Excuse me, but I believe I ordered the chicken…?
Day 847, by Dexter
Psssst! In here! Come on in and snuggle—Monday morning will never find us in here!
Day 826, by Pipsqueak
Darlings, just look what has appeared! I am not quite sure what this fascinating object could be; but after careful investigation, I assure you that it is delicious. Happy Halloween!
Day 821, by Valentine
It seems orange and black is the hot trend in home decor this week. Say, you need any help with that?
Day 819, by Pipsqueak
Who is that adorable cat? Why, he’s the most adorable cat we’ve ever seen! At least, that’s what we hope you’re thinking. And now you can prove it! The ASPCA is having a contest on Facebook to find the cutest cat picture, and we entered our big brother LL Cool J’s baby picture! If he wins we might get some fun prizes—but even better, lots and lots of people will see him and learn about us. And maybe one of them will even want to take us home!
If you want to see the full cuteness, check out his contest entry. You could vote for him every day! It wouldn’t take much time at all… but please, don’t tell him we entered his picture. It’s a surprise!
If I lie here in the sunshine, on this big stripey blanket, then a picnic is just bound to happen! Right? Ham sandwich? Yes please?
Day 618, by LL Cool J
Who knows what vast new worlds are waiting to be explored? What new lands wait to be conquered?
Behold, the fearsome Viking warrior-queen Valentine!
(Sigh. I bet Leif Eriksson didn’t have to put up with this…)
Day 577, by Valentine
Today is Valentine’s Day? How delightful—that’s my name! I heard that today is the most special day of the year, when everyone gets to be loved. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my special day than meeting someone who could love me… Do you know anyone with some love they would share with me?
Day 561, by Valentine
Happy Chinese New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Dragon. We hope it’s a legendary year for you!
Day 539, by Valentine
You’re going to work? Today? May I remind you that the forecast calls for snow? As your trusted advisor, I recommend you stay home, safely warmed and cushioned by a snuggly pet of some kind. Perhaps a cat?
Day 528, by LL Cool J
Happy New Year! Hope all your big plans grow into something great this year…
On the twelfth day of Chris-mouse, ARFhouse gave to me…
Twelve Q-tips flipping…
Eleven baubles beaming…
Ten teddies snuggling…
Nine hats a-hugging…
Eight cardboard cartons…
Seven dogs a-dozing…
Six ugly sweaters…
Five windows wide!
Four comfy beds…
Three cat naps…
Two easter eggs…
And a chance at a home of my own!
.
Merry Chris-mouse from the adoptable kittens of ARFhouse Chicago! And may 2012 be the year that all our dreams come true.
.
Today I feel like dancing. Somedays the whole floor just isn’t enough—it’s a day for dancing on the stool, and up the walls too!
Day 492, by Pipsqueak
We promised we’d share some of our Halloween pictures with you… but that big Thanksgiving feast made us so full and drowsy! Now we’re back and ready for a little fashion parade! And who better to direct the show than moi, your most fashionable correspondent Valentine? Darlings, let the show begin!
Surprise! It’s me, Valentine! Did you recognize me? Or did you think I was a real banana?
And this is LL Cool J, as the most handsome frog of all. Wouldn’t you like to take him home and let him be your prince charming?
Day 485, by Valentine
Hello, darlings, and welcome to Valentine’s Beauty Secrets! Being a natural beauty myself–and also terribly, terribly clever–it is my pleasure to share with you some little lessons, that may in time help you to achieve your own natural beauty.
Today I would like to introduce you to my favorite beauty tools!
Allow me to present the foremost weapon in my beauty arsenal: the brush. With regular application of the humble brush, the feline coat becomes supple and positively lustrous. And who could resist petting a cat flaunting such a very delectable coat? Even if you yourself are not favored with a fine tortoiseshell coat of delicately mottled hue like an autumn forest in fading sunlight, a brush can make your own fur appear its very silkiest. Which, I am sure, is very nice indeed.
But beware, my catnip-blossoms! The otherwise most useful brush has one very serious failing.
It is not self-activating. And so we advance to the second tool which you will require for optimal beauty: the devoted human, who will apply the brush upon demand. Darlings, you simply must obtain such a person at once! And then I assure you, with regular brushing and much very serious study, you will soon be looking nearly as charming as,
Your faithful guide to glamour,
Valentine
It’s Friday! Hope you get out there this weekend and make some new friends…
Day 431, by LL Cool J
What’s this? I don’t think I like the look of it… Maybe I should call in an expert.
