Sugar bowl challenge 8

Oh goodness me-this has been a challenge. Nope, not a challenge, an ordeal! Marlene drew an amazing sketch for this week's challenge which I initially thought I'd love doing. I have really, really, really struggled with this right from the start. I kept losing track of all the layers-couldn't draw the sketch for the life of me so had to repeatedly refer back to the Sugar Bowl blog, and it just has been so hard trying to work out the dimensions of each of the pieces! I've used another Little Cotton Rabbit stamp-gosh I really do LOVE these! I just hope I've got the sketch right! I'm sure I've messed it up somewhere!

This evening as I've desperately been trying to put it all together and embellish it etc, my cat Tom has been the cat from hell! He is demanding at the best of times-Maria Carey (reportedly an absolute horror in the world of the demanding) has nothing on Tom. Tom suffers from an extreme form of 'cat indecisiveness'. This indecisiveness is well known to cat carers. Cats cannot make their minds up and Tom is the dictionary definition of this condition.

This is bad enough if you consider that it manifests itself in an inability to decide whether to be in or out, whether he wants to eat of not, whether he likes the food or not, whether he wants to sit her, or stand there or go anyway at all (all this whilst standing in a doorway or the narrowest part of the house or garden) so it's a case of having to climb over him (following an emergency stop to avoid trampling on him!).

This evening he has been at his most indecisive.

Despite FIVE bowls of different food, Tom remains dissatisfied in the food department, he has been in and out the house so many times I literally am in a daze and has been doing his 'cat staring' to the point at which I am a nervous wreck and exhausted by him! I have a headache as a result of trying to use my non existent psychic powers to deduce what on earth is wants! Tom has a cat flap which he used for goodness knows how many years. Now, he has arthritis and when I'm in a kindly mood I put his refusal to use the catflap down to it possibly aggravating his arthritis.

When I'm feeling less charitable (usually after opening and shutting the door 1000 times in the space of 30 seconds, so every day!) I put it down to Tom being a Diva and the fact that he sees the situation as something in the order of why should he demean himself by wriggling through a hole in the door when there's Mum to open it whenever I want?

Good point-you've got to hand it to him-he's got brains.

So, this card isn't right-I've tried and tried but am waving a white flag of defeat. I haven't been defeated by the card-nope, I've been defeated by Tom and I'm going to have to go and see if I can work out why he remains extremely dissatisfied with life!

On a more humorous note, I've mentioned Tom's amazing toes before now. He has many more toes that cats normally do, which happily means there's even more of him! Our last vet used to say 'there's toes everywhere' when he saw Tom and he's been found surrounded by people with one of the neighbours pointing out knowingly his many toes and 'boxing glove' shaped paws.

We had to go to the vet yesterday for Tom to have his cortisone injection he has to reduce the arthritis pain. The vet mentioned Tom's toes as we finished the consultation. He said that he's seen cats with extra toes before but never anywhere near as many as Tom has. He said Tom has the most incredible number of toes and it's very rare indeed to have so many.

That's reminded me, I must trim his nails. I don't need to do all of them but some of Tom's toes are hidden and so the claws if left untrimmed would simply grow into Tom's feet. If you look on your hand at the gap between your thumb and first finger. In that gap, Tom has a small toe. Cutting that nail isn't easy believe me. I have to single handed, hold Tom (who does not consent to this procedure), open the toes up, find the toe, find the nail and clip it carefully not cutting into Tom at all. Phew. What a job and lucky me-I'm the lucky girl who's got to do it! I have to keep a close eye on how these nails grown and regularly trim them. So instead of cardmaking, I'm going to be savaged by a yowling cat who I know is saying very bad things to me!

Wish me luck!

