Monday, January 31, 2011

change of venue


Well I went back to work today, so I didn't get to spend any time during the day with Peter and Tinsel.  I decided to go home after work, and call and see if they were adopted instead of heading right over.  Turns out that was a good idea because the boys had been taken out of the shelter and brought up to PetSmart's adoption center. 

I was going to not go up and see them, because frankly I'm starting to feel a little obsessed, but then I realized that with the snow coming in, I most likely won't be able to go see them until Thursday.

There was the evening clean up staff there, so I was able to get in to snuggle them.  Once again I was told how much they loved me and how I should bring them home..

Jack is not amused by that idea.  Not in the least..

They didn't get the large play area, but they did open up the connector between two cages, so they have some stretching out room.  I think this will be good for Peter, because it won't be so overwhelming when someone comes forward to see him.  In the shelter the door would have to open, and that would cause him to run.  It was why I originally put them in a cage.  The community room they were in gave them more room to be a kitty, but also more spaces to hide.  The way the cages are set up at PetSmart, people can walk by or walk up to and see the cats but not be intrusive.  As I walked up, Tinsel was playing with a toy and Peter was watching
Peter noticed me when I called him





They both really enjoyed the attention I was able to give them.  Tinsel fell right into my arms and laid on his back and you could almost feel the bliss he was feeling.  Peter gave me a few licks which made me smile.

Btw, mawiesner they like other kitties are are also on the East Coast.  Southern Maine to be specific.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Still at the shelter



Well the boys are STILL at the shelter.  It is hard when Peter runs and hides when ever someone walks in to the room to convince people he is a good and fun and loving kitten.  I'm sure the right home will show up soon.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Just a Dog


I saw this poem online, and while it is "Just a Dog" it works perfectly well for "Just a Cat"


Just a Dog

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Authored by Richard A. Biby

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Glory




She wanted to play pretty badly, so I spent some time playing with her. She was adopted this evening and since she was already spayed she went right home.

There was a bit of a to-do at the shelter as several of the windows were leaking.

While I hung out with Peter and Tinsel, they let me know they were hungry. I went and got a can of food for them, and they started chowing down. There were several other kitties that showed up wanting food too, but they are adults and I was sure they had gotten enough earlier. I don't know what dry food they put in the room with them, but I was a little confused by it. I know first hand they don't feed the dogs the dry foods with lots of food coloring and excessive sugars, (one staff said some of those foods had HFCS in it) but the food down in the room was very brightly colored. Don't know if the cats have the same standards but they were using it because that was all they had on hand, or if they don't have the same standards for cat food. Will have to talk to someone about that.

but then again, they still think dry food is equal to canned food in every way. I've tried, but I don't want to be the crazy cat food lady. So I donate canned food when ever I can, and donate money for canned food. (but then again they buy Iams, which they are so happy about - but I personally don't think Iams is all that great since I can't seem to get foster kittens to eat it, not to mention the ingredients)

So they are still at the shelter in a room that's leaking. I just hope they don't get curious as to what the buckets are for and knock them over :)

(this post has a horrible rambling feeling to it. I'm sorry, I guess I'm even more tired then I thought I was. Hope it made some semblance of sense)

Former Fosters - Raven Poe and Kif


I went to the shelter again tonight to see Peter and Tinsel and saw posted on the update board a letter. I like to read the letters and look at the photos, and I was half way through it when a little light bulb went off in my head. I asked myself, how many people named a kitty "Kif".. that has GOT to be mine.. Then Raven and Poe hit home, and I couldn't stop smiling.

I don't often get updates. It is sad that people forget that someone loved their kitties before they did. (Even when I used to stand there and cry over them as they left and wish them well and ask for updates) but it seems I'm getting more lately.

Unfortunately there was no photos attached to the letter. Don't know if they were or weren't sent in.. But here is the blog post with their "adopt me" profiles

Jan 16. 2011

Hi Good People at AWS

Here's an update on our 3 great kittens we adopted on December 4th.

We renamed Poe, Raven and Kif. They are now Abby, Ziva and Tony!
RAFL - I love NCIS

They are truly a joyous, smart, exhuberant and creative bunch!

