StrangeRanger

Eleventy

This past Thursday was Maddie's eleventh birthday!  w00t!

She's been with us for about ten of those years and we have enjoyed every minute of it (after the negotiations on the placement of the litter-box were concluded).  Frequent readers of this blog (HI MOM!) will remember that I have frequently referred to Maddie as a pure-bred Maine Coon complete with a pedigree as long as the cat herself.  I've never offered any proof of this and you have all been good enough to take me at my word.  Well, here is the photographic proof of my assertions:

 
 

What's all this then?

Maddie came to us via "The Tribe" cattery.  Via, of course, her previous people who shipped her across country and then dropped her at the local shelter, which is where we come into the picture.  Over the years I've done some half-assed hearted searching on her background.  I've not been able to find much, which strikes me as odd.  If Maddie is typical of the cats from The Tribe, well, The Tribe must be a breeder of high renown and honor.  My research did, however, produce these two ancestors.

 
This is LawMaine's Molly Brown, Maddie's father's mother's mother's mother.  Or Sire's dam's dam's dam, which is more fun to say out loud.  Grand Champion, this regal girl.

 
This is Solkatz's Chief Tyee, Maddie's Sire's dam's dam's sire.  Quad Grand Champion, this one.

 Both of these pictures were found at Pawpeds, a pedigree database.  These have been the only two of Maddie's ancestors I could find. 

How has Maddie reacted to my snooping?

 
Other cats!?!  Where?!?  Begone, vile beasts!

 
Oh, just pictures.  That's acceptable.  Tacky, but acceptable. 

Don't worry, Maddie fans.  Our girl has not been too outraged this birthday season.  There have been games of chase, brushies galore and much much deli turkey.   

 
HooRay!  Happy Birthday to Me!

The Morning Ritual

This past summer saw the development of a truly enjoyable morning ritual.  Don't know how it started, really.  Maddie has always come over to get pats from any human that sits on the floor long enough.  For some reason I took to sitting on the floor in the living room after putting the coffee on.  Pats ensued.  Some where along the way it turned into all-out brushies, which is an absolute treat for both cat and human.  These aren't the greatest pics inthe world, but they'll give you an idea of what I get to see, and at what range I get to see it, in the morn.

 

 

 
Yes, even the tail gets brushed.

 
And after the brushies, it's off to the back of the couch to snooze in the morning sun.

 
This particular part of my day has come to mean quite a lot to me.  I have been sad that, since my return to the routine of the work-year, this can only be a week-end moment.  If the rest of the world had the opportunity to enjoy a moment like this in thier mornings there'd be a lot more peaceful happening.  If every oppressive dictator could do this, he'd ask himself "What should I take my time to do...be an oppressive dic (tator) or spend time being loved by a cat?"  Dudes, it's a no-brainer.

Resting from our labors

In keeping with the finest Labor Day tradition (i.e. Resting from said Labor) I'd like to present a few archival pics of Maddie and Ivy reaping their much deserved reward after strenuous kitty-work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Yes, I'm aware that, in this context, "archival" really means "John, you've already posted those photos".  I hope you'll accept an explanation that involves not having batteries for the camera and being too incredibly lame to go get more.  Rest assured, Maddie has not gotten any less beautiful.

On to a rare Non-Cat note:  If you've ever cooked and really enjoyed a) the process b) the results or c) the rave reviews of those you've served, you owe it to yourself to visit The Crepes of Wrath.  This fine, fine, fine cooking blog is done by Sydney, who is up for a Country Living Bloggers award!  LadyRanger and I have made several of Sydney's recipes and have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one.  I urge you to visit her website, marvel at the food (and the really really good food photography), find a recipe to make soon, and then go vote for her.  And if you can manage to vote in the finest Tammany Hall tradition (early and often) then do that!  You'll be helping a deserving person.  The only thing lacking in Sydney's blog are cat photos.  And since she's given us such a marvelous amount of good food, we forgive her that oversight.  Go!  Now!  Click links!  Drool!  Vote!