Pitipixel

Kitten-less

2009-10-15T01:12:00.002+02:00

I dropped the babies off today... their next foster home will be Sheryl's, who works with Kitten Rescue. In the next few weeks they will get treated for fleas and worms, vaccinated, tested for FIV and FeLV, and then spayed/neutered when they get big enough.

And then, we pray they will find the best of home, a home where the humans will truly value the worth of a little feline soul. Or two. Two kittens are so much better than one!

We are going to miss them. I shed a few tears in the car today, after parting with them...
I have to get my carrier back from Sheryl though, what a convenient excuse to go check on them next week ;-p

Gotta go... hug your dog or cat for me today!

Last day with the troublemakers...

2009-10-13T23:44:00.004+02:00

After almost a week of daily heart-melting, today is our last day with the troublemakers... tomorrow they are going to be fostered and taken care of by Kitten Rescue, a wonderful rescue group here in L.A.

We are pretty sure by now that both kittens are boys... there is still a slight doubt about the little grey one, that should be solved tonight by another round of intimate scrutiny (met with indignant meeps). They will be two intense bundles of joy!

"Ehn? Me? I'm a what?!"

"I'm cute and innocent and I love to pose with a serious face... I'm no trouble at all"

They no longer run for cover when we open the bathroom door now, but instead stand there wide-eyed, waiting for whatever is going to come next. Food (most often), playtime (very often), tummy rubs (always!). With time they have gotten very playful and trusting, and they are truly adorable little monsters.

I really hope they will find the best of homes... together. They are so bonded. Don't forget, if you live in the Los Angeles area and want kittens, email me!! I am driving them to a rescue group tomorrow because my family is flying in from France on Saturday, and five people will then share the bathroom they are staying in... which makes it impossible to keep them. But I can still recommend people to Kitten Rescue if they would like to adopt them :)

"Wait a minute... we're going where?!!"

"I'm not so sure I like that idea... would anyone call and adopt us already?! Hmmm?"

I mean, seriously, how could anyone resist those mugs?!!

All warmed up

2009-10-11T04:41:00.005+02:00

So, I think we can safely say the kittens are all warmed up now... judge for yourself:

There's a lot of playing going on...

And some starin' too...

The kittens have spent a lot of time purring and playing today, and getting their tummies rubbed.

When I look at the first pictures I took of them, and the ones I took tonight - there is such a world of difference! It's amazing how fast those tiny creatures respond to love and care, and decide that bipeds aren't such bad companions after all.

They also learned really fast how to master the melt-in-your-boots pose *sigh*

Pounce!

2009-10-09T22:07:00.003+02:00

So... after getting a good, warm bath and being very good about it, the kittens got a bellyful of chicken baby food, licking it off our fingers... yum!

You can tell they feel a lot better already. Still hissy and spitty, but more out of principle than anything else... they are actually pretty friendly, and even purr when we rub their tummies :)

And of course, a full belly only calls for one thing... playtime!

In between wrestling bouts, mousie hunting, feather wand swatting, and a couple of human toe-chomps, time for an innocent pose:

"Qui? Moi?!"

These little guys are truly adorable, and warming up so fast. If you are looking for us, we will be melted with cuteness on the bathroom floor!

Babies

2009-10-08T20:48:00.002+02:00

The babies are filthy... really filthy. And really skinny too. They are probably covered in fleas, as I could feel their fur encrusted with dust and little grainy specks this morning.

Even though they are still very scared, I think I will have to bathe them today. It will make them more comfortable, and should get rid of most of the fleas. They are not going to like it, but really I have to do it before they get strong enough to fight it!

They are hissy and spitty, understandably terrified at the change a human bathroom represents as opposed to under a car, or the bushes - their natural environment so far. I hope they will warm up soon, at least they let me pet them, even though they don't look convinced.

Update with before/after bath pictures soon!

Street Cuteness

2009-10-08T09:48:00.003+02:00

So... Hubby and I have been feeding feral cats on our block for the past two months. We started with four kittens and their mama - the kittens seem to be about 4 months old, so we were just planning on feeding them every night, and trapping them soon to get everyone TNR'ed. (Trapped/Neutered/Returned to their original spot) They are way too skittish to be tamed, especially when L.A. is drowning in homeless cats and kittens, and they would not stand a chance of getting adopted (and I do NOT have room for more cats!!)

Well... long story short, last night as I put the food down, I see a tiny little scruffy thing coming out from under a car, plant his two paws in the plate, and start inhaling the canned food, growling all the while! Seems like mama cat hasn't been idle **sigh** we really need to get her fixed before she gets pregnant again.

