Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

Let there be snark.

The real work of an opposition party is to hold the people in power accountable.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

Jack Smith: “Why did you start campaigning in the middle of my investigation?!”

How any woman could possibly vote for this smug smarmy piece of misogynistic crap is beyond understanding.

“That’s what the insurrection act is for!”

Days Since JD Vance Insulted Women Across America: Zero

Don’t expect peaches from an apple tree.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

Nothing says ‘pro-life’ like letting children go hungry.

Republican obstruction dressed up as bipartisanship. Again.

I’m starting to think Jesus may have made a mistake saving people with no questions asked.

When they say they’re pro-life, they don’t mean yours.

Of course you can have champagne before noon. That’s why orange juice was invented.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

How can republicans represent us when they don’t trust women?

FFS people, this was a good thing. take the win.

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

The willow is too close to the house.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Cat Blogging / Easter Open Thread: A Little Easter Miracle

Easter Open Thread: A Little Easter Miracle

by | 98 Comments

This post is in: 

I get emails that make me smile.  This one from mostly lurker Fenix ended my day yesterday on a very happy note:

==============================

Here’s a happy, non-political Easter miracle! I was hiking this morning in wooded bayou areas (Houston) and I found this Little Tiny.  She’s just 5 weeks old and was crying all alone.

I’m a very responsible leave-no-trace hiker – take only photos, leave only footprints, so forth. But, yeah, this little fluff bubble came with me. When I corralled her and picked her up, she struggled for all of 5 seconds, then seemed to realize that her life had just significantly changed for the better.

We hiked out back to the car for maybe a mile and a half, and she was perfectly calm, curled up and clutched to my chest the whole way. Straight to the vet, clean bill of health, aside from fleas, worms, and cockleburrs in her fur of course.

 
the rest of the clowder is not amused

After a supper of gushy food, we had a cuddle, she learned to use the litter box, and then she chose my airplane neck pillow for bedtime.

Her name is Esther Bunny.

Cheers!  Fenix

===================================

A little Bixby update – he starts rehab next week to make sure he can recover completely. He is fully mobile now, but still a bit wobbly. Now that we are mostly back to normal here, I will continue to post your pet pics. I have a backlog. I have not forgotten you.

Next Sunday we have an author to spotlight, so we’ll have a writers chat.

Non-political open thread.  And if someone wants to offer laptop recommendations, I’d welcome them. Scout managed to send my coffee cup across the table to of course land on my computer, frying three letters on my keyboard. The computer itself is okay and I have a bluetooth keyboard, but my job means I need a laptop to take to clients. Because, you know, after Bixby’s vet bills, I need another big expenditure.

(ETA – formatting seems to be borked today… taking out the quotes seems to have fixed.)

Reader Interactions

98Comments

  1. 1.

    Jerzy Russian

    I just broke my cute meter. I will have to get some airplane pillows to see if my (adult) kitties like them.

    As for laptops, I love my new MacBook Pro with the touch bar. Unfortunately it is not the most inexpensive laptop on the planet, so cost is an issue if you have to pay for it yourself.

  2. 2.

    Fenix

    Thanks for posting, TaMara!

    Still a mystery to me how this little pedigree-looking fluffball (blue lynx point ragdoll?) ended up all alone where I found her. But she’s a squee-inducing bundle of joy.

    The rest of the clowder is still not amused by her (behind closed doors) presence. Poor Stewie (the big heifer boi in the back of the bed photo) is just wandering around randomly hissing at nothing.

  3. 3.

    satby

    Well done Fenix! Esther Bunny is beautiful, and the rest of the gang will probably adapt and even play with her after adjusting.
    And the neck pillow for a tiny cat bed is genius.

  6. 6.

    Another Scott

    Very nice news about Esther and Bixby!

    I just got a Lenovo Thinkpad L390 for work. Less than half the cost of a comparable Dell. It seems pretty good. (The previous Dell laptop I had developed a motherboard fault just after the 3-year warranty expired.)

    Good luck!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  7. 7.

    Fenix

    @Jerzy Russian:

    I just broke my cute meter. I will have to get some airplane pillows to see if my (adult) kitties like them.

    She is so tiny, she fit in the neck hole like a jigsaw puzzle piece!

  10. 10.

    Fenix

    @Baud:

    Technically, it’s not an Easter miracle unless the cat was dead for three days.

    I…… um…… sigh….. yeah

  11. 11.

    Lymie

    Esther is super cute and tiny, do you think she was a sole survivor?

    Good news about Bixby. I just started agility with my older guy and suddenly realized he had put on some winter weight. Losing a little has made him quicker and bouncier, so I wonder if Bixby dropped a couple lbs might he get more mobile? Just a thought, and obviously your vet would be the one to say. No criticism intended.

