Hump Day!

Happy Happy.

It was quiet out this morning. I had to let Picassi back - and boy did she run when I opened up the trap on Parsells.   Picassi was lactating, but they didn't check the box off that reads 'possible recent delivery' so the return wasn't as urgent.  I HATE doing that part.  Hate it.  But she was scared, and miserable to have spent the night in the trap, on the porch.  Blackie No. 2 was waiting - he's had a real gash on his neck, but I've been treating him with Doxycycline in his food, and guess what.  That is one smart cat.  He will now eat around the medicine!  Even though I try to hide it!  He can sniff it!  And momma RED who I TNR'd last week - I searched and searched around the area for her little ones that apparently she recently had as she was lactating when she was spayed.  I just couldn't find anything.  

I've had a real ant issue lately.  Not like TONS, but here and there, and it bothered me to think they would be crawling inside the trap after smelling the food inside for her, so I got out the RAID! and sprayed around the edges of the porch floor, and outside the porch, and that did the trick.  I hate killing anything, but I could only toss so many ants outside.

Our little Pierre, who I rescued, what...  three weeks now?  Is still waiting for his forever home.  His foster Mom Kim says he's a wonderful little boy who likes to hang around with the entire family.  Dogs, cats, people and all.  Lets get him a family to call his own.

PIERRE!

If you all remember the kittens I rescued two years ago - Pip & Emmett - well here is Pip freeloading on the couch in his comfy home - both enjoy a full and satisfied life.  They were scared little kittens when Scott and Mary adopted them, but eventually, and it was a while, they came around.  They are now cherished members of their family.

Pip Lounging on the Lounge

The kittens I have - Taco seems to be thriving, but is still so tiny.  But he is moving about with his big brothers inside the little playpen I have for all of them.  Taco is nursing full time, and kittens I am trying to wean but its slow going for them.  Most are using the litter box, they are just still so little to even climb comfortably up and down on things, so having to put them in box my self.  They are still too little to play with toys, but love rolling around on each other!

I must begin to make appointments for all 15 kittens to get their first round of shots - not right now, but in a few weeks, and then make appointments for spay and neuter.  And then they are ready to go go go!!!  I will be sad, I am sure, in two months from now, because I love little kittens, but they need to go to families who will give them all the love and attention they will need.   I have my own brood I need to love.  They are feeling so neglected.

Blossom went her new home on Sunday, and what a beautiful home in the country!  Things went very well.  I think they are in love already!

BLOSSOM!

Carter's new parents love him to pieces  Myrna says "we just love him!  he is such a sweet lil man!  He doesn't like noises.  He is so snuggly.  He's a perfect fit with us! Best loved kitty!"  I couldn't be happier.

Bunny - I am hoping her new family will send me a good picture showing how happy she is, but some adopters are different.  They don't all keep in touch as much as I would like, but I still try to reach out occasionally.  Here is what her new mom Amy has to say:  "Hi! She is doing great! She comes when I call her and she loves the attention! She loves laying on the couch or chair. Or sitting looking out the window. ".

Bunny eating in her new home

That's it for today.  I am hoping all my potential adopters will reach out to me for confirmation on the kittens they have chosen.  There are a few still up in the air - this way I can have a firm idea on who is still available.  Lets not forget beautiful DESTINY the mommy too!  And baby Taco!  :)

Have a great day.

"No matter where you are on your journey,

that's exactly where you need to be.

The next road is always ahead."

TNR Tuesday

Where do I begin?  Let me count the ways.....  ummm 15? 

Its been a helluva weekend.  A longggggg one at that.  I am not complaining.  I love kittens, but this could NEVER be my full time job.  Its just too much.  I have five kittens and a nursing mother under my wing - Rosie, Toesie Posie, Bear and Taco - momma Destiny.

Friend Jenn has Spice, Sugar, Teddy, Tiggy, and TJ.  Sugar and Teddy came down with little colds, so off they went on Friday to the vet, along with my little group, to be given two different antibiotics and their first deworming.

My sister has Maddie, Mike, Ike, Ben and Jerry.  Maddie has been spayed - just last week.  The boys all were dewormed.  Jenn's brood, and sister's brood, are all four weeks.  Mine are three weeks, and Taco is two weeks old.

I had all 15 kittens on my porch (minus Taco and Mom) on Saturday for a kitten event for two hours.  It was a madhouse, to me.  I won't be doing that anytime soon.  From now on, it will be one person at a time - although that is difficult for me because I CHERISH my time, and having to sit and talk about kittens is just not something I enjoy doing.  After working a 40 hour week, my weekends are choc full of house stuff, organizing my business (feeding and rescuing ADULT cats normally), and keeping track of the monies, and what I spend, etc.