Abby is the smallest and is cautious but loving on her own terms
(must be Poe)

Ziva is fearless andcurious and has a very loud motor!

Tony wears his tuxedo front with style and is a non-stop mover and shaker and lover!

Our resident 12 year old Stella is beginning to feel a little like a kitten herself when she's not helping to keep them in their places and assert her queenship.
The babies think everything she does is to die for!

These guys are friendly, sweet and very trainable thanks to a superb fostering job before they came to us.

THANK YOU to all!

Barbara and Jackie


awwww.. I so wish I could write back and beg for photos.. But I'm so happy to get the letter..


and for anyone counting, this is the third set of triplets I've had adopted (that I know of) I'm loving that kittens in pairs are getting so popular that people don't think triplets is considered weird. (btw, have I mentioned how much I LOVE Barbara and Jackie for adopting triplets? they rank right up there with the woman who adoptedHappiness and Joy. I couldn't find the post, but they were a very skittish bonded pair. Happy was more outgoing then Joy. Joy was bordering on feral because of being caught later in life, then going back to the shelter and being adopted and then returned. She was under a lot of stress and was constantly sick. Someone had been in a few times and had seen them, and finally took them home because they were breaking her heart. I can't tell you how much I want to track her down and give her a hug. Actually now that it has been a few years, I'd love to hear how they have changed and blossomed into the loving cats I knew they would become in the right home. Joy was almost out of her shell when I had to return her for adoption... I knew it would work out.

I'm rambling. Guess that is what comes of thinking of my former fosters.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

I LOVE my daddy


back to the shelter


 So I went back to the shelter tonight to spend time with Peter and Tinsel.  They weren't in the cage I put them in, but their cage cards and the write up I did for them were still on the cage.  I checked with the staff and they put them in one of the community rooms.

While looking for them I met a few other kitties.  The pretty black kitty (the eyes photo) from before is named Shaq surprisingly enough.  
Patches

No card, so no name, but very sweet. Look at that belly

"Glory"  has mild CH and VERY soft fur
 Then I found my boys.  They were out playing when I looked through the window, but when I went in, Peter ran and hid
Peter's tail.  When I walked in the room he hid

Then he realized it was me, and came out

He liked the tower

What one does...

the other follows

right to the food bowl

Sunday, January 23, 2011

At the Shelter


Well this one was a hard one on me.  I vowed I would stop taking only kittens because I become so attached, and I apparently forgot all about that.  Even with Tinsel, I couldn't help become attached, especially with all the snuggling and purring they liked to do.  They were of great comfort when my heart was breaking, and it broke again when I had to pack them up and bring them down, and again when I had to leave them there. 

Knowing it is the right thing, doesn't make it easy.  As much as I would love to keep them, the crew needs a little stability right now and my attention.  Jack (at least I'm 90% sure it is him but I don't see him every time so I could be wrong) is still having issues and peeing on the heater from time to time.  I can't sacrifice his happiness to keep them.  Someone is going to be very lucky adopting those two.  I just hope they are open enough to enjoy their love.  Too many times I've seen people who adopt (actually it is mostly surrendering) cats and not really want a cat.  Bear from a couple of years ago was a prime example of that.  Poor thing was almost afraid to be a cat.  I could see his spirit expand when he realized he was in a cat friendly home.

Anyway.... I can hope that anyone willing to adopt two kittens will be a great home.  And give them lots of love and kisses.

The shelter provides boxes in the cages for the kitties to sit in.  Tinsel came out of one of these cages, but he seemed a little freaked by being put back in one.  Peter... well lets just remember that Peter does not adapt quickly to new situations

 There was maybe half or even a third of the normal cat population at the shelter.  The dead of winter always thins out the available pets for adoption.  Not so many people out and about to find them, or people thinking a cat would be nice in the cold weather, or a combination of things.  This cutie here didn't have a card on the cage so I don't know who he/she is.  I just loved the eyes though.  Reminded me of Bear, but not as big. (but still a big kitty in his/her own right)
 This is Spencer.  He is a total flirt.  Kept trying to get me to give him some attention.
There was a six month old boy who was just adopted, so he had gotten quite a bit of attention before I showed up.  He was unhappy that he was still in his cage, and was crying.  Peter and Tinsel were interested in what he had to say, and came to the front of the cage to check it out.  I thought that was a good thing, as they weren't so freaked out that they didn't want to check things out.

