Should I Go Visit Blacky & Whitey...

From Ann (August 14th):

Time flies- I can't believe it's been over a week since I got your email already!  

We have been busy playing with our new cat furniture!  It has three levels and the top level of course everyone has to fight over. I see Whitey sitting up there nice and cozy and next thing I know Blacky jumps right up on top of her, sticks his foot right in front of her face and tries to make himself comfortable.  I looked right at Whitey and said "Oh isn't he just RUDE! You stand your ground, girl- don't you let him push you out of your spot!" Well, ten minutes later I see Whitey sitting alone on the top perch and Blacky pouting on the second level.  Good for her!! (Most mornings when I wake up though, Blacky is up there on the top, playing his "I'm The King of The World!!!" role while Whitey is snuggled quietly down at the foot of the bed.  

Sometimes I come home from work and find things in weird places.  Once a metal vase was knocked on the kitchen floor- boy I'll bet they ran like crazy when that hit the floor and clattered!  I'm sure there was some quality under-the-bed time after all that noise!  And I'm betting you and I have the exact same vacuum cleaner because when I pulled that sucker out of the closet, I had never even ever turned it on but they both had the look of Kitty Doom in their eyes!  I put them outside of the room and shut the door while I vacuumed but wouldn't you know? That wasn't about to keep Blacky out!  Sure there's a big scary vacuum going on but when there is a shut door, nothing is going to stop Blacky!  I see a little black paw sticking under the door so I open it a crack and he's peeking in, checking out this big loud monster and eventually it was just too much so he had to come poking inside, keeping his eyes on the vacuum the whole time. Eventually he just sat there and watched it going back and forth, fascinated.  Of course it helps that we were vacuuming around the litter box.  ANY time someone is poking around our litter box we have to monitor the situation with interest!

Well I personally think you MUST come visit!  They have met two people so far and were all over them- any new chance to get attention is just fine with them.  And I know I'd love to see you again and I'll bet they will be thrilled to hear Mommy's voice again!  I work from 7am to 3pm M-F and I'm usually home by 3:30 so it would be a nice amount of time for you both to visit and still get home before dark.  Anytime you want to come by, just send me a text message or give me a call- I don't always check my email every day.  

These guys just LOVE to have their tummies rubbed, don't they?  As soon as I come home from work, we are both lolling around on the floor on our backs expecting the rubdown! Too funny!

The shelter that I found you through didn't even expect a donation- can you believe it?  They said it was a 'special case'!  Aww! I had to give them a donation anyhow- I would never have found these little guys without them!  I know they were special comfort to you and I can certainly understand why- they have been such wonderful companionship to me. Truly a blessing that came out of the dark days I had right before I found them.  

Well they are finally bored of looking out the window now after sitting there for a solid hour.  So of course I have Whitey sniffing the keyboard as I type!  Looks like it's time to give them the daily worship that this King and Queen expect and demand!

I really, truly do hope to hear from you soon.  I've been thinking of you ever since you drove away, trying to be strong for these little guys.  I hope your babies finding a happy home has made things easier for you and I hope Tom and the kids also feel better knowing Blacky and Whitey are being spoiled rotten every single day.  

Looking forward to seeing you soon and wishing you all the best and love and meows,

Blacky, Whitey and Ann

 For the life of me, I could not get this last photo to turn upside right!!!

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From me (August 18)

Yes ma'am you sure got that right...time flies! We can only do so much in a 24 hour period and unfortunately sleep and work has to fall in there some where. Your emails elate me and I read them to any one who'll listen (my daughter, my mom and a few people at work). I don't live with Tom, we're separated and soon the divorce will be final. His 2 kids, the 2 that were there when you picked up Blacky and Whitey, they didn't have too much of a relationship with B&W at all so I'm sure they're not missing 'em. Tom, in my opinion, had every excuse not to keep them... but that's another story. I can say this.... I know I'm HAPPY and at ease knowing Blacky and Whitey are spoiled every single day!!! Not a day goes by that I don't pull up a picture or watch a video of them. Every day, through out the day, they cross my mind. I'm so happy you found joy in them. I was afraid you wouldn't come along... but atlas, you did!

