THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Thirteen boxes with thirteen cats.

In truth, one cat in one box thirteen times.

The Zoolatry Human is convinced she would never survive Thirteen Zoeys.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Any shrimp to go with?

TAIL END

After The Fact Authors Note: the Zoolatry Human wanted to title this picture "Playmate of the Year" or call it my "Playboy Centerfold"... but she didn't want to offend anyone, and had some silly notion about being a bit too risque. However, having seen several comments along these lines, she agreed to add this note.

Personally, I, Zoey, am quite gorgeous enough to be in Playcat, Playgirl, Playboy,

Voque or Cosmocat. See my other similar pose up on our new banner!

ITTY BITTY KITTY

Meet Alex (whether Alexander or Alexandra is yet to be determined). Alex was rescued in the Orlando area by Karen Saunders of the Orlando Sentinel. Here, Alex is being cared for by Poochini, Karen's strikingly handsome Italian greyhound. We think they make a beautiful pair. By the way, Alex may be available for adoption sometime in the near future. The story of this adorable itty-bitty-kitty, and more photos, can be seen at the

Orlando Sentinel blog, Animal Crazy. Click here for a link; or see our sidebar.

Original photos by Karen Stauffer.

SUNDAY ART GALLERY

You are my sunshine.

Love you to the bottom of your heart.

HIGH FIVE SATURDAY

FINALLY FRIDAY

Finally Friday and I can stretch out and relax all weekend. First though I should really check in with Skittles to get the proper name for my yoga pose...

Skittles stopped by this morning and advised me that this pose

is formally known as the

DownwardFacingDivaNDiving-Asana.

P.S. Skittles is about to become a multi-millionaire, so be sure to

visit and read all about it!

Thanks, Skittles.

LIFE WITH CHARLIE

Lucy: Why do you think we're put here on earth Charlie (Brown)?

Charlie (Brown): To make others happy.

Linus: What would you say you want most out of life, Charlie (Brown)?

To be happy?

Charlie (Brown): Oh, no. I don't expect that. I really don't.

I just don't want to be unhappy!

Thank You Charlie for bringing the Zoolatry Family so much happiness.

VANITY, THY NAME IS WOMAN

Vanity, thy name is woman. Also known as the Zoolatry Human. Fearing that yesterdays self portrait post, while somewhat "cute", did present me as "a bit too grey, a bit too plump, and way too old", vanity prompted me to present something closer to reality. Here (albeit a 7-month old photo) with my four most favorite "kitties/kiddies" in the whole wide world. By the way, I don't think I have ever or would ever wear a polka-dotted chartreuse dress either!

SELF PORTRAIT

ANNIE & ANNIE

Left, Annie, Zoolatry's feral kitty. Right, Annie, for whom she was named, also known as Annie Mosaic and Annie Geegaw. Both Annies are framed in one of a kind, vintage jewelry frames designed and created by the Mosaic Lady. The Mosaic Lady also does custom "pique assiette" work which is strikingly beautiful and available in frames, mirrors, clocks, wall hangings, wine carafes, pitchers and more. Pique Assiette, as described on her web site is French for "stolen from plate", a unique blending of color, form and texture seen in the folk art of many cultures. To see more of these dramatic pieces, just click here.

PAINTED LADIES

PHOTO HUNT: WHAT IS THAT?

That is most likely nothing.

I don't know about your cats, but my cats often look at nothing.

And they can look at nothing for a very long time.

And when I look where they are looking to see what they see, I see nothing.
Please scroll down for High Five Saturday.

HIGH FIVE SATURDAY

FINALLY FRIDAY

It's been a long week. I kind of went to pieces this week,

got a bit cracked up as they say.

I'm glad it's FINALLY FRIDAY and I have the weekend to recuperate

and put myself back together.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I am thankful the Zoolatry Human provides an interesting and reasonably extensive supply of reading materials in the litter room.

