The Munch Chronicles

Hi everyone,
Bernie and Emma's human here. Just wanted to update you on our newest family member, Munch. He is doing very well. He's gained some weight and is adjusting to life as an indoor puss. He hissed a lot in the beginning and spent a few weeks in my office closet, but slowly he began to discover that humans aren't that scary and they do provide good food and treats. I also got him the "cat dancer"--the best cat toy ever. It drew him out of his shell like nothing else.

I even managed to film him in action.

Anyway, I will write more and I'm sure Bernie and E-kitty will have more updates soon. They're very curious about the new addition and might be meeting him in the next few weeks.
Happy fall!

A new addition

The humans finally succeeded in trapping E-kitty's not-so-small kitten. He's been living outside for the last year or so and has been a regular visitor to our porch feeding station. The humans kept trying to trap him, but he'd just swipe the tuna and take off. We finally got him Sunday night and off he went on Monday for his neuter and vaccination session. He came home on Monday night and has been recovering downstairs in a big dog crate. While not thrilled to be inside and confined, he is loving the regular meals. He's still quite scared and probably a bit cheesed off about losing the family jewels, but we think he'll come around. His name is Munch (after the Law and Order character). We have a detective theme going with the cats in the house. Anyway, there is always something going on at Hound & Coon HQ. Must nap to recover from all the activity. Happily, the morning Coon-cat smack-downs have stopped for the moment. Paws crossed.
--Bernie

Morning conversations

Hi everyone. Bernie and E-kitty here. Hope you're enjoying the summer. We've been really busy--lots of visitors and good times. It's been awfully hot out but we're hanging in there. Hope you like the pic of us lounging in bed--we wish the humans would get the hint and just sleep on the sofa--more room for everyone! Anyway, we just wanted to share this morning's conversation with you (the humans, once fully awake, thought it was hilarious).

E-kitty: Meowwww! Chirp! Mrrrr-row! It's breakfast time! Let's get up, people!

B-hound: Snore... (One eye opens) Leave me alone. Need to sleep. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

E-kitty: Niaoouuuuuuuuuu! Chirp! (Swats Bernie's head). Come on--feed me!

B-hound: (Eyes both open, lifts head slowly) Grrrrr. Leave. Me. Alone. Zzzzzzzzzz...

E-kitty: (Pounces onto the bed, yowls, and continues swatting Bernie's head) Feed me! I'm starving! It's 6:30! Seriously people!

B-hound: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Do NOT disturb!

E-kitty: Hmmm... teeth showing might not be a good thing. Will dive onto humans and see what they do. (Chorus of ouches follows)

As you can see, E is a morning person, while B is definitely NOT.

Anyway, a few weeks ago, the humans and Bernie had a little cat follow them home during a late night walk. He had a tag (his name was Midnight), but nobody answered when the humans called, so they decided to keep him in the bedroom. B thought Midnight was really cute, E did not and wanted the invader out of her house. Happily his family came for him the next day, but he certainly did not hesitate to make himself comfy while he was with us.

E-GAD--what a week!

Hi all,
Bernie here. What a week it's been... Hundred degree temperatures, no rain in sight, and poor E coming down with an infection. She was really sick--you know you have to worry when E won't eat. Anyway, the human took her to the vet and they discovered a really high fever and kept her there for a few hours. She was amazingly cooperative (a miracle given the fuss she makes when being groomed) but was very happy to see the human and come home later that evening. I did my happy dance and offered her my toys when she arrived home. She was definitely happy to be back.

I'm also helping her out by finishing her leftovers. The humans get really mad, but waste not, want not, I say!

Snoozing our way into spring

Hi everyone. Bernie here. Our apologies for the lack of updates. E-kitty and I have been busy keeping the humans in line. In addition, we have spent the last few months snoozing and waiting for the weather to get better. We didn't really have a "snowpocalypse" this year, but it was cold and yucky and although E is an indoor cat, she loves sleeping in front of open windows and listening to the birds. As for me, my favorite thing, winter or spring, is sneaking upstairs and sleeping on the humans' pillows. I've recently figured out how to wedge open the gate at the bottom of the steps and have had long, satisfying naps on the bed. On my way to the bedroom, I usually stop and finish whatever is left in E-kitty's bowl. Waste not, want not, I say. The humans are not amused, but how can they get mad at a face like this? It's not possible!

The big gray Maine Coon may not snore like a hound, but she can nap with the best of them. She seems to be getting a bit big for her cat bed. I will have to alert the humans to put her on a diet--more cat food for me!