StrangeRanger

The Last Stop on the Tour

I think this is the last set of Thank You posts.    This is NOT the last of my gratitude, though.  That, I think, shall endure.  After this post, I am considering following a cat's example...

That's right!  Having a nap.  Sounds good to me.

RedSetter stopped by from her blog Gone Beading.  I went by and discovered a very crafty person.  While I possess not one iota of craft in my body, I do think we share a common attention span.  I also met the Snoopervisors, Red and Magic.  Go by and leave a word or two.  Poor Magic has had a rough time lately, going through ill health, cutting edge surgery, transportation in a train, London traffic, separation from her human and, worst of all, being made to wear a HAT to cover her poor bare bonce!  This cat needs some internet love!  And, for the record, Max didn't like the hat either.

Karen Jo hasn't posted in quite a while, though one can hardly blame her.  Her family of FeLV+ kitties has suffered some heart rending losses in 2014.  I don't know if I can fully express my gratitude to her for taking her time to offer words of comfort to us on our loss when her's is still fresh.

 Karla Jackson, of no fixed url, lost her beautiful girl a few weeks before we lost Maddie.  She says that time is tonic.  I feel that she's right, as I weep less now, though I am still so sad...

 Ducky, the eponymous cat of Just Ducky sent us purrs from the great state of Wisconsin.  It seems to be gardening season there.  Unhappily, one of the indoor plants ( a violet.  notoriously unstable) cou;dn't take the incarceration and leapt to it's doom from the cofee table!  Ducky didn't see nothin'.  That's his story and he's sticking to it.

If you want a pet-blog chock full of animals and links look no further than Jan's Funny Farm.  It had been a while since I visited.  What a place.  I do love the interviews!  Jan's can introduce you to blogs you've never met.  Go!

Finally, and I"m amazed that I've gotten to that word (because I could never have imagined that so many folks knew Maddie or would have wanted to offer comfort to a stranger) BichonPawz proves that love crosses species lines.  Chloe and Ladybug seem like two wonderful examples of canine-hood.  Thanks, girls, for your kind words.  And Chloe?  I'm sure you were a great help, but next time try to leave a bit of dirt *in* the garden, hun....

And so, to all a Thank You.  You shared our pain and lessened our burden.  I am not adequate to the task of repaying your kindnesses.  

 

I'm probably going to take a week or two off.  I'll post again, though I'm not sure what, exactly.  I hope you'll visit again.

More

I always wished that Maddie and Ivy had liked each other a bit more.  They did alright with each other (after the lengthy opening negotiations)(which consisted of growls, swats and other violence) most of the time.  Especially if there was some physical space between them.

I am always amazed when I see blogs that show me multiple cats getting along.  Even <gasp> liking each other!   One such haven of peace and felinity is Colehaus Cats.  Nice place, wonderful photography and incredibly lovely cats.  Viola just showed me an awesome piece of improvised architecture which I shall have to replicate when there are once again cats at ChezRanger.  And let us hope that the recent peaceful moment between Zuzu and Ruby will last.  Maddie and Ivy never got to the touching noses stage, so don't look to them to be good examples for rapprochement.

If you want a veritable hive of activity, head over to Tomcat Commentary and meet Timmy Tomcat and all of his housemates.  Queen Fitz, Toby and Rumpy Bump Stumpnots will amaze you with their prowess (Rumpy seems to be a master of nap-fu).  

One of the magical things about the internet, and cat-blogging in particular, is that I get to meet folks from around the world.  My friend Fiona (who seems to have, alas, stopped blogging) resides in Singapore.  It seems we can cover the other side of the globe with the Swiss Cats!   Claire runs a beautiful and informative blog.  Of course, with two lovelies like Pixie and Zorro how could it be anything except beautiful?  Claire also donates to rescue organizations!  Just be careful, and Don't Disturb the cute!

If Maddie and Ivy were in that bag....The only things that would have come out would be...parts...  See my above comments about seeing cats who get along...

