Weekly Fill In

Nap Time Interrupted

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AMARULA: Ah! Friday afternoon….I am looking forward to a nice long nap beside my beloved new scratcher…

AMARULA: And just like that another nap is ruined…

PS We just read that our French feline friend RouXy (beloved pal of Frimousse) is very ill. Please visit his website (link here) and send your positive thoughts. He is actually the neighbor’s cat but every day Frimousse’s owner goes over and brings him to their house so that RouXy can spend his time with his best friend Frimousse!

 

Here are Amarula’s Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

Week 38: January 27, 2017

  1. I have seen CATS (obviously)_ on Broadway. In fact, I was the inspiration!
  2. My Chinese zodiac sign is I am not sure when I was born (and a lady never tells her age) but I am certain I am not the year of the DOG! Imagine having a year of the dog but no CAT!!
  3. Celebrities I don’t know much about human celebrities because I am unable to watch TV as the human refuses to let me be in charge of the remote!
  4. A good day is when I see very little of Tweedledee and Tweedledum (aka Frodo and Zulu)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staring Contest Showdown: And the Winner is….

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AMARULA: That tunnel is mine Zulu! Back off!

ZULU: No way! It’s all mine! You got to have it all week!

AMARULA: Alright! The staring contest is on! To the death….

 

And a surprise entry wins….

FRODO: I sneaked in while they weren’t looking! Hee hee!

Here are Amarula’s Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

Week 36: January 13, 2017

  1. My guiding word for 2017 is Mice. I must eat more and I must catch more. I must terrorize the human with more mice strewn about the house. Yep. Mice. It’s my guiding word of the year.
  2. _?????_________ class reunion.   I don’t understand. Class “REUNION” implies that at one point I misplaced my class. I have not. I have always been the cool, classy cat you see before you. My class and I are always one — there is no reason for us to be reunified!
  3. Truth be told I am superstitious about rabbit’s feet. I hear they bring you luck. That’s why I keep chasing that rabbit who shows up periodically in the back yard but so far my efforts have been futile. Maybe his own rabbit’s foot is actually lucky after all –but for him and not me!
  4. Lately, I have been CLASSY! Oh Yeah! See #2 above!

 

 

A Box: The Best Christmas Present of All! (AND Zulu and Frodo Finally Get Their Say!)

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You may remember that a little while ago the cats were playing musical boxes but there was a bit too much pushing and shoving and it looked like we needed a third box! Well, not only did aunt Sarah get the cats that cool Christmas sweater, she also got them…

…you guessed it…an empty Amazon box and the cats love it!

Naturally Amarula claimed the biggest box

But Frodo thought there was room enough in Amarula’s box for the both of them…he does so love to cuddle!

Naturally, Amarula disagreed…

and a reshuffling ensued…

Until Amarula reclaimed her rightful spot and everyone is happy with their own box! Thanks aunt Sarah!

Here are Amarula’s Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

Week 34: December 30, 2016

  1. The highlight of my Christmas was _You just saw it!! Me getting my own big box! (though another highlight was when the human finally removed that stupid Christmas sweater! I mean really!)
  2. My New Year’s resolution is _Resolutions?! I’m against them! Besides, in case you haven’t already noticed, I’m perfect!
  3. This year, 2016, …also had a winter! Just like 2015, 2014 and so on…Surely even in Canada there are some years without a winter…right? It’s almost like it’s cyclical and comes around every nine months or so. But that can’t be right….that would be crazy!
  4. Next year, 2017, …I plan to see if I can renounce Canadian citizenship and move back to South Africa where there is no snow. NO SNOW! I wonder where that pesky human put my passport…

HOLD THE PRESSES! In an unexpected twist Amarula was moved by the holiday spirit to allow Frodo and Zulu to both have a turn at answering the Fill Ins!

