Our grown up lad

How fast time flies... It was this time last year our little fur ball was born in a small room in dukinfield. It is unimaginable to think of how our lives would've been if it wasn't for this glorious day when our hugonus came into the world.

Unfortunately due to a family wedding we were unable to have a full celebration, luckily good old hafsa Masi was there to save the day with a warm holiday house and birthday presents at the ready.

As the adopted parents we can't wait to get home and spend some quality time with our darling.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUGO !!!!!

10 whole months old!

Who would've thought our little baby after only 10 months is already looking like a handsome little man. After his last trip to his masi's he was extremely affectionate on his return which is always well received.

All grown up

Once the cone had been removed it was swapped for a collar and boy did he look handsome.

The busy life of Hugonus

Completely relaxed

Awkward sleeping position

Being Weighed (had to use treats to entice him to stay put)

The usual musala game

Watching the Royal Wedding, very entertained

Helping mummy on her birthday

First time on shelves, not as fun as he imagined

Nap time with dad

One of many vet trips he had to take

The Hugosectomy

Last week was another one of those landmark events in our little boys life. Wednesday was the day our Hugus went to get neutered. After wondering what he did wrong as he seemed to be staring into an empty food bowl he watched curiously as I prepared his carrier once again. In he went, oblivious for what was ahead of him. He didn't flinch, didn't complain, didn't make a single sound and I was beginning to feel happier at the thought of him finally becoming accustomed to travelling to the vets.

Once we arrived, I filled in all the paperwork and was advised on the neutering procedure. He would be taken in to surgery in the early afternoon, the deed would be done and he would also be microchipped. I would then ring at about 2pm to see how everything went and book a consultation for around 7pm if he didn't need an overnight stay. I left my little baby in their capable hands.

The rest of the day was spent clock watching, I waited eagerly to make the call. It was good news. Well sort of. The operation was successful but I needed to come to the surgery much earlier at 4 and all would be explained later. I was puzzled, but happy thinking he must've taken well to the surgery and therefore didn't need to stay any longer. Boy was I wrong.

I went to the vets, slightly earlier than expected and the minute I mentioned 'Hugo" I was ushered into a room. In he came in his carrier NO CONE!!!! Hooray!!! Apparently the reason for his short visit was due to our sweethearts aggressive nature. I was bewildered. She explained once Hugo had come to, they were unable to go anywhere near him as he was vicious and no nurse or vet could handle him. They also advised they had not managed to clean his wound and that we would have to make sure he cleaned it once we got home. I stood there shocked, she sensed it and peered into his carrier which triggered off exactly what she had described. He snarled and hissed and bare his teeth in a way I had never witnessed. I then peered into to offer soothing, comforting words and on seeing my face he immediately changed back to the Hugo we know and love and meow'ed in his usual manner. I thanked the vet and went to gather up the remaining paperwork at the front desk, only to be told I would no longer need to bring Hugus in unless it was a COMPLETE emergency. We had been rejected. Hugo had successfully managed to get himself chucked out of a perfectly good veterinary practice. I imagine this feeling to be similar to that of having your child expelled.

Anyway once home Hugo rushed out of his carrier and straight away started cleaning his wound until he was satisfied that he was ready to face the world. He was still drowsy from his drugs but he ate and cuddled and then settled himself down. What a day.

A Tale of Two Collars

As our beautiful little darling is growing up we thought it was high time he started wearing a collar like all the other big cats. We had previously tried to slyly slip one on but he was not having it... however during his evening nap we managed to distract him enough for it to STAY on. He looked SO HANDSOME! We were so proud. We went to bed hoping he would cope with it and he DID! We were so happy he really had matured and accepted his new accessory.

Or so we thought.

Two days later we found it. Behind the sofa. Worse than the plant. Devastation.

BUT as it turns out he would have to embrace his collar as there was some bad news around the corner... As he has passed the milestone age of 5 months it was time for his neutering op. with solemn faces we set off early for the vets and Hugo was prepped for his op. But it wasn't meant to be as his front paw needed to be treated as Hugo had been picking at it for week, so he has still to brave his operation. However as much as he hated the collar, a worse fate had been bestowed upon him.

Massacre images... not for the faint hearted

Many weeks have passed

It has been a long time since we posted news on our four legged family member and quite a lot has happened.


First of all, he has grown. Both ways. It's shocking. But true. He is no longer our tiny little fluff ball he is beginning to mature (I use this word loosely) into a beautiful feline. His mental growth has yet to catch up with him. His long limbs are still as clumsy as ever and there are only a few moments in a day that we are able to witness the gracefulness that should come so naturally to our little Hugo. This behaviour does lead him to be quite entertaining, after all this time it is still incredibly hilarious watching him attack his on shadow.


He has also acquired grown up sleeping habits. After a crazy, hectic day he ensures to fit in his standard 20 cat nap hours (how I envy the little thing). He starts the napping off at around 2am when he cries to jump in and reside with his head on the pillow in the master bedroom. He then wakes with the first alarm (the one which sounds to remind us we have only 10minutes of sleep time) he yawns as his dad switches it onto snooze... and finally as he watches his dad drift off into semi-sleep, he too places his head back on the pillow and snores. 


The weather has been throwing him slightly as he is now being forced to shift from under the covers and find new cool spots, all the while staying close to his adopted parents.

The Massacre

So for the first time in my life I thought I would make the effort and spend quality time planting seedlings and watching them grow into perfect, healthy, useful herbs. For weeks I have nurtured them and watered them, given them attention and plenty of sun on our windowsill.

