Vante's Week Before Christmas

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a fake-fur mouse.

But what to my wondering eyes should appear but a little Vante spreading Vante-style cheer.  She dashed through the living room and ran to the tree.  Then what did she do but bat at the ornaments with glee.  But soon that no longer held wonder, so she circled the tree.

Then she chased the red laser dot no fheer.  She chased it ... over chair, over sofa, over Aunty and then into the hall.  Then finally she caught it between the TV and the wall.  That silly red dot was jeering her on and she took one last pounce and poof - it was gone! 

There were many more things to do before Santa came, so Vante she moved onto her next kitty game.

Aunty pulled out her favorite ribbon and watch-out!  Vante would soon be pouncing about.  She chased and she batted that ribbon with fury.  Then she took it and bit it to show it who's boss.  Then finally the ribbon gave up its fight.

Vante soon nestled snug in her bed and would soon have visions of catnip playthings dancing in her head.  There would be ribbon and paper and sparkly things galore.... but she took one last second before she drifted off to sleep: 

"Merry Catmus to all and to all a Good Night!"

Thanksgiving update

Ladies & Gentlemen,
I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of turkey, pumpkin pie, family, friends and furry four-legged friends. My husband and I spent Thanksgiving in San Diego exploring the Zoo, Wild Animal Park and Sea World, which were amazing. 

We took our two young cats with us since one of them was finishing a regimine of pills.  (Vante says hello. --> hbghbhbbhgvfdrdeddc)  Vante spent Thanksgiving w/the whole house to herself and with lots of love and care from our cat-sitter.  She enjoyed a feast of Turkey and Giblets on Thanksgiving (Friskies-style).

Christmas will be very different since we'll be staying home and family will be visiting us.  Vante is going to adore all the attention, laps and ribbon-chasing.  As you see she's already looking forward to Christmas and all the trouble and chaos she can cause. 

Can't you just see how excited she is - her enthusiasm is contagious.  It's rolling off of her like clouds (storm clouds).

This will be Vante's first Christmas celebration in 10 years away from Best Friends.  I'm going to do my best to make her love and enjoy every minute. 

We'll have to make sure to send lots of love and prayers for her 'friends' that she left behind at Colonel's Barracks and at Best Friends.  I'm sorry that I couldn't bring all of them home but I am truly grateful that I was able to bring Vante home with me.  While she has proven to be a challenge, I love her dearly.  She's curled up and taken residence on my lap and in my heart. 

I hope each and every one of you have your own four-legged friends that bring you such joy and happiness. 
Merry Christmas!
-Ashley & Vante

Coupons

I had a pile of nicely stacked coupons on the floor from last Sunday's newspaper and little Miss V couldn't fight off the temptation.  She rolled and played in them until she became discounted herself.  She's so goofy!

(The photo was taken with an iPhone, so I apologize about the poor photo quality.)

Miss V is doing good and we're using a pheromone diffuser in her room to try to get her to chill out around her little sisters.  We've painted her room and she was intrigued by the furniture movement and fascinating new things I brought into the house to paint. 

She continues to burrow into blankets for naps.  Several times I've done a full house searches recently.  Finally I would go back into her room, nudget the blanket with my finger and finally hear a protesting meow.  She was curled into an impossibly tiny Vante-ball  underneath her favorite blanket every time.  Melting her momma's heart. 

Vante gets some Bling!

As you all know several weeks ago Vante officially became part of our family.  Well, that same day I ordered her new necklace (collar) and tags.  When we left Best Friends Mike put a pink collar on Vante, so I decided to stick with pink for her.  I had her name and our phone number embroidered onto her collar and all the pertinent information put on her matching pink tag.  Here is Vante modeling her newest jewelry. 

My Quilting Apprentice

I laid out one of my newest quilts on the floor to take photos and within moments my quilting apprentice was inspecting my work.  She is such a ham, I never was able to get a good photo of just the quilt.  She just had to be in every photo. 

She's a burrower!

Vante is thriving with all the attention and TLC my husband and I adorn upon her.  In the past several days she has taken to burrowing underneath the blanket that I always seem to have over my legs and feet.  Her whiskers tickle my feet so it's a challenge to keep still but usually she just snuggles up next to my ankles and takes a cat-nap.

Off topic but neat nonetheless
While catching up on the news I read about this huge indoor dog park in Houston.  It's 50,000 square feet of indoor theme park with outdoor area too because it sits on 6.5 acres of woods.  There is a pet supply center, café, grooming, daycare and overlooking lounge areas.  Dogs must meet socialization criteria, be in good health and up to date on shots.  One thing I don't approve of is their breed ban policy.  They site that they don't allow Pit Bulls or Pit Bull mixes in the off-leash play areas due to insurance reasons.  That is truly unfortunate and other than that I think it's great.  We need something like that in Las Vegas!
Here is the link: Unleashed Dog Park

Let's Celebrate!

Vante, Amelia & Callie Mae all had a Happy Halloween safely locked away in our bedrooms.  I hope you and your four-legged friends had a safe and happy Halloween too.

November and the holiday season is upon us, but there are always lots of weird holidays and celebrations. I always found them fun and kinda silly but each has their own reason.  In particular I enjoy the animal holidays, and since you're reading this blog, I'm sure you do too.  So here they are in chronological order for November.

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week - first week in Nov.

National Cat Week - first week in Nov.
Hug a Bear Day - Nov. 7

I find the Hug a Bear Day to be somewhat disturbing.  I truly hope their talking about teddy bears, but I have a feeling they aren't.  Call me a chicken, but I won't be participating in that holiday.