Thank you for your phone number. I've added you as a contact. I was talking to my friend Chris, who is also a cat lover, her advice on me driving up to Harrisburg is this, I've copied and pasted her words:

Now about your sweet kitties. You know what I'm going to gently suggest. Gently, I say.

It might be best to let them settle in for a while and get used to their new mom before you visit. 

That way they will not get all excited and think you've come to take them home. Home is where they are, and you will be only a memory who will fade as they bond with Ann. 

Give her some time, it's only fair. Promise me you will!

I've been asking a few people on what they thought about me driving up to Harrisburg and so far I've gotten mixed advice. Since Chris's advice .... I've stopped asking! She lost a cat dear to her after 17 years and she's still not over it. I trust her advice and will take it. Some people may think of us as "strange" and that we don't know the minds of a cat but honestly, I don't care what those people say.... I take this whole experience seriously, I really do. I care enough about Blacky and Whitey that I don't wanna be messing with their minds having them thinkin' mommy's come to take us home sorta thing. On the other hand, it could very well be me that needs the time to mend. I still cry because I miss them. My heart and life still has a void. I dreamed about them a few nights ago. I still talk about them as if they're still a part of my life. Like I said earlier, this has got to be one of the most bitter-sweet things I've ever went through. When Chris says "it might be best to let them settle in for a while..." I don't know how long that "while" is but when it's time, I would love and look forward to coming up there for a visit so I promised Chris that I would be fair and give you 3 time to bond.

Your emails put me to ease whereas their comfort and happiness is concerned. If cats could smile I'm sure Blacky and Whitey are doing it. The one thing I didn't buy them and would of loved to was one of those cat castle's you spoiled them with. Yeah, sounds like Blacky is still up to be Mr. Bossy! Picking him up, he's all manly-cat like and then picking up tiny petite Whitey ... you just know you gotta defend her sometimes  -  but I've found out in the end she can hold her own. I'm surprised and glad to know Blacky decided to try to get acquainted with the vacuum cleaner. He's always been the brave one when it comes to that thing. If I was a cat and I heard a big machine coming down the hallway the first thing I'd be thinking of is "RUN, IT'S A CAT EATER!!!"

I love the pictures in the next email you sent. I love ALL the pictures you send. I've been downloading them to my phone so I can see them anytime I want.

Today I'm dog sitting at my parents house. They've been gone since I got off work around 4 on Friday and should be back any time soon. The dogs are Penny and Roxy, 2 - 12 year old dachshunds.

Let's just keep in touch, if you don't mind, until we arrange for me to come up there. Please don't be in such a hurry to answer my emails, I know you're busy and I'm not going anywhere so when you get to it, you get to it. Pictures are always the extra treat I look forward to. Please give those 2 love-bugs a kiss on the top of their head for me. Talk to ya soon Ann!!!! And, as always, I thank God for you!

PUBLISH DATE - SEPTEMBER 1, 2013.

Blacky and Whitey warming up to Ann

Blacky never had the luxury of going up and down the stairs in his old home. The down stairs (finished basement) was closed off to both Blacky and Whitey. We figured they had full run of the upstairs so that should be sufficient. In their new home, with Ann, there are stairs and report has it that Blacky is loving it!!! Whitey use to curl up to Tom while he was on the laptop but she never fell asleep ON the laptop. It seems to me they're settling in quite nicely with Ann who sent me this email over the weekend. Her update is typed in black and my replies are underneath, typed in red:

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We have all missed you!!  Sorry I wasn't able to write sooner- it's a little hard when Whitey falls asleep on my lap and flops her head right over the computer as as you can see...  

she use to fall asleep beside Tom when he was on his laptop....but gracious not ever ON the laptop like in your picture! PRICELESS!

I'm so glad you followed up on a couple of these things- 1) no, I didn't get any records from Tom, things were so jumbled when I left that we didn't even think about it I guess.  But on the way home I was wondering about that because I'd like to take them to the vet- not because anything is wrong, I just want some baseline records and to establish a relationship with a local vet.  

