awww

I stop by Freekibblekat.com each day to donate food to shelter cats.  Recently they had a contest for youngsters to express how they felt about shelters.  Surprisingly enough a local (to me) shelter won!  It is also a shelter I have great respect for.

http://www.freekibble.com/kontest.asp#winners


Max Christian, Age 13
Shelter: Homeless Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T.). Cumberland, Maine
Why is my shelter special to me? Everything about H.A.R.T. is special to me, but there are certain things that can really bring warmth to your heart. For instance, when my Dad and I bent over to scoop litter, one of the cats thanked us by hopping up on our backs and purring. Every single cat at H.A.R.T. is different in its own unique way. Some are sweet, others timid, but what sets apart traditionally bred cats from the cats at H.A.R.T., is instead of being picked up when they are just small kittens, the cats at my shelter have lived together, so their true personalities are exposed. Another differentiating factor that makes H.A.R.T. exceedingly special is that they take in unadoptable cats and give them a lifelong place to live. Some spend their entire life in the shelter under the care of the staff and volunteers.  I’ve had instances where I wish I could’ve adopted them all.
When I first volunteered at H.A.R.T., I knew I was going to end up with a kitty. Turns out we ended up adopting two kittens, Smitty and Mojo. That makes three adopted cats from H.A.R.T., because we already had Belly. All of our cats from the shelter have had an extremely positive impact on our life.
The staff and Board of Directors there are just as amazing as the cats. They dedicate 100% of their time to these cats just so they can live happily. It is an understatement to the least to say that they are helpful to the shelter. I’m sure the cats appreciate them as well, along with the incredible volunteers, too. I have volunteered there numerous times and know the procedures, which aren’t always easy. They include scooping litter, cleaning cat dishes, washing furniture, scrubbing the floor, and last but most certainly not least is getting to know the cats. When you are finished with your jobs, there is always a little time to stop by each room and say hi to all of the cats. There are lots of rooms to visit, but one of my favorites would be the FIV room. All the cats that go to H.A.R.T. are FIV tested. What makes the FIV room special is that it is the quietest and the cats in it have great personalities. It’s impossible to pick favorites, though.
With over one-hundred cats that need adopting, it would be the least I could do for H.A.R.T. to send this letter to freekibble.com to help support all the cats and the staff. I believe H.A.R.T. deserves to win and the shelter is incredibly precious and special to me, as well as those with two and four legs in Southern Maine. Thank you for reading my letter and giving the Homeless Animal Rescue Team a chance.

Ollie day one

So shortly after the last post I went to go check on him and offer him some food.  He liked the food, but was still quite wobbly, so I left him in the room for another hour.  bad move as he didn't have a litter box.  Oh well.

When I let him out, he still wanted to be left alone, but wasn't as foul as previously.  I knew he would still need a litter box (he didn't pee) and I did not want him walking down the stairs, so I carried him down stairs, which ticked him off.  I swear I could hear him ask me why I did that.  He eventually wandered off, and I lost track of him, but I found him again 10 minutes or so later under the pool table - which is exactly where he hid last time he had surgery.

He got up the stairs on his own, and he also got up on to the bed last night just fine.  Although he was mad at me for insisting that I look at his incision this morning.  It looks fine.  I couldn't help but kiss his little bare knee. I love shaved kitty bodies..

So, on top of a grumpy Ollie, I also had another problem on my hand.  Someone projectile vomited all over the basement during the day.  No one was showing overt signs of issues, but when I gave treats later on, Kit didn't show up, and when I went to spend some time near her (I was working out near where she was sleeping) she ended up getting up and vomiting twice.  She did NOT wanting me looking at her, and I didn't want to stress her out more by forcing it.  I had DH look at her later on, and while quiet and not interested in food, there didn't appear to be anything else wrong with her.  No signs of abdominal pain, didn't have a fever, etc.  This morning she was brighter and more interested in attention.  I'm not 100% sure she ate, but at that I'm still not concerned.  I will be tonight if she isn't eating.

First is still limping, so I'm apparently now a kitty nurse.  I'm also seriously considering asking the shelter to take back Lulu and her kittens.  I don't feel I'm doing them any good, as I'm not able to spend a lot of time with them, and they are not interested in spending any time with me anyway.  But a) I would feel like a failure b) I so want to see them grow and see this through c) I think that the foster homes are all full, and there is no one to take them.

