Sparky the Cat

Hello Sparky lovers,

I’ve got some sad news to report. Our beloved wild child, Sparky the Cat, has left us. She was diagnosed with FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) a while ago. This is a fatal condition so I made sure I gave her the most rockin’ life she could have with the few months left to live.

She was certainly a trooper and lived a little bit longer than the six weeks they gave her. Ever so loving and amazingly playful, I do believe she enjoyed her short life. I (by the way, I am the one she refers to as Papa C…her owner. Though we all saw how she claims to have owned me. I think she’s right!) have plenty of funny pics to post of her. I also found a large stash of notes and writing that she kept and I will share those with the world. She had some wisdom for sure!

So stay tuned. Sparky may be gone but she still has plenty to share with us and make us smile.

–Papa C

Hi everyone,

I’m sorry I haven’t written in a while. I haven’t been feeling well. Luckily Papa C is taking good care of me but it still blows. All I want to do is sleep. Good thing Papa C has a nice warm lap! But yeah…I haven’t been very hungry and haven’t been very thirsty either. I guess that’s why I’m dehydrated. I’ve got pretty bad diarrhea too. I heard Papa C describe it as looking like chocolate pudding to the vet. I don’t know what this “chocolate pudding” stuff is, but if he’s saying my poop looks like something else I’m sure that’s not a good thing.

So here’s the deal. Like I said, I haven’t been feeling well. I haven’t been very sparky and spunky. Papa C noticed this and took me to the vet. I really like the people at East Atlanta Animal Clinic. Everyone is really nice there. They all want to steal me though. Maybe that’s why everyone is so nice to me. Anyway (yes, I know I’m rambling. I’m sick…what do you expect?) we went to the vet and the first vet lady was feeling me, squooshing around my guts and said she felt something hard in there. So then she took some X-rays but they couldn’t tell from those what it was. It kinda looks like it may be some blockage in my intestines…but it also kinda looks like some mass outside…perhaps from when I got spayed (I don’t know what this “spay” thing is either but they kept talking about it). So they shaved my arm (I’ll ask Papa C to take a picture and post it) and put some fluids in me like that while I stayed over night. It was weird not sleeping in my bed with Papa C. He said it was really weird coming home and not having me greet him at the door.

Oops…there I go rambling off topic again. Sorry!

I stayed the night and didn’t poop. They wanted to see what my poop was like so they kept giving me liquids and kept me another night. Ha! I showed them. I didn’t poop again. Well, um, I guess they showed me as they ended up giving me an enema and that kinda got stuff out of me. Oh my. Some big solid ones too. They didn’t feel anything hard in my belly now either. Yay!

After that I went home. Hurray! Was sooo nice to be back in Papa C’s arms. I still didn’t feel 100% though. Papa C kept an eye on me but I just kept sleeping. A lot. And didn’t play at all. Or eat much. And still had diarrhea. So he took me back in for another checkup. Something in my belly again. *sigh* No fun. I came home, slept, and soon I’ll be going to some vet specialists to check me out. I did take a bit more solid of a poop today though. Exciting! So THAT’S what it’s supposed to feel like. Interesting…weird stuff. But so much cleaner! Oops…random…

Speaking of random…as soon as I did that Papa C grabbed me and pulled me out of my litter box and then put my turd in a vial. Yeah, you better believe I was a bit confused. I think he could tell ’cause I was looking at him funny. Later he told me it was a “stool sample” and that the vet was going to see if they could tell what may be making me fell bad from it.

Ok…I’m tired of telling my story. I hope I get better soon. I want to stay up all night again and walk all over Papa C’s face at night. And chew on plants at night. And attack his feet while he sleeps. And walk in and out of the blinds while he tries to sleep. I haven’t been able to do any of that while I’ve been sick ’cause all I want to do is sleep too. This sleeping at night thing is weird. How do you people do it? Weird I tell ya…

Hi everyone. Sorry for not having a new post up anytime soon. I like to have fun at night and early in the morning. I guess it makes Papa C sleepy by not getting to sleep all night. He should do like me and just take cat naps (whoah! I think I now understand why they’re called cat naps! I’m a cat. And I nap. Cool! Is there a such thing as a dog nap? Eh, who cares…they’re dogs) all day and night.