  12. 12.

    Fenix

    @Sis:

    What beautiful eyes and how over-the-top adorable!!! Congrats to Fenix and Esther Bunny!

    Thank you! You can see from the top pic, she has my eyes, so obviously it was meant to be!

  19. 19.

    piratedan

    just wait til you bathe her, she’ll likely walk on water to be to confirm her saintliness…..

  20. 20.

    Fenix

    @Lymie:

    Esther is super cute and tiny, do you think she was a sole survivor?

    There were no signs of a mama or litter mates. And we were nowhere near close enough to any neighborhoods. I sure hope I didn’t miss anyone, especially any little brothers or sisters!

  21. 21.

    Blackcatsrule

    @Fenix: Is that you in the top picture…your eyes are so similar to Fluff Bubble’s (which is the cutest term ever)! Mazel tov, and the rest of the kitties will come around. ETA see that this is in fact you and I’m not the only one who noticed.

  22. 22.

    TaMara (HFG)

    @Lymie: Bixby? His ribs show most days at 160 lbs – so there is no weight to lose. You just can’t see it because he has such a big chest and he’s black and has all his baby wrinkles still (not sure how he kept those all these years)

  25. 25.

    Fenix

    @MomSense:

    It’s a pre-emptive miracle. She would have been dead in three days.

    That’s more like it. Happily, she was very healthy and stigmata free!

    She was too small for a blood draw though, so hasn’t been tested for leukemia or FIV yet. I’m trying not to worry.

    @piratedan:

    just wait til you bathe her, she’ll likely walk on water to be to confirm her saintliness…..

    Heh, we’ll see, she woke up pretty squirmy and bold. But damn, the little stinker needs a bath. Just have to give the more urgent flea drops time to work first.

  26. 26.

    TaMara (HFG)

    @Fenix: UGH, fleas. I always tell people the only reason I’m able to have this many animals is because we don’t have fleas or ticks here (ticks are mostly a mountain thing here). If we did, I’d probably be a one pet household.

  28. 28.

    Fenix

    @TaMara (HFG): Yeah, the Houston heat brings awful fleas. But the neck drops work really well. The worst thing is the monthly over the top drama of applying them. You’d think I was trying to perform open heart surgery without anesthesia. Usually, I try to assemble a team for flea drops day, to help turn suspicious kitties and a big towel into stink-eyed purritos.

  29. 29.

    West of the Rockies

    Thank you, TaMara! That is some welcome respite from All-Things-Drumpf. And YAY Fenix for being awesome!

  30. 30.

    Fenix

    Thanks everyone for your comments – it’s fun being a little less lurky today!

    Also, thanks to all for not commenting on the state of my unkempt, laundry and cat covered bed. (Helper kittehs!)

    I’m sure if blog-master Cole posted a pic like that, y’all would be giving him relentless grief.

  31. 31.

    Immanentize

    @Fenix:
    What a sweet sweet kitteh! Those eyes!

    And yay for Bixby. Keep on truckin’.

    Meanwhile, if you are a PC person and you travel your laptop a lot, there is nothing better than a think pad (now Lenovo). Yes, pricey, but the best advice I ever got on computers was: buy the best computer you can afford at the moment.

    ETA I see Another Scott got there first. Good advice, AS

  32. 32.

    BruceFromOhio

    Dell Inspiron and HP Pavilion are well-supported retail workhorses, unless you are hardcore gamer or doing high-density graphics. If your tech fu is strong, a rebuilt from Newegg or TigerDirect can save you some dinero. If it’s for business your budget is more flexible, yes? I buy used crap and then install my own stuff, is more labor intense but keeps the build under $600. You have many choices in the PC/Windows world.

    Well done Fenix, and you have lovely eyes! Happy Easter, Esther!

  34. 34.

    Steeplejack

    @TaMara:

    I don’t know how big you want to go (screen), but I’ve been eyeballing the new version of the Dell XPS 13 (13" screen). Comes in a bunch of different options. Small form factor because of the “infinity edge” screen.

    In the Lenovo zone, the ThinkPad L390 is a good, middle-of-the-road machine. Also a 13" screen. I seem to remember that someone here got one recently.

  35. 35.

    Fenix

    So, serious question…..

    ….. though maybe a funny one to ask on a TaMara post, she of a bazillion pets :-P

    …… 4 kittehs? Really? I mean, I did just turn 50. Am I now past the point of no return with regards to crazy cat lady status?

  38. 38.

