Merry Christmas.

‘Tally-ho here we come’.

We observe the development of the kittens’ and adapt their environment to her needs. The older they get the more room they need, their coordination is almost perfect now so they like to run high speed after each other. They need to play around, to play with their toys or to play hide and seek. So we build our playful group a larger playground. Ivan build a Perspex enclosure so the kittens are able to see the living room and they are able to interact with us and the other cats. This transparent fencing will encourage their socialization, that’s what we thought. Who would have thought that it was the start of a complete misunderstanding and a very concerned Wasilla………….

 

Wasilla is raising eight kittens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She is an outspoken Bengal, but never impertinent. She loves her leisure activities, although in our opinion they can be strenuous. She spent hours in her garden running free from care, she is a free spirit. We are privileged to spent time with her in her territory; a wild cat in our mini jungle. Wasilla is a perfect mother also, completely following her instincts. 

Eight wonderous wonders

Wasilla’s babies are two weeks old and their eyes have opened. They cannot see very well but their hearing is excellent. Wasilla is purring constantly and the kittens sleep and drink at their hearts content. Each of them have their own favourite teat, but sometime one there is a short brawl. Serenity returns because Wasilla is purring and her kittens are drinking or sleeping.

Daydreaming……………….

Daydreaming……………….

Deshima went to a resort for a short romantic holiday with Jesse. Deshima is slightly spoiled so she inspected her resort and when she met Jesse she inspected him as well very thorough. She took her time and she hissed at Jesse when he tried to introduce himself. She looked at him and she undoubtedly liked what she saw, Jesse is a sturdy beautiful Snow Bengal. She took her time to get aquatinted with his smell and the atmosphere of his resort; after all she is a lady.

Jesse is an experience Bengal and withdrew so he could observe Deshima. He purrrrred at her in his silkiest  " purrrrrrrrssssss……."

 

Our Bengal babies in their snug den.

Yesterday evening I was walking home and I saw the first tiny snowflakes dancing around the streetlights. Winter is coming and the air felt crisp and clean but rather cold.

Coming home I was busy with cups of tea, and candles and later more candles and a glasses of wine. It’s cold and dark outside, but warm and cosy inside and everything is to our liking.

 

And soon Xmas is coming.J

 

Bengal cats don’t have to make an effort to have a snug den, just their presence is enough.

 

Bengal babies having a ball with balls.

The first three weeks the kittens stay close to their mother. Most of the day they spent drinking and sleeping. Bengal babies are active and the like to wrestle for the best place at mummy's milkbar.
They take short walks in the den and they have a look outside often.It takes a few days before one of them ventures outside the den, to explore the play pen.

Bengal cats on the prowl

Our cats take part in most of the things we do. They are interested in what we do and always willing to lend a hand. They will preferentially help us when we are in the garden. The moment we open de kitchen door they are alert, and when we are walking an inspecting the garden their interset grows. Some like walking with us  and they join us  as soon as the kitchendoors opens . Our cats have a free and easy live and when the are relaxing they  listen attentivly and when the door of our shed opens………

 

It is autumn and the trees in our garden loose their leaves. Autum means working in the garden, it needs a bit more doning to it in november.  The Bengals  are waiting  in suspence what is coming and  they are getting ready for this unforseen occurrence: hunting  with our help. The big leaves of the Catalpa are covering the whole garden and make the garden a difficult terrain for the Bengals.

But they enthusiastically help us gathering the leaves at least in the beginning. Cats have a short attention span and soon they are not helping anymore because the rustling sounds of the leaves trigger their hunting instincts. This make working difficult so we decide to have an espresso and enjoy our cats hunting.

The rest of the day we work in the part of the garden the Bengals are not interested in. We can work there until one of the Bengals gets interested  our activities. We love them dearly but when you want to get work done they sometimes are a bit of a nuisance. Well what do they do?
Sammy and Wasilla are attracted by the rustling sounds and want to investigate. That should not be a problem, but their investigation tactics means enthusiastically digging in the heap of leaves we have gathered. Nothing can stop them until they are convinced that there is nothing hidden there.
Ginger and Baby are just enjoying the shambles and are running high speed through our heaps of leaves. Sitka joins them and they have a ball, running and scattering the leaves. Sammy an Wasilla are not amused, but after a while they join them.
At last we have a taste of success, we have cleared away the leaves and the buck weed in the pond. The cats can enjoy their garden and they do indeed.

