Nice and toasty in here.... and dry...

(Left) Knock, knock... Callie (calico/white), are you awake!?  I'm not sure what that means Cal... are you almost asleep or almost awake?...
Any which way.. you're too cute in there!  This gorgeous little Miss sends out a hearty Meow to her folks in the (hopefully) sunny south... You left just in time... we almost got snowed in today!

 (Right) When she's not flying spaceships and airplanes.... our adorable Sookie (dark tabby) climbs treehouses for fun.. and exercise... Yes.. she's a busy girl.. she had much fun this weekend with all of her new friends... I can't get over how social she's got with the other cats... It's so much fun to see... Since Spike went home, she's been passing her days with Kenji a lot of the time... 

(Left) I wish I had already opened the camera shutter before I opened the first floor door to go to the 2nd floor on Sunday morning... I was greeted by more kitties than this.. every morning it's the same thing.. little furries scattered along the steps and many more walking along the over head ledge... We have big Beau (black/white), Sookie (dark tabby), Kenji (choc siamese), Caruso (black) and Percy (dark tabby/white) on the ledge... Also wish that the light had been on up there too.. 

 (Right) TessieWessie (dark tabby/white) came in for another visit.. she got to hang out with Suzie Q again.. They always have fun together.... In the corner, we find Monk (black/top bunk) and Twiggy (tortoise shell/mid bunk)... Twiggy just went home this afternoon... Monk and his brother Kenji are visiting once again.. They played well with Percy, Tess, Alley and Caruso... oh ya, and Miloshka.. Those boys go way back... It's gonna be a fun filled week ahead for all of them...

(Left) Speaking of Kenji (Siamese) and Caruso (black).... Kenji had Caruso and Ella (grey) cheering him on, this morning, while he tried to catch everyone some fishy goodness for dinner.... Oh boy!  Wait til I pick up our new Beta fish... this week... The cats will be camping out all night, to keep an eye on one of those... Should help to keep everyone out of trouble and sufficiently worn out.... Yes, cats DO snore sometimes...

Thursday February 24th... as we await our friends that arrive on the 25th...

(Left) Suzie Q (tortoise shell) climbed up into the big windows this afternoon, to join newbie Puss (fawn/white tabby) watch the snow flakes fall... Suzie Q is my chirpy little girl... she doesn't quite meow... she's got a whole style thing of her own goin' on there.... Our shy big boy Puss, just arrived yesterday.  He's doing fine, as long as I don't get too close to him, or he'll find a new spot to light... He's perfectly at ease with the other cats though... It's people he's a bit worried about... He's come a long way already, in a day... I predict being able to actually pet him by the weekend....

 (Right) Here's one big boy you don't have to outsmart, in order to get a little face time... especially if you've just woken him, like I had done here.... Parker (white/orange tabby) arrived again this week... Yes, we did see him a short time ago... but, he likes to 'stay current', and 'in the loop' when it comes to his friends.... OK!  Shhhh!  Dodos Parker....Dodos.... consider me just a dream.....

(Left) Sasha (grey/white tabby) and her fishies!  Oh boy.  It's a good think she doesn't have a fishing rod packed inside of that big fur coat with her, or else my little Zebra Danios wouldn't stand a chance!  This girl loves her fishies... I'll bet her mom & dad are enjoying some fishies on their trip, way south... I wonder what kind of fish they would come across at the southern tip of South America....I'll bet Sasha knows... I should ask her!

(Right) There he goes again.... our little orange charmer Eugene.... another fishman in the group... I guess he moved on from the fish tank and went to 'warm up' BigBird2 instead... If at first you don't succeed... Try, try again... right GenieBeans!?  This handsome boy went home earlier this week.... We look forward to seeing him the next time .... Hi to the folks!

Two more weeks and I'll be shovelling off my deck.... I can already feel springtime.

