TUNNEL TUESDAY: SPECIAL EDITION

TUNNEL TUESDAY: SPECIAL EDITION

Well hello there felines.  So I goes to my tunnel in the very late hours of the day...and what do I find? There waiting for me was a very special framed print called "Muffin's Dream"...

The kitty in the print really reminds me of my best friend who is now at the Rainbow Bridge...

It's the 6th Anniversary of the passing of 

our dear Inka...

We still miss her very much...

Here's a pic of the two of us hangin' out in happy times...

True to Inka's spirit, we saw Ladybugs today flying about on our outdoor patio.  We sat quietly in the sun watching them, cherishing the special visit and our memories of our sweet girl...

Be Well Our Sweet Inka

TUNNEL TUESDAY

TUNNEL TUESDAY: IT'S ST. PADDY'S!

 Well hello there felines.  So I goes to my tunnel in the wee hours of the morn...and what do I find? It was all decorated-up for St. Patrick's Day!  Can you believe it, felines? 

And of course, our resident trouble-makers were already at it!

Not wanting to be out-done by Mini-Cloon and Ducky I had some catching-up to do...

Mini-mugs of green ale down-the-hatch...

Whoa...

I think I just saw a flying leprechaun!  

And Neytiri, our designated teetotaler theese year, just cut me off...

A very Happy Birthday to our Angel Inka in kitty heaven...she would have been 16 today...

Inka, or "Girlfriend" as we used to call her always liked to par-tay with me on St. Paddy's...

We raise a mini-mug of green ale in her honor...

Happy St. Paddy's Day everyone and remember to watch out for flying leprechauns!

The Best of St. Paddy's

Hello there Audience.  Neytiri is preparing for our festivities and has done some decorating...

After all her hard work with the par-tay planning, she settled down to keep an eye on Ducky and to partake of a mini-mug of green ale...

Mini-Cloon got in the spirit bigtime, swiped Ducky's St. Paddy's Day hat and donned it...he makes a cute little Leprechaun, dontcha think?

And now for some highlights from our previous St. Paddy's Days:

2013 

I really got my Irish on last year and my Human paid the price with a nose bitey...

2012

 
I offered kisses to the Ladycats and Ladies and a huge line-up formed...

2011

Neytiri and Ducky won 2nd Place for Best Green Sleeping Area in
 Brian's St. Patrick's Day Contest...

2009

"Girlfriend" (our nickname for Inka) and I took a quick cat nap during our
1st Annual St. Paddy's Day Festivities...

Please join us in raising a mini-mug of green ale to our beloved Angel Inka
 (aka "Girlfriend") whose 15th Birthday would have been today.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

Winnie's Wish Walkway

Our Brick Story is being featured on Chrystal's blog Daily Dose Of Dogs (Aka Cats With Your Coffee) today.   Back in October of 2013, The Island Cats had a very special giveaway for Island Mom's Birthday and we were the winners of it!  We won a custom engraved brick in the Winnie's Wish Walkway.  This is very special to us and we thank both Island Mom for having such a wonderful giveaway and Chrystal for all the important rescue work she does and all the help and love she gives to animals.  Our brick has been dedicated to our Angel Inka and it is a gift from Clooney to her to thank her for the special friendship they shared while she was living.  As you can see from the photo above, they were very close and had a very special bond.   

  You can read our Brick Story over at Chrystal's blog today, it is written in Clooney's words.

LADYBUG! LADYBUG!

Today marks 4 years of the passing of my special soul kitty, Inka.  When Inka was alive she had a special soft spot for ladybugs, always watching over them and following them around but never harming them (even though she was an expert bug-catcher and eater).  After Inka passed away, I witnessed ladybugs in unusual places and circumstances.  I thought if something was to be Inka's messenger, a ladybug would indeed be fitting.  

  Each year, the week before the Anniversary of her passing, I also see ladybugs.  This year, I was graced by a whole ladybug invasion on my outdoor patio.  Fifty or more ladybugs appeared one sunny afternoon out of the blue.  I had never seen so many ladybugs at one time.  It was truly special...and magical.  

(The metaphysical meaning of a ladybug is "energies of renewal and regeneration", "when it appears it is telling us to let go and let God". It is said that "ladybug teaches us to restore our faith and trust in Great Spirit. It initiates change where it is needed the most. When ladybug appears it is asking us to get out of our own way and allow Great Spirit to enter".)

Ladybug!  Ladybug!
Fly away home.

~Be Well My Sweet Inka~

St. Paddy's Day

Well hello there Audience!  Happy St. Paddy's Day to you all!  Before all the festivities get underway this fine evening, Uncle Cloon has some tips for you...

Make sure to incorporate a few drinking party games to spice things up!  A few Mini-Mugs of Green Ale will act as an icebreaker for felines who may have wallflower tendencies, increasing one's social prowess and allowing one to circulate oozing intelligence...

