Winter in Canada: I am in Hell

AMARULA: I am not enjoying winter thus far. I am looking into whether any airline will allow a feline to fly solo so I can get back to South Africa ASAP! There is no snow in Cape Town! Worse yet, I find that the cold seems to have frozen the kittens’ brains (though frankly, it was hard to detect any brain activity in the little fur balls even before we moved to this frozen tundra). They seem to be under the mistaken impression that my imposed time indoors means I actually want to spend time with them! Saints preserve me!

They attack me in my cat condo:

catcondo

And I wake up to find that, while I slumber, they use their kittenish stealthy ways to sneak into bed with me:

 

amanotsureaboutBilly

 

amarulaandzulu

What the heck!??? When will this madness end? I am not certain all three of us will make it to the end of winter…and I bet they would make comfy throw rugs!

Outdoor Life in Canada: Let me inside!!

AMARULA: Well, as the only outdoor cat in our feline trio (and the only one with looks and brains!) I was really excited to explore the Canadian great outdoors! Mom had warned me about this thing you call “snow” but I was incredulous. Well, I have been schooled:

It started off innocently enough. The temperature hovered dangerously near zero Celsius but I, being a rugged beast, could handle it. I will certainly not let Canadian cats show me up!

letmein

 

Though it started to get a little nippy, I made due and dealt with the cold by making fun of the kittens who aren’t allowed out (mom is a big believer in keeping cats indoors but because I was a stray she could not convert me to the indoor life–I thwarted all her efforts!!) Poor saps!

outside looking in2

But then a light dusting of snow fell:

amioputsidesnow

Things got ugly pretty quickly!

snowiseverywhere

 

Seriously!! How long does this white stuff last? Only a few days right? I can go outside again soon…yes?

ugly

 

Top 10 Rules For Cat Life in Canada

AMARULA: Well we are all slowly adjusting to life in Canada. I dare say that as the temperature decreases the amount of rules seem to increase! You would think mom would realize that one can not shackle a feline’s freedom! I have assembled a photo journal of the feline Canadian commandments. Judge for yourself how well this trio of tabbies is following them!

1. Thou shall never ever go on the kitchen table:

 

donottelldadaboutthis

2. Thou shall never go into the kitchen cupboards:

kitchen cupboard

3. Thou shall not bother Grandpa MacGregor when he is watching television:

dadandcats

 

4. I said thou shall not bother Grandpa MacGregor!!

dadandgeneral

5. Thou shall never scratch the couch:

couch

6. Thou shall not distract grandpa MacGregor while he is playing bridge on the computer:

catbridge

7. Thou shall not lie innocently in the middle of the hallway where humans can trip over you!

hallway

8. Thou shall not hog the couch:

temporary detente

 

9. Thou shall not go into parcels that are not for you and get covered in packing peanuts:

biltong and styro peanuts 2

10. Once again! Thou shall not go onto the kitchen table even if it has the best sunbeams in the house!

kitchentable2

 

We’re Officially Canadian!

CIMG8214AMARULA: We landed on a cold October 31st day here in Canada! (By the way, what is this thing you call Halloween!? We didn’t have that in South Africa! My human better NEVER try to make me wear a costume or she will personally learn what a scratching post feels like!).

 

The trip was hell and boy are we happy we landed safely. I, Amarula, got a carrier all to myself but that poor sap Biltong (aka Billy) had to travel in a carrier with his much-too-talkative brother Zulu! Ha ha!

carrier
My very own carrier

 

I can’t help but think it was Sandra (aka human, aka mom) who added “Precious” to the KLM Cargo tag! Naturally I find such displays of human emotion silly and certainly beneath a feline but one can’t argue with the truth of her addition.

Precious cargo indeed!
Precious cargo indeed!

 

I am off to explore my new Canadian domain!

letmein

Those nincompoop kittens can do nothing more than fall into each others arms and nap the minute they arrive at their new home. Clearly they are not the brains of this operation! Inarguable proof that stray cats are so much better than pure-breeds!

All cuteness and no brains! That's why I'm the leader!
All cuteness and no brains! That’s why I’m the leader!

Hair Balls and Hissy Fits: the Cats Are Coming to Canada!

snow

Amarula: Our human has informed us we are leaving South Africa soon to return to her native territory of Canada. The journey on a great metal winged bird (that apparently can’t even be eaten!) does not sound enjoyable. We plan to poo every hour in our kennels to show our displeasure (though I can’t help thinking that may be more unpleasant for us then for her). She says she thinks we will like it there, though I, as the sole outdoor cat among the three of us, am wary of this white, fluffy substance she describes as “snow.” She also speaks of temperatures that go BELOW zero. Clearly she is insane.

 

kittensandcharlie1
A most patient basset hound

 

We all still miss our beloved basset Charlie. Despite being a canine, she was a good companion and, best of all, her ears kept us really, really warm.

 

kittensandcharlie2

kittensandcharlie3

 

Off to CANADA!

We will let you know when we arrive!