Thank you for the generous "welcome back" following Wednesday's post. I am touched to the core–or coeur–by your encouraging words and warm reception! These flowers are for you, en vous remerciant! Picture taken in Ile Saint Louis, Paris.
: miaowing (or le cri du chat)
Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's word: Download MP3 or Wav file
Depuis le couloir, j'ai entendu le miaulement des chatons.
From the hallway, I heard the miaowing of kittens.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
"The Scoop"
Before I tell you what happened during my one-month sabbatical, I should tell you what happened just before it.
Cat litter. Cat litter happened.
Three days before my one-month departure we were a family of 6: four humans, two dogs. But in the early hours of November 4th–when the moon was high over the Mediterranean Sea and all the valley lay sleeping–our son smuggled home a kitty.
As I lie there in bed oblivious to the goings-on, Max came into my room. Speaking in hushed tones he informed me he had a Christmas present for Papa.
"But it's November, Max! Noël is next month."
"Yes, but they'll be out of stock by the holidays…" With that our 18-year-old motioned for me to follow him up to his sister's room.
Opening the bedroom door I saw my daughter's tousled hair. The rest of her was hiding behind a sheet. As Jackie lowered the drap I saw a second outline: that of a perky-eared interloper.
"You guys, no! No, no, no!" This was no time to take on a cat–not even an especially cute one with its natural bow-tie and white socks. No…. But the miaulement of the fragile creature had my heart saying YES.
Meantime, three precious days remained in which to check off my To-Do list. There were a lot of loose ends to tie up before my one month absence. Already I fretted about household management–how would the kids and the dogs fare while we were away? And now a 6-week-old kitten!
True, Jean-Marc would return the week after the Seine to Normandy cruise—but I would be away for the month. Sure, my husband could take over on his return, but would everything run smoothly without the woman with the measuring stick? (Who would correctly measure the dog–and cat–food? Who would verify water bowl level? "You know," I kept reminding everyone. "An animal can go without food–but NOT without water!" I said this just to drive home the point–of course an animal needed la nourriture, too!)
"Look, I think it is best that we take the kitten when Papa and I return from our trip. Besides, it is only 6 weeks old–it needs another two weeks of mother's milk!"
Alas, it was too late. The kitten's mom had washed her paws of the responsibility. She was already out hustling on the streets again. And this was out of my control–but I could take responsibility for a kitten. It would need to be neutered, for one….
My pre-sabbatical To-Do list grew. Only now priorities were re-arranged: instead of a suitcase belt (sorely needed for my torn valise), "kitty milk" now topped the chart. As count-down to departure loomed, I could be found whiling away the minutes in the supermarket Pets aisle. We needed infant formula for chatons and kitty litter. But which kind of each? (There were several to choose from!) It was easy to linger among pet paraphernalia when my eyes caught on non-essentials like the jingle-bell collar (the green one or the red one?), or the jouets (the felt mouse or the plastic jingle ball). I didn't dare consider the cat skyscraper. Gosh no!). I grabbed the inexpensive toys. Tossing them in my caddy, I told myself I would deal with my husband's reaction later!
Though I wanted our kitty to feel comfortable and to meet all its needs, I had my doubts about how this would all work out. Sure, the kids were motivated now. But would they really keep up their end of the kitty-litter/feeding agreement? And what about family vacations–already a tricky situation when it comes to pet care.
Mostly I wondered if we were capable of giving another living, breathing soul the attention and care it deserved. And what about the little creature's safety? After posting a photo of our adoptee on Facebook, a commenter wrote in: Please make sure he's an in-door cat. You will triple his life-span.
Could we make sure? Were we willing and able to watch all the doors and windows… when in summertime we live les portes ouverts, or "doors open"? Besides, did I really agree with indoor cat philosophy? It had a kind of Stepford Wives feel about it: eerie and unnatural. To never feel growing grass beneath one's paws–to live in a contained world–that's no life for a cat!
But what do I know? Inexperienced, I would have to develop my cat philosophy and opinions along the way.
And it looks like there will be plenty of experience to be had. Returning home from my sabbatical, groggy from jetlag, I tripped over a basket.
