A Few Words From the 'Rents - New Beginnings

Get a beverage of your choice, this is a long one...

Me at the HSoAC circa 2012- my home away from home and my heart. I'm lovin' on Meowser, he got adopted into a great home after a year at the shelter.

The first photo I took of our home in O Hi O to share with hubby back in Kansas City.

Our last day in Kansas City - July 2007, you can read all about that day here.

So many things have happened over the last few months, but the most significant change is that we have decided to follow our hearts and move back to Kansas City Missouri! O Hi O has been a great experience, many happy memories and some sad ones as well, but the time is right to start again in the land of BBQ, great activities, great people and Wayside Waifs!

The Hardest Part of Leaving? Right Here...

I have been honored to be a part of this great organization for the last two and a half years. It's going to break my heart to say good-bye when I walk out of the doors for the last time. If you ever want to see the meaning of dedication in action, spend a day there with the staff and volunteers. It will blow you away. They live the mission every day, and the animals that find their way into the shelter are treated with love and respect. If you have to be a shelter animal, this is where you want to be waiting for your forever home!

So, looking back, what's happened with us over the last seven years?

Here's the happy stuff - 

The reason we moved, my job at this great hospital. 

Ricky-Tiki Tavi - the first photo of him, he literally just showed up on our front porch.

He may be deaf, but that doesn't slow him down or make him any less a gorgeous house panther!

Fletcher - the first photo of him with his very happy Dad.

A few months later - Kharma Kitty. Helping fill a Parker sized hole in our hearts.

Lookit' that face! She is so awesome and loving. We know Parker Pie had a paw in this choice!

Christmas in the big house is always a treat. Parker loved the tree!

It was a joy living here!

The warmer weather was a joy as well.

Not everything was happy in our lives - we suffered some great losses. Heartbreaking ones.

We lost our beloved Parker on May 24th, 2012. It's a loss that still stings.

World famous for her smoochies, she left a hole in our hearts. 

A year later, Diamond Doggie decided to join Parker at the Bridge. Another devastating loss so soon after Parker. He was such a good dog and loved us unconditionally for over 11 years. 

Who was a good boy? You were Diamond.

May 1st, 2002 - May 31st, 2013. Always faithful, forever loved.

 But this guy needed a home.

And he fits in perfectly!

So my friends, we begin another chapter in our lives. Back to a familiar city, back to friends and family that we have missed very much. 2014 will be a year of changes, Hopefully more good ones than bad. We'll celebrate one last holiday here in O Hi O then strike out with our furry family to KC. Please wish us luck. We'll still be here on the "internets" - just a little further west.

I have one favor to ask of you. If you can find it in your heart to send a small donation to our little shelter here in Ohio, please click here and donate. Please tell them it's for helping Fletcher and Kharma find their forever homes with Parker's family. They really need the help - and remember - it's good Kharma!

Smoochies from all of us - The 'rents, Puff, Powder, Rudy, Ricky-Tiki-Tavi, Fletcher and Kharma.

And, Puff, Powder and Rudy want you to know that they are all doing fine and look forward to going back to KC and show the new kids the ropes out there.

Yup - we do!

Introducing Whitey 2! A New Kid in Town

ACHOO! Oh, Hi there. You will have to forgive me, but I am a little sneezy and boogery. Four days ago I was sitting on some wood out by our little shelter here in O Hi O and Parker's mommy saw me. I don't know why I was sitting there. I do not remember a lot about my life before I came here. I just know that Parker's Mommy spoke to me so sweetly and when she walked toward me and went to pick me up, I just let her. Something told me I should trust her. I was tired and hungry and I have a pretty bad cold. This is me right after Parker's Mommy took me inside the shelter. I was trying to get her to pet me some more.

I was hoping for some dinner, but the nice people at the shelter had to give me some tests before I could eat anything. I must be pretty smart because I passed all of them with flying colors! Lemme' tell you, I chowed down after the tests, I was a very hungry boy. Even with my sneezing and boogery nose, I wanted to eat, eat, eat!!! I am taking medicine now to make me feel better.

