My cat ate my sonic screwdriver!

Yes, it's true. 
 My sister gave me a little figurine of Doctor who (Tennant) after a visit to England. I got it last week and it was featured in the previous blog post as a picture-series at the end.

Unfortunately this was obviously not the only thing he had been eating that night. First I noticed that the Doctor was missing his sonic screwdriver, which had been there the evening before. Yes, it's tiny, but Amadeus had obviously found it quite intriguing after the first encounter and eaten that tasty little screwdriver.

I don't think the Doctor liked the taste either.....

To everyone out there, who have always wanted to have a nibble on a sonic screwdriver, (or let your cat have a sonic snack) : Don't!

It will be very expensive, let me tell you all about it..

The next day he threw up several times. I thought it wasn't anything serious and just made sure that he got enough water to drink. But when he continued that night (even threw up in my bed while we were about to fall asleep), and into the next day, I decided to go to the veterinarian. Amadeus threw up so violently that he hit his poor little snout on the bathroom floor every time he was at it. (And that was after he had used my carpet and couch as a "bucket" several times.)

Luckily Amadeus didn't explode! ;)

He was very exhausted and not himself when we arrived the vet and they made sure he was given liquids and put him in a incubator to make sure he was warm enough. I had to wait at my parent's house from 14-21 before I could get him back and know exactly what it was. The vet had to open him up and search for the problem after the x-ray showed that something was wrong. She hadn't found the culprit, but I am certain that some of the things he threw up before we went to the vet, had been the troublemakers. A piece of silverpaper that he threw up in the bathroom and a small sonic screwdriver that was found in a small puddle on my carpet.

In the end I am just so grateful that everything went fine and I have my Amadeus back! He is acting all pathetic and repulsingly cute in his little patient-habit. He walks like two humans in a cat-suit. The front human walks with quick, small steps, while the human at the back of the cat-suit walks with long, slow steps.

Oh Amadeus, I am so happy that you have insurance because that operation was expensive! (I'm sure we could have bought a real sonic screwdriver for that money. One you couldn't have eaten because it would be large, awesome and Doctor-worthy!)


Dear Santa, this year we want a sonic screwdriver for Christmas! Because the owner is too poor to buy one herself now.

Yummy....does that taste good?

Amadeus in his little "sweater"

Being tired and post-operation

Look! I'm a Dachshund-kitten! (Shooort legs ;) 

Sonic screwdrivers hurt in belly....

A Doctor Who fan you say? Here's something for you! (And your cat!)

Get a Tardis for your cats! They will love it!

This is just an amazing place for Doctor Who-cats to play and relax! ;)

Yes, true? (From the episode: "Gridlock")

Cat meets Dalek, hehe!

The eleven Doctors (as cats ;) 

Cat-nuns from Doctor Who

Blink-cats (weeping-angels-cats)


If you can find any other really cool Doctor Who stuff out there on the web,
please don't hesitate to share with us!


Crazy people ;) Pretty stupid. :P





And as a end let's see our own Amadeus fight the tenth Doctor!
Behind you Doctor, RUN !!!

Oh, and yes! 
We met the Doctor yesterday and he joined us in making a Songify tune! Isn't he just awesome!?

FAQ (Traveling with cats)

For you readers out there trying to find a short list as inspiration/starting-help for your first travel with your darling feline friends, I write this post after having experienced our first travel (and stay) together. 


I will try to make this list as clear and thorough as possible, listing experience and some things to consider! I have written a post about my first experience: (Click here for the story.)


Things to consider before traveling


1a) Do my cat really need to come with me? 
If you are going on a short holiday (1-2 weeks and especially if you need to go by airplane), I would suggest that you leave your cat at home. To travel might be very stressful for your cat and not all manages well to be taken out of their usual environments/territories. So 1-2 weeks might not give them time to settle before they need to move again. 


1b) I decided not to bring them, so what are my options?
If you decide to leave the darlings at home you might have several options:


*The cats stay at home like usual: You get your amazing friends or family to look after them.
*The cats stay at home like usual: You hire a "catsitter" who come by and make sure the cats are ok.
*You leave the cats at a boarding cattery. (The most expensive)
*You board the cats at a veterinary office (The cages look small and might not be great for longer stays!)


Do an internet-search for the possibilities around your home. In Oslo for example, you can hire catsitters on Sentrum Pass. 