"Oh, hello you!" I said, greeting our little minou.
That's when I heard not one miaulament…. but two!
(To be continued)
Do you have any cat tips for me? Any ideas for a waste management system for those kitty crottes? How to control litterbox odor? Is your cat an indoor or outdoor cat? Declawed or not? Homemade cat toy ideas? Click here to answer or to see other cat tips.
Everyone loves this holiday CD! Listen to A French Christmas and "Mon Beau Sapin", "Saint Nuit", "La Marche des Rois", "Petite Ville Bethléem", "Il est né Le Divin Enfant". Order CD here.
If you liked the LOVE YOU MORE pillow, pictured with above, you can order one here (great gift!)
French Vocabulary
le coeur = heart
la nourriture = food
la valise = bag, suitcase
le chaton = kitty
le jouet = toy
le minou = kitty
More photos of Paris, where our cruise began. This is the entrance to Ile Saint Louis.
I took my friend Linda to a favorite Paris haunt.
You don't have to be fancy or elegant to fit in in Paris. You'll still look charming.
Something about this soft-spoken bouquet, set on a modest table with its own cloth. Can the eyes ever tire of these scenes? To comment on this post, click here.
What to Do in Paris? I don't want to forget this latest tip by Lanier. This one's going on my bucket list!
They are now offering a guided tour of the kitchen gardens at Versailles which are run by the national School of horticulture. There aren't nearly the crowds you find at Versailles and you will see possibly every form of espallier known to mankind. It really is a worthwhile outing made even better by the lovely folks at la Cuisine Paris. Posted by: Lanier Cordell
Thanks, Lanier! And for more tips on what to do in Paris, click here. (There are two pages of comments, so when you get to the end of the first page, click the link beneath the last tip to get to the next page.)
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My daughter, a cat whisperer, just told me that black cats are the best – they love to cuddle! Have fun.
My daughter, a cat whisperer, just told me that black cats are the best – they love to cuddle! Have fun.
i have to weigh in on the indoor/outdoor discussion. Cats love sunshine outdoors etc. I do my best to keep my cats safe (coyotes in the hood: in at sunset and I wait as long as they let me to release them in the morning). I really feel sorry for indoor cats. I’ve tried several times to keep my feline pets indoors but in the end I cave to the call of the wild. My son lost his totally not so old indoor cat to cancer last year so I am not sure about the longer life thing. I seem to think quality of life much more important. Ask the cats they’ll tell you. Declawing? never! they have sensitive paws and what would it feel like if someone removed our fingernails?
Welcome home Kristen
i have to weigh in on the indoor/outdoor discussion. Cats love sunshine outdoors etc. I do my best to keep my cats safe (coyotes in the hood: in at sunset and I wait as long as they let me to release them in the morning). I really feel sorry for indoor cats. I’ve tried several times to keep my feline pets indoors but in the end I cave to the call of the wild. My son lost his totally not so old indoor cat to cancer last year so I am not sure about the longer life thing. I seem to think quality of life much more important. Ask the cats they’ll tell you. Declawing? never! they have sensitive paws and what would it feel like if someone removed our fingernails?
Welcome home Kristen
Hi Kristen. Welcome back, and you have a huge heart-open to all-both two and four legged. Whichever, indoor or out, the cats will love you-in their own way!
Hi Kristen. Welcome back, and you have a huge heart-open to all-both two and four legged. Whichever, indoor or out, the cats will love you-in their own way!
I have two cats of my own. We got Willie, the younger, as a playmate for Ollie, the older, after we moved and tried to make Ollie an indoor kitty. Ollie was depressed for three months and getting Willie didn’t really help. Finally, we let them both out and they are so happy running free! They rough and tumble in our backyard and have the best time. We found a cat door that fits into a window frame and it has a lock on it. Once it’s dark, we call them in and lock the cat door until morning. They know the routine and all is well.
I’m with Elaine…quality of life for an animal is what I place importance on. Of course, we kept the claws and our cats go to the vet regularly…a cat vet, by the way, who also has indoor/outdoor cats of her own.
So glad you’re back; you were missed!
