9..8...7...6..5..we Have Ignatius! Options

[IGNATIUS THE GRE...]

UGLY CAT SIGHTING!!!!!

Dear Friends and adoring fans! I want to share an experience with you. The picture below was taken by my Auntie, in near darkness.
Unlike us, I realize that humans do not see well in the dark, but maybe lightening this picture will reveal the horror I saw the other night.

I have seen, once in a while, cats come up on the deck, to gaze at me. (And who could blame them?)
They are usually visiting from nearby, and are willing to brave the coyotes in order to adore me.
As one would expect, I generally see a Better Class of Cat; One with impeccable taste, and a desire to share the limelight of my elegance.

This one, however was UGLY!

First, he has a coarse, wiry coat, unlike my velvety sleekness.
His tail was not one noble color, like mine, nor gently graded like Sam's.
No, this one had alternating light and black RINGS on it, so it looked like a fat SNAKE.
His EARS were too short, and his muzzle was stubby, with a black nose (Unlike MINE).
So ashamed of his appearance, yet wanting to bask in My glory, he felt he had to WEAR A MASK!

I may as well tell you the worst. The next morning it became clear that he was NOT EVEN LITTERBOX TRAINED!!!!

This neighborhood has has really gone downhill. I want them to sell the house and move.
Or if HE comes back, just burn it down and move away.

[Jon730]

Iggy, you are an indoor cat.

This is because I love you and I do not want you to take a journey through the digestive tract of a coyote.
Otherwise I would need to say you need to get out more.

First, if you REALLY look at that picture, there are other animals there, too, including one of the following.

That's right Son. It can get worse.

You had better get used to it.

[Jon730]

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Today is a day of mixed traditions here..Iggy, as the youngest, must be confused.

Iggy: "Why is this day unlike all others?"

BECAUSE THIS IS THE DAY YOU REALLY STAY OFF THE KITCHEN COUNTERS!

You are driving me crazy. I am trying to cook a full Christmas dinner. You WILL get some!
Later!

[Jon730]

This was my first Christmas in 12 years without Miles. She used to disrupt everything, and between her and Murphy, we had to give up having a real tree. They ate them, climbed them, and opened gifts not meant for them. (It was OK about the catnip toys..they got them first, of course.)

So rather than dwell on who was missing I fell back on my usual therapy of Iggy Pranks and jokes.

On March 16, 2009, a year and six days after Miles died, Iggy will be a year old. While it was fun watching him grow up, I am actually glad he is a cat now.
He has reached thirteen pounds.

I saw an ad on TV from one of those mints that makes special commemorative coins for any stupid excuse, such as the "Rutabaga Jubilee Week Collectible Investment Grade Anodized Aluminum Limited Issue Medallion", and decided it was a good idea.

The Ignatius Maximus Thirteen Pound Jubilee Edition!

"Just Four easy payments of $29.95-but WAIT! There's MORE!
Order TWO, and we will throw in the Miracle Dust Magnet Ultrasonic Flea Repeller,
AND
The Garden Magic Shredder, Dicer and Slicer FREE!"

Makes a GREAT GIFT!!!

Obverse:



And how like a cat, we have the Reverse:

[Furkidlets' Mom]

Jon, you are just too damn funny for anybody's good......... .......and Iggy is SO lucky to have you! And WE'RE just as lucky to have you HERE to amuse us as you do! (are you SURE you're not part of the alumni writers' group from SNL or something????) Man.....I'm STILL peeing my pants!

But do you mean to tell us that there are no pix of Iggy opening his presents?!?!?! Or adding to his personal goal of feline heftiness by raiding the larder???

Thanks SO much for the well-needed break from the season's inherent and abiding sorrow. I, for one, really needed that and yes, humour DOES help a lot in life. I'm sure there are a lot of us who would easily extend our heartfelt feelings about our kidlets to YOU, too, in saying "What would we do without you?!"

******************************************

But you forgot the 1-800 # to order one of these super, must-have coins of a lifetime that will NEVER, EVER be offered again unless we call RIGHT NOW!! And I simply CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT those fabulous go-withs!! Finger poised, ready to dial......

[Jon730]

But do you mean to tell us that there are no pix of Iggy opening his presents?!?!?! Or adding to his personal goal of feline heftiness by raiding the larder???