Ingredients:

Card blank from stash

Little Cotton Rabbit stamp by Sugar Nellie

Jenni Bowlin paper

The English Paper Company paper

Karen Marie Klip paper

White hammered card from stash

Whisper White card by Stampin Up

Happy day stamp by Stampin Up

Bashful Blue ink by Stampin Up

Watercolour pencils by Faber Castell and Derwent

Queen & co felt ribbon

Felt flowers from stash

Lace from stash

Pearls from Kanban

My family

(Humphrey and Sophie)

Thankfully, Jacob is home and recovering from his dental treatment. The anaethestic knocked him for six though and I found the day really hard going as I was so worried for him.

I thought that a post about my wonderful animals would be nice, and some photos that are feel-good and heartwarming and surely would put a smile on anyones face.

Just a quick post as I'm catching up with my guys and watching 'Children in Need'.

(Jacob and Basil)


This picture is of Basil in one of last years Christmas pressies!! He's best friends with Jacob so when i saw a bunny rabbit bed I had to get it! (Jacob loves it too).

(Basil)

This photo is of Basil and Tom when Basil first came to live with us last year. I wonder if a bird on one of the birdtables maybe caught their eye?

(Basil and Tom)

I love this photo of Tom, he is so photogenic so always looks good in a photo, but this one captures him at his 'modelling best'. Sometimes he looks at me in a way that is so beautiful, just like a cat model. He's not longhaired as Basil is, but really fluffy and thick haired nonetheless. I think this photo shows his fluffiness.

(Tom)

Finally a photo of Jacob and Tom. It was just Tom, Jacob and me for quite a while until one Christmas I just thought how happy we were and wanted to be able to offer more animals a home for life. I'd love all animals to have safe, warm and happy homes, to never be hungry, in pain, frightened etc, but I realise I can't save the world, hard as that realisation is.

I try to cope with that awful feeling of helplessness by doing all I can for any animal I come across or know, to increase awareness of animal welfare issues and to ensure that my animals have the best life I can possibly give them.

(Jacob and Tom)

So, this is my family. All are such characters, so full of love and they bring me more joy than I imagined possible. As you can see they get on with one another too which is extra special.

All these photos remind me that I MUST get back into scrapbooking as I have so many photos to use!

Feeling nervous - Basil at the Vets tomorrow

Tomorrow poor Basil cat has to have some dental work done at the vets. It's hard to know exactly what is going on in his mouth as though his teeth may be in need of some TLC they nonetheless still pack a punch.! I'm taking him in about 10.00 ish and whilst I'm there Jacob bunny will have his myxomatosis vaccination as all the bunnies have them at 6 monthly intervals as recommended.

I find it so hard to leave any of my animals at the vets. they're my family, they all mean the world to me and it's hard being at home when one of them isn't here as it's just not the same. Basil will also be frightened and confused and would expect me to be there to protect him, so I feel bad about that. The risk of anathestic is low but real so that frightens me; it's just a tough time all in all.

Although rabbits don't fast before surgery (and indeed it is dangerous to fast rabbits), Basil had his food removed at 6.00pm and is allowed only water prior to his vet appointment. Just as with people this is to reduce the risk of vomiting under anathestic which is potentially very dangerous. Goodness knows how Basil and Tom of course will cope without their food being around. I shall have to sneak some food to Tom of course but they're used to dry food being available all the time and wet food on demand (i.e. every 5 minutes day and night!).

I am trying to think ahead to this time tomorrow and that everything WILL be fine, but I can't help worrying. Poor Basil came to me absolutely terrified of everything. In the 18 months or so he's been with us he has come along leaps and bounds. Basil is so brave, but having only one eye means that at some point he has seen more than his fair share of vets and so tomorrow will be really hard for him.

My vet is lovely though, a really nice man and the girls who work there are all super too so I know Basil will be cared for. I'm still helpless though and I know they'll be tears tomorrow as there always is when my animals are at the vets. Jacob bunny who is Basils best friend and I will just have to get through the day and tomorrow night he'll hopefully still love me and be pillow nabbing as usual!

