By this time, you have heard Charlie, Gracie, and Lulu‘s stories, so I had to include the last member of the pack: Kitten.
Kitten has been with me through … well, everything. I rescued her from the Humane Society the summer after I graduated high school 19 years ago (yes, I know I just leaked how old I am). She was a 6 month old ball of fluff and was stretching her arm out of the cage trying to reach me. Her eyes were pleading, and I knew I had to take her home.
Now she hasn’t always been known as Kitten. Originally, she had one of my favorite girl names; and as it turns out, the same name we eventually gave our unnamed child a few years down the road. The cat obviously owned it first, and when the child was born, we agonized over naming her, and eventually settled with a name and we knew we liked — the one the cat had.
I couldn’t call them both the same name (too confusing). So the unnamed child won the name, and the cat became Kitten.
I know I’m weird, but that’s just how it worked out, and she has been the best cat ever. All she has ever wanted wanted was to snuggle up with you, and she even loves to play fetch (and after spending buku bucks on expensive cat toys, we found out she loves the stick-on bows that go on gifts). When we brought Baxter in, she was fine with him, and has even tolerated raising three pups through the years.
In fact the only act of hostility we ever witnessed came during our family game nights. For some reason, whenever we played Trouble (we think it was the dice in the plastic bubble), Kitten would stealthily come around, dive in, bite the $*!# out of your hand, and then sprint back to cover. Weirdest thing… We eventually stopped playing that game because it upset her so much.
One time, about 9 years ago, she stopped eating and started throwing up bile for days. We took her to the vet, they did an x-ray, and identified a blockage. We had to do surgery on her and found out she had eaten a mini Barbie guitar (the other favorite thing to play fetch with)! Other than that she has been healthy for the last 18 years.
Kitten has been fat, really “chubby” (18 lbs fat) for years. The last two years, however, she has been losing weight steadily. Everyone told me this happens the older cats get. This last year alone she has lost over 5 lbs. I took her into the vet the other day and she was diagnosed with having hyperthyroidism. She was down to 6 lbs! I knew she had gotten lighter, but she is so fluffy you couldn’t tell she was that thin.
She has a small tumor on her thyroid that is causing her metabolism to go through the roof and fly through the calories (apparently this is not something that I am suffering from). She has recently been hysterically hungry and thirsty practically all of the time, and now we understand why.
On Monday, after more lab work, they sent us home with some high-dollar, medicated, wet, smelly, cat food. Hopefully this will work, and we won’t have to give her pills (have you tried to give a cat pills? If you want to keep a cat from scratching out your eyeballs, hope that you never have to do it).
They said other than the thyroid thing, she looks pretty remarkable for a 19 year old cat. They said she probably wont gain too much weight back, but hopefully she won’t lose any more.
So that’s it, now you know our entire household. You have never seen a more pampered pack of animals!
Every single one of them popped into our lives unexpectedly, but our lives our more richly blessed for them being here. Sure, when I step out of bed in the morning I might step onto a coughed-up hairball or a needle-sharp rawhide, but the joy they give my family outweighs the all the gross stuff.
I would love to see some of your furbabies. Please post some pictures on my Facebook page. I might even feature some of the photos on an upcoming post!
Speaking of something unexpected, here is a little night stand I did in an unexpected way. When I got this piece, it was filthy and needed some work. I painted the bottom with a hot pink DIY chalkpaint. I painted the top white and then taped off stripes on the top. I then painted those black and I coated it with a clear wax. This would be darling in a little girl’s bedroom!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I love the table. I have two cats. A former colleague’s cat had unexpected kittens: I took the one she oculdn’t find a family for. The second cat is the former owners of my cottage’s cat. The cat kept coming back to his former home and I finally allowed him to stay… like he left me the choice, anyway!
Shanna says
Thanks Magali! I think sometimes our pets find us instead of the other way around. Hope you stop by again!
JEANIE says
This is one of my favorites of your “redoux” projects. The hot pink accented by the black and white stripes is absolutely stunning. You have such a gift in visualizing how to take a tired, worn piece of furniture and turn it into something sensational. As usual – great job Shanna!!
Doris H. says
Kitten is a beautiful baby. Hope she does well with the new food. I know all too well what it’s like to give a cat a pill. We went through that several years ago with my daughters cat. We could not get a pill down his throat….he fought us like a lion…so we ended up having to take him by the vet everyday so they could give him the pill. Strangly they had absolutely no problems doing so…the vet told us that the cat KNEW what he could get by with dealing us a fit…where as a cat wouldn’t do the same thing to a stranger.
The drive each day sure beat what we had gone through that first morning.
Mandy Hank says
Oh so adorable! My 8 year old daughter would fall over looking at this. It would match her room perfectly. What an amazing transformation.
Mandy @ The Hankful House
Shanna says
Thanks Mandy! You have a cute blog!
pandoras box says
I love the pink with the B&W stripes! Nice makeover
Lulu says
Our cat lived to be 19 and got very thin the last couple of years of her life. When she got really weak and sick, the vet recommended putting her down after which she got real spunky for a couple of days. At the time we were away from where she’d lived most of her life and upon returning she lay down and died. I guess she knew where home was.
I’m glad you used bright color on the table. It looks terrific.
Shanna says
I’m sorry about your kitty. At least she lived a long life with you. Thanks for stopping by!
Beverly says
Love how you transformed the table. I too have a cat- Claire and a Dachshund – Marina that are rescues. I wouldn’t have it any other way. What a gift they have been.
Bev
Shanna says
I totally agree Beverly!
