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Sammy and Tigger’s Wild Adventure
Sammy and Tigger’s Wild Adventure

 Hi. My name is Sammy. I’m a Siamese and my best friend is an orange tabby named Tigger. Although Tigger is a month older than I, we are both still quite young, He wants me to tell our story because I, like all Siamese, am the one who enjoys talking. So, I’ll tell you of our adventure.
It all started when I was just three months old. I was attacked by some ferocious dogs. They left bare spots in my fur on my back. I, of course, needed to see a vet, and right away. That was when I first became acquainted with Kym. Kym ran what they call a feral society for cats. She had a huge house, an office, lots of land to hunt on and a house just for us cats.
When I came to Kym, I was starving. You see, I was too young to know how to fend for myself. Kym literally saved my life. She fed me and nursed me back to health. At first, I couldn’t get enough to eat. It tasted so good to me. When Kym came to pour food in the kitty bowls, I was always the first to run to them and gobble the delicious treats right down. I was known as The Little Piggy, although I don’t know why, I’m a cat, after all!
Though I was very young, I was still old enough to learn to be afraid of humans. Because of this, Kym had a hard time taming me. However, with her never-ending patience and ability to communicate with cats, she domesticated us all, even me. This was quite a feat, believe me.
 
  An orange tabby kitten came in a month or so after I.  He was also feral, and like me, was afraid of humans. But in time, he learned to trust Kym, and eventually the rest of the people around the office. Kym named him Tigger.
Since we were both around the same age and in “training” together, we became best friends. We hunted. We played in the high grass. We climbed the big oak trees. We lay in the warm sun. All of these things we would do together.
Then one day, I overheard Kym talking to a very nice lady, Karen. She wanted to know if Kym had any orange tabbies. I held my breath. Was I going to loose my best friend? Who was I going to hunt, play, climb trees and lay in the warm sun with? Oh no! This couldn’t be happening. I sulked all that day in the cat house. The following day, Tigger and I were playing out in the sunshine as if there wasn’t anything wrong, as if this day would last forever.
As it turned out, it would last forever. The day came when Kym was to take Tigger to Karen’s house. To my surprise, Kym also reached for me. We were both going to go. We weren’t going to be parted. We could continue to romp together. Oh joy of all joys!
This began our adventure together. Tigger and I enjoyed our new house. There were so many new places to explore and we did it all together. That was the best thing. We truly liked our new people. They served us well and we were one big, happy family.
Then it happened. The adventure. One morning, Tigger and I woke up, stretched lazily, as cats tend to do when we are content, and decided to take a brisk morning prowl around the new neighborhood. So off we went, no fear of the unknown. In fact, the very thought of it made us tingle with anticipation. The sun was just peeking over the foothills. It was a beautiful sight and it was going to be a fine day.
Soon we were at a creek. The water wasn’t moving very fast so we padded right to the edge and peered in and what do you think we saw? Two kittens looking right back at us!! Since I was always the one with the most curiosity, and, I might add, the bravest, I stuck my right front paw out and just barely touched the cat that was standing there, staring at me. Then I recoiled as I felt the wetness of his fur. Tigger and I were both amazed at the way it rippled. It took just a moment for us to realize that the cats we were looking at were in fact us. And that I had just put my paw into WATER! Argh!! I quickly backed away, shaking my paw as I did so. That was enough of that. We turned from the creek, which in its cool, calmness had fooled us.
I immediately saw an old, hollowed out log and preceded to investigate. Tigger hesitated and then followed me inside. It was dark and damp and I didn’t like the smell one bit, but I couldn’t show my distaste to Tigger. It was my idea to climb into this disgusting place and we were on an adventure, after all. Then I realized that there was something in there. I could hear scratching coming nearer to where I had stopped. Even in all my boldness, I wasn’t about to stay and find out what was making that horrible noise. I started to back out of that terrible situation and ran into something that screamed right in my ear. Why did I insist on getting into this log in the first place? How was I ever going to get out? Then I felt the thing in back of me move away. I skittered out of that hole as fast as I could, only to see that the thing that let out that piercing scream was none other than my best friend and comrade, Tigger. We loped together, far from the log and the creek.
