Happy 19th Birthday Rudy!

My very first photo shoot! (that's me in the blue circle)

Today I am 19 years old. Wow. I don't feel that old. I have lived with many awesome brothers and sisters over the years. My Mom Puff, sweet Powder, Payton, beloved Parker Pie, and now Rickey Tiki Tavi and Kharma -  the great dogs, Jordan, Diamond and now sweet Fletcher. I have been very fortunate. Mom says that I have never known hunger, been without a loving family and a home - and for the most part have been very healthy. I wish all kitties could be as lucky as I have been...

It's fun being me!

Life is good!

Late 1999

 More of my cuteness

I know that we do not post very often on the blog - but if you are reading this - thank you for coming over and seeing me on my big day. I like to sleep more than I used to, but I still love to eat and snuggle and I still love the 'nip! Cheers everyone - I love you!

Rudy Toots ❤❤❤

The Rudy Report

Hola kitties! It's ME - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! Summer has not made my appetite smaller and I am enjoying the first hint of autumn breezes. My report will be om Parker Pie, I am happy to report that she's about 85% back to her old, ornery self. She even bapped my on the nose while we were out on the deck! That's the sister I know and love! Parker goes to see Dr. Joe next week and I hope he agrees that she's better. Daddy has been slipping her extra stinky goodness while the rest of us pretend to nap. We know he's doing it - we're just nice that way! She wants all of her weight back on before she'll allow any pictures. So in the meantime you'll just need to feast your eyes on my handsomeness!
Keep those tails high kitties!

The Rudy Report

'Sup kitties? It's me - RUDY! with your late Rudy Report! The 'rents were slackin' and that's why my report is a day late. Never mind that Mommy worked at our little shelter - I ought to be a priority!
Daddy was the hero of the weekend and gave us some deck time. Mommy, well, she'd on my list because I hear that I am going to the groomers next Monday. Unceremoniously dumped off in my PTU for a shave and a haircut. That's no way to treat a rockstar like me. Never mind that I won't let her comb me - never mind that I have mats on my butt and my back...I don't wanna' get shaved! 'Rents...sigh...
Anyway, it's hot and I am told that I will feel much better after I have the mats gone. I think I feel fine now!
So kitties, just don't be like me and let your beans brush you.
Keep your tail high and mat free!

The Rudy Report

Kitties, here's my report - Ahhhhh, the deck is a good thing. ZZZzzzzz...

The Rudy Report

Hey there kitties! It's me - RUDY! With your Rudy Report!

Mommy said that I am the cutest couch potato that she's ever known. Who am I to disagree? Since we had some rain this weekend I had to make do with some sofa-snoozes. That was OK, it's closer to the kitchen where there was steak! And chicken livers! Good smells out there.

Mommy's new position with our little Humane Society is keeping her very busy. But like I said, it's OK - I know it's helping those animals get forever homes. She'll have to tell you about it some day!

By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS ML! We love you! 

The Rudy Report - NOT!



I have the right to remain cute...

Well...maybe not as cute as Rudy as a mere babe...

He turned 12 on Friday. I may or may not have shut down Blogger to avoid all of the Hoopla.

Yeah, he's cute, he's the one on the right. A suck-up right from the start.

He got pretty sick last year. We all were so worried, it took a lot out of all of us.

He's fine now. Big and bad and hard to diaper.

As brothers go, I guess I got lucky in that department.

I turn 10 in August. And I'm the baby.

Mommy says that she sometimes gets a little leaky eyed when people suggest that we are all Geriatric. I remind her that we are all here now. All of us, happy and healthy. That's the secret to happy, keep the love from the past in your heart, keep the love you get now in front of your whiskers.  If only beans could remember that.  Live for the moment kitties!

*The Rudy Report will be back next Monday, if I let it...

The Rudy Report

 おはよう kitties! It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! I hope your Easter weekend was a nice one. We had the mother of all meats - HAM! and I am here to tell you it was very, very nommy. Parker was so happy about this that she couldn't stay out of the kitchen while Mommy was preparing it. She kept yelling "HAM! HAM! HAM!" That cat sure has a set of lungs on her.