My personal favorite is "The Tooth Book".
Note from the Zoolatry Human: No animals were inappropriately exposed in order to create this posting. Under normal circumstances Maggy and Zoey are quite modest, and the top remains on the litter-loo at all times. It was removed temporarily for creative purposes.

MY CAT STORY

From The Zoolatry Human: in my "salad" days as a twenty-something SWF, I called Washington, D.C. home. And for quite a few years was a FONZ, a Friend of the National Zoo, and a volunteer for animal behavior study. With full time employment, my volunteer hours were usually from midnight to 4 a.m., escorted in and out by security. The downside: the zoo was a quiet and eerie place in the dark of night, strange sounds, and many "little things" that go bump in the night like bugs and mice and more. The upside: quiet, private, alone time with magnificent animals, to watch in wonder, to enjoy.

There was preg-watch for Femelle, a lowland gorilla, whose keepers ultimately found her not to be pregnant but merely suffering excessive weight gain.

And the well known pandas (of the Nixon era), Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing for whom I did behavior watches in advance of their introductions to one another and their hoped-for "love affair".

But my favorites were the "cats", always the cats, the "big cats". And my special girl among them was Kesari, daughter of the famed white tiger, Mohini. Kesari had traditional golden colors but carried the genetics for white cubs. I went on preg-watch for her numerous times though never had the pleasure of being "on watch" when her time came. But in the years that lay ahead, she did have many healthy and beautiful cubs, many golden and some, the rare white.

Kesari is the one who gave birth to my own life long love of cats, big and small.

For many years, we had dogs (they're quite wonderful, too), cats not allowed due to family allergies. It is only within the last three years, that cats came back into our lives. Maggy and Zoey are marvelous, both are independent and aloof, but not lap cats, affection being doled out in small doses, on their own schedules. Maggy is majestic and queenly, Zoey the court jester, the comedienne.

When Annie first strolled by the window in early May, a tiny kit in her mouth, a new love affair began. She brought all three of her kits to the woodpile in the side yard. Soon, "dad" came by, though he did not visit regularly, they did seem to be a family. We watched her nurture the kits over time. She was a good mother. Observing them daily, their behaviors, the lessons Annie would teach to her young has been an absolute joy. I felt almost like a FONZ again. Eventually, we were able to trap them, and have them spayed. We lost Delta at that time; and Bravo ran off, not to be seen again. Recently, Dad has been coming daily... at first we simply called him Tom, then TomDad, and he is now officially T.D. We hope to trap and neuter him in the next week or two.

In the mornings they come around 6 a.m., Annie and Charlie... they are hungry and eager and so do not run but will stay close as we set out breakfast. T.D. comes mid morning for his food. At dusk they return, a bit more shy and skittish, yet ready to eat and play. I've found it amazing that Annie always waits at the edge of the garden while Charlie eats; no matter how hungry she may be, she waits. She's the protector, guarding against the raccoons, possums and armadillos that try to steal the food and are a danger to little Charlie. Annie only eats when Charlie is done! And if the bowls get low on food, they may share what remains. Afternoons and early evenings, they are often at play (and at work) in our backyard, as Annie appears to be teaching Charlie the intricacies of the hunt for lizards, tree climbing competition and run-and-jump events.

Zoey has willingly (?) given up a number of her toys: whiffle balls, furry catnip mice and more for Charlie to play with. They usually disappear within a day or so... Charlie must now have quite a stash of toys back at their nest! Last week, we took one of the extra cat trees from our back porch and moved it to the front porch ... Charlie investigated, and found it to be acceptable. She and Annie often perch there after meal time, grooming and talking with one another.

The porch also has a couple of oak and iron park benches and a weathered old rocker. Tonight as I was finishing up this post... well, you'll see. Enjoy our photo gallery below. Charlie Rocks!

FERAL PORTRAITS

Annie, at the edge of the garden.
Charlie, hiding in the garden.
Introducing, Tom Dad, T.D.

FERAL PORTRAITS, II

Annie, ever watchful.

