The three little kittens – Peanut, Mia, and Rolz – all grown up now…

You know that saying about someone’s “bark being worse than their bite.” Well in Zoey’s case, her bark (growl) really was worse than her bite. Zoey does not bite – but after week 8 with the kittens, she did growl… A LOT. As mentioned, Zeuss had the courtesy to pack his little kitten bags and head for Boston to live his new life. Peanut, Mia, and Rolz – all of whom Dan and I had fallen madly in love with and decided to keep, became freeloading hooligans in Zoey’s mind. Her natural instinct kicking into high gear, rather than feel a sense of loss when Zeuss left like we thought she would, she felt that she had done her part raising these babies and that it was time for them to leave the nest and fend for themselves, so to speak.

She was no longer a loving, nurturing parent, but a Jekyll and Hyde paradox of pure resentment of these precious little babies. If they so much as looked her way or breathed the same air space as her, she would growl menacingly at them, challenging them to run off. Zoey never hurt them, her growl actually was worse than her bite in that sense, but she really did not want them in the house with her anymore. And bless them, they were so confused. They loved their Mama so much and the urge to snuggle and nurse had not completely gone away, which caused her even more anger. And most amazing of all, her anger was directed exclusively at the kittens – she could distinguish in a split second her off-spring versus Zee, Harley, or Jazz who were all safe from her wrath. So, we did what we do best, we loved all of them as best we could in light of the circumstances and remained ever vigilant and patient. Surely she could not resent them forever. Please, fingers-crossed, we hoped.  Read more

For the first year of my life I was an indoor cat.  I didn’t even really know what “outdoors” meant, other than it was the name given to “the place on the other side of the window”.  On one or two occasions before my first birthday I was able to sneak outside when a human opened the door (I’m very fast), but they always picked me up and brought me back inside immediately.  And scolded me.  I eventually got the idea- that outside was apparently for dogs, birds, squirrels, and humans.  But not Zeuss. Read more

Over the past few months, I’ve made a lot of friends.  Most of these friends are humans, who I seem to always get along with.

I also have made a few animal friends, like Sandy the neighborhood dog / nomad…

I guess it’s obvious why I have a lot of friends, but you might be surprised to learn that I have a few enemies as well.  Read more

Zoey communicating in her usual pleasant way…  The kittens are about 8 weeks old in this video and doing their best to stay out of Mom’s way!

Here is Zee doing his best to be patient and tolerant with Rolz as he gets completely ambushed! You will note as you listen to the audio, that this was shot the day that Michael Jackson passed away. R.I.P. Michael – we miss you…