Happy birthday, Mip Mips!

One year ago, today, my little Mip Mips were born! My life has not been the same since – it has been filled with cuddles, laughter and some worries! I wouldn’t change a day – even the difficult ones!

 

The first photo where all four Mip Mips are clearly visible -
although Lizzy is so scrunched up, her calico markings are not visible

I’ve sent a birthday message to Earl (now Taz) and I’ve had a lovely mail from Quizzy Lizzy!

They’ve all had such a happy, adventurous, exciting – and occasional frightening – first year! I have learned so much about cats, their attitudes, their behaviour – and their personalities!

Quizzy Lizzy one day old

Quizzy Lizzy playing her favourite game:
Catch My Tail!
High up on the roof - scaring her mommy half to death!

Lady Jane one day old

Mewthos also one day old

Both fit onto the palm of my hand - together! Not anymore, though :)

They don't even fit on my lap anymore - so I cuddle one at a time :)

And here's little Earl at one day,
I'm afraid I don't have a recent photo of him

Watching the rain ... for a short while only,
then they come inside and demand to be entertained!

I know it’s customary to mark their birthday with a special treat – but I spoil them so often, there is nothing special I can do for them, which would mark this day as special in their minds. And there is so much love going round in this home – and they are such confident cats! A little too confident at times – like, when they don’t move when Rose is driving her car to or from the gate!

They have also made a big difference in Ziva’s life – not only because they’re her babies! If she hadn’t been pregnant, she might never have come to live with me. But mostly, if it hadn’t been for the Mip Mips, I would never have made any toys for cats, nor would I have bought toys for cats. And, although it took a long time, Ziva is now playing! Not nearly as much as the Mips, but she now plays!

I had such a laugh yesterday! Frankie came to visit and smelled the catnip on the sleeper-couch, so he flowed onto it and started licking the nippies – when Ziva came in and saw him on the couch! I was able to capture the entire story in photos! It was hilarious!

 

Hello? What's going on here?

Hrmph! I don't approve of this!

Who cares? NIPPIES! YAY! I LOVE IT!

I do NOT approve of outsiders coming into my home
and getting high on my couch!

But the biggest joy I get from Ziva, is when she comes bounding when I call her! She used to stay out late, often long after dark – and I’d have to wait for her to come in. Not any more: nowadays, when the sun sets, she often comes of her own accord! If not, I just have to call her once – and watch her come bounding from wherever she was!

In the evenings, they all know my bedtime – and lately, they don’t let me forget it! Ziva will come sit next to me, mip at me, even put her paws on my leg to let me know it’s time for bed! Or Mewthos will come stand up with his paws on my shoulder (from the Ottoman, not the floor) to let me know he wants his night-time cuddles. NOW!

They don’t sleep with me on the bed at the moment, but Ziva and Mewthos both come to the bedroom with me. Ziva will sit in the nightstand and I must pull her out and pick her up by the scruff of her neck, lift her onto the bed and let her snuggle under the duvet for some special attention – our cuddle-cave. She’ll run off after a while and go back to the nightstand wanting a repeat of the whole episode – until she’s happy. Then she runs off to curl up in the lounge.

Mewthos waits until Ziva is finished, then he comes and wants his own special snuggle-time under the duvet! When he’s happy, he, too, runs off into the lounge to sleep.

And when they’ve all gone, Lady Jane comes through. She will investigate the cuddle-cave – but doesn’t like to be enclosed. She’ll mip and walk and burrow around for a while and then she’ll settle down by my feet on top of the duvet. She loves it when I sit up and start rubbing her tummy!

They each have their own cuddle-needs – and they are confident enough to insist their needs are met! They don’t fear rejection from me – even though I shout at them, at times, to just go away! There are just too many cats for one human! I’ve noticed that, on days when I don’t give Romeo the attention he craves, he starts going after Ziva and Shadow; yet on days when I have time for him, he leaves them in peace.

Remember that first climbing toy I built for them?

It’s still in use – although now it leans up against the wall in the passage and they use it as a scratching post. And the scratcher I built? Also used every day! Even Ziva now plays on it!

The rope had come loose with all the scratching above the self-scratcher I had originally attached to it; so I’ve re-done the entire pole (pulled the rope off and cleaned the tape off), this time without a gap, and I added another rope (which I still had) on top; making it longer. They climb up it now and then – but it is quite wobbly. They use it to scratch their claws, but something steady would be preferable.

 

A rare photo of Ziva
PLAYING!

I’ve also stuck a carpet-tile underneath my winged lounge chair, since Ziva loves to pull herself along under it. She hasn’t done it since, though.

They’re all such busy cats – and keep me busy throughout the day, as well! Throughout the day they come in – one by one – wanting attention! It gets too much, at times – and I shout at them to go away! They don’t take much notice of that, though – they just sit down and look at me until I get up and pick them up for cuddles!