Jeni says
I love this table! I want to do something similar for my little girl’s room! I have two cats! One is a rescue and one just showed up at my door! So I say I rescued her, too! They both have attitudes like little old ladies, but I love them anyway!
marissa | Rae Gun Ramblings says
this turned out amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this at my link party 🙂
Marissa @ Rae Gun Ramblings
Sinea Pies says
Love the shocking pink redo! Soooo pretty. Please stop by and add your link to my blog hop. I’d love for everyone to see it.
Sinea from Ducks ‘n a Row
http://www.ducksnarow.com/2013/01/wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop-7.html
Holly says
What a pretty cat Kitten is! I hope the food helps. And the table turned out great! Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party!
Shanna says
Thanks Holly! She has already gained a whole pound back! Thanks for hosting!
Jenna says
Fabulous! Bold! I love it!
Shanna says
Thanks so much Jenna!
Peggy-PJH Designs says
Nice to meet another animal lover. I stick to dogs though as my Mother was allergic to cats so we never had one.
At this time I have two dogs Prince Bogart or Bo and Chica. I also have two zebra finches that I love to watch. I just
love birds but they are messy. Your table is so cute and would great in my granddaughter’s room as she has those
colors. Thanks so much for linking up at Transformed Tuesday. I’m a new follower. Hugs, Peggy
Shanna says
Sounds like you have a little zoo at your house too! Wouldn’t our lives be boring without them! Thanks for hosting!
T'onna says
Your kitty is cute. I hope she stays healthy and doesn’t lose anymore weight. Sometimes I miss having pets.
Your night stand is gorgeous! I’ve been painting furniture lately, and my work doesn’t look anywhere near as good as this! Great job!
Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
http://usscrafty.blogspot.com/2013/01/submarine-sunday-16.html
Shanna says
Thanks T’onna! Kitten has gained a whole pound since being on the new food with the meds. I’m sure your furniture is great! We are our own harshest critics!
DeDe@DesignedDecor says
I love the pretty blue color you chose! Great Job on the makeover.
I just started a new link party and would love if you would come on over and share your post or social media sites. http://designeddecor.com/talkin-about-thursday-link-party-5/
DeDe@DesignedDecor
Shanna says
Thanks DeDe! I linked up to you!
Chrissy says
I love the pink! You did awesome with this! I have a new Pinterest Power party and would love to have you share this and any other projects you have!
http://www.thetaylor-house.com/2013/01/31/pinterest-power-party-4.html
Thanks!
Chrissy
Shanna says
Thanks Chrissy! I linked up to you! Thanks for hosting!
Kathie says
Hello!
Show and Tell Saturday at Sassy Little Lady is LIVE! I’d love to have you share your post!
Kathie
Shanna says
I linked up to you Kathie!
Kammy's Korner says
bold and beautiful!! And I love cats. 🙂
Shanna says
Thanks Kammy! I think our cats train us pretty well!
Melissa says
Love the colors! Nice job! Life to the full, Melissa
Shanna says
Thanks Melissa!
Shanna says
Thanks Ann! The stripes were a bit tricky but they turned out pretty cute!
Katherines Corner says
I enjoyed learning about Kittie, what sweet cat you have. Lovely =makeover of the end table too. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo P.S. the new giveaway started Friday 🙂
Shanna says
Thanks for hosting Katherine!
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse says
Shanna, great colors on this! So happy! Okay, and Kitten is just beautiful. I have a 16 yr old cat that has lost weight as well. She pretty much sleeps all day except when she wants to snuggle. Thank you for sharing this at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Shanna says
Thanks Kathryn! Kitten is already gaining weight! I linked up to you today! Thanks for hosting!
Patti says
What a gorgeous Kitty! I have a sweet girl, too. Thanks so much for sharing the beautiful redo. The colors are such fun.
Hugs,
Patti
Rose :: Fine Craft Guild .com says
PINK is in. and it has been for decades and it will be for decades, right ?!!! L-)
Shanna says
I couldn’t agree more Rose!
DeDe@DesignedDecor says
I am glad you stopped to link up! Enjoy you week! Hope to see you again on Thursday!
Jann olson says
This table is so fun and cheery. Great conversation piece! I have to tell you, kitten looks just like a cat we use to have, Shadow. Oh this made me miss her so much. Give kitten a hug for me! Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
hugs,
Jann
Shanna says
Thanks Jann! Kitten is much better! Thanks for hosting!
Angie says
Amazing tale of “Kitten” & she is so beautiful!! I love cats & hope that my “Pounce” will live that long.
Thank you for linking up to The Great Blog Train!
Angie@ godsgrowinggarden.com
Marci@ stonecottageadventures.com
Helen@ blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.com
Sarah says
I LOVE the pop of color. It looks so good. I have two nightstands that could desperately use a makeover. The stripes are really pretty. If you get a chance come link up at my Tuesday Pin Party.
http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/2013/02/pintastic-tuesday-link-party-26.html#.URp4AKXoTCc
Jocie@TheBetterHalf says
OMG what a HUGE difference! My nieces bedroom is the same color scheme and she would DIE if I did this for her. thanks for the idea!
Not sure if you have heard, but would love for you to come join our link party. We give away free ad space every week to one random link party-goer. http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-20/
Shelly Andrade says
What a fun combination!! Love it!
Diana Rambles says
Love the pink!!!
Judith Thierfelder says
I want that color to redo some pieces for my daughter’s room. The chalk paint you can buy online all seem to be a bubblegum pink. You said you used DYI paint. Would you be willing to share not only how you made it but how you got to the hot pink color. Thanks.