This is pretty much how Amadeus and Christa catches flies. (OK, without the total devastation I guess, but the chattering and the extreme concentration is there ;)
Simon's cat (Fly guy)
I just LOVE this little Sphynx who truly enjoys his bathtime!
This Sphynx envy this man's hair, a LOT! It is a hilarious video!
And the normal compilation, much fun and cuteness ;)
And finally: The craziest cat ever! Have your cat made these sounds!? Please record it, I want to hear! ;)
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Simon's Cat (and Angelica's cat!)
I laughed so hard the first time I saw this little cartoon. The creator is amazing and obviously have some cat-experience ;p My little Amadeus can behave like this sometimes. (Especially around 05-06-ish...AAaaargh!) Hehe.....
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Airline approved pet carriers
HI have now looked into the different carriers, trying to find the best (and approved by airlines!)
When looking for a carrier for your cat who is to go "below" the plane in a hold, you can in theory only be certain with the hard-shell carrier: Vari Kennel.
This is a study and reliable carrier, they come in several sizes (although the other sizes seems mostly to be used for dogs). I bought the small one, and according to many airlines I can (in theory) put two cats in there if necessary, although must not weigh more than 14 kg. They should also be very used to each other!
I intend to take Christa in a soft carrier with me on the plane and place Amadeus in the Vari kennel (since I was only allowed to have one cat with me inside the plane, in a soft carrier).
Ventilation on all four sides of carrier
It seems that one of the things a carrier for pets need to have is holes on all four sides of the carrier. If yours doesn't have that it is certain that some (hopefully most) airlines will not approve of your carrier. (I have read stories of people who had to drill new holes on the carrier at the airport!)
I have found some useful places online, wish I wish to share:
The International Air Transport Association
Great site: How to ship your cat or dog (Lots' of great information & what to think about!)
How to measure your dog or cat for a carrier:
British airways world cargo (live animals) - pdf
Help & review of Vari kennel
Other costumers share their tips, experiences.
Finding the right size (pet carriers)
Airline Approved Pet carriers
Live Animals stickers!
When traveling you need to have stickers on the side of the crate, to show that it contains live animals. (These comes with the Vari Kennel carrier). Make sure to remember to stick them on! (On the top and on the side is what I did).
Getting used to the carrier
I have placed the carrier on top of the fridge (where they often sleep), to teach them that this is a safe place to be, somewhere they all ready are comfortable and that smells familiar. (I have put the little pillow they always sleep on inside). They seem to like the carrier, especially Amadeus. (which is good, since he is the first one to use it!)
 |
| The operacats exploring their new vari carrier |
This is a study and reliable carrier, they come in several sizes (although the other sizes seems mostly to be used for dogs). I bought the small one, and according to many airlines I can (in theory) put two cats in there if necessary, although must not weigh more than 14 kg. They should also be very used to each other!
I intend to take Christa in a soft carrier with me on the plane and place Amadeus in the Vari kennel (since I was only allowed to have one cat with me inside the plane, in a soft carrier).
Ventilation on all four sides of carrier
 |
| Testing the carrier, getting to know it! |
I have found some useful places online, wish I wish to share:
The International Air Transport Association
Great site: How to ship your cat or dog (Lots' of great information & what to think about!)
How to measure your dog or cat for a carrier:
British airways world cargo (live animals) - pdf
Help & review of Vari kennel
Other costumers share their tips, experiences.
Finding the right size (pet carriers)
Airline Approved Pet carriers
Live Animals stickers!When traveling you need to have stickers on the side of the crate, to show that it contains live animals. (These comes with the Vari Kennel carrier). Make sure to remember to stick them on! (On the top and on the side is what I did).
 |
| Peek-a-boo! |
Getting used to the carrier
I have placed the carrier on top of the fridge (where they often sleep), to teach them that this is a safe place to be, somewhere they all ready are comfortable and that smells familiar. (I have put the little pillow they always sleep on inside). They seem to like the carrier, especially Amadeus. (which is good, since he is the first one to use it!)