My favorite place to sleep is on him. Sometimes his chest but mostly I like to sleep on his neck or his head. I heard him telling someone that he actually doesn’t mind that. He says it’s kind of calming in a way. I guess the part that really keeps him up is my loud purring right up by his face and when my whiskers tickle his nose while I’m trying to smell his nose.

The other night…oh my…that was scary. I think he thought it was funny but I can’t say I was laughing at the time. He got up to go to the bathroom. I followed him in there and was watching, just checking things out. He did as he always does and flushed the toilet and then went to put the seat down. He didn’t see me as I decided to jump in (hey, I was sleepy. I don’t know why I tried to jump in there) and the lid came down. I heard him say “ok Sparky, where are you?” as he lifted the seat and saw me in there. Good thing he flushed!

That’s it for now. I’ll make him write more of my exploits soon enough. Right now I have to get on his case and tell him to write in his own blogs. Go pet a kitty now! And buy us (me) some new toys.

Good morning everyone,

Papa C took this video of me this morning before work. He thinks it’s pretty cool when I play fetch. And I just love it!

He said he’s going to try again sometime soon with a better camera (he used his Samsung Moment phone. He’s such a geek) and maybe even put music to it. I made him put this up right away though because I wanted to prove to everyone that I can play fetch. I probably play fetch better than your dog. Ha!

Hi everyone!

Life has been fun in my new home. I think this whole night time thing is for sleeping. That’s what my owner does. I’ve tried over and over to play with him at midnight but he wouldn’t play. I’d try again at 2am and he still wouldn’t play. I’d try every hour but he just kept laying there. So I gave in and I now sleep with him. I usually lie curled up by his face or shoulder. So cozy and warm!

He taught me a new game called fetch. I like it! He’ll throw my little mouse toy and what I have to do is chase it and then bring it back. He pets me and tells me I’m a good girl when I do this, then he throws it again and I chase it and bring it back to him. It’s fun…I want to play more. I tried to make him play with me but he kept mumbling something about work. What is this work thing? He keeps leaving me in the morning for it. Anyway, I know he’ll be home later and we’ll play fetch again. Yipee!

He also bought me a kitty condo/scratching post. I didn’t know what it was. He kept putting me on in. Whatever. The guy is weird. I’m warming up to it now though. It’s fun to play on. I’d still rather scratch the carpet than the posts on this thing though. Maybe I’ll get used to it soon enough.

BTW (that’s By The Way in short speak…he’s teaching me all sorts of cool stuff) I think I’m having an identity crisis. So yeah…I’m a cat obviously. A Burmese cat…the coolest kind! I like to play fetch and I come when called…isn’t that what dogs do? I also like to perch on Papa C’s shoulder like a parrot. Whatever…I am who I am and I like it. Have I mentioned I want to play fetch again?

Nap time!

My owner…he keeps saying he’s too busy to post but come guy! I’ve got stuff to say! The world must know of all the cuteness that is me. I tell ya…

First of all…check out this cool cat tree he put up for me! I love it! I get to run all around and then run up to the ceiling. He claims it’s not really for me but I’m using it anyway. Ha!

I do like running really really really really really (hey, I’m a kitten. I’m allowed to say “really” a lot) fast. Pappa C keeps calling me a spaz. Is that a good thing? Someone, please enlighten me. (By the way…I just learned the word “enlighten” so I’ll probably use it a lot now. I told you Burmese were smart!)

This is going to be a short post because my owner (he sure isn’t my master. I OWN him!) has lots to do. For now I’ll just sleep, run around the house, sleep, climb up things, sleep, and then wait for him to come home.

Happy Friday everyone!

Yaaaaaawn…

It’s tough being a kitten. All this playing, running, jumping, meowing. Whew. I’m wiped out. I’m sure Papa C things I’m dipping into the catnip stash too ‘cause I do get a little crazy when he’s around. I just can’t help it. I love chasing things! Anything. Ok…a lot of times I’m chasing nothing but don’t tell anyone. We have to keep with the belief that I see things he can’t thus I must chase them.

