Administrivia: Oh, bother

It would appear the software I used to move to the blog posts from MovableType to Blogger lost the author and used me as the writer for everything.  Annoying, but Katherine doesn't care much and I'm annoyed, not frantic about it.

Administrivia: A new place, new look, a new RSS feed?

For those of you (both of you) actually subscribed to this blog, please that note we've switched blog software and gone to a new address for it: http://kitten.kew.com.   As side effect of the move and/or new software, we may have broken any RSS feed you had, in which case you will need to resubscribe using the new address.

The good news is the software is easier for us to use to post (note how we actually posted today!), faster for both us and our readers, and less maintenance for us as well.

(Not that it will be perfect, for example the service we are now using had a major outage in early May.  But I won't have to fix any issues.)

As always, report any problems to me, ahd@kew.com.

p.s. This is actually a the most visible part of a major change for us, but I'll save the detailed description for posting in another blog on another day.

Photo Weekend Extra: The Flat Blue Kitty Warmer?

Whitey thought he found a new kitty warmer.

I don't have the heart to tell him that it is sitting unplugged on my desk because it's broken and it needs to be shipped out for service.

Office assistant kitty

Penwiper is a very helpful kitten. By sitting on my keyboard just once, he opened a search window and typed in new search terms for me. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't know how to spell "catnip" and got "ssssszzzzz" instead.

Oscar's Annual Vet Visit

Oscar really didn't enjoy his annual physical this year, which was on Friday.

In particular, his annual shots left him sore in both in both hips, every time he stood it was like watching him trying to get up with nearly paralyzed hind quarters.  Nor did we see him even try to move much for the first 24 hours.  Mostly, he hid under the bed, especially after Penwiper hopped up on the bed where Oscar was resting and tried to play.  Penwiper was told in no uncertain terms to go away.  (As was I when I later went to examine his feet.  That was one generally unhappy cat.)

Oscar's ghost routine included skipping two meals completely, even with room service.

Needless to say, we were relieved when he appeared for Saturday dinner, and by Sunday morning was hopping on the bed for the morning snuggle on my shoulder.

He's okay now, but it was a little scary.

Lost in the Noise?

Poor Oscar.

First, this new kitten shows up and takes over the new cat (his!) suite.

Then the new guy takes most of our attention, not to mention he has the gall to chase Oscar around the house as an equal.

Now late this past week, Oscar has partially lost his voice. His piercing cry is now more a "waa" than a proper cat meow. We don't know why, but the vet says so long he's eating and drinking normally, don't worry about it. (I suspect he's been talking more than normal, quite a feat for him...)

Finally, this morning, Oscar jumped up on the bed to say good morning to me, and yup, that new guy was in Oscar's spot on my shoulder. Oscar slinked off like a jilted boyfriend. He did come back a few minutes later when the coast was clear, and get his wakeup head scratch then.

We're trying to keep all the feline overlords in mind here. However, it may be time to turn it up a notch for Oscar, who is the least secure of them.

Photo Extra: When a plan comes together

The new guy fits right in. He's been taking afternoon naps with Billy. Apparently being reasonably polite, too, since Billy has neither swatted him into next week nor gotten up and left.

Billy & Penwiper Napping Together.

We're very happy, since this is more or less exactly the outcome we hoped for.