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Other operacats (lol-cats)
This one is obviously a soprano! ------------>
----------------------->
And FINALLY OUR beloved OPERACATS, singing their opera arias!
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| Amadeus thought this was water (was sprite) |
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| Christa ontop of fridge |
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| Christa & Amadeus amoung my scores |
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Traveling with cats (+ passports)
In September I will get to travel with the cats (with airplane) for the first time! It is both scary and exciting. I am going to sing "The Magic Flute" (Mozart) in another city and will be gone from home for one month. I therefor want to bring the operacats along.
This is what I have all ready arranged:
Airplane
I was early in touch with the airline to arrange for both my cats to travel with me. I travel with wideroe and they were very helpful and positive. I have to have one in a carrier to check in, and one in a sherpa bag to bring with me inside the plane. (These, I have been told, were the first soft-sided carriers to be allowed by the airlines. See the link).
Here I will bring Christa in the sherpa bag, (because she is the most scared of noises. Like the vacuumcleaner). And Amadeus which are not scared of much will go in the carrier in the belly of the plane.
I have read that you shouldn't feed the cats 24 hours before leaving and not bringing water inside the carrier. (Because it get's messy). Luckily it isn't a long journey.
I will also put their usual blankets inside the carrier so it smells like home and feels at least a bit safer.
Hotel
Bringing cats to a hotel.
We are staying in an hotel during the rehearsals and performances. (Sept-Oct).
I have been in touch with the hotel asking them about bringing my cats. The hotel have been very kind and helpful!
I only have to pay if there are extra cleaning, (+ any damages; thank God they are really good not to scratch stuff), and the extra thorough cleaning after we leave. Obviously I will clean the bathroom everyday (myself) anyway.
What to bring:
1. I will bring a small litterbox (the same they use at home, so it is familiar and handy).
2. Litterpearls (look like crystals). They are very light and absorbs smell brilliantly. (I am planning to bring just a little, then buy a small bag of it when we arrive).
3. Small (corner) scratchpost. (I have seen these in the shops. They are easy to bring and good to have so the cat can scratch, and not use any furniture).
4. Some of their blankets (which have their smell on it and are familiar).
5. Carrier and sherpabag (for the plane). This will also work like small (safe) caves for them in the hotelroom.
6. Food. Obviously bring some of their usual type. (Royal Canine, Sensible 33. For the sensitive cat). And something to have food and drink in.
Next year, traveling abroad
I will have to bring the cats with me to the Netherlands next year, when I sing in "The Marriage of Figaro" on tour there. I have all ready started the process to get passports for the cats.
This means that I have had to start with the "rabies-routine".
That is to give both cats a shot of "rabisin", to make them immune to rabies. If not you cannot bring your animal outside Norway. (Except Sweden).
Then you need to wait 170 days to take a bloodsample to see if it worked, if not you obviously cannot leave. If it works we can travel 6 months after that.
I have checked with Amadeus, and he is free to travel!
I am still waiting for Christa's bloodsamples to be taken.
Every country have different rules though (especially Great Britain are very strict).
One has to check with the government of the country one wish to travel to. (Usually something online). This is because besides rabies vaccine, one usually have to give the cats extra things, like shots against worm-infections etc.
You have to make sure to give a "top up" on the rabies vaccine. Every year. If not it doesn't count and you have to start all over again. All vaccines are then registered in the passport, not the usual vaccine-card.
I hope that everything will go smoothly and that the cats and me will have a great adventure! =)
This is what I have all ready arranged:
 |
| Amadeus in his Sherpa bag |
I was early in touch with the airline to arrange for both my cats to travel with me. I travel with wideroe and they were very helpful and positive. I have to have one in a carrier to check in, and one in a sherpa bag to bring with me inside the plane. (These, I have been told, were the first soft-sided carriers to be allowed by the airlines. See the link).
Here I will bring Christa in the sherpa bag, (because she is the most scared of noises. Like the vacuumcleaner). And Amadeus which are not scared of much will go in the carrier in the belly of the plane.
