The Conquest of Fort Box

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Recently I gave the cats a nice box that they liked to play in and then I took it away because we had to ship something and it was just the right size. I felt bad about it so when I came across another box at work I grabbed it.

I decided to make this one better than the last so I taped the top closed and cut two openings; one on the front and one on the side. I then cut a few peep holes in it so the box could feel like a little fort with spy holes to watch the “enemy.”

I named it “Fort Box” and the cats took to it right away, especially Colonel Chris who took over command of the fort.

I hereby assume command of Fort Box.

I know you’re there Frankie

Okay, Puck. Your turn to stand guard.

It’s scary in here. I’m shaking.

Puck! You’re supposed to be inside the fort.

Like this. I’ll show you.

I wonder if there is an attic?

I can see you guys so don’t try anything.

You can have your turn Frankie, when I am done lying here doing nothing.

Finally! What’s this?

Yuck! Tastes like cardboard.

C’mon Frankie! It’s my turn again.

Where did you go Frankie? I was just kidding. You can come back. I’ll share.

Photo Friday: Under the Dresser

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I don’t know how cats manage to squeeze under small spaces like little cockroaches but they do. Here is Frankie under the dresser. Chris used to do this but he has gained weight in recent years and does not jump as high or squeeze as low as he used to.

200th Post

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Today marks my 200th blog post. I write this blog mostly for the fun of it and not to accomplish any type of goal, however, it does feel good that I have made it this far.

When I started this blog I intended to tell Chris’s story from the beginning. That story eventually let to the eBook, “Bad Cat Chris” which was mostly taken from those first six months of posts. After I caught up with his story I worried I wouldn’t have much to write about but Chris and Crew have kept me busy.

Here are a few statistics from the last 100 posts:

It took over 17 months to write the first 100 posts and less than 9 months to write the next 100 posts.
My most viewed post was “Are Ginger Cats Friendlier,” which was actually written before my 100th post but must have gotten Google’s attention since then.
The post with the most comments was Zzzzzzz… Crash.
My biggest commenter was Fossiemum who was also tops on my first 100 posts. She has two blogs (that I know of). Fozzie.M and All Fur One and One Fur All. Other top commenters include The Island Cats, Caren and Cody from Cat Chat with Caren and Cody, Sammy from One Spoiled Cat, Julia M from Lessons With Oscar, and Sparkle the Designer Cat.
The countries with the most views this past year are The United States, Australia, The United Kingdom, Canada and Germany. It is interesting that people from over 75 countries have checked out my blog this past year. I love that I am reaching people all over the world.

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read Bad Cat Chris. I hope you will continue to come back as I will do my best to give you something worth coming back for.

Before I finish I just want to mention again that Chris has taken over the Twitter, Facebook and Google+ accounts. Please check them out.

Rebuilding Burnt Bridges – Part Two

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Several weeks ago I wrote a post called Rebuilding Burnt Bridges where I talked about how Chris tormented Frankie for weeks after we adopted him but then had a change of heart and decided he wanted to be friends with Frankie. Unfortunately, that came too late and Frankie didn’t trust him. Not only that, whenever Chris tried to be nice, Frankie would attack him.

Since that post Chris has continued in his efforts to make peace and lately I have seen signs that things are getting better. They still fight, and Frankie is by no means ready to be Chris’s best buddy, but there are occasions when Chris moves in close to Frankie and Frankie doesn’t attack him. Indeed, sometimes he doesn’t leave either. I know it is not much but it is much better than what we have been used to seeing. Chris may be a bad cat but he has a good heart and sometimes it shows.

I was shocked to see this scene yesterday. They are actually sleeping while touching each other.

Sorry about the quality but needed to get a quick picture of this before it was over.

Photo Friday: If The Shoe Fits…

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This is Frankie trying on one of Rose’s sandals. I think he needs to shop in the kitty section.

Share Your Boxed Cat

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Yesterday’s Post was about cats and boxes. It seems, not unexpectedly, that everyone who has a cat has a lover of boxes. I am sure all the cat bloggers out there reading this have at least one blog post with one or more cats enjoying a new box. I would like to ask that you share your best “box” post by commenting and adding a link (don’t forget “http”) so everyone can enjoy a bit of cuteness today.

Why Do Cats Love Boxes?

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Everyone who is owned by a cat knows what happens when you bring a new box into the house. It is like Kitty Christmas. The first thing they have to do is get inside like a child with a new playhouse. But why are cats so fascinated by a simple empty box? I suppose there are a number of things at “play” here.

I think the main reason is that cats love to play. The reason that they have an instinct for play is probably because it helps them practice for survival. Attacking their housemates, assuming it is not for reasons of dominance or territory, is practice for the hunt. Playing in a box is just an extension of that.

A box offers something a wild cat is looking for: stealth. Nevermind that they are not wild cats, they don’t know that. From inside a box a cat can see but not be seen. It is a great place to lie in wait until their prey is close and then pounce. It also offers a bit of protection from other “wild” household pets that might want to attack them.

Finally, cats are great nappers. Curling up inside a box could feel very cozy for that afternoon nap and offer protection as well.

This is great. A box all to myself.

Okay Puck, We’ve waited long enough.

Ha, now I have the box.

Stretch…

Don’t even think about it, Frankie.

This is just my size.

I wonder if there is a trap door in this thing.

That’s weird that Chris just disappeared. Oh well, it’s my box now.

If anyone can shed more light on why cats love boxes, or if you just want to comment, I’d love to hear from you.

Photo Friday: Cute Kitten

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I was going through my pictures and noticed a couple from two months ago. My son and his wife adopted a cute little kitten. It seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Meal Time

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Meal time for our cats has become very predictable in our house. They all become very excited when I walk in the kitchen. Puck jumps on the counter along with Chris or Frankie until I take the can out and then whoever is on the counter with Puck jumps down but Puck remains and starts eating as soon as I put the food in the nearest bowl.

Chris takes a few bites from his bowl and then walks away. I then have to move his bowl to where he is, sometimes more than once. After a couple of minutes Puck leaves his bowl, before he finishes, and heads out to look for Chris and his bowl, just in case his food is better. When Puck approaches, Chris just walks away and lets him have it.

This is unusual for Chris, who is so dominant, but I think he is just addicted to dry food and does not care much about wet food. That is why I have been searching for a canned food that all the cats like, especially Chris. It is difficult because I want to feed them healthy but it seems they tend to shun the healthy food for the more moderate quality choices.

I was mixing raw food with their wet food but I have temporarily given up on that because too much was going to waste. I would like to get a good meat grinder and try to make the raw food myself. For now I am giving them Stella and Chewey’s Raw Freeze-dried Dinner as a treat instead of the unhealthy cat treats they were eating.

Recently I found a good quality food that is grain-free and everyone seems to like it. It is Earthborn Chicken Catcciatori Dinner. I have not tried all the flavors but the two others that I did try (which I foolishly did not take note of) were liked by two out of three cats. I would like to find one more flavor that they all enjoy so I can mix it up a little.

Let me know what you think. Has anybody else tried Earthborn or another high quality food that your cats really like.

Caption This: Frankie’s Throne

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I know this picture is very similar to my last post but it is perfect for adding captions. See what you can come up with and then click here for my idea.