Togetherness (and my favorite photo). Notice, left ears are feral tipped.
CHARLIE ROCKS!

TUESDAY TOESIES

My white toe.

MANCAT MONDAY (ALMOST)

WHAT'S A ZEE BEE?

Look, Maggy... the Zoolatry Human did a drawing of you!

No, Zoey... it really looks much more like you!

No it does not! It doesn't have a snaggle tooth and besides I don't scowl, you do!

OK, girls, settle down, and meet Zee-Bee. Zee-Bee is new to the blog world.

She's the mascot on your new blog.

What new blog? Aren't we busy enough with just one?

Well, maybe yes, maybe no. This new blog is called FLOOF & FUR

and it's mostly all for our fabulous and fantastic,

flat faced and floofy and furry friends.

Like Himalayans, and Persians and Birmans.

And lots of magical-mixes with long lovely floof, and of course, Zee Bee.

We hope everyone will run over and take a quick peek at FLOOF & FUR.

And if you have long furs and would like to become a member,

just email us at Zoolatry and we'll tell you how to join!

PHOTO HUNT: SUPPORT

The wall is falling! The wall is falling!

Ooomph. If I can only push hard enough I can SUPPORT it.

I can do it. Yes I can.

Got it! Now what do I do?
Please scroll down for High Five Saturday.

HIGH FIVE SATURDAY

CHARLIE

Charlie (a/k/a Charlotte) is now most likely two-and-a-half months old. In the top picture in particular, you can see how her ear was clipped by the vet who spayed her (that is done to all ferals we learned). She's getting braver all the time, and when she's hungry -- well, look out! Or if she's ready to play, well, everyone knows how playful kittens are. She came towards my wiggling foot the other day and I've no idea who was more shocked and surprised when she touched my foot in passing... she jumped and ran. I, with camera, promptly took an award winning photo of my kneecap. Her mom Annie, is still much more shy... but then Annie has been on her own, as a feral, for possibly close to two years, so learned not to be very trusting of we humans. But we are "working" on her... "working" on both of them actually, gathering advice from hither and yon... and hoping someday to truly tame our little Annie and Charlie.

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

The Zoolatry Human loves to go shopping in antique stores (junk), consignment stores (more junk), and thrift shops (junk spelled JUNK). Emphasis Ours. One item she has never found, but is still looking for is Aladdin's Magic Lantern. She says if she had the lantern and the three wishes, one of her wishes would be for the two of us to "speak human-ese" for 24-hours. These are thirteen things she says she would ask us about...

1. What are you thinking about when you wear your "big eyes"?

2. Why do you not know each other when you get hair cuts?

3. Do lizards really taste good? (Actually, better asked of Annie.)

4. Why do you eat your food one day and the next day walk away from it?

5. Why is water from the faucet better than water from your bowl?

6. Why must you wake up your humans at night?

7. Why do you think my legs are scratching posts?

8. Is it imperative for you to examine every new item that enters our household?

9. Do you like each other or are you merely tolerating one another?

10. Do you like (er, love) your Zoolatry Humans?

11. How would you feel if Annie and Charlie moved in, inside the house that is?

12. What exactly does "meow" mean?

There is no question no. 13; but rather a comment from Maggy & Zoey, "hey, as soon as she does bring that magic lantern home, let's give her the silent treatment."

A BOY AND HIS DOG

TUESDAY TAIL: The Ladies & The Lizard

Photos: top left, top right and bottom left. Maggy and Zoey are on the back porch. Maggy and Zoey are giving considerable attention to a lizard they would like to have for a playmate (or perhaps as a snack?). Unfortunately, Maggy and Zoey have NOT ascertained that if they were to simply come INTO the house they would quickly discover that the lizard is inside, not outside. We must spend this week sharpening up our hunting skills ladies.

TUESDAY TAIL: Part II

While Maggy and Zoey are on the back porch trying to figure out how to catch a lizard... Charlie is on the front porch happily rolling around and about with her new little catnip mousie.

CAT CHAT