Here I am yesterday getting some lovin'. You can see that my eyes are much better. Everyone at the shelter thinks that I am very sweet and that I will get all better and then I get tutored (I thought I was already pretty smart, but the shelter people still thinks I need tutoring - oh wait - neutering!) - really?!? Yikes! But if that what it takes to get one of these "forever homes" I keep hearing about, it will be worth losing my boy bits...
Since I am a white kitty and a stray, Parker's Mommy asked a friend of hers if she could give me a very special name. She told me about a special kitty boy that lived with a wonderful family in a swamp down south, He left for the Bridge and Mommy thinks that his spirit guided me to our little shelter. Her friend said yes, so now I have a very special name! I like it a lot and Parker's Mommy says that she will see to it that I get a home that is just as awesome as the one my namesake had. So Whitey - I want to thank you for guiding me here. Life is looking up and I promise to be as good a boy as you were.
Boogery Love and purrs,
Whitey 2

How I've Been...

Hi there. Just because I can't see does not mean that I can't enjoy a window open. There are awesome smells and wonderful sounds. The breeze felt so good on my furs. This has been a very mild winter, we have had the windows open a few times. Once we were allowed on the deck. I did not like that as much. I was a little scared and hung close to Daddy. It was OK. but I prefer windows now.
I have gained some weight. Mommy thinks that I am a little more active. She brought home some Popeye's Chicken when she went traveling last week and I inhaled some (meat only, no skin!).
My friend Whitey went to the Bridge a few days ago and all of us here are very, very sad about that. We loved that boy and felt such joy as he discovered his forever home and healed form the terrible boo-boos that he mysteriously had on his face. Whitey was a gentle soul and a very handsome cat. Godspeed Whitey. To honor his memory, Mommy is going to name a shelter kitten Whitey - there were some kittens born at the shelter last week and one of them will carry on the Whitey name. Photos to follow. The kittens are still too new to be fussed with.
Our little shelter keeps on keeping on and yesterday Mommy adopted 2 cats to their forever homes. It's a good thing!
I feel your love and wish that I had the energy (and sight) to blog more. Know that I love you all and that I send you huge smoochies.
xoxoxoxoxox

Laissez les bon temps rouler

Let the good times roll kitties! I am feeling pretty good lately and I hope all of you are doing well. We are getting our Mardi Gras on and Siegfried and Roy are feeling the party spirit. Old man winter has not visited very much and some of our little flowers are sprouting up out of the ground. I sit by the window on the radiator and imagine what the outside looks from my memory. I am a good rememberer...
'Laissez les bon temps rouler' kitties and remember - I love you!
Smoochies!

Happy Thanksgiving

From all of us here in O Hi O - we wish you a happy, healthy and peaceful Thanksgiving. Oh - and lots and lots of turkey noms!
Smoochies from Perfectly Parker.

Diabetes Month - We Have A Favor To Ask

I may be feeling poorly, but I still have the energy to hiss and swat at the awful disease of Diabetes. I'd like to ask all of my kitty pals to post this on their sidebar for the month of November to increase Diabetes awareness. Diabetes is a rotten, expensive, time consuming and stupid disease that needs to be wiped off the face of the earth and sent down to basement cat.

I'd like to send special smoochies to Zoolatry who designed this great sidebar.

So please kitties, if you can, help me raise awareness.

Smoochies to all of you - I love you all!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Parker Update

Hi kitties. I thought I'd give you a little update on how I am doing. Since it's getting chilly outside the fireplace is one of my favorite spots. It's warm and Daddy's chair is a wonderful spot to stay toasty. Puff likes to cat-nap in her ham-mick.

The fire makes me yawn-y and sleepy!

But the very best time is lap time. I have become quite the lap kitty. My days are filled with treats and stinky goodness and love from the 'rents. I'm quite content and am not in pain. My pretty blue eye is still quite pretty, but does not work, so I am hesitant about jumping up to high places and I have to think harder when I move from the floors to the bed or the couch or a lap.

I got a card from my psycho-handsome mancat Tripper. It was lovely.  It made my mommy leak from her eyes a little.