After our feast I was feeling quite generous and allowed Parker to share the 'nip infused Turbo Track with me. We actually played together with no whapping from either side. Hey, it was Easter, I felt the need to be good. Too bad the weather was all rainy and chilly. I bet the Easter Bunny had to wear a sweater!
One more week until the new computer is supposed to be here.
Keep those tails high kitties!

The Rudy Report

Tja kitties! It's me - RUDY! with your video Rudy Report! What you see in this video is our very first time on the deck in 2011. History being made! Parker, Powder and I all have a speaking role. Parker checks out a dead leaf and loves on our lounge chair, oh, and she chases Puff. Me? I'm just being my adorable self. You'll laugh, you'll cry at the injustice of Puff being forced out of the shot and you'll marvel at Mommy's mad film-shooting skillz.
So what else is new? WE FINALLY ORDERED A NEW COMPUTER! It isn't here yet, the Dell beans are saying that we will have it on May the 4th. It only took Mommy six months to make up her mind. Hopefully this old machine we are using will last another few weeks - and hopefully Mommy can figure out how to use the new one.
The flowers are blooming and we are all enjoying open windows and doors. I hope you are having a groovy day. Keep those tails high kitties!

The Rudy Report

Well Hi there kitties - it's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! What an awesome weekend it was! Mommy went out hunting and came back with a refill for the middle of my our Turbo Track ball chaser. She stuffed it full of the preemo 'Nip and I went to town! So much fun! I really feel good and Mommy says she thinks that I weigh more now than I ever have. I have to go and visit Dr. Wendy next month for my shots that are overdue. Dr. Wendy did not want to give them to me a few months ago because it was too early after that awful Hemobart that I had. I've  made it through my grooming last month, so I guess I can make it through a visit to Dr. Wendy and a few pokes in the butt.
The grill has been working overtime with the nicer weather and we have all had little tastes of real live dead shrimps and steak. Springtime rocks.
Keep those tails high and enjoy the passing of winter. I have to say, this winter was the worst winter I have ever had in all of my 12 + years. I made it though and am happy that I have the chance to welcome Spring to our little corner of O Hi O!

The Rudy Report

Ahoy kitties! It's me - RUDY! - with your Rudy Report! So much to share...where do I start? Oh, I know! Let me start by telling you how intellectually challenged mommy is! You know how we have been without the innerwebs forever? Well, the reason was that Mommy kept entering her wireless router password over and over and over and over again. The only problem was that she did not enter it in caps. It only took her 4 days to figure that out. Hoo-Boy, what a stoopid thing to not figure out for 4 DAYS! I'm at a loss for words when it comes to this. But, we're back on the webs and now I can tell you about my visit to Tiffany the wonder-groomer. Lemme' back up a little bit. It's no secret that I HATE to be groomed. HATE HATE HATE! Unless, apparently, Tiffany does it. Almost a week ago (last Tuesday) I was unceremoniously scooped up and stuffed into my PTU and delivered to Tiffany. She fawned and ooohhhhed and ahhhhed over me, and patiently listened to Mommy who, in great and painful detail, told her about my recent illness and how Dr. Wendy finally gave the OK for me to get groomed (thanks Dr. Wendy, I will not forget this). Anyhow, Mommy left and I went with Tiffany to endure a bath, clippy-claws, ear cleaning and a blow-out which included a liberal dose of stink-pretty applied to my furs. They called Mommy to say I was ready to come home and when Mommy arrived to collect me, Tiffany said "I don't get it, he just sits there and lets me groom him. He's so easy..." I think that's where Mommy's head exploded.
You see kitties, Mommy is no cat-amateur. She's worked with thousands of cats in her shelter days and she's no feline-dummy. She can clip claws, de-mat and clean ears with the best of them. But me? No way. I will not let her do any of those things. It's just a thing I have with her. Don't get me wrong, I love her and she adores me, but when it comes to grooming, no thanks Mommy, I rather you didn't.
Puff, Powder and the Parkster have no problems with her getting up close and personal with their grooming. In fact, they kinda' like it. Maybe it's a guy thing...
Mommy promises to get some better photos of my new 'do, but really, I have sleek gorgeous furs now. No hunks are missing and if anything, I look maaaaarvelous! The only shaving I received was around my spot 13. And I kinda' like the look - less cleaning required from me. It's all good.
Keep those tails high kitties...