I have two cats of my own. We got Willie, the younger, as a playmate for Ollie, the older, after we moved and tried to make Ollie an indoor kitty. Ollie was depressed for three months and getting Willie didn’t really help. Finally, we let them both out and they are so happy running free! They rough and tumble in our backyard and have the best time. We found a cat door that fits into a window frame and it has a lock on it. Once it’s dark, we call them in and lock the cat door until morning. They know the routine and all is well.
I’m with Elaine…quality of life for an animal is what I place importance on. Of course, we kept the claws and our cats go to the vet regularly…a cat vet, by the way, who also has indoor/outdoor cats of her own.
So glad you’re back; you were missed!
Dear Kristin,
I always enjoy your wonderful photos and, this morning, one of them gave me a fun surprise. There was the street on Ile Ste. Louis which lead to our Hotel (Hotel Ste. Louis). In fact, we sat in that sidewalk cafe. I could see the very chairs in which we sat having a glass of wine as we watched the world go by. Such an amzaing city. Can’t wait to go back!
As for the kitty — she is adorable, but alas, being allergic, I have no words of wisdom for you. I hope everything works out.
Dear Kristin,
I always enjoy your wonderful photos and, this morning, one of them gave me a fun surprise. There was the street on Ile Ste. Louis which lead to our Hotel (Hotel Ste. Louis). In fact, we sat in that sidewalk cafe. I could see the very chairs in which we sat having a glass of wine as we watched the world go by. Such an amzaing city. Can’t wait to go back!
As for the kitty — she is adorable, but alas, being allergic, I have no words of wisdom for you. I hope everything works out.
Welcome back ,Kristin……….i’m a new reader and enjoy your posts and photos. You are refreshing my high school French from long ago.
I had the same experience with the kitten 24 years ago. i wondered why my son kept his bedroom door shut all the time and insisted Inever go in there. Of course my suriosity made me check to see why. A tiny tiger baby was lurking under the covers of his bed. Our little “tigger” was just adorable but when it went outside, it brought us a bunch of freeloading fleas that required a total house cleaning and carpet scrubbing. We both learned that lesson the hard way. Tigger was a constant companion for Joe and loved to drape himself on shoulders while riding in the car !
Welcome back ,Kristin……….i’m a new reader and enjoy your posts and photos. You are refreshing my high school French from long ago.
I had the same experience with the kitten 24 years ago. i wondered why my son kept his bedroom door shut all the time and insisted Inever go in there. Of course my suriosity made me check to see why. A tiny tiger baby was lurking under the covers of his bed. Our little “tigger” was just adorable but when it went outside, it brought us a bunch of freeloading fleas that required a total house cleaning and carpet scrubbing. We both learned that lesson the hard way. Tigger was a constant companion for Joe and loved to drape himself on shoulders while riding in the car !
I always train my cats to go outside to use nature’s litter box. Once they are trained to the litter box, I move it closer and closer to the back door and eventually outside. Once they are used to meowing to go out to use the litter box, the box disappears. My cats go in and out all day and stay in at night. They live quite long healthy lives (my last died at 21 years). This way I never have to worry about escapees or the inconvenience of a litter box.
I always train my cats to go outside to use nature’s litter box. Once they are trained to the litter box, I move it closer and closer to the back door and eventually outside. Once they are used to meowing to go out to use the litter box, the box disappears. My cats go in and out all day and stay in at night. They live quite long healthy lives (my last died at 21 years). This way I never have to worry about escapees or the inconvenience of a litter box.
Wow! Two kitties!
Living in Arizona with a desert landscape, my wife is constantly on the warpath against the feral cats. They love to use our entryway as a sandbox. Also, the males mark their territory.
On the subject of bathing cats, you might enjoy the poem I wrote called Cat’s Catastrophe
http://herms-rhyme-thyme.blogspot.com/2013/09/cats-catasrophe.html
Wow! Two kitties!
Living in Arizona with a desert landscape, my wife is constantly on the warpath against the feral cats. They love to use our entryway as a sandbox. Also, the males mark their territory.
