10,000 Views ~ Thank You!

Even Nico is excited about all the views!

I know I haven't been keeping up on my posts very well lately but things have been quite stressful. Health has been an issue for me & my loved ones as I have mentioned in previous posts. Not to be a whiner, but I had to go to the hospital for a very bad upper respiratory infection, I actually found out a LOT of people in my area, (now even my poor 93 year old Grampy,) have gotten them this Summer because of the wildfires, (so much bad smoke & such!) One day the smoke had traveled down so far you couldn't even see down the road  - it was as thick as fog.

Terrible fires in Manton, Ca, that destroyed so much forest & even homes - not far from me

I also sprained my thumb really badly in a freak household accident. X-ray's showed no breakage, but it's really swollen & I can't move it. Sometimes it hurts so bad it keeps me up at night. I also have been taking care of a loved one for the last few months - dealing with all the appointment making for them & their health care issue. So all in all, September turned out to be more than I was able to deal with. I think all the stress over the last few months just piled up & I kind of fell apart a bit.

  
BUT, as usual, to escape I played a little Second Life, went for a lot of walks, (when I wasn't laid up on the couch with the "sickness," that is,) played with my kitten Nico, & of course watched a lot of GREAT movies & TV to relax & recover.  I will be updating on those movies & TV shows as well as showing pics of some really cute Second Life items I picked up AND other amazing & useful tidbits I have discovered in life & around the internet as soon as I am feeling a bit better.

Once again, Thanks so much for dropping by my page!

STAY HEALTHY

 

Nico's Kitten Suckling Behavior

I can has cotton?

So, Nico, (the kitten I found starving & flea-ridden on the street on 4th of July,) sucks on my shirt around the collar, like, every night. As in sucking the cotton, kneading & purring, as if he is feeding on it. I read some articles & I guess this is pretty common in kittens who are taken from their mothers too early. I have had a few cats in my life & I have never experienced this before. I thought it was really cute at first & it actually made me feel really happy & "needed." (Childless, crazy cat lady here.) But, apparently I do have to keep an eye on this.

According to the majority of the many articles I read, unless he starts becoming obsessive about it, or actually eating/digesting the fabric or gnawing on himself, he is simply exhibiting a soothing behavior because he was abandoned so early & he should grow out of it & will probably be ok.

Here are a couple of short articles: http://lovemeow.com/2009/09/suckling-behavior-in-kittens/
http://www.ehow.com/about_6754244_suckling-behavior-cat.html
 
By the way, At our latest Vet visit to get his shots we learned he already gained a pound! He's really doing great; potty trained, well-adjusted, relaxed, happy, playful...really fitting in. Now, if only our other cat, Butters, would be more welcoming to him. She's very uncomfortable with the whole situation. Quite growly & hissy, in fact. She's even swatted at Ted & me. I really feel bad for her. This must be very confusing for her. I just want the whole family to get along! Time to read more articles...