Saving Seiko

Seiko Bear

2010-05-04T09:44:00.003-04:00

Seiko has many nick names like Seiki-Business, Snake-O (because she can be quite mean to the young kitties), and Psycho (see: Snake-O).

I also call her Seiko-Bear. She has gotten so dark (and a bit round) that she looks like a baby bear.

Last night I dreamed that I was watching a baby bear in a tree and when it fell off the tree onto my car - it was Seiko. She ran away and I had to hunt for her and finally found her in a feral colony. She came to me right away. Then I woke up to find her sitting on my pillow.

Happy Second Annipurrsary

2009-09-07T15:45:00.003-04:00

September 7, 2009

Little Bunny Seiko

2009-04-15T22:10:00.002-04:00

April 12, 2009

Little BunnySeiko

Hopping through the forest

Scooping up the field mice

And boppin' 'em on the head.

Hello Kitty

2009-02-24T22:40:00.006-05:00

February 24, 2009

Seiko gave me quite a scare Sunday. After I came home from church, we had some cuddles and then I did a bit of cleaning and laundry.

Around 5 p.m. I realized she was not supervising me as she is wont to do. (No wonder I was getting so much done.) I called her and she did not respond. Believe it or not she usually comes when called.

I looked high. I looked low. I looked in between. I panicked.

I had been to the basement and - worse out the back door several times. Could she have gotten out?

By that time I was shrieking her name hysterically. All the other cats had gone in hiding except for William who thought food might be forthcoming - he lives in constant belief that any movement of the human means food.

Then I heard the rustling of a plastic bag. There she was peeking out of a bag holding a coat destined for the local charity clothing closet. She had found a way to get in the center of the coat and was all toasty warm and quite irritated that I woke her from a nap. She was even more annoyed when I got her fur damp with tears and kisses.

Poor little freezing kitten needs a warm hiding/sleeping spot - so I bought her a Hello Kitty comforter to crawl under. It is warm. If I'm lucky she shares it with me at night.

Bet you can't find the kitty...

Hiding Place

2009-02-22T16:02:00.004-05:00

February 22, 2009

I found you!

Gratuitous Seiko Picture

2009-02-16T16:14:00.005-05:00

February 16, 2009

Learing some new techniques with Paint Shop Pro and practicing them on Seiko. She doesn't care as long as costumes are not involved. This was done with a mask layer to highlight her eyes.

Meowmie Pushes Her Luck

2009-01-08T20:32:00.008-05:00

Deck your cat in gay apparel!

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Put yourself in mortal peril!

Fa la la la la, la la la la.

(I am no longer allowed to shop post holiday sales in any store where they sell anything resembling pet costumes or clothing. All bags are inspected for "contraband" before I am allowed to enter the house.)

Elf This

2008-12-07T10:35:00.004-05:00

Potty Parity

2008-11-21T08:55:00.002-05:00

November 21, 2008

It seems that potty parity is the answer. Seiko does not like sharing the litter box with a stinky boy.

Please Meowmie, May I Have Some More?

2008-11-18T21:53:00.005-05:00

November 18, 2008

Please Meowmie, may I have some more? - Litter boxes , that is.

Well, Seiko is pissed (literally) with the addition of William a new rescue/foster . She has decided to make wee-wee on the sofa and bed in the room he frequents. I think she feels there are not enough litter boxes. Don't ask me how I know this, I just do. She looked at me and the idea popped into my head. So tonight I added two more boxes upstairs. She went right in the one and made big wee-wee.

If extra boxes do not resolve the problem, I will need to get her to Dr. Welch for a check up. That really should be the first thing anyone does when a cat stops using the litter box. Most litter box problems do stem from a physical cause - but I know my diva girl and am pretty sure this is psychological.

I think I'll crank up the Feliway Diffusers too.

Caption, Please

2008-10-28T21:17:00.002-04:00

October 28, 2008

This photo just begs for a good caption.

I wonder what she is saying.

I Am, I Am, I Am A Calendar Girl

2008-09-16T13:07:00.007-04:00

August 29, 2008

We are please to announce that Seiko has been selected to be Miss January in the Pets ALIVE Calendar Contest.

Thank you to everyone who voted and all those who support this program.