The Rudy Report

Me 'Splorin' Dr. Wendys Stuff

dzień dobry kitties! It's me - RUDY! with you Rudy Report! Last Friday I went for my final check up with Dr. Wendy. The news was awesome! If you remember at my very sickest, I weighed 7 pounds. Today kitties, I am proud to report that I weighed in at 10.5 pounds! Dr. Wendy was so shocked that she weighed me on 3 scales. I was happy, alert and full of cuddles for my favorite vet. She said I was "special" and that I was a "miracle". Here is some more good news. She doesn't want to mess with perfection, so for the time being I do not have to get the shots that I am due to have. She wants to wait until April - and I am A-OK with that! All of the vet techs, the receptionists and Dr. Joe came in to say hello. They all said that I was such a good cat and that they are so happy that I have my health back. I still have a teensy bit of weight to gain as my ideal weight is about 11 pounds. Not a problem, I'll get to work on that right away! I know that I had a close call with seeing the Bridge up close and personal and I am one grateful kitty. All of your good thoughts, prayers and purrs got me back on solid ground. I am not ready to leave this little corner of O Hi O just yet. Thanks kitties.

The Mom-'rent here - my hubby and I want to say thanks to all of you as well. We are so very happy that we got our Orange Menace back. Dr. Wendy had one word of caution, once Hemobart is there, it's there. He can have a relapse, but she thinks that the probability is slim for our Rudester. We have to always watch his stress levels as stress can bring on another onset. She did say that it was OK to make a grooming appointment for him. So - don't tell Rudy, but in a few weeks he gets the pleasure of going to see Tiffany, his favorite groomer at Diamond Doggies vet. Heh-heh...

The Rudy Report

Snug as a bug in a rug...

G'Day kitties, here I am, RUDY! With your Rudy Report. Oh the joys of a Ham-Mick. Naps are better in them, they make you feel like you are floating on a soft cloud full of love and peace. And that's what I did for a lot of the weekend, I napped and snacked. The 'rents were generous with some awesome pot roast tastes and I keep eating like a little piggy. Mommy is so happy about this! Daddy had a fun Sunday watching his Bears and Mommy cooked and baked and generally hung out in the kitchen with us while the cold O Hi O weather reminded us how lucky we are in our forever home.

I overheard that I am going to go back to see Dr. Wendy on January 31st. I am OK with this as I feel great and don't mind showing Dr. Wendy how well I am doing. My newest game is batting leaves off of our Boston Fern. It's so much fun, I don't understand why Daddy gets annoyed when I do it. 'Rents, who knows what makes them tick...

Anyhow kitties, I hope your Monday is wonderful, I am planning on helping Daddy cook some pork chops. Maybe if I put on my cute face I'll get a taste or two...or three.

Keep your tail held high and have the best Monday possible. Peace out.

The Rudy Report

Hellllllo kitties! It's me RUDY! - with your Rudy Report! Diamond Doggie and I have a pretty good relationship. Us guys have to stick together in a home full of female felines. He's got my back and I've got his. Or is it he has my hiney and I have his??? Anyway...it is bone chilling cold outside and we like to keep each other toasty on the love seat. Diamond has his froot bats up because there were people actually walking on the sidewalk in front of our house!!! It's his job to keep all of us safe from people walking outside on the frigid cold sidewalk.
I'm very happy to report that I FEEL GREAT! I've put a lot of the weight back on that I lost and I am playing, having attacks of the kitty-crazies and have even felt the wrath of the evil spray bottle a few times when I thought it might be fun to dive-bomb ambush my sibs. The 'rents say that I have turned the corner this week. I have no idea what that means - I turn a lot of corners every day...
In other news, I had a new collar come from the man in the bloo long underwear. Parker got a new collar as well. She'll show them to you later this week. We'll be stylin' our winter fashions! As far as what's been going on in the food report, I'm happy to say that the Stinky Goodness continues to flow freely to keep me bulked up. Mommy made some stuff that I think looks and smells disgusting - here take a look - that's not anything fit for a cat...