I just missed it. I was on the phone with my niece, when Iggy decided that a little snowman decoration was an Official Cat Toy. Now, what happens when 13 pounds climbs up one side of a small fake tree? Over it went. The mess has been picked up.

A few days ago, a small stuffed fuzzy Polar Bear Christmas decoration, designed to be placed under a tree because it is about 10" long, was suddenly adopted by Iggy. He was seen trotting down the hallway with it in his mouth. He brings it places to keep him company, and he takes naps with it, but at least does not bring it to bed. Yet.

What a strange, odd creature he is.

How can they all be so different and have such unique personalities, with a brain the size of a small lemon?

He always was a little different than other cats, so we have the Nature/Nurture thing here.

[Flossie's Mom]

Jon,

Was this how the incident started with the tree?

At least Jingles tried to make up by helping with the dishes! But I detect an evil look in his eye..... or is that a "you're not gonna KILL me are you" look?

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[Flossie's Mom]

What a strange, odd creature he is.

How can they all be so different and have such unique personalities, with a brain the size of a small lemon?

He always was a little different than other cats, so we have the Nature/Nurture thing here.

These are the same things I've wondered/said about Jingles.

He has managed to tear almost every sequin off the brand new tree skirt. He also adopted a reindeer ornament off the tree. Thank heaven I only put up a small tree with cheap bows and a very few cheap ornaments. I hava a small tabletop tree & that got the once over first. (more like 10 times over) I've had to remove the collectables on top of the china cabinet as he got up there & knocked down (broke of course) Grandma's oil lamp! So.... if it doesn't fit INSIDE something and I want to keep it in one piece...... it gets packed up for now. He gets the oddest things down and carries them around. Two different pincushions, a roll of packing tape, lipstick, tube of neosporin, telephone receiver if it rings & he beats me to it. My cell phone is like an alarm clock to him.... he flies to get it & pick it up when it rings. Since the dog loves to chew things up I think they are in it together............

Yo, WeeBee..... what do you see on top of this dresser you'd like to have today?

I think I should glue velcro to his feet & the ceiling because he is always looking at the ceiling when he gets up high, then he could walk around on it.

Latest trick is to jump on the patio door to see how high he can get.... his back feet are ABOVE the handle from a dead standstill! When he & WeeBee play, he jumps high up on the door & pushes off like a swimmers turn & back over top of her.

I had one other cat similar to this one and my husband said I thought you named him damnit cause that's all I heard for several months. He would hide in the bush at the end of our driveway & jump out at dogs going by.

But then there are the "peaceful" times we treasure also................

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[Jon730]

But then there are the "peaceful" times we treasure also................

That could be a greeting card...SO CUTE! And Mr. Jingles being GOOD and not doing outrageous things..for a moment.

Like THIS:

[LoveThem]

Wonderful pictures and stories. I laughed at Flossie's mom about naming her cat..damnit..that her husband thought it was the cat's name cause she always said that about the cat. I told my husband and he said well ours must be named NoNo cause that's what he hears from me.

By the way, I still can't get over Iggy being 13 pounds!!!

My Little Guy was 16 pounds and the new boy, Lucky has stayed at 11 pounds for the last 3 months.

How big can Iggy get????? Kind of hard to walk on people when you start weighing as much as a litter sack

Lots of hugs and best wishes,

Judy

[Jon730]

How big can Iggy get????? Kind of hard to walk on people when you start weighing as much as a litter sack

Big enough for this:

"YOUR SON just PUNCTURED THE WATERBED!"

What an UGLY way to wake up.

[myhrtisbrkn]

I hope you're not suggesting that His Imperiousness would do anything so (um) feline?


BK.'s weight, throughout his prime, was about 18 lbs, and mother had another big boy who was perfectly healthy and sleek at 25 lbs. Iggy could get lots bigger. Heaven help you!

[Jon730]

As usual, the criminal returns to the scene of the crime. To GLOAT.

[Flossie's Mom]

Now, here's a BIG cat................ our nephew's cat weoghing in at nearly 30# I think. Never saw a cat this big in my life.

See wat we have to shoot for Jon with our Iggy & Jingles?

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[Flossie's Mom]

At least this game is not as distructive as that waterbed trick!

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[Jon730]

I have been trying to think about what to do with this thread, and am soliciting opinions.

I fear it is heading toward some kind of general discussion thread and has strayed from its central theme, and it brings up the question,
"How long does A New Beginning Last?"