And NOW they are dead. Gone. Massacred. Pulled out from their roots and left to dry. He has officially conquered the windowsill.

First time by the mosque

Mr Mischief

It seems Hugo is growing much faster than we expected. The little hooligan is quickly increasing in size due to his increase in appetite which also leads to an increase in energy which results in more destruction and some naughty habits.


First of all, he has discovered a new game quite literally named 'lets-wait-for-mummy-to-put-on-new-socks-and-rip-them'. This game was picked up from his holiday and it looks like its here to stay, so as a result the cat has to be escorted out of sight while the socks are rushed on followed by a big pair of house slippers. These are the challenges he makes us face in the morning so we can be prepared for whatever else our day might bring.


Hugo has also reached another milestone in his growth, he can now successfully jump onto a windowsill!! (from the sofa). With a little help and training from dad he finally conquered the prime sunbathing location, an achievement he was oh-so proud of, as he danced with joy by the mosque. He has NOT learnt that chasing his tail on the windowsill leads to a fall. I'm sure these are lessons he will pick up in time.

Holiday Snaps

relaxing on Hafu's new sofa...

Helping Hafs with uni work...

 Play fighting...

Play fighting became too much...

So play fighting becomes nap time...

And no holiday is complete without a spot of sunbathing on the chaise...

Party Pic

Hugo trying his best to be social, squashed in between nanny and Aunty Clare

For the big cat lovers

For those who know of Antelope Park, check out how the three cubs I worked with have grown!!!

http://www.itvwild.com/tvshows/lion-country/huntingatdawn

(dad - this is the one episode you should watch!)

A Salford City Break

A tense car journey of cat screams had us worried about how well tiny Hugo would cope with a change in surroundings. We were very mistaken. It seems our little baby is all grown up and he thoroughly enjoyed his holiday!

There was a brand new sofa to claw and climb, an obstacle course living room, lots of new noises (the sounds of fresh cooking) and buckets of attention. Luckily we sent him away at peak season as he managed to get in days of sunbathing on his chaise and has come back glossier than ever. There was a balloon, shoe rack hideouts and plenty of yummy feet to chew and tights to ladder. Thanks to the cat whisperer he learnt how to behave and was as good as gold on our way back.

And then, just as if he had never been away, we went right back to waking up to our morning howl. Ahh how we missed it.

Holiday snaps to come...

Party time!

Friday marked the start of the weekend birthday celebrations. After some morning kisses Hugo continued working hard at what he does best... relaxing. That was until we came home. After a lovely evening of dinner we invited our friends round to meet our famous new addition. He took full advantage of the attention and decided to act like a total lunatic. His jumping skills have definately improved (reaching waist level) and has started braving tricks like weaving through the banister (his daddy is not impressed). 

However he must've exhausted every ounce of energy in his tiny little body as Saturday was spent asleep. Whilst his mum and dad cleaned the house from top to bottom, he took solace in a pile of Laundry. We then had the family round for tea where he quickly adopted Aunty Clare as his bed and crashed out for the night, amidst all the hustle and bustle of a younus-patel meal. 

Now, as we prepare to get on the road to London, Hugo is having his final psycho runs around the house before he goes on his mini break. His bags are packed, his food is measured and the monkey... is still in his mouth. All that remains is to put him in his carrier and deal with a car trip of earache.

Its a hard life

First time on the table

Yoga time with dad

Blogging 

Catching up with the world

Tired from playing with all the new toys

Tired after reading the paper

The chicken position

A boy called Hugo

Well since the vet fiasco we decided to do the right thing and say goodbye to Fifi and welcome Hugo into our home. And what a little mischief he is. Since changing his name to Hugo I do believe we should also change his breed to Magpie. It seems that our little kitty has started thieving at the tender age of 9 weeks, our poor socks being his prime victim. Every morning he takes time to look out for anything that we may have abandoned so he can work his magic and make them disappear. Hair bobbles, ribbons... anything that his tiny little mouth can carry... including, much to my despair, fresh washing. He has also managed to master the art of 'jumping' which is becoming a challenge as he likes to practice this new skill as much as possible. 
He's growing up too fast :(

a few early shots

Its a new day

So in light of the momentous 8 week milestone, we thought it was best to take our little darling to visit the local vets. Changing her food over and a 'dragging bottom' incident led us to believe that she may have had worms (that and the awful smell that is released after her daily visits to the litter tray). After much of a struggle in trying to insert the kitten into the carry case we headed on to the Ashleigh Vet centre, where Fifi decided to cry at the top of her lungs so everyone would think she was dying and come looking over and feel sorry for her. Onto the examination room and it was like nothing was ever wrong as she played with the stethescope attacked the thermometer and then it happened. The vet and her assistant looked at me all coy and embarassed and slowly turned feef around so her ass faced me. At first, my stomach dropped at the thought that she must've let wind while they were playing with her and I was about to be told off for giving her bad habits. Then, the realisation of what was happening dawned on me and I knew from that moment she could no longer be our Fifi.


Our Empress has become the Emperor.

Introducing our Queen...

On the 15th of December in the tiny town of Dukinfield, a little fur ball was born. As her prospective parents, we wanted to pay her a visit to see for ourselves if she would be the chosen one to join our home. It took many a wrong turn and a lot of tail chasing before we FINALLY headed in the right direction. Being just the size of a hand didn't stop her from being the noisy one of the bunch and she meow'd herself right into our hearts. Eight weeks later, she has now taken her post at Madison Apartments as...


Empress Fifi Le Chat of Old Traffordshire.