Skippy Update

I went back to the shelter on Friday, and I saw Skippy's new owners. They said all the right things, and seemed on the surface to be perfect parents, but I wasn't 100% happy with them. Why? well they said a few other things that led me to believe they were just saying things to make us happy. I would have prefered they said "yes, we are going to let him out" instead of hiding it. Reason being Skippy is EXTREMELY prey driven, and probably will run after something small and get very lost. Also they had no questions about the possible re-occurance of his urariny issues. I would think that potential owners would want to know what that might mean for them and Skippy, but they didn't ask. Maybe they've dealt with it before? I don't know. I do know they said they really liked the idea that he wanted to cuddle a lot, and that they would be home to cuddle with him.

While I am an indoor only no dry food advocate, I am accepting that many cats do live a long life going outside and eating dry food. However, there are some cats that can't do that (like Benny or Skippy). Getting the right cat to the right people is what is important.

Guilt

I got a very nice comment on my post about returning Skippy. CG (oddly enough my own initials) just returned her first foster kitten (and I am assuming it is a woman) and is dealing with the guilt.

Guilt. I know it all too well. The "I want to save them all and I can't". Every time I go into the shelter for supplies I seem to come out with a new kitten to care for. I just recently had to turn down a two day old kitten who needed round the clock care because I realized bringing kittens into work every day was NOT going to work out (co-worker's dog thinks kittens are toys) I felt horrid.

But there is some acceptance of that guilt, and I just live with it as a companion to the joy that comes from the good I am able to do. CG has limitations in her life with three high maintenance kitties. For her own good, and for the good of the kitties she does own, she knows her limitations. Adding more and more cats would overwhelm her and do harm to her own beloved cats.

When I am tempted to add more (than my already busting at the limits seven cats) I am reminded of a woman who used to foster with me. Under just one year her household went from one cat to 12. 12. Now I have no issue with her having a dozen cats because I know her, and know she can take care of them, but when I had six I was easily overwhelmed with them (of course one of those six was a diabetic) and I couldn't fathom having double that number. I think I vowed at that point to never have more cats in weight than I weighed. *smile*

I know it is so easy to keep kittens. They are small. They don't eat much. They are fun, and cuddly and playful. Basically they sucker you in with cuteness. however by giving in, you put their life, your own, and the lives of any of your current pets under more stress. Maybe it would work out (as it did in my case when I kept Fleurp - but I struggled long and hard about that) but there is a good chance you'll just overwhelm yourself and not provide the home for anyone you want.

I also have to remind yourself there are a *LOT* of great homes out there. No, they aren't yours, and no, they probably wont do everything as you would do it, but that's ok. The kittens will be loved and cared for, and while you might do it differntly, the cats will be happy.

It's time

I think this is the second hardest return I've ever done with a foster kitten. The first being Jack - and I ran into the shelter and got him the next day. Skip is headed back tomorrow morning.

Skippy is such an uber special little boy. I've never known a kitten so cuddly, so gentle, so playful, so happy, etc. Ok ok.. Fleurp was pretty freaking special too, but she was not as cuddly as Skip. He'll sit with me for ... if not hours a very long time in kitty time... then he'll go play or watch the kittens for a bit and then come back to me and cuddle some more. I pick him up, and he snuggles into my neck.

He deserves the absolute best home ever. Mine is pretty darn close, but with seven cats I know I could not give him the attention he needs. Muffin takes up my lap most of the time, followed by Twee. Jack takes up my nights, and Ollie takes up the afternoon/evening shift. DH is usually covered by Kit if not her then Twee.


I want someone who stays home a lot and loves to read or watch TV (so a lap is available) to take him. I want someone who understands or is willing to understand that dry food is evil and that going outdoors is just wrong. I know *hangs head*, I know.. But this is what I want. I can only pray that just the right home comes for him - what ever form that takes, and he is happy for a VERY long time.

Most of my fosters I am ok with passing on to new owners. I love them while I have them, and then let go. Some stick with me. I fear Skippy will be cuddled around my heart for years and years to come. The more that are there, the harder it is for me to let new ones in. I get burnt out quicker each year.

I am going to have to remember to not take only kittens any more..

Clams from the clam festival

I am not a fan of any seafood. But I do enjoy going to the clam festival. There is a lot of good food (aside from clams) and lots and lots of craft stands.

This year finally we had a stand for cat toys.. which of course I had to buy something from. Need to support the sale of stuff for cats. She was clever and made clams for the clam festival..



