Happy New Year!

What are you doing down there, Austin?

I am waiting for my new ear to arrive!!!!

Oh! Ok!!

We want to wish each and every one of our friends a happy, healthy and peaceful New Ear Year. Thank you for all your support and kind comments during the last twelve months. We are overwhelmed with warm fuzzies (the vet gives me gunk for that!) Love from Austin (and Her) xx

♩♪♫♬ We wish you a merry Christmas etc ♩♪♫♬

Boy, do I ever feel stupid!!!

Anyway just escaped popped out from amidst all the jollifications to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful new year.

with purrs and head bonks

from

Austin xx 

PS I have instructed the staff that she has to do better with my blogging and visiting and stuff.  After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single cat in possession of a good story must be in want of an audience!

Vet visit - The "Procedure"

I just thought I would give an update on Austin's op which he had this morning. I delivered one very vocal and hungry little tux to the surgery at 9 a.m. On the journey there I heard a complete Handel oratorio, with Austin singing all the parts! The carrier was rocking! (Note to self. Get ear defenders!) I went home and bit my nails until 2 p.m. when I rang and was told that he had come round from the anaesthetic and was fine :)

When I went at 4 p.m. to pick him up I could hear him before I went through the door!!! I think it was something from Iron Maiden this time (he has eclectic tastes!). The nurse told me that he had quite a story to tell her when he came to and still hadn't quite finished thank you, but wasn't he a sweetie! :)

Funnily enough he was quiet all the way home, but I could feel his beady eye boring into my soul. Then once he was in the house he started up again and didn't let up until about half an hour ago. Ok Austin, I've got the message … Give me a break why don't you!!!

(The vet had to cut away quite a bit of gum, but says everything went to plan. He's on antibiotics and eating well. I have to take him back in about ten days for a check up.)

Thanks everyone for your purrs and good thoughts. They are really appreciated and I hope we will be back proper blogging very soon :)

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BTW we have been given another star for our Blog of the Year badge from the lovely Cathy Keisha :) Thank you very much indeed. We now have four :)

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Blog Vacation

This is just to say that Austin and I are taking a bit of a break from blogging for a few days and also from visiting and commenting. It's a case of recharging batteries. We really appreciate all the lovely friends we have made in the pet blogosphere and hope you understand. We will see you again before too long x0x

Vet trip - the story so far!

Austin was due for his annual once over and booster shot. As I was really not satisfied with his current vet, I decided to go to one, who I knew was good, a bit further away. So last Friday Austin was unceremoniously shoved enticed into the carrier and we drove merrily on our way. Have to say Austin's talent for singing opera is second to none! We had his rendition of Puccini's aria O Meow Babbino Caro (written just for us, of course) all the way there! 

Austin is pretty good at the vets, he just cowers in my arms, looking up at me now and then as if to say "It's ok, isn't it?" The nurse fell in love on the spot! Even the smelly pooch in the waiting room was a bit enamoured.

I have been worried a while about his gums and teeth, so asked the vet to take a special look and the upshot is he has something along the lines of tooth resorption which needs to have attention. The vet gave him an antibiotic and steroid jab and he is booked in to have it dealt with next Tuesday. However, because of the steroids he has been stuffing his little face and then yakking it all up again, so being the calm and rational person I am, I rushed him back to the vet! Trouble is, we've had a bit of rain here and there was a flooded road outside the vets! As it was already dark, I couldn't see how deep it was, so got out the car to have a look. Standing there also looking into the pool was a young woman carrying a large puppy. She too was trying to get to the vets. 

While we were discussing the pros and cons of wading through, another car came up behind filled with one woman, a surly young man and a manic terrier called Monty, also going to the vets - though was not sure whether it was the surly young man or Monty the manic terrier that was needing the vet's attention. I had my suspicions, but kept them to myself! We all had a detailed and interesting discussion in Welsh and English about what best to do! The young woman decided to ring the vet and ask about the flood. They said "Oh it's not as deep as it looks. You can drive through, slowly"! So we did ….. just! The young woman and large puppy cadged a lift in the back of my car. By this time Austin had moved on to Wagner and the large puppy joined in! It was SO exciting! By the time we got there it was quite a party and large puppy, manic terrier and Austin joined together in unison to entertain us with a selection from Gilbert and Sullivan!

