“Luna, You’re Getting So Big!”

Happy Monday everyone! I think Mondays require a lot of cute kitten photos. Don’t you agree? In June you met Luna when she was still so tiny. Now it’s time for you to see how she has been growing – I tried to keep these pictures in sequential order so you can feel that universal feeling every parent has of “they grow up so fast”.

I feel the need to inform you that I take these photos of Luna with my camera phone, that’s why the quality isn’t on par with my food photos. Things happen so fast, those photo ops are almost over before I know it and my phone is always near by, where as my big clunky DSLR is not. The thing about photographing a kitten is that it’s hard to capture them when they are still – you can’t tell them to sit pretty for that tasty treat like you can with a dog. So, this is why there are so many photos of Luna sleeping, it’s the only real time she is still. AND because she loves to sleep, especially on her back, it’s adorable and makes my heart melt every time I see her doing it. I mean,  I just can you even handle it!

Since June I feel that I’ve gotten to know Luna better, we’ve bonded. When we first brought her home in May she was just a cute tiny ball of fur who was very needy. She required our constant attention – it was unexpected, cats are so independent. Adopting Luna at 6 weeks old she was the youngest kitten I have had. Now she has surpassed new born, needy stage to toddler, inquisitive/destructive stage.  As she has grown in size she has started to jump up on the kitchen counters and tables and windows and now she wants to know what everything is. She tries to drink out of our water glasses, eat my vitamins, climb up on the blinds and wants to check out all of our food. Instead of having to hold her all of the time now the challenge is trying to get her to stay off the kitchen counters while I make dinner – this is why I’m thankful we have a kitchen door that we can close.

Spray bottles filled with water have become our new best friend. Cat people, you know, you get it – your cat knows what you want it to do but chooses not to listen – it may sound mean but a spray of water in her face is one of the only things that will make her stop doing whatever she was doing.

With this new independence Luna has gained she still wants to be near by. It’s a good thing I have a large desk because most days she lounges on it as I work. She occasionally batts at my fingers as I type. Cutest co worker ever!

They grow up so fast don’t they?! When we first brouht Luna home her tail was the size of Paul’s pinky (no joke) and now it’s gotten long and bushy and she’s not even done growing yet – not sure I can handle it! With her longer tail we have noticed her balance improve. She used to fall all over the place and was a huge klutz. That longer tail and longer legs have made all of the difference – she is now a cat ninja. Watch out!

We got Luna a cat harness and leash because she already loves going outside so we thought we should embrace it. We have taken her outside during fires at night, she enjoys playing with the grass and bugs and then eventually falling asleep in one our laps. Our hopes and dreams are to be able to take her on walks, so far it has been a no go. Maybe one day.

Every time we go outside we have to be careful that a kitten doesn’t run out behind us. She’s so fast and ninja like and fits right through the door, yet she is too small to kind of half close in the door on her to prevent her from getting out. To ease our minds we got her a collar, it’s a little blue one with fish on it. I liked the fish not realizing until later that it’s blue and she’s a girl – oh well I don’t think she will be having any gender identity issues.

Yes, we became one of THOOOOSE cat people who buy their cats large towers to play on!

Before you judge I just want to say that I have love-hate relationship with this thing.

I hate how it looks and takes up space in my living room but I LOVE how much fun Luna has climbing on it and how it sometimes, yes only SOMETIMES keeps her from climbing on my couch.

We knew it was time to get her a tower when she wouldn’t stop using my couch as her own personal jungle gym. Thankfully we bought a couch that’s pet proof, no damage from her claws has made an appearance. BUT still, we needed a way for her to wear herself out. The original plan was to  have it in the living room while she was growing up and then move it into the basement when she gets board with it. I dunno, we might be stuck with it. She loves to climb on it and sleeps on the top tier all of the time (see very last photo).

Yup, we are those cat people!

BTW if you are in the market for a cat tower thingy look for one online, they are way cheaper and larger online than in a pet store – like several hundred dollars difference.

Okay friends, fellow cat people, big serious question here: Should we get Luna’s front claws removed?!

I have grown up with cats and it has been the norm to get their front claws removed so that we can keep our furniture looking nice and our skin unharmed. BUT seeing Luna play with her toys using her claws, it’s like they are extra fingers for her. AND to watch her climb that tower is so much fun. If we get them removed she won’t be able to climb the same way or play with her toys the same. She will adapt, yes, but it’s almost like removing a part of her personality. That’s how I felt when we got Granite’s claws removed – it was a little heart breaking.

So you know that our couch doesn’t show any wear and tear from her claws. Our house is all hard wood floor and for the most part she hasn’t damaged anything else in the house with her claws. Except I wonder how things will be with other furniture we get that’s not so durable or how the carpet might hold up in our next house. Also my hands and arms are constantly scratched since we got her. I know she doesn’t mean to hurt me, she’s just being her playful self. We try to keep her claws trimmed but you know cats, they don’t sit still so there always seems to be one or two that are super sharp.

Then there’s also the idea that if she ever gets outside in a scary situation with another cat who has claws or a raccoon or something – her front claws are here primary defense. To declaw or not to declaw, this has been a question Paul and I have been debating. What are your thoughts? Any tips? Experiences? Please, please let me know in the comments! Cat lovers, I need your help! Kthanks!

Despite the few scratches on my arms and the knocked over water glasses – because our water always tastes better than hers – Luna has brought us so much joy and laughter. It has been fun to watch her grow and develop. She has provided us good companionship and there is nothing better than the calming purr of a kitten right next to me as I read a book in the evening.

Hey, if you read this far, thank you for being here! As your reward you get to see a few more adorable cat photos!!! Enjoy! 🙂