 

Baby is checking the water fauna, now the buck weed is cleared she likes to watch the fish. She can sit focussing on the fish for a long time. Baby has had a very busy and active day, so after all that running and chasing she goes to her favourite place in the sun to take care of herself to the last detail. She is a happy purring cat taking a nap in the sun.

Sammy wanted to help cleaning the pond and perhaps is not completely satisfied, because there is still some buck weed left. He pays special attention to the pond his favourite place to observe his prey. Wasilla joins him, while Baby is overseeing Sammy and Wasilla overseeing our work.

 

 

 

 

 

After a long working day everybody is satisfied, so it is time for R and R and a glass of wine for us workers while the Bengals celebrate their hunting grounds. Enjoy the video.

 

 

 

Have a happy Bengal day today.

 

Love,

 

Conny

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bengal toddlers are going where they have never gone before.

It is amazing to see a Bengal baby develop in an agile toddler in a just 13 weeks.  Bengals are highly intelligent and their physical, mental and social development is impressive. By the time you realize what's happening, a Bengal baby child is a toddler.

"Mummy look at me, I have climbed the top!"

 

 

 

Happiness

There have been several studies about happyness, and a dutch scientist resaersched “happyness” for several years There are allso severeal researches done in Harvard and publised,when you want to read more.

Yesterday evening this subject attract my attention while watching TV: beautiful autumnsceenes.It was the start of a intervieuw with Leo Boormann a scientisst who investigated happiness for years and had interviewd people all over the world about  happyness. He has written sveral books about this subject and gave world leaders one of his books about happyness.There are also severeal researches done in Harvard and published. 

I am happy when I watch my cats…

 

Meaeeeow, do you want to play with me?

Kittens talk to their mother immediately after they are born. Mostly they make soft sounds, but they also can squeak loudly. When everything is going well you can only hear soft sounds of satisfied kittens drinking and their mother purring in the den.After a few weeks the kittens have learned that they can get our attention by calling us or using body language.And it works, when a kitten looks at you with his big shiny blue eyes; he immediately has a taste of success. You immediately pick him up, hug and kiss him, or play with him.Our Bengals talk a lot with us, but talking with their eyes is always successful and they know it.

 

 

 

1 We can stay in the playpen, but we also can play in the great outdoors. Yesterday we discovered a lot of interesting toys to play with. Yes, yes let us get out of the playpen and run and run and jump and have a ball.

2 We had a ball indeed, after playing we like to have a nap but we do not want to go back in the playpen. We found an excellent hiding place; it is a soft and warm cave. We like to stay there…..sssshhh….be quiet…we will see what comes of our idea. There is a problem, where does mummy has her nap, she does not fit in here……sssshhh…sssshhh,  go to sleep.

 

3. Do I hear mummy coming? I can hear the others walking toward the kitchen, what is the reason for their actions? This smell communicates:” there is delicious fish for lunch”. I have to draw attention: “meaeeeow…meaeeeow….I would like to have some fish…meaeeeow “. Now I  do want to get out the playpen.

4 Where is everybody? I am bored. I want to get out. Is there someone to get me out? I also want some hugging and kissing, where is everybody?

 

 

Wasilla has grown up now but she still is able to achieve her wishes and desires with a blink of her spectacular eyes. Yes I can conclude that we spoil our Bengals, but I don’t think that is wrong, it is my interpretation of their cat language.

 

 

 

 

Say, " cheese”.

 

 

When Shadee is in the garden she mostly plays or relaxes, but she also has the instinct of a predator. After inspecting her territory she chooses an observation point and sits there watching. All cats love a sunny place and laze in the sunshine, but Shadee is not lazy at all. She sits between the flowers because there are always a lot of insects visiting the flowers. She only has to wait to catch one, an easy catch indeed. Shadee uses a centuries-old hunting technique that wild cats still use. A group of lions can relax under a tree for hours, before they go hunting. Shadee’s summer observation point is also very photogenic

 

 

Wanata is a hunter, as a kitten he hunted everything: a toy, boxes or shoes .