    Ruviana

    @Fenix: No, four is a great number to start with! And your bed looks like mine used to. I’m in between kiddoes but will be the recipient of rehomed cats–a bonded pair–when a colleague moves overseas this July. Can’t wait!

  39. 39.

    Fenix

    @Immanentize:

    What part near Houston? Next time I’m down in that area, I’m going kitten hunting!

    I was in Terry Hershey Park, hiking the anthill trails between Kirkwood and Dairy Ashford. You know, I always see plenty of bunnies when I walk there. Maybe Esther has some interesting genetics.

  44. 44.

    Alternative Fax, a hip hop artist from Idaho

    @Fenix: She is adorable and and a lucky kitteh – pre-emptive miracle indeed. MomSense for the win. Thanks for grabbing her Fenix.

    TaMara, the Bixby news is great, and Scout’s still a puppy in brain terms. As for laptops, I’m a Lenovo fan. When my NAMI needed a new computer a laptop made the most sense, so Mr. Q did all the research and suggested a Thinkpad. He recommends any Lenovo and there’s a variety of price points across the laptops. THINKEASTER10 gets 10% off this weekend, and when I got my Yoga they had a “give us your email” to get $100 off. It’s all Lenovo chez Q.

    Hi Esther Bunny!

  45. 45.

    Fenix

    @Ruviana:

    @Fenix: And you have the best kitteh puns/slang!

    Thanks, been at it for awhile!
    @Immanentize:

    @Fenix: Minimum crazy cat lady critters is 7. You have a ways to go.

    Whew! See I’ve heard with tattoos, it’s point of no return at 3. I’ve got a ways to go with the kittehs.

  46. 46.

    Alternative Fax, a hip hop artist from Idaho

    @Immanentize: Does Toast know that? Happy Belated birthday to the Immp.

    Also, Chag Pesach Same’ach and Happy Easter to everyone as appropriate. I’m late getting the 2019 butter lamb started.

  48. 48.

    Fenix

    @TaMara (HFG):

    Wow!
    wow wow wow
    800 current cats, 28,000 lifetime cats

    I cracked up when she said she loved cats because they’re graceful. Heh. She hasn’t met mine, particularly Hubert Aloysius Manatee (aka Pudge).

    He’s the big orange Buddha boi in front. He loves belly rubs, 24/7. I’ll never need 800 cats when I’ve got a belly cat like him.

    But, wow, kudos to her and her rescue. That is some noble work!

  50. 50.

    NotMax

    Depends on what you use the laptop for and particularly what, if any, is the most resource intensive thing you use it for. Also if you need an optical (disk) drive or can get along without one being built in (external optical drives are very inexpensive but also one more thing to lug around).

    Things to look for:

    1) Solid state hard drive (SSD).
    2) More memory (RAM) is never a negative.
    3) If possible, find a floor model somewhere and test out the feel of the keyboard.
    4) Separate graphics card or graphics hard wired on the motherboard? (Card is preferable but adds $$.)
    5) Keep walking past any with an I3 chip. And don’t dismiss an AMD Ryzen chip in lieu of an Intel inside.

    That being said, Acer is making some affordable models for general use. For things which are resource and graphics intensive, such as gaming, take a gander at MSI products to get a feel for what’s out there.

  51. 51.

    CaseyL

    What an adorable fluff! If the park was in or near a neighborhood, there’s no telling how she got there. Just a great stroke of luck that you found her!

    Since the Jackalariat are incurable pet gossips, it would be great if you could continue posting about Esther’s progress – esp. into the clowder. (BTW, I love how their group photo shows Stewie facing away from everyone else. Is he the household’s Designated Grump?)

    Also great to hear of Bixby’s continued recovery. TaMara deserves a PetMom of the Year award. I’m still floored by the vets’ indifference and lack of help.

  52. 52.

    WaterGirl

    @Fenix: So beautiful! Just adorable.

    I know nothing about what to do with baby kitties like that. What’s the protocol for keeping a tiny kitty like that alive and well until you can get her to the vet?

  57. 57.

    StringOnAStick

    Maybe go look for siblings today? Though if she was crying loudly it’s likely if there were others they would have been too. The pain I feel in my heart when I think of abandoned pets, especially baby ones, is so strong.

    She looks like a silver Persian kitten we had as kids, before they started breeding for flatter faces. She’s going to be a really gorgeous adult!

  58. 58.

    Gin & Tonic

    @NotMax: Kinda like – hey, your Lord and Savior rose from the dead; here, eat an artificially-colored marshmallow chick.

  60. 60.

    miroker

    Why not just replace the keyboard itself if the computer has been doing what you needed it to do? Cost would be less than $50 if you do it yourself.