Well, as this post is getting very boring now, I'll cut to the chase and say that the vet confirmed he was fine, just being piggy, to give him only dry food and he'll see him next Tuesday for the procedure!

The party then broke up and I floated my car back through the flood and came home. Austin thinks I am the cruelest most nasty person on the earth as he is no longer (for the time being) having any wet stinky goodness. I'm a bit worried about his state of mind!

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BTW we have been linked back from Spitty and Trout Talkin Tabbies, so two more stars for our Blog of the Year badge!! As I didn't know you could do it under the rules, I would like to link back to Nellie at The Cat from Hell who nominated us first, so she can add another star to her tally :) 

Also please can you send all kind thoughts, purrs and hugs to Nellie's woofie sister Bob, who is not doing too good at the moment :( xx

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unison, uni-son - only male offspring

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Super Sweet Blog of the Year!!!

Well I never!!! It seems we are the unwilling happy recipients of a couple more awards!! We have been inundated with two this week :) …

My Three Moggies have given us the Sickly Super Sweet Blog Award!

Now, as always, there are rules attached..

1. Give credit to the person who chose to nominate you: Thank you very much to My Three Moggies for thinking of us :)

2. Answer the ‘Super Sweet’ questions. See below

3. Nominate a “Baker’s Dozen (13) blogs. (We are going to break the rules here, so no need to run screaming from this blog in fear and trembling that you might have been picked ;)

Here are the Super Sweet Questions with Austin's answers:-

1. Cookies or Cake? Huh?

2. Chocolate or Vanilla? Huh?

3. What is your favorite sweet treat? Huh?

4. When do you crave sweet things the most? Huh?

5. If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be? Humbug!

Austin is being a bit uncooperative - or he maybe stuttering! Am not entirely sure? But he is secretly very delighted…..

… so much so, that he had to take a private moment with the Christmas cactus!

Instead of picking 13 blogs, we are going to just say that if you haven't got the award already and would like it, then please, please take it because every one of CATachresis readers are sweet to come by here and share the lurve! :)

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Also, from Nellie over at Cat from Hell blog, we have received the
Blog of the Year 2012

Can you see one star is lit up? We can apparently receive this award up
to six times before we are vaporised, or worse …signed up on a reality TV show!!  

The ‘rules’ for this award are:

1 Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award

2 Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award.

3 Please include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award – http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/ and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)

4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them

5 You can now also join our Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience

6 As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award (Cat from Hell) – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

Austin has picked a few blogs on which to bestow the Blog of the Year award. This doesn't mean the rest aren't worthy because he reads avidly about elebenty gazillion blog posts every day, but just because …ok!!

His old buddy Spitty, The Spitster, because they have the odd brewski together and talk dirty!
The Horde at Katnip Lounge, as they are awesome!!
Mollie and Alfie, because they are crazy and make us laugh even when we don't want to!
The Trout Talkin Tabbies, just because we don't understand a werd they say about burds and trout, but we won't give up trying!!! ;)
Cathy Keisha of Stunning Keisha, the ghetto kitty who hides a heart of gold (oh yes she does;)

There are so many more we could choose and we hope that no one is upset that they weren't picked. If you were picked and don't "do" awards, then that's fine too :)

Exhausted now!!!!

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conflates, con-flates - the bringing together of two or more breakfast cereals 

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Rain, Rain, Go Away….

….I want to go outside and play!

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discourse, dis-course - as opposed to dat course

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Vetvits and Lapsits!

 Hey Austin!!!

 Wot?

I am not sure what's going on, but Austin has become very lovey dovey of late! He has to sit on me even when I am not sitting. It can lead to awkward moments - cue my favourite cartoon…..

