Bienvenue your Highness…

“There is nothing like a great talent without a great desire for power.”                           – Honoré de Balzac 

“It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens.”             – Cynthia E. Varnado

While still early days, it has been a long search ( over two years)for a “little” brother for the divas and completes our family. A friend in a nearby village, fellow cat lover, found that her neighbor was feeding a family of four kittens and set into action. Natalja knew there was an opening here and that one of the four felines there was a male.

The human in this scenario, had chosen a name and although the young monsieur has only been in the house with us a few days, arrived on Valentine’s Day, he doesn’t seem to fit the character of the chosen name so we shall see… For the time being, he is simply  Monsieur or his Royal Majesty despite the fact that Madame Colette will continue to rule the roost. Despite the fact that he is not yet seven months old and the divas are three and six years old, he weighs more than the two divas together. The human in this equation believes it is due to his big heart. While living indoors is new to him, he has one of the loudest purring motors we have encountered. He loves a cuddle so perhaps his three sisters trained him well. These factors must be considered when choosing a name. 

First photo

2nd photo, caught while scampering back under the bed…

The resilience of the feline is astounding. Despite his fear of everything being so different here, he is filled with love which he is anxious to share and it pours out of him. It was made clear, Colette does have a reputation for not liking any feline and doesn’t consider herself one, monsieur is here on trial. He has his own room and when the divas are in another part of the house, his door is opened so that he can explore. 

As one might expect, the human is not sane enough to make this decision, he had her at the first loud purr. Simone has been longing for someone who will cuddle and share grooming duties. Colette acknowledges nobody but herself and the human who she believes is exclusively hers. 

monsieur

The biggest hurdle is Colette… will she just ignore him, denying his existence, as she does with Simone? Will Simone finally have someone to comfort her?

Simone and the human are in total agreement that it is time for a new voice purring their stories and sharing their gorgeous images, paws crossed. There is much work that begs his attention.

Bisous, Colette, Simone, monsieur, and human.

Disclaimer: Any mistakes are solely the result of human error and shall be dealt with.

 

Thanks to all who bear with us. There are days without Wifi at all and the days we do have access it is frequently dropping for hours at a time… Orange is responsible for the lines regardless of the provider. This has been going on for weeks and extends sporadically throughout our department.

JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE MADAME COLETTE!

“Those who’ll play with cats must expect to be scratched.”  – Miguel de Cervantes

“A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.”  – Ernest Hemingway

 

On 15 November 2015, a beautiful Isabelle (Calico) was born in the south of France. Despite her beauty, her journey was off to a rough beginning.

Ever on alert for a forever home but also choosey, I’ve been in some rather unsavory situations before, I was watching the door of the S.P.A. Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean. There was one other feline in residence but of course, I was the favorite and always play hard to get. A girl can’t be too choosy and I was so young, just shy of seven months old. As a woman approached the door, I watched closely but stealthily. Can you believe, she didn’t even glance my way but began talking to the resident human. I am a good judge of character and knew immediately that this one could easily be trained to my specifications. A chair stood inches from her, I jumped up and wrapped my paw around her arm. But of course, I had her at meow. Silly human, she had told the resident she was looking for a male cat. She did take a glance at the other feline in residence but I knew there was no doubt that she would leave with me. As always, so sure of myself, I disappeared and the two women took care of the paperwork.  

My dignity was tested as I was placed in a carrier with the furry orange rug the S.P.A. gave me, it already had my magnificent scent and was added to ease my journey. It seemed forever before we reached my home. The second the carrier was opened, I sprang into action and hid. When the human was out of sight, I explored every nook. There was always fresh water and plenty of food and my box was kept clean and dry with my privacy assured. Perhaps this human had previously had some training. However, I would polish her off to my own personal specifications. Actually, she was tolerable already. There are three bedrooms, one for my personal use and I even allow her to keep a number of overstuffed bookshelves there. I have two flights of stairs for running about. The photo just above is in my own private chambre but actually, it is all mine. There is a door out onto the small terrace and it has a screen so the birds can chat me up and sing to me and entice me to come and play. This is still a contested issue as the human refuses to let me outside. She tells me I am too precious to her and that is the one argument that cannot be disputed. 

