Saturday, August 01, 2009

Happy Eighth Gotcha Day, Brainball!

The Ballicus Mom, Thomma Lyn, here. It boggles my mind that eight years have gone by so quickly. It seems as though hubby and I have always had Brainball.

We adopted him in August 2001, after neighbors had moved away and heartlessly abandoned him. Their loss was our gain -- we adopted precious Brainball, and he became a member of our family. We had a cruddy little digital camera back in 2001, but I still took plenty of pictures, and here's one of the first pictures I ever took of our Lion Boy. At that time, 2001, his vet estimated him to be 3-4 years old.



From the start, Brainball has been my Kitty Assistant. He helps me while I cook and clean, and he loves to drape himself across my legs as I prop them on my desk. Brainball also loves rubs from his daddy. He's our steadfast and faithful friend. And oh my goodness, does he ever purr! He has the rumbliest, loudest purr I've ever heard. Fitting for a lion, of course.

I'm sure most of the Cat Blogosphere knows this by now *grin*, but when hubby and I adopted Brainball, he was misidentified by the vet as a female cat. And it was only a couple of years ago that a (new) vet, evidently more proficient at telling the sex of very floofy cats, correctly identified Brainball as a boy. Fortunately, Brainball does not seem to have suffered any gender confusion.

We have hundreds upon hundreds of pictures, but sadly, we don't have many from pre-2006. The reason? Thomma Lyn's Hard Drive Crash of 2006. I hadn't backed up all our pictures -- huge and very sad mistake, and we lost many precious pictures. Not all of them were lost, however -- thank goodness. Here are a couple of pictures of Brainball circa 2003-2004:





Brainball was an only cat until late 2004. Then came Dorydoo. And it was -- very nearly, anyhow! -- love at first sight. Brainball was the best big brother imaginable, and he also helped us raise little Dorydoo.



Here are some pictures of Brainball from 2005. What a floofy lion boy he is -- has always been!



And from 2006, in a kitty meatloaf (meaty kitloaf):



And here are some Lounging Lion pictures from 2007, the year the Ballicai started blogging:





Here's precious Brainball in 2008 -- last year!





And 2009 -- Brainball's Eighth Gotcha Year. Happy Gotcha Day, dear Brainball. You are our Alpha Mancat, our floofy lion boy, founder of the Ballicus Dynasty, my household helper, my cooking assistant, and deep friend of my heart. You make me laugh and comfort me when I'm down, and you remind me that joy is to be found in every moment of every day, if you know where to look for it. And you, Brainball, are pure joy.



Momma loves you. I'll love you forever.


And now it's time to party! I'll turn this post over to the Ballicai.

MaoMao: I'm happy not only cuz it's Brainball's Gotcha Day but also cuz my wife and sweetie Ariel is bloggin again! And lookies what we've got fur the party: we've got HAM and CHIKKEN! Efurrybody dig in!





Marilyn MonREOW: And I made my tuna puffs. Please all, help yourselves. Try the salmon, too. It's delicious!





Dorydoo: And check... out... the... NIP! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEAK! And Niptinis! Oh boy oh boy oh boy!





Brainball: Several kitties have asked how I got my name. Well, my actual name is Calamity Jake (it was Calamity Jane when the humans thought I was a girl, *sigh*). But very soon after I was adopted, Mom and Dad started calling me a "Fuzzball with Eyes." That morphed into "Brainball" and it stuck. They've been calling me "Brainball" ever since.

Thanks, friends, for coming to my eighth Gotcha Day party. Everyone get comfortable, help yourself to the buffet, and enjoy. We Ballicai love you, and we're happy to be part of the wonderful Cat Blogosphere!

56 comments:

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

We's sorta new furrends, so we wanna know how you gotcha your name, as well as whiskerin' ya a happy gatocha day!

Jans Funny Farm said...

A very happy Gotcha Day, Brainball. You must be a wonderful kitty. All speak so highly of you.

And Mao, we too are glad Ariel is blogging again.

Thanks for the food. It's a great party.

Gemini and Ichiro said...

Happy gotcha day! I've got more ham lest we run out!!!

Max said...

Doood! HAPPY GOTCHA DAY!!!

If I had thumbs, I'd give a big thumbs up to your people for taking you in after being left behind. I can't imagine that :(

But, you got a great place! AND FOOD!!!! Lots and lots of food! I'll be over there <=== grazing... :)

Cory said...

And we've brought more nip! We too want to know how you got your name. We hope you have the best Gotcha Day ever!

The Island Cats said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Brainball! Thanks for inviting us to the pawty! Everything looks great!! We're gonna have some niptinis now!

Hope you have a wonderful day, Brainball! We're so glad you got gotted!

(angel) Grrreta and Fam said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Brainball! You are one very smart kitty to have picked such a wonderful forever home.

Brainball said...

Teri and the Furrydance cats asked how I got my name! Well, my actual name is Calamity Jake (it was Calamity Jane when the humans thought I was a girl, *sigh*). But I swiftly became a Brainball when Mom and Dad started calling me a "Fuzzball with Eyes" -- that morphed into "Brainball" and it stuck. They've been calling me "Brainball" ever since.

