Happy Meow Year 2018 From Kitshka, Whiskey, and the Human!

Dear Furriends,

Many things happened since I last wrote, but I’ll be quick as I intend to blog about some of this next year.

First, the human made a Christmas tree in honor of Texas, Milou, and Grouik on a famous Austin road where people decorate trees every Christmas!

Texas' Christmas Tree on Loop 360 - Austin, TX | Books, Cupcakes, and Cats Chasing Chipmunks

Then the human got a surgery… not sure what it is exactly but it didn’t look like something fun. Apparently it’s like going to the vet for humans or something. She came back the same day and smelt very weird and she was with one of her human friends. Whiskey immediately went to hide under the sink! And I was supposed to be the scaredy cat?!

Whiskey Hiding under the Sink | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

That was funny because it was late and our human’s friend looked for Whiskey even outside in case he had managed to escape. In the middle of the night she was calling “Whiskey!” outside! MOL! Then they heard the closet door. And I knew my human’s friend was a good human because she pushed everything on the side so that Whiskey would not be near anything dangerous but could still hide there. Isn’t that nice?

The human is doing better, and she spent the week between Christmas and the Meow Year with us, which was nice, but we can’t sleep with her right now.

Also her friend offered her a laser pointer that is super cool. Only Whiskey is kind of monopolizing the human to play, but I manage to chase it too. We haven’t caught it yet though.

(I don’t look too impressed in this video because I had to direct my human to film this so I could show you, but I can catch the dot if I want to. I just don’t want to right now because it would frustrate Whiskey.)

Oh, I almost forgot! We deaded a mouse!

Deaded Mouse | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

With that said, we look in the direction of 2018 with the hope that it will bring more wet food, more cream cheese, hours of chasing the laser pointer and the cat-a-pole, followed by hours of napping and plenty of petting from the human. And that we can go back to her room and sleep on her bed too. And we wish you the same for a very Happy Meow Year!

Whiskey and Kitshka Cuddling | Texas, A Parisian Cat in America

Milou, the Cat Who Enjoyed Life to the Fullest

A year ago today, on October 20, 2016, came the time to let Milou go. He crossed the rainbow bridge less than two weeks after Texas.

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou was what we would call a bigger-than-life figure. I had not known him since he was a kitten — my husband had been owned by him for a while when we met, well, both in Paris. He was the last of our three cats that immigrated with us from France.

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

To my husband’s recollection and mine, Milou had always had health issues, but he sure loved life — and food — and was lucky to have found my husband who always took good care of him. On top of his health issue, there was the leprechaun accident in Ireland: One night, we still don’t know exactly why — although we suppose to chase a leprechaun — and how, Milou managed to jumped out a window of our 3rd or 4th floor apartment in Ireland… and he fell on the floor at the bottom of the building. He hurt one of the ligaments in one of his rear legs, but was extremely lucky: this was Ireland, and the grass was water-soaked. Additionally, had he fallen just two feet or so away from the grass, he would have hit concrete and probably would have never survived. I remember telling him affectionately how he had to hold on to life because one day we would be moving to America with him.

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

And holding to life he would. In fact, ironically, part of what saved him was that he loved food so much ;)

Milou loved to eat and he loved to play. Until only a year or so before his death, he always seemed like a kitten in spirit, playing every time he could. With strings, balls, our shoes, whatever! He also luuuuved catnip.

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Earlier in life, Grouik had taken care of him when my husband adopted him as a kitten and they were inseparable. Well, Grouik was much more independent and sometimes there would be fights, but never for long.

Milou and Grouik | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou and Grouik | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Milou and Grouik | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Life with Texas wasn’t always easy — Texas liked to tease Milou but Milou hissed a lot at Texas. When Kitshka arrived, it took him months before he stopped hissing but they finally became friends and played together often.

For some reason I’m thinking about this only now as I write these words, but a picture of Milou in the fields of bluebonnets would have represented him well, I think: curious for adventure and life, playing with the wind and chasing butterflies, always like a kitten. Milou was also a gorgeous kitty.

It was hard losing both kitties so close to each other. In many ways, it was, at least for me, as if some part of my past was dying too — Texas and Milou somehow linked my husband and I to France and to each other, too.

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

I bet Milou has found, along with Texas and Grouik, gorgeous fields of catnip at the rainbow bridge, and they are probably trading French meows classes for some more. We miss you all three so very much.