Seven of the 15 are confirmed - there are many more waiting to scoop the rest up.  Out of the potential adopters, two are taking two each, and one is also considering two but hasn't picked them out yet.  Wait, another woman is picking out two also. 🐾

Who am I missing?  Oh, Maddie, Taco and Destiny.

I have to say, and I didn't say yesterday in a post on Facebook about two particular kittens going together, that I've never seen grown up women post about two kittens staying together like they did in my life.  Many people voiced strong opinions that two of these kittens MUST go together.  I don't want to hurt or offend or make anyone mad.  So I kept quiet.  But not on my blog.  :)  I get to say whatever I like on my blog.

Sugar is being adopted by the most kindest woman...  She fell in love with him way before Saturday, and when she arrived Saturday, she sat amidst the chaos around her with Sugar in her lap and gently loved him right then and there.  In the meantime, Teddy was also in someone's mind before meeting, a woman who is also a true blue wonderful woman.  She came with her beautifully well mannered children, on their way to church, and fell so head over heals in love with him on sight, that the little girl nearly cried because she had to leave him.  Teddy's perspective mom is also considering Tiggy as a second kitten. 

MADDIE

TACO

DESTINY

Keep in mind everyone, this happened to be a lovely shot of two kittens together, but behind the scenes, those two same kittens are lovingly curled up with the others also.  And kittens could care less to be honest - they just love playing, sleeping and eating.  They are not going to know the difference.  So I am sorry to disappoint anyone - in a perfect world, I would love for all siblings to stay together, but its not a perfect world.  Kittens are being born hourly, dying, being torn apart from their mothers, pregnant females are being allowed to have their kittens because of human morals of what's right and wrong when it comes to 'abortion'.   People are still buying purebred cats!  I've seen tragedy - and joy - in this journey since I've had kittens from FIVE litters.  All kittens were orphaned.  This doesn't have to be if we only spay and neuter!

These kittens are going to grow up, without or without their siblings, wonderfully happy and spoiled.  No doubt.  So please friends, don't be mad at me.  I am doing the best I can!  😄😥

This morning, I set FOUR traps, one at a woman named 'Sally's' house - 'Sally' reached out to me years ago thanks to a rescue group referring her to me ....  this woman, who now calls me 10 times a day and really, after all this time, I've realized that she has a very mean streak.  And I've put up with it.  But recently, after sending her flowers for her birthday ($60+), I found out by another woman who has had contact with 'Sally', that she threw those flowers away because she was mad at me for something.  'Sally' has mental instability but her meds keep her somewhat under control.  I have always felt sorry for her because I believe she is a very lonely woman.  No real family around, and does not drive.  Lives in the hood.  Loves cats though, so I've always tried to help her out.  Regardless, I've just about had it with her for a variety of reasons - but its hard for me to be mean, and cut her off completely, but our relationship has changed especially since finding out about her talking about me behind my back, and the flower bit a month ago.  Anyway, she still calls, and this time there was a cat fight in front of her house, and this 'nice' red kitty hanging around is injured.  She asked if I could trap, and use up one of my appointments I have at the clinic (she doesn't know I have them for sure, but she asked).... I set a trap there this morning at 4, and by 5:30, had to wrap it up - no luck.  I set a trap on Garson for the momma of Spice, Sugar, Teddy and Tiggy, but no luck.  I set a trap at my first Parsells location, and not only did I trap one previous TNR, but after setting her free, I got another previous TNR.  Went back to the third Parsells location, near Webster, where I let the lactating female go last week, and lo and behold, meet Piccassi.   She is pretty.  Lets see if she's been a mom or not.  She will be spayed today, spend the night on my porch, and I will have to let her back out tomorrow.   She's a bit wild, so no ideas... you know who.  :)  There are SO MANY waiting for me to scoop them up!

PICASSI

Blossom went to her new home on Sunday.  WHAT A GREAT HOME SHE WENT TO!  More tomorrow, this post is TOO long!

Have a good day!

SOAKED

SOAKED to the Bone.

Miserable out there this morning.  Steady pouring rain.  I was soaked by the third spot.  And I knew I had at least 14 more to go.  I hurried and finished up in one hour.  Every item of clothing was drenched, and I mean EVERY item.

There is not a lot to report when you are running to your shelters because of the rain to pour food and water down, and shake a few towels out.  You say hello to whoever is brave enough to come to the dryness underneath the boards, or come out of the shelters.  There weren't many to be seen.

