Reading and Pets?

For two years I yearned and yearned to have a pet. We lived in an apartment that was VERY strict in it's no pets policy. As soon as we moved in to our new place out in the middle of the country where I could have as many pets as Mike would allow, I got two kittens. Sadly, they both passed, and I now have one 6 month old boy who is really the light of my day while Mike is gone working for a month and a half at a time.

Meet Ivan: (AKA: Ivanhoe, Ivan the Terrible, and most common, Mommy's Pwetty Pwetty Baby Boy)

I know this is a very Christmassy picture, but it really is my favorite. As he's gotten older the orange in his coat has become darker and at 6 months he is as large as my Mom's cats who are at least a year old. I think he may be a big boy.

Ivan has taught me many things since he's come to live with us.

1. Curtains are for climbing
2. Mommy's face is fun to pounce while she's sleeping
3. Cats do not like alarm clocks any more than humans do (I discovered this as he laid on my cell phone to make the beeping stop one morning)
4. Reading is NOT as important as the cat.
5. NOTHING is as important as the cat.
and the thing I most love that I have learned
6. Cats LIKE to be snuggled, or at least Ivan does, and that's really all that matters to me.

Part of the reason I started this post is because I wanted to write about my cat. I'm that kind of person now. The other reason is that I need to learn more about him. I didn't know that I didn't know so much stuff about what HE needs. I've picked up here and there that bad breath isn't just annoying, it actually could mean he's sick, and that I should make somewhere high up for him to chill out because it's in his nature to want to be UP. (It may also save my curtains, though I doubt it). So I need some books on Cats.

I'm reaching out to you, our readers, to tell me if YOU have ever used a book to help you learn more about taking care of the fur babies in your home? Do you just call a vet or do research on the internet? Where should I start in my questions? Is there a handy go to guide out there?

Also, Kaylee posted an adorable picture on my facebook recently that I just HAD to share with you all. She has also recently come into pet mommy-hood with her boxer, Tyson. He's great with her kids and just loves hugs! She dresses him up and has outfits planned for both Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day (poor Tyson!)


There's Tyson, and Kaylee's Kindle. Maybe dogs are more into reading than cats? I guess that's something I'll have to research further.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and please, tell us about your furbabies if you have some!