I love, I love, I love my calender girl
Yeah, sweet calender girl
I love, I love, I love my calender girl
Each and every day of the year

Calendar Girl
by :
N. Sedaka/ H. Greenfield

Wellness Exam

2008-08-06T12:45:00.007-04:00

August 2, 2008

It was time for Seiko's yearly check-up and vaccines. I couldn't get convenient appointment with the clinic we have used for so many years and time was getting short to update the rabies vaccine (I do not let that get out of date even by a day.)

I had always wanted Dr. Welch to give me an opinion on Seiko's legs and she had appointments available for Saturday morning, so we made the long haul drive to see Dr. Welch in Hilton Village.

Dr. Welch pronounced Seiko and even her legs perfect. Based on the photos I had, Seiko's current apppearance and ability to use her legs normally, and a very thorough orthopedic exam, she was of the opinion that the defect was caused by poor nutrition early in life. Good food and good care quickly remedied the problem. We even had Seiko walk around the room. I had hoped to impress everyone with her featherwand acrobatics, but by that time all she wanted to do was go home.

It was wonderful to see Dr. Welch again and it made me realize how much I missed having her treat my pets. I hate the drive, but it is worth it to have the reassurance that my pets are being treated with skill and compassion.

These Boots Are Made For Walking

2008-07-24T19:01:00.008-04:00

July 24, 2008

This isn't Seiko's best angle at all. She is going to be really really unhappy when she finds out I posted these photos for all the world to see ;)

But I have to show the dramatic change in her legs over the last year. I am totally amazed at how they have straightened out and how strong they are.

July, 2007

August, 2007

February, 2008

April, 2008

June, 2008

"These boots are made for walking and that's just what they'll do.
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you."
Composed by Lee Hazelwood

Wherein Seiko Stays in a Hotel

2008-07-22T22:22:00.004-04:00

July 11, 2008 - July 12, 2008

Seiko's Godmeowmy Tonya came to Virginia for a brief visit. Since time was short, Seiko and I stayed in a petfriendly hotel near the Richmond airport so Tonya could see Seiko before her flight out.

Seiko was less than impressed with the experience.

"Are you SURE this isn't the Bates Motel?????"

"At least you remembered to pack my toys."

"Can I get room service in there?"

"I think you're the psycopath, lady..."

"But... maybe I had better check..."

"Just in case there is another one lurking."

"Can we go home now?"

"Meowmy - a psycopath killer gotted mine toy."

"There's no place like home."

Seiko recognized Tonya immediately and made right up to her. Then something spooked Seiko and we did not see much of her for the rest of the visit, so we didn't get the reunion photos we wanted. But it was a good visit. Tonya is one-in-a-million. I look forward to getting to know her better.

Tonya and I rescued Seiko once, but Seiko rescues me every day.

Worth 1000 Meows

2008-05-20T12:53:00.003-04:00

Struttin' Her Stuff

2008-05-19T10:20:00.003-04:00

May 17, 2008

Chamberlin on the Bay Cat Fancier's Show

Four out of the six judges agree that Seiko is a Tonkinese - and has the most wonderful eye color they have ever seen.

For her part, Seiko really schmooozed judge #1 and gave kisses but only placed third. She must have been miffed about only placing third after all that effort so she was pretty pissy about the next three rings. She did not want to come out of the holding cage and clung to the wires with all her might. She got a fourth and two fifths in those rings. She did warm up again for the last two rings to take a third and finished the day with second place in the last ring. A respectable day for a first show - although we do not need judges or ribbons to know that Seiko is a pretty, pretty purrincess.

Daytona, a Siamese Rescue graduate, was the big winner taking "Best" in every ring. He knows how to work the crowd. A real showman.

Siamese Recue had a great booth.

Lots of other goodies to buy too.

Cat Sweet Perfume

2008-04-18T22:24:00.005-04:00

I am working on a scrapbook project and wanted to have "Seiko" written in Kanji charaters.

I found a really cool site that translates names:

http://www.yournameinjapanese.com/index.php

The translation may or may not be accurate but I love what it means ~ Cat Sweet Perfume.

Seiko Cat Alarm Clock

2008-04-12T16:57:00.003-04:00

April 12, 2008

You would think a human could sleep in on a Saturday. Apparently not. My little Seiko cat alarm went off shortly after the alarm clock normally would have.

