It's Getting Warm

 Spring in Japan is very interesting. We have a few warm days, then a few cold days. As the year moves on the warm days get to be more. This reminds me that it's time to start getting the house ready for the summer.

Summer here is brutal. Tempretures can go up to 38℃, with humidy at 80%. It's really like living in a sauana. I hope that I can buy another couple of air conditioners this year, as last year was awful with only one working one.

I really worry about the cats in the heat. This house is very cold in the winter but also very hot in the summer. There are a few places that the cats like to hang out in the summer, one is the corridor that runs down the middle of the house, therefore no windows, a bit cooler and the shower room, the tiles are nice and cool. In the last house we lived in we had air conditoners in the main rooms but the cats didn't like them, Mama and Toast would hiss at the machine! I would have the air conditioners on for the cats but they would lie outside the room, near the door! I really don't understand cats!

One thing that I have to start doing is brushing the cats. I'm alredy seeing a build up of fur in the places where the cats are hanging out, so I guess it's time. I enjoy brushing them. Most don't mind, Alfie and Toast are the hardest ones to brush, but no choice!

I want to buy a couple of good water fountains this year. We have a few water bowls around the place but I get fed up of the spills. I think in the high traffic areas, (which is most of the house because it's so small), a water fountain would be better. 

I'm also gong to buy a few cooling blankets. I bought a couple a few years ago but they got thrown out. I found that the ones for babies are better quality and cheaper than the pet ones! 

Other than that I don't know what to do to help the cats during the summer. Any ideas?

Just a few photos to finish.

Close up of Mama.

Toast and Alan

Fodo in a box.

Fred....Again

 I really don't know what to do to help Fred.

He is constantly fighting with the other cats. Sometimes he is the aggressor, but most of the time he is being attacked.

This goes back to when he was a kitten. There were 3 males in the first litter, Fred, Steve and Alan. I think Fred was bullied by the other two a lot. As the other litters came along, it just got worse.

We will have a few quiet days followed by days when they constantly fight. It gets to be very tiring, especially if they fight at night. I try to keep them awake in the evening, playing with them and trying to get them to burn off some energy, then eating later at night, so they can settle. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't!

At the moment, I'm letting Fred in my room while I'm in here; it's safe for him. But I can't let him in by himself as he has a habit of peeing everywhere!

Yesterday, he was sitting watching out of my window, got a little video of him.

Sam

 Sam has decided that I'm his human.

Over the past few weeks, Sam has been spending more and more time in my room. 

Most afternoons, he'll be on my bed while I work on my computer, or he'll keep me company when I'm reading or watching TV.

Sam on my bed.

At night, he sleeps on my feet.  At first I felt uncomfortable, but now I'm used to it and miss him if he doesn't come in.

He sleeps there until about 4:30am, when he wakes up for the toilet. He jumps off the bed and waits by the door to be let out of the room. I know that's early, but it helps me as I have to get up at 5am.

I never thought that one of the cats would choose me; I feel very privileged.

Catnip

 My cats have been fighting all afternoon. I tried playing with them, but it tired me out more than them! So I went the catnip route!

I have no idea if this is good for the cats or not. I don't use it very often, maybe once a month, especially when they are fighting a lot.

I'm wondering if the local cats that come around are fixed or not. My cats are, but if the local cats are coming around, that might account for the aggression in my cats. 

Enjoy my cats enjoying the catnip.

They are very quiet now!

Flea Meds

 My cats hate getting the flea meds. 

They run and hide, they scratch and bite. With nine cats, it becomes like an Olympic sport!

Fluffy is the worst. She hides in the smallest places possible. When she's caught, she goes full-on drama queen, yowling and biting! I am always amazed at her strength. She looks so tiny, but she's very strong, must be all the chicken she steals!

Fluffy, looking very sweet.

Toast is another one that hides and races away! He gives up quickly, but then sulks for ages afterwards. David was doing the meds this time. He said that for a couple of days after he put the meds on Toast, Toast wouldn't go near him.

Toast, sulking.

The other cat that really fights is Fred. This time, however, he was sleeping on the sofa. David managed to get him before he knew what was happening. Fred is rather big and strong, so I was glad that we could get him without a fight!

Fred.

We have to do this again in a month.

I know it's good for them, and they need the meds, but I wish it wasn't such a drama!

Cat Day In Japan

 February 22nd is Cat Day in Japan, Neko No Hi, because the date 2/22 can be read as ni-ni-ni, which sounds like nyan-nyan-nyan, the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat's meow!

This play on words was so popular that the Executive Cat Day Committee decided in 1987 to make February 22nd the official Cat Day.

Cats arrived in Japan during the Nara period (AD 710-784), likely introduced from China. By the Heian period (794 -1185), they were so prized that only the nobility could afford them.

Cats appear in Japanese folklore as benevolent and mischievous creatures.

There are cat shrines and temples dedicated to feline deities or legends. I hope to be able to find some of them to visit.

