Dear Sandra,
I see Isabella is exploring her new home! I love the tabby stripes she has
 
that's a good move regarding the litter 'house' as Blackberry scatters it all over the floor
 
enjoy your new little companion.
 
Love, Jude

Love is the only way

she is so sweet Jude and she actually does like me..I know this because she purrs so much...
 
Oh how nice it is to be feel wanted...how very nice....
 
I think I am grateful for cats....this will indeed rub off on Betty ..it has to she has no choice now
 
 

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

I think I am grateful for cats....this will indeed rub off on Betty ..it has to she has no choice now

 
I have had some success with hardened dog lovers! My cousin, a farmer's wife, who thinks dogs are wonderful, now has 2 cats living indoors. When I first went to work for her, cats were just for catching rats....NOT for sitting on laps, and they definitely didn't come indoors.
I like to think I had a hand in re-training her
 
Jude

Love is the only way

Teasel (sadly no longer with me)

 

Love is the only way

Lilsparrow,
 
I just love that picture of the lady bug and kittens keen eyes fixed it. WOW...what a shot! Buba's gonna love it!
 
 
Sandra dear,
 
She is just too cute for words. Thanks for sharing your joy with me, us!
 
My cat is sleeping on my bed right now.
 
 

Grateful to be here!
What a gift and connection builder!
Love and Gratitude,
Love who You Are

Good Morning Jude Teasel is so sweet she is with you Jude as she is in your heart
 
mine too now bless her!!!
 
Dearest Diane,
she is indeed she is so sweeeetttt  .
 
Oh but what a terrible night I had 
you never told me I would get sleepless nights not at all.
 
Why is your cat Sleeping Diane when mine got up to all sorts
 
Well we went to bed about 1.30pm by the time I tried to clear my mind.
 
I decided she could sleep with me as she is a baby really.
 
I took in her food,water and littler home so that she would not
 
feel hungry or anything else..
 
Well she jumped and climbed all around I know she is little
 
and it's strange for her to come into a new home.
 
Isabella II then decided to stand on top of my head,body,legs
 
and anyother place she could find.She kissed me so much and
 
would not go into her bed at all.She climbed on the locker ,then
 
went behind the wardrobe,bed,into my my computer desk and
 
all the time she smiled.
 
She was purring though so this was a good sign...I kept telling
 
her I loved but but we needed sleep...   this did not
 
work she eventually went to sleep at 7.30 this morning!!but
 
only for 15 mins....
 
How will I settle her tonight ? do you think it would be cruel to
 
keep her in the guest bedroom...it's clean though I mean just
 
cruel because she is so small.My only worry is I do need my sleep
 
even more so now than ever.Will she be sad if I pop her in there?
 
Oh and also I bought her dried food ,at my sisters she had pouches
 
of food.I wanted to give her dry as I felt the other food smelt
 
too much plus I thought dried food was better for her theeth.
 
She has not eaten any of it not at all.It has been a long time
 
since yesterday and she must be hungry.I do have two
 
little pouches shall I feed her with them as she can't go hungry
 
because of my needs!
 
Help me
 
Well apart from the sleepless night we are getting on fine

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Oh dear, Sandra . . .
You have made me laugh so much this early in the day . . .   
the wonders and joys of living with a small kitten!
Little Isabella will calm down a little bit
once she knows the routine,
but kittens are famous for their energy and antics,
and will usually make you laugh
even through your tears of frustration and exhaustion!
Patience, Sandra, Patience . . .
I think she would be lonely and cry loudly if you put her in another room.
Cats are lovely to sleep with
once they know the routine . . .
of course there are some people who do not allow their cats to sleep with them.
I don't understand this of course,
as other than this strange behavior they seem to be perfectly normal people.
I do think that once Isabella settles in
she will allow you your sleep (mostly)
 
