Former Foster Friday Freeforall

In years past I haven't had foster kittens in February so I've done Former Foster Friday February and done posts about the few fosters I've kept in touch with on each Friday... but this year I have kittens, so I haven't reached out and asked for photos.

But a few photos have found their way to me via Facebook, so I thought I would share them with you.

I'm starting out with Gandalf. He is settling well into his new home with his new brother.  I'm glad because only kittens often have a very hard time adjusting to other kitties because they often don't 'speak cat' and they end up not understanding one another.  I'm glad to see I did a someone decent enough job helping Gandalf learn 'cat'

Looks to me like Bridget and Dave are thrilled with their new boy.

I also received an update from Kathleen, who went to visit Sharon and Gail and hung out with Winn and Bella.

Look how big they are getting, and what sleek looking teenage kitties they are!  Fortunately, Sharon shares a lot of photos and videos of them, but because of that sometimes I just want to drive up there and snatch them back they are so freakin cute. (then Jack comes and sits on my face and the urge passes)  They too are also quite smitten.

Not to be outdone with uber cuteness, Kathleen then shared photos of Maxwell and Ducky

These two amuse me to no end.  Ducky actually developed a pretty pronounced set of bow legs, which I have found a little odd, but they do not bother him at all, and it just adds to his charm. Kathleen, I am thankful every single time you share them with me. And when you share my other fosters with me, like Buddy (formerly Garp from 2014)

It is so nice to see him.  Speaking of Winn and Bella, I would be remiss if I didn't share with you Errol and Flynn.

They are also doing very well. Flynn is still a lover boy, and Errol has definitely blossomed into his true self - a lover of chickens.  Just kidding, but he is doing really well, I am so happy for him. Not that I'm not happy for Flynn, but I knew he would do well wherever he landed.

I would be remiss if I didn't include my heart-kitten Isaac Arnold and his brother Smedley.

It still aches that I was not able to keep him, but Anne does a wonderful job of keeping me supplied in photos of them both. They are both amazingly ridiculous, and I love them dearly from afar.

Anne's sister Deb also adopted from us, and she also shares photos of Perkins from time to time.

and it appears he is just as goofy today as he was when he was here.

There are more out there that share their photos from time to time, and I am obnoxiously grateful each time it happens.  I also adore it when I see other foster homes sharing photos of their former fosters in homes too. So if you have one of mine, or someone else's.. send their foster mom a photo and a few lines about how well they are doing and about their personality. It will totally make their day!

Former Foster Friday - Lion

About a month ago I was in Boston dropping my friend off at the airport. Since I had been given an invitation prior to come down and see where Lion lives (I was told I would not get to see my cowardly Lion) I contacted Lion's mom to let her know I would be in town and basically invited myself over to see him.

that light was red... good thing I was busy taking this photo
 or I might have hit that guy running the red.

I just want to say two things about Boston.. thankgoodness for GPS, and even the GPS can not save you from Logan Airport. 

Lion circa 2013

my first 'glimpse' of Lion thanks to my phone and Toffee

You aren't here to take back my brother are you??  ~Harris

Okay good, whatcha bring me?

I did bring Lion and his siblings some gifts which were much appreciated. The social members of the family did come out and try to distract me from kittennapping Lion and bringing him back home with me.

oooh, I want that.. 

Gotcha

Harris was happy to pose for me.

Wendy wishes I would go away.
Lion's red mouse hung out with her to comfort her from my presence

Hello Lion (I still didn't get to see him, this was my phone around the corner)

I did see this much of him.

Laurie lives with five absolutely beautiful cats and I was a little sad that not all of my photos came out, too many were a little blurry.  But if you want to get to know them better you can keep up with them on her blog A Proper Bostonian

Former Foster Friday - Lion

Our first Former Foster Friday February is by Laurie who adopted our little Cowardly Lion..

We already had four fluffy cats in our small apartment when I saw the Cowardly Lion on Connie’s blog in November 2013. Four was our limit. They were all friends. Our vet had given us a stern lecture once, when we asked about adopting a fifth cat. Five was the tipping point, she said, when tough behavioral problems often started.

We didn’t want trouble, so I tried to forget about Lion. But Connie kept posting photos of him, and I kept looking. Why wasn’t anyone adopting him? His little face haunted me. From his eyes, I knew everything I needed to know about him. Deep down, I felt he was mine, although my head kept denying it.

I put him on my Christmas list but that didn’t pan out. Finally, in mid-January, it was decision time. So Lion came to live with us on a “trial” or “foster” basis for a few weeks while we decided whether we should keep him.

He turned out to be a born diplomat. As soon as he left the carrier, he set out to win over each of us. He was patient, observant, polite, and sweet. Toffee, our mellow brown tabby, quickly adopted him. Possum and Wendy, our five-year-old rescues, took longer to come around, but did.

Harris, our clever, spoiled “baby,” wanted to stay the baby. So he took Lion’s stuff. He stole everything Lion had brought with him: his collar, his favorite red mouse, and even his fleece blanket from Connie. Harris dragged Lion’s things through the apartment and into his own space. And Lion let him. Soon they were curling up together.