(Left) There's our gorgeous girl Naomi (dark tabby) again, hanging out with her orange & white, very quiet companion.... I think that's why she likes snoozin' in those corner bunk beds so much.... You're not likely to be disturbed awake by the neighbours... She and her sister Alley are doing great as usual.. making lots of friends, meeting everyone that pops in...

 (Right) You Go Miloshka (black)!  Our handsome boy here gets into his stop-drop & roll moods... usually in the morning... He doesn't necessarily want tunny scratches when he does this.. he's just getting a good stretch in.. and, it's fun to observe the world from upside down.. He & I wish his mom a wonderful holiday... don't forget the sun screen!

(Left) More big, charming black & white kitties... Beau arrived for the 2nd visit this week.  He is one big kitty.. although, I think he's actually lost weight since we last saw him.  He's a social marshmallow kitty.... soft on the outside,  sweet & gooey on the inside... He loves everyone... Many of the other cats followed him around a while, when he first arrived... He certainly has a 'presence' about him... Such a gentle cutie...

(Right) Crash (black/white) is also sweet and gentle, and he's a big boy in his own right.... but Beau still towers over most everyone... Crash & his brother are comfortable and relaxed as they await the latest news on their new home... Exciting times ahead for these boys!

More Ottawa Cats at their best....

(Left) Here are just a couple of our long weekend revellers.... Sookie (dark tabby) and Spike (black/white) were regularly seen playing and chasing each other around... In the spaceship, you'd often find one of them on the top deck, the other on the lower... These kids are young, active and playful.   Sookie is more of a people kitty but she took an early shine to our handsome Spikie...

 (Right) More gorgeous kitties.... Whippet (white/dark tabby) is scheduled to return home later today.  She did finally make her way from the lower kitchen cabinets of last week, into her favorite tree house... I know she's looking forward to seeing her mom again... the car ride though... that's another matter! 



(Left)  Oh Hi Twiggy (tortoise shell)... That's a new hang out for you my adorable girl!  Little Miss  Twiggy is visiting for the 3rd time, I believe.  She is at her most active in the morning... and is doing great with the other cats.  She's gotten very brave indeed, since her first visit.  She's such a cutie and loves her neck scratches...

(Right)  Another charmer.... Mr. D... aka Diablo (grey abysinnian) is such a schmooze... He gets schmoozier each time that he visits... I've known this handsome big boy for a number of years... 'How 'bout this... am I close enough?!  Can you see my gorgeous markings?  How about my striking Aby eyes?? Just want my family to know for sure that it's me!  Mr. D. sends out a big Hiya to his folks...You two have fun now!

Everybody loves Friday!

(Left) There's my handsome GenieBeans (orange/white tabby)...When Eugene is not supervising the fishies or BigBird2, he's getting his laps in, with all of his playful buddies... He and Spike always have fun together... and Miloshka is arriving today too.... Much raucous fun will be had this weekend!

 (Right) Well, I'm sure that if you ask our gorgeous girl Sookie (dark tabby) if I fed her today, she'd probably try to deny it!!! Just kidding... That one was for her dads!  Actually, this little Miss gets into her crazy mode in the morning, shortly after she's had breaky, and shoots around the room like a wild boomerang... She darted up these steps, ran back down, knawed on the end of the wooden trim for a second, then tore off across the room, in a black & brown flash... Btw... this cutie would never let me forget meal time... You too funny Sookie!

(Left) Yes, it's my shy big boy Mindy (grey/white tabby) again... This time he's hanging out with our little orange cutie, Dimitri..... Mindy has found another favorite spot now.... all open air and exposed like this... who woulda thought it!!  My handsome senior boy Dimitri has been playing musical pillows, since he arrived earlier this week... Both boys are getting to know each other.... Mindy likes to keep a keen eye on Dimitri's wet food, for him of course, at meal time...

