Monday, May 28, 2007

Toysday

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor
I like the bunnies.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Sunday Story

By Kat 3
Morning Scratch reporter

Yup, it's easy like Sunday...

OH MY GOD! WATER!
I'm going to die! They are going to kill me. Must find way out!
Must ESCAPE!
(Are those be backwards frootbatish ears?)

These photos bring back terrible memories. Before this stay at the Cat House Hotel, we stayed here for a week in October 2006 while the humans went to visit family in Virginia. Mom wanted to take me with them, but I was not yet properly leash trained like I am now. Mom says I was not properly bladder trained yet either.

See, the day I was getting picked up to go home, I had just finished a long play session with the kittens and was very thirsty. Long story short, at some point I got in my carrier, got in my car, and had to go No. 1 about halfway home (it's a two-hour drive). I didn't complain about it. I just went. I mean, I had to go! And I'm a free spirit. But I wouldn't have gone if I knew what was going to happen to me! This is what awaited me at home, when Mom and Dad found out what I did:

I'm never peeing again!

I'm DROWNING!!!

So this time, I'm planning ahead. It looks as if June 7 is now the day we can return home. I'm definitely going to visit the litter box before we leave.

Mom! Take me out! Why wouldn't my kitty spit do the job???




Saturday, May 26, 2007

Silly Saturday

By Sara
Morning Scratch reporter

Purrs to everyone!

Today, we're giving our paws a break, so we thought we'd share a video ...

..... Miss Sara introduces ....

OK GO'S BIGGEST FAN EVER!!!!
Take a look:

Friday, May 25, 2007

Formerly Feral Friday

KAT 3 GOES OUTSIDE: A KAT 3 ADVENTURE

'This is coooool.'

By Kat 3
Morning Scratch reporter

Before "the move" to the Cat House Hotel, Mom took me out on my leash at the new facility twice, but only once did she take photos. One day, I'll be a well-traveled Meezer like Tara, who even has cute outfits for her strolls.

'Follow the leader.'

'Ahhhh. Grass. I'm doing my "happy paws." See?'

Me: 'Hey, whatchu guys doing in there?'
Them: 'Hey, whatchu doing out there?'

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Thursday Thirteen, Edition 4

MAY CHARITY: FRIENDS OF THE ELEPHANT SEAL

Elephant seal says: 'Ah, yes. Scratch. Scratch. Read the Morning Scratch!'
(P.S. Photos were taken by the Investor several weeks ago.)

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

Before the facility went wonky, the investor would make sure $2o-$25 would go to a charitable organization each month. We haven't done that since January, and here it is May already!

The Editorial Board plans to feature a nonprofit group/good cause each month in The Morning Scratch, but in the future the newspaper will do so near the beginning of the month. Look for it, and take part with whatever you are able to give or buy from the organization's store. If you can't contribute money, write the volunteers a note letting them know you appreciate their efforts!

The Morning Scratch charity for May is Friends of the Elephant Seal. Here are 13 reasons to support the organization based out of Cambria, Calif., which is about 25 miles from the Morning Scratch facility.

1. Elephant seals scratch themselves with their flippers. (See photo above.) It's very cute.

2. The northern elephant seal spends most of its time in the open ocean, going on land only for breeding, birthing, molting and (not surprisingly) resting.

3. They return to the same rookery each year.

4. They make loud noises - such as burps, snorts (Kazumi! Ha-ha!) and grunts - that make the Investor giggle.

5. The Piedras Blancas rookery near the Morning Scratch facility is home-base for up to about 16,oo0 elephant seals. Holy Moly!

6. They like to dig in the sand, like us cats! But for different reasons. Elephant seals flip sand on themselves to help stay cool. The sand acts as a sunscreen. (In the photo below, you can see some sand-flippin' flippers.)
7. Unfortunately there were no mature males on the beach when the Investor visited recently, but elephant seals are called elephant seals because the males have elephant noses. How goofy. Go look here.

8. Like hissing, an important part of a good fight is, simply, screaming. Go look here.

9. Blubber isn't as awesome as fur, but it's still pretty awesome.

10. They are beach bums.
The beach bums.

11. Elephant seals will squish you if they sit or lie on you. Male elephant seals can weigh 5,000 pounds.

12. The Friends of the Elephant Seal almost always has a docent at the rookery to answer questions and to protect the seals from "bad" visitors. There has never been a day when the Investor has gone and there wasn't a knowledgeable and friendly volunteer to answer all and any questions. That's dedication!