They were enjoyed

You can not save them all

Well sadly Yippy went back to the shelter this morning. I couldn't figure out why Skippy would not leave her alone while she was out of the cage, but played very nicely with her when she first showed up, and when she was in the cage:



But then I realized that Skippy's prey drive was very very strong. He chases ANYTHING that moves and what more fun to chase than a living being. Yip spent most of her days in the cage so when she got out, she just wanted to flex her muscles and run. This resulted in some play, but when she would escape his capture and take off again, he went into overdrive and things got ugly. He never hurt her, but it did get to the point where I felt the need to step in before he got any further into predator mode. There are very few noises so tearing to the heart as a kitten crying out while being attacked.

I tried many different things to help them co-exist, but fighting against nature is a pointless battle. I contacted the shelter and arranged for Yip to find a new foster home where she wouldn't be harassed. I thought about keeping her as she only has a couple of weeks till she is old enough, but I am very overwhelmed with the orphans as it is, that I'm actually looking forward for Skippy to go back (as much as I adore him)

Bringing her back felt so wrong. My emotional side felt that there was more I could do, that there were other things to try, and that I was 'giving up' and basically doing the wrong thing. I knew my emotions were wrong. I knew that the shelter would take care of her and find her a home where she wouldn't be harassed, and where her foster parents would have more time to snuggle and play with her (which I am severely lacking with Skippy's demands, and the demands of the orphans, and the demands of my own crew)

There are times when doing the thing that feels wrong is the right thing to do. You (ok I) just have to learn to accept this.

I wasn't going to post about this right away, but I got a comment on a post I made several years ago about a foster mom who had a sick kitten:

You seem like an expert at fostering! I just picked up a foster kitty last Thursday that was about 7 weeks old. She weighed 2.9 lbs. She was very lively the first day, then had diarrhea every day after and started sneezing and having watery eyes. When I took her back to the shelter for an exam they said she had lost 9 oz. But didn't want to give her anything for her eyes because it might cause more diarrhea. Two days later she had stopped drinking and playing and mostly slept. She did eat better but everytime she did she had diarrhea. I got permission to take her to the emergency vet and for her to stay there until the shelter picked her up the next morning. Did I do the right thing leaving her at the vet? I kept thinking that she wasn't getting better staying with me, but I feel like I abandoned her. Of course, when we got to the vet she seemed livelier (like when you take your car in and they can't replicate the problem). Should I have kept working with her in the hopes she would get better on her own? When is it the right time to release the kitty back to the shelter?

Interesting how things like this happen. While this is not the same set of circumstances, it is the same emotional feelings.

Since the poster did not leave a way of replying, I thought I would reply here. I'm often saying that all questions regarding cats have been asked before, and will be asked again, so even if the original situation has resolved, it never hurts to add another opinion to the situation because it will come up again.

so yes, you very much did the right thing. You did the right thing at every step. Could you have done more? I don't know. From only the information you gave me I could suggest a few other things for you to have tried, but I would be uncomfortable suggesting them with out more information. Diarrhea is a very common problem, and usually not much of an issue - except for the young, the infirm and the elderly just as it is in humans. Young kittens do not have very many reserves and diarrhea for a couple of days can be dangerous as it drains the kitten of fluids and can dehydrate the kitten, and it drains the kitten of nutrients since food does not have time to be fully absorbed.

Did you do the right thing by leaving the kitten at the vet? Yes. They are much better equipped to handle the situation if it deteriorates. They have foods that are easier on the system, and they have fluids they can give to help keep the kitten hydrated.

Why did the kitten seem to improve when you brought it to the vet? well this is a testament to how comfortable the kitten is with you. Cats / Kittens will do everything they can to hide illnesses. When the kitten was comfortable at the house, it felt a little more able to indulge itself in it's illness. When you took it out of it's comfort zone, the kitten felt the need to work to hide how bad it was feeling. It is so very very common - and happens to me ALL THE TIME! Often I joke with the shelter staff that I just needed to bring the kitten in to fix it.

What you are feeling is completely normal. We've all been there at one time or another. I felt I was abandoning Yip because I could not get Skippy to not chase her. But since we can not save them all, sometimes you have to put them in more capable hands. It's hard to admit that - but with each experience you learn to help you deal with the next one. We have to work with the system we are in. Your shelter has proceedures in place and you do have to work with them, because after all, the kitten is still theirs.

Thank you for caring for that little kitten. Thank you for caring. I hope this will not put you off fostering. It is heart breaking when it goes wrong, but it can be so very rewarding when it goes right.

How to foster kittens

well this was a popular search recently.

How to foster kittens.

Seems so daunting doesn't it? Where do you start, what do you need?

