Back where he belongs

Although looking a little "rough around the edges" - 

notice the shaved paw -

Bandito snoozes in one of his favourite spots, 

behind me on the armchair while I watch television.

Angry

So, as you can imagine, all of last weekend's vet activity for our Bandito landed up costing a fair bit. So, in a feeble attempt to save money (fool that I am), I thought I would buy discounted flea meds on the net. I found a nice site called True North Pets - a very nice looking site indeed, and being no newbie to online shopping I saw no red-flags to warn me. After well over a $100 spent, already taken from my credit card, nothing has arrived. So - I have called - and faxed -and called again, and faxed again, and emailed many times. Nothing! By accident I found a blogger who has experienced the same scam. Argh!! Here is a screenshot of their site:

BEWARE!!!! STAY AWAY FROM THIS SITE!!

This Morning

Happiness is - waking up to the wet kisses our Sweeto Bandito! Yes! Our Sweet Baboo came home last night! Of course he needs much careful monitoring, but he seems more alert and, dare I say, healthy. When not up and about and kissing us, he does look sort of "out of it" - but then again, he is a senior fellow, and has been through a lot these past few days. Cat Wrangler was thrilled to report, that his morning routine with Bandito was resumed after many weeks of absence: into the bathroom, and rolly-polly's on the tile floor, whilst getting many belly rubs. A sure sign of improvement. The blood test, I am happy to report, revealed no deadly disease, so, it is the diabetes that needs to be watched. But you see, we are English in a French province.  Our regular vet is on holiday and knows a fair bit of English, alas, his colleague speaks almost none - luckily Cat Wrangler knows the language far better than I. But still - we always fear that something has been "lost in translation", so to speak. As I always say, ask several times just to make sure we got it right.

A big, BIG thank you to all you wonderful bloggers that sent so many "good vibrations" our way - so many warm and hopeful thoughts that I think some snow actually melted :)  We all slept well last night.

Stable but Not Home

Our Bandito is still at the vet, poor baby. He was still unstable on Saturday, and he was kept through today, at which time we are awaiting an update, and hopefully he comes home today. Here he is with that wonderful "is that a can opener I hear?" expression on his face:


And one of my very favourite photos of him:

In the Valley

It is here again. The shadow of death. Bandito, the lovely fellow featured in the banner above - was found convulsing this morning and was rushed to the vet. It took 2 vets and 2 technicians to stabilize him. He is perhaps 13 or 14 years old, (a rescue of course), and is also diabetic for over two years now. But the vet called this afternoon and said he is very unstable - blood sugar going from very high to very low very fast. And he had another seizure. We are waiting for another call back this evening.

Heralding Spring

Whilst Amaryllis are definitely a festive season treat, many continue to bloom through winter and into spring,and they give me that much needed boost during the cold and snowy months....Here is the delightful Apricot Parfait 

Santiago - hot and zesty!

Spotlight - delicate and picoteed...


A very short-scaped Lady Jane:there must be a problem inside the bulb since the scapes were only a sad 2 inches tall! But the blooms were huge and gorgeous.


A fluffy and handsome Manitou!!

Garden window parade of beauties.

Cybister variety: Bogota - very exotic - the anthers are spectacularly long - and red.

4th scape on the charming Charmeur!Four scapes are really rare - three is usually amazing enough.
Apricot Parfait bathing in the afternoon sun.



This basket was going to the basement...Can't let a good basket go to waste thinks Mr. Poole, and no matter how many shots I took, he refused to open his eyes.Don't worry - I didn't take too many.


Santiago. I really love this one.
Tending the amaryllis every day gives me the feel of a little gardening:checking the health of the bulb, removing dry bits, and of course the endless rotation as they lean toward the light. The spent bloomers also go a little "backstage" while the blooming plants take center stage at the "window garden". This past weekend we received over 25 cm of snow - so having these blooms are extra special with that backdrop of a winter wonderland.

And we close with the ever lovely Apple Blossom.
Thanks to all who have commented on previous posts, and sorry for delay in posting them - I kind of forgot.

Winter Scenes

Well, winter is here good and proper...

what is there to do?


"Oh goody:  a box - I am soooo excited" Chaiyka is giddy with excitement, can't you tell?
Zzzzzz........

Manitou prays to the penguin gods....




While Tristan dreams of what? A white Christmas? Na - he's already white! ;)


Manitou looks away from the wintry scene...maybe when he looks back, all that white stuff will be gone....



Nope.


Sigh.

Images of Christmas Past

I found this lovely vintage postcard on ebay toward Christmas. How perfect - my two passions, cats and amaryllis.

Mr. Poole and Manitou are transfixed by something.

Manitou displays his majestic ruffle - all in all, he has floofed out tremendously. And he sure needs the extra warmth today - it is -30!


Little hallway tree.


Rascal the refugee takes comfort from the frigid outdoors.


Longfellow in one of his favourite poses: belly-up!


Living-room tree: good-bye until December 2012.


Manitou surveys the remains of the holiday.





Visitor Noomi loves to have a quick warming boost on the floor heating grate.Clever kitty!

Happy New Year!

Well, I am very late with an update and best wishes for all for 2012, but sometimes over the holidays, one is so busy doing nothing, there is not time to do anything else! ;)  Anyway, here it is Sunday afternoon, and rather than wake up the puddies with some much-needed vacuuming, I am relaxing watching the snow fall lightly, and enjoying the last days of the Christmas tree. I always hate taking everything down - it seems like I just put it all up! All seems warm and cozy, and I suspect the tree will still be here next weekend - breaking my Epiphany rule/deadline. As I write, Chaiyka, pictured above, sleeps in heavenly peace with his little pals that double as pillows. Seeing that face, would YOU start the vacuum?? I think not!

Winter Wonderland - Finally

Alas I did not have my camera today, and my cell-phone is far from smart - rather dumb in fact! We awoke this morning to a winter wonderland, and it finally looks festive, although the temperature is dropping as I write, and will be very cold by the time I leave the office: minus 8 Celsius or 17F. Brr!
When it gets dark - it will look like this.
I just LOVE this image! Jesse Barnes of course.

Anyway, it is the last day of work - this is the view from my office which has glass walls. Every year, I put up this little tree - much admired by all who drop in I must say, but today, so far, and the day is almost over, no one has come by.
But I am keeping merry with Christmas music and Christmas goodies.
Those Baileys candies sure hit the spot! :)

And here is a festive vintage image of yours truly, very much from the long ago taken with one of those old-fangled cameras - I like that slightly fuzzy effect!
(And I thought I was fat! I wish I was fat like that now!)
Sigh.
How the years fly by.

I close with a cheerful image and with Christmas Greetings to all -
and best wishes for the new year!!
This was the featured kitty today on the lovely site:
"Cat of the Day".

Merry Christmas!!
And a Happy, Healthy New Year!!