(Right) Well, we were pleasantly surprised to hear that our charmer Spike (black/white) was arriving this week.... This athletic, social boy loves to stay busy.  He's such a trooper... His dad says that he likes going outside, each day, even in the chill of winter... Here's one kitty that can't wait for spring time... In the mean time, he'll keep his 'bird watching' skills honed.... until they can be put to proper use....

Communication is a gift.... these kitties know that...

(Left) Our handsome big boy Choufleur (orange/white tabby) was here two weekends ago and returned again this past weekend to see all of his buddies...  This little Mister isn't the least bit shy... he likes to make his presence known....I think he must've been a 'Town Crier' in a past life.... he's quite the orator....

 (Right) Sometimes, you just gotta give your head a rest....  Well Suzie Q (tortoise shell)... that wasn't quite what I was thinking... but, that works too.... Did you know that a cat likes you when they give you the side ways or upside down 'look' ... Depending on the cat, if you do this to them first, with your head, often they will copy you back.... Then, you're in!  Friends for life!

(Left) My handsome friends Crash (black/white, left) and his brother Siren (black/white, lower) returned again this week.  These charmers visited for the first time last summer... Crash is a bit more out going than his shyer brother Siren.... They are both gentle and sooo sweet...  They are still getting themselves sorted and meeting all of their new play friends....

You see folks... we get sunshine up here too, sometimes....

(Left) Yes, that's our gorgeous furry big girl Sasha (grey/white tabby) again.   She's back for another holiday... an even longer one this time.  This is her favorite snoozin' spot, when it's sunny outside.  She loves to help out as a people greeter.... She sends out a hearty Purr & Meow to her folks in the sunny south....

 (Right) Our handsome boy Chiefie Wiefie (dark tabby) loves this time of the day... Nothing like a good tear at the carpet, to try and sharpen those pointy digits again...Chief doesn't complain too much about having his nails trimmed a tad.. as long as I give him lots of opportunities to re-file them to perfection... Yes, yes... I didn't forget... you get another brushing before I leave for the day... I'm not worried.. you'll remind me again in a few hours....Another of my helpful helpers....

(Left) Little Miss Bean (black/white) loves her overstuffed pillows so much, she even continues to snuggle up on them, when they're naked... while the pillow covers are being de-furred, in the wash.... Habits & Rituals... where would we be without them?  Sounds like our adorable girl here may be returning home later today... late breaking news...sounds like our little girl is staying on for another night... Yah!

(Right)  Another dash of cuteness... Our girl Whippet (white/dark tabby) is most often found in the tree houses, in the back room... This visit though, she's re-discovered the lower kitchen cabinets... Could it be that this is her new favorite space from now on?!  Only time will tell.  This gorgeous kitty is doing great enjoying her vacation.... She hopes that her mom is having an amazing time on hers.... Hola! from Whippet!

Head pats and neck scratches all around!

(Left) There's my gorgeous girl Gingko Maria (black)..  Everyone was in such a playful, social mood this morning... even more than usual... It's quite uncommon for this little Miss to walk right up to me like this when I'm taking pictures.... I think she wanted to do a special cameo for her mom & family overseas... 'Can you see you?  I really think you can!'

 (Right) Another adorable girlie girl... Naomi (dark tabby) was giving herself neck scratches in between all the ones that I was giving her too, this morning... She and her sister Alley enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend with their furry friends...

(Left) 1, 2, 3... Gotta Go!  That's our little charmer Eclipse (black)... Always on the move, especially in the morning... He was lining up to jump into the airplane... just one of his favorite play structures...Actually, he's more inclined to climb into the plane through one of the long scratching posts... He's scheduled to go home later today...

(Right) Quick!  Look now!  There she is!  Our adorable Mindy (grey/white tabby) also took a break from hiding this morning to pop her too cute, little cheeks out, from under one of the beds... Mindy is most often camped out in the back of the room, where I keep it dark, for all of my 'invisible' kitties... Well!  Aren't we just getting so brave Min!  Well done!