 I'll bring them with me when I come up for a visit. Which leads me to this question. What is your work schedule. I'd like to make it a day that my daughter has off work so she doesn't miss any time. I've had a few people advise me to not see Blacky and Whitey, to not go visit them and that I might confuse them and to let it be, they've moved on now with a loving and caring person, you'll only put yourself back into deep depression. On the other hand I've had a few people encouraging me to go. I'm no expert in cat psychology but I think they'll be fine to see me, I think .... or am I going to jumble their little brains by seeing me then leaving again?  What are you're thoughts on that?

2) Stools would be great! I bought a playcastle but they would love to have anything familiar.  The little stool I took with me is still a fave for them.  They love to crawl up on the top and peek out at the world.   

Super! I'll bring their stools with me.

3) Blacky is mellow- it's WHITEY that loves to scratch!  But so far, she has been very contained on her scratching post.  I was able to find "refills" for the scratching post at Petco so there is a shiny new scratching post attached to the base now and Whitey LOVES it.  Blacky is too busy running up and down the stairs to care about scratching anything at the moment.  I did put double-sided tape on my furniture but I don't think I even needed to, at least not yet.

Ahhh yes the stairs...they didn't have stairs at their old home. I mean we had a downstairs but kept it closed B&W had the full run of the upstairs so I can see where he'd be going up and down those steps.... all day throughout the day! Oh Blacky, he's so playful.

They are both such goofballs! I totally agree Ann! The first night, they were stressed and didn't eat much.  I left them in a small room to calm down and they seemed to adjust okay.  The next day, I opened up the whole upstairs, and as I suspected, they spent most of the day under the bed.  

Under my bed is where I'd find them asleep most of the time. I think they like that closed in personal space feeling!  

But as soon as I came home from work, they slinked out to get a little company.  Well, by the third day, they pretty much took over the house! Oh, there was that washing machine- THAT didn't go over too well (our washing machine was down stairs....

one of the other reasons they weren't aloud down there....and the vacuum cleaner they were not fond of that beast at all LOL)  

but other than that, they were all over the place- they both think the stairs are the greatest toys ever- especially Blacky! As soon as I stand up, he takes off with this Well-You're-Going-To-Chase-Me-Aren't-You? look and off he goes, scampering up the stairs and then right back down.  I swear he could do this all night long!  

Seee... he is still a little kitten at heart. I hope he has that playful spirit for a very long time.

But Whitey is the one that gets herself in the predicaments. I stumble out of bed in the morning to find a Whitey in the tub, with this look like Help!-I'm-Trapped! and I say "Hey Baby, whats a matter?" and she jumps out of the tub and runs over and then looks back like, Hey-Wait-Why-Didn't-I-Just-Do-That-Before?? All the cute pics are of Whitey putting herself where she knows she shouldn't be and giving that "Uh-Oh!" look, While Blacky strolls around like he has owned the place forever.  

This sounds just like Whitey... yep, she was that way at her old house too.

They have both used the litterbox perfectly from day one.  The only problem we have had is that they really don't like eating the wet food.  

I usually fed them a half can split between them in the morning mixed with about 1/2 cup of dry and then usually switch up in the evening to a different variety of wet but still mixed with about a 1/2 cup dry.  

 There was some chicken wet that they were okay with but I gave them some tuna and it made them both sick.  So it wasn't my imagination! Any time, actually it was only once til I learned, they're not found of seafood flavored anything. I'm not sure what Mixed Grill has in it but they seem to like that ok (half a can mixed with a 1/2 cup of dry) So we got rid of the fishy foods and went back to the chicken and cheese which is working okay.  They have no problem eating the dry food but I know the wet food would be better for them if I can just get THEM to realize that!!

 I never fed them just wet cat food on it's own, it was always mixed, is that what you're referring to, just feeding them can cat food?....

I bought some food called "blue buffalo" that is grain-free and supposed to be healthy and Whitey was all over me, like it was the best treat ever. Blacky said "Meh- that stuff is ok I guess, but where's my Max??" so for him I have to mix the foods.

 I'm guessing, but I could never be 100% sure, they have different likes and dislikes but overall if they're really hungry, by golly they'll eat what ever you put in front of 'em!  