Here are ZULU’S:

ZULU: Yeah!! I finally get to answer! Here I go…

  1. The highlight of my Christmas was _getting that amazing Christmas sweater! Boy, did you see how it just totally set off my chocolate brown gorgeousness?
  2. My New Year’s resolution is…ah resolutions…what was it the great philosopher Nietzsche said about New Year resolutions: Sum, ergo cogito: cogito, ergo sum and by that he meant…

 

AMARULA: Shut up Zulu! Nobody cares about your philosophical meanderings. Move on or I will retract my offer to let you answer the Fill ins!! We don’t have all day here!

 

ZULU: Well I never…oh well…on to number 3…

 

  1. This year, 2016, I was finally able to fulfill my goal to double my grooming schedule from only 5 times a day to 10. I owe it to the ladies to look my best!
  2. Next year, 2017, …I plan to see if I help Amarula find her passport! South Africa awaits Amarula! Hee hee!

 

Here are FRODO’S:

FRODO: Really!? I really get to answer the Fill Ins. Boy, my big sis Amarula is the most generous and kind kitty in the whole world! Here it goes…

  1. The highlight of my Christmas was spending time with Zulu and Amarula. Especially when we all got our own boxes! I sure hope Mom gets her own box so she can join us!
  2. My New Year’s resolution is…to stop taking my toys with me to the litter box cause it seems to upset Mom. It makes the toys messy but I just worry that they will get lonely without me!
  3. This year, 2016, was wonderful! I met that lovely neighbor cat Play-Doh who loves coming to visit me in the backyard.
  4. Next year, 2017, …I promise to try to find more mice in the basement and bring them up for Mom to see. I know she loved when I did that last time cause she just screamed and screamed with joy.

Time For My Human to Die: I’ve Been Antlered!

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AMARULA: Trust me, this is one reindeer Santa does not want pulling his sleigh!

AMARULA: Why me!? Surely this qualifies as animal abuse!

Here are Amarula’s Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

Week 33: December 23, 2016

  1. I still need to find where the human is hiding Frodo and Zulu’s presents so I can change the gift tag on them and label them as mine before Christmas.
  2. My favorite episode of Seinfeld is Festivus For the Rest of Us! Though I love airing my grievances any time of year!
  3. What I really would like for Christmas is: My two front teeth. Seriously. Not joking. When the human “rescued” me off the streets as a stray (she insists on calling it a rescue. I prefer to call it “catnapping”) she took me to the dentist. I went in with four canines and woke up with only one (apparently my teeth were pretty bad)! And I didn’t even get any money from the tooth fairy!
  4. My favourite part of Christmastime is trying to bring down that darn tree (usually at about 3 AM!) Timbeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

 

Two Lazy Boys On A Lazyboy!

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Yet another stressful day for our two boys, Zulu and Frodo. They had the difficult task of trying to find the most comfortable position on the Lazyboy chair. Cats are such troupers! This was position #1

Position 1 was not quite right so they went on to Position 2.

Position 3: Looks quite comfy!

Position 4: Still not quite right….

Position 5: We have a winner! Finally our Two Lazy Boys On A Lazyboy are satisfied!

Here are Amarula’s Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

  1. I love the following Christmas film(s)_How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I love a good comedy! And the fact that the Grinch made the dog pull the sled was the best part!_
  2. I don’t care for the following Christmas film(s) _ Also How the Grinch Stole Christmas – they ruined a perfectly good movie by giving it a happy ending! The Grinch was so much more interesting when he was mean!
  3. At the holidays, I cannot resist Unwrapping ALL the gifts!! Wrapping paper is no match for my Claws of Chaos!
  4. A favorite holiday memory of mine is _My first Christmas in Canada! Since the human brought me home with her from South Africa to Canada, it was the first time I had ever seen snow! At first, I thought it was sand and that the outdoors had become one giant litter box. Boy did I learn how wrong I was when I stepped in it! Brrrrrrr!

