BANJO JUNIPER

So, the other night my sweet Banjo was sleeping on his bed as the sun was setting and shining just a peek of light through the window onto him.  I couldn't help but take about 100 photos of him sleeping.  And I admit, I was poking and prodding him to wake up so I could see those beautiful eyes of his.  Ha ha!  Crazy Cat Lady at it's finest.  I'm guilty.  He is so damn cute!!!  I seriously don't know how I got so lucky to have 4 of the most beautiful animals on the planet! 

This poor boy got neutered & had his front claws taken out this week.  But he is doing so good and back to his usual self getting into all sorts of trouble around the house.  But now he can claw his way onto Nico's cage, or tear up the couch, or claw Bella when he jumps on her, or climb the curtains, or.... He can still chew things up though!!!  Right now he's on a wicker kick. (praying he doesn't start on my peacock chair)... My current background noise is him chewing the hell out of a cardboard box!  But look at that face!!!  He's so cute he can do no wrong. 

Ive had to rearrange plants b/c hes been killing them by jumping in them, and I think peeing in them from time to time.  All of a sudden they started looking horrible!  Two he completely killed.  Were having to do some Banjo proofing around here these days. 

Violet and him have become the best of buds.  They play alot together and its so sweet.  They never get aggressive with each other and they enjoy each other so much.  Bella still wants nothing to do with him and still hisses at him all the time.  Banjo has figured out that there are deer outside the window in the evenings, so he loves to sit in my studio window and watch the deer.  And he loves to cuddle with his dad in the afternoons when he comes home from work and sits on the couch.  Banjo gets right up on him and purrs.  Something he doesn't do with me anymore, so it's pretty special.  His current favorite toy is the cotton bag with a drawstring that came off our new pillowcase set.  He runs all over the house with it dangling from his mouth!  And he has one crazy voice on him!  He is extremely vocal.  If we go in the other room and close the door, he will stand outside of it and cry.  He cries when we put him in his room for time out or to go to bed at night.  He cries while playing with his toys.  I guess I shouldn't say cry, b/c its not all crying, he is just very vocal about everything.  So different than Bella.  He is different from her in every aspect! 

Banjo Juniper has been the biggest blessing to us.  We love love love that little stinker!

Banjo + The Tunnel

Banjo and his tunnel.  These were taken when Banjo was little still (he's a growing weed these days).  He LOVES his tunnel from Earthbound Trading Co. Like loves it.  There has not been one day since he got it that he has not played in it.  Now that he is bigger he rips through the house, and running through this baby is always on his path!  Its so funny.  He loves popping in out and of the hole on top, and equally loves the dangling ball. 

Growing up we always had kittens from our outdoor country cats, but they didn't have toys like this being outdoor cats.  This is the first kitten Ive ever raised indoors, and it has been so much fun.  And alot of work!!!  It's been fun to experiment with toys with him.  Bella has never been into toys.  She likes string, and that's about it.  I tried to get her to play with cat toys and she has just never had any interest.  Banjo on the other hand will play with anything! 

If you ever get a kitten, get a tunnel!  Seriously, hours of fun!  I love that Earthbound came out with a whole pet line for dogs & cats.  I think my babies love it too :)

MEET BANJO JUNIPER

The last 72 hours have been a whirlwind.  Our family unexpectedly grew a little bit with this adorable little guy.  After hearing a cry in the woods for two days, I found this little guy alone and scared in the rain.  I left it where I found it for a few hours to make sure it's mama wasn't coming back.  I knew it was going to storm that night and I couldn't bare it any longer, and it was still out there crying non stop.  No other kitties were to be found, or any trace of a mama.  I was hesitant to take it, but Ive already had one kitty die b/c I didn't find it soon enough, so I didn't take a chance on this little fella.

Yesterday he took his first car ride to the vet to get dewormed and flea + mite treatment.  He's too little for shots just yet, but the vet gave him a good examination and we think he is healthy as can be.  For the past 13+ years I have not allowed myself to get a kitten b/c Bella hates other cats.  So needless to say, this hasn't been an easy transition.  Bella is pissed.  But I'm hoping over time this will change.  And really only time will tell.

This little boy is a mama's boy, and he definitely things I'm his mama.  All he wants to do is be right up on my neck, coddling, suckling, purring, rubbing, kissing... He is a LOVER BOY to the max.  Cries when I'm not by his side, and instantly purrs the second I walk in the door.  Screams until he is up on my neck, and then just melts, purrs and rubs all over my face.  The second I put him down, he screams.  MAMAS BOY.  It's been a delicate balance trying to be there for him around the clock, and be there to reassure Bella she is still my baby too. 

I go on vacation very soon and James will be home alone with all this crazyness.  I hope he transitions a bit more before that!!!  I'm a little worried honestly.  But gosh he is soooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am just in love.  Madly.

And his little name is Banjo Juniper. <3 He is a lover. A mama's boy. So curious. Loves to play, but gets easily scared. A ferocious eater. And an even more ferocious cuddler.  Like the biggest, sweetest, most in your face cuddles youve ever seen. Heart Breaker.