Papa C sleeps some weird hours. Isn’t playtime from 11pm to 3am and 4am to 7am? I thought it was. He keeps trying to sleep when I want to play. Fear not my fellow readers…I shall break him of this sleeping habit. Ha! Oh to be a cat…

I definitely need new toys too. I looooooove my feather toy on the end of a string. When we play with that I am in heaven. I love when I get to jump in the air and catch it and then walk away like I’ve gotten my kill. I’m tellin’ ya…I am one ferocious little beast. You just wait until I’m all growed up. Ok, grown up. Papa C is making sure I grow up with good grammar. Meow.

He keeps throwing this little plastic ball with a little bell inside it. What? Does he expect me to chase that thing? Really? Psh. I’d much rather run and chase “things” and then climb whatever I can.

Ok, nap time. Gotta be nice and rested for when Papa C comes home!

Good morning everyone!

They don’t call me “Sparky” for nothin’! I’m awake! Well, I’m probably asleep now but I was awake early as I got Papa C up to pet me. I discovered this fun new thing last night! There’s a little tear on the bottom of the box spring to his bed (ohhhh…the bed…more on that later) and I discovered I can get up there and roam around. Awww yeah! Of course I got a bit lost and ended up meowing a good bit until Papa C got out of bed and saved me. He’s so good to me!

The bed…I love it! It’s such a fun place to play! So big…my own personal playground. It’s even more fun when the lights get turned out and I get to bounce all around and attack things. Fun stuff! Papa C usually lies still when the lights are out but that doesn’t keep me from playing around. Yipee!

Yesterday was fun. He took me to the neighbor’s place and I sat on his chest for an hour while he was hanging out and taking care of stuff. Some of his friends came over too and I got to meet them. They were all googly-eyed over me too. I’m so cute! If you didn’t notice…we kittens are a bit modest. But come on…have you seen that picture of me? How can you deny my cuteness? I heard there will be some videos of me popping up there soon enough too.

I’m figuring out this running thing pretty good. I used to look kinda clumsy when I ran around the apartment but now I’m zooming like a crazy little kitty. Papa C keeps calling me “crazy little spaz”. That’s a good thing, right?

The only other exciting thing so far is that I’m not afraid of the litter box when it has a hood on it now. I’ve got no problem going to the bathroom in there now! I’m so smart…I use that thing lots and lots now and don’t make a mess in the apartment. I’m sure Papa C appreciates that.

All in all, I’m a happy little kitten today. I’m just ready for my guy to come home so he can pet me more. I really can’t get enough of him. I’ve learned to jump up on his lap when he’s sitting at the computer working. I’m always underfoot too as he walks from one room to another. This pesky work thing is keeping me from my guy! I must find a way to monopolize his time more. Hmmm…how can I do this? I will find a way…yes I will. I am Burmese…hear me roar!

Good morning everyone,

I had to get on Papa C’s case and start writing stuff down for me before the hustle and bustle of my first few days in my new home make me forget what life was like. My owner (again…who own’s who here?) seems to be a busy guy but I do love when he comes home. I run to the door to meet him and rub all over him. Someone has to let him know he’s loved!

First…a little picture of me so you know who’s talking to you.

I'm just chillin' on my new guy in my new home.

Ok…so, um, from what I can recall, I turned three months old on Valentine’s Day. Yeah, I planned it that way. I’m good like that! Don’t you know we cats have some crazy cool powers…like choosing when to be born? Heh heh, ok, maybe I’m pulling your leg. You human readers are gullible though. Hear me purr, look into my cute kitten eyes and you’ll have to believe everything I say.

DAY 1

On this one Saturday in February this guy, we’ll call him Papa C, came to my home and picked me up. Love at first sight I tell ya. He was all googly-eyed and me, well I couldn’t help but start my little purr motor and nuzzle up to him.

We rode in this Jeep thingy. He held me most of the time. I kept trying to crawl all over but he wouldn’t let me. Hm. I’ll get him for that later. I must wander and discover I tell ya! Oh yes…this shall be so…

We got to this place and there was this fuzzy black thing. It barked. It looked funny. I heard the term “Affenpincher” tossed around a lot. I have no idea what that means…I’m only a kitten after all. I did ask Papa C about that later and he said that thing was a dog. Anyway, I hung out with this dog and some lady for a bit while Papa C disappeared for a bit. Again, I heard him mumble something about “needing to pick up the new bed” but I wasn’t really paying attention. Those kitten senses would rather see what this dog thing is all about and discover my new environment.