Ollie


I'm cataloging photos, and I saw this and had to share.  This was from 2007

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

They are home


It seems they had an uneventful surgery which is good. They are happy to be home, but I couldn't find Tinsel. He's probably sleeping under the couch.

The boys are at the vet


I was reluctant to post before they actually got there because I wasn't sure if the snow was going to shut things down again. But it stopped last night, and except for the half inch of ice on my driveway things are clearing up.

I should be picking them up in a couple of hours to bring them home to recoup and they'll go up for adoption this weekend (hint hint)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Former Fosters - Buffy Zander and Oz (now Spike)


I do wish that I could see them in person again soon.  I emailed their new owner and begged for updated pictures.  Buffy Zander and "Oz" were fosters I had this June.  They came to be almost too small to be with out a mom.  There was some question if they were getting enough nutrition from food alone, and each one took a turn being quite lethargic and miserable.  Poor Buffy was the last and the worst.  She was quite anemic and ended up at the emergency clinic in an O2 tank trying to get enough oxygen in her system to keep her going while her blood repopulated itself.  We are still not sure why she became so anemic, but a round of antibiotics and some good food and she was right as rain.  Her owner reports she is doing just fine, and keeps the "boys" in their place.  I got to see them shortly after they were adopted, and I couldn't have been happier with their placement.

When they got here
Buffy on her trip back from the vet

And here are some of the photos I got when I emailed her.


Buffy - I'm guessing

Zander

Zander

I think this is Zander, but it could be Buffy
This is most definitely Oz (now Spike)



I love that last photo of Spike.. and the flomped out one of Zander and his belly in all it's glory.

Warms my heart

Peter the video


Monday, January 17, 2011

GFS


She loves playing seal.  She makes me smile

Ollie and the decision


After his trip through the house, and the treats, he went back to his make shift bed. It saddened me that it wasn't under the tree, but I was also glad for it, so I could pat him and kiss him - well as much as I could with out ticking him off.  He never really was one for liking attention thrust upon him.

I wanted to pick him up and snuggle him close, I wanted to coo in his ear and tell him it was ok.  But again Ollie wasn't that kind of cat.  Snuggling was not his thing, coo-ing? right out.  and the cancer made him very uncomfortable so I hated the idea of picking him up.  I contented myself with sitting near him and kissing his head.

later that evening, I got out the "kitty crack" I always thought that Temptations were the end all and be all of if a cat was going to eat. No matter how lousy my kitties feel they often will eat Temptations.  Ollie was very interested in them, and ate maybe a dozen, but then stopped.  He crawled back into his blankets and was breathing very hard.  This concerned me greatly.

I went to bed Saturday night, but awoke in the middle of the night.  I climbed out of my warm bed and went to see him.  He seemed interested in seeing me.  I got out the temptations, he did not want any.  I made the decision in the middle of the cold night to not wait.  I hung out with him for a while more, until it seemed I was no longer needed and I went to bed.

In the morning I tried with food again.  He had just a few bites of the baby food, and no temptations.  that clinched it.  it was time.  I called the shelter and they were OK with my coming right down.  They were very kind, and while I found it interesting that the only cat I owned who didn't come from the shelter was going to have his life ended there.

We brought him in the laundry basket he spent Thursday in.  We put in the towels he had been sleeping on and the bathrobe I used a lot that I had snuggled him into when he was in the blankets.  I had to pick him up, and I hated that, because I knew I had to cause him some discomfort, but once I put him down, he settled.  He didn't try to reposition himself, he just accepted it.  I picked up the basket and headed for the door.  Once we hit the outside, he liked the smell, and perked up and looked like he might want to get out, well I knew that couldn't end well, so I patted him to calm him, and he laid back down.  He occasionally looked around during the trip, but for the most part just laid there.  Back outside moving from the truck to the shelter, he lifted his head, and I waited a few minutes to let him enjoy being outside - something he did like as long as he was safe.  (occasionally he snuck out on his own and he was uncomfortable once he realized he was on his own)

The women who helped me were very kind.  His blood pressure was very low, so it wasn't as easy as I would have liked. He growled a bit at them when they tried to find a vein, which I found to be so typically Ollie.  if he hadn't growled, I would have known he was too far gone.

