Kattenpraat's Catwalk

A Goodbye and Party

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:42:00 +0000

With mixed feelings I say goodbye to our special friend, Sassy.

Today, Sassy officially retired from bloggging and stepped down as Executive Producer of Little Production. And although she thought she could go with a simple goodbye, she is getting a surprise party and adventure at the CCSI blog she deserves, and we sure she loves!!

graphic by Karl

I'll miss you, girl!!

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Lost Mancats

noreply@blogger.com (Bubbles) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:15:00 +0000

We lost Ruis and Karl! After their first wedding anniversary we cannot find them anymore! The last thing we know is that they went from Bora Bora to Momo and SS's graduation, but after that we lost track.
Rumors say they went to an island they got from Sassy -- just the two of them -- but there's not one photo to proof that and we have no idea where that island might be.

Gucci also was at Bora Bora, but came home when the gang went to Momo.

Any information about Karl and Ruis whereabouts will be helpfull, you can email me at bubbleboybubbles (at) gmail (dot) com or contact the Cat Blogosphere.

First Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Bubbles) — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:40:00 +0000

This day one year ago, my brother Ruis and Karl married on the starship Voyager -- in outer space and where no cat had gone before...
Today is their first anniversary and they went to the most romantic place on Earth!!
You can follow their second honeymoon on the Karl & Ruis blog!

Original background photo by thelastminute

Many furriends attended the wedding last year. If you missed it for some reason... go watch it here!

~ Bubbles

CCSI Party

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Mon, 25 May 2009 06:30:00 +0000

After a CCSI show it is a tradition that cast and crew party -- Good food, a lot to drink, and having fun!
But one of the greatest things this time was seeing our family and friends from the Bridge appear at the fountain!!

photo by Karl

They are always watching over us...

For all the party photos taken, visit the Studios at Sassy and my husband Karl!

Happy Birthday to You!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Sat, 23 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

from all of us...

You Gotta Go See CCSI V!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Both parts are on the air now and if you haven't already done so, I suggest that if you want to see a movie that will make you go WOW, fill here a mug with popcorn and head over to Sassy's theater for CCSI V: The Old Famous Caper!!

CCSI V: The Old Famous Caper will be in reruns all weekend!

CCSI V on Air!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:15:00 +0000

NOW playing at Sassy's!

graphic by Karl

More CCSI News...

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Only one night to sleep –- then CCSI V goes on air at Sassy's!!

CCSI News!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Mon, 18 May 2009 03:55:00 +0000

Months of hard work, hundreds of emails back and forth at the CCSI board, and now it's almost there... The fifth CCSI show!

graphic by Karl

Go to Sassy for cast & crew details and keep your agenda free for the show at Wednesday and Thursday!

Wheely Saturday with Taylor...

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:31:00 +0000

... and Myrna, Asta and Buzzer.

My doggy sister Taylor has a wheelchair!
Due to her age my sister suffers from osteoarthritis, it started with stiffness and soreness in her hind legs, but after her stroke in February it got worse and the medicines she gets are not helping enough.

I talked about it with my husband Karl and he told me about Zed, the dog of the maid's best friend. Zed got paralyzed when he was 14 years old, but he enjoyed life so much that he happily walked his last 2 years in a wheelchair.
Taylor became 14 years last month and she also loves life. Only the pain... To make her enjoy and live her life again the staff ordered a special doggy wheelchair for her. Last Sunday, on the way for Mother's day they picked it up in Rotterdam.

The next day was Taylor's first day on wheels,
but she did not one step...

...she was just standing still and calling for Myrna.

Immediately I emailed my friend Asta in NYC and asked if she and Myrna would like to help Taylor.
Myrna is Asta's wheely sister and an absolute expert on wheels! And Asta can cheer up every dog and cat in world!

They said YES!!

Because Taylor still felt uncomfortable and stood still, Asta and Myrna tried to break the ice.

photo by Asta

The cheering helped, Taylor laughed and started to walk, but still very difficult.
After a few meters walking they saw the problem and Myrna asked Taylor to stop so she and Asta could do some adjustments on the chair.

After 10 stressful and hot minutes they had the chair and wheels in balance. Taylor started walking again. And she ran -- until she stopped again, they found something...

A few moments later Taylor, Myrna, Asta and Buzzer were again running.

And now Taylor did not stop! She was running and rolling, and rolling and running...

When they finally were home they went to sleep right away.
An hour later, before dinner, the staff took them out for a walk and swim. And while Asta and Buzzer were soon busy with a piece of a tree they found, Myrna was still in her coaching role to help Taylor, but scaring of water she also was a little afraid.

But swimming is for Taylor a piece of cake. Without wheels, of course.
And after learned so much from Myrna about walking with wheels she felt good to do something back and gave Myrna a swimming lesson.

Taylor is so much more comfortable with her wheelchair thanks to Myrna, she's walking better each new day.