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting - Yuk!

Can you believe that Daddy actually likes these things??? 'Rents...I just don't understand them...

Happy Monday kitties, I'll catch you later.

The Good, the Bad and the Crusty

Who You Callin' Crusty?!?

Dooooooooods...it's me! RUDY! With an early Rudy Report! Anyone have any Twinkies or Fritos they can spare? I'm starving! I need to tell you all what's been up with me lately. First of all, I am FINISHED with that awful, horrid, terrible, stinky, gucky, no-good medicine (Doxycycline). I kicked the Haemobartonellosis in the buttocks and my bloods are A-OK to stop having to take that medicine! I don't know who is happier, me, or Mommy. It's probably a draw. Anywho...
I am still a little picky about eating. Dr. Wendy went to a conference last week and she said she thought about me a lot. One of the speakers gave a lecture about older kitties and IBS and Pancreatitis. Dr. Wendy said that I fit the profile for a lot of what they were talking about. She thought and thought and when she saw me on Friday she spent a lot of time talking to Mommy and said the best thing we can do is to get me interested in eating as much good foods as we can and the best way to do that is to give me some liquid Valium when I turn my nose up at my foods. I started yesterday. All I can say is - IT WORKS!
'Lemme' back up a little bit...since October, I have been very, very sick. And I have lost a LOT of weight. I was eleven + pounds at my wellness check in the summer and during my illness I dropped to a little over seven pounds. I know, I know...we did not share this with all of you because it was just too...well, awful. I'm now up to eight and a half pounds. Progress, right? So, Dr. Wendy wants me to keep bulking up, but I can't eat just anything. It has to be good for my kidneys too. The solution, according to the experts, is to stimulate my appetite through the use of Valium. We did some Valium trials over the last three weeks, but it was with tablets and I did not want to take them. At all. Ever. Not even kinda'. So Dr. Wendy found a pharmacy that will provide us with the liquid version and taking it that way is a little easier on all of us. Yesterday Dr. Wendy gave me a dose while I was getting my Sub Q's at her office and loving up on her kids and the staff. The next thing I knew, I was very, very hungry! Bring on the stinky goodness, 'lemme at those Temptations, you got some Rx dry food? - cool! I'll eat it! Yum! So, I think we've found a solution for the time being. I keep eating, no meds. I get picky, a little Valium. So that's where we are with my health.
Here's something else for the report. It is no secret that I have never liked to groom myself or to be groomed. What can I say, it's just the way I am. So, as a result of my being sick, I look pretty scraggely, rag-a-muffinish, or as Mommy says, crusty! Since I am still such a delicate flower (ha! delicate flower - Mommy's words, not mine!), I cannot be taken to the groomers for a few weeks. We have to watch my stress levels. Kitties, the photo of me that you see is the awful truth, I look like seven miles of bad road. Crusty, skinny and sometimes a little cranky. But, I'm comin' back - trust me kitties, I am on my way.
And last, but not least - I want all of you to know that I can feel the purrs and the prayers and all of your kind thoughts. I'd blame Mommy for being a bad secretary, but she has really spent more time with me and my sibs than she has in front of the computer. She's a good 'rent, so I have to cut her some slack. I hope you kitties will as well.
I send you crusty love from my little corner of O Hi O -
Rudy-Toots
ps - Parker says that in case you were worried, she's still alive and well and eating like an industrial Hoover. Ha!

