Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year's Eve... bring it on!

It may still be daylight, but it's New Year's Eve and you know what that means? Flashy, noisy, bang-y things in the sky tonight! So I've got my hiding spot under Nick and Kate's bed all picked out.

By the way, me hiding here during the day has got NOTHING to do with the fact that Nick is mowing the lawns right now.

Nothing.

Happy New Year, everycat! See y'all in 2009!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Hey! I'm up here!

Can you see me? I'm not in jail, I'm just up on the patio, chilling out. Our garden is terraced so there's lots of great vertical space... and lots of jumping and climbing to be done. Keeps me young.But for now, I've got some chilling to do...

Cheers,
--Pabs
P.S. I'm a little slow with the news, but Jeter Harris is home! Woo hoo!!!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Here comes Momo!

Every year, on Boxing Day, the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begins, attracting entrants from all over Australia and the world. It's an amazing sight to see all the yachts leaving Sydney Harbour in full sail, and when the 'yachties' finally arrive in Hobart (most take three or so days to get here), it's one big party! Many stay for our New Year's celebrations on the famous Hobart waterfront.

Can you see who's at the helm (?) of this yacht? My Sydney mate Momo is coming down to see me! Woo hoo! She's much braver than me. I hate even thinking about getting my paws wet.
Cheers,
--Pabs

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas from the blogging kitties of OZ!

Merry Christmas, everycat! The blogging kitties of OZ are celebrating in style this year, with amazing graphics from Zoolatry (thanks, Ann!!). Above is my individual portrait, depicting me lording it over Tasmania, my island home.

Link... and here we all are in our group montage. Who knew that there were so many blogging kitties in Australia? Along from our Kiwicat friend Poppy Q, (who's a few hours ahLinkead of us) we are some of the first kitties in the world to celebrate Christmas. So if you want to geLinkLinkt a sneaky early start to Christmas, visit the blogging cats of OZ (these are all links, even if they don't look like they are): Momo, Charlotte, Gypsy and Tasha, Fui and Suey, Bangles and Bombay, Vampy Vic and Mushka, Pye, Trixie and Tigger, Huffle Mawson, Oscar and Diamond.

Oh yeah, the Aussiecats are representing for Christmas 2008!

Wherever you are in the world, I hope that you have an awesome, safe, fun, peaceful Christmas (with lots of ham and turkey and chicken and pork and other yummy dead things!!!).

Cheers,
--Pabs

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

It's begining to look a lot like...

Christmas?

That's right, everycat! In Australia, Christmas looks like this. Hot sun, dry grass. I can't imagine what a snowy, wintry Christmas might be like. Now that summer has finally arrived, I've been spending my days like this, roasting in the sun and then taking to the shadier parts of the garden (behind me) for refuge when it gets too hot.

I can't stop thinking about my poor friend Jeter Harris, who is hanging around outside in the cold and snow and won't come inside. Jeter, mate, I'm purring for you and hoping that you're keeping warm, wherever you are, and that you're brave enough to go home and let your mum look after you. You can do it, matey!

Happy Christmas Eve, everycat!

Cheers,--Pabs

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Saturday sun

Finally! A sunny morning in Hobart. This is the view over the rooftops down to the city.

It's a great morning for a roll on the cement.

Oh yeah.
Happy weekend, everycat!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Monday, December 15, 2008

Thanks, everycat!

My squishy-eyed smile of thanks to all of my buddies who voted for me

I'd just like to say a big THANKS to everycat who went to the trouble to vote for me in the My dream is... competition (see my post below if you're not sure what I'm talking about). The voting has closed, and it will be a week or so before we find out how we go. We're not expecting to win, but we're very happy because we got 175 votes! Thanks to everyone who voted, but some extra thanks to Skeezix, who posted about the competition on his blog, and to KC, who reported about it on the Cat Blogosphere website.

Whether we win any money or not (there are runner-up prizes), we're already winners because this competition has helped us to realise just how many friends we have around the world. That really means a lot... more than any money in the universe, or any forever home.