Well if you have a shelter or rescue that has a foster program, the foster program coordinator will start you off with their basic guidelines. They almost always provide very easy fosters for the first set or two, and might ask you later to take more 'high risk' fosters once you feel comfortable. A mom with babies, easy. older kittens that are eating on their own, easy. Pregnant moms, easy with special circumstances. Cause things CAN go wrong. Generally pregnancy and delivery is pretty easy and done with out any interveining from you. But occasionally you need to be ready for problems.

So easy. You bring them home. Set them up with a litter box, food, water and toys. When I first started I had a small office that I converted to fit the fosters. I soon realized that it would be easier for me if I could confine them somewhat, and I confiscated my older rabbit cage (still in good shape) to keep the cats confined while they were very small. It was large enough to comfortably house a mom and a few babies, a litter box and food. As the kittens got old enough to show good litter box habits, they got more and more freedom. As I continued to foster, I invested just under $100 in an official cat cage. I like it, but there are times when I like the simplicity of the rabbit cage. Only problem with the rabbit cage is there isn't easy access. If there is a kitten in the back of the cage, I have to crawl through the small door in the front to get to it.

Do you need a cage? no. If the kittens are small and you want to keep them confined, a sturdy cardboard box works great.

I do however recommend that if you have cats of your own that you assign one room to be for fostering, and keep fosters isolated from your own cats. You never know what issues foster kittens can bring into your house. Almost all of the issues that can be a problem are preventable with your own cats being up to date on their vaccines and isolation from the fosters. I am rare in how much I isolate the kittens. Most of the foster parents I know let kittens mingle with their own cats. I've done it. I'll admit it is a LOT of fun and good exercise for older cats. But since I've run into issues I only do it after the kittens have been around for six weeks or more and ONLY if they tend to escape the foster room first. (which despite the addition of a baby gate to the enterence of the foster room door they still do as they get older)

So, basics. New foster parents get easy cases. Not much to do but play with them, snuggle them, get them used to human contact. Helps to have a radio or a TV playing in the back ground when you aren't around. gets them used to the sounds of humans. I had a set that I didn't give background noise to for a while, and they were more shy than normal. Took them a little while each time to warm up to us. So I ended up getting a radio for them, and that disappeared.

another good thing to do occasionally is take them for an outting. I once had a set of fosters that didn't leave my house until they went to get neutered. They got quite car sick, and the whole experience was quite hard on them. taking them out in the carrier and drive around a few times (once a week?) or bring them back to the shelter for a visit.. I bring mine in occasionally for cuddling. I ask the staff if they wouldn't mind cuddling a kitten... which they rarely turn down. I work at a place that I can bring kittens in occasionally, which is also helpful. Going out into the world, then going home to the nest helps build up the self confidence of a kitten. And a self confident kitten makes a nice well adjusted and loving cat.

Over the years I've gotten a few extras for the foster kittens. Climbing trees, cute beds, play cubes, etc. But generally they just want to play with those things you don't want them to, like plastic bags, pop tops from cans, strings from bags of litter :) You need to be VERY careful to kitten proof. Kittens once they get that walking thing down are very much like human toddlers at a birthday party.

Often, when I tell people what I do, they ask how I can do it, how can I give them back. Well I laugh and remind them I now have a multitude of cats, and sometimes they don't go back. One foster parent I know ended up with 12 cats. Most have one or two they end up keeping, but we love cats, and we love our cats, and we know that to keep adding to the household would only cause problems, and would probably end our ability to foster. The other thing I tell people is that when you have a group of kittens, it is a completely different thing than falling in love with one cat a time. Yes, they are adorable, fun and make you laugh, but 5 kittens can get into more trouble than you can imagine, and make big messes (the dustpan and broom will be your best friend) and by the time they are big enough to go back to be adopted you will very much be like the mom of the toddler at a birthday party. I've actually begged the shelter to take back kittens before.

now, when you get one kitten, or you have a sick or special needs kitten, you are apt to get attached. Which is another reason why you aren't given those kitties when you first start up.

so long post to say you need a warm safe place for them to be and time to love them (and clean up after them). It is oh so easy and so very rewarding to watch kittens grow into healthy self confident cats.

if the shelter or rescue does not provide food and litter, then you will need to provide that. Most take care of medical issues. Make sure you know what you will be responsible for. Find out what their policies as well as their emergancy policies are (because emergancies rarely happen when they are open)

If they do not provide medical care, then be very careful. Because sick kittens can quickly drain you financially. several trips to the vet, several different medications. etc. not all kittens get sick, but it is common.

