Thursday, November 19, 2009

Settling In


Here is the first picture of Herman. I obviously have a LOT to learn about taking pictures of cats. He is lounging against his scratcher, which he doesn't use; he prefers the carpet. I need to find him a better one, but there aren't any available in this little town. If you biggify, you can actually see him. Sorry it's so dark. I don't understand it. The picture was taken in bright sunlight, so the flash wouldn't go off and alarm him. I'm sorry I didn't blog last night. I pooped out at 11:00 pm. Herman didn't spend the night with me Monday night, but he jumped up on the bed once, then jumped back off again. Tuesday night he jumped up three times and down again. The fourth time, it looked like he was going to stay, but the alarm went off and he ran. I had to get up early to get the bags of donations out for charity. Herman likes his breakfast early. Tuesday morning he meowed me awake at 6:00, so I got up and fed him, then went back to bed. Wednesday morning, he meowed me awake at 4:45 and I told him that it was much to early. He finally gave up. The alarm went off at six, so I dragged out the bags, then fed him, then went back to bed. I usually get up at ten. By then Herman was ready for his midmorning snack.

Monday night, Herman would only let me pet him a little bit. Maybe he wasn't sure what was going on quite yet. Tuesday, I got down on the floor with him and he let me pet him for a long time. We had three nice sessions like this, periodically interrupted by the dryer alarm, as it was laundry day. At one point, he was cuddled up right beside me, on his back, making happy feet in the air and purring. He has a rumbly, but very soft purr. I keep buying him toys. I found a fairly long tube, made of hemp and stuffed with organic catnip. When I wiggled it on the floor, he pounced on it, bit it, clawed it, rubbed his face on it and bunnykicked it good. I was so happy that tears came to my eyes. Herman hadn't played with toys in a long time because he was so sad. He certainly plays now.

Wednesday I had to go back to work and I wondered what Herman's reaction would be. He was taking his afternoon nap in his mancat cave when I left. When I came home, he soon appeared, meowing loudly, probably asking me where the heck I had been and why was his dinner so late. I was afraid that he would be feeling abandoned and maybe a bit sulky, but he was delighted to see me and we had a great play and scritch session after he ate his dinner. I got to clean up my first kitty barf. Herman is a nibbler, so he always has food out. I was getting my lunch and he was eating again and whoopsie! I think he probably just ate a bit too fast. Maybe the smells from my lunch warming up stimulated his appetite a bit too much.

I will set up Herman with his own blog soon and get back to the limericks soon, maybe tomorrow night, for the limericks, anyway. As I recollect, setting up a blog takes some time and I probably won't have much until Friday. A huge thank you to you all for welcoming Herman so warmly. I'm in love and I'm probably boring the pants off some of you with my new kitty ravings.

27 comments:

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Hey, we could never be bored hearing about a kitty! Sounds like Herman is settling in and enjoying himself. He sure is handsome. And floofy!

Kaz's Cats said...

We're so pleased that Herman is settling into a routine at your place. It cute the way that he's training you to feed him when he's ready. It's great that he gets lots of attention and toys to play with now. He's very handsome,

Purrs

Gypsy & Tasha

Parker said...

Not boring at all - Herman looks like a happy and handsome boy!
Smoochies!

Daisy said...

It sounds like Herman is doing great! It is fun to read about your experiences with your new family member!

The Monkeys said...

Herman is such a handsome cat!! We're happy that he's settling in and will have his own blog!

It's never boring to hear how you and Herman are adjusting to life together. You're both lucky to have found each other and we're thrilled to hear about it!

The Island Cats said...

Herman is one lucky kitty! He couldn't have found a better home than with you! We look forward to hearing more about him and seeing more pictures!

Samantha & Mom said...

Awwwwwww!!! Herman is a cutie and we love hearing about him!!! Can't wait till he has his own blog!!
Your TX furiends,
Samantha & Maverick

The Devil Dog said...

We are glad you are in love with Herman. We are not bored at all. We WANT the blow by blow. Mom thinks your photo is dark because you were taking it in front of the window. Try having the window behind or on the side next time. :)

Roxy, Lucky & Mom

SASS....Sammy Andy Shelly Sierra said...

