"Chloe will probably always be overweight," says Friendship Animal Hospital Veterinarian

I took a trip up to Friendship Animal Hospital with my person today. We were going for a "recheck" since I was coughing up blood Monday morning. New x-rays! The X-rays looked good. Basically, nothing has really changed since my last visit in January. I'm not really better but I'm not really worse either. The good news is I've lost weight - almost a pound and a half since my last visit! The vet, however, said that because of my age I will likely always be fat. It's not healthy to lose weight too quickly. The main concern now with kitties my age is quality of life. I think my quality of life is pretty good these days! My plan is to take a relaxed approach and enjoy life as much as possible. Today was a gorgeous day to be out for a jaunt in my cat carrier! Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity to get out and enjoy the weather again sometime soon without also having to visit the Vet. If not, I'll just get my person to open the window and I'll take in the breeze from the comfort of my bed.

We're deeply concerned by the devastation caused by Hurricaine Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi. We're particularly concerned about the pets that were left behind. We know that some people were able to swim out with their pets, but many people were forced to evacuate without them. They need help getting out. Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States, said, "In New Orleans alone, we think there are 50,000 pets." Once they are rescued, funding is still needed to provide food and shelter to these refugee animals until they can be reunited with their owners. Please click here to contribute what you can to help our brothers and sisters escape a gruesome fate.

Surprise visit from former caretaker!

What a weekend! The same day that our person got back into town after a week away, our former caretaker popped in for a surprise visit. As usual, she arrived late at night, wined and dined us, played some of our favorite cat games with us, and then she was gone again like the wind. Here I am getting some over the shoulder love therapy from Margaret. This is one of my all time favorite positions for love! Margaret has got the perfect shoulder for it.

This cat lives a few floors down from us but we'll never meet!

The photo was taken a few weeks ago when the weather was just starting to get warm but the AC in our building wasn't quite on. Our person would never let us sit in a wide open window like this with no screen! Ever since Ari fell out the window of our apartment on Columbia Road our direct exposure to outdoor air is very restricted!

Ari Digliani

This will be my first post in a series, "The Purple Furniture: Benefits and Beauty." Here I am lounging on the back of the purple couch. Notice how the "reverse camel" curve of the couch allows me a variety of ways in which to position myself. I can elevate the front or back of my body to improve circulation as desired. I don't have to lie completely flat as on some more conventional sofas. There are a lot of options. My person says this picture makes her think of Modigliani's Nude Reclining. I think she may have a point!

New Cat in the Hood!

Our sources tell us a new cat has moved into the neighborhood. Welcome Chewy! It looks like he's got a pretty good set-up in his new digs with lots of plants and window access too. He even has a purple couch like us! We met Chewy's person, Karen, back in December when she came over for the Holidays. If I remember correctly she came in with lots of chocolate and some kitty cat salt-n-pepper shakers. That's our kind of person!

Chloe turns 10 (again)!

Happy Birthday to me! Today my person surprised me with a can of tuna and a giant purple chocolate in celebration of my birthday. My person really took me by surprise when she pulled out the can opener to feed me. I knew right then that something good was about to happen! We were celebrating my b-day a week late (my person was out of town on April 18). We made up for the delay with some good eats! I think I'm looking pretty good for my age. Anyway, I've never felt better!