There are a couple cans left of the fishy canned foods that I'll be donating to the local shelter and then there are several cans of beef flavored foods that I haven't tried yet.  Maybe you can tell me if I should give it a shot or if they will just reject it.   Chicken does seem to be the favorite!  

 I have it posted on the blog. Chicken and gravy shredded, filets or bits and they like the beef too... oh, and the Mixed Grill. I switch between shredded, bits and filets.
 

They have both been good about drinking water and they have both been good about getting exercise (oh geez, that laser pointer is TOO funny)  

Oh they are my babies, I feel like I've had them forever already! But they still love to snuggle up in Mommy's shirts and take little cat naps there from time to time.  

Awwww... thank you for leaving those shirts of mine at their disposal, that's nice to know. I don't expect for you to keep those for a long time. In a few more weeks they should have YOUR scent to give them comfort.

We would LOVE for you to come visit ANYTIME!! We are mostly but not completely settled in to our new life. (Whitey was crying when I came home the first day, I think it was just too quiet for her, so I started leaving the radio on during the day and she seems much happier now) that's a great idea Ann!  

A few times when I first brought the two home with me I'd leave the radio on too... but as they got use to everything and got settled in, they didn't need the radio on. I bet Whitey was just crying because she was in a new place. This whole window thing is really exciting- sometimes we can see the cat in the house across the street- boy is that fun!

I can tell from just a few days of being around these cats that they have been loved and loved and loved some more.  There is such trust and friendliness with both of them that I know they grew up in a VERY loving home.  

Those 2 cats totally enriched my life every day I had them. I grew fond of them both very quickly. They came into my life about 2 years ago when Tom and I started having marriage trouble and hardly shared a word. They were MY comforting companions, always there for me and always loyal. When I was sad, they'd make me laugh. All they ever wanted was to be loved, picked up and cuddled, and played with and that's basically what I did. Yes, I spent A LOT of time with them.... I'd say on average I'd play with them solid for a hour in the morning and about a hour in the evening. I'd blow bubbles, tie ribbons to the fan, drag things behind me and run through the house, put 'em in boxes and drag the box around behind me (I was giving free kitty rides, they loved it) I could go on and on but all I would do is let my imagination take control in all the different ways to entertain 'em. I have a tendency to go overboard on things.

I can't tell you how happy I am to have these babies in my life! 

 I can't tell you how happy you've made me. I've read you're emails at least 3 times now, tonight makes 4.... I laugh and cry at the same time!!!  

And how happy I am to have have met you all, this wonderful loving family that creating these trusting, affectionate kitties!  I hope you can come visit us soon- you are all welcome of course!  I know they would be thrilled to have a chance to visit their old loving family in their new exciting home.

  I'm hoping you have a little cat knowledge on weather or not me visiting is a good idea, or bad. My interest is in what's best for THEM.... not what's best for me. I mean I can always mail the vet papers and you could just buy their stools to look out the window. Those 2 stools were $5 each at a yard sale.... but you let me know how you feel about it ok.

Hoping to hear from you soon.  With lots and lots and LOTS of love, 

 with lots and LOTS of love for you too ((((((((((((( ANN and BLACKY and WHITEY ))))))))))))

Ann and Blacky and Whitey  <<<<< that just looks right, ya know!!! Thank you so much for the pictures and the detailed updates. You are AWESOME!!!!!

Blacky and Whitey Explore Their New Home

Saturday afternoon, July 27th around 2pm I receive a text message from Barb who works at PurringPals. Her text reads: "PurringPals has an adopter wanting to meet your kitties."

Right away sadness takes over. I've been worrying about who will take Blacky and Whitey, who will want them... they come as a pair and they're already 2 years old, not the little 10 week old kittens one would probably prefer. I posted the flyer in all the local veterinarian offices and local pet stores but no one called. I ran a newspaper ad for 2 weeks which only brought me strange people ... people who either had way too many cats in the first place, people with no computer so they couldn't come here to the blog to actually see Blacky and Whitey nor keep me updated and strangely enough a person called  looking for outside cats to keep the rodents at bay (I had to hang up on that person, who knows, it could of been a prank call but I bit my tongue and strongly suggested they re-read the ad).

