Nahum thought it looked yum too, but I wasn't sharing.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday happy
Nahum thought it looked yum too, but I wasn't sharing.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
coffee, blogs and lap snuggles
I'm loving my new morning routine.
I settle in on the couch with my cup of coffee and catch up on blogs.
When Theo finishes his morning porch patrols, he settles on my lap for morning snuggles.
I settle in on the couch with my cup of coffee and catch up on blogs.
When Theo finishes his morning porch patrols, he settles on my lap for morning snuggles.
The challenge with this routine is getting to work on time, which requires interrupting perfection.
Friday, March 4, 2011
pet insurance
Do you have pet insurance for your beloved kitties?
With my cats being curious and very active, accidents are going to happen, so I decided shortly after I got each of them to sign them up for insurance with Pet Plan USA. I researched the various insurance offerings at that time and I liked what Pet Plan offered the best.
Like with human health insurance, there are many options when it comes to pet insurance. I wanted a plan that would cover everything but the usual annual check-up and vaccines. I also wanted low deductible and no-copay. Pet Plan lets you choose your maximum annual benefit level ($8,000, $12,000 or $20,000), deductible ($50-$200) per condition (not per visit!), and reimbursement (80%-100%). Of course the choices you make in your coverage will effect your premium. I chose the $8,000 benefit, $50 deductible and 100% reimbursement and I pay less than $200 per cat for a year (although the rates are starting to creep up).
After I got Theo I procrastinated a few months before getting him signed up, which was a costly mistake. In those two months he fractured a tooth which needed to be extracted, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (the youngest cat the vet have ever seen with a thyroid issue) and he had his mysterious chronic diarrhea which brought about numerous expensive diagnostic vet bills and time with a specialist. Now all these issues are pre-existing conditions and therefore not covered. My procrastination bites me in the bum again!
I didn't wait to get little Rose signed up. The insurance doesn't cover elective procedures and they consider spaying to be elective, so that wasn't covered but when Rose had the weird diarrhea episode which required all sorts of diagnostics and exploratory surgery it was all covered. The vet bill was nearly $1,000 and all of it was reimbursed minus the $50 deductible.
I have had other occasion to use the insurance as well, more the little infections and such. I have been very pleased with Pet Plan USA. The entire process seems straightforward (well, as straightforward as insurance can be!) They pride themselves on getting prompt payment and I can testify to this. I had Rose's large reimbursement check in my hand before I got the credit card bill with the charge. In my book, that is the way it ought to be, not waiting for months and having to fight the big bad cold insurance company to get what is truly due to you.
Another reason I like having my cats insured is that I sleep better. If something happens and they need some crazy expensive surgery or diagnostic, I am not going to have to choose between giving them the best care or financial ruin. It tears me up to hear stories of people choosing to put down their pet because they can't afford the expensive surgery. I don't think I could ever make that choice.
I can't speak to the other insurance companies out there because I haven't worked with them, they may be good as well. And please know that Pet Plan USA is not a sponsor of fourwhitepaws and has not given me anything to give this review. I have no connection to Pet Plan USA except being a satisfied policy holder.
With my cats being curious and very active, accidents are going to happen, so I decided shortly after I got each of them to sign them up for insurance with Pet Plan USA. I researched the various insurance offerings at that time and I liked what Pet Plan offered the best.
Like with human health insurance, there are many options when it comes to pet insurance. I wanted a plan that would cover everything but the usual annual check-up and vaccines. I also wanted low deductible and no-copay. Pet Plan lets you choose your maximum annual benefit level ($8,000, $12,000 or $20,000), deductible ($50-$200) per condition (not per visit!), and reimbursement (80%-100%). Of course the choices you make in your coverage will effect your premium. I chose the $8,000 benefit, $50 deductible and 100% reimbursement and I pay less than $200 per cat for a year (although the rates are starting to creep up).
After I got Theo I procrastinated a few months before getting him signed up, which was a costly mistake. In those two months he fractured a tooth which needed to be extracted, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (the youngest cat the vet have ever seen with a thyroid issue) and he had his mysterious chronic diarrhea which brought about numerous expensive diagnostic vet bills and time with a specialist. Now all these issues are pre-existing conditions and therefore not covered. My procrastination bites me in the bum again!
I didn't wait to get little Rose signed up. The insurance doesn't cover elective procedures and they consider spaying to be elective, so that wasn't covered but when Rose had the weird diarrhea episode which required all sorts of diagnostics and exploratory surgery it was all covered. The vet bill was nearly $1,000 and all of it was reimbursed minus the $50 deductible.