In the garden he always takes his time to inspect his territory, taking changes in into account. He seldom sits and waits under a tree or another hiding place. He is confident to catch his prey through his velocity. With huge leaps he crosses the distance to his prey and in a few seconds he climbs a tree. All the time he is focussing on his prey.

 

 

 

Enchanting blue eyes.

One week old babies.

After the hectic hours of birth, comes the moment of meeting the babies and they immediately put a spell on me, on us and on everybody who meets them. Mum is the first, under their spell she changes from a playful cat into a mother and the change is impressive. Our love and respect for her grows more and more every day. Weeks ago she enthusiasticly ran after a toy and now she creates a serene environment for her babies. It is all love and  care in her den.

 

 

 

Kittens first adventures out of the den.

Kittens first steps out of the den.

Those were the days, our first litter have been staying with mum in their “birth box”, but now the time has come to leave the den. And it was about time too. We were very concerned about the safety of the kittens, so we covered the play pen with blankets just in case a kitten could fall. From time to time we took mum with one kitten on top of the box so she can care for her kitten for a while. At last it was time to observe the kittens observing their room.

 

Storm, the father of our kittens.

Storm is going to be our sire and he is certainly willing and able  to service our female cats. There are a few possibilities to have a virile male cat in the company of females in one houshold. We were experimenting how to keep our boy happy. We have seen some options and some are certainly not an option for us!LLL M

Good morning…….there is something fishy about this.

Good morning sweethearts, did you sleep well my darlings? Are you ready for a new day? The sun is shining, a promising day is starting….have a good stretch….breakfast is coming…. come on my sweethearts….my darlings come on…….JJJJJJJ

This certainly is a promising start and this is only the beginning of today’s blog. In the beginning I wrote in English and I started a blog in Dutch yesterday. I was very surprised to read that you all have read my Dutch blog. It was so very rewarding to find out that you appreciate my blog and I am so very thankful for your attention; my day started with a big smile.

I am convinced that you do not speak Dutch, but there is no language barrier, because Bengal lovers are fluent in “Catlovers speech”.

Mummy loves me

 

Bengals are perfect mothers and we are very privileged to share the love of a Bengal mother for her kittens.

Ginger's first time in the garden

Today is special day. Finally Gingers is going into the garden. For days she has been sitting on the windowsill, watching the other cats in the garden. She scratches the glass and meowed: “I want to go in the garden too”. The others heard her scratching and take turns to console her. They walked towards her and keep her company for a short time.  Ginger definitely wanted to go into the garden and the day has come. Does this story has a happy end?

Ginger on the rocks

Introducing Airashii’s Ginger on the rocks.

Ginger is a daughter of Wasilla and storm, both parents are Seal mink spotted Bengals. When she was born she had an striking colour, a blend of brown and red. The older she got The colour of her coat tends to get more red the older she got  and I was excited. I have shared my whole adult live with a red cat. I love the colour it gives the coat of Bengals a warm glow. Also, I believe that red cats have a bubbly temperament and  Ginger did not disappointed me. Her name compliments her significant personality: Airashii’s Ginger on the rocks. When you see her play your heart lifts  as a cocktail makes you cheerful.

Do Bengal cats have cow genes?

You should not be anxious when your cat is grazing grass, this is normal behaviour even when they regurgitate (throw up) some grass. Cats eat grass to help their digestion system to get rid of indigestible components in their food. When the cat has digested his food the indigestible rest must be removed, otherwise obstruction of the digestible system is possible. Eating grass will trigger the cat to throw up and simultaneously get rid of hair that otherwise could block the digestion system.

When you see your beloved cat through up after eating grass do not be anxious, but when your cat is throwing up and did not eat grass there could be a problem. Observe him; perhaps you should see a vet.

 

There is another reason why cats eat grass. This is instinctive behaviour to provide for folic acid. Folic acid is one of the B – vitamins and is essential for a cat’s health. Although premium cat food contains the necessary vitamins cats keep the need of grazing grass. Make conscious choices when planting grass in your garden, some grasses are sharp to the touch and therefore very painful for a cat’s mouth.  Some grasses have small barbs and the can cause problems.
 