Don't misunderstand me, he still doesn't allow for cuddling or holding, but the snuggling thing is getting out of control! He also is getting very sneaky about making me heave myself out of my comfy chair to open the door, only to nip round behind me and pinch the pre-warmed comfy chair for his own use!

This all seems to coincide with the arrival of his prize in the draw that Rykers Boyz 'n Allie held not so long ago. It was in conjunction with VetVits UK. This is what he received:

I am not sure what having a glossy coat and flexible joints has to do with Austin becoming more affectionate? Whatever! Oh but he loves the vits. I wish the worm pill went down so easy!! Anyway, we thank you Maxwell, Faraday 'n Allie :)

Breaking news!  Austin is featured as this week's HOT MANCAT OF THE BLOGOSPHERE!!! You can see his interview over at Troublin' Times. Please click here. He is especially excited, as it was Sassy from Troublin' Times who had the idea and Austin has a big soft ♥ spot for her even if her sisfur Callie calls her old Lard Butt! Lard is very soft you know! :) 

PS there is a growing consensus that young Austin is getting a bit big for his gorgeous white boots!!

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coincide, co-in-cide! (Imper.) - command often given by Austin to The Staff when she chases him around the garden late at night

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Silly Sunday ….

… In which Austin tries to excavate under a door that is already open!

You can view on You Tube here

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triptych, trip-tych - to cause a small person to fall over

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Ohhhh!

Blackie the Cat came in the house!!! And Tigger was there!!!! And Austin was yowling!!! Of course I didn't have the camera!

Prior to that I caught him in the summerhouse quite by accident and I did have my phone on me!

He was not feeling comfortable, that's for sure….

….cos Austin was yowling through a crack in the door!

When you are trying to speak calm words in a low voice and you have a tyrannical tuxie at your feet, you are on a hiding to nothing, let me tell you!

I shut the door and retreated. A while later I went to do a cat count and found Tigger and Blackie in the conservatory and Austin yowling outside! Austin needs to get a grip, but to be fair, his whole world is being threatened by large furry intruders! Tigger and Blackie were doing the mancat posturing paso doble dance. However, when Blackie saw me he was off like a shot with Tigger in hot pursuit. Austin is now recuperating grumpily on his pink blankie!

The original post about Blackie can be found here

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code - whad you hab whed your node id bugged ubb

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Wordless Wednesday

Macro Monday!

Sneaky paw shot with extended claw and whiskers

Ugh! Yuk! Spit lick spit lick!

I have been violated!

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Violate - is not one of the colours of the rainbow

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Remembrance

Armistice Day

the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month"

Seven Things.......

Hi! Austin here ...... I got an award :-) ... well it's a tag really, I guess!


This was given to us by a new blogging friend, Jet. Now Jet is of the canine persuasion, but I really cannot hold this against him as he means well and none of us can help the way we are! You can check out his blog here. Hi Jet *waves paw* :)

The rules are a bit complicated, but I have ascertained that I need to say seven things about me!! Oh yes I do! It's my favourite subject! Then, apparently, I need to pass it on to seven other bloggers who will in turn say seven things about themselves and so on ad infiniwossit! See where this is going? There could be gridlock in the blogosphere! Here are my seven newly made-up things that you all have probably heard before.

1) Much as I hate to admit it I am terrified of fireworks and big bangs generally if truth be known - I would have been a bit of a damp squib at the genesis of time! Consequently I have spent most of this week wedged up behind the big armchair as it seems most of the UK has been celebrating the anniversary of some malcontents who tried to blow up parliament in 1605. Anyway the other day we had thunder, lightning and hail stones in the day and fireworks in the night, so I made myself one inch high and slithered under the chair for hours and hours.

2) I am a very fussy eater and will only eat fish if the Staff insists on giving me store bought cat food, but I prefer whatever she is eating, even if it is a mentos mint.

3) I do not go on anyone's lap except the one I call The Staff and they call deluded Caro.

4) I love being brushed and having my tummy tickled, but only by the deluded Staff.

