Smokey & Bandit's Foster Mom: October 27th, 2010

Bandit sleeping on the job!

Smokey helping with the blog

Thanks to everyone who has cared enough to follow Smokey & Bandit's search over the past months for a second chance at a permanent home. I have truly enjoyed creating this blog for them to express themselves and give people an opportunity to get to know them in a personal way. I have been amazed at how many people we have reached in all corners of the world--10 countries, 15 states and over 300 readers! It took awhile for them to find their adoptive homes, but we knew it would. There are so many homeless cats and kittens that two nine year old cats had a difficult time competing for a home. If you have an emptiness in your heart or home, please consider filling it with a rescued cat. "One small cat changes coming home to an empty house to coming home."

Most importantly, I offer a special heartfelt thanks to Smokey & Bandit's new families for choosing them and giving them the love and security of a new home and family.

All the best,

Kathy Johnson


More food for thought:

"What greater gift than the love of a cat?" - Charles Dickens

"Another cat? Perhaps. For love there is also a season; its seeds must be resown. But a family cat is not replaceable like a wornout coat or a set of tires. Each new kitten becomes its own cat, and none is repeated. I am four cats old, measuring out my life in friends that have succeeded but not replaced one another." - Irving Townsend

Smokey's New Mom: October 26, 2010

Here's an update on Smokey from his new mom:


Hi Kathy, Just wanted to let you know that Smokey is doing well. Saturday morning I heard him around six but since then he really hasn't been too vocal. I have two gates in the doorway on top of each other. Jingles laid in front of the gates for the first 36 hours. She also successfully made it over them a few times, but someone was in the room and got her. Smokey just looked at her. He hasn't hissed or growled at her since Sunday. Today I was home and moved the gates to the end of the hall. Smokey followed me and got to explore our sons room and the bathroom, and then he went back into his room. When Shanna came home he also explored her room.


Smokey is hilarious with that tiger tail toy. I'am so glad you sent that. He plays and then carries it around the room, making noise. He is very playful for his age. Our cat Tuna just sat around and watched the action, didn't participate too much.
Smokey has been very enjoyable for all of us, Thank you. Christine

Smokey: October 22, 2010

Well, today was my lucky day!!! If you've followed my blog at all, then you know that I've been waiting over 6 months for a permanent home of my very own, and today was the day!! (phew--just in time too! Now I don't have to worry about that dreaded Halloween photo! I wasn't sure what my foster mom had in mind for that!) My new mom and her two daughters came this afternoon to meet me, and I charmed them with my good looks. Plus, my foster mom and dad told them how loving I am once you get to know me. I wasn't shy at all, just mostly uninterested until foster mom got my wand out to play. Maddie came out to play, too, but it was supposed to be all about me! So off I went into a carrier (again!), but this time it's a good thing, not the vet's office..... I will have a sister kitty, Jingles, and a dog, Hana, to keep company with. So as soon as foster mom hears from my new family, she'll let you all know how the transition is going. Until then, thanks for following my story!!

Smokey: October 18, 2010

Today my foster mom & dad were gone all day visiting her sister for her (59th) birthday. They got home at dinnertime and I was waiting for them...............Hey, did you forget about me????

Smokey: October 14, 2010

The fireplace was on tonight for the first time this fall. Luigi (my foster brother) likes to sleep in front of the fire. I, myself, prefer the comfy sofa! (Even if it is a little fufu for me!)

Smokey: October 13, 2010

Today is an anniversary--but not one I'm really celebrating. I've been in Planned Pethood's adoption program 6 MONTHS waiting for someone to adopt me! We never thought it would take this long for someone to find me and fall in love with me. However, the sad fact is that there are many, many kittens in need of homes, and everyone (well, almost everyone) thinks that kittens are so cute and of course, they are. I may not be cute anymore, but I sure am handsome! And there are LOTS of advantages to adopting an adult cat--no tearing around the house, climbing curtains, kitten-proofing the house. With me, you know what you get, quirks and all! (well, you're not perfect either!). So if you're thinking of a companion, think of me, or another older, adult kitty. We need homes, too. And those cute kittens always grow into cats.

