.

She could smell the salmon cakes cooking and would come and meow for them. And she would want a catnip toy from the cabinet in the mornings, and Paw would get it out for her to play with.

And Annie loved to talk to us. She would meow, and carry on talking and telling us things that she thought we needed to know. Oh, and she had a tremble tail that would just shake with anticipation and joy when she saw us! It would tremble and tremble for minutes!

Yes, we sure do miss Annie.

Luf, Maw and Paw

Annie has Crossed Over

2011-07-05T11:28:00.000-04:00

Annie was taken to the V-E-T yesterday because she wasn't doing well at all and has crossed over to The Bridge. We are very sad to see her go, but we know it was time.

This is a picture of one of Annie's favorite places. She luffed to help Paw with his computer stuff, and would lie on his desk and ask for scritches and brushes while he was working. There was always a pile of fur underneath his desk from Annie's visits.

Luf, Us and Maw and Paw

Annie's 12th Birthday!

2011-06-27T14:04:00.000-04:00

It's Annie's 12th Birthday today! She will have a salmon cake for lunch when she gets up.

She is starting to have some nasal issues with her cancer, and isn't eating as much as she was last week. We are just hanging in there with her.

Luf and hugs to efurrybody who has dropped by to give us hugs, purrs, purrayers, tail wags, and kind thoughts over the last few days. Maw just keeps tearing up. This will be a difficult time for us.

Luf, Us and Maw and Paw

Purrs for Annie

2011-06-25T13:28:00.000-04:00

KC and ML made this badge for our dear sweet Annie.

Luf, Us and Maw and Paw

Not Good for Annie

2011-06-24T01:01:00.015-04:00

Annie went to see the V-E-T dentist last Friday, and had x-rays done and had several biopsies done on her mouth. The results came back on Thursday and she has cancer. Although the previous biopsy showed no cancer, these new biopsies showed cancer. We don't know how long she has. She is getting shots of pain killer and antibiotics twice a day, and she is still eating her Costco Chick-Hen, and she had salmon yesterday. The V-E-T said if she wants a hamburger and a shake, that is fine with him as long as she is eating. She may have 2 weeks to 10 weeks. We don't know how she will do while the cancer progresses. Most of the bone is gone on the upper right side of her mouth, and she has holes into her nasal cavities. And all of this since mid-April.

This is a very difficult time for Maw and Paw. Annie was raised on a bottle from a wee little bitty thing. Maw tried to put her up for adoption, but cried all night, and Paw went to get her out of PetsMart the next day. Annie has always thought that she is a chuman (cat-human). She doesn't really appreciate other cats very much, and loves to lie in front of the computer screens when Maw and Paw are working. We will miss her terribly, but are going to do the best we can while she is still with us.

Luf, Us and Maw and Paw

Your Purrs Worked!!!

2011-06-03T02:11:00.000-04:00

Annie doesn't have cancer! Whoo hoo! The purrs from the Cat Blogosphere worked! Yes they did! Annie has osteomyelitis, which is a bone infection and can be quite dangerous, but it can be cured with months and months and months of antibiotics! Yes indeed. Like 6 to 9 months of antibiotics. And Annie does not enjoy taking pills. But, that is indeed 100% better than having a cancerous tumor in the upper mouth!

Thank you to every one of you who sent tons of purrs and purrayers and hugs and head butts and efurryting else that you sent Annie over the last week! We are SO HAPPY!!!!!!

Luf, Us and Maw and Paw

Annie Needs Your Purrs and Purrayers

2011-05-25T01:01:00.001-04:00

Annie had an infection from having her teeth extracted, and had to go under and have an additional root extracted on a tooth that should have only had 2 roots. Then she got another round of antibiotics, and then she had to go back in for a checkup yesterday after her antibiotics were gone. Not good. The upper right gum is totally swollen, and so she had x-rays, and then the vet took out another tooth behind the tooth with the extra root. The tooth taken out was the back molar, which should have been very difficult to extract, but it just pulled right out, as did some bone pieces. And the bone pieces were like styrofoam. So the V-E-T called his V-E-T feline dental buddy and asked his opinion on Annie, and the dental buddy said it really sounded like a tumor to him based on what has happened to Annie over the last month. That's what Annie's V-E-T thought as well. So he is sending off for a biopsy, but he doesn't think it looks good. He said if it is a cancerous tumor, that Annie probably only has about 1-2 months left.

So we are asking for everyone's purrs, purrayers, and tons of hugs.

Luf, Us and Maw

Obi and Smokey and Sally and Reno's 9th Birthday!!!