Now, I don't mind the cold nose on the cheek, the gentle tap with a paw, the pleasant "Mruuuuuup?"... All very nice ways to be awakened.

I do, however, take great umbrage at Seiko playing freight train at O-Dark-Thirty and including my pillows -more particularly my face - in her route.

I'm still finding blood spots on the floor from my blind rush to the bathroom to see if my face had been ripped off.

Maybe I can tell everyone I was in a cat fight.

Meowmy's So Long at the Show

2008-03-30T19:28:00.005-04:00

March 29, 2008

Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Dear, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Meowmy’s so long at the show.

She promised to buy me scrapbook to please me

And then with a bug, oh, she vowed she would tease me

She promised to buy me a bunch of ‘nip knotties

To tickle my bonnie brown toes.

Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Dear, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Meowmy’s so long at the show.

She promised to bring me a pillow of fake-furry

A feather so tickly, a feather so fuzzy

A little 'nip pillow, a mouse rolly-bally

To tickle my bonnie brown toes.

Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Oh, dear! What can the matter be?
Meowmy’s so long at the show.

Seiko's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2008-03-27T11:17:00.011-04:00

March 26, 2008

She is a walking work of art in her dazzling coat of many colors. How we love that coat of many colors. It is red, yellow, green, brown, scarlet, black, ocher, peach, ruby, olive, violet, fawn, lilac, gold, chocolate, mauve, cream and crimson and silver and rose and azure and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and blue.

Adapted from:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

By:

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

A Little Adventure

2008-03-17T13:08:00.005-04:00

March 16, 2008

Seiko had a little adventure - taking her first ride in her rolling pet carrier. (I had gotten one for free by saving up points) Inspite of the bumpy ride she loved being at eye-level with the squirrels and flowers in the back yard. She was less impressed at being so close to the cars when we went on the street. Even so, she happy-chattered the whole time. Once back in the house, she went around telling each and every one of ther brothers and sisters about what she saw, smelled, and heard.

I may have to spring for the "real thing" and get her a fancy pet stroller.

Seiko finds a Stink Bug

2008-02-07T21:21:00.002-05:00

February 2, 2008

Seiko is a spectacular hunter. So far, since September, she has dispatched the one and only mouse foolish enough to enter the house in 12 years, numerous bugs and as my dad called them "ungeziefer". One night her prize was a stink bug which earned her a mouthful of stink bug juice and a stab from its beak. I had to chase her through every room in the house so I could confine her and watch for any worse reaction. They are not poisonous but she was drooling a twitching horribly at first. She was perfectly fine and normal after about an hour later (the initial reaction lasted less than two minutes) but I was very close to getting her to the vet immediately -never mind that I was in night clothes and robe.

She has her eye on the wild turkey that visits the yard frequently. She sits at the window and chatters at it. I know she is saying "I want to eat you - you big plump turkey you." She does weigh about 7 lbs now but that turkey is huge. Of course the lot of them could bring it down as a group effort...

And the Cats Came Back

2007-11-22T15:01:00.003-05:00

November 1, 2007

Frosty and Tigger are back. Their adopter could not keep them due to an illness in the family. I'm glad she honored the promise to give them back to me if she ever could not care for them. I gave them back the names they had first with me - Mia Meows for the gray torbie and Kira (I called her Ears when she was wild) for the longhaired brown tabby.

They settled in pretty well and although they did not really remember Meesha and Seiko, they integrated pretty quickly. All three of the ferally sisters were skittish, but Seiko has shown them that humans are OK and how to be a house cat. With her example, Meesha has turned into a love-bug and Kira should follow that lead quickly. Mia may take more time.

Vet Visit

2007-11-22T14:36:00.002-05:00

September 14, 2007

Seiko visited her vet for a quick check up and some booster vaccines. Neither of us were very impressed with the vet - but then she did have one major strike against her - she wasn't Dr. Welch.

We miss Dr. Welch. She is the only vet I trust implicitly. I had been her client for eight years and it is hard to build the same doctor-client relationship again with someone else. There was some kerfluffle between her and management and poof! - she was gone. Practicing in the Newport stinkin' News because of a no compete clause in the contract. Newport News might as well be Outer Mongolia because it is impossible to make that drive with a screaming cat in the car.

Seiko hated being in the carrier. Fortunately I had taken her feather wand along so we played with that while we waited.