I have had other occasion to use the insurance as well, more the little infections and such. I have been very pleased with Pet Plan USA. The entire process seems straightforward (well, as straightforward as insurance can be!) They pride themselves on getting prompt payment and I can testify to this. I had Rose's large reimbursement check in my hand before I got the credit card bill with the charge. In my book, that is the way it ought to be, not waiting for months and having to fight the big bad cold insurance company to get what is truly due to you.
Another reason I like having my cats insured is that I sleep better. If something happens and they need some crazy expensive surgery or diagnostic, I am not going to have to choose between giving them the best care or financial ruin. It tears me up to hear stories of people choosing to put down their pet because they can't afford the expensive surgery. I don't think I could ever make that choice.
I can't speak to the other insurance companies out there because I haven't worked with them, they may be good as well. And please know that Pet Plan USA is not a sponsor of fourwhitepaws and has not given me anything to give this review. I have no connection to Pet Plan USA except being a satisfied policy holder.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
painting with cats
It has been ages since I have gotten the acrylics out and done any fun painting. When I found myself with a free afternoon and the sun was shining, I decided this was the day!
I don't remember the last time I painted but since I don't recall ever having to deal with the cats while painting, I am guessing it was back when Max was my only cat. Painting and curious cats makes for a very interesting experience.I was very tempted to let the cats have ago at painting, like in Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics
but before I give that a try, I need to figure out what paints to use that are non-toxic to cats. (I love this book!)
but before I give that a try, I need to figure out what paints to use that are non-toxic to cats. (I love this book!)My goal was to paint some card stock, which I will later cut into cards. Nahum and Theo made every stage of the process very challenging.
Nahum laying on the card stock paper, as I am trying to cut it to size.
Nahum, wanting me to paint his portrait.
Nahum kept trying to run away with tubes of paint.
Then the brushes looked like fun. Theo actually gagged himself trying to play with the brushes.
Theo insisting on being in my lap. He left my lap with a blotch of red paint on his shoulder!
Nahum checking on progress.
The finished painting.
Willow gives her approval of the finished product.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
breakfast call
6am is when the cats expect their breakfast. If breakfast is late, they graciously provide a reminder service each in their own way.
Max had the best wake up routine. In his very sweet way, he would lightly walk over to my head as I slept and he would very gently start licking me on the nose. It was his way of saying good morning. If I didn't respond to the gentle licks after awhile of trying he would mix in the the tiniest of nips to the nose. That usually got my attention!
Now, Willow's approach is to get near my face and stare at me. She is attempting to use her charms and sad eyes, which doesn't work well because it's dark and my eyes are closed. After some time she will add one little Myrup! to her efforts. The cuteness and gentleness of her approach does make me feel guilty for sleeping past their breakfast time.
Nahum takes a very different approach. He dive bombs the bed. He will run across the room, jumps on the bed and runs across the foot of the bed and jumps down all at lightening speed. This is repeated over and over. His actions are also accompanied by the strange sounds he makes.
Theo takes the blunt approach. He hops up climbs on top of me or gets near my face and he starts meowing loudly in my face. Theo's meow is more of a demand, there's nothing gracious about it.
Rose, with her skittishness is more limited in what she offers to the cause. She may climb the clothes drying rack or run around to make some noise, but generally she sits off to the side on the room and lets out a little squeak! Like Willow's approach, her little squeak does also add to the guilt feelings which often prompts human action.
Together they all do their part to remind us silly humans that it's time to feed them. Somehow, even without their reminders, I don't think we would forget.
Max had the best wake up routine. In his very sweet way, he would lightly walk over to my head as I slept and he would very gently start licking me on the nose. It was his way of saying good morning. If I didn't respond to the gentle licks after awhile of trying he would mix in the the tiniest of nips to the nose. That usually got my attention!
Nahum takes a very different approach. He dive bombs the bed. He will run across the room, jumps on the bed and runs across the foot of the bed and jumps down all at lightening speed. This is repeated over and over. His actions are also accompanied by the strange sounds he makes.
Rose, with her skittishness is more limited in what she offers to the cause. She may climb the clothes drying rack or run around to make some noise, but generally she sits off to the side on the room and lets out a little squeak! Like Willow's approach, her little squeak does also add to the guilt feelings which often prompts human action.
Together they all do their part to remind us silly humans that it's time to feed them. Somehow, even without their reminders, I don't think we would forget.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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