The Rudy Report

Ya'at'eeh kitties! It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! The best thing about Thanksgiving was that I finished all of that awful medicine that I had to take. Boy oh boy, am I ever grateful about that! But now it's time to go back and see my old buddy, Dr. Joe. He has to check and make sure my bladder infection is all gone. But he needs to do something else. Here's the deal kitties, I still don't feel great and I am not gaining any weight back. I ate a little turkey on Friday and I threw it back up! I don't care too much about any foods - Mommy went out and bought some baby food to see if I had any interest in that. Nope. My Rx. food? - not so much. Warmed up stinky Rx. food? Nah - not now...I'm just not hungry. And I am tired. I did love up on our guests over the weekend, so that was a little fun. Other than that - all I want to do is nap. As a matter of fact, I think a nap sounds pretty good right now. I'll catch you later kitties...
Mom here - we are worried sick. Dr. Joe will do some more diagnostics this week, we hope whatever this is that has him so lethargic can be found and fixed. He does not seem to have any pain and is still very affectionate, but he just ain't right...please think good thoughts for our little orance menace...

The Rudy Report

Tansi kitties! It's me - Rudy! with your Rudy Report! If you are like me you are counting down the days until the turkey gets stuffed in the oven. I don't care what the 'rents say about my new diet, I am going to get some tastes of that bird! It's my feline right I tell you! I am growing very tired of having to take my medicine (so is Mommy!) and I only have three more days of her holding me down and squirting that gunk down my throat. Then I guess I get carted off to see Dr. Joe again to make sure that stoopid bladder infection is all gone. But enough of that. I'd rather focus on the joy of Thanksgiving. We sure do have a lot to be thankful for - the 'rents, our home, being loved and wanted. I know that there are so very many kitties that are not as lucky as we are. I am also a little sad about our buddies who have left for the Bridge. We are thinking of the families that they have left behind and know that the holiday will not be as happy with their absence.
Count your blessing kitties, I know that I am.
Oh - and if you know of a foolproof way to snatch tastes of turkey, let me know...thanks!

The Rudy Report

Namaskar kitties! It's me - Rudy! - With your Rudy Report! Well the 'rents weren't kidding about taking me back to Dr. Joe for a check-up last Thursday. I was once again stuffed into the PTU and taken to the opposite of the most wonderful place on earth. They examined my ::whispers:: pee and I still have some bacteria. Sooooo....for 14 days I have this liquid gunk (Orbax) shot down my throat. Let me tell you kitties, I give the 'rents a run for their money. Mommy said she never knew that I could be such a squirmy-worm! Four days down and ten to go and then I have to go and see Dr. Joe again!!! Cripes kitties, this is getting old! Stupid bladder infection...
I do feel pretty good. I have learned a new place to get the best water. Right before Mommy brushes her toofies every morning, I jump up for a good lonnnnng drink. This really torks Powder off because that was her "thing", now she has to wait for me to finish before she gets a turn. What can I say, I'm just not a gentlecat like that. After Powder gets a shot, Mommy can finally get down to the business of getting ready for her day. She can wait, we're worth it.
All weekend the 'rents cooked and all weekend we got nothin' - they are sticking to this "no tastes for the kitties" thing. Which sux mightily because you know what holiday is right around the bend. Let it be known - I will not be denied my turkey!!!

The Rudy Report - A Day Early

To quote my good buddy Max, Doods, I did not feel so good...

Anywho...let me tell you about the last week or so. It sucked - big time. I didn't want to say anything to the 'rents, they worry and when they worry, it means a trip to see Dr. Joe. And as much as Dr. Joe is a very nice guy, he has a bad habit of sticking things into me that I'd prefer he didn't. So, Mommy noticed last week that I wasn't acting my normally spritzy self. You know, not chasing Puff and ambushing Powder, maybe not being as hoover-y with my food and just generally not being my normal adorable orange self. Then she said to Daddy - "doesn't he feel a little light"? Daddy agreed and the next thing you know, Mommy was on the phone with Dr. Joe and had made an appointment for me to go and see him on Saturday (yesterday). But last Thursday night Mommy opened a new bag of Temptations and took us out on the deck. Normally this is my little idea of kitty nirvana. But I had no interest in the treats and while I was out on the deck I just sort of lolled around. That's when Mommy knew that things were not as they should be with her little orange creamsicle and the next thing I knew, the appointment got moved to Friday.