We continued our journey, walking for what seemed like miles. We explored here and climbed there, delighting in the sunshine and amusing ourselves in stalking a gopher through the trees. He led us to a meadow. When we broke through the trees we found he wasn’t there. We lost interest in the chase. We rolled in the grass for a while, taking turns running after one another.
When we tired of that, we wandered over the meadow to see what was on the other side. All we could see were huge trees. Trees that look pretty scary, with branches that reached out at us, as though they were going to pick us up and put us high in a nook where they would keep us hidden always. We soon got over being afraid and I even started hiding in the shadows and leaping out at Tigger. When Tigger had enough of that game, he ran after me, chasing me through the trees.
The sun was high in the sky and was beginning to peek through the branches of the trees so I knew that it must be getting late. We had better be heading back home. But wait, which way was home? Should we turn right or left? I stood still, as Tigger looked around us. He didn’t know either. Okay, don’t panic. Didn’t we get out of that log safely? And we crossed that meadow all right. The meadow. If we could find the meadow, we’ll find the other set of trees and the creek and log. Then we will be safe. From there we will know how to get home.
So off we started. Soon we broke through the trees and behold, the meadow! We were so happy that we ran across with newfound energy. We hit the pathway into the trees at full steam and didn’t slow down until we heard a faint trickle of water. We stopped and listened. Tigger looked at me, and I at him. The creek! We followed the sound and as it grew louder to our ears, we knew we were getting closer. I saw the log first. I darted over to it with Tigger following my every step. When I reached it I stopped to catch my breath for we had been running a long time. I looked up and saw the sun in the sky. It was still warm, but it was not as high.
I turned to find Tigger drinking at the creek and I decided that was a good idea, so I joined him. As we took long, cool drinks, our hearts stopped pounding and we stopped shaking. We were close to home now. After we got our fill of water, we turned and continued on our way.
Before we knew it, we were turning into our own driveway. As soon as our manservant saw us he picked up the phone. He said four words with relief in his voice.
“The boys are home.”
Queen Cami
My name is Cami, Queen of the Catdom. I’m here you about my lives.
When I was born, my people immediately crowned me the queen of their lives. They never thought to replace me with some other cat for, in their eyes, I couldn’t be replaced. They gave me the adoration that I deserved.
Then, one day, my manservant brought home two small kittens. The whole family made over them as if they were the cutest, sweetest things ever to come into their lives. This was not acceptable. I would show them who the queen was around here.
So I turned around in a huff, stuck my tail straight up and walked to the door. My little girl came to the door. She had changed her mind after all. She knew that I was her only cat. But she just opened the door to let me out and turned to scoop up one of those despicable kittens. She used to be devoted to me, but not anymore. That was the end of my patience. After all, a cat can take just so much. I walked through the open door without turning back.
That was the end of my first life and the beginning of my second.
At first, it wasn’t so easy to be alone with no one to pet me. The first night was very cold and lonely, not to mention scary. I soon felt very hungry. Okay. So now what? I had never been outdoors before.
I heard a rustle in the tall grass. Then I saw it; a small field mouse coming right my way. I caught it. It was different from the food that I was used to, but when you are hungry, it doesn’t matter. You just eat what’s available and don’t complain.
That first night, I heard owls hooting and wolves baying at the full moon in the distance. Then, I heard a growl of a mountain lion very to close to me. I crouched down in the high grass, thinking that if I was very still, it might just pass me by. It grew louder and louder. I shook more and more with each passing moment. I didn’t feel quite like the queen any longer. All of my fur was standing straight on end. I held my breath as he passed by me.
Then the night of The Great Snow Storm. I was outside and so cold that I could see my breath right in front of me. The snow was blowing right past me and I couldn’t find a place in which to warm my weary bones.