13. Kat 3 loves elephant seals so much, she dressed up as one!
Kat 3 says: 'Snort! SNORT!'

HOW TO HELP:
Go to the Friends of the Elephant Seal Web site at www.elephantseal.org to find a donation form and the group's shop.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Wacky Wednesday

DOG TAKES OVER MY PEOPLE, CAR

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

While we've been away at the Cat House Hotel, the Investor and the man betrayed us. I have evidence, given to me by an anonymous source, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation.

The evidence: (Excuse the poor quality; the informant was working undercover.)

THAT dog was in MY car, and those legs belong to MY man. The dog, reportedly named Sophie, was baby-sat by my humans for a night and a day, sources tell the Morning Scratch.
"Aw. Wouldn't it be cute, Bogdan, if you called her Aunt Sophie?" the Investor said.
No. No, that would not be cute.
"I'll call her ant Sophie!!" Kat 3 said. "I like ants. They are fun."

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Friends at the Cat House Hotel

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

There are some very nice kitties at the Cat House Hotel. I am not one of them.
Yes! The catnip mat is mine!

But, Kat 3 made friends with several of the cats at the hotel. And here they are, with commentary by reporter Kat 3.

FRANKIE AND KAT 3
Yesterday, you saw Frankie and I playing and playing. Here we are on the Cat House Hotel porch hanging out together. I'm a little embarrassed here because Mom just told my new friend Frankie that when I was her age I was living in a Dumpster.

CHLOE
This is Chloe. Mom said she is an expensive cat. I don't know why she's more expensive than me, except that I came free. Chloe is funny because she growls when she gets pets ... but it's not because she doesn't like pets! She likes the scratches, but she growls anyway. Silly Chloe.

CHIPS
Chips followed my Mom all over the Cat House Hotel when she was trying to visit with me. I'm surprised Chips didn't follow her right out the door! Chips also liked Dad and jumped up on him and started licking his face. I wonder if my Dad has a tasty face like Skeezix's Mr. Tasty Face? I'll find out when I get home.

"MAO"
Hey! It's Mao! Just kidding. I didn't believe him at first when he said he wasn't Mao because Mao was on the lam, and I thought he was hiding here. But this is really Spanky. And Spanky is staying at the Cat House Hotel a long time, like us! I like Spanky. He enjoys chasing sparkly balls. And anyone who chases sparkly balls is a friend of mine!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Morning Scratch debuts breaking news feature

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

Thanks to Blogger and Google, the Morning Scratch can now offer breaking animal news. The feature is at the top of the right-hand column. Just click on "cat" or "dog" or one of the other animal choices, and get the top stories of the moment with that search term. Want me to add a species? E-mail me at themorningscratch AT gmail.com.

Enjoy!

Meezer Monday: Kat 3 reports from the Cat House Hotel

THE CAT HOUSE HOTEL IS SUPER FUN

I'm at the Kat House Hotel. It's named for me! No, really. Really! OK, not really ....

By Kat 3
Morning Scratch reporter

The Cat House Hotel is a wonderful place! There are toys galore, scratches all day long and plenty of kitties to play with. (P.S. Mom says to tell you we won't be home now until at least June 2.)

Here are some highlights from my stay so far.

*PLAYTIME*
I'll get you blanket! I'll win! And I did win. Yup. Teehee.

*FRIEND TIME*
Friend time is a lot like playtime. Look at our toys! That's my kitten friend Frankie. She had to go home already. Mom says I look chunky here. And it's a possibility. I've been taste-testing all the kitties' foods!!! Nummy.

*MORE PLAYTIME*
You can never have enough playtime.

*DRINK TIME*
All this playtime makes me thirsty. The nice girls who work at the hotel fill up kettles to fill up water bowls in our rooms. I like drinking from the kettles. That's my toy right there.

*DAD TIME*
Dad thinks he is funny. Here, he is pretending to put me in the water fountain. I'm screaming, "No! No!" but I know Dad would never really put me in it. I play along with his silly games.

*NAP TIME*
Just kidding! I didn't nap! There's too much playtime to be had, right Frankie? Teehee.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

By The Investor
Morning Scratch human

Because the new wood floors warped after installation last week and had to be pulled up, the cats won't be back home this week. We are now hoping for a homecoming next Thursday, May 24.

BOGDAN

SARA

KATRINA

THE HOUSE
(New floors, Take 2 ... being jackhammered up)

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Thankful on Tuesday


Thank you everyone for making my birthday very special even though I couldn't be at home. You are all such great friends!
Purrs from Miss Sara

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Miss Sara is the birthday girl

SARA TURNS 5 YEARS OLD

"This basket is still my favorite hiding spot at the Cat House Hotel."

By Sara
Morning Scratch reporter

It's my birthday today! I was sad I'd have to spend it at the Cat House Hotel, but Mom visited me Friday, and I got to open presents from my dear friend
Scooter.