My big brother will know what to do! He’s always very smart and brave.
Hmmm. Seems like he doesn’t think much of this new toy.
Yeah, I bet he’s right. Nothing to see here…
Day 429, by Dexter (with special guest appearance by LL Cool J)
Look! We’re a window display!
Yesterday we got packed up and taken to an adoption event. There were lots of families there, and we thought maybe one of them might want to be our family too! While we waited, we got to snuggle up together, bask in the sunshine and enjoy watching out the giant window—everything kitties like best.
(Wanna know a secret? I was a little scared, being in such a strange new place. But honest, it wasn’t so bad. I think our foster mom knew I was scared, because she says we were all really brave! And next time we go somewhere, it’ll seem even less strange and scary. Maybe next time is where our families will be waiting…)
Day 427, by Valentine
We love when our foster mom goes shopping, because it means shopping bags! This one is extra-nice because it crinkles and rattles when you pounce on it.
And because it’s big enough for two!
Being on different diets now means we don’t get a lot of cat treats to eat anymore. So tonight’s special midnight snack was catnip! This calls for a late-night dance party…
I’ve had such an adventure! This weekend I went for a trip to see the vet, because I haven’t been feeling quite myself.
The vet says that I’m a healthy girl—I just need special food to keep my bladder in good shape. (Personally, I don’t mind a bit. Why shouldn’t a special kitty like me have a very special food all to myself?)
But it’s tricky with all my brothers and my sister around. I have to keep them from stealing my food… and then their food looks so delicious that I’m tempted to snack on just a bite or two. And that would make me get sick again.
So what I’m asking is, would you… would you please adopt me? I promise I don’t need much special care, just the right food. I’ll even bring along a stash to get us started!
If I’m not what you’re looking for, could you help by adopting my brothers or my sister? We will really miss each other, but in separate homes we could each eat the food that keeps us healthiest. And having new families of our own… well, that’s what we’ve all been dreaming of.
by Valentine
Know what we like best? Cubes! Soft, squishy cubes make perfect fortresses, and bunk beds, and wrestling mats… Right now I’m a sea captain, keeping watch from my cube upon the briny waves! But my ship is looking a little the worse for wear.
Time for a new cube!
Ahhhhh. That’s more like it.
Day 359, by LL Cool J
Today our foster mom volunteered at the pound. When she came home, she hugged us really really tight for a really long time.
Day 357, by Dexter
Here I come, to rescue you from your cat-free existence! Watch as I transform you into a champion snuggler, chin-scratcher and bestest friend! It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s Action Cat!
Day 354, by Valentine
My brothers and sister are snuggled up peacefully with our foster mom, watching a movie… but what’s that I spy?
This requires further investigation! And it’s sitting there completely unguarded… time for some stealth cat action!
Success! Now the mystery substance is mine, all mine…
…so, what do I do with it now?
Day 351, by Pipsqueak
A new week, a new beginning! What’s in store for you this week? Are you finally coming to meet us in person?
Hey, a guy can dream…
Day 350, by LL Cool J
You waaaant to briiiiing me chicken….
You waaaant to briiiiing me chicken…
You waaaant—Oh, hello. Just practicing my hypnotism skills. Just a little fun. No need to mention this to our foster mom, right?
Day 318, by Pipsqueak
We had a birthday! Our foster mom says a birthday is when you’ve been around one whole year and you turn into a grown-up cat. And that means it’s time for a party!
She made us birthday cakes, full of salmon and chicken and everything we like best.
Fluttery pink umbrellas are what I like best!
She made us a present, too! What’s inside?
It’s fuzzy toys full of catnip, one for each of us. I like the lion best of all…
So much fun today! Maybe we’ll have a birthday again sometime—and we hope you’ll be there to celebrate too!
Day 309, by the all-grown-up cats of ARFhouse
Lying on hard wooden floor: check.
Front paws wedged under the door: check.
Back paws inserted daintily into food bowl: check.
Darlings, it’s true: we cats can make ourselves comfortable simply anywhere! Just one of our many talents…
Day 304, by Valentine
It’s almost our birthday! We’re going to have a party soon because we’re a whole year old—our foster mom says we’re almost all grown up! (I hope that doesn’t mean I’m too old for my teddy…)
Day 302, by Dexter
Wow! Did you see all the people talking about me? The people who write Mindful Metropolis decided to help me and my brothers and sister find a home—so they wrote a story about me! And lots of people saw it and said how much they want us to find a nice family… maybe one of them will make it come true?