On the subject of bathing cats, you might enjoy the poem I wrote called Cat’s Catastrophe
http://herms-rhyme-thyme.blogspot.com/2013/09/cats-catasrophe.html
Bonjour Kristi! Love your photos from Paris and the cruise, and ADORE the one of both kittens and Mr. Sacks. Brava! Keep them inside? Not sure how you’d accomplish that in summer in Bandol, and while it may increase their longevity, it will compromise the quality of their lives. My cat Chico had a perfect cat life for 12 years in Provence, but eventually met his fate. It’s a tough choice. Whatever, never declaw. Glad you’re back ma Belle!
Bonjour Kristi! Love your photos from Paris and the cruise, and ADORE the one of both kittens and Mr. Sacks. Brava! Keep them inside? Not sure how you’d accomplish that in summer in Bandol, and while it may increase their longevity, it will compromise the quality of their lives. My cat Chico had a perfect cat life for 12 years in Provence, but eventually met his fate. It’s a tough choice. Whatever, never declaw. Glad you’re back ma Belle!
Welcome back!!!! I missed you and your writing and photos! I adore you – you are so lovely and so normal at the same time! I feel that we are lost twins sometimes, although from reading other posts it seems alot of people feel that way about you! I LOVE the kitties – adorable! And I LOVE, LOVE the Love you More pillow!!! I am definitely getting one. My son and I have said that to each other for years! Glad you are back!!! And glad you had a wonderful reprieve. I hope you realize how very lucky and blessed you are in every way. Big hugs!!!
Welcome back!!!! I missed you and your writing and photos! I adore you – you are so lovely and so normal at the same time! I feel that we are lost twins sometimes, although from reading other posts it seems alot of people feel that way about you! I LOVE the kitties – adorable! And I LOVE, LOVE the Love you More pillow!!! I am definitely getting one. My son and I have said that to each other for years! Glad you are back!!! And glad you had a wonderful reprieve. I hope you realize how very lucky and blessed you are in every way. Big hugs!!!
DARLING KRISTI,
I hardly know where to begin with my list of ´ThankYou´s´regarding this mornings post. Thank you for sharing so many little details that make up the life you live. I am so inspired by your photo´s and I definitely want to join you on the tour of kitchen garden at Versailles next summer. Enjoy your day today my precious Kristi – you need a rest after your big vacation. As we all learn that lesson as life moves on – lots of new memories to stop and savor for a few days or longer. I guess you could do this in your garden. I think you should have J.M. set up a temporary plastic sheet greenhouse along the rock wall of your garden for this winter. That wall receives full sun. What a nice retreat for you away from the house this winter, and you can take Pancho and Lily with you. They would adore gardening.
Off to paint your first photo….you are the greatest photographer, what a lucky Mom I am.
XOXO
MOM
DARLING KRISTI,
I hardly know where to begin with my list of ´ThankYou´s´regarding this mornings post. Thank you for sharing so many little details that make up the life you live. I am so inspired by your photo´s and I definitely want to join you on the tour of kitchen garden at Versailles next summer. Enjoy your day today my precious Kristi – you need a rest after your big vacation. As we all learn that lesson as life moves on – lots of new memories to stop and savor for a few days or longer. I guess you could do this in your garden. I think you should have J.M. set up a temporary plastic sheet greenhouse along the rock wall of your garden for this winter. That wall receives full sun. What a nice retreat for you away from the house this winter, and you can take Pancho and Lily with you. They would adore gardening.
Off to paint your first photo….you are the greatest photographer, what a lucky Mom I am.
XOXO
MOM
I have two Siamese-13 and 11, indoor cats. And one white, bob-tailed fellow who adopted us 7 years ago-an outdoor cat. He is the most easy-going, amiable guy around and has won our hearts. Indoor is better, but not always easy-and sometimes I wonder if they should have a full outdoor life-maybe shorter, or longer indoor life. But, truth be told one of my Siamese wouldn’t go out if you tried. Make sure your kitty litter is dust-free. Cats are great, and snuggling with them has seen me through some tough times. We also have a yellow lab who we all adore.