I have read that you shouldn't feed the cats 24 hours before leaving and not bringing water inside the carrier. (Because it get's messy). Luckily it isn't a long journey.
I will also put their usual blankets inside the carrier so it smells like home and feels at least a bit safer.
Hotel
Bringing cats to a hotel.
We are staying in an hotel during the rehearsals and performances. (Sept-Oct).
I have been in touch with the hotel asking them about bringing my cats. The hotel have been very kind and helpful!
I only have to pay if there are extra cleaning, (+ any damages; thank God they are really good not to scratch stuff), and the extra thorough cleaning after we leave. Obviously I will clean the bathroom everyday (myself) anyway.
What to bring:
1. I will bring a small litterbox (the same they use at home, so it is familiar and handy).
2. Litterpearls (look like crystals). They are very light and absorbs smell brilliantly. (I am planning to bring just a little, then buy a small bag of it when we arrive).
3. Small (corner) scratchpost. (I have seen these in the shops. They are easy to bring and good to have so the cat can scratch, and not use any furniture).
4. Some of their blankets (which have their smell on it and are familiar).
5. Carrier and sherpabag (for the plane). This will also work like small (safe) caves for them in the hotelroom.
6. Food. Obviously bring some of their usual type. (Royal Canine, Sensible 33. For the sensitive cat). And something to have food and drink in.
Next year, traveling abroad
I will have to bring the cats with me to the Netherlands next year, when I sing in "The Marriage of Figaro" on tour there. I have all ready started the process to get passports for the cats.
 |
| The operacat's passports |
That is to give both cats a shot of "rabisin", to make them immune to rabies. If not you cannot bring your animal outside Norway. (Except Sweden).
Then you need to wait 170 days to take a bloodsample to see if it worked, if not you obviously cannot leave. If it works we can travel 6 months after that.
I have checked with Amadeus, and he is free to travel!
I am still waiting for Christa's bloodsamples to be taken.
Every country have different rules though (especially Great Britain are very strict).
One has to check with the government of the country one wish to travel to. (Usually something online). This is because besides rabies vaccine, one usually have to give the cats extra things, like shots against worm-infections etc.
 |
| In our cardbox on the fridge |
I hope that everything will go smoothly and that the cats and me will have a great adventure! =)
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Coffee stinks!
That is according to Amadeus. He seems to hate the smell of coffee. (At least that is what I think it is).
One day I was trying to learn some Mozart and decided to drink some coffee while working, and this was Amadeus' response to my choice: Let's try to cover up that stench!
"Mm! how sweet the coffee tastes,
One day I was trying to learn some Mozart and decided to drink some coffee while working, and this was Amadeus' response to my choice: Let's try to cover up that stench!
"Mm! how sweet the coffee tastes,
more delicious than a thousand kisses,
mellower than muscatel wine.
Coffee, coffee I must have,
and if someone wishes to give me a treat,
ah, then pour me out some coffee!"The Coffee Cantata (J.S Bach)
Giving up Kwitter Litter!
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| It isn't just paper.... |
This is a shame since Christa more or less had learned how to use the toilet like humans do. Sadly, Amadeus wasn't so smart (or willing?) to do the same. (But he always tried to hide his shame. My bathroom rug, rolls of toiletpaper, or random piece of cloth have all been used to cover...)
I was very pleased when I could just flush after Christa had visited the bathroom, but I wasn't so happy when Amadeus did his number two on my living room floor. Most times. It is hard to always have to monitor a cat's toilethabits. At least for such a long time as I have.
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| The cats studying what Amadeus hid that night |
So this is the end of the kwitter-litter experience.
I have noticed that both Amadeus and Christa is VERY happy to get their box back.
I guess I will not get to save much money on cat litter, or be more hygienic, but I at least I will get less to think about.
(Conclusion: I have a small litter tray which they use here at home, but luckily it is handy and easy to bring with me when we travel. I am also happy that the operacats aren't messy at all when they use the litter tray).
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| Christa & Amadeus |
The Kwitter-litter adventure might be over, but we have so many (non-poop-related) adventures ahead of us!
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