... and I'm a winner in another way, too! Last week, my new friends the Hyggecats (from 4 Cats Ruffin' It) gave me the Lemonade Award, for blogs which show great gratitude or attitude:

What an honour! The rules of the award are that I'm supposed to nominate 10 other blogs to receive this award, but I'm gonna break the rules a little... ok, a LOT. I hereby award the Lemonade Award to EVERYCAT who voted for me in the My dream is... competition! Woot!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Friday, December 12, 2008

I have a dream

... and YOU can help!
Kate and I have entered a competition to win $10,000 towards our dream (which is to save enough money to buy a forever home so we don't have to keep renting for the rest of our lives). The competition is being run by an investment company in Australia. To have a chance at winning, we need people to vote for the picture we've uploaded onto the competition website (it's the one here in this post, taken last time we had to move house, in 2007. I look so sad because I HATE MOVING HOUSE!!!).

If you would like to vote for me, please visit this website: http://mydreamis.ingdirect.com.au/?id=5329
and rate my photo out of five. Voting closes at 11.59pm (eastern Australian time) THIS SUNDAY, 14 December. We know that the competition is a long shot, but we thought it would be fun to give it a good old Aussie go. If you decide to vote for me, thanks! But it's ok if you don't vote... we can still be friends.

Happy weekend, everycat!

Cheers,
--Pabs

P.S. Thanks, everycat, for your kind thoughts and purrs at Sooty's passing. They meant a lot!

Monday, December 08, 2008

Goodbye, Sooty

We had some sad news at the weekend.

Sooty, Nick's family' s cat who lived with Nick's parents in northern Tasmania, had to be helped to the Bridge on Saturday. She was very old - around 20 years old - and was having a lot of trouble moving around. When Nick's dad took her to the v-e-t, they found that she had diabetes too. So the hard decision was made to help her to the Bridge.

Even though we will miss Sooty, we can be thankful that she had a very long, happy and adventurous life. She even had her own blog for a little while, which Nick's dad, Peter, helped her to write. Here's a photo of her that was taken in August this year. She's posing in front of her very own house in the courtyard of Nick's parent's place.
And here's a shot of just a part of her extensive territory beyond the courtyard, which she actively traversed and defended right to the end:
And just beyond the bushes in the background...

This most beautiful beach.

See you at the Bridge someday, Sooty. And big, rumbly purrs of thanks to Peter and Judy for looking after her so well for such a long time. (To read a post I wrote about Sooty last year, click here.)

Cheers,
--Pabs

Thursday, December 04, 2008

A whole lotta Pabs

A few of my recent photographic collaborations with Kate to spice up your Thursday:
Hmm. Pablo, centerfold model?

This one is a little more artistic. I like the use of negative space.
Cheers,
--Pabs

Thursday, November 27, 2008

The thankful-est Thursday of them all

Today, I'm thankful for many things.

I'm thankful that I live in a warm, safe house in a safe, quiet part of the world.

I'm thankful for having such awesome people, Kate and Nick, to love me and look after me.

I'm thankful for having so many awesome blogging buddies around the world.

But most of all, my friends, today I'm thankful that I don't live in a house with a blurpy bean who takes an active interest in cats:
That's my buddy Beto and his blurpy friend Bella. Guess which one of them is having fun?

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Americat friends, and to all my other buddies around the world.

Cheers,
--Pabs

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Get well, Momo!

We're thinking of you, Momo!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Temptations in Tasmania!!!

Look what Kate found at the supermarket:
Finally, Aussiecats get a chance to experience the taste sensation that Americats have been loving for years! Can't wait to see what they're like.

Cheers,
--Pabs

Friday, November 14, 2008

Feathery Friday

Look at what Kate found in the backyard this morning:

Oh yeah, I've still got it!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Thankful Thursday... breaking news!


Pablo here with some late-breaking news: Chumper, the long-time Hobart Cat Centre resident I blogged about yesterday has found a Forever Home with a lovely young lady from Hobart's northern suburbs! Read all about it here.

Confused about what's going on? Read yesterday's post and it'll all make sense.