I have two Siamese-13 and 11, indoor cats. And one white, bob-tailed fellow who adopted us 7 years ago-an outdoor cat. He is the most easy-going, amiable guy around and has won our hearts. Indoor is better, but not always easy-and sometimes I wonder if they should have a full outdoor life-maybe shorter, or longer indoor life. But, truth be told one of my Siamese wouldn’t go out if you tried. Make sure your kitty litter is dust-free. Cats are great, and snuggling with them has seen me through some tough times. We also have a yellow lab who we all adore.
Also, me again, a perennial favorite cat toy-roll up a ball of aluminum foil and wrap a string around it and run through the house. Endless fun. If cats go out, expect a parade of little critters gratefully dropped on your doorstep. And when doors are open in the summer, sometimes the cats will make an indoor delivery as well!
And give kitties tons of affection now and you will have their loyalty forever!
Also, me again, a perennial favorite cat toy-roll up a ball of aluminum foil and wrap a string around it and run through the house. Endless fun. If cats go out, expect a parade of little critters gratefully dropped on your doorstep. And when doors are open in the summer, sometimes the cats will make an indoor delivery as well!
And give kitties tons of affection now and you will have their loyalty forever!
Dear Kristin:
Several months ago I lost my beautiful Maine Coon to a predator. We think it was a coyote.
Couchou was an indoor/outdoor cat and he loved being outdoors in our wooded yard. He was fine for 12 years…and then he was gone. I grieved so terribly. I now have another Maine Coon and will keep her, inside. If you can deal with the grief of a missing animal well then let it roam free. Vets recommend keeping cats indoors. There are many ways one can keep the cat happy. We have lots of toys and play with her often.
Janine
Dear Kristin:
Several months ago I lost my beautiful Maine Coon to a predator. We think it was a coyote.
Couchou was an indoor/outdoor cat and he loved being outdoors in our wooded yard. He was fine for 12 years…and then he was gone. I grieved so terribly. I now have another Maine Coon and will keep her, inside. If you can deal with the grief of a missing animal well then let it roam free. Vets recommend keeping cats indoors. There are many ways one can keep the cat happy. We have lots of toys and play with her often.
Janine
Wow! Cats are easy pets to have, however, as long as they have a litter box, regular access to food and water. I have always had cats, indoor and out, and I find them to be sweet, frisky and very independent. Bon chance!!!!!
Wow! Cats are easy pets to have, however, as long as they have a litter box, regular access to food and water. I have always had cats, indoor and out, and I find them to be sweet, frisky and very independent. Bon chance!!!!!
Welcome back, Kristin!
You were missed. I decided that if you could give up writing the column for a month, I could make a small sacrifice of my own, so I stopped drinking Diet Coke, which had become a daily habit.:) It worked: thanks!
I’ve only had one cat. I used to tell my children that if they were to get a cat it would have to drop from heaven onto the house. Well….one day we heard ‘le miaulement des chatons’ from a sheltered corner of the patio roof. You can guess the rest…I agree with Lynn about the bell and break-away collar.
Welcome back, Kristin!
You were missed. I decided that if you could give up writing the column for a month, I could make a small sacrifice of my own, so I stopped drinking Diet Coke, which had become a daily habit.:) It worked: thanks!
I’ve only had one cat. I used to tell my children that if they were to get a cat it would have to drop from heaven onto the house. Well….one day we heard ‘le miaulement des chatons’ from a sheltered corner of the patio roof. You can guess the rest…I agree with Lynn about the bell and break-away collar.
Welcome back, Kristin! It’s so good to be reading your posts again.
Oh, what wonderful gifts you’ve received….felines!
I look forward to hearing more about them. Many mischievous antics to come, I’m sure!
I’m a “cat person”, and a Registered Veterinary Technician (nurse), and hope you don’t mind I share a few opinions & tried & trues.
1) Though I understand the fear that causes people to keep cats indoors, you live in a perfectly adventurous place for a cat to enjoy outside. I would definitely bring them inside at night. Definitely.
2) Declaw?? NO. It’s a horrendous surgery, a betrayal to cats, recovery is sad & long, and they often become biters once they learn they don’t have claws, not to mention no extreme tree climbing. There isn’t a single reason to declaw a cat. There are ways to deter them from scratching your furniture & curtains that work very well.
