Friday, September 25, 2009

Where's mine?

Woman, you used to share french fries on the long car rides. What gives?

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Lunch Break

He's a Morning Scratch rocker.

He likes the drums.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

200 posts

That last post was my 200th. It only took me a few laborious years.
— Bogdan

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

George and Bogdan

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

Here are my days as of late:
I hiss.
George hisses.
I hiss.
George hisses.
I turn from him and go to sleep on the comforts of the cat tree.
He stays on the other side of the screen.
Sucker.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Meet George

Hey, lady: You hired me. So where's my compensation?

Saturday, August 15, 2009

New Hire: George the Formerly Feral Cat

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

The Morning Scratch is excited to announce that it has hired a new field reporter. We hope the addition of George to the Morning Scratch staff will add even more depth to the extensive coverage we have offered in the past. His beat will include the yard, porch and surrounding communities. Photos and biography of our new freelance staff member are forthcoming.

Jeff and Bogdan reporting, from the comfort of snuggles.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Blogging

It's hard to do when there's sleep to be slept and eats to be eaten.
— Bogdan

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Thanks, dudes!

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

Dear Morning Scratch readers,
Thank you for the birthday wishes. It was quite nice of you all to stop by. Photos from the birthday celebration (I mostly napped) coming soon. Hm. Speaking of napping. See ya.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

My Life with Bogdan. (Today is his 8th birthday.)

Bogdan, 2001, San Francisco

By The Investor (aka Mom)
Morning Scratch Investor

It's hard to believe a cat I was suppose to watch for just a few weeks has been in my life for more than seven years now, and that today, he's 8 years old.

He is my first cat. I had no idea what I was getting into.

Bogdan came to live with me in my San Francisco flat when a friend of mine, who grew up in a home with lots of cats, visited his friend's sister's home in the Central Valley -- and he felt so very sorry for a little black and white kitten left all day and all night in the garage because it scratched and bit the kids. The parents didn't know what to do with the cat -- a cat that had not held up its end of the supposed bargain of unconditionally entertaining the children.

After getting my approval to take in the cat until he found housing that would accept animals, my friend returned to Manteca, where the 7-month-old boy was still in the garage — waiting for its real home.

And so begins my life with this lovely devil of a cat.

Bogdan, 2003, Sacramento

He's ornery, that's for sure. He's bossy. He's demanding. And unfortunately for my sanity, he's incredibly smart.

He understands how doors open, and we know one day we'll return from work to find him living it up in one of the "off-limits" rooms. We had to put baby locks on all the kitchen cabinets. Bread goes in a bread box — BEHIND a cabinet door. Bathroom doors are closed because he'll unroll all the toilet paper. I'm convinced he persistently and purposefully does particularly bad things because he enjoys to (and knows it annoys me). He understands words (outside, treats, dinner), and in fact as I write this, I just discovered he broke into the cat food because I didn't put the top on tight enough (seriously - just now). He likes his space, and he's not afraid to express it .... bringing me to ...

He has claws and teeth, and he knows how to use them.

He was a terrible little adolescent. He's bitten my nose, my lip, my ear; he's attacked me with claws out from around corners; and he's scratched friends and family (highlights: he slapped my mom in the face and he made a decent gash across a friend's forehead). He couldn't be trusted with our ferrets, and he barely could be trusted with Sara when I first brought her home. He was sometimes a mean, mean kitty.

Bogdan, 2005, San Luis Obispo


But I worked with him, using tips from "Think Like a Cat," a book that helped bring Bogdan and I to mutual understanding, and led to where we are today: mutual respect and love (at least I like to think so).

Oh, and I'm sure it's helped that he's aged.

Bogdan, 2007, Atascadero

And here we are. Nearly eight years later, and he's stuck around (maybe because he's indoor-only...). He still doesn't much like the other cats. He'll hit Sara and hiss at Kat 3. Jeff is far more persistant than the others, and Bogdan has been forced to occasionally share his cuddly cup. I'm not sure why he allows Jeff to do this. Maybe he's given up; maybe he's softened.

Bogdan, right, tolerating Jeff, 2009, Atascadero


But best of all, he's become my little buddy. He's still demanding, but he hasn't deliberatly lashed out at me in years. But I've learned, too, to give him his space. And he now enjoys sitting and hanging out with me when he wants to. As I sit writing this, he's dancing around my feet, nudging my legs with his head. Yeah, we've come a long way.

Happy birthday, my little guy!