Grouik, Texas, and Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas, The Parisian Cat Who Made It To And In America

Yesterday, I went to my first yoga class – kitty yoga. The instructor asked us to keep in mind a pet we had, or had had, that meant a lot to us. Of course, Texas was on my mind. Today is the one year anniversary of him departing for the rainbow bridge.

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas was a birthday gift from my husband and a blessing in my life. We were just looking at cats that day, with no firm intention to adopt, but Texas found his way to my heart. This little ball of white and cream fur was introduced by the store’s salesperson as “a little wrestler.” She took him out of the cage he was in so I could play with him a bit. Such a delight. We could see he was an affectionate kitten but he played seriously, and he might bite occasionally if you dared touch his tummy. That’s how he got his name: Texas. I’m a nice kitty but don’t you mess with me.

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas was a very smart kitty.

I’m sure I’ll remember other occasions after this tribute is posted, but some of the things I remember, is, for example, how he quickly and without any human guidance understood not to use his claws when his paws were on human bare skin.

When we told me to stop doing something, he understood. He did as he pleased sometimes, but it was clear there was no misunderstanding after the following mischief.

He was also a bit possessive with me, in an affectionate way. At one point, when my husband was living in Belgium, during the weekend he would come pick me up, and Texas would stay with my Mom. At that time, Texas wasn’t as nice to my husband as when we all lived together. I am pretty sure he connected the dots between my husband and me leaving. Rest assured, my husband and Texas had a good relationship afterwards, when we all lived together!

He was also much quicker than our other cats to understand certain words. For example, we give our cats wet food once a day. Because it is served in a small dish – petit plat in French, we’d call “petit plat !” to signal it was served. It didn’t take him long to recognize the words: his eyes would open wide and he would rush to where were were!

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas was also a very affectionate kitty.

The times I was feeling blue for whatever reason, he would always come to me and do one or both of two things: stay close to me to purr, and console me, or do something clownish to make me laugh. He wasn’t a lap kitty, at least not with me, but he would get next to me when he felt I needed support.

When we adopted Kitshka, it took him 2 days I believe to take her under his care, kind of like a big brother. He would play with her, bathe her, nap with her, and even get back at Milou when Milou was hissing at her at the beginning!

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

And indeed, Texas was a little fighter.

He didn’t always get along perfectly with Grouik and Milou when we were in New York. And he wouldn’t let them mess with them.

He would also gently signal humans that they should stop touching him by gently biting once or twice… and humans were expected to understand before the third love bite ;)

As a kitten, he was serious about defending his food. Later in life though, he would let Kitshka push him aside so she could have some of his food.

Texas & Grouik | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas & Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas was also a gorgeous ginger cat.

Although I never really called him ginger. He was “cream and white” with beautiful, silky fur. His white paws were always super clean.

I remember well how many people commented on the color of his coat. When we brought him home from the store in the Parisian subway, someone even asked if I would give him to them (huh, in your dreams!).

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

And of course, he was featured in Westchester Magazine, as one of the cutest pets in Westchester County, NY in 2013 (thanks in part to you too, dear readers).

Texas in Westchester Magazine | Texas, A Parisian Cat in America

Texas in Westchester Magazine | Texas, A Parisian Cat in America

He was a well-travelled kitty.

Texas lived in France (in three places), visited Brussels once, lived in Westchester County, NY, and west of Austin, Texas.

He traveled by train (to Brussels in Belgium), by plane (to America), and went on a road trip with everyone when we moved from New York to Austin, And of course, he traveled by car (to the various vets – probably not his favorite transportation).

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

He was a refined gastronome.

He loved plain yogurt, but always – always – full fat. Activia was one of his favorite (unfortunately, plain Activia yogurt is not available in the U.S.). He loved cream cheese and mascarpone. Once I also caught him eating the little bumps on top of my freshly baked madeleines! He loved catnip – really loved it. And some of his favorite foods were European brand Almo Nature, and in the U.S. Petite Cuisine, Natural Balance’s Catatouille, and Applaws.

One evening at my Mom’s place, we caught him licking olives that were on the table. That is how we discovered he luuuuved olives. It would put him in a state close to the one catnip would. He could smell them from another room and would come and beg for one. He loved to first play with it, and then eat it.

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

The day before he crossed the rainbow bridge, we stopped by a place called Wimberley. This time of the year, we see a lot of “Dia de los Muertos” decorations of course. And I saw this beautiful painting. The cat. The heart. The message.