I feel all of the love and hugs and purrs from you. It makes me warm and happy. Thank you so much. We read your messages and we peek at your blogs - but much of our time is spent snuggling and enjoying our time together. We know how precious time is - no matter if we have weeks or months or years left together, we want to soak up the love and the happiness and store it all up for the future.

All of my love and smoochies to you my friends!

xoxoxoxoxoxox

Parker-Pie





For Misses Peach



Dear Friend, We will miss you



She was an angel on earth. Now she has her wings...

 

Where to Bury A Cat

There are various places within which a cat may be buried. We are thinking now of a tabby cat, a striped cat, whose coat was like watered silk, and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This cat is buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave. Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good cat. For beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or chased bees, or lifted head to challenge some winged intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. For if the cat be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that cat sleeps at long and at last. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in kittenhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where the most exhilarating moles burrow. It is all one to the cat, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing lost -- if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a cat. One place that is best of all. If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you must already have guessed, he will come to you when you call -- come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living cats, they shall not hiss at him, nor resent his coming, for he is yours and he belongs there. People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no mew pitched too fine for mere audition, people who may never really have had a cat. Smile at them then, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing. The one best place to bury a good cat is in the heart of his owner.

by Ben Hur Lampman, Portland Oregonian, 1921

Weekend Plans

I have big plans this weekend. They involve the deck, some sun and shade and a lotta' nip. All kitties are welcome to come over and enjoy the weekend with me. I have to tell you, life doesn't get much better than this. So if you are in the mood for some fun and sun (and 'nip), you know where to find it - the big brick house in our little corner of O Hi O (I'll keep a blue eye out for you!).
Friday Smoochies!

Lilacs In O Hi O

This is a photo taken of me and some lilacs last year, but it is one of my favorites. A sweet comment left yesterday by the boyz about an old tune made me think of it. Thanks boyz for the happy memory. Our lilacs smell and look pretty this year - I just didn't get my picture taken with them...

Godspeed Sweet Praline

Sweet Praline
September 25, 1995 ~ April 25th, 2011

We lost a very dear friend yesterday. Sweet Praline acheived angel status at the Rainbow Bridge. Praline was such a beautiful kitty that had a loving and devoted Mommy. I know that her Mommy must feel all kinds of sad and heartbroken over the loss of such a special kitty. We send her our love and we hope that soon her memories of Sweet Praline will make her smile more than they make her cry.

In honor of Miss Sweet Praline -

Where to Bury A Cat

There are various places within which a cat may be buried. We are thinking now of a tabby cat, a striped cat, whose coat was like watered silk, and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This cat is buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave. Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good cat. For beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or chased bees, or lifted head to challenge some winged intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. For if the cat be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that cat sleeps at long and at last. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in kittenhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where the most exhilarating moles burrow. It is all one to the cat, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing lost -- if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a cat. One place that is best of all. If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you must already have guessed, he will come to you when you call -- come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living cats, they shall not hiss at him, nor resent his coming, for he is yours and he belongs there. People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no mew pitched too fine for mere audition, people who may never really have had a cat. Smile at them then, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing. The one best place to bury a good cat is in the heart of his owner.

by Ben Hur Lampman, Portland Oregonian, 1921

Godspeed Sweet Praline,  you were loved so very, very much...

Godspeed Mickey

We have lost a very sweet and dear friend. Mickey was one of the nicest and loving mancats in the blogosphere. He loved his Mommy, his family and his lovely wife, Misses Peach. Our hearts are broken today as we honor this lovely kitty.

Where to Bury A Cat


There are various places within which a cat may be buried. We are thinking now of a tabby cat, a striped cat, whose coat was like watered silk, and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This cat is buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave. Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good cat. For beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or chased bees, or lifted head to challenge some winged intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. For if the cat be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that cat sleeps at long and at last. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in kittenhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where the most exhilarating moles burrow. It is all one to the cat, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing lost -- if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a cat. One place that is best of all. If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you must already have guessed, he will come to you when you call -- come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living cats, they shall not hiss at him, nor resent his coming, for he is yours and he belongs there. People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no mew pitched too fine for mere audition, people who may never really have had a cat. Smile at them then, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing. The one best place to bury a good cat is in the heart of his owner.


by Ben Hur Lampman, Portland Oregonian, 1921
 
Godspeed Mickey...

