Finally Coming to a Screeching Halt

Skid Marks in Snow via DreamsTime

*SCREEEEEECH*

Whew, okay, we're back!

Well, you may have noticed that it has been waaay too long since I have written a witty post, or given an update.

Let me come up with a really good excuse 'splain...

Between the holidays, work, vet visits and moving—yep, moving!—things have been ever-so-slightly hectic for myself and Leonidas.

I know, LAME-O! But, there it is.

So, I find myself in a new apartment. Technically I've had it since the end of February, but this weekend marks the first time Leo and I have stayed there full time.

Let's back up a little bit.

Leo's first vet visit! I was a little nervous about the visit. Oh, not the visit itself, but more-so the whole car ride over there. Little Leo had only been in the car once before—when he was on his way to his fur-ever home. Needless to say, that was many moons ago! I borrowed a carrier, and brought it out the day before so he could investigate it, play in it and see it was NOT the enemy.

He did just that.

The next day I said, "Okay, Leo, time to go buh-byes!"

Naturally, he stared at me inquisitively.

"Buh-byes???" He asked wearily.

But, he scooted his cute, little derriere into the carrier with no problem. I hefted him into the back seat, cooed at him and off we went.

I don't know what it was, but the poor Duder was pretty darn nervous on the ride to the vet. He cried, and mewed and panted. I murmured at him reassuringly, and before we knew it I was hefting him out of the backseat and into the office.

We were able to be seen almost right away, which was awesome. The tech and I got Leo out of his carrier, and let him make a beeline for an open cabinet door. According to the tech, that is what all of the kitties do. So, he hid in there until he was forcibly removed by the tech again.

He let her pick him up. He let her weigh him on the scale. He let her take his *ahem* temperature. He let her give him two shots. He even let her take a stool sample for testing. He let her do all of this without a single peep. No protesting, no wriggling.

When the vet himself came in for a final evaluation, Leo was still cordial. Doc gave him a clean bill of health, minus that he wants him to lose a little bit of weight... whoops! Too much love. ::smiles::

Overall, Leo did awesome at the vet!

Leo got back into his carrier, I paid the bill and received a great welcome bag with goodies inside—what a nice touch!

Back into the car we went. This time, not a peep from the Dude. I had to head over to the apartment office to hand in some final documents, which meant leaving Leo in the car briefly. When I got back he was almost asleep! He stayed that way the entire drive back home. I chalked it up to the shots at the time, but when I put Leo back into that carrier to bring he and I to our new home, he took it like a champ! No crying, no mewing, no panting. He just curled up and relaxed. What a good traveler!

Oh yeah, I think Leo's going to be just fine in the new place.

So, the new apartment...

When I got there with Leo, I set the carrier down and opened its door.

And waited.

He was slow to come out at first, but once he did he was juuust fine. Poking his nose around and getting into everything.

After a little while he came over to me and asked, "Mama, what is this place?"

"It's home, buddy," I responded.

And after all of the unpacking, organizing and setting up—and having my Duder there through it all—it really is home now.

So, as you can see, we may have been a little absent, but it sure hasn't been boring.

More updates in the near future!

— E & L

Leo: The Next Tight Rope Walker, or the Next Right Fielder? You Decide...

Beds are the best!

Leo Kitty is a curious and smart little thing. His ancestors were probably the ones that inspired the old adage, "curiosity killed the cat."

But, like I said, he is also incredibly intelligent. I mean, he has figured out how to open the door!

At night I put him in his "bedroom" where his food, water, bed, litter box and some toys are, and shut the door. Just because I want to keep him out of trouble while I try to get some sleep. Anyway, when he was still smaller, he quickly figured out that all he had to do was jump up, grab the handle and that door would open.

I still remember the first time he did it. There was a loud noise, and then all of a sudden I hear this little kitty squeak.

"Mew," he said as he sauntered into the bedroom.

"Leo! Did you let yourself out???" I was aghast. Surely not...

I put him back in there. A few minutes later, here he comes.

"Mew."

That is some serious cognitive thinking!

So, lately Little Leo has been a fan of the bed. He loves to snooze on there during the day, and he also thinks it is a prime playing spot.

The headboard and footboard have this open, metalwork design. Recently, Leo has been putting one little, kitty paw on the railing. Then the other. Then he puts one of his back feet on there, then attempts the last one. But, he quickly realizes that is pretty unstable, so he sticks to the two feet. I'm still convinced he'll figure it out one of these days. He's like a circus kitty or something! I tell him he can be whatever he wants when he grows up, but he always responds the same way:

"I'm going to be a pawsitively ferocious Tiger Cat when I grow up!"

Sure you are, buddy.

Anyway, we even have a new game that involves the bed and the railing:

I grab one of his toys, usually a mousey toy or his "Cute Kitty" heart from his Auntie Jean. And Leo crouches behind the rail. I toss the toy into the air toward the bed, and Leo leaps up to catch it! He will then rastle with it for a few moments, then walk away so I can pick it up and start the game all over again.

We will also play through the railing. I will toss the toy up to him while he has an arm through a hole in the railing, and he'll snatch the toy!

It's actually a lot of fun for both of us. He is a really good catcher! He has quick reflexes and jumps up, nice and tall, and catches the toy right out of the air. He could be an outfielder! Catching that ball, getting the out and winning the game!

::fake crowd cheers::

He'll never go for that.

He'd rather be playing "tiger in the grass."

::purrRawr!::

— E & L