  62. 62.

    gammyjill

    Thank you, Fenix, for making one less homeless cat in the world. She’s a beauty and I bet she’ll fit in fine with your clowder.

  63. 63.

    Culture of Truth

    omg – so adorable!!

    something similar happened with Tiger. I found him when he was only 5-6 old, weeks only trapped between a parking lot and a busy highway, a tiny helpless kitten. Took him to the vet, who said he was healthy, although very young. I took him home. He was timid at first, then curious, and then very playful, and he even learned to play fetch and do tricks. That was 13 years ago. Now he can still be playful, but a bit grouchy too, but mostly insists on his soft bedding, scritches, cuddles, and of course his food, what he wants, when he wants it! Which he gets.

  64. 64.

    Keith P.

    What a great story. My favorite all time cat (I’ve had 10+) was one that I found that way – abandoned and crying (eyes not even opened yet). I was 14 years old but bottle fed that cat until she was on solid food and used to wear her around the yard like a scarf (that cat was SUPER attached to me like no other)

  65. 65.

    Luthe

    I know others have weighed in on the laptop debate, but I can tell you I love my ASUS and it has lasted forever (8 years and counting). Much better than my previous Dells, each of which barely made it to four.

  67. 67.

    MazeDancer

    Worry not about 4. Good range of kitties possible, but not too many at all. The whole “2 Cat” standard isn’t about what’s a good number for the cats. It’s a made-up limit by landlord’s and condo/co-op boards.

    Down to 3 since Jamie McDunnett died 2 weeks ago. Shocking how having only 3 feels so light weight.

    Four years ago, when Jamie brought his large British Shorthair self, through the snow, to my back door, he created my first time with 4. (Alas, with 3 other beloveds who have, also. since left this mortal coil.) I asked my Vet was 4 moving into crazy cat town territory.

    She just laughed. She had 4 at the time. Plus dogs. Got the impression that was not even close to peak pet for her and her husband.

    Asked her how many might be getting to too many for me. She shrugged. Said “maybe eight”. We could, possibly, start talking about too many at 9.

    Really, the only limit I can see to number of cats is the expense. The food. And, when they get sick, the absolutely insane vet bills. And having to pay the price for all that love of watching them die.

    4 is good. Especially, when #4 finds you.

  68. 68.

    TaMara (HFG)

    @miroker:It’s not possible to replace the keyboard. It’s hardwired into the laptop – not a simple snap in and out. Which was my original hope. The last thing I need is to set up a new computer.

  69. 69.

    Rileys Enabler

    Yay Fenix! Esther is one lucky bunneh. I can’t imagine her backstory, but I’m so glad you found her. 4 is fine. I’ve got 5 (also in Houston area) and while it can sometimes be a circus I’m relieved to find it’s not quite cat-lady status. Whew.

    Yay for Bixby too! Happy to hear that he is improving.

    Tamara, made your strawberry bread again- always a huge hit around here. Thanks!

  70. 70.

    Ruckus

    @satby:
    Asus seems to have a decent service record from what I’ve heard, so not a bad windows choice.
    I still have an Asus netbook that works just fine that’s 10-11 yrs old. It was my store cash register for 3-4 years, handled the cash drawer, big screen, credit card transactions, inventory/sales software just fine. It isn’t the fastest today nor is it up to date on the os but it does work just fine.

  71. 71.

    TaMara (HFG)

    @MazeDancer: I was talking with someone about that when Bixby was so sick. That’s our contract with them – death. If we love them, the price we pay is they leave us. And we cannot get out of that bargain. It’s just how it is, as painful as it is. But the love is so worth it.

  72. 72.

    mostly grey

    Do people actually notice the state of anything in a picture with cats, I mean other than the cats? It looked to me like your cats had your bed perfectly set up. I recognized that kind of perfection from my own bed although my cats seldom get the symmetry as well done. I never can understand how kittens get to some of the places people find them. Also, being known as a crazy cat lady would keep away people who don’t like cats and who needs those people in your life anyway.

  73. 73.

    MelissaM

    Yeah, it’s sweet, and I had upturned lips, but it broke me open when I read her name. Lucky, lucky Esther!

  74. 74.

    Fenix

    @CaseyL:

    Since the Jackalariat are incurable pet gossips, it would be great if you could continue posting about Esther’s progress – esp. into the clowder. (BTW, I love how their group photo shows Stewie facing away from everyone else. Is he the household’s Designated Grump?)

    I will!

    I wouldn’t call Stewie the grump, necessarily. He’s just special in his own special way. Honestly, I think he’s on the spectrum. He’s my oldest, 7. Fiona, my little 3 year old girl in the middle, adores Stewie and dotes on him. Drives him nuts, but I think he begrudgingly likes it.