URI is the most common. usually requires a little liquid medication given once or twice per day (depending on the medication of choice) Young kittens are usually very easy to medicate, especially with liquid. You just need to make sure they continue to eat and play. Any change in that behavior would warrent another trip back to the shelter for further treatment.

Questions? Just leave a comment, I'll be happy to answer them.

very confused

Well when I started thinking I wanted Fleurp, I introduced her to my crew. She was THRILLED to have kitties to play with, loved the whole thing, and didn't show a nanosecond of hesitation.. because that is just the kitten she is.

I was expecting my crew to growl at her, and show me their general displeasure.. which they never did. They all seem to love her.

HOWEVER...

Ollie has gotten excessively grumpy at EVERYONE, including myself and DH.. Jack has urinary issues again - I'm assuming brought on by stress.. and there seems to be general discord in my house.. last night I had to lock up Jack because he was attacking Kit. None of this seems directly related to Fleurp..

Even this morning when I gave out treats, some boiled chicken, no one cared that Fleurp came in and took their piece. She even took Muffin's piece right out from under her nose and Muffin did not react at all. Simply let her take it and then sniffed around for another piece. When I went to take it back from Fleurp, she was quite posessive, but I split it up and gave most of it back to Muff, who chewed it right up.

Now Muffin doesn't stand for ANYTHING, but she stood for this?!?!?

so is Fleurp a good addition to the house since she plays with Kit and Twee, or should I send her back to find a new home? I've always said my kitties would revolt if I tried to bring anyone else in.. and there does seem to be a revolt going on, but NOT in any way shape or form tied to Fleurp..

I'm just so confused..

Decorating the tree

oh the joy :)

Several years ago I couldn't face dragging out the boxes of boxes of ornaments. It is such work to unpack everything and hang them up for just a few short weeks. So that year I said "what do you think of decorating the tree with cat toys?"

My DH who is up for anything I propose, said sure, why not.. and thus our new tradition began. I have to say, as much as I love a nicely decorated tree with pretty ornaments and sentimental ones, I LOVE the ease and joy that comes from decorating the tree with cat toys. It reminds me of decorating the tree when I was a kid. We didn't have fussy ornaments then.. mostly stuff that my sister and I made in school in years past. If they didn't survive the year it was no big loss.

also, this way we get to include our "kids" and not feel the need to banish them while we are decorating, and be harsh with them when they explore the tree. to me, it brings back the joy of Christmas..

It is Hug Your Cat Day!

Man, I've got some work to do.. 17 cats at the house to hug..

FYI - although I thought it was rule #1

see more crazy cat pics

oops

Well I made a big fat mistake last night. My poor rabbit Bri has been stuck in her cage and I wanted to let her out and get her some exercise. Well I put her in with the babies.. Mom was fine with her till one of the babies started harrassing Bri, and she ran away.. Well mom didn't like all the running and went and attacked Bri. Have you ever tried to separate two warring bunnies? Kinda scary! I finally got Bri cornered under a box, and got her out of there. There was Bri fur in the pen, so I tried to examine her, but she was not having any of that. So I put her back in her cage with some treats and let her rest. I'll keep an eye on her.

The babies are doing very well. Eating me out of house and home if I'd let them. Mom has crusty ears.. Don't know if the shelter is going to want to do anything about it or not. She also feels quite hot to me, but I've never had a lactating rabbit before.

Teddy my previous foster who came for a visit is having some issues. He had a urinary issue before he came, and was on antibiotics. I gave him the remainder of his doses, but then he was in and out of the litterbox a couple of times this morning. I told his mom who is coming for him tonight. I'll miss them!

My little Spud is a laugh riot. He's running but it is like he doesn't have a rudder.. just running and running, but no idea where. I put mom's food on the floor to see if he'd be interested in food. It is a little early, but some of them eat sooner than others.. and he saw mom eating, and went for a nibble or two.. so it won't be long now. I'm going to try to get a video of him running, it is just too cute.

A general apology to my cats

Yesterday was a tough day for my crew.. Vet time. Rounding them all up was no fun. Fitting six carriers in a truck was no fun, hauling them down to the vet which is about 45 mintues away was no fun, listening to them whine all the way down was no fun, carrying them into the vet was no fun, putting up with their anti-social behaviour and their foul language was no fun. Dealing with Kit vomit was very much no fun.

Getting clean bills of health for everyone was nice. Eli needs a dental. Ollie got blood work. His colestrol is a little high but nothing worrysome. Everyone else is good. So that was good..