 

When cats do not come outside the house they could munch your plants. Take care that you do not have poisonous plants in your house or in your garden. 

When cats do not come outside the house they 

could munch your plants. Take care that you do not have poisonous plants in your house or in your garden.

Our Bengals and I love this lemongrass the most.

This picture is taken early summer, and the grass is flowering. A few weeks later there is not much left of my lemongrass, but fortunately it will grow back again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a happy Bengal day and take care of yourself. Do not forget to eat your veggies to day :)

Conny

Sammy the parkour kitten

 




Sammy the parkour kitten.
Sammy is a son of Wasilla and is one of eight kittens. He was the most active of them all and a  kitten with a soft white coat and a round soft body. Even as a small boy he likes to be in the centre of attention. When he was not drinking or sleeping he was active and  liked to be first. He always was running, jumping or climbing and doing all that with bravura and high speed. It goes without saying that his dashing movements often ended with a stumble or a fall, but he managed to do it with flexibility. And he still does….:)

Answering questions about feeding Bengals

Socialising kittens is very satisfing, because all activities come natural. Imagine this: In the morning before breakfast you are welcomed by a basket filled with sleepy kittens. Some of them are still sleepy and after extensive yawning and stretching they open their eyes slightly, look at you and decide to  sleep a little more.

Others decide to wake up and start a new day. When they see you they stretch their legs, yawn a bit and slowly get up. After more stretching and yawning they will come to you, look at you and socializing starts…..You will raise the kitten out of the playpen and hold it near to your heart. You start talking to the kitten and he is meowing back so you start “knuffelen”. It means hugging, cuddling, snuggle and more….

Answering questions about a perfect feeding program is a whole different story…………..

 

The kittens are starting to explore :)

Having kittens is a miracle, we are so very blessed to have kittens. After a  period of planning and choosing the right parents the decision is made: Tsukiko and Aikata are having kittens. Aikata is a brother of Ajram and was our first boy in our first litter and therefore very, very special. Tsukiko first litter was spectacular they formed a tightly- knit group. Tsukiko was a relaxed and a self- confident mother and she gave her kittens  ample opportunity to explore their playpen. She watched their activities closely and she consented to their actions moreover she willingly let us be a part of her children’s  games.

Sandpaper kisses

Ajram

A month ago I had to undergo surgery and when I came home the Bengals were very happy to see me. They jumped on my lap and there was a lot of meowing. A week later I had to go back to the hospital and I had to stay there for 3 weeks. I missed my cats terribly and I imagined how happy they will be , when I would return home again.

My home coming failed to live up to my expectations, the Bengals did not show any appreciation to my presence. I felt terribly disappointed....

 

 

A guest blog from Stephen from 'petvideoverify'

Hi bengal friends!

This week i recieved an email from Stephen from Petvideoverify.

He asked if i could publish his story in my blog about petvideoverify.

I love that people think abou and innovate for the sake of our pets. Take a look and let me know what you think about innovation for our beloved animal companions.

As always have a great day!

Less happy days at Airashii Bengals..

Hello Bengal friends,

Greetings from Bengal central here in Rotterdam The Netherlands. :)

I will introduce myself first, my name is Torsten and I am Conny's nephew.

She asked me to fill in for one blog as to keep you up to date here for her blog and video's.
I will explain to you why it is that i am filling for this blog...

SALE! SALE! SALE!

It’s Summer  and it is raining cats and dogs, so we keep inside, the Bengals and I. Sammy doesn’t like being inside for the whole morning, so he goes to the kitchen door and wait there for me. He wants to get in to the garden very badly so her starts scratching the door and with success I am coming. He sees me making coffee and scratches emphatically. When I went into the living room with my coffee her understand that more emphasis is necessary.  He scratches and scratches and I finally walk into the kitchen and tried to explain to him that it is raining. I lift him up and show him the pouring rain outside , but Sammy is not impressed he is a tough jungle cat and need to be in his jungle.

Bengals have a strong personality and they know what  they want, and perhaps I have spoiled Sam. He looks at the rain and then he looks at me….

Minutes later he jumps in his rainy kingdom and I know I’ll  have a big cleaning job later cleaning his muddy trails, so I decide to distract myself and check the SALE.