I'm sure you all know that both our cats were rescues.  Maddie was adopted from one of our local rescue organizations, appropriately named AARF.  Consequently I have a soft spot in my heart for the organizations, the people who staff them and the animals that go though on their way to forever homes.  Maggie from Shelter Cats visited and left her kind condolences.  Even if you're not in the market for a (or another) feline companion you should visit this blog.  GREAT pics and really beautiful cats.  Darla is a complete flirt but so far my faves are Meeny, Miny and Moe.  WHAT CUTIES!  Kitten #1 (whichever one he is) is so completely striking it takes my breath away.  Really.  Those eyes...

That'll do for this week.  Thanks!

Another Round of Heartfelt Public Gratitude

Both of our cats have been rescues.

Hard to believe that anyone could have thrown away such lovely cats.

Ivy we found in our yard.  Maddie, though, had been dropped at a foster/adoption organization.  I can't express how grateful we were and are to them for keeping her safe for us until we got to meet her!

The first stop of today's thank yous is Alana and Crepes of There's a Cat in the Fridge.  She hasn't been doing lots of posting of late due to the move into a new house.  She has, however, taken time to respond to rescue requests.  The story of a handsome orange and white boy, though ultimately sad, touched my heart.  Our Ivy was rescued from the ivy patch in our yard.  She might have met the same fate as many other strays.  I'm sure that she'd reward Alana with some of her treasured dove-like purrs for doing her best and finding the old boy a warm spot, a full tummy and lots of love before the end.  Kudos as well for letting us know about all sorts of cats who are looking for a forever home.  Raja is a cutie!

And now, out of the fridge and onto an island with the Island Cats!  Wally, Ernie and Zoey are living the life on a not-so-tropical isalnd.  Seems to be a great place.  The only problem?  Mom was off at BlogPaws2015 and Wally couldn't go, too, despite his best efforts.  Unfair!  Of course, Zoey was not impressed with the replacement lady and even hissed at her.  Never fear, replacement lady...Maddie hissed at me the first time I tried to pat her and we got along fine once she got to know me.  You might work out...  Not like real mom, but maybe...  I certainly hope the trip to Nashville was fun.  

Speaking of BlogPaws, it seems that Waffles and Katie of Glogirly were in attendance.  They seem to have been the hit of the ball!  Katie got to ride through the conference in the Waffle Wagon to cheers and applause from all quarters!  Take a look at Glogirly.  There's some great photography, some snappy dialogue and two brave, brave kitties.  Seriously.  Maddie wouldn't have come out of her carrier for a moment...

JC seems to be living the good life out in the woods, surrounded by Lilacs and Cats.  We love us some cats, as I'm sure you can tell.  We also love lilacs, though they have a tough time here in the hot, humid American South East.  They work hard and give us beautiful blooms and magical scents for a couple of weeks in April.  JC's got 5 cats, two dogs, a husband and a couple of grown humans.  Sounds like a nice place to be.

I'd also like to take a moment to correct an omission from earlier this month.  This is actually the first time in about 8 years that I've missed marking this anniversary.  This month marks Ivy''s 9th Gotchaversary!  She came to us in 2006 after having been found in our ivy patch.

She was a smart, sweet, brave old lady.  She came into our home, accepted us, never backed down from Maddie, a cat about 3 times her size,

eventually came to some sort of accommodation with her and became a full fledged, much loved member of our family.  She was wise in the ways of home and hearth and caring beyond the norm for humans, let alone cats.

I am chagrined that I missed her Gotchaversary earlier this month.  I do hope that she's forgiven me, wherever she may be.  We miss our wee tuxie.  We're incredibly happy that she shared our lives.

The Thank You Train Chugs On

I think everyone here knows that I love Tuxies.  One Tuxie in particular!

As the Thank You Train choo-choos down down the track I'd like the next stop to be at...