And of course, Japan has cat islands where there are more cats than people

In my house, every day is cat day! Especially when Hannah is at home!

A few photos of my cats for cat day!

Catnip, Again

 I don't know why, but the cats just wouldn't settle this afternoon. 

Usually, they are active in the morning, racing around, fighting, getting into mischief, then after lunch, they snooze for a while. Today, however, they wouldn't settle at all! Just fighting. It might be the weather, it's nice and warm. When it's too cold, they snuggle up together; when it's too hot, they just sleep wherever they can get comfortable!

So we resorted to the catnip, again!

I know the floor is a mess, I did clean earlier, but....!

A Broken Chest Of Drawers

 In my bedroom, I have this old chest of drawers, which I've had for about 25 years, and we bought it second-hand!

The other week, the bottom drawers got stuck; they just wouldn't open! I think the wood has warped.

I asked David to help me out, he has a lot more strength than me. He managed to get one of the drawers out! But Alan decided that the space would make a great hiding place!

Alan hiding

It took ages to get him out!

The drawers won't go back in at all. They are just sitting on the bedroom floor. Sam seems to think that they are his new bed!

Sam in the drawer.

He looks so comfortable!

Catnip

 I don't use catnip that often. I don't really understand it.

But today I'd had enough of Fred fighting! Fred and Frodo fight a lot, today however, Fred was snapping at everyone. I had to jump up every few minutes to separate cats snarling at each other. 

I put down some catnip for Fred, but Sam was in the room and made a beeline for it. I think he got most of it, which started a little fight!

After that, I put Sam out and gave Fred some more catnip. I think he enjoyed it.

Fluffy

 Fluffy loves meat, chicken is her favourite, but she'll eat any meat!

When I'm cooking, she sits on a small table watching. As I prepare the rice, she is quiet. I get out the vegetables for soups and salads, no noise. The meat goes on the counter, even before the plastic wrap is off, she starts to meow, very loudly.

Most of the meat dishes I cook involve Japanese flavourings, soy sauce, sake, and mirin, which I don't think are good for her. I cook a little bit of meat to give her. 

Today I cooked two pieces of pork. I was waiting for David, so I sat at the table in the dining area, but in the same room, scrolling on my phone! David came in and asked why there was only one piece of pork! We found Fluffy in the corner munching on one piece!

She looks so innocent! 

David washed the sauce off so she could finish it! I had an extra piece of pork, so it wasn't a problem! I've learnt my lesson, don't leave meat out when Fluffy is around!

Collars

 I have a herniated disc in my neck. Most of the time, it's alright, but every now and then it becomes painful. My neck becomes stiff, I have pain radiating down my arm and across my shoulder blade.

This morning I managed to see a doctor. He has prescribed a lot of different painkillers and something to help the nerve. He also suggested that I wear a neck brace, so I can rest my chin on it and take the pressure off the back of my neck.

As the nurse was fitting it, my son, who was translating for me, said, "Now you know how Fluffy feels" I couldn't stop laughing at that!

Fluffy looks a lot cuter in her collar than I do in mine!

Fluffy with her collar

Me in mine!

Sam The Lovebug

 Each one of my nine cats has a very different personality!

Alfie and Toast are rather stand-offish; they only allow a few pets before they've had enough. They never seek out people to be with.

Alfie

Toast

Fred is aggressive; if there's a fight, I know I'll find Fred in the middle of it.

Fred

But he loves to get attention from us.

The other cats go hot and cold, sometimes they want lots of pets, belly rubs and being with us, other times they just walk away!

Then there is Sam, he is a total lovebug!

Sam

A few weeks ago, he decided to sleep on my bed. I tried to discourage him as he likes the centre of my bed, which makes it very uncomfortable for me! He sits outside my door crying. When I let him in, he has this really cute meow, then jumps on the bed purring like crazy. He knows how to melt my heart.

This is a little video from yesterday when Sam came to my room!

The video is only a minute long, but this went on for about 10 minutes. Sam then settled on my bed for the rest of the night!

Snuggle Time

 The house we live in is rather cold. We don't have central heating, just kerosene stoves in a couple of rooms! For me to keep warm, I layer up, but then I can't move much, or I stay near the heater. 

I worry about the cats being warm enough. Especially Fluffy, as she tends be by herself more.

This is her usual place.

On the edge of the table! She either has to be on something, even just a tissue or on the very edge of the table or counter top. I've tried to encourage her to find somewhere else to sleep, but these are her favourite places. 

Today, however, I found all the cats snuggled up together!

All nine cats together. The electric blanket was left on, so very warm for them!

February is usually the coldest month here. I'm wondering if I need to find some boxes for the cats to get into or just leave the electric blankets on all day!

Playing With The Cats

 I've been trying to play with the cats more.

It's hard because when I have time, they aren't in the mood to play. 

I know that they need the exercise and stimulation they get from play, but it can be hard on my schedule. Still, I try!

A couple of little videos from playing with the cats!

The cats seem to be enjoying themselves!

Cat's Night Party

 I have a bit of a cold, nothing serious, just annoying!