1b) I decide to bring them, what should I think about?
Depends on where you are going, and how! Here are some things to think about:

*Are you going abroad? Then you need to get a cat-passport. You'll need to start a rabies-vaccine regime at least 6 months before you travel. So start with that as soon as possible, talk with your vet. (If your cat passes the blood-test taken after the 120 days, you'll need to make sure your cat get a shot against rabies every year. If you forget, you will have to start it all over again.....) You will also need to check with the country you travel to, what other rules they have for bringing cats into their country. (Ticks, worm-treatments, etc.)


*Are you staying at a hotel? You'll have to find a hotel who permit guests to bring cats! Make sure they know about this before arriving. (Write an email or phone them to make sure it will not be a problem). I had to pay about 35£ (400 NOK) extra for cleaning of the room after I left, which I knew of before arriving. (Also had an agreement that I would pay for any damages made.) I have seen that many hotels mentions if they allow animals or not on their website (or on sites like: hotel.com etc), but please contact them anyway!


*How will you travel, and what about carriers? There are some differences on how you choose to travel, but if you go by air there is in theory only vari-kennel who are the universally accepted carrier on all airlines. You might get accepted with another type of carrier at some airports, but then again you might very well be denied on others. So be certain you have a correct one! If you go by car you can see what type of carrier your cat likes, (to have full view, or to hide in a little "cave", etc). If by car it can be any brand of carrier. But DON'T put them in a cardbox with holes, you might get a nasty surprise when your cat bounces around in your car, pooping all over after having clawed his way through the box like it was butter! 


Watch this nice video about bringing pets on your vacation: (and explanation on rabies-vaccinations etc).



*It costs extra to bring pets! The airlines charges differently, but there is most definite a fee. So take that into consideration. (In Norway, Widerø is the cheapest airline).


------------------------


Things to bring: 

- Litterbox
- Some litterpearl
- Favourite toys
- Feliway
- Nail scissors (to minimize damage they could do)
- Small scratching post (my cats loved their travel-sized one)

- Ear cleaner + cottonpads. (At least if you have Sphynx & Devon Rex ;)
- A few days rations of catfood (then buy more when you get there)
- Vari-kennel crate for transport (or a Sherpa-bag if you get your cat in the cabin).
- Drinking bowl
- Food bowl
- Floor protector


Other things I would recommend: 


- If you travel by air; MARK the carrier with your name and telephone number! (When the airline lost track of my Amadeus this was essential! Read about the experience here!)


- Bring Feliway! (To spray in the carriers before leaving, and spray several places in the hotelroom to make them feel safer! It doesn't smell anything for our human noses.)


- If your cat likes to play with water (like my Christa) put the drinking bowl in the shower to save the floor ;)


- At the airport: Get there early to prevent your cat (and you!) from getting more stressed than necessary. For example: If you are to bring a cat inside the cabin you will need to go through security with it. This means that you will have to send your normal stuff through the x-ray, then the soft-sided carrier and then you will have to carry your cat through the metal-detectors.


Do you have any questions or other advice I could add?
Please feel free to comment :D


Bon Voyage!
Safe Journey!
-----


Some links on cat-traveling
Cat Health (How to travel)

The Cat-site 

For the love of cats 

Travel with cat from USA to Europe 

Pet Carriers (all types) 

Cat-world 

Know your cat 

"Sorry. We don't know where your cat is"

The cats' passports

What would you do if you got this message when you went to pick up your cat?


Sunday was the last day of the Magic Flute performances and me & the cats were to travel back to Oslo. The journey up had gone really well and been free of any complications, so I was relaxed and certain that the airline (and airport) was very experienced, professional and careful with my Amadeus.


Like last time I had Christa with me in the cabin (in a sherpa bag) and Amadeus had to go below. (Widerø airline-rules). So at the airport Amadeus was checked in the vari kennel carrier with his favorite blanket like he was at Gardermoen airport one month earlier. Only this time they had no idea where he was when Christa and I arrived in Oslo.


"Sorry, we don't know where your cat is"
We went down to claim our luggage like usual and expected to pick up Amadeus from the "Special luggage" area. We waited and watched the instrumentalists (who were on the same plane) pick up their contrabass and other large instruments. When no little blue box with my cat were among those, I asked the man if my cat was to come soon? (Adding that he was on the same plane as these instruments). He replied that "it probably would". Then he left me to wait some more, wondering why he weren't delivered in that load. I waited a long time and started to feel nervous. My heart jumped every time the door opened, and it sank when I realized it was only workers going out for a cigarette. I realized that something was wrong and I went to the widerø helpdesk.