5) I know "She" hates me as, for some reason, "She" always manages to make it rain outside of every single door and window at the same time and "She" knows I don't do wet. It makes my furs curl! I get my own back by nagging her to check every single door and window at least three times before I go and take a nap.

6) I am in rehab for my nip addiction.

7) I have purr-fected the loudest purr this side of Llandudno. It is positively Wagnerian in its power and dramatic content. It makes the deluded Staff smile with happiness, especially when I do the drool thing as well.

Now the rules state I should pass this on to seven others, but as I love absolutely everybody, I couldn't possibly pick just seven!! So please take it if you are short of a blog post topic and/or you haven't had it before :)

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icon, i-con - first person singular of the verb "to con"

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Tipsy Tuesday

There was a cool cat called "The Poo"*

Who nipped outside for the loo.

But things got a bit fraught

When he found himself caught!  

So he tried to stay hidden from view! 

*The Poo - aka Austin

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grateful, grate-full, (inform.) - the fireplace needs emptying

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Blogging for Peas!

Hi! It's Austin here :)

Apparently we are blogging for peas today? I didn't know that peas had a special day, but it seems they do! So, not to be left out, I want to put my two peas worth in... ... well three actually!


If everyone lived in peas and harmony, the world would be green and living in pods. Then there would be no room for fighting and stuff and all the veggies would have to get on. So to all you non peas out there, go find a pod and hug a pea, now!

Srsly?

Editor's note: I am not absolutely sure that Austin has fully grasped the brief! But his heart is in the right place :)

Please note that we are honoured to be featured on Pet Blogs United this week :) You can go here to see what we said!

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Thankful Thursday!

Five years ago today Austin was wrenched from his compact and bijou residence at the RSPCA rescue centre in Colwyn Bay, stuffed into a PTU and transported, against his will, to a spacious rural palace with en suite litter tray and 24 hour room service!  He has his personal groomer, neck scritches on demand and the complete run of said palace, garden and neighbourhood. His every meow is pandered to and he has lap lounging privileges on whoever he wills, whenever he wills - even if chosen lappee is hanging wallpaper or taking a shower! 

Life sucks!

Happy Gotcha Day, Austin!

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oxymoron, ox-y-moron (poss. Welsh) - an idiot from the bovine family

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Furry Monster!

HELP!!!! I'm being attacked. Geddit offa me! NOW!

Can anyone guess what it is that is encompassing Austin's head?

It's just your friendly neighbourhood (faux) fur trapper hat come to cosy up!

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benign, be-nine  - what Austin will be after he be eight

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Tigger

A couple of folk have mentioned that they don't know who Tigger is or much about him, so I thought I would give a brief resumé of his story.

Just a few months after Austin came to us, he started going outside and it wasn't very long before he brought this little tabby home. One day I heard Austin scratching at the door and when I opened it there was my tuxie with the tabby both looking up at me and they were obviously about the same age and the tabby obviously had Austin's permission to come in! Since that day they have been great pals .. sort of!

We (eventually) called him Tigger and he made himself right at home!

I first blogged about this in May 2008, but you can read here about how their relationship developed. It was obvious he was not a stray. Someone wanted this kitty! However, despite asking questions around the neighbourhood, we have not discovered to this day who he belongs to! He just turns up (not every day, but most!) and eats some food and often just goes out again, but sometimes he wants to hang around.

Sometimes they have a face off! (Actually they are about to hug!)

Sometimes they just chill (not that often!)

But mainly Tigger just likes to eat!

As you can see he makes himself right at home and has grown into a fine (huge!) kitty

AND he's quite happy on Austin's pink blanket!!!

They have known each other well over four years now and they get up to all sorts of mischief! We have to be careful though, as Austin is a bit spiky at the best of times and he needs to be sure that everyone knows who is the king of this castle!

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Giveaway - For folk living in the UK, there is a giveaway going on over at A Tonk's Tail …. If you would like to win some stuff from VetVits in the UK, now is your chance to enter! You have until Saturday night! Go here to see!

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cocktail, cock-tail - what Tigger does in front of the crocosmia bush

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