Seiko hollered the entire ride home. Where she learned all those cuss word's I don't know but she can swear with the best - or maybe it was a commentary on my driving.

Ferally Sisters

2007-11-22T14:19:00.005-05:00

September 12, 2007

While in the process of rescuing Seiko, I became aware of three kittens in addition to an adult cat the woods behind my office building. With the help of an intrepid trapper we were able to catch the three kittens. The adult still eludes us.

The girls were healthy and were spayed on the PETA SNIP van. They also received their initial vaccines. The girls came home with me for socialization. Two were adopted out after a week and the black kitten named Meesha stayed here to be Seiko's playmate

The Road Home

2007-11-22T10:43:00.002-05:00

September 7, 2007

I was eager to get home - and to get out of the parking garage. Seiko had quite a few comments about the ride in the elevator to the top of the parking garage and the ride to street level. Once we escapedthe labrynth, I decided we should make a short rest stop in the Garden Ridge parking lot where I usually meet other drivers on a Meezer Express run.

Seiko was happy to use the litterbox and wanted to explore the car. She had a small drink, but had no interest in food. Once she was ready to go back in the carrier we took to the road again.

The remainder of the ride was quiet. Seiko was worn out from her journey and slept most of the way.

We were home in less than an hour. I took Seiko to my bedroom where I intended to keep her isolated for several days and gradually introduce her to the rest of the Wayward Cats.

Unfortunately Sunny and Simon had different ideas and marched right on in.

Seiko made herself right at home. Within minutes she had met Simon, Sunny, Pooky and Kitty a/k/a Fat Tortie, explored every thing and claimed it all as her own. She surprised me with leaps and acrobatic jumps. Her legs were stronger and better than I ever hoped for.

Seiko Express

2007-10-27T23:13:00.001-04:00

September 7, 2007

The big day was finally here. I woke up counting the minutes until meeting Seiko & Tonya at the Richmond airport. It hadn't seemed real until then - probably a defense mechanism to protect my heart if something went wrong.

Tonya called once they cleared security at the airport. By then Seiko had a legion of admirers, charmed by her blue eyes and sweetness.

My car was loaded with a carrier, litter box, food, water, toys - anything a kitten might need after a long plane ride. And some special gifts for Tonya. I headed out for the hour drive to Richmond. I had never been to that airport before, though I have passed it many times on Meezer Express runs. The road to the terminal is confusing the signs are poor and the construction does not help. I made several wrong turns before finding the entrance to the parking garage. Once in the garage I there was no place to park except for the top level - somewhat scary because it is so high - but anything for a meezer princess.

I had some time to wait and by the time the plane arrived everyone in the waiting room had inquired about the empty carrier and knew Seiko's story.

And then they were there - finally. Tonya was everything I expected. - warm, kind, absolutely wonderful. And Seiko was everything and more than I expected. She was a good size too - I was expecting itsy-bitsy based on her trouble gaining weight. She was totally calm and composed even in the middle of an airport.

I think everyone falls in love with her instantly - her personality is so evident in her face. She knows no strangers and is afraid of nothing.

Several people wanted to know "how they could get an cat like that." Fortunately Tonya had some Siamese Rescue pamphlets to hand out.

It was obvious that Tonya and Seiko had really bonded in the time they were together. We exchanged paperwork and gifts and parted amid tears.

Who are You & Where are We Going?

2007-10-27T22:53:00.001-04:00

September 5, 2007

Early morning Tonya took to the road - beginning the 500 mile round trip to pick up Seiko.

Meanwhile Seiko got her vaccines and health certificate and adoption fees are paid.

Tonya arrived at Kat Kamp and they were on their way - but not so fast...

Just as they were about to get on the interstate Tonya's phone rang - they had forgotten to give Seiko her microchip. Back to the shelter they went. Seiko was none too impressed with the process and made her displeasure known. It was our first indication that the little princess has a powerful set of lungs.

Finally I got the call that they were on the way home.

Spay Day

2007-09-02T16:12:00.001-04:00

Checking my e-mail on August 26 brought welcome news...

Seiko was on the way to be spayed. Pets ALIVE Spay/Neuter Clinic had the services of a top notch surgeon, Dr. Jerry Edington, that day. Although Seiko weighed only 2.25 pounds, they had decided to move forward because of his skill and experience.