Once the injection was given, he had a "death rattle"  the woman explained that when a cat is really ill they become very tight and with death they relax.  I smiled because Ollie was always wound very tightly, even as a healthy young man.  Picking him up you could feel how tense he was all the time.  His passing was "very Ollie" which brought me some comfort.

I miss him terribly.  I am glad I do not have the guilt that I felt with Em.  Emmy did not want to leave.  Ollie was ready.   Em was VERY dependent on me, Ollie was VERY independent.  His passing, while feeling like the right thing, is still very hard.  I find myself "leaking" (tears falling down my face) at random moments (and this one) when I think about the oddest things.

I came home and sat with Tinsel and Peter for a while.  Both were very snuggly (Tinsel is amazingly snuggly, he LOVES being held much as you would snuggle a teddy bear) and I ended up watching the final "Dead Like ME'.  

For those who have followed this blog for a while know that I watched the first season final episode when Bri passed.  It was interesting that they had a rabbit death in that episode.  I found it highly comforting - in it's own bizare way. Well in this episode (the wrap up movie) Murray died.  Murry being a cat.  Owned and loved by a supporting charater on the show.  He was dealing with kidney issues since the previously mentioned episode, and  now "five years later" he was in decline.  His owner took off time from work to be with him, and when he passed, they had a service for him.  The euolgy was very touching, and again comforting in its own way.  I tried to find a transcript of it online but couldn't so I did my best to get it right.

my dear sweet Murray,
though you've slipped through deaths slim door
i declare you were not just a cat
you were so much more
you were my companion
my pal
my friend
you were there with me loving me
until the end
dear one always patient never mean
you were the best little kitty we'd ever seen
eyes of amber
silver whiskers oh so tickley
that rough little tongue and the way you licked me
time is fleeting, a life passes so quickly
comforting me in my dark hours,
you were always remind me  stop to smell the flowers
when we meet across that great divide
we'll run and play and we'll abide
in cool pastures
your loud purr will welcome me where we'll laugh
and cuddle
and forever be free




I'm sure in time I will feel OK with what transpired. But right now I miss him too much






Sunday, January 16, 2011

And he's gone


I'm not ready for the story, I'll post that later.  Just wanted to update that he continued down hill, so we took him and helped him on.
it is with some awe that I realize that this photo - the last one I took of him on my iPod Touch, is image #333 (3 being a recurring number in my life)

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The good and the bad


Thank you Teri for your comment.  I like that advice very much.  Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it we would be in the same boat if we had gotten it a few weeks ago.  He was doing pretty well up until Thursday. 

He slept on the couch all day, and I was feeling really lousy that there was nothing I could do.  He stood up stiffly and laid back down looking quite miserable.  I was contemplating a trip to the eclinic. I thought I'd offer him something to eat, and got out a jar of baby food.  That did the trick!  he at 90% of the jar so probably a little over two ounces.  He groomed himself and decided to get up.  I put him on the floor and he moved under the tree.  A few minutes later he came out into the kitchen bright eyed and interested in what was going on.  I threw down some cookies (dry cat food - currently Nature's Variety), and he ate quite a few.  He worked his way downstairs I am assuming to use the litter box, then came back up and went back under the tree.

Eli is currently hanging out with him.

looks like it will be Monday


as long as he holds steady, and doesn't take a turn for the worse, we'll bring him into the vet first thing on Monday.

The shelter will help him if we need it, but I can't see bringing him in there and having him deal with the stress of that in his current state.

He's currently in the solarium near the tree (he always loved the Christmas tree, so I didn't have the heart to take it down) with Tweedle.  She's being very good to him, being there but not intruding. 

I know this isn't the most ideal of subjects, so my apologies for the dark turn this blog took.  But it is a part of owning a pet, and as I said in my last rambling post a lot of people wonder what to expect in the end with their pets.

frig


So last night I woke up and spent some time with Ollie. He once again was "restless" or "inconsolable"  He kept asking for things, and I did my best to figure out what he was asking for and finally I came to the conclusion that it was just time.