Then packing them all back up was no fun. Paying the almost $400 bill was no fun. packing them all back into the truck was no fun, at least the whining wasn't as obnoxious.. but yet there was still whining.. no fun.. then getting them all back in the house.. no fun. Listening to them all swear afterwards.. no fun..

But they made it through.. Got treats.. and then slept the rest of the day.. and we don't have to do that again for another year.

But then.. then what do I do? I go and clean everyone's ears today! We've had a run of really cruddy ears lately, so I got some ivermecton and everyone got an ear cleaning and a treatment.. Not sure that mites are really our problem, but I wanted to rule that out first. Now everyone is mad at me. of course as I type that Kit crawls into my lap.. and of course as I type that I realize she has poop stuck to her fur.. nice..

I'm sorry kitties.. but sometimes mommy has to do what mommy has to do..

I shall always be the alpha kitty.

Kit

Fever was 103 this morning. So more clavamox, more fluids, more dirty looks from her. I hate doing it, but she looks at me like I am the meanest thing on the face of the plannet.


I did however wake up to Muffin wanting my attention, then Jack laying on me for about an hour, then Twee.

Ollie spent the entire night with us. I'm starting to worry about that boy's dramatic personality change.. from grumpy loner gus to must be with family dude.. Guess when you are the oldest cat in the house you feel the need to take care of the people?? hopefully it is just that and not a medical issue.

well it is official

The kitten is now a member of the family. I adopted her on Sunday. Her official name is going to be "Kit N. Kaboodle" we'll call her kit or kitten..

she was rather sleepy yesterday. I was getting very concerned - yes I'm paranoid. later on in the evening we had some play time, so I felt better, but then she curled right back up and went to sleep. We are still dealing with fleas, so I sprayed her with some frontline (which she hated and thought I was evil for applying to her) so hopefully that will be the end of that. I have dewormer and her last distemper to give her, but I'm going to wait a day or so. Also have to get her neutered but I think that can wait a bit.

We have a bit of discord in the house, and I can't seem to figure it out. I know Tweedle is looking for someone to cuddle up to since Em's death and no one really wants to. Its so sad. She keeps trying with Muffin, and Muff only wants to cuddle with me (weither I like it or not) She tries with Ollie too. Sometimes Ollie is ok with it, sometimes not. *sigh* I was hoping Kit and she would get along, but they seem to be avoiding each other.

Gave Jack a bath yesterday. His fur is so fine he can't clean the flea dirt off himself very well. The water that ran off him was black. I feel horrid. I really need to do something about these fleas. I kept putting it off thinking that once it got cold they would just go away - which is what usually happens if I have fleas this late in the year, but they are still hanging on. I'm not really seeing fleas, just the dirt. and just on Jack and Kit. Muff is clean, so is Eli. Ollie had a speck or two on him from time to time, but he is always getting into things, so I am never sure if it is flea dirt or just dirt. Twee sometimes does, most time doesn't.. but I really need to get off my duff and just treat everyone and be done with this. Problem is my vet doesn't sell the larger sizes of advantage, and I hate the idea of spending $10 a cat to treat, when if i could find the larger size it would be about $10 to treat everyone.

making cat food

Oh how I hate making cat food.. let me count the ways.. *ugh*

but it is cheap and the best diet I can come up with for my cats.. so I do it.. but man I wish it would just make itself.

We decided to do eight packages of meat this time. each package is two batches, and we have been doing four packages which used to last us a month with Em eating canned (and the rest of them helping her) but now that we have six on only raw, six packages seemed to only last us a few weeks.

We made it on Sunday.. we'll have to wait and see how long this will last.

We ran out of food, and had to feed them some of Em's left overs on Sat night and Sun morning. Muffin decided she needed cuddle time after she ate dinner, and OMG cat food breath is gross!!!

I also got some chicken breast to add in. They don't seem to like the chucks of chicken thigh meat, so I thought I'd try the breast. They need to chew the meat to help clean off their teeth, and Eli's teeth are horrid! I'm afraid he's going to need a dental right quick. He's my skittish boy, so getting him to brush his teeth would not be kind - not that a dental would be kind to him either but it is a one day thing as opposed to every other day - and I'm sure in his mind way less tramatic. *crosses fingers that this works well and the next time I'm able to look at his teeth they are much better*

I still need to get the kitten in to be neutered and adopted. I don't know why I'm avoiding it..