Of course I spent most of the day anxiously checking my e-mail for updates. Its hard to be a long distance meowmy.

Finally I got the good news, Seiko was back at Kat Kamp and recovering nicely.

The last major hurdle was cleared. Seiko would be ready to travel east on schedule.

Kat Kamp

2007-09-02T15:58:00.002-04:00

Bloomington Animal Care and Control has a dedicated group of volunteers who, through the Foster Guardian Program, "provide temporary homes for companion animals who have special needs; need socialization; are youngsters under the age of 8 weeks; do not show well in a kennel situation, but are otherwise deemed adoptable; are purebreds awaiting placement in breed rescue; are in need of additional training to improve their chances of finding a life-long home."

Seiko was placed in one such foster home, under the care of a kind and witty woman named Martha, who refers to the foster home as Kat Kamp.

Under Martha's excellent care, Seiko began to blossom and gain weight.

Kittens Are Cuter When You Spay Or Neuter

2007-08-19T17:27:00.002-04:00

ASPCA - Early Spay/Neuter

"For years it was believed that the best age at which to neuter animals was six months. In the late 1970s, however, as animal shelters began to seek new ways to combat pet overpopulation, this belief was challenged. Shelter professionals realized that conventional neutering contracts didn’t work, and one obvious remedy was to neuter all animals before they were adopted. The controversy arose because many of these animals were considered to be too young to undergo surgery.

No conclusive controlled studies have ever been done to determine the best age to neuter dogs and cats. On the other hand, current research does show that spaying before the first heat prevents the development of mammary gland tumors. Since females can go into heat as young as four months of age, they should be spayed before then to receive that protection. Early-age, or pediatric, neutering is currently performed on animals who are six to eight weeks of age and who weigh at least two pounds."

Currently many animal shelters and most rescue organizations require that pets be spayed or neutered before they go to their new home.

As of July 25, Seiko weighed just over one pound.

Enter Tonya

2007-08-18T19:34:00.002-04:00

Seiko has a guardian angel. Her name is Tonya.

I had been able to find drivers for parts of the transport, but there were large gaps in the route - gaps hundreds of miles long. Plan "B" - using Pro Pet Transports, a professional ground transport company - also had some major flaws.

I had all but decided to give up when I received a private message on one of the cat forums I frequent. Tonya generously offered to pick up Seiko and board her until a satisfactory transport could be arranged.

Riding on the huge wave of hope, I re-faxed my application to the shelter. Just a few hours later the application was approved. Seiko could come to Virginia.

Waiting

2007-08-12T19:50:00.002-04:00

Making the decision to adopt Seiko was the easy part.

The hard part was getting a shelter in Indiana to approve adopting her to a home in Virginia.

I faxed the paperwork and waited. The shelter adoption counselor, I was told, would call me for an interview.

Meanwhile, I was scrambling to arrange transport. Since Seiko was not eligible for the Siamese Rescue Program, we would not be able to use Meezer Express which is without doubt the most organized, reliable, and generous group of transport volunteers. My hat is off to the Meezer Express Transport Coordinators. It is not easy to arrange transports - especially from the middle of Indiana to the coast of Virginia. I put out a plea for help on several message forums and the Wayward Cats crossed their whiskers.

48 hours went by with no contact from the shelter. I was getting cold feet. Even if I were approved to adopt - how would I be able to get her home...

Then a miracle occurred.

SiamList

2007-08-10T00:00:00.004-04:00

July 15, 2007, The SiamList ad read:

"Seiko, female, age 2 months, 1.14 pounds, chocolate point, applehead, has claws, indoors only.... will be spayed prior to adoption... Seiko is in good health, good appetite,excellent litterbox habits, though needs a short sided litterbox. She has a problem with her back legs that will prevent her from being taken into rescue but she can walk and run around fine, just a funny duck-like walk in her back legs. Future problems are possible but unknown at this time, no litterbox or mobility problems noted at this time. A delightful kitten with special needs...trying to place her privately as return to shelter will mean euthanasia since she has this deformity."

They each found me one way or another. A kitten going stir-crazy in his cage; a kitten with broken ribs; a shy unadoptable; the sick; the frightened; the starving. They are not perfect, but they are beautiful. And so it was decided that little Seiko would join my rag-tag band of Wayward Cats.