Pepper The Cat

Happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Somebody Stole My Fur!

2011-06-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well, actually this is my summer cut to stay cool and not have so much in the way of shedding and hairballs. My tummy was getting very unhappy with my shedding and cleaning.

Steven The Usurper

2011-05-07T23:49:00.000-07:00

Queen Of All I Survey

2011-05-07T23:48:00.000-07:00

Summer Catitude

2011-04-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

Maine Coon Cat in Dappled Light

Christmas Village Monster

2010-11-21T21:31:00.000-08:00

Garden Gaze

2010-11-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

Can we come out to play?

2010-06-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

I hatz screenz!

A Day In The Yard

2010-06-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Peppers most recent roomate, Peanut, makes an appearance in the yard. Pretty day, flowers and a artifical rainbow, courtesy of the sprinklers.

Eyes on Target

2010-05-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

So Close... Yet so far.

2010-05-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

Leap Of Faith

2010-02-21T16:33:00.000-08:00

Night Vision Corneas

2010-02-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

Nap Time

2010-02-21T16:28:00.000-08:00

Fresh Water

2009-11-29T21:33:00.000-08:00

Stink Bast UPDATE

2009-11-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

Hi
Stinky kitten here. Hey folks I got really sick. They say it is a viral infection. Thanks to my fast acting Guardian Angel, Sharmuta, I got into the vet in time. I'll be healthy enough to go home soon. One problem-Sharmuta can not keep me. We just love each other but I must find another home. Post a comment if you would like to adopt a healthy kind boy kitten. Just write danielgballard@yahoo.com, he can get in touch with my Angel.
I'll be good I promise!

Meow For Now!

Not Your Next Snack!

2009-07-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

Note to Pepper-
Sorry can't come out to "play".

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

2009-06-28T20:26:00.000-07:00

Kittenhood Exploration

2009-06-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

I hate it when they post my bay pictures!!! Oh well. Its not as bad as when a human mom shows those baby pictures to the new son's girlfriend...

Besides I was sure there was something cool in that box!

Morning Snack

2009-06-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

Love My Pool

2009-05-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

PETA-YOU RAT BASTARDS

2009-04-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

To People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals
When my friend called to give you an early heads up on the bad chinese pet food-you blamed him for feeding a cat-an obligate carnivore-food with meat in it. Despite your own "rules" that say animals have the right to exist in their natural way. For me thats MEAT to EAT. I am a domesticated PREDATOR who has little patience for tofu burgers. Then I learn you have killed many of us cats according to your own report! You placed only a few of us (seven!) in adoption. Millions of dollars and you piss it away on all the wrong projects.

ASPCA I love you! Thats where my staff send donations. Then my staff (they think I belong to them LOL!) giive fod to a local shelter. MEEOW! Thats coolness.

The storms edge

2009-03-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

I see it!

2009-03-01T20:15:00.001-08:00

I smell a storm coming

2009-03-01T20:10:00.000-08:00

Lap (top) Cat

2009-02-28T16:49:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder...

2009-01-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

Watch Those Claws

2009-01-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

They met at One year old

2009-01-19T06:51:00.000-08:00

Young Friends

2009-01-19T06:49:00.000-08:00

Pepper and Layla met again

2009-01-19T06:46:00.002-08:00

My New Friend

2008-07-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

Hi
I have a new as yet unnamed pen pal. just ten weeks old. She has been retrieved from a cage-less-no kill shelter. Imagine that! I was in a cage when I was at the shelter. I hated it! This new kitten is not yet even named, but this post is sure to be a fun surprise to her new hosts who have some serious spoiling to do there. I'll post again when we have a name for this doubly lucky female kitten.

Peppers garden stroll

2008-07-02T20:16:00.001-07:00

2008-06-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Watchful eyes.......

2008-06-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

What was that???

2008-06-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

Over there?

2008-06-05T21:48:00.001-07:00

What is in here?

2008-06-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

My flowers!

Looking Up

2008-04-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

I am soooo spoiled!
Donna might let me up on the a/c where I can watch the snacks, uh... I mean birds.

Cat Eyes

2008-04-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

I was playing with Daniel and got tired enough to rest. The March sun was very bright. My eyes adapt to the light. If you click on the picture you will see how, and that gold color too!

Jump!

2008-04-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

I'll get that laser!

Watchful Eyes

2008-04-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, nothing like hanging out at the pool!