For Our Friend Pablo

Pablo, CEO of Pablo Enterprises and captain/coach of the West Hobart Tigers in the Southern Feline Football League.


There are really no words to express how sad we are for the loss of our pal Pabs. He was a wonderful cat that had a wonderful life. His 'rents had to make a hard decision since he was so very ill. Please visit and leave a kind word to his family. They are heartbroken. Godspeed to the Bridge my friend. You shall never be forgotten.
 
Where to Bury A Cat


There are various places within which a cat may be buried. We are thinking now of a tabby cat, a striped cat, whose coat was like watered silk, and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This cat is buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave. Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good cat. For beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or chased bees, or lifted head to challenge some winged intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. For if the cat be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that cat sleeps at long and at last. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in kittenhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where the most exhilarating moles burrow. It is all one to the cat, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing lost -- if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a cat. One place that is best of all. If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you must already have guessed, he will come to you when you call -- come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living cats, they shall not hiss at him, nor resent his coming, for he is yours and he belongs there. People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no mew pitched too fine for mere audition, people who may never really have had a cat. Smile at them then, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing. The one best place to bury a good cat is in the heart of his owner.


by Ben Hur Lampman, Portland Oregonian, 1921

The Last Rudy Report of 2010

The last and best gift was very,very tired...

Mom 'rent: Hi Kitties - Rudy and Parker said that I could take over the blog for the final Rudy Report of 2010. We all wanted to say thanks for your support of our little orange creamsicle over the last three months. Rudy was one sick little boy and we know that your positive thoughts and prayers were a huge help in his recovery. I'm happy to say that he's 95% back to his old self. He still needs to gain a little weight back, but he's eating like a piggy and is back to tormenting his sisters and playing with his toys. He goes back to see Dr's. Joe and Wendy in a few weeks for a final check, and if all is well, he won't have to go back and visit them for six months.

This little family has always known how fortunate we have been over the last four years - that's how long Parker has been blogging! We watched as many kitties struggled with illnesses and accidents. We cried for families who lost their babies to the Bridge. For Rudy to become a sick kitty was a terrifying experience for our family. There were a few weeks where we were very scared for his outcome - thankfully he rallied and with the great treatment from our vets, he's here to welcome in 2011 with us. Life is a gift kitties, and our Rudy getting better was the greatest gift of all this Christmas.

Tonight we will welcome in 2011 with the family gathered around the fireplace and the little orange menace on my lap. Rudy will continue with his reports in 2011 and Parker will continue to grumble about him hogging her blog. In other words, our little life here in O Hi O will go on as usual - and that is a wonderful thing.

Happy New Year from all of us, Glamoupuss Puff, Pretty Little Powder, Diamond Doggie, Rudy Toots, Perfectly Parker and the 'rents.

And as Parker says - smoochies to all of you!

The Best Spot in the House

Come On Santa!

Rudy has found the perfect spot to wait for Santa Claws. He's hoping for a squillion cans of Stinky Goodness. His appetite and attitude have returned. We've even caught him giving himself baths! He's playing with the bows on the packages and he's got his tail up. Mommy and Daddy says that his improved health is the best present ever! We want to thank you on this Christmas Eve for all of your good thoughts and prayers for our little orange menace, er, ah, miracle!

Remember kitties, go to sleep early tonight, Santa is watching!

Godspeed Rocky

Our friend Rocky decided it was time to head to the Bridge. We will miss him very much. We send our purrs and our prayers to his family - the Food Lady, the Man, Skeezix, Mao and my beloved Tripper. We're sure the Bridge 'nip is preemo and the vixens are happy to see you. The only problem is that we'll miss you so very much.

The Rudy Report - Haemobartonellosis

You say it's time for my medicine?...let's roll!

