Gizmo's not himself :(

Gizmo seems out of sorts today. He's been sleeping more than usual, as in pretty much all day, and he's been quiet. Even his usual toys haven't pulled him out of the slump, and he hasn't wanted to sit on either of our laps today which is definately not normal. The door to outside was open most of the day, and normally he loves sitting out there, but instead he just stayed on the bed.

If he is not picking up a little tomorrow, I think it might be time for a visit to the vet (even though he saw us about 3 weeks ago and said I'll see you in a year).

I really hate that he can't actually tell us whats wrong.
:`(

Gizmo goes to Bora Bora

Through Gizmo's Eyes

I got invited to join my new friends in Bora Bora, so even though I just got back from my last holiday, I decided to pack my bags and go have fun...

This is me arriving in Bora Bora.

I have to thank Jans Funny Farm for helping me pack my suitcase and sending me a map, and to Gracie for inviting us all to join her.

Anyway I'm off for a swim and a cat nap in the sun, then I think I will try to meet some more furry friends...

Talk to you all when I return.

Purrs

Gizmo

Gizmo Goes on a Holiday

Through Gizmo's Eyes

My humans had to go on a holiday overseas because one of my humans had to compete in the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida... I was a little nervous cause I had never been on a holiday before. I had to hope my humans chose a nice place for me to go with humans as nice as them.

When I arrived at my holiday, I met a nice lady who gave me cuddles straight away. I like cuddles. Then I met her kids. Her kids liked cuddles too. Then I found out she had other kitties... Yay I had some friends to play with. I don't think they liked me at first. They would hiss at me when ever I walked past. Eventually we became good friends though.

When I got there I went exploring. There were lots of exciting new smells, and comfy couches and a warm furry rug in front of a heater. My humans put my bed and things in a room of my own and showed me where it was before they let me continue exploring.

I ran around and found a giant glass window where I could look outside, and the best bit was outside was on the same level as us (at home outside is below my balcony, so I can't get down there). Only there was a giant black and tan thing guarding the door to outside. My human said it was a dog. I tried to say Hi, but it definately didn't like me. It jumped up and banged loudly on the glass, so I ran and hid behind my human.

After a little while, my human had to leave, but I didn't mind because I still had people to give me cuddles, new things to explore and other kitties to play with.

I had fun on my holiday, and I got spoilt by my holiday humans. Every night I would get put to bed in my room, but someone would always come and get me to sleep in their bed and get cuddles. I got to play with the kitties, eventually they liked me. There names were Tom and Jerry, and another holiday cat Mr Bibbs... There was always someone to cuddle or play with. Every human in the house had a lap top too, so I always had something warm to sleep on.

My human is coming to pick me up today, but my holiday human has given me some photos so I can show you how much I enjoyed my holiday.

This picture is of me watching the royal wedding on my holiday

Gizmo Goes Fishing (and gets very wet)

Through Gizmo's Eyes

I've been eyeing off the fish in the fish tank on the counter top for weeks. When the light hits them they flash silver and gold like the medals hanging around the house. They are so shiny, and I just have to have one.
While my people have been sleeping I have been sneakily jumping onto the table and from there to the counter top, then I can jump on top of the fish tank. There are holes on the top of the fish tank just big enough to fit my paw into and if I dangle the tip of it into the water, the fishies come up to visit it...silly fishies. When they swim up to my paw i make a quick swipe and try to catch them, but they are just too fast.

So yesterday I decided I am not going to let the fish get the better of me and any time my people weren't looking, or when they went into another room, I decided to go fishing. I got to the top of the tank and dangled my paw into the water... here fishy fishy fishy... pow, crash, splash eek... I was sliding into the fish tank, the lid on the fish tank flipped into the tank and took me with it... just when I almost had one too. Help I can't swim! I clawed my way out of the tank, luckily finding a rock in the tank to push off. I could hear my people coming to see what the commotion was, I had to get out of the tank, or I knew I would be in big trouble... I'm not allowed to go fishing. Luckily I made it out just in time. I think my people knew what happened anyway. there was water everywhere (and I bet the fishies told them). They were very nice to me though, and dried me in a fluffy towel, and let me sit on a heat pack because I was cold. I don't think I want to go fishing again... it wasn't a very fun experience.