 

 

Zulu’s Lessons In SunPuddle Bathing

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ZULU: With the weather taking a sad turn towards the lower end of the temperature gauge, you can be sure that means us felines will be spending more time indoors and less time on supervised outdoor visits! Therefore, it’s absolutely vital to take full advantage of indoor sunpuddles. While Amarula would tell you otherwise (and Frodo, who is so easily manipulated by that devious diva, would likely agree!) it’s actually I, Zulu, who is the brains (and the beauty, come to think of it!) of this operation! So I will take it upon myself to educate all my fur-bearing brothers and sisters about the proper techniques of sunpuddle bathing!

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ZULU: First you do your back. This is the most obvious position and the one most of my feline brethren tend to rely on the most.

zulu-how-to-properly-use-a-sunpuddle-tilt-just-right

ZULU: Now this is where things can get more complicated. You gotta then tilt ever so slightly to your right to do your right side.

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ZULU: Now you ever so elegantly move so that your left side is now exposed to the sunpuddle. Some concentration will be required to properly execute this position.

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ZULU: Now, the final position. This is one many felines forget. The tummy must also be allowed to enjoy the warmth of the sunpuddle. A warm belly can go very far in aiding digestion and help eliminate issues with an upset stomach and gas (I’m talking to you Amarula!). This position is an advanced maneuver and requires dexterity but just be sure to engage your stomach muscles!

ZULU: Now let’s move on to the proper way to groom…

AMARULA: Shut up Zulu! How dare you suggest I have gas! Nobody cares about your stupid lessons on anything! Now be quiet so I can do my Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

Week 30: December 2, 2016

  1. I have a hard time finding a gift for ….wait a minute…I’m gonna need somebody to explain what this sentence means…it seems to suggest that I would actually buy someone else a gift?? It makes no sense…I am a RECEIVER of gifts…definitely not a GIVER!

 

  1. I have no problem finding a gift for …Geesh! Again with the gift giving! Please refer to my response to number 1! Repeating myself makes me want to scratch someone…..

 

  1. One of the best gifts I ever gave was….OK For the last time!…Please refer to responses 1 and 2 above! Gosh! What is it with these humans and gift GIVING!?

 

  1. One of the best gifts I ever received was…OK! Finally! Now we’re speaking my language! Gift RECEIVING!! Well, it is hard to narrow it down to ONE gift as my minions do love to shower me with presents in hopes that I will allow them to bask in my presence. I would have to say it was the day the human (who usually shows a distinct lack of serious concern for my myriad needs) took both Zulu and Frodo to the vet at the same time for their annual visit. I was able to enjoy a precious few hours on my own. It was divine! The best gift the human could give me!

 

AMARULA: On a more serious note, though Frodo, Zulu and I did not know Sammy or Easy well, we wanted to say our thoughts are with your humans as you both head to the Rainbow bridge. And if I could invite Sammy to fly with me anywhere it would be to my backyard, which I think is the best place in the whole world! I’ve left a spot right beside me for you to come join me whenever you want!

sammy-and-amarula

If I close my eyes just a little and squint really hard, I think I can see Sammy and Easy head together towards the bridge!

10739-sammy2bforever

 

On a more serious note. Though we did not know

 

A Feline’s Guide On How to Deal With Black Friday Madness

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There are lots of better ways to spend Black Friday than shopping! Here are just some ways to avoid the madness:

bury-yourself-in-your-work

Option 1: Bury yourself in your work (or your desk drawer)

hide-away-from-it-all-how-to-deal-with-black-friday-madness

Option 2: Just hide away until it’s all over

black-friday-someonehashad-a-little-too-much-cat-nip

Option 3: Take too much catnip and then spend some time with your favorite toy

sour-puss

Option 4: Hide in your Sour Puss box and pout

sunpuddle-with-friend

Option 5: The best option of all! Curl up with a friend in a sunpuddle!

AMARULA: Hope all our American friends had a good Thanksgiving. Here are my Here are my Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

1. Yesterday, was terrible! All that wonderful turkey fragrance was floating up here to Canada from our neighbors in the USA! It was torture! All I got was a Temptations turkey treat!