Needless to say, it was out of the question for us to leave those babies to grow up on the street and become wild too... so we set out to catch them.
We managed to get two tonight, and I know there is a third, and possibly a fourth one still there. So hopefully we can get them tomorrow night.

Will keep you guys posted... in the meantime, here are the first pictures of the new (scared) kids on the block (or in the bathroom):

"What the heck is going on?!"

"I don't like you. I will hiss!" (and he did, but it was just sad and cute)

Scared little monsters... I hope they stuff their faces overnight, and are in better spirits in the morning!

Back on Track

2009-09-29T22:39:00.003+02:00

Wicket lets it all hang out... in a dignified way.

He also dreams of bee-snacks.

Isis, Queen of the House.

He was saved!

2009-08-08T18:42:00.002+02:00

The picture the Mutt Scouts took of that miserable white dog, giving up on life at a crowded, lonely shelter... this picture spread around the Internet like wildfire, shook people up, and finally allowed a network of people to come together and save this dog. Hurrah for the interwebs!!

Turns out he is a Dogo Argentino. He is extremely thin, deaf, covered in scars, sick, with a mass on his back, and lots of healing to do... but a sweet boy with a big smile, who is now given a second chance at life. A chance to be happy with humans who love him. His name is Nico.

Look here for more photos and updates:

http://www.whisperkisses.com/activities/2009/nico09.htm

The Mutt Scouts can still use your help for the other ten+ dogs they took home... so don't hesitate to contact them if you have time/money/items to donate :)

Let's help make more happy endings!

Another plea for help...

2009-07-31T23:37:00.003+02:00

I'm not sure how many people look up this blog... probably not many. And among you, probably not many live in California, or even in the U.S. And among those who live in California, how many want a dog? Yeah... virtually no one.

Still, as useless as it might seem, I want to repost this plea for help from the Mutt Scouts, an awesome rescue group based in L.A. that has saved so many canine lives over the years, and keep going strong despite limited funds. They do more than anyone else I know, often get in way over their heads, trying to mend the traces left by human cruelty, neglect, abuse, and total lack of compassion. More than anything else, they need foster homes - people willing to foster a dog for a week, a month... until a good permanent home is found. Of course money is essential too, to help cover vet bills, food etc. But even little things like blankets, towels, toys, food donations can make a huge difference and contribute to the well-being and rehabilitation of those dogs.

Now I know, I know, there are millions of human beings dying every year at the hands of the same evils. I know, you work hard to get your money. I know, there are "worst" things to worry about in the world than homeless dogs. I apologize in advance for those of you who will be rubbed the wrong way... but knowing they are "just" animals doesn't make me feel less sad, angry and frustrated by their situation. And I want to help.

So... if anyone wants to help too, here is where to start:

http://themuttscouts.wordpress.com/

All photos reposted from the Mutt Scouts' website.

Poseuse

2009-07-24T22:42:00.002+02:00

Isis must have been a surly actress or model in a former life...

There's something about that studied pose...

The affected disinterest...

Or maybe she was a dictator.

The Smile of Wisdom

2009-07-23T18:37:00.000+02:00

Zuma Beach and Highway 23

2009-07-20T04:34:00.004+02:00

Yesterday we went to Zuma Beach, past Malibu, to get some fresh air with two birthday pals...

Don't let the gorgeous blue-green water fool you... it's COLD! The pelicans don't seem to mind though (spot the one in the background? To watch them dive is impressive)

Quite a few birds pooping at random on unsuspecting humans...

This guy was showing off capoeira moves... makes for cool pictures.

Your typical sunset picture... with pudgy dolphins added.

View on the way back from Highway 23 - wish I could move into one of those isolated houses.

Hard to capture the hilltops from the car...

The Happy Company : birthday girl, birthday boy, hubby...

And meh!

Buddha Statue

2009-07-17T23:28:00.001+02:00

Taken at the Hsi Lai Temple.

Mew!

2009-07-17T23:24:00.001+02:00

That's a pretty typical Mew face... "when exactly are you going to start wiggling that feather again?"

Le Cat-ma... or Lacat

2009-07-17T23:10:00.003+02:00

Non non, il ne s'agit pas d'un retour des Mondes Engloutis... juste que Chewie a parfois quelques difficultés à trouver son identité d'ado... chat ou lama? Gargouille peut-être? En tous cas elle garde très bien le placard!

PLEASE HELP - SWEET DOGGIE NEEDS HOME!