    @WaterGirl:

    I know nothing about what to do with baby kitties like that. What’s the protocol for keeping a tiny kitty like that alive and well until you can get her to the vet?

    She’s 5-6 weeks. Really tiny, but she has all her baby teeth, eyes fully open, walking fine, though a bit wobbly. Vet said no formula, she’s on kitten food. Wolfed down the dry at first, but now only wants the gushy.

    Youngest I ever had were Simon and Stella, who I rescued from an abandoned house. I knew their feral mom, but she was young and left them. They were 3-4 weeks. We bottle fed every couple hours, and I had to wipe their little bums to make them go to the bathroom.

  75. 75.

    Tazj

    Esther is just gorgeous, and Fenix’s other cats are cute too. Thanks for the pictures and the story.

    I’m so glad Bixby is improving.

    @NotMax: Impressive! I liked the baby Moses in a basket.

  78. 78.

    Kristine

    Esther and Bixby news–the pet version of a filled Easter basket!

    Wondering if the squeeze of the neck pillow reminds Esther of sleeping with her littermates.

  79. 79.

    TaMara (HFG)

    @jeffreyw: Nope, trust me, it’s hardwired in. For some stupid reason they’ve started doing that. I had a computer friend look at it. The one I’m typing on now (about 8 years old) has the snap in keyboard. If it wasn’t sooooo slow and unusable for my work, I’d be just as happy with it.

  80. 80.

    Gemina13

    Esther is absolutely precious! :D Good for you for bringing her to a warm, happy home. May the rest of the clowder come to love her too.

  82. 82.

    jeffreyw

    @TaMara (HFG): Yeah, my first laptop came out in 2000, an Inspiron 8000. It was on its third keyboard when I killed it just for parts. Wow, I just flashed on a rather dystopian sci-fi plot. I’ve read similar where the population is either human or robot. Or both at the same time. Check out Sea of Rust.

  83. 83.

    Mnemosyne

    In our pet world, we’re still a bit in limbo with Annie. The kitty oncologist is pretty certain she has feline lymphoma (which ironically was the best prognosis of the ones available to us), but they need to determine whether it’s large-cell (bad) or small-cell (less bad) since they are treated with different chemotherapies.

    They did another needle aspiration biopsy yesterday and sent it off to Colorado for testing, so we won’t hear back until next week. In the meantime, she gets spoiled with kitty treats and gushy food three times a day to try and keep her weight up.

  84. 84.

    J R in WV

    @NotMax:

    “That being said, Acer is making some affordable models for general use. ”

    We had good luck with Acer as a brand, got many years out of those, traveled OK too.

  87. 87.

    Mary G

    Love this story and Esther Bunny is a genius name. Thanks for coming out from lurkerdom, Fenix.

  90. 90.

    eclare

    Such happy news about Esther and Bixby! Esther is adorable, what a cutie. And the airplane neck pillow is genius.

  91. 91.

    Kathleen

    Happy Easter, Everybody!

    Thank you TaMara for posting the story of Fenix and Esther! That kitty is so stinking adorable! Congratulations, Fenix!

    ETA: TaMara, wishing continued success for Bixby’s healing.

  92. 92.

    EEH

    What a lovely story and the pictures are adorable! She’s one lucky little kitty. As an Esther, I totally love the name. When I was a kid, my classmates used to call me “Easter Bunny” so when I read her name, it just cracked me up.

    I’m glad to hear that Bixby is almost back to normal! I lurk way more than I ever comment and it’s the pet stuff that keeps me coming to visit, especially when the political news is less than wonderful.

  93. 93.

    Miss Bianca

    @Jerzy Russian:

    The cute-o-meter just pegged the red and then exploded. Happy Easter miracle, Fenix!

    In another Easter miracle, I just dragged out a story I had started *two* Easters ago (I distinctly remember starting it after one of Betty C’s butter lamb chronicles) and calmly, in a matter of a couple hours, finished the Chapter Two that had dangled unfinished for a couple years. YAAYYY!! (Kermit arms flailing)

  94. 94.

    TomatoQueen

    Delightful, wonderful new addition, improving Bixby, cos Dog loves us and wants us to be happy. But we worry and hope for Annie. And we thank Dog for all the humans among us who take on the challenges.

    ETA: Lenovo thinkpads and others of the ilk have this solid roll-cage design that makes them good for business travel. I get mine as refurbs on eBay, about $300 a copy, and they last just long enough for the next windoze os to become stable, or micro$ stops support for the current one.

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