Toy Mouse gets close up of feline food processor paw

2008-01-11T13:16:00.001-08:00

Got it

2008-01-06T17:52:00.001-08:00

Got it!!!

I love to Jump

2008-01-06T17:44:00.001-08:00

That mouse is just out of reach...

The aspiring cat jeweler

2007-12-14T15:56:00.001-08:00

I just love to make myself jewelry.

But my bench needs cleaning. Where are those pliers...

Pepper got out

2007-12-14T15:48:00.001-08:00

They said she was a maine coon and she would grow to be big...

I'm getting bigger and bigger...

2007-11-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

I am getting longer! I can reach (with a little leap) all kinds of things I could not quite get to. Like doorknobs! Soon I can go out as fast as I can turn the knob... Oh boy....

My first Holiday Season

2007-11-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

Well look what I found, our buildings wreath. Sure smells nice. They tell me about these Christmas trees, it is said (among us kittens) that they are covered with bright shiny things to play with. hmm. We'll see.

Pool Rail Time

2007-11-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

I just love the child guard fence around our pool. When I get outside I ride a while on Daniel's shoulders. We love to walk around like that. Then he gets close enough to the top of the fence that I can amble up onto it. At one inch wide, its a challenge to my cat balance. One wrong move and I get wet!

I've been a baaad kitty

2007-11-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

I just love to hide my toys.. So, I found a new toy and hid it away. The bad thing is I forgot where, and the new toy was really the key for a rented car. Who knew it was so much money to make a new car key. Donna said it was enough money to feed me for months. $190! Whoops, I'm sorry! (We forgive you, kitten-Love Daniel & Donna) How long could anyone stay mad at THIS face?

I FOUND SOME COUSINS

2007-11-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

Hi
I just have to share my new distant cousins with you. Daniel found a Maine Coon breeder in England! The link is at the bottom of the page, but if you are living in England, Scotland, Ireland or even western Europe, get a Maine Coon from these wonderful folks. A tunnel in and out, a fenced garden, its club Med for cats. I added a picture of one of my very distant cousins.... Allow me to introduce Archie!!!!

Is this my fault?

2007-11-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

Today I am reading about a faster, stronger breed of mouse.

Gene Tweak Makes for Mighty Mice

Scientists Genetically Engineer Mice That Outrun and Outlive Ordinary Mice

For a scientist that is very interesting. For some silly humans who have these things for pets, thats probably great. I can not see why anyone wants a mouse for a pet! Even a dog is better than that if only barely. For me a faster stronger mouse is just a between meal snack thats harder to catch! See for yourself at CNN video-Or in print at Web MD.
I'm just wondering if they did this to try and make a mouse that I can't catch. Hah! Good luck with that..........

What breed am I?

2007-10-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

Since I was first rescued by the San Fernando East Valley Animal shelter I have no way to really know my breed or mix. One of Donna's coworkers has rescued a cat of the Maine Coon variety. She needs some help, (its her very first feline, lucky human). Donna bought a magazine for her about Coon cats. I look just like some of them. I have their traits of appearance, and I love to learn new tricks. I love to ride on shoulders. What do you think? I submit a photograph of a full blooded Maine Coon kitten from a cat site. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Coon
Time to learn something new....

A very kind comment deserves full posting-

2007-10-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

Rest in peace Beeeeaaaar! We will miss your meowing in the morning and the many visits when our mommie has her door open. Pepper..you have big paws to fill (figuratively and literally), but we're sure you'll make Bear proud.

-Oboe, Piper and Ginger

October 29, 2007 8:18 AM

A sad day in the life of a kitten cat

2007-10-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Today I lost my big room mate Bear Cat. This entry is his epitaph. He died to a combination of 17 years of age and a cancer caused by a feline vaccine. Tears rain on my fur as my human pals hold me and tell me about the Bear of way back before I was born. He was the King of the neighbor hood. He protected his home with a fierce and kind manner. He loved all the people that came and went from our apartment building and would stop to say hi and give him a few strokes or a scratch. He taught little children how to be kind and gentle to cats with a patience that belied a superior soul. Never ever did a tail tugging hair pulling child suffer a bite or cut.