Was she eating wet or dry food at your sister's home?
You might start out with the same kind of food that your sister was using,
and then gradually change over to what you would like to give her.
You are right, that dry food is good for their teeth.
Wet food is more smelly
(both going in and coming out) . . .
When you take her to the veterinarian you  could ask them what they advise.
I have dry food down for my cats all of the time.
Phoenix believes it to be his responsiblity
to make sure the bowl is full at all times . . .
I split a small can of wet food among the four in the evening,
as a treat
but no more than that.
They know now,
to expect that and no more,
but you must remember that they do expect that,
and get very insistent if feeding time is late.
Take a nap this afternoon . . .
little Isabella will get used to your habits in a few days,
and you will get used to the new presence in your home
with love and patience . . .
sparrow
 

everything counts... ♥

Dear Sandra,
Like Sparrow I laughed so much at your description
I'm inclined to agree about the sleeping arrangements, but I know if I was not on my own this would probably not be tollerated. As Sparrow says, Isabella will settle down. She probably misses Fluffy and thought you should play with her all night.
Has she got something warm and furry to sleep on?
 
Make sure she gets plenty of fun and exercise in the evenings, especially when you are out all day. When you are out she will sleep. Does she have any toys yet? A pin-pong ball is a favourite, and as you see with Teasel, a paper bag or a box. A sheet of newspaper is great fun as she will love to hide under it and ambush you as you walk past. Blackberry had a furry teddy, but he tore it to pieces fighting it every day!!! I wouldn't leave her alone with anything she could chew up.
Talking of chewing, she has her baby teeth just now and maybe can't chew the dry food yet. I would give her what she is used to and have a seperate dish with some dried food in for her to try.
 
Above all don't worry....we are here
 
Love, Jude

Love is the only way

Sandra, I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time



I know nothing about cats but I do know that any new dog, whether puppy or not, the first week or so is a bit difficult.  When the guys were little, they always want a new dog immediately if something happened to the other one.  They would
forget what that first week was like.  Hang in there, dear.






Before long thiswill turn to

Sparrow, I love your picture and am pleased it didn't turn into a X
Maybe Sparrow is trying to tell you that after a few weeks, you won't even notice if Isabella II is walking all over you while you sleep.

Yesterday is gone forever.Tomorrow may not come. Live Fully each moment today. Look for Good Things that Happen to you Every Day.

Dear Sandra,
 
I, too, had to smile this morning about your "Night with Isabella"! You have received already a lot of "knowing" advice! Don't worry about Isabella starving or not getting enough sleep! It is you who needs to get her rest! Try not to give her attention when she tries to play with you at night because this just rewards and encourages this behaviour! She might decide to find something else to play with, like our cat once played soccer with the Christmastree ornaments! He did often get hungry in the middle of the night and tried to wake me up clanking the drawer handle of my night table. If this didn't work he got into my hair "combing" it. This was hard to ignore. I confess I caved in and got up to feed him so I could go back to sleep! Cat owners do have their weaknesses for their companions.
 
Enjoy Isabella, she won't be a kitten forever!
 
Love,
Edda
 
Much love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

Enjoy Isabella, she won't be a kitten forever!

 
Sandra....this is soooooooooo true. Kittenhood is so precious and is over far too soon.
Edda's advice about trying to ignore her once you are ready for sleep is good. then she won't see bedtime as playtime, but sleepytime.
Blackberry comes in with me for his cuddle, but after that he sleeps all night. I catch him watching me in the mornings before I'm properly awake. He seems to know when I'm really waking up and not just turning over. When he's sure I'm awake he comes and sits on my chest and looks at my face and purrs!
 
Jude

Love is the only way

Hi Sandra,
 
Put a little water in your dry cat food it will dry out slowly during the day and she'll probably be more apt to try it. They can eat it this I do know. I have gotten so many kittens before and many were already used to dry food because that's what was normal for them. You can help her to crossover just by adding the water.
 
