Saturday, January 23, 2010

Say Cheese!

While cleaning the other night Jambo tried to make friends with Big Boy by showing him they had something in common, couching surfing. I had to take a picture because this is a big step for him. He's such a sweet boy.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Yay its Friday :)


We made Jambo an appointment with the vet yesterday because it seems his cold is hanging around a little longer. He's very congested, but thankfully is eating like normal. He got his first nebulizer treatment yesterday and again, barely made a sound as the machine hummed loudly next to his crate. He seems to enjoy them. Hopefully the nebulizer treatments will help him clear up much faster than without them. I feel so bad listening to his little stuffy nose, since we hate being sick, I can imagine what he’s feeling.

The last few days have been calm for him, as he has been lounging around on his new spot on the couch and finding our laps, more often now. He likes to “sneak” into my lap if I am sitting down, while talking to me as if to say, “ ok mama, I am gonna just scoot over here, and put one paw here, and one more there, and OH! Look I just crawled into your lap so looks like I am staying put”.   When we try to move him he goes limp and lets out a sad meow which makes me giggle and in turn he gets his was and stays.

The first night, he had been exploring and I heard a crash. He had tried to jump on the dryer, and somehow ended up falling between it and the wall. He never made a sound to call for help. I popped my head over the back of the dryer and he looked up and let out a help cry, Mama to the rescue.  I thought he got lost in the house the other day again.   I had left all the inside doors open to the rooms during cleaning, and didn’t see him anywhere, even in the laundry room. I went into our room, and found him on his back laying in the middle of the soft down comforter. He didn’t budge when I walked in and gave him pets, just let out a little “mew” as if to say, “Hi Ma”.  Such a sweet boy, he deserves a great home.


Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Snack Time!!

I snapped a few pictures of Jambo being his curious self. He loved the fish and is always at one trying to catch them. :)


Jambo's FIRST Relaxing Weekend

   This weekend was a nice quiet weekend for Jambo. I gave him a bath, to get the stinky shelter smell off of him, and though he does NOT like the shower head or the running water in the tub, he will settle for a cup and a bucket of warm water. He got a nice nail trim too, so no more getting stuck in his blanket!!

    The poor guy is getting over his upper respiratory infection, but thankfully he didn't catch it as bad as some cats I've seen. He takes his medicine like a champ, as if he knows that it will help him feel better. I felt bad for his stuffy nose, knowing how miserable he must be all stuffed up. I went out and bought him some saline nose drops, and some Vicks, and steamed up the bathroom. He happily trotted in when called. We got the nose drops in, the Vicks (just a tiny dab) around his nose, and he sat for about an hour in his "sauna". By the end, he was breathing a lot clearer and he showed his appreciation by talking to me for a few minutes and of course, the well known headbutts. :) We repeated this again last night and he really seems to enjoy it. 

    Jambo encountered our house cat Big Boy this weekend.   Big Boy was not thrilled AT ALL that there was another cat in the house, let alone another cat as big as him, and let out his ferocious growl. (comes out more like a ferocious squeak). Jambo could care less. He just sat around watching Big Boy glare at him. He knows that my German Shepherd is respectful of him, and is no longer hissing at her, which I thought was a BIG step.

   He is such a cuddle bug, and just adores having his jowls scratched. I was getting ready for work, and tend to sit on my counter to put on makeup. Trying to be sneaky, (while still making his talking sounds) he crept up on the toilet and sat. Meow! I turn back to the mirror and a second later I feel him sneaking into my lap. First just the front paws. Meow! I say, " well, fine climb right up!" ..... He does. Curls up on my leg like its the window sill. Goofy  :)  He like his hair pet in one direction, where as Big Boy likes it rough lol.  

     I am so proud of this little man, and will be making his neutering appointment soon for him.
 

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Meet Jambo!

On January 12, I ran across a plea for help regarding a big tom cat named Jambo at the Town Lake Animal Shelter here in Austin. The ad said that Jambo had reached his last day and would need a place to stay by 7 pm that night. Understand, I love ALL furry animals, but I have a soft spot for big ol' tom cats. (Miss you Toby). So I contacted the poster who ended up being a the Foster Coordinator of Austin Pets Alive! and she showed me where to fill out my application. By the end of the day, I was approved.
I noticed something about Jambo the moment we got to the Town Lake and stepped foot inside the cat building. He had no inclination to get up when the lady opened his cage. He just let out a little squeaky meow, the sound of a Siamese cat and continued to lounge in his cage. Throughout the process of picking him up, he was referred to as "mean". Of course I don't know what happened before, but this gentle giant stayed silent in his carrier, from when he came out of his cage to when we got in the car. I opened his box to check on him and he stared up with these big beautiful eyes and let out another squeaky meow. Not a peep after. Got him to the vet to get checked out, nothing. Finally get him home and open his carrier and he pops his head up taking in the new smells. The clean smells :) He jumped out, squeaking at the new sites around him, and cautiously walked around. I thought I would try feeding him some kibble and he came right over next to me and sat down to eat. He had no problem being pet while eating either. I showed him the litter box, and he literally went right in and used it. I was amazed. He went back a second time about an hour later, all by himself. He is very intrigued with the fish tanks we have, and sits if front of them staring for long periods of time. This kitty actually wags his tail faster than any cat I know, and if he's sitting on the couch with you, you will feel the thumping like a little dog. I let him explore his room and was watching TV, and he hopped up right next to me and looked for a few seconds, then settled into my lap like he'd been doing it for years. At bed time, he hesitantly went into his crate, let out a few long meows, (I think he was worried we weren't coming back) but he settled down within 5 minutes, on his new warm fuzzy blanket. Yesterday, (our first morning) I woke up to let him out of his crate, and he immediately pushed his head into my lap, and headbutted repeatedly. He's a totally different cat. He followed me around while getting ready for work, and sat on the bath rug staring at me. He even perched on the toilet to get a closer look. :) Even this morning, he followed me around for a bit, then settled in to his new spot on top of the dryer. I can't figure out why everyone referred to him as mean as I see a big ol lover boy who just wants a lap and a hand to pet him. I can't wait to see him blossom with the love and care that he so badly needs and deserves.