Samantha and Mom's joint, Life from a Cat's Perspective!  LFCP is home to Samantha, a lovely tuxedo cat with a penchant for comfy, tummy-up naps!  She also displays the typical cat love for boxes.  Samantha has managed one trick that Ivy, due to advancing age and excessive wisdom, never pulled off...the trip to the top of the kitchen cabinets!  Quite accomplished is Samantha, as all tuxies are.

I'm delighted to have found John Bellen, who proudly proclaims "I Have Three Cats"!  I'd say there are far more than three, reading through the blog and counting fosters.  I am grateful to have found this blog.  Not only for the beautiful cats, but for the way he writes about his recently lost companion Tungsten.  Tungsten must have been a marvel and his memorial is touching.  His efforts during the end of Tungsten's life remind me of what LadyRanger and I did and felt as Ivy's life drew to it's close.  His writing about what was, and how now is without Tungsten is very, very close to what I wish I could write now that Maddie is gone.  I was moved to tears several times reading his blog, and quite heartened by the love he has for his other cats (of whom Renn is my fave, big, regal and floofy!)(well, regal if he's not napping tummy-up in a chair).

John, would you mind if I just sorta mad-libbed your work, y'know...copying it wholesale and swapping in  Maddie's name and habits?  I'd feel a lot smarter and more articulate if I sounded like you.   SO!  Go pay John, Cammie, Josie, Renn and Tucker, too a visit.  And read about Tungsten.  You'll be glad you did.

Thanks to Smokey8, who left a comment but no URL.  Your wishes for us are deeply appreciated.

Annabelle from Manx Mnews sent us deep purrs and prayers upon Maddie's passing.  Lots of deep purrs!  There are a lot of cats (4)(four) hanging out over there, as well as someone with a nice camera and the knowledge to use it!  Just wonderful pictures!  I think that Miss Boo really, really loves sun.  If she wants to come over here, we've sunpuddles missing their kitties.  And have I mentioned that I love tuxedos?

Yes.  Yes you did.

Well then, I'll carry on...  I'll just mention that *someone* at Manx Mnews has a serious toy obsession.  If that's not enough to make you go visit, well, you need more coffee.

That's it for this week.  We hope your week is quick and smooth.  Thanks for coming by.

The Next Stops on the Tour

It's kinda funny.  For three years we had two cats and I don't have very many pictures of them together.  That is, of course, because they neither liked nor fully trusted each other.  

Oh, they'd be good for Santa and tolerate each other, but were never friends.  That's why I'm always happy to see cats who *do* get along.

Like Hannah and Lucy, who are obviously friends!  Hannah is my fave, I must confess, but then you all know I have a thing for tuxies!  Hannah also seems to be a poet.   'Sitting and Watching' is, like Hannah herself, a feline masterpiece.  Almost Hiaku...  Lucy is a delightful classic tabby who loves her some sunshine.  She can come roll in our sunpuddles any day.

Never let it be said that we are species-ist here at ChezRanger.  Go visit Lily Belle and Muffin, two bright-eyed dachshunds.  They are the image of my GrandMary's beloved doxies Linus and Yobo.  Head on over and give them some moral support.  Lily seems to have been nomming some sand and could use a few good wishes, though she seems to be out of danger.  She must have thought there was a badger down in the ground somewhere and was protecting her people.

Nine years ago, Momma Grace gave birth to two handsome kittens, Audace and Ruse.  They are the coolest orange and white guys I've ever seen.  It's good to see two cats who actually like each other.  Audace likes to touch his brother whilst he naps on the back of the couch.

This is about the best we ever got from our girls.

It seems that last September was the 6th Annual Maggie May Day!  What an amazingly beautiful tortie!  It seems that she suffered from luxating patellas the same as Maddie.  Getting them surgically repaired was a big deal logistically as well as emotionally here, and I assume it was the same for Maggie May.  It seems that she's recovered quite well in the intervening years, as she just jumped down from the 7' kitchen cabinets like it was nothing.  Maddie never did anything like that.  Waaaayyy more cautious, our girl was.

