Minibu

Minibu loves to help me keep this and other blogs up to date!

Here she was this morning, carefully checking out a photo I had taken of her earlier checking out the Blog.

This is what is called "double-checking"!

Cat's eyes!

Can you spot Minibu - under the tree - in among the presents?

Lurking like a little ET among the packages, Minibu specialised in quietly removing gift tags from the presents - and making sure that all ribbons were OK!

Bushka keeps an eye on things from the doorway :-)

Merry Christmas!

From Bushka

This is Bushka keeping an eye on the Christmas tree decorations. It was her (and Minibu's) first Christmas, so all was exciting. The tree provided perfect cover for ambushes, the gifts were great opportunities for removing name tags, pulling ribbons, shredding any soft paper and otherwise fully engaging with the Christmas festivities :-)

Mangy Coon alert!

Both cats are now being treated for ringworm - which is not an intestinal infection but a contagious skin condition, which results in small patches of fur falling away from the skin - mostly around their ears!

Rare in this part of London - the vet had not seen a case for 3 years - we have concluded that she picked this up from her adventures outside, possibly from a mangy Fox! The good news is that she is expected to make a full recovery, and Bushka is even gracious about swallowing her daily pill! Even better, they both love their twice daily treatment of having cream rubbed into their ears - purring their appreciation of all this attention very loudly!

Reaching out!

Extending the paw of friendship...

Finally - Bushka realises that Minibu (even when she's asleep) is neither threat nor prey.

This moving moment (sob!) was the very first time she gently touched Minibu. Now they are firm friends and Minibu has become Bushka's "shadow" as she trots along darkly next to her!

Minibu is small but brave!

Compared to Bushka, who is still growing, Minibu just looks so tiny... BUT, she is a feisty little kitten who can outstare and out bluff even a Lynx like Maine Coone!

Not amused...

Bushka, the Maine Coone & the Main Cat, is not amused at this fluffy black kitten - sans nez - interloper.

So she treats it as she would any other vermin - but wait - she seems slightly less aggressive and slightly more curious this morning...

Is Minibu getting under her skin as well?!

Enter Minibu stage left!

"Just popping out shopping" called out my wife, who for weeks earlier had been looking intently at kitten websites.

This is who she brought home - a tiny black Persianesque kitten "as a friend for Bushka..." So, we now have "Minibu"!

But OMG - Bushka hissed, growled, and flicked her tail - looking like a cross between an angry rattle-snake and a velociraptor!

Will they learn to accept each other - even become friends? Let's hope so!

What big eyes you have Grandma!

She only has to hear the rustle of the bedclothes being straightened in the morning and in she dives, preferably UNDER the duvet and cushions!

What is she thinking? It looks like a...

"Woah there! Don't even think about getting another kitten!"

In her element...

Bushka has now discovered the great outdoors with a vengeance! She stays out for a couple of hours at a time, but always comes running back, flying her tail, when we go out and call her.

The other day she happily returned with cobwebs on her tail, so she is clearly less arachnophobic than us!

She seems impervious to the cold - not that it has been THAT cold yet - but it seems her thick coat works as it should :-)

Tuna threat!

No joke!

Bushka loves tuna, and she makes this abundantly clear :-)

Giving us the look!

Bushka remains very decorative - check out that fluffy tail - and she still enjoys going out for a walk, though she is more cautious after her near death experience...
She was surprised by a neighbour's huge dog, but mercifully wriggled out of her harness and shot up a tree to safety!

We eventually cajoled her down, but the memory remains, and she now prefers being close to the cover of bushes when we take her out.

Lounge lizard

I rather like this picture of Cecilia, although we are all calling her Bushka these days. Which I guess now makes this Bushka's Blog!

She came through her "operation" completely unharmed and was soon bounding around the furniture as if nothing ever happened...

Stitches are out and her tummy is now "furring" back over - and she is always happy to pose for the camera!

The Oakley Hotel for Cats (Bromley)

Late July we left for our summer holiday in the South Of France, but what to do with Cecilia? After some pondering, a good friend at work recommended the Oakley Hotel for Cats. If you can get your feline friend to this part of Kent, I would highly recommend the experience. This is where the local vets take their cats!

Cecilia appears to have changed for the better as a result of the experience, she is far more laid back (is that possible?) and seems more lovingly attentive - she looks more confident and is less spooked by noises.