I really enjoyed my friends visit for personal reasons, too. I see Asta often at work (CCSI) and parties, and the first time I met Myrna for real was at her wedding with Gilbert. I am so thankful that they came to the Netherlands and wanted to help my sister. This was their first visit to Limburg, and hopefully not the last...

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:39:00 +0000

graphic by Karl & Ruis

Wordless Wednesday: The aftermath clean-up

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:34:00 +0000

graphic by The Cat Realm

Happy 14th Birthday Taylor!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:39:00 +0000

Happy Blogoversary!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:53:00 +0000

Almost 7 weeks no post, no update. Shame on the typist!!

But today I am back! The complete Kattenpraat gang transported to Tucson, Arizona for a party!!

graphic by The Cat Realm

With our family and closest friends we celebrate today the second blogoversary of The Cat Realm -- my husband and his family are TWO years online!!

family graphic

Goodbye sweet Soraya

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Early this morning my sweet sister Soraya went to Rainbow Bridge.

On April 24, 2007 she came into our lives when I found her in the animal shelter in Geleen. Last night all of a sudden she got sick, the vet could not help her anymore so the staff took her back home. Soraya softly purred and snuggled with them all night, until around 8 AM she peacefully went to the Bridge.

Thank you so much KC for this beautiful graphic of our beautiful girl!

Princes Carnival 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:34:00 +0000

In the carnival period not the mayors are head of the towns, but the princes of Carnival are...

Last night the official Carnival (4 days) started. Earlier my husband Karl transported to Limburg again because he and I are chosen as Cat Princes Carnival 2009 of my hometown Heel!
...and SOMECAT sneaked herself in Karl's duffel bag... (No, not Sassy! Hahahaha)

Prince Ruis I & Prince Karl I

After the official photo was made, we went on partying "Biej Wil & Vief", the official Princes Palace in Heel during carnival!

Vief with Somecat around her shoulder...

Our friend Astrid (with the colorfull wig behind Luna) went with Luna to the ladies litterboxes.

Click the player below and sing along...

And that is the kind of music we will be hearing until Tuesday, hahahahah

Also in the drinking and partying crowd was my brother Bubbles.

The sleeping Princess... Hahahahahaha.

See here how Luna was able to come to Limburg and how she called it!!

Taylor... and our friends

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:59:00 +0000

It is now more than fourteen days ago that my doggy sister Taylor got a stroke. From an active old lady she changed into an unhappy and helpless dog...
You sent Taylor LOTS of purrrrs, kisses, healing vibes and thoughts. When Taylor got sick luckily also my husband Karl, my family-in-law and our friends Sassy, Asta, Opus and Momo were here in Limburg. So they were helping a LOT, too!
And could I tell you last Saturday that Taylor was doing much better, now I can say: she is completely better!!

THANKS TO EVERYONE!!

When our family and friends were here, we took some more photos of them with Taylor... It was when Taylor could not walk without being held by the staff.

Asta had a plan and made a route of yellow ducks in the garden...

... and Opus and Sassy were very curious...

She wanted to let Taylor walk on her own again... and it seemed working!

Asta, Momo and Mrs. OZ were following Taylor's small steps.

They were practicing for hours, until it was dark outside.
And after a good meal it was time to sleep! We, all the Kattenpraat cats, are sleeping in the living room or somewhere upstairs, and the dogs, especially Taylor prefers her bed in the hall at night.
But this night started not as quiet as always...

Together with our family and friends we were with 17 cats and 3 dogs...

So many of you did such wonderful things to help my sister Taylor.

And it helped!!

One of them was Bogart, he sent Airedale kisses her way...

Please, do it again! Bogart's Dad is very ill and lays in the hospital. PURRR as hard as you can and send anything you can to Bogart and his Dad and Mom!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:40:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is about love...

Many of you sent get-well-wishes, purrs, thoughts, purrayers, special healing doggy- energy, barks and kisses, and love to my doggy sister Taylor.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

It helped!!!!!

Taylor is doing much better! She almost walks like she did before (only morning stiffness due to her age.)
Further, only her head is still a little bit tilted and she has some restlessness and weird staring moments during her walks. But most of the time she is being her old self and doing what she likes to do. She is almost our active old lady again. She feels happy and we see happiness in her eyes again!!

We made some more photos last week, with Taylor and Asta and our other visitors, I'll post them next week!

And because Taylor is feeling better, and I know my brothers, sisters and the staff are taking good care of her, I went on a short Valentine's adventure with my friends...

graphic by Sassy
We were with so many -- to bring us all at Castello San Marco in Sicily, Opus had to make two trips with the Magic Flying Van.

graphic by The Cat Realm
After we all arrived and checked in we gave the others tickets for a surprise trip so we could have some time alone...

For what surprise trip... and the just the two of us photos (with Karl's special Teddy Bear;-) and more photos about our Valentine's Day with our friends, go to my husband's place at The Cat Realm!!

But that is not all...
We went with a whole group of loving friends! You have to see their photos too: Asta, Sassy, Momo, Socks, Scylla & Charybdis..., and Opus, who introduces his mystery Valentine/girlfriend today!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Our dog sister Taylor is sick

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:10:00 +0000

First off, thank you all who came from Asta's blog for my doggy sister Taylor to give her get well wishes!!