Sometimes Maddie and Ivy would accidentally hang out.  When I took this shot:

I don't think that either knew the other was within a city block... 

We could sometimes find them hanging out, but it never lasted very long.

I'd like to close this part of the Great Thank You Tour with a pic that is dear to our hearts.  There were plenty of naps taken, as you can imagine in a house with cats.  When LadyRanger and I would nap we'd be joined by one or the other cat, usually Maddie if we were napping on the bed.  Only once in the three years that we had Ivy did the four of us, Me, LadyRanger, Maddie and Ivy ever nap together.  LR and I served the function of peace-keeping barrier between the two cats.  When we got up, the girls stayed asleep.

Doesn't look like enough room for two humans in between the cats?  Well, I was thinner then, and LadyRanger is flexible.  This is the only record of that beautiful nap.  Makes me smile.

Anyways...Go visit the blogs I've linked!  You'll enjoy them.

More next week.

 

The Tour, Part The Third

Here's a pic of Maddie having a think on the bed.

What was on her mind?  Probably wondering about the atmospheric conditions that made her sunpuddle so diffuse that day.  She was an intelligent cat.  If she were here now, she'd be telling me to get on with thanking people!  And so, I shall.

Ellen of 15 and Meowing has stopped by at times and commented.  She's got a lovely blog with lots of links and some nice pics.  I am particularly fond of Snowball in her after-the-lion-trim state and the Joanie in the box pic.  Joanie is a lovely beast!

Feeling like you've not enough animals in your life?  Head over to The Painter Pack!  What a magnificent collection of creatures!  The diva-dog CoCo Bean just had an 11th birthday.  Sophia Belle (Maine Coon) also celebrated another turn around the sun by taking over the huskie's new bed, as did Sammy, a very Border-Collie looking fellow (although he celebrates it in his own home).  Sammy seems to have *some* feline in him, as he apparently likes perching on the backs of chairs.  Beautiful Ninja-kitty Salem is yet another animal with a birthday in the past month.  Must be hard buying all those presents! 

Over at Alasandra, the Cats and Dogs Scylla is having a moment with the rose bush (which seems to have apologized for that unfortunate incident with the tail...).  Beautiful photos!  Socks is quite the handsome gray tabby (with socks!).  They've got a couple of canine buddies, Fenris and Tuiren, who seem to act like bouncers at a club, letting no one in unless Scylla and Socks give them the okay.  What good guys.

It's not the same at Peeballs and Pooplogs without Orbit.  Handsome, wonderful, melty Orbit.  We know how you feel, people.  We really do.  We didn't know Orbit, but I think I would have loved him, too.  The writer of the blog is going through a lot of the same ambiguous feelings that LadyRanger and I are regarding finding another cat.  I hate it that they are wondering these things because they lost their beloved orbit, but I take some comfort from the fact that I'm not unique.  Thanks for writing about it, sir.

Here's another pic of Maddie looking thoughtful.  Probably thinking that I should do a better job of thanking folks.  Wish I could, but I'm doing the best I can.  Thanks all!
 

The Great Thank You Tour, part 2

It's time to continue the tour!  I'd like to start with this pic:

I used this photo (I think) the first of the few times I hosted the CotC.  I'd like to begin my post today with thanks to a stalwart of the Carnival.

Thank You Marvelous Ms Mog, and your host of magnificent cats, past and present.  I have always appreciated your dedication to the Carnival, and your support of this blog.  Mog's always done a wonderful job hosting and managing the carnival, sharing her lovely cats with us and spreading the word about all of ours.  I've loved her cats, Meowza (one of the BEST cat names on the internet!) and Bazel (who I always thought was the handsomest!) Izzy and Ritzi and Cece and Jezi.  Apologies if I've omitted anyone.  Their personalities came though in Mog's blog.  I wish I'd had a chance to know them.

No mention of the Carnival would be complete were I not to give thanks and credit to Laurence Simon, the godfather of the catblog.  I don't think that I'd have ever thought of this on my own.  Hell, I may not ever have had a cat were it not for Laurence.  