Final Foster Update

Well the last of the fosters (sorta) went back on the 11th. Right after I came home, packed, and headed off on vacation. We had someone who I know via the shelter come and house sit for the cats. Fred and George and Ginny were neutered on Friday, and went up for adoption that weekend. I haven't checked in on them, because I know they were probably gone the day they went up, and if perchance they weren't, they went in the week that followed.

I hope they are well.

Tilly is still at the house. She has wormed her way in, and as soon as we get her neutered she'll be a resident at casa de gato.

I haven't had the heart to get new fosters at this point. I'm kinda blue about Em right now (see previous post) and I'm still settling back into my life from said trip. I know all too soon I'll be missing the pitter patter of little kitten feet, but right now I think I was overloaded with the last set. I took them too soon, and dealing with Obbie (I can't believe the new owner is calling him fluffy.. *rolls eyes*) I'm drained..

Soon. WAY too soon if I know me :D

The kids

Well this has been an interesting few weeks. Did I mention that Tilly is still at the house? Well Dh has decided she's going to stay... and I totally do not object. She is the freakingly cutest thing on four paws. She looks up at you with those "puss in boots" eyes from Shrek. She carries things around in her mouth and brings them to you to play with her with.. Coming up with an appropriate name hasn't been easy. She never did seem to like Tilly.. so we'll see.

However this has spured problems with the resident cats. Muffin is very edgy.. hisses all the time at everyone. Her acne is acting up too. She had a few bumps on her chin, that seemed to swell up, so I put her on some clavamox. Tweedle has taken to annoying her for the sport of it too - so now Muff has to put up with Eli and Twee.. and she doesn't much like the kitten either, so she's just not all that happy. I'm trying some of Ollie's happy pills on her hopefully that will mellow her out.

Tweedle got into a scuffle lately too - had a scratch on her chin. Ollie has been looking a little ragged too... Nothing specific yet.. just a feeling. Jack has been sending me stronger feelings though. again, nothing specific outside of his bad ears, just the feeling that he's not doing well. I think when I get back from our trip I'll take them in for a once over and blood work for Jack and Ollie.

We've also got massive fleas.. ok that isn't true.. we have about 10 fleas, but I can't seem to get rid of them. it is annoying.

adoptions

Well that Saturday I went in for adoptions. Tommy was the first to go. Went to a woman who just lost a cat who looked like him. Buddy went to a family who has a rottie, and who is planning on letting him outside. I felt bad - but if anyone is going to be ok outside, it would probably be buddy.. besides, he'll have the rottie to protect him.

A woman came in and spent several hours trying to decide.. she eventually settled on a kitten that wasn't from my bunch.

a family came in after returning a cat.. they were going to take Nina (or was it Cin?) but the shelter had a policy not to adopt immediately after a return.

And that was Sat. Sunday I went in with the new fosters, and had them tested (they were negative) and saw Cin and Gin go home together :) That left Oscar and Nina. Tilly was at the house because she wasn't big enough.

Friday I went in and noticed that Nina was still there.. so Oscar had gone home. Miss Molly and Miss Martha were still there. :( I hope they get a special home. I am thinking of writing up a little bio for them..

I emailed the family about Nina, and they said they were going to go in and get her Sat AM.

Tilly is still at the house, cause frankly she's still underweight.. barely. However I think we've decided we are going to keep her. I mean I already ordered her a collar.. She loves DH most of all.. but she's up for any attention she can get :) I so want a different name for her though.. I was never a fan of Tilly..

Now I named the 8/07 fosters. The gray one is Obby and the buff one is Nox. Shortened versions of obnoxious.. which they are. I named the orange twins Fred and George.. which left the tortie girl so I named her Ginny. I kept them caged up when we weren't in the room, and they were so obnoxious and so full of energy, that I started letting them out twice a day. They are starting to turn into good kittens, so I let them have run of the room all day today.

Obby and Nox are growing VERY fast, and will be going back next week.. They are very well spoken, and will yell at you if they aren't preoccupied doing something else..

I'm worried about one of the orange twins. I can't tell them apart except that one has an excessive amount of eye goop - which is the one I'm concerned about. he's a little more laid back, and a little more conservitive.. he might even been a smidge dehydrated *shrug* I'm not sure. I am going to wait a few more days and see what happens.. hopefully nothing and he'll be fine.

coming to an end

Well I have set up an appointment for the May fosters.. they will be going up for adoption this weekend..

which stinks on a couple of different levels since there is a cat show that I would like to go to, and a gathering of people I know on the internet which I think would be good for me to go to..

the woman that emailed me about Miss Molly and Miss Martha emailed me and apologied for not showing up that weekend, and asked if she could come this weekend.. well she never emailed or called me with more info, and it never happened. I feel bad that they will be sent into the system, but I know the shelter will respect the fact that they should be together..