While the human continues to believe this is her room, and the lounge her favorite reading spot, I set her straight but do allow her to share it. This photo was taken on her birthday which was a few weeks after my arrival. By this time, I would wait for her to fall asleep then curl up next to her head. I would disappear if she stirred. But she did interest me as she never called at me as if I should respond and never approached me. She waited for me and it has made all the difference. As you can see I have her well trained. By August, she thought I might enjoy some company and brought a feline into the house. It was her way of making amends for not allowing me out. Well, she knows what I think of that but that is another story. All in all, as humans go, she isn’t too bad and I could have done worse. We spend a lot of time cuddling but only when I choose to do so. I do all I can to make sure she comprehends my meows as I dictate the posts for my blog and do my best to let that other feline share in the stories but as usual, if I want it done right, I do it myself. 

Bisous, madame Colette and the human

Disclaimer, any and all mistakes are the result of human error and shall be dealt with.

The human and I are still searching for feline photos for my series on Fabulous Felines in History. If you have any photos that you are willing to share, please forward them to us at feuetglace11@gmail.com  It is best if the background in the photos is rather plain as we do quite a bit of time travel. 

Hang on Paris & New York, here is the real Cat Walk…

“It is a very distinct tribute to be chosen as the friend and confidant of a cat”.             – H.P. Lovecraft

“Time spent with cats is never wasted”. – Sigmund Freud

 

We are three lively, affectionate and healthy boys. Our ages are seven months, five months and one year.  We do love attention but are always happy to lap-sit, read alone, movie cuddles and can be excellent chefs, just let us into the kitchen…

We currently reside at Refuge de Port-la- Nouvelle on the Mediterranean in the south of France. The humans who feed and care for us here are most kind, but we are really in search of a home of our own. We are gorgeous and compliment any decor. After all, what is a house without a cat? It is a home without a soul…

Even the youngest of us are proficient in the art of Feline Focus Training and Therapy (F.F.T.T.) and are more than willing to impart our wisdom and make your house a real home. The names we were given at the refuge are negotiable.

Yes, we are French Felines but like any self-respecting cat, we are sufficiently fluent and able to communicate in any language. We have much to offer the right human or humans and play well with other felines.

For further information, please contact the resident humans here at la SPA, Refuge de Port-la-Nouvelle, portlanouvelle@la-spa.fr or come for a visit, we are irresistible.   Wherever you are, support your local refuge. We have family everywhere. While you are at it, stop by the refuge and see who is waiting for you.

We want to thank Colette, Simone and the human for stopping by to visit and for posting us on their blog. https://lesdeuxdivasmavieenrose.wordpress.com

Bisous, Colette, Simone, our cousins in captivity and the human.

 

Disclaimer, any and all mistakes are the result of human error and shall be dealt with.

Fabulous Felines in History # 4: Les hommes de Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

“You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.”  – Colette

“I went to collect the few personal things which… I consider to be invaluable: my cat, my resolve to travel and my solitude.” – Colette

Je suis Henri

Je suis Olivier

Je suis Cheri

 

As one might guess, with a name like Cheri, we are the feline masters of Madame Sidonie Gabrielle Colette. She has served as a loyal human and a dear friend to felines the world over. Most of her many devoted fans refer to her simply as Colette.  While we are woven into some of her writing, we often appear disguised with a different name.

“Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.” – Colette

 

As one wanders and wonders though the pages of her books, you cannot help but notice our influence as our paw prints are everywhere. Our antics were a constant source of inspiration and laughter.

 

“There are no ordinary cats.”  – Colette

Feline photos are courtesy of https://lindahoyland.livejournal.com/

Please stop by and visit us, Colette, Simone and the human at: https://lesdeuxdivasmavieenrose.wordpress.com/ 

Disclaimer: All mistakes are a result of human error and shall be dealt with

 

 

Ready for that close-up monsieur DeMille

“I would like to see anyone, prophet, king, God, convince a thousand cats to do the same thing at the same time.”  – Neil Gaiman

“You cannot live without a paw in each world.” – Erin Hunter

“The smallest feline is a masterpiece.”  – Leonardo de Vinci

The refuge in Narbonne is filled with celebrities. A few were willing to pose for the human as she made another trip in search of a little brother to complete the family. 