Hope all you ladies don't mind but....put her in the room if you can't get to sleep because of her normal kitty behaviors, she'll be fine. You come first as you have to tend to your self and the little ones the next day. My sweet Puff gets kicked out often still she is good sometimes and then other times she really does some annoying things like comes right to up me with claws and all digging them into ME (OUCH) with her beautiful purring motor going on...as she is kneading. Now I say this because sometimes kitty's are just different. All my other cats could handle sleeping without bothering me all night. Sometimes I have scolded her as I put her out and then she is better the next time. I have to say PUFF is the only cat I have ever had that continued kneading on humans with claws extended. It even drives everyone in the family crazy and even our visitors.
I have tried and tried to get her to stop...when I work on it sometimes I can get her to stop but it takes like ten minutes each time...phew. Once people know her they know when she jumps in their lap...they make their own choice how to deal. You'd think she would have received the message but her instinct or lack of wins out. So when I have time I deal with it other times we just sit together side by side. I think its sad because she has so many laps she looses because of her innate habit. I swear I think she goes to some place that defies all when she gets that way. Just like people cats are all different too. I think she's lucky because most of us just keep trying to work with her when we can...or give her chance until she starts in...its a real pain.  So how's that for cat story???
 
I am sure Isabella ll will slowly out grow her rambunctiousness (Is that a word)
of her kittenhood and settle in fine. Cats often do when they are young live the night owl life. I remember many who would play during the night and that in of itself can disturb thy sleep. Just keep trying and see what fits the two of you uniquely. Remember cats are very independant...by nature and if you have to seperate your self sometimes she'll be fine.

Grateful to be here!
What a gift and connection builder!
Love and Gratitude,
Love who You Are

other times she really does some annoying things like comes right to up me with claws and all digging them into ME (OUCH) with her beautiful purring motor going on...as she is kneading.

 
Diane, I had to laugh, even though it isn't funny when it happens!! I know the feeling. Fortunately Blackberry doesn't feel the need to do that at night, although if on my lap he will, so often he gets shot off quickly! My legs are often a mass of scratches. When he first started actually getting into the bed he would put his paw up and pat my face. Trouble was his claws patted me too, so I have to beware of that. The worst is when they are settled on your lap and something scares them!!! Their back legs together with claws as they spring off you can do a lot of damage to tender human legs.
The joys of cat ownership.
 
Jude

Love is the only way

I will now bore you all with some pics of my kittens. Some living and some gone on.
Sparrow, I can't find your post of the unmade bed, so will put mine here When I read your post I looked at my bed and saw Apple and Blackberry asleep on my unmade bed at 5pm.

 
These are Apple and Blackberry as kittens

 
Blackberry about to 'kill' the koala

 
Apple left, Blackberry right
 

 
Blackberry looking at me!

 
Blackberry

 
Cats no longer with me
Tiny Tina

 
Poppy

 
Willow & Cherry
 

 
Willow
 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Love is the only way

I think I've made my computer very tired It's posted the first picture twice!!
 
Never mind.
 
Jude

Love is the only way

Well I  am glad  you all could  at my disturbed night's sleep.
 
Well apart from Diane  & Edda who seem to have sense ...
 
I do feel Sparrow she is exactly like me as a child
so in theory I need to be gentle on her
in theory!!
 
I never knew what it was like to have a puddy cat before
 
but now she is here to stay
she is adorable...
as I type she is on the side of the keyboard
bless her so much...
I had no idea cats could climb like that
my cat is supe kitty she actually is
Gosh it must be like having a baby
but at least with a baby you can give her milk
then she will sleep
like you say all in good time I guess
I hope
I pray
 
Yes Isabella had Felix kitten meat food
I have just been out and bought her some
gosh they are so expensive I may have to
get a second morgage at this rate.
it's worth it though as I don't spend money
on me ,so my puddy cat can eat all she likes
 
Diane what I thought I would do is
because I will be out a long day
and not home until 7pm
I will start her on fresh food
then after her breakfast before I go to work
give her the dry food for the day
and then fresh at night time
I looked up on google and it said
she will need 4 feeds a day
so this is a way around it for me
I think if she is really hungry she will eat
 
I would say Sparrow that Pheonix rules the roost bless him
it's a good idea to give them a treat like that at night
 
Hopefully by September I will be working one day less
so we will have more time then together
it's funny because no I could not think of
life without her..she is so sweet...
Isabella will be going to the vets in 4 weeks time
as she will be 12 weeks old then
bless her she will have her first jabs
I did laugh at your cat picture
but Isabella was on my head and
my eyes were awake I assure you!!!
 