2011-05-05T01:29:00.000-04:00

Efurrybody! Stop on over for a rousing good time with lots of tuna, HAM, Costco Chick-Hen, real live dead shrimp, niptinis, cat milk, and tuna joosies for the baby poodins. We'll be playing tons of hanging upside down from the ceilings, and whirling on the ceiling fans, and climbing on the shelves in our catio! And it is supposed to be a gorgeous day! With tons of sun, and temps in the lower 80s F. And there are plenty of nap places and lots of ham-micks! And boatloads of nip too!

Come on over and we'll have a blast!

Luf, Us

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T00:39:00.003-04:00

Luf, Us

Wildfires Are No Good

2011-04-21T00:40:00.000-04:00

The wildfires are destroying so much Texas land, and homes and ranches. We are purring and purraying that rains will come soon and help get rid of the wildfires. It has been a very dry year in Texas.

Luf, Us

Annie is Doing Better

2011-04-15T01:01:00.002-04:00

Annie was out in the Catio this evening, on a shelf!!!! We don't know that she has ever been on a cat shelf in the Catio! So she is doing so much better! Although she really hates taking her pills.

Luf, Us

Annie Had Dental Extractions

2011-04-13T01:07:00.001-04:00

Annie wasn't feeling real great. She was sitting in a scrunched up position, and not coming out very much. So, Maw took her to the V-E-T last Wednesday. Maw told the V-E-T that Annie was moving her mouth around a lot, and was sitting in a scrunched up position most of the time. So, the V-E-T thought she might have dental issues, and sure enough, she did! She had a couple of FORLs. Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions. A couple of her teeth that were mostly gone were red and inflamed on the gums. So, Annie went back in on Friday and had those extracted. She feels much better now, and is actually coming out and wanting Chick-Hen from Costco. So, yes indeed. Annie gets Chick-Hen from Costco. Isn't she a wee bit spoiled?

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2011-03-27T00:33:00.000-04:00

Sally, chillaxin' in the upstairs window.

Luf, Us

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

2011-03-17T13:01:00.001-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Luf, Us

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

2011-03-17T01:07:00.000-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2011-03-13T01:01:00.002-05:00

Luf, Us

It's Jenny's Birthday

2011-03-05T01:26:00.000-05:00

Jenny is 17 years old today! Whoo hoo! We are having a Par-Tay! Everybuddy is invited to come over and Par-Tay!

You'll notice that Jenny is lounged out on paper! She lufs paper! Come on over and celebrate with her! There will be Niptinis and Meowgaritas, and Chick-Hen, and real live dead shrimp, and crab clusters, and mud bugs, and HAM, and tons of nip! And real live whipped cream in a can, and cheddar cheese shreds. Oh, and we'll have regular old milk for the babies, and toona joose for those who like things a little less lively.

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2011-02-27T11:59:00.000-05:00

It has been a bit warmer here lately, so we had the windows open on a couple of days. Jenny lufs having the windows open!

Luf, Us

Thankful Thursday

2011-02-10T01:09:00.001-05:00

Dorf and Sally chillin' out inside when the temperature is in the teens outside!

Luf, Us

Chillin' Out

2011-02-07T12:07:00.000-05:00

Here are G.T. and Reno watching the Super Bowl from The Terrible Towel. Alas, the team named on The Terrible Towel did not win. We didn't care who won. We watched for the commercials.

Here is the snow on Saturday morning. It snowed about 6" here on Friday morning, after the 3" of ice that we had from Tuesday which hadn't totally melted yet. But, by late afternoon on Saturday, the temperatures rose to a whopping 50F and a good portion of this snow was gone! And by Sunday, it was totally gone! But you will notice that the pond was frozen, which hasn't happened in the last 2 years that we have been here.

And here is Orinch. He's chillin' out on the poodin' tree.

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2011-01-30T02:52:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

Thankful Thursday

2011-01-27T11:10:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

Mancat Monday

2011-01-24T11:07:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

Tabby Tuesday

2011-01-18T01:25:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2011-01-16T02:47:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

This is Our 5th year of Cat Blogging!

2011-01-12T15:55:00.001-05:00

Wowwee kazowee! We are now starting our 5th year on the internetz! Maw started our blog on January 11, 2007!!! We kaint believe this! Happy Blogaversary to us yesterday!

Luf, Us

Secret Paws Present Opening!