It is vital that the feline has sufficient opportunity to completely assess any and all prospective adopting humans. A cat cannot be to careful…

Work it, work it… 

While you won’t find these same fantastic felines at your neighborhood refuge, you will most certainly find love, affection, and so much more. Support the shelter near you. When you go, perhaps you could pick up a large sack of litter and one of food for those not going home just yet. 

Foiled again! There were no kittens today. While we love all felines, Simone is extremely maternal and obviously had given birth not long before coming to us. Two years later, she still looks for her baby and we have been trying to find that kitten for well over a year. Fingers crossed… 

Bisious, Colette, Simone and the human 

Disclaimer: Any and all mistakes are due to human error and shall be dealt with.

 

The Acid Test!

“I meant,” said Ipslore bitterly, “What is there in this world that truly makes  living worthwhile?” Death thought about it. “Cats’ he said eventually. “Cats are nice.”  – Terry Pratchett, Sourcery

“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.”  – Mark Twain

As all of us who are fortunate enough to live with felines know, anything brought into the house must be throughly examined. Our house is very tall (very high ceilings) with small rooms and little storage. A neighbor brought over some small drawers thinking a good clean and lick of paint might make these old drawers, I’m thinking vintage Ikea, might make them useful. We shall see. However, there are other matters to tend to first! 

As always, Colette is the first to venture into the world of the unknown and her courage knows no limits. Her ace nose went into action the second the door opened and it took awhile but she is now resting from her labors. 

 

Colette leaves no area un-sniffed. Simone takes her opportunity to be the first to hide inside. Colette is not having any of that and quickly leaps down to chase her out. Despite the fact that Colette is about half the size of Simone and more than two years younger, one does not mess with Colette. 

Exhausted, they curl up to replenish themselves. Ah, perchance to dream… 

 

Bisous, Colette, Simone and the human

Disclaimer:  Any and all mistakes are due to human error and shall be dealt with. 

 

Double, double toil and trouble…

“I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.”  – Jules Verne

“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.”  – Bill Dana

When I came up with the idea for this blog, it seems, I didn’t think things through.  Demands that would be made on my nap time, play time and general activities. My advice to other felines contemplating this action is BEWARE! Of course it is lovely to know that my great wisdom can be shared with others but at what cost? Yes, the human does all the typing, I hate to think of the margin of errors this entails… and at times, Simone meows her ‘wisdom’ or what she belives passes for it. The majority of work comes from my own personal labor and stories. 

As you can see, I am ever vigilant while Simone in the background naps too much in my opinion. Hardly the type to pay attention sufficently nor have the knowledge of what truly goes on around here. 

While as a professional, I do my best as lead reporter and publisher. Efforts to have a staff meeting are futile. 

   Plus I shall never compromise when sniffing out a story. Where as, attempts to ellicit cooperation from Simone will often result in disappointing behaviors. As for the typist/human, well what does a diva say about such things other than she is quiet and quite adept at adoring me. 

Even a slacker such as Simone is passionate about the stories she shares. Yes, even she is concerned for her stories and will, from time-to-time, get her fur in a twist. There must be a way to get her more involved and hopefully release me from having to do it all. Seriously, there is more than blogging for a diva…

 

Bisous,

Colette

Disclaimer: Any and all mistakes are due strictly to human error and shall be dealt with. 

I Believe His Name is Pablo

“Perhaps it is because cats do not live by human patterns, do not fit themselves into prescribed behavior, that they are so united to creative people.” – Andre Norton

“I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.”                            –  Jean Cocteau

“Always the cat remains a little beyond the limits we try to set for him in our blind folly.”                     –  Andre Norton

I believe his name is Pablo

not just for the artist

but also the poet

the one whose silvery

tongue, slides in and out

of my dreams

*

le petit chat noir

 curled up in

my palm creating

his own corner

de coeur

*

only three weeks old

the eyes still dark like

the gloss of his fur

too soon yet

to bring him home

*

it’s been a decade

since i’ve lived

with a cat

my youngest son took

his – when he parted

*

a niche

caché à mon coeur

arms open, waiting

longing to stroke

his silky black fur

*

hypnotic opus whispers

bestowing solace

allowing me to adore you

prompting my behaviors

putting me in my place

*

j’attends

divine inspiration

mysterious muse

oh passionate one

chez moi est chez toi

*

Bisous,

Léa