Bogdan, 2009, Atascadero

Monday, April 13, 2009

Mancat Monday with Jeff

By Jeff
Morning Scratch reporter-in-training

What?

A mancat can stop and smell the flowers.
And like it.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Tail Tuesday with Sara

By Sara
Morning Scratch reporter

Perfect tail form, if I do say so myself.

Friday, April 3, 2009

April flowers bring the nom nom noms

By Kat 3
Morning Scratch reporter

In this Flower Friday report, I get the nom-noms.
Sniffs. Smells gooood.

Chomp!


Oops. Sorry Mr. Poppy. I did not mean it.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Investor skimps on food

By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor

I recently ordered the investor to stock up on food for the Morning Scratch staff.

Investor, I am disappointed. This is not nearly enough.
Do not force me to do an investigative report into these neglectful conditions.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Sara's stroll

By Sara
Morning Scratch reporter

Hi guys! It's me, Sara. I thought I'd add to the pretty outside and go on an adventure.

Mom was on her new deck and I really really wanted to be with her. I whined and cried at the door, and then I got what I wanted (just like a princess should): She brought me outside with her.
Here I am checking out branches from pruning. They weren't really that interesting.

The grass was really comfortable. I was enjoying myself.

And why is all this newsworthy? I NEVER want to go outside. I've gone on the front porch before. But I just run back to the front door, with my eyes all big, sorta panicked and meowing to be let back inside. I sure have mom puzzled. She can't figure out what changed and why I suddenly would just let her slip the harness on me and take me on a walk in the backyard.

But really, the answer is simple: I wanted to see our blooming California poppies up close. Pretty!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Spring is here

How do I know?
There's a cat at every window.

(From left, Jeff, Kat 3, Sara and Bogdan)

Tribute: Princess Scooter: sleeping expert, chicken eater and forever friend

Sara


Kat 3


Jeff


Bogdan


By Bogdan
Morning Scratch editor
Scooter first gained notoriety as a princess to her mom and dad, later turning that Siamese-given right into a fruitful (and toy-full, catnip-full and chicken-full) career as a Caster cat extraordinaire, a life journey culminating with her becoming one of the world’s most well-known and well-loved cats.

The Albuquerque, N.M., native was a devoted sleepaholic who also never missed a celebration (whether holiday or birthday). Her expert opinion was frequently sought on all-things Olde Furts, and she was known for her years of research on chicken baby food and its delicious benefits. A goodwill ambassador on the Catster forums, she’d always lend a paw to any cat in need.

Little sister to the beloved late SooLing, Scooter became a “big sister” to many cats and kittens on Catster, including The Morning Scratch’s very own Kat 3. “We are Siamese sistahs forever,” Kat 3 said.

Her skills were many, but she may be most remembered for her mastery of relaxation during her Summers of Scooter, a series of seasons celebrated by all.

To give proper recognition to a cat who has so deeply influenced The Morning Scratch staff, the newspaper has named Scooter an honorary editor. SooLing also holds the title, named to it years ago in a Morning Scratch “Scooter” special edition spearheaded by the staff and Scooter’s dear friend Kazumi Joy.

Morning Scratch staffers are honored to share some of their memories of Scooter, a forever friend and role model. She will be greatly missed.

“Scooter was a distinguished community leader and a generous friend. As a loyal reader of The Morning Scratch, she was integral to the newspaper’s success. And her catnip toy gifts have helped many of our reporters through difficult assignments.”
— Bogdan, Morning Scratch editor

“Although I did not get to know Scooter very well, my superiors speak very highly of her. When I’m not busy fetching treats and reporter’s notebooks for my bosses, I sneak in a few play sessions with the toys she’s sent the staff.”
— Jeff, Morning Scratch intern

“Scooter was the best fashion consultant a model could ever wish for. A few years ago, she gave me a diamond ‘S’ for my collar, which I wear each day to this day. It’s my lucky charm and reminds me just how beautiful I am. But Scooter, she was the most beautiful!”
Sara, Morning Scratch reporter

“Scooter Scooter Bo Booter! She was awesomest. Even though I am only half-Siamese, she made me feel like I was part of a very exclusive club. She taught me everything there is to know about being Siamese. She taught me about chicken baby food, crooked tails, zooms, outside adventures, toys, snuggle sacks, sleeping, chicken baby food, lizards, scratchers and the joys of mommy arms — and did I say chicken baby food? I teehee’d and pffft’d with her through good times and bad times and food times. I will miss her a lot, but I know she is watching over me. I love you, Scooter.”
Kat 3, Morning Scratch reporter