Then I saw lights on in a house.  I had to take a chance that the people inside would take me in.  I ran as fast as I could to the deck and pressed my nose against the sliding glass door, letting out a pitiful cry. The man who opened the door was very kind he welcomed me into his house. I warmed myself by the fire while he made a bed and set out some food and water for me.
When the snow cleared, much to my surprise, the man didn’t turn me out. No, he just loved me and took care of my every need. This is my second chance at a good life.
Oh, as for my first people, they moved from the area, leaving me on my own. Don’t be too hard on them for it was my own doing. I left them, remember? So, the next time you see a cat that you think is stray, think again. He might be looking for you to be his servant.
Toys
These are some fun toys, some of which my cats have tried and loved, and some that they wish that their mom would buy. We think that your cats will enjoy them, too!
Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat  Toy, Colors may vary
Fashion’s Talk Cat toys Variety Pack for Kitty 20 pieces
GoCat Da Bird Pull Apart Rod and Bird Cat Feather Toys, Assorted Colors
Da Bird: All Feather Refill Pack – Guinea Feather, Super Refill and Kitty Puff Attachments
Jackson Galaxy Ground Wand Rope with 1 Toy
YGDZ 20 Pack Original Mylar Crinkle Balls Cat Toys
Pawise Cat Toys Cat Tunnel Pop Up Collapsible Cat Cube Kitten Indoor Outdoor Toys with Kitten Collar
The Natural Pet Company Cat Toys Collection in Gift Box
How to Train Your Cat
Did you know that cats are trainable?  It’s true; with a lot of love and patience your cat can learn to do almost anything you want him to do (within reason, of course).  I, personally, watch every Jackson Galaxy’s “My Cat From Hell”, and on every program, he teaches how  to train your cat and their humans.  He almost always uses a clicker, which is designed specifically for training your cat.
I, myself, Â trained each of my cats without the clicker, as I wasn’t aware they existed. Boy, I wish I knew then what I know now. Â It would have made life a lot simpler.
You have to learn how to use the clicker, but once you do, it’s a piece of cake!  Below are two links to “How to…” books for using the clicker:
Clicker Training for Clever Cats: Learning Can Be Fun!
Clicker Training for Cats (Karen Pryor Clicker Books)
If you already know how to use a clicker and just want to invest one, you will want to click on the link below:
A few general tips for training you cat are:
- Start off slow  ~ Do not expect your cat to leap over high hurdles.  Remember, this is a process that calls for patience on your part.  Small goals are most likely to be successful for you and your baby.
- Reward gains ~ Be sure to have lots of treats on hand for your kitty’s triumphs.
- Repetitions ~ Training has to be consistent. Â Your cat learns best through repetition.
- Limits ~ Do not expect your cat to learn everything all at once. Â Remember, just like with humans, learning takes time. Â Again, approach the process with patience, love and rewards; lots and lot of rewards, both treats and praise.
There are other approaches that you can use along with the clicker training. Â I readv a great one in Amy Shojai’s book, Complete Kitten Care
Amy Shojai, a writer of pet books, is another cat behaviorist that I truly admire. She has written many award winning books, one of which is, Complete Kitten Care
One of her tricks is, when your cat is doing something you don’t want him to do, HISSSSS!  That’s right, hiss.  It makes sense.  When he does not like what you are doing to/for him, he hisses.  Turn about is fair play.
I personally found that this tip works. Â My 16 year old, BoBo, who is set in his ways, has the habit of jumping up on my very expensive chair, and start to knead. Â Now, normally I wouldn’t mind, but as I said, this chair was too expensive to watch my cat tear it up. So, I tried hissing at him. Â I admit, the first time he just stopped and looked at me, then waited until I turned away, and he started again. As I said above, repetition is the key to success. After the fourth hiss, he stopped and settled right down. There are so many other great tips in her book, Complete Kitten Care
Of course, there are many other sites to go to find more tips on training. Â Here are just a few:
Our thanks go out to :
catpleasures.wordpress.com 