"Is Iggy, at ten months old, still a New Beginning?"

I still feel he is because of his ever developing personality.

But I recognize that he is an established friend and partner now. He is one of the most important people in my life.

Your thoughts are welcome, as always.


Iggy's Staff.

[LoveThem]

A New Beginning just lasts and lasts.

Yes, Iggy is still one because a new beginning is different than what brings us here in the first place.

And as he grows and establishes himself in your home...he is still "new" and has lots of stories and pictures for us to smile at.

Lucky will be "new" to me until he has to go. As long as he is happy and healthy...it is important to share all that. We share the painful stories but it helps so much to read the happy ones.

I see so many who wonder if they should get a new one. It is important they can come here to this Section and see what a difference that can make. They see it can help.

I read others where they say to one who has "moved on" by getting a new one and that they are doing so much better.....and these others say...thank you for giving me hope...for letting me know this will not always be such a big part of my everyday...that the pain can lessen...that we don't replace our special ones who had to leave ..when we get another. That is okay to welcome a new one into our homes.

Yes, Jon....I think of Iggy as being in the perfect place and helping many by being here.

You asked for opinions......that's mine.

Give that boy a hug and kiss from me,
Judy

[Flossie's Mom]

Jon..........

How about when Iggy is 1 year old you just start a new thread.....

Iggy's year two but still in new beginnings so the thread is not too long to read at once. We don't want to miss any of his antics or your explanations/captions/observations.

Just another idea for Iggy's Staff to ponder

[IGNATIUS THE GRE...]

How about when Iggy is 1 year old you just start a new thread.....

Iggy's year two but still in new beginnings so the thread is not too long to read at once. We don't want to miss any of his antics or your explanations/captions/observations.

A New Beginning just lasts and lasts.

Yes, Iggy is still one because a new beginning is different than what brings us here in the first place.

And as he grows and establishes himself in your home...he is still "new" and has lots of stories and pictures for us to smile at.

Thanks, Friends and Fans! I think I should answer this because of Jon's limitations.

Let me explain.

As a cat, I sleep all day and most of the night. I therefore am much more in touch with my unconscious and with Universal Truths of Nature than any Primate could be. No offense. We are different.
Primates gather roots, nuts, berries, grubs, and cans of Fancy Feast.
WE sleep 90% of the time.
The rest of the time, to put it indelicately, we are lightning-fast, clawed and sharp toothed killing machines, who, like our friends the dogs, made deals with the Primates thousands of years ago.

"Feed me, give me a warm place to snuggle, fuss over me, you got no mice, no rats-No Trouble...Capische?"

So while Jon is the best buddy a cat could ever have, and we love each other, the fact he had to ask shows he just does not "get it".

1: I like the "Year 2 Thread" idea, because I have ELABORATE PLANS for him after my birthday party. He suspects nothing.

2: I am a different cat every month. I learn new tricks and new Human Words. I get bigger and more clever.
I have found more ways of ambushing him.

Heehhee. Yesterday I hid his shoes. Actually, I dragged them back into the closet WHERE THEY BELONG! He went crazy looking for them.

Just when he thinks he knows all my tricks, he relaxes his vigilance, then I make him laugh again.
I'm no fool. When I make him laugh, there is chicken for me.

3: I have not lost sight of the fact I was hired to make people happy.
I accept his friends when he introduces them to me.

I come every time I am called, even if I am sleeping.

When he comes home or upstairs from his shop, I greet him with my Happy Dance and pretend I have not seen him in years.

I am, (with all due modesty), as Jon says, Probably one of the greatest cats who ever lived, hence my Name.

Meow.

[Furkidlets' Mom]

IggyMeister,

...the fact he had to ask shows he just does not "get it".

EXACTLY......DUUuh! These HOOmans.........

You do realize, though.....if you sleep THAT long everyday, you're depriving yourself of more overlording time......

You might consider taking some feline pointers (the "Let's Stay Sharp!" clawse) from the also-mighty Nissa-The-Grey & UUUuuuberSabin and break the mold by only sleeping about 20% of your day away! (don't worry, you'll still be handsome - how couldn't you be???) THAT oughta throw another wrench (a fitting monkey one) into the works and really teach Jon how to walk on his toes!!

P.S. It's also really fun to knock phones off the hook when your hoomans are sleeping, especially if there's one beside the bed, Sabin says.