A bit later I went to yet a new place. This is the place Papa C kept calling “home” for me. I ran around. I sniffed. I checked it out. It was fun to run around…I haven’t had that much room to run around yet. Zoom!

Oh  yes…speaking of “zoom”, I think my name is “Sparky”. He keeps calling me that. Of course he also keeps calling me “crazy little critter” and “little freak” and stuff like that. I’m going by Sparky though. When he calls that name I come running to him.

So yeah…that was pretty much my first day with Papa C. A new place. A new name (did I have a name before? I don’t think so). I heard that my name was in honor of Papa C’s mother. I guess she was quite an amazing woman…very loving, very full of life. She also used to say “how are you Sparky?” to him. I guess I’m the loving, full-of-life thing that honor’s Mama C (guess she would be Grandma C to me). I think it’s cool that I’m named for someone so amazing.

DAY 2

That was a fun day. Papa C hung out with me a lot. I sat on his chest and purred a lot. And purred some more. And then a little bit more. I saw a corner in the room…figured it would be a nice place to pee. I was wrong. Papa C picked me up and put me in the litter box. Ohhhh…NOW I get it! I’m supposed to pee here! I haven’t pooped yet though. I’m gonna keep him guessing and make him wonder if I pooped somewhere else in the house or not. Heh heh…it’s fun being a cat.

Papa C left for a bit and then came back with a bed for me. It has zebra print on it. One day I’m going to be a big cat and eat zebras! Raaawr! I don’t really use the bed though. I’d rather sit on Papa C. When he came back I was sleeping…he had to call me and then I came running to greet him at the door. I love my Papa C!

Little black dog thing came over again. I’m still not sure what to make of that thing. It doesn’t attack me but it lunges at me. I think it wants to play. I gotta put that thing in its place though. This is my house…nobody tells me what to do!

DAY 3

Papa C left for a long time today. Work. What is this work thing? I’ll need to have him explain this to me a bit more. I kept walking on his face at night hoping he would pet me but he kept saying “sleep Sparky” and stuff. Psh…I sleep all day. Night time is for playing. Anyway, when he came back from this work thing I guess he was kinda tired. He said something about me walking on his face. I looked up at him, meowed, purred, and he was mine. Heh heh…he picked me up and I purred more.

When he came home I was so excited to see him. I ran around his feet a lot every where he went. He’s gotta look down more often and make sure he doesn’t knock me around as he walks and I get under his feet. I decided it was time to show him that I know how to poop in the litter box too. I wanted to show him what a smart kitty I am (I AM a Burmese after all…). I pooped, covered it up pretty good, and he praised me for it. Humans are so easy…

He got out a new toy and played with me. There were feathers on the end of a string that were on a stick. That thing is fun! I ran, I jumped, I played. I showed him what a fearless hunter I was.

He also put this collar thing on me. It had a bell on it. I danced. I he laughed and then took it off. I have a sneaking suspicion that thing will be on my neck again. After that he put this other thing…a “harness” or something, on me. I don’t know what this guy has planned for me. Taking me for walks? Don’t I already walk around the house? I’m so confused…

That’s enough for now. I’m tired of dictating and I think Papa C is tired of taking notes. Bed time was another time of me walking all over his face. I figure if I purr enough it’s ok. Hopefully he won’t get too annoyed with it as I purr and purr and purr and walk on his face in the middle of the night.

I’ll try to get him to put up the history of my breed sometime this week. I want everyone to know that I have some cool roots. For now…I sleep while he posts the tale of my first few days with him.

Hello, my name is Sparky. I’m a spunky little Burmese kitten and I’m going to tell you all about my life as it happens. You can tell I’m spunky…how many other cats do you know that share their lives (and their owner’s lives…well, I own him actually…ha!) with the world. I do love the interwebs!

Hang tight while my feeder (I can see this will be an ongoing debate as to who owns who) jots down the notes of my first few days with him and I’ll tell you what I’ve been experiencing so far in my new home. For now I’ll tell you that I already love him to death. I just can’t stop purring. I constantly want to be around him (or on him. I love walking on his face at night to show him how much I love him). I even come when he calls me (I want him to feel important).

Stay tuned…good things are to follow.

Sparky