3) Litter box should be in a private location, away from heavy traffic, and not near their food/water, otherwise the chances of them avoiding the litterbox increase. You will have to teach them where it’s located. Because you have 2 now, you may consider getting 2 litterboxes, to minimize any “laziness”.
Pine litter is amazing at covering up the stink, and it’s environmentally superior to the clumping clay, though the latter is more convenient. Empty it every 24-48 hours to avoid them feeling it’s too full, and then they avoid it.
I’m happy to help you in anyway I can.
Have a most delicious time with your little ones! They’re kissable.
Welcome back, Kristin! It’s so good to be reading your posts again.
Oh, what wonderful gifts you’ve received….felines!
I look forward to hearing more about them. Many mischievous antics to come, I’m sure!
I’m a “cat person”, and a Registered Veterinary Technician (nurse), and hope you don’t mind I share a few opinions & tried & trues.
1) Though I understand the fear that causes people to keep cats indoors, you live in a perfectly adventurous place for a cat to enjoy outside. I would definitely bring them inside at night. Definitely.
2) Declaw?? NO. It’s a horrendous surgery, a betrayal to cats, recovery is sad & long, and they often become biters once they learn they don’t have claws, not to mention no extreme tree climbing. There isn’t a single reason to declaw a cat. There are ways to deter them from scratching your furniture & curtains that work very well.
3) Litter box should be in a private location, away from heavy traffic, and not near their food/water, otherwise the chances of them avoiding the litterbox increase. You will have to teach them where it’s located. Because you have 2 now, you may consider getting 2 litterboxes, to minimize any “laziness”.
Pine litter is amazing at covering up the stink, and it’s environmentally superior to the clumping clay, though the latter is more convenient. Empty it every 24-48 hours to avoid them feeling it’s too full, and then they avoid it.
I’m happy to help you in anyway I can.
Have a most delicious time with your little ones! They’re kissable.
I really missed your French Word a Day.
The latest photos of French storefronts and cafes will tide me over until your next post. I hope you are refreshed after your R&R. By the way, how do you say R&R in French?
I really missed your French Word a Day.
The latest photos of French storefronts and cafes will tide me over until your next post. I hope you are refreshed after your R&R. By the way, how do you say R&R in French?
In haste, so brief: Neuter – yes, of course. Declaw – no, no, no, no, no! Litter – much cat litter is dangerous due to inhalation of the dust it creates; the only safe litter our family (with 4 cats) has discovered is “Yesterday’s News”, a natural product formed from recycled newspaper. This comes from Canada, and can be purchased in France from several internet vendors – but we have never found it in a French pet shop or supermarket. Love the kitties and they will love you back.
Oh, and use a high-covered kitty litter tray with filters, and clean it daily. And let them go outdoors when they are old enough – it is a natural part of a cat’s life and they will miss so much if imprisoned. Don’t forget a catflap or two…
In haste, so brief: Neuter – yes, of course. Declaw – no, no, no, no, no! Litter – much cat litter is dangerous due to inhalation of the dust it creates; the only safe litter our family (with 4 cats) has discovered is “Yesterday’s News”, a natural product formed from recycled newspaper. This comes from Canada, and can be purchased in France from several internet vendors – but we have never found it in a French pet shop or supermarket. Love the kitties and they will love you back.
Oh, and use a high-covered kitty litter tray with filters, and clean it daily. And let them go outdoors when they are old enough – it is a natural part of a cat’s life and they will miss so much if imprisoned. Don’t forget a catflap or two…
Welcome back Kristi and especially a welcome to the wonderful world of cats!!! Ours are now celebrating their 24th birthdays (we have two and, yes, they are definitely indoor cats). You might want to consider adding screens to your windows so that you can easily leave them open through out the warm months, without worry of kitties taking off outside. The added benefit will be that you will have less flying pests inside as well! What cute little kitties and I know how much Jean-Marc loves cats. I can’t wait for the next installment.