Last night I went to bed early, about 10 o'clock. The house was nice and quiet, I thought I could have a good night's sleep!

I was woken up at midnight, the cat's nighttime party had started!

At first, they were running up and down the corridor, which was the noise that woke me up! I don't mind that; they need the exercise, and it's somehow comforting to hear them! That went on for about half an hour, then the crying started. First, it was Steve, he picks up a toy, then carries it around crying!  Again, that's alright. Shortly after that, the yowling started!

I could hear two of the cats yowling at each other. I got up, separated Fred and Steve, then went back to bed! The problem with getting out of bed is that the house is very cold, no central heating in Japan! 

I got back into bed, got warm, was just dozing off when the yowling started again. This time it was Fred and Frodo. I got out of bed, got cold, sorted the cats, got back in bed, got warm, started to doze when the yowling started again. At this point, I'm wondering if the cats have some 6th sense, that they know when I'm warm and about to sleep! I'm not sure how many times I had to get up last night, at least 7 or 8 times. At 3 o'clock, I gave up and fed them! I know it isn't good, but I really needed to sleep!

This morning, I found three of the cats like this.

After fighting most of the night, they curled up together!!

Throw Back Thursday

 Hannah sent me some photos of the first litter Mama had. I forgot how tiny and cute they were. They are still cute but not so tiny!

I decided to see if I could find more photos or videos of them. I came across a video of when Mama first turned up at our house. She was very friendly, even on the first few visits, she would go and sit on someone's lap! I think she belonged to someone before, but we checked local places that had listings of missing cats and asked our vets, but no one came forward.

About a month later, she came inside and, as they say, the rest is history!

Here are some of the photos from Hannah, and some that I found!

Steve and Alan

Fred

Sleeping in the dirty laundry basket

Before they could open the screen door!

I also found this very short video!

Typical David!

Just Cats Being Cats

 I love my cats. They are the most amazing creatures ever. 

But they are also very destructive! I guess living in a house with paper doors isn't a good idea with nine cats!

This is the tatami room. 

The top photo shows the shoji doors that separate the tatami room from the engawa, which is like a corridor that runs in front of a tatami room.

The cats don't wait for the doors to be opened; they just climb through the shoji!

The bottom photo shows the doors that lead to the entrance and the corridor. They are completely destroyed. There is a hole in the one that the cats can crawl through!

I tried to stop them from scratching at the doors, but I'm not here all the time. They have lots of scratching boards around the house as well. Maybe some vertical ones would help!

Once I have a bit of money, I will change out these doors. Also, I saw some shoji paper that is strong enough so the cats can't break it! But I wonder if the manufacturers know how strong my cats are?

Alan is a lot better. I really hope he doesn't get sick again. 

Alan, waiting for dinner!

The Stand Off

 Alan has recovered from his urinary tract problem.

He is now back to racing around, digging his claws into anybody who is standing near him and fighting!

Six of my nine cats

When I see my cats like this, I think how sweet they are.

But I know the reality! 

This is when they are waiting for food! They were purring and meowing, giving love to anybody who came near them. Real cupboard love!

Just staring at each other. This went on for a few minutes. They came to blows, a few swipes and a lot of hissing!

I know cats fight, I know that this house is too small for all the cats, but the constant fights drives me crazy! I've been wondering what I can do to help. I try to play with them, to use up their energy. The problem is I'm the one who gets tired, not them!

Still, they have their moments of absolute cuteness, so that outweighs the bad things!

A Few Cat Visitors

 We've had a few cats wander around our garden.

This one comes every other day. If our cats are near the window, he'll sit and talk to them!

This one is new, he started to come around the past couple of weeks!

Looks a bit like Mama. He's very shy, so difficult to get a good photo!

This little black comes every now and then.

He'll come around for a few days, then disappear for a couple of weeks!

I like to see these cats, just to know they are alright. I don't think they are strays; they look well-fed. But I don't understand why people let them out! I know we live in the countryside, but there are still a lot of dangers; people drive very carelessly here. Also, the farmers use a lot of chemicals on the crops. I would worry about the cats getting poisoned! Plus, the wildlife here is really wild. Wild hogs, snakes, massive insects, crows and sometimes monkeys! Maybe the cats here are used to the area, but I'm not sure my cats would survive!

Keeping Warm

 It's gone very cold here; we even had a few flurries of snow the other day!

The cats are very good at finding the warm spots!

One good place, in the morning, is in front of the big window. It gets a bit of sun on it, and there are usually birds outside for entertainment!

Alan is enjoying the morning sun.

Of course, the best place is on the beds, especially when the electric blanket has been left on! I don't like the cats in my room, but these three managed to sneak in! I was going to kick them out, but they looked so comfortable!

Sam, Frodo and Mama, all snuggled up!

Then there's Fluffy, who always has to sit on something! Even one sheet of tissue.

Fluffy on a sheet of tissue.

According to the weather, it's going to get a lot colder next week. I like the cold weather, but not this cold!