I'm still horribly torn about adopting Tilly. I talked with the animal communicator yesterday - which was very funny and very painful - and while muffin is very "anti-kitten" (which just knowing her for 10 minutes you'd know) and Ollie is against it too, the others were sorta ok with it. Although I know they'd like Buddy - who is quite handsome - but a total handful and looks too much like Emerald - who escapes every time I open the door, and my cats like to chase him around the basement.

The new fosters still don't have names. I'm waiting till they are tested I guess.. make sure they aren't going to be taken away from me.. They are totally the "spawn of evil" as my DH likes to call them. They look up at you with their pathetic eyes, and purr and want to be patted, but then they jump on you and try to take you down. Already they want OUT of the bathroom. This morning four of the five were curled up on my previously used hair towel (one of those specifically designed for you to turban around your wet hair) The cuteness is overwhelming.. and their bellies are still way bigger than their head. I wish they would grab on to the fact that dry food is food, so they would know there is always food available so they wouldn't feel the need to eat EVERYTHING I put down.

anyway.. I am happy only having five cats - sorta - but I do know I have this opening that could be filled.. and I have this adorable kitten that is so cute.. we've nicknamed her the hypno-toad kitten (from the tv show futurama who had a hypno-toad in it that made anyone near it do what ever it wanted)

there will be other adorable kittens.. obviously they are upstairs in my bathroom... there will be other kittens that will need me.. I dont need to rush into this..

I guess like the bane of my existance "emotional eating" I want to do "emotional adopting" it feels so right to do it, but some part of me somewhere is saying no.. (actually I think it is Muffin projecting her "NOOOOOO" onto me.. but that's a different post)

I'll post more about my A/C session once I can do it with out crying..

Jack, Muffin, Eli

Just a couple of photos of some of the kids.
Eli

Jack

Muffin

hope?

I have been reluctant to put this down in my 'official blog' for fear that I was hoping the trend would prove true.. no wait.. that line doesn't make any sence.. I feared that once I wrote it down that it would disappear.

Since the deworming, Em has put on weight.

The morning of the exam, at home, she weighed 9lbs 10 oz
at the exam, 9lbs 8 oz - dewormed
that night after finishing breakfast and lunch - 9lbs 15 oz
next night 10lbs 3 oz.
Next morning 9 lbs 15 oz
this morning 10 lbs.

So I am now a firm believer in if your elderly kitty is losing weight deworm it. it can't hurt, and it might just help. I think if she gets up to 10.5 I'll wean her off the thyroid meds and see what happens. although I'll probably talk to my vet before then and will listen to his advise.

Her nose is holding steady. there was a little blood on the right side this morning. She has been bleeding out of the left. I don't know if this is a good thing - that the pred is making the tumor shrink a little so it is bleeding out of the right, or if it is a bad thing, the tumor is rupturing on the right side or doing damage on the right side.

I just need to remind myself not to dwell on the specifics. I can't make decisions because there is a little blood in a different nostril. I can only make decisions on her over all health and disposition.. which at this point is on the good side of bad, and holding steady...

My other cats are holding steady. Nothing major going on with any of them. Jack is freaklingly adorable. He's taken over Em's job of holding me down in bed for as long as possible in the morning. He's so sweet, and so cute, and so wants my attention. the other day I was getting ready for work, and he wanted attention. so his way of getting it was to snuggle with my tush as I bent over to pull up my pants. :) Muffin has taken over Em's job of telling me I'm the best mommy EVA! I love when she does this. A lot of the time she is seeking attention for her own gain.. but sometimes I swear she's seeking attention to make me feel loved and appreciated. Last night Ollie wanted some attention, and refused to take "but its BED TIME" for an answer. He started out on top of my chest, then when I kicked him off and rolled over he snuggled my hands asking for more attention. Fortunately he's not an all day of attention kind of guy. He just wants to make sure he can get it, then he wanders off. Eli has been around more since talking with the animal communicator. I think he knows I don't want to hurt him now, and I do my best not to check on his ears when I am able to pat him. Tweedle is still her adorable self. I have the impression she's grown up a little since the talk with the AC. I don't like it... but I suppose she can't be a kitten forever (WHY NOT??)

I will be glad for my motley crew when Em's time comes. They do bring me a lot of joy.