Loving Couple

Unfair, unflattering--Red Kitty looks a bit like a beached whale here, but the reason I grabbed my camera....

....was how sweet Red and Mariah looked snoozing after supper here, together. They are the best buddies even if Red is twice as large as Mariah. So I found a new gadget to help with my cats' health I'd like to put in a plug for here....

I have two male cats; each has been neutered and each is on a special diet to forestall urinary tract problems (I had a wonderful kitty die from this back in the '80's.) Drinking plenty of water is highly recommended, too.

Red Kitty loves to drink from a dripping faucet, has taught Mariah to do this and Purrmeister is just beginning to get the hang of it. This little water bowl with a circulating pump was not terribly expensive (under $30) and is easy to clean and maintain. It offers both the gentle stream of water AND the movement keeps the water fresh and aerated. I found it at Petsmart.

I'm really surprised by how much more water all the cats seem to be drinking now--I have to top it off a couple times a day! But you know the saying about "teaching an old dog new tricks?" Well, the Red Kitty is the slowest to get the hang of this contraption, so far....

I currently have it installed on a folded vinyl table cloth. Purrmeister thought it was the best toy ever at first so he was splashing all over the place....thankfully, I expected that and so was prepared before I filled it up and plugged it in. What is it with that kitten and water? I half expect him to start taking showers soon....

Water Lessons by Red Kitty

Red's Famous Talent

I'm working now to teach Purrmeister this wonderful trick. So far, he treats the water stream like a string, bats it all over, and makes a pretty big mess. Me? I only get my face nice and wet so that it's clean AND I get a nice fresh drink. I've already taught Mariah this trick but she doesn't like to stand right in the kitchen sink like I do. Unfortunately, I can't work the faucet myself, so I jump up on the sink, sit near the tap and stare at it until my mom shows up to help out. She knows what I mean so it works.