Welcome 2026

Lady: 2025 ended in ways we did not expect. While we felt confident we would be saying goodbye to both Hailey and Zaphod in 2025, we didn't imagine ending the year with 3 cats or be rehabbing a feral one. Goes to show you, you never know where life will take you. 

To all of those who have followed our journey the past year (or longer), thank you. We wish you and yours all the best for 2026. May you have more laughter than tears, and more adventures than set backs. 

Now to the cats resolutions.

Tigris:

I resolve to only sleep on soft human furniture, refuse to do puzzles and refuse to love the new cat. 

Styx

Hi friends, hi friends - I resolve to remember I have a tail, remember my food has to be on the counter cause Gris eats it all and resolve to continue to protect my people from all the wildlife outside my window.  I might try and like the new cat.

Jack-O-Lanie

I resolve to refuse to give my captures the satisfaction on lap love and to make Styx at least be my friend. 

Wordless Wednesday - Styx

 

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas - by Styx

 Hi friends, hi friends, hi friends,

The most special time of year happened. Apparently after hat tax, you get something called Christmas. Do they have Christmas where you live? Did you extra special treats and presents too? Where there lots of bags for you to play in?

Lady said only good cats get presents, and we must have been very good cats, because besides some new little toys, we got 3 really cool big ones. 

First we got something called a snuffle mat. Your people put treats in it and you hunt them out.  Even lazy Tigris would do this puzzle.  We like our snuffle mat but wish is always had treats in it. 

Next, we got one big nip stick. This was made by someone who works with one of the local rescues. Next year Santa needs to get 2 because we may have fought over it. Lanie thought it was the stupidest thing ever.  That is ok, more nip for me. I love, love, love nip. 

Gris taking it from me before the first fight over it

Gris, not wanting to share

Lanie wishing she didn't get a turn (I will take hers, I will take hers)

Last we got a new ball toy. Man didn't think we would like it, but we totally got into it. 

This we can play together

Now while Santa brought us all good things, Uncle Chris gave Lady a cat carrying hoodie. We don't love this and some training is going to be needed. Lady laughed so hard she cried. 

Screen shot taken from video of Lady laughing too hard and shoving me in. 

We hope you all had a good Christmas and no one wore you like clothes and there was no hat tax. 

Styx, who is really a good cat because Santa said so

Lanie's Log - Some Kind of Freedom

 Readers,

I interrupt this Mischief Monday because apparently Thursday is about resolving, and I wanted to make sure my message got out to the world. It has been 69 days since my capture. In this time, I have discovered I really like to have my head petted and I have started to purr. I will not come down from the windowsill when the wardens are around. I do not trust them enough. 

Wishing for freedom in solitary confinement

The wardens have opened the door to my solitary confinement and I now have privileges to the entire prison. 

Looking out at the whole prison one of the first times

I do not leave my room when the people are home and up. 

I have started to venture out at night.  I have made it upstairs to the main floor a few times. 

At the top of the stairs

I have not received the warmest of welcomes, Prisoner 2 has hissed. I think they may have some sort of Tabby Cat gang I am not a member of.  Prisoner 1 just ignores me. I wonder what it will take to be accepted into their gang. 

Prison 2, not giving the warmest of welcomes

The wardens are very excited about all of this. I would be happier if they left the front door open.

Jack-O-Lanie - prisoner 3

Almost Wordless Wednesday - Merry Christmas

 

Our official Christmas picture

From all of us, to all of you, wishing you the best of the season, however you celebrate it.

Lady, Man, Tigris, Styx and Jack-O-Lanie

Dear Santa

Hi Santa, hi Santa,

I really have tried to be a good boy this year. If you can look past running outside, getting stuck in the ceiling, and exploring all the things I am not supposed to, you will see I have been a very good Styxy - one who has had many adventures this year.  Many adventures. So many good adventures. 

I know I shouldn't ask for too much, because you clearly gave me these people earlier in the year, but I can't help wanting a few things. This year I would like lots of pets, and boxes, and new toys, and adventures, and pets, and treats and fun, fun fun.  I also want other cats to find good people like mine. My Man is especially wonderful because there are no hats and much less singing. 

Thank you Santa,

Styx

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Dear Santa,

It has been a year, and I am grateful for these people, even though there is a tax for living here. 

This year I would like to be hat tax exempt, not be on a diet, and to have all the love I want, when I want it and how I want it. I would also like to be left alone and not put of with Lady's singing as much.

Tigris

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Dear scary Man,

Please alert the authorities that I am being held against my will in this warm house, with plenty to eat, excellent medical care, and wardens who are working hard to make me feel safe and loved. It is very trying to tolerate all this good stuff. 

For Christmas, I am torn if I want a prison escape (I am sure you could open the window to my room) or if I want to just feel more comfortable and be a little less feral. I think I need you to help me decided.

I do hope you don't bring me more toys that my wardens want me to learn to play with. Toys are stupid. If you wanted to bring some more treats, I especially love licky. 

Jack-O-Lanie - prisoner #3

Nature Friday - The 3 Wise Birds - with Styx

Hi friends, hi friends, 

Thanks to Rosy and Sunny for hosting this event. I am so excited to share this with you.

Around my house, I have been very busy watching birds. 

I have seen the 3 wise birds.

They make a big mess and a lot of noise.

Styx - bird watcher