I think he has a few more days in him, but I am not sure I can bring him to the end, and while this sounds and feels horrible to say and think, a few more days is just not convenient for us.  Tomorrow being Sunday and the vet being closed, then the start of the work week, where we should be at work.  If he perked up and we waited, he would be alone most of the day, and we both come home after the vet closes, so if something happens...

since this has no chance of getting better, it is better to err on the side of too early... and since he's shown that this is physically and emotionally effecting him, this - to me anyway - is no longer too early. 

In a perfect world with no jobs and time to just be with him, I think I would wait, but I think the responsible thing to do is to let him go now.

Unfortunately this is the one day of the month my vet is closed.  I so should have called yesterday when I got home from work just to see what my options were, but at that point I don't think I would have brought him in last night.  But maybe if my vet knew where we stood, he might have offered to be available today.. (we used to work together) but then again maybe not.

I know the shelter can offer the service, but I don't know if they will.  Several years ago they put my rabbit down for me (Tobin) when he became unresponsive.  I'm going to go talk to my friend and see what they can help me with. 

If the worst happens, there is always the emergency clinic.  If not, there is always Monday... which as I hope I stated above doesn't seem - at this point anyway - to be too far away.

Friday, January 14, 2011

my day in pictures


So it started out with Ollie in the laundry basket.
He spent the night in the bedroom with us and no other kitties, and he was completely content to stay that way.  He urinated but did not poop, so I left him with some food and went to work.

Took the fosters with me for another outing (and because there was a request for a visit) 
That Tinsel, he's something special

even Peter was out exploring
 They looked about the office for a while, meowing to one another when they got separated.  They then settled down in their best hiding spot.  This one is pretty clever as it is behind a door that is generally open and amidst boxes we use for shipping.  Apparently he likes shipping boxes, because he hid in one last time he was there, and when we couldn't find him later in the day, he was back in one of those.
I was proud of both of them.  Tinsel was a little mouthy and did chew through a pair of speaker wires.  Don't know if he is prone or if he's just teething.

Came home to Ollie still in the laundry basket and still haven't eaten, but he did poop in the box which was encouraging.  He wasn't interested in the food I gave him.  So I let the crew in to clean it  up, and to see how they would interact.  He wasn't thrilled with the "intrusion" and jumped out of the basket and left.  I went and looked for him a little later but I couldn't find him.  I was so sure we'd be making that call..

Then this
He's up on the bed, giving me attitude, licking plates clean, and even ate with the rest of the crew.

If he could only just talk to me, so I wouldn't have to guess..

I hope I'm wrong


but it is looking like Ollie has made the decision.  I'm going to check in with him after work (I get out at noon) and see what he wants to do and what is available to us.

from ICHC


I went to ICHC this morning and man this looks a lot like Peter..

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Well i feel like a fool


So Ollie has been in the bedroom over twelve hours. He has wet food dry food and litter. Just now he was restless and I thought that he might not like the canned food. I replaced it and he had a bite or two and still was restless. I walked near the toilet and he showed interest but I didn't get it. He then looked at the shower and I wondered why... Why would he look at those two things... That both deal with water... !!!! Water!!! He doesnt drink much so I don't put water down for him in general. I got him a bowl and he had some and is ...well he's not as restless.

Neuter rescheduled


Looks like Peter and Tinsel will be around for another week.  The vet rescheduled them for next Wednesday.

Counting in days now instead of weeks


Hopefully the days will lead to at least weeks, but at this point I'm not sure that is fair.

I left Ollie in the bedroom today to have access to food, he didn't eat much of it.  He spent most of the day in the laundry basket. He looked happy, almost proud of his great place to hang out.

 Only problem is that it allowed me to see that one of his lumps has protruded so far off his skin that his fur doesn't cover it.  my new itouch isn't taking the best photos, so the best pict I have of it is below. 
He didn't mind my prodding it. So I think we still have some time.  But since it already broke through once, I have no doubt it will do it again.

*sigh*
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