What to do with this (cuteness alert)

Thanks RainbowUnicorn & CircusgirlsandHippies

I need to get myself a much better camera. She is not easy to photograph.

 

I still think you should send me one..

 

Here is one from yesterday taken from snapsnot off webcam.

Beware of many new pics in the next couple of days as my new camera arrived today.

 

What a face!!! She's beautiful..

 

Again warning this is a really long story-it did not need to be, and feel free to skip.

My new camera arrived last week. I have dozens of new pics that I will upload as soon as I run the set-up with the CD that came with camera.

In the meantime-can you say heart failure?

We had many errands to run on Sat. AM. We thought they would take all day. We cruised and were able to find everything we needed and got home relatively early (approx. 1pm). Casey is still adjusting to us humans and it is not uncommon to not see her when we first open the door. No biggie. After unloading our shopping items we started are usually where’s Casey game.

Of course she already has MANY favorite places to hide/sleep. We know most of them, and as she grows and gets more mature, there are some spots she can no longer fit in, as well as finding new places with her new found jumping skills.

We start looking-no Casey. No biggie; maybe she found some new cool spot. Of course we gave the condo a really good thorough search and determined she found some new spot and she would come out when she wakes or gets hungry or needs the litter box.

My gf went to nap and I was watching TV. Every time I got up, I would check around-still no Casey. We asked her big sister to give us a clue, but she seemed pleased being the only cat again-no help.
I feel asleep, woke up, still no Casey. I had to go out (4:30) and figured she would be out by the time I returned (7pm)-No Casey.

Now it has been 6 hours since coming home with no sign of Casey. I tore the apartment apart. Looking in every conceivable nook and cranny – like 20 times each. I looked in places like the dishwasher, in drawers she could never get into. Everywhere, and many, many times each.

We knew she did not get out when we left, but still I checked the hallways, asked neighbors, went to the front desk to see if anyone reported finding a kitten. Nothing. We put up some missing posters. Nothing. We called everyone and anyone who may have suggestions. We called all the local animal control offices-all closed on Sat evening.

It is now 9pm, 8 hours after first arriving home. Yes panic had set in. We figured someone must have come in and taken her, which is ridiculous, but she was home when we left and now she wasn’t. We were at wits end by this point.

My gf got up to go to the bathroom and I thought I heard her actually talking to Casey, not calling her. She saw her in the corner of the bathroom, which is small and had been checked at least 20 times. My gf said she was shaking, but when she reached out the pick her up she bolted into this tiny hole she had found under the vanity that was under the sink. Huh? What hole? There is a huge piece of plywood used as a lovely wood finish. But if you lay flat on the ground, there was a tiny hole above the plywood in the very corner. I was able to reach my hand in there, but all I felt was a vast emptiness. I really didn’t care what I need to do, I was getting her back. I ripped out the plywood and low and behold there was this little hole that certainly did not belong there. I had no idea how far back it went or even if it went to the next apartment I was going to get her. I get on my hands and knees and was pleased to see the whole only went back 5 feet or so. So of course she was just beyond the reach of my outstretched arm. I immediately went to bet the backscratcher to scoop her out.

She hissed, spit, made some noises I hope never to hear again. She was fighting against me with all her might. She apparently learned about using her claws during her time away. I just kept reaching for her, now risking lots of blood, I managed to get the very end of one of her paws, you know where the claws are, and was not going to hurt her, but I was not letting go. I held on for dear life, and dragged her out by that paw. She was home, she was safe, she was scared, she was pissed. I took her immediately to my gf, and went to tend to my wounds. By the time I was done, Casey was purring up a major storm in my gf’s arms. Then I held her, more purring. The whole being blocked now, it was ok to let her go. Within minutes she was playing eating, peeing and pooping like nothing happened. My gf and I ‘bout collapsed and now were free to go on with our lives. By this time it was too late to go out, but we didn’t care-our baby was safe. We spent the rest of the evening/night just watching her play. She has reached the hilarious stage. It was an extremely long 9.5 hours, but we all went to bed very happy and very relieved.

 

For reading that long story, or not I thought it time to post some pics.

More snapshots from webcam.

 

God, I am SUCH a sucker for cute kittens. She's beautiful. :love:

 

Keenman, your cats are the cutest! (a word I only reserve for women, my niece, and cats). You're a sweet man

 

Thanks Man-that really means a lot.

 

Some pics with new camera coming soon.

I do have a 1 minute video in the meantime.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/5597266/casey_playing/

 

OK, I am an animal person, cat in particular.
Those are some dayum cute babies. I've had/do have some calicos (1 prefers outside totally), and they are considered good luck...did you know that?
Anyway, that story about her getting into the hole somehow did not surprise me...cats are known to find places seemingly unfindable or attainable. But it was a good story...

Do you know of any history about the place you're living? Cats tend to absorb "stuff" - and like it (!) whereas dogs are like us...not needing (nor subconsciously wanting) "stuff" that isn't ours. lol - hope that made sense...even tho' I certainly did digress.

Precious kitties and can't wait to see more pics!

 

Thanks Lynn-

OK I am sorry about being slack with pics, but you see I currently only have the use of one hand at the moment. (Not for reasons most thought of on HF)

To steal another term from HF-I have had a breakthrough. Not with drugs, but with Casey. Mom has been away for a week. Casey had always been scared to death to let me near her, so I have taken this week very slowly.

She started hanging closer almost the 1st day, but I made no attempt to pet or pick her up. I wanted to build up some trust. Slowly she kept coming closer and closer, but always on the defensive.

Then I would wake up and she'd be sleeping on the bed with me. Again I would do the old toe wiggle and we would play-if I even moved to fast she bolted.

2 nights ago she finally came up on the couch where I spend all my time. I would reach my fingers out, and an occasional nose or paw touch was deemed acceptable.

Then she was starting to sleep on the blanket I had on me. Inches from me, but still no petting allowed. I stayed very patient.

Well today we were sharing a close moment on the couch and I reached to pet her (I could no longer resist her cuteness.) She started to bolt like always, but I could see a switch go off in her brain-she stopped from jumping and just curled up next to me, and the petting was on. :2thumbsup:

We are still working out the bugs and rules. lol But boy what a difference a week makes.

My one handedness is not for petting, but for playing danglely toy. :sunny:

 

Update:

Casey is transitioning to loving humans (me) very well and everyday.
I am now positive she will have a great life. No hiding in days. She will still run away if you happen to invade her space i.e. the entire apt. lol, but she doesn't run far, and she doesn't run into a hiding place.

Without further ado-some more pics.

My photo album (Casey & big sister Cassidy) now has a ton of new pics.
I will post a few here, but check out the album for all.

There are also another couple of videos I will give link in seperate post.

 

Some of sister Cassidy included

 

Here are some videos

There may be some dupes, and some duds, but I can't check from work.


http://www.metacafe.com/w/5622002

http://www.metacafe.com/w/5622013

http://www.metacafe.com/w/5622014

http://www.metacafe.com/w/5622015

http://www.metacafe.com/w/5622020

 

A bit overkill?

 

I've been very slack with updated pics.
Casey is still little, but probably 5x bigger than when we got her.
She has come so far. She has gone from hiding all day to constantly having us in her sites from a distance, and this week is actually coming when she is called. Still a ways to go though.

I am writing to ask for good thoughts and vibes for tomorrow as she goes in to get fixed.

I'll let you know how she does.