Thanks, hugs, and lion purrs to all! Please enjoy the party!

Samantha & Mom said...

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy 8th Gotcha day Brainball and many, many, many moooooooore!! What a lot of cool food, and drinks and NIP!! Whoo! Hoo!!
Samantha just turned 6 yesterday and we are ready to keep on partying!!
Your FL furiends,

Reese =^..^= said...

Happy Gotcha Day!! Wow, what a party!

Whimpurr said...

Happy Gotcha Day! You are one very handsome guy and we are partial to orangies! *purrs*

Cezar and Léia said...

Congratulations for the beautiful gotcha day, wonderful pictures and story, for being a great mommy assistant , for the yummy ham and chicken!It looks delicious!
purrs and love
Luna

Gretchen said...

Hey, Big Floofy Cousin, I'm here for the party. I'm planning on haming it up after I have a few niptinnis.

Happy Gotcha Day! You're the best brother-cousin a girl-cat can have. Love ya!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Happy 8th Gotcha Day Brainball. Yup, we remember when you were a 'ladycat' hehe.
The food looks great and the nip even better, so we are going to dive right in!

CCL Wendy said...

Happy, Happy Gotcha Day, Brainball! You are indeed a very floofy and handsome mancatty. I'm so happy that your parents gotcha'd you, because they really seem to appreciate you -- and rightly so.

What a spread you have put on for your Gotcha celebration -- yum, yum! If you don't mind I'll stay awhile and chow down.

It's lovely to meet another lion kitty. It's funny because I just posted about how my Dante is just like a lion, today. Red cats rule!

Ariel said...

Happy Gotcha Day Brainball.I'm so happy that you found a safe and loving home.Your the best lion kitty with a heart of gold.A sweet protector,guide,and dear friend.Plus the best brother in-law in the whole world.I'm very honored to call you my friend and to be part of such a wonderful family...Love Always Ariel

Ariel said...

Hi My Sweet Hubby,

This party is so much fun and I love dancing with you(kiss).Yet I think Stallone had to many niptinis he's so silly.I'm going to take him home please come to my blog later we made something for Brainball.

Fat Eric said...

Happy gotcha day Brainball! I can tell how much your mum loves you! Hope you get many treats.

Forever Foster said...

Happiest of Happy Gotcha Days, Brainball!!!!! We love the photo of you and Dorydoo. You look like such a proud big brother!:)

Enjoy your happy day, mate!:)

Gattina said...

Happy gotcha day ! I think I should congratulate your humans that they have found you, such a beautiful cat. Taking you for a girl, what kind of vet was that? I hope he didn't confuse his wife with a man. He must have had apples on his eyes. You are such a big boy !

Unknown said...

We are wishin' you a ♥HAPPY GOTCHA DAY♥ and movin' on over to that buffet our yours for the 'nip and ham☺

Debra Taylor said...

I love the photo of Brainball and Dorydo together - and especially the one of Brainball in the box!


Check out my blog about a colony of abandoned/feral cats near my home. There will be stories there as time goes on that could inspire and inform anyone you know who wants to help homeless cats.

http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/

Would you add me to your blog list?

Thank you,
Debby

JC said...

Love all the photos ...

We start out with cool names too and they become something totally different but not as cute as yours ...

The Florida Furkids said...

What a wonderful feast for your Gotcha Day. We liked seeing all of your pictures and finding out how you got your name! We're going to head to the bar and then roll around in the nip.

Sniffie and the Florida Furkids

Team Tabby said...

Hadn't heard your gotcha story before, Brainball, wonderful of your beans to adopt you. yeh, we heard about the vet's mixup story, sheesh. You is one fine mancat, and no mistake this time!

Have a great day, and thanks for the niptini's and ham.

Moe, Mindy, Bono, Cookie & Mike

missfinn said...

I LOVE your name!! So cool! Happy gotcha day my friend!

love,
JiMbO

Cadbury T. Bunny said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Big Kitty! And many more!

(I'll pass on the treats, though.)

Daisy said...

Happy, happy Gotcha Day, Brainball!

Now it seems hard to believe we thought of you as a girlcat because you are very manly!

Black Cat said...

Dearest Brainball, Happy Eighth Gotcha Day! I will never understand how your Momma and Daddy's former neighbours could have so callously abandoned you, but I think Bast was looking out for you because she sent you to the best, most loving home any kittie could wish for! Sometimes having a sad can turn into a Forever Happy!

We wish you many, many more happy Gotcha Days and we are toasting you with niptinis ("Ugh, funny taste but I'm drinking it for a good reason... Gulp!" *Black Cat*). ("Yum, bring on the next glassful... Simba! You're too young for that!" *Alfie*). ("Take this, you big bully *paw up in defence*. "I'm old enuff to drink niptinis - and the rest! Hic!" *Simba*).

*Black Cat wrangles the Caramelacules into the transporter*.

We love you Brainball! :) xxx

Anonymous said...

We enjoyed reading your story, Brainball.... all of us Good Cats wish you a happy gotcha day, with many more happy years to come.