Every day I'd ask the Good Lord above "please see that my kitties get to a home where they're loved and cared for"  -   BAM! Answered prayer came this past Saturday. Barb texted me and sent me Ann's application. She was the perfect match! I called her right away and between my embarrassing break-downs over the phone, we agreed to meet where Blacky and Whitey lived the following day on Sunday around 5pm. Previously Ann had been checking out this blog site and was willing to drive over 90 minutes to take her 2 new companions home with her. At that point, It was a confirmation for me that she really wanted Blacky and Whitey which really helped to put my mind at ease. Sunday afternoon I drove to B&W house with their new carrying cages to let them crawl in and out of it so they'd get use to it before Ann showed up. I also brought along 2 of my shirts with my scent still attached so they'd be a little familiar and comforted. Blacky and Whitey didn't have a whole lot of visitors in the 2 years they lived with me so when some one came over both cats were a little cautious, friendly but not too friendly if ya know what I mean. With Ann, it was different... they both took to her right away (more confirmation that she was the one).

After the final meeting, talking and packing up Ann's car with all the cat "stuff" it was time for me to go. I expressed over the phone that I couldn't stand to see them drive away ... so I left a few minutes prior to the departure. Yes, I cried the whole way back home. It's hard, it really is. I feel this is a bittersweet time in my life.... sad that Blacky and Whitey are gone but happy they're with Ann. She is truly an Angle sent by God.

I asked Ann if I could drive to her house and visit in a few weeks and without hesitation she agreed.  

Yesterday I received my first email update with photos:

 On Sunday, July 28, 2013, Ann wrote:
> Well Blacky slept the whole trip and Whitey slept after about fifteen minutes.  In fact, Blacky was so relaxed by the time he got here that he dozed on and off in the cat carrier for a few minutes after I opened the door to let him out.  Whitey was very thirsty and snoozy and she was all too happy to curl up in Mommy's shirts for a nice nap.  Blacky had to explore every nook and cranny to make sure he was still the master of his new universe.  Eventually he curled up in his kitty hole though, with just the tail poking out.  They were both purring after a half hour but they are quite tired now after their adventure!  For now, they have two rooms open to them.  Tomorrow, I'll open up the whole upstairs for them to poke around while I'm at work and then the downstairs will be on Tuesday.
> Thank you again for letting me bring these cuddle bugs into my life when I needed them the most!  I promise more pictures this weekend.  Until then, I will be thinking of new ways to spoil them.  If you ever want to come visit, you are sincerely more than welcome here any time at all.
> I promise we will stay in touch!

These are the photos she sent:

 

 

My Goodness! I'm getting choked up again! I'm surprised ol' Blacky can still fit inside that cat hole. Yep, that's my shirt Whitey's on.

Thank you Ann!

Thank you Barb! 

I love you Blacky and Whitey

A Few Cute Videos

Blacky exercising on the back door!

Blacky exercising on the window!

Blacky exercising in the laundry basket!

I usually made the toys we played with. I took a old coat hanger and tied a few colorful strands of ribbon around the end and they loved it...more Whitey than Blacky!

From The Beginining

~Whitey~

 

-Blacky-

 

I found a good picture of Blacky's markings, tufts of white fur! 

Whitey, the beautiful cat model!!

That's pretty cool looking! Whitey makes a clicking noise with her mouth when she sees a reflection on the wall or ceiling.

More white fur markings on Blacky

Gosh Whitey...get into it why don't ya!!

These pictures you can really get a good look at the white fur on Blacky. Over the past 2 years it's been fading (or rather he's been shedding it!). He no longer has white fur behind his ears.

I went through my pictures and picked out my favorite. 

I don't love one any more than I do the other...

I love Blacky & Whitey the same.

BLACKY AND WHITEY FLYER :-(

This is the flyer I'll be asking local vets to post. The flyer is sorta hard to read and It doesn't quite look like this when printed out because I had to convert my WORD file to an image file so I can post it here on blogger. Also, I called one of our local papers and placed my ad for 2 weeks. ;-(

~We're Looking For A Home With Someone Who Will Love Us & Take Care Of Us~

Hello and Meow!