2009-06-06T23:31:00.004+02:00

Ever since I adopted my cats and ran into their beautiful ads on Craigslist, I have admired, and tried to support The Mutt Scouts, a local Los Angeles based rescue group. These guys always help the underdog - literally! They rescue the grey muzzles, the sick, maimed, desperate ones... from death-row in shelters, or from the streets, wherever they are in need.

They nurse those love-starved dogs back to health and find them wonderful, loving homes. And when the long-desired home doesn't come, they keep those rescues as part of their family...

Recently, they rescued this gorgeous dog off the streets of L.A... he was filthy, starved, and they found out he had been wandering alone with four broken toes :(

They are running out of room now, and they really, really need a foster home for this sweet dog... or even better, a permanent loving family! So if you know anyone who might be interested in helping out, or looking for their canine best friend... feel free to repost and forward!

Here is the link to the original posting:

http://themuttscouts.wordpress.com/2009/05/31/major-tom/

Look at this adorable face! If only I had a garden or even a bigger appartment, he would come home with ME within the next hour... *sighhhh*

Zoo Series - Gros Nounours!

2009-06-03T07:50:00.006+02:00

Bisou bisou, gentil bisounours... ou pas!

Two-toned, amazingly furry brown bear, with the cutest furrows on his forehead :)

Zoo Series - Les Rominets

2009-06-03T07:40:00.003+02:00

Sleepies... jaguar and serval.

Technically not a big cat, the fossa still has VERY impressive muscles and claws!

Crouching tiger...

Errr... walking tiger :p

More big cats whenever I go back... Didn't take any pictures of the snow leopard because the poor thing looks so hot, so disheveled and so, so depressed. Kept pacing back and forth with a forlorn look on his gorgeous face :'(

The Zoo Series - Birds

2009-06-02T20:41:00.003+02:00

Brown pelicans

Flamingos... pretty from a distance, creepy up close!

Hungry ostrich

Afternoon in Palos Verdes

2009-05-26T05:29:00.005+02:00

Don't say you haven't been warned!

Pieds panés autorisés :)

Lots of pelicans hovering. Hard to snap a good pic though!

This crow kept flying around, waiting for me to get a decent shot.

Weird and beautiful rock flowers.

More gorgeous flowers.

Pretty sea urchin!

Watchoo lookin' at?

2009-05-17T03:54:00.003+02:00

This fish was really funny. He didn't seem too happy to have his picture taken.

Gradually getting more irritated...

Tell me, M'am, what exactly are you looking at?!

Marine Life Pictures

2009-05-17T03:46:00.003+02:00

Seems to be my specialty to take hundreds of pictures when I go somewhere, and then proceed to forget all about them for the next six months or so... So here are a few of my favorite pictures from my last trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA (Nov. '08).

A patchwork of sea urchins, starfish and other pretty creatures.

One of the sea lions. Sad to see them in captivity, but at least they are very well taken care of.

Dancing medusas.

Sea urchins and bubbles.

Starfish wants out!

Chocolate Cat

2009-05-17T00:18:00.006+02:00

So Miss Chewie does look black, doesn't she? Which is why I always have such a hard time taking good pictures of her... it takes a miracle for retarded me to maneuver the light well enough to get a decently exposed photo:

Every now and then she gives in and agrees to pose to please the silly human. ("Let's look thoughtful and melancholy, and maybe I will get a treat out of it!")

( All I can see is her Chewbacca lips)

When she poses in the sun, however, my black kitty turns into...

Chocolate Cat!

Her fur is so many different colors... deep chocolate brown, black in places still, smoky grey on her belly and armpits, white patches on her chest and tummy... Simplicity is for suckers ;)

The lady's latest favorite toy:

And look at this chocolate toe-fluff!

Flower Power

2009-05-14T21:33:00.003+02:00

Mew's not sure about being a Flower Kitty...

Isis is pretty sure everyone will make fun of her when they see this.

Chewie thinks of it as camouflage while spying on the birds.

Wicket has eluded the Flower Power so far... but not for long, I promise!!

Le philosophe

2009-05-04T23:21:00.005+02:00

Je résiste à l'envie d'assortir cette photo de calembours et jeux de mots divers, variés, et plus ou moins vaseux... mais quand même, une tête de chat philosophant, décapitée, sur la moquette... J'aime bien :)

Et puis si vous voulez y aller quand même de votre petit jeu de mots malin, n'hésitez pas, je suis amateur!!

PS: une tête peut-elle être décapitée? Ou simplement séparée de son hôte?