Amadeus (at home) in his blue box

I explained and told her which flight I had been on and that I still haven't got Amadeus back. She called the luggage handlers (and the people who had worked on that plane) and was told that they didn't know anything about no cat. I could hear the man on the telephone tell her this and this was the cue for me to try to hold my tears and panic back. (And not to forget my anger!) She then told me what I all ready heard and said that they had no clue where Amadeus were, but perhaps he still were back at the other airport. I got horrible pictures in my head of my little Amadeus left on the cold runway. Obviously forgotten, since no one had phoned me or the airline all ready. (I was even more scared since I knew that the flight was overbooked and they had asked me, and others, if we wanted to take a later plane back. + the unusual amount of instruments as luggage!)


She then tried to phone the other airport for a long time, but no one picked up. (It was a small airport, but still not acceptable!) When she didn't get a reply she said that "he might be there still and they might send him here on the next plane in 4,5 hour. Do you want a food-coupon while you wait?"


NO! I don't want a f***** food-coupon, I want my cat! 
I want you b****** to know were my cat is, and then I want him delivered safely to me. 
(This is what I wanted to say, but in real life I strangely enough dropped the ugly swearing. But I can assure my readers that I were pretty angry and teary at this point.) 


My kind friend who were outside ready to drive us home had to pay a lot extra for the parking and I felt horrible leaving her to wait so long as well, although my main concern at this point was obviously Amadeus. The widerø-lady continued to try to reach the other airport but got hold of no one. I sat beside the counter and fought off the tears. 


Then, after 1.5 hour, I finally got a phone call.
It was from a cargo company (not the airline) wondering if I were the owner of Amadeus. Thrilled and scared senseless at the same time I got the message that Amadeus were with them and they wondered what to do with him. Not understanding how my cat ended up with this lot (as he arrived on the same plane as me & the luggage handlers had no idea about him) I gave the phone to the widerø-lady who told that they had permission to deliver him to me at the "special luggage". The man who came with him told us that they probably had thought he were cargo and not luggage, and therefor had been sent to the cargo hold when he arrived. 


I can NOT understand (or accept) that they can loose track of a live animal that way. This time the reunion were a happy one (and actually took place), but there is obvious a risk that animals can get astray like that when traveling? Scary! (Luckily I had been smart enough to put my name and phone number on the crate, if not, then what??).


I had a horrible hour of not knowing, and felt that the airline was completely incompetent and helpless in retrieving him. 


I am grateful that it all went well. Amadeus & Christa were a bit tired after the flight as expected but showed no signs of stress. They are now safely back home, Amadeus sleeps in my lap as I write this. Thank God!

Do my readers think I should write a letter to the airline? Do you think it will amount to anything?

Cats doing unexpected & weird things

This post is dedicated to all the crazy cats out there, doing weird or unusual things. We love you!

Keep at it! :D

WHAT is this cat doing? Hahaha!!!


A cat & rat relationship! 


A cat gets caught barking and quickly resumes meowing, hihi



The cat who showers with his human



Two noisy Siamese don't like that the owner takes a shower (Annoying? Yeeeaah, hehe....!)


Kitten stuck in a hamsterball

Freddie Mercury (Queen) and the cats he loved!

In memory of Freddie Mercury

The operacat's human (Angelica) have grown up with Queen streaming out of the bulky, black speakers of her childhood home. Since before she was born, her parents (especially her father) loved and surrounded themselves with Queen, and admired the unbelievable stage presence and vocal abilities of Freddie Mercury. He was, and is still one of Angelica's greatest idols and inspirations. 

But he was also a very famous lover of all things feline! 

He had many cats himself, some of them adopted from shelters. He dedicated his album "Mr. Bad guy" to one of his cats, and later made a song about his favorite cat, named "Delilah".

The cats that stayed with him till he died November 1991 were:

Romeo, Goliath, Delilah, Oscar & Miko

"You make me so very happy

When you cuddle up and go to sleep beside me

And then you make me slightly mad

When you pee all over my chippendale suite"

In Queens last music video, Freddie uses a vest with cats on. The cats portrayed are his own!

(At this stage Freddie was so ill that he could barely stand at times, he insisted to make more music though and kept busy till the end. He died shortly after this video was shot. Many feel this video is a "good bye" to his fans). "I still love you".