Ia Orana kitties - It's me - RUDY! with your Rudy Report a few days early. I thought I would take you to school today and teach you all about Haemobartonellosis. It's a parasitic disease that attacks your bloods and it makes you very tired and it makes you very picky about eating. I know this because I have it. Haemobartonellosis - say that 3 times real quick kitties! Anyhow, we have not been around very much and until I am all better I am afraid we'll be commenting even less. I require a lot of 'rent time now.
The treatment for Haemobartonellosis is 21 days of Doxycycline (liquid) and I am here to tell you that I really, really don't like to take it. I even kinda' sorta' sometimes make Mommy cry a little. I can't help it - it's awful! AND, since my appetite is not so very good, I have to take a little Valium as well. Good times kitties, good times...
No one knows how I got it. We only are outside on the upstairs deck and Diamond swears he did not bring in any fleas. He's on a monthly treatment for them and always has been. Dr. Joe and Dr. Wendy says it only takes one rotten nasty flea and that in our little corner of O Hi O there have been many, many cases of kitties coming down with this terrible disease. Dr. Joe says that it's the worst year ever for it.
The other bummer is that every 2 or 3 days I have to go to see Dr. Joe for Sub Q fluids and a check up. I now call it my home away from home. Mommy drops me off in the morning and I get to spend quality time with Dr. Joe and Dr. Wendy. The only good thing about this is that I get to see their two kids when they come in after school and I play with them! That's right kitties, I have become a rock star at the vet's! All of the vet techs and the receptionists know me by name. They all say I am very sweet and loving. What can I say? I am very sweet and loving - except when it's time for my medicine! I'm not out of the woods yet, but I think I see a light at the end of all of this. We want to thank all of you again for your good thoughts and prayers and support. A special shout out to the Creek Cats who made Mommy feel so much better when they told her that their foster Sweetie had the same thing and she came out of it fine! And - thanks to Zoolatry. You are such a sweet friend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

All of us wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are thankful for many things - your friendship is one of them. Thanks for being our friends!

Smoochies!

Parker - I Am Not Being A Pest!

My lookout spot

There's a lot of action in the kitichen today kitties! From the looks and smells of things, I think we are going to have company comin'. Mommy is whipping up all sorts of goodies and try as I might, nothing is landing in my mouth. But don't worry, I am nothing if not persistant. And if it comes to it, we can all work as a team! I think the five of us can take her!
I hope all of you are at least enjoying some good kitchen smells - and hopefully some treats! Oh, and not being called a pest...

A Happy Carrot Giveaway!

Lookit' what I'm giving away!

This my dear kitties, is a Happy Carrot from Purrfectplay, my pals in Indiana that make organic toys that are fun and safe for us to play with. And it reeks (in a good way) of primo 'nip!!! Here's what they have to say about it -

"Lined with organic cotton canvas and covered with thick organic Colorgrown fleece, our 6 inch carrot contains over 1/2 cup of the finest organic catnip. Crafted right here in Indiana, it is crowned with floppy fun hemp cord "leaves". Durable and yummy, the Happy Carrot will bring many hours of happy play to your kitties. "

Sounds pretty cool, eh???

So, I was thinking, since the 'rents are leaving us on Friday for their stoopid vacation, I thought I'd have some fun here on the blog and host a giveaway. I like to keep things simple so all you have to do is leave a comment here and tell me you'd like to be entered in the drawing. But what I'd REALLY appreciate is for you to go and visit Purrfectplay, find them on Facebook, and tell them that Parker says "hi!" Would you do that for me? I haven't told them I'm doing this giveaway yet and the Mom 'rent is so busy I don't think she knows which end of me is up, so I'm not letting her pick me up - HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!

Oh - you know what else? I had to give up my laptop to the Laptop fixit guy again, so I will be without a computer for a little while. And a kitty without a computer is like, well...,a kitty that can't keep up with what's going on...I'll be back ASAP, OK? Meanwhile, leave a comment and go visit my buds at Purrfectplay!

I leave you with an old, but adorable photo of me...

...You're welcome!