A few days ago our oldest dog Taylor (her 14th birthday is in April) started from one moment to the other to walk sideways, lost her balance and fell. She couldn't stand up or walk again, her head was tilted and her eyes were flickering.
Of course the staff went to the VET immediately! Probably she has had a TIA or stroke. Rest and time are the only medicines that help, and as long as doesn't get another stroke soon, the VET is hopeful!

Taylor gets her food and water served at her bed and the staff holds the bowl in the same angle as her head. Since today she walks a little bit better than yesterday -- but with her head tilted and the body unbalanced it is very difficult, she's staying close to the staff and they all walk slowly.

Taylor with Bubbles, B'Elanna and Luna

In her eyes we see that she doesn't understand why she cannot do the things she likes. She has to start with small puppy steps again...

Taylor with Soraya, Djenna, Tintin, Mrs. OZ and Korenna

After the staff came back home from the VET they called the hotel where Karl and Ruis are staying, and we all were VERY surprised when we heard their friends were also there...

Taylor with Buzzer, Gucci, Notty, Mrs. OZ, Bubbles, Tintin, B'Elanna and the nurses Asta & Sassy.

Asta, already transported from the carnival in Maastricht to Australia to help her friend Willow yesterday. And now she transported back, with in her footsteps Sassy, both in their nursing uniform to give Taylor the best care!

Carnival

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:30:00 +0000

Streets have been completely cleared for all in costume, for parades, street bands, parties and celebration.
Crazy new carnival songs, that you can hear and sing along are being played everywhere... Music resounds through the streets!

The carnival season begins each year on 11 November at 11:11 AM. And although the actual carnival this year is from 21 to 24 February 2009, the festival and party season in Maastricht started as early as the beginning of this year...

And specially for the carnival parade today, we went to a carnival shop yesterday to buy us a costume.

Slowly we see the truth come by... hahahahaha.

Our friends Sassy, Asta, Opus and Momo really are here!!

In Maastricht

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:53:00 +0000

It was already late (and colder...) when we arrived in Maastricht. We checked-in in our hotel, freshened up and went out again...

The location of the restaurant was a shallow subtropical sea 120 million years ago, and tonight –- 30 meters below the surface of the South Limburg Hills, in an ancient underground limestone quarry –- we were having our romantic dinner there.
Over 300 shimmering candles were creating an unique and very intimate atmosphere, which made it complete. It was an evening we will never forget!

On our way back to the hotel we were talking how wonderful it was that we finally had a few days together. No other cats, no dogs -- just the two of us!!

Photo inserted by Unknown User:

But in the hotel room, and already in our pajamas, I got the strange feeling we were not alone...

I must be hallucinating...

Cold... and Romantic

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:44:00 +0000

On this cold Monday the staff brought us to the train station in Roermond from where we go for a romantic few days to Limburg's capital city Maastricht.

In the meantime Bubbles is helping the staff to take care of our other guests... and to be honest, he is the best cat for that job!

Every morning Notty is the first to look out the window if there is snow. Maybe later this week, but now it is only freezing cold! However Notty thought this really was snow.

See you in Maastricht tomorrow!!

Family Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:35:00 +0000

Last Friday my husband Karl and his family transported to the Netherlands to visit us while the maid is on vacation.

For Mrs. OZ, Tintin, Notty and Luna it was the first time they visited us -- a house full of cats and dogs, and another staff...

They needed some time, of course. But we are all relaxed now, we play together, and snuggle together. We are family!!

~ Bubbles & Luna ~
Not a surprise! Of course... Bubbles loves to take care of the young ones.

~ Buzzer & Notty ~
A very relaxed Notty, but Buzzer is not sure if he is so happy with the cat invasion...

~ B'Elanna & Mrs. OZ ~
I know B'Elanna. Really!! And I NEVER thought this would happen...

~ Djenna & Tintin ~
Again not a surprise!
She likes him. She likes him not. She likes him...

~ Karl & Ruis ~
Karl shows Yara his blog on her mini laptop!
(or did Ruis found a new typist...? ;-)

Later...
...Because all the cats are getting along so well, Ruis and Karl are planning a romantic getaway...
... Notty doesn't want to leave before he has seen real snow...
... And Mrs. OZ ... Hahahaha.

The more the merrier...

noreply@blogger.com (Ruis) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:10:00 +0000

I am the happiest cat in the world!!! Half an hour ago my husband and his family transported to here!!

Because tomorrow the maid goes on a vacation to Costa Rica with Dicky Duck, I invited Karl, Mrs. OZ, Tintin, Notty and Luna to come to the Netherlands.

And it was almost a fight... the transporter room window was too small for all of us to watch our family-in-law arrive.

Karl visited us before, but Mrs. OZ, Tintin, Notty and Luna are here for the first time. So for today I let them alone so they can investigate and get used to the house.