Only a few more weeks til we switch our clocks ahead again....

(Left) Well, just as I was saying that Nikki (grey/white tabby) here, is seldom spotted off of her favorite pillows... Abracadabra.. there she is, in the spaceship... and, later that day, in the trains.. Our gorgeous girl has since returned to her top pillow, since Syam and Parker left earlier this week... She and Bean have been hanging out together ever since...

(Right) Another long time regular furry face... Mirette (calico)... aka, my little Tiger, is scheduled to return home this week... This adorable girl is a sun worshipper... She lays in the haybails, on top of the haybails, in the big sunny windows or in the Kitty Cabs, parked in front of the windows... where ever the sun happens to be... For those sunless, snowy days, she's usually found deeper into the back of the large room, getting cozy on one of the bunk beds...

(Left) One of my wide-eyed wonders.... Alley (dark tabby) is looking forward to the return of the longer, warmer days... She also adores the sunshine... almost as much as she likes BigBird1.  She and sister Naomi are looking forward to my new crazy playstructure on the first floor... Construction begins next week... They can't wait to see what it ends up looking like.. nor can I!

(Right) Whether Suzie Q (tortoise shell) is on the first floor or the 2nd, she's always trying to woo one of my Birds... 'No... BigBird2  is just as big a tease as BigBird1'  I know, Suzie Q.. Where's the fun in that!?  Yes.  But you probably wouldn't want to play with him, if he swung his big blue door open and walked up to you, right there on the floor.... Where's the challenge in that!?

Hip Hip Hooray! My business taxes are finally done...Time to live again!

(Left) Our handsome boys Parker (white/orange) and Eclipse (black) had fun on their holidays... Parker left earlier this week and Eclipse is staying on with his buddies 'til next week... Eclipse is very often photographed with another cat in the shot.... He does love to socialize...

 (Right) My gorgeous little ZarZarBean (white) is usually more interested in human or feline interaction than she is in BigBird1... but, this visit, I often spot her leaning across the bunk beds trying to make friends with her feathery companion... Zaria sends out a hearty Hello to her folks in the sunny south... See you both before too long....

(Left) There's our adorable girl Bean (black/white).  She arrived last week and settled very quickly into her favorite spot and favorite pillow.... This gentle, quiet little Miss loves attention, especially in the form of neck scratches..  She's such a cutie and does great with the other kitties... just like on her first visit last year.

(Right) Well, if ever I've seen a feline smile, our boy Tora (silver/white tabby) here, would certainly qualify... He's incredibly friendly this visit.. usually brushing up against my legs, anytime that he's on the floor... This hasn't always been the case with Tora... He's always been gentle but sometimes his fear of the unknown would make him a bit edgy, until he got settled.... Not this time... I have the white & silver fur around my ankles to prove it!

FFF 2011

(Above) There's our chatty boy ChouiChouChou (orange/white tabby) again.  He arrived this afternoon for a shortish stay this time.  He will be familiar with most of the other kitties that are B&Bing right now.  Always great to see you again Choufleur... He wishes a very Happy Birthday to his Grandma! MeowMeow 70!

(Left) Well, I can't really say that Syam (Siamese) loves meal time the most.... 'cause he's always munching away.. no matter what time of the day.  He's very happy to have Eclipse visiting this next while... The two boys play wrestle and follow each other around half the day.  I think Syam would like a little brother to hang out with.... What do you say mom & day?!  This social boy can't get enough interaction...

(Right) There's my girl!  Hi ZarZar..
My gorgeous Zaria (white) arrived again this morning... My playful little schmoozie girl here, is just getting settled in... She too knows most of the other felines that are currently in, from previous holidays... and Christmas even...Come to think of it... I think that all of the first floor kitties, with the exception of Chief, and Tora, who just arrived a short time ago, were also in over Christmas... They'll all want to catch up then... We'll leave them to it, shall we!