Quotes about Freddie Mercury and his cats

- "Peter Freestone, Mercury’s personal assistant and cook, wrote in his book “Freddie Mercury” 

that his boss put as much importance on them as any human in his life."

 - “Most of them were from rescue centers. We have a charity [in the United Kingdom] called The Blue Cross, which takes care of sick animals. Freddie got at least two from them, if not more.”

- "Queen fans know quite well Mercury’s love for felines. After all, he did dedicate his solo album, “Mr. Bad Guy,” to his cat Jerry, as well as the rest of his brood at the time, and extended the note to “all the cat lovers across the universe.”

- “They did get ordinary cat food at times, but mostly it was fresh chicken and fish prepared for them. I also remember he used to talk to them on the phone if he was away for a long time.”

- "Their unconditional love gave him great comfort and company in his final days, and Mercury would never deny them admittance to his bedroom."

Links to sites about Mercury and his cats

Queen Archives (Cat fancy)

Famous men who loves cats

Prince of the universe (cats)

Quotes about Freddie Mercury

Freddie with his cat vest!

"The difference between Freddie and almost all the other rock stars was that he was selling the voice."

- Montserrat Caballe

"I adored Freddie Mercury and Queen had a hit called Radio Gaga. That's why I love the name. Freddie was unique - one of the biggest personalities in the whole of pop music. He was not only a singer but also a fantastic performer, a man of the theatre and someone who constantly transformed himself. In short: a genius."  - Lady Gaga

"If I didn't have Freddie Mercury's lyrics to hold on to as a kid, I don't know where I would be. It taught me about all forms of music. It would open my mind. I never really had a bigger teacher in my whole life."

- Axl Rose

"I’m a Freddie Mercury fan." - Micheal Jackson

“I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend.”

                                                                            Freddie Mercury

Kittens, kittens, everywhere!

Today let's have a celebrate kittens-day!
If you love kittens, please feel free to enjoy the little collections of heartbreakers!

Kitten massaging another kitten!


Kitten vs Scaaaary apples, Epic fight!


Surprised kitten!


Cutest little meows, scottish fold beauty!

Remember when your cat were a kitten? An adorable, mischievous little thing! 

Here's a picture from when Amadeus was only a few weeks old!

I'm a cutie, out exploring!

Human/cat conversations

Maybe you are one of the many catlovers who talks to your cat and have the fortune that it speaks back to you? (But have you tried to sing with it? I promise to try this with my operacats at some point!)

Here are some funny examples of human/cat conversations!


"Are you ready to come in yet?" (Siamese chat!)



"Wake up!"


A lonely cat calls for her family! (Hellooo? Hello,  hello?)


And as a bonus: Two cats who sings with their owners!

"Happy birthday to..meeoow"


"Twinkle, twinkle, little.....meeoow!"

Cats in costumes

Many people obviously have a fascination for dressing up their cats in all sorts of weird costumes. Here are some examples! (Love the "happy" expression of some of the animals ;)

Harry Potter cat

Frog-cat hybrid?

Cleopatra-cat

Another frog-cat hybrid ;)

Two Sphynxes wanted to dress, and grow some hair ;)

I'm soooo happy for this reindeer-thingy....

French kitten

Hello Kitty!

Another happy Christmas-cat

Hear me roooaar!

Cats in music! (Videos)

Many composers were (and are) fascinated by cats and some have made music in honour of them.
Here are some examples:

IN OPERA: 


Cat duet 
From the Opera: "The Child and the Spells" (L'enfant et les sortilèges) by Maurice Ravel

(Angelica have sung the white cat at the Norwegian National Opera, the operacats did some of the coaching ;)



IN MUSICALS


An obvious find: "Cats" by Andrew Lloyd Webber



CLASSICAL MUSIC

Humorous duet for two cats
Attributed: Rossini/ Compilated by: de Pearsall


CARTOONS


Evil Siamese in "Lady and the Tramp"



"The Aristocats" practise their arpeggios and scales





Tom is a famous baritone and sings Figaro's aria from Rossini's "The Barber of Seville", Jerry tries to sleep.

We survived! (First journey with airplane!)

We made it!
We have now arrived in Nordfjord, safe and sound. No one froze or was scared to death. We are now grateful and happy to be relaxing in our hotelroom and look forward to stay a month! Read about the experience!