Smokey: October 11, 2010

Today is our 111th day of blogging! And we've had 276 visitors---from Fairbanks, Alaska to Moscow, Russia. We've gotten lots of compliments on the blog from people who have seen me on Planned Pethood's website or from Petfinder and wanted to learn more about me. I sit with my foster mom and help her write when she needs some inspiration. Here I am doing my level best to help her with her blog post today. Notice that we were quite inspired---2 in one day! Making up for lost time :-)

Smokey: October 11, 2010

It was a bad weekend for foster mom's alma mater. She's true blue, but not so much a sports fan. She watches 4th quarter to see who wins :-). She took this picture of me, but really----do I look like I care?

Smokey: September 30, 2010

Can you believe that today is the LAST day of September already?? Where does the time go? We love fall around this house. The trees in foster mom & dad's backyard are just starting to turn colors. Warm days, cool nights (good for sleeping!), what's not to like?? Nothing better than a Michigan autumn.

Smokey: September 25, 2010

In case you hadn't noticed, there was a long gap between posts this week. Foster mom & dad took ANOTHER trip---this time to Hilton Head and we (Maddie, Luigi & me) got to go to kitty camp. Kitty camp is what foster dad calls the BOARDING PLACE. Even though we get our own window to watch the birds and all the people and animals coming and going, it's no fun for us. We are always happy to see our mom & dad walk up the sidewalk to take us home. They tried to make us feel better by telling us how hot and humid it was there. I actually think that they were as happy to be back home as we were :-)

Smokey: September 23, 2010

Today is the first day of Autumn! I love the change of seasons. This is my "fall" picture. Hopefully I'll be adopted before Halloween....I'd hate to see what she might think would be a "cute" Halloween blog photo!

Smokey: September 14, 2010

My foster brother, Luigi, gave foster mom & dad a big scare today. He escaped from his harness (he goes outside on a harness and leash) and ran off into the ravine behind the house. He has never been alone outside before. It was about 45 minutes from the time he got loose until foster mom got home from work. Dad thought he might come to her when she called him, but he wouldn't. I guess he liked being off of his harness! He stayed just out of reach, and when mom tried to walk up to him, he'd run away. Finally he got tired and came to the door to come in. He ate dinner and went right to bed. All that excitement must have worn him out. Foster dad said that's the end of that. He's grounded for life! Here is a picture of Luigi......

Smokey: September 12, 2010

My foster mom always has good intentions about exercise. She knows she needs to do it, but she hates it. So I took my cue from her and have come up with a better use for the treadmill---a bed!

Smokey: September 6, 2010 LABOR DAY!

Another holiday weekend! This time we're all staying home and having chicken on the grill! I love chicken :-). Foster mom took this picture of me and Bandit for our 4th of July photo, but we think it's so cute, we decided to post it again for Labor Day. It's hard to believe that summer is over already.....

Smokey: September 3, 2010

This is how I like to spend my day (when I'm not following my foster mom & dad around and keeping them company!)---watching birds---well, there's supposed to be birds, but once in a while a squirrel will come up and torment me, too! Foster mom put in this new bird feeder just for me and Bandit. But now that Bandit's been adopted, Luigi, Maddie & I sit and watch the birds (& squirrels) together!

Smokey: September 1, 2010

Since my foster dad has retired, he is devoting all his time to his new hobby---restoring pinball machines! I don't understand the fascination with following the ball around the maze inside the glass. They pick me up so I can watch, but it's not half as fun as watching the birds at the bird feeder! But I humor my foster mom & dad and I sit on the chair and pretend like I'm interested! :-)

Smokey: August 29, 2010

PHEW! Is THIS what they mean by the "Dog Days of Summer"? It is HOT today! Foster mom had to close up the house and turn the A/C on again. I was napping in the sun, but then the shades got drawn too. "Sorry buddy!" she said...."Too hot for that!"

Smokey: August 27, 2010

There's been an awful lot of talk about "going back to school". I will never understand why people aren't born with everything they need to know like cats are! They even have to have obedience classes for dogs....to teach them how to behave! Cats are such great companions. And an older cat like me has lots of advantages---I don't tear around the house or rip into furniture (my last mom had me de-clawed!). I still like to play, though. Foster mom says I act much younger than my age. My brother Bandit slept a lot, but not me! In fact I'm an early riser AND a talker. So if you're looking for someone to converse with and spend time with, I'm your guy....ummm I mean cat! :-)