Thursday Tribute

As our most Loyal Readers know, Äiti has immortalised some of the former felocrats by ordering glass memorial beads, in which some furs and ashes have been trapped as the beads were coloured and formed. The first was orange, for Punapippuri. When Lewis left us, she decided that God Emperor Stran needed a bead which is a purplish-white and orderd one along with Lewis' bead which is blue. And now, sadly, another has been added - Mirsku's green. She wears this all the time around her neck. The rainbow, inevitably, will grow. But not for a long time, we hope.

Cat Art Day

Today we have an image of Lewis which Äiti filtered on Lunapic. She has ordered this as a canvas to put up in her bedroom, alongside the former felocrats on a wall of honour. 

And of course we have a jigsaw.

100 Lewis

Remembering Lewis, a true gentleman cat

In the last couple of weeks, Lewis had a lump growing on his lip which we thought was maybe an abscess but sadly this was not so. Äiti has many photos of it, but this was his better side. The lump was a tumour, growing from the bone and an operation would not have been successful. Yesterday Äiti made the hardest but kindest decision. Lewis had been eating well - demanding his smoked salmon and enjoying scritches, but the lump was growing daily, and was beginning to bleed and bother him, so  ystävämme eläinlääkäri guided him gently beyond this life. 

 

 Äiti had not realised it, but it was six years to the day that his brother Harris (litter brother) made that journey too, and she took comfort from that. The Big C got them both.
This is one of the first photos Äiti took of them in June 2005 when she bought them home, after they had spent 18 months at a rescue centre in Bristol where they had been given up when they were about 4 years old. They were very shy and hid for a long time. Harris never let Äiti handle him and Lewis only did so in the last year or so. By Äiti's reeckoning he was about 20 years old. With Lewis now gone, Aila is the only Britcat. Äiti feels a huge part of her life has gone now.

Lewis was a true English gentleman. We all respected him and we will miss him dearly.  We hope Harris and Stran are there to welcome him and we will see you in the stars.

Toesday

Lewis' toes are impossbile to resist.

But you surely also want to see his handsome face too.

Wordless Wednesday

Hyvää ystävänpäivää! Happy Friendship Day

Here in Finland we celebrate February 14th without the romance, and honour friendships instead.

 

I know this is not a new photo but Äiti says it sums up our Felocracy. Britcat and Finncat; breed cat and moggy; senior and youngster; furry and nekkid. And we extend this friendhsip to all Loyal Readers of course- have a huggy day.

Toesday, Uncensored

Who could resist this photo of Lewis' dirty toes, with overgrown claw (it has since been trimmed as Lewis is so calm now that he permitted it).

 And as a reward he was fed turkey bits on the kitchen table. I was there to share them, butturned my back to the camera so I could chomp in peace.

Saturday Sabbatical

Loyal Readers, Äiti has decided she needs a little break from blogging - it's that time of year again when the Black Dog comes lurking around. Even though the light is returning and brightening the snows, Äiti wishes she were hibernating - or at the very least snuggling up with us all day and every day.  I have reluctantly agreed to allow this - well, what choice do I have ? Do not fear, I shall be utilising the time well as I have seen much turkey and salmon in the freezer.

And Äiti has the most important and delightful duty of scritching Lewis. For 13 years he has not allowed this, and now herb heart is melting as she tickles his chin. This is the best antidote to the Black Dog*.

*We were discussing this Black Dog phrase in the felocracy, and we don't like it as it is prejudiced against dark canines. Äiti likes the phrase 'The Grim' but it's also not right as it implies a very serious depression and that's not the case. What phrase could we use for the old seasonal sads that come along ? 

Toesday

Lewis continues to do well, and as given this lovely  white blankie with paws on (just for him). You can see his toes here, squishing into a fleece. The kitchen table beddie is his favourite place now.

Every time Äiti goes the the fridge, Lewis stands up hopefully; he knows there is turkey in the fridge. Äiti bought a second turkey after Christmas as he loves the meat so much, and of course we all get to share it. Lewis continues to have a good appetite and his fur is in better condition too. His sight is poor (if he has any) but he gets around with no problems.

Thursday treat

We have been sampling cream!Äiti bought it for Lewis, and he gets the first slurp,but the rest of us show a lot of interest.

Jaava also shows an extremely long tongue - which goes with her very long whappy paw if anyone dares come close.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Sunny Day

Yesterday it was sunny! It didn't reach the Catio but the kitchen window was the best spot in the house. 

Friday Fortress

After a week of being on high alert, I needed a rest. I snuggled into Mirsku for extra heat, and then allowed Seppo to lie on me - he needs to feel useful. Lewis is not up to many protective duties but everyone respects him, so he does help me feel secure too. 

Now I will snooze away, waiting for the weekend.

Saturday Senior Snuggle

I am very respectful of Lewis,and grateful for his bodyheat.

Äiti is now buying Lewis salmon and cooking it up - just for him! Well,she does eat a little herself and we also get some, but the fish oil is verygood for his dry skin and coat. Our estimate is that Lewis is  at least 18 years old - probably closer to twenty.                                                                         

Toesday

And toeday they belong to Lewis. 

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Snuggle Pusses

Lewis is occupying the bed on the kitchen table quite often now-which is fantastic as he spent the last 12 years hiding. Äiti is delighted by this, and by my snuggling with him.

Lewis is doing really well at the moment; at least one of his eyes is blind but he  has no problem getting around, and he can go up and down the stairs easily as he dashes to the bedroom to be fed extra pouches, behind a closed door from us! He is even getting salmon fillets cooked especially for him. He's gained a little weight  and Äiti is very proud of him, and she loves giving him scritches because he loves them too.  

Monday Multi-tasking

As Loyal Readers may recall, Äiti teaches from home on a Friday using a video link. Now last week the student had a test and some of them asked if it would be possible to show us felines on the screen while they did the test - to help them. Äiti was dubious - we would distract the students too much maybe. But, she gave in and set up the link with a camera pointed at the beddie on the kitchen table.

Amazingly Lewis was in on the action too. Perhaps it was because we were given loads of food in order to sleep through most of it. The sudents all worked hard at the test and Äiti did see some of them looking at the screen - smiling of course. Clearly we are far more interesting than hydrocarbons and climate change.

Tuesday Stunner

On Saturday something incredible happened here. Äiti visited the local eläinkoti and came home without another felocrat!  We were stunned.  We kept checking whether hell had frozen over or pigs had learned to fly; but no, a miracle had occurred. 

Vierashuone, the city shelter, was a wonderful place and Äiti was delighted to see many kitties with 'varattu' (reserved) on their noticeboards.  She came close to 'danger' with a handsome black mancat, but felt confident he would find a good home soon elsewhere. Right now she does not want anything to disturb the delicate power struggles -which are not so darn delicate when it comes to the biteys I have had!  But her priority is Lewis as she wants him to feel safe and unstressed in his senior days.