Gosh, being famous sure makes you tired…
Day 297, by Pipsqueak
“A cat has absolute emotional honesty; human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” –Ernest Hemingway
Day 296, by Valentine
Today I woke up ready for adventure. Time to break out of here and explore!
Score! Look at this stash of toys they have out here! Our foster mom claims that they’re all the same toys I have, but these ones are new to me. That automatically makes them more fun. It’s cat law.
This stool is a great spot for surveying the landscape. It’s soft and comfy—and just the right size for me!
It didn’t take long for me to make a new friend. (What can I say—I’ve just got a way with the ladies.) She’s lived here a long time, way longer than my sisters and brother and me. She wasn’t too happy when we all arrived, but no one can resist my charm for long…
After all that fun with new toys and new friends, I found just the right spot for a nap: a new window, with new breezes to sniff and new birds to watch.
I love getting a chance to explore on my own. Do you think my sisters and brother are missing me?
Day 294, by LL Cool J
Well hello there. Say, wouldn’t you be more comfortable in here with me?
Look, I make room for you…
Day 290, by Pipsqueak
Today is Friday the 13th! Some people say that’s an unlucky day, so we’ve got just the solution—you need a black cat (or two!) Me and my brother are really good at chasing and pouncing. We can chase any evil spirits away and keep you safe, honest! With all the love we’ve got to give, there’ll be no room for scary thoughts to hide…
If you would bring us home and love us, you sure could make this the luckiest day we’ve ever had.
Day 284, by Dexter
Today we helped our foster mom throw open the windows and give everything a good cleaning! She put on mismatched pillowcases, but I don’t mind a bit. Right in the middle of clean snuggly pillows is always my favorite spot. (That’s because I can pretend I’m getting a cuddle, which is what I love best. You won’t tell my brother and sisters, will you?)
Day 281, by Dexter
Now get in here and celebrate!
Day 276, by Senorita Valentine
[Welcome to the fourth in our We'll Be the Judge of That series, helping you make sense of this hectic modern world. Today the ARFhouse cats discover a spinning, sparkling, captivating pinwheel! Will it be a success like balloons? Or a fearsome new enemy like the wiggle-worm? Let's find out. -Editor]
Slinky brand pinwheel, $0.99 at major retailers nationwide
Pros: It’s shiny. And it’s on a stick. Good things come on a stick, like our favorite toy (which we call ribbon-on-a-stick. It’s a ribbon, you see, that’s on a stick.) Or popsicles. Or corn dogs!
Cons: Not a corn dog.
Conclusion: This pinwheel is shiny. So, so shiny. And it goes round and round. These qualities are all very fascinating to cats! Usually the shiniest thing we see is LL Cool J. He’s quite glossy and shiny—but not as shiny as this. While we stipulate that it is the shiniest object we’ve yet investigated, we found little else of lasting interest. Repeated swatting and biting failed to shred or destroy it (which would have been very satisfying) or to produce delicious treats. Indeed, there is no evidence to suggest that it ever contained delicious treats.
In summary: All glitter, no substance, no corn dog. We’ll stick with our ribbon. (Did we mention it’s on a stick?)
P.S. Are they all finished? Good—that means it’s my turn. I think it’s fun! -Dexter.
Day 275, by the ARFhouse Feline Four
Are you up early to watch the Royal Wedding? We are too! (Wouldn’t it be better if we were watching it together?)
I feel pretty…
…pretty lucky to have a handsome prince like LL Cool J, that is! But I promise I wouldn’t mind if you took him home to love him forever.
After all, maybe it was meant to be!
Everyone is searching for a happily-ever-after… maybe we could be your perfect match?
(I’m the Archbishop of Canterbury! Don’t forget me!)
Day 271, by Valentine and LL Cool J (and special guest-bishop Jojo!)
Today was our first Easter. Easter means eggs! Our foster mom made an Easter Egg Hunt for us. She hid eggs all around our play-room and we got to go find them. I was really good at it!
Look, I found some more!
Some of the eggs had yummy treats inside…
…and some were full of catnip! Those were LL Cool J’s favorite.
See how many eggs he found? But still not as many as me!
Dexter wasn’t so sure about this game….
…but Valentine is a fearless egg-hunter too, just like me!
It’s even more fun when you do it with a friend. Me and my sister make a good team—no egg stands a chance against us! Happy Easter, everybody!
Day 267, by Pipsqueak