We felines live far short of human lifetimes. We felines offer a decade or two of our love, our play, our cuddles and our cat attitude. You people give us life, love and great care. Its a deal made in heaven. Our first born day like any creature is a great joyous day. Our last day is the price we pay for a fine life when we are very fortunate. Our last day on earth is why there are kittens-Life prevails. I will miss my adopted big brother. He bequeathed to me his territory, and a message to all who have cats.

The message is I love you, I thank you and goodbye. Always be gentle be you human or cat. Never let the sad last day keep you from that first day with a cat and the whole entire LIFE that follows. For cats reincarnation is a fact times nine. I may see you sooner than you think. Watch carefully-you might recognize me by my sly wink.

My pal Silver Cat, and Kevin

2007-10-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

A picture of my beautiful friend Silver Cat. D&D rescued her from the California Jewelry Mart building ten years ago. We think she was a kitten brought to work that got away, and hid away in the false ceiling of the Jewelry mart. This was funny, random meows and scratching noises in jewelry stores all through 13 floors. Anyway Donna got her from the janitor after she was caught. Brought her home. She is a shy scared-y cat. The other picture-Kevin is a Los Angeles script writer and photogapher. What else is there around here? These pictures are a bit soft-Too much beer Daniel?

Happy to Be Home

2007-10-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

Well I have to keep this collar on for a few days. I hate it but I did find a very famous Queen who had to wear one even worse! If she could take that, I can take this. Thanks to my distant fan Brian, who mentioned this so I could see I got it easy. BTW-I Think its time to eat again!

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

2007-10-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody!
I'm finally home. D&D picked me up at the hospital. After surgery I met some friends there, and saw more of those scary DOGS! Ugh. I have a great vet with a kind crew who was taking good care of me. They say I'm purrfectly healthy. No new pictures yet I have some fur cleaning to do before that. If I can! I have this awful looking thing around my neck. I look like the Vet crossed my DNA with that flower that eats bugs! Either that or I got sent to clown school.... The collar keeps me from licking my spay incision. But I want to fix my hair! I'm stuck inside for a few days, while I heal up. When I get petted I now turn over to show off my scar and get my sore shaved bare tummy rubbed. Hey wheres my dinner? I'm expecting tuna after all this! yellow tail, if you have it.

FLASH UPDATE-Pepper is awake after spay surgery.

2007-10-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

Note from Daniel Pepper is awake and looking around. Promptly at 2;00pm I got a voice mail from the Vet assistant "Ginger" that Pepper is awake and she is looking around. We might visit her this evening, unless the excitement or risk of disturbing new stitches/ would be a risk. Later I called another nice lady at Studio City Animal Hospital who told me that Pepper would still be groggy for a while. Her scheduled pick up is 4:30 Wednesday. She will be wearing a "softcollar" so she can not irritate the healing area with too much attention. These folks called me right on time and let me know what was up. Love these people. Studio City Animal Hospital rocks.

Thank you all for caring-You are very busy folks and have no time to post-Do not feel bad-My blogs are all the posting I ever do. We celebrate the so far, so good- great news. More party pictures. Good thing milk never gives a hangover. BTW, she gets very little milk as a treat, cow milk is not great for cats. We will have some DVM approved treats on hand for pick up. Click the pictures for full size images sent very quickly.

Surprise Party For Me

2007-10-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

Daniel decided to surprise me with a little party to celebrate my moving from full kitten hood into kitten adolescence. I'm not full grown, but as posted yesterday its a big step in my life. Daniel got me a shot of milk! He had some of that strange smelling foamy stuff he drinks in the evenings. How can he stand it? I know he likes milk why not be satisfied with that for a treat? People! Here I am at almost six months old.

I'm Cute as heck but NOT a breeder. Wish me well...

2007-10-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

This is my picture at about three months old.

Tomorrow is a big scary day for me. Like all good cats, I'm going in for abdominal surgery before I become "mature". I guess in some ways my kitten hood ends. I'm not full grown but Tuesday I will be spayed. My human pals Dan & Donna have seen to it I am going to an animal hospital instead of a neuter clinic. They waited until I was approaching six months old for my safety. So I get the full careful treatment-All the little extras like an EKG and blood O2 monitor during the operation. Then the vet will flush the anesthetic out of me to reduce the chances of trouble. I will be away from home a whole day and night. The vet keeps me 24hours for observation. It's tricky on a female feline compared to a male. Those creatures are easy.