Cheers,
--Pabs

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

News from the Hobart Cat Centre

About a month ago, Kate and her friends Em and Gwyd paid a visit to my local cat shelter, the Hobart Cat Centre. It was the Cat Centre's annual open day, and marked their first birthday in their brand new facilities:That's a picture of the main entrance. But there's more to it than that. They have great facilities for kittens and grown-up cats who need homes, and comfy boarding facilities for cats who need a place to stay when their beans go on holidays.

Kate didn't get any good shots of the residents (it's hard to take good shots through bars and anyway, there weren't very manycats there, because it wasn't kitten season), but one of them is now famous! Yesterday, our local newspaper, the Hobart Mercury, did a feature on Chumper, a tortie girl who's been at the Cat Centre since last December and who is hanging out for a forever home. You can read her story here. Kate and her friends met Chumper during their visit. They said that she's a nice girl, but seemed a bit fed up. We hope you find a forever home soon, Chumper!

P.S. While Kate was at the Cat Centre, she made a donation in Luxor's name, because Luxor was the winner of my AWESOME Footy Finals Fever Competition. And she gave extra money, because Luxor was generous enough to say that he didn't need the toys that I'd offered as part of the prize, and wanted these to go to some kitties in need. Thanks for your generosity, Lux!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Dona nobis pacem...

It's fun to be a part of the Blogblast for Peace. Who says that cats can't help to make the world a better place?

Cheers (and peace),
--Pabs

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Super DUPER Tuesday

Whether you're a Democat or a Republicat, or an interested international observer like myself, you can't deny the fact that the next 24 hours in American politics are going to be huge.
I'm sitting outside today in the still-chilly spring air wondering what the future's gonna bring.

Americats, please make sure that your beans get out and vote! It must be an honour and a privilege to get to have a say in deciding who's gonna be the next president. All we over here can do is watch and wait...

Here's to a clear and decisive result, and a bright future for our world.

Cheers,
--Pabs

Friday, October 31, 2008

Freaky Friday

So this is Halloween. And what have I done?

Well, I haven't dressed up. It's not really my thing. But I did want to show you all something spooky, so here's a picture of how puffy my tail gets when I get spooked:

And here's a picture of me sniffing one of those pumpkin things. Why do people like them so much? They're not very interesting or delicious-smelling. I thought they were supposed to turn into something?
Halloween's not such a big deal in Australia. People don't tend to decorate their houses and kids don't really trick-or-treat. But it's not unheard of. This week, for the first time ever in her life, Kate even saw big, hollowed-out pumpkins for sale in the supermarket. They didn't have the jack-o'lantern faces cut into them yet. Surely it's more fun to do all the work yourself? At least then you get to use the insides to make pumpkin pie or something.

Anyway, happy Halloween, everycat! Hope it's a spooky one (but not too spooky).

Cheers,
--Pabs

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Finally! I'm back!

I think that when humans go away, they should a) hire people to help their cats to keep on blogging; or b) make sure that there are blogging facilities at their holiday destination. Do any of the presidential candidates have a platform on that?

Anyway, here's something I've been wanting to show everycat for ages. As you may know, some of my biggest fans are young children. They often show me their love and devotion by rendering my likeness in various works of art. Here's a great new piece from my little friend Phebe:It's very dynamic and somewhat impressionistic; I love how she's used green and gold to convey my Australian-ness, and pipecleaners to reflect my softness that's always got a sharp end (I make it a point to end all snuggling sessions with a BIG bitey!).

I put it on the fridge door next to my photo of Poppy Q and the drawings of me that another little friend (Molly) did a few months ago.

Guess what? While I was out of blogging action last week, my good friends George, Tipper, Max and Misty (aka 'The Crew') gave me The Butterfly Award:
How cool is that? Thanks so much! Apparently I have to pass it on to 10 blogging buddies (10!). I've been outta the loop for awhile, so I'm not sure who has this award and who hasn't. Here's what I'm gonna do: 10 kitties were good enough to leave comments on my blog while I was away. I think that's a very cool thing... so I give the Butterfly Award to all of you, whether you've already received it or not: Momo, Adan, Parker, Snow, The Crew (right back atcha!), Daisy, Grrreta, Sophiekitty, Yoggie and the Meemsnyc kitties (their mum and dad just got married!).