Lion needed all of his powers to win over my husband, who was being unusually resistant. Jumping into his lap to snuggle finally did the trick, but not until March. I was ambivalent, too. I drove my friends crazy with my weeks of dithering and worrying about whether we could handle having many geriatric cats at once someday. But it only took me about a day to know that giving up Lion would be agonizing.

Fortunately, I’m a wimp. I could not foster kittens and send them off to live with strangers, as Connie has done hundreds of times. She is brave and optimistic; I’m not. All Lion had to do was look into my eyes and lick my nose, and I was done for… whether I admitted it or not.

A year later, we love him madly. He’s purring next to me as I type this, occasionally swatting at the cursor. He has grown into a gentleman and a character — as I knew he would. He has a loving, charming personality. He comes when called, sometimes. He’s smart and talkative. He plays fetch. He snuggles adorably. He cuddles with his brothers. He’s passionate about pole toys and drinking straws. He’s also gorgeous, with his silky coat, his eyeliner, his wise old eyes and funny little smile.

Four things I’ve learned from Lion: 1) We had plenty of room for him. If you feel you could fit one more, do it. Save a life and enrich your own. 2) I’m not cut out to foster. 3) Connie “makes” fabulous kittens. If you get a chance, adopt one of her fosters. 4) Listen to your heart and tell your head to be quiet. It saves time. It brings joy.

Connie here again. I know Laurie talked about adopting Lion as a trial - but I knew from the minute she said she wanted him (ok probably the second time she said it) that it was fate.. It just took her a while to work it out. 

Monday Morning Kitteney Goodness

So the Monkeys are so cuddly it is darn hard to get good photos of them that do not include me.  They are very similar to Smedley and Issac Arnold in their daily cuddle quotient except it does not seem to stop. Last night they decided to use me as a cat bed and I nearly lost all ability to do anything productive ever again.

The Kitten that reminds me of Melody has really taken to the boys.  For a while I was seriously contemplating making her a 'needs to go with Lion" kind of kitten, but I think as long as there is another outgoing kitty in the house it might be better for her. She tends to mirror the behavior around her, and when the Monkeys are all up in my face she actually climbs up in my lap and accepts attention - even purrs for it. She rubs all over my ankles when she is hungry and when I offer my hand to her to sniff she will walk up and sniff it. If I reach directly for her though it still bothers her, but side reaches are fine. She never balks when you have her, but she often looks for an opportunity to get down rather quickly.. she is one very busy kitten that one.

Lion.. well I'll let you see for yourself..



My work here is done..

Which is a good thing as they are starting to get on my nerves (not really) as the room is kitten proof for neonatal kittens, not older obnoxious teenage kittens..

Kittens for your Monday morning

Lion and The Kitten that reminds me of Melody are doing wonderfully. Bringing home the three boys home has done them wonders. The boys all look very very similar on the face of things.. I have ways of being able to tell them apart, but not while they are running around being crazy.

They are absolute monkeys, and as such I have decided to call them Michael, Mickey and Davey. I had distinguished them in my head as One Two and Three... because of the way they would come out of the cage when they were isolated. One would always be first.. he is the friendliest and cuddliest kitten (and will probably be Davey). Two is sweet and cuddly but he has a mischief streak in him a mile wide. He LOVES climbing up me, jumping on my back and climbing up and sitting on my shoulder (not a good thing when wearing a thin t shirt) hence he will be Mickey. Three was the sickest when he showed up and would hang out in the cage even though the door was open. Now that he is feeling better he's a cuddly boy who likes to play. They love climbing all over me and cuddling with me and purr up a storm. It is a lovely example for Lion and TKTRMOM, and as such they too have been climbing up on the couch and being near me and are much more accepting of attention and my attempts to pick them up. TKTRMOM still doesn't like the hand coming straight at her face, but for the most part she simply flinches or takes a step back instead of running for the hills like she used to. She also LOVES the monkeys. She used to NEED Lion to get through her day, now she spends a lot of time with the boys and wrestling with them. Since Lion is so much bigger than she is, I think she likes having something smaller that she can 'win' with.

The monkeys came in sneezing, and are now doing very well. They randomly sneeze once while I visit them, but there are no other signs of issues. Lion and TKTRMOM sailed right through the exposure with nary an issue. It looks like in another week or so they'll be ready to go up for adoption..

Former Foster Friday

I've been getting pictures of my last four fosters to be adopted, and I'm loving them to bits. I thought I would share them with you.

Issac Arnold and Smedley still continue to do well in their new home.  I adore them just as much today as I did the day they walked out the door.  Thank you Anne for continuing to share photos of them with me.

Perkins is doing wonderfully in his new home. There was issue originally with their resident cat Tigger not really liking this new little interloper.. but as you can see they are getting along very well.

Penelope Possum is doing wonderfully in her new house as well.  She has a brother who is also black and white who she likes to pounce on... as well as a dog who appears to adore her.  She is so full of purr and cuddle they are having a hard time getting good photos of her :)  I love it.