2011-01-03T12:24:00.001-05:00

We had tons of fun opening our Secret Paws presents! We got this totally great package from The Taylor Cats!!! From Sam, Seaborne, Sassy, Spats and Summer!!!! And we really really really luf the dragonfly that flutters its wings! And we really really really luf the catnip ball! And we really really really luf efurrything that we got! Oh, it was tons of fun! And we are still playing with efurrything!

Luf, Us

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T01:01:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas Glitter Graphics - Glitterlive.com

Luf, Us and Maw and Paw

Easy Like Sunday

2010-12-19T13:13:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

Formerly Feral Friday

2010-12-17T01:01:00.002-05:00

Luf, Us

Deck the Halls

2010-12-15T09:57:00.002-05:00

Luf, Us

Our Secret Paws Present!

2010-12-10T10:56:00.000-05:00

Well, we had no idea, but we think that our Secret Paws present arrived yesterday! There were a couple of packages outside on the porch, and Maw brought them in, and opened them and we heard her say to Paw, "Why, the poodin's have their Secret Paws Present already!" And we heard Paw say, "Well, put that away! It isn't Chrissymouse time yet!" And so away this package went, and that was the last we heard of that!

And we KNOW that Maw hasn't even STARTED shopping for our Secret Paws Present to be sent out to some excellent furriends of ours! We really must tell Maw to get out there and shop!!!!!! Goodness gracious!

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2010-12-05T11:51:00.000-05:00

Reno, G.T., and Obi chillaxin' on Maw's lap. It's amazing how many poodins believe that they need to chillax on Maw's lap when she takes a moment to sit down!

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2010-11-28T00:14:00.000-05:00

This was Easy on Turkey Day! G.T., Dorf, and Obi were chillin' on Maw's legs and lap.

Luf, Us

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T01:34:00.002-05:00

Comments by ZingerBug.com

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2010-11-21T01:59:00.000-05:00

This would be Dorfington Fish Stanley. Chillaxin' in the sun rays. And a hind quarters pose of G.T. in the upper left.

Luf, Us

Formerly Feral Friday

2010-11-19T09:11:00.000-05:00

Here is Orinch and Obi hanging out on the couch on top of Peggy's hairy blankies!

Luf, Us

Thank You to Everyone

2010-11-17T10:17:00.000-05:00

We want to thank everyone who sent loving messages about Gatsbi's passing. It's a very difficult time here at Forty Paws because she is missed. We weren't expecting to lose Gatsbi. When I went to see our regular v-e-t on Monday, he said that based on the report from the emergency clinic, and on Gatsbi's symptoms, he believed that she had abdominal cancer.

It's still hard to lose a loved poodin'. We will pick up her ashes tonight at the clinic when it opens for the evening.

Luf, Maw

Gatsbi Has Gone to The Rainbow Bridge

2010-11-14T20:57:00.001-05:00

Gatsbi warmed up to normal temps, and her glucose remained high, but she was still having seizures and panting and not doing well at all. The V-E-T was afraid that she would go into cardiac arrest, so we made the decision that it was time she crossed over.

Gatsbi had a difficult life because she had a cerebral disorder from birth. She couldn't jump onto things, and she had no stopping skills when she would go running. She couldn't groom herself. But she ate very well! She lived a little over 11 years on earth. We hope that she finds a sunny spot to lie in at The Bridge. We know that she has been met by many many poodins who have gone before.

Luf and purrs to Gatsbi from all of us.

Jenny, Annie, G.T., Dorf, Smokey, Obi, Reno, Sally, Orinch, Maw and Paw

Gatsbi is at the Emergency V-E-T

2010-11-14T16:43:00.000-05:00

Gatsbi is not doing well. She is at the Emergency V-E-T. Her blood sugar was very low, and her temperature was at 93F. She was having seizures and had messed in her bed and her tongue was hanging out. They got her glucose up to normal range, but she is having trouble getting warm again even with all of the warming devices that they are using on her. The V-E-T doesn't know if she will make it out of this because she believes that Gatsbi might have a tumor, or multiple tumors. We are waiting to see if they can get her temperature to raise, and then we will determine the need for additional tests to find out what else is going on.

We could definitely use a ton of purrs and purrayers for Gatsbi.

Luf, Us and Maw and Paw

Hanging Out on Saturday

2010-11-13T02:39:00.000-05:00

G.T. chillaxin' on the new blankie from Peggy! It's so soft!!!!

Luf, Us

Femme Friday

2010-11-12T09:33:00.000-05:00

Sally hanging out on Friday morning.

Luf, Us

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-10T10:33:00.000-05:00

Luf, Us

New Fabrics!!!!

2010-11-09T10:37:00.001-05:00

Yup. Maw went shopping again. Paw keeps saying, "You've sure got a lot of fabric here!" Well, yes, she does has a lot of fabric! Tons of fabric! Miles and miles and miles of fabric! Oh well. Such is life in the house of Forty Paws.

Luf, Us

Mancat Monday

2010-11-08T10:19:00.000-05:00

Orinch and Dorf snoozing together.

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2010-11-07T10:45:00.000-05:00

Here are Reno and G.T., hanging out on a Sunday morning.

Luf, Us

Obi Hangin' Out

2010-11-06T10:19:00.000-04:00

Here is Obi taking a chill pill in the evening sun. He's on the Catio.

Luf, Us

Formerly Feral Friday

2010-11-05T10:17:00.000-04:00

Here is Orinch, looking out the window. Guess what!?! Maw has actually petted Orinch twice this week! He's a bit timid, and eventually runs away, but this is a huge improvement!

Luf, Us

Dona Nobis Pacem

2010-11-04T11:05:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T01:01:00.002-04:00

Glitter Graphics, Halloween Glitter Graphics

Stay well hidden when those little goblins come knocking on your door!

Luf, Us

Sally on Saturday

2010-10-30T09:14:00.000-04:00

Here is Sally hanging out on Saturday while Maw is typing on the pooter.

Luf, Us

Smokey on Friday

2010-10-29T11:10:00.000-04:00

So here is Smokey, chillaxin' in the sun. His scar area is growing back in with darker hair. Smokey is now on prednisolone because he has IBS and was yakking several times a day. So both Smokey and Obi are on pred for IBS. One was yakking, and one has squishies. What a couple of brothers...

Luf, Us

Sally and Grasshoppers

2010-10-28T11:03:00.003-04:00

Sally lufs to go out on the catio and capture grasshoppers and crickets and then bring them inside. This excites the other poodins because then they have bouncing critters to capture and torture.

Luf, Us

Tabby Tuesday

2010-10-26T11:04:00.001-04:00

Obi chillaxin' on a shelf.

Luf, Us

Photo Hunter - Orange

2010-10-23T10:19:00.003-04:00

Today's photo hunt is Orange. Well, we have 2 of those:

Luf, Us

'Tocktober for Derby!!!

2010-10-20T09:15:00.003-04:00

Here are a close to 'tocks pictures for Derby's Purrfday!!! We are all heading over to his house because he has tons of food, and drinks, and a woofie uncle that is not there! Happy Purrfday Derby!!!!

Luf, All of Us

National Feral Cat Day

2010-10-16T10:49:00.004-04:00

Here is Sally, wondering what Maw is doing at the pooter.

Sally and G.T., just chillaxin' in the office.

Smokey and Dorf, lounging on the beds for the Leap and Sleep that Maw was trying to put together.

And, today is National Feral Cat Day. Yes, we have a couple of feral cats here. Jenny was trapped when she was about 3 months old, and she has never become overly friendly to where she could be picked up and handled. She doesn't get medicine except a crushed up thyroid pill in tuna juice each morning. She has only been to a v-e-t just a few times in her 16 years.
And then we have Orinch, who we trapped years ago and had him neutered and vaccinated, then we released him back into our yard. We have fed him for years, and trapped him again when we moved a year ago in April, and brought him out here to live with us. Now he is an inside cat, and he appears happy about that, except that some of the poodins pick on him. And we don't touch him.
Ferals deserve to live. They need to be trapped so that they can be fixed and vaccinated, then they are released back to their colonies. Some feral colonies have stray cats that used to live with people, and those cats are friendly, and can likely be rehomed to live with humans again. To learn more about Feral Colonies, go to Alley Cat Allies at: www.alleycat.org/NFCD.

Luf, Us and Maw

Not again!

2010-10-12T09:32:00.003-04:00

So Maw hit JoAnn's again yesterday. Goodness. We don't know what we are going to do with her! She keeps buying more fabrics!!!! She says she is going to open an Etsy shop very soon with all of these fabrics. It's a good thing, because she has way too many Ham-Mick making fabrics!!!!

Luf, Us

Easy Like Sunday

2010-10-10T11:38:00.003-04:00

This is Obi, chillaxin' in front of the open window this morning. Awwww, open windows in Texassssss. What a pleasure! We luf the temperatures right now!!!! Open windows, Mom at home, open windows, nip on the floor, open windows, smellin' the outside, open windows....

Luf, Us

More 'Niptime

2010-10-09T09:14:00.003-04:00

Reno and Jenny nipping out...

Luf, Us