The Creek Cats said...

Happy 8th Gotcha Day, Brainball!!! We are so happy to be here to help you celebrate!

Rusty said...

Brainball, I don't know how anyone could have heartlessly left you behind! You are one handsome mancat. Happy Gotcha Day and the party looks absolutely fabulous!

Karen Jo said...

Happy 8th Gotcha Day, Brainball! I didn't know before that you had been abandoned by the neighbors. It seems to have done you good, though, as you got the best home imaginable. I remember when your beans thought you were a girlcat and when they discovered the truth. Have a great time. I'm enjoying the party very much.

Jack, Persephone, Tenzing and Lancelot said...

Happy Gotchaday Brainball! Sorry we're a bit late! The OTW and the Big One are discombobulating our house again, and we couldn't get to the computer!

Looks like you had a great party!

~Jack (and Persephone)

Mickey's Musings said...

WOOT!!!!
Happy 8th Gotcha Day Brainball!!!!!!!
You are in a wonderful home and have pawsome siblings :)
We hope you were properly spoiled!!!!
Purrs Mickey,Georgia & Tillie

Cat with a Garden said...

We're late but we stil want to concatulate you! We really enjoyed reading your story and loved all the pictures. Siena just had her first Gotcha Day and even this tiny little one year flew by. We're sure you had a pawsome day yesterday and maybe you're up for a bit more of partying today?!
Purrs, Siena & Chilli

jenianddean said...

Happy Gotcha Day! It certainly looks like you ended up in the right place.
--Jasper

Quill and Greyson said...

I knew I should have made Mom check her laptop yesterday!! Happy Gotcha Day Brainball!! A day late~

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

A furry belated happy 8th Gotcha Day Brainball. We loved seeing all of those pictures of you and hearing more of your story!

purrs
Abby

Just Ducky said...

I missed the party but wish you many more years with your beans.

Robyn and The (Mostly) Badass Cat said...

Happy Gotcha Day Brainball! We remember when your humans finally caught on that you're a guy. hehehe That was a funny joke on them!
Purrrrrrrs,
All Us Hotties

The Crew said...

That's quite a story Brainball. Waht a wonderful son you are! How could those heartless people abandon you, but it turned into your luckiest day when you found a great forever home.

Pinky Ash and Boo said...

Happy Belated Gotcha Day Brainball.it looks like you had a big blast here.

Anonymous said...

Happy Gotcha Day Brainball! What a wonderful Gotcha Day party! We loved the story about how you got your forever home.

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

Happy gotcha day Brainball! You look amazing and so floofy in all your pics. Could I share some of your salmon please?
--JB

The Cat Realm said...

Happy Gotcha Day Brainball!
We are so very sorry to be so very late..... our maid has brain-melt (the heat..., we even forgot noms day this year!) - so we are glad the post is still up, and there were still three leaves of catnip somewhere around....
What a wonderful party, and thank you for the pictures and the story, you sure are a most beautiful Mancat! And we love the picture of Dorydoo and you - with that big protective paw on the little kitten - sooooo sweet!
Happy belated Gotcha Day Brainball!

Hansel said...

Brainball brainball we love your floooooof,
brainball brainball you are soo cuuuuuttteee,
brainball brainball please sing this tuuuuunnnneee!

we just wrote that for you. :) sorry we missed the party, but we do love you still. :)

Ailurophile said...

What a handsome and adorable kitty you are Brainball. A true lion - in appearance and in character. And you found the purrfect loving home to spend these eight wonderful years. Hope you have many many Happy Gotcha Days ahead of you. Lots of love and hugs for you :)

Ariel said...

Hi My Sweetie,

Just wanted to say hi and hope alls well.I send big hugs and love to you all....Your wife Ariel

The Furry Kids said...

Happy Belated Gotcha Day, Brainball!

EG's sending lots of whiskie kissies to Dorydoo!

Mr. Tigger in Cat-Lands said...

Hi Brainball and Mao!! The M-Cats Club is hosting a Belated Gotcha Day party for you Brainball and Ping & Jinx! Please come over and celebrate with us! Bring the girls, too! All are welcome!
Hi 5 paw,
Mr. Tigger

Jake and Bathsheba said...

Belated best wishes to you, floofy, handsome Brainball!

~Bathsheba

MISS PEACH ~(^.^)~ said...

hi ballicus cat this is cole i have mist marlan monroe i just stoped bye to say i love you marlan you best loving friend cole

Catzee said...

Yum! Happy Gotcha Day Brainball!

Black Cat said...

Fank yuo fur yuor luvly commint! I lurved mine furst ekscershun up da pole! It woz lukcy dat Unkel Pinky woz 'ere to taek da pikshur! We goze banarnas for da fevver wand toy too. We has orlreddy brocken off da fevver from da end and part off da red fluff too! We orlso lieks da skweeky bownsing meece wand toys, speshully me! Luffs fwom Simba, :)xxx ooo xxx oxo

Debra Taylor said...

Thanks MaoMao for your appreciation of what we do for our homeless kitties.

Debby
http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/