     This is brother Blacky and his sister Whitey. Aren't they sooo cute!!!  Blacky, the black male and Whitey the dirty white/almost Siamese looking female were what you would call rescue cats. Their mother was killed when they were very young and had to be bottle fed up til their 8-9 week weaning requirement. I guesstimated they were born sometime in September 2011 ... so this year they'll be 2 years old.

     I moved into a small apartment July 1, 2013 that has a no pet policy which I now regret because I didn't know just how attached I am to these two adorable cats. I've been thinking about violating my lease and sneaking them in to live with me, but that's not right, even if I did talk to the landlord about it first, I can't escape the fact that it's just too small in here. I swear the apartment seemed bigger when it was empty. Right now they're fed in the morning by the owner of the only place they've ever been and after work, in the evening, I go feed them, change their cat litter, brush, play with them and love on them. I'm looking for the right kind of person who will take care of Blacky and Whitey and show them the love and attention they're use to. They get along and play together perfectly, they've never been separated. I believe they're border line Himalayan cats by the looks of their long hair. Look at some of the pictures of Blacky, he has distinctive white almost gray markings on the underside of his belly and Whitey looks like someone took a black sharpie and outlined her cute little ears. Two loveable, friendly and adorable cats if ya ask me - and still very playful.

     They need brushed everyday as all long haired cats do. 

     Blacky and Whitey are both fixed and have their shots. They've never been outside and I wouldn't care to ever have them outside either. I feel it's best they remain inside cats, I would prefer if their new owner would accommodate that wish as well.

     On average I was spending about 15 minutes in the morning playing with them and roughly a half hour or so, off and on, in the evenings playing with and giving them attention (clipping nails/brushing/holding and petting)

     I could tell they were getting bored with bird watching on youtube so I started sprinkling bird seed on the window sill and on a little table outside. They loved the different birds that would visit and would sit for hours watching and at times station themselves in a pouncing position. They both like the crinkling sound of a candy wrapper paper like smarties or Goetz caramels. I’d roll one up in a tight ball and toss it. Whitey would bat at the ones tossed to her whereas Blacky would gather up the tiny thing in his mouth and bring it back to me so I can throw again  -  yes, I honestly can say Blacky fetches (when he’s in the mood). We’ve spent hours playing with those little rolled up candy wrappers!

     They’ve been through a few different dry foods and can cat foods until we found the right combination they both liked. Through the advice of our vet we started feeding Blacky and Whitey Max Cat and they seem to both like it very well. In the morning AND the evening  I mix a half can of Friskies shredded Chicken with gravy or Friskies Beefy bits with gravy in with about ½ - ¾ cup of dry Max Cat hairball management (you can find Max Cat at Pet Smart or Tractor Supply). I’d put a little extra dry in a side bowl so they’d have something to snack on for the day. For some reason they didn’t care too much for anything fishy tasting or pate cat food so I stayed away from it and stuck with Friskies shredded, bits and filets. As far as children go, they’ve never been around any children so I’m not sure but knowing their personality, I’m sure they’d be fine. 

     I sure hope someone will take care of Blacky and Whitey. It’s wearing on me emotionally having to part from them and I’ve been crying just about every day because of it, but it’s not fair to have them in a place where they’re not loved, played with, brushed or just plain given a little bit of attention once in a while. If you’re a cat lover and interested in maybe meeting them and willing to provide a safe, and loving home for them, please email me and we can make it happen. I live in the Southern Chester County area, Pennsylvania. I’m about a hour north of Baltimore and about a hour south of Philly. By all means please don’t be offended if I don’t think you’re the right owner and won’t let them go home with you, it’s just that I care for them and want the best for ‘em. . . . I ‘m sure you would too if you were in my shoes, so… serious inquires only, please!

     I took a lot of pictures and a handful of videos I’d like to share in the past 2 years, I'll post what I have later this evening so you can see for yourself how beautiful they are.... and well behaved too!

email: blackyandwhitey2@gmail.com

     I live in the Chester County PA area. If you want to meet Blacky and Whitey email me and we'll make it happen -