Back at the ranch, I am trying to wean the four kittens I have so that Taco can get more milk from mom, because he really doesn't like the bottle or dropper I am trying to supplement him with.  Mom is getting bored too.  She wants to move around more. I am glad I made the decision to move her into my office.  She has a window perch she can sit on, but hasn't stayed on too long - she is very concerned about the babies who cry when she is not there.

I am obsessed with these kittens.  I came home from work yesterday and just sat and played with them.  Here are some pics!

BEAR!

GEORGE and POSIE!

ROSIE!

POSIE and TOESIE!

ROSIE, POSIE and TOESIE!

TOESIE!

ROSIE and POSIE!

Little Taco finally has both eyes open.  I am thinking he is just close to two weeks now.  The other four are close to four weeks, and are just starting to play with each other, and rolling around.  No teeth yet, but their little gums sure are strong when they are trying to nibble your finger!  The kittens my sister has - Ben, Jerry, Mike and Ike - are about 5 weeks, and same with the ones Jennifer is fostering - Spice, Sugar, Tiggy, Teddy and TJ.  Maddie was spayed on Tuesday.  She is doing great. She is about 8 weeks old, according to what the vet calculated.

I took these two pics of Taco this morning, but of course, they are either always moving, or my phone camera is not the best.  Here is Taco sleeping on his brother Rosie (yes - BROTHER Rosie - I had a look this morning, and I THINK they are all boys!)

And Taco stretching!  He is so much tinier than his brothers.

That's it for now.  I have the day off tomorrow, and boy do I need it.  PS, everyone knows that I will not adopt out a cat to you if you allow kitty outdoors.   There are so many dangers out there.   I found this article interesting with suggestions on how to keep your loved one content and happy.

Give Him Some Space

Everyone needs a little spot they can call their own. Create a convenient resting area in your home especially for your cat that provides him with privacy. Makes sure it is located where others cannot sneak up on him. Having his own space will help make him feel safe and secure, while also fostering his strong sense of independence. It doesn't have to be elaborate; a crate makes an excellent resting spot, or you can provide him with an elevated perch so he can feel safe as he looks down on his surroundings.

Add Toys

Many cats love to play, which means they need plenty of toys to play with! Every indoor cat should have toys for batting around, toys for chasing and toys to hide inside. But some of the most enjoyable toys for both people and their cats are interactive toys, such as food puzzles or laser pointers (just be careful not to aim it in his eyes). And if your kitty playmate happens to go crazy for catnip, lots of toys come with it stuffed inside for an added treat.

Go Green

Speaking of catnip, most pet and garden stores carry the potted variety. If your cat likes to nibble on plants, catnip is way more enjoyable than your houseplants, and safer too. 

Let Him Scratch

If you are a cat owner, chances are you have claw marks on something in your home. Cats tend to love to scratch; it is a natural behavior they engage in to mark their territory, keep their claws in shape and stretch their bodies. Help keep your cat from shredding your sofa by providing him with multiple scratching surfaces. Some kitties like vertical surfaces and others may prefer scratching horizontally. Try varying the scratching material, too. Sisal rope, carpet and cardboard are a few you can try.

Channel His Inner Huntsman

While the thought of having all of your meals prepared and served to you might sound appealing, your feline friend doesn't necessarily agree. Cats are predatory by nature, so help your kitty fulfill his hunting fantasies by providing him with prey-like toys (think wands with feathers and fast-moving furry toys that mimic mice). Then sit back and watch him stalk and hunt like the tiger he knows he really is!

Go Wild With Perches and Climbing Systems

Consider how cats live in the wild when creating your cat's indoor environment. Outdoor cats can be seen climbing trees, running along fences or sitting in high places so they can keep on eye on their territory. You can mimic these conditions by simply moving furniture around or by investing in window perches, cat trees and climbing systems

Provide a Room With a View

 Make sure to open the shades on a few windows in your house so your cat can observe the outdoor goings-on. You can even install a bird feeder or two outside for a little added visual stimulation. If window watching isn't a possibility, try a TV. There are some companies that offer DVDs especially for cats.

Head Outdoors — Safely

If you still feel like your kitty needs some outdoor time, there are ways to provide it safely and securely. Try training him to walk on a leash. We know it sounds impossible, but it's not necessarily as hard as you may think. There are special cat harnesses specifically made for this purpose. And if you're so inclined, build a custom "catio," which is an enclosed patio designed to allow cats to safely spend time outside. But before you venture outside, check with your veterinarian to see if your cat needs additional vaccinations or parasite control.