Here's photos of my ity bity b-day celebration Friday with Mommy, Kat 3 and Bogdan. Dad was there, too!!


"What's this? I smell the faint aroma of ... CATNIP!"

"Good thing Mom brought something for us wear!" Kat 3 said. "It wouldn't be a party otherwise. Hey, Sara: How's this look? Do the colors clash with my furs?"

"I don't want to wear my lovely pink accessory," Sara said. "I want to play with it!"

"Pink catnip! Thanks, Scooter!"

"Collar bling! All the boys here will notice me now!"

"Kill the catnip! Kill the catnip. Wait. Love the catnip! LOVE THE CATNIP!"

"No, you can't have any. It's my birthday present from Scooter. Maybe I'll share later, like in the next century! What, Mom? Be nice? Sorry, it's the catnip talking!"

You know what's also very fun? I share a birthday with Rudy, Parker's brother. Go wish him a happy birthday, too! He's orange like me!

-----------------------------------

MORE ALL ABOUT MEME

My good friends Ben2 and Caesar and Prinnie tagged me for this meme.

The rules: Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I run away from Dad when he does his Dinosaur Roar. Kat 3 likes his Dino Roar. She roars back. But it scares me!
2. I once gave birth to kitties! The lady at my foster home said I was a good mommy. I loved cleaning my kitties' furs.
3. I like cleaning my Mommy's furs. Sometimes I try to clean her long head hairs, and they get stuck in my mouth. Icky!
4. I enjoy being cleaned by Mommy. I stay still for teeth brushes and ear cleanings.
5. I never get on the kitchen counter.
6. I hold paws/hands with others.
7. I have a chipped front tooth. I don't remember how it happened, but it was like that when I was rescued from behind a strip mall in California's Central Valley.

I tag:
1. Rudy, Parker's orange brother.
2. Jeter Harris' brother, Matsui
3. Tara, Princess Meezer
4. Anyone else who wants to play! (Sorry! Mom says she can't type for me anymore today ... time for her to go to work ...)

-----------------------------------

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in the world.


Friday, May 11, 2007

Funny Friday

Above funniness is courtesy of I Can Has Cheezburger?

Ha-ha-ha. That is funny! I have purrfect grammars.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Bogdan reports from the Cat House Hotel

Can you find Bogdan?

CATS OF THE HOUSEHOLD UNDER HOTEL ARREST

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

Cats of the Household are being held captive in a so-called hotel.
They were left here weeks ago and haven't seen home since. Other cats are also being held at the detention center; however, they seem to have fallen victim to Stockholm syndrome.
"I looooove all these scratches!" Kat 3 said. "And, looky, toys everywhere! Hey, nice lady, could you refill my food bowl?"
Experts say this type of behavior is not unusual.
"Kat 3 just loves everyone," expert Mom says. "Huh? Oh, you wanted me to comment on cats in general? Well, I think it's really just you, Bogdan. You're so uptight."
Regardless of the expert's evaluation, this reporter stands by his claim of being held captive.
"They's nice people here, but I want to be released to home confinement as soon as possible!!" Sara said.

Investor, this is ridiculous! I'm so mad at you. Take me home!

-----------------------------------

CAT TRIES TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH EDITOR

Nice Cat: Hey! What's your name? Want to hang?
Bogdan: Hey, buddy. You betta back up!

Bogdan: Yeah. That's right. Grrrrrowl! I am fear!
Nice Cat: Hey, lady. What's wrong with your kitty?

-----------------------------------
A MEME, ALL ABOUT ME

The lovely DaisyMae Maus tagged me for this meme.

Here are the rules for this meme ...

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Cats who are tagged need to write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules. You need to choose seven cats to tag and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. In my free time, I am writing my autobiography.
2. I've bitten the investor's lips, twice!
3. I used to be a rapper
4. I like eating tomatoes and potatoes.
5. I break stuff, all the time. Stuff such as computers and olive oil bottles.
6. I am banned from one grandma's house for teasing (OK, chasing) my cat aunts, and I've slapped my other grandma in the face. The investor says I need an attitude adjustment.
7. I purr and drool all over the place and knead on the investor's hair when she lets me into the bedroom and closes the door and Sara and Kat 3 are locked out! I love that.

I tag:
1. + 2. Caesar and Princess
3. My buddy Rocky at Artsy Catsy
4. Honey P. Sunshine
5. Sammawow
6. Eve on Catster
7. The Feline Philosopher's Muse

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Coming ahead in The Morning Scratch: Cat House Hotel updates from Kat 3 and Sara.