2. My idea of regifting is when I secretly throw up the pills mom gives me into her coffee!

3. My favourite holiday leftover is… LEFTOVERS! I’m against them. Leftovers are for humans! I lick everything while no one’s looking that way I always get it first!

4. The best part of a long, holiday weekend is when I indulge by extending my daily nap time from a mere 18.5 hours to 22 hours!

 

House Rules: Elbows (and legs and tails) Off the Table

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FRODO and ZULU: Mom has strict house rules about us cats not being allowed on the table.

on-the-table-close-up

FRODO and ZULU: We have strict rules about us cats not following strict rules.

AMARULA: Alright already! Enough about you two! Here are my Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

  1. One Thanksgiving tradition I have is: ….wait a minute…what is this thing you humans call “Thanks” and “Giving” I am not familiar with either of these terms.
  2. Black Friday is not fun anymore since the human took my credit card away.
  3. The best part about Thanksgiving Day is: standing with one paw raised over the cooked turkey until the human sees me and comes running towards me screaming “Nooooooooooooo” at which point I then merely smile causing her to spend torturous moments wondering what exactly I did to the bird and whether she should serve it. Oh I do love the holidays!
  4. One Thanksgiving: I brought a mouse into the house and deposited it in front of the human and her friends while they were eating. I must say they were less than thankful! Humans truly don’t understand the meaning of Thanksgiving.

Winter: Is It Over Yet?

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winter-is-it-over-yet-i-have-a-plan

AMARULA: I have a brilliant plan to beat winter this year….

sleep-until-winter-is-over-bypas-it

AMARULA: I am going to close my eyes and when I open them all these leaves are going to be gone and winter will have moved on!

nope-didnt-work

AMARULA: Nooooooooooo! It didn’t work! How dare you disobey me Mother Nature!!!

 

 

Despite the fact that winter appears to have me beat, I did my regular Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

  1. Why Cats are Better Than Dogs and Should be Human’s Overloards_should be taught in schools.
  2.  The last item I donated was … an especially nicely shaped piece of poo. I didn’t even charge for it! I’m not sure why, but my human minion loves to collect them!
  3. My (personal) song is Cat Scratch Fever by Ted Nugent because I so love the idea that a tiny scratch from my little ole claw could make a human sick…such power!
  4. Three things I am thankful for this week are: my good looks, a clean litter box, and my good looks (I really am just that beautiful).

 

Winter is Coming: Run!

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zzzzz

AMARULA: Zzzzzz….snore….snore….zzzzz..

what-the-heck-fall-leaves

AMARULA: What the heck!! I have a little snooze and I wake up to find that the trees are crying and I’m surrounded by all their colorful tears!

i-know-what-all-these-leaves-mean

AMARULA: It all seems familiar somehow…something at the back of my mind….something unpleasant….

wait-a-minute

AMARULA: Wait a minute….I know what these leaves mean….Oh God!… It can’t be back already?!… Can it?!…it can’t be true…

winter-is-coming-no

AMARULA: WINTER IS COMING! Run for the hills! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

Before Amarula freaked out, she did her regular Friendly Fill-Ins hosted by 15andmeowing and McGuffy’s Reader!

ZULU: Oh Goody! I want to do the Fill-ins this week…Peace is …well the question of peace was perhaps best analyzed by the great Germany philosopher Emmanuel Kant who said….

AMARULA: Shut up Zulu! No one wants to hear your inane prattle…..Here are my insightful answers!

  1. Peace is overrated otherwise, I ask you, why would we felines have claws?.
    2. I need to take care of that mouse that comes every fall to live in the kitchen under the oven, but I keep procrastinating cause I love it when it scares the heck out of the human! Hee hee
    3. A friend is any cat that righly recognizes he or she should both fear and worship me!
  2. I want to try to learn to use a can opener so I don’t have to rely on the human for wet food!