Part of the appeal of this unusual cattery is that (if the owners agree) the cats can mingle and socialise. Picking her up after 2 weeks we could see how happy she was in the company of younger and older cats of all sizes and breeds... and to think we were worried about her!

World Cup Final 2006

Cecilia, the scourge of the household fly - she caught four today - about to sit and watch the World Cup Final. Earlier we all saw Federer beating back Nadal in the Men's Finals, at Wimbledon. So much good spectator sport in one day!

Sociability and games

Cecilia, increasingly known to her friends as Bushka, is a very sociable cat. Although she is less inclined to lie on laps (it is warm these days) she always rests within eyesight or hearing distance of us - she seems to enjoy relaxing to the sound of familiar voices. And she does still love a cuddle or two in the morning.

Her latest favourite game is hide and seek - with us. We let her know we are up for a game by walking away from her, then glancing back at her, before hiding. She either discovers us with a full frontal charge, or she sometimes surprises us by sneaking up from another direction. Sometimes, if we catch her running towards us, she does a comical sort of backwards run - still coming towards us but looking the other way! She really is fun, and we are so enjoying her company and funny antics!

Cecilia in repose!

Here is Cecilia relaxing on a coffee table after her "prowl" outside earlier today. It's probably cooler here than lying on the carpet, and she gets a better view!

Prowls outside...

We have started taking Cecilia out for walks (or prowls) in our garden. From having a bit of a hissy-fit when we first introduced her to the harness, she has quickly learned that fun stuff happens with her harness on. It's not really like taking a dog for a walk, she takes you for a walk (or a run) and sometimes she expects you to stand absolutely still, as she tries to ambush a fly or a grass-hopper :-)

You are not alone with a Maine Coon!

Cecilia definitely follows us around, sometimes she just gallops in behind you, other times there is a far stealthier approach... You think she is in the living room, then you hear, or think you hear, the slightest rustle behind you. You just know you are not alone, and glad that that she is not really going to pounce on you in anger :-)

Fashion shoot!

Cecilia, sensing a photo opportunity, poses next to some jewellery :-)

Saturday morning

Cecilia reading the Saturday papers - oh yes, she's intelligent alright :-)

Window sills

Cecilia's latest favourite perch is the window sill - where she can laze in the afternoon sun, keeping an eye on us in the living room and yet flicking her tail menacingly at anything moving outside :-)

Little Miss Sleepy-head!

Cecilia sleeping in on a weekend - don't you just love that relaxed pose? She is SO laid back :-)

Two weeks on...

For anyone who thinks cats are aloof I do recommend Maine Coon Therapy! As I write this (on Sunday morning, still in bed) she has calmed down from her hunting practice, and is now sprawled across my chest, purring loudly, with one paw on my throat! Given her razor-sharp claws I should probably feel vulnerable, but somehow I don't...

We keep her in the kitchen at night - she seems happy there on her pillow with "Ducky". This has meant we can all sleep through the night - and it makes a morning cuddle all the better :-)

She wolfs down her food - a mix of dry and soggy stuff for kittens - and gets bigger by the day. She loves playing at hunting - stalking and pouncing like a manic frog! These moments of intense activity are usually followed by a quieter period of grooming and then a search for a handy lap to sleep upon...

Has it really only been 2 weeks? She has already woven herself into the pattern of our lives :-)

Portrait of a Maine Coon kitten

Cecilia looking rather splendidly regal.

Sleeping companions

This is how we usually find Cecilia in the morning - lying on her favourite chair in the kitchen, close to her new furry best friend "ducky" :-)

Concentration

The key to a successful hunt is to remain focussed on the prey (even if it's just an innocent ping pong ball!)

First impressions...

We are bowled over by our new kitten's character! Sure, all kittens are cute, but Cecilia is simply adorable :-) In the morning we find her yawning in her new bed, usually with one paw still over a furry duck! When she wakes up she keeps us amused by her antics as she intently stalks a ping pong ball - and then feigns complete disinterest, lulling her prey into a false sense of security!

When she tires of that she follows us around, inquisitive in everything around her. She likes the PC screen - often trying to grab the cursor with her paw. She is very gentle with us, no biting or scratching, and often grabs a quick cat-nap on the nearest lap!

The merest hint of stroking her and she purrs her appreciation loudly. I guess she is training us very well :-)

Relaxed!