 
 
Dear Jude she has me to sleep on!!!
Look I bought her this bed but she won't go
near it and it's so soft like a sheep too...

 
 
 
 
she has toys too but she has not staring playing with them yet!!
 

 

actually that mouse looks scary
 
 

 
 
 
 
That is a good idea putting dreid food down as well.
I shall do that tonight me thinks
 
just as well I have my agony aunts hey
 
 
Dearest Betty I am like this during the day

and last night I was

well I actually did not cry but I was worn out!
 
I will indeed hang in as she is worth it as she is
bring me joy now bless her

 
 
Oh Edda I laughed when I read your post!
I am not giving her attention it is she who is trying
to bite my ear off or claw my backit's very hard not to stop her it actually is
Edda I see you are a little softy really just like me
 
 
 
Dearest Diane thank you for your story about Puff.
 
No wonder she is called Puff I am sure you huff and puff and say many other words too
 
ouch.You are kind though as you spend time with her when other's may have given up.
 
I like your words purring motor I have one of them too.
It's funny how the clsw can come out though when Puff claws do.
I always though they purr when they are happy..does this mean Puff like her claws in flesh yikkkkesss
 
You are right baout my sleep,as tonight I went cat shopping and I was like a zombie.
 
I feel so jet lagged and this is not good if I am mlike this on Monday.
I will see how we get on tonight I think,she may settle more
now this is what I hope!!!
 
 
Well I will update you after I have fed my baby
 
thank you ladies for your help Isabella II and her Mummy are
very grateful
♥

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Dear Dianne and Jude,
 
Our cat allowed us to clip the toe nails of his front paws. He seemed to like having his paws massaged to make him extend the nails enough so we could work on them. If he decided to knead it wouldn't hurt us. Usually a nice hairy blanket like one of those Irish mohair throws satisfied his need.
 
An outdoor cat may need to keep her/his  nails sharp to defend her/himself, but for an indoor cat this is not a problem.
 
Edda

Peace and joy!

Oh Jude!!!
 
They are so sweet I adore this photo as it reminds me of brotherly love...
 

 
Jude did you take this photo ?
 

 
I think this could be made into a card it's perfect well  they all are really.
 
Your not boring me maybe Betty though
 
They are so sweet Jude thank you for sharing with me..
 
Sandraxxxx

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

 
 
Well what can I say apart from
 
she is so sweet but she was not impressed
by her food look!!

 
I ended up going to get her fresh food
she now has chicken,cod,plaice and lamb kitten food
they are not all together just a pouch of different ones
I had such fun in the cat isle..who would have thought this was possible
Now look at her bowl after I fed her....
 

She has been jumping on everything apart from her own bed....
 
She clawed my sofa I did tell her off
but I said sorry as she actually did look

 
Isabella made friends with Camden she nearly
bit his legs off
 

When I went to get her foodies
I left her have the freedom of my bedroom
and the hall
I was so excited to come home to her
I thought she would run up to me
but when I came home bless her
she was curled up in a bawl
on my pj's that were on my computer chair
she makes me smile so much she really does.
 
What I have done is given her one of my bed tops
in the hope she will sleep on this now,
and then I will pop this into her bed
for ni ni's later
easy hey
 
I hope this works I did a small video
of her on my camera
look how adroable she is
you can hear her purring
sorry about my voice but she
would not talk
 
http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w197/nanny_038/?action=view&current=Isabella044.flv
 
 
 

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Yes Sandra, I did take the photos. How I wish there had been digital cameras when my other cats were kittens!
 
That's a good idea giving Isabella something of yours to sleep on. I hope it works.
Timmy, brother to Apple & Blackberry, who has passed on, liked to sleep on my pillow with his nose in my hair!!! It was very sweet, but a bit restricting.
 
I can see she has fallen for the giraffe!
 
A good growl (from you) when she does something naughty like scratching the sofa or the curtains. (she will) Her mother would give her a soft tap on her nose. Also clapping your hands startles them and makes them take notice.
 
I can tell you are enjoying this new role Sandra.
 
I do hope Isabella lets you sleep tonight.
 
Love, Jude
P.S. the video is great. She's a little charmer.

Love is the only way