Spend Some Quality Time Together

Most importantly, be sure to treat your kitty to a lot of one-on-one time with you. Whether it's playing, petting, grooming or just hanging out, your cat will be happy he's spending time with you.

Have a great day!

"How strange

to see the wrinkles

on the sides of my eyes

growing

and getting deeper

the older I get.

I laugh.  A lot.

This is the proof

and they

are my scars

of happiness."

RED

All's quiet on the home front.

The two cats I trapped yesterday.  Blackie was a sweetheart, it was very hard to let him go.  Black male cats tend to be the sweetest things ever, and I have a feeling he would make someone a good pet.  I found out during the day that the red kitty was a currently lactating female.  My heart sank hearing this.  Not sank, it died.  Knowing this little one was away from its kittens, if they were even alive made me sick, but not only that, my foster buddy offered to foster Red just before I was told this news after the clinic called me at work.  It was a very difficult decision, but I knew I had to release her.  I pretty much immediately did after she was brought back from the clinic.  I waited until around 7, yes, past my bedtime!, and brought her to the spot where I trapped her and quietly opened the carrier door for her and she sprang.  I did not see her this morning.  I did see Blackie.

Now for some kitten cuteness from the first batch of kittens.  They are being fostered by an obviously talented photographer!  I need Jennifer at my house for my little clan, and my sister's at her house for her little clan!~  They just won't pose for me!!!

Have a great day.

A Kitten

by Eleanor Farjeon

He's nothing much but fur

And two round eyes of blue,

He has a giant purr

And a midget mew.

He darts and pats the air,

He starts and cocks his ear,

When there is nothing there

For him to see and hear.

He runs around in rings,

But why we cannot tell;

With sideways leaps he springs

At things invisible -

Then half-way through a leap

His startled eyeballs close,

And he drops off to sleep With one paw on his nose.

TNR Tuesday!

Now THAT’S a knife!

Found this behind my shelter on Baldwin and Grand this morning.  Very rusty, no blood marks, but it’s a scary tool.  I am almost positive it was used for cutting down bamboo trees.  We have so many of them around here.  Hard to walk through them sometimes.  Gotta get out the old machete.

I brought four traps out with me this morning.  I set one at Garson. Hoping to get kittens mom.  One at Melville #1, the other at Melville #2, and the other on Parsells across from Baldwin where I’ve been feeding a young red boy, and where Blackie from the block down has been coming lately.  I had not seen him for ages.  He has some kind of injury or growth on his neck, and I’ve been putting medicine in his food.  Today was day three of it.  I pray it works.  Anyways, set a trap there, as Blackie is also not neutered, never would go in my trap when I used to set it for him on Grand and Baldwin.  I set it, and went about my business.    At Melville #1, I got the cat I TNR’d two weeks ago, the red one, and at Melville #2, I got a raccoon!  OK, so I set the traps again, go back to check on Garson, and I got this beautiful quiet black boy.

Blackie #2 from Garson - TNR Today

Went back to check on trap on Parsells, and boom!  Got little red.  Went back to get the other two traps up and out of there.  Went back to finish up my route.  I got home at 5:30 am, an hour and half after leaving the house, only to begin another day.  A day which will consist of giving some loving to Destiny, the mommy/nursing cat, giving squeezes to the kittens.

Little Red from Parsells - TNR Today (but adoptable...  😐 )

Maddie, the kitten my niece found who is being fostered by my sister, was brought to my house last night for surgery today.  She is big enough to be spayed, and boy is she a spit fire.  I have someone interested in Maddie, and I can’t wait for them to meet!  It’s a mother and her little girl – their cat is very very sick, and their cat is this little girl’s best friend, so its heartache for them to have to say goodbye, but Maddie will be a birthday surprise for her.  Let’s hope things all work out.

MADDIE!

Bunny is settling into her new home nicely.  She had a rough start with some big and loud canine brothers and sisters, but is adjusting, according to her new momma.  I am sure I will get a good update soon, with picture.

Pierre has a runny eye, but his foster mommy Kim is watching it.   She says he has the run of the house, and gets along fabulously with everyone.  Such a good boy!  We must find him a great home to live the rest of his long life ahead in!

Blossom is doing great in her foster home as well.  I have had three inquiries about her, but must pick the best one.  Fingers crossed that all works out!

I want to thank Lou and Andrea, a wonderful caring and kind couple, who made some wonderful shelters for me.  They went above and beyond to make, and deliver, at the ungodly hours I ask them to.  Thank you for doing what you do for the cat community. 

Last but not least, some more pictures of some of the little ones – I now have an Application to fill out for those interested in adopting them when the time comes. !