Really Mommy, I'm OK

So, OK, I lied, I wasn't OK. I was hiding a raging bladder infection and I did not see why it was anyones business. Later that evening, I joined in on a fun game of trackball but did not choose to challenge Parker's mad whapping skillz.

I could totally beat her at this game...if I wanted to...

So Friday morning I got stuffed into the PTU and off to Dr. Joe I went. Honestly, I didn't even care, I felt like last Monday's poop. I just wanted to sleep. I didn't want to eat, I didn't want to do anything. I got on the scale and all I heard were the gasps - "He weighs 9.7 pounds!" (I usually weigh about 12 pounds).  So I had lost a few pounds, what's the big deal?  Dr. Joe poked me, prodded me, stole my bloods, and stuck a tube somewhere that I don't even want to tell you about  - and then he told Mommy and Daddy to go away and call him in a hour. THEY LEFT ME THERE KITTIES!  Mommy and Daddy went home and I went to a suite in the back of Dr. Joe's hotel. I had a  lot of nice people waiting on me hand and paw. Needles here, thermometers there, it was really a lot of fuss over my poor bladder. Back at the ranch, Mommy and Daddy were beside themselves - they didn't know what Dr. Joe was going to tell them. When they called to see if they could come and get me Dr. Joe said no! He wanted to keep me overnight and said that I had one of the worst bladder infections that he had ever seen. I had to stay the night and get IV aunty-biotics and fluids. Crappity-crap-crap crap...

Sooooooo...I stayed at the kitty Hotel California on Friday night. Luckily I was much better on Saturday morning and got sprung from the joint to enjoy the weekend at home.

Now I'm on a new diet and the 'rents are hovering over me - frankly it's a little annoying. I love them and all, but a guy needs his alone time. I feel better, but I have a ways to go 'till I'm back to my old menacing self. I leave you with a little picture of what I went through - kitties, I hope this never happens to you. As much as Dr. Joe and his staff are awesome, home and healthy is the only place you want to be.

Yeah, it's a lot of dough, but the 'rents say I am totally worth it.

The Rudy Report

Salvete kitties, it's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report! What a nice weekend we had here at Casa De Parker. Out on the deck with a little vitamin D3, a little 'nip and some leaves to bat around. It was all good! After having no tastes of chili last weekend, we got lucky because the 'rents made some turkey thighs in the hotbox - we all had a taste and I am here to tell you that it was gobble-gobble good!
Mommy has noticed that I am a little more mellow than normal. She also noticed that I feel a little lighter when she picks me up to cuddle. So I guess Karma has come to bite me in the 'tocks and I've got to go and see Dr. Joe. At least that isn't until next weekend. I think I am just fine, I'm 11 and a half, it's time that I relax more and spat less. I show no other troubling symptoms, I still play and scratch the big scratching tree with gusto, but Mommy wants to make certain there isn't something wrong that I'm not telling her about. 'Rents - they worry too much!
Our fireplace is waiting for a new part, so Puff is pining away for it. Our computer is still one breath away from going to the great computer heaven in the sky, and our computer guy still says "wait for this great sale that's coming"! So we can still only post and comment a little bit...
AND as you can see by the photo, Parker is trying to hog in on my time. Some things never change!

The Rudy Report

Greetings kitties! It's me -  RUDY! With your Rudy Report! I think this photo sums up our weekend. Right up to the part where the fireplace's thermowhozywhammits part went out. Now we have no fireplace and Puff is very bummed out. Brian the fireplace guy is very busy and it might be DAYS 'till we get our fireplace back. It's a travesty I tell ya! Speaking of travesties - what 'rent in their right mind makes chili to eat? Kitties don't like chili! Chili is no fun. But here's what was fun...

"Why are you touching me there?!?"

Miss Parker Pie had her check up and hiney shots from Dr. Joe on Saturday. You know what kitties? She flirted with him! Don't let this photo fool you. Mommy said she came out of the PTU and strolled right over to him and let him poke and prod her and did not put up a fuss. She even gave him some nose-taps! what a little suck-up. I am embarrassed to be related to her. He said she was "perfect". Mommy told him that she knew that already. Good grief...