I'm scared. Any creature with a rational mind hates surgery. They will put me way under for this. But it is the right thing to do. Despite the minimal risks, I will never ever breed. far too many of my kind are bred out of control. I"ll spare us the details, the knowledge of what happens to many of my kind makes me yowl and wail if I think about it. With all due respect to responsible cat breeders-Please my friends, if you get a kitten, be sure to neuter her or him.
Support clinics and animal hospitals. They save many of my kind to the delight of young and kind humans of all ages all over the world. My pals Silver cat (looking right) and Bear cat (looking left-

Dinner time

2007-09-10T19:21:00.001-07:00

I Walk The Line

2007-09-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

I just love to get out. Daniel carries me on his shoulders to give me a better view. I just love to walk the high places like the iron fence around my pool. It is as narrow as anything I can walk on. A challenge to my cat balance and skills for certain.

Meeting A Chinchilla

2007-09-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Hi
One of my friends, Charlotte, introduced me to her chinchilla Oboe-Who was very shy and a bit nervous. She is my neighbor, and I would love to play together. I think I would scare her though... She has the fur I would love to have!

Even a cats eyes need some help sometimes

2007-09-04T14:49:00.001-07:00

My jewelers bench has every tool I need for my fashionable collars. I literally have cats eyes, but I need some magnification sometimes. So, I got this ring light lamp with a lens in it. You can really see how my fur looks good again!

Time to design a new collar!

2007-09-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

Now after more than a week my glue stuck then baby oil soaked fur has been fully cleaned. It is now beautiful again. My cat roommates Bear and Silver helped a lot. Anyway I decided it was time to get to my personal jewelry designers bench (Designs By Donna) to pick out some beads for my new collar. After all that drama I need NEW JEWELRY. MEEEEOW!

A cat, a trap, and a bunch of crap...

2007-08-24T11:24:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!
Look at my formerly beautiful fur! I could just cry. In fact I did. It started like this-First, I went outside by my pool, and then I got curious as to what was in a nearby apartment where the plumber left the door open. Never again! I went behind a couch and I stepped in GLUE! A great big (as big as I am) glue-board rattrap! I screamed as loud as I ever have in my panic to run away from this big black plastic thing stuck to me. I tried to run but I was truly trapped. I really should have listened to Daniel when he told me "NO!" as I walked in. I was screaming, panicking, and flailing to get away, and it only made me even more trapped! Daniel rushed right in, and as gently as he could pull that horrible thing off me. Still, it hurt! After he got me unstuck, I was covered in rubber cement. If that had been a rat snap trap, I would be gone-a sad memory. As it is, I think I am down to eight lives. If Daniel had not saved me I have no idea what might have happened!

Daniel & Donna had to use mineral oil to get the glue off me. As a cat, I really hate a bath. I really hate oil in my fur. A whole bunch of oil was used to scrub me a long time, and even worse, this was in a sink with water! YUCK! I tried so hard not to panic, or cut my friends with my claws. (I am soooo sorry for those cuts and punctures!) After a long oil scrubbing, we then had to wash the oil off with detergent, and then I had to endure a long warm wet rinse. An unhappy moment.

The nice part was a very long cuddle and toweling off. As they got bandaged up, Daniel & Donna carried me around for an hour in that towel. I just could not stand that soap, so I still have some of this oil in my fur. UGLY OIL. All this panicking and bathing really made me hungry! But cleaning that oil has had an effect on my tummy-I think I will be using the box a lot today. Who knew oil would do that?!

I think I will sleep on Daniel's chest tonight, maybe Donna’s, or both.
(Note from Daniel) That is exactly what our tired kitten did. Cuddled as close as she could for a long nights rest. I think her big roommates’ Bear and Silver will help her clean up that fur today.

2007-08-06T17:36:00.001-07:00

May I have my nap now?

2007-08-06T17:25:00.001-07:00

My favorite toy!

2007-08-06T17:24:00.001-07:00

Good thing I do not get stuck.... uh, wait.. meow-help!

2007-08-06T17:22:00.001-07:00

2007-08-06T17:21:00.001-07:00

I see my roomate.

2007-08-06T17:17:00.001-07:00

My first posting as a kitten!

2007-08-06T17:12:00.001-07:00

Hi
I am Pepper, a very happy kitten. They say eight weeks old. For those who have an allergy to my kind, I offer these tissues. I have a little help with this blog-I have my person Daniel as my IT expert.