Caroline
Welcome back Kristi and especially a welcome to the wonderful world of cats!!! Ours are now celebrating their 24th birthdays (we have two and, yes, they are definitely indoor cats). You might want to consider adding screens to your windows so that you can easily leave them open through out the warm months, without worry of kitties taking off outside. The added benefit will be that you will have less flying pests inside as well! What cute little kitties and I know how much Jean-Marc loves cats. I can’t wait for the next installment.
Caroline
Welcome back! Hope your cats add joy to your life. Whether you let them out depends on the hazards: busy streets, wild animals, etc. A bit of concrete advice about litter: I like Cat-San, fine grade (the blue and tan sack). If you remove the droppings carefully and put them in little plastic bags (as someone else said), the sand stays clean for months. We hardly ever have any odor (only if little bits are left behind)–then you can clean and add some bicarb. of soda to eliminate any smell. Or replace the litter. Have fun. Two cats is double the entertainment.
Welcome back! Hope your cats add joy to your life. Whether you let them out depends on the hazards: busy streets, wild animals, etc. A bit of concrete advice about litter: I like Cat-San, fine grade (the blue and tan sack). If you remove the droppings carefully and put them in little plastic bags (as someone else said), the sand stays clean for months. We hardly ever have any odor (only if little bits are left behind)–then you can clean and add some bicarb. of soda to eliminate any smell. Or replace the litter. Have fun. Two cats is double the entertainment.
So glad to see “FWAD” in my inbox again!
Will enjoy reading about your kitty (ies).
Is Le Navigator right near Shakespeare & Co??? Looks very familiar.
So glad to see “FWAD” in my inbox again!
Will enjoy reading about your kitty (ies).
Is Le Navigator right near Shakespeare & Co??? Looks very familiar.
Didn’t realize how much I missed your blog ’til you came back! Always so very charming and interesting. And kudos to you for becoming a surprise! cat mom (I’m a dog mom and we are now on our 3rd adopted Sheltie). I often think that these little fur people are God’s special gifts to us! And I love the little mustache…Susan Branch, another blogger, has a black/white cat named Jack that has a very distinct mustache. Check him (and Susan) out at susanbranch.com. Good luck!
Didn’t realize how much I missed your blog ’til you came back! Always so very charming and interesting. And kudos to you for becoming a surprise! cat mom (I’m a dog mom and we are now on our 3rd adopted Sheltie). I often think that these little fur people are God’s special gifts to us! And I love the little mustache…Susan Branch, another blogger, has a black/white cat named Jack that has a very distinct mustache. Check him (and Susan) out at susanbranch.com. Good luck!
I so love your blog and your country this summer we we lucky enough to take our 13 and 19 year old granddaughters and 2 year old great granddaughter as well for a few days in Paris we had a wonderful time ..if only I could connivence my husband to stay for 6 months (the dream) I so missed your blog I live my dream through you. Your Mr Pancho and Lilly
Are too cute we have 4 cats and they are quite entertaining. We love all four 2 were our daughters and came to live with us when she was living in Japan
You and your family will do well with the love you give life.
I so love your blog and your country this summer we we lucky enough to take our 13 and 19 year old granddaughters and 2 year old great granddaughter as well for a few days in Paris we had a wonderful time ..if only I could connivence my husband to stay for 6 months (the dream) I so missed your blog I live my dream through you. Your Mr Pancho and Lilly
Are too cute we have 4 cats and they are quite entertaining. We love all four 2 were our daughters and came to live with us when she was living in Japan
You and your family will do well with the love you give life.
Kristin, you have a mas, so the kitty will “go” outside, but let me tell you that Cat’s Best organic, FLUSHABLE litter is fantastic. Don’t use anything else!!!
She’s also young enough to potty train and you won’t have to use litter at all—-
more on that only if you ask.
She is a keeper…Loulou loved her on sight.
Kristin, you have a mas, so the kitty will “go” outside, but let me tell you that Cat’s Best organic, FLUSHABLE litter is fantastic. Don’t use anything else!!!
She’s also young enough to potty train and you won’t have to use litter at all—-
more on that only if you ask.
She is a keeper…Loulou loved her on sight.