(Left) Slippers (orange/white tabby) went home before Christmas, last year... but Eclipse (black) was also in... These 2 handsome boys are incredibly social, people kitties... They were both due again for a bit of hangin' time, with the gang... It's always good to incorporate a bit of extra exercise during those snowy, cold months... everyone wants to be fit and trim for when the house flies re-emerge...

As our new guests get sorted....

(Left) Our handsome Baffie (white/dark tabby) and his sister Nellie bunny are leaving shortly.  This little cutie was very careful with my paperwork, while I was doing business year end tax stuff... He'd wander over to check on me... kinda like tip toeing through the tulips... such care!  Some cats want to help too much, by lying down in the middle of things and helping me re-organize the piles, by stretching out in my little paper mountains... Some... but, not this little guy!  He must've been an accountant in another life or something!

 (Right) There's my little Weifie (dark tabby), out and about, on tour... actually, he usually parks himself in front of the french door, at the end of the corridor, to watch Nellie bunny, in there.  I had a few Algonquin College students in at the start of this week... they were doing a school project on the B&B... We let Nellie bunny run about in the front hallway so that the students could interact with her more.. My boy Chief here, was delighted... although, not so much by the TV camera and 3 young men!  We send out a big Hiya to his dad in the sunny south.....

(Left) It's kinda fun to get a pic of Bandit (black/white) when she's not hiding out or hanging out in the lower kitchen cabinets... She went home earlier this week.  This kitty goes way back to my early days in business too... I think that this is the perfect chair for our little Miss... she isn't real keen on heights so you don't find her up in the play structures... this chair is much cozier than the beds in the cupboards... and that color.... it just brings out her eyes, don't you think?

(Right) More goregous girls.. Nikki (dark tabby/white) is usually in her favorite spot...  She doesn't wander about much when there are people around... but she sure gets a lot of company from Parker and/or Syam, who often frequent the big yellow pillow, on the lower level of this stair structure... Maybe that's why I don't see her wandering around much... that blue pillow is some prime real estate... It's seldom left unoccupied.... Monopoly anyone!?!

They say 15 cm today. I think I pulled that off my car at 9am today.. and still falling..

(Left) Yes, yes.  It's our dear handsome camera shy boy, Parker (white/orange)... This is his version of 'running and hiding' when the cameras come out.  My little ParkieParkie arrived again yesterday... just in time for his charming friend Eclipse, who is expected in today... These 2 boys usually manage to drop in on the B&B at the same time... There will be lots of catching up to do!

 (Right) Well, you're all familiar with the game LeapFrog... This would be Penny's (dark tabby/top) version of it... I guess she didn't want to displace Suzie Q (tortiose shell/lower), once she'd decided to climb down from the stairs, so she jumped right past her, onto the step below her.  Our girl Penny left earlier this week.  Suzie Q will be staying warm and dry with us for a few weeks more..  SuzieWuzie will also be happy to see Eclipse... He's such a playful, social guy.. I know that they'll have fun together...

(Left)  I think that it would be an opportune time to hook a plow onto the front of my big tractor... We'll need to teach Naomi (dark tabby) here, how to take the snow away from our front door... But first, she'll need a nice warm scarf, hat and mitts.... Has anyone got any spare goose down that we can use for a bit?!  We don't believe in fur-lined anything, around here... My little NaomNaoms is sleeping in the tractor a lot this week... it's cozier than sitting near the big windows.... until the sun comes back out again, that is...

(Right)  No, no Balou (dark tabby)... That's alright... I'll climb up to you... I'd prefer that you didn't scale the top of the door... Stay right where you are... breaky is on it's way!  This handsome charmer, my little BalouLou loves his height.... and, he can be a bit shy around strangers... It's good to see him again... He sends out a big Salut! to his folks enjoying the winter festivities in Carnival town.. Quebec City... I have quite a few people on their way there.... in the coming week...