Lots to catch up on... it's good to be back!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Nothin' but words Wednesday

Hi everycat,

Sorry I've been out of the loop for such a long time; Kate is on holidays up at her parents' place, and helping me blog isn't the most important thing on her mind (the horror!). Besides, the only picture-editing software that is on her parents' computer keeps on giving her error messages every time she tries to open files with it. So here is my nothing-but-words Wednesday post, just to let you know that I'm still out here and I still care about y'all.

Back with pictures soon!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I've made a huge discovery...

Some of you may be aware that my mate Joey has his very own Litter Robot/spaceship:


Well, guess what? When Joey's humans came to Tasmania to visit me, Kate took them on a very important mission to see this house in a nearby suburb:I think it must be the world Litter Robot headquarters! Either that, or it's the Jetson's house. Or maybe James Bond's. Anyway, I wanted to post a picture of it to show Joey, because I think that he'll love it.

Cheers,
--Pabs

Friday, October 10, 2008

I'm a believer

Check this out:
Have you seen one of these before?

It's a Believe Bar. In August, Mars released three million Mars Bars with the 'Believe' logo to show their support for the inclusion of a Tasmanian team in the Australian Football League, and their intention to sponsor a Tasmanian team should they ever be brought into the league (click here for more info).

Many great AFL footballers have come from my home state of Tasmania, including my hero, Richmond Tigers star Matthew Richardson. But we've never had our own team. The AFL does have plans to expand the league, but a new Tasmanian team is not part of their short-term plans. They think that our population (just under 500,000) is too small to support a viable AFL team.
Like Mars, I believe in a Tasmanian AFL team, and am more than willing to offer my services as a coach (playing or non-playing) should the dream of a Tasmanian AFL team ever come true.

Cheers,
--Pabs

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Mail call for Pablo

What's this?

Oh, it's my thankyou gift from Karl, for being one of the international judges in The Cat Realm's latest and greatest dare.


Awesome! I bet that the celebrities who present awards at the Oscars and the Emmys and the Grammys and all those other awards ceremonies don't get thankyou gifts as cool as this.

Thanks, Karl!

Cheers,
--Pabs

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Thoughtful Thursday

Somedays, a mancat's got a lot to think about.

Right now, I'm thinking about how the word 'thoughtful' looks wrong if you look at it for too long.

Who would've thought that there was a word in the English language that had the letters 'ghtf' together in sequence?

That's all.

Cheers,
--Pabs

Sunday, September 28, 2008

The result...

Let's flick on the TV and see who won the big game...
Look! There's Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell and coach Alistair Clarkson accepting the Premiership Cup. Let's all sing a round of the Hawthorn theme song to celebrate (believe it or not, it's sung to the tune of 'Yankee Doodle Dandy'):

We're a happy team at Hawthorn.
We're the mighty fighting Hawks.
We love our club and we play to win.
Riding the bumps with a grin at Hawthorn.
Come what may you'll find us striving.
Teamwork is the thing that talks.
One for all and all for one.
Is the way we play at Hawthorn.
We are the mighty fighting Hawks.


That's right, everycat, the Hawthorn Hawks staged an upset to beat the Geelong Cats in yesterday's 2008 Australian Football League Grand Final. It was a very close, intense, arm-wrestle of a game, but Hawthorn rose to the top in the third quarter and stayed there, beating last year's champions by 26 points. This is the Hawks' first premiership victory since 1991, and their tenth overall.

This was only the second time this year that the Cats lost a game, so it was a massive effort from the Hawks, and a massive effort from our friend Lux, who tipped the Hawks by 22 points, which makes him the winner of my AWESOME Footy Finals Fever Competition for 2008.

Congratulations, Lux, and congratulations to the Hawthorn Hawks! Can't wait until season 2009!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my competition. Hope you had fun.

Cheers,
--Pabs