Dia de los Muertos Cat Painting | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and probable congestive heart failure two weeks before. He had a big heart, figuratively and unfortunately for him, quite literally. He took a piece of my heart when he left, a piece that was his to take. He stays forever with me in my heart and memories though.

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

The painting now belongs to me.

We miss you, Texas. I know I will always will.

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Updating The Blog And What’s To Come

Dear All,

It’s been a while since there has been any activity on this blog, a little less than a year. I missed all of this blog’s readers, as well as reading your blogs. But most of all, of course, I miss Texas, the kitty that started it all.

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

I meant to post a tribute, but after he left, it was like all hell broke loose. I often said he was my guardian angel, and suddenly, it was very clear that my guardian angel was gone. I am alright, and I will be alright. But I still miss my best furry friend so much.

Monday will mark one year since he has crossed the rainbow bridge. One year since we rushed to the ER with him on my lap, breathing his last breath. But I won’t get into this kind of details. Instead, on Monday I will post a tribute focusing on such a fantastic kitty he was. He was quite extra ordinary, actually.

I’m so glad that I did this blog, so he can now live forever on the Internet (for once, I’m quite happy that anything posted on the Internet is archived somewhere). It might also have encouraged me to take more pictures and videos than I would have normally. Oh I take pics all the time. But thanks to the blog I have even more of them.

I have wondered what to do with the blog. Of course I have other kitties. While Milou is gone, too, Kitshka is doing well, and I have adopted a new ginger cat (because ginger cats rock). But Texas was my Forever Cat and this was his blog. Yet I decided to resume blogging, and hand over the blog to Mademoiselle Kitshka. She is ready. She wants to carry on Texas’ mission of understanding humans. (Quite a program, she meows.)

Kitshka | Texas, A Parisian Cat in America

Whiskey, the new member of our family, will start by observing… up close.

Whiskey | Texas, A Parisian Cat in America

Thank you all so much for your support after Texas and Milou passed away. I did mean to answer each and everyone of you, but life decided it had to keep me busy in a less pleasant way. Those who follow my other blog might have seen that I tried to start blogging again earlier, but never as consistently as I would have wished. I’ll try again. Plus I have two kitties here that deserve their picture on the Internet. For now, the blog will keep Texas’ name… and might always do. We’ll see.

Please join us in this new adventure if you’d like. I also have plenty of pics of Texas that Kitshka and I will want to share.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and care for Texas.

Love,
Carine – Texas’ human.

Milou Has Joined Grouik and Texas Across the Rainbow Bridge

Dear Friends,

First, thank you SO MUCH for your support.

It’s with a heavy heart that I now have to announce that Milou has crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Thursday, October 20, just 11 days after Texas.

Milou had seen his health considerably worsen the past few months: he had lost a lot – a LOT – of weight, had newly discovered thyroid problems, and was diagnosed with kidney disease. His condition took a turn for the worse on that sad Thursday evening, as he could barely breathe, and we had to take the decision to stop the pain.

Milou was my husband’s kitty of 17 years. I had know him myself as long as I have known my husband. He loved to eat – and you could see that by just looking at him! He loved to play, and he loved to cuddle with his human. He loved to hiss at Texas too, although he had stopped doing this for a while, when his health started to show weakening signs. Milou was the last of our three French cats – Grouik, Texas, and Milou – that we had taken with us when we moved to America. He is of course very much missed.

Texas and the Gang | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas, Kitshka, and Milou – September 27, 2016

Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

 | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

I wanted to take the time to answer each and everyone of you to thank you for your nice words and support, but getting back on the blog only reminded me that Texas wasn’t here anymore. I will get in touch soon though.

As for Kitshka, she is healthy but really seems lost. She’s staying next to us humans more than she used to, obviously asking for TLC. She was always closer to Texas, I think, than she was to us, but things are changing. She still appears to always be looking for something… probably Texas.

I am not sure what I want to do with the blog in the long term yet – or if Kitshka shows any appetency for blogging – but I’ll definitely pay tribute to Texas and Milou soon.

I wonder if Texas, Milou, and Grouik are giving French lessons to the other kitties across the Rainbow Bridge now…

Thank you all again for your support. It means a lot.

Carine, Texas’ human

The Saddest of Updates: Texas Has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

The Saddest of Updates: Texas Has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Dear Friends,

This is Carine, Texas’ human. I am saddened to update his blog to let you know that my beloved kitty Texas has crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday afternoon.