Spice, Tiggy, TJ, Sugar & Teddy!

Mike, Ike, Ben & Jerry

Spice in La La Land...

TACO!

Have a great day!

All things bright and beautiful, 

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens, 

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colours,

He made their tiny wings.

The rich man in his castle,

The poor man at his gate,

God made them, high or lowly,

And ordered their estate. 

The purple-headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset, and the morning,

That brightens up the sky; 

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,

The meadows where we play,

The rushes by the water,

We gather every day;--

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell,

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well. 

INSANITY

Lots of pictures today - be sure to click on them to ZOOM in!  

CARTER in new mom's lap

So Friday morning started out sad, as I wrote about in my last post.  The mother cat and her kittens found in a cooler bag – all five kittens died.  The plus side of this was that Carter was going to be adopted today by a wonderful family.  With a heavy heart, I drove him out to Farmington, all the while with him crying in the carrier.  Keep in mind, he was still fearful of humans, hiding when I went into the bathroom each time and having to pull him out from behind the toilet, but once in my arms, he would melt, and become a purrball of love.  I kept telling him on the drive there that all was good, he was going to have a wonderful life ahead of him, and love his new parents.  He didn’t believe me, of course, but I knew it well.

Once there, after placing him in a small room there was no where to hide, of course he found a place to hide anyway, under a tiny crawlspace under a desk.  How these cats contort their bodies, its crazy!  After I finally left, with a heavy heart, I began to get reports that he was coming out for his new mom, Myrna, and I began to feel better.  Reports as of today are much better, and he is loved immensely!

Destiny w/Posie, Toesie, Rosie and Bear

Destiny w/Bear, Rosie, Toesie, Taco

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I decided to move DESTINY (yes, I have given new mommy a new name) into the bathroom now that Carter was out.  She needed more room than being in the cage she was in trying to nurse her little ones before they passed.  I has received a call that morning saying that a girl in Ontario had found some kittens – four – and couldn’t care for them as she had so many jobs and she just couldn’t bottle feed them every two hours.  Of course I couldn’t say no – the REAL rescue groups are INUNDATED with kittens right now.  I knew they wouldn’t be able to take them, so I didn’t bother to reach out to them like I normally would.  In the ‘old days’, I wouldn’t even consider taking in kittens – I would tell them they would need to take them to Lollipop.  But things change over time I guess.  So around 4 pm, with Destiny in the bathroom with a gate up so she could have interaction with the other cats, and not feel so isolated, the girl arrived with a carrier of four baby kittens inside.  All screaming their tiny little heads off…  Well, I turned around and saw Destiny clawing at the gate, crying.    It was an unbelievable sight for sure.  I grabbed the carrier, went into the bathroom, took kittens out one by one, and Destiny layed down and each kitten took to a nipple, and the rest is history!

Yesterday, a friend referred ME to a friend (groan)..who had a week old kitten that was found somewhere on Lyell Avenue.  I raced over in the morning to grab kitten and raced back to place her with mommy, and baby immediately took to her milk.   I named kitten Taco.  Taco is very tiny, and I am praying she is getting enough milk from mom.   Taco won’t use the bottle or syringe I am trying to use with formula as supplement. The others are larger than her, and fighting for the milk also.  I have a girl on standby to help baby take the bottle.

I’ve named these sets of kittens:  Toesie, Rosie, Posie and Bear. 

MORE news…  So the four kittens from Garson Avenue – TJ (from Thomas Jefferson HS), Teddy and Tiggy (whose eye is looking better, but not completely), Sugar and Spice, who have been fostered by Kristin’s mom all last week, all came back to me yesterday, and they were driven to foster family Costello, who have two young girls that can give them lots of attention and socialization.  Thank God, phew!  Meanwhile, Kristin has a co-worker at school who lives in a trailer park in Holley, and they found four kittens under a lilac tree while gardening.  They called her yesterday and she called me.  I told her I would find someone for her to take the kittens.  My sister.  Thank God for her too.  She immediately said yes.  So here comes Kristin, back with four MORE kittens.  And off they go to my sister.  These four will not need to be bottle fed.  They will be on a slurry for now – baby food and KMR kitten milk replacement.  Tiny little things.

Gorgeous.  All of them.  Speaking of this, I am having a hard time grasping why people fight over the exceptional looking kittens.  They are all beautiful.  I really don’t understand.  That’s all I will say on that, as sooner or later, I need to get all fourteen kittens adopted.

Bunny update tomorrow.

Blossom update tomorrow.

Pierre update tomorrow!

Maddie update tomorrow.

Gotta run!

Have a great day!