Gizmo's Favourites

Favourite toys
tennis balls
bouncy balls
pom poms
cardboard boxes of any size
balls of paper
paper butterflies
balls of foil
string of any kind
toilet paper/empty toilet rolls
empty cling wrap rolls
catnip mice
ribbon
peoples hair
peoples ankles
peoples hands
drains
bath/sink plugs

Favourite Places to Sleep
anyones lap/chest/neck
under blankets
open or closed lap tops
on a heat pack
in boxes
under the desk
on the couch or bed
in the pot plants
anywhere in the sun
in the cupboards
in the camping chair

Favourite Mischief Making Activities

chewing electrical cords

playing with blinds

jumping up walls

jumping out at people

attacking feet

biting hard

pulling up the drains

hiding anything from jewlery to bath plugs
going fishing in the fish tank

waking up people with kisses so they don't mind

scratching on doors

Hates

being left alone

being cold
having baths
not having someone to play with
being bored
getting in trouble

A whole new world

Through Gismo's Eyes

I got to go outside today. I've been staring out the window for ages, feeling the warmth of the sun, looking at all the lovely things moving out there that I wanted to chase. My people opened the door and let me play on the balcony in the sun. So many new smells and exciting things to see. There were these things called bugs that move and were so much fun to chase. There were lots of plants, and high places to sit and look at an even bigger world.

I could even get to the edge of the balcony where I could look down at other people, and other dogs and cats, although I don't think my people like me going too close to the edge. They keep calling my name when ever I go over there. I can't help that I'm curious to see whats going on.

I sat in the sun for hours playing, catching bugs and having a nap. I can't wait to go out there again!

Mischief Maker

Gismo has learnt some clever tricks to get attention lately. We love playing games with him, but there are times when it's a little tricky amongst doing paperwork, whilst cooking dinner, or when we're getting ready first thing in the morning. He loves to chase balls of any kind eg balls of foil, bouncy balls, balls containing catnip, tennis balls, glittery pom poms, balls of paper, even plastic bags. He also loves to chase string, ribbons, peoples pants as they move down the hallway, basically anything hanging. We have created a new toy out of an old clothes horse, by hanging string, ribbon, paper butterfly's and all sorts of glitter pompoms etc tied on. He loves playing with it when we play with him, but shows very little interest in it as soon as we stop playing.

The tricks to get attention are things he knows he is not supposed to do, because he knows it involves us chasing him, or paying some form of attention to him, even if it involves us using the water spray bottle, used to try to stop bad behaviour. Latest attention seeking behaviour includes jumping/running up walls to try to get pictures hanging up, jumping for the phone cord, jumping for any electrical wires even if they can only just be seen over the edge of the counter top, and jumping for the bag that holds plastic bags we recycle. Even though he knows he will get in trouble, and that it may result in getting a squirt from the spray bottle, he insists on jumping up a wall and running away to hide (when we are busy). We have tried ignoring him, squirting him, playing with him a little during the times we are busy, locking him in his room...and yet none of these things have stopped the behaviour. Currently all things hanging have been tied up and hidden from view (unless we forget).

He likes playing with the vertical blinds, as well as the cords that open and close them. He likes playing with any electrical cords on the ground, or coming from equipment. He has also taken to scratching doors, clawing the carpet and meowing when you go into the bathroom without him, or close him into his room. Again resulting in squirting.

He seems to take great delight in the hide and seek game that results from doing something naughty, and after getting squirted likes to come and apologise for a cuddle and kiss, before doing the same thing again 10 minutes later...

While it would be nice if we could work out a way to stop him, we can't help but love him and laugh at the extent he goes to to get attention.