An explanation:  I never grew up with pets (unless you count fish)(which are really more kinetic art than pets) and a couple of short-lived gerbils (cute, but short on interactive personality).  I'm also allergic to cats as is my dad.  Thus, no pets in my childhood.  My brothers are dog-types and had an active anti-cat policy in their youth.  I had no idea what I was missing.  Laurence came along with IFOC, though, and opened my eyes to the fact that each feline was a unique creature with a vivid personality, capable of a real relationship with it's humans.  Laurence's relationships with his marvelous collection of cats, so lovingly displayed, primed the pump and encouraged me to take a chance on an adoptable Maine Coon cat named Maddie.  I may well have adopted her anyways, but still I can never thank him enough.  Laurence does more 100 word stories than catblogging now, but every once in a while a cat shows up and the stories are worth the price of admission.  Go visit.

Ann of Zoolatry deserves our thanks by the truckload.  Not only does she have a magical blog with links to cats, dogs, bunnies and more, but she created our Maddie, Forever badge.

This is a wonderful tribute and a gesture that I will always appreciate.  

Today's final thank-ee is Katie Kat of Katiez Furry Mews.  She apparently fell in love with Maddie at first sight (who wouldn't??).  She graciously passed on Ann's badge to us and was incredibly kind.    Go visit the Furry Mews immediately.  Why?  KITTENS!!!  OMG KITTENS!!!!!  Seriously.  Go now.

Finally, I'd like to thank one of our unsung cast members here at ChezRanger; one of the real heroes of our two-cat days:

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...the wedge pillow.  This lumpy green beast kept the peace around here for 3 years.  As the poet said, good fences make good neighbors.  

The tour continues next week!  Thanks again to all.

206

Yep.  206.  206 what?  Spam comments on this blog in the past week.  Just deleted them and marked 'em as spam.  What an annoyance.

I know this will do no good, but:  To the spam-bots and idiots who run them:  I get perhaps 20 readers a week.  In a good week.  YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANY RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT.  CUT IT OUT.  

Well.  I guess I told them.  Oh, and by the way, Maddie does not like spam either.

No, I don't.  Begone, wretches.

A Close Race!

According to the official vote count in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Hank the Cat came in THIRD in the Virginia Senate race. (!)  w00t!

His positive campaign and refusal to sling litter attracted almost 7,000 voters.  Not enough to snatch an upset win, but enough to be a serious message to our current crop of elected servants.  I hope.

As for me, I'm looking forward to Hank for Congress in 2014, and then on to the Big House in 2016.

 
I hear the White House Portico gets some really good sunpuddles.  GO HANK!

Even though he's another cat, Maddie endorses Hank, kinda....

 
Oh god...he's on about that other cat again...<sigh> better humor him.....  voteforhankin2014...how was that and where are my treats?

Introoder Alert!

No, not HERE fer gosh sake's, but at Shaggy and Scout's place!  This is Patches:

His human of many years had to move to a "no pets" location.  Lynne (a long-time Patches cat-sitter) opened her home for this dapper 18 year-old gentleman.  The two local boys aren't too thrilled, but long-time readers of this blog know that we're fans of long-haired tuxies and thus whose side we're on.

Patches has his room of solitude, and ventures forth to find his place in his new abode.  I hope it all works out well.

Heck, it only took a year or so for Maddie and Ivy to work out their peace(ish) treaty.

We usually tried to keep something between them.

 Sometimes it didn't work.

Sometimes, it wasn't needed.

I'll never know how these two figured everything out.

 
I just know that they did, with more or less acceptable results.  I suppose Ivy won respect and Maddie learned to tolerate.  Worse could be said.

 
AHHHHHH!!!!  YOU ARE SO WEIRD!!!!  STAY OUT OF MY GROCERIES!!!!!

 We are *so* not going through this ever again.  Maddie has earned a quiet retirement.  For Shaggy, Scout and Patches, though, we wish the best of luck.