One evening he came and sat on the back of the settee above me and I knew things would be OK. To this day Basil is terrified of other people and when the doorbell rings he runs upstairs. In the early days, he was hiding under the bed in the spare room (otherwise known as Erics room and where Jacob hangs on mainly) and Jacob sat right next to Basil and groomed him. It was an amazing sight, Jacob loved Basil long Persian coat. The bond remains and they spend most of their time together indoor sunbathing! Basil sleeps most nights literally on my pillow (not good for allergies, but that's what antihistimines are for), but frequently Basil won't appear until 5.00am or will disappear off early and sneak into see Jacob! Jacob is the kindest creature ever. I always say he is made of love and kindness and he adores company. Basil is a fantastic friend to Jacob as Jacob is to Basil and it makes my heart sing to see my animals friends with one another especially different species.

Vaccination time again!

Been back and forth to the vets recently, vaccinations are due for all but Tom cat. Humphrey rabbit and Basil cat had theirs and an MOT a few days ago. As I thought Basil also needs some dental work which will very stressful for him and me waiting at home. It will also be very expensive! The bunnies are all insured healthwise but Tom and Basil cat aren't as they were too old alas. I always have rescue animals and older cats are often looked over at rescue centres. Too many people still get kittens from breeders or in the paper when rescue centres are full to the rafters.

Jacob and Sophie need their myxomatosis updates so must make an appointment. The rabbits get a myxomatosis vaccination every 6 months and VHD annually. http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rwf/articles/understanding_myxo_feb06.htm

Myxomatosis is a horrible disease that is ever increasing amongst the 'pet' rabbit population. Though my rabbits are house rabbits they are still at risk as the cats could bring myxomatosis in to the house via fleas, mossies carry it too. The rabbits do go in the garden during the Summer too so if a rabbit with the disease had been in the garden my rabbits could catch it.

VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease) is another horrific disease. http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rwf/articles/VHD_UK.htm

As with myxomatosis, VHD is deadly and causes an agonising death. It is very contagious. Rabbits can catch it from contact with an infected rabbit or hare, it could be on hay from farms and can even be brought into the house on feet, animals or humans.

VHD can be prevented with an annual vaccination. Each time your animal is vaccinated the vet will carry out a health check so it's a very useful exercise.

I cannot overemphasise the need for vaccination of all 'pets'. It's not expensive and certainly not as costly as the alternative.

The Rabbit Welfare Association has loads of information concerning the care of rabbits be them house or outside animals. Poor rabbits are overlooked so often, they don't get the care they need. As the RWA says 'rabbits deserve better'.

Catnip/Catmint

Catmint is an absolute must if you have cats and is a feature of many cat toys. Apparently 8/10 cats are affected by the fragrance of catmint, some much more than others! Watching them run around, rolling and grooming happily is a wonderful sight.

It's so easy to provide your own entertainment for you cat by either buying catmint dried or best of all planting some Nepeta. Nepeta Cataria is the true catmint though there are several kinds available that are suitable for cats; Nepeta mussinii is readily available at garden centres. I plant great swathes and my cats are then able to enjoy the whole 'pick your own' experience! When the gate is open, our neighbouring cat Macauley will sneek in too, gorge himself on catmint and then sleep and dream happy dreams under a bush or on a bit of cool grass in the shade.

Nepeta tends to be a beautiful blue flower and historically has been popular with cottage gardeners. It may be necessary to protect small plants from overexcited cats when first planted. Alternatively it can be grown in hanging baskets or pots if you have a small garden.

Nepeta whilst causing overactivity in cats has a sedative effect on humans. A calming tea may be made from the leaves, though it is not suitable for pregnant women.

Once the plant is a decent size cut off a few stems and hang upside down in a warm place. The leaves may then be crumbled and used to make cat toys. Simply make as you would lavender bags and get the camera out!! The picture above is of Tom rolling around in absolute delight during a catnip binge.

NOT SUITABLE FOR CONSUMPTION BY RABBITS - JUST FOR CATS AND PEOPLE!