We already love Herman, and we enjoy getting to know him. YAY......he seems to be settling in really well.

His jumps up on the bed at night could be that he's checking to make sure you are still there.....

Looking forward to hearing more about Herman. He's one handsome fella.

xxxxx to you both.

One Cats Nip said...

So glad everything is working out so well! Herman is sooo cute!!!! What a floof ball!

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

Herman is a sweety! Sounds like he is settling in very well. We are never bored with new kitty tales!

GLOGIRLY said...

We've been anxious to hear more... never bored! It sure sounds like you have each found a new forever friend. Don't worry if Herman doesn't cuddle alot or come to sleep with you regularly. My cat Katie is a crazy girl... she is really only comfortable with affection on her own terms. She'll NEVER sit on my lap, but she will come and sit next to me, or in the same room. I wish she was a gushy girl, but that's just not her personality. I'm sure you'll discover over time what Herman likes and doesn't. One thing is for certain... he's a lucky and very loved kitty.

You mentioned you didn't know why your photo was dark even though there was lots of light in the room. The reason is that much of the light was behind Herman, coming from that bright window. Your camera looks at that bright light and picks the exposure based on that. That's why Herman is dark. You would have had to force flash to fill in light on Herman. If you don't want to flash, just make sure the light is in front of Herman, illuminating him. Hope that helps!

Glogirly

Max said...

We are not bored, we are EXCITED! Now I kinda know why my people get excited over when that stoopid woofy Butters comes over and doesn't cry when someone moves at him too fast and when he lets the Man get close. He had I D 10 T people before he had the Younger Human, so he was super scared at first. But now he has a good forever home, and the people get all weird over how happy he seems now. and he doesn't even live here! Imagine that!

But I get it with Herman, I really do. He's already at least 5 kinds of awesome. I kinda wanna call him Mr. Herman; he looks like he deserves that respect.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

So, it sounds likes he settlin' in and breakin' woo in too!

Khograts!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Jana said...

oh he is such a handsome guy! glad things are going well for the both of you=o)

Angel MoMo and Charlotte said...

Oh no, not at all boring. Herman sure is a cute kitty and we are so happy that he has finally found a loving forever home and is settling well. Will certainly be around again to look in on him, but probably not until SS returns.

Anonymous said...

I'm so very happy about you and Herman!! I recently adopted a 3 1/2 year old cat from a no kill shelter (she had been there since she was 3 weeks old). Herman has adjusted MUCH faster than she did! I bet within the week you'll be fighting him for space on your pillow. :)

From, a blog lurker (Jana and her 2 girls, Fuzzy and Zoe)

meowmeowmans said...

We're so happy to hear that Herman is settling in so nicely! And glad that the two of you found each other. :)

caspersmom said...

Sounds like you have a real buddy in Herman. He is so cute with his markings. Looks like he's a floofy kitty. Enjoyed catching up with your story getting ready for him. Now you are living a life with a cat. Barf, cleaning the Litter box and loving and purring. It's great.

Chesney Cats said...

We could never be bored reading about Herman! We're so happy that you found each other!

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

AWWW!!! Welcome Herman, you are so lucky to have such a great mummy!!

Everycat said...

Herman is a handsome lad! How wonderful, your first kittry barf, that's a true baptism hehe! We won't get bored hearing about Herman, we are all thrilled you have a cat now Karen Jo.

Whicky Wuudler et al

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

We love reading about Herman learning to his new home, and about you getting used to having a kitty.

That wont be the last barf you see (Bwa-ha-ha).

There are so many interesting things Beins learn with their 1st kitty...

Catline Crew said...

You are a lucky cat to have someone to love you so much.

Cindy said...

He looks sweet.
cindy

Gattina said...

Now I read all your posts about Herman ! you both were lucky, you found him he found you, how wonderful ! He seems to be a very "easy care" cat, just try not to become his slave, lol !

Rocky, Angie & S'more said...

Hi Karen,
We are so happy that Herman has found his furever home! It sounds like he's settling in just fine!!

Lots of big kitty {{{hugs}}} to you and Herman!