What I brought for the stay
First I packed all the things needed for a month away from home:

- Litterbox
- Some litterpearl (+ bought a bag today)
- Favourite mouse-toy + cat-wand with feathers
- Tunnel
- Feliway
- Nail scissors
- Small scratching post
- Cat treats
- Ear cleaner (+ cottonpads)
- A few days rations of the normal catfood
- A measuring cup
- Sherpa-bag for transport (Christa in the cabin)
- Vari-kennel crate for transport (Amadeus, in hold)
- Drinking bowls
- Food bowl
- Floor protector

I packed most of these things in my own suitcase, (a VALUABLE buy is to get a Samsonite Cosmolite, it is almost weightless and incredibly strong!) Even the litterbox and pearls went in there, but I had bought a small litterbox, to make it easier to travel with).

The first minutes, exploring the new space!

The Journey
When I had placed the two cats in their crates, I went by car to the airport. We are grateful that a friend drove us, and we didn't have to take a taxi and a train.

First I had to check in my suitcase, then I sent Amadeus off at the special luggage conveyor. It was a strange feeling to leave him there, like he was luggage, but the man behind the counter was friendly and I felt safer for leaving him. (I had put stickers on the crate, stating: "LIVE ANIMALS", my name and contact-information & Amadeus' name and race). 

It was a strange experience to go through security with Christa though. I had to send my bag through like normal, but then I was asked to take Christa up (from the sherpa bag) and carry her through the sensor. Of course it went off, but they were kind enough to let me put Christa back into the bag before they checked me. It was many wierd looks as I carried my little Sphynx (with a little red flanelshirt) through the metal-sensors.

Christa at the coffeeplace, looking out on life

Then I met up with a fellow singers (who was also traveling that day) and had a coffee, Christa was spying out on the people who passed us by. (She didn't make much sound at this point, just the occasional little meow).  I was obviously wondering where Amadeus was at this point....

We went to the gate and I informed the lady behind the counter that I traveled with cats. I was asked to board the plane first (along with the couple with a baby), to be kind we were placed at the back of the plane, in case of any allergic passengers.

The plane was very small though, one of these propeller-ones, so it was VERY noisy. It was a baptism by fire for my two cats. And even worse; we had to have one stop to pick up more passengers 30 minutes in. Christa made many sad noises while on the floor under the seat, so I had her on my lap (inside the bag, holding one hand inside), and this calmed her down. Although she was clearly stressed at times. (Especially at landing, which was pretty loud). I tried to offer her water, but she wasn't calm enough to drink, I also removed the clothing she had on, since it wasn't so cold on board like on larger airplanes.

I only heard from Amadeus once, and of course it pained me. I could hear him when we had the layover, he was making a couple of sorrowful wails. I felt like a brutal animal abuser and a bad "mother". So I was incredibly happy to walk out of the plane 20 minutes later and pick him up as they unloaded the luggage. He was silent at this point but at least he was visible in the crate and not frozen to death!

Hello! I'm curious! (Day one)

We were picked up at the airport by someone from the opera and took the ferry over to Nordfjord. As I offered the cats to join each other in the big crate, Amadeus decided that he wanted to be in the Sherpa bag, so they just changed places. I am sure Christa was happy to have more space!

The trip from the airport was only about 15 minutes all together, so happily not the longest journey. (The flight was 1,5 hour). We left home at 17:30 and we were at the hotel at 21:30.

I sprayed the room with feliway (only cats can smell it, and it calms them down, making them feel at home), and let the cats out to explore. (after I closed windows and made sure the room was cat-safe of course!) I showed them the litterbox and food/water, and I saw it as a good sign that Christa started eating at once. Then they explored, chatted and followed me around as I unpacked my own things.

That night they slept beside me, over and under the blanket.
It was like normal and they have taken the change remarkably well! I am so proud!

Investigating newly bought stuff!

The hotel (Hotel Nordfjord) have been very nice about me bringing the cats, and they gave us a room with a small balcony in case I wanted to give them some air. The room is a good size and have cupboards for which I am very grateful! All in all I am very excited about staying here, the only downside is, that it is very dark when the sun goes down, as they don't have much efficient lighting. But who cares! The cats are here, so we will have an awesome time!

Ps: There is a fly in my hotelroom, they love it. It is the best kind of free plaything, and they run around making funny noises, trying to catch it. hihi......

The food and floorprotector

A sign I saw on the wall outside a shop in Nordfjord

The fjord! 

Water in the shower; Christa loves to play with water

What's all this familiar stuff?

A well used blanket from home. mmmmm....