He was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and probable congestive heart failure just two weeks ago. We knew from that time that his days were numbered, I just hoped we would have a little bit more time. He was only 10 and a half.

I am grateful that I have spent ten years of my life with him, and that he agreed to spend his life with me. Texas and I had a special bond together that will never be broken. He brought me so much joy and happiness, he was a very good friend. He was also the smartest cat I have ever met. I am also grateful that I was there with him when his time came, although I was unable to help him.

Below are a few of the last pictures I took with him. Yes, he looked very healthy, and he was besides his heart problem, which makes the whole situation even harder to accept.

I’ll try and write some more by the end of the week, hopefully, probably next weekend. Milou also has his own health problems and has lost a lot of weight lately, but he’s holding on to life. Kitshka is doing well, although she’s left without her big brofur/role model/mentor/partner in crime/bff.

Texas took with him a bit of my heart that was legitimately his to take. I miss him. I miss him so much.

Carine

Texas and the Gang | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas, Kitshka, and Milou – September 27, 2016

Texas' Pawsomeness | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

“Wait human! Is that the can opener I just heard?” – October 1, 2016

Texas, the Boss | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas stealing my chair when I was working from home – October 3, 2016

I Am a Dinosaur Now. Roarrrrr!

Hiya everyone!

Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

(These are toys from Christmas that I haven’t been able to post about yet)

My human says she is sorry she has been so busy she could not help me with my blog (again) (she sounds like what humans call a broken record). She says she’s slept only 2 hours last night (humans are nuts). So?

Today is a special day. Today is my birthday and I turn 10! Kitshka told me I was a Senior now. Hmpft. Then, by email, my human told me the vet in NY had said I was a Senior when I turned 6. HMPFT.

Anyway, the good news is that rumor is my human is coming back for good in about a month (how many kibbles does that make?), so paws crossed. I’ll organize a big pawty when she’s back so you can all learn to know who I am again!

In the meantime, the male human bought me some special wet food that I really like.

Texas' 10th birthday meal | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas' 10th birthday meal | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Leftovers from Texas' 10th birthday meal | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

That was good! Can you tell what I like most? You can have the leftovers. No wait, Kitshka and Milou already took care of them. Sorry!

Purrs,
Texas

Happy New Year 2016 + Resolutions for My Human

Happy New Year my Furriends!

May 2016 bring you health, kibbles and wet food aplenty, and loving humans!

What do we expect 2016 will be like at my place?

Well, there will be more sleeping…

Milou sleeping | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

…more of me waiting for my human…

Texas | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

…everyone trusting Kitshka with the car key… er, not sure this is the greatest idea, human!

Kitshka keeping the car key | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Speaking of the human, we expect to have to try once again to keep her here…

Kitshka & Milou | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Texas keeping the luggage | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

…I know Kitshka, it’s kind of boring to have to do it every time.

Kitshka yawning | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Which brings me to my resolutions for my human:

  1. Come back to the state named after me: that’s where I am, plus it’s warmer and it’s friendlier, and that’s also where we are!
  2. Make me and my blog your priority
  3. Give us more treats
  4. Buy me more catnip toys…

Okay, I’ll stop here because I’m a nice, reasonable kitty.

My furriends, I hope you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve, and a great New Year! I’ll make my human help me with my bloggie and visiting you more next year! Now, if you’ll excuse us, we all need to nap now because my human is coming home tonight!

Kitshka, Texas, & Milou sleeping | Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

New Year, New Meow

Not new me human, it’s still little old me, but a new meow because a new name and design for my blog!

Finally, human!

New Blog Design

I had announced this a while back. My human I finally decided on a name, and the design has been slightly changed, but there might be more design changes (that is if my human decides to work on it before another six months pass…).

What do you think?

I have also updated my Facebook page with the new name:

Texas, a Parisian Cat in America

Promote Your Page Too

If you don’t already follow me… well you’re missing on plenty of cat stuff, so you should definitely make it a priority for 2016 to follow all my social media accounts.

I have also changed my Twitter handle. If you were already following me, you don’t need to do anything. If you weren’t, well, you need to follow me:


I’m also on Instagram:

Instagram

And on Pinterest:

If I am not already following you on any of these social thingies, feel free to let me know and I will gladly follow you back!

Last but not least, my human also updated my About page and the one for my fur family. Last time she updated them was 2012! I think the humans would call this a Christmas miracle!

Now, I just need her to come back home.