Make sure to follow the Leprechauns this evening...they always know where the best parties are.  If a Leprechaun befriends you, run off with his hat check out his hat...it gives you privacy to plan your strategy for the evening, take a cat nap or...

 

View the PAR-TAY from a unique vantage point!

To really get the party started, try playing "Spin the Duck"...

Warning: When one finds oneself with theese expression on one's face...PAR-TAY over! 



Today would have been our beloved "Girlfriend's" 13th  Birthday.  Please join me in raising a Mini-Mug of Ale to "Girlfriend"...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The line forms here for the kisses...

TRIBUTE TO OUR ANGEL INKA

A Tribute by Cloon's Human

Inka was my 2nd cat.  I found her through an ad posted in a 7-Eleven.  She was a stray kitten.  The night I met her and held her in my arms, I fell instantly in love with her sweet, gentle, loving nature.  I will always remember that moment and that memory, it stands out so clearly and joins only a few others as one of my most cherished moments in time.  Inka was my kindred spirit, my soul kitty or heart kitty, and my little girl.  

     

I was very unprepared for her loss as I had never envisioned her passing at the young age of 10 and I never saw the next 10 years of my future without her. 

Inka slept beside me every night for 10 years and loved the sound of my voice.  Whenever I would talk aloud, she would come out from wherever she was and come right beside me, listen intently, purr and look at me with her soulful eyes.  She was a Zen kitty, she loved peace and quiet and Zen.  

   

She loved watching birdies, having the sun on her fur and lying in the breeze of an open window.  She LOVED tuna.

Inka and Clooney were the best of friends.  She loved to groom him.  They slept together and played together many times every day.  In the three weeks before Inka passed away, Clooney could be found lying right beside her wherever she was hiding.  I witnessed him crawling into the small blue "Prince" bed (that Neytiri now sleeps in) and squeezing himself right up alongside Inka even though there wasn't room for him.  When Inka passed on, a piece of Clooney's heart went with her...I know that he has had as much of a grief experience as I have had.   

Back in January of this year, Ann from Zoolatry had created these special pictures of "Angel Inka".  They mean a lot to me.  

Inka was an expert insect catcher.  She loved bugs especially moths.  The only insect she left alone and just observed was the Ladybug.  After Inka passed away, I witnessed Ladybugs in unusual places and circumstances.  I thought if something was to be Inka's messenger, a Ladybug would indeed be fitting as both Inka and I have had a special fondness for them... 

 Today is a hard day for me...even 2 years later.  As cancer had overtaken her, I said goodbye to my beloved Inka at 10:56 AM on October 14, 2009.

4 months after Inka passed, I travelled through Australia and wrote these words above in the sand at Coffs Harbour.  Australia was a very special trip for me as I had done lots of personal reflection.  On a special day when I was in Australia (March 5, 2010) close to Inka's original birth date, Neytiri was born...



"Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.

Unconditional love has a condition after all,

I must be willing to let you go, when you speak to me

I must be willing to help you go, if you cannot go alone.

And I must accept my pain so you can be free of yours.

Loving you has been the greatest gift of all."

(Excerpt from Karla M. Bertram)

WE WILL LIVESTRONG

In Loving Memory of Inka (nickname "Girlfriend")who passed away on October 14, 2009, at 10 years old,  from mammary cancer that had spread to her liver and lungs.  Inka was my "heart kitty" and Clooney's best friend.  Inka "LovedStrong" and not a day goes by that she isn't greatly missed. 

Today is for her.

Be Well My Sweet Inka

Please visit the LiveSTRONG 2011 Slideshow

REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND: ANGEL PARADE

You've taught me so much. 

 I've watched how you live,

how you chase after life.

You inspire me to greater things. 

                         

(Unknown)

Doogie Howser PhD

                       Inka ("Girlfriend")

TIM

...to lay...my sorrow...aside

And give you this last gift, this greatest gift.

Your eyes will speak to mine, and I will know.

(excerpt from "The Greatest Gift" by Karla M. Bertram)

In honour of Miss Sweet Praline, there is a party in Remembrance of  all the Furry Angels at FLOOF AND FUR

REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND: IN HONOUR OF OUR BELOVED ANGEL "GIRLFRIEND"

For this special Remembrance Weekend in the Cat Blogosphere, we are honouring our very special girl, our beloved "Girlfriend" who passed into kitty heaven on October 14, 2009.  "Girlfriend" and I were best buddies, as you can see from the picture above.  We always slept together and sometimes "Girlfriend" made herself extra comfy and used me as a pillow.  "Girlfriend" was a big part of our blog and this weekend we decided to run some of our posts from the past that included her.  So below this post is
THE BEST OF "GIRLFRIEND" MARATHON in 4 different  parts.  We hope you enjoy it.

Please stop by Three Tabby Cats In Vienna to share in this Weekend of Remembrance and light a candle for all our beloved Angel Kitties who have passed on. 

REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND: THE BEST OF "GIRLFRIEND" MARATHON (PART 1)

DO YOU SUFFER FROM HAIRY PAWS?

TOO SHY TO GO OUTSIDE, SHOPPING, OR TO THE BEACH?

CONTACT THE MOBILE WAXING UNIT...

Cloon: Hello Audience, here I am in-studio with special guest and Feline Esthetician "Girlfriend". Welcome "Girlfriend".

"Girlfriend": Thank you very much.

"Cloon": Now, tell me about this surprising fact that many cats suffer from hairy paws...

"Girlfriend": Well Cloon, most felines are quite secretive about this because of the humiliation factor. But I'm here today to tell them that it's okay to come out of the closet and seek help.

Cloon: What are the actual statistics for theese one?

"Girlfriend": A shocking 30% of felines suffer from hairy paws. And Maine Coons are over-represented in that category.

THE AUDIENCE GASPS IN ASTONISHMENT. CLOON POUNDS HIS LITTLE PAW FOR "ORDER IN THE COURT".

Cloon: We have a film clip to show the Audience. Please cue the presentation. (The Assembly Line Elves start up the projector.) Rolling... For those at home, please see second photograph above.

Well Audience, there you have it. There's the proof. Now "Girlfriend" is going to give us some more information about "The Mobile Waxing Unit".

"Girlfriend": So Felines there's no need to panic about the situation. My mobile spa, which incidentally doubles as an ice cream truck, will come right to you. You will jump into the back of the truck and be transported to another time and place (metaphorically speaking of course, we're not kidnapping you or anything). My theme for my mobile spa is Zen Gardens. In this healing space, special recordings of chirping birds play in the background. There are many plants and a DVD plays "Mousies" on a big screen TV. I start each session by a Zen Meditation, deep breathing exercises and of course some of the highest grade premium organic catnip available. I use only the finest French waxing strips for the hairy paws. After the waxing is complete, you are treated to a complimentary ice cream sandwich (Cloon has an overstock from Costco). Remember Cloon likes to multitask, so he will be selling various ice creams out of the front of the truck. I think drumsticks and popsicles are also available. Now remember, the Spring Special is $19.95 (includes all 4 paws and the ice cream sandwich). We will be taking before and after photos for the purpose of advertising. (All Felines will be asked to sign an agreement for disclosure.)

SO FELINES, NOW IS THE TIME TO RECLAIM YOUR SOCIAL LIFE. DO NOT LET HAIRY PAWS HOLD YOU BACK ANY LONGER. CALL 1-800-WAX-JOBS TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT OR COME OUT TO THE CURB WHEN YOU HEAR AN ICE CREAM TRUCK PLAYING THE "MACARENA" IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD...

Originally posted April 29, 2009

THE BEST OF "GIRLFRIEND" MARATHON (PART 2)

EAVESDROPPING 101: A SEMINAR BY "GIRLFRIEND"...
50 FELINES ATTENDED A SOLD OUT WEEKEND WORKSHOP ON "EAVESDROPPING ON YOUR HUMAN". They crowded into the new bedroom of "Girlfriend" (still not venturing far in the residential move). What follows is a brief media clip of the event:




"Girlfriend": Does everyone have their Starbucks Beverage? Ok then, let's get started, we have alot of material to cover this afternoon.


1) First of all, I need everyone to assume the correct eavesdropping position (see above photo for details). Ears back and out...Cloon (My helper today) will be making his rounds through the Audience checking for proper technique.


2) Next and this is a VERY IMPORTANT POINT...Whenever you hear your Human's voice in a conversation, stop what you are doing immediately and go sit as close to your Human as possible. Even if you are "under blankie" it is imperative that you come out of hiding and take a position near your Human.


3) When Humans are on the telephone speaking with another, this is an excellent time to get good information. Felines can either go right up to their Human and nestle in or take more of a clandestine position in the same room.


4) When your Human has company over this is another opportune time to get good information. Go and sit between your Human and their guest and put your ears into the correct eavesdropping position.


5) Store all juicy information you eavesdrop on in your memory banks and burn it in real good. You never know when the information will come in handy.


Testimonial from a previous feline attendee: "I observed my Human on the telephone in his office, so I jumped on the desk and laid by the keyboard with my ears in the proper eavesdropping position...That's when I heard the words, 'I'm going to take him to the vet because he is still squinting with his eye.' So, I then used the power of my Third Eye to heal my eye and avoid the vet visit. In my case, this information was priceless. So, I definitely recommend "Girlfriend's" seminar. And it's a good excuse to gets a free Frappuccino as well...
-T.I.M.

FELINES FOR JUST $149 YOU CAN ATTEND A FUTURE SEMINAR OF "GIRLFRIEND'S". "EAVESDROPPING ON YOUR HUMAN" INCLUDES YOUR FAVORITE STARBUCKS BEVERAGE AND SELLS OUT WELL IN ADVANCE, SO BE FOREWARNED...

Originally posted on August 12, 2009