Horizontal in her new kitchen. She spent hours today on my wife and son's laps, either purring or sleeping. At other times she chased ping pong balls down the hall, and hunted down a (furry) frog - oops, sorry Kermit. She also has a fury duck, which she has now adopted as a sleeping pal :-)

Cecilia arrives!

Cecilia surveying her new home. We picked her up today from Windsor and the drive back was very easy. Andy, my wife, drove, so I could sit in the back. Cecilia enjoyed being stroked, rolling over onto her back, and was soon fast asleep. She is now exploring the kitchen, and learning where all the important bits are. She has even found the warm spot in the corner, where Katwana used to sleep. We are all very happy :-)

10 weeks old

Cecilia - feeling more grown up now!

And a special mention for "Dorothea" (the Windsor based breeder) who have provided most of these great photos, and shared them with us. Exceptional "customer service" - thank you Gianna :-)

Me and Mum!

Cecilia still enjoying the reassuring presence of her mother Thea.

Thea's watchful eye!

It's still good to have someone looking out for you :-)

Taking it easy

It's a hard life being a kitten. Sometimes you just need to take a rest!
Hint: Click on the picture to see it larger!

Cecilia at 8 weeks - big paws!

One small step...

Cecilia the Kitten at 4 weeks - Taking one careful step at a time!

Official: Cecilia becoming more attractive!

Gianna (the maine coon breeder) just sent me a very sweet message about the loss of our Katwana. She also provided an update on our young Cecilia. She tells us "Cecilia is more active than ever, and becomes more and more attractive. I am sure she will be a joy and I am so pleased for her that she is coming to live with you." I'm very pleased she's coming to live with us too - thanks! :-)

Hi everyone, it's me again!

Katwana

Our 21 year old Birman, Katwana, is now very poorly. Up until yesterday she was arthritic, deaf and pretty blind. The last 24 hours have seen a suprising deterioration in her health. She is curled up under the kitchen table, where it is warm, but it now seems that her days are numbered. Even her miaows are quieter. She has food and water near her and certainly doesn't seem to be in any pain, but we are watching her carefully, and wondering.

Katwana, an ailing faithful friend; and now Cecilia, with the promise of a new life...

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2006

Katwana died in her sleep this morning. My two sons helped me bury her in the garden, near where we buried her sister Kashka a few years back. We said a few words of thanks for the joy she brought us, and laid some flowers. Rest in Peace, Katwana.

Thea

Cecilia's mother, Thea. We hope her elegant looks and gentle nature will be passed on to her daughter!



Cecilia's father, Charlie. Damn good looking cat too! Not surprising that he melted Thea's heart :-)

Newborn kittens

Thea with her four kittens. This is where Cecilia's journey through life began. This blog will share that story, as she develops into a beautiful cat.

Hello World!

This is Cecilia, on the day that she decided she should be part of our lives! Well? Could you resist her? Her lively interest in all around her suggests an alert mind, and a lifetime of new adventures!

Social Background

Gianna just wrote to give us some background to Cecilia's parentage.

Cecilia's mother is Coonaria Thea; Thea's mother is Kassaro Amazing Gracie and her father is Grand Champion Mabakalat Flash Harry. Cecilia's maternal great grandparents include Champions Willowplace Chowchilla and Harold Blue-Tooth. One generation back are the UK Grand Champion Verissimo Britannicus and Supreme Grand Champion Maisatana Haut Brion of Willowplace. In short, Cecilia is no ordinary Coon!

Here is a photo of Champion Harold Blue-Tooth...

Cecilia the Maine Coon

With the last of our two Birman cats (Katwana) now in her 21st year, we decided it was time to bring another kitten into our lives. My wife wanted a Persian, I fancied a Norwegian Forest cat, so we settled on a Maine Coon. The art of compromise!

The Coon is a very pretty cat, and is considered intelligent. It has been described as "a cat for dog lovers" and has been known to bring its owner a lead, when it wants to go outside. As we live in a third floor flat this seemed like a good cat to choose!

We looked at local pet-shops, and online breeders, and eventually chose "Dorothea" a Windsor based breeder who had the right kittens, at the right time. A visit yesterday confirmed what we hoped for. All the Coons were healthy